Rtd Gen Chiwenga

Herald Reporters
ZANU-PF provinces have endorsed the decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint Retired General Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga and Minister of Defence, State Security and War Veterans Cde Kembo Mohadi as his deputies, saying the two bring vast experience that will benefit both the party and the nation.

They also said the appointments were in line with the party’s time-honoured practice of abiding by the 1987 Unity Accord signed between the former President Robert Mugabe and late national hero Dr Joshua Nkomo. Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman Cde Daniel Mackenzie Ncube welcomed the appointments saying the two were distinguished cadres of the party.

“As Midlands province, we are excited by the appointments of the two Vice Presidents. Apart from being distinguished heroes of our liberation struggle they are committed cadres and will bring much needed discipline in the running of the party,” Cde Ncube said. Matabeleland North provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo said the province was fully behind the new appointments.

“We’re fully behind the appointments of the Vice Presidents. As a party we gave the President power to elect his deputies and he made the right appointments,” he said. Cde Moyo said Cde Mohadi, who is from Matabeleland region, deserved the elevation as his loyalty to the party was unquestionable.

Cde Mohadi

“Cde Mohadi has been in the party and has never lost an election. He is committed to Zanu-PF,” he said. Mashonaland West chairman Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi also welcomed the appointments.

“The appointments complete the processes that started at the Extraordinary Congress (mid-December). As a province, we are excited by the appointments because the two are veterans of the liberation struggle and experienced cadres.

“It is that vast experience and loyalty that will benefit the party and the Government,” Cde Ziyambi said. Harare provincial chairman Cde Godwills Masimirembwa congratulated the two Vice Presidents on their latest assignments.

“As Harare province we welcome the appointment of General Chiwenga (Rtd) and Cde Mohadi and we believe this will strengthen the party and His Excellency the President as he delivers on his promise to the nation which is productivity and the economy.

“There are exciting times ahead now that the President has his full team that will assist him in implementing his programmes,” Cde Masimirembwa said. Mashonaland East chairman Cde Joel Biggie Matiza said the two Vice Presidents would strengthen the party.

“These are liberation war icons and will benefit the party immensely given their experience gained before and after Independence,” he said. Matabeleland South chairman Cde Rabelani Choeni said President Mnangagwa had made the right choice in appointing Cde Mohadi.

“The President in his appointment chose the right candidate (Mohadi). Matabeleland South will work harder now that it has a senior leader in the party and Government. Cde Mohadi is one of the senior freedom fighters. He started contesting to lead Beitbridge at a time when some people were afraid to stand for political office,” said Cde Choeni. He said it was his hope that Cde Mohadi would work for the development of all Matabeleland provinces, unlike his predecessor who had neglected Matabeleland South.

“We want to see development in Matabeleland South through Command Livestock production. The former Vice President, Phelekezela Mphoko, never came to Matabeleland South, he limited himself to Bulawayo and Matabeleland North. It is our hope that as a senior politician he will unite the people and promote development,” Cde Choeni said.

He said the appointment of someone from Matabeleland South brings the province into the spotlight as it was now being overshadowed by Bulawayo and Matabeleland North in the appointment of Vice Presidents. His Bulawayo counterpart, Professor Callistus Ndlovu, said he would not comment on Vice Presidential appointments as it was President Mnangagwa’s prerogative. It is the prerogative of the President to appoint persons and he has done that now,” said Prof Ndlovu.

President Mnangagwa

Felex Share Senior Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed General Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga (Retired) and Cde Kembo Mohadi as Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe. This was revealed by Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colonel Christian Katsande (Rtd) this afternoon.

He said the two VPs would be sworn in at State House tomorrow morning.

“The swearing-in will be held at 1000hrs on Thursday, 28th December 2017 at State House, Harare,” Col Katsande (Rtd) said.

George Weah

MONROVIA. – Fifa’s former World Football Player of the Year George Weah has been voted president of Liberia after clinching 12 of the 15 counties in the west African country.

Weah has taken to Twitter to thank all his supporters, saying that he plans to liberate the country: “It is with deep emotion that I want to thank you, the Liberian people, for honouring me with your vote today. It is a great hope,” he said through his Twitter handle @GeorgeWeahOff .

The former AC Milan striker becomes the 25th president of Liberia. His opponent, 73-year-old Joseph Boakai – who has been the country’s vice president for the last 12 years, got only two counties to vote for The former AC Milan striker becomes the 25th president of the country.

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has congratulated the former Fifa World Football Player of the Year on his victory in the Liberian presidential run-off held on December 26 this year.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, President Zuma praised the country for conducting the presidential run-off in a peaceful manner, saying that it signified another positive step towards deepening democracy in Africa.

Weah, succeeds 79-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf who was the first African woman to be elected head of state and government and commander-in-chief of the defence forces. – News Agencies/Herald Reporter

Evangelist Ezekiel Guti Jr

Margaret Matibiri, Correspondent

Evangelist Ezekiel Guti Junior the son of the founder of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) church has died.

Guti Jr (35) son of Archbishop Ezekiel Guti and his wife Apostle Eunor Guti died today in South Africa where he was battling for his life in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after he nearly drowned in a swimming pool on Christmas day.

Guti Jr was in South Africa for the Holiday with his family. ZAOGA’s Acting Secretary General Reverend Misheck Nyambo confirmed the death Wednesday afternoon in a statement.

More details to follow…..

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
At least 34 people died this year after they were attacked by animals across the country, while 88 dangerous animals were killed as part of efforts by authorities to contain human-animal conflict in communities.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said in an interview that of the 34 people who died, 21 were attacked by crocodiles, while others died at the hands of lions, elephants and buffaloes.

“We are worried as parks authorities about these deaths of humans,” he said.

“What is more worrying is that of the 34 people, 21 were attacked by crocodiles, which all things being equal, can be outpaced by humans. The attack by crocodiles mean that people are having contact with water bodies and crocodiles are stronger in water. We continue to educate communities and conduct awareness campaigns as a mitigatory measure.

“We are also appealing for assistance from development partners to erect perimeter fences that demarcate people from animals.”

Mr Farawo said they received 323 reports of the presence of dangerous animals and were able to respond to 29 cases, an indication that they were managing to be responsive despite meagre resources.

“In our responses, we either capture the animals and translocate them to other areas or eliminate those that are dangerous,” he said.

“We have managed to eliminate 88 animals this year alone. They include lions and elephants.”

Turning to poaching, Mr Farawo said 540 people were arrested for the offence across the country this year. He said animals vulnerable to poaching include elephants and rhinos.

“For those arrested, 50 of them were foreigners while the rest were locals,” said Mr Farawo.

“Most of them have been convicted and jailed and sentenced to the mandatory nine-year jail sentence.

“We are quite happy with the way the Judiciary have worked with us to fight poaching as they have expeditiously dealt with the cases. This is consistent with our zero tolerance policy on poaching. We have had 12 incidents of gunfire exchanges with poachers and 10 people have died in the process. Eight of the 10 were locals, while two were foreigners.

“We have managed to recover 23 riffles because most of these poachers would be armed and we have recovered 60 pieces of ivory.

“Our message to would-be poachers is that national parks are a no-go areas for mischief makers, but for those who want to do site viewing and other lawful activities.”

Mr Farawo paid tribute to the support the authority was getting from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, particularly in fighting poaching.

“We are getting support from the highest office in the land and we feel indebted to him,” he said.

“We were also humbled by the fact that our offices was one of the places he paid a visit to soon after he assumed office.”

President Mnangagwa

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
President Mnangagwa yesterday gazetted pension and retirement benefits which a Zimbabwean former Head of State and Government should enjoy on retirement. The benefits were published in a Statutory Instrument of an Extraordinary Government Gazette in terms of Presidential Pension and Retirement Benefits (Services and Facilities for Former Presidents) Notice, 2017. Former President Cde Robert Mugabe is expected to be the inaugural beneficiary of the entitlements.

“A former President of Zimbabwe, who has at any time since the 31st December 1987, been President of Zimbabwe for at least one full term of office, shall be entitled to the use and enjoyment of the following services and allowances,” read the notice.

Regarding staff, the regulations provide that there will be security personnel as might be determined by the President but not less than six, and to be increased by such number as might be determined by the Head of State and Government whenever and for such period as the need arise.

He/she shall be entitled to two drivers, two private secretaries and two aide-de-camp officers or personnel assistance and two office attendants. On office and equipment, there will be provision of a fully-furnished office accommodation and a landline telephone and a cellphone, two computers and such other office equipment and materials as might be determined by the President.

Regarding housing and household, the former President will get a fully-furnished official residence at any place in Harare. A former President will also be entitled to a housing allowance to be determined by the sitting President, or a single private residence acquired or constructed on his or her behalf at any place of his or her choice in Zimbabwe or payment of a lump sum equal to the value of the private residence.

“In the case of the official residence referred to in paragraph (c) (i) [of the notice] if the former President dies, his or her surviving spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, his or her dependent child, must continue to be provided with suitable State residential accommodation until (i) in the case of a surviving spouse, the date on which he or she dies or remarries, or whichever occurs first and (ii) in the case of a dependent child, the date on which he or she dies or the date on which he or she attains the age of 21 years, whichever event occurs first,” reads the notice.

With respect to private residence, the property shall be constructed on land which in total may not exceed 5 000 square metres. The residence, if it was to be built, should not exceed a reasonably sized house with five bedrooms, a guest wing with three bedrooms, a study, swimming pool, two guardrooms and two garages.

“There shall be employed in connection with the residence of the former President (i) three domestic employees, and (ii) two gardeners, and (iii) two cooks and two waiters and (iv) two laundry persons,” read the regulations.

There will be an allowance covering medical aid contributions for the former President, his or her spouse and any dependent child. A former President, together with his or her spouse, will be entitled to a diplomatic passport, first class air and rail private travel within the country up to a maximum of four trips per year.

There will be international air private travel up to a maximum of four trips per annum including the spouse if he or she accompanies the former President. On transport, a former President will be entitled to one sedan (Mercedes Benz S500 Series or an equivalent class of motor vehicle), one four-wheel drive station wagon or equivalent, and a pickup van.

An adequate number of vehicles as might be determined by the President should be at the disposal of security personnel and other staff serving the former President. Fuel costs will be borne by the Government and all the vehicles must be permanently at the disposal of the former President and be replaced after every five years.

Other benefits are entertainment allowance to be determined by the President and payment of utility bills such as water, electricity, telephone in respect of the office and official residence of the former President.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has set January 1 2018 as the date on which the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act will come into operation. The law seeks to clip the wings of the State Procurement Board by decentralising procurement.

Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Rtd) stresses a point at a Press briefing in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Justin Mutenda)

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Government has moved to ease fertiliser shortage after availing an undisclosed amount of foreign currency for the importation of raw materials to manufacture adequate stocks.

Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Chief Air Marshal Perrance Shiri (Retired) told journalists yesterday that his ministry would continue consulting the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, as well as Treasury, so that necessary funding was put in place to enable farmers to go about their business without any further delay.

“I am aware of the concerns raised by many farmers, not only with regards to top dressing fertilisers, but many other inputs relating to Command Agriculture. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, I would like to say we are aware of the challenges being faced by the farmers,” he said.

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“These challenges have been occasioned by the delay in availing nostro funding, as the farmers may appreciate. The chemicals and some of the raw materials for fertilisers are imported and they can only be imported once foreign currency or nostro support has been made available and that is where we have had a bottleneck in the past.

“I am glad to say some significant amount of nostro support has been availed and we will start seeing quite some meaningful release of fertilisers and chemicals to the farmers.”

Chief Air Marshal Shiri (Rtd) apologised to the affected farmers for the inconvenience caused, saying Government was determined to honour its obligation. Zimbabwe’s fertiliser industry requires over $120 million in foreign currency for the importation of raw materials used in the manufacture of compound and top dressing fertilisers for the current summer cropping season.

Estimated fertiliser demand for 2017/18 season is 160 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and 240 000 tonnes compound fertilisers, which comes to a total of 400 000 tonnes. The local fertiliser industry had been advocating for zero imports on finished compound fertilisers, but raw materials used in production only. However, supplementary ammonium nitrates and urea imports are required to cover the shortfall in the country.

Early this year, Government suspended duty on imported fertiliser and ammonia gas to ensure adequate supplies of the commodities. The announcement was made by the then Finance and Economic Planning Minister Patrick Chinamasa in an Extraordinary Government Gazette.

In terms of the notice, Statutory Instrument 55 of 2017, Minister Chinamasa said suspension of duty on fertiliser would apply to 5 300 tonnes of urea and 4 700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate until December 31, 2017.

UPDATES: Nyemudzai Kakore; PICTURES: Wilson Kakurira; PICTURE EDITOR: Clearance Munondo; ONLINE EDITOR: Costa Mano

1128: Official proceedings have come to an end and that concludes our updates.  Thank you for joining us.

First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa congratulates Vice President Kembo Mohadi

1122: Some of the dignitaries present at the swearing-in ceremony are Environment Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri, ICT Minister Cde Supa Mandiwanzira, Justice Minister  Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavhima, Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Cde Webster Shamhu, Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha, Sports Minister Cde Kazembe Kazembe, Commander Defence Forces General Phillip Valerio Sibanda and other service chiefs.

1037: The VPs have now joined President Mnangagwa for a photo session.

Vice Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) (L) and Cde Kembo Mohadi

1016: Dignitaries are now congratulating Cde Kembo Mohadi and General Chiwenga (Rtd) on their appointments.

1010: Chief Justice Luke Malaba has now invited Cde Kembo Mohadi to take the oath of office.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi takes his oath of office

1006: Chief Justice Luke Malaba has invited General Chiwenga (Rtd) to take the oath of office. General Chiwenga has taken his oath of office.

1005: The National Anthem is now being sung.

President Mnangagwa and First Lady Amai Auxillia arrive for the swearing-in ceremony.

1004: President Mnangagwa has arrived at the swearing-in ceremony.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga takes his oath of office

0930: President Emmerson Mnangagwa is this morning expected to swear in two Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe General Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga (Rtd) and Cde Kembo Mohadi.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri

Herald Reporter
Unknown intruders broke into offices belonging to the Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri during the night over the weekend. The offices are housed at Kaguvi Building in Harare and the motive behind the break-in is still unknown.

As of today, it remains unclear whether or not there were any goods and property that went missing in these offices. Although the details are still sketchy, police sources who confirmed the matter said the offence was discovered on Boxing Day at around 4.30pm.A report was then made at Harare Central Police Station and a team of police detectives and other security agents attended the scene.

Investigations are still in progress and no arrests have been made in connection with the case.

“The offence was discovered on December 26, 2017 at around 16.30hours at the Water, Environment and Climate Change Ministry which is housed on the 12th Floor of Kaguvi Building. The case was reported a few hours later at Harare Central Police Station,” said a police source close to the investigations.

The Herald understands that a team of police detectives also visited the offices on Wednesday morning up until evening to continue investigations.

Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Zimbabweans based in South Africa have raised concerns over the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s (Zimra) random variation of the validity of Temporary Import Permits (TIP) for those driving foreign registered vehicles into the country. The worst affected are those visiting the country and fall under the Zimbabwe Special Permits (ZSP), which was recently replaced with the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP).

Under the country’s customs laws, visitors or Zimbabweans working outside the country who drive foreign registered vehicles, are allowed to bring in the cars duty free for a period of 30 days and renew at the expiry of that window. In case of defaulting, the vehicles are either seized or the owners are fined $500. In addition, motorists are allowed a window period of one week to exit the country from the date of the expiry of the TIP.

However, unscrupulous customs officers take advantage of this misinformation and fleece motorists of money during the one week window. In separate interviews, disgruntled motorists said the customs authority was restricting them to a visit of 10 days instead of the usual 30 days.

“This is despite the Department of Immigration having allowed us a stay of 30 days. In addition, the South African government has made a pronouncement that we can travel with the ZSP pending the finalisation of our new permits, which is likely to be completed in March next year, ”said one motorist.

Details to follow…

Gen Sibanda

Felex Share Senior Reporter
Newly appointed Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi are tried and tested cadres capable of executing their mandates diligently, liberation war stalwarts have said.

The two VPs were sworn-in by Chief Justice Luke Malaba yesterday at a ceremony witnessed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Newly appointed Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda said the new VPs were industrious.

Gen Sibanda succeeded VP Chiwenga as ZDF Commander and the pair has worked together for many years.

“I think they will do well for our country,” Gen Sibanda said. “They are both good men and hard workers. They are team players and will do as expected.”

Zanu-PF national chairperson and Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said the two VPs had been consistent since the liberation struggle.

“These are people who have been consistent, principled and also these are gallant sons who fought hard in the forefront during the struggle,” she said.

“They were soldiers and provincial commanders who understood very well our party ideology because that was the guiding principle that we believed in.”

She added: “We needed to address the challenges of the land and we are now way ahead in terms of utilising our land to our benefit. You may as well appreciate the Command Agriculture programme where the soldiers themselves are at the forefront. What they fought for is what they are continuing with. While in the struggle they also fought hard to ensure schools were put in place so that our young people who were not ready for military training would continue with their education. What they will be implementing is something which they started while in the bush.”

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri

Turning to the ruling party, Zanu-PF, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the two VPs would help instil discipline among cadres. She said the G40 cabal, whose members were expelled from Zanu-PF recently, had created chaos, firing people willy-nilly from the revolutionary party.

“In terms of discipline, they (the two VPs) were again at the forefront,” she said. “This is ideal when it comes to the party itself considering what has been happening, the infighting. They are bringing in new skills. They will instil discipline within the rank and file of the party. We are excited that the military element is joining us.”

Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) and Cde Mohadi are also Zanu-PF Vice Presidents and Second Secretaries.

Zanu-PF national political commissar Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje (Rtd) said the country had been put in the hands of capable revolutionaries.

“I want to take this opportunity as the national political commissar to welcome and congratulate the two Vice Presidents who have been elevated to take up these posts,” he said.

“They are capable and well-tried cadres of the revolution. If you look at Gen Chiwenga, he joined the liberation struggle way back in 1973 and he rose through the ranks to become deputy political commissar in the Zanla forces. As for Cde Mohadi, he also joined in the 1960s and was trained and rose to become a high ranking official within the Zipra forces. He has also served in Government since independence up to present day.”

Zanu-PF provinces have also endorsed the decision by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to appoint the two VPs.

They said the appointments were in line with the party’s time-honoured practice of abiding by the 1987 Unity Accord signed between the former President Robert Mugabe and late national hero Dr Joshua Nkomo.

LAST SUPPER . . . Stanford “Stix’’ Mtizwa (left) presides over his last function as Black Rhinos coach by handing an autographed ball to the club’s former chairman Justin Mujaji who was the guest of honour at the army side’s awards ceremony in Harare on Wednesday night

Tadious Manyepo and Takudzwa Chitsiga
BLACK RHINOS coach Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa has been relieved of his duties as the army side starts an audacious rebuilding exercise where they are targeting the 2018 premiership crown.

Despite guiding the two-time champions to a respectable seventh place finish in a season the team’s priority had been survival, the former CAPS United and “Chauya Chipembere” midfielder could still not save his job after a shocking poor run in form in the second half of the season.

Yet, Black Rhinos had looked very much likely to turn back the hands of time to 1987 when they won their second title after impressing in the first stanza of the season which they finished on the summit of the standings before hitting low form after the break.

During that period, there were even louder whispers pointing to the gaffer’s sacking but, the Black Rhinos executive stood by him even at a time the coach had reportedly offered to quit out of his own volition.

Instead, the team had to sacrifice Mtizwa’s backroom staff consisting of Jack Mutandagayi, Gift Nyamande and Maronga Nyangela midway through the second half of the season as the team got desperate to survive the chop.

But, at a time when it seemed certain the gaffer would be given time to take another go at the Premiership’s ultimate prize, the team has decided to part ways with the former Warriors midfielder and “re-deploy” him elsewhere. Black Rhinos communications manager Special Matarirano confirmed the veteran mentor’s sacking.

“I can confirm that Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa is no longer the head coach for Black Rhinos. He has been re-deployed and re-assigned elsewhere. We have had a very productive working relationship with the gaffer and everyone at the team is appreciative of the work he has done for the club.

“We finished the season in a decent position in a campaign we had only targeted relegation survival. We are all happy with that and he knows that. However, the club has decided to re-assign the gaffer elsewhere at least as of now,” Matarirano said.

A number of names have been thrown into the hat as potential replacements for Mtizwa with former coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera topping the list. Matarirano said the process to find a new coach has already begun with the team set to short-list candidates for interview.

“A replacement has not yet been found but the process to find one has already started. We will have to short-list qualifying candidates whom we conduct some selection interviews with. We hope to find the best man who will take the team to another level. We are targeting a place in the top four and possibly winning the title so we have to get down into serious business if we really want to be competitive in a league most teams are also targeting the same’’.

Rhinos have already lost one of their best players, right-back Jameson Mukombwe who will be at champions FC Platinum for a season-long loan period while a host others are being targeted by other clubs locally and in the region.

Matarirano, however, said his club would beef up for next season. Besides Mukombwe, Black Rhinos also lost their veteran defender Brighton Chandisaita who announced his decision to hang up his boots after more than two decades in the football trenches at the team’s awards ceremony where he was also honoured with the chairman’s special award in Harare on Wednesday night.

The commanding Black Rhinos defender called it quits at 41 as he seeks to explore other avenues in match fitness. The steely central defender who was recruited into the Black Rhinos system in 1994 before spending two seasons at sister club Tongogara almost broke into tears as he announced his decision to quit professional football.

“I think everything has its time and mine has finally come and I am happy to be saying goodbye to the beautiful game. I thank everyone who supported me through thick and thin.

“I am now going to try something in match fitness as I was known as someone who was physically fit. I think the upcoming generation should be strong and hard-working. I was known to be so hard-w0rking and fit I will try something of that sort. I am not going into coaching but physical fitness,” said Chandisaita.

Matarirano said his team will have to find the duo’s replacements in the next few weeks.

“Obviously, we will be running around to find Mukombwe (Jameson) and Chandisaita’s (Brighton) replacements. We will be guided by the technical team who know their preferred candidates,” Matarirano said.

President Mnangagwa

Felex Share Senior Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ruled out legislation against arbitrary price increases and instead directed Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development Minister Dr Mike Bimha to bring together stakeholders and take corrective measures.

In a brief interview after the swearing-in of Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi at State House in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the spirit of profiteering should stop to ensure economic development.

“We are very concerned as Government about the general prices on the market. I had a meeting yesterday with the Minister of Industry (Commerce and Enterprise Development) Dr Bimha (and directed him) to call the manufacturers, sellers and retailers and discuss with them. We don’t think it is good to go for legislation; we need to come to an understanding and have the people in these categories appreciate where we are coming from and where we want to go,” President Mnangagwa said.

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The President went on: “They must have a human face. They mustn’t be profiteering because in some cases we find the same article is sold at this price in this shop, different from that shop. Why should the difference be 15-20 percent on one item? We have to interrogate those issues.”

Prices of basic goods have been spiralling since late September 2017 when social media speculated on commodity shortages ahead of the festive season, but that never happened.

This is the second time in as many weeks that President Mnangagwa has condemned price hikes. Addressing delegates attending the 6th Buy Zimbabwe Annual Awards in Harare last week, President Mnangagwa said the practice was “counter-economic” and could not be allowed to continue.

He said business should complement Government efforts to revive the economy by refraining from counter-productive measures like selling cash and use of a multi-tier pricing system.

“We need to examine our modus operandi as captains of industry and commerce if we are ever going to move forward. There are some dealers, suppliers and business owners who are in the habit of increasing prices willy-nilly without proper justification. Let me hasten to say my Government says no to such counter-economic practices,” President Mnangagwa said.

A survey report by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe ahead of the Christmas holiday showed that the cost of some items had gone down in major supermarkets.

CCZ executive director Ms Rosemary Siyachitema said: “We did a survey on major supermarkets (last week) and we have noticed that basic commodities prices in some supermarkets have decreased. Some goods have decreased by $1 compared to other shops, so we advise consumers to shop around. The basic goods whose prices have slightly decreased include cooking oil, sugar, mealie-meal and poultry products.”

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu said prices would continue to decline following the National Competitiveness Commission’s intervention.

He said: “We expect the prices to go down further after Christmas. We have been engaging various stakeholders across the value chain, and have roped in the National Competitiveness Commission with a view to bringing down prices.

“We have also been engaging beef producers over the past week so that they reduce beef prices. Some of them have been taking advantage of avian flu which was affecting poultry products to increase prices of beef, which was now on demand. Beef producers were putting exorbitant mark-ups. So, we have been engaging them to reduce prices. In addition, we have also engaged Government on the issue; we are working on the matter.”

Crime Reporter
At least 42 people died, while more than 50 others were injured in 182 road traffic accidents that were recorded countrywide on Unity Day and between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day holidays.

Police are still compiling statistics for the other days. On Unity Day, 15 people died countrywide in 13 road traffic accidents recorded, while on Christmas Eve, 12 people died in another 90 separate road accidents.

On Boxing Day, 15 people died, while 34 others were injured in 79 road traffic accidents that were recorded countrywide.

Of the 79 road accidents recorded on Boxing Day, 10 of them were fatal.

During the same day last year, five people died while 13 others were injured in 63 accidents recorded countrywide.

Of the 63 accidents, five of them were fatal.

In a statement on Wednesday, chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said results of an analysis conducted, indicated that motorists failed to take heed of awareness messages, which were held countrywide.

“It is sad to note that most road traffic accidents have been attributed to speeding, overtaking errors, inattention or misjudgement and failure to give way by drivers,” she said.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is reminding road users that they have a role to play to ensure safety on our roads.”

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said in one such accident, which occurred on December 26, at around 9pm, a Toyota Fun Cargo with six passengers was involved in a head-on collision with a Nissan Sunny that had four passengers.

The driver of the Toyota had tried to overtake and this resulted in the death of six people.

In another, accident which occurred along the Harare-Mutare Road, an unknown motorist ran over a pedestrian near Genje Business Centre in Ruwa and sped off.

“We are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of this errant driver to report to the nearest police station,” she said. “Passengers are urged to reprimand speeding drivers to avoid accidents.

“Besides, the regular call by the police and other stakeholders for members of the public to plan journeys and avoid night travelling, records show that most accidents occurred during the night. We appeal to motorists to please consider travelling during the day and minimise accidents.”

Snr Asst Comm Charamba urged motorists to concentrate and contribute towards road safety.

She said the police were also appealing to foreign motorists to abide by the country’s road rules and regulations.

“Meanwhile, we urge motorists to be very cautious as they drive along the wet roads due to the current rains,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

Illegal currency dealers transact in Harare recently

Taurai Mangudhla Senior Business Reporter
Foreign currency shortages that culminated in the prevailing cash shortages are one of the major economic highlights of 2017. While the media and public debate have predominantly focused on the long queues and transaction complications arising from the shortage of cash, little has been said about how depositors have lost value due to exchange rate disparities.

The cause or origin of the problem have been a subject of debate ranging from growth in the stock of Treasury Bills to introduction of bond notes and low productivity. Different arguments have been proffered regarding what contributed most to the scourge.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa, earlier this month said the fiscal imbalance in Treasury was being financed, through Treasury Bills and overdrafts at the Reserve Bank, but with destabilising consequences on overall macro-economic stability.

In the 2018 National Budget statement, Minister Chinamasa said at the heart of the economy’s fundamental economic challenges was an unsustainable budget deficit, whose financing through issuance of Treasury bills and recourse to the overdraft with the Reserve Bank was untenable.

During the period January to September 2017, Treasury issued Government instruments worth $1,75 billion in the form of both Treasury Bills and bonds. Of the $1,75 billion Treasury Bills issued to September 2017, about $386,45 million financed Government programmes, while $1,07 billion was channelled towards servicing legacy debts.

By March this year, RBZ governor John Mangudya, announced Government had issued TBs worth close to $2,1 billion in two years. This revelation was corroborated by Minister Chinamasa in his 2018 National Budget.

“The current trend and manner of issuance of Treasury Bills is unsustainable and has not only led to mounting interest payment obligations, but now also poses significant risk of resurgence of macro-economic instability.

The level of Treasury bills has created a situation whereby there is a disparity between high levels of virtual money against available United States dollars and bond notes (and) the scarcity is translating into exchange premiums that stoke the rising prices of goods and services,” Minister Chinamasa said in the budget statement.

This, the Minister added, has been worsened by cases where some market players have ended up discounting Treasury Bills and directing proceeds towards buying the scarce foreign currency, without directly promoting production and exports.

Zimbabwe is net importer with a current account deficit, estimated at $1 billion, according to the 2018 National Budget. The economy’s import bill is still relatively high, with imports estimated to rise to $6,8 billion, from $6,4 billion in 2016. Bond notes were issued towards the end of 2016 and a total of $600 million worth of the notes will soon be in circulation.

The issuance of bond notes raised fears of the re-emergence of the black market and hyperinflation, but that has been contained for a while. At the beginning of the year, bond notes were at par with the US dollar, but the situation was to change as foreign currency shortages worsened.

Importers started mopping up foreign currency from the streets at a premium of 5 percent and the rate was to grow to a peak of 95 percent in November. Ecocash withdrawals were also being charged a premium of between 20 and 40 percent while RTGS and Zip-it transactions were treated the same.

However, officially, there is no bond note or US dollar, but reality is otherwise. Every mode of payment is effectively valued against the physical US dollar. This meant that for one to get physical cash for importing or buying anything being sold for cash only locally, they have to pay premium that is a loss on their dollar value.

For argument’s sake, at current rates of 50 percent for cash transfers, $1 500 in a bank account will only get the depositor $1 000 physical cash. This implies a significant loss in value, particularly for individuals that were sitting on significant amounts of money.

Banking sector deposits maintained an upward trajectory, increasing by 17,1 percent, from $6,51 billion as at end of December 2016, to $7,62 billion as at end of September 2017. However, the majority of the deposits are call deposits.

The RBZ said the average deposits rates for savings of 1 to 3 months tenors remained unchanged at 4,22 percent, 3,84 percent and 4,11 percent, respectively, during the week ending December 15, 2017 with broad money recording an annual growth of 44,69 percent, from $5 312,9 million in October 2016, to $7 687,0 million in October 2017.

“This was on the back of an annual expansion of 57,9 percent in transferable deposits. Partially offsetting the increase were declines of 3,2 percent in time deposits and 14,15 percent in negotiable certificates of deposits NCDs,” the RBZ said.

Deposit rates remain far below 5 percent, while the cost of hard currency is now around 50 percent, representing a huge loss in balances that are currently being held in banks.

Vice Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) (L) and Cde Kembo Mohadi

When President Emmerson Mnangagwa chaired his first Cabinet meeting on December 5, he implored Government officials to identify projects that are implementable within a 100-day cycle, until the 2018 harmonised elections. This was a Cabinet team appointed on November 30 and sworn into office on December 4. While the President has been in office for 35 days to date, it will be 26 days for his Cabinet, and two days for the two Vice Presidents.

“As time is of essence, we thus need to pursue high speed programme execution. I now wish to challenge you to think outside the box and come up with quick-win projects for implementation by each of your ministries in order to achieve the goals of my vision. . .”, said President Mnangagwa.

To some people, the 100-day cycle is a conundrum the President unnecessarily set for his administration. This is what happens when people are used to doing business in an ad hoc manner, including setting targets and timelines they never meet.

That is why they think President Mnangagwa’s administration will not meet its targets in the first 100-day timeframe. The arguments we see flying about also demonstrate that people do not fully understand the whole concept of the 100-day cycle, although it is the norm in many countries.

It is understandable that with the myriad challenges the country faces, people expect tangible results in the shortest period possible. They are not interested in ensuring that those deliverables are being derived from a solid foundation, which the 100-day cycle seeks to build. Thirty days into office, on December 24, President Mnangagwa’s critics were out guns blazing. They were judging his young administration’s successes and/or failures after just a month in office.

Maybe it was the sudden skyrocketing of prices of basic consumer goods that made some to wonder whether the 100-day cycle will meet people’s expectations. There was little room for reflection and realisation that the President as coach was leading by example. Cabinet and other major appointments were done soon after he assumed office, with the two Vice Presidents being sworn into office yesterday. There remains a few appointments, but this has not affected the smooth running of Government business.

Finance and Economic Planning Minister Patrick Chinamasa presented the budget as scheduled; so too did the Zanu-PF Extraordinary Congress happen. President Mnangagwa also presented his maiden State of the Nation Address and went on a one-day working visit to South Africa. He continues to demonstrate that it’s not business as usual as he shows his work ethic: punctuality and diligence.

The unfortunate thing is that his critics continue to be too local in their perception. The international community that praised the transition that saw the ushering in of a new era have commended President Mnangagwa and his team for instilling confidence that had been eroded over the years.

Zimbabwe is not an island. When our neighbours commend us, we should strive to do better; when they criticise and/or proffer suggestions, they should be taken in the same spirit, unless we want to remain cocooned.

Despite the fact that the MDC Alliance recently went to the United States to seek more sanctions against President Mnangagwa’s Government, it was pleasing to hear the US top diplomat in Zimbabwe Harry Thomas Jnr tell an eNCA TV reporter that President Mnangagwa “is a legitimate leader.”

He added; “I think what really has been astounding in the last few weeks has been the number of people who registered to vote. . . That means Zimbabweans are really interested in who rules their country.”

Registering to vote might not look like a deliverable since people want tangible things, but when President Mnangagwa spoke about the 100-day cycle, it was within the context of the forthcoming harmonised elections.

It must also be a new normal that when remarks are made about how we conduct business, we introspect even if it is Eddie Cross who said President Mnangagwa has “the capacity to turn around the economy and ‘deliver the results’ in record time.”

Now that the Vice Presidents are in office, and the festive mood will soon be over, it will be back to real work. We hope that Government will quickly unveil its policies in all areas, in order to give direction on its vision.

President Mnangagwa flanked by his Vice Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) (left) and Kembo Mohadi after the pair’s swearing-in ceremony at State House in Harare yesterday. —(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Felex Share Senior Reporter
Newly-appointed Vice-Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) and Cde Kembo Mohadi were sworn-in yesterday, with President Mnangagwa saying their main task was to produce tangible results by overseeing the performance of Ministers.

The VPs took their oaths of office before Chief Justice Luke Malaba at a colourful ceremony also attended by their families and relatives at State House. President Mnangagwa said his two lieutenants brought with them vast experience which would be key in developing the nation.

“I am happy, I now have the two lieutenants. I believe they are very experienced. I will be announcing sometime this afternoon (yesterday) their assignments. Work is already cut out for them and they have to hit the ground running,” he said.

Read more:

• Zanu-PF congratulates President
• EDITORIAL COMMENT: With VPs in office, real work must begin
•  Chiwenga, Mohadi swearing-in today
• New VPs get endorsement
• Gen Chiwenga, Chihuri retire

The Head of State and Government said the VPs must be result-oriented.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba swears in Vice President General Constantino Guvheya Nyikadzino Chiwenga at State House in Harare yesterday.-(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

“Not only that (performing) but to show results. Of course, they have to drive the Ministers. The performance of the Ministers will be reflected by the supervision they give. The assessment is upon the results of the Ministers they drive,” President Mnangagwa said.

Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) and Cde Mohadi are also Vice Presidents and Second Secretaries of the ruling party, zanu-pf. Cde Mohadi said he was prepared for the task.

“It is just an assignment like any other assignment,” he said. “I have been in Government when some of you were still young but the interesting part is that I have now been put in a place whereby I will be in a position to assist the Head of State direct the country where he wants it to go.”

On his immediate plans, Cde Mohadi said: “I have to wait for the assignments first. If he (President Mnangagwa) gives me the assignments that this is your area of operation then I will have the plans.” Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) said he believed in team work to produce the needed results.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba swears in Vice President Kembo Mohadi at State House in Harare yesterday.-(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

“I feel good because I have to work for my country. Once we have been allocated the tasks to do then we go (on the ground). What I can tell you is that there will be team work,” he said.

Yesterday’s ceremony was attended by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, the VPs’ families and several Cabinet Ministers. Cde Mohadi was born on November 15, 1949 in Beitbridge.

He did his Sub A up to Standard One in Beitbridge, including at Mtetengwe Primary School, before proceeding to Gwanda Primary School for Standard 2. He proceeded to Manama High School in Gwanda for secondary education and then Goromonzi High School in Mashonaland East where he was kicked out while doing Form 3.

Cde Mohadi joined the liberation struggle in the early 70s when he left the country for military training in Zambia via Botswana. He later went to Russia for further training and on his return was attested to a department within Zapu called Zimbabwe Intelligence Services under the command of Cde Ethan Dube but was detained at Khami Prison in 1976 until his release at Independence in 1980.

Service Chiefs at the swearing-in ceremony of Vice Presidents General Chiwenga (Retired) and Kembo Mohadi yesterday

He was appointed Defence, Security and War Veterans Minister last month. He had served as the Minister of State for National Security in the President’s Office (2015 to 2017) and Minister of Home Affairs from 2002 to 2015.

Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) was born on July 2, 1956 in Hwedza, Mashonaland East. He attended secondary school at St Mary’s Mission in the same district before joining the liberation struggle as a 17-year-old and received military training in Zambia and Tanzania.

In 1974, he was appointed a member of the Zanla General Staff and rose to become a member of the Zanla High Command as deputy commissar in 1978. During the ceasefire period, Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) was appointed to the ceasefire monitoring team assigned to Manicaland in 1980 and later moved to Masvingo the same year.

Vice Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) (left) and Kembo Mohadi chat with First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa after their swearing-in ceremony at State House in Harare yesterday

He was commissioned a Brigadier on April 16 1981 and within the same year was appointed Commander of 1 Brigade. In 1984, he was appointed Commander of 5 Brigade and later as Brigadier-General based at Army Headquarters until his promotion to Major-General, becoming Chief of Staff (Administration and Quartermaster).

Another promotion in 1994 saw him assume the rank of Lieutenant-General and Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army on the formation of the Zimbabwe Defence forces. In 2004, Gen (Rtd) took over as ZDF Commander upon retirement of General Vitalis Zvinavashe.

Makhosini Hlongwane

Freedom Mupanedemo Midlands Bureau
Former Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister and Member of Parliament for Mberengwa East Makhosini Hlongwane was yesterday picked up by police at his farm on the outskirts of Zvishavane town.

Police also seized about 10 tonnes of sugar beans they found stashed at the former minister’s farm. Acting police spokesperson for Midlands Province Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the arrest.

She could not give details of the reasons for the arrest, saying the ex-minister was later released pending further investigations.

“I can confirm that police picked up Makhosini Hlongwane at his farm today (yesterday),” he said.

“A statement was recorded before he was released, but investigations are still underway.”

Sources close to the incident told The Herald that about eight police details raided the ex-minister’s farm in the early hours of yesterday before they arrested him. The sources said he was found with several tonnes of sugar beans, and could not explain how he got such large quantities.

“Police later loaded the sugar beans into a lorry and went to Zvishavane Police Station with the former minister,” said the source.

“He was asked to produce the receipts of where he bought the sugar beans, but he said they where donated by a company which he could not divulge.”

The ex-minister was said to be still assisting police with investigations by yesterday evening. Hlongwane, together with other former ministers linked to the G40 cabal skipped the border to Mozambique when the military intervened last month.

He later silently returned into the country some weeks after the swearing-in of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and since then, has been holed up at his farm in Zvishavane.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH . . . Heath Streak watched as his Chevrons got a reality check in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday

PORT ELIZABETH. — Zimbabwe coach Heath Streak said his team might have to accept playing more limited overs cricket or settle for a lower level of Test cricket after they suffered an innings defeat inside two days against South Africa at St George’s Park on Wednesday. South Africa won by an innings and 120 runs after bowling out Zimbabwe for 68 and 121.

The match was over before the dinner break, so they didn’t even have to bat under floodlights in what by common consent were the most difficult batting conditions. Streak said Zimbabwe suffered from a lack of Test cricket, which made it difficult to compete against a top side like South Africa in conditions that helped the home fast bowlers.

“Maybe there is an argument for us to focus a lot more of our resources and time into short-format cricket to give ourselves more of a realistic chance of competing at a higher level rather than hanging around near the bottom of the table in both the Test and one-day stuff,” said Streak.

Streak said if Zimbabwe were to play more Tests, they might have to settle for games against the likes of newcomers Ireland and Afghanistan.

“I think if you get a bit of context to the Test rankings, with an incentive to get to the next level, with maybe a promotion-relegation type of thing, it’s worth looking at. “Obviously we would like to play against the top countries but maybe we could play them at home so we can set up the conditions to favour us.”

Fast bowler Morne Morkel destroyed Zimbabwe’s first innings, taking five for 21, but only bowled four overs in the second innings as stand-in captain AB de Villiers used his front-line fast bowlers sparingly. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took five for 59 in the second innings and medium-pacer Andile Phehlukwayo took three for 13.

Zimbabwe put up a fight at the start of their second innings, reaching 54 before they lost their first wicket — although opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the right elbow by a ball from Morkel. The total reached 75 before the innings imploded, with four wickets falling in 14 balls. The last nine wickets fell for 46 runs in 15.4 overs.

South Africa needed just 68 minutes and 14.1 overs on Wednesday to take Zimbabwe’s remaining six first innings wickets after Zimbabwe resumed on 30 for four. South Africa’s first day-night Test — and the first scheduled four-day Test in more than 40 years — was not an experiment that proved much.

There was general agreement that conditions for batting were difficult in the only full floodlit session, with batsmen struggling to see the seam on the pink ball. Skipper AB de Villiers admitted: “Zimbabwe had the worst of the conditions last night. They ran into a wicket which was really spicy against a quality bowling attack.” He likened the dramatic change in conditions between day and night to situations in red-ball Tests, such as sudden reverse swing or pitches where the bounce became uneven.

“It’s like any other format. You have to adapt, you have to change game plans and strategies to get through certain times.”

De Villiers said the match had been a reasonable work-out for South Africa ahead of a three-match series against India, starting in Cape Town on January 5.

“The batters toiled really hard on a wicket which seamed around the whole innings. From a bowling point of view it was nice to get them to follow on so the guys could get a few overs under the belt,” said De Villiers.

Here are some of the more important numbers from South Africa’s win against Zimbabwe:

1973 — the last time a four-day Test match was hosted, which was between New Zealand and Pakistan in Auckland.

907 — the amount of balls bowled in the Test, the fewest in 50 years since a Sharjah Test between Pakistan and Australia, which only lasted 893 balls.

9th — shortest completed Test match.

68 — is the lowest Test innings total for a team in 2017 and 4th lowest Test innings total for Zimbabwe.

5th — Test to end within 2 days in the last 50 years.

2nd — Test that South Africa have managed to win in 2 days after their Newlands triumph over Zimbabwe in March 2005.

2012 — was the last time Morne Morkel took a five-wicket haul in Test cricket. It came at the Adelaide Oval against Australia.

380 — runs for Aiden Markram from his last four innings, the fifth most by any batsman.

205 — catches for AB de Villiers in Tests (101 as a wicket-keeper, 104 as a fielder). He is the third South African to complete over 200 catches.

4 — De Villiers is tied for second in most dismissals by a stand-in wicket-keeper in a Test innings, behind Pakistan’s Imrul Kayes with 5 dismissals in 2017.

5th — De Villiers was the fifth captain to declare before stumps on day 1 of a Test match.

3rd — time Zimbabwe have lost a Test match in under two days. Twice against South Africa (2005 and 2017) and then against New Zealand in 2005.

4th — time South Africa have bowled out an opposition for under 70 in Test cricket in the last 10 years.

72.4 — overs it took for South Africa to bowl Zimbabwe out. It is the least amount of overs they have taken to claim 20 wickets in a Test. The previous was 73.2 overs vs India in Durban in 1996.

309-9d — is the lowest first innings declared total in Test history to win the match by an innings margin. — AFP.

Vice Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) (L) and Cde Kembo Mohadi

Abigail Mawonde Herald Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday assigned Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) to administer the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.

Gen Chiwenga’s counterpart Vice President Kembo Mohadi would be in charge of the National Peace and Reconciliation portfolio. The assignments are with immediate effect. Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr Justin Mupamhanga made the announcement in a statement yesterday.

“In terms of Section 99 of the Constitution, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe may assign functions to Vice Presidents to assist him or her in the discharge of his or her functions and perform any other functions, including the administration of any Ministry or Department or Act of Parliament,” he said.

“Accordingly, His Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa, has duly assigned Honourable Vice President General (Rtd) Dr Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga to administer the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs. Honourable Vice President Kembo Campbell Dugishi Mohadi will administer the National Peace and Reconciliation portfolio.”

President Mnangagwa flanked by his Vice Presidents General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) (left) and Kembo Mohadi after the pair’s swearing-in ceremony at State House in Harare. —(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Vice Presidents Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) and Mohadi were sworn-in on Thursday, with President Mnangagwa saying their main task was to produce tangible results by overseeing the performances of ministers.

President Mnangagwa has already set the tone for his Government, by indicating that it is no longer business as usual, as there is need to quickly deliver results that would change the economic fortunes of the country.

Speaking after their swearing-in, Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) and Cde Mohadi said they were ready to work hard and help President Mnangagwa realise his vision of an economic turnaround for the benefit of the people.

They took their oaths of office before Chief Justice Luke Malaba at a colourful ceremony attended by their families at State House. Gen Chiwenga (Rtd) and Cde Mohadi are also the Vice Presidents and Second Secretaries of the ruling party, Zanu-PF.