Daniel Nemukuyu and Felex Share
WESTERN diplomats and security chiefs from the region yesterday said prospects of turning around the economy were bright and urged Zimbabweans to collectively work hard to achieve its potential.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 34th Independence anniversary celebrations in Harare yesterday, United States of America Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Bruce Wharton, said Zimbabwe has great potential to improve the economy.

“This country (Zimbabwe) has enormous potential. If you look at the economy’s performance between 2008 and 2009 for example, the economy grew by 28 percent in a few months.

“This shows that the future of Zimbabwe can be very bright if all the stakeholders work hard,” said Mr Wharton.

Mr Wharton, whose country intensified its economic sanctions regime on Thursday, added that US was committed to promoting development in Zimbabwe.

“At independence some 34 years ago, my country made a commitment to support development projects in Zimbabwe and that commitment remains strong. I am here to re-express our commitment and solidarity with Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mr Wharton congratulated Zimbabwe for attaining independence on behalf of the US government.

He, however, did not say how his professed hope for Zimbabwe’s economic turnaround fitted into the economic sanctions regime his country intensified on Thursday, when it added one company and several Chinese nationals doing business in Zimbabwe to a travel and financial blacklist

Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus of Australia, concurred saying Zimbabwe was promising.

“The economic future of Zimbabwe is very promising. You have a very well-educated young generation who are capable of working hard to take this country forward.

“We have stood beside Zimbabwe through difficult times as well as better times and partnering in development assistance and investment.

“We hope that this year we may see improvements in economic policy which allows us to do more,” he said.

DRC ambassador to Zimbabwe, who is also Dean of African diplomats, Ambassador Mwanananga Mwawampanga, hailed Zimbabwe for the achievements made after independence.

“Despite the trials and tribulations, Zimbabwe is still kicking and alive.

“We, as brothers and friends of Zimbabwe, are very happy about the way you have gone through the first 34 years of independence.

“The years 2008 to 2013 were trying times for Zimbabwe but you managed to come out with flying colours. We have to congratulate you for that,” he said.

Ambassador Mwawampanga urged Zimbabweans to unite and work hard to improve the economy.

“Now is the time for Zimbabweans to come together and rebuild the economy of this country, which is very resilient and has a lot of potential.

“It is just a matter of sitting down with level heads and work hard and this country’s economy can take off like a rocket,” he said.

Inspector General of the Namibian police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, said Zimbabwe and Namibia share a common history, it was now time for the citizens to reclaim control and ownership of their resources.

“Our countries are very rich but the economy is still not in our hands. We are now both fighting the economic wars.

“We are really comrades in arms. We have to be united and work together to achieve economic independence,” he said.

Lt Gen Ndeitunga hailed Zimbabwe for reclaiming its land, describing land reform as a giant step towards economic independence.

“Zimbabweans are now owners of their land. We congratulate Zimbabwe for achieving this and other accolades within the first 34 years of independence,” he said.

Lt Gen Ndeitunga said Zimbabwe-Namibia solidarity dates back to the liberation struggles when their guerillas were trained together in Tanzania, Zambia and other parts of the world.

Tanzanian Land Forces Commander Major General Salim Mustafa Kijuu, said despite economic embargoes, Zimbabwe must soldier on.

“Despite the economic embargoes by the West, Zimbabweans have to work hard. They have to unite and work together. They should not give up because one day they will win,” he said.

Major Gen Kijuu said Tanzanians and Zimbabweans had strong ties that should be maintained.

“Our friendship is historical and it dates back to the days of Chimurenga. As Tanzanians and Zimbabweans we are brothers and we will stay like this forever,” he said.

MDC-T senior party official and Warren Park legislator Engineer Elias Mudzuri said independence was important for all despite having different political views and opinions.

“We all fought for the independence of Zimbabwe. It is not correct that when you belong to a different political party you are out of the realms of what happened to Zimbabweans.

“We are part of what happened to Zimbabweans and we fought in order to liberate this country.

“We have to reflect on what our fallen and living heroes fought for. It is an important day for all of us despite having political differences,” said Eng Mudzuri.

War veterans’ leader Cde Jabulani Sibanda, said the liberation struggle was still on despite attaining independence.

“We were colonised and suppressed for many years, but we have managed to recover our land and our independence.

“Now we are in a struggle to recover our national resources, that we make our national resources work for our people.

“We should be able to dig our own minerals, make products out of them sell them so that we earn a lot of money.

“The struggle is still on because the pattern of life is ever-changing,” he said.

Tichaona Zindoga
The Western onslaught on Zimbabwe since 1999 is similar to efforts by the colonial regime to delay independence and majority rule in 1980, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo yesterday said by imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe and funding the opposition, the West was attacking the country’s Independence.

He said President Mugabe and Zanu-PF’s resounding victorysignified the defeat of the regime change agenda in the same way Independence ended colonialism in 1980.

“Then, it was ‘don’t get Independence’, now it has been ‘lose your Independence’. In 1980 we marked the attainment of Independence and 2013 marked the defence of our independence,” he said.

Prof Moyo noted the positive vibe among Zimbabweans as they marked this year’s Independence Day.

“There is a palpable spirit of 1980 which has gripped everyone across Zimbabwe and gripping the consciousness of each and every living Zimbabwean at home and in the Diaspora, and there is a huge relief the Independence is significant in that for the first time we are celebrating a clear victory,” he said.

(full text in Monday edition)

Herald Reporters
Zimbabweans yesterday thronged various centres countrywide to mark the 34th Independence Day celebrations, with the main event being held in Harare at the National Sports Stadium.
This year’s celebrations were unique as they followed President Mugabe and ZANU-PF’s crushing victory in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.

In Harare, people started gathering as early as 6am at the 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium where Zanu-PF and some MDC-T officials, diplomats, service chiefs and ordinary Zimbabweans converged for the festivities presided over by President Mugabe.

Celebrations were also held at provincial, district and ward levels with senior Government officials reading President Mugabe’s address. Warren Park National Assembly legislator Engineer Elias Mudzuri and Harare Mayor Mr Bernard Manyenyeni were notable MDC-T representatives in Harare.

Service chiefs from Namibia and Tanzania graced the packed stadium that had many people standing to follow proceedings.

There were wild cheers when President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Mugabe arrived at around 11am, with the crowd chanting “Gushungo, Gushungo” — the President’s totem. There were displays by schoolchildren from Glen Norah 1 and 2 High Schools, and members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and military.

Sungura musicians Alick Macheso and Sulumani Chimbetu belted scintillating tunes that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

The celebrations were held under the theme “Zimbabwe @34: Defending Our Sovereignty and Providing an Enabling Environment for Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Social Transformation”.

The theme resonated well with economic blueprint Zim-Asset.

Banners in the stadium were inscribed with messages such as “Pasi Nehuori”, Kusunuguka neKubudirira Kuzere neZim-Asset”.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, the host, said the Zanu-PF administration had a clear developmental agenda. “It is evident that Zim-Asset has been embraced by all sectors of the economy,” he said.

In Manicaland the main event was at Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium where Provincial Affairs Minister of State Chris Mushohwe led proceedings. Zimbabwe National Army soldiers and mbira groups from Mozambique entertained the gathering.

At Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera, Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, said: “We are celebrating something visible starting from Independence, disbanding the inclusive Government, the abundant rains, the appointment of President Mugabe as the Deputy African Union chair. We are also elated with the successful hosting of the UNWTO and this year’s bumper harvest.”

In Mashonaland West the main event was in Chinhoyi where Minister of State for the Province,  Cde Faber Chidarikire, inspected a four-detachment parade before reading the President’s speech.

Various arts groups, including Baptism of Fire and poet Moses Nyambondo, thrilled the crowd, as did Air Force of Zimbabwe dog displays and Nyau dancers from Shackleton.

Scores of people gathered at Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge where Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi was the guest of honour.

Thousands went to Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo. The provincial leadership — led by Minister of State Kudakwashe Bhasikiti — thanked Government for evacuating 3 000 families threatened by flooding in the Tokwe-Mukosi Basin in Chivi.

There was also a great turnout at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura where Mashonaland Central Provincial Minister Martin Dinha said this year’s celebrations demonstrated that Zimbabweans were resilient and patriotic.

White City Stadium in Bulawayo was adorned with 34 national flags and Minister of State for the Province Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo was the guest of honour, while Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa attended.

A match between soccer sides Highlanders and Harare City capped the celebrations.

In Matabeleland North, thousands braved the scorching sun as they celebrated 34 years of Independence at Somhlolo Stadium where Provincial Affairs Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema inspected a guard of honour.

In Midlands Province, Minister of State Jaison Machaya inspected a parade mounted by the armed forces. Midlands Chimurenga Choir, choral groups and the Midlands State University Musicology Department’s Mbira Ensemble provided entertainment.

Felex Share Herald Reporter
Zesa Holdings is sitting on thousands of prepaid meters as contractors cannot fix them because of the way the State Procurement Board structured their contracts, it has emerged.
Over 100 000 households in Harare, Bulawayo and other areas are yet to get the pre-paid meters as the company contracted to install them, Solahart, is failing to meet demand.

Two companies, Finmark and Nyamazela both of South Africa were contracted to cover other regions and finished installations, but cannot move into areas with shortfalls because of procurement procedures.

For the companies to move into areas with shortfalls, according to procurement regulations, the contracts have to be varied with SPB approval.

Zesa Holdings, through its subsidiary the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, has written to the SPB seeking variation of the                          contracts.

Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said last week they were still waiting for a positive response from the SPB.

SPB chairman Mr Charles Kuwaza said according to Section 26 of the Procurement Regulations no-one should vary a contract without the procurement body’s approval, which reads: “In a contract for a fixed supply or service, the quantity of the supply or the extend of the service shall not be varied without the approval of the Board.”

Mr Kuwaza said Zesa’s reasons for varying the contracts were unsatisfactory.

“These delays were caused solely because ZETDC varied contracts without seeking necessary approval from the SPB,” he said. “The explanations for violation of Section 26 of the regulations were unsatisfactory, leading to lengthy correspondences between ourselves and the (ZETDC) accounting officer. Clearly, it is not illegal to vary contracts, but that must be properly authorised.”

Initially, there were four companies contracted to install 500 000 prepaid meters countrywide, but ZTE’s services were withdrawn as they allegedly supplied faulty meters.

Just over 400 000 meters have been installed since August 2012.

Mr Kuwaza said the SPB held several meetings with ZEDTC management to “summarise” the problems besetting contractors.

“At one point, the ZETDC asked the board (SPB) to increase quantities of meters on the ZTE contract, yet at the same time they were telling us that the ZTE meters were failing to meet the tender specifications. That was absurd.

“The ZETDC also told us that they had cancelled the contract with ZTE, but when we wrote to ZTE, they refuted this assertion. We demanded explanations for these contradictions.

“While we deal with urgent matters promptly, these can only be finalised if the questions we pose are answered satisfactorily.”

Mr Gwasira said Zesa wanted to deploy excess meters to deficit areas.

“As Zesa, our paramount objective is to realise the pre-paid metering project in full in the shortest possible time. Consequently, if there is any excess capacity in any of our contractors, who have finished their prescribed areas, we want to deploy that capacity elsewhere.”

Zesa sources said had it not been for bickering between the SPB and the power utility, installation of pre-paid meters would have been complete.

“We are still to install 100 000 in Harare and the Western regions and this cannot happen because of the way the contract was structured,” said one source.

“The Zim-Asset target base has 800 000 meters, but we have 500 000 prepaid meters meaning the other 300 000 are going to be smart meters.”

The smart units, being installed at a cost of more than US$100 million, are being introduced to curb tampering which has seen Zesa losing US$10 million monthly.

Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe Lifestyle Editor
The first day Shamiso (not her real name) did not attend school in the first term of the year, her teacher was upset that his star pupil was absent.
Three days later he wondered if she had succumbed to the wave of malaria sweeping across parts of Mutoko.
On the fourth day he learnt that the Grade Seven pupil, who had just turned 13, would not be returning to school ever again.
Shamiso had married and henceforth would be concerning herself with matters of being a wife and mother with all the physical, social and economic burdens that come with those interlinked roles.

Recently, Plan International Zimbabwe child rights advisor Tholakele Ndlovu told the parliamentary portfolio committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development that Zimbabwe is ranked 39 out of 192 countries on child marriages.

The Demographic Health Survey of 2006 established that in Mashonaland East under which Mutoko falls 85 percent of the children attend primary school with the figure drastically falling to 45 percent in secondary school.

A visit to Mutoko revealed a sad picture. Most teen girls that one comes across are mothers or expecting.
The teacher, who cannot be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media, says the problem of early marriages is just getting out of hand.

“This is not the first time that the school has lost a brilliant girl before she has a chance to make something of herself.
One time a girl went away just before Grade Seven examinations and last year another one dropped out after writing just two papers,” he explained.

He says the school authorities and the community do what they can but the problem is growing bigger as young girls and boys get married.
“A good number of our pupils are from apostolic sects. The Johanne Marange people marry off young girls, sometimes to older men.

In the case where we suspect that some form of child abuse has occurred we directly alert the police and Childline if we think the parents or guardians are complicit in the crime.”

The teacher admitted that many cases do not get reported because the girl is willing, the family has been paid off or the father is underage himself.
This reporter was able to establish that Mutoko Police Station has a victim friendly unit manned by officers who are trained to deal with traumatised children thus showing the commitment of the force to dealing with the scourge.

However, national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said that the police are not aware of any particular cause of concern in Mutoko as compared to other parts of the country when it comes to reported cases of child marriages.

“There are no alarming reports from that area. I want to make it clear that as the police we do not hesitate to arrest any person who is accused of such a crime.
Where we get reports the law takes its course”

He reiterated the fact that the law is above any cultural or religious principles and that it would be best for everyone to comply by putting the interests of children above all other considerations.

“I also want to encourage all people to respect the rights of children.
That includes the right to go to school so that they can develop into adults who are free to make their own decisions about their lives,” he said.
In one recent case a 14 year old girl eloped to the home of her 14 year old boyfriend because she was pregnant.

Mutoko South Ward 29 Councillor Trust Kachidza said that the Johanne Marange apostolic sect followers in the area were culprits in cases of child abuse.
“In my own ward I would say about 40 percent of the population are from that church and their children get married very young.

You will note that even the boys also drop out of school early,” he said.
Mr Kachidza pointed out that the problem is not limited to that sect only as all youths appear to be indulging in early sexual debuts leading to teen pregnancies and child marriages.

“There are several problems. One is poverty and all this happens as a form of escape. Girls get married while young men opt to farm tobacco and start their own families.

The second is that we have developed cultural acceptance of these early marriages as something normal.”
Mr Kachidza said the third problem has been created by the proliferation of mobile phones which have enhanced access to sexually explicit material.

“These children see a lot of pornography. If you just get hold of their phones you will be shocked at the stuff that is there.
They do not need smart phones as they can exchange the videos and pictures on memory cards. After they have seen such things, they want to experiment,” he explained.

Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president Bishop Johannes Ndanga is on record stating that the council does not condone any illegal acts on the parts of the members.

A local leader in the Johanne Marange church in one area of Mutoko who refused to be identified said the problem did not lie with the leadership but with the people themselves.

“When we attend national gatherings or meet with the leaders we are told about conforming to the law, send children to school, get them immunized and not marry young girls. Everyone is aware of that.

“But when we come back home, very few of the leaders pass on the message to their followers and we continue to just do things as we have always done.
If the police were to raid all villages and look at the age of the children that people call their wives, a lot of men will be thrown in jail,” he said.

Head of Village 99 Mr Manase Tafirenyika said that traditional leaders at the grassroots have become ceremonial figureheads who are not equipped to deal with the social problems that are bedeviling the area.

“I am just a leader in name. There is no legal statute that compels people to answer to me.
Some of these cases go unremarked and I only learn of them much later when the girl is already pregnant and there is nothing left to do.

“Even in cases where a child is being forced and I get to hear of it, I can only go and report to the police who are a long way away and I have no resources to fund that travel.”

Mr Tafirenyika said that poverty has fuelled the practice of children having children because many of them drop out of school as the parents cannot afford to pay their fees.”

Fees at the primary schools are around US$65 per child per term which is equivalent or higher than those charged in Harare high density urban areas.
Comparatively, schools in Chivi, Nyazura and Hurungwe charge up to US$20 for the same period.

Calls are being made for Government and other concerned stakeholders in church and civil society to recognise that rural children in Mutoko and other areas of Zimbabwe need effective policy implementation to make sure that they benefit from the laws that protect their rights.

monica.cheru@zimpapers.co.zw

SIMON KHAYA MOYO

Lloyd Gumbo Senior Reporter
Zanu-PF legislators have implored the party to provide resources for them to deliver on the revolutionary party’s winning election manifesto in last year’s harmonised elections.
They said this in the wake of a demand by the leadership that all party MPs in the Eighth Parliament were expected to submit performance appraisal reports in line with the party’s objective of fulfilling  election promises.

National chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo recently said the MPs were expected to submit their first reports by the end of next month.
The legislators hailed the appraisal exercise, but bemoaned lack of resources. Chiwundura MP Cde Kizito Chivamba, last week said there was need for Zanu-PF to help in sourcing funding for its legislators to initiate developmental projects.

“There is nothing wrong with the appraisals, but the party must help us source resources that will enable us to perform well,” he said.
“We campaigned using our resources so now we don’t have the money. Some of us who have been there already, we are just following up on projects that we initiated using the Constituency Development Fund but those who are coming for the first time, have nothing to do.

“We implore the national chairman to help us source funding to enable us to perform.
‘‘At the moment, we are not getting our allowances and fuel coupons so we are constrained.” Mutasa South MP Cde Irene Zindi said it would have been easy for Zanu-PF to check on its MPs’ performance if it had provided resources.

“As MPs, we are using our personal resources, but they are limited.
We are also facing challenges at Parliament that we are not getting sitting allowances and fuel coupons where we have to subsidise the House in terms of coming for debates and visiting our constituencies,” she said.

“It becomes difficult for MPs to deliver.
We can approach private companies and talk to them on social corporate responsibility, but that depends on the willingness of the companies. It’s a catch-22 situation.” Cde Zindi said the private sector was also struggling due to poor economic environment and were thus unable to assist.

Goromonzi West legislator Cde Beatrice Nyamupinga, said party MPs were willing to deliver but could not do so due to lack of resources.
“The issue of resources is of paramount importance and that has to be looked at by the senior leadership.

Anything that’s suggested must go along with budget. It’s not sustainable without resources,” she said.
Her Mudzi West counterpart, Cde Acqualina Katsande, said while the appraisal idea was noble, there was a need for MPs to be given resources for them to deliver.

“The national chairman can say as much as he can, but it’s difficult because even for us to write those appraisals we need to go through the constituency yet we do not have the fuel coupons,” said Cde Katsande.

But Chegutu West MP, Cde Dexter Nduna, said MPs could still deliver on their promises even if they were not given resources by the party. He said there were some projects that did not require money to be fulfilled.

Vice President Joice Mujuru congratulates Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha and his wife Mercy during their 20th wedding anniversary at EskBank Farm in Mazowe yesterday. —(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
Mashonaland Central Governor and Resident Minister Advocate Martin Dinha yesterday renewed his marriage vows with his wife Mercy at a colourful ceremony in EskBank just outside Harare.
The 20th anniversary ceremony was attended by Vice President Joice Mujuru, several ministers and senior Government officials, relatives and friends.
Speaking at the ceremony, guest of honour VP Mujuru, condemned gender-based violence mostly among couples who ended up killing each other.

She said violence between couples was escalating and urged couples to resolve disputes amicably rather than resort to violence.
“Marriage is an important institution that has its challenges, but killing each other is not the solution.

Couples should first talk between themselves and if the problem persists then seek counselling and not to kill each other,” VP Mujuru said.
She noted that there were several cases reported in the local media of husbands killing their wives and also of wives scolding their husbands with hot cooking oil.
She said a happy marriage could only be achieved through commitment and dedication from both partners.

VP Mujuru commended Cde Dinha and his wife for being exemplary.
In his remarks, Cde Dinha said he was happy to celebrate 20 years of marriage and thanked President Mugabe and his family and the Roman Catholic Church who looked after him when his parents were jailed by the Ian Smith regime.

“They gave me a good foundation. I also grieve a lot when I hear people divorcing, when I hear of scandals, but I’m not saying I’m a saint.
We want to preserve the family life,” he said.

Cde Dinha said President Mugabe was clear in his independence speech that the family unit was under threat from homosexuality.
“So we should value family and impart good values to our children. We must drive against divorces,” Cde Dinha said.

VP Mujuru

Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
VICE President Joice Mujuru yesterday spoke for the first time that she never divorced her late husband Retired General Solomon Mujuru whom she described as a loving but naughty husband.
Cde Mujuru disclosed this at the 20th marriage anniversary ceremony for Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha and his wife Mercy.

The colourful ceremony was held at Eskbank Farm in Mashonaland Central just outside Harare.
This is the first time VP Mujuru has publicly spoken about her marriage to Gen Mujuru who died in a fire accident at Ruzambo Farm in Beatrice in 2011, plunging the nation into mourning.

Speculation was rife that VP Mujuru and Gen Mujuru were not staying together as husband and wife at the time of his death.
She, however, said: “Hapana munhu aimbofungira ini naSolomon tigere tese — makuhwa mangani amakanzwa muHarare, haa, Mai Mujuru vakarambwa, yowe Solomon akaroora. Imi munofunga kuti ndanga ndisingazive kuti kune misikinzwa? Ndaizvinzwa, asi aiti kana ava paghedhi raAmai Mujuru ainyatsouya semunhu ari clean and innocent and I used to like that.

“Ndiyo respect inodiwa nemudzimai. Izvozvo zvinoita muchengetedzane (No one thought Solomon and I were still together – how many rumours did you hear in Harare to the effect that ‘Mai Mujuru is divorced’, ‘Solomon has a new wife’?

Do you think I did not know of his misdeeds?
I heard about it but the moment he arrived at my gate, he came as a clean and innocent man and I used to like that.
That is the respect needed by a woman.

That will keep you together),” VP Mujuru said.
She spoke at length about her marriage. VP Mujuru said just like other unions, her marriage to Rtd Gen Mujuru was not rosy but they managed to spend 34 years together and were separated by death.

Cde Mujuru said although Rtd Gen Mujuru was mischievous at times just like any other man, she enjoyed the love and his affectionate company.
“Honai vamwe takafirwa taane 34 years (of marriage) asi ndiani akanga ane musikanzwa saSolomon — anga anayo zvekuti (Look, some of us were widowed after 34 years of marriage but who was as naughty as Solomon?

He was very naughty),” VP Mujuru said.
She urged women to be strong and be committed to their marriages and show respect to their husbands saying this was one of the ways to maintain the unions.
Gen Mujuru, a former Zimbabwe National Army Commander, died in 2011 in a fire accident at his farm in Beatrice after decades of a colourful political career.

He was declared a national hero and was buried at the National Heroes Acre.
He was a Zanu-PF Politburo member and a decorated liberation fighter whose nom de guerre was Cde Rex Nhongo.
When Gen Mujuru died, VP Mujuru in an exclusive interview disclosed how she missed him dearly.

Mujuru’s remains were found at his Ruzambo farmhouse in Beatrice, south of Harare on August 16, 2011 with the inquest ruling that he died in an accidental fire.

Sifelani Tsiko Senior Writer
Zimbabwe stands to save more than US$120 million worth of energy a year if it speeds up the installation of smart meters, which have the capacity to reduce transmission and distribution losses, energy experts say.
An independent energy solutions expert Mr Ben Mavedzenge, said if Zesa accelerated the installation of smart meters, it could realise huge savings as customers better manage and reduce their energy consumption and costs.

“Accelerating the installation of smart meters is the way to go,” he said.
“The (other form of) prepaid meter system (currently being used) is costing the country heavily in terms of transmission and distribution loses.
It’s a closed system that has serious short comings.

We need efficient and dependable systems such as smart meters which can reduce our energy costs.”
His comments come in the wake of plans by Zesa Holdings to pursue the path to smart meters after the energy utility realised the serious technical risks associated with the other two year – prepaid meter system which was bleeding the company of a conservative US$10 million a month due to power theft and leakages.

University of Zimbabwe electrical engineering chairman Engineer Golden Kapungu, was quoted as saying smart meters could address problems associated with electricity theft and revenue leakages.

“I think the installation of smart meters is of paramount importance because the power utility will be able to establish what will be happening with electricity consumption,” he said.

“Maybe the problem will be that of funding because these smart meters also need to be connected to the smart grid.
So, I am not sure whether we have the capacity to sponsor such a kind of system upgrading.”

Zesa announced recently that it will spend more than US$100 million to install 300 000 smart units and a further US$7 million to procure a Meter Data Management central system.

“The accelerated deployment of open smart metering technology will result in Zimbabwe realising savings in excess of US$120 million more than what was envisioned with the pre-paid meter system,” Mr Mavedzenge said.

The open smart metering technology, he said, had numerous advantages for customers.
“With an open smart metering system customers can have the benefits of enjoying new products and services through the development of a process that makes it simple for customers to identify and find new products that will work with the smart meter system.

“For example, the smart meter system can also be used to measure water among other products.
The new meters can also provide information that helps customers take advantage of market pricing to better manage their energy costs.”

Energy experts say smart meters with teleprocessing device can offer a platform that assure higher speed, effectiveness and user friendliness in the relationship between the power utility and its customers.

Superseding analogue meters, a smart meter runs on a digital system and supports complex automatic data transfers.
Smart metering, they say, lets customers know how much power they are using and in what ways, communicate usage data remotely and choose among competing suppliers without having to replace the meter.

From the power utility’s standpoint, smart metering improves network operation, speeds up troubleshooting and enables remote implementation of contract changes such as new connections, cancellations, new tariff options and more.

The open smart metering technology was tested and piloted in 2012 by Connect the World, a local energy solutions company together with ZETDC.
ZETDC, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, Standards Association of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development have all endorsed the open smart metering technology after the success of the trials.

If the smart metering technology was rolled out fully, energy experts say, a supply of about 900 MW could be enough for the country as energy savings are realised and consumers cut their power usage.

Using the current system, Zimbabwe would need up to 2 200MW, an amount which the country could not meet with the present energy production infrastructure.

Mr George Charamba

Herald Reporter
Cabinet will meet today as per tradition.  The announcement was made in a statement yesterday by the Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Mr George Charamba. “The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr MJM Sibanda has announced that, as per tradition, Cabinet will sit tomorrow (today), Tuesday, 22nd April, 2014, at the usual venue and time,” said Mr Charamba.

Geoffrey Nyarota

Senior Reporter
The Information and Media Panel of Inquiry will tomorrow hold two meetings in Gweru to assess challenges affecting media operations while also identifying opportunities and prospects for the sector.Panel chairman, Geoffrey Nyarota, said they were expecting fruitful discussions at the two meetings scheduled for Mkoba Hall and Midlands State University.

“We will be at Mkoba Hall on Wednesday at 11.30 am before proceeding to MSU on Thursday where there is a media school, we expect to spend more time there. After the two meetings we will come back to Harare and we expect to visit the National University of Science and Technology and the small City Hall in Bulawayo,” he said.

Visits would also be undertaken to Lupane, Beitbridge and other areas in the coming weeks.

IMPI has already carried out consultations in Masvingo and Manicaland. The body was established last year by the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services to promote and elevate the standards of media practice in Zimbabwe.

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
At least 51 000 Zimbabweans based in South Africa passed through Beitbridge Border Post during the Easter and Independence holidays, the department of immigration has said.Assistant regional immigration officer-in-charge of Beitbridge Mr Notius Tarisai said they had cleared 35 115 entries and 15 852 departures between April 17 and  20.

He said although the volume of traffic had surged at the country’s busiest port of entry, the situation was manageable.

Mr Tarisai said they had started recording an increase in terms of those travellers leaving the country.

“We cleared a total of 14 239 entries on the 17th of April and a further 12 639 on the 18th of April. The number of entries has started normalising to between 2000 and 5000. We are expecting the number of departures to increase between Monday and Tuesday as the holidays wind up,” he said.

He said they had separated traffic on both sides of the border into buses, private cars, returning residents, transit and commercial.

Mr Tarisai said they had also opened more immigration clearing points where tourists and transit travellers where being cleared inside the main building, while others were being assisted outside.

He said they had added 14 more workers to their staff compliment of 52 which was already on the ground.

“In a bid to avoid unnecessary congestion, we have separated traffic into various categories and you will note that the buses are cleared through the tagging system (first come first save) so that we don’t clog the border post,” said Mr Tarisai.

He said they were working on two 12 hours shifts and had agreed to align clearing mechanisms with their counterparts in South Africa.

Vladimir Putin

Senior Reporter
Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin has sent a congratulatory message to President Mugabe and Zimbabweans on the occasion of its 34th Independence Anniversary celebrated last Friday.Mr Putin also spoke highly of Zimbabwe-Russia relations that date back to the days of the liberation struggle, in a message sent through the Russian Embassy in Harare.

“I am confident that the relations between Russia and Zimbabwe which are based on solid traditions of friendship and mutual respect will further actively develop for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of consolidating stability and security in the African continent.

“I wish you, Mr President, good health and every success, as well as happiness and prosperity to your compatriots,” said Mr Putin.
Belarus’ president Alexander Lukashenko also conveyed a congratulatory message to President Mugabe on Sunday.

The country, which has stood by Zimbabwe over the years, expressed its hope that the two countries would explore areas of co-operation.

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom weighed in with a congratulatory statement that also skirted mentioning Government, even though the same Zimbabweans they purported to congratulate exercised their democratic right to give President Mugabe and Zanu-PF another mandate to lead the country for another five years in 2013.

The United States sent its backhanded congratulations which came with a tightening of its ruinous economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe marked its 34th anniversary on Friday, coming after defeating the opposition MDC-T and at a time when the country is making efforts to implement one of its homegrown economic policies, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation.

The country celebrated independence under the theme; Zimbabwe @34: Defending Our Sovereignty and Providing an Enabling Environment for Sustainable Economic Empowerment and Social Transformation.

Prosper Dembedza Herald Reporter
A self-proclaimed prophetess of the Johanne Masowe Echishanu apostolic sect drowned in Nyaguwe River on Independence Day when she fell into a “trance” and dived into the water in Murewa.

Mashonaland East Assistant provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza today confirmed the incident.

He identified the deceased woman as Susan Kandros (44) of Dzivarasekwa 1 in Harare.

Assistant Inspector Mwanza said investigations into the matter are in progress.

On the day in question Kandros held a prayer and cleansing ceremony with eight church members at Nyaguwe River.

After the ceremony it is alleged that Kandros fell into a “trance” and dived into the river where she started swimming downstream towards a deep end.

On sensing danger one of the church members identified as Joseph Pepa (39) also dived into the river in a bid to rescue Kandros but his efforts were in vain as he could not locate her.

The church members held a vigil at the river expecting Kandros to appear from the river to no avail.

They reported the matter at Juru police station the following day.

Police from the Sub-Aqua Unit attended the scene and retrieved Kandros’s body from the river.

The body was taken to Murehwa Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem.

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
There is disharmony within the civil service following a salary increase effected by Government this month that has resulted in some teachers earning more than their headmasters.The gross monthly salary of a senior degreed teacher who is in grade E1 is pegged at US$548 while that of a deputy head in grade D5 is pegged at US$530.
Senior teachers would also earn the same salary with some deputy headmasters in grade E1.

Headmasters and their deputies attending a Zimbabwe Teachers Association conference in the capital said the recent salary increment did not recognise grade, qualification, promotion and experience.

Zimta president and Apex council team leader, Mr Richard Gundani said a situation where a headmaster earned less or equal that of his subordinate compromised the spirit and principle of supervision.

He said the difference between the lowest paid teacher whose salary stands at US$500 is a dollar with the next level, meaning there was no incentive for one to be promoted, better qualified or experienced.

“There is more bunching now after the increment than before. So in our salary scale we have a mix up where some juniors are earning more than their seniors. Some people who were at the bottom received 37 percent and those on the top received 20 percent creating a compression of salary structure,” said Mr Gundani.

He said there was confusion on how the Results Based Management system was being applied as one could get a performance based increment before the process of assessment was concluded.

Zimta, he said, would push for the convening of an urgent National Joint Negotiating Council to iron out these issues.

The Apex council, Mr Gundani said, would lobby for the setting up of a Civil Service Employment Council modelled along South Africa where they conducted a study tour three years ago together with Government representatives.

In South Africa, the council was independent with its own secretariat and budget.

“The National Joint Negotiating Council structure is not strong enough to spearhead the changes that we would want effected. It gives too much power to the Government. They will have meetings when they want, in their own offices, using their facilities and secretariat of Government. You can’t have equal participation in this process,” said Mr Gundani.

The four-day conference is running under the theme “Quality Teachers, Quality tools and Quality Environment, A must for public education”.

Jessie Majome

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
GOVERNMENT has described the constitutional application by Harare West legislator Ms Jessie Majome contesting payment of listener’s licence fees to ZBC, as mischievous saying the obligation to pay the fees was the same as that of paying tax.Ms Majome last year filed the application arguing that ZBC’s television station and four radio stations were biased towards Zanu-PF and that they did not give MDC-T enough airspace in the election campaigns.

To that end, the politician argued that ZBC had lost its status as a public broadcaster as it only served the interests of a portion of the country’s population and that it should not continue receiving licence fees.

In the heads of argument filed at the Constitutional Court by Mambosasa Legal Practitioners on behalf of the Attorney General, Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, ZBC and the Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, it is argued that Ms Majome’s claims of bias had not been proven and that it was only her own belief that the national broadcaster was biased.

“In other words, if the political programming of first respondent (ZBC) met her standards of objectivity, then they would be constitutional. The argument is akin to saying if one is not satisfied with the performance of the civil service, then one would withhold payment of taxes and argue that payment of taxes under those circumstances, is ultra vires one’s constitutional property rights.

“Pure mischief,” read the heads of argument.

According to the heads of argument, ZBC was a national broadcaster and licence fees were permissible at law.

“It is respectively submitted that first respondent’s operations are compliant with provisions of Section 61(4) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. If applicant has issues with political content featured on first respondent’s two television channels and four radio stations, she simply needs to articulate her case without seeking to stifle or cripple a national institution,” read the papers.

It is Government’s contention that Ms Majome was approaching the court with dirty hands by openly refusing to pay the listener’s licence fees for two years.

“It is mischievous on applicant’s part for her to approach this honourable court after openly violating the law for close to two years, hands dripping of stinking dirt and petition this court to give a partisan order compelling first respondent to broadcast its programmes only to people associated with the ruling party, yet at the same time beg this court to rule that she has a right to air her views through first respondent’s media of communication,” read the papers.

The lawyers urged the court to dismiss the application with costs on a higher scale saying courts must not be abused by politicians as a platform to gain cheap publicity or to score political points.

It is also argued that if Ms Majome feels ZBC was failing to deliver on its mandate as provided by the Broadcasting Services Act, she could make a complaint with the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe.

If she does not get any joy, she could then approach the court instead of pre-maturely rushing to the Constitutional Court.

Crime Reporter
FIVE more people have died in 287 road accidents recorded during the Independence and Easter Holidays countrywide. This brings the holiday death toll to 30.
Police said 229 people were injured.The accidents were recorded between last Thursday and yesterday morning.

During the same period last year, 34 people died and 157 were injured in 301 accidents.

“We have so far impounded 359 unroadworthy vehicles and issued a total of 9 935 tickets for various traffic offences,” said national police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi.

Manicaland had the highest number of deaths at 11, Harare (four), Matabeleland North (four), Mashonaland Central and Midlands had three deaths each.
Masvingo and Mashonaland East recorded two deaths each.

One person was killed in Bulawayo while no deaths were recorded in Mashonaland West and Matabeleland South provinces.
Chief Supt Nyathi attributed the accidents to speeding, vehicle defects, human error and speeding, among other things.

He urged motorists to exercise caution on the roads.

Chief Supt Nyathi attributed the decrease in road accidents during the Easter and Independence Holidays to police presence on the roads.

“It is also because of the blitz that we have been conducting and awareness campaigns that were conducted in all the provinces,” he said.

Lunar Chickens employees shy away from the camera as they strike at the firm’s Borrowdale factory in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Munyaradzi Chamalimba)

Herald Reporter
A labour dispute has erupted at Lunar Chickens, owned by former Reserve Bank Governor Dr Gideon Gono, with management saying it is flushing out “ghost workers” improperly hired by a now sacked manager.The affected people yesterday gathered outside the Borrowdale, Harare abattoir facility — known as Slaughter Land — demanding what they said were outstanding payments of up to US$900 and dating back six months. Lunar Chickens operations manager Mr Weston Zimunya said they were restructuring the business and this had affected some workers.

“Just like other companies we have our own problems and we have permanent staff and casual and contract labourers we call for a week and so forth and you can expect them to be disgruntled after being laid off,” he said.

When The Herald arrived at Lunar Chickens in Borrowdale, about 20 workers were gathered outside the plant, some of whom said they had been protesting non-payment of salaries since morning.

“We earn around US$150 per month and we have not been paid for a long time. The majority of us have not been paid for up to six months,” a disgruntled worker said.
Another worker said: “We refused to slaughter 6 000 chickens and as you can see they are there since morning.”

But Dr Gono said, “I am carrying out a restructuring of the company . . . part of this refocusing of the business has involved some auditing and the auditing of the division called Slaughter Land revealed that there were some ghost workers.

“The ghost workers didn’t have ID numbers and could not testify as when and where they worked. It’s against this background that anybody who didn’t have an ID number in our system or even say who their manager or supervisor was, or what exactly they were doing that we had to interrogate them further.

“We are finding out that some of these people were relatives and friends of a manager who we have since sacked. It is thus impossible to pay these people.”

Lunar Chickens, formed in 2007, is a highly-integrated chicken company with breeders and hatcheries.

Bulawayo Bureau
Government is reviewing all economic policies to position the country as the premier investment destination in Africa, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa has said.
Addressing the Zimbabwe-China Business workshop on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on Thursday, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe was open for business.

“We are in the process of revising our economic policies so that the country becomes the number one destination for investment on the continent. The revision of policies is in line with the Government’s vision to set up Special Economic Zones in different parts of the country,” he said.

An SEZ is a geographical region designed to export specific goods and create employment.

Ambassador Mutsvangwa said it was time to increase trade volume, especially between Zimbabwe and its all-weather friend, China.

“There are bigger opportunities for economic co-operation between Zimbabwe and China.

“The two countries have had good relations since the liberation struggle. I would like to encourage China to support our efforts to establish SEZ in some parts of the country,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.

“I know both countries very well and that they are capable of boosting their economies.

“We have to increase the volume of trade and work hard to be rich. Zimbabwe is rich in resources and China stands to benefit from investing in the country.”

Economic and commercial counsellor at China’s Embassy to Zimbabwe, Mr Han Bing, said the country was important to the Asian powerhouse.

“Zimbabwe has abundant natural resources and well-developed infrastructure.

“In the past five years, the country had a rapid economic development and now has a huge market potential,” he said.

“In recent years, we could see the fast growth of bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe. China has been in the top five largest trading partners of Zimbabwe since 2010.”

Mr Bing said in 2012 that China’s annual bilateral trade with Zimbabwe breached the US$1 billion mark, while last year the total volume of trade stood at US$1,1 billion.

“China and Zimbabwe enjoy profound and traditional relations. Zimbabwe always regard China as its reliable all weather friend and we are ready to work with Zimbabwe to strengthen the existing friendly relations and co-operation,” he said.

PRESIDENT MUGABE

Mabasa Sasa Deputy Editor
President Mugabe yesterday left for Vatican City for tomorrow’s canonisation of Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli (Pope John XXIII) and Karol Jozef Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) by Pope Francis.
A devout Roman Catholic, President Mugabe will join a reported 40-plus other leaders at the ceremony in St Peter’s Square.

This will be the first time in the church’s history that two popes will be canonised on the same day.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been flocking to Rome since the Easter Holiday.

A Vatican spokesman has estimated that St Peter’s Square and the avenue leading into it can hold about 250 000 people. The Easter Sunday congregation this year was put at 150 000.

Local media say there will not be much glitz and glamour for the April 27 ceremony, in line with Pope Francis’ reputed “no-frills” approach.

Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini told the media that some churches would remain open overnight on the eve of the canonisation “to provide a spiritual retreat for pilgrims”.

Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino added that they would “distribute almost four million plastic bottles of water to the crowds”, and would deploy 2 000 police officers and 2 500 civil protection department volunteers.

Medical teams will staff 13 first aid stations and 1 000 chemical toilets have been set up near Vatican City and key tourist areas.

Subway lines and buses will run nonstop, and 17 big public viewing screens have been set up throughout the city.

Despite the US$11 million cost of the ceremony, all attention is on the two men who will be canonised by the world’s largest Christian congregation. Pope John Paul II’s canonisation is the quickest ascension to Catholic sainthood, and one of the fastest in the Church’s history.

He died in 2005.

When Pope Francis canonises him, he will also be canonising a man who was beatified by John Paul II, Pope John XXIII, who died in 1963. The quickest canonisation was that of St Anthony of Padua, who died in 1231 and was elevated to sainthood 11 months later.

Normally, the church first certifies one miracle for beatification and then a second one for canonisation, with the process often starting at least five years after death.

The church attributes two miracles to Pope John Paul II: curing a French nun with Parkinson’s disease and healing a Costa Rican woman with a brain aneurysm.

As such, Pope Paul II is being elevated to sainthood seven years after his death. The fastest canonisation in modern times was the 28-year wait for Saint Teresa of Lisieux.

Pope John XXIII’s canonisation has also been facilitated by waivers. The Catholic Church attributes one miracle to him but Pope Francis made an exception.

John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, leading to local languages — rather than strictly Latin — being used for mass.

Considerations for Catholic sainthood are the cardinal virtues of justice, prudence, temperance, and courage and the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.

Some observers have read a tactical move by Pope Francis in canonising the two on the same day.

John XXIII is viewed as a leftist for his reforms, while John Paul II is considered a conservative who opposed abortion, which he called a “culture of death”.

Honouring the two concurrently, it has been said, will avoid any major schisms in the church.

The canonisations are, naturally, without controversy, particularly within the context of the paedophilia scandal that has rocked the church.

John Paul II is accused of ignoring — or more gravely, covering up — the abuse of boys by church leaders.

On Wednesday, vandals splashed paint on a stone memorial commemorating John Paul II in his home region of southern Poland.

This week, Associated Press published excerpts from 212 Vatican documents from the book “The Will to Not Know”, which show senior Vatican officials knew of the sexual and drug abuses back in 1948.

“In a sense, (Pope) Francis inherited the sainthood cause of John Paul II. For most Catholics, his canonisation was a foregone conclusion and is not going to be seen as a Pope Francis initiative,” AFP quoted John Thavis, author of “The Vatican Diaries”, said.

“In fact, had Francis intervened to delay or stop the canonisation because of criticism of John Paul’s record on sex abuse, it would have been seen by many as unforgivable meddling and an undoing of John Paul’s legacy.”

There has been some tragedy too, surrounding the canonisation.

On Wednesday, a 21-year-old Italian man died when a 30 metre wooden crucifix honouring John Paul II fell on him at a celebration ahead of Sunday’s ceremony.