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Woman arrested during naked protest at Union Buildings MDC Deputy President Welshman Ncube's daughter who staged an undressed protest outside at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday morning has been arrested. Gugu Ncube demonstrated outside the seat of government after claiming she had suffered abuse at the hands of the University of South Africa […]

Exiled former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has equated President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Satan after Mnangagwa on Tuesday made a statement equating himself to God. "We will not be swayed by negative forces. Even the Lord upstairs was not able to keep his house in order, he had Satan. So, these things happen, but he […]

Barely two months after doctors announced the end of a 40-day crippling strike, the doctors have gone back on industrial action again. This time, however, the strike is being led by senior doctors who are protesting against poor working conditions, shortages of drugs and sundries. Below is a video of the doctors striking at the […]

Source: Editorial Comment: It is time govt stops hiding behind sanctions | Newsday (News)

Editorial Comment

THE visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the third Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) is timely, given the enormous boost this could have on the economy.

The key question though is: Will the BNC become a functional body where ministers work with their counterparts on projects implemented through the various committees without the high profile politicians’ involvement? A more fundamental question, however, is whether the first and second such meetings have been a worthwhile engagement of resources and political capital for the parties involved. That is, should it be continued at all?

We believe that Ramaphosa’s visit this week will come as a confidence booster only if it strikes the right chord, given Zimbabwe is in economic distress. In practice, the BNC provides an opportunity for regular contact – and sometimes important diplomatic breakthroughs between the two nations as well as for progress on various projects and expanded business ties.

It is a fact that corporates need financial support to do business within the region. No one doubts that Zimbabwe has great potential for multiplier effect if its economy is re-ignited. Of course, the BNC provides a win-win situation and certainly what is required is to provide an even platform for businesses in South Africa to trade with Zimbabwean firms.

Zimbabwe must commit to rule of law and needs to implement economic, political and media reforms, among others, to get the Western sanctions imposed on the nation off our back.

Suffice to say, when President Emmerson Mnangagwa swept into power on the back of a military coup in November 2017, he promised to fulfil the demands of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA), which forms the basis of the United States imposed sanctions on the country.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube is on record saying that the ZIDERA demands were what any country should do for its own good. So, we should not wait to be told to do certain things for our people.

Yet, the government has shown reluctance to implement some of the demands. It is hoped that Ramaphosa will convince his counterpart to implement the reforms and not waste precious resources funding a doomed public relations campaign in the US or begging for assistance.

As pointed out by Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo that a stronger Zimbabwe was good for South Africa, and surely, this goodness should be seen in Harare’s willingness to implement key political and economic reforms, including entrenching democratic practices.

We have no doubt that the government knows what it should do to have the sanctions that have been an albatross around its neck removed so it could become a competitive player on the global economic stage.

No amount of white-washing through expensive public relations campaigns will help its cause, but simply implementing the necessary reforms, and, of course, rallying the nation together for the common good.

The hard truth is that as long as economic sanctions from whatever quarter are still in place, there won’t be any major economic development to talk about.

It is time government stops hiding behind a finger. It is up to Zimbabwe to determine for how long the sanctions will remain in place or be removed.

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Source: Zim, SA in talks for financial package | Herald (Business)

Zimbabwe and South Africa yesterday agreed to vigorously pursue negotiations over possible financial packages to be extended to the central bank and the local private sector, as part of efforts by Pretoria to assist Harare to turn around its economy.

The two countries intimated in January this year that negotiations for an upwards review of an existing funding arrangement between their central banks were taking place.

“There is already an arrangement between the two central banks in term of inter-central bank flows into Zimbabwe (and) that is not new. We are looking to see if that could be increased so this is normal discussions.

Those are ongoing, we do not know where it will end up in terms of size  of resources that we have requested,” Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said then.

This position was re-affirmed in a communiqué released at the end of the third Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC).

“The two sides agreed to consider options for expanding the standing  facility arrangement between parties’ Central Banks, other financing  options beyond this are also being explored for example a facility from  South African private banks to the Zimbabwean private sector and  guaranteed by the South African government with an appropriate counter-guarantee from the Zimbabwean government,” read part of the communiqué.

Adding on, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said; “The matters  that you are raising, that you referred to as financial assistance, we  have discussed that in great detail and our discussions are ongoing and  our various teams are busy finding workable solutions.”

“Because of the strength of our relationship, we have no doubt  whatsoever that we are going to find solutions that are going to lead to a strengthening of our two respective economies so that we can address the  challenges that both our countries are facing at this point in time.”

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the BNC, President Ramaphosa said  South Africa would assist Zimbabwe on its economic recovery agenda.

He said Zimbabwe, having gone through over a decade of economic  decline, deserved meaningful international support to turn around its  economic fortunes.

“South Africa stands ready to render support to Zimbabwe within our  means in your quest for economic renewal,” he said.

“Zimbabwe does deserve the support that the world can give.”

President Ramaphosa commended the BNC for coming up with sound ideas  that would give impetus to the two countries’ relations.

“Today we re-iterate South Africa’s commitment to work with Zimbabwe in  addressing the socio-economic challenges experienced by our two  countries.

“We commend the new administration for all your efforts through your  programme of action to take Zimbabwe out of its current difficulties and  make it a viable partner to South Africa, to the region and other development partners,” he said. —  New Ziana.

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