Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: TIMB pushes for tobacco value-addition -Newsday Zimbabwe

THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says it is on a drive to push value addition into cigarettes to 30% from the current 2% to generate more revenue for the economy.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga last year revealed that Zimbabwe exports 98% of its tobacco in raw form, thus realising a paltry US$1 billion out of a possible US$15 billion that the golden leaf would potentially fetch on the global market.

 

Speaking at the inaugural World Tobacco Africa Expo and Conference in Harare on Wednesday, TIMB chairperson Patrick Devenish said value-addition remains key to the tobacco industry.

“TIMB has also initiated Global GAP Consultancy to support the production of export oriented alternative crops to tobacco. The initiative is meant to make the consultancy services reachable to our farmers in terms of cost and availability,” he said.

“Currently, tobacco value addition into cigarettes is at 2% of production as we work towards attaining 30%. I am pleased to announce the work being done by Cut Rag Processors to expand our cigarette manufacturing capacity.

“The new factory will see a jump of more than 40% of cigarette production. Besides smoking tobacco products like cigarettes, opportunities exist in the new generation of tobacco products like e-cigarettes, vaping, nicotine pouches and shisha which are gaining popularity globally.”

 

Devenish said collaboration was key to collective success.

He said the tobacco industry was undergoing transformations, driven by changing consumer preferences, evolving regulatory frameworks, and increasing demands for sustainable practices.

“It is imperative that we adapt and evolve to meet these challenges. As we all know, the tobacco industry has a significant environmental footprint, from land use for cultivation to the carbon emissions resulting from processing and transportation,” he said.

“It is crucial that we address these challenges by promoting sustainable farming practices, reducing water usage, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and exploring alternatives to traditional curing methods.

“By mitigating our environmental impact, we can contribute to the preservation of natural resources and ecosystems. I commend the Zimbabwe tobacco industry for coming up with innovative solutions to address sustainability challenges within our sector.”

One such initiative is gas curing technology where trials were successfully run on liquefied petroleum gas in March this year at Kutsaga Research Station.

“We are anticipating biogas trials in the forthcoming season. This is a huge milestone, and, if financially viable, will go a long way in addressing deforestation and reducing our carbon footprint,” he said.

Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka said Zimbabwe is the lead producer of virginia in Africa.

The country produced 296 million kilogrammes of tobacco last year.

The traded tobacco products value in the world was US$912 billion in 2023, with 89% being cigarettes. The minister said growth in the global tobacco trade will be sustained and by 2028, the industry should be worth US$1 trillion dollars.

“Africa must aim to get a fair share of this growth,” Masuka said.

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Source: Mberengwa machete gang members denied bail – The Southern Eye

A NINETEEN-MAN gang of robbers which pounced on a mine in Mberengwa armed with machetes and axes has been remanded in custody to May 25.

The machete gang attacked a security guard and mine workers and got away with half a tonne of gold ore, among other items.

 

 

The gang  members, whose ages range from 20 to 43, were arraigned at Mberengwa Magistrates Court on Wednesday facing a robbery charge.

The court was told that on January 8, this year, the gang members armed themselves with machetes, axes, knives and logs and went to an unnamed mine in Mberengwa where they assaulted a security guard to gain entry.

It is the State’s case that they attacked some of the mine workers before stealing half a tonne of gold ore, explosives, a cellphone and other items.

 

 

They then fled the scene.

The robbery was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the 19 men in Mberengwa.

The stolen items were  worth US$1 500 and property valued at US$300 was recovered.

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Source: Ex-Zipra war vet gets ZiG200 funeral payout – The Southern Eye

A BULAWAYO-BASED former Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) veteran of the liberation struggle has accused a prominent insurance broker of offering ZiG200 and US$50 as funeral payout despite paying foreign currency-based premiums for 11 years.

Godfrey Mlalazi said Progressive Insurance Brokers (PIB), which caters for many war veterans, offered him the paltry amount for his mother-in-law’s funeral cover after paying premiums since February 2013.

 

 

He said he had been paying US$20 a month since he applied for a funeral cover with the insurance brokers.

“Since then, I have been contributing US$20 per month and this covers all the beneficiaries under me including my mother-in-law.

“We lost her on May 9 and we buried her on May 13 after I initially failed to get assistance when I went to the offices here in Bulawayo soon after the death of my mother-in-law, as there was no one responsible for the service I required. This was during the weekend,” Mlalazi said.

 

 

“We had to proceed with the burial after it emerged that my brother-in-law had a funeral policy, otherwise we were going to have serious problems with the funeral.”

Mlalazi said he had been visiting the PIB offices with officials, at one point, evading him before they offered the ZiG200 and US$50 as payout for funeral cover.

Contacted for comment yesterday, a PIB representative based in Bulawayo Collet Maduma confirmed that Mlalazi visited his offices for a funeral cover enquiry.

 

He said PIB were brokers for a funeral parlour (name supplied) and they had since referred Mlalazi to its offices.

 

“He then asked to see his contributions and I gave him the figures that are in the computer and told him that in the system it does not show that he has been contributing in US dollars. I then told him to, either, go to the claims office or our head office in Harare for assistance,” Maduma said.

Mlalazi, however, indicated that the funeral parlour dismissed the PIB representative’s claims, adding that the latter was just a broker whom they only provided services after fulfilling their contractual obligations.

“Since the burial had already been done, I wanted the money to provide a tombstone for my in-law, but ZIG200 cannot even buy the tombstone head, it’s pathetic.

“I now rue why I remained with the PIB when other war vets left to join other funeral insurance service providers. War vets are its major clients but its service is pathetic,” he said.

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Source: Influenza outbreak hits Zim -Newsday Zimbabwe

A SURGE in influenza cases has gripped Zimbabwe, with health officials reporting a concentration in the Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces.

The outbreak began early this year with over 85 000 people having been affected.

 

 

About 3 500 new cases were reported last week.

“3 634 suspected influenza cases and zero deaths were reported this week. The provinces that reported the highest number of suspected influenza cases were Mashonaland East (977) and Mashonaland Central (1 000). The cumulative figures for influenza are 87 483 and 0 deaths,” the Health ministry said.

This influenza outbreak is reminiscent of 2009 when the country was affected by the H1N1 strain.

The initial cases were reported in Manicaland province before spreading to Harare, Mashonaland East and Midlands.

 

 

Information minister Jenfan Muswere highlighted the importance of preventive measures during a recent Cabinet briefing.

Medical practitioner Mlungisi Ndebele said the cases were expected to surge as the seasons shift into winter.

“We are expecting a surge in cases as we transition into the winter season. It’s crucial for citizens to prioritise preventative measures now to minimise the impact,” he said.

 

 

“Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow. Get adequate sleep and eat a healthy diet to strengthen your immune system.

“If you experience flu-like symptoms, stay [away] from work or school to prevent further transmission.”

Influenza is a contagious virus that can spread from human to human.

Symptoms include high fever, aching muscles, headache and respiratory issues.

Particularly vulnerable individuals include young children, the elderly, pregnant women, the obese, and individuals suffering from chronic diseases.

An annual vaccine is available.

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Source: Sikhala bemoans assault on democracy -Newsday Zimbabwe

OPPOSITION politician Job Sikhala has told a United Nations and Human Rights and Democracy Summit in Geneva that his arrest showcased the closure of democratic space in Zimbabwe.

Sikhala delivered the emotional address at the summit on Wednesday narrating his ordeal during the more than 595 days incarceration over charges of incitement to violence.

 

 

He was charged over the violence that rocked the funeral of Citizens Coalition for Change activist Moreblessing Ali who was murdered by jailed Zanu PF activist Pius Mukandi.

Sikhala said his arrest was part of a greater ploy to halt him from participating in the August 2023 general polls as Zanu PF prepared to steal the election.

“In July 2023, they passed ‘The Patriot Act’, a new, repressive legislation curtailing freedom of speech and association,” he said.

“According to [President Emmerson] Mnangagwa’s corrupt regime, I am committing a crime just by standing here and talking to you today and giving the testimony of what they did to me.

 

 

“They plan to pass the Private Voluntary Organisations Bill this year, which will give the registrar unchecked authority to block pro-democracy and human rights organisations.”

Sikhala said during his incarceration the regime denied him a medical doctor of his choice.

“In fact, my persecution marked the closure of democratic space in Zimbabwe,” he said.

 

 

Zanu PF director of information Farai Marapira could not be reached for comment as he is currently outside the country.

Zanu PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa was not picking calls and had not responded to questions sent through his WhatsApp by the time of going to Press.

However Zanu PF troll X accounts tore into Sikhala’s address saying he was playing to the tune of the West.

“Job ‘Judas Iscariot’ Sikhala is celebrating being the best sellout of the year in Geneva,” posted The Voice of The People on X.

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