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Source: Batoka power project: 3 firms shortlisted | The Herald February 23, 2019

Minister Gumbo

Admore Mbonda in Livingstone, Zambia
Zimbabwe and Zambia have shortlisted three international companies for the $5 billion Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme. The three companies were shortlisted at a meeting of Zambezi River Authority Council of Ministers held in Livingstone, Zambia on Wednesday. The Council of Ministers comprising chairperson of Zambian Energy Development Minister Mathew Nkhuwa and his co-chairperson Zimbabwe Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo.

It also includes Zambian Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakate and Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube.

In a communiqué released after the meeting, the Council of Ministers said the meeting was held to review progress regarding the preparatory studies for the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme.

The meeting reviewed the procurement process for the project developer.

“Amongst the key issues discussed were the following: Status of the Preparatory Studies for the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme,” the Council of Ministers said.

The Council of Ministers also approved the overall progress on the preparatory studies for the development of the project.

“The three preparatory studies, which include the engineering feasibility studies, environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and legal and financial transaction advisory services (LFTA) would be completed within the first quarter of 2019,” the ministers said.

On the project developer, the ministers noted and approved the shortlisting of Salini Impregilo of Italy — a joint venture by China Three Gorges Corporation, China International and Water Electric Corporation — China Gezhouba Group Company Limited and a consortium of General Electric of USA and Power Construction Corporation of China.

The ministers set timelines for the launch of request for proposals for April this year, while the appointment of the developer should be done by September this year.

On sustainability of ZRA, the ministers acknowledged the importance of the authority’s mandate in relation to the energy security of the contracting states and the region at large.

“The Council of Ministers remains committed to the bi-lateral cooperation and ensuring the sustainability of the authority’s operations,” they said.

Updating the feasibility studies for Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric project is expected be concluded at the end of the first quarter of this year to set the motion for resource mobilisation. Construction of the $5,2 billion power plant is also set to begin immediately.

The Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric project is a joint venture between Zimbabwe and Zambia, which seeks to develop a 2 400MW power project on the Zambezi River. The two countries would share the power equally on completion of the project.

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A VAINONA woman is living in fear of her husband's baby mama whom she accuses of consulting witch doctors to bewitch her. This came to light at the Harare civil court where Viola Mawara was seeking a protection order against Chantel Tapera, citing verbal abuse. "I am seeking a protection order against this woman who […]

THE MDC yesterday said its MPs Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), Joanah Mamombe (Harare West), and Godfrey Sithole (Chitungwiza North), who have been absent from Parliament, are not on the run and had nothing to do with disturbances last month. The statement by MDC followed reports that the three had not been attending Parliament due to the clampdown by security agents on opposition

Source: Dialogue: Four thematic committees formed | The Herald February 23, 2019

Justice Nare

Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
Political parties that participated in the 2018 July harmonised elections met yesterday and formed four thematic committees as the first step towards a national dialogue to the challenges facing the country. More than 20 parties attended the meeting, which was held at State House.

Chairman of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Justice Selo Nare chaired the meeting.

Yesterday’s meeting was a sequel to one that was held a fortnight ago, where the idea of forming the thematic committees was agreed on.

Justice Nare told The Herald after the meeting that each political party seconded four members to each committee.

“The whole point was to establish thematic committees,” he said.

“The parties came up with four thematic committees. The first one is the committee on transitional framework to design the structure, composition, and operational modality for the dialogue.

“The second was the committee on agenda-setting, to come up with the issues to constitute the agenda for the dialogue process.

“The third committee will deal with the identification of the convenor and moderator of the dialogue. The fourth committee is the implementation and evaluation committee to assess the extent to which the dialogue framework is serving its purpose and recommend necessary remedial measures. That was the major thing of the day.”

Justice Nare said it was agreed that the committees would meet next Friday, March 1, after which they would give a report back on March 8, 2019.

He said some people were of the opinion that the meeting should have dealt with the modalities of the meeting, but the parties settled on forming committees that would then deal with the issue of modalities.

Sources who attended the meeting said Mr Daniel Shumba sought to disrupting the proceedings, before he later walked out.

“He was playing some theatrics to seek attention and he later walked out of the meeting,” said the source. “It was clear from the beginning that he wanted to be a spoiler.”

Commenting on the decision by Mr Shumba to walk out of the meeting, Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba said: “It is his democratic right to walk away from progress.”

Zanu-PF secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana and MDC-T vice president Mr Obert Gutu confirmed that they had a progressive meeting.

The dialogue is part of an expansive berth that President Mnangagwa has given to engage all stakeholders, including the Church and civil society, to confront the national question.

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Source: ZETDC sues Metallon over $9,3m power debt – NewsDay Zimbabwe February 23, 2019

BY CHARLES LAITON

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has taken Metallon Gold Zimbabwe to court to compel the gold miner to settle a $9,3 million bill for power supplied to three of its mines.

The power utility filed summons at the High Court through its lawyers, Chihambakwe, Mutizwa and Partners claiming payment for electricity supplied to three mines, namely Mazowe, Shamva and How Mine.

Metallon is yet to respond to the lawsuit.

In its declaration filed alongside the summons, ZETDC said Metallon had failed to settle the debt despite several demands.

According to ZETDC, the duration of default by the gold mines spans from April 2016 to December 2018.

“The defendant (Metallon Gold Zimbabwe) is indebted to the plaintiff (ZETDC), during the period extending from April 2016 to December 17, 2018, in the sum of
$9 331 136,96, being charges in respect of power or electricity supplied by the plaintiff to the defendant at the latter’s special request and instance in terms of the running electricity supply contract between the two,” the power utility said.

“The said amount is for electricity supplied during the period extending from April 2016 to December 2018. The defendant has failed, neglected or refused to pay the above sum or amount despite demand.

“By reason of the said failure, neglect or refusal to pay the above sum or amount, the defendant is obliged to pay the said amount with interest thereon, at the prescribed rate which currently is 5% per annum.”

The matter is pending.

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