History shapes our future: AFZ

  Air Vice Marshal Biltim Chingono (left) receives the late National Hero, Brigadier General Dr Felix Muchemwa (Retired)’s book, “The Struggle for Land in Zimbabwe” from his widow Mrs Tapuwa Muchemwa at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Sheldon Hakata. Columbus Mabika-Herald Reporter The nation should continuously be familiarised with the country’s […]

History shapes our future: AFZ 
Air Vice Marshal Biltim Chingono (left) receives the late National Hero, Brigadier General Dr Felix Muchemwa (Retired)’s book, “The Struggle for Land in Zimbabwe” from his widow Mrs Tapuwa Muchemwa at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare yesterday. — Picture: Sheldon Hakata.

Columbus Mabika-Herald Reporter

The nation should continuously be familiarised with the country’s rich history from the colonisation and the two Chimurenga wars fought by the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe in order to properly shape the future, the Air Force of Zimbabwe said as it took delivery of copies of a new history book. 

Receiving a consignment of “The Struggle for Land in Zimbabwe’ 1890 to 2010” from Zimbabwe Heritage Trust in Harare yesterday, AFZ Chief of Staff Operations Air Vice Marshal Biltim Chingono said the history was about the freedom being enjoyed by every citizen today.

“As a nation, we are obliged to be able to grasp our founding ethos that brought about the independence we now enjoy. These values allow us to observe and understand where and when our detractors are attempting to steer the nation,” he said.

“To put everything into perspective, we should be drilled with and thoroughly familiarised with the country’s rich journey from the period of colonisation, the two Chimurengas fought by the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe in the quest to liberate the country, our aspirations as a liberated people and the future as determined by ourselves.”

AVM Chingono said on its part, the AFZ has a civil military relations department which is designed to equip members with the requisite past and contemporary understanding about Zimbabwe.

The book would go a long way in capacitating the AFZ members with deeper narratives on the founding idealism that formed the basis of the revolution and restoration of the dignity of the black people through self-knowledge informed by self-research.

The book written by the late national hero Brigadier General Felix Muchemwa in 2015 is a forensic diagnosis of land ownership in the country.

The book was published by Heritage Publishing House and edited by Dr Rino Zhuwarara and the late Mr Alexander Kanengoni.

Politicians warned against using inflammatory language

  Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi made the call during commemorations to mark World Press Freedom Day which the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) organised in the capital recently. As the country moves into the election period, politicians should desist from using inflammatory language when addressing their party supporters […]

Politicians warned against using inflammatory language 
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi made the call during commemorations to mark World Press Freedom Day which the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) organised in the capital recently.

As the country moves into the election period, politicians should desist from using inflammatory language when addressing their party supporters as this can cause political violence.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi made the call during commemorations to mark World Press Freedom Day which the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) organised in the capital recently.

He said some of the language that politicians used contributed significantly to incidences of violence during election time.

“As the police, we have a challenge with some of the language used by our politicians,” he said.

“Yes you want to get support, yes you want to entice supporters, but let us be responsible. We will remain Zimbabweans whatever our differences, let us not incite violence.”

Asst Comm Nyathi said by desisting from inflammatory language, politicians would be contributing towards peace-building and maintenance of law and order in the country.

He assured members of the media that their safety was guaranteed during the coming election period.

Journalism, he said, was not a crime and no society developed when the media was inhibited in its work.

Asst Comm Nyathi reminded journalists covering elections to notify police commanders of their presence in their areas to avoid possible harassment by the police officers on the ground.

“We have said as the police and the media, we serve one constituency, which is the public, which is the people of Zimbabwe. So, yes we have got different operational parameters, but when we go on the ground, let us respect each other,” he said.

“So on this World Press freedom Day, I want to reiterate that it is our guiding principle to say as we do our duties, yes there is diversity, but let us not lose focus and engage.”

He highlighted that as the police, they were happy that the acrimony that once existed between them and the media was over as there was now harmony due to constant engagement between the two parties.

Speaking at the same function, Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) executive secretary Godwin Phiri said without freedom of expression and media freedom in any society, citizens could not hold their leaders accountable, were unable to express themselves and to share ideas.

Phiri highlighted that while media freedom was provided for in the Zimbabwean Constitution, it was however, not a passport to incite violence, hatred as well as malicious injuring of other citizens’ reputation and dignity.

He said the ZMC was committed to promoting media freedom and accountable governance through facilitating access to information held by public entities for the purposes of transparency, accountability, responsibility and protection of human rights.  New Ziana.

Outcry over hike in council route fees

  In an interview Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators (GHACO) chairman Mr Ngoni Katsvairo said even the route authority as issued by the Government, costs US$75 per year against council’s US$143. Blessings Chidakwa-Municipal Reporter Commuter omnibus operators have slammed Harare City Council for hiking operators’ fees some of which they say are duplicated, hindering […]

Outcry over hike in council route fees 
In an interview Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators (GHACO) chairman Mr Ngoni Katsvairo said even the route authority as issued by the Government, costs US$75 per year against council’s US$143.

Blessings Chidakwa-Municipal Reporter

Commuter omnibus operators have slammed Harare City Council for hiking operators’ fees some of which they say are duplicated, hindering the ease doing of business.

A City of Harare route authority costs US$143 per year and is almost the same as the one being offered by the Ministry of Transport operator’s licence that costs US$125 for three years.

Calculations show that commuter operators are forking out US$429 for three years for the duplicated document for which they are simply paying US$125 for the same period to the Government.

In an interview Greater Harare Association of Commuter Operators (GHACO) chairman Mr Ngoni Katsvairo said even the route authority as issued by the Government, costs US$75 per year against council’s US$143.

“The costs by the local authority are actually against the Government’s ease of doing business policy.

“We want to take the opportunity to thank the Minister of Transport for keeping the compliance fees at manageable costs in line with the Government’s policy of reducing the cost and ensuring the ease of doing business,” he said.

Mr Katsvairo said through the Government’s ease of doing business policy, they were allowed to resume operations as small players.

Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende yesterday justified the fee.

“As you may be aware, most of the ranks are in bad shape and the council requires funds to spruce up and modernise bus termini. 

“We had handed over the termini to Zupco and they never took care of them. We are the ones responsible for providing services such as sprucing up bus ranks, toilets, waste collection so surely, the fees cannot be the same. It is a requirement that they pay the local authority and Government,” he said.

However, despite council claiming responsibility for sprucing up the termini, the situation on the ground shows dilapidated termini infrastructure, characterised by garbage and chaos.

Touts, who have virtually usurped municipal police powers, are also observed harassing passengers and collecting fees undue to them at law.

Zimbabwe stands with DRC

  Flash floods and landslides in South Kivu, DRC. – AFP. Herald Reporter Zimbabwe stands with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which it enjoys cordial relations with following the death of more than 400 people due to floods and mudslides. President Mnangagwa yesterday sent a condolence message to the DRC saying he was deeply […]

Zimbabwe stands with DRC 
Flash floods and landslides in South Kivu, DRC. – AFP.

Herald Reporter

Zimbabwe stands with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which it enjoys cordial relations with following the death of more than 400 people due to floods and mudslides.

President Mnangagwa yesterday sent a condolence message to the DRC saying he was deeply touched with the loss of life and destruction which has left some families homeless.

In a statement last night, the President said the deaths in South Kivu due to floods and mudslides left him “devastated and shocked”.

President Mnangagwa assured the DRC of his Government full support.

“So expansive was this climate-related destruction that entire villages in Bushushu and Nyamukubi of Kalehe territory were flattened, with tremendous loss of life, and destruction of vital infrastructures and amenities. 

“I was particularly touched by the horrendous human toll, including reports of entire families lost in the overnight torrents and mudslides which flooded and buried huge swathes of human settlements in that part of the Congo,” he said.

President Mnangagwa advised his DRC Counterpart Felix Tshishekedi to accept the country’s heartfelt condolences as they endure this tragic episode of great pain and distress for their nation.

“With the comparable calamity we faced here in 2019, we fully understand the pain and distress your nation and great people are going through as you struggle to pick up the pieces and to cope with the devastation. 

“Rest assured, President, that the brotherly people of Zimbabwe stand by you during this hour of overwhelming need. Already, my Government is mobilising support towards assisting in mitigating the effects of this unprecedented devastation which has been dealt our people,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said it is at such a dark moment when African solidarity must find full expression, both in ameliorating this latest devastation wreaked by the floods, and in devising broader, long-term continental strategies against recurrence of such climate-induced                                  calamities. 

“I am aware that your country suffered similar devastation in 2014, with the likelihood of more such mishaps visiting all of us and our regions as the global climate crisis gets more dire,” he said.

MAN KILLS SELF OVER MAINTENANCE

A HARARE man committed suicide after being continuously
dragged to the Maintenance Court by his ex-wife.

Takemore Chakandinakira allegedly drank rat poison after he
was served with papers from his ex-wife, Nyadzisai Katenga, for an upward
variation.

A HARARE man committed suicide after being continuously dragged to the Maintenance Court by his ex-wife. Takemore Chakandinakira allegedly drank rat poison after he was served with papers from his ex-wife, Nyadzisai Katenga, for an upward variation. “What should I do now? The police confirmed that he killed himself using rat poison. He should have been here today. “His girlfriend and relatives