📰 Saturday 01 February 2025 EVENING ZIMBABWE NEWS HUB UPDATES *Headlines* *SADC Heads Of State Snub Extraordinary Summit On Escalating DRC Conflict* *Retail Sector Crisis Forces Mnangagwa To Return To Work* *...As Retail Giant OK Zimbabwe Shuts Down Five Branches* *Govt Enforces New Measures To Shield Formal Sector From Informal Competition* *Dynamos Boss Off The Hook After Fraud Trial Acquittal* *Nigeria's Proposed Tax Reform Will Curb Inflation, Official Says* *US Health Agencies Scrubbing Websites To Remove 'Gender Ideology'* *Villa Interested In Loan Deal For Rashford* *Stories in Detail:* *SADC Heads Of States Snub Extraordinary Summit On Escalating DRC Conflict* ONLY seven Heads of States and Government attended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit aimed at tackling the worsening conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of the 15-member regional body, those who attended are Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, Duma Boko of Botswana, Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekani, Tanzanian President Sahamia Suluh, Madagascan President Andry Rajeolina, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and host President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia attended virtually while other countries including DRC sent representatives. Giving his opening remarks Elias Mgosi, the SADC executive secretary, applauded Mnangagwa for his swift action amid the ongoing tensions in Eastern DRC. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe for consistently stepping up to host our Heads of State and Government at such short notices. “I also wish to thank all Heads of State and Government for sparing time from their very tight and demanding schedules to attend this crucial meeting. “Your presence here today reflects your undeniable concern to the situation in DRC and the collective desire by yourselves for a swift and worthwhile intervention, at the highest level of our regional organisation. “In the last few weeks, we have witnessed intensified attacks by the M23 armed group on SAMIDRC and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) bases, leading to the loss of 16 members of our troops and multiple casualties, now more than 70. “All these attacks came against the backdrop of an agreed ceasefire, which was brokered through the Luanda Process led by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa,” he said. Magosi said with its consistent support for political and diplomatic interventions to resolve the conflict, SADC had hoped that the said ceasefire would yield a meaningful and visible cessation of hostilities in the Eastern DRC to prevent more losses and improve the dire humanitarian situation in the area. “I wish to report, Your Excellencies, that I have been in constant communication with the leadership of the SAMIDRC including this morning, and we must appreciate that despite all devastating attacks on SAMIRDC operational bases, our troops have successfully defended their positions. “We commend the leadership of the SAMIDRC and the men and women who serve under the SAMIDRC for their resilience, commitment and devotion to the noble cause of restoring peace and security in the DRC, and the SADC region at large,” he said. He also passed condolences to all families who have since lost their loved ones in the current conflict. *NewZW* *Government Raises Public Transport Driver Age To 30 To Curb Road Carnage* The Government has officially raised the minimum age requirement for public service vehicle drivers to 30 years in a move aimed at reducing road accidents and reckless driving. The new regulation, which takes effect immediately, increases the minimum age from 25 to 30 and mandates that drivers have at least five years of driving experience before operating passenger vehicles such as buses and commuter omnibuses. According to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, the decision is part of broader efforts to curb road traffic accidents, which claim over 2,000 lives in Zimbabwe each year. In a Government Gazette published yesterday, Minister Mhona confirmed the amendment under section 81 of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11]. “The updated requirements state that no individual may operate a passenger public service vehicle unless they are at least 30 years old and have a minimum of five years of driving experience,” the Gazette reads. However, drivers aged between 25 and 30 who were already authorized before the new regulation will be allowed to continue operating. Minister Mhona previously told Parliament that tightening age restrictions for bus and commuter omnibus drivers was necessary to address the increasing number of fatal road crashes. Authorities have long linked many of these accidents to reckless driving, particularly among younger, less-experienced drivers. Zimbabwe’s new policy aligns with regional standards, as several neighboring countries also require public transport drivers to be at least 30 years old. The move has been welcomed by transport operators, who see it as a necessary measure to enhance passenger safety. While the policy has been met with some resistance from younger drivers aspiring to join the public transport sector, road safety advocates argue that prioritizing experience over opportunity is crucial in minimizing accidents. With the regulation now in effect, authorities are expected to enforce compliance through increased monitoring and penalties for violations. *Retail Sector Crisis Forces Mnangagwa To Return To Work* HARARE, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa interrupted his annual leave on Thursday to chair an urgent meeting with senior government officials, amid an accelerating collapse of Zimbabwe's formal retail and wholesale sector. The crisis meeting, attended by Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi as well as Economic Ministries, comes amid closures and downsizing by major players, including Spar Zimbabwe's Queensdale outlet, Choppies Zimbabwe's market withdrawal, and a 60% scale-back of Mahommed Mussa's operations. The N. Richards Group has closed several outlets, while OK Zimbabwe's shelves remain bare, unable to pay suppliers after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe mandated pricing at the official exchange rate. TM Pick n Pay, owing suppliers over US$40 million, is also under pressure. OK Zimbabwe is reportedly now restocking and poised for a rebound after the government allowed the company to adjust its pricing to mid-market rates, which will allow the retailer to settle supplier debts and replenish its stock. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, in a statement released after the Mnangagwa-chaired meeting, highlighted concerns over the growing informalisation of the economy and its effects on formal businesses. "His Excellency, the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, yesterday took time off his annual leave to chair a session on developments in the economy designed to map the way forward," Ncube said. "The session, which also included the two Vice Presidents and all Economic Ministries, deliberated on measures Government has taken on the Economy, and developments in specific economic sectors, including the retail subsector. This culminated in additional measures being proposed." Ncube said while Zimbabwe had seen economic growth averaging 5.5% annually since 2021, a slowdown of 2% in 2024—largely due to an El Niño-induced drought—had impacted agriculture, electricity generation, and the broader economy. He also admitted that the informalisation of the retail and wholesale sectors was a growing challenge. "Research and consultations indicate that some of the reasons formal businesses are experiencing distress include competition from the informal sector, poor management and poor corporate governance which have resulted in business failure in some instances. The proliferation of smuggled imports—mostly in reserved sectors—sold exclusively in USD, and the high cost of doing business, among others, also contribute to the formal sector challenges," he said. To combat these issues, Ncube outlined several measures, including the mandatory use of point-of-sale machines by informal traders, discouraging manufacturers from directly supplying the informal market, and the establishment of a Domestic Interagency Enforcement Team. “Government will embark on an exercise to streamline regulatory processes, fees and charges, as well as duplication of work by Government Agencies, in order to reduce the cost of doing business," he added. Further measures include enforcing compliance with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, incentivizing industrialisation, and promoting local procurement. "Government is committed to improving the business environment, in order to curb the informalisation of the economy, as we move towards Vision 2030," Ncube concluded. The meeting came after Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) raised alarm over the dire state of formal businesses, citing an unfavorable economic environment. CZR President Denford Mutashu highlighted challenges such as the dual currency system, regulatory burdens, and punitive taxes that have pushed consumers toward the informal sector. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has penalized companies each time they deviated from the official exchange rate, despite suppliers insisting on cash payments at prevailing parallel market rates. The crisis reflects broader economic challenges, though insiders suggest some recovery efforts are underway. As the government scrambles for solutions, the formal retail sector remains on the edge, posing a significant risk to Zimbabwe's economic stability. *kukurigo* *...As Retail Giant OK Zimbabwe Shuts Down Five Branches* OK Zimbabwe, the country’s largest retailer by store numbers, has shut down five branches due to a challenging trading environment, reported Business Weekly. However, critics point to several factors behind the closures, including a bloated management structure with at least nine directors and over 30 senior executives, all with luxury vehicles and high perks. Questions have been raised about decisions made by the company’s leadership, such as multiple land acquisitions and dividend declarations, which have reportedly tied up cash or misallocated funds in recent years. In addition, OK has faced difficulties restocking, with many outlets experiencing empty shelves, particularly in food products. Suppliers are reportedly unwilling to provide goods on credit or in local currency. The company is also struggling with US$17 million and ZiG537 million in outstanding payments to suppliers, some of whom have withheld supplies despite part payments. In an internal memo, OK announced plans to cut its workforce, closing five outlets—Robson Manyika, Glen Norah, Kuwadzana Express, Mbare (all in Harare), and Chitungwiza Town Centre, as well as Entumbane in Bulawayo. A sixth branch is scheduled to close in March. The closures will result in job losses, primarily targeting low-level workers, with severance pay set at one month’s salary for every year worked, along with three months’ notice pay and payment for unused leave. The branches being closed are among those making losses or operating from rented spaces. OK operates 72 branches across Zimbabwe. A company executive, who wished to remain anonymous, told Business Weekly that OK’s troubles are due to currency and economic issues in the US dollar-dominated economy. The retailer’s situation worsened after receiving goods on credit in US dollars, which they now struggle to pay off due to cash flow issues. Despite the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in April 2024, which stabilized the local currency, it hasn’t improved OK’s fortunes. The retailer also faces intense competition from the informal sector, where suppliers prefer cash transactions in US dollars, allowing informal traders to offer lower prices due to fewer regulatory burdens and tax obligations. Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, citing industry insiders, said that six more OK branches will be closing soon. He added: These closures bring unemployment not only to OK Zimbabwe but also to downstream and upstream industries. Downstream industries are businesses that rely on OK Zimbabwe to sell their products, such as farmers, suppliers, and manufacturers of goods stocked in the supermarkets. Upstream industries are businesses that provide logistics like truckers that moved goods to OK Zimbabwe, packaging and maintenance service providers. *Pindula* *Government Enforces New Measures To Shield Formal Sector From Informal Competition* In a bid to protect Zimbabwe’s formal sector from what it terms “unfair competition” posed by the burgeoning informal market, the government has rolled out a series of stringent measures aimed at leveling the playing field between formal and informal businesses. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the new measures on Friday following an emergency meeting with industry leaders. The government has long attributed challenges facing traditional retail and wholesale chains to the rapid growth of the informal sector, which has largely operated outside regulatory frameworks. “Government is proposing additional measures to promote formalisation and tax compliance by the informal sector,” Minister Ncube stated. Key measures include the mandatory use of point-of-sale machines by all informal traders to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, the government plans to discourage manufacturers from selling directly to end users and the informal market, a move aimed at redirecting trade through formal retail channels. The government is also set to establish a domestic inter-agency enforcement team tasked with monitoring compliance within the informal sector. This initiative will be bolstered by enhanced collaboration between local authorities and the central government in the licensing and enforcement processes. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is expected to complement these efforts with additional measures outlined in its upcoming Monetary Policy Statement, designed to further integrate informal traders into the formal economy. Minister Ncube emphasized the importance of creating a more favorable business environment for the formal sector, announcing plans to streamline regulatory processes, fees, and charges. This initiative aims to reduce the cost of doing business and eliminate duplication of efforts among government agencies. Further support will come through the Industrialisation Fund, with the government pledging additional incentives beyond existing benefits like duty-free imports and Special Economic Zones. These incentives are intended to bolster local production and procurement, promoting growth within the formal sector. Additionally, the enforcement of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act will see the government prioritizing local producers and suppliers in the procurement of goods and services. This move aims to stimulate domestic industry and safeguard jobs within the formal economy. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from stakeholders. While formal business operators have welcomed the measures as a long-overdue step towards fair competition, informal traders express concerns about increased costs and regulatory burdens. As the government tightens its grip on the informal economy, the coming months will reveal how these measures reshape the landscape of Zimbabwe’s retail and wholesale sectors. *Dynamos Boss Off The Hook After Fraud Trial Acquittal* Dynamos club chairperson Bernard Marriot Lusengo has been acquitted in the case in which he was being accused of fraud. Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda freed the football administrator at the close of State’s case, ruling that prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Dzuda said evidence available was too weak for any reasonable court to pass a guilty verdict. “In casu, it is the court’s humble view that former players are those who played in 1963 and none of these complainants joined or played for the club in 1963, they actually joined after 1963. “The State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore, the accused is found not guilty and is acquitted,” ruled the magistrate. Allegations were that sometime in 2005, there was a dispute between founding members and former players at Dynamos. Civil Case No 93/05 went before Chief Justice Luke Malaba who ruled that each founder member or former player was entitled to 1% share of the total shares of the club. It is alleged that in 2008, elections were held within the club which duly elected the now late football great George Shaya as chairman and Ernest Kamba as club secretary. A few days after Shaya’s election, Marriot in connivance with the late Richard Chiminya, illegally appointed Chiminya as chairman who then co-opted the accused, it had been alleged. The state further claimed that after Chiminya’s death in 2012, Marriot forged documents which purported to appoint him as Dynamos chairman. On Monday. Marriot took to the witness stand to defend himself after his application for discharge at the close of the state’s case was trashed. He insisted he remains one of Dynamos’ heroes adding that the founding members and former players who were present when the club was formed in 1963 were all the same. Prosecutor Dzidzai Josiah had read out the 1963 Dynamos constitution which says that the founding members and those who played for the team during its pioneering era were entitled to at least one share. The prosecutor also asked Marriot if he defied the 2005 Supreme Court order. The order ruled that the club’s 1963 constitution had not been amended and remained the only legal document that will be used till it was time for it to be amended or repealed. “We do whatever we want, when we founded Dynamos club, we were all players, former players were not entitled to any shares,” he responded. “Those who joined the club after 1963 are not entitled to any shares. “All these people who are here were not there when the club was founded, we are the heroes of Dynamos, we are the founders of Dynamos. Leslie Gwinji is the complainant in the matter. Drawing parallels with the interment of national heroes in Zimbabwe, Marriot said one could not be buried at the nationals heroes acre when they did not go to war. “All those who went to war were accorded the hero statuses and they were buried at the heroes acre. “If you did not go to war you can only be accorded that status if your family requests for it,” he said. *ZimLive* *Nigeria's Proposed Tax Reform Will Curb Inflation, Official Says* Nigeria's proposed tax overhaul will help curb inflation by lowering costs for most households, presidential adviser Taiwo Oyedele said on Friday, dismissing criticism that the plan risks worsening economic hardship in Africa's most populous nation. After ending a costly petrol subsidy and twice devaluing the currency in his first year in office, President Bola Tinubu has shifted his focus to reforming the tax system in his second year. While the measures have sparked price pressures, Tinubu aims to reduce inflation to 15% this year from 34.8% in December. Oyedele defended the plan to almost double the value-added tax (VAT) to 12.5% by 2026, streamline its collection, and overhaul revenue-sharing between federal and state governments. The proposals include exempting food, medicine and essentials - which account for 82% of household spending - from VAT, a consumption tax, which Oyedele said would lower costs for "the majority of Nigerians." Only 18% of goods would see price hikes, he said. "On the majority of consumption by the majority of households, they will see a decline in their prices because the VAT is being taken out," Oyedele said in an interview. Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio of around 10.8% ranks among the world's lowest, forcing the government to rely on borrowing to fund the budget. The overhaul will boost compliance and align Nigeria with global tax standards, Oyedele said, adding that VAT revenue could drop 30% to 40% with the tax proposals due to the expanded exemptions compared with a decline of 60% if the rate remains unchanged. "So the fact is that people are paying less. It cannot be that they are paying more and VAT revenue is going down," he argued. But critics, including state governors and analysts, remain skeptical. Adewunmi Emoruwa, CEO of public strategy firm Gatefield, said the VAT increase, similar to a 2019 hike, risked stifling consumption and industry growth. "The government is putting pressure on people's ability to spend," he said. A contentious proposal to allocate 60% of VAT revenues to the states generating the revenues, up from 20%, drew a backlash from the country's northern governors who fear regional inequality. Oyedele said the federal government would not oppose a counter-proposal from the governors this month that would cap the revenue-generating states' shares at 30%. *Reuters* *US Health Agencies Scrubbing Websites To Remove 'Gender Ideology'* Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal health agencies are scrubbing or taking down webpages, forms and programs that reflect "gender ideology extremism" on Friday to conform with an executive order that recognizes only two sexes: male and female. CDC webpages that appear to have been removed include statistics on HIV, among transgender people and data on health disparities, among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. A database tracking behaviors, that increase health risks for youth was offline. The efforts are intended to comply with a two-page memo, opens new tab issued by the Office of Personnel Management on Jan. 29 sent to all heads and acting heads of departments and agencies outlining steps that agencies must take by 5 p.m. ET (2200 GMT) on Jan. 31. It specifies that each agency must end all programs that promote or reflect gender ideology as outlined in the executive order by President Donald Trump requiring federal agencies to "recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male." "There's a lot of work going on at the agency to comply," said a source who was not authorized to speak publicly, adding that the CDC is "in the process of taking down anything on the website that doesn't support this executive order." Missing pages also include those with data on HIV in the United States in general, as well as pages with statistics on HIV in Hispanic/Latino people, women, by age and by race and ethnicity. For example, a page with information about how people can get HIV tests was offline on Friday, according to the Internet Archive, as was a page for doctors with information about testing for HIV and treating patients. "This is very alarming," said John Peller, head of the AIDS Foundation Chicago. "In many cases, basic health information is going dark." Timothy Jackson, senior director of policy & advocacy at the group said they are going through the CDC website and printing out information used to educate people about HIV that may not be accessible after Friday. At the National Institutes of Health, a senior employee this week urged agency leaders to refuse to implement the Trump administration's guidance in an email to acting NIH Director Matthew Memoli and other top officials that was seen by Reuters. The employee, Nate Brought, director of the NIH executive office, said Trump's orders ran contrary to years of NIH research and findings about sexuality and gender. "By complying with these orders, we will be denigrating the contributions made to the NIH mission by trans and intersex members of our staff, and the contributions of trans and intersex citizens to our society," he wrote. "These policies will lead to mental health crises or worse for tens of thousands of Americans who contribute productively to our communities." Neither NIH nor the Department of Health and Human Services immediately responded to a request for comment. *Reuters* *Villa Interested In Loan Deal For Rashford* Aston Villa are one of a number of clubs interested in Manchester United's out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford. The 27-year-old has not featured for United since being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby on 12 December. Amorim said on Wednesday he felt his side would be better with Rashford in it, but the player had not met the standards he demands of his squad. Rashford's representatives have met a number of leading European clubs over the past few weeks in an effort to gauge interest. With the hours ticking down to Monday's 23:00 GMT deadline, numerous sources have confirmed Rashford's future is yet to be decided, amid significant interest from the Premier League and further afield. It has not been entirely discounted that he could remain at Old Trafford, but a loan move is by far the most likely scenario at this stage. Villa are one of the clubs keen on the England international, although it is not known if there has been formal contact with United - or whether Rashford would want to make the move. Villa do have the carrot of being able to offer Champions League football in March following their top-eight finish in the league phase, although the same could also be said of Barcelona. The La Liga giants are thought to be Rashford's preference, although there has been no clarity over their ability to strike a deal. A key element of a resolution with any club would be Rashford's wages - he is one of United's highest earners, with a salary in excess of £300,000 a week. At a time of wider cost-cutting, senior United executives realise the importance of limiting the amount they will have to pay to subsidise any transfer, either on loan or permanent. *BBC*📰 Saturday 01 February 2025 EVENING STANDARD NEWS UPDATE *Headlines* *SADC Heads Of State Snub Extraordinary Summit On Escalating DRC Conflict* *Retail Sector Crisis Forces Mnangagwa To Return To Work* *...As Retail Giant OK Zimbabwe Shuts Down Five Branches* *Govt Enforces New Measures To Shield Formal Sector From Informal Competition* *Dynamos Boss Off The Hook After Fraud Trial Acquittal* *Nigeria's Proposed Tax Reform Will Curb Inflation, Official Says* *US Health Agencies Scrubbing Websites To Remove 'Gender Ideology'* *Villa Interested In Loan Deal For Rashford* *Stories in Detail:* *SADC Heads Of States Snub Extraordinary Summit On Escalating DRC Conflict* ONLY seven Heads of States and Government attended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Extraordinary Summit aimed at tackling the worsening conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Of the 15-member regional body, those who attended are Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, Duma Boko of Botswana, Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekani, Tanzanian President Sahamia Suluh, Madagascan President Andry Rajeolina, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and host President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia attended virtually while other countries including DRC sent representatives. Giving his opening remarks Elias Mgosi, the SADC executive secretary, applauded Mnangagwa for his swift action amid the ongoing tensions in Eastern DRC. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe for consistently stepping up to host our Heads of State and Government at such short notices. “I also wish to thank all Heads of State and Government for sparing time from their very tight and demanding schedules to attend this crucial meeting. “Your presence here today reflects your undeniable concern to the situation in DRC and the collective desire by yourselves for a swift and worthwhile intervention, at the highest level of our regional organisation. “In the last few weeks, we have witnessed intensified attacks by the M23 armed group on SAMIDRC and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) bases, leading to the loss of 16 members of our troops and multiple casualties, now more than 70. “All these attacks came against the backdrop of an agreed ceasefire, which was brokered through the Luanda Process led by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa,” he said. Magosi said with its consistent support for political and diplomatic interventions to resolve the conflict, SADC had hoped that the said ceasefire would yield a meaningful and visible cessation of hostilities in the Eastern DRC to prevent more losses and improve the dire humanitarian situation in the area. “I wish to report, Your Excellencies, that I have been in constant communication with the leadership of the SAMIDRC including this morning, and we must appreciate that despite all devastating attacks on SAMIRDC operational bases, our troops have successfully defended their positions. “We commend the leadership of the SAMIDRC and the men and women who serve under the SAMIDRC for their resilience, commitment and devotion to the noble cause of restoring peace and security in the DRC, and the SADC region at large,” he said. He also passed condolences to all families who have since lost their loved ones in the current conflict. *NewZW* *Government Raises Public Transport Driver Age To 30 To Curb Road Carnage* The Government has officially raised the minimum age requirement for public service vehicle drivers to 30 years in a move aimed at reducing road accidents and reckless driving. The new regulation, which takes effect immediately, increases the minimum age from 25 to 30 and mandates that drivers have at least five years of driving experience before operating passenger vehicles such as buses and commuter omnibuses. According to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, the decision is part of broader efforts to curb road traffic accidents, which claim over 2,000 lives in Zimbabwe each year. In a Government Gazette published yesterday, Minister Mhona confirmed the amendment under section 81 of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11]. “The updated requirements state that no individual may operate a passenger public service vehicle unless they are at least 30 years old and have a minimum of five years of driving experience,” the Gazette reads. However, drivers aged between 25 and 30 who were already authorized before the new regulation will be allowed to continue operating. Minister Mhona previously told Parliament that tightening age restrictions for bus and commuter omnibus drivers was necessary to address the increasing number of fatal road crashes. Authorities have long linked many of these accidents to reckless driving, particularly among younger, less-experienced drivers. Zimbabwe’s new policy aligns with regional standards, as several neighboring countries also require public transport drivers to be at least 30 years old. The move has been welcomed by transport operators, who see it as a necessary measure to enhance passenger safety. While the policy has been met with some resistance from younger drivers aspiring to join the public transport sector, road safety advocates argue that prioritizing experience over opportunity is crucial in minimizing accidents. With the regulation now in effect, authorities are expected to enforce compliance through increased monitoring and penalties for violations. *Retail Sector Crisis Forces Mnangagwa To Return To Work* HARARE, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa interrupted his annual leave on Thursday to chair an urgent meeting with senior government officials, amid an accelerating collapse of Zimbabwe's formal retail and wholesale sector. The crisis meeting, attended by Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi as well as Economic Ministries, comes amid closures and downsizing by major players, including Spar Zimbabwe's Queensdale outlet, Choppies Zimbabwe's market withdrawal, and a 60% scale-back of Mahommed Mussa's operations. The N. Richards Group has closed several outlets, while OK Zimbabwe's shelves remain bare, unable to pay suppliers after the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe mandated pricing at the official exchange rate. TM Pick n Pay, owing suppliers over US$40 million, is also under pressure. OK Zimbabwe is reportedly now restocking and poised for a rebound after the government allowed the company to adjust its pricing to mid-market rates, which will allow the retailer to settle supplier debts and replenish its stock. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, in a statement released after the Mnangagwa-chaired meeting, highlighted concerns over the growing informalisation of the economy and its effects on formal businesses. "His Excellency, the President, Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, yesterday took time off his annual leave to chair a session on developments in the economy designed to map the way forward," Ncube said. "The session, which also included the two Vice Presidents and all Economic Ministries, deliberated on measures Government has taken on the Economy, and developments in specific economic sectors, including the retail subsector. This culminated in additional measures being proposed." Ncube said while Zimbabwe had seen economic growth averaging 5.5% annually since 2021, a slowdown of 2% in 2024—largely due to an El Niño-induced drought—had impacted agriculture, electricity generation, and the broader economy. He also admitted that the informalisation of the retail and wholesale sectors was a growing challenge. "Research and consultations indicate that some of the reasons formal businesses are experiencing distress include competition from the informal sector, poor management and poor corporate governance which have resulted in business failure in some instances. The proliferation of smuggled imports—mostly in reserved sectors—sold exclusively in USD, and the high cost of doing business, among others, also contribute to the formal sector challenges," he said. To combat these issues, Ncube outlined several measures, including the mandatory use of point-of-sale machines by informal traders, discouraging manufacturers from directly supplying the informal market, and the establishment of a Domestic Interagency Enforcement Team. “Government will embark on an exercise to streamline regulatory processes, fees and charges, as well as duplication of work by Government Agencies, in order to reduce the cost of doing business," he added. Further measures include enforcing compliance with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, incentivizing industrialisation, and promoting local procurement. "Government is committed to improving the business environment, in order to curb the informalisation of the economy, as we move towards Vision 2030," Ncube concluded. The meeting came after Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) raised alarm over the dire state of formal businesses, citing an unfavorable economic environment. CZR President Denford Mutashu highlighted challenges such as the dual currency system, regulatory burdens, and punitive taxes that have pushed consumers toward the informal sector. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has penalized companies each time they deviated from the official exchange rate, despite suppliers insisting on cash payments at prevailing parallel market rates. The crisis reflects broader economic challenges, though insiders suggest some recovery efforts are underway. As the government scrambles for solutions, the formal retail sector remains on the edge, posing a significant risk to Zimbabwe's economic stability. *kukurigo* *...As Retail Giant OK Zimbabwe Shuts Down Five Branches* OK Zimbabwe, the country’s largest retailer by store numbers, has shut down five branches due to a challenging trading environment, reported Business Weekly. However, critics point to several factors behind the closures, including a bloated management structure with at least nine directors and over 30 senior executives, all with luxury vehicles and high perks. Questions have been raised about decisions made by the company’s leadership, such as multiple land acquisitions and dividend declarations, which have reportedly tied up cash or misallocated funds in recent years. In addition, OK has faced difficulties restocking, with many outlets experiencing empty shelves, particularly in food products. Suppliers are reportedly unwilling to provide goods on credit or in local currency. The company is also struggling with US$17 million and ZiG537 million in outstanding payments to suppliers, some of whom have withheld supplies despite part payments. In an internal memo, OK announced plans to cut its workforce, closing five outlets—Robson Manyika, Glen Norah, Kuwadzana Express, Mbare (all in Harare), and Chitungwiza Town Centre, as well as Entumbane in Bulawayo. A sixth branch is scheduled to close in March. The closures will result in job losses, primarily targeting low-level workers, with severance pay set at one month’s salary for every year worked, along with three months’ notice pay and payment for unused leave. The branches being closed are among those making losses or operating from rented spaces. OK operates 72 branches across Zimbabwe. A company executive, who wished to remain anonymous, told Business Weekly that OK’s troubles are due to currency and economic issues in the US dollar-dominated economy. The retailer’s situation worsened after receiving goods on credit in US dollars, which they now struggle to pay off due to cash flow issues. Despite the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in April 2024, which stabilized the local currency, it hasn’t improved OK’s fortunes. The retailer also faces intense competition from the informal sector, where suppliers prefer cash transactions in US dollars, allowing informal traders to offer lower prices due to fewer regulatory burdens and tax obligations. Award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, citing industry insiders, said that six more OK branches will be closing soon. He added: These closures bring unemployment not only to OK Zimbabwe but also to downstream and upstream industries. Downstream industries are businesses that rely on OK Zimbabwe to sell their products, such as farmers, suppliers, and manufacturers of goods stocked in the supermarkets. Upstream industries are businesses that provide logistics like truckers that moved goods to OK Zimbabwe, packaging and maintenance service providers. *Pindula* *Government Enforces New Measures To Shield Formal Sector From Informal Competition* In a bid to protect Zimbabwe’s formal sector from what it terms “unfair competition” posed by the burgeoning informal market, the government has rolled out a series of stringent measures aimed at leveling the playing field between formal and informal businesses. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the new measures on Friday following an emergency meeting with industry leaders. The government has long attributed challenges facing traditional retail and wholesale chains to the rapid growth of the informal sector, which has largely operated outside regulatory frameworks. “Government is proposing additional measures to promote formalisation and tax compliance by the informal sector,” Minister Ncube stated. Key measures include the mandatory use of point-of-sale machines by all informal traders to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, the government plans to discourage manufacturers from selling directly to end users and the informal market, a move aimed at redirecting trade through formal retail channels. The government is also set to establish a domestic inter-agency enforcement team tasked with monitoring compliance within the informal sector. This initiative will be bolstered by enhanced collaboration between local authorities and the central government in the licensing and enforcement processes. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is expected to complement these efforts with additional measures outlined in its upcoming Monetary Policy Statement, designed to further integrate informal traders into the formal economy. Minister Ncube emphasized the importance of creating a more favorable business environment for the formal sector, announcing plans to streamline regulatory processes, fees, and charges. This initiative aims to reduce the cost of doing business and eliminate duplication of efforts among government agencies. Further support will come through the Industrialisation Fund, with the government pledging additional incentives beyond existing benefits like duty-free imports and Special Economic Zones. These incentives are intended to bolster local production and procurement, promoting growth within the formal sector. Additionally, the enforcement of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act will see the government prioritizing local producers and suppliers in the procurement of goods and services. This move aims to stimulate domestic industry and safeguard jobs within the formal economy. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from stakeholders. While formal business operators have welcomed the measures as a long-overdue step towards fair competition, informal traders express concerns about increased costs and regulatory burdens. As the government tightens its grip on the informal economy, the coming months will reveal how these measures reshape the landscape of Zimbabwe’s retail and wholesale sectors. *Dynamos Boss Off The Hook After Fraud Trial Acquittal* Dynamos club chairperson Bernard Marriot Lusengo has been acquitted in the case in which he was being accused of fraud. Harare magistrate Yeukai Dzuda freed the football administrator at the close of State’s case, ruling that prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Dzuda said evidence available was too weak for any reasonable court to pass a guilty verdict. “In casu, it is the court’s humble view that former players are those who played in 1963 and none of these complainants joined or played for the club in 1963, they actually joined after 1963. “The State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore, the accused is found not guilty and is acquitted,” ruled the magistrate. Allegations were that sometime in 2005, there was a dispute between founding members and former players at Dynamos. Civil Case No 93/05 went before Chief Justice Luke Malaba who ruled that each founder member or former player was entitled to 1% share of the total shares of the club. It is alleged that in 2008, elections were held within the club which duly elected the now late football great George Shaya as chairman and Ernest Kamba as club secretary. A few days after Shaya’s election, Marriot in connivance with the late Richard Chiminya, illegally appointed Chiminya as chairman who then co-opted the accused, it had been alleged. The state further claimed that after Chiminya’s death in 2012, Marriot forged documents which purported to appoint him as Dynamos chairman. On Monday. Marriot took to the witness stand to defend himself after his application for discharge at the close of the state’s case was trashed. He insisted he remains one of Dynamos’ heroes adding that the founding members and former players who were present when the club was formed in 1963 were all the same. Prosecutor Dzidzai Josiah had read out the 1963 Dynamos constitution which says that the founding members and those who played for the team during its pioneering era were entitled to at least one share. The prosecutor also asked Marriot if he defied the 2005 Supreme Court order. The order ruled that the club’s 1963 constitution had not been amended and remained the only legal document that will be used till it was time for it to be amended or repealed. “We do whatever we want, when we founded Dynamos club, we were all players, former players were not entitled to any shares,” he responded. “Those who joined the club after 1963 are not entitled to any shares. “All these people who are here were not there when the club was founded, we are the heroes of Dynamos, we are the founders of Dynamos. Leslie Gwinji is the complainant in the matter. Drawing parallels with the interment of national heroes in Zimbabwe, Marriot said one could not be buried at the nationals heroes acre when they did not go to war. “All those who went to war were accorded the hero statuses and they were buried at the heroes acre. “If you did not go to war you can only be accorded that status if your family requests for it,” he said. *ZimLive* *Nigeria's Proposed Tax Reform Will Curb Inflation, Official Says* Nigeria's proposed tax overhaul will help curb inflation by lowering costs for most households, presidential adviser Taiwo Oyedele said on Friday, dismissing criticism that the plan risks worsening economic hardship in Africa's most populous nation. After ending a costly petrol subsidy and twice devaluing the currency in his first year in office, President Bola Tinubu has shifted his focus to reforming the tax system in his second year. While the measures have sparked price pressures, Tinubu aims to reduce inflation to 15% this year from 34.8% in December. Oyedele defended the plan to almost double the value-added tax (VAT) to 12.5% by 2026, streamline its collection, and overhaul revenue-sharing between federal and state governments. The proposals include exempting food, medicine and essentials - which account for 82% of household spending - from VAT, a consumption tax, which Oyedele said would lower costs for "the majority of Nigerians." Only 18% of goods would see price hikes, he said. "On the majority of consumption by the majority of households, they will see a decline in their prices because the VAT is being taken out," Oyedele said in an interview. Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio of around 10.8% ranks among the world's lowest, forcing the government to rely on borrowing to fund the budget. The overhaul will boost compliance and align Nigeria with global tax standards, Oyedele said, adding that VAT revenue could drop 30% to 40% with the tax proposals due to the expanded exemptions compared with a decline of 60% if the rate remains unchanged. "So the fact is that people are paying less. It cannot be that they are paying more and VAT revenue is going down," he argued. But critics, including state governors and analysts, remain skeptical. Adewunmi Emoruwa, CEO of public strategy firm Gatefield, said the VAT increase, similar to a 2019 hike, risked stifling consumption and industry growth. "The government is putting pressure on people's ability to spend," he said. A contentious proposal to allocate 60% of VAT revenues to the states generating the revenues, up from 20%, drew a backlash from the country's northern governors who fear regional inequality. Oyedele said the federal government would not oppose a counter-proposal from the governors this month that would cap the revenue-generating states' shares at 30%. *Reuters* *US Health Agencies Scrubbing Websites To Remove 'Gender Ideology'* Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal health agencies are scrubbing or taking down webpages, forms and programs that reflect "gender ideology extremism" on Friday to conform with an executive order that recognizes only two sexes: male and female. CDC webpages that appear to have been removed include statistics on HIV, among transgender people and data on health disparities, among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. A database tracking behaviors, that increase health risks for youth was offline. The efforts are intended to comply with a two-page memo, opens new tab issued by the Office of Personnel Management on Jan. 29 sent to all heads and acting heads of departments and agencies outlining steps that agencies must take by 5 p.m. ET (2200 GMT) on Jan. 31. It specifies that each agency must end all programs that promote or reflect gender ideology as outlined in the executive order by President Donald Trump requiring federal agencies to "recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male." "There's a lot of work going on at the agency to comply," said a source who was not authorized to speak publicly, adding that the CDC is "in the process of taking down anything on the website that doesn't support this executive order." Missing pages also include those with data on HIV in the United States in general, as well as pages with statistics on HIV in Hispanic/Latino people, women, by age and by race and ethnicity. For example, a page with information about how people can get HIV tests was offline on Friday, according to the Internet Archive, as was a page for doctors with information about testing for HIV and treating patients. "This is very alarming," said John Peller, head of the AIDS Foundation Chicago. "In many cases, basic health information is going dark." Timothy Jackson, senior director of policy & advocacy at the group said they are going through the CDC website and printing out information used to educate people about HIV that may not be accessible after Friday. At the National Institutes of Health, a senior employee this week urged agency leaders to refuse to implement the Trump administration's guidance in an email to acting NIH Director Matthew Memoli and other top officials that was seen by Reuters. The employee, Nate Brought, director of the NIH executive office, said Trump's orders ran contrary to years of NIH research and findings about sexuality and gender. "By complying with these orders, we will be denigrating the contributions made to the NIH mission by trans and intersex members of our staff, and the contributions of trans and intersex citizens to our society," he wrote. "These policies will lead to mental health crises or worse for tens of thousands of Americans who contribute productively to our communities." Neither NIH nor the Department of Health and Human Services immediately responded to a request for comment. *Reuters* https://chat.whatsapp.com/ByaUqWcvaJc2HV53RXYZVx *Villa Interested In Loan Deal For Rashford* Aston Villa are one of a number of clubs interested in Manchester United's out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford. The 27-year-old has not featured for United since being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby on 12 December. Amorim said on Wednesday he felt his side would be better with Rashford in it, but the player had not met the standards he demands of his squad. Rashford's representatives have met a number of leading European clubs over the past few weeks in an effort to gauge interest. With the hours ticking down to Monday's 23:00 GMT deadline, numerous sources have confirmed Rashford's future is yet to be decided, amid significant interest from the Premier League and further afield. It has not been entirely discounted that he could remain at Old Trafford, but a loan move is by far the most likely scenario at this stage. Villa are one of the clubs keen on the England international, although it is not known if there has been formal contact with United - or whether Rashford would want to make the move. Villa do have the carrot of being able to offer Champions League football in March following their top-eight finish in the league phase, although the same could also be said of Barcelona. The La Liga giants are thought to be Rashford's preference, although there has been no clarity over their ability to strike a deal. A key element of a resolution with any club would be Rashford's wages - he is one of United's highest earners, with a salary in excess of £300,000 a week. At a time of wider cost-cutting, senior United executives realise the importance of limiting the amount they will have to pay to subsidise any transfer, either on loan or permanent. https://chat.whatsapp.com/ByaUqWcvaJc2HV53RXYZVx *BBC*