Millers are considering dumping local producers of packaging material in favour of foreign manufacturers, after the indigenous players significantly increased their prices, with some demanding payment in US dollars.
In a statement, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), said if the local manufactures fail to take heed of the call to review the prices downwards, they will lobby the government to supply them with foreign currency and buy the packaging outside the country.
This comes after millers and manufactures met in Harare recently to find a lasting solution that will be fair to both consumers and suppliers.
GMAZ media and public relations manager Garikai Chaunza said the milling industry cannot be compelled to pay for the packaging material in foreign currency as it cannot charge its products in forex.
“The milling industry will support local packaging companies should they rescind their decision to sell in foreign currency and revise downwards their local prices payable in RTGS. However, should this fail, local millers will lobby government for foreign currency allocation and procure the packaging materials from foreign suppliers’ duty and VAT (value added tax) fee, whose prices are way much lower than those of local manufacturers,” Chaunza said.
He however, said so far three major packaging companies have since cooperated with the millers’ request and that GMAZ will give these firms full support.
“Negotiations with three big packaging companies are being concluded so that the prices of rice, maize meal and flour remain stable,” he said.
The current negotiations comes after packaging material manufacturers increased prices of their products by over 500 percent, which in turn saw a surge in the prices of maize meal, flour and bread.
In some supermarkets, a 10kg packet of maize meal which was going for $5,50 has significantly increased to between $9 and $9,20.
In terms of the new pricing system for the packaging, the plastic for a loaf of bread was increased from three cents to 22 cents, while that for a five kilogrammes (kg) a packet of maize meal was increased from 20 cents to 37 cents, 10kg from 37 cents to 60 cents, 20kg from 40 cents to 89 cents, while a 50kg container was increased from 56 cents to $1,20.
According to GMAZ, polypropylene which was initially being sold at $1,34 in bond note or RTGS is now US$2, 76, while laminating plastic which was $2 per 5kg is now costing $6 per kg. DailyNews
Tongaat Hulett says sugar production at its Zimbabwean unit increased by 9,2 percent to 306 000 tonnes in the six months period ended September 30, 2018, compared to 280 000 tonnes in the same period in 2017 driven by increased water availability and accelerated sugarcane root replanting.
Tongaat Hulett
The South African sugar giant’s operations in Zimbabwe comprise the wholly owned Triangle Sugar operation and the 50,3 percent holding in Hippo Valley Estates.
“As a result, the Zimbabwe sugar operations generated operating profit of R537 million which was lower than R580 million in 2017, before cane valuations,” the company said.
The firm noted that liquidity constrains in the local market have resulted in considerable cost-push inflationary pressure. After adjusting for cane valuations, the group added, operating profit was R319 million, lower than R358 million during the previous year.
The sugar producer believes that in Zimbabwe, the Tugwi–Mukorsi Dam has secured the availability of bulk water for irrigation for the next two years.
“The additional production will support higher export sales into regional deficit markets at premium prices,” the group said.
It added that recently a favourable outcome was reached with the Zimbabwe government providing the listed company with security of tenure over its assets and the operations remains positive.
The group’s operations in South Africa and Mozambique experienced difficult conditions during the period, with a resultant negative impact on both revenue and cane valuations. DailyNews
Beverly Sibanda and her manager Hapaguti “Harpers” Mapimhidze
By Vasco Chaya
Dancers Association of Zimbabwe (Daz) president Harpers Mapimhidze has urged dancers to be creative for them to remain relevant in the arts industry.
Beverly Sibanda and her manager Hapaguti “Harpers” Mapimhidze
Mapimhidze bemoans the dearth of creativity in the dance industry saying the development will greatly affect them.
“It’s painful that among 100 dance groups under Daz, only a handful of them are known and these are Beverly Sibanda, Zoey, Apama and Wasu.
“This development can be attributed to general lack of creativity among the dancers. The majority of them tend to copy each other, they display similar dance moves and, as a result, will remain unknown,” Mapimhidze said.
Owing to this, the bulk of dance groups in the country perform for crumbs.
Dancers, save for the popular ones, get a paltry $60 per show, a figure that is not even enough to cater for four members of a dance group.
“We are being paid about $60 for a show by promoters and now it is very difficult to have more than one show per day as bar owners of late expect us to perform for not less than four hours.
“As a result, it means the whole dance group, which consists of about five members, will get $180 per week.
“The group founder will take over half of the amount, leaving us with about $20 per week,” one dancer told the Daily News in confidence.
“$20 is not even enough to cater for basics in life like school fees, rentals and rates among other expenses. Takungoraramawo nenyasha mufunge (We are surviving by grace),” she said.
A member of an all-male ensemble concurred with the female dancer, saying the situation forces ladies to augment their wages mainly through unorthodox means, including sex work.
“The situation is affecting every dancer and as boys we end up staying as a group in one room mainly in ghettos just to make ends meet.
“But the situation seems tough on female dancers who value privacy; they usually end up engaging in commercial sex work. At times it is not their fault,” he said.
The majority of ordinary dancers are staying in groups in Harare’s high density suburbs such as Highfield, Mbare, Epworth, Dzivaresekwa, Kuwadzana and Warren Park among others.
On the other hand, popular dance group leaders such as Bev and Zoey are living a fairly noble life.
Bev’s Avenues apartment costs about $400 per month, in rentals. She owns a personal car and a kombi. DailyNews
November 2017 remains etched in the memories of many Zimbabweans as well as foreigners as a month when so much promise loomed on the horizon.
Then Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe flanked by his then deputy Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa
This was after the fall of the once-mighty despot Robert Mugabe which also signalled the crumbling — like a deck of cards — of former first lady Grace Mugabe’s charge at the throne.
And yet for the majority of citizens, it has remained the prophetic adage of “so near and yet so far”.
Zimbabweans had endured for too long, waiting as it were for a saviour who never seemed keen on coming since the political career — as an opposition leader — of the affable founding president of the MDC, the late Morgan Tsvangirai, who succumbed to colon cancer in February — took a nose-dive following his defeat by Mugabe in 2013.
The death of the inclusive government — again in 2013 — after bringing so much hope, also signalled the dissipation of all hope people had.
When military tanks rolled over into town and the end of the Mugabe era became nigh, Zimbabweans thought the flushing of the disastrous regime down the chambers of history would soon lead to bliss.
However, the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration which knew all that was wrong with the Mugabe regime made so many promises, including placing economic recovery on top of their priorities.
One year down the line, nothing tangible has happened yet except bottled hot air in the form of mega deals with Zimbabwe’s erstwhile oriental friends.
Today, as people reminisce they see the country’s prospects buried in the three steps forward, four steps backwards scenario.
The economy has continued to slide down the cliff, worsened of course by prices that have literally shot through the ceiling as shortages beckon, in the wake of the introduction of the unpopular two percent transactional tax by new Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.
The language has been austerity, preached on almost all political fora but which is biting the ordinary citizen more than anybody else.
Despite the political gains the country has registered, Zimbabweans’ quality of life has actually receded post-inclusive government.
Mnangagwa has to go back to the drawing board, clear all illusions he may have of what Zimbabweans expect and start working towards making people’s lives better.
The people want nothing short of immediate relief from all problems birthed in the Mugabe era.
The Bulawayo City Council has resolved to allocate a portion of one of its oldest golf courses, Harry Allen Golf Club to land developers for the construction of Town Houses.
Gift Banda
The allocation of a portion of the golf course comes a few years after former deputy mayor, Mr Gift Banda purchased 3,5 hectares of a portion of Ascot Race Course for the same purpose.
Harry Allen Golf Club is located along Cecil Avenue near the National University of Science and Technology.
According to the latest report, council received offers from three companies that want to establish Town Houses on a portion of Harry Allen Golf course measuring 1 hectare each.
“The Town Lands and Planning Committee recommended that the three companies, Bravo Investments, Reclon Consultants and TCI International be offered Stands 19412, 19413, and 19414 BT respectively at a cost of $120 000 each subject to the usual terms and conditions.
Council said the sale of the stands was however subject to approval by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Councillor Mlandu Ncube said Bravo Investments had failed to complete development on the land it was allocated elsewhere and should therefore not be allocated new land.
Councillors Felix Mhaka and Tawanda Ruzive concurred saying council should not create land barons.
They said there was need to spread such opportunities to other companies that had the capacity to develop the land.
“Tender should be awarded to companies whose design would keep the aesthetics suitable around the golf course,” read the council report.
The report said an application to buy land for construction of town houses on a portion of remainder of 1403 Bulawayo Township (Kumalo) by Dr Ray Ndhlukula had previously been deferred for more information with regard to the applicant’s capacity.
“The applicant has now submitted a letter from Titan Law dated 15th October, 2018 in terms of which it has been confirmed that in excess of US$800 000 was available for the proposed project,” reads the report.
Councillors then recommended that: “Dr R C Ndhlukula, Reclon Consultants, and TCI International be offered Stands 19412, 19413, and 19414 BT respectively at a cost of $120 000 each subject to the usual terms and conditions. The Chronicle
Golden Arrows coach Clinton Larsen says Divine Lunga is the only player on a lengthy injury list that may be ready for the visit of Kaizer Chiefs on December 1.
Lunga was starting to find his feet in the PSL after his signing from Chicken Inn in Zimbabwe before he was badly tackled in a win over Black Leopards on October 7.
It has left Arrows short of experience at left-back as fellow defender Zolani Nkombelo is still recovering from a broken foot sustained in pre-season.
Larsen, who consequently recruited Frank Motebejane in September, has been playing veteran defender
Siyanda Zwane on the left with youngster Nkosinathi Sibisi taking the opposite flank. There’s also a big issue in central midfield as Sandile Zuke and Danny Phiri are only expected back next
year, along with Velemseni Ndwandwe. “No, I doubt it. We might have Divine Lunga back, but all the others are long-term injuries,” said Larsen
when asked which of his injured players will be back for the clash with Amakhosi.
“You look at Zuke, Danny Phiri, Nkombelo, Ndwandwe, and I can go on. There’s a few more but I think at least we have one left-footed fullback (Lunga) back, which gives us better balance.
“When you lose that balance you lose your attacking threat down the side, especially the way we play with our fullbacks giving us lots of offensive mobility.
“So, it limits you to a certain extent. Zwane has always cut back on his right foot, which slows the action down to get attackers on to the ball. So, having Lunga back is going to give us another dimension, which has been missing in the last four or five games.”
Meanwhile, Larsen was disappointed Abafana Bes’thende let a lead slip in a 2-1 loss at Baroka last weekend, a result which leaves the Durban-based outfit in 11th place on the log with 12 points from as many games.
Leraro Lamola opened the scoring early on with a looping header, but Bakgaga hit back via goals from Jemondre Dickens and Vusi Sibiya in Limpopo.
“It is a huge missed opportunity for us,” said Larsen.
“We spoke to the players before the game and we said to them that we had a chance to put seven, eight points between ourselves and the bottom teams, and we didn’t take that.
“We also had the chance to go two points behind teams that are in third and fourth position.
“In that regard it is very disappointing, but you know the first 35 minutes we were on top of them. One nil up, you need to get a second and third goal because they were there for the taking, and we didn’t.
“[They were] two poor goals to concede. The first one, Zwane slips on the edge of the box and it allows them to play the ball in that space where he slips, and the misjudgement by the goalkeeper (Nkosi Gumede) for the second one. So two very poor goals to concede.
“We still had other chances in the first and second half, so it was disappointing. Not the worst performance from the team but the result was a big, big missed opportunity for us.” — KickOff
England staged a superb late comeback to beat Croatia at Wembley to reach the finals of the inaugural Uefa Nations League.
Croatia, England’s World Cup semi-final conquerors in Moscow in July, looked set to inflict their curse once more and relegate Gareth Southgate’s side from the elite group when Andrej Kramaric’s twisting finish put them ahead via a deflection off Eric Dier after 57 minutes.
England needed two goals to win the group and reach the semi-final and final stages in Portugal next June and at least inflict a small measure of revenge on Croatia for that World Cup disappointment.
And they responded brilliantly to get the win their performance deserved and secure qualification for the next stage of the tournament as substitute Jesse Lingard scored from almost on the line with 12 minutes left.
With five minutes left and the Three Lions still facing relegation, captain Harry Kane slid in Ben Chilwell’s free-kick to send England through and relegate Croatia.
England manager Gareth Southgate will have feared an old flaw was returning to haunt his side when Kramaric put Croatia ahead just before the hour after seemingly taking an age to twist and turn before beating Jordan Pickford.
It was cruel on England and punishment for failing, as they did in Moscow, to make the most of vast first-half superiority as they created a series of chances but contrived to miss them, with Kane and Raheem Sterling the chief culprits.
England could have been forgiven for believing the fates were against them as they trailed to their League A Group Four opponents, who have become something of a bogey side over the years.
Instead, they responded with courage and character as the clock ticked down to rescue glory and a place in Portugal from the prospect of relegation into the lower reaches of the Uefa Nations League.
The victory also guarantees England a place in the Euro 2020 play-offs, a fallback in the event they fail to qualify for that tournament through the traditional route.
Southgate can take his share of the credit for two attacking substitutions, sending on Lingard and Jadon Sancho with England’s backs against the wall, the reward coming in the shape of that decisive late rally.
It hardly counts as retribution for the disappointment of the World Cup semi-final but it was a demonstration that this England side is developing under Southgate, this victory acting as a measure of their progress.
The obvious joy of England’s players and supporters after that dramatic finale was another indicator that the Uefa Nations League, mocked and maligned at its inception, is capturing the public’s imagination.
It is not yet close to being ready to be spoken about in the same breath as the major tournaments such as the World Cup and the Euros — but England’s adventure so far has produced hard evidence that the idea behind its creation, to add an extra edge beyond traditional friendlies, has been a success. BBCSport
The outgoing governor of a state in south-west Nigeria says he has not been paid a salary during the eight years he spent in office.
Mr Aregbesola will hand over the governorship of Osun state at the end of November
Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola told an audience that he needed no money because the state fed him, transported him and gave him accommodation.
“With all these, I don’t need money,” he said.
His words were met with scepticism on social media as many people accused him of lying.
Nigerian officials’ expenses have been in the spotlight recently, after it was revealed that senators are entitled to monthly expenses of over 13 times more than their salaries.
A former governor said at the time that Nigerians would be even angrier to find out what money governors had access to.
One social media user mused whether Mr Aregbesola thought he was “talking to underaged sucklings”, while another asked: “How did that ease the suffering of the common man?”
Mr Aregbesola will be replaced in the role at the end of the month.
His successor Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, who was previously his chief of staff, won a closely-fought election in September. BBC
Chiefs FC’s Lucky Ndlela beats his marker Nigel Makumbe in a match played at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
By Ricky Zililo
Newman Sianchali’s goal at the stroke of fulltime completed Highlanders’ second half comeback, leaving Bulawayo Chiefs players dejected after blowing a 2-0 first half lead.
Chiefs FC’s Lucky Ndlela beats his marker Nigel Makumbe in a match played at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
Despite losing to Highlanders, Chiefs survived relegation from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League following Triangle United’s 4-2 win against Nichrut who completed the list of four teams that have been axed from the topflight.
When Sianchali struck with the last kick of the game, Chiefs players saw their world collapsing, thinking that their survival chances were slim heading to the last game against ZPC Kariba, unknown to them that Triangle had done them a favour.
Chiefs had started the first half on fire, forcing Highlanders into making mistakes and breaching Bosso’s backline on numerous occasions.
Highlanders found themselves trailing in the seventh minute, when Chiefs went ahead through Farau Matare, who beat the offside trap coming from a blind side before selling Bosso goalie Ariel Sibanda a dummy and then chipping into the net.
In the 23rd minute, Matare again breached the Highlanders backline but Sibanda reacted quickly to clear the ball to safety.
Highlanders were restricted into making long-range attempts which barely troubled Chiefs players.
Sibanda came to Highlanders’ rescue, keeping scoreline respectable with a fine 36th minute save that denied Matare a brace.
There was nothing that Sibanda could do to stop a Lucky Ndlela’s 40th minute goal, which appeared to have won Chiefs maximum points.
Bosso were caught on a quick counter attack, with Matare who troubled Highlanders’ defenders setting through Ndlela on the blind side and the former Bantu Rovers midfielder kept his cool as he slotted the ball past an advancing Sibanda.
Chiefs went into the break with what looked like a healthy lead, but Highlanders had other plans and came back from the breather to play some meaningful football.
Having failed to assert themselves in the midfield as they played second fiddle to their opponents, Bosso coach Madinda Ndlovu made a tactical double substitution in the 49th minute, introducing midfielders Brian Banda and Denzel Khumalo for Nigel Makumbe and Tafadzwa Sibanda.
That was the turning point for Bosso’s game plan as they forced Chiefs to their half and began to dictate the pace in the midfield.
Banda scored Highlanders’ first goal in the 56th minute, completing a move he started after exchanging passes with Tinashe Makanda.
Chiefs goalkeeper David Bizabani who had a great game between the sticks made two stunning saves in the 67th and 70th minutes, denying Sianchali and Gabriel Nyoni goals.
Makanda then equalised for Bosso in the 80th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box.
Chiefs began to “kill” the time, embarking on time wasting antics as they appeared to be content with a point. Bizabani was yellow carded for time wasting.
Bosso kept pressing and on the last minute of injury time, Khumalo brilliantly released the ball to Sianchali who fired past an advancing Bizabani.
“It was a game we could have given up following a bad start for us which led to those two goals.
“What kept us going was that we didn’t want to lose twice to the same team and that is why I think we won the game.
“At halftime we had to revisit our strategy and looked at the areas we could exploit.
“We needed to balance the midfield and we took our vice-captain Gabriel Nyoni and Sianchali to the wings because they had pace.
“We played the ball behind Chiefs midfield and went for the second ball and it paid off,” said Ndlovu. Chiefs tactician Thulani Sibanda said:
“Two things led to our defeat. We had to pull out our top man (Matare) because of injury and that allowed Highlanders defenders to play because no one could pressure them.
“Secondly, Our energy levels were a bit questionable and credit goes to Highlanders for their tactical ability to turn the game at us. They noticed that we had overloaded our midfield.” The Chronicle
A Harare man last week appeared in court on attempted murder charges after he shot at another man, injuring his ear, over $30. Gladmore Musanhi (51) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
File picture of Harare Magistrates Court
He was released on $300 bail and the matter was remanded to December 6.
Allegations are that on November 12, Callisto Blessing Musariri was hired by Gladmore Musanhi to move a vehicle engine from his yard to the main gate so that it could be loaded into a lorry by a forklift.
Musariri and his colleagues charged Musanhi $80 for the job.
When they completed the task they demanded their payment.
Musanhi then gave them $50 instead of $80 and refused to pay the balance of $30 leading to a misunderstanding.
Musariri and his colleagues took some drums and other materials at the garage and blocked the entrance so that the lorry could not drive through to ferry the engine.
Musanhi tried to remove the barricades himself, but was barred from doing so by the complainant.
In a fit of rage, Musanhi allegedly left the place and came back armed with a pistol which he pointed at Musariri.
He then fired a shot which hit Musariri on the ear and he fell down.
Musanhi then left the scene and handed himself over to the police.
He was arrested and the firearm recovered.
Musariri was taken to Harare Central Hospital where he is being treated.
Meanwhile, police have noted an upsurge in cases of murder and rape and say perpetrators have completely lost respect for human life, writes Elita Chikwati.
They advised members of the public living alone not to take any chances with intruders and ensure doors and windows were always locked.
This follows a murder case which occurred last week where a woman was found dead in her house in Harare.
The deceased had a stab wound.A blood-stained kitchen knife was found on the floor.
According to Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, the informant visited his girlfriend at her home and found the screen door unlocked and the main door open.
“On entering the bedroom, he found his girlfriend lying on the floor facing downwards. The deceased had a stab wound and a blood stained kitchen knife was observed on the floor.
“The accused is still at large and police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba. The Herald
In a statement, the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), said if the local manufactures fail to take heed of the call to review the prices downwards, they will lobby the government to supply them with foreign currency and buy the packaging outside the country.
Croatia, England’s World Cup semi-final conquerors in Moscow in July, looked set to inflict their curse once more and relegate Gareth Southgate’s side from the elite group when Andrej Kramaric’s twisting finish put them ahead via a deflection off Eric Dier after 57 minutes.
