Week 20
A weekly selection from Zimbabwean newspapers
Gated communities take over Harare
Highrange Property Developers chief executive Kuziva Zimunya said Spitzkop is not just being built; it’s being designed for a life of comfort and convenience.
DOZENS of skilled workers painstakingly craft the foundations of a new kind of lifestyle about 20 kilometres west of Harare’s central business district where Spitzkop gated community is steadily taking shape.
Dust motes dance in the sunlight, swirling around what promises to be a tranquil sanctuary.
Beneath the whirring of machinery and the rhythmic crunch of gravel, the arteries of Spitzkop are taking form.
The roads, soon to be smooth ribbons of asphalt, are currently a fascinating tableau of meticulous planning and raw potential.
Chamisa revives poll fight at Sadc
Engagements are reportedly underway between the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) and opposition politician Nelson Chamisa to resolve the August 2023 electoral dispute, NewsDay can exclusively reveal.
Chamisa lost the ballot for the second time to President Emmerson Mnangagwa who won 52,6 % of the vote against the opposition leader’s 44%, according to official results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Chamisa — who lost to Mnangagwa in another disputed poll in 2018 — has, however, refused to recognise Mnangagwa as the legitimate leader of Zimbabwe, describing last year’s election as a “gigantic fraud”.
UN issues US$429m to feed hungry Zimbabweans
The United Nations has issued a Flash Appeal for US$429,3 million to help feed more than three million Zimbabweans facing hunger in the wake of the devastating El Niño-induced drought.
An estimated 7,6 million people face hunger and require urgent intervention as the El Niño-induced drought ravages southern Africa.
In a Drought Flash Appeal on Thursday, UN resident Coordinator Edward Kallon said: “Estimates for the 2024 crop season are of about 700 000 metric tonnes of maize, out of an annual requirement of2,2 million metric tonnes,”Kallon said.
“More than 1,4 million cattle risk suffering deteriorating conditions or starving, amid lack of food and pasture. To respond to the scenario, this Flash Appeal requires US$429,3 million for humanitarian partners to target close to 3,1 million people.”
ZiG brought more misery for consumers: CCZ
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) says the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency has brought more “challenges” for consumers than those they faced prior to its introduction, because people are failing to use the new currency outside the formal retail sector.
ZiG was introduced last month to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, but the new currency has faced public resistance, especially from commuter transport operators, making life difficult for consumers.
“As the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, we were delighted when we heard that we are going to have a currency backed by gold reserves being announced by the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,” CCZ chief executive officer Rosemary Mpofu told NewsDay Business in an interview.
Mohadi shamed by stadia ban
Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has admitted that government is embarrassed by the country’s failure to host international football matches due to the country’s sub-standard facilities.
Mohadi came face to face to with the level of decay of the local sporting facilities when he toured the National Sports Stadium, Magamba Hockey Stadium and Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
He was accompanied by acting Sports minister Jenfan Muswere and deputy Emily Jesaya on a mission to assess progress on the rehabilitation of some of the facilities.
Villagers fear food politicisation
In Murambinda, some 200 kilometres from Harare where President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his government hosted lavish independence celebrations last month, many are already facing starvation as the effects of the El Niño-induced drought set in.
In the midst of this starvation, villagers who spoke to NewsDay Weekender are alleging political victimisation and corruption in the food distribution matrix.
They claim that Zanu PF leaders in their areas, including war veterans, were involved in the corruption and political victimisation.
Tonderayi Nyaungwe, who was denied a 10 kg of maize meal, just outside the Independence Day celebrations venue, because of his alleged links to the opposition, spoke of a grim season for opposition supporters.
Local Businesses Threaten To Sue RBZ
Businesses are considering taking legal action against the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) over its decision to withhold payment for outstanding foreign currency auction allotments, reported Business Times.
The Central Bank failed to disburse the allotted hard currency amounting to more US$80 million to companies from the now-defunct foreign currency auction trading system.
RBZ Governor, John Mushayavanhu, has vowed he will not reverse the decision to withhold payment for outstanding forex allotments.
He said the central bank would issue non-negotiable certificates of deposit (NNCDs) or a two-year Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) instrument at an interest rate of 7.5% annually.
Mushayavanhu also said exporters would also be issued with a one-year ZiG instrument from the Treasury for the 25% of export earnings they have to surrender to the Ministry of Finance.
Digital permits streamline cross-border transport in Zimbabwe
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has introduced digital Cross Border Permits and COMESA Carrier Licences for both passenger and freight transport operators.
The implementation of these digital permits came into effect on May 9, 2024.
In a statement, Transport Minister Felix Mhona said the digital Cross Border Permit issuance operates under the framework of Article 4 of the Bilateral Road Transport Agreements established between Zimbabwe and SADC Member States.
Mhona said similarly, the COMESA Carrier Licence issuance follows the guidelines outlined in Article 85 of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Treaty.
Rogue elements will be exposed, dealt with – President
Rogue and retrogressive elements who are found undermining the country’s broad and people-centred policies will continue to be exposed under the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his remarks, at the burial of national hero Cde Ezekiel Chaunoita at the National Heroes Acre yesterday, President Mnangagwa said his administration would not hesitate to decisively deal with those who undermine and sabotage the country’s growth strides and efforts.
Instead of sabotaging the economy, he said it was important that the country maintains a united front as it continues to march forward.
A widow’s recipe for resilience
Two years ago, Nomsa Tshuma’s world was irrevocably altered when her husband, Elvis Nyathi, fell victim to a barbaric xenophobic attack in Johannesburg, South Africa. The harrowing incident left her isolated and burdened with the sole responsibility of raising their four young children, as well as an immense emptiness in her heart.
On April 6, 2022, in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, Nyathi was subjected to a violent assault by a group of protestors. The mob, driven by accusations against Zimbabwean nationals for local crimes, attacked and set Nyathi ablaze. Following this devastating event, his remains were laid to rest in Bulawayo in a State-assisted funeral.
