Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Boarding schools increase fees to $1 000 per term | The Sunday News March 17, 2019

Cde Edgar Moyo

Robin Muchetu/Munyaradzi Musiiwa/ Sindisiwe Sibanda, Sunday News Reporters

A NUMBER of boarding schools have tabled proposals to increase school fees and related levies to above $1 000 next term, creating fresh headaches for parents, some already struggling to pay amounts for this term.

The schools have over the weeks been holding Annual General Meetings where they have told parents that because of the prevailing economic situation which has seen prices of goods going up, parents should be prepared to pay the new fees next term.

Sunday News established that most of the schools, apart from notifying the parents, have also written to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education seeking approval for the new fees. A survey by Sunday News among some of the schools in the region revealed that the institutions would be charging plus or minus $1 000 for next term.

In Matabeleland South, Matopo High School has proposed that school fees will go up by more than 100 percent next term from $600 to $1 300. Another school, Mtshabezi High School has proposed   $1 300 while Regina Mundi High School in the Midlands has proposed $1 400.

Sacred Heart Primary School in Esigodini has told parents to budget $1 000 for the second term up from $600.

Parents with children at John Tallach and Marist Brothers in Dete said they have been told that next term they will fork out $920 and $918 per term.

Another school, Eunor Guti Academy in Kingsdale Bulawayo has advised parents that they would pay $1 300 for their second term. Green Gables High School in the outskirts of Bulawayo said it will increase fees to $978 from $735. Empandeni Girls High School in Mangwe District has increased fees from $440 to $780 for the coming term. Other schools such as Tennyson Hlabangana which was charging $500 have written letters to parents for a meeting to discuss the new fees structure.

It has also emerged that some schools have in fact demanded that parents pay top up fees this term while new structures for next term are still being discussed. One such school is Magama Secondary School in Tsholotsho which is now demanding parents to pay an additional $150 for this term. The new development come as a blow to most parents whose incomes have remained stagnant despite the increase.

“If you look, most people who were sending children to these boarding schools are civil servants who are still earning just around $500 a month, how on earth are they going to afford these fees considering they also have other needs such as food and transport,” said a parent whose daughter is at Matopo High School.

Another parent said he has two children who are boarders and the only way out is to withdraw them from boarding.

“The best is to remove my girls from their school because I will need more than $3 500 to cater for their needs each term which is not feasible as we do not earn that much. The problem with most boarding schools is that they also do not accept part payments and I wonder how the parents will manage,” said another parent.

In an interview, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cde Edgar Moyo confirmed that a number of schools have written to the ministry seeking to adjust their fees for next term.

“I don’t have the total number of schools that applied for an increase off hand but the Permanent Secretary can furnish you with the figures. However, schools must provide parents with proof that the ministry has indeed approved the school fees increase for the coming term otherwise failure to do  so will be illegal and unacceptable,” he said.

Deputy Minister Moyo said no parent should pay fees that have not been approved, saying the ministry does not turn down the need to increase fees but it should be done procedurally. Deputy Minister Moyo said there are fears that local day schools may be inundated with pupils who may transfer from boarding schools.

“Yes, there is that possibility that students will transfer and there will be pressure on day schools in the country but let us wait and see, if they do transfer we will map a way forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Government has warned schools that are also demanding foreign currency from candidates to register for the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) examinations. In an interview, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima said Zimsec does not charge examination fees in foreign currency and therefore no school including private colleges should demand foreign currency.

“Zimsec does not charge in foreign currency. The schools that charge in foreign currency are those writing Cambridge examinations. Zimsec itself is not charging US dollars so why would people be charged in foreign currency? This applies even to private schools writing Zimsec,” he said.

Prof Mavima said all candidates that are being charged examination fees in foreign currency should approach the ministry.

In one of the notices seen by this publication at one of the schools, the private college is demanding US$20. 

However, after a few days the college changed to US$10 and RTGS$15 as examination fees for all science subjects. According to a parent who declined to be named, the school was not registering candidates who were intending to pay using RTGS dollars.

“The school first wanted US$20 for registering for any Science subject before changing to US$10 and RTGS$15. I have already paid the foreign currency that the school wants but I feel it’s not fair for the school to demand foreign currency,” said a disgruntled parent. Efforts to get a comment from the private college were futile.

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Source: President in UAE for strategic talks | Sunday Mail (Top Stories)

Takunda Maodza in ABU DHABI, UAE

President Mnangagwa arrived here yesterday for talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan aimed at striking strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

The President is accompanied by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, Deputy Chief Secretary (Communications) and Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba and other Government officials.

Minister Moyo yesterday described President Mnangagwa’s visit to the UAE as ‘very important’.

‘‘This is a very important visit by His Excellency on the invitation of his counterpart, the Crown Prince, and it is an invitation which is creating a symbiotic relationship and strategic partnership between the Emirates and Zimbabwe,’’ said Dr Moyo.

“We are going to be discussing different aspects, both the political and diplomatic, and including the various economic areas which are beneficial to both countries. It would be two days of hectic discussions and it will be two days of issues which are going to be decision-oriented and which are going to be implemented without delay,’’ he said.

President Mnangagwa is today expected to visit Dubai, which is about 140km from Abu Dhabi.

‘’As you are aware, here in Abu Dhabi is where the Crown Prince is, who is the President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, but the Prime Minister is based in Dubai and therefore, as His Excellency travels to Dubai, he is going to be meeting the Prime Minister. This is going to be a clear-cut area of collaboration.

“Already, His Excellency has accepted the deployment of a nominee of the Emirates as an ambassador to Zimbabwe and you may be aware that His Excellency has approved the deployment of somebody as an ambassador to the Abu Dhabi and to the Emirates,’’ he said.

Minister Moyo said the opening of an embassy in the UAE is strategic.

‘’It is strategic because it provides other options of survival for Zimbabwe. As you are aware, Zimbabwe is under sanctions and therefore, as we cooperate with the Emirates, this is going to be the basis of this pursuit. This country is a very rich country as you aware. This is a country which is dependent on oil and gas. It has got quite an excess (of resources) and it is also controlling the global market alternative settlement payment systems, which could be used by Zimbabwe. They are looking at Southern Africa and they are looking at one of the strategic emerging markets, which they have identified, and that in Southern Africa, being Zimbabwe, and that is why His Excellency is here,’’ explained Minister Moyo.

The UAE is a major producer of fuel and gas and intends to establish a fuel hub in Southern Africa.

Geographically, Zimbabwe is the heart of the Sadc and a gateway to other regions on the African continent.

The country also has plans to construct a second fuel pipeline from Beira to Harare for easy movement of the commodity.

Furthermore, the UAE is a major buyer of Zimbabwe’s gold.

 

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Source: Cyclone Idai wrecks havoc | Sunday Mail (Top Stories)

Sunday Mail Reporters

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a State of Disaster in respect to areas in Manicaland province that were affected by Cyclone Idia, which has claimed 31 lives and displaced 200 people, most of them in Chimanimani and Chipinge.

Among the casualties were two pupils and a security officer from St Charles Lwanga High School, and 10 victims from Ngangu Township in Chimanimani, which was the most affected.

More than a 100 people are still missing.

The declaration, which also covers areas likely to be affected by the cyclone, allows the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) to support communities and provide relief.

Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

“On behalf of Government and the nation, and on my own behalf, I wish to express my condolences to the bereaved families affected by this disaster and to wish a speedy recovery to the injured.

“Given this tragic loss of life, the general devastation registered so far and the continuing torrential rains, His Excellency, the President, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has declared a State of Disaster in respect of the affected areas or areas likely to be affected by Cyclone Idai in terms of Subsection (1) of Section 27 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06),” he said.

Areas that currently lie in Cyclone Idai path include Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, parts of Masvingo and Midlands provinces.

Harare and Matabeleland provinces are also likely to be affected.

Acting President Chiwenga said “Government is working around the clock to manage this unfolding disaster”.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last night commended the army and “local and international partners” for leading the rescue efforts in perilous conditions, which made it impossible to deploy helicopters and access some of the worst affected areas.

In a tweet last night, the President, who is away on an official State visit to the United Arab Emirates, wrote: “My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Cyclone Idai. Rescue operations are underway and we are grateful for the bravery of the men and women of the Zimbabwean armed forces who, along with our local and international partners, are participating in the urgent rescue efforts.”

Yesterday, rescuers braved inclement weather conditions as they battled to reach survivors.

The army also undertook a ground operation to rescue 197 pupils who were marooned at St Charles Lwanga.

Hope

There is, however, hope that the rains would soon let up as the cyclone has weakened into a tropical depression, making it possible for rescuers to get into the affected areas.

The Metrological Services Department (MSD) said it expects “a significant decline” in rains by tomorrow.

“It is now a tropical depression which is subsiding and Monday (tomorrow) should see a significant decline in precipitation across the country if this situation is maintained.

“Going forward, the depression is expected to be controlling the weather over much of the country,” said the MSD in a statement yesterday.

Cyclone Idai — which is the worst weather-related disaster to affect the country after Cyclone Eline that claimed 91 lives — made a landfall in Mozambique Thursday.

It subsequently barrelled through Manicaland resulting in torrential rains.

By yesterday afternoon, the cyclone’s epicentre hovered over Rusitu Valley in Chimanimani.

The MSD reported that the rainfall at Chisengu Estate in Chimanimani, at 407 mm, broke a 37-year record of 169mm.

The Mukandi area — also in Chimanimani — recorded 203mm, breaking the record of 141mm measured in March 1976.

Other areas that received intense rainfall include: Nyanga (145mm), both Rusape and Zaka (97mm), Buhera (91mm), Wedza (86mm), Marondera (65mm) and Chisumbanje (48mm).

Chimanimani East Member of Parliament Joshua Sacco yesterday that while the CPU had mobilised helicopters, the weather conditions made it impossible to deploy them.

The demand, he said, was extensive.

“We don’t have access roads in Chimanimani at the moment,” he said.

Joint Efforts

Authorities are actively working with partners including the Red Cross Society, MSF and Mercy Corps who have provided water treatment chemicals, washing soap, mosquito nets, boots, gloves, blankets and tents.

Two Command Centres were established at Mhandarume Centre for those rescued in Chimanimani and Christine School for victims from the Rusitu area.

Acting Manicaland CPU chairperson Mr Wilson Bore said in Chipinge 67 homes were destroyed, while 20 were destroyed in Mutare district.

Electricity power lines were damaged in Mutare Urban, cutting off power supply to some areas.

“More than 200 learners and their teachers at St Charles (Lwanga), 13 Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company employees who were staying at Mawenje Lodge in Chimanimani and six villagers were marooned and are still to be rescued as the rains are still pounding the area,” said Mr Bore.

“The ZCDC employees who were staying at Mawenje Lodge had to seek refuge in a nearby mountain after Haroni River burst its banks and destroyed the lodge.

“We have tried to have helicopters from Air Force of Zimbabwe to assist them, but it is very risky to venture into the area.

“Sub-aqua personnel from Chipinge have also failed to render any assistance because of the bad weather as the roads were also damaged.”

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF chief whip and the party’s secretary for youth affairs, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, called on Zimbabweans to join hands and help the stricken families.

“We have learnt with sadness and deep grief the passing away of individuals whose homes have been swept away by the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai and wish to convey our heartfelt condolences over loss of life,” said Togarepi.

“We as Zanu-PF parliamentarians have decided to contribute a minimum of $100 each towards helping our brothers and sisters in the affected. Considering the damage and trial of destruction our contributions are indeed a drop in the ocean, but a good start nonetheless as we help communities in need of assistance.

The ruling party’s MPs would  be visiting the affected areas.

“Apart from cash donations legislators can also donate in kind, things like blankets, tents, drinking water and other items because the situation is desperate.

“We also call upon all Zimbabweans to contribute towards mitigating the devastating effects of this disaster in any form for that is the humane and African thing to do.”

Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Cde Mike Madiro said there is need to intensify efforts to assist the victims.

“As Zanu-PF we are worried that the affected areas, Chimanimani and Chipinge, remain inaccessible as the cyclone has destroyed roads and bridges, thus slowing down rescue efforts. We want to urge Government to intensify efforts to rescue those who are stranded and find the missing as soon as possible to avoid more loss of lives,” said Cde Madiro.

He called on stakeholders to contribute towards assisting the affected families.

Cyclone Idai has since claimed more than 400 lives in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

Ends

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Source: Masiyiwa, US charity fight tropical diseases in Zimbabwe | Daily News

Zimbabwe’s billionaire Strive Masiyiwa and the US’s End Fund are tackling neglected diseases that blind, disable and disfigure millions of Zimbabwe’s poorest people, but many are shunning treatment due to misinformation.

More than 7 million people in Zimbabwe need treatment for painful infections, such as sleeping sickness and elephantiasis, with Masiyiwa and his wife Tsitsi’s philanthropic organisation Higher Life Foundation and US charity End Fund channelling increased funding, drug donations and pushing to reach patients in remote areas.

In Zimbabwe there are four types of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) targeted for treatment and these include schistosomiasis also known as bilharzia, soil transmitted helminthiasis, lymphatic filariasis also known as elephantiasis and blinding trachoma.

Speaking during a book launch recently, End Fund chief executive officer (CEO) Ellen Agler said mass drug administration is being implemented to eradicate the diseases in the country but people in areas where NTDs are prevalent are shunning it due to misinformation.

“I remember sometime a rumour started going around saying these medicines were going to cause sterilisation and they spread on WhatsApp platforms, discouraging people. Proper engagement and awareness is therefore still important at community level before mass administration,” Agler said.

Health and Child Care ministry director of epidemiology and disease control Portia Manangazira said donors, the government, fellow professionals and the health system have neglected these diseases mainly those of children.

“There is neglect in terms of environmental factors, especially children and water contact activities; children just getting into all these waters with parasites and so on? “In most of the communities, the chances that children have of coming out of that poverty cycle is getting a good education, and there has been an education initiative to say can we send as many children to school, but still they can’t concentrate because of worms,” Manangazira said.

Collaborative partnerships, such as the one with Higher Life Foundation, the End Fund, and Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care ministry, have made significant progress in the fight to end NTDs.
Higher Life Foundation CEO Kennedy Mubaiwa said there is a direct correlation between poverty and NTDs.

“There are provinces in Zimbabwe where at Grade 7, a full school records a zero percent pass rate. “When you look at where those schools are situated, you realise that the poverty and NTD numbers are prevalent.“ There is a $100 million grant that has been brought forward to help rural communities to start having economic activities to help them come out of poverty-related challenges,” he said.

The grant seeks to re-invigorate the rural sector in Zimbabwe and will fund projects started by rural entrepreneurs, or those of entrepreneurs willing to focus on rural areas.

 

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Source: Chombo's trial postponed | Daily News

A Harare magistrate has postponed the trial of former Zanu PF bigwig Ignatius Chombo accused of criminal nuisance after wearing regalia associated with the ruling party following his expulsion.

Senior magistrate Hosea Mujaya postponed the matter to May 10 pending the outcome of his application for permanent stay of proceedings in the Supreme Court Chombo is jointly charged with Kudzanai Chipanga, Matthew Muleya and Munyaradzi Hamandishe.

The quartet is represented by Lovemore Madhuku, who confirmed the May 10 date is by consent. It is the State’s case that on an unknown date to the prosecution team but sometime between December 8 and 13, Chombo and his accomplices allegedly hatched a plan and connived to commit an act of criminal nuisance.

“The quartet, well knowing they have been expelled as Zanu PF members, acted in common purpose and took pictures of themselves while wearing Zanu PF regalia in form of hats with embroidered Zanu PF flag inscribed ED and Kutonga Kwaro,” the State outline says.
It is alleged that Chombo and his accomplices went on to post their images clad in the Zanu PF regalia on social media.

According to the State, this was likely to create a nuisance to Zanu PF. The accused were subsequently arrested and according to the State, they had no right to act in the manner they did.
After pictures of the four wearing party regalia circulated, Zanu PF quickly castigated the images describing their publication as criminal.

Meanwhile, Chombo who is facing other charges ranging from criminal abuse of office, fraud, violating the Prevention of Corruption Act amongst others, separately appeared before the same court where two of his cases were remanded to the same date.
The former Finance minister is facing criminal abuse of office charges amongst others.

Amongst the offences, Chombo is being charged with violating Section 4 (a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act (Chapter 9:16) by allegedly conniving with Local Government ministry employees to forge documents used to transfer a Glen Lorne residential property under the Harare City Council to a certain individual.

In another case, Chombo is being charged with criminal abuse of office and fraud with the State saying his activities prejudiced it of $3,6 million.

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