DOMESTIC cricket was hit by a player strike on Tuesday - the same day the domestic Logan Cup competition was due to start.

Zimbabwe Cricket's (ZC) financial problems are equally well known and led to the number of franchises being cut from five to four for the new season, while player salaries have been restructured.

ZC only confirmed players’ contract offers on Friday, two days before the season began with a round of limited-overs fixtures, with the highest earners promised US$1 500 (NZ$1922) per month and the lowest getting just US$300.

But the country’s harsh tax laws mean the players would only take home about half of those amounts, and they would still need to pay 40 per cent of their medical aid costs out of their own pockets.

The players took part in the Pro50 Championship at the weekend, but refused to play on Tuesday in protest over ‘grey areas’ in the contracts they had been offered by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC).

ZC confirmed the suspension of the tournament while it meets with the players' association, whose secretary general, Eliah Zvimba, urged the players to take the field pending discussions on Friday.

Zvimba however blamed ZC for the impasse, telling AFP: "This is the only language (ZC) understands.

"We had September, we had October and now it's November. We were supposed to have discussed these issues without rushing, but that's not happened."

Currently, only 10 players are contracted per franchise - something ZC made provision for in July. Then, they announced that 55 cricketers would have employment across the board, with 15 central contracts and the remaining 40 spread evenly across the four sides.

“Two Pro50 matches were played: Mashonaland Eagles hosting Mid-West Rhinos at Old Hararians Sports Club and Matabeleland Tuskers hosting Mountaineers at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

“On Monday, the Zimbabwe Professional Cricketers Association (ZPCA) wrote to Zimbabwe Cricket listing what it called ‘grey areas’ that needed to be addressed.

“ZC proposed a meeting on Thursday to continue with discussions but the ZPCA chief executive officer Eliah Zvimba said he would only be available on Friday afternoon.

“Against that background of continuing talks with the ZPCA, it came as a surprise to ZC that when umpires went on to the field for the first day of Logan Cup matches at the two venues, the players refused to come out, citing the same contractual issues which were contained in the e-mail from their association and which will be discussed at the meeting scheduled for Friday.

“The boycott by the players has left ZC with no option but to suspend domestic matches until the players make themselves available.”

THE traffic police are justified when they shoot perceived dangerous motorists or when they cause damage to their vehicles, home affairs deputy minister Obedingwa Mguni, has said.

His comment comes at a time when traffic cops have seemingly abandoned rubber baton sticks which they used to smash windscreens of offending motorists and instead turned to spikes to deflate the tyres of speeding vehicles.

Police chief spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, refused to say if this was lawful, preferring emailed questions which she has, however, failed to respond to, three days after they were sent to her.

But Mguni was unapologetic about this, insisting police had no other option except to use the condemned methods of dealing with traffic offenders.

The sight of police officers on traffic aprons patrolling the streets on foot with some on motor bikes is now common in central Harare.

Motorists are often taken by surprise when they see spikes thrown in front of their cars as police desperately try to stop them at roadblocks.

This has often resulted in motorists losing control of their vehicles causing accidents.

Human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, told NewZimbabwe.com the practice amounted to malicious injury to property by the cops adding this was brazen lawlessness.

Mtetwa said this was tantamount to usurping the powers of the court when police officers become arresting officers while also granting themselves the same authority to punish offenders.

However Mguni refused to say if this amounted to unlawful acts by the police but defended the practice which he said was aimed at protecting police details who were at the mercy of defiant motorists.

“What must they do if the taxi drivers are running away, shoot them?” Mguni said during an interview with NewZimbabwe.com.

“I always hear questions where people tend to defend law breakers.”

Mguni said it was justifiable for police operatives to even shoot suspected offenders.

“Even to shoot a person is unlawful but if that person is dangerous and can kill four people you will end up doing it even if it is unlawful,” he said.

“I am asking, do you have another way which is better to catch those criminals that are running away from police, knocking down the police because the police will stand in the middle of the road with a reflector and they will run on top of him.”

The Zanu PF official said it was often laborious to track the offenders through registration plates, something that often takes them to more than single owners of the vehicles.

A FIERCE stampede for fish has ensued among Zimbabweans and Zambians in Lake Kariba, raising the spectre of a diplomatic storm between the two neighbours.

Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri revealed recently that Zambia had deployed nearly a thousand fishing boats which were encroaching into Zimbabwean territory in violation of the protocol regulating the use of the Kariba Dam by the neighbouring countries

The lake lies between the two former British colonies although Zimbabwe is entitled to a bigger share of the aquatic resource. Kariba is a source of a variety of nutritious fish species with fishing there being employing thousands.

“According to Article 6 of the protocol, fishing effort (number of boats fishing) is to be shared according to the area of the lake which each state holds,” Muchinguri-Kashiri told parliament recently.

“Zimbabwe, which holds 55% of the lake, is entitled to 55% of the total fishing effort (particularly of the kapenta fishery which is a shared stock).
  
“Currently, Zimbabwe has 460 kapenta fishing boats on the lake and Zambia has 962 boats officially declared. This means the current ratio is 32:68 in Zambia’s favour which is against the protocol agreement.”

Despite the apparent greed by the Zambians, it has emerged, however, that the two countries were, in fact, both violating the protocol on the number of fishing boats plying the dam waters.

According to Muchinguri-Kashiri, a total of 500 boats are required on the lake to have a sustainable fishery.  

“With the agreed ration,” she said, “Zimbabwe is to have 275 rigs and Zambia should have 225. The current total is pegged at 1422, meaning there is overcapacity on the lake.”

She added: “... Both countries are supposed to ensure that fishing effort is regulated and pegged at a sustainable level by committing to and abiding by the dictates of the protocol to ensure that the fishery recovers and maximum returns are realised.  

“This will result in improved food security status of both nations, particularly for Zimbabwe which gets 90% of its fish protein from Lake Kariba, over 50% of this being from Kapenta fishing.”

Kapeta fish, popularly known as Matemba, are a delicacy in Zimbabwe and keep many families going during hard times.

The agreement regulating the use of the resource is named the Protocol on Economic and Technical Corporation between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe concerning management and development of fisheries on Lake Kariba and the Trans-boundary Waters of the Zambezi River.

This protocol was jointly established by the governments of the two countries in 1999 setting the agenda for what each country does in the management of fisheries within its jurisdiction.  

The management objective of the protocol is to ensure that the yield from its fisheries is ecologically sustainable and economically viable within an equitable framework.

THE row over the Triangle ranch previously owned by Tongaat Hulett has taken a new twist with the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) wading in telling government to stop evicting new farmers because doing so was against the indigenisation and empowerment polices.

This comes after the minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement Douglas Mombeshora, issued 174 indigenous farmers with an eviction order, eight months after they were offered the space to farm.

The evictees have since rushed to High Court in a matter which has sucked in the department of foreign affairs as the sugar cane farm located in the Masvingo Province is covered under the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (Bipa) signed between Harare and South Africa. The matter is currently awaiting a judgment date.

Some evictees told Newzimbabwe.com that they thought the South African government had applied pressure to Harare during President Jacob Zuma’s visit in November last year.

According to an eviction order sent to all the farmers by Mombeshora, the new farmers were told to leave the property "immediately" because "the purpose for withdrawal outweighs the representations" made by the applicants. 

In a letter to Mombeshora, AAG CEO Davison Todson Gomo said “Foreign Direct Investment is welcome to Zimbabwe and that will always remain the case but certainly not at the expense of local people”.

Gomo said “Government’s responsibility must be to its own people” adding that “those acting on behalf of Tongaat Hulett are doing so in the interest of their own economy”.

Following is the Letter to Mombeshora

30 December 2016

Dr Douglas Mombeshora
Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement
Block 2, Makombe Complex
Corner Harare Street and Herbert Chitepo
Harare

Dear Dr D. Mombeshora

Re: EVICTION OF 174 SUGAR CANE FARMERS IN THE LOWVELD: Hippo Valley and Triangle

The Affirmative Action Group (AAG) has received a request for intervention in a case involving the withdrawal of Offer Letters by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe from 174 indigenous Sugar cane farmers who were offered land previously owned by Tongaat Hulett, a multinational sugar producer from South Africa.

We understand that a total of approximately 900 such farmers in Nkwasini, High Syringe, Hippo Valley and Triangle are settled in these areas as sugar cane farmers.

The current withdrawal of offer letters affects 174 farmers while the rest appeared not to be affected by the Government decision and no logical reason has been provided for this disparity and action that appears to discriminate against the 174 farmers.

Obviously in such situations, questions are bound to be raised with regards to the criteria used to with draw the offer letters especially when only 174 are affected while the rest continue to stay put in their designated areas.
How critical is the land amounting to 3000 hectares only against the amount of land available to Tongaat Hulett including the balance that is in the hands of those not affected by this decision?

We further understand that Tongaat Hulett has approximately 89000 hectares of land which all being equal unless proved otherwise is a massive land bank that far exceeds their current scale of operations and perhaps even their most immediate needs.

Our general understanding is that the Government through the appropriate ministry formally offered indigenous farmers land in the Hippo Valley and Triangle area in April 2016.

There is no slightest indication that this decision and action was not well thought out and it seems Government was determined to redistribute land for two possible reasons namely;

In pursuit of the land reform programme, it is important that Government demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that land is made available to the indigenous people who need it for productive and livelihoods purposes.
The Offer letters to the indigenous farmers in April 2016 fulfilled this purpose.

Government was not only living up to its 2013 election manifesto in which indigenisation and economic empowerment were at the centre of ZANU PF’s campaign but rather went on to fulfill the promises made at the time. The offer of land to farmers is central to affirmative action and the achievement of social and economic justice.

At the heart of land redistribution is not only the need to tackle the problem of under-development which is partly caused by lack of access to resources but to ensure that the skewed ownership of land is not allowed to persist at the expense of the indigenous population.

Although Government has made commendable progress particularly in making land available to those who need it, the current problem where farmers have been issued with Withdrawal Notices clearly demonstrates that multinational corporations still use their investment clout to disrupt the empowerment programme and the paramount objective of economic transformation through the equitable ownership natural of resources.

How is it possible that Government is forced to retreat from such an important move by a dominant multinational corporation that has huge monopoly power? Foreign Direct Investment is welcome to Zimbabwe and that will always remain the case but certainly not at the expense of local people.

In this specific case, withdrawal notices do not even attempt to address the question of how the affected farmers are going to be compensated for the investment on the farms which they did totally convinced that Government had considered all options at hand and had made up its mind to settle the farmers on the contested land. When Tongaat Hulett acquired the business interests on the sugar plantations, they must have known that the exclusion of the indigenous people from access to resources would never be sustainable in the long term.

It seems to us very unreasonable to consolidate the monopoly of Tongaat Hulett on the sugar market in Zimbabwe. They enjoy both backward and forward integration and are intent on maintaining their dominance through use of all sorts of strategies that include moral, legal and political blackmail.

For example, there is talk of creating employment which in principle is a great idea. However, how many employees are employed on permanent basis compared to a majority who have been casualised and earn extremely low wages when compared to the profits that the company make?

Is it not a shame that a decision on such a major issue (ie issuing Offer Letters in April 2016 only to retract them in December 2016) should be made without assessing its impact on the credibility of Government? The sugar crop is already over a metre high, let alone the investment made in terms of money, time etc and yet the farmers have not been told in clear terms how this investment will be recovered?

There has been an outcry from both the investing public and society in general that one of the biggest setbacks that threatens our success at economic level is the generally perceived policy inconsistency and decisions that contradict public policy. Whatever reasons are given for the change of heart, the net result is that this is not an outcome that the public wants to see.

It is scandalous that a legitimate offer of land strictly in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe should be seen as land seizure. The bottom line is that the people of Zimbabwe are entitled to access to resources and have a right to economic empowerment as is the case with citizens of other countries.

This move sends a wrong signal in terms of Government’s commitment to its flagship policy and there can never be any excuse to pursue policies that amount to disempowering the indigenous people and thus depriving them of an opportunity to play a part in determining their own economic future.

Whatever the merits and demerits of this case, we believe that there is no other way to look at this other than as an unfortunate decision and development that makes the struggle for social and economic justice rather seem unworthy of attention.

We totally agree and respect the fact that Government has a prerogative to make such decisions from time to time. Nevertheless, our view is that there is need to desist from actions and decisions that leave people experiencing a sense of abandonment by their own Government.

The indigenous people are already suffering from a state of unequal economic development therefore any policy, decision or action that prevents them access to wealth worsens their plight and has the potential to cause long term damage to the integration of the ordinary citizens into the mainstream economy of the country.

Our position on this and many similar situations is that we are still a long way off to meeting the conditions necessary for a successful and secure indigenisation and economic empowerment programme. We do not believe that managing the economy of a complex modern nation comes easy but whatever intricacies that are involved, Government’s responsibility must be to its own people. Those acting on behalf of Tongaat Hulett are doing so in the interest of their own economy. Right now, apart from a generalized belief that surrendering land to Tongaat Hulett will create more employment, where is the evidence that their current operations have made a huge contribution to Zimbabwe’s economy?

Indigenisation and economic empowerment is a legitimate development strategy that has not been given a chance and to some extent, the weight of emphasis has been on peripheral programmes. We also know that there are increasing voices that believe it is an impediment to investment and economic growth. These views are not grounded in evidence based facts. On the contrary, they are mere speculation pushed by those that have no faith in the capacity of Africans to manage economies.

It is fair to say while we welcome the invitation of Foreign Direct Investment into Zimbabwe, we however remain mindful of the need not to marginalise our people for the sake of attracting foreign capital. There is need for a balanced approach otherwise we will very unintentionally condemn our entrepreneurs to a permanent subservient role.

We are not too sure how much land Tongaat Hulett holds and whether this is not sufficient for their needs now and in the future. A detailed study of their land holding is necessary and urgent to ensure that they do not hold land beyond their economic needs.

We are fully aware that this case is before the Courts and that Government is obviously going to continuously evaluate the situation as it unfolds but we put our weight behind the farmers that are at the risk of losing their land needlessly.

It is however in Government’s interest to ensure that equity prevails and that indigenous people continue to enjoy the protection of Government until our country’s economy is largely in our hands.

Yours Sincerely

Dr Davison Todson Gomo
Chief Executive Officer

GAMBIA'S political opposition said Monday that longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh could be considered a rebel leader if he takes up arms and doesn't step down later this month, a firm warning issued after the president recently vowed that any presence of foreign troops in the tiny West African nation would be tantamount to an act of war.

Two days earlier, Jammeh railed against the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS that has urged him to step down. Jammeh claims that numerous voting irregularities invalidate the Dec. 1 ballot won by opposition coalition's Adama Barrow, and Jammeh's party is challenging the results in court.

Meanwhile, Barrow says he is planning a Jan. 19 inauguration, which puts him on a collision course with Jammeh, who seized power in a bloodless 1994 military coup.

Halifa Sallah, the spokesman of the opposition coalition, said Monday that Jammeh will be a private citizen as of Jan. 19, and would have no constitutional mandate to be in command of the armed forces of Gambia.

"Any president whose term of office expires who takes up arms against an incoming president whose term should begin according to law, would be regarded by the international community as a rebel leader," Sallah said in reading a statement by the coalition.

The president of ECOWAS - the Economic Community of West African States - has said that West African leaders will send troops into Gambia if Jammeh refuses to step down.

Barrow, ECOWAS, the African Union and U.N. have carefully calculated their steps, Sallah said, adding that Jammeh should do the same "so that no mistakes would be made that would undermine the peace and security of the country."

ECOWAS, the AU and the UN, however, would not need to manage Gambian affairs if the constitution is followed, and a peaceful transition is made, Barrow has said, urging Jammeh to open up a channel of communication, according to the coalition statement.

The coalition statement also comes a day after intelligence agents ordered two radio stations to shut down - Taranga FM and Hill Top Radio.

Hill Top Radio chief executive Basiru Darboe said three men identifying as National Intelligence Agents said the shutdown orders came from the outgoing president, but no reasons were given.

The Jammeh regime has long been accused of imprisoning, torturing and killing its opponents.

THE head of Mozambique's opposition movement says a cease-fire declared a week ago will be extended for two months to allow peace talks to continue in a "favorable environment."

Afonso Dhlakama's announcement comes a day after he spoke by phone with President Filipe Nyusi, the Portuguese news agency Lusa reported Tuesday.

Talks between the government and the opposition Renamo movement, aided by international mediators, have been hurt by attacks on officials from both camps.

The two sides fought each other in a devastating civil war that ended in 1992. The ruling Frelimo party won 2014 elections, but Renamo alleged fraud and wants a bigger role in the government as well as more autonomy in areas it dominates.

A FORMER Zimbabwe cricket captain is launching a special academy in Hightown to help coach young rising stars from his home country.

Tatenda Taibu, former Zimbabwe captain and current Hightown St Mary’s wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to launch a new cricket academy to help the brightest young prospects from his home country develop their skills at the Sandy Lane based club.

He said he hopes his new venture will help to re-establish Zimbabwe on the international stage by giving young players the chance to develop both personally and professionally outside their homeland.

Taibu retired from professional cricket in 2012 but last season scored 737 runs at an average of 52.64 as Hightown won promotion to the Liverpool Competition’s First Division.

The programme will consist of a series of coaching and mentoring sessions, with matches to be played against county academy or development squads. And with all games scheduled to be played midweek, selected players will also have the chance to turn out for local club sides at weekends.

Speaking following the announcement Taibu said: “Now that Zimbabwe is making its way back in world cricket, we must strive to improve our performances at all levels and the next generation of talent is a crucial part of this.

"Some of these players will be experiencing overseas conditions for the first time and it will be a valuable education for them, from a cricketing and personal perspective.

“If these guys can thrive in English conditions it will be a huge boost to their confidence and career and, who knows, maybe turn them into stars of the future."

The academy is being run in partnership with Crosby-based Flash Sports, which will be providing administration and logistical support as well as helping players to link up with club sides across the North West.

Taibu made a surprise return to cricket in April 2016, when he agreed to play for Hightown St Mary's after initially contacting the club over Christmas 2015. 

His move to Sefton coincided with his desire to spend more time in the UK with his family.

THE Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC has gagged senior members from using the social media to air their grievances.

In his New Year message, Morgan Komichi, MDC-T deputy chairman, said the party was unhappy with negative comments which members were posting on the social media.

Such comments, according to Komichi, have to do with the on-going coalition talks which the MDC-T is engaged in with other opposition political parties.

Already, there is discontent within the party over the recent appointment by Tsvangirai of Elias Mudzuri and Nelson Chamisa to the positions of vice President.

“I want to advise all loyal and disciplined cadres to stop posting negative comments about the coalition on groups. If you have any issue come to the inbox and advise us. We will be grateful,” said Komichi. 

Komichi said the MDC-T had endorsed the coalition deal whose finer details the party leadership was working on.

“The deal was done and sealed and we can't be flip-flopping. People had the opportunity to express their fears in various areas and I want to assure you that your fears were considered and will be taken care of.

“MDC-T cadres will not continue to oppose the party position after being given the explanation by the secretary general (Douglas Mwonzora).

“Continuing to oppose the party position only makes Zanu PF happy because Zanu PF hates the coalition project,” he said.

Last week, Mwonzora warned members from discussing coalition and succession issues.

Mwonzora said the two issues were closed chapters, adding that the final decision on the two matters rested with the party.

There has been a glut of negative reports around Billiat during the festive season emanating from the fact that Sundowns had requested that he be allowed to rest first before linking up with the rest of the squad that has been in camp in Harare since last week.

Sundowns’ special arrangement was based on the amount of football that Billiat has already played in the last 18 months.

What then created concerns was what Billiat was apparently doing during his rest time away from the demands of professional football back home in Harare.

However, KickOff.com has been informed that despite not being in camp for the first week as he rested the 26 year-old came in for the mandatory CAF medicals last week and has been passed fit for the tournament in Gabon running from January 14 to February 5.

He is expected to play a key role in Gabon and will also feature in the last friendly match that The Warriors will play against Cameroon next Tuesday.

Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Knowledge Musona – who now plays in Belgium – is the other late arrival in camp having been held up by commitments at his club KV Oostende where he is the club’s leading scorer.

Meanwhile, Billiat is favoured to win the African Player of the Year based on the continent on Thursday in Lagos, Nigeria at the CAF awards ceremony.

Billiat has been shortlisted along with his Ugandan teammate at Sundowns Denis Onyango and Zambian midfielder Rainford Kalaba of TP Mazembe – the CAF Confederations Cup winners.

TUNISIAN club, CS Sfaxien have completed the signing of Zimbabwe international Matthew Rusike.

The former Kaizer Chiefs forward spent 2016 on the books of Swedish outfit, Helsinborg but has now made the switch to the Tunisian top flight.

A statement on the club's website read: "Pleased to announce the final conclusion of an agreement between the Bureau and Director striker Zimbabwean Matthew Rusike after signing a 3-year contract with CS Sfaxien.

Born in 1990, Rusike has had 4 selections with the Zimbabwe national team since 2009.

Welcome to Rusike in the CSSiste family and good luck.

Rusike made 30 appearances for Helsingborg, scoring four goals in the process."

FORMER Mbada communications boss George Manyaya has been appointed NetOne public relations and special projects executive with immediate effect.

NetOne’s acting chief executive officer Brian Mutandiro confirmed the development.

“Mr Manyaya emerged as the successful candidate in the interviews and has been roped in to complement our team which is blended with youth and experience and is undoubtedly making a difference through aggressively implementing our vision,” he said in a statement this Tuesday.

He added, “We believe he has potential and will assist to efficiently take our product to the market, enhance brand visibility and awareness.”

According to the statement, Manyaya, who is also a trained journalist, is studying towards a Doctorate in Business Administration Degree with the Binary University (Malaysia) in collaboration with the Chinhoyi University of Technology.

He is a holder of a Master of Commerce in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance Degree from the Midlands State University and also a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe.

His first degree is a Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management from the Midlands State University.

Building on the company’s growth last year, Mutandiro said the appointment will ensure that NetOne continues on a positive trajectory.

“The trend will be sustained exponentially in 2017 judging from what the team has in store for our current and prospective subscribers.

“We will continue to identify and recruit skills that add value and subscribe to our vision.”

The State-owned telecoms company’s revenue grew by 9,48 percent in the first five months of 2016 to May to $48,5 million.

CANADA-BASED Caledonia Mining Corporation has burnished its reputation for being one of the few gold stocks on the London junior market paying a dividend – and a decent one at that.

The company’s principal operational asset is the Zimbabwe-based Blanket Gold Mine which is located in Gwanda.

“The Board of Directors has declared a dividend of one and three eighths United States cents (US$0.01375) on each of the Company's common shares,” management said in a statement Tuesday.

The distribution of cash comes as Caledonia continues to invest in ramping up production from the deeper lying mineral at Blanket.

Production is forecast to be in the order of 60,000 ounces of the yellow metal this year, rising to 80,000 ounces by 2021.

“The continued payment of dividends to our shareholders is a key component of our strategy as we invest in future production growth and we are particularly proud of being able to continue to pay a healthy dividend whilst we invest in expanding production,” said Caledonia chief executive Steve Curtis.

“I am confident that as gold production continues to increase at the Blanket Mine as a result of our investment plan, the cost per ounce of gold produced will continue to fall.”

Caledonia Corporation now holds a 49% interest in Blanket Gold Mine following the implementation of its indigenisation programme.

The parent company is listed in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange as well as on London's AIM.

WASHINGTON: Falling in line with tradition, Bill and Hillary Clinton plan to attend Donald Trump's inauguration. It's a decision that will put Hillary Clinton on the inaugural platform as her bitter rival from the 2016 campaign assumes the office she long sought.

The Clintons announced their decision to attend the Jan. 20 inauguration shortly after former President George W. Bush's office said Tuesday he would attend along with former first lady Laura Bush.

The Bushes are "pleased to be able to witness the peaceful transfer of power - a hallmark of American democracy - and swearing-in of President Trump and Vice President Pence," Bush's office said in a statement.

It is traditional for former presidents and their spouses to attend the inauguration.

But the decision to attend was fraught for the Clintons, given Hillary Clinton's bitter campaign against Trump. The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee has largely avoided public appearances since Trump defeated her in November.

Bush, too, has had a difficult relationship with Trump. His brother Jeb ran against Trump in the GOP primaries. George and Laura Bush let it be known they voted for "none of the above" for president rather than cast a ballot for Trump, but the ex-president did call to congratulate Trump after his victory.

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, earlier said they plan to attend Trump's inaugural.

Former President George H.W. Bush, 92, and his wife, Barbara, do not plan to attend the inauguration due to the former president's age and health, his office said.

ZIMBABWEAN, and two-time Amazon Bestselling author, Kwapi Vengesayi, is a skilled and gifted writer.

He keeps you enthralled through his captivating musings, motivating stories and thought-provoking conversations about those nagging and eternal topics concerning love, relationships, life and our human experiences.

Accompanied by guest writers, his latest offering - Men Cheat More, Women Cheat Better: Stories and Conversations About Love, Life and Everything in Between - makes for an engaging read that is as witty, candid and enlightening as the books before it, albeit with more diverse voices and unique perspectives.

“Love intrigues us, life consumes us, and everything in between just adds to the chaos,” Kwapi once wrote; a comment that captures the recurring themes in his books as well as the essence of his writing and this new collection of stories and conversations.

Kwapi’s former two releases: Hashtags: The Dumbest, Smartest, Funniest, Deepest Things I’ve Ever (and never) Said About Love, Politics, and Everything in Between (2013) and Love is Work: Hashtags About Love, Life and Everything in Between (2014) became Amazon bestsellers and were applauded by his readership.

Men Cheat More, Women Cheat Better is yet another installation that undoubtedly has the potential to become another bestseller.

The book will be available January 31, 2017 on Amazon, Amazon Europe and Amazon Kindle in both paperback.

According to his website, Vengesayi studied architecture and sociology at the University of Idaho.

He is a social entrepreneur, speaker, Amazon bestselling author, and creator and executive producer of the regionally acclaimed and award-winning social commentary performing arts showcase, the Shades of Black Show.

Vengesayi has worked with singer/songwriters that have gone on to sign to major record labels, dancers that have toured with major artists such as Ariana Grande and productions such as the Marvel Universe Tour, and more.

In 2015 he gave a TEDx Talk titled “The Art of Activistic Entertainment” and is currently the Community Engagement Specialist for a nationally renowned theatre organisation that has produced nine musicals (including the sensational Disney hit Aladdin) that have moved on to Broadway premieres, earning a combined 15 Tony Awards®, including two for Best Musical (Hairspray and Memphis).

Kwapi has received numerous awards of the years for his work and programs including the 2016 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards Outstanding Achievement: Entertainment, the 2016 Student Entertainment Board Program of The Year at Washington State University and the 2015 National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) West Region Outstanding Multicultural Program of the Year for the regionally acclaimed Shades of Black Show.

To keep up to date with the author’s work, vvisit:www.kwapiv.com, connect with him on Facebook@kwapivengesayi or follow him onTwitter @kwapiv.

THE Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has approved Bulawayo City Council 2017 budget.

The standstill budget was pegged at $105,457,120, with residents given a reprieve after the local authority opted not to impose any tariff increases.

The city`s capital budget is pegged at $48 109 346.

Approval of the budget early on in the year, might come as surprise to many as the local government ministry is known for delaying its decision on budgets thereby compromising on service delivery.

Bulawayo`s 2016 budget was only approved after council was forced to factor in a lot of reforms, including salary cuts for top management and retrenchment of some of the employees.

“The City of Bulawayo found it necessary not to increase tariffs in order to ease pressure on residents and companies, as the economy is still not performing at expected levels. The Council budget was approved on 16 December 2016.

“However, the effectiveness of this budget hinges on the availability of funds. Ratepayers are therefore, encouraged to consider the payment for services a priority in order for Council to continue providing services.

“The City extends its gratitude to the rate payers who are mindful of their role as partners in the development of Bulawayo by honouring their obligations to Council as they make it possible for the City to function,” said the city`s senior public relations officer, Nesisa Mpofu.

She added that the parent ministry ordered the local authority, “to reduce the level of debtors and creditors figures and also aim at attaining the 30%:70% salary to budget ratio requirement.”

The city was also implored to update its audited financial statements.

SOUTH Africa-based Harvest Breakthrough Ministries Apostle Lukiah Borerwe says Zimbabwe is in complete darkness and will continue to sink deeper into turmoil “if people fail to repent and seek the heart of God now”.

Apostle Borerwe made headlines last week when she and her followers staged a prayer crusade in Harare Gardens clad in sack clothing.

During an interview with NewZimbabwe.com in Harare Tuesday, she warned locals against worshiping idols and singing false prophesies which she claims to have ruined the nation.

“There is false prophesying in this country. Zimbabweans go deeper in practicing witchcraft and still go to church to pray.

“Bad spirits have conquered the church and are confusing people. We have seen this in false prophets who are lying to people day and night.”

Borerwe claims to have been sent by God to make the “people of Zimbabwe repent and live in a sin-free environment”.

She also wants to meet with country's leader President Robert Mugabe “to share with him her vision” but claims she has been blocked from meeting the veteran leader since 2005.

"It is you the young people who are blocking me from meeting President Mugabe. I desperately want to share with him what God has said about this nation.”

Based in Cape Town, the Apostle continued: “I am disappointed by my fellow country people.

“All they search for is material things. The church has a role to play. It must work with government to talk about God’s word for the country to prosper, but now it is full of dirty.

“The church has collapsed and no-longer functioning. It has turned into a mountain of salt like Lot’s wife. We have failed ourselves through worshiping idols and nothing has happened for the past 400 years of struggle.”

Explaining the dressing of her followers who wear garments made from sack material, Apostle Borerwe said “Zimbabweans are not clean before God”.

“We have sinned. We are a disgrace to the Lord because of our deeds. We left our Lord and started worshiping idols.

“In the Bible, those who sinned were asked to wear sack cloth. It means you are not clean before the Lord and do not deserve anything good until you repent and confess. In Zimbabwe, we are appeasing spirits (kutanda botso).

“There is no church anymore in this country. People are making money out of Christ’s blood. This is provocation and we will all die because of our sins. Repent and confess your sins, make peace with the Lord and Zimbabwe will be a great nation again.”

As part of her “Zimbabwe come back to God campaign”, Apostle Borerwe staged ‘a wail and repentance conference’ in Harare.

More conferences are lined up around the country where she will “preach to everyone regardless of religion and colour”.

PEOPLE living with disabilities have called for the amendment or complete repeal of the Disabled Persons Act (DPA), saying it must be mandatory for government to ensure access at its buildings.

Midlands Disability Pressure Group, Young Voices coordinator Timothy Mpofu said the DPA Act must make it mandatory for government buildings to have disability friendly facilities.

He said instead of realigning the Act with the new constitution there was need for a new bill that caters for the needs of people living with disabilities.

"We express great displeasure with regards to the Disabled Persons Act (Chapter 27:01) of 1992 that has very little to offer to people living with disabilities," Mpofu told Newzimbabwe.com in an interview.

"There is no need for the DPA's realignment with the new constitution. It must be repealed so that a new bill can be drafted in line with the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disabilities whose provisions the government of Zimbabwe ratified in September 2013.

"The DPA created a lee way for government not to make its buildings compulsorily accessible by persons with disabilities but makes it an offence to other players such as the private sector."

Mpofu said the new Act must make it compulsory for all buildings to have disabled-friendly facilities whether in public institutions or in the private sector.

The pressure group also called for each province to have a parliamentary representative, inclusive education, educational grants for the disabled, among other demands.

HARARE: A 28-year-old Mabvuku woman was Tuesday taken to court on allegations of raping her son’s 13-year-old friend after promising to give him jam.

The woman who cannot be named for professional reasons appeared before magistrate Temba Kuwanda charged with aggravated indecent assault charges.

She was granted bail at the High Court and magistrate Kuwanda postponed the matter to Wednesday. Valerie Ngoma appeared for the state.

According to prosecutors, sometime in August 2015 the boy went to his friend’s house to play.

However, his friend was not home and his mother called him into her bedroom. She removed his clothes promising to give him some jam to eat.

It is alleged she had sexual intercourse with the boy without his consent. The woman threatened to kill the boy if he reveals the abuse to anyone.

Court heard that the sexual assault continued for several occasions until November 15, 2016.

It is alleged that on November 19 last year, a neighbour who was aware of the abuse informed the boy’s mother of what was happening.

The matter was reported to the police. The boy was referred to Edith MSF for treatment and examination.

HARARE City Council has ordered residents to pay money owed to the local authority within the next 48 hours failing which property would be attached and imprisonment likely in cases where the grabbed assets do not clear the debt.

The cash strapped local authority is struggling to pay its workers and discharge service delivery obligations.

Officials blame a debt that has now reached $550 million due to residents, government departments and businesses defaulting on their bills.

Council has now engaged WellCash Debt Collectors to pursue the defaulters, a letter sent to defaulters on Tuesday confirmed.

“Note that you shall pay the overdue amount plus summons cost as court fees and interest therefore as well as further legal costs incurred by engaging the Messenger of Court in pursuant of the debt.

“Civil imprisonment proceedings shall be taken against you if you do not have enough assets to clear your debt,” council management said in the letter.

Council spokesman Michael Chideme explained: “We have given all debtors enough notice to be pay up the debt.

“Municipal services cannot be rendered for free; they have to be paid for. If people do not pay where can we get money to buy chemicals?”

“People have to pay. Both high and low density residents owe millions to the Council,” Chideme told NewZimbabwe.com in an interview.

However, Harare Residents Trust condemned the development.

“It does not matter how many times they bring in other parties to help them raise revenue, the City of Harare has lost the moral legitimacy to demand payments from overburdened ratepayers,” said Trust director, Precious Shumba.

“They lost this moral high ground the day they refused to fully disclose the huge salaries and allowance that they are paying to their 72 employees in the higher grades 1-4, which constitute the senior council management.”

He urged the residents to ignore the letter saying the council decision was illegal.

“Without a court order the residents have no obligation to pay to the debt collector except to the Council. Residents should pay at least US$10 per month towards their rates and keep their receipts.

“But should not go out of their way to completely pay off the money owed to the City of Harare because it will be abused under the current Council revenue collection and accountability system.”

HARARE: Zimbabwe’s preparations ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon have been thrown into chaos by a row over accommodation and financial issues.

The team refused to stay at the Zifa Village training facility, saying it is sub-standard and have been booked at a Harare hotel by Footballers Union of Zimbabwe.

The team was also unable to use the national sports stadium for training because a $60 fee had not been paid.They had to use a high school instead.

It is unclear why the fee was not paid, given a mobile network provider announced $250,000 sponsorship for the Warriors two weeks ago to cover all of the team’s needs for their Nations Cup campaign.

The state-owned telecoms company replaced Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo who had funded the national side since Philip Chiyangwa took over as Zifa president.

The Warriors are said to be demanding $5,000 each for the three group matches and daily allowances of $300 each.

Team manager Shariff Mussa confirmed talks were being held by the parties with a view to finding a common ground.

"Negotiations are in progress. The players refused to camp at the Zifa village in Mount Hampden arguing the facility was substandard.

“We hope a solution will be found.”

Zimbabwe will kick off their campaign with a clash against Algeria on January 15, before taking on Senegal four days later.

The Kalisto Pasuwa-coached side then wind up their campaign against Tunisia.

The Warriors will be hoping to progress beyond the group stage for the first time having fallen at the first hurdle in their last two appearances.

Making their maiden appearance in 2004 under Sunday Chidzambwa, the Warriors lost their first two group matches to Egypt (2-1) and Cameroon (5-3) before they rounded off with a 2-1 win over Algeria.

Charles Mhlauri’s class of 2006 lost its first match 2-0 to Senegal and also fell to Nigeria by the same score-line, but saved face with a 2-1 win over Ghana in the last pool match.