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PICTURES: Renovations at Rufaro Stadium begin ahead of PSL 2023 season

By
Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
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22
Renovations begin at Rufaro Stadium
Renovations began at Rufaro Stadium in February 2023

Renovations at the ‘ceremonial’ home of Zimbabwean football, Rufaro Stadium in Mbare, have kick started with works at the sporting facility already under way.

This was revealed in pictures posted by the Harare City Council (HCC) on Facebook, showing council workers from various departments at work.

The photos were captioned: “All hands on deck! Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues. Council is confident that they will meet the mid- March deadline for use of the ground.”

Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues

Renovations at the iconic the soccer are being carried out by City Parking after partnering the HCC last week.

Part of the deal agreements are that City Parking will fix the perimeter wall as well as construct a parking lot, shopping complex and revamp the B Arena ground.

City Parking Public Relations manager Francis Mandaza revealed to the Herald after the deal was struck few days ago.

“City Parking has started construction work at Rufaro Stadium on the agreed scope of work which includes perimeter wall, shopping complex, parking lot and B arena ground,” outlined Mandaza.

“Our contractors are already on the ground with their construction equipment ready to start work.

“We have already procured most of the needed building materials including 120 000 bricks, river sand, pit sand and cement among other materials. Our expectations are that by mid-March we should be nearing project completion.”

Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues

Rufaro was last used in 2019 before it was deemed unfit to host top flight league games by ZIFA’s First Instance Body due to its dilapidation, leading to a ban of the Mbare based sporting facility.

City Parking and HCC’s deal to give the traditional soccer venue a facelift comes three months after Kuda Tawgirei’s oil company Sakunda Holdings pulled out of another deal with the latter.

Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues
Various Council Departments on the ground at Rufaro Stadium as rehabilitation continues

The reason for the withdrawal comes after Sakunda allegedly blamed City of Harare for ‘professional incompetence’.

Dynamos are itching to make a return to Rufaro their traditional home ground which holds much memories of their history success in the local premiership.

Meanwhile, with the pace renovations at the stadium are being done at, DeMbare could find themselves once again using Rufaro Stadium for their home matches a few games into the 2023 PSL season.

Marvelous Nakamba listed among six players set to be sold by Aston Villa

By
Staff Reporter
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41

Zimbabwe Warriors central midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has been put on a list of six players that are likely set to be sold by Aston Villa in the summer.

This was revealed in an article published by Birmingham Live on Tuesday.

According to the article: “Nakamba will be allowed to leave in the summer. He joined Luton Town on loan last month after failing to make a single Premier League appearance in the first half of the season. Nakamba will enter the final year of his deal in the summer.”

The former Bantu Rovers midfielder was loaned by Villa to English Championship outfit Luton Town FC until end of season.

He fell out of favour at the club and his situation was worsened when manager Unai Emery revealed during a pre-match media briefing that he told him (Nakamba) he was free to leave the club.

Nakamba joined Villa in 2019 from Club Brugge and signed a five year deal which is set to expire on 30 June in 2024.

However, Luton Town could be the new home for the 28-year-old midfielder who seems to be settling well at the club.

He has made two appearances for Luton so far since completing his deadline day move on January 31.

Nakamba made his debut two weeks ago when he was introduced as a second half substitute in Luton’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City before making his first start for the club this past Saturday.

Already, he has impressed the gaffer Rob Edwards who likened him to a Duracell battery after playing his first full 90 minutes since December 2021.

‘Mnangagwa SONA fails to condemn corruption, no solution for Zim crises’

By
Nyashadzashe Ndoro
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10

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s last State of the Nation Address (SONA) has been described as a ‘high sounding nothing’ due to his failure to strongly condemn corruption rife in his administration.

Transparency International in its latest survey ranked Zimbabwe number 152 out of 180 countries with a score of 23 out of 100.

Commenting on Mnangagwa’s latest SONA address, Bulawayo Central legislator Nicola Watson said the President did not articulate measures to curb corruption in Zimbabwe.

“Thank you Hon. Speaker for this opportunity to debate the Address to Parliament by the President during SONA. In his speech, the President said foreign currency earnings amounted to USD7.7 billion for the eight months to the 31st August, 2022; an increase of 32.4% of the same period in the previous year.

“On checking, I found that this relates purely to mineral exports. Zimbabwe is a rich country with minerals yet poor and unable to provide free education for its children and to provide even the most basic medications in its healthcare facilities,” she said.

“Zimbabwe reals under corruption and Zimbabwe’s wealth will never be shared with its population that benefited. There was nothing particularly in the SONA speech which spoke to dealing with issues around corruption.”

Opposition CCC Bulawayo Central legislator Nicola Watson (Picture via CITE)
Opposition CCC Bulawayo Central legislator Nicola Watson (Picture via CITE)

Where the President spoke about universal health coverage, Watson said the health system was totally underfunded to the extent that per capita spending on health had gone down from USD90 to USD48 per person, “which is a huge drop in per capita spending and as a consequence, although clinics have been built, hospitals refurbished to an extent, there are no medicines and there is insufficient medical staff to cater for the needs of Zimbabweans.”

She added: “In order for Zimbabwe to benefit from its wealth, it needs to have more than just rhetoric around the issues around corruption. The President urged all stakeholders to scale up programmes to end the menace and scourge of drugs and substance abuse, yet we have the laws and the security sector in Zimbabwe which are supposed to deal with those who sell and import drugs, not merely persons who are caught with them or peddling them on a small scale. This does not seem to be happening and one wonders if that is not also a facet of the deep-seated corruption.”

Transparency International recently accused the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) of being a toothless bulldog in tackling graft with arrests of high profile individuals leading to them being released by the courts.

“Anti-corruption agencies and oversight institutions must have sufficient resources and independence to perform their duties. Governments should strengthen institutional controls to manage risk of corruption in defence and security.

“Ensure the public receives accessible, timely and meaningful information, including on public spending and resource distribution. Policies and resources should be determined by fair and public processes. Top-scoring countries need to clamp down on corporate secrecy, foreign bribery and complicit professional enablers, such as bankers and lawyers,” the organisation said.

Goldstar shuts down Harare sugar refinery in protest at price increase

By
Nyashadzashe Ndoro
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2
The country’s largest sugar producer Goldstar has closed its Harare refinery citing ‘an exorbitant rise’ in raw sugar prices.
The country’s largest sugar producer Goldstar has closed its Harare refinery citing ‘an exorbitant rise’ in raw sugar prices.

Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed Starafrica’s subsidiary Gold Star has temporarily closed its Harare refinery and sent employees on indefinite leave, in protest to Tongaat Huletts price increase and onerous trading terms.

In a statement, the company’s Chief Executive Robson Nyabadza cited high costs of the raw sugar effected by the Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (Private) Limited (ZSS) on 9 February 2023.

Hippo Valley Estates’ Tongaat Huletts are the main suppliers of raw sugar through what observers regard as a monopoly in the industry.

“Kindly be advised that the plant at Goldstar Sugars (GSS) will be closed for a week from Monday 13 February 2023 to Sunday 19 February 2023 due to a lack of raw sugar,” read the statement.

“The outage of raw sugar is a result of the raw sugar price increase effected by the Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (Private) Limited (ZSS) on 9 February 2023, which makes it difficult for the company to operate the refinery viably as well as the onerous trading terms, that ZSS has imposed, which have constrained the supply of raw sugar to the extent that the refinery is experiencing frequent raw sugar stockouts.

“All employees shall take leave with effect from 13 February 2023 and report for duty on 20 February 2023, except those doing debt collection and other specified and essential activities as shall be advised by their line managers.”

In an interview with Nehanda Radio, analyst Pride Mkono stated a number of factors that could have led to the temporary suspension of Gold Star operations.

He cited shortage of electricity and manipulation of raw sugar prices by Tongaat Huletts due to the company’s monopoly in the sugar industry.

“It would seem that the company is facing serious headwinds in terms of its production costs which are driven by high prices of raw materials.

“While it is not clear why suppliers have increased the price of raw materials, we do know that the suppliers are mainly Hippo Valley which itself is part of the Tongaat Huletts family which is of sugar production.

“So there could be a market dynamic where there is dominant competition from those that control the primary production of sugarcane. We not also rule out the issues around energy as they have highlighted the issue of high cost of production.

“We have been facing electricity challenges recently and those are some of the factors that could affect that. But generally, our economic environment is not competitive because most of the industries are dominated by one player and where there is a monopoly or oligopoly, there can be price manipulation,” he said.

Inflation, power outages sour Tanganda Tea prospects in Zimbabwe

By
Nyashadzashe Ndoro
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0
Tanganda Tea Company Limited (Picture via Tanganda Tea Company)
Tanganda Tea Company Limited (Picture via Tanganda Tea Company)

Despite recording 48% revenue growth over the prior year, Zimbabwe’s largest tea producer, Tanganda Tea Company Limited has cited high inflation and currency volatility as major setbacks to the operating environment in Zimbabwe.

In a trading update statement dated February 10, the company, through its secretary Nyasha Kodzanai, claimed that Zimbabwe’s economy was affected by skyrocketing inflation, the Covid-19 pandemic, the effect of rising global inflation and power outages.

“The operating environment was characterised by currency volatility, erratic power supplies, reduced agricultural output, the adverse impact of the pass-through effect of rising global inflation and continued geo-political and COVID-related supply disruptions,” read the statement seen by Nehanda Radio.

“This coupled with high inflation (243.8% as at December 2022) resulted in a continuation of subdued economic performance. Resultantly, the Country’s economic growth was downgraded from earlier projections of 5.5% to 4.6% in 2022.

“The volatile exchange rate also saw a 10% depreciation of the local currency to 684.33 against the United States Dollar which put further pressure on costs.”

Tanganda however said positive trends included rainfall for the quarter at levels of an average 49% above prior year.

The company said power outages also affected its business.

“The Company continues to strengthen its climate resilience through reservoir construction and building efficient irrigation systems for improved productivity.

“In addition to this, business interruption caused by ongoing power outages has been significantly reduced by the solar plants at three of our five estates,” Kodzanai said.

On financial performance the company said its revenue for the quarter grew by 48% over the prior year comparative period in inflation adjusted terms.

It added that “performance remained satisfactory in spite of inflation induced increase in operating costs.

“Despite the late onset of the rainy season, bulk tea production volumes were in line with the comparable prior year period. Bulk tea export volumes however, were 33% below prior year as 52% of the total volume was produced in the month of December and would be exported in subsequent months.

“Packed tea sales volumes grew by 13% for the quarter with export volumes into the region growing by 37% over prior year.

“In the quarter under review, 325 tonnes of macadamia nuts were exported as nut in shell,” read the statement.

The company further anticipates the operating environment to be difficult due to “envisaged macro-economic instability due to inflationary pressures”.

“The operating environment is expected to remain difficult on the backdrop of the envisaged macro-economic instability due to inflationary pressures, currency instability, fast rising operational costs and external exogenous shocks such as imported global inflation.

“The Company is focused on exploring value addition options and cost management to mitigate against reduced profit margins and is optimistic about its prospects during the financial year as all crops are looking good and there is a firm demand for its products,” the company said.

Mnangagwa clashes with IMF on gold coins, claims US$27,5m profit

By
Nyashadzashe Ndoro
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43
President Emmerson Mnangagwa during an interview on Carte Blanche in 2018 (Picture via YouTube - Carte Blanche)
President Emmerson Mnangagwa during an interview on Carte Blanche in 2018 (Picture via YouTube - Carte Blanche)

President Emmerson Mnangagwa claims 28 000 gold coins have been sold since their introduction last year, helping to raise ZWL22,2 billion (US$27,5 million) and dealing a blow to the parallel market.

Mnangagwa said this while heaping praise on the gold coins idea as an economic stabiliser. The President’s sentiments equally dismiss the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s position that gold coins were actually worsening the financial problems instead of solving them.

Writing in his weekly column in the Sunday Mail on Sunday, Mnangagwa hailed the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) for the gold coins idea.

“Our banking institutions are in a fine fettle. Our financial market is growing in depth, with new instruments being brought to bear, and making any surpluses investible. In this regard, the introduction of gold coins has been outstanding.

“To date, some 28 000 coins have been sold, raising some $22,2 billion, or US$27,5 million. Until now, all this money was either stashed at home, or was wreaking havoc in our economy through illicit parallel market-related activities,” he said.

This comes at a time when the country is facing a plethora of challenges that include financial and economic crises worsened by power outages.

Inflation has led to the country’s legal tender falling every week against the United States dollar.

The IMF team led by Dhaneshwar Ghura, in December last year conducted a mission to Harare, in the context of the 2023 Article IV Consultation. One of the recommendations made by the team was for the government to do away with the gold coins.

“A near-term policy imperative is to sustainably anchor macroeconomic stability,” read the statement by Mr. Ghura.

“In this context, Fund staff recommend accelerating the liberalization of the FX market, including through the removal of restrictions on the exchange rate at which banks, authorized dealers, and businesses transact, addressing the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s quasi-fiscal operations to mitigate liquidity pressures; maintaining an appropriately tight monetary policy stance ter durably restore macroeconomic stability and ensure social stability; restoring the nominal anchor for monetary policy, including through the use of appropriate interest-bearing instruments to mop up liquidity and winding down the use of gold coins; and maintaining a prudent fiscal stance.”

In January RBZ chief John Mangudya defended the gold coins arguing the IMF “view the issuance of gold coins as tantamount to intervening in the foreign exchange market, thus depleting foreign exchange reserves.

“The bank (RBZ), however, views the gold coins as an alternative product or asset to foreign currency in the economy’s dual currency system,.”

“..hence a retail open market operations instrument for store of value and for mopping excess liquidity.

“Use of gold coins for mopping excess liquidity is particularly important in the dual currency environment where the public has a choice of holding both the US$ and local currency.”

Highlanders take pre-season camp to Beitbridge

By
Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
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2
Highlanders players train at Heath Streak Academy before the Covid-19 lockdown
Highlanders players train at Heath Streak Academy before the Covid-19 lockdown (May 2020)

Bulawayo giants Highlanders Football Club travelled to Beitbridge on Sunday for their pre-season camp which began on Monday and is set to end on Thursday.

Bosso’s communications officer Nozibelo Maphosa told the Chronicle newspaper “The team (Highlanders) arrived safely for the Beitbridge camp. The proposed camp days are Monday to Thursday.”

The former champions were in Gweru on Saturday where they had visited premier league new comers Sheasham for a pre-season practise match.

Played at Ascot Stadium, the friendly match ended in a goalless draw.

Amahlolanyama have not been active in the transfer market, only making two signings in Melikhaya Ncube who was Bulawayo City’s midfielder and skipper as well as Calvin Chigonero loaned from division one side Talen Vision.

Versatile midfielder Gillian Nyathi was promoted from the club’s developmental side, Bosso 90.

They lost their vice-captain Nqobizitha Masuku who completed a one and half year move to Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy and Adrian Silla to CAPS United.

Moreover, the Baltemar Brito coached side offloaded the quartet of Crispen Ncube, Toto Banda, Bukhosi Sibanda and Muziwakhe Dlamini.

This season Bosso will be out to end a championship drought after having last won the league title back in 2006.

Tributes pour for Tsvangirai in memory of 5th anniversary of his death

By
Nyashadzashe Ndoro
-
18

The struggle for democracy in post-independence Zimbabwe cannot be discussed without the special mention of the late former Prime Minister (2009 to 2013) Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Today, 14 February 2023, marks exactly five years since the pro-democracy icon died at the age of 65 after reportedly suffering from colorectal cancer.

Tsvangirai led the Movement for Democratic Change party during the time of late former President Robert Mugabe who was removed from office through a military coup in November 2017.

He was a key figure in the opposition to Mugabe whose reign was characterised by totalitarianism, corruption, maladministration and election rigging.

After his death, he was replaced by Nelson Chamisa who led the MDC Alliance to the 2018 elections against Zanu-PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Morgan Tsvangirai seen here with Nelson Chamisa
Morgan Tsvangirai seen here with Nelson Chamisa

Chamisa was controversially defeated in a plebiscite result that was marred by allegations of rigging and the killing of more than six opposition activists by soldiers.

With the alleged help of the State, Chamisa’s rivals in the MDC Alliance, led by Douglas Mwonzora went on to grab the party, taking its funds and recalling MPs and councillors.

In January 2022, Chamisa formed the new Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and went on to win 19 seats out of 28 in the by-elections held in March that year.

Chamisa has vowed to maintain the principles of his mentor, the founding opposition leader Tsvangirai.

The late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai
The late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai

Posting on his Twitter handle, Chamisa on Tuesday cited the things that he learnt from the late labour activist.

“5 YEARS ON.. We are still standing! The struggle continues! The pursuit of justice never ends. The 5 key lessons you taught me; Never keep or carry a grudge. Don’t pursue vengeance. Seek peace with all men. Ignore haters, cynics and doomsayers. Stay focused, stay the course! RIP Save,” he said.

CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere encouraged the young people to register to vote in remembrance of Tsvangirai.

“Today, we remember one of the most iconic forebears of the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe, the late Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, whom we lost on 14 February 2018. He always encouraged the young to register to vote and Zimbabweans to be united. We must do so in memory of him,” she said.

Vimbai Tsvangirai Java with her late father Morgan Tsvangirai
Vimbai Tsvangirai Java with her late father Morgan Tsvangirai

Top investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said the country needed to learn from Tsvangirai.

“It is 5 years today since Morgan Tsvangirai died from cancer. He was Zimbabwe’s 2nd Prime Minister, one who was denied his mandate to the State House through violence and rigging of elections!

“He also made monumental mistakes that we should learn from. May his soul Rest in Peace,” Chin’ono said.

Political commentator Pedzisai Ruhanya said: “FIVE years ago today we lost a democratic resistance fighter in Morgan Tsvangirai.

“RIP big dhara. It’s saddening that someone who was with Muzorewa when you and others took the regime head on has been given your party and it has collapsed. Your MDC is dead, it has joined Zanu-PF.” Ruhanya tweeted.

245 days in prison, Sikhala’s ‘biggest worry is about his wife and children’

By
Nyashadzashe Ndoro
-
7
Political prisoner Job Sikhala during an appearance at the Harare Magistrates Court
Political prisoner Job Sikhala during an appearance at the Harare Magistrates Court

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s fierce critic and opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP Job Sikhala has spent more than 245 days incarcerated over what his friends describe as frivolous charges and persecution.

Jailed on June 14 over charges of inciting public violence and obstructing the course of justice, the Zengeza West legislator has equally spent more than seven months without trial and being denied bail.

A number of CCC leaders are also going to court every week on other charges which stem mainly from holding party activities.

The party’s interim vice president Tendai Biti on Monday said Sikhala’s “biggest worry is about his wife and children”.

“We were back in court again on our never-ending charges. We have been in court on at least 65 occasions since Dec 2020. Job Sikhala was also in the same court. His biggest worry is about his wife and children. He remains in jovial spirit despite spending 9 months in prison,” Biti said.

The jailed pro-democracy activist was even not allowed to see his family during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Reports also claim that he has been blocked several times from consulting his doctors.

Outspoken Zimbabwe opposition MP Job Sikhala at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts, Zimbabwe on 2 September 2020. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Aaron Ufumeli)
Outspoken Zimbabwe opposition MP Job Sikhala at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts, Zimbabwe on 2 September 2020. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Aaron Ufumeli)

Sikhala has since made an application demanding prison officials to release some of his medications that they allegedly confiscated.

He was arrested on June 14 last year together with fellow MP Godfrey Sithole and the 14 members of Nyatsime. They were all charged with incitement to commit public violence to avenge the murder of CCC activist Moreblessing Ali.

Others were granted bail respectively but Sikhala’s more than 19 times bail applications were denied.

CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused the ruling Zanu-PF party of having a hand in the alleged persecution of Sikhala.

She said: “Free Sikhala: Our Lawyer, Hon Job Sikhala has spent 244 days in prison without trial. He was arrested on 14 June 2023. He’s being persecuted by the regime in Harare for legally representing my sister Moreblessing Ali who was murdered by Zanu-PF for her politics.”

The arrest of opposition activists is happening when the country is due to hold elections in less than five months.

Commentators say the continued suppression of dissent will result in the political environment being deemed uneven ahead of the plebiscite.

‘He’s like a Duracell battery says Luton coach on Marvelous Nakamba

By
Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
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82

English Championship club Luton Town FC’s head coach Rob Edwards has likened Warriors star Marvelous Nakamba with a reachable and ‘long lasting’ Duracell battery after the midfielder played the entire match against Coventry City on Saturday.

Praising the central midfielder, Edwards’ remarks comes after the 28-year-old midfielder who made his first start for Luton this past weekend, played his first full 90 minutes for the first time since December 2021.

“I thought he was marvellous! I did, I thought he was great. I wasn’t sure how long he was going to play, but he’s like a Duracell battery, he just kept going and going and going and going.

“I thought he was outstanding, covers the pitch so well, smells the danger and then really calm with the ball, I’m delighted with him,” said Edwards.

Nakamba who told Luton’s media after the game that he is “looking forward to giving everything for the team” hopes to put his career back on track during his six months loan spell after heavily falling down pecking order at Villa.

The Zimbabwean international went on to reveal that he is “very delighted to be at Luton” and also thanked the fans, team-mates and the technical staff for welcoming him at Kenilworth Road.

Furthermore, he spoke about his first full 90 minutes in over a year.

“It was my first 90 minutes but I’ve been doing some extra training sessions, the technical staff and the coaches have helped me a lot.

“I’ve been training by myself for some extra training. Physically for me it is not a problem and when I play, I always give everything,’ he said.

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