HARARE – It is six o’clock in the evening and Majubheki Lines, a slum location in Harare’s first high density area — Mbare — is a hive of activity as people are coming in and going out from different directions. Shamiso Mara (not her real name) clad in a grey mini skirt, black top which…
HARARE – We were astounded last Friday to learn that the Civil Service Commission had arranged a belated birthday party for President Robert Mugabe, at a time when civil servants are wallowing in poverty and have failed to receive the promised salary increments. It is a shame that we find the commission miraculously finding money…
HARARE – Zimbabwean financial institutions insist that the recent hike in bank charges is justifiable to meet their operating costs. This comes as banks recently increased levies by at least 50 percent — following expiry of an agreement with the central bank barring them to — resulting in depositor outcry. George Guvamatanga, the Bankers Association…
HARARE – Millers and bakers are at loggerheads following the expiry of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by both parties, compelling the latter to acquire 75 percent of their flour locally. While bread is now fairly available, what has largely gone unnoticed are deep-seated “wars” over flour supplies that have strained relations between millers…
HARARE – President Robert Mugabe says he pities MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai because of the disorganisation currently embroiling the opposition party. In his one-hour-15-minute long speech during a luncheon to celebrate his birthday organised by the Public Service Commission yesterday, the 90-year-old leader said his electoral victory last year was causing disharmony in the opposition…
HARARE – President Robert Mugabe yesterday said one of his ministers demanded a $70 000 bribe from a foreign businessman in order to facilitate a meeting with the leader. The 90-year-old told senior government officials and securocrats, who attended his belated birthday celebrations organised by the Public Service Commission at a local hotel, that corruption…
HARARE – During the inclusive government era, Tourism minister Walter Mzembi was one of the most illustrious Cabinet members, and this was epitomised by the successful hosting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly last year. However, since his re-appointment to the Tourism portfolio after last year’s elections, Mzembi has decided to…
HARARE – Harare Court Judge Joseph Musakwa has freed on bail three Navistar Insurance Brokers (Private) Limited (Navistar) bosses, who are linked to the Air Zimbabwe (Private) Limited (Air Zimbabwe) fraud case. Musakwa yesterday granted $5 000 bail each to two of the bosses, Givemore Nderere, 45, and Vukile Hlupo, 45, while Orten Mawire, 60,…
HARARE – The saga surrounding the community share ownership scheme in the diamond-rich Marange fields has taken a new twist with Parliament launching an investigation to establish if a minister’s brother is involved with a mining firm extracting gems in the province. Parliamentary portfolio community on Indigenisation and Empowerment suspects Jinan board member, Brian Mushowe,…
HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday extended an olive branch to internal rebels pushing for his ouster as he welcomed the party’s prodigal son Job Sikhala back into the movement. The MDC leader told a press conference at the party’s Harvest House headquarters that all party officials needed to be in one big tent…
