Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Cabinet okays port deal | The Herald April 4, 2019

Minister Mutsvangwa

Felex Share Senior Reporter
Cabinet has approved a proposal by Australian firm, Balmoral Corporation Investments, to refurbish the railway line linking Mutare and Beira as well as construct a port at Beira to facilitate the transportation of minerals and goods.

Government’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) seeks to establish an efficient and adequate transport system which is critical for the development of the country, providing access to markets and reducing regional disparities.

Briefing journalists after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the arrangement will be done under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said Government was working on the deal with the Australian firm.

“Balmoral has land in Beira,” he said. “They want to build a deep water port which then we will use as Zimbabwe on a BOT basis over a period which we will finalise. They are not only doing the port they are also rehabilitating the rail tracks which links Mutare and Beira. They want to rehabilitate all the tacks.”

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Source: Let’s put political differences aside: ED | The Herald April 4, 2019

President Mnangagwa (centre) flanked by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga (second right), Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo (right), Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa at a meeting in Mutare yesterday. — Picture by Tawanda Mudimu

Tendai Mugabe in MUTARE
President Mnangagwa says Zimbabweans from different political persuasions should set aside their differences and assist fellow citizens who were affected by Cyclone Idai which has so far left 268 people dead and several others missing.

He said this in an interview with Zimpapers’ Diamond FM yesterday ahead of today’s visit to Chimanimani with 17 leaders of other political parties that participated in the July 2018 harmonised elections.

This is the first time that the bloc of political party leaders taking part in the national dialogue have come together to assess damage caused by Cyclone Idai.

“Now with disaster that has struck us, all I want to say is that let us put our politics aside and let us see what assistance we can give as a people to those among us who have lost their beloved ones,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangangwa speaks to Diamond FM staff Jabulani Mangena(right), Peter Madondo(far left), and Allan Chingodza at Mutare Aerodrome yesterday-(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

“We have come as a team of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue, the heads of political parties in the dialogue, the Presidents including myself have come over so that together we can move around and show solidarity because this disaster has no totem, has no political party, everybody is affected. So we need this unique unity which we are experiencing as Zimbabweans, which has brought us together as a result of the disaster that we demonstrate that we are one people.

“The grief of one family is the grief of the entire community, the grief of the community is the grief of the entire province is also the grief of the entire nation. The lesson that I believe one now realises is that when disaster strikes is when we realise that we are human beings, we all have feelings, we all have relatives and we all belong to this one family.”

President Mnangangwa speaks to Diamond FM staff Jabulani Mangena (with mic) and Allan Chingodza at Mutare Aerodrome yesterday. – (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Today, the President will lead a hectic programme that will see leaders of political parties traversing Chipinge and Chimanimani using helicopters to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Idai and efforts being made by Government to rebuild the affected communities.

After his arrival in Mutare yesterday, President Mnangagwa interacted with leaders of other political parties where they received a detailed brief on the national disaster and measures that were being undertaken to mitigate the effects of the catastrophe.

He took time to field questions from leaders of the opposition parties who wanted to know what Government did to sensitise people about the cyclone before it struck.

This morning, President Mnangagwa will lead the first delegation that will leave Mutare for Nedziwa where they will see a damaged bridge before proceeding to Machongwe which is one of the hardest hit areas.

President Mnangagwa did not manage to visit the area during his last visit because it was not navigable.

From Machongwe, President Mnangagwa will proceed to Ngangu,  a township in Chimanimani urban where he will deliver a keynote address and take part in the clean-up campaign.

On the other hand, Vice President Constantino Chiwenega will lead a delegation that will go to Biriiri before proceeding to Chipinge.

President Mnangagwa is welcomed by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Local Government Minister July Moyo at Mutare Aerodrome yesterday. – (Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

Chipinge was hard hit in terms of water supply and the hospital there is the one where most people from affected areas were taken to.

From Chipinge, the VP will then proceed to Ngangu for the President Mnangagwa key note address.

Another delegation that was supposed to be led by Vice President Kembo Mohadi will leave Mutare for Cashel at Mutambara Hospital.

From Cashel the delegation will go to Nyahode river where there was a badly damaged bridge. Until this week, rescuers were not able to go beyond that river by road either with food or to evacuate people.

The delegation will then go to Chikukwa which is the most isolated area right now by road. Evacuation of people or delivery of food is still by helicopter.

From Chikukwa the delegation will proceed to Ngangu. Another team of political parties will depart Mutare heading towards Mhandarume near Wengezi where there is a bridge which is now passable.

The delegation will fly over Nedziwa and Muusha and land at Nyahode bridge before proceeding to Kopa. After Kopa the helicopter will go to Ngangu for the Presidential address.

According to the programme, another team will land at Mhandarume before heading to Silver Stream and then to Ngangu.

Another team will depart Mutare for Biriiri and then Chipinge. From Chipinge the team will go to Kopa before proceeding to Ngangu.

The delegations will also end up in Ngangu, the ground zero of the Cyclone Idai damage.

 

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World Help, the humanitarian organization, activated its disaster response program to provide clean water to the victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe

Source: World Help provides clean water to victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe – Mission Box

FOREST, VA. — One organization is meeting the immediate needs of a community stricken by a recent disaster while simultaneously providing for the water needs of communities around the world. World Help, the Virginia-based international humanitarian organization, has activated its disaster response program to provide clean water to the victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe.

Working with partners on the ground, World Help is distributing bottled water along with food, infant care kits and hygiene supplies to families who have been displaced by the flooding. At the same time, the organization has launched a matching campaign to fund clean water projects for impoverished communities around the world.

Here is how it works: For every $15 donated to the Zimbabwe disaster relief, another $15 will be given to provide clean water in an additional water-deprived and drought-stricken country.

The campaign has been made possible by a generous anonymous donation that will match gifts up to $15,000 made on World Water Day.

“Last week, Cyclone Idai drenched Zimbabwe in torrential floodwaters,” said Vernon Brewer, founder and CEO of World Help.” But while the country is struggling with the problem of having too much water, it’s also suffering from having too little water.

“Clean water is almost impossible to find since the floods damaged many water tanks and pipelines. Without clean water, a deadly outbreak of cholera or typhoid could be on the horizon. Countless lives are at stake.”

Research has shown that clean water plays a vital role in a community’s overall health and social well-being, economic potential and ability to access education. World Help has made clean water one of its flagship projects, impacting millions of people over the years with its humanitarian programs.

In 2018, World Help provided clean water to an estimated 41,000 people in dozens of impoverished communities in nations like Guatemala, Haiti, India and Nepal. In 2019, the organization plans to impact 50,000 people through its clean water projects.

“On this World Water Day, I cannot think of a better way to fight our worldwide water scarcity problem than by providing clean water to victims of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe while at the same time funding clean water projects for impoverished communities around the world,” Brewer said.

“For the people of Zimbabwe and for countless families around the world, water is life. Help us give them this gift. Help us give them hope.”

To learn more about the relief efforts or to donate, visit World Help’s World Water Day campaign page.

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Source: EU encourages Zimbabwe to continue on reform trajectory – Xinhua | English.news.cn

HARARE  (Xinhua) — The European Union has encouraged Zimbabwe to continue reform and engagement in order to enhance relations with the bloc and promote the well-being of Zimbabweans.

In a statement published Tuesday at the conclusion of a visit by Koen Vervaeke, EU’s managing director for Africa, the EU said Vervaeke had also urged the country to address the violent events that took place in the recent past.

“Based on extensive discussions with my interlocutors, we hope that the commitment to take the reform process in Zimbabwe forward and to address the violent events of the recent past will translate into tangible action,” Vervaeke said.

“Implementing political and economic reforms is crucial for the country to enter into a positive trajectory, and a broad national consensus would cement internal support. Progress on the reforms will also offer space for a strengthened partnership with the EU,” the EU official said.

The EU statement said that in Vervaeke’s discussions with Zimbabwean counterparts, he also dealt with matters of significant concerns regarding the country’s situation, particularly the consequences of Cyclone Idai and the food security crisis.

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Source: $600 minimum pay for civil servants | The Herald April 4, 2019

Minister Nzenza

Enacy Mapakame Business Reporter
Government has announced a $400 million cost of living adjustment package for civil servants with effect from April 1, 2019 that will see the least-paid employee taking home over $600 as it moves to cushion its workers from the obtaining economic challenges.

The salary increases will range from 13 percent to 29 percent, depending on grades.

This will be effected from deputy director level in Government ministries to the lowest income earner, who in this case will get the highest increment of 29 percent.

Of the $400 million, the Public Service Commission (PSC), including the uniformed forces, have been allocated $281 million, the Health Services Board will get $56,8 million, while the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) gets $2,5 million.

Independent commissions and grant aided institutions get $2,6 million and $56,8 million, respectively.

This development follows negotiations with the civil servants body, the Apex council recently.

The latest figure is an increase from the $350 million Government had offered to its employees that it reviewed after realising the need to further cushion the workers.

The cost of living adjustment is also in addition to the $63 million once off allowance civil servants received during the first quarter of the year.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekesai Nzenza, said Government  and  civil servants agreed on the $400 million offer and this would be reviewed again in June in line with the cost of living.

“Following the announcement of the cushioning allowance, which the President announced from January to March of $63 million, there have been negotiations through the National Joint Negotiating Council, which looks at salaries and benefits for civil servants.

“Government has now offered $400 million as the cost of living adjustment for civil servants, which is an outcome of the negotiating processes that have been going on in order to support them given the cost of living in the country

“The workers agreed with Government that 400 will be offered from the initial $350 million,” she said during a briefing in the capital yesterday also attended by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.

Dr Nzenza emphasized Government’s commitment to improving the living conditions for civil servants by supporting them with both monetary and non-monetary benefits.

“We will be reviewing this again in June. Government is committed to the welfare of civil servants,” she said.

Also speaking at the same briefing, Minister Ncube said Government would continue to watch economic developments as they unfold and cushion the civil service in line with that.

Prof Ncube

Minister Ncube also indicated this cost of living adjustment will see the lowest income earner pocketing a salary above the poverty datum line (RTGS$600).

“We are looking at grades from deputy director to office orderly who is at B1. We expect to cushion the lower grades with higher percent increase, for instance the deputy director gets 13 percent. The lowest earner is getting a 29 percent increase.

“We will continue to watch the economic developments for instance the inflation and cost of living and in June we take stock,” he said.

Government is also looking at other non-monetary benefits such as transport and housing provision for the civil service.

Public Service Commission chairman Dr Vincent Hungwe, said this was in line with international best practice and Government would continue to address these basic needs for a sustainable living during and after service.

“It is imperative that civil servants have access to basics even when they retire,” he said.

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