THE MILITARY

As Zanu PF factions destroy each other, the military will have a huge say as to who would take over from President Mugabe.

THE MILITARY

As Zanu PF factions destroy each other, the military will have a huge say as to who would take over from President Mugabe.

PROPHET WALTER MAGAYA

He is a controversial prophet who continues to draw large crowds with his promise of miracles. But as his popularity soars he faces all sorts of allegations. So far he has survived.

TSVANGIRAI THE SURVIVOR

Two secretary generals tried to topple him but failed. His wife walked out but returned home. Now MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, is plotting his way to State House.

NEWSDZEZIMBABWE

Latest news, entertainment and sports.

Friday 29 March 2024

WE WERE LOVERS : TEACHER CLEARED OF RAPING PUPIL

A teacher stationed at Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo who was dragged before the courts on allegations of sexually attacking a 16-year-old pupil has been acquitted of rape charges by the courts.

Bulawayo magistrate Mathew Mutiro recently acquitted Adolf Mutsungo (36) after a full trial. He was represented by his lawyers Task Vhiki and Mary Nyika of Macharaga Law Chambers. In acquitting Matsungo, the magistrate stated that the State failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the court acknowledged his defence of being in love with his student.

The court heard that the teacher in question would rape the student on some occasions. However, the student never reported these incidents to either the school authorities or the police.

The court further heard that the student frequently visited the teacher in his storeroom, even though he was not teaching her any subjects she was learning at the school. The court also concurred with Mutsungo’s defence that when the student visited his office they would engage in sex and they were lovers.

The magistrate said the student was bitter after she discovered that Matsungo impregnated a former student and had set up a home together. According to Matsungo’s testimony, sometime in 2023 from the beginning of the term he was in a love relationship with the 16-year-old student.

He also said during the second term the student stopped coming to school, only to return in the second week of the third term and the two resumed their love affair. He further said during the same week they had consensual sex in his office.

Matsungo told the court that their love affair turned sour when the student disclosed that she was impregnated by her boyfriend who stays in Mzilikazi suburb and terminated the pregnancy. After that Matsungo told the court that he threatened to end the affair.

Following that, Matsungo said the student in question confronted him and accused him of having impregnated a former student at the school. He said after that the student threatened to punish him.

Allegations against Matsungo were that on a date not known by the prosecutor but sometime in September last year, he told the student to accompany him to his office to fetch a cell phone so that she could capture images for her Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) programme.

It was alleged that the student fetched the phone and went on to capture images of her CALA in the class. When she returned it to his office Matsungo was alleged to have grabbed her and carried out the sexual attack.

The matter was reported to have come to light when another teacher at the school noticed behavioural changes in the student and quizzed her leading her to reveal that she was allegedly raped by Matsungo. The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of Matsungo. B Metro

MOTHER BURNS CHILD'S PRIVATES

A LIVID Chipinge woman did the unthinkable when she torched her four-year-old daughter’s private parts, accusing her of indulging in a sexual act with their neighbour’s son (seven).

The angry woman, Agnes Matimai (27), pulled a burning piece of wood from the fire and pressed it against the little girl’s privates, inflicting severe burns and emotional trauma on her in the process.

The despicable incident sparked outrage in the community, with irate residents baying for Matimai’s blood, before handing her over to the police.

The community described the incident as a “shocking and unthinkable act of brutality”.

Matimai was recently hauled before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Noel Mupeiwa, who convicted her of ill-treating the child and sentenced her to 24 months in jail.

Mr Mupeiwa, however, suspended 12 months of the sentence on condition that she does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

The other 12 months were also suspended on condition that she performs 480 hours of community service at Kopera Primary School.

Mr Themba Dhliwayo prosecuted.

He said on March 6, 2024, at around 7pm, Matimai summoned the victim and accused her of having a sexual relationship with their neighbour’s son.

“She became furious after the child did not answer her, and burnt her private parts using a burning piece of firewood that she had pulled from the fire. The child sustained some burns on her private parts, and on observing that, Matimai’s husband reported the matter to the police leading to her arrest,” he said.

In sentencing her, Mr Mupeiwa said the pain inflicted on the innocent girl left physical and emotional scars that will be difficult to heal, even with time.

“Yes, your actions were fuelled by rage, but that did not give you the authority to ill-treat your child in that manner. Thankfully, your husband did not remain silent because he swiftly reported the incident to the police, who wasted no time in apprehending you. Otherwise, you could have ended up killing that child — who sorely depends on you.

“However, the wheels of justice will not remain quiet. You will be made an example to anyone who dares ill-treat their children,” he said.

Mr Mupeiwa said the woman deserved an effective jail sentence as she had betrayed her child’s trust and inflicted emotional and physical scars on her.

He, however, noted that Matimai was a first offender with no previous convictions, and made her atone for her transgressions through performing 480 hours of community service.

In mitigation, Matimai showed contrition and begged the court for forgiveness.

She admitted acting out of rage, having foolishly reasoned that the complainant was intimate with their neighbour’s son.

“I ask for forgiveness. May the court forgive me. I did not intend to hurt her.

I acted out of anger and have already learnt my lesson. The community administered instant justice on me as they did not take my actions lightly.

They jeered and assaulted me before the arrival of the police. I beg that the court imposes a fine or community service for my transgressions because no one will take care of my children if I am send to prison,” she pleaded.

Residents who spoke to The Manica Post condemned what Matimai did, describing it as both unthinkable and unforgivable.

Chipo Mutimba said: “An angry mob buoyed by shock, outrage and sense of protectiveness attacked her as she has a bad record of being an abusive mother.”

Another resident, Joseph Kopera said the angry mob administered instant justice on Matimai as it was unthinkable for a mother to hurt her own child in such a way.

“I don’t think she will ever repeat it, given the manner the community dealt with her. It was inhumane for her as a mother to treat a little girl in the manner she did. Such an act can only be perpetrated by an evil person. No sane mother can ever do that to her own child. We are glad that the court gave her an appropriate sentence. She has leant a life lesson,” he said. Manica Post

COP BEDS FRIEND'S WIFE, WRECKS 10-YEAR MARRIAGE


IN a classic case of betrayal and biting the hand that feeds you, a Rusape cop allegedly cheated with his best friend’s wife and ended up wrecking their 10-year-old marriage.

The man at the receiving end — Isaac Hwangu — also gave the home wrecker — Godfrey Mazhangu — a piece of land to farm for free.

Little did he know that he was drawing the devil closer to his garden, which he now regrets.

The relationship between Hwangu’s wife and Mazhangu, who is employed as a police officer, allegedly started in 2021.

An unsuspecting Hwangu was shocked when he stumbled on the lovebirds’ steamy love messages in his wife’s mobile phone.

Mazhangu was last week dragged to Chief Makoni’s community court, accused of wrecking his friend’s marriage.

Mazhangu defaulted the hearing despite being served with the summons to appear before the community court.

He allegedly told Chief Makoni’s messenger of court that he had settled the matter with Hwangu after paying him US$600 for going between the sheets with his wife.

A distraught Hwangu said he spent most of his time in Bulawayo where he is employed, and his erstwhile friend, Mazhangu would take advantage of his absence to bed his wife.

The wife’s name was not mentioned in court.

Hwangu said he was tipped by alert neighbours of the two’s suspicious moves, but failed to trap them for three years.

“Mazhangu and his colleagues used to man a roadblock along Harare–Mutare Highway, close to my father’s farm. This is when we became friends. I later gave him a big piece of land to farm for free since I considered him a friend.

“As time ticked, people informed me that they were spotting my wife and Mazhangu being cosy in town during my absence. I tried to trap them, but failed to catch them as most of the time I was in Bulawayo.

“One day my wife gave me her mobile phone so that I could update it. As I was doing so, some deleted WhatsApp messages were automatically retrieved.

“In one of the messages, Mazhangu was telling my wife not to bring a wrapping cloth to their love nest. I confronted my wife, and she admitted dating Mazhangu since March 2021. I informed her relatives and she also admitted cheating on me before them. They took her to their rural home in Zvishavane together with our three children,” he said.

He said Mazhangu did not deny dating his wife, and instead begged for forgiveness.

“He agreed to pay me damages of US$600, but only paid US$400. He is now becoming evasive. I now want him to compensate me with six beasts for wrecking my marriage of 10 years,” said Hwangu.

Chief Makoni’s community court found Mazhangu guilty of adultery, and ordered him to pay Hwangu two beasts in addition to the US$600 they had agreed outside the court.

“The two parties had an out of court settlement, but it appears Mazhangu is now reneging on his promise, prompting Hwangu to approach this court. Mazhangu is ordered to pay up the remaining US$200 and two beasts to Hwangu. He is also supposed to pay US$130 as cost of the lawsuit,” ruled Chief Makoni. Manica Post

CHAOS AT PRO -CHAMISA MEETING


CHAOS reigned supreme at a meeting organised by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) pro-Mr Nelson Chamisa faction, with members becoming rowdy and protesting against the imposition of a provincial youth leader by some disgraced opposition leaders in Manicaland.

The youth wing of the pro-Mr Chamisa faction had gathered at the party’s Darlington suburb offices last Saturday to elect representatives of the Mutare cluster.

However, all hell broke loose when Mr Itai Masaka, the Mutare urban cluster coordinator, threatened to impose Mutare City Council councillor, Councillor James Mugorosa as the youth leader.

This prompted agitated youths to forcibly grab the microphone from Mr Masaka, hurling unprintable words at him and Mr Claudius Nengomasha.

The faction’s provincial chief security officer, Mr Jack Roberts tried in vain to calm the youths.

All is not well in the CCC faction as squabbles have become the order of the day at all levels.

Confusion recently rocked the faction recently when CCC national organising secretary, Mr Amos Chibaya dismissed reports that Mr Chamisa’s followers were mobilising for a new political outfit.

He told the media that a meeting held in Mutare recently was not an inaugural mobilisation programme, amid claims by some of Mr Chamisa’s loyalists that they were excluded from the meeting.

Mr Chibaya said he organised the Mutare caucus on behalf of CCC despite the former party deputy national spokesperson, Mr Gift Siziba saying the meeting was meant to facilitate the establishment of a new political party.

Messrs Chibaya and Siziba addressed party supporters in Mutare during the meeting that was attended by Messrs Regai Tsunga and David Chimhini as well as Chikanga legislator, Mrs Lynette Karenyi-Kore. Manica Post

DEPUTY MINISTER SURVIVES OUSTER

DEPUTY Information minister Omphile Marupi is set to retain his Gwanda South parliamentary seat after his main challenger lost a High Court bid to have him removed from the august House.

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Gwanda South aspiring candidate, Patrick Dube, approached the court seeking an order overturning Marupi’s victory in the August 2023 polls citing a number of electoral malpractices.

Dube argued that the polls were marred by vote rigging, vote buying and intimidation of his supporters.

Dube said he was stunned to see Zanu PF branded tables within 300 metres of the polling stations on polling day.

He submitted that Zanu PF deployed activists to mount tables outside polling stations with a view of intimidating voters against voting for the CCC.

He also said some voters were being told that they would be killed if they voted for the opposition or that they would be removed from social welfare programmes.

Marupi, however, opposed the application saying the election was conducted in a fair and peaceful manner.

High Court judge Justice David Mangota ruled in favour of Marupi saying Dube failed to give a proper notice to the respondent.

“The rules of court never envisaged a situation where a petitioner would challenge the results of an election in an entire constituency but would, in all probability, challenge the voting process which his agents and him were able to observe as having occurred, contrary to the law  of elections, at some polling stations within a constituency,” Mangota ruled.

“For a petitioner to challenge the whole voting process which took place in a whole constituency, he would have to allege that his agent(s) and him were at every polling station observing the manner of voting by the voting public as well as the conduct of other interested persons who were at those stations.

“Short of that, the petition runs the risk of inviting the court to upset votes which were taken at polling stations which the petitioner’s agent(s) and he did not visit and/or observe on the day of voting.”

The judge said Dube also failed to comply with mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act and the Electoral Court Rules.

 “The long and short of his stated conduct is to invite me to go on a fishing expedition with him, so to speak,” he said.

“The clear message which comes out of the observed position is that the petitioner is certain of what he wants to achieve but is not sure of how he should go about to achieve it.

“He cannot be allowed to approbate and reprobate on one and the same matter as he is doing.

“The petition is, accordingly, dismissed with costs.” Newsday

WHY ED RETIRED MANGUDYA EARLY

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa was yesterday forced to retire Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya a month earlier to give his successor room to come up with fresh measures to stabilise the economy.

NewsDay understands that government wants Mangudya’s successor John Mushayavanhu to bring in new ideas to stem a raging economic chaos reminiscent of 2008.

Zimbabweans are grappling with the ever-rising cost of goods and services, while the local currency continues to tumble daily on the parallel market, with some service providers now rejecting it.

“It would not have made sense to allow Mangudya to release a Monetary Policy Statement (MPS) when he will be leaving office in a month’s time,” a source  said last night.

“In addition, monetary authorities were under pressure to release the MPS after President Mnangagwa jumped the gun by announcing plans for a structured currency. The announcement caught everyone by surprise.”

The local currency, reintroduced in 2019, has been depreciating sharply amid calls for the redollarisation of the economy.

Mushayavanhu will present the much-awaited MPS next week as he hits the ground running, insiders said.

He will unpack the structured currency seen as a lasting solution to the challenges afflicting the local currency.

The Finance ministry yesterday hinted on new measures to buttress the local unit.

In a statement posted on the ministry’s X handle, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion deputy minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa cautioned Zimbabweans against disposing of the Zimdollar.

“We have been receiving enquiries about the surge in the exchange rate, which right now can be attributed to the anxiety and anticipation of the upcoming Monetary Policy Statement which is around the corner. If I were to irresponsibly give unsolicited advice, I would urge Zimbabweans with their hard-earned ZWL not to hedge against it,” Mnangagwa said.

“Government is committed to ensuring that there will be no loss of value through the introduction of the currency stabilisation measures.”

In a notice published in the Government Gazette yesterday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube said: “It is hereby notified that His Excellency the President has, in terms of section 14 of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] appointed John Mushayavanhu as the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for a period of five years beginning on March 28, 2024 and ending on March 27, 2029.”

Mnangagwa appointed Mushayavanhu as Mangudya’s successor in December.

He was supposed to assume office on May 1.

Mangudya’s term was due to end on April 30 after which he would have assumed a new role as Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive officer on May 1.

However, the veteran banker had commenced his new role earlier, necessitating the changes at RBZ, insiders said.

Mushayavanhu’s biggest task will be to stop the rapid depreciation of the Zimdollar, which has been on a free fall that has seen it depreciate by over 250% in just three months.

Last year, the local currency depreciated by over 700%.

Mushayavanhu is a respected banker who was at the helm of FBC Holdings Limited until the end of December.

Mangudya had been at the helm of RBZ since 2014.

Economists, however, remain cautious expressing concerns over government’s ability to deliver on its promises.

Harare-based economist Noah Ngirande said all forecasts for the country paint a picture of doom and gloom with no real prospects of a quick turnaround.

“Zimbabwe has a history of struggling to control inflation,” Ngirande said.

“The success of these new measures will depend on their implementation and the government’s commitment to long-term economic reforms.”

Government has previously introduced a raft of measures to stabilise the local currency without success.

In 2022, Zimbabwe introduced gold coins to mop excess local currency balances, blamed for fuelling the parallel market rate and leading to the rout of the Zimdollar by major currencies such as the United States dollar.

At the time, the Zimdollar was trading at US$1:ZWL$2 000 on the parallel market.

As of yesterday, the parallel market rate was over ZWL$30 000 to one US$1.

Currency depreciation has also led to an increase in prices with annual inflation racing to 55,3% in March from 47,62% in February.

Sources who attended the Zanu PF politburo meeting on Wednesday said runaway inflation was discussed extensively as the ruling party tried to find ways to deal with the weakening of local currency.

Mnangagwa said government was trying to find ways to stabilise the economy and prices.

“My government is determined to implement responsive interventions towards arresting speculative activities, inflation, price increases and stabilising the exchange rate,” he said.

“Equally important, our home-grown innovative solutions and hard honest work remain critical to increasing production and productivity in every sector.”

In 2008, hyperinflation in Zimbabwe peaked to an estimated 500 billion percent resulting in authorities dumping the local currency and adopting a multi-currency regime, a year later. Newsday

Thursday 28 March 2024

MURDERER CAUGHT SELLING VICTIM'S PHONE

A suspected armed robber appeared in court yesterday for allegedly killing a passer-by only to be caught while selling the deceased phone.

Tendai Mafidi (29) appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi charged with murder.

He was advised  to apply for bail at the High Court and returns to court on April 12.

Prosecutor Mr Rufaro Chonzi alleged that on January 11 at around 10pm Mafidi met now deceased Ngonidzashe Chabvuta who was walking along the road near house number 34266 East View in Harare.

He attacked him with an unknown object on the head, resulting in his death.

Mafidi then stole the Samsung Galaxy M13 and went away.

The deceased’s body was later found and a report was made to the police.

The court heard on January 12 at around 11am, a few hours after the murder, Mafidi went on to sell the deceased’s cellphone to Godknows Chikwengo a second hand cellphone dealer at OK Mbare supermarket.

The cellphone was later sold to Owen Gava, a bus conductor who began to use it.

Investigations led to the recovery of the cellphone and the subsequent arrest of Mafidi. Herald

HOW IVY LANDED IN COURT : INVESTIGATOR

The trial of gospel musician Ivy Kombo and her husband Admire Kasi, who are accused of fraudulently acquiring conversion certificates to practice law in Zimbabwe, continued this week with the State leading evidence from the investigating officer Owen Mutembwa.

Kombo and Kasi are being jointly charged with the suspended executive secretary for the Councilor Legal Education, Huggins Hardwork Duri, who allegedly provided their fraudulent conversion certificates.

In his evidence in chief, Mr Mutembwa explained to the court how the accused persons landed in the dock.

“Accused 1 and 2 (Kombo and Kasi) lied that they wrote and passed exams and Duri facilitated the provision of certificates of completion when he knew very well that they never wrote and passed the conversion exams,” he said.

Duri was allegedly paid US$1 100.

When asked by the State prosecutor Mr Ephraim Zinyandu how he linked Kombo to the crime Mr Chitembwe said it was through the affidavit she deposed.

“From my investigations, l managed to retrieve a founding affidavit of Kombo under oath that she deposed that she had written and passed eight modules and she was therefore asking the High Court to grant her permission to practice law in Zimbabwe,” said Mr Mutembwa.

He retrieved the document from the High Court. Immediately, Kombo’s lawyer Mr Admire Rubaya raised an objection relating to the alleged founding affidavit arguing that the document in question was disowned by the examinations coordinator and research assistant Vimbainashe Rutendo Sigauke who testified last week in court.

“State wants to introduce new evidence to be read into the record of the alleged affidavit. This is contaminated information or evidence and State ought to know that the person who commissioned this, Sigauke, told the court that she is not the one who signed the forged document.

So this means that this document is not an affidavit it’s just a document hence the investigating officer is not competent to talk of this document ,” said Mr Rubaya.

He added that Kombo was alleged to have signed the affidavit on 11 January last year yet she was not even in Zimbawe by that time as she arrived on February 3 last year.

Kasi’s lawyer Mr Everson Chatambudza concurred with Mr Rubaya’s submissions.

He added that at the relevant time the document in question was allegedly signed his client was still in the United Kingdom hence allowing the State to tender this document would be prejudicial to the accused persons.

Duri’s lawyer, Mr Tamutsa Muzana, also made the same submissions raised by his co-lawyers.

Trial continued in the afternoon and magistrate Chakanyuka ruled that the objections raised by the defence were sustained .

However,the trial failed to continue on Tuesday as Mr Mutembwa was unavailable and the trial was adjourned to April 9.

“The State did not lay any foundation in respect of the document that the investigating officer was supposed to comment on. This is not an official document for it to be legally binding. The objection raised has been sustained,” said Chakanyuka.

When Mr Mutembwa was asked to comment on the claims that Kombo and Kasi were exempted from writing exams, Mr Rubaya raised an objection again indicating that the investigating officer was supposed to tell the court what he investigated not what he heard or was told. The objection was sustained. Herald

45 ZCC CONGREGANTS KILLED IN HORROR CRASH

Forty-five people were killed and an eight-year-old child, who was seriously injured, was the only survivor when a bus allegedly transporting people from Botswana to Moria crashed at the Mmamatlakala bridge on the R518 in Limpopo on Thursday morning.

It is alleged that the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge and careening into a gorge where it caught alight.

Transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga extended her condolences to the families affected by the crash.

"I am sending my heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend," Chikunga said.

She and Limpopo transport and community safety MEC Florence Radzilani  were scheduled to conduct a road safety operation campaign at the Kranskop Toll Plaza when they received he news of the deadly crash.

Radzilani's spokesperson Vongani Chauke said the bus had 46 people on board, including the driver. The child was receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

"It has a Botswana  registration number, and a process to confirm the citizenship of the victims will only commence after the foreign missions of  both South Africa and Botswana had verified their citizenships," Chauke said.

Chauke said rescue operations continued until the late hours  of Thursday evening as some bodies were  burnt beyond recognition, others were trapped inside the debris and others scattered on the scene.

Chikunga said the cause of the crash was under investigation.  Times

NEW RBZ GOVERNOR BEGINS WORK

The new Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Dr John Mushayavanhu assumed office yesterday after his appointment was moved a month earlier, amid high expectations for him to hit the ground running and announce policy measures to curtail rising inflation and stabilise the exchange rate.

This effectively means the announcement of the long-awaited Monetary Policy Statement is imminent. It is expected to address key issues related to macro-economic stability.

President Mnangagwa appointed Governor Mushayavanhu in December last year well in advance of the formal handover from Dr John Mangudya, who was coming to the end of his second and final term. Reserve Bank governors are allowed a maximum of two five-year terms.

Dr Mushayavanhu was scheduled to assume office on May 1.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube confirmed the assumption of office by Dr Mushayavanhu in General Notice 410 of 2024, published yesterday, to pave the way for him to start work. So his five-year term runs to March 27, 2029.

It is hereby notified that His Excellency the President has, in terms of section 14 of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 22:15) appointed John Mushayavanhu as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for a period of five years beginning on 28 March 2024, and ending on 27 March 2029,” he said.

Dr Mangudya moved to the new Mutapa Investment Fund as chief executive.

Deputy Minister of Finance, Kuda Mnangagwa welcomed the development saying the exchange rate volatility appeared to be linked to the anxiety around the delay in the announcement of the Monetary Policy.

Writing on his X handle (formerly Twitter), he said: “We have been receiving enquiries about the surge in the exchange rate, which right now can be attributed to the anxiety and anticipation of the upcoming Monetary Policy Statement which is around the corner.

“If I were to irresponsibly give unsolicited advice, I would urge Zimbabweans with their hard earned ZWL (Zimbabwean dollars) not to hedge against it.

“Government is committed to ensuring that there will be no loss of value through the introduction of the currency stabilisation measures.”

Economist Mr Persistence Gwanyanya applauded the move describing Governor Mushayavanhu as a veteran, astute banker and a man of integrity fit for purpose saying.

“I have confidence in the incoming Governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu. Importantly, Dr Mushayavanhu has a good understanding of financial and economic matters that we face as an economy today. He is not coming to RBZ to learn but to carry over from his predecessor, Dr Mangudya.”

Governor Mushayavanhu is coming into RBZ with the full knowledge of the enormity of tasks that lie ahead and Mr Gwanyanya believes the veteran banker is prepared to face the challenge.

Governor Mushayanhu is assuming the office when mineral prices have fallen and at a time the country is confronted by drought, all of which have far reaching consequences on currency stability.

 

To this end, Mr Gwanyanya urged everyone to support the new man at the helm of the central bank in his new role, noting the interdependence of the RBZ.

“Stability is our collective responsibility as Zimbabweans. We all have a role to play. I know the Governor will face criticism from pessimists but he should not look back.

“He needs to gather the courage to press ahead with the task at hand with the full knowledge that our challenges are structural, long term and cannot be sorted overnight.”

 Mr Gwanyanya said it would be remiss to talk about the incoming Governor without thanking the outgoing Governor, Dr Mangudya for the race run and the fight he fought to get the country to where it was today.

“I wish both of them good luck in their new roles,” he said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Kurai Mtsheza told the Herald in an interview yesterday, following the announcement of Dr Mushayavanhu’s appointment and commencement of duties,  that the priority would be for the new central bank chief to announce the MPS.

“The priority is to announce the monetary policy statement. What it does is, traditionally, it is announced at the beginning of the year and it sets the priorities for the ensuing year so we get guidance from that monetary statement as an economy.

“It is critical that we know the thinking (of policymakers), we deduce a lot of meaning and we tune our businesses to align with that statement,” Mr Matsheza said.

The President appoints the Governor of the Reserve Bank in terms of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act and the head of the Mutapa Investment Fund in terms of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act.

He can reappoint a Governor once for a second five-year term but at the end of a maximum of 10 years there has to be a new person.

GOVT TIGHTENS SCREWS ON USED CAR IMPORTS

Imports of second-hand cars that are more than 10 years old from the date of manufacture are now totally banned and those bringing any will now be compelled to send them to the country of purchase at their own expense.

Statutory Instrument 54 of 2024 cited as Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 10) gazetted by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu yesterday, deletes the old 2021 need for an import licence for older cars and replaces it with a pure ban plus a re-export requirement.

“Second-hand vehicles aged 10 years and above from the date of manufacture shall not be imported. Any second-hand vehicle prohibited under this subsection shall be re-exported by the owner of the said vehicle at his or her expense,” read the SI.

The previous and now repealed section said people were required to obtain an import licence from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to import vehicles that were 10 years or older.

Imports of commercial vehicles, tractors, haulage trucks, earth- moving equipment and other specialised vehicles used in mining and construction sectors remain exempted from the ban.

In his 2020-2021 budget statement, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube said the ban on old second-hand cars was meant to contain the import bill and promote the domestic motor industry.

Prof Ncube noted that Zimbabweans had spent about US$1,3 billion on the imports of buses, light commercial, and passenger motor vehicles from 2015 to September 2020.

“This is despite the existence of capacity by the local motor industry to assemble the above-mentioned range of motor vehicles,” he said then.

“Furthermore, due to lack of effective standards and regulation, unroadworthy vehicles, which, in some instances fail to meet environmental and safety standards, find their way onto the market. In line with the National Development Strategy 1, which underscores value addition, I propose to remove second-hand motor vehicles aged 10 years and above, from the date of manufacture at the time of import, from the open general Iimport licence.”

That meant each imported vehicle needed a special import licence.

Zimbabweans mostly import second-hand vehicles from Japan, the United Kingdom and South Africa. Herald

AS PATRICK MNANGAGWA ENTERS THE GAME