Category: zimbabwe

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 

Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze said the Ministry had called in the police to see if there was any criminal act committed. 

Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter

POLICE have been roped in to investigate allegations of corruption, money laundering and externalisation of funds levelled against CIMAS Medical Aid Society by a former executive.

This comes as the Ministry of Health and Child Care has allowed the Cimas Extraordinary General Meeting to proceed after it was initially aborted at the last minute owing to reservations expressed on why it was being held on the basis of a board-initiated forensic audit instead of waiting for the audit initiated by the Ministry as the regulator.

Cimas has since issued a circular notifying members that the EGM is now set for May 2.

Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze said the Ministry had called in the police to see if there was any criminal act committed. 

“Remember there are complaints raised that are of a criminal nature, so it’s prudent that those charged with investigating allegations related to criminal conduct be invited so that the law takes its course,” said Dr Maunganidze.

“The Ministry will hold a meeting this week with arms responsible for law enforcement. The meeting is to spell out issues that need to be investigated. Once that happens the law enforcement agencies will kick in”.

At the EGM, the board intends to present findings of a board-initiated forensic audit although a second audit is now in progress after the regulator said it wanted an independent forensic audit and had since appointed Ralph and Bommet Accounting and Audit firm. 

“Other issues likely to be raised at the EGM are why the former manager who complained was not interviewed by the first team of auditors and why the forensic audit was done while the people involved were in office,” said a source.

Cimas board chairperson Mrs Emma Fundira declined to respond to enquires sent to her. Commenting on the EGM, Dr Maunganidze said the Ministry was closely following developments at Cimas.

“We have asked the board to furnish us with their forensic audit report. We want to establish if it addresses our concerns, but if it fails we will insist on an independent forensic audit as per our earlier directive. We will also send our representative to attend the EGM to ensure that everything is done aboveboard and in a manner that protects members,” he said.

Dr Maunganidze said the Ministry was aware that the society was asking employees and patients to sign proxy forms but would ensure the system was not abused. Seeking proxies from members who will not attend in person is permitted, but members cannot be forced to grant their proxies.

Long time Cimas board member, Mr Chester Mhende, said there was a need to guard against the use of proxy members as that could be abused.

“The regulator may have to review proxies in light of the seriousness of the matters at hand. I also see that the notice for the meeting does not give an agenda and where a copy of the forensic report can be collected as members need to go through these ahead of the meeting,” said Mr Mhende.

The row at Cimas started when then general manager Dr Sacrifice Chirisa, now battling Cimas over the cancellation of his employment contract, raised several complaints, among them that the society had embarked on unviable expansion projects locally and abroad. 

Other allegations include the awarding of contracts to friends, siphoning of money through renovation of clinics at unsustainable costs, and issuing of loans to top management totalling US$10 million.

Dr Chirisa, who is represented by Dr Rodgers Matsikidze of Matsikidze law firm, is challenging the termination of his contract.

In his petition to the parent Ministry, Dr Chirisa said some of the projects he described as unviable include renovation of the Borrowdale clinic for US$2 million despite it being a rented building, renovation of a Mashonaland Holdings building budgeted at US$3 million whose costs are now higher than what was used originally to build it, and buying of firms in neighbouring countries believed to be just shell companies.

The post Police probe Cimas graft allegations appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police were now moving fast to round up a suspected syndicate of human traffickers. 

Fidelis Munyoro-Chief Court Reporter

A human trafficking syndicate involving local people and foreigners is suspected of bringing to Zimbabwe the Malawians recently rounded up by police in Mbare, with authorities now hunting down the traffickers.

The first group of 30 Malawians that was arrested on Monday appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Caroline Matanga on Tuesday and were charged with illegal entry into Zimbabwe.

They were fined $50 each and were remanded in the custody of immigration, pending deportation. Another group of 21 foreign nationals was arrested Tuesday night in Mbare and are expected to appear in court today, facing similar charges.

The 51 foreign nationals were arrested in a police sting operation following a tip-off. 

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police were now moving fast to round up a suspected syndicate of human traffickers. 

“We have gathered information that a human trafficking syndicate involving locals and foreigners is on the prowl in the country,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“The net is closing in on the suspects that have been identified, while some have been arrested.”

Asst Comm Nyathi warned Zimbabweans against being used in criminal activities and urged foreigners entering Zimbabwe to comply with the migration laws of the country.

“We want to warn Zimbabweans against being used to engage in criminal activities by elements involving local and foreign syndicates.” 

Young people and women are the prime targets of these syndicates as they are promised good jobs. Over the past decade, Zimbabwe has been frequently used as a transit point for some of these people believed to be en route to South Africa.

According to police, the crackdown on foreigners has been sparked by numerous cases of human trafficking aided by bus operators, villagers and unscrupulous officials. 

Trafficking of foreigners is a big and dangerous business in most countries in Southern Africa. There are known individuals and kingpins of the trade who kidnap foreigners and demand ransom of up to R80 000 per person. 

Trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sex work has been estimated as the second most lucrative transnational crime, equal to illegal arms trading and second only to drug trafficking the world over. 

It is a crime that generates billions of dollars in profits for the traffickers. In 2012, the number of victims forced into sexual exploitation was estimated at 4,5 million worldwide. 

The International Labour Office also found that estimates on cross-border movement of trafficked persons is closely aligned with forced sexual exploitation.

The post Police warn human traffickers appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 

PEOPLE convicted of sexual crimes and offences against morality will not benefit from the amnesty granted to over 4 000 prisoners by President Mnangagwa last week.

Herald Reporter

PEOPLE convicted of sexual crimes and offences against morality will not benefit from the amnesty granted to over 4 000 prisoners by President Mnangagwa last week.

This is contained in General Notice 498A of 2024 published yesterday in an Extraordinary Gazette, correcting an error published last week in General Notice 467 of 2024: Clemency Order No.1 of 2024. 

“It is hereby notified that General Notice 467 of 2024, Clemency Order No. 1 of 2024, published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary, dated 16th April, 2024, contains an error. 

“The General Notice is corrected on sections 2, 4, 5 and 6 by the deletion of “inmates charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) are excluded from this amnesty” and the substitution of “inmates charged under Chapter V Part III (Sexual Crimes and Crimes Against Morality) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) are excluded from this amnesty. 

“The General Notice is corrected in section 10 by the deletion of ‘paragraph 12’ and the substitution of ‘section 11’. General Notice 467 of 2024, is hereby corrected accordingly,” reads General Notice 498A.

Section 2 provides full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment for all juveniles that is, those inmates under the age 18 and had served one third of the sentence by April 18 while section 4 provides full remission of sentence to all inmates certified terminally ill by a Correctional Medical Officer or a Government Medical Officer (GMO).

Section 5 pardoned all inmates serving terms of imprisonment at the Open Prison while those aged 60 years and above, and who would have served one tenth of their sentence by April 18 were granted amnesty under section 6.

Following the correction of the error, those inmates in the above categories convicted of sexual and morality crimes are excluded from the amnesty.

 

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Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 

Pallbearers carry a casket bearing the body of national hero Brigadier- General Shadreck Vezha at his homestead in Zangure Village, Chief Shindi, Masvingo where relatives and villagers paid their last respects yesterday.

George Maponga in CHIVI

HUNDREDS of people from all walks of life yesterday thronged the Vezha homestead in Zangure Village, Madzivire area in the Shindi communal lands, to bid farewell to national hero Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha, who was making his last visit home before interment at the National Heroes Acre on Monday next week.

The senior military officer and freedom fighter died on Tuesday last week in a road traffic accident and was declared a national hero due to his contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe and the sterling service he extended to his motherland in the post-independence era. 

He was 63.

A sombre atmosphere engulfed the Vezha rural homestead as an AFZ helicopter carrying his body landed in his place of birth to enable relatives, friends and villagers to bid him farewell.

His body, that was in a white casket draped with the national flag, was accompanied to Zangure Village by his son Tafadzwa Vezha, the Senior Chaplin General at the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters, Colonel Dr Ashani Bwanali and other relatives and military officers. 

Before flying to his birthplace at Zangure village, Brigadier-General Vezha’s body first passed through his farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe to also allow other close family members to bid him farewell.

On hand to receive his body was the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, the permanent secretary in his office Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa and service chiefs. 

Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair Cde Robson Mavhenyengwa was also present to welcome Brigadier-General Vezha’s body.

Speaking during a funeral service held at the Vezha homestead, his father Mr Gibson Chimbeva, thanked President Mnangagwa and his Government for conferring national hero status on his son, saying they felt honoured by such recognition.

“I am also happy even as I mourn my departed son that the Government has seen it fit that his body also comes to his birthplace to bid him farewell before going to his final resting place at the Heroes Acre,’’ he said.

The Brigadier-General’s mother, Mrs Jemina Chitotsa, also thanked President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on her son, noting that the Vezha family had lost a pillar of support.

Chivi South legislator Cde Felix Maburutse, who is young brother to Brigadier-General Vezha said his family had lost a hard worker and dependable character who was committed to the development of his nation.

Zangure village head Mr Ephius Zangure was full of praise for President Mnangagwa for honouring Brigadier General Vezha. 

“We are honoured and happy as the people of Zangure that we now have our own son who has been declared a national hero, this is the first time this has happened and this is all due to the love, sacrifices and commitment shown by Shadreck to his motherland.’’

Minister Chadzamira, who was the chief mourner, said the province had been robbed of a liberation war stalwart and hard worker who was committed to the development of Masvingo province and the nation at large. 

Minister Chadzamira thanked President Mnangagwa for according national hero status on Brigadier-General Vezha, saying the province was proud to have moulded exceptional individuals whose commitment to the development of the motherland was well known.

He said the only way for Masvingo province to pay homage to illustrious sons of the soil like Brigadier-General Vezha was to continue tirelessly working for the development of Zimbabwe and make sure the country is food-self sufficient and attains its Vision 2030 goals.

Minister Chadzamira challenged young people to emulate Brigadier-General Vezha’s record of outstanding service to his motherland before and after independence.

He chronicled his history from the time of his birth in Zangure village up to his death when he was a senior army officer, saying his elevation at work was evidence of his unflinching loyalty and dedication to his country.

In his address, Cde Mavhenyengwa said the ruling Zanu PF party was poorer without Brigadier-General Vezha and challenged the revolutionary party’s supporters to uphold discipline, taking a leaf from dedicated warriors like the late national hero.

A church service led by the Roman Catholic Church was held to give  Brigadier-General Vezha a perfect send-off after which Minister Chadzamira led mourners in body viewing.

The post Chivi bids farewell to national hero Brig-Gen Vezha appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

 

Dr Mushayavanhu said this when he appeared before a joint sitting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and Industry and Commerce on Tuesday.

Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter

ZIMBABWE should use its own currency to achieve higher levels of economic growth while the supply of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) will always match increases in gold and cash reserves, with audits of money supply expected to be conducted at least once a year, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mushayavanhu, has said. 

In addition, negotiations involving stakeholders are underway to explore the possibility of selling fuel in ZiG as part of measures to boost and promote its use.

Dr Mushayavanhu said this when he appeared before a joint sitting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and Industry and Commerce on Tuesday.

The RBZ chief announced the introduction of the ZiG, which is mainly backed by the country’s gold and foreign currency reserves and other minerals, when he presented his first Monetary Policy Statement nearly two weeks ago.

“We are still negotiating and making considerations on how best we can allow the sale of fuel in ZiG,” he said.

“We started on taxes and included other commodities and people are going to be advised. 

“We need to do our work gradually and we are going to reach that (point) where fuel is sold in ZiG.

“For a country to grow, you need to transact in your local currency and we are starting at 15 percent and we expect to grow that to 30, 40, 50 percent or even higher by 2026.”

Dr Mushayavanhu also told the MPs that an annual audit of reserves would be done with findings publicised to ensure the Central Bank sticks to its policy pronouncements.

“We will have an audit once by registered auditors, be it international firms or local ones,” he said.

Dr Mushayavanhu added that the Central Bank was also open to increasing the frequency of the audits following questions from legislators.

“We can do that if Honourable Members want that although it would be ideal to have one audit a year so that the auditors retain their independence,” he said.

Dr Mushayavanhu reiterated that the Central Bank will not print money that does not correspond to reserves it holds.

“Any increase in money supply will be met by a concomitant increase in reserves and will also be linked to productivity, inflation and other variables and I can assure the public that we will stick to that,” he said.

At the moment, Zimbabwe has US$80 million worth of ZiG in circulation backed by US$100 million in cash and US$185 million worth of gold reserves.

Government has also directed that companies pay 50 percent of their taxes in ZiG to promote its economy wide use.

Dr Mushayavanhu said the Intermediate Money Transfer Tax, commonly referred to as the 2 percent tax that is presently pegged at 1 percent for US dollar transactions and 2 percent for ZiG transactions, would soon be brought to parity between the two currencies.

Monetary authorities have also agreed with Treasury to scrap the provisions of SI 118A allowing traders to charge goods and services at a rate of up to 10 percent of the official rate amid concerns by legislators that this was also fuelling parallel market rates.

Treasury is expected to make pronouncements on the matter soon.

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