Lewis Hamilton was barred from entering the Royal Box during the Wimbledon final on Sunday because he was not wearing a jacket and tie.
Lewis Hamilton at Wimbledon, right, and his Instagram photo of his special invite to the Men’s Final (Photo: Xposure)
Despite receiving an invitation to watch the men’s singles final from the Royal Box, the Formula One champion missed the match owing to an “unfortunate misunderstanding regarding the dress code at Wimbledon”, according to his spokesman.
Earlier in the day Hamilton posted a picture on Instagram showing his Royal Box invitation package, saying he was “honoured” to have received it.
He wrote: “On my way to Wimbledon to watch the final. Honoured to have been invited to watch the men’s finals from the Royal Box.”
He later posted another picture of himself on Instagram dressed in a colourful shirt and trousers, with the caption “Wimbledon”.
Men who are invited to the exclusive box on Centre Court must wear a jacket, tie and shoes.
A spokesman for Hamilton said: “Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding the dress code at Wimbledon, Lewis is very disappointed to have missed the men’s final.”
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) confirmed that Hamilton was absent from the Royal Box for the final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
“If [Hamilton] was not adequately dressed you could infer that he would not have been let in, but we do not comment on our guests,” a spokesman said.
“If he came without a jacket, tie or shoes he would have had two choices – not staying or going to get some extra stuff.”
The spokesman added that the driver had been at SW19 on Sunday, but left before end of the match.
With the match at 4-3 in the fourth set, they said: “He did come but he has gone. We are not commenting further.” The Telegraph
Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu was surprised as the Highlanders players celebrated
By Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle ……………………………..0
Highlanders ……………………… 0
HIGHLANDERS celebrated as if they had won a cup final at the end of this exciting and evenly contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match which ended in a goalless draw at Gibbo yesterday.
Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu was surprised as the Highlanders players celebrated
Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu was surprised as the Highlanders players celebrated when his charges, on the other hand, looked dejected after full-time as the two sides shared the spoils again after last weekend’s 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields.
“This is football and teams have different objectives but it’s quite surprising that they are celebrating after a draw against us,” said Kaindu.
Highlanders started the game looking nervous and they were more defensive in the opening minutes, a clear indication that they were avoiding to concede an early goal which cost them maximum points in the reverse fixture at Barbourfields last Sunday.
Triangle could have taken the lead in the 20th minute but Hillary Bakacheza’s shot forced a smart save from Njabulo Nyoni after a quick exchange of passes with Marlvin Gaki.
Bakacheza came back to haunt the Highlanders defence three minutes later but his pin-point cross was headed just inches over the bar by the giant Zambian international Makundika Sakala. The visitors finally got their first real chance in the 23rd minute when Bruce Kangwa overlapped but his rasping effort was tipped over the bar by the home side’s goal-minder Ashley Reyners.
Pasca Manhanga, who scored in last week’s 1-1 draw at Barbourfields, missed two chances within two minutes, first “passing the ball” straight to the keeper with his weaker left foot before pushing his effort wide from six yards in the 26th and 28th minute respectively after two brilliant set ups by Bakacheza.
Highlanders striker Thomas Chideu thought he had given his side the lead in the 35th minute but was put under pressure by Triangle captain Jimmy Tigere and saw his effort shaving the bottom of the post.
Highlanders defender Teenage Hadebe made sure both teams went to the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0 as he cleared Sakala’s goal-bound effort off the line after an overlapping move by Tigere who set up the latter in the 42nd minute.
Chances were far and few between in the second half as Triangle’s game-plan was changed after three early substitutions. First it was a tactical change when Nhamo Lameck was pulled off for Cabby Kamhapa in the 38th minute.
Former Highlanders defender Dumisani Ndlovu got injured in the 47th minute and was helped off the pitch before goalkeeper Reyners was taken to hospital because of illness. Chasten Ngondonga and Ronald Mudimu were introduced for the pair respectively.
Man-of-the-match Bakacheza was the most notable player in Triangle’s attacking third and forced another save from Nyoni who was the busiest of the goalkeepers in the 57th minute.
“We made three changes, two of them forced substitutions and all within 50 minutes of play and that really affected our game-plan but we had to soldier on,” said Triangle mentor Kaindu after the match.
Highlanders coach Bongani Mafu was happy with the result away from home but felt the result could have gone his side’s way if they had taken the few chance they created.
“We should have finished the game in the first half, we created four chances but we failed to convert them. It’s good that we managed to keep a clean sheet but we now need to convert our defending to scoring if we are to win games.
“It’s really hurting to keep on saying it will come, I feel it’s high time we start collecting maximum points,” said Mafu.
Teams
Triangle: A. Reyners (R. Mudimu 50th minute), B. Juwayeyi, N. Meson, D. Ndlovu (C. Ngondonga 47th minute), J. Tigere, T. Chipunza, M. Gaki, P. Manhanga, H. Bakacheza, M. Sakala, N. Lameck (C. Kamhapa 38th minute).
Highlanders: N. Nyoni, W. Chingodza, T. Chideu (R. Kutsanzira 85th minute), E. Muzanenhamo (K. Nadolo 76th minute), B. Kangwa, N. Masuku, T. Hadebe, K. Mutizwa, F. Chindungwe, D. Sibanda, M. Honest. The Chronicle
HARARE – Details of the late Retired General Solomon Mujuru’s vast business empire have started emerging after lawyers submitted documents for his estate.
The late General Solomon Mujuru (c) in 2009, with Morgan Tsvangirai and his wife Joice Mujuru who was recently deposed as Vice President
Gen Mujuru died in August 2011 in a suspicious fire at his farm house in Beatrice, leaving behind an empire ranging from real estate, pharmaceutical, farming, to diamond mining – igniting a battle between Mrs Mujuru and some of the intended beneficiaries – mainly children.
Gen Mujuru ranked among the richest people in the country.
He had 100 percent shareholding in such companies as Kalmic Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Maidei Kumbirai (Pvt) Ltd, Rylance Farms, Tapfumaneyi Holdings, J and H Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Oriel Pharmacy (Pvt) Ltd and a 50 percent stake in Kupukile Resources (Pvt) Ltd.
Kupukile Resources (Pvt) Ltd was Rtd Gen Mujuru’s investment vehicle that had equity in River Ranch Diamond Mine in Beitbridge.
Gen Mujuru also had 100 percent shareholding in Thurlow and Company (Pvt) Ltd and Kumirinje Farms (Pvt) Ltd.
He had a million shares in hospitality firm Africa Sun, a stake in Ruwa Golf Resort Holdings, Merzig Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Zimbabwe Motor Assemblers and Distributors (Pvt) Ltd.
According to documents submitted to the executor of Rtd Gen Mujuru’s estate, Mr Stern Mufara, by the hero’s lawyer, Mr Thakor Kewada, the late general also had vast interests in real estate judging by the inventory of the houses he owned.
Mr Kewada cites the following properties as belonging to Rtd Gen Mujuru, Stand 95 Hogerty Hill Township 3 of Hogerty Hill A, measuring 1,4 hectares, Stand 96 Hogerty Hill Township 3 of Hogerty Hill A, measuring 555 square metres, and Stand 810 Marandellas Township.
He also had three other properties cited as Remainder of Sebastopol (in Goromonzi measuring 329ha) Inverangus of Sebastopol (also in Goromonzi 304ha) and Stand 9 Tara Township of Tara of Sebastopol (6,4ha in Goromonzi).
“All the above three properties were held by or transferred to J and H Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd and held under Deed of Transfer No. 4269/83, which title deed was collected by General Mujuru on 8th October 2004 as he sold one portion of the land to Damafolds Investments. The shares of J and H Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd were held by a number of individuals of the James Henry Verwey Family. They each signed declarations of trust and dividend waivers in favour of General Mujuru or his nominees being the Solomon Mujuru Family Trust. The original title deed and declarations of Trust and dividend waivers were retained by General Mujuru,” wrote Mr Kewada.
Gen Mujuru also owned Lot 1 of Lot 283 of Greendale, which property was subdivided to create Stand 1113 Greendale Township, House Number 18 Coghlan Road Greendale and Number 4 Springfield Close, Chisipite in Harare.
With regards to River Ranch Limited, Gen Mujuru’s Kupukile Resources had 5 000 shares as at August 17, 2007.
In Zimbabwe Motor Assemblers and Distributors (Pvt) Ltd he had 4 430 shares, while in Zimbabwe Sun Limited Gen Mujuru had a million shares under his company Tapfumaneyi Holdings (Pvt) Ltd c/o Interfin Merchant Bank.
He had shareholding in Ruwa Golf Properties (200), Ruwa Golf Resort (10).
At times Gen Mujuru would buy a property, but fail to transfer ownership to his name by not paying his lawyers such things as conveyancing fees.
Such properties included Stand 75 Shamva Township and Stand 5735 Warren Park.
Gen Mujuru also owned Remainder of Shamva Mine A, Shamva Mine B, Hexagon and Hexagon Extension.
In Bindura, Gen Mujuru owned Stands 22, 23 and 24 of Bindura Township.
Furthermore, Gen Mujuru owned Stand 214 Bindura Township, Stand 241 (Bindura Township), Stand 18 Bindura Township, Stand 449 Bindura Township and Lot 1 Ballantry.
In Chiwaridzo Drive in Bindura, Gen Mujuru owned stands 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402 and 1403.
In Shamva he had two undeveloped stands.
“In addition to the above, the General was the beneficial “owner” of the Beatrice Farm (where he died) together with all farming implements and farming assets,” notes Mr Kewada.
“The residential property at 4 Springfield Close, Chisipite, Harare. He bought this land and the next door land from or through a Mr Chapfika who developed the land with the buildings currently on the property. The General paid for the lands and buildings in full. He instructed Chapfika to transfer the properties to one of his companies,” notes Mr Kewada.
He added: “Apart from the farms and lands, the General bought J and H Enterprises, he owned another farm in Ruwa and also Atherston Farm in Bindura.
Gen Mujuru also had Hexagon Farm.
“We have no knowledge nor any details of the Gold Mines the General owned but we are aware one of his daughters (Nyasha) and her husband operates one of the General’s Gold Mines. The General may have owned other assets of which we have no knowledge of,” further stated Mr Kewada.
The estate executor, Mr Mufara, is unhappy with the reluctance by Mrs Mujuru to co-operate in the identification of properties her husband owned.
In a letter to Mrs Mujuru’s lawyer Kantor and Immerman dated June 16, 2015, he said: “Mr Kewada’s letter/schedule of assets does not include movable property. Since your client did not compile any inventory as per your earlier advise, I will be attending to compiling the inventories and evaluation of the movable and immovable properties for purposes of determining the value of the deceased’s shareholding in the following entities… Rylance Farm (Pvt) Ltd, Ruzambu Farm (Pvt) Ltd…”
He also demanded a schedule of Income and Expenditure for all the rentals collected by Mrs Mujuru from properties owned by Gen Mujuru.
“I also request the financial statements of the following companies from your client as at 16 August 2011 and thereafter to today’s date: Rylance Farms (Pvt) Ltd, Backbarrow (Pvt) Ltd, ZAMASCA, Desirable Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Turn Point – Karoi. Micah Gold Processing Plant, Natural Stones (Pvt) Ltd, Kupukile Resources (Pvt) Ltd.”
BULAWAYO – MDC (Ncube) legislator and staunch women rights defender Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga allegedly teamed up with her sister to assault her late brother’s wife during a body viewing ceremony at a funeral parlour in Bulawayo.
Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga
Bulawayo police spokesperson Superintendent Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident.
“We have received a case of assault involving the MP and the matter is under investigation,” said Supt Moyo.
Witnesses said Misihairabwi-Mushonga and her sister, Sindisiwe Nkiwane, beat up Irene Matekenya (26) during the body viewing of her late husband, Privilege Matekenya (29), on Friday.
Family members said Privilege committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a train in Mahatshula suburb on Sunday last week.
A family source told our Bulawayo Bureau that Irene and Privilege had separated at the time of his death.
The source said Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s family had barred Irene and her relatives from attending the funeral.
A relative who was at the funeral said Irene viewed her husband’s body and collapsed.
“Sindisiwe seemed angered and went on to kick and slap her accusing her of shedding crocodile tears,” said the source.
The relative said Privilege had tried to kill himself at least three times before, leading to his separation with Irene.
According to the police report, Misihairabwi-Mushonga followed Irene outside and shoved her while she tried to snatch her four-year-old son from her arms.
Irene was whisked away by friends in a kombi while Misihairabwi-Mushonga continued shouting at her, the report read.
Irene declined to speak to the Press yesterday.
“Go to whoever told you the story,” she said before hanging up.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga confirmed Irene reported her for assault at Bulawayo Central Police Station.
“She lied to the police because I never laid a hand on her,” said Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
She said she was told there was a scuffle involving her sister, Irene and her brother during body viewing.
“It was actually her brother who kicked her after she kicked Sindisiwe,” she said.
The legislator said she had intervened outside the parlour when she advised Irene and her family to go away as tempers were flaring. She said they had actually advised Irene and her family to stay away because some relatives were angry following Privilege’s suicide.
“Some relatives think he killed himself because Irene ditched him. I’m told she told him in front of my other sisters that she was going out with someone else and was no longer interested in him, hours before his death,” said Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
She denied shoving Irene or trying to take her son from her.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said there was someone filming the funeral and the truth would come out when the video becomes available.
“Unless I had lost it and gone mad, I would never do such a thing. I know the laws of this country. That would be the last thing I would do or wish to happen to someone because I’m also a victim of a similar issue,” she said.
Meanwhile, Supt Moyo has discouraged members of the public from resorting to violence to resolve disputes.
He said people should seek counselling or mediation from elders, the police or religious organisations to reach amicable solutions to misunderstandings. The Chronicle
THE PRODIGAL SON . . . Dynamos striker Rodrick Mutuma (right) tries to dribble his way past Hwange defender and captain Gerald Ndlovu during yesterday’s Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Rufaro
By Eddie Chikamhi
Dynamos………………………….. 0
Hwange ……………………………. 0
DYNAMOS coach David Mandigora was disappointed with the two points dropped at home as the defending champions suffered yet another setback after they were held to a goalless draw by Hwange in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Rufaro yesterday.
THE PRODIGAL SON . . . Dynamos striker Rodrick Mutuma (right) tries to dribble his way past Hwange defender and captain Gerald Ndlovu during yesterday’s Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Rufaro
Mandigora said the Glamour Boys, who forced a 1-1 draw against the same opponents at the Colliery last weekend, did not come to the party after chasing the ball for the better part of the afternoon and missed a couple of chances.
DeMbare needed to win yesterday to gain some ground in the championship race after log leaders Chicken Inn had played out a goalless draw with CAPS United the previous day.
However, Hwange did not give them the chance. In fact, the coalminers were so good they could also have come out with a deserved victory had they been more clinical with their finishing, especially in the opening minutes.
Hwange dominated the midfield battles with former DeMbare winger Farai Vimisayi involved strongly in most of the moves. Their three-man strike-force of Pritchard Mpelele, Rodwell Chinyengetere and veteran Gilbert Zulu was always venturing into good positions.
The visitors won almost all the loose balls and they were effectively in control in the absence of the home side’s midfielder Ronald Chitiyo through injury and fellow linkman Stephen Alimenda, who is sitting on a three-match ban, was heavily felt.
The duo of Obey Mwerahari and utility man Godknows Murwira started as the twin defensive linkmen but they could not keep up with the heat while newboy Richard Kawondera did not have a perfect debut in the blue and white strip.
DeMbare dropped one place on the log standings to fourth place with 28 points. They swapped places with How Mine who beat Buffaloes 1-0 yesterday to move to 29 points, one behind leaders Chicken Inn.
Although a point appeared a fair result yesterday, Mandigora was still not happy with his team’s performance.
“When playing at home it’s not good enough to get one point. We needed to get three points,” said Mandigora.
“I’m disappointed with the result and also with the way we played today. We didn’t do very well although we created some chances in both the first and second half. But that’s football.”
DeMbare have often struggled with their strike-force and yesterday they fielded two of their mid-season signings Rodrick Mutuma and Kawondera to back Dominic Chungwa but they missed a number of good chances.
Chungwa and Kawondera were guilty of missing a good chance just seven minutes into the game when Mutuma beat his man on the left and delivered a low cross into the box. Both strikers arrived seconds late and Hwange survived as the ball rolled across the face of goal.
But then it was Mutuma’s turn to miss an even clearer chance inside the box about three minutes later when he failed to control his header which zoomed over the crossbar with the keeper badly exposed.
However, Hwange looked dangerous in the opening minutes as they virtually laid a siege on the DeMbare territory. They also had some good attempts at goal and Rodwell Chinyengetere knew he could have done better when he shot wide from close range after receiving the ball from veteran forward Zulu inside the box.
The teams were inseparable at half-time but Chungwa nearly gave the hosts the advantage on the 57th minute with a well struck shot which needed goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya to collect on second attempt.
The Glamour Boys then had appeals for penalty turned down when Kawondera went down inside the box under challenge from Hwange captain Gerald Ndlovu.
Dynamos’ best chance of the afternoon fell on newboy Kawondera in the 79th minute. Mutuma had done well to shield the ball under heavy challenge from Hwange defenders and released it to substitute Walter Mukanga whose delightful one touch pass sent Kawondera through the middle. But the striker couldn’t pick his spot well as he shot wide when coming face-to-face with the goalkeeper.
Hwange coach Nation Dube also rued some missed chances. The visitors frequented Dynamos’ goal area more and Chinyengetere forced a good save from Mukuruva in the 72nd minute.
Then DeMbare had their lucky stars to thank when David Boriwondo’s shot on the turn came off the woodwork with 15 minutes remaining in regulation time.
Hwange coach Dube was not happy with the draw, which was his side’s 10th in 16 games. They moved one place up to 11th on the log standings but Dube now wants his charges to convert the performances into wins as they have featured in the most number of draws than any other team this season.
“There is hope. People are talking about relegation but I don’t think there will be relegation issues with Hwange,” said Dube.
“As long as we keep playing like this we will eventually get the wins. But as for now, I cannot say I’m happy with this one point because we need to win games. We need maximum points to get away from where we are (on the log standings),” said Dube.
Teams
Dynamos: T. Mukuruva, B. Moyo (W. Mukuanga, 44th minute), O. Mushure, S. Linyama, A. Mbara, G. Murwira, O. Mwerahari, Q. Amini, R. Kawondera, R. Mutuma, D. Chungwa (K. Bulaji, 65th minute)
Hwange: T. Mawaya, A. Chuma, M. Mungadze, G. Ndlovu, D. Boriwondo, C. Muleya, I. Muchaneka, F. Vimisayi, P. Mpelele, R. Chinyengetere, G. Zulu. The Herald
Prominent exiled Zimbabwean writer Chenjerai Hove (56) has died.
Chenjerai Hove
According to one of his friends Chirikure-Chirikure, Hove died Sunday afternoon in Norway after succumbing to liver failure.
As a critic of the policies of the Robert Mugabe regime, the award winning author lived in exile in the United States and Europe.
Hove was, a few years ago, unable to travel to Zimbabwe to bury his mother when she passed away on his 54th birthday.
“She promised not to die before I came back, and I promised not to die while in exile,” Hove said at the time.
In the February 2010 interview Hove said he was puzzled that the Zanu PF regime had once sent four armed policemen to apprehend him on trumped-up charges.
“I don’t really think I’m an enemy of the state. They just fear a writer. I don’t even kill a chicken.”
He recounted at least five serious attempts on his life – along with never-ending death threats that once brought his mother to tears.
The son of a local chief, Hove was born in Mazvihwa near Zvishavane, in the then Rhodesia. He attended school at Kutama College and Marist Brothers Dete.
After studying in Gweru, he became a teacher and then took degrees at the University of South Africa and the University of Zimbabwe.
Hove also worked as a journalist, and contributed to the anthology And Now the Poets Speak.
His publications include:
• And Now the Poets Speak (co-editor; poetry), 1981
• Up In Arms (poetry), Harare: Zimbabwe Publishing House, 1982
• Red Hills of Home (poetry), 1984; Gweru: Mambo Press, 1985.
• Bones (novel), Harare: Baobab Books, 1988; Heineman International AWS, 1989.
• Shadows (novel), Harare: Baobab Books, 1991; Heinemann International Literature and Textbooks, 1992.
• Shebeen Tales: Messages from Harare (journalistic essays), Harare: Baobab Books/London: Serif, 1994
• Rainbows in the Dust (poetry), 1997
• Guardians of the Soil (cultural reflections by Zimbabwe’s elders), 1997.
• Ancestors (novel), 1997. ISBN 0-330-34490-0
• Desperately Seeking Europe (co-author; essays on European identity), 2003
• Palaver Finish, essays on politics and life in Zimbabwe, 2003
• Blind Moon (poetry), 2004.
• The Keys of Ramb (children’s story), 2004
Honours and awards
• 1983 Special Commendations for the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa, for Up in Arms
• 1984 Inaugural President, Zimbabwe Writers Union
• 1988 Winner, Zimbabwe Literary Award, for Bones
• 1989 Winner, Noma Award for Publishing In Africa, for Bones
• 1990 Founding Board Member, Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (Zimrights)
• 1991-94 Writer-in-Residence, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
• 1994 Visiting Professor, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon, USA
• 1995 Guest Writer, Yorkshire and Humberside Arts and Leeds University, UK
• 1996 Guest Writer, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Germany
• 1998 Second Prize, Zimbabwe Literary Award, for Ancestors
• 2001 German-Africa Prize for literary contribution to freedom of expression
• 2007-08 International Writers Project Fellow, Brown University
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo
By Dumisani Nsingo
A RUSSIAN company Glernaton is extracting garnet, a rock closely related to various precious minerals among them diamonds along Mbembesi River in Bubi, Matabeleland North.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo
Bubi district environmental officer Mr Sydney Muyambi confirmed that the Russian company has been mining the stone for over two years in the area.
“There is a Russian company called Glernaton, which comes along Mbembesi river exploring for garnet, which is a rock which forms in an area where there are diamonds. Every year they come looking for that mineral,” Mr Muyambi said.
Garnet is a precious stone, but describes a group of several closely related minerals. Garnets come in a variety of colours and have many different varieties. However, the most widely-known colour of garnet gemstones is dark red.
When the term “garnet” is used, it is usually connotative of the dark red form; other colour garnets are usually given more descriptive gemstone terms.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo acknowledged that there were numerous kimberlite pipes in Bubi but said the distribution stretches up to Binga district.
“Of course there are kimberlites in Bubi which stretch up to Lupane and Binga, this is indicated by our traditional geological map. I am, however, not aware that there is a company that is mining for garnet but garnets are a host for diamonds,” Moyo said.
It is not only the Russian company that is said to be eyeing diamonds in the area.
Mr Muyambi said another company Montero Mining and Exploration was also exploring diamonds in Bubi.
“We have kimberlite pipes, which covers quite an extensive area. It’s only that it’s deep. It covers Wards 2, 4, 5, 17 and 18. The pipe stretches up to Lupane. There is a Harare-based company, Montero, which is assumed to be having a Special Grant of the Bubi kimberlites. The company is said to be in the prospecting stage and there is proof that there is diamond,” Mr Muyambi said.
The area is rich in a number of minerals including gold.
Mr Myambi said three big companies Casmyn Mining, Umviga and Bilboes Gold Mines and more 200 small scale miners were already mining gold in the area.
“We have nickel in the Dromoland area in Ward 12 and there is already a company that is doing exploration work in preparation to start copper mining at a place called Allendale Sea and there is also limestone, which was once mined in this area sometime ago but the company, which was doing so stopped long ago,” Mr Muyambi said.
He said geological surveys carried out in the district have proved that there were kimberlite pipes of diamonds stretching as far as Lupane district, which are still to explored to establish a resource which is mineable. Sunday News
WORK on the Victoria Falls airport new terminal building and airside is now more than 80 percent complete as the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe moves ahead with plans to finish the $150 million expansion project by September.
The almost complete Victoria Falls airport new terminal building
A progress report of the project availed to Sunday Business on Thursday by Caaz showed that the terminal building was 81 percent complete while the airside was 80 percent.
“Roof slab and beams have been completed. Brickwork, plastering, roofing, ceiling, air conditioning, sprinkler, plumbing and electrical works are in progress. Brick walls are 99 percent complete,” said Caaz public relations and communications manager Ms Annajulia Hungwe.
She said the fire station was 22 percent complete with the ground floor slab done.
The sewer system, said Ms Hungwe, was 75 percent and the contractor has laid all of 160mm UPVC pipes at the staff houses, all 2 486 metre total of the 300mm AC main pipe and 860 metres (out of 1 301 metres total) of 200mm AC pipe.
She said the sewage pump stations were 75 percent complete.
“Sewage ponds are 70 percent complete; embankments and gumtree planting have been completed while fencing is 90 percent complete.”
A new water tank, added Ms Hungwe, was 99 percent and test have been completed while the contractor was connecting the tank to the existing pump station.
She said concrete had been to second level on the new water tower, which is 25 percent complete.
“Parking and internal roads excavations are 50 percent complete,” she said.
Ms Hungwe said the overall progress of the airside was 80 percent.
“Runway works are now 89 percent complete. Asphalt laying and work on the concrete pavements are complete while installation of runway lights is in progress,” she said.
Taxiways were 63 percent complete while asphalt laying on the carriageway has been completed taxiway and links A2, A4 and A5.
“Asphalt laying on A5 shoulders was completed on 25 May 2015. Overlaying of C1 has been completed, final concreting has been completed on A1. Aprons are 79 percent complete. Eastern apron pavement concrete was completed and asphalt was laid on flexible portion. Priming has been done on excavated portion of the western apron,” said Ms Hungwe.
She said the new Control Tower and ATC building was 82 percent complete with all concrete and brick works having been done.
“Plastering is complete. Internal painting, ceiling work, and laying of floor screed is in progress. ADB installed pipes for lights on the new runway and taxiways A2, A4, A5 and C1. Concrete bases have been done for AGL substation containers, navigation and meteorological equipment which is now on site. ADB are installing cables and lights on the new runway,” said Ms Hungwe.
The Government through Caaz initiated the $150m airport expansion project in February 2013 to boost its aircraft handling capacity and tourism in Victoria Falls. The project is funded by China-Exim Bank and in being constructed by China Jiangsu International Group.
The project is also seen as testimony to the success and implementation of the country’s economic blueprint Zim Asset.
The new terminal building will accommodate around 1,2 million passengers per annum which is three times more than its existing capacity of 400 000.
In an interview, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said test flights will begin once the new state-of-the-art control tower is ready.
“All concrete and brick works were completed as well as the plastering. Internal painting, ceiling work, and laying of floor screed are in progress and once all works on the control tower are done, test flights will begin,” said Dr Mpofu.
Airlines which include Air Namibia said the expansion and rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls airport would improve operations for airlines that were flying into the resort town.
“Air Namibia has been operating at Victoria Falls for a long time and there was a time when the infrastructure was a limitation for us. The new runway will improve our operations as it will accommodate big aircraft so if demand dictates we will be able to use big aircraft like Airbus 319,” said Air Namibia Zimbabwe representative Mr Forbes Zaranyika, adding that the expansion brought flexibility to operations. The Sunday News
REVELATIONS by President Robert Mugabe that Vice-Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko are already at each other’s throats only six months into the job have brought into focus Zanu PF’s internecine power struggles that are threatening to spiral out of control.
Second VP Phelekezela Mphoko, President Robert Mugabe and First VP Emmerson Mnangagwa
The Standard sought to find out the genesis of the fight between the two men who at one time worked as master and pupil in the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) that Mnangagwa headed in the 1980s and also how their predecessors related to each other.
Mphoko’s shocking elevation into the country’s second most powerful office alongside his former boss to deputise Mugabe might have triggered a vicious row between the two.
The feud is threatening to destabilise an already shaky administration groaning under the weight of a debilitating economic, social and political crisis party fuelled by the succession wars in Zanu PF.
Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza blamed Mugabe for the friction between his deputies. He said Mugabe has been the source of trouble in the office of the VP since the days of the late Joshua Nkomo and Simon Muzenda.
He said Mugabe’s strategy of making sure none of the two current VPs is subordinate to the other has set the tone for the clash.
“Mugabe made it very clear that Muzenda was senior; my view is that Mugabe has never wanted a substantive and powerful deputy,” Mandaza said.
“Now it is even clearer because Mnangagwa and Mphoko are just appointees with a clear brief that they are not automatic successors. They have been reduced to clerks with First Lady Grace Mugabe in charge of everything.
“If people had any doubt that Mugabe wants his wife to take over, then that should have been settled now and unfortunately nobody is challenging it. It is also a known fact in political circles that Muzenda never harboured any ambitions beyond his position, hence Mugabe felt very safe.
He added: “In the late Vice-President Joseph Msika’s situation, the impression given by Mugabe was that Mujuru was an automatic choice to succeed him, but then we all now know that he was fooling people.”
Mandaza said Mugabe’s narrative over succession has never changed.
“That is why I have always argued that he is the most divisive character in our political landscape,” Mandaza said.
A former Zapu national executive member said Mphoko, with little attachment with political structures either in Zapu or Zanu PF, could be “stepping on a few toes” as he seeks to establish a base for himself before an onslaught for the top job.
“It could be that they are fighting over political turf, but Mphoko was never really attached to the political side of things even during the liberation war period up to last year when he was appointed Vice-President,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
“He did not play a big part in the party and that is probably why some people were against his appointment and thought Simon Khaya-Moyo was more senior.”
Khaya-Moyo is Zanu PF’s spokesperson who was national chairman before the party’s December congress. He had been tipped to take over as Mugabe’s deputy before he was edged by Mphoko due to factional fighting.
But Zapu’s last secretary general before the Unity Accord that created Zanu PF in 1987, Cephas Msipa revealed that while Nkomo and Muzenda had worked well together eventually, there had been initial resistance at the beginning.
“During the negotiations when Mugabe proposed that there be two Vice-Presidents who would be equal in stature, I was the one who went to Nkomo with the proposal. Initially Nkomo rejected the idea, arguing that he was bringing to the Unity Accord a party and could not accept the idea of him being equal to Muzenda,” Msipa said.
“He however at my insistence agreed because there was nothing wrong with the arrangement and Nkomo had no personal problem with Mzenda.”
Former Home Affairs minister Dumiso Dabengwa who worked with two sets of Vice-Presidents from Nkomo and Muzenda to Msika and Mujuru said he is “appalled” by the way Mnangagwa has plunged into what has become a bare-knuckle fist-fight.
Dabengwa said what baffled him even more was the fact that he was aware that Mnangagwa and Mphoko had worked together in the CIO at a time when the former Justice minister was head of the country’s spy agency.
“Honestly, I do not understand because the funny part is that the two worked together when Mnangagwa was head of the CIO and literally recruited Mphoko. The attitude and the manner in which these two are treating each other [now] is shocking to say the least,” Dabengwa said.
“I think they [Nkomo and Muzenda] were alright, I would not know if there were any problems. It was more or less the same with Msika and Mujuru. Msika considered Mujuru a daughter and would chide her if he thought she had gone astray somehow.”
“There was never a situation as the one revealed by Mugabe of his deputies seemingly fighting. Even when Muzenda and Nkomo differed on policy and I can remember one such case was over the Econet licensing issue in which Nkomo was spitting fire. He wanted Econet licensed and Muzenda had to contend with being quiet.
“Nkomo and Muzenda worked very well together, they were contemporaries and some of us learnt a lot from working with them. It would be unfair for me to make a comparative analysis of these stalwarts of our struggle and early years of majority rule.
Khaya-Moyo launched a subtle pot-shot at Mnangagwa and Mphoko.
“I must say it does not matter the position we hold in the party and government, we should all strive to emulate their statesmanship.
“We should spend more time studying as well as emulating their leadership style. We should not be jostling for power just for the sake of it. Power, power, power, no it is wrong,” Khaya-Moyo said.
It seems that Mnangagwa and Mphoko are looking beyond Mugabe.
However, with Mnangagwa having been an active agent in the government for 35 years and Mphoko a relative newcomer to the country’s political minefield, the man known as the Crocodile might prove too much for the career diplomat.
Mnangagwa is a political schemer with an uncanny ability to out-fox his adversaries even if it happens at the eleventh hour. Standard
I first encountered the late Cde Freedom Nyamubaya (Cde Freedom as we affectionately called her) via the poetry section of the Waterfalls District library.
Takura Zhangazha
It was her collection of poems and short stories, On the Road Again, that won me over to her clarity of thought and particular ability to explain her anguish through the pen.
At that time, I was naively keen on writing poetry and needed a Zimbabwean writer to learn from. And learn I did, though I never took my passion for poetry and prose to the sky high levels that Cde Freedom did.
I was to encounter Cde Freedom again at the turn of the millennium in Marondera, and this time in person, where an organization she helped found, Management Outreach Training Services for Rural and Urban Development (MOTSRUD) was part of broader civil society activities on the campaign for a new constitution.
While we never actually conversed, seeing her at meetings and explaining her passion for rural development and farming was inspiring. Moreso because it was my first time to have seen her, a famous Zimbabwean writer and also activist (a side to her character I had thought was confined to her role in our liberation struggle) in person.
It would be a while before I talked to her directly, much to my delight, at the Quill Club in Harare. And it is there that we talked about her writing, including her published 1995 collection of poems and short stories, The Dusk of Dawn. I was also fortunate to get signed copies of both her English books!
In our conversations, she was always consistent in narrating that the liberation struggle was not only tough but its ideals were increasingly betrayed in the post independence era. And that in part, she found solace in expressing her views through her writings.
And these views were most ably expressed in some of her poems including one of her most stellar ones, ‘A Mysterious Marriage’ in which she laments,
‘Independence Came
But Freedom was not there
An old woman saw Freedom’s passing shadow
Walking through the crowd, Freedom to the gate
All the same, they celebrated for Independence’
(From “On the Road Again” by Freedom Nyamubaya, 1986, Zimbabwe Publishing House)
These sentiments that she expressed were however not left to her writing alone. She was involved as far as she thought practically possible with the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association and the Zimbabwe Liberators Platform.
She said she got involved in order to at least ensure that her comrades from the struggle days were not forgotten. And that her fear was that most of the political leaders had forgotten those that were at the frontlines of the struggle.
After also taking a brief political role in the Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn movement she confided in 2010 kubatana.net Inside/Out Interview that ,
“I’ve decided to concentrate on things that I can achieve. Politics is no longer about any ideologies, or policies, it’s not about building the country. I would like to be remembered as somebody who contributed to the development of the youth, or the development of Zimbabwe. Or even as someone who contributed to the literature on the war.”
Her assertions, to me at least, continue to ring true when one examines the political parties that our country is saddled with.
She however had a keen interest in pursuing her own activism and two weeks before her passing had gone on a training programme to Switzerland under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Peace and Security Trust (she was also a trustee of the same organization).
In her narration to me of the visit, she joked about how once they were on an electric tram ride through one of the hills, a fellow Zimbabwean delegate had said ominously, if this was in Zimbabwe and there was a power outage they would all be in serious trouble due the inefficiency of ZESA!
She was however very excited about her role with ZPST and the peace building initiatives she was involved in.
She however had not negated her passion for writing and farming. This despite the hectic pressure she always expressed to be undergoing in ensuring that her son would begin his university education. She would still show me poems that she wrote and was to recite a great one at the funeral of one of her dear departed commanders the late Wilfred Mhanda, aka, Dzinashe Machingura.
The one thing I will however cherish the most in my limited personal interaction with her is the realistic optimism she always exhibited. And the seriousness with which she took the task of talking to and building the consciousness of the younger generations that never went to war.
It is this realistic optimism and continuing political consciousness that I will remember Cde Freedom by. And I know that her struggle to go on, goes on through her contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe, her conscientious writing and her work in agriculture. As she says in her poem, On the Road Again’,
Schools have holidays,
Workers days off,
Dogs rest too,
But struggles to go on, go on.
Still on the road,
One endless journey.
