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MDC is headed for fresh turbulence and complete paralysis in Masvingo following chaos and violence which marred the party’s polls to choose leaders for lower-tier structures ahead of its national congress set for May. Party [...]

Source: ED to open Dry Port facility | The Herald March 27, 2019

Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Balbina Daes Piennar (left), Director Africa, Asia and the Pacific in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Alice Mageza (second from right) join Selmor Mtukudzi (second from left) and her sister Sandra on the dance floor during the Namibia National Day reception at Mashambanzou Care Trust in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Memory Mangombe)

Victor Maphosa Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe has completed the construction of a Dry Port Facility at Walvis Bay in Namibia in a move expected to boost trade and bilateral relations between the two countries. This was said by Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Balbina Daes Pienaar during her country’s 29th Independence anniversary celebrations held in Harare yesterday.

“To date, over 25 Memorandums of Understanding and agreements were signed between the two countries of which most are implemented and well on track. Of particular importance is the completion of the Dry Port Facility by the Government of Zimbabwe at the Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia and soon to be commissioned by His Excellency President Mnangagwa.

“The Dry Port Facility is aimed at improving trade between the two countries and to ease movement of goods and services through Walvis Bay, a strategically located logistics hub in the Southern African region,” she said.

She said mutual relationship between the two countries was yielding results since the establishment of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation in 1992.

“On bilateral matters, noteworthy growth in the mutual relationship between Zimbabwe and Namibia is observed since the establishment of JPCC, and yielding tangible results in various fields such as Tourism, Defence, Diplomatic Cooperation, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Higher Education, Science and Engineering, ICT, Information, Media and Broadcasting, Women Affairs, Gender, Arts and Culture, Sports and SME Development among others,” said Ambassador Pienaar.

She said Namibia is fast growing and urged the people of Zimbabwe to consider investing in the “Land of the Brave” in various areas.

“Namibia is fast growing and I urge you all here to not to hesitate to visit the ‘Land of the Brave’ today and be brave enough to sow your own seeds in your areas of expertise. Simply put, I am inviting you to explore the conducive trade and investment opportunities in Namibia.”

Ambassador Pienaar commended President Mnangagwa for the re-engagement process with the international community and urged all stakeholders to support the process in national interest.

“Namibia applaud President Mnangagwa for the vigorous process of engagement and re-engagement of the international community, as well on the well-thought process of national dialogue launched recently.

“Continue supporting the process in the best interest of the nation at large.” She reiterated her country’s call for the lifting of illegal Western sanctions on Zimbabwe.

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Source: Rushwaya calls for security sector cooperation in Sadc | The Herald March 27, 2019

Mr Martin Rushwaya

Leonard Ncube Bulawayo Bureau
Secretary for Defence and War Veterans Mr Martin Rushwaya has called for enhanced security sector cooperation in the Sadc region to fight organised cross-border crime.

Speaking during the 32nd Session of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission of Defence and Security currently underway in Victoria Falls, Mr Rushwaya bemoaned the prevalence of transitional organised crime between the two countries.

He said some of the common crimes include illegal migration, poaching and smuggling.

Mr Rushwaya called for cooperation in dealing with these crimes.

“This meeting is an important platform to exchange notes and pave way for stronger cooperation in combating common security threats. These threats continue to evolve, riding on the exponential growth in information and communication technology and the accelerated pace of globalisation.

“This is leading to a rise in transnational organised crime and as such the need for a stronger bilateral and multilateral defence and security cooperation can never be overemphasised. The influx of irregular migrants, particularly from the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa, poaching of wildlife and smuggling are some of the major security challenges we are facing in the region,” he said.

Mr Rushwaya said Zimbabwe and Zambia enjoy brotherly relations cemented by a common history and converging aspirations.

He said the regular manner in which the two neighbouring countries hold defence and security meetings is a clear testimony of the cordial bi-lateral defence and security cooperation. This, he said, is anchored on the shared and burning desire for sustainable peace and security in the two countries and the entire Sadc region.

Mr Rushwaya commended security services from Zimbabwe and Zambia for managing to deal with criminal activities along the two countries’ border.

He also paid tribute to Sadc for its instrumental role in restoring peace in Lesotho and DRC.

Mr Rushwaya thanked the Sadc region, the international community, humanitarian organisations, the corporate world and ordinary citizens for assistance rendered to victims of Cyclone Idai. He told about 300 delegates that Zimbabwe is still trying to come to terms with the devastating effects of the catastrophe.

His counterpart and co-chair Mr Stardy Mwale, who is Zambia Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary, said there was need to enhance co-operation between the two countries. The meeting started on Monday and ends on Friday.

Ministers of Defence from both countries will co-chair the opening ceremony tomorrow.

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Government has scrapped duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods imported for onward distribution to survivors of Cyclone Idai in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. In a statement on Monday, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority [...]

Source: Duty waiver for Idai imports | The Herald March 27, 2019

Minister Mutsvangwa

Herald Reporters
Government has scrapped duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods imported for onward distribution to survivors of Cyclone Idai in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. In a statement on Monday, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) said qualifying goods should be for free distribution to people in need in the identified areas.

“Zimbabwe is amongst the African countries that were affected by Cyclone Idai, which caused a trail of destruction that affected humans, animals and infrastructure. The President of Zimbabwe made an appeal to individual corporates, civic society and international community to provide assistance to the affected communities, mainly in Chimanimani, Chipinge and Bikita.

“The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority administers regulations, which give relief on duties on imported goods donated by international organisations and to associations and organisations in Zimbabwe involved in charitable or welfare, in terms of Section 103 and 124 of the customs excise (General) regulations published in Statutory Instrument 154 of 2001, respectively.

“Qualifying goods should be free for distribution to people in need. Interested organisations are encouraged to take advantage of these rebates provided for in the cited sections of regulation in order to reduce any burden of duty payments at this time of need,” said ZIMRA.

The authority said goods that qualify for exemption include passenger-carrying vehicles and goods-carrying vehicles, while second-hand or used motor vehicles are not covered by the waiver.

“Goods that qualify, all goods provided are fully donated, vehicles such as passenger type, commonly known as sedans and stations wagons, passenger-carrying vehicles such as buses, minibuses and other goods carrying vehicles.

“The rebate does not apply in the following circumstances — second hand or used motor vehicles, road tractors, new clothing, new shoes and new bed linen, all foodstuffs except where the Minister has directed the Commissioner-General to grant a rebate,” said the tax authority.

Meanwhile, the Government says there is no politicisation of food aid in the affected areas.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa and her Local Government counterpart, July Moyo, confirmed this.

Minister Mutsvangwa, who is also Senator for Mutare-Chimanimani Constituency, said there was no need to segregate because the targeted beneficiaries faced similar problems.

“The cyclone affected everyone and so no one is being left behind in relief aid distribution. Everything is being coordinated in a transparent manner and accountability is our hallmark.

“I am a member of the inter-ministerial committee overseeing the Cyclone Idai relief programme and so far we have met ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe, the donor community as well as the civic organisations to thank them for the overwhelming response we got in mitigating the effects of the cyclone.

“In all the meetings we are calling on anyone who wants to witness the distribution of all the donated goods to come forward.”

She added: “It seems some individuals want to sow seeds of divisions among Zimbabweans after realising that everyone from individuals, corporates and the international community had come together in our hour of need.

“They want to score cheap political mileage by claiming that relief aid is being politicised. All donations go through the Provincial Administrator’s office in Mutare where they are registered before being taken to World Vision warehouse. The Department of Social Welfare is involved in the process.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said since most of the areas were still inaccessible by road, they had set up distribution command centres near villages in dire need of assistance.

“Our roads are still in a poor state and we have distribution centres at Wengezi, Skyline and Silverstream. From these centres, the food is being airlifted to most critical areas.”

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