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The government has issued in a new currency, which is mostly virtual.

Source: Zimbabwe hikes customs, excise duty by 300% – The Citizen

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MDC Alliance legislator for Harare West Joana Mamombe has been taken to Harare Central Police station where she has been charged with attempting to overthrow and subvert a Constitutionally-elected government (Treason). The charges stem from an incident when she addressed a Press Conference on 14th of January 2019 at Civic Center, Malborough, just as the […]

In this edition: Zimbabwe struggles to convince consumers of the stability of its new currency. The RTGS dollar is still viewed as volatile by many. Also, political instability in Burundi has given rise to an increase in the number of online videos appearing to show people being abused. Finally, one of Africa’s most prestigious film festivals celebrates its 50th anniversary. Fespaco opens its doors in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou.

Source: Across Africa – Doubts remain over Zimbabwe’s new currency

 

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Source: Botswana’s president denies report of $600 million loan to Zimbabwe | Reuters

GABORONE (Reuters) – Botswana’s president on Friday dismissed a report that the country had offered Zimbabwe a $600 million diamond-backed loan and said his government had only offered to guarantee a $100 million private credit line for Botswana companies to invest in their troubled neighbor.

Zimbabwe’s secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs was quoted in the state-owned Herald newspaper on Tuesday saying Botswana had offered to lend Zimbabwe $500 million to support its diamond industry and another $100 million for the local private firms.

“I want to clarify these reports that we are giving Zimbabwe hundreds of millions in loans. That is totally untrue,” Mokgweetsi Masisi told reporters in Gaborone, a day after visiting Zimbabwe for business and trade mission.

“We are not giving them a single loan. The only thing we gave them yesterday were medical supplies made in Botswana and supplementary feeding worth 2.1 million pula ($197,600).”

“What we have demanded, which we are waiting for, is a letter of guarantee from the Zimbabweans to counter our own guarantee,” he said.

Masisi also said Botswana, which is the largest producer of diamonds by value, would help Zimbabwe with its diamond trade because “it would be useful and strategic for Botswana” as it aims to become a global center of diamond trading.

Zimbabwe’s diamond sector has struggled since the government kicked out private companies from the eastern Marange fields in early 2016 after they declined to merge under the state-owned mining company.

Relations between Zimbabwe and Botswana have improved following a strained period when Botswana’s ex-President Ian Khama, who stepped down in 2018, routinely criticized Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe for holding on to power for too long.

A military coup in 2017 forced Mugabe to resign, ending his 37-year rule.

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Source: Zanu PF Youth League members bury hatchet | The Herald March 2, 2019

Cde Matutu

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
The Zanu-PF Youth League members have buried the hatchet after attempting to dislodge its leadership last month.

In an interview on the sidelines of a public lecture at Gweru Polytechnic College last week, Deputy Secretary  for Youth Affairs Cde Lewis Matutu said now was the time for the Youth League to be united and push the socio-economic development agenda for the development of the country.

Votes of no confidence were passed against some officials of the party’s national Youth League executive recently, while reports of similar actions were being initiated in some provinces.

The party’s Youth League passed a vote of no confidence on its leaders — Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Cde Matutu, secretary for administration Cde Tendai Chirau, Cde Admire Mahachi and Cde Mercy Mugomo, for allegedly failing to defend President Mnangagwa, who is the party’s First Secretary.

Cde Matutu said the league members had since moved on.

“We are now united as the Youth League and we remain guided by the party principles and constitution,” he said.

Cde Matutu said the league embarked on a nationwide tour to interface with youths and strengthen the party.

“We are holding inter-district meetings with youths in all provinces,” he said.

“As we speak, some members of the national executive are in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces.”

Cde Matutu said the Youth League had postponed the President’s Solidarity March to a date that will be announced soon.

“There are some events that are supposed to take place before we hold the youth solidarity march for the President,” he said.

“We will soon announce the new date.”

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo recently said they have noted with concern the disciplinary processes being raised against party members without due process and in breach of the party’s constitution.

Cde Khaya Moyo said a motion to pass a vote of no confidence should comply with procedures set out under Article 28 General Provision, Section 265-266 of the party’s constitution.

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