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Source: UK commits US$23m towards Idai | The Herald 23 MAR, 2019

President Mnangagwa receives letters sent by Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family from British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms Melaine Robinson, at his offices in Harare yesterday. — (Picture by Justin Mutenda)

Herald Reporter
THE United Kingdom has committed US$23 million to assist victims of Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Melanie Robinson has said.

She said the British royal family, led by Queen Elizabeth II, sent letters of greetings and condolences to the people of Zimbabwe through President Mnangagwa.

She said this after an hour-long meeting with the President at his Munhumutapa Building Office in Harare yesterday.

“I was also able to say to the President myself that my condolences are with him and the people of Zimbabwe,” she said.

“I was able to tell him that the UK has already committed US$23 million which is the largest bilateral donor to the region at the moment in response to Cyclone Idai.

“Here in Zimbabwe we have prepositioned equipment in Mutare so we have been able to respond very quickly and that is health equipment, medical supply and some hygiene equipment and making sure that it get to the people who really need               it.

“We have been working to make sure that children reunite with their families. I am also happy to say the British people are putting the money to help the people of Zimbabwe this time I think following an excellent example by the people of Zimbabwe who have really come together as a country to help those affected. And the UK government has said it will support pound-for-pound all the money from UK people.

“My message was really one of condolence and the British people standing with the people of Zimbabwe at this difficult time.”

A source close the deliberations intimated that the discussions also focused on Zimbabwe’s prospects of rejoining the Commonwealth and re-engagement.

“There was also a discussion around the issue of Commonwealth in light of the events that happened in August last year and January this year,” said the source.

“The ambassador also briefed the President about Brexit and what it means to Zimbabwe. On the issue of debt clearance, there was also another discussion in light of the G7 Summit that is coming in May in Paris, France. There are certain things that we are supposed to do as Zimbabwe but UK has committed to support us.”

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Source: Spanking ban: Where to now? | The Herald 23 MAR, 2019

Minister Professor Paul Mavima

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Government has gazetted the Education Amendment Bill which effectively seeks to outlaw corporal punishment on pupils and encourages teachers to pursue alternative disciplinary methods, a Cabinet minister has said.

The Bill also bans exclusion of a pupil from school on the basis of pregnancy.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima  told the National Assembly this week that they had come up with a legal provision that bans the use of corporal punishment.

Muzarabani South Member of the National Assembly Cde Tapera Saizi (Zanu-PF) had asked the minister to clarify Government policy on corporate punishment.

“There is an Education Amendment Bill which is already before Parliament. Within that Bill, Government is moving to remove corporal punishment in our schools and that Bill is already before Parliament,” said Prof Mavima.

Nkulumane legislator Mr Kucaca Phulu (MDC Alliance) asked if it was Government policy to put in place a programme to educate or re-orient teachers and parents on disciplinary issues.

He said it was important because teachers might have problems in operating in an environment where corporal punishment was no longer applicable.

“Yes, the ministry is currently seized with coming up with alternative ways in which we can maintain discipline within our schools without necessarily resorting to corporal punishment. So, indeed we are working on alternatives,” said Prof Mavima.

According to the preamble of the Bill, one of the purposes of the Bill was to achieve the right to human dignity as envisaged by Section 51 of the Constitution including the right to freedom from physical or psychological torture or cruel or inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment as contained in Section 53 of the Constitution.

Section 15 of the Bill sets out new sections to be inserted in the principal Act to deal with discipline at school.

“This will obligate every responsible authority to draw up a disciplinary policy for the school in accordance with the standard set out by the minister,” read the clause in the summary of the Bill.

“Non-exclusion of pupils from school, this section provides that no pupil shall be excluded from school for non-payment  of school fees or on the basis of pregnancy.”

On corporal punishment Clause 15 (5) of the Bill provides as follows: “Under no circumstance is a teacher allowed to beat a child.”

As part of pupil discipline, the Bill says the responsible authority of every school shall draw up a disciplinary policy for the school in accordance with standards set out in regulations prescribed by the minister for the purpose.

“The regulations and any disciplinary policy shall—(a) not permit any treatment which—(i) does not respect the human dignity of a pupil; or 5(ii) amounts to physical or psychological torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

(b) prescribe the manner in which any punishment may be administered,” read the clause. “Disciplinary measures must be moderate, reasonable and proportionate in the light of the conduct, age, sex, health and circumstances of the pupil concerned and the best interests of the child shall be paramount. (4) No pupil may be suspended from school without first being  granted a reasonable opportunity, with the support of his or her parents, to make representations with respect to the proposed suspension.”

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Source: . . . search on for missing persons | Herald (Top Stories)

The post . . . search on for missing persons appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: New ranks for retired ZDF quartet | Herald (Top Stories)

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces President Mnangagwa has promoted three major-generals to the rank of Lieutenant-General and one Air Vice-Marshal to the rank of Air Marshal, as the four officers retire from active  service.

The three major-generals who were elevated to Lieutenant-General are Martin Chedondo, Anselem Sanyatwe and Douglas Nyikayaramba, while Air Vice-Marshal Shebba Shumbayawonda has been promoted to the rank of Air Marshal.

President Mnangagwa made the promotion in terms of Section 15 (1)(B)(2) of the Defence Act (Chapter 11:02) as read with the ZDF policy retirement of ex-combatants and founder members approved on February 28 2002, as well as the ZDF retention inducement and retirement policy for active ex-combatants approved on December 30 2017.

The new ranks are with effect from March 5, 2019.

Speaking during the investiture ceremony, ZDF Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda challenged the officers to continue working hard at their new assignments in the diplomatic service.

“We are very happy for you and your families. Just to say this has happened as a result of the work you have been doing. It is a recognition of that effort that you have been putting to the work of the ZDF over the years. I am aware you are going to be reassigned, and I want to urge you to continue to work as hard as you have been doing. It might be outside the military but whichever way I want you to remain steadfast because once a soldier always a soldier,” said Gen Sibanda.

“You never know anyone of you might find himself back in the system sometime in future. So you have a lot of work to do, and we are counting on you to continue to work as you have done in the past. Eyes are going to be on you because this is like a new beginning for yourself and we believe you are not going to let us  down,”

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Lt-Gen Chedondo said they will continue to be loyal to the Constitution and command establishment.

He hailed President Mnangagwa for the confidence he showed by elevating them to higher ranks.

“We undertake to be always be loyal to the Constitution and command establishment of the ZDF and at the same time we always undertake to serve the people of Zimbabwe. May I also take this rare opportunity Commander Sir, to heartily thank you together with your command element for tirelessly mentoring us throughout our military career spanning over 40 years inclusive of the liberation struggle. It is through your efforts that we have got to where we are today through your tireless and consistent guidance,” said Lt-Gen Chedondo.

“We have worked in unison with the rest of the force and people of Zimbabwe in efforts directed at building our great Motherland Zimbabwe. Commander Sir, allow me to thank men and women of the ZDF for the support they have rendered in our fulfilment of the mission at hand. It is always through the acknowledgement of efforts of those above you and those who you command that you can only climb to greater heights hence I really acknowledge the support we have received and assure you that the support did not go to waste as we continue to ride on what we have achieved so far.”

He said the new ranks they had been conferred would not be used for self-aggrandisement.

“It is on this basis that even in our new capacities, we are alive to the challenges His Excellency, Commander-in-Chief of ZDF Cde E. D. Mnangagwa has laid on a new trajectory for an upper middle class for the economy for the country by the year 2030. That is no mean task and in order for that to be achieved, it is imperative that in all stations that we will occupy, we will be guided by that vision and it is on that score that I encourage all of us to ensure that we mobilise national synergies in order to achieve the Commander-in-Chief’s vision,” said Lt-Gen Chedondo.

President Mnangagwa recently retired and reassigned the four senior military officers to the diplomatic service in line with Government’s critical global engagement and re-engagement strategy.

The four are set to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and were expected to begin training in diplomatic etiquette  soon.

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Source: . . . anti-graft body to contest ruling | Herald (Top Stories)

Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
The Anti-Corruption Special Unit (ACSU) is breathing fire over the acquittal of businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo in the $5,6 million fraud charge involving Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC)’s Gwanda solar project and had by close of business yesterday commenced processes to note an appeal.

Mr Chivayo and his company, Intratrek, were absolved of any criminal liability.

The businessman won his case after the High Court upheld his application for exception to the fraud charges following his application for review of the trial court’s decision in November last year.

ACSU head Mr Tabani Mpofu told The Herald yesterday that the decision of the High Court to curtail the proceedings against Mr Chivayo under the circumstances of the case taking into account the relief sought by the accused and the stage it has reached, is unprecedented.

“To that end, the State has already commenced the process to note an appeal against the decision of the High Court with the view to lodging the relevant papers before end of business today (yesterday),” he said.

Chivayo’s trial opened last month, with the first State witness Mr Hubert Chiwara giving implicatory evidence against the businessman.

The trial was set to continue on March 28.

Mr Mpofu said the State had not been granted the opportunity to lead evidence in the case against Mr Chivayo and was now seeking the intervention of a higher court to rectify this situation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the State has collected unassailable evidence against Wicknell Chivayo in both the current case in question and the case of bribery involving the then chairman of ZPC,” he said.

“The State’s position against Chivayo was vindicated by Justice Musakwa of the High Court who found in December that Chivayo had a to answer in the same case he obtained the latest relief.

“It is the duty of the State, not only to protect public funds from the abuse that was occasioned in this instance, but to ensure that those involved in cases of misuse of public funds are fully prosecuted in the courts.”

Granting Chivayo’s application for review, Justice Owen Tagu ruled that it was unconstitutional to resolve a civil dispute through the criminal justice system.

“This constitutional provision establishes constitutional protection upon the doctrine of sanctity of contracts, which the accused persons also enjoy,” he said.

“No criminal sanction is capable of execution when it is in violation of the Constitution.

“The perpetuation of this criminal case is inherently null and void to the extent that it is ultra vires the supreme law of the land.”

Advocate Uriri instructed by Mr Wilson Manase represented Mr Chivayo and his company while Ms Sharon Fero appeared for State and the trial magistrate.

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