HARARE – When Mwatsara Beta began working as a gold panner along Chiambuka River in Ngorima communal lands of Chimanimani — in the sun, mud and noise of one of Zimbabwe’s prime panning sites, the other miners laughed in disbelief. They asked her if she had mistaken the Chiambuka River for a hairdressing salon. And…
HARARE – Propasals for Zimbabwe to adopt the South African rand as the major instrument of trade amid growing United States dollar shortages has attracted mixed views, with some economists firm that it will boost the economy while some warn it could upend the country’s wealth through devaluation. The comments by leading economists in a…
HARARE – Chaos marred yesterday’s Mwenezi East by-election where many voters were turned away, including Zanu PF candidate Joosbi Omar — who, tragicomically, was only able to cast his vote at the third attempt after travelling almost 20 kilometres from the original polling station. The build-up to the by-election had also been sullied by allegations…
HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says President Robert Mugabe is rattled by the mooted grand coalition which could end the warring ruling Zanu PF’s nearly four decades in power next year, when the country holds its make-or-break national elections. This comes as Tsvangirai has emerged as the de facto face of the planned opposition…
HARARE – Home Affairs deputy minister Obedingwa Mguni has said it is illegal for the police to throw spikes at moving vehicles. Answering a question from Midlands Senator Lilian Timveos who questioned him about police use of spikes to deflate vehicle tyres in an attempt to stop motorists alleged to have committed traffic offences, Mguni…
HARARE – Transport minister Joram Gumbo was on Thursday grilled by senators over the increase of fatal accidents on Zimbabwe’s roads, with the legislators demanding government’s action to curb further loss of lives. This comes as at least 30 people were killed after a South Africa-bound Proliner bus they were travelling in reportedly sideswiped a…
HARARE – Under-pressure Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa has promised severe punishment for companies and other traders who are not banking money — accusing them of fuelling the country’s cash shortages which have worsened in recent days. This comes as banks have reduced further their daily withdrawal limits, in addition to suspending dispensing money through Automated…
HARARE – A wary President Robert Mugabe yesterday warned his Zanu PF followers that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai could win next year’s watershed national elections if the ruling party remains locked in its ugly tribal, factional and succession wars. This comes as Zanu PF’s seemingly unstoppable infighting has taken a turn for the worse this…
HARARE – Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa has rejected an appeal from an election watchdog which sought permission to petition Parliament on the “meagre” budget allocation to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) for preparations for the crunch 2018 general elections. Section 187 (5) of the Standing Rules and Orders of Parliament require that petitioners on Money…
HARARE – Volunteers who are patching potholes across the country are operating illegally and should stop, deputy Transport minister Michael Madanha has said. Madanha told the National Assembly on Wednesday that the volunteers should allow government-approved companies to do the work. His remarks come after Zanu PF proportional representation MP Goodluck Kwaramba enquired about the legality…
