April 2017

HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC yesterday waded into Zanu PF’s ugly factional and succession wars, accusing embattled Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, of vindictively suspending Chitungwiza town councillors to divert attention from his political woes. MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu described the development as a vengeful move against its councillors by Kasukuwere on erroneous…

HARARE – Mashonaland (Mash) Central Zanu PF MPs who have been clamouring for national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere’s ouster made a surprise U-turn, leaping to his defence before a President Robert Mugabe-commissioned probe team last week. Mugabe set up the Jacob Mudenda-led team to investigate allegations that Kasukuwere — also Local Government minister — was…

HARARE – The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) — the country’s biggest labour umbrella body — has claimed that government is approaching its affiliates to boost numbers at its Workers’ Day commemorations on May 1. Government plans to host its own ceremony, presided over by the Zanu PF-aligned Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU)….

HARARE – A year after the establishment of Leonard Cheshire — a home for people living with disabilities in central Harare in March 1982 — Majecha Tapfumanei was glad to find shelter that catered for her needs. “We were living here without any problems until 1999 when we stopped getting assistance. “They (board of trustees)…

HARARE – The State-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has been dragged to the High Court by Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Fidelity Printers) after it failed to pay over $19 000 for printing services. According to court papers, Fidelity Printers — the country’s sole bullion buying agency and the largest security and commercial printing company in…

HARARE – Hospital group Corporate 24 has said it is willing to work with health insurer Cimas after an ugly $500 000 debt row that saw it demand its dues directly from the latter’s members. This comes after government gave the two parties a two-week ultimatum to resolve their dispute, which arose after Cimas failed…

HARARE – Harare City Council (HCC) has scrapped fixed water charges for Mabvuku residents, as they were not receiving the commodity. The charges date as far back as 2013. The cancellation comes into effect on April 30 in line with a full council resolution. Current figures indicate that fixed water charges in high density areas…

HARARE – There are fresh fears that the country’s dying economy is hurtling towards the debilitating depths of the 2008 hyperinflationary era, as bond notes are now also disappearing from the market. This comes as United States dollars have almost completely disappeared from the formal market — with the coveted greenbacks now only easily available…

HARARE – Struggling national carrier Air Zimbabwe this week sunk to new lows after it resorted to issuing handwritten boarding passes — triggering a torrent of bad jokes from travellers expressing their shock at the extent of the rot devouring the airline. This comes as the debt-ridden flag carrier is struggling to operate its full…

HARARE – Embattled Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday fired all the 25 Chitungwiza councillors over corruption allegations. MDC organising secretary for Chitungwiza Rangarirai Mutingwende alleged the move was a part of a bigger plot to enable the cornered Zanu PF national political commissar to investigate town clerk George Makunde, whom he accuses of abusing…