Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Allow Mwonzora to challenge Chamisa | Daily News

There is a credible challenge to MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa ahead of the May congress. Douglas Mwonzora — who retains a solid core of support and whose campaign paved the way for him to beat Chamisa in the watershed 2016 congress — has said he might run for the MDC presidency.

There is a sense that Chamisa enjoys extremely high approval ratings among the MDC faithful, and a sense they are not likely to desert him for anyone else, but Mwonzora must be allowed to run freely and fairly without vilification, innuendo or attempts to brand him a Zanu PF Trojan Horse.

Elias Mudzuri, who has long set his sights on the presidency, is not interested in being a sacrificial donkey and is seemingly disclaiming interest if his silence is anything to go by. He knows the opprobrium he endured from challenging Chamisa, the rally boos, the “tengesa uone mashura” threats. If the MDC Alliance upholds democracy, Mwonzora must be allowed to run without all this unnecessary controversy.

There is no need for all this maximum anger being conveyed against Dougie, a name his allies call him with, which in some instance is carrying with it an implicit threat to harm him.
The venom being directed against Mwonzora will certainly create the type of distractions that the MDC Alliance does not need. It will lead to disaster.

Of course, a challenge for Chamisa is a cold shower of sorts. But if Chamisa is indeed a democrat, he must call off his dogs. If Chamisa is strong enough, there is nothing to fear.
There is absolutely no need to marginalise Mwonzora.  The Zanu PF youth leader Lewis Matutu, who did some scenario-building about the election in the MDC, was just giving his opinion, which for all we care, has nothing to do with Dougie.

Of course, Chamisa’s predecessor, the legendary Morgan Tsvangirai, never faced intra-party challengers since he founded the movement in 1999. But there is absolutely no need for this unnecessary moment of frisson in the race. Also weighty is the principle of fear: there is no need to threaten Dougie.

Challenging Chamisa must be acceptable. The MDC leader must keep a close watch on his political activists.
Mwonzora is a credible candidate. All he needs to do is to come up with a convincing argument why he thinks he is the best man to take the party forward

The post Allow Mwonzora to challenge Chamisa appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

A Murehwa man allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday after assaulting his mother who had chided him for bringing his friend to a family meeting. Trevor Munetsi (34) of Chikwira Village under Chief Mangwende, Murehwa allegedly hanged himself from a roof beam with a rope at his homestead. Mashonaland East police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed […]

Source: Vehicles changing ownership to retain same plate-CVR | Daily News

HARARE – The Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) has allowed second-hand vehicles changing ownership to remain with the same number plates amid a critical plates shortage. Previously, when a vehicle was changing ownership, number plates were supposed to be changed.

Under new guidelines announced by the CVR, vehicles changing ownership will maintain the same plates starting February 26.
“What only changes is the new registered book with details of the new owner,” the CVR said.

“This functionality has been enabled in the system. The motorist pays $15 and gets a registration book only with the new owner details. The number plates and third plates remain the same and no plates will be surrendered. “New number plates will be issued as usual when government or a local authority vehicle is changing ownership, plates must be surrendered as usual. They pay $80 or $70 if trailer/motor cycle, the policy did not change for these vehicles,” the statement read.

CVR clarified that the new policy, however, does not apply when replacing damaged, lost or defaced number plates and where a public service vehicle is changing ownership and category to private or vice versa. This comes after Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Joel Biggie Matiza recently extended the lifespan of temporary plates from two weeks to an indefinite period following a critical plates shortage.

The skint government has struggled to import plates from Germany due to a dollar crunch, despite an order for 400 000 being placed.
“Contrary to the current shortage of number plates, the validity period of temporary identification cards has with immediate effect and in consultation with the commissioner-general of the Zimbabwe Republic Police been relaxed to run an indefinite period from the date of issue until further notice,” Matiza said.

While Matiza attributed the shortage to the scarce foreign currency, Amos Marawa, the permanent secretary in the ministry told the Daily News that the problem was due to a delayed shipment that was expected to arrive mid-December last year.

“We were expecting to receive them in mid-December but our suppliers closed for the festive season and we are awaiting confirmation on when to expect the delivery,” Marawa said.
While the consumption rate yearly ranges from 120 000 to 150 000 plates, the ministry usually makes a huge order as costs for big orders are much cheaper.

Last year, the ministry also encountered similar challenges although the delay was due to then high sea levels in the Indian Ocean, leading to the hold-up in the shipment’s arrival in the country.

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Source: Hands off our President, says Women’s League | The Herald March 1, 2019

The post Hands off our President, says Women’s League appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: No fuel price increase: Minister | The Herald March 1, 2019

Minister Gumbo

Bulawayo Bureau
Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo yesterday dismissed reports circulating on social media that fuel prices will increase.

The reports claimed that fuel industry stakeholders and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) met and agreed to increase the price of petrol to $5,50 from $3,30 and diesel to $5,15 from $3,10.

Minister Gumbo said: “There are statements circulating on social media alleging that fuel prices are going to increase to $5,50 for petrol and $5,15 for diesel. These statements are false. I would, therefore, like to dispel these rumours.

“According to the statement circulating on social media, a closed door meeting was held between fuel stakeholders and the RBZ. The ministry would like to assure the general public that no such meeting was ever held and no plans to increase fuel were ever considered,” said Minister Gumbo.

He said following the review of fuel prices on January 12 this year, Government was not planning to increase fuel prices again.

“The RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya in his Monetary (Policy)Statement indicated that foreign currency requirements for Government expenditure and other essential commodities that include fuel, cooking oil, electricity, medicines, and water chemicals shall continue to be made available through the existing letters of credit facilities and the Foreign Exchange Allocations Committee.

“The false statement being circulated on social media could have a negative effect of causing motorists and the public to engage in panic buying and hoarding of fuel for speculative purposes,” said Minister Gumbo.

He emphasised: “I, therefore, want to assure the nation that there is not going to be a fuel price increase as being falsely circulated on social media, save for the usual small price changes of a cent or two caused by movements in the international fuel prices.

“Though the fuel supply in the country remains constrained as evidenced by the fuel queues which developed over the weekend, especially due to diesel shortages, which was a result of logistical glitches, Government is doing everything possible to ensure that fuel is available in the market.”

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