By Own Correspondent| Whistleblowers here pocketed close to $3 million in the last two years after helping ZIMRA recover more than $33,5 million in unpaid taxes.
Under current regulations, those who provide the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) with credible information on corrupt or uncooperative companies or individuals that leads to the successful recovery of unpaid taxes are entitled to 10 percent of what is recovered.
Zimra’s head of corporate communication Francis Chimanda told a local publication that the whistleblowers’ facility is a reward for individuals for upholding their civic duty of ensuring compliance to the country’s laws.
“In 2017, whistleblowers received $816 482,60, while in 2018 they received $1 865 531,68, and so far in 2019, they have received $290 754,45,” he said.
The tax administration body believes that ordinarily the information that it receives often helps it recover its dues within the shortest possible time.
Chimanda added: “Through the facility, we have managed to raise assessments worth more than $33,5 million and now taxpayers are in different payments plans to settle their debts with the authority.
“It is open to members of the public, except Zimra officers, to come forward to Zimra with tangible information which enables the authority to recover revenue that otherwise would have been lost had the whistle blower not come forward.”
There is, however, growing concern that some people are increasingly becoming professional whistleblowers.
The whistleblower facility is administered under the Revenue Authority Act Chapter 23:11 Section 34B (2), which empowers Zimra’s Commissioner-General to approve “a monetary reward for information provided or any measure taken which results in detection of smuggling or any other offence against any of the Acts specified in the First Schedule, and the recovery of revenue which would otherwise have been lost .-StateMedia
FINANCE and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, says the wave of price increases being experienced on the market and the wild parallel market exchange rates have no economic justification as Government has successfully managed to stabilise the fundamental fiscal elements that previously fuelled inflation.
Addressing industry and commerce executives during the International Business Conference (IBC) in Bulawayo yesterday, Prof Ncube lamented the level of indiscipline in the market, which he said thrives on speculative sentiments.
He said such behaviour was far from ethical and standard economic practise and as such was creating a negative economic environment for the whole country.
“We are doing very well on the fiscal front, Honourable VP (Chiwenga), your Government is solvent, we are running surpluses and we have been doing average surpluses of $100 million since September last year when we came in. In January we had surplus of $102 million, February $85,5 million as we had to take into account cushioning of civil servants. In March our surplus doubled to be just about $200 million,” Prof Ncube said.
He said Government finances were sound and money supply was not growing.
“So, where is pressure on the exchange rate coming from? Before we knew that it came from the fiscus, we were monetising the fiscal deficit and then money supply would grow but now where is the pressure coming from? So, clearly as the VP said, it is speculation and that speculation is not a good idea, we know who is driving it.
“Our job as Government is to make sure that our fundamentals that determine value of a currency are still strong. We are not careless in terms of how we spend and we make sure the value of the currency is preserved but you (businesses) should meet us halfway,” said Prof Ncube.
He said Government was forging ahead with implementation of painful but necessary austerity measures as building blocks towards desired prosperity.
Minister Ncube assured the nation that the period of austerity will be short and certainly not exceed one year as the positive fruits of belt tightening were already being realised.
“We need to go through some period of austerity as we build towards prosperity. But quite clearly you can’t do austerity for three years, that’s bad, do it one year and move on, he said.
Prof Ncube pleaded with businesses to be patient and desist from wanton price increases and profiteering as Government puts in place the building blocks.
“Please, it is bad economics, very bad economics where you tie price increases directly to the exchange rate. Good economics says tie prices around a consumption basket, you don’t earn your salary to go and buy US dollars. So, inflation thinking should be hinged around consumption basket and not US dollars,” he said.
“Above all, make use of this interbank bank market, we have created it for you.”
Minister Ncube said key pillars towards the desired transformation included among others infrastructure development, strengthened governance, improved democratic space, improved social services, strengthening of public institutions, improved ease of doing business climate and fighting corruption.
He said what was encouraging was that Government had so far made great progress towards achieving these goals.
Prof Ncube said the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) was a short term blue-print that has a mandate to stabilise economic fundamentals before its long term successor policy guidelines take shape.
He said going forward the upper middle class vision targets per capita income level of US$4 500 by 2030 and a long term Gross Domestic Product of US$65 billion from the current estimate of $25 billion.
The Minister said his dream was that of a Zimbabwe that is a factory for Africa and a gateway to the world.
He said the ongoing reforms should yield quick wins, including setting up of one stop border posts at all the country’s ports of entry where it should take at least 10 minutes for visitors to cross.
Prof Ncube said measures were also being put in place to clear both domestic and foreign debt so as to unlock fresh lines of credit.
In the interim, he said, Government was engaging other partners seeking to raise financial resources to oil the productive sectors and broaden the job market.
Prof Ncube stressed the need to revive the manufacturing sector so as to curb raw exports saying solution to current account deficit lies in value addition and beneficiation to earn higher value on forex market.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has, with effect from May 1, appointed specialist public health physician Dr Agnes Mahomva as the new Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care to replace Dr Gerald Gwinji who is yet to be reassigned.
Mr Simon Masanga, a senior public administrator, has been appointed Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, replacing Dr Judith Kateera.
In a statement, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said: “The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet is pleased to announce that His Excellency the President has, in terms of Section 205 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (Number 20) Act 2013, appointed Dr Agnes Mahomva as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Mr Simon Masanga as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
“The appointments of Dr Mahomva and Mr Masanga as permanent secretaries are with effect from 1st May, 2019.”
Dr Mahomva holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in science, public health and medicine from the United States of America and Zimbabwe.
She has over 22 years’ experience in medical practice and managing and supporting public health programmes at local, regional and international levels.
She once served as a clinical medical officer at different hospitals in the country and in the SADC region.
Mr Masanga holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in politics and public administration and public sector management.
He has vast experience in public, labour and social welfare administration and management at provincial and national levels in Zimbabwe.
He rose through the ranks in the public sector from being a principal director in human resources, youth and indigenisation, labour and social welfare in different ministries, including public service.
Former Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Advocate Martin Tafara Dinha is now the new board chairman for the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
Adv Dinha holds a law degree from the University of Zimbabwe and practiced law for 12 years in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.
He was part of the team of lawyers that appeared before the SADC Tribunal in defence of the land reform and resettlement programme in Zimbabwe.
He replaced Major General Douglas Nyikayaramba, who is now a diplomat.
Adv Dinha’s appointment is also with effect from May 1.
The President also appointed Mr Ralpesh Patel as an additional member of the Presidential Advisory Council with immediate effect.
Mr Patel is chief executive officer of Steel Makers.
Members of the police deployed under POSA ready to attack civilians
Parliament has called on the public to start submitting their views on the recently gazetted Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, 2019 (H.B.3) that was gazetted last week.
The Bill will replace the Public Order and Security Act.
In a statement yesterday, Assistant Clerk of Parliament Mr Johanne Gandiya said the public consultations were in line with the requirements of Section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“In compliance with this peremptory constitutional provision, and as part of public consultations meant to enhance participatory democracy, Parliament of Zimbabwe is inviting comments on the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, 2019 (H.B.3, 2019) for consideration by the relevant Committee(s),” he said.
Mr Gandiya said anyone wishing to make contributions make their submissions in writing to Parliament.
“The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services shall conduct public hearings on the Bill. The dates will be advised in due course,” Mr Gandiya added.
The Bill provides mechanisms to ensure maintenance of peace and order during demonstrations or any public gatherings, among other provisions and will replace POSA which has often been cited as draconian by critics.
The Bill has several progressive provisions that include the removal of a requirement under Section 27 of POSA that required people to move around with their IDs or risk arrest and detention.
Under the provision of the Bill, if someone cannot produce their ID upon request they will be required to do so within seven days at any nearest police station.
In a departure from POSA, whose Section 27 provided for temporary bans of demos, the new Bill has omitted those in line with a previous Constitutional Court ruling which deemed the bans unconstitutional.
Under Clause 8 of the Bill, police have to notify organisers of processions or demonstration within three days of receiving the convener’s notice that the demo or procession can go ahead if the regulatory authorities have no problem with it. Previously under Section 26 of POSA there was no time-frame thereby keeping conveners in suspense.
Correspondent|A Marange woman will spend the next 4 years behind bars after she killed her 13-year-old son by sjambokinghhim and smashing his head against the wall after he was sent back home from school for not having a pen.
Lydia Kahwema of was initially jailed for eight years when she appeared before High Court judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera charged with culpable homicide.
Justice Mwayera set aside four years of her jail term on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Kahwema was initially charged with murder after she assaulted her son, Tafadzwa, to death, before the State preferred culpable homicide charges.
In sentencing Kahwema, Justice Mwayera said the court had to weigh in and show that the sanctity of human life cannot be eroded by violent and irrational individuals.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa receives head of the Burundi delegation.
A special envoy from Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices in Harare seeking support for admission into Sadc.
The special envoy, Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Ezechiel Mbigira, described Zimbabwe as a sister country with a rich history.
“Zimbabwe is a country that has a long history, a very good and encouraging history,” he said.
“As the special envoy of President Pierre Nkurunziza, I have come here to continue strengthening relations between Burundi and Zimbabwe because Zimbabwe is a sister country. It’s a country with which we have a common history and a common future that’s why we need to relate with this country in a very special way.”
He added that he hoped his country’s application to join Sadc would be successful and called on Zimbabwe to support its bid.
“As you know, Burundi has applied to become a member of Sadc and the process of dealing with our application is going on very well,” he said.
“We believe that after the assessment mission that is coming to Burundi towards the end of May, the decision will be of course, taken for Burundi to become a member of Sadc.
“As Zimbabwe is our sister country, we believe that Zimbabwe will continue to support Burundi to become a member of Sadc.”
Ambassador Mbigira said his country had a lot to offer to Sadc if its application is successful.
AUSTERITY measures introduced by government this year will be over by next year when the country starts experiencing economic growth, Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube has said.
In addition to the cost-cutting measures, Ncube introduced a 2% tax on intermediated financial transactions to shore up government coffers, leaving an already overtaxed citizenry hard pressed.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Business Conference held in Bulawayo yesterday, Ncube said the austerity measures could not be run for a long time.
“We need to go through some period of austerity, but build towards prosperity and I tell you that next year you will hear me use the word austerity less and less because we will start entering prosperity,” Ncube said.
“I think I will limit austerity just to one year and then we move to prosperity towards 2023. But quite clearly, you can’t do austerity for three years; it’s a bad idea. One year, get it right and move on”.
He said government was doing well on the fiscus side.
“The government is solvent. We are running surpluses and we have been doing an average surplus of a $100 million a month since September last year,” he said.
“This year alone, in January, we had a surplus of $102 million. In February we had a surplus of $85,5 million (and) in March our surplus would be double that.
It will be just above $200 million. Money supply is not growing. So where is the pressure on the exchange rate coming from?”
He said the pressure was coming from speculation, which is bad for the economy.
Ncube also pleaded with industry to make use of the interbank market, saying as government they were making sure that economic fundamentals were put in place.
A Chipinge-based Zanu PF member heaved a sigh of relief after he was acquitted and discharged for stealing party regalia and $100 from a ruling-party colleague.
Prosper Sithole (42), of Chief Mutema in Chipinge, was acquited for lack of evidence.
He was acquitted by Chipinge magistrate Joshua Nembaware at the close of the State case on Tuesday after denying the charge last week.
Sithole said the allegations emanated from the rivalry which existed between Chipinge Central legislator Raymore Machingura and the party primary elections losing candidate, Dorothy Chitima’s supporters.
“I belong to Zanu PF together with the complainant, Ivy Mhlanga, but trouble started last year during the party’s primary elections. The complainant was supporting Dorothy Chitima, while I was supporting the eventual winner, Raymore Machingura, who is now MP for Chipinge Central,” Sithole said.
“The allegations are politically-motivated. The other issue is that she was the school development committee chair and she was voted out in my favour, so she is a bitter person.”
Nembaware, in his ruling, said the State had failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt, which left the court with no option, but to acquit and discharge Sithole.
Prosecutor Shamiso Ncube said on August 16 last year, Mhlanga was invited to attend a party meeting at Paidamoyo Business Centre.
Sithole was also part of the meeting.
During lunch hour, Sithole allegedly went to where Mhlanga was seated at the back of a party vehicle while having her lunch.
He noticed some Zanu PF T-shirts which were in Mhlanga’s bag and demanded that she distributes them to party supporters present, but the complainant allegedly refused.
Sithole allegedly grabbed the bag and ran away, but returned it later.
Mhlanga later indicated that her Zanu PF T-shirts and $100 were missing and reported the matter to the police, leading to Sithole’s arrest.
Opinion By Grace Chirenje|I AM a mother of two adorable children who keep me doubting my sanity with each encounter. This doesn’t mean they are bad kids, not at all! It is the whole aspect of exploring what it means to build a healthy parent-child relationship.
Now, I can share with you my pregnancy experience with each one of them; what I hoped as a mother, what I anticipated and how I felt it was a whole journey and still is as I manoeuvre and chant parenthood, but motherhood to be precise.
Now, at no one point did I ever pause to think the worst of my experience and journey. I always keep the hope alive and daring. Sometimes, it is tough and at others, it is as easy as swallowing water.
As I thought of this journey, I was reminded of Zimbabwe turning 39 years. What sought of baby do we have here? There is quite a lot of work to do at personal level and collectively for us to experience Zimbabwe as an exuberant country that it is. The people who worked so hard to ensure this country got liberated did not do it, so they stand by and watch the same country waste away. We each have a civic duty to ensure Zimbabwe @39 is as amazing as can possibly be.
Mothers don’t want their children to be wayward. We do what we can to ensure children’s lives become healthy at each stage, the same applies for Zimbabwe.
Pre-independence
I can imagine what those who lived before April 18, 1980 experienced. I can only imagine because I wasn’t even there to experience it for myself. I have, however, heard the stories. I will not focus on the racism and atrocities. I want to focus on the hopes and aspirations.
Many of my brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, fathers and mothers who were old enough to join the Chimurenga, did so with all their hearts.
They believed that a better Zimbabwe was possible. They wanted to experience better things. They needed to see better. They believed in the possibilities of collective dreams where everyone would enjoy Zimbabwe for the motherland she is.
Was it scary? Well, it must have been. I am certain that stories made their way back to communities of how people were dying, selling out and going through all sorts of negativities for Zimbabwe to one day become a place where the colour of one’s skin meant nothing in order to enjoy universal freedoms.
It must have been so inspirational, so encouraging and super exciting for each person as they envisioned what was to come. That is exactly what gave them the courage to keep pushing and going. The likes of (former President Robert) Mugabes of this world to keep leading collectively alongside the (former Vice-President Joice) Mujurus. It was just like an expectant mother, all those times. It gets uncomfortable, achy and nauseous. The hope is that one day, the baby will be born, and all this will be left behind. Phenomenal, isn’t it? What then happens when we must defer a dream?
A dream deferred
Zimbabwe is a dream deferred. Each one of us has a dream and a hope. We each carry what we think is best for Zimbabwe, unless you are a saboteur. The truth is what those amazing people went to war for those decades ago, is not what is happening now. I will not bore you with the narrative of what we are going through; we all know it, so let’s save that for the naysayers. What I think is critical for us is affirming that Zimbabwe is a beautiful country. She is amazing.
From the majestic mountains in the Eastern Highlands to the raging rapids of the Victoria Falls, from the scotching heat of Beitbridge to the valleys of our borders with Mozambique, we have been through so much as a people. But I do recall we have stepped out so many times to hold hands for the greater good, like we did for Cyclone Idai.
Yes, we are not there as we struggle daily with our choices after November 17, 2017. However, we are here, hustling each day to make sure that we each make ends meet and ensure that Zimbabwe is restored as the breadbasket of Africa. We yearn for things that our mouths can no longer sensualise. It is life. Will it come today, tomorrow, next year, or in 10 years? No one knows, but what we are certain of is that no one can stand in the way of a great idea whose time has come. We can never, ever, see things crumble worse than they have. We may not experience what we so desperately desire and need. But guess what? Our time will come.
Our dream is not dead. Zimbabwe, we shall overcome one day and realise what we so wish for. Yes, it will come to pass. A time will come when leaders will care so much about meeting the needs of their people. This will be a time when water will be plenty, the same for electricity or roads or whatever it is, we desire. Prices will be stable and everyone, except the morons of course, will drive safely and preserve lives. It is a dream merely deferred. Just like an expectant mother will one day forget the pains and pangs of pregnancy and celebrate the birth of her child.
Now, we are in a fallen and dysfunctional world. Things do go wrong just like children sometimes make us doubt our sanity. We go to war and fight for liberation that never becomes and we birth, socialise children who talk back at us or make certain choices that break our hearts. Zimbabwe is like that now. It is like a delinquent child who no one wants to talk about, mention, point or call out. Everyone is just seated there uncomfortable at what this child Zimbabwe is doing.
Maybe, it is not the child. It is those that are socialising the child. Leadership has become such a rare phenomenon. People are choosing to focus on them and them alone, forgetting that whatever each one of us is going through, either way, we are a part of the narrative. For Zimbabwe @39 to make sense, we each need to decide. Yes, the world is not necessarily transformed by what we choose to transform at a micro-level, but I do believe that this will greatly contribute to the macro-environment. We can never give what we do not have. Once our socialisation spaces — homes, schools and churches, will choose to hold hands and decide to support the development of a holistic approach to socialisation; this could help even our leaders who seem to be struggling with what to do with Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is stalling. For a 39-year-old, seriously, this cannot be our narrative. This retardation needs to end. You and me can hold hands to end it. We shall decide never to keep quiet in the face of injustice and normalise the abnormal. We always, always choose what is good for each one of us and the greater good too. With each encounter, we call out bad behaviour and practices. We shall call out retailers who abuse customers by overpricing; we shall stand against governments which choose to fleece us of our hard-earned cash because they think we are the new cash cow. It is terrible. That money, where it goes, only the powers-that-be know.
Now is the time that we start planning for life that ought to begin @40. What are our national values and goals? No one is coming to save Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is that child we each need to bring an item so that it is healed from its past trauma and begins to reintegrate in society. When I look at my children and they have erred, and I have had to discipline them.
It hurts both ways, but a mother must do what a mother must do. Zimbabwe needs us to become better for Zimbabwe. She is a beautiful country endowed with so much beauty. We have enough of what we need and should not be wallowing in poverty. In our small little corners, let us decide what makes sense for us so we make a difference and make this country what it ought to be.
Starting with the leaders at all levels. It is possible to celebrate a healthier and more progressive society next year. It is possible. Let’s do this!
Grace Ruvimbo Chirenje is a feminist activist with vast experience in feminist leadership and youth empowerment. She writes in her personal capacity. Follow her on Twitter: @graceruvimbo, Facebook: Grace Chirenje and Instagram: @graceruvimbo
ZIM LABOUR UNION LEADERS ACQUITTED OVER ANTI-GOVT PROTEST
A Zimbabwean court on Wednesday 24 April 2019 acquitted seven leaders of the country’s largest labour union, who had been on trial for allegedly participating in an anti-government protest over the country’s biting economic crisis.
The seven Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) leaders namely President Peter Mutasa, Secretary-General Japhet Moyo, Benice Maluleke, Prescilla Jonhi, Simon Mutasa, Munashe Chirovamari and Ezekiel Matema had been on trial since last year when they were arrested on Thursday 11 October 2018 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers and charged with committing public violence as defined in section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry.
Their arrest came after ZRP swooped on them in a pre-emptive strike to
thwart an anti-government protest organised by the labour union to
protest against government’s disastrous economic policies.
But Harare Magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa on Wednesday 24 April 2019 acquitted the seven ZCTU leaders, who were represented by Kossam Ncube, Tinomuda Shoko and Alec Muchadehama of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, after discharging them at the close of the prosecution case.
In setting free the labour unionists, Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that the State failed to establish that any offence was committed in the first place noting that even the ZRP officers who testified as witnesses during the trial had confirmed that demonstrations are legal in terms of the Constitution.
Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that there was no indication that there was an intention to cause violence more so given that the unionists were arrested at the ZCTU offices while preparing to participate in a demonstration.
In addition, Magistrate Mugwagwa ruled that ZRP officers who testified as witnesses during the trial and who claimed to have retrieved some offensive placards from the ZCTU leaders failed to link each placard to each accused person as there was no indication as to which accused person was carrying which placard.
Seven Zimbabwe Congress of Trades Union (ZCTU) leaders, who were being charged for inciting the January public violence, were yesterday acquitted by a Harare magistrate at the close of the State case.
The seven – Peter Mutasa, the labour body’s president; Japhet Moyo, the secretary-general; Benice Maluleke, Prescilla Jonhi, Simon Mutasa, Munashe Chirovamari and Ezekiel Matema – were acquitted by magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa, who said the State had failed to prove a case against them.
They were all represented by human rights lawyers Alec Muchadehama, Tinomuda Shoko and Kossam Ncube.
The labour body officials had pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying they did not commit any offence warranting their arrest and prosecution.
They also argued that there were insufficient grounds to link them to the offence.
The case related to their arrest on October 11 last year as the State sought to thwart an anti-government protest which the labour union was organising.
They were charged with committing public violence as defined in section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence and breaches of peace or bigotry.
Mutasa and Moyo are still facing other charges of seeking to subvert a constitutionally-elected government relating to the January fuel price hike protests.
THE Bulawayo City Council has sworn in Zanu-PF Cowdray Park councillor Kidwell Mujuru enabling him to assume his council duties.
Mujuru was on March 30 elected Ward 28 councillor in a by-election to replace the late MDC councillor Hapson Ncube who died in December last year.
His victory makes him the first Zanu-PF candidate to win a local government election in Bulawayo since the MDC was formed in 1999. Ironically, Mujuru was a founding member of the MDC at that time. He defected to join ZANU PF in 2013 after complaining of tribal discrimination in the MDC Bulawayo structures.
He took his oath of office on Wednesday afternoon in the presence Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou and the city’s Mayor Clr Solomon Mguni.
In an interview after being sworn in, Mujuru said it was time to address problems affecting Ward 28 residents, the biggest ward in the province.
“Cowdray Park Ward 28 is a troubled place; most of the roads in the area are in a deplorable state, actually in some of the areas there are no roads to talk about. I say this in reference to new stands or Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai area. Some people have to walk 2km to get transport so I think it’s an area that needs urgent attention,” he said.
“We need to deliver on the election promises as the party promised during elections. There is a lot of work to be done. I will also push for the completion of some projects that the previous councillor had initiated.”
Mujuru said he would widely consult residents before initiating development projects and was ready to work with opposition party councillors to spearhead developmental projects in the city and his ward.
“I know it’s not going to be an easy job working with councillors from the opposition. Even during the swearing in ceremony some of them were not welcoming. But as times goes they will get used to the fact that that I’m one of them because we have a similar responsibility of developing Bulawayo. We should be mature enough to put our political differences aside and work to develop the city,” he said.
Delta Beverages products, more people resorting to drinking Chibuku Super.
BEVERAGES producer, Delta Corporation, has recorded subdued volume performance for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 amid declining demand due to price increases.
In a trading update for the period under review, the corporation’s company secretary, Mr Alex Makamure, said lager beer volumes declined by three percent in comparison to prior period but was up 31 percent in the full year.
“Demand has reduced due to the increase in RTGS wholesale and retail prices. The sorghum beer volume in Zimbabwe contracted by two percent versus prior year for the quarter and grew by five percent for the full year,” he said.
Demand for sorghum beer remains encouraging despite the cost pressure on imported packaging material, spares and the pricing of agricultural cereals, said Mr Makamure. He said Chibuku Super contributed 85 percent of the total category control.
“National Breweries Plc Zambia (Nat Brew Plc) recorded a volume decline of 24 percent for the quarter and it is flat on prior year for the 12 months. Product demand has reduced following some price increases and down trading to subsistence offerings,” said Mr Makamure.
The sparkling beverages business was virtually closed during the quarter due to non-availability of imported raw materials.
“Volume declined by 89 percent compared to prior year for the quarter and decreased by 44 percent for the full year. Operations have since resumed albeit at a slow pace. There are ongoing collaborative interventions together with The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) to restore the business to sustainable footing,” he said.
On trading environment, Mr Makamure said the fiscal and monetary policies implemented between October 2018 and February 2019 have significantly altered the trading environment. Of particular note was the two percent transaction tax, the adoption of the RTGS$ as the functional currency and the introduction of an exchange rate of the RTGS$ to the US dollar, said Mr Makamure.
“The value of the RTGS$ deposits continue to be eroded by the fast depreciating exchange rates and cost push inflation. Resultantly, there has been severe decline in aggregate demand.
“The acute shortage of foreign currency persists despite the introduction of the interbank forex market. The exchange rate needs to be supported by robust and complementary fiscal and monetary policies,” he said.
Mr Makamure said shareholders were reminded that the company was trading under a cautionary issue with respect to the notice received from TCCC advising of an intention to terminate the Bottler’s Agreements with the group entities (Notified Intention).
This followed the merger of AB InBev and SAB Miller in October 2016 and the subsequent agreement in principle reached between TCCC and AB InBev to explore options to restructure the bottling operations in a number of countries.
“There are ongoing discussions amongst the parties that are expected to result in the withdrawal of the notified intention,” said Mr Makamure.
Police details fired gunshots at over 5,000 miners at Gadzema (which is near Chegutu). One person was killed snd below were the scenes yesterday afternoon:
A 25-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo yesterday appeared in court for allegedly raping his girlfriend in 2015. Mufaro Mutanda allegedly raped his girlfriend, who was 22 at the time and a student at the National University of Science and Technology, after taking her to a lodge following a braai.
He appeared before Bulawayo Regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mnkandla and pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape. The magistrate remanded him to April 29 for continuation of trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Simbarashe Manyiwa said sometime in December 2015 at around 8PM, the complainant received a phone call from Mutanda who was her then boyfriend, telling her that he was on his way to pick her up for a braai.
“Mutanda picked her up at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) campus where the complainant was a student at that time. They drove to a place which the complainant could not recognise because it was already dark. The accused person and his two male friends started chatting outside the car. When they got back in the car they stated that they had no fuel to take complainant back to campus,” said Mr Manyiwa.
“Mutanda and his friend suggested that they were going to spend the night at a lodge in Barham Green suburb and promised to accompany her back to campus the next day. Payments were made and rooms divided. Accused person and the complainant shared the same bed for the night.”
The court heard that the following morning, the complainant woke up to find Mutanda on top of her and when she asked him what he was doing, he did not respond. “Mutanda went on to undress her and raped her without protection,” he said.
Mr Manyiwa said complainant fought Mutanda and he sustained bruises on the arm.
The court heard that Mutanda’s victim spent years attempting to commit suicide until this year when she reported the matter to the police to find closure.
Government has increased the mandatory blending of unleaded petrol from five percent ethanol to 10 percent with immediate effect.
This was announced in a extraordinary Government Gazette published yesterday under the Petroleum Act (Chapter 13:22): Exempting from Levels of Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol Notice 2019.
“It is hereby notified in terms of Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol Regulations 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, as amended by Statutory Instrument 17 of 2014, the minister approves the current level of mandatory blending to 10 per centum.
“The consequences of this approval is that all licensed operators shall from the date of publication of the general notice be mandated to sell unleaded petrol blended at E10,” read the SI.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) chief executive Engineer Eddington Mazambani said until January, fuel was blended by 15 percent ethanol, but was reduced to five percent between February and March because of a shortage of the blend.
“The country had a low ethanol supply and Government reduced the blend level to five percent. Because of the improved availability, Government has increased the level to 10 percent. This increase will obviously impact on our fuel import bill, although in a minimal way,” said Eng Mazambani.
Government introduced fuel blending in 2008 following the licensing of Green Fuel’s Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant, which resumed operations in 2013.
The measure was meant to avert fuel shortages and curb the high fuel import bill.
Mandatory blending currently stands at 15 percent, but Government has previously been forced to lower the ethanol threshold to five percent due to its unavailability on the market.
Blending of fuel is exclusively conducted by licensed blenders only and currently there are 11 such licensees who abide and comply with Zera regulations, said Mr Mazambani.
Five of the 11 fuel dealers licensed to blend petroleum products have blending depots in Harare and Bulawayo and the service stations can acquire either already blended or not blended fuel from National Oil Company of Zimbabwe which they then blend.
Mr Mazambani said Zera consistently conducts routine infrastructural and quality inspections at each blending site and fuel service stations across the country.
Green Fuel, on its part, has been increasing its capacity so as to meet demand.
In an interview with The Herald last year, Mr Conrad Rautenbach of Green Fuel said the company was growing its capacity from 40 million litres in 2016, 56 million litres in 2017 and 75 million litres in 2018.
“These increased yields equated to a 40 percent increase in ethanol production, from 40 million litres of ethanol in 2016, to 56 million litres in 2017,” said Mr Rautenbach then.
“We expect to increase our production to approximately 75 million litres this year. Our yields should remain consistent and with the additional cane we have planted, we are confident that we will be able to reach this prediction. We are in the process of planting an additional 1 500ha of sugar cane in order to increase our production by a further 20 percent, to 90 million litres in 2019,” he said.
Correspondent||Ugandan Kyadondo East member of parliament Robert Kyagulanyiaka Ssentamu popularly known as Bobi Wine Bobi Wine was on Tuesday placed under house arrest by police.
Police detained him threatening to walk to the police headquarters in Naguru to deliver a protest note to the Inspector General of Police after police cancelled his music concert.
Kyagulanyi stated that he would go to the police headquarters and deliver the note to IGP Martins Okoth Ochola to express his displeasure at police’s continued infringement on his fundamental rights and brutality against members of the opposition.
On Thursday, the country woke up to the news that the legislator had beaten security surveillance around his home and escaped house arrest.
He was later seen in Bugiri hours after he had escaped from what police called preventive arrests.
Kyagulanyi took to his Facebook and explained why he had to escape.
“I had to find a way of attending the burial of our patriotic elder Haji Siraji Samanya Lyavaala in Bugiri” says Kyagulanyi.
The escape has sparked uproars within security circle leaving many of them pointing fingers at at each other a source within security circle told this website.
According to highly placed source, police has come under scrutiny by sister security forces accusing them of level of negligence.
They were also accused of failing to successfully execute their constitutional mandate and letting downother security organs.
It is important to note that this is not the first time police is coming under scrutiny. Between 2011 and 2016, Besigye on several occasions escaped from police after being placed under house arrests.
Our sources confirmed to us that the president is particularly bitter with police accusing them of work negligence and sleeping on duty.
“If they can not firmly secure one person ,what will happen if they facing ten similar cases?,” the president reportedly wondered.
This website has learnt that, the president reportedly told police bosses to improve on their method of work and put their house to order before it is too late.
“I will not allow this to continue under my watch. We must put a stop to this,” angry Museveni said.
Ralph Kaondera collapsed at news of his twin brother’s death
FORMER Flame Lily player Raphael Kawondera has died.
He was 28. Kawondera died at Chitungwiza South Med Hospital on Tuesday after a short illness. He worked as a prison officer and was playing for Prisons FC, a Division Two side, at the time of his death.
His uncle, Ralph Kawondera, a former Dynamos assistant and Flame Lily coach, confirmed the death.
“He complained of a headache on Saturday last week, and he went to hospital the following day, where he was attended to. Everything seemed fine, and he even went and played a soccer match on Independence Day on Thursday. He complained of a fever afterwards, but it was nothing serious. He went to work on Tuesday, that is when the situation deteriorated. He was taken to South Med and died around midday before he could be attended to by the doctor,” Ralph narrated.
Raphael was part of the history-making Flame Lily squad that won promotion into the Premiership in 2014 under Nesbert Saruchera. He is the twin brother of Triangle United captain Ralph.
“He was a very good boy. I was taking care of the boys together with their brother Richard after the death of their dad, who is my brother. He was supposed to get married in the coming few months,” the senior Ralph added.
Ralph yesterday collapsed after learning of his brother’ death, and needed hospital treatment and counselling, the premier league club said.
Ralph Kawondera needed hospital treatment and counselling on Wednesday following the death of his brother, Triangle FC said.
Ralph, the Triangle captain, was admitted at the Collin Saunders Hospital “unconscious” but was making a recovery, his club said.
The club said in a brief statement posted on Twitter: “Our captain Kaondera was admitted at Collin Saunders Hospital. He was unconscious since the time he received sad news that his twin brother died Raphael Junior today.
“He has responded so well to both medical and psychological counseling. We wish him a quick recovery may his twin brother rest in peace.”
Ralph is not in any way related to former Warriors top striker Shingi, but he comes from a family that has given this nation footballers such as former Darryn T stalwart Raphael, lower division coach Ralph senior as well as former Dynamos and Triangle striker Richard.
His twin brother Raphael Jr and goalkeeper Chamunorwa played in the Division One League.
Raphael Junior had spells at Division One outfits National Handling Services and Highfield United.
Own Correspondent|Self proclaimed founder of popular Shangani Disco music, now TV reality show, Penny Penny, is gearing to marry another wife so she can give him more children.
The vibrant musician already has twenty five children with his current wife.
Papa Penny Penny’s fans don’t want him to, but he’s considering getting himself a second wife and nothing appears there to stop him.
The reality TV star says he’s not bothered by his fans’ pleas and if he decides to do it, his current wife will choose wifey no.2 for him.
Papa Penny Penny, expressed his interest in getting another wife, and might just do it despite his fans’ displeasure with the idea.
South Africa’s TshisaLIVE reported that Papa Penny’s fans even took to social media to ask him to not take another wife, but he’s not paying attention to them.
“People don’t understand. I am an African man. I have been for all my life. I am not looking for a wife outside of my wife’s family and I am not the one who will make the decision. My wife will have to propose a wife for me, not me. It is my culture.”
He welcomed his 25th child into the world less than a month ago, but wants even more children.
“A man can have one wife but have a lot of girlfriends. I don’t want that. I get a lot of messages from the girls, a lot of funny pictures. A lot of naked videos. What if I make a mistake and suddenly I am in trouble with my wife? I love my wife more than a hundred percent. I respect my life.
It’s not clear what Mama Nomi feels about this idea, but his fans are against it.
