Donald Trump

UNITED NATIONS. – US President Donald Trump yesterday vowed to “totally destroy” North Korea unless Pyongyang backs down from its nuclear challenge, mocking North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a “rocket man” on a suicide mission.

It was Trump’s most direct threat to attack North Korea for belligerent acts that have included launching ballistic missiles over Japan and conducting underground nuclear tests. His comments rattled the world leaders gathered before him in the green-marbled UN General Assembly hall, where minutes earlier UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appealed for statesmanship.

“The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea,” Trump said. As loud, startled murmurs filled the hall, Trump described Kim in an acid tone, saying: “Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime.”

Kim Jong-un

One man in the audience covered his face with his hands shortly after Trump made his “totally destroy” comment. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom crossed her arms. North Korea’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s remarks. A junior North Korean diplomat sat in the delegation’s front-row seat for Trump’s speech, the North Korean UN mission said.

Trump’s saber-rattling rhetoric was in contrast to the comments of some of his own Cabinet members who have stated their preference for a diplomatic solution. In a thunderous 41-minute speech, Trump also took aim at Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence, Venezuela’s collapsing democracy and the threat of Islamist extremists.

He also criticised the Cuban government. “Major portions of the world are in conflict and some in fact are going to hell,” he said.

His strongest words were directed at North Korea. He urged United Nations member states to work together to isolate the Kim government until it ceases its “hostile” behaviour. He said North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles “threatens the entire world with unthinkable cost of human life”.

Trump said: “It is an outrage that some nations would not only trade with such a regime but would arm, supply and financially support a country that imperils the world with nuclear conflict.”

Turning to Iran, Trump called the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, an embarrassment and hinted that he may not recertify the agreement when it comes up for a mid-October deadline. There was no immediate comment from either Iran’s UN delegation or its foreign ministry in Tehran.

The speech marked Trump’s latest attempt to lay out his America First vision for a US foreign policy aimed at downgrading global bureaucracies, basing alliances on shared interests, and steering Washington away from nation-building exercises abroad. Trump, who entered the White House eight months ago, told the 193-member global body that the United States does not seek to impose its will on other nations and will respect other countries’ sovereignty.

“I will defend America’s interests above all else,” he said. “But in fulfilling our obligations to other nations we also realise it’s in everyone’s interest to seek a future where all nations can be sovereign, prosperous and secure.”

Reading carefully from a script, Trump said the US military would soon be the strongest it has ever been. Shortly before Trump’s speech, Guterres appealed from the General Assembly lectern for statesmanship to avoid war with North Korea.

“We must not sleepwalk our way into war,” said Guterres, the former prime minister of Portugal. The UN Security Council has unanimously imposed nine rounds of sanctions on North Korea since 2006 and Guterres appealed for the 15-member body to maintain its unity on North Korea.

Trump has warned North Korea that military action was an option for the United States as Pyongyang has carried out a series of tests toward developing the ability to target the United States with a nuclear-tipped missile.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a former UN ambassador due to address the world body later on yesterday, said in a statement: “In over 30 years in my experience with the UN, I never heard a bolder or more courageous speech.” Financial markets showed little reaction to Trump’s speech, with most major assets hovering near the unchanged mark on the day.

“He stuck with his script,” said Lennon Sweeting, chief market strategist at XE.com in Toronto. “The dollar/yen jumped around a bit but it’s basically flat. I don’t think we will see any more volatility out of this.” – Reuters.

Mr Tsvangirai

Herald Reporter
PANIC has gripped the MDC-T amid revelations that party leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s close associates have followed him to South Africa to monitor his condition after he was flown there as an emergency case early morning last Friday.

Mr Tsvangirai was reportedly carried into a private plane on a stretcher at Harare International Airport around 2am, although his office sought to downplay the incident, insisting the MDC-T leader had flown to South Africa for a routine medical check-up.

While Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, yesterday insisted that the opposition leader was well, party officials stressed he was in bad shape and that his close associates, the Makone family, had joined him in South Africa.

Read more:

• Succession coming earlier to MDC-T
• Tsvangirai ailment affects MDC-T
• ‘Succession’ enters the opposition lexicon
• Pressure mounts on Tsvangirai
• Tsvangirai reveals cancer ordeal
• Tsvangirai’s ill-health fuels MDC-T power struggle

The officials said it would be advisable to tell the truth about Mr Tsvangirai’s condition to avoid unhelpful speculation which could only hurt the party and cause panic among followers.

Mr Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa after his condition drastically deteriorated during a workshop in Kadoma. He was recently diagnosed with cancer of the colon and has been receiving chemotherapy in South Africa for some time.

“We wish the president very well but he is still in the woods,” said a senior MDC-T official.

He added: “Yes, he is responding to medication but his condition is not changing and that is our major worry. What is worrying us is that he keeps issuing statements through Tamborinyoka saying he is stable and urging people to vote yet it is clear he is not well. This attitude is not helpful.

“He has been going for routine check-ups for some time now but the fact that he was hurriedly airlifted at a workshop in the company of a doctor is clear evidence that he is seriously ill. You cannot fool people like that.”

The official said MDC-T members were also irked by the manner Mr Tsvangirai’s illness was being handled by party officials.

“What has irked other senior party members is the way the president’s sickness is being handled by members of the ‘kitchen cabinet’ such as the Makones. They are ring fencing the president and want to appear as if they are the ones who love him more than any other party members.” Another source said Mr Tsvangirai’s illness had plunged the whole party into confusion about the future if he were incapacitated beyond recovery.

“Remember, we have three vice presidents and our constitution is silent on the issue of succession,” said the source, who sits in the MDC-T’s standing committee.

“Dr Thokozani Khupe is the deputy responsible for administration, Engineer Elias Mudzuri is responsible for organising and Advocate Nelson Chamisa is responsible for international relations,” said the source.

“None of them can claim to be superior to the other although those sympathetic to Chamisa are already touting him as the possible successor,” he said.

“The truth of the matter is that the constitution is silent about that matter and the appointment of Eng Mudzuri and Adv Chamisa was never meant to deal with the succession issue but factionalism that was threatening to tear the movement apart.”

He said it was important for Mr Tsvangirai to appoint someone senior to act in his capacity whenever he travels outside the country for whatever reason. This, he said, would help in coordinating communication and give it more authority.

Throughout the weekend and yesterday, Mr Tamborinyoka insisted Mr Tsvangirai was well and that he was urging people to register in readiness to vote in next’s elections.

Professor Jonathan Moyo

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter

The Constitutional Court has dismissed an arrest challenge by Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo, a development that will see the politician being prosecuted for allegedly swindling the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund of $500 000.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba ruled that the lawfulness of arrest can properly be challenged before a magistrate.

The court also found nothing wrong in the minister being arrested by a police sergeant who was on secondment at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

More details to follow….

Samson Muripo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FORMER world champion Samson Muripo consolidated his status as one of the best karatekas to emerge from this country after he successfully went through a technical dan promotion to fifth dan in India on Tuesday to become a Shihan.

A Shihan (or master) is a Japanese term that is used in many Japanese martial arts as an honorific title for expert or senior instructors. It can be translated as “master instructor”. The use of the term is specific to a school or organisation, as is the process of becoming a Shihan.

Muripo’s last grading was in 2012 and on Tuesday he proved he is not yet done, going through the gruelling process that included a 50-man fighting test and individual technical assessment.

The grading was conducted by IKO World So-kyokushin president, Hanshi Oishi Daigo, during the Kyokushin International Training Camp in Kolkata. The former world champion attributed his achievement to hard work and dedication as he continues to set the bar high on the local karate scene.

“I love training, I love kyokushin karate. The pain is temporary but honour is eternal. What I invested during my preparation was enough to sail me through the fires of the technical dan promotion.

“It was like hell, especially performing the last three katas alone in the presence of the So-Kyokushin karate ‘lord’ Oishi Daigo Hanshi. “I had to send back that heat unto my opponents in the last phase of the technical dan promotion, the 50-man fighting test. “It is very difficult to please Hanshi, his standard is too much in that regard (kata),” Muripo said.

Being the Zimbabwe So-kyokushin Karate Do Organisation branch chief and Africa development officer for World So-kyokushin, his latest achievement means more responsibilities as he is expected to lead in the development and growth of the sport.

Muripo paid tribute to various individuals who assisted in making his trip to India possible, including Manson Mnaba, who has been supporting him for quite some time now, including when he was crowned the World Champion in 2009.

The likes of David Gamanya, George Maposa, Tapiwa Mukwashi, Tinotenda Makava and football agent Kudzi Shaba — who is also a karateka and a close friend of Muripo — weighed in with financial and moral support. Zimbabwe Karate Union technical director (full contact), Kumbirai Musinami, could not hide his joy.

“This is another milestone achievement and he has actually made history by becoming the first Shihan for So-kyokushin in Africa. It’s a great achievement and it has elevated our country and our style as well.

“Now, becoming a Shihan it means most of his tasks are now more developmental within Africa. “As Africa’s representative of So-Kyokushin now he has the responsibility to make sure the style grows in the region and Africa, starting from Zimbabwe spreading to the region and Africa.

“He will also be needing assistance but I have no doubt he can make it. Now he can actually do the technical grading up to third dan by himself, fourth dan he will need to be assisted,” said Musinami.

The ZKU technical director was full of praise for Muripo describing him as someone who has always been exceptional.

“Samson Muripo is very unique I would say. He is a very lovely person, if you look at how he helps people develop in karate, he has such a big heart. “His love for the sport is amazing he sometimes sacrifices his own resources for the development of the sport. “When you work with him you should expect to work beyond your limit, even the Grandmasters themselves admitted his work rate is big.

‘’He is also very focused, very critical when it comes to mapping our way forward, where we want to go and what we want to achieve. Actually he is a great leader for the sport, with him we are poised to achieve greater things,” said Musinami.

Posting on their Facebook page, Zimbabwe So-Kyokushin Karate welcomed the development, congratulating Muripo on his success.

Morgan Tsvangirai

Nduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
PRESSURE awaits ailing MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai on his return from South Africa, with the party’s senior leadership from Matabeleland pressing for a meeting to discuss disagreements over the formation of an opposition coalition.

Mr Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa for treatment last week. His deputy Ms Thokozani Khupe, national chairperson Mr Lovemore Moyo and suspended national organising secretary Mr Abednico Bhebhe broke ranks with their leader over an envisaged coalition of opposition parties ahead of 2018 harmonised elections.

The trio snubbed the initial launch of MDC Alliance in Harare last month and the second one that was held in Bulawayo recently, with fears that the opposition party could be headed for a split.

Mr Moyo

After the Harare launch, the three top leaders were reportedly manhandled by youths allegedly linked to Mr Tsvangirai’s office who accused the trio of holding an unsanctioned meeting.

As a result of the assault, Ms Khupe and company snubbed a meeting of the party’s national executive committee in Harare citing security fears. The three top MDC-T leaders, before the national executive council, wrote Mr Tsvangirai a letter registering their concerns around the coalition and that they would not attend the meeting because of security reasons.

Before Mr Tsvangirai was flown to South Africa, the two parties were reportedly trying to hold a meeting to iron out their differences to avoid a potential split. Yesterday, Mr Moyo said they would still press for the meeting with Mr Tsvangirai after his discharge from the South African hospital.

“I think that if the meeting was in the interests of the people then there is no way that it cannot be relevant. If it was a personal matter then maybe it can be said to be irrelevant with time, but if we don’t attend to this matter then it will affect a section of the voting population,” he said.

Moyo said while they valued their leader’s health, their grievances were not a short term issue hence the need to address them if there was hope of amassing as many votes as they could.

“We really value his health and wish that he recovers to full health because he remains our trump card ahead of the 2018 elections, but there are critical issues that need to be discussed and we will wait until he is discharged and recovers then we engage him,” he said.

Mr Tsvangirai was reportedly stretchered into a private plane at Harare International Airport around 2am last Friday, although his office sought to downplay the incident, insisting the MDC-T leader had flown to South Africa for a routine medical check-up.

Mr Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa after his condition drastically deteriorated during a workshop in Kadoma. He was recently diagnosed with cancer of the colon and has been receiving chemotherapy in South Africa for some time.

Cde Nyaruwata

Lovemore Meya Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has elected a new national executive committee that will lead the organisation to elections in December.

The change of guard was announced at a Press conference in Harare yesterday. Cde Patrick Nyaruwata chairs the national executive committee.

“The committee of the national executive has unanimously elected new leadership at the top hierarchy which will spearhead the preparation for the elections to take place during the month of December,” said Cde Nyaruwata.

“On the position of the chairmanship of this organisation, Cde Patrick Nyaruwata will be the chairman of the committee, deputised by Cde George Mlala. The political commissar will be Cde Samuel Mazhamba.

“We elevated the secretary-general, who was deputy secretary, Cde Michael Mapfumo to be the substantive secretary-general of the organisation.” He said other positions would remain as elected at congress in Masvingo in 2014. This means that Cde Robert Ncube retains the treasurer’s post.

Speaking at the same event, Cde Mlala said: “As members of the national executive selected on November 16, 2014 at Masvingo general congress, we fully acknowledge that the selection process was held under the executive order issued by the Zanu-PF First Secretary and Patron of the ZNLWVA, Cde Mugabe.

“It is therefore in our capacity to also fully comprehend that at the moment ZNLWVA’s constitution remains suspended until the resolutions made at the general congress are fully resolved.

“It is at this meeting that the new national executive, as from November 16, 2014, was charged with amending the constitution to cater for the various problems that are affecting our association,” he said. Cde Mlala branded the Christopher Mutsvangwa-led war veterans “rogue elements”.

“Therefore, as the national executive, we refuse to be led by rogue elements who have been expelled from the party and have of late, not shown any remorse, but rather vowed to join retrogressive elements sponsored by our erstwhile enemies.

“We also in this same vein bar the fugitive Douglas Mahiya from representing our organisation in any capacity. We are fully aware of his dubious co-option into the structures of the national executive.”

Tambaoga

Vongai Mbara Arts Reporter
“Agirimende” hit-maker, Last Chiyangwa, affectionately known as Tambaoga has resurfaced with a new anti-corruption song titled “Mutemo Wavirima”.

The mbira musician, who made his name in early 2000 with his hard hitting lyrics during the early days of the land redistribution programme says he feels there is need to alert people and expose corruption . According to him, the new song blames people in the corridors of power for the high level of corruption.

“It is so sad that some of the people who are supposed to be stopping corruption are the ones causing it. As Zimbabweans, we should make it our mission to help the Government stop corruption. Instead of complaining about it, do something about it,” said Tambaoga.

The musician stated that he is resolute in joining the public to fight corruption through music and he believes by using music, the increasing rate of corruption will reduce. The musician said he hoped the song will be played on all radio stations across the country and the national television and he urged the society to love the song because it is very educative.

“My anti-corruption song should be embraced by all Zimbabweans because it will educate and help the country fight the problem of corruption which has greatly affected the country’s image,” he said. He explained that corruption is one of the great problems hindering the country’s development

“The Government is trying to fight corruption but it faces a lot of challenges to control it because the majority of the public are not aware of the negative impacts it has on our country.”

Known for his unique delivery, Tambaoga announced his presence on the music scene with a charged hit song Agirimende and he did voice covers for the Third Chimurenga jingles, “Rambai Makashinga” and “Sendekera”.

LUSAKA. – A consumer group yesterday welcomed the decision by the Zambian government to allow for the entrance of a fourth mobile phone service provider, saying it will enhance competition and bring down the cost of communication services.

On Tuesday, Minister of Transport and Communications Brian Mushimba said the cabinet has approved the coming of a fourth mobile phone service provider and has since given the country’s telecommunication and technology regulator to start the bidding process.

He said the move to allow for a fourth operator was necessitated by the high cost of communication services in the country. The Zambia Consumer Association said the decision to allow for another operator was a good move as it will give consumers a wide choice on which operator to deal with. “Although it is long overdue we are happy that the government has now decided to allow for the entrance of more mobile phone service providers,” Juba Sakala, acting executive director of the consumer group told Xinhua in an interview.

“This will result in stiff competition and result in lower cost of telecommunication services.” He said the entrance of another operator will force the existing companies to improve their services.

According to the government, the fourth mobile phone service operator could be in place over the next six-12 months and that the country could still have the capacity for a fifth operator.

Currently, Zambia has three mobile phone service operators namely MTN Zambia, a subsidiary of South Africa’s MTN which accounts for the largest share of the market at 48.3 percent, Airtel Zambia, a subsidiary of India’s Bharti Airtel at 41.4 percent, and Cell-Z, a subsidiary of the state-run telecommunication firm, Zamtel, which accounts for 10.4 percent of the market. – Xinhua.

Illegal meat vendors

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Bureau
POLICE have launched a nationwide clampdown on illegal meat vendors and backyard food outlets as part of measures to fight livestock theft. The operation, codenamed “Eradicate Street/Open Air Meat and Food Vendors”, was first launched in Harare and Bulawayo, where police arrested 340 offenders and closed down 13 butcheries and confiscated 458kg of meat between March and May this year.

In an interview yesterday, Police National Anti-Stock theft coordinator Senior Assistant Commissioner Erasmus Makodza said the second phase had been nationalised and would cover growth points and small towns.

“We started with Harare and Bulawayo because those were the hot spots. However, we have discovered that there are rampant cases of meat and food vending in other cities and towns throughout the country,” said Snr Asst Comm Mukodza.

“This programme will complement other blitzes such as operation ‘Batai Mbavha dze mombe/Bopani amasela enkomo’ that we conducted in January this year. We arrested 932 people for stock theft and related cases,” he said.

Snr Ass Comm Makodza said street meat vendors were providing a ready market for stolen meat thereby promoting stock theft.

“We have operation Eradicate Street/Open Air Meat and Food Vendors that we launched in March this year. Under this operation, which we only did in Bulawayo and Harare, we were targeting meat vendors. The blitz on street meat and food vendors was conducted during the period extending from March 27 to May 14 this year,” he said.

“Under this operation, we managed to arrest 192 offenders in Bulawayo and 148 in Harare. We also closed down two butcheries in Bulawayo and 11 in Harare. We confiscated 148kg of beef, 257kg chicken and 53kg fish,” he said.

Snr Ass Comm Makodza said police, in conjunction with the veterinary services department and the registrar general’s office, had so far branded about 2 million cattle under a new personalised branding system.

He said this had contributed significantly towards the reduction in stock theft in the country.

“Since we started the new cattle branding system, we have branded 1 963 566 cattle. This is 36 percent of the national herd which is 5 490 620. This has reduced stock theft significantly because 98 percent of the cattle that are stolen are unbranded,” he said.

Air Zimbabwe expected to take delivery of six aeroplanes

Africa Moyo Business Herald
AIR ZIMBABWE is expected to take delivery of six smaller aircraft next month as Government heightens efforts to revive the struggling national flag carrier, The Herald Business has learnt.

Under the deal, Government is not buying brand new planes because of funding constraints, but would lease them. The source of the smaller aircraft — which carry up to 50 passengers — remains a closely guarded secret but it is understood that they would be coming from ECC Leasing. ECC Leasing, which was established in 2002 to manage and market pre-owned aircraft, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a Brazilian firm, Embraer.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Jorum Gumbo, confirmed to The Herald Business this week that the smaller planes would be coming sometime next month, but declined to divulge further details.

“I want to bring them in October; so towards the end of the month (September), if we get in touch, I will tell you when I will be bringing them in. I would need more publicity for them at that point,” said Dr Gumbo. At the end of July this year, Dr Gumbo told our sister paper The Sunday Mail Business that he was in advanced negotiations with a supplier of smaller aircrafts but rejected reports that he was talking to Embraer.

“The issue at hand is that the planes that I think we may lease are (like) Embraers because they are small and they carry about 50 passengers.

“I can’t afford long-haul aircrafts for the region. I am in the middle of negotiations to lease planes; that is a fact. I realised that partnerships may give us headaches . . . I want to keep the national flag (on the planes), so leasing would be ideal . . .

“The negotiations are very advanced at the moment . . . I am looking for a minimum of six smaller planes to ply regional routes. “These smaller planes would feed passengers into the long-haul aircraft that would be plying long distance routes.” Some of the targeted regional and international destinations are Angola, DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore.

The coming in of the new planes has been advocated for by many aviation experts for a long time, who argue that it was not economic to fly long-haul planes into the region, particularly when they are never full most of the time.

Air Zimbabwe is battling to restore passenger confidence following years of under-performance marred by delayed departures and cancelled flights. Government is now understood to be keen on changing the national airliner’s name to Zimbabwe Airways, which would be a new debt-free Phoenix rising out of the ashes of Air Zimbabwe.

Air Zimbabwe’s huge debt of about $334 million is turning off most technical partners, hence the desire to create a new company that would be attractive not only to potential partners, but also in the eyes of passengers.

Cabinet recently decided to hive off Air Zimbabwe’s legacy debt; together with other key parastatals such as Ziscosteel, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the Civil Aviation of Zimbabwe (Caaz), to allow them to reinvent themselves. For Air Zimbabwe, it appears as if the revival is gathering momentum with the deal to acquire six smaller aircrafts and about four long-haul planes.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa responds to questions during Parliament’s Question and Answer session in Harare yesterday.— (Picture by Justin Mutenda)

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa was yesterday taken to task by legislators over Government’s inaction on the illegal sale of scarce cash on the black market.

Members of Parliament across the political divide asked the minister why there was no evident effort to prosecute cash dealers whom they claimed acted in cahoots with financial institutions and influential individuals.

The questions were raised in the National Assembly during a question-and-answer session. Shamva South Member of Parliament Cde Joseph Mapiki (Zanu-PF) was the first to ask why cash dealers were not being jailed and fingered members of the Indian and Chinese communities for selling cash at a premium.

Cde Mapiki said EcoCash dealers were also levying charges on desperate customers. Minister Chinamasa said there was no law providing for the arrest and imprisonment of such individuals, but that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was empowered to impose penalties under the Banking Act.

“The law to jail people (dealing in cash) is not yet there. What is there are penalties for those found doing that. “We have agreed as Cabinet that a law be put in place. I am not saying cash is not being sold, but I do not know about it because I would not be there when people sell it,” said Minister Chinamasa.

His response was met with howls of disapproval from legislators, particularly when he said he wanted to get more information in respect of EcoCash dealers.

Legislators were riled that Minister Chinamasa appeared to suggest he was not aware of a practice that is rampant in the country. Zvimba West MP Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi (Zanu-PF) said a new law would not solve the problem since financial institutions were the major culprits.

“They sell cash and banks are involved. If you want to travel outside the country they will ask you to deposit your money. Where do they think we would have got it (from)?” said Cde Ziyambi.

Minister Chinamasa said he was getting regular reports from the central bank on such vices. He undertook to issue a ministerial statement next week giving full details on the issue.

This was after he was subjected to a barrage of criticism from legislators on why he was not giving precise responses. The legislators were furious that the minister in some instances said he was not aware of any alleged illegal financial practices.

Glen View North MP Mr Fani Munengami (MDC-T) implored Minister Chinamasa to give detailed responses, including information on a proposed $300 million stand-by liquidity facility and central bank governor Dr John Mangudya’s views on the performance of the bond notes so far, given that he had indicated that he would resign if they failed to achieve intended objectives.

Dr Mangudya introduced the bond notes as part of the multi-currency system in November last year, stating they would be paid out as an incentive to encourage exports and promote formal Diaspora remittances.

Responding to another question, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joram Gumbo said engineers were already on the ground in preparation for the commencement of the Beitbridge-Harare highway dualisation.

Harare South MP Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe (Zanu-PF) had asked for an update on the project. Meanwhile, the Public Entities Corporate Governance Bill was tabled before the National Assembly yesterday.

The Bill provides for governance of public entities in compliance with the Constitution, provide a uniform mechanism for regulating the conditions of service of members of public entities and their senior employees.

The Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee to scrutinise whether it is consistent with the national Constitution.

Mr Mudede

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
The Registrar-General’s Office has resumed issuing emergency passports and rubbished reports that it had run out of paper to print passports owing to foreign currency shortages.

The office suspended the issuing of emergency passports last week to clear a backlog of over 2 000 passports.

Members of the public who were seeking the emergency travelling documents were forced to apply for the “normal” passport, which costs $53.

Read more:

• RG suspends issuance of emergency passports

An emergency passport, which takes 24 hours to be processed costs $318, while the one for three days costs $253.

In an interview, Registrar-General Mr Tobaiwa Mudede said his office started accepting applications for emergency 24-hour passports yesterday.

“We had a slight problem. Like I said before the problem involved our backlog which was now going beyond four months. I won’t go into details on why, but from yesterday (Monday) we started accepting passports with a waiting time of three days and those applications are online today (Tuesday),” he said.

“Tomorrow (yesterday) starting in the morning we will be accepting those applications for 24 hours. We are quite happy that it did not take us a very long time, but we continue to battle with our backlog. Leave that one to us.”

He said his office was serious in discharging its duties and wanted the public to be happy. Mr Mudede said everything was normalising and urgent passports will be processed within the requested time.

“When we say within 24 hours what we mean is that, within that period if you are leaving on a plane and you come to us crying for an urgent passport we can produce it in 30 minutes which is within the 24 hours,” he said.

He denied the reports that his office had run out of passport paper saying, “Who told them that. I never said that. People postulate. People say a lot of things and this comes again back to the question of the metal identity card.”

Mr Mudede denied saying the metal ID was going to be outlawed saying he only encouraged people to take advantage of the mobile registration to replace their metal ID cards.

“When I was saying replacement, I meant those with a very old metal ID which is no longer easy to read because it has overstayed its time. You give us that one we replace it. You give us the piece of paper that waiting pass, which is green in colour with a picture that has been destroyed or has been defaced and cannot be seen properly it cannot be read so we can replace it,” he said.

“People talk about the plastic ID. We don’t talk about plastic. We talk about the synthetic one which is pretty strong. I don’t know why people went on rampage on the issue of the metal ID saying Mudede has abolished this, I never did.”

Mr Mudede advised people with metal IDs to have them replaced saying his office was ready to deal with a large number of people in the country seeking to do so.

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
The Labour Court has given Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd a 60-day ultimatum to either reinstate or pay damages to 300 workers whose contracts were unlawfully terminated on three months’ notice in 2015.

Labour Court judge Justice Emilia Muchawa found that although Air Zimbabwe (Airzim) ended the contracts in the spirit of the infamous Zuva Petroleum judgment of July 17, 2015, Section 24 of the Finance Act Number 8 of 2015, gave retrospective effect to the Labour Amendment Act, Number 5 of 2015.

The Labour Amendment Act, through Section 12(4a), outlawed arbitrary termination of employment on notice and set the parameters in which such termination should be done.

Also read:

• Airzim retrenches 200 workers
• Retrenched workers still on Airzim payroll

The new law only allows termination on notice in circumstances where one is employed on a fixed contract basis or has consented to the termination of contract. Justice Muchawa ruled that Airzim unlawfully terminated the 300 employees’ contracts and ordered that they be reinstated or be paid a reasonable compensation for damages.

“Having already found that the second to 301st respondents’ contracts were not terminated pursuant to Section 12(4a), it follows that they do not fall in the categories of those to be paid the minimum retrenchment package. Further, the primary remedy for unfair dismissal is reinstatement,” ruled Justice Muchawa.

“Where the court makes an order for reinstatement, it must also make an order for damages as an alternative to reinstatement,” she said. Consequently, the judge confirmed the reinstatement order. “The first respondent (Airzim) unlawfully and unfairly terminated the contracts of the remaining 2nd to 301st respondents. “The first respondent be and is hereby ordered to, within 60 days of this order, reinstate the workers to their positions without loss of pay and benefits.

“If reinstatement is no longer tenable, the first respondent is to pay the damages in lieu of reinstatement which the parties are to negotiate, failing which either party can approach the applicant for quantification,” ruled Justice Muchawa. National Airways Workers’ Union vice president Mr Elijah Chiripasi hailed the judgment saying the arbitrary firing of workers without benefit had caused deaths and family break-ups.

“The effect of the Zuva judgment was so devastating and we lost at least five lives as a result of stress and suffering,” said Mr Chiripasi. In the Zuva case, the Supreme Court ruled that employer and employee were equal parties and either could terminate the relationship on three months’ notice.

“We have witnessed families collapsing due to financial challenges after their lifestyles suddenly went down as a result of the heartless decision to fire innocent people empty-handed. “We welcome the judgment and it has come as a sigh of relief to the affected workers,” he said.

Price manipulation by abattoirs, councils, auctioneers and recurrence of the deadly Foot and Mouth Disease are some of the factors that need addressing in the beef industry

Business Reporters
THE Competitions and Tariff Commission has recommended the formulation of a beef industry policy for the entire value chain to address a myriad of problems in the sector, chief among them price collusion.

Presenting findings from a study of the Zimbabwe beef industry at a validation workshop held in the capital yesterday, CTC said a study into the state of affairs in the sub-sector noted several issues constraining the industry, which has potential to “contribute 86 percent to household income”.

Price manipulation by abattoirs, councils, auctioneers, high regulatory costs and recurrence of the deadly Foot and Mouth Disease were some of the factors the study recommended to be addressed through the beef industry policy.

“Cattle marketing is regional and is marketed through private and RDC auctions and private treaty. Cattle are mainly sold through private treaty when farmers take their cattle to abattoirs. Cattle prices are mainly determined by the two biggest abattoirs in the country,” the CTC study noted.

“It is recommended that the main mode of cattle sales be through decentralised RDCs auctions to enhance competition among buyers and relieve farmers of huge transport costs. This will address the issue of collision to suppress prices,” CTC said as part of recommendation from the study.

The previously commercial farmer dominated sector, which used to have an annual quarter of 9,1 tonnes of beef exports to the lucrative European Union is now fragmented with 91 percent of the country’s 5 million cattle population now owned by small holder farmers.

Although CTC noted that beef distribution was nationwide, it found out that 90 percent of the locally produced beef is earmarked for the Harare market, leaving the rest of the country to scrounge for the remaining 10 percent.

“(The Ministry of Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development should craft a beef industry policy governing the entire value chain, that is, from production to beef distribution, it should among others incorporate direct and regulate the industry’s operations, streamline the various costs paid in the sector and establishment of a one-stop-shop concept for various registration, payment of fees and levies to lessen the burden on the value chain players.

“The ministry should consider transferring Agritex officers with animal husbandry qualifications or knowledge to the Department of Livestock Production Development particularly in areas with excess capacity,” noted the commission.

With Zimbabwe having lost its $2 billion export quarter to the lucrative European markets due to the recurrence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), the commission also called on Government to liberalise the fight against the disease.

“Government should consider allowing the private sector and NGOs to participate in FMD control. Government should promulgate laws to ensure that in cases where farmers intend to convert their farms into wild animal conservancies, they should put the necessary buffer zones,” the study says.

It was also found out that farmers lack animal husbandry and cattle marketing knowledge and do not treat cattle rearing as a business. The study showed farmers are dissipated and unco-ordinated in production and marketing.

President Mugabe

From Munyaradzi Huni in New York, US
President Mugabe has said the world is “embarrassed, if not frightened” by what appears to be a return of the biblical Goliath in reference to US President Donald Trump, whose speech at the 72nd Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly seemed to threaten other nations.

In his speech, Mr Trump threatened to obliterate North Korea and attacked Iran in a manner condemned by many delegates.

President Mugabe urged Mr Trump to blow his trumpet in a way that brings unity, peace, cooperation, togetherness and dialogue to the world.

He said all countries should respect the provisions of the UN Charter to bring peace and development to the world.

He said Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular had defeated imperialism and so “bring us whatever monster by whatever name and it will suffer the same defeat”.

“Are we having the return of Goliath?” asked the President in reference to Mr Trump.

President Mugabe said each nation should build on its strength and that there should be respect for each nation’s independence and sovereignty.

He also called on the US government to tackle serious issues to do with climate change saying “let’s work together, climate change is real”.
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President Mugabe then expressed his condolences to the people of Puerto Rico and other nations devastated by natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

While urging nations that can assist to chip in with a helping hand to those affected, the President said the world at the moment “demands more, not less, solidarity”.

The President said Zimbabwe supported Africa’s position regarding reforms of the UN Security Council saying the process was moving too slowly.

He said this raised suspicion that those benefiting from the current set up could be derailing the discussions.

He said the current set up of the UN perpetuates a historical injustice, adding the gap between poor and rich nations continued to widen.

He said the world should not expect to reap peace when it is investing in war, which led to greater human misery and the mass movement of people fleeing war and conflict.

“A different, better world is possible,” said the President.

He said each country should have a right to its resources and to decide its destiny, citing Western Sahara and Palestine as countries that were being denied the right to self determination.

He called on the UN Security Council to demonstrate its authority in Western Sahara and Palestine by working with the African Union to solve the problems in the two countries.

The President said Zimbabwe remained committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said Zimbabwe respects the sovereignty of other nations.

Throughout his speech, President Mugabe received wild applause from several delegates who seemed relieved that at last someone was bold enough to take on the bullish Mr Trump.

The afternoon session when President Mugabe delivered his address was chaired by Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Fredrick Shava.

Adv Goba

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
Newly-appointed Prosecutor-General Advocate Ray Goba has blasted Harare City Council for failing to ensure orderliness in the city and called for the setting up of specialised municipal courts to deal with petty offenders.

Adv Goba slammed council for allowing an influx of street vendors and pirate taxis that have turned the central business district into a jungle.

In an interview yesterday, Adv Goba said there was chaos in the streets of Harare, with vendors left to sell vegetables or roast mealies for sale right in the CBD.

Others place unpaid-for advertising posters on trees.

Burning of grass and urban cultivation, according to the PG, were also offences but the municipalities were turning a blind eye to these transgressions.

Adv Goba said failure by council to rid the city of these illegal activities made people believe they were actually lawful.

He said the situation was bad and councils needed to scale up their policing and ensure 24-hour patrols to restore order. Penalties should also be increased for the offences, especially for repeat offenders.

“There is no sustainable law enforcement on the streets of Harare and other large cities.

“There is a lot burning all over in urban areas. Cultivation in the cities is slowly becoming a ‘legal right’ when in fact it is an offence in terms of the law,” said Adv Goba.

“People roast mealies right in the CBD. Driving around town, all trees are pierced with nails for the purposes of placing posters advertising individual businesses. If council police were serious and keen on restoring order, the advertisers who damage trees would have been easily apprehended. They even place their phone numbers and addresses on the posters,” he said. “Even prophets and traditional healers commit the same offences when marketing their services,” he said.

“One person can have 10 posters on different trees around the city advertising his plumbing or tiling business. For each tree, council can fine the person something like $20 for deterrence.”

Adv Goba proposed the establishment of a vibrant city police with arresting powers.

“We have witnessed municipal police rounding up vendors or Mushika-shika crews (pirate taxis) and a few minutes later, the offenders are back on the streets. There is need for the establishment of municipal courts that deal with such breaches. That does not justify obedience to law. Some illegal transport operators conduct their businesses in the evening when the city police would have knocked off,” he said.

He urged council police to go by the book and be tough on offenders to restore order.

“Municipal police are simply not enforcing the law. Nothing has changed to our laws. All laws should be enforced without fear or favour to arrest the disorder that has dogged the cities,” said Adv Goba.

“Fingerprinting of offenders is another way of ensuring repeat offenders are punished severely for deterrence,” he said.

President Mugabe shares a lighter moment with his Malawian counterpart President Peter Mutharika on the sidelines of the 72nd Ordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday. — (Picture by Presidential Photographer Joseph Nyadzayo)

Munyaradzi Huni in New York, Unites States
MALAWIAN president Professor Peter Mutharika says President Mugabe’s rich history makes him the only remaining hero of African nationalism.

He said he always cherished meetings with President Mugabe whom he described him as “the last man standing’’, adding he learns a lot from the African icon.

President Mugabe and his Malawian counterpart are in New York attending the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, which started on Tuesday.

Speaking after visiting President Mugabe at his hotel, the Malawian leader said Zimbabwe and Malawi shared a long history that will never be forgotten.

“We spoke about Malawi and Zimbabwe. The long history. You know President Mugabe is my brother. Former president of Malawi and myself, we have worked very cordially.

“Zimbabwe and Malawi are almost one country. No conflict, no dispute whatsoever. Hundred percent friendship,” said Prof Mutharika.

“I would like to come to Zimbabwe and he also wants to come to Malawi. We spoke about the continued exchange of our visits in the near future,” he said.

Turning to his meetings with President Mugabe, he said: “I always learn so much from him. You know he has such a rich history. He is the only remaining hero of African nationalism, the struggle for independence. He is the last man standing. He has such a rich history of Africa.

“Each time I meet him I learn so much. He gives us a perspective of where we have come from. I am always excited to meet him.”

The Malawian leader has continued to disappoint the West that was hoping they could use him to strain relations between Malawi and Zimbabwe. Instead, he has spoken openly about his affection for his Zimbabwean counterpart.

After attending the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York two years go, Prof Mutharika spoke about his country’s close relations with Zimbabwe.

“We have excellent relations with Zimbabwe. We have never had any problems . . . In the whole African Union I think it is clear that President Mugabe is seen as a real hero you know, when he speaks everyone listens because he has such a rich history of the struggle against colonialism. I think he symbolises that generation of very great African leaders,” said the Malawian leader at the time.

Despite efforts to cause divisions between the two countries, the Malawian government has maintained strong ties with Zimbabwe.

When those seeking to cause friction between the two countries planted false stories on social media of bad relations between the two countries, the Government of Malawi responded: “Malawi has no business to dictate to the people of Zimbabwe how they should conduct their affairs. The people of Malawi and those of Zimbabwe are assured that the Government of Malawi remains resolute to its policy of not interfering in internal matters of other countries.”

Zimbabwe and Malawi have a rich history dating back to 1963.

The late Vice President Joseph Msika and Mbuya Maria Msika share a lighter moment during their 60th wedding anniversary celebrations.

Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter

Wife to the late Vice President Cde Joseph Msika, Maria, has died.

She was 89 .

Family Spokesman, Mr Garikayi Msika said Gogo Msika died in Harare today.

Mourners are gathered at number 11 Nigel Lane in Highlands.

More details to follow…..

Mr Tsvangirai

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Ailing MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who is currently undergoing treatment for colon cancer in South Africa, has taken an indefinite rest from party duties, his office confirmed yesterday.

Party sources said Mr Tsvangirai would remain in the neighbouring country for sometime after being treated, to allow him to rest.

His three deputies — Mr Nelson Chamisa, Engineer Elias Mudzuri and Ms Thokozani Khupe — are in charge of party duties.

Mr Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa after his health condition deteriorated drastically while attending a workshop in Kadoma last Friday.

Read more:

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• Tsvangirai reveals cancer ordeal

His spokesman Mr Luke Tamborinyoka confirmed that on his return, Mr Tsvangirai will not immediately resume party duties.

“President Morgan Tsvangirai, who is in a very stable condition, has completed his medical procedure in South Africa, but is now taking several days of rest from the hectic schedule of work that awaits him in Harare,” Mr Tamborinyoka said.

He did not disclose how long the opposition leader would be away from work.

“The people’s leader is now fully recuperated but will not be at work for some days to come as he fully recharges his batteries ahead of the mammoth responsibility of providing leadership in galvanising the nation for the watershed polls next year,” said Mr Tamborinyoka.

“In the meantime, the three Vice Presidents will continue to execute their assigned tasks to ensure consistent and uninterrupted leadership to the various party programmes currently taking place,” he added.

Mr Tsvangirai was reportedly carried into a private plane on a stretcher bed at Harare International Airport although his office tried to downplay the incident, insisting the MDC-T leader had flown to South Africa for a routine medical check-up.

His close associates immediately followed him to South Africa amid indications his condition was serious.

A senior MDC-T source who requested anonymity, said; “Yes, I can confirm that Mr Tsvangirai will remain in South Africa after his treatment,” adding that he was out of danger.

“Our president is a hands-on man so if we allow him to return too soon, he will resume party duties when he should take time to rest,” he said. “People will start calling wanting to meet him. He can’t turn them away. So we have decided that he should remain in South Africa for sometime, otherwise healthwise he is out of danger.”

Mr Tsvangirai’s illness raised panic in the opposition with accusations among members that the party, especially Mr Tamborinyoka had not been forthright on his condition.

Other officials were also irked that members of the “kitchen cabinet” were ring-fencing Mr Tsvangirai to make it appear that they loved him more than any other party member.

Mr Tsvangirai’s illness also led to jostling among party members for his successor with some touting Mr Chamisa as the heir apparent.

Others within the MDC-T argued that there was no one who was superior to the other among the three deputies.

Ms Khupe has had a fall out with Mr Tsvangirai over the handling of coalition talks with other opposition parties and has avoided visiting the party headquarters, Harvest House, for security reasons.

Ms Khupe and other senior officials were assaulted in Bulawayo after they boycotted the signing of the MDC Alliance in Harare last month.

Cde Nyika Bara

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
War veteran and former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation producer Cde Nyika Bara has died.

He was 63.

Cde Bara died on Thursday after battling cancer of the prostate. His young brother Dr Manasseh Bara confirmed the death.

“We are saddened by the passing on of my brother. My brother fought in the liberation war for many years and taught comrades political ideology. He was an intelligent man who transformed Current Affairs programmes at ZBC and traversed the length and breadth of this country dealing with rural development issues,” he said.

His daughter Rumbidzai said the family had lost a pillar of strength.

“Our father died after collapsing at home. He had been in hospital for two weeks and was showing signs of improvement. He was our pillar of strength, a kind and cheerful man who was never shy to speak his mind,” she said.

Cde Bara is survived by four children and seven grandchildren. Mourners are gathered in Harare at 13 Riverhead Sentosa, Mabelreign. He was born on September 23, 1954 in Chikomba District in Chivhu. He did his Primary School Education at Kwenda Central Primary School from 1965 to 1969 and his Secondary School Education at Hatzel High School from 1970 to 1973.

Cde Bara joined the liberation struggle in 1974 before he completed his Advanced Level and received his first military training in Mozambique. He joined the war in 1975 and returned to Mozambique after he sustained injuries and was reassigned to teach political ideology.

From 1977 to 1978, Cde Bara was the political commissar for Chimoio and survived the Chimoio attack. From there he was posted to Dendera Assembly point in Mutoko were he continued to teach political ideology.

After independence, he went to Tanzania to further his education and was recalled home. He joined New Ziana as an accountant and later joined ZBC Mbare and Pockets Hill Current Affairs department as a producer.

After his retirement from ZBC, he went into farming until the time of his death.