*Morning News: Monday 10 February 2025* *Headlines* *RBZ Clamps Down On Cash Deposit Boxes* *Mushayavanhu Backs Informal Sector Formalisation In New Monetary Policy* *All Set For Cde Chigudu’s Burial This Monday* *Econet Refutes Hack Claims & Data Breach* *9 Zimbabweans Charged With Murder Of Fellow Citizen In Botswana* *Chivayo Offers Highlanders Lifeline After FIFA Bans Club Over US$27k Debt To Ex-coaches* *Dozens Of Runaway Congo Soldiers Face Trial On Violence Charges* *Zimbabwe-born Heavyweight Boxer Derek Chisora Beats Wallin In UK Finale* *'Don't Mess With The FA Cup: Plymouth Teach Slot A Lesson'* Join our *Ad-free* News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacXkvFJJhzd2UoZYF1F *Stories in Detail:* *RBZ Clamps Down On Cash Deposit Boxes* THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has revealed that millions of dollars are lying idle in the country due to a growing trend by business of keeping money in cash deposit boxes, saying the practice deprives the economy of the much-needed liquidity. Announcing his 2025 Monetary Policy Statement, RBZ Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu indicated this financial disintermediation which is stifling economic growth by depriving economic agents of the much-needed liquidity. He said the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe will not simply watch but will deal with this malpractice. “There are manufacturers who are supplying goods to the informal market but are not banking their proceeds. They are keeping these monies in their cash boxes which is not in line with the Anti Money Laundering Act. The FIU will not just watch and will dismantle this practice,” he said. The apex bank chief added that keeping huge sums of cash is needlessly risk given the upward review in limits on prepaid credit and attractive interest rates on savings. “The issue here is that robbers were way leading buses, especially cross borders traders and rob them of their cash so there is no need to keep cash, given that one can just upload their cash into a card which we have increased to US$1 million. We have also adjusted interest on savings account which we think makes huge sense for one to bank their savings.” As part of efforts to promote a culture of saving and bolster confidence in the local banking sector, the BZ has implemented an incremental increase in interest rates on savings accounts. *ZBC* *Mushayavanhu Backs Informal Sector Formalisation In New Monetary Policy* Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu has thrown his weight behind Government efforts to formalise the informal sector, a move aimed at boosting tax revenues and stabilising the economy. His support comes in line with the 2025 Monetary Policy Statement, which was unveiled last Thursday. The push for formalisation follows Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube’s recent announcement of measures to regulate a growing informal sector that has been exerting pressure on formal businesses. The policy highlights the need for greater alignment between the informal and formal sectors to create a more cohesive economic environment. Dr Mushayavanhu’s approach encourages small businesses to integrate into a system that incorporates dual currencies, bank accounts, and electronic payments. The Government aims to achieve this by tightening tax collection and enforcing compliance measures that will compel informal businesses to register. One of the key measures introduced is a crackdown on smuggling. Under the new regulations, goods classified as commonly smuggled will be presumed to have entered the country illegally unless merchants provide valid customs clearance. This measure places responsibility on businesses to ensure they comply with trade laws. To further drive formalisation, the Government has introduced a presumptive Value Added Tax (VAT) at the retail level. This means manufacturers will be required to collect VAT when selling goods to unregistered small businesses. The restriction on wholesalers from dealing with unlicensed businesses is expected to push more informal traders towards registering with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). Additionally, new tax obligations pose a significant challenge for unregistered businesses. For instance, an unregistered tuckshop will face a quarterly tax liability of US$9,000, which is likely to incentivise business owners to formalise to avoid such high costs. Dr Mushayavanhu has outlined conditions for small businesses seeking to operate within the formal economy. These include mandatory bank accounts for financial transactions and the acceptance of a dual-currency point-of-sale (POS) system, allowing customers to choose their preferred currency. These conditions are designed to facilitate tax compliance while ensuring a smooth transition into the formal sector. In a move to ease financial burdens, both Dr Mushayavanhu and Prof Ncube have ensured that minor electronic transactions will not attract taxes or bank charges. Transactions below US$5 will have zero POS fees, while those under US$100 will not incur banking fees. This initiative is expected to encourage the adoption of electronic payments among small businesses. *All Set For Cde Chigudu’s Burial This Monday* All is set for the burial of the national hero Cde Tineyi Chigudu at the National Heroes Acre this Monday. The people of Manicaland province had a chance to bid farewell to one of their own after the body of the former Manicaland Governor and ZANU PF Provincial Chairperson was taken to his rural home in Chiendambuya this Sunday. Family representative Emmanuel Chigudu said, “Cde Chigudu was a farmer, our mentor, a teacher and he was full of wisdom. We thank President Mnangagwa for recognising his contributions towards national development.” “We thank the President for honouring one of our own by declaring him a nation Hero. He assisted the poor and developed a lot of infrastructure here,” added headman Chiendambuya. A former workmate said, “We thank President Mnangagwa for declaring Cde Chigudu a national hero. He was jailed while he was in Form Two and spent 12 years in prison. We are happy as a family that he has been declared a national hero. Our family used to fight colonialism and it is in his family DNA to fight for majority rule.” The Manicaland community and leadership commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for honouring the sacrifices made by Cde Chigudu who left a legacy of hard work and patriotism before and after independence. The Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza says Manicaland appreciates President Mnangagwa for honouring the great works by Cde Chigudu. “Here lies the intelligence supremo of the province, an astute legal mind and a revered public servant who worked at the apex of public service structure. Cde Chigudu was not only a blessing to the family and his community but the nation as a whole and this is the reason why President Mnangagwa declared him a national hero.” The body of Cde Chigudu was taken back to Harare where it will lie in state at his house before burial set for this Monday. Meanwhile, the Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Mrs Sylvia Sithole-Fundire revealed that all logistical arrangements have been put in place to ferry people to the national shrine. She said, “The body of the national hero Cde Tinaye Chigudu will be taken to his home in Harare ahead of tomorrow’s burial. All the logistical arrangements to ferry people to the national shrine have been made. We thank the President for declaring him a national hero. Let’s all attend the national event in our numbers to give our hero Cde Chigudu a befitting send off.” As an intelligence operative in the then-Salisbury, Cde Chigudu worked tirelessly in pursuit of freedom. His mission led to his capture by the Rhodesian regime, and he endured 12 years of imprisonment. Upon his release, the former Manicaland Province Governor and ZANU PF Chairperson resumed his duties in the armed struggle. After independence, Cde Chigudu continued to serve the nation with unwavering commitment. In his illustrious political career, Cde Chigudu served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Governor for Manicaland Province, and ZANU PF Manicaland Provincial Chairperson. *ZBC* *Econet Refutes Hack Claims & Data Breach* Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has firmly denied claims that it had been hacked and that customer records containing sensitive information, such as full names, addresses, Twitter handles, and mobile numbers, were stolen and subsequently sold. The allegations were made by cybersecurity watchdog FalconFeeds.io, which reported that over 852,000 customer records had been leaked. The group posted on X: A threat actor claims to be selling the database of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (http://econet.co.zw). The leaked data includes 852,791 customer records containing full names, emails, addresses, Twitter , mobile numbers, and more. According to TechZim, the alleged threat actor, identified as Thaihub, is said to have listed the stolen database for sale with a small charge of $299. In recent days, several Econet subscribers reported being contacted by suspicious people on WhatsApp, leading them to suspect that their contact details might have been sourced from Thaihub’s purported leak. However, in a statement to TechZim, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe reassured customers that it had thoroughly investigated the claims and found no evidence of a breach. The statement reads: Econet Wireless Zimbabwe is aware of a social media post first made on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday (February 4, 2025) claiming that a threat actor was selling part of the Econet’s subscriber list containing 852 791 customer records. Our internal investigations, which started immediately on the day the allegations were made, have detected no breach on our systems that would lead to unauthorised access to sensitive customer data, that is not already in the public domain or accessible through third parties. However, because we take claims of any breach of our systems very seriously, the moment the allegations were first reported, we activated our incident management processes, working alongside international cybersecurity experts, and have been monitoring our systems 24/7 to ensure heightened security of our business systems and the privacy of our customers’ sensitive data. We have also kept our regulators and relevant authorities informed. *Pindula* *9 Zimbabweans Charged With Murder Of Fellow Citizen In Botswana* NINE Zimbabwean nationals have been formally charged with a single count of murder and illegal entry into Botswana following the gruesome killing of fellow Zimbabwean man, Tavonanashe Mariga, who was brutally assaulted by stomping on his testicles. The nine Zimbabwean nationals, who are facing the two offences are Crispen Gasura, 33, Desmond Dube, 23, Takesure Fraser, 38, Abbisai Gasura, 29, Justice Mafukidze, 25, Clayton Chiwa, 35, Spencer Gasura, 35, Calvin Mafukidze, 27, and Alouis Gasura, 23. All nine accused persons are male. The accused were arraigned before the Broadhurst Magistrates’ Court last Friday. The shocking incident occurred at the Matebele Farms on January 5, 2025, after the nine accused alleged the slain Mariga had stolen money amounting to P1,500. Ganging up on him, the nine accused allegedly beat the slain Mariga to a pulp and visually shot the whole ordeal. Tied up, Mariga was beaten by the nine men with sticks and stomped on his testis until he lost consciousness. He was certified dead upon arrival at the hospital. Due to the brutality the deceased suffered prior to death, Prosecutor Mmoloki Selofera asked that the accused be further remanded in custody. “The accused persons shouldn’t be granted bail as this is a relatively new matter. And we are still waiting for the post-mortem results, forensic affidavit, and the photo album,” he said. Meanwhile, the accused persons who are farm workers at the Matebele Farms didn’t contend the submissions made by the State after being asked by the presiding Magistrate Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi. The magistrate acceded to the prosecution’s plea. “The nine accused persons are further remanded in custody until the next mention date on February 13, 2025,” she ordered. The case continues. *NewZW* *Chivayo Offers Highlanders Lifeline After FIFA Bans Club Over US$27k Debt To Ex-coaches* Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has offered to settle Highlanders’ US$27,000 debt to former coach Baltemar Brito and his assistant Antonio Joao Torres after the club was banned from registering new players by FIFA. Chivayo, who made his milions in government tenders in Zimbabwe and across Africa, stepped in after the skint Bulawayo club sent an SOS less than a month before the new Premier Soccer League season gets underway. The Intratrek Zimbabwe boss reacted to a news report of Highlanders’ predicament, writing on X, formerly Twitter: “Bosso ngenkani! Iteam yezwe lonke. Babethi ayibulawe, ayisoze ibulawe sikhona. I will gladly pay this outstanding debt directly to the former coach tomorrow (Monday) without fail. Someone please inbox and share the banking details with exact amount due asap.” It was not immediately clear if the club would take him up on his offer. Chivayo has hogged headlines with eye-popping public donations to celebrities, church leaders and other causes, including over US$11 million spent on vehicles he gave away. He has previously made donations to football clubs including Highlanders, Dynamos, Scottland FC and also the Zimbabwe national team. In 2017 Chivayo settled Highlanders’ US$4,000 fine imposed by the PSL over crowd trouble in their match with Dynamos. Highlanders recently lost over half a dozen players, four of them to league debutants Scottland FC. A transfer ban before the season opener against newly promoted MWOS FC on March 2 would cripple the club after FIFA’s ban which prevents the registration of new players until the debt to the former coaches is settled. As of October last year, Brito was owed US$14,778 and US$237.71 in interest while Torres was owed US$11,788 plus interest of US$193.74. Chivayo, who is linked with South African company Ren-Form CC, has won over US$100 million worth of tenders in Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Sierra Leone and Namibia for the supply of election materials. He denies corruption allegations linked to the tender awards. *ZimLive* *Dozens Of Runaway Congo Soldiers Face Trial On Violence Charges* Congo authorities will put at least 75 soldiers on trial on Monday for fleeing the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into the eastern province of South Kivu and for violence against civilians, including murder and looting, the military prosecutor's office said on Sunday. The United Nations has reported mass violations including summary executions, gang rape and sexual slavery in the wake of a major M23 advance in late January that lead to the capture of east Democratic Republic of Congo's largest city of Goma. M23 fighters, Congolese soldiers and pro-government militias were all implicated, the U.N. human rights office found. Congo has not commented on reports concerning its troops, but called on the U.N. to investigate violations it blames on M23 rebels and Rwanda. Rwanda, which denies backing the group, has rejected any responsibility. M23 rebels have not responded to requests for comment. Despite announcing a unilateral ceasefire, the Tutsi-led rebels have continued to march south towards the capital of South Kivu, Bukavu. Last week, they seized control of the town of Nyabibwe, some 70 km (40 miles) north of the provincial capital. The 75 soldiers facing trial were arrested for fleeing the frontline after Nyabibwe's capture. They are accused of rape, murder, looting and revolt, the military prosecutor's office told Reuters. Others have been arrested further south on the same charges are expected to join them in the dock, the office said. A civil society source in Kavumu, a town 35 km north of Bukavu and home to the city's airport, said deserting soldiers had killed 10 people, including seven sitting in a bar on Friday evening. "Acts of looting by our uncontrolled soldiers who have fled in the face of the enemy are still being recorded," said another civil society leader in the area, Leonidas Tabaro. Provincial army spokesman Nestor Mavudisa said the rogue soldiers would be punished and called on the population to remain calm. There did not appear to be a significant escalation in fighting over the weekend. Clashes were reported in a national park around 30 km from Bukavu, along with other sporadic exchanges of fire in the area. The well-equipped M23 is the latest in a long line of ethnic Tutsi-led rebel movements to emerge in Congo's volatile east. Congo's government says it is a Rwandan proxy, which the rebel group and Rwanda deny. In an attempt to diffuse the crisis, African leaders held an unprecedented joint summit of Eastern and Southern African blocs last week and urged all parties to hold direct talks. Congo's government said on Sunday that it had taken note of the decisions adopted during the summit. *Reuters* *Zimbabwe-born Heavyweight Boxer Derek Chisora Beats Wallin In UK Finale* HEAVYWEIGHT boxer Derek Chisora proved too much for Otto Wallin as he picked up a unanimous decision victory in his final fight in the United Kingdom. Chisora was on top from the first bell and twice knocked Wallin down at a packed Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The judges scored it 117-109, 114-112 and 116-110 in favour of Chisora, who took his overall record to 36 wins in 49 fights. “I thought he was going to gas out but he didn’t and I was wrong,” Chisora said. “It was a firefight.” The bout had been elevated to an IBF world title eliminator earlier in the week, with Chisora now in line to face either champion Daniel Dubois or Joseph Parker, who meet on 22 February. Former four-weight world champion Roberto Duran, WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball, who faces TJ Doheny on 15 March, Joe Joyce and Dillian Whyte were among those in attendance for Chisora’s UK send-off. The 41-year-old was joined in the ring by UK rappers Skepta, Tinie Tempah and Chipmunk after his victory was announced as he asked fans to vote on who his opponent should be for his 50th fight. Chisora intends to retire after that fight, which he wants to take place overseas. “Legacy isn’t made by me – it is made by the fans,” Chisora added. Chisora spoke in the build-up to his UK send-off about it being an emotional week and those feelings got the better of him when he entered the venue earlier in the night, with the TNT broadcast showing him in tears. By the time he made his walk to the ring wearing a cowboy hat, Chisora had steadied himself mentally and he was warmly welcomed into the arena as fans sang along to Hotel California. ‘Del Boy’ set the tempo from the outset, fighting on the front foot and not allowing Wallin space to get behind his jab. Short bursts to body and head were enough to carry Chisora through the early stages and a looping right had Wallin backtracking in round three. Chisora was cut above his right eye in round five but passed a check with the doctor in the sixth as he continued to enjoy the better of the close exchanges. A looping right sent Wallin tumbling across the ring and down in the ninth but he was back ready to go by the count of eight. Upon hearing the 10-second clapper in the final round, Chisora threw everything at Wallin and put down his rival, who was saved by the bell. Chisora has faced some of the biggest names in the sport during his 18-year career, meeting Tyson Fury on three occasions, Whyte and Parker twice, and has also come up short against Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk. It is Chisora’s third win in succession after victories over Gerald Washington and Joe Joyce. Chisora is the third man to beat Wallin following losses against Fury and Anthony Joshua. Just seven of Chisora’s 49 professional bouts have taken place outside of the UK and this was his fourth contest in Manchester. His three previous fights in Manchester – two against Parker and one with Whyte – ended in defeat. Chisora wants to end on a high Chisora was clear that he wanted one more fight after facing Wallin and the news that this bout had been upgraded to an IBF eliminator put even more on the line for the veteran. The Zimbabwe-born Londoner first fought for a world title in 2012 when he lost against WBC heavyweight champion Klitschko and he also came up short against Fury in 2022 with the WBC belt on the line. A third shot at gold could be on the horizon for Chisora after he rolled back the years to dispatch Wallin. Chisora urged the fans to help him pick his next opponent, with WBA (Super), WBC and WBO champion Usyk and former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua also in his sights. *BBC* *'Don't Mess With The FA Cup: Plymouth Teach Slot A Lesson'* Arne Slot's seamless succession to Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager has shown he is not only an outstanding coach but a fast learner - but he was given a harsh lesson in one of the game's oldest rules on a wild afternoon in Devon. Never play fast and loose with the grand old FA Cup. The sight of Plymouth Argyle, bottom of the Championship, embarrassing Premier League leaders and the previously all-conquering Liverpool with this fourth-round victory was a compelling response to those who would to attempt to downgrade the magic and history of the competition. And for Slot, it proved to be the first wrong move in a stellar start at Anfield, proof that you try to play tricks with the FA Cup at your peril. Liverpool's head coach will point, with some justification, to priorities elsewhere having reached the Carabao Cup final by sweeping Tottenham Hotspur aside on Thursday. They also have the chance to cement their healthy lead in the Premier League against Everton in Goodison Park's final Merseyside derby on Wednesday. This cannot disguise the fact, however, that Slot and Liverpool got this wrong. In making 10 changes here, Slot was guilty of taking the FA Cup and Plymouth Argyle lightly, the result being acute embarrassment. Liverpool still had plenty of experience and quality in their line-up, perhaps enough to beat a struggling Championship side, with the international trio of Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa in attack. This whole experience, though, was as much of a let-down for Slot's team as it was a glorious one for Plymouth. And those three forwards - Diaz, Jota and Chiesa - were particularly disappointing, playing as if the outing was a chore rather than a high-profile FA Cup tie. Questions can also be asked elsewhere about Slot's approach. Slot did not even have the safety net of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Alex Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Cody Gakpo and Andrew Robertson on the bench, just in case things went wrong for Liverpool. As they did, quite spectacularly. It all started badly when Joe Gomez, wearing the captain's armband, was injured early on, replaced by 20-year-old Isaac Mabaya. With the senior players struggling, it was even harder for youngsters such as Trey Nyoni to cope, Slot's picks leading to a perfect storm that played right into Plymouth's hands. Liverpool, awful for the most part, did shake a leg late on but it was then that Plymouth found a hero in keeper Conor Hazard, who saved brilliantly from Jota and substitute Darwin Nunez. It would be wrong and unfair to suggest Slot was not bothered about the FA Cup, but that teamsheet would not just have sent Plymouth's spirits soaring when it landed on their dressing room table, it was a demonstration of where Liverpool's priorities lie. The decisive moment came after 52 minutes with Harvey Elliott's handball, the penalty drilled home with venom by Ryan Hardie, who almost had a second shortly after when Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher turned his shot on to the post with his legs. Plymouth, with only one win in three months but revitalised by charismatic new manager Miron Muslic, look like a team transformed following Wayne Rooney's sacking. The atmospheric Home Park was rocking, the 'Green Army' assembling hours before kick-off to provide the welcoming committee for Liverpool's party as well as their own players. And they provided a deafening backdrop in the closing stages as Hazard repelled Liverpool, defenders Nikola Katic and Maksym Talovierov erecting a formidable barrier in front of him. The only sounds of concern came when the board went up signalling nine minutes of stoppage time, but this was Plymouth's day - a day for the Pilgrims to march away from Home Park in triumph. Katic will be making an appointment with the dentist after having a front tooth inadvertently knocked clean out by a team-mate in the first half, his manager beaming broadly when a member of his staff informed him of the damage. It is the sort of sacrifice Muslic clearly wants in Plymouth's pursuit of Championship survival - and now further FA Cup opportunities. Slot was dignified in defeat, saying: "Great game from Plymouth. Good gameplan. They deserve all credit for the performance. We were not having a very good day and a result like this is the outcome. "I think we are able to do better. Plymouth have a system and a way of playing where it is quite hard to create chances against them. They were really aggressive when we had the ball. We expected the players to play a better game than this but we have to give credit to Plymouth as well. "It hurts everyone associated with Liverpool - fans, me and the players. We all wanted to be in the FA Cup and compete for as long as possible. It is a setback." Plymouth were the first side from outside of the top flight to eliminate the Premier League leaders since Wigan against Manchester City in February 2018. And this was the first time Liverpool have been knocked out of the competition by a lower league opponent while leading the table since January 1984, against Brighton. It shows giant-killing acts have been in shorter supply in the competition in recent years - but results like this, days like this, provide a glorious vindication for the FA Cup. *BBC*