Saturday 22 February 2025 *EVENING NEWS UPDATES* _• USD: ZiG Official Exchange – Z$25.69_ • _Black Market Rate - Zig 30:USD1_ • _Innscor in-store – Z$35_ • _KFC, Slice, Eat'n'Lick – Z$35_ New members who wish to receive detailed local, regional and international news from Ignite Media Zimbabwe should "follow" our channel on the link below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaASRLX6mYPM2XphWy2n *For advertising inquiries call, text or Whatsapp us on +263 778 242 692* *THE HEADLINES* *Mnangagwa’s UAE investment adviser Paul Tungwarara swindled man $2.3 million* Dendairy Plans To Build Brewery And Fertiliser Plant In Kwekwe* *Beitbridge-Masvingo accident: Driver wasn’t re-tested, no insurance policy, license suspended as death toll rises to 26* *Hwange residents oppose Chinese mining venture…* *…As High Court kicks out Chinese company from villagers’ land in Chinhoyi* *Madzibaba Ishmael makes Constitutional Court appeal: faces charges of child ill-treatment, conducting an unlawful burial, and failing to report both a birth and a death* *Police Officer Caught On Camera Helping Zanu PF Vehicle To Evade Tollgate Fees* *Zimbabwe Government Plans To Import Fuel Directly To Lower Costs* *Zimbabweans should not be expected to celebrate exploitation and repression: Mbofana* *Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry turnaround is sometimes portrayed as a triumph of Chinese influence. The truth is more complicated* *On a lighter note with dictator Idi Amin: The silence of good people makes evil to prevail....* *VAR rescues Man United in 2 all draw with Everton* *Title dent on Arsenal chances, beaten 1 nil by West Ham at Emirates* *THE DETAILS WITH IGNITE MEDIA ZIMBABWE* _*Mnangagwa’s UAE investment adviser Paul Tungwarara swindled man $2.3 million*_ HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s investment adviser to the United Arab Emirates swindled an Indian man out of $2.3 million after selling him a property he did not own, and offering to facilitate work permits for 450 people, ZimLive can reveal. Tempter Paul Tungwarara, who has another pending police complaint by a man who claims he defrauded him of $300,000, has allegedly used his political links to suppress police investigations. Police were aware of the complaints when Mnangagwa named him “special presidential investment adviser to the UAE” in November last year. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. Razaa Jishan, 30, planned to set up a business in Harare and was looking for land to build his company offices. He was introduced to Tungwarara. Tungwarara, according to Jishan’s complaint under case number AFU DR 01/07/23, introduced himself as a director of a company called Prevail International. He produced a board resolution to the effect that he was authorised to sell stand number 3 Tyward Close, Ballantyne Park in the leafy suburb of Highlands. Jishan’s paid $1.3 million in cash to Tungwarara in five installments between October and December 2022, he told police. Tungwarara was also awarded the contract to build offices and a sceptic tank on the premises for $550,000 and $99,000 respectively. Police were told that Tungwarara also promised to secure Jishan a gaming licence, and he was given $150,000. Boasting of access to the president and important government offices, Tungwarara also told Jishan he could secure him 450 work permits for Indian workers for his company Rod Cell Incorporated, formerly trading as Fair Play International. Jishan told police he even relied on Tungwarara to find him an Internet servive provider. “Each time he wanted money, he would threaten to switch off our internet and several times he switched off the Internet and after giving him some money would switch it on,” he said. Jishan said his worst fears were realised when, while attempted to complete transfer of the property, he discovered that it was in fact owned by a company called Hopsick Investments. Tungwarara had also not delivered on the offices, the work permits and the gaming licence. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. It got worse, he told police. Sometime in February 2023, Tungwarara arrived at night and lockrdtthe gate, blocking access for Jishan and his workers. He opened the gate after several hours of pleading. And then, in March 2023, Tungwarara allegedly arrived with armed men at the property and “ordered everyone to vacate the premises.” “They locked the property such that we could not get inside. That’s when I realised that I had been defrauded by Tungwarara. I lost $2,294,000,” he said. ZimLive last week revealed how Tungwarara in 2019 borrowed $350,000 from Jospher Chibisa claiming he had construction tenders at State House but only repaid $64,500. Chibisa reported Tungwarara for fraud but he said in a November 21, 2024, letter to Mnangagwa’s wife that “the docket disappeared.” It was reported in February last year that the finance ministry rejected a $15 million invoice from Tungwarara’s Paul’s Construction company which was awarded a tender to build a perimeter wall around State House. It remains unclear how much the company was eventually paid. Tungwarara, also using his proximity to Mnangagwa, has won a lucrative tender to drill thousands of boreholes around the country under the so called “presidential borehole scheme.” When a section of veterans of the country’s independence war recently demanded Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation, Tungwarara was seen handing cash to war veterans around the country, promising to build them decent housing and drill each one of the liberation fighters a borehole. There are over 20,000 surviving war veterans. Tungwarara declined to answer our questions. _*Dendairy Plans To Build Brewery And Fertiliser Plant In Kwekwe*_ Dendairy (Pvt) Ltd plans to build a brewery and an organic fertiliser plant at its farm on Mvuma Road in Kwekwe, Midlands Province. This was revealed by Farayi Machaya, the Chief Executive Officer of Zibagwe Rural District Council, during a recent council meeting. He confirmed that Dendairy had approached the local government with their plans to set up the two plants. Said Machaya: Council has so far approved building plans for the brewery plant. According to New Ziana, Dendairy is the only dairy company in Zimbabwe that makes UHT milk, which can last up to a year without spoiling. They also produce other dairy products like maas (fermented milk), yoghurt, ice cream, and fruit juices. The company can process between 4 to 6 million litres of milk every month, which covers about 70% of the country’s dairy needs. Dendairy started in 2004 by selling sour milk in Redcliff and Kwekwe but has since grown to supply long-life milk across Zimbabwe and even export it to Mozambique and Zambia. Recently, the government announced a plan to move over 1,000 families from Chiredzi East and South to make space for the Lucerne project. Dendairy plans to use about 10,000 hectares of land to grow Lucerne grass, which is used for grazing, hay, green manure, and silage. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. _*Beitbridge-Masvingo accident: Driver wasn’t re-tested, no insurance policy, license suspended as death toll rises to 26*_ In the wake of a horrific accident that has claimed 26 lives on the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway, the Zimbabwean government has suspended the operating licence of Urban Connect Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. Tragically, the death toll from the accident has continued to climb, reaching 26 after a female adult who was admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital succumbed to her injuries on 19th February 2025. Seventeen people died at the scene, with others passing away in hospital in the days following the crash. National Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi has appealed to the public for assistance in identifying two remaining victims of the accident. “The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to the public to assist in identifying two remaining victims who died in the fatal road traffic accident. The first unidentified victim is a male adult who was wearing a red t-shirt and black trousers at the time of the accident. The second victim is a female adult who was wearing a black jersey and black trousers,” Commissioner Nyathi said. Anyone with information is urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the National Complaints Desk. Investigations have revealed that the bus involved in the crash was operating without a valid Passenger Insurance Policy and that the driver had not undergone mandatory retesting, as required by law. The accident, which occurred last week at the 262-kilometre peg near the Lutumba tollgate, has prompted a swift response from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Minister Felix Mhona announced the immediate suspension of Urban Connect’s licence, citing serious violations of road traffic and safety regulations. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. “The bus registration number AGL2474 belonging to this company did not have a valid Passenger Insurance Policy as prescribed under Section 38(b) (1) of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11],” Minister Mhona stated. “In addition, the vehicle did not have a valid Route Permit as prescribed in Section 12 of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15].” The absence of a valid Passenger Insurance Policy leaves victims and their families without recourse to compensation for injuries or loss of life. Further investigations revealed that the driver of the ill-fated bus had not undergone the mandatory retesting stipulated in Section 5 of Statutory Instrument 168 of 2006. This retesting is designed to ensure drivers remain competent and up-to-date on road safety regulations, raising serious questions about the driver’s qualifications and fitness to operate a public service vehicle. “The above violations by the bus operator are a serious breach of the terms and conditions of the operator’s licence issued to the company for it to operate in Zimbabwe,” Minister Mhona emphasised. As a consequence, the Ministry has invoked Section 17(b) (i) of the Road Motor Transportation Act [Chapter 13:15], suspending Urban Connect’s operations on all routes for six months, pending further investigations. The Government had previously accorded state-assisted funerals to the families of the deceased, with a funeral service held for 25 victims. _*Hwange residents oppose Chinese mining venture…*_ Residents of Hwange have raised concerns over an application filed by the Chinese company, Sunny Yi Feng (Private) Limited, for an exclusive prospecting order in the district, which they claim could have severe consequences for the environment and public health. According to the official Government Gazette under General Notice 82 of 2025, the company has applied for Exclusive Prospecting Order No. 04 of 2021, which pertains to areas in the Matabeleland North mining district, particularly in Hwange and Victoria Falls. The company intends to prospect for coal in a region that is currently reserved against prospecting while the application is under review. Fidelis Chima, the co-ordinator of the Greater Hwange Residents Trust (GWRT), expressed concern, particularly over the planned coal prospecting activities near Sinamatella Camp, a renowned tourist site. "The applicant intends to prospect for coal within an area that covers 16,000 hectares, located just 7.8 kilometers from the Sinamatella Camp, a key tourist site," said Chima. "We are concerned as this area has been reserved from mining activities since 2020, when the government banned mining in national parks. Despite this, reports suggest that Sunny Yi Feng intends to engage in coal mining within this protected zone." This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. The GWRT remains opposed to the proposed prospecting and coal mining activities near Sinamatella. Chima further emphasized that such mining activities would disrupt wildlife corridors and exacerbate human-wildlife conflict in the area. "Mining near Sinamatella will disturb critical wildlife habitats, leading to more encounters between wildlife and local communities," he said. Residents have long voiced concerns about the environmental and health impacts of coal mining in the region. In December 2024, the GWRT submitted a petition to Parliament urging an investigation into the pollution caused by coal mining companies operating in Hwange. Local residents have reported significant health risks, including respiratory illnesses and other ailments linked to coal dust. In response to the petition, Parliament assigned the relevant portfolio committee to probe the matter further. The petition also called for a review of the Pneumoconiosis Act (Chapter 15:08), as residents claim they are not being adequately protected from the harmful effects of air and noise pollution caused by nearby mining operations. Furthermore, residents have pointed out that they have been denied regular medical check-ups to assess the impact of coal dust on their health, particularly on their hearts and kidneys. The GWRT contends that their rights are being violated under Section 73 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which guarantees the right to a healthy environment. "The Constitution protects our right to an environment that does not harm our health and well-being. We must ensure that the environment is safeguarded for both current and future generations," Chima concluded. As the application for the exclusive prospecting order is under review, the residents of Hwange continue to advocate for the protection of their environment and health, urging authorities to take their concerns seriously and uphold the legal frameworks designed to protect both public health and Zimbabwe's natural heritage. _*…As High Court kicks out Chinese company from villagers’ land in Chinhoyi*_ The High Court in Chinhoyi has interdicted Labenmon, a Chinese mining company from encroaching its activities into a grazing area owned by two villages in Chinhoyi. Justice Philda Muzofa granted a provisional order two weeks ago following an application made by Gift Kapere, Godfrey Chasara, Jonathan Chimufombo, Conelious Murisa, Esther Chasara, Lister Bepura and Member Manzweru to stop Labenmon from establishing a cement plant in a 135h farming and grazing land. However, Labenmon is allegedly breaching the order by continuing with its activities. Thomas Chidzomba, a Labenmon representative bragged that he is a Zanu PF provincial member and threatened The Mirror reporter for interviewing Chief Nematombo real name Takudzwa Karengesha over the issue. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. “I will come to see you at your offices and deal with you for calling and threatening Chief Nematombo,” said Chidzomba. The villagers argued that the Chinese company has not compensated villagers to be relocated for their land and there is pending environmental impact assessment investigations from EMA. EMA is the second respondent in the case. The affected villages are Chasara and Kapere under Chief Chanetsa in Magunje, Hurungwe while Kemureza Dam that the Chinese are going to use for their operations is under Chief Nematombo and Dendera. “The first respondent’s conduct of commencing works in respect of the Wih-Zim Construction Material Investments Cement Manufacturing in Magunje, Hurungwe without compensating and or relocating the applicants be and is hereby declared to be unlawful pending investigations by the second respondent pertaining the breach of the special condition on the Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate and pending the outcome of the investigations, the first respondent is hereby interdicted from carrying out further commencement works,” reads part of the provisional order. Labenmon Investments also allegedly occupied a site 30km away from the plant where they are mining limestone. Village head Kapere who is one of the affected villagers confirmed the matter in a telephone interview with The Mirror. Chief Nematombo accused Chief Chanetsa of allocating the land to the Chinese. “Chanetsa grabbed villagers’ land and allocated it to the Chinese company. There is a lot of pollution taking place in the Kemureza Dam. We had hopes that the company will employ our subjects,” he said. Chief Chanetsa was not answering his phone. Chief Dendera said he welcomes the development for as long as the chief is in agreement with his subjects. He said there should be mechanisms to ensure that the dam is not polluted. The villagers are represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. “Labenmon Investments illegally occupied the land in June 2024 and sources alleged that they were accompanied by ZRP armed details at night and when villagers went to investigate the movement they were apprehended and taken to Magunje Police Station,” said one of the aggrieved villagers. _*Madzibaba Ishmael makes Constitutional Court appeal: faces charges of child ill-treatment, conducting an unlawful burial, and failing to report both a birth and a death*_ The defence case of Apostolic sect leader Madzibaba Ishmael this week hit a standstill after he filed an application seeking a Constitutional Court ruling that would allow defence witnesses to testify on his behalf while he reserves his options to remain silent or to give evidence after his witnesses. He contended that being compelled to either testify or to choose silence before calling his witnesses to give evidence is a breach of his right to a fair trial, as it interferes with his legal strategy and undermines the principle of a fair defence. According to him, the court’s approach forces him into a position where he must testify or renounce his right to testify before fully establishing his defence through his witnesses. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. However, the State led by prosecutors Mr Tafara Chirambira and Ms Sheila Mupindu opposed Ishmael’s application. The prosecution argued that the application was frivolous and intended solely to delay proceedings. They maintained that, under the law, an accused person must either testify first or choose to remain silent before calling any witnesses. The state further emphasised that if Ishmael wished to exercise his right to silence, he should do so outright rather than making it contingent on what his witnesses might say. The prosecution characterised his request as a deliberate delaying tactic designed to stall the case. Madzibaba Ishmael, whose full name is Chokurongerwa, is currently facing three serious charges: ill-treatment of children, conducting a burial without a burial order, and failing to report the birth and death of a person. These charges have drawn significant public interest, given his status as a well-known religious figure. Norton Magistrate Christina Nyandoro is expected to deliver a ruling on Ishmael’s application for referral to the Constitutional Court on March 7, 2024. If the application is granted, the matter will be escalated to the highest court to determine whether his constitutional rights have indeed been infringed upon. If denied, the trial will proceed under the existing court procedures. _*Police Officer Caught On Camera Helping Zanu PF Vehicle To Evade Tollgate Fees*_ A police officer was caught on camera assisting a Zanu PF-branded vehicle in bypassing tollgate fees at the Lothian Tollgate along the Masvingo-Roy Highway. The vehicle, a Nissan Navara double cab with registration number AGE 0818, is owned by Zanu PF MP for Zaka South, Clemence Chiduwa, although he was not driving it at the time. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. The driver of the Zanu PF vehicle did not present any paperwork to prove exemption from toll fees. Instead, he drove directly to the VIP gate, where Constable Chihoma promptly opened it. The tolling staff did not challenge or question her actions. As of the publication deadline, Clemence Chiduwa had not responded to inquiries sent to his WhatsApp. According to Masvingo Mirror, their source told them that all Zanu PF vehicles were not paying toll fees. Zinara, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration, had to post at all tollgates last year, urging Zanu PF members to comply with toll fee payments. Tsungie Manyeza, Zinara’s head of corporate communications and marketing, clarified that no vehicle is exempt from toll fees unless it has a valid exemption certificate. She also mentioned that there are fines in place for those who evade toll payments. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, the Zanu PF chairperson, recently expressed her dismay at increasing party officials misusing their branded vehicles to evade toll fees and engage in other unlawful activities. The police officer involved, identified as Constable Chihoma, quickly left the scene upon realizing that the Mirror crew had documented her actions. The crew, including editorial consultant Matthew Takaona, provided Zinara officials with evidence of the incident. Legal and Ethical Implications Matthew Takaona emphasized the illegality and unfairness of allowing certain individuals to evade government taxes, warning that such behavior could lead to widespread lawlessness. The tollgate supervisor admitted that the vehicle had passed through illegally, blaming Constable Chihoma for opening the gate without proper authorization. Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi deferred comments to Zinara, stating that the matter was under their jurisdiction. Manyeza explained that while parliamentarians have tolling exemptions for their allocated vehicles, this privilege does not extend to party vehicles. She also noted that the police are informed about which vehicles are exempt before they are deployed to tollgates. A fine of US$30 is imposed on vehicles that fail to pay toll fees. Exempted vehicles are required to carry tolling exemption certificates, which include details such as the vehicle’s registration number and the validity period of the exemption. Manyeza requested any video footage or additional information to aid in their investigation. _*Zimbabwe Government Plans To Import Fuel Directly To Lower Costs*_ Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo has said the government plans to buy fuel directly for its own use and for key industries. This will help lower fuel costs and make businesses more competitive. Speaking at the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) inaugural competitiveness summit in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Moyo said that fuel prices in Zimbabwe are influenced by factors like the cost of raw fuel, transportation, exchange rates, taxes, and distributor fees. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) considers all these when setting the price. He also said Zimbabwe’s fuel prices are much higher than in neighbouring countries, making local products more expensive and less competitive. Moyo said the government wants to provide more affordable and stable fuel prices to help businesses run more efficiently. He said: We analyse and say, are we as competitive as Zimbabwe among those who we trade with? When we look at ourselves here in the region, I think we are very expensive. So, the Government is looking at all this, and as I said, we applaud those who are delivering fuel to our country. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. But as Government, we have made some strides now…both the Minister of Finance (Professor Mthuli Ncube) and I have been directed to make sure that we buy fuel for Government use and for other enablers of the economy because Government is there to enable the economy… to do well. We have been directed to make sure that on the Government side and in any way, we should buy our fuel competitively because we used to do that so that we don’t buy spot purchases on the international market, as the other 10 (traders) are doing. The other 10, we think they are doing very well, but as Government.. to compete, we should discuss with them. Moyo said that countries like Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania have developed successful models where fuel traders work with their governments to achieve competitive pricing. He explained that, unlike these countries, Zimbabwe’s current approach focuses on direct government procurement of fuel to reduce costs. Said Moyo: Mozambique has fuel traders, Zambia has fuel traders, and Tanzania has fuel traders, but working with the Government, they have found a way of buying competitively. But for now, we want the Government (to) directly buy competitively, so that we can reduce the cost of fuel in the country, which impacts on your competitiveness. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has set the maximum fuel prices for February at US$1.58 (or ZiG 41.58) per litre for diesel, and US$1.53 (or ZiG 40.50) per litre for blended petrol (E15). In comparison, Zambia’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has set the price of petrol at US$1.24 per litre and diesel at US$1.16 per litre for February. _*Zimbabweans should not be expected to celebrate exploitation and repression: Mbofana*_ In my writings demanding social justice for ordinary Zimbabweans, I often face pushback from those who accuse me of focusing solely on the negatives. They question why I rarely highlight or acknowledge the so-called positive things being done by the Zimbabwean government for the people. On the surface, this might appear to be a valid criticism. After all, no individual, institution, or government is entirely terrible such that nothing good can be said about them. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. As such, focusing only on the negatives may seem counterintuitive, even disingenuous, as if I harbor some personal animosity towards those in power and seek to denigrate them at every turn. This prompted me to take a step back and consider: what are the positives that the Mnangagwa regime has achieved for Zimbabweans? Indeed, there are flagship projects that the government touts as major accomplishments—the expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the addition of Units 7 and 8 at Hwange Power Station, and the redevelopment of the Beitbridge border post. There have also been efforts to rehabilitate some of the country’s roads, construct a few dams, schools, and clinics, as well as distribute free agricultural inputs and food aid to rural communities. Additionally, boreholes have been drilled, and the government has overseen significant investments in the mining sector, particularly in diamonds, lithium, black granite, and gold. On paper, these initiatives seem commendable and deserving of applause. However, before Zimbabweans rush to celebrate these so-called positives, a deeper analysis is required. Is it truly an achievement that a country endowed with over 60 valuable minerals still has citizens dependent on free agricultural inputs and food aid? This is not a sign of prosperity but of systemic poverty and failure. How can a nation blessed with such vast natural wealth still have a population that cannot afford to cultivate its own crops or purchase food without state assistance, even in drought years? Many countries exist in arid and drought-prone regions yet do not constantly declare states of disaster or rely on food aid. Take Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar—nations located in desert climates. Despite their harsh environmental conditions, their governments have ensured that their citizens enjoy high living standards through proper management of their natural resources. The key difference is that these countries, despite having only two major resources—oil and gas—have governments that ensure the wealth reaches their people. Their citizens are not reduced to begging for sustenance. So why should Zimbabweans celebrate a government that hands out free agricultural inputs and food aid instead of ensuring that they can independently sustain themselves? The same applies to Zimbabwe’s roads. We have all seen the breathtaking road networks in cities such as Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh, built from the wealth derived from just two resources. Yet in Zimbabwe, a country far richer in natural resources, we are expected to celebrate when the government patches up or resurfaces old colonial-era roads built by Ian Smith. The few truly new roads that have been constructed are often of such poor quality that within two years, they are already riddled with potholes. Is this what we should consider progress? This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. Should we applaud a government that fails to build durable infrastructure despite decades in power? Hospitals and schools are another area where the government claims achievements, yet the reality tells a different story. Yes, some schools and clinics have been built, but they are few and grossly under-equipped. Many lack essential facilities, trained personnel, and necessary supplies. That is why, 45 years after independence, Zimbabwe’s education sector still records abysmal results, with national Ordinary Level pass rates barely exceeding 30% and some schools persistently recording 0% pass rates. In the healthcare sector, horror stories abound—patients sleeping on the floor, hospitals without basic medication, and a lack of functional radiotherapy machines and ambulances. What is there to celebrate about the construction of empty shells that fail to provide meaningful services to the people? The government may boast about expanding airports and border posts, but how does this directly benefit the average Zimbabwean? The expansion of Hwange Power Station with two additional units did little to alleviate the crippling electricity crisis. Zimbabweans still endure up to 18-hour blackouts. How does one justify celebrating the addition of two units when the entire power plant is on the verge of collapse? With all the wealth at the government’s disposal, why has Zimbabwe failed to construct modern power plants capable of not only meeting local demand but also exporting electricity? Other nations with far fewer resources have managed to do so. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. Then there is the informal sector, which government officials have touted as a game changer and a response to the country’s economic challenges. While it is true that the informal sector has provided livelihoods for millions, it is also a hotbed of exploitation. Workers are underpaid, overworked, and often subjected to various forms of abuse, including sexual harassment. Job security is non-existent, and employees lack basic benefits such as medical insurance, social security, or pensions. The unregulated nature of the sector poses a significant risk to economic stability, as evidenced by the recent closure and downsizing of major retail chains, further increasing unemployment in a country where the jobless rate already hovers around 90%. But how did Zimbabwe end up with such a vast and unregulated informal sector in the first place? This is the direct result of economic mismanagement by those in authority, characterized by poor, inconsistent, and illogical policies that have stifled formal job creation. The government’s failure to create an environment conducive to investment and business growth has forced millions into precarious and unstable employment. Rather than being a sign of resilience, the informal sector is an indictment of the government’s failure to provide real economic opportunities for its people. The most pressing question remains: where is Zimbabwe’s wealth going? While the government claims that it has attracted foreign investment, particularly from Chinese companies, these entities have done more harm than good. Communities have been forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands without fair compensation, and the environmental destruction caused by these mining operations is unimaginable. Workers are subjected to inhumane treatment, and reports have surfaced of employees being physically assaulted or even killed by their Chinese employers. Despite these atrocities, the government turns a blind eye because members of the ruling elite have vested interests in these companies. Worse still, most of the revenue generated from Zimbabwe’s vast mineral resources never makes it into state coffers due to corruption and smuggling. The country loses over $3 billion annually to illicit financial activities. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. According to the latest Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Zimbabwe ranks as the most corrupt country in southern Africa, with a score of 21 out of 100. Is it any wonder, then, that Zimbabwe remains one of the poorest nations in the world? This is why Zimbabweans cannot and should not be expected to celebrate the mediocrity that the Mnangagwa regime attempts to pass off as progress. What is there to celebrate when we know exactly what this country is capable of achieving if its resources were properly managed? Zimbabweans should not be content with the crumbs that fall from the table of opulence where only a select few dine. They deserve the kind of prosperity enjoyed by citizens of well-managed resource-rich countries. Why should we celebrate boreholes when people in other nations, even in rural areas, have running water in their homes? Zimbabweans are acutely aware of what their country can and should deliver. They know what they deserve, and there is absolutely nothing positive to write about the Mnangagwa regime, no matter how hard one tries. - Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 _*Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry turnaround is sometimes portrayed as a triumph of Chinese influence. The truth is more complicated*_ Nearly 20 years on, that seems almost unimaginable. Production of Zimbabwe’s flagship “golden leaf” tobacco hit a record 296 million kilograms in 2023, and the country’s tobacco authority set a goal of producing 300 million kilograms during the upcoming 2024–2025 growing season. A key turning point for the industry was the entry of Chinese companies, which spearheaded the adoption of contract farming, in which the company provides farmers with the necessary material and technical support for tobacco cultivation in exchange for the right to purchase the resulting crops at an agreed-upon price — usually greater than what it sells for at auction. Dr. Hillary Mugiyo, an official from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Agriculture, revealed that this model now dominates the country’s tobacco sector, accounting for over 95% of the country’s total tobacco yield. Today, contract farming usually involves a choice between Chinese and Western capital, with the two often depicted as being in competition. However, the role of global investors in Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector is neither a straightforward triumph of “South-South cooperation” between China and Africa, nor a tale of rivalry between China and the West. Instead, I found that Chinese and Western investors play complementary roles in Zimbabwe’s tobacco market. Although Africans had been using tobacco pipes centuries before colonization, it was the Europeans who began growing the crop commercially in Africa in the early 20th century. African tobacco proved wildly popular, and by 1990 Zimbabwean “golden leaf” was considered one of the finest tobaccos in the world. At the time, tobacco was sold from auction floors to the highest bidding merchant, which typically rotated between large companies like British American Tobacco (BAT). A decade later, however, Western sanctions against Zimbabwe drove many of these firms out of the market and opened a window for Chinese investment. In April 2005, China signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zimbabwean government to found a new tobacco firm: Tian Ze. Backed by the China National Tobacco Corporation, one of the most powerful Chinese state-owned enterprises, Tian Ze enjoys ready access to state loans and exemptions from certain regulations. This institutional advantage, coupled with huge demand from the Chinese market — China buys roughly 40% of Zimbabwean tobacco annually — quickly put Tian Ze in a commanding position. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. According to Tian Ze’s managing director, Wang Hua, though the contract farming practices used by different companies are broadly similar, Tian Ze possesses two primary advantages over its competitors: lower-interest loans and higher buying prices. Prior to 2023, Tian Ze offered farmers interest-free loans. The company now charges 4%, but even this is considerably lower than the average of 12% charged by other contracting companies. As for pricing, according to sales documents, Tian Ze offered up to $3.58 per kilogram on average for contract farmers in 2023, while few other firms offered more than $3.20 per kilogram. By comparison, while Western and local investors have lost market share in recent decades, they still retain considerable influence due to their historical roles in the region. Apart from BAT, major players include the Dutch-owned Northern Tobacco (NT), the locally registered and American-invested Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco (ZLT), and Mashonaland Tobacco Company, a subsidiary of the U.S. tobacco giant Alliance One International and one of the largest contractors of small-scale tobacco farmers in the whole of Zimbabwe. The farmers I spoke to generally shared Wang’s assessment of the relative strengths of Tian Ze and its Western counterparts. “Tian Ze is better than ZLT,” one leading farmer and ZLT contractor told me. “From 2007, I’ve only received one center pivot (irrigation device). But my friend next door who is contracted to Tian Ze has 24 center pivots. Compared to Tian Ze, ZLT doesn’t give you money and support for such things.” His view was shared by a local farmer I spoke to who has partnered with Tian Ze since 2014. He noted that, in his experience, Tian Ze not only guides farmers all the way through the farming process, but also offers higher prices for the resulting crop. But if Tian Ze offers such good terms, then why do farmers still partner with Western companies? What prevents them from making the switch? One explanation is that the threshold of entering into contract with Tian Ze is comparatively high, with the company requiring prospective contract farmers to undergo assessments of their growing history and the quality of their crop. This point was confirmed by a Chinese merchant I spoke to. “Tian Ze mainly works with those who are already independent,” he explained. Even though in recent years the company has started purchasing more tobacco from small-scale, inexperienced farmers, in such cases it does not partner with the farmers directly but rather works through two surrogate companies responsible for overseeing the entire production process. Tian Ze attributes this approach to the company’s “state-owned nature.” According to Wang, whereas British and American capital can afford to take certain risks by cooperating with small-scale farmers, Tian Ze is more risk-averse due to its direct affiliation with Chinese state assets. Specifically, because smallholder farmers have relatively little experience and poor infrastructure, it takes more work for Tian Ze to keep track of their progress and ensure that every investment produces returns. This may not be a severe problem for companies like NT or ZLT, whose shareholders primarily evaluate the company’s performance based on overall profitability, but bad debts are a serious problem for Chinese state-owned enterprises tasked with the preservation and appreciation of national assets. For similar reasons, Wang also confirmed to me that Tian Ze invests comparatively less money per hectare into tobacco farms, averaging about $6,000–$7,000 compared to NT’s $10,000 average. While its interest rates are more favorable, that still limits the company’s appeal to economically disadvantaged farmers who need greater up-front investment. Another allegation commonly leveled against Tian Ze is that it traps farmers in debt and treats them poorly. However, according to George Seremwe, the president of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association, these accusations are either unfounded or they involve problems endemic to the industry. According to Seremwe, investors are often blamed for the inherently unstable economic situation faced by Zimbabwean farmers. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. To give a recent example, a sudden spike in fertilizer costs caused by the conflict in Ukraine devastated farmers in the region — one farmer I interviewed said his fertilizer costs doubled in 2022. These disruptions have caused widespread anxiety among farmers, regardless of which company they partner with. That is not to say Tian Ze’s operating model is without problems. While it has long touted its role in the “win-win” narrative of Global South cooperation, true success on that front requires cooperation with more than just influential, large-scale farmers. What about the smallholders who constitute the majority of the Zimbabwe tobacco farmers and with whom Tian Ze’s engagement remains indirect and limited? In this regard, at least, the Chinese latecomer still has something to learn from its Western counterparts. The author’s research was produced as a result of a grant provided by the Africa-China Reporting Project at the Wits Centre for Journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. The opinions expressed are of the author. _*On a lighter note with dictator Idi Amin: The silence of good people makes evil to prevail....*_ THE LATE PRESIDENT OF UGANDA, Idi Amin wanted to change the name of Uganda to Idi. Everybody in his Cabinet agreed because they were afraid of him. But there was one man, Walyamungu. He said to Idi Amin, "Your excellency do you know a country called Cyprus?" Idi Amin said to him,"What does Cyprus have to do with the changing of Uganda to Idi?" Walyamungu replied, the citizens of Cyprus are called Cypriots. If we change the name of Uganda to Idi, we, the Ugandans shall be called Idiots" and the world will call us idiots, which we are not. Idi Amin looked at him and said "You and I are the most intelligent men in this cabinet. The name of the country shall remain Uganda and so it remained to this day. His was a lone voice yet it was stopped the madness of the most despotic dictator that Africa has ever produced. The silence of good people makes evil to prevail.... _*VAR rescues Man United in 2 all draw with Everton*_ Everton manager David Moyes has described the controversial decision to overturn a late penalty for his side in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United as "surprising." United came back from 2-0 down at Goodison Park thanks to second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte after Beto and Abdoulaye Doucouré had scored for the hosts before the break. Everton looked set to be given the chance to win the game when referee Andrew Madley gave a spot-kick in stoppage time after Ashley Young looked to have been brought down by Harry Maguire inside the area. However, after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Madley was instructed to go to the monitor and ultimately decided to overturn his original decision. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. "I've had a look at it, and [Maguire] undoubtedly pulls his jersey," Moyes told TNT Sports after the game. "After that, you have to make your own mind up. I thought the on-field decision looked the correct decision. "I was a bit surprised [the referee] was asked to go to VAR because I thought it looked difficult to change your mind on that. But when you go to VAR, it's as if the people who are watching on a screen understand more. It went against us today. I'm not going to complain too much about it but today it just didn't go for us." The Premier League Match Centre account on X said the VAR on duty deemed that "no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review." United boss Amorim said he believed Madley's decision to cancel the penalty was the correct one. "I think it was a soft touch from what I saw," he said. "I think it was a soft penalty, it was clear." Reflecting on his team's overall performance, Amorim added: "We need to win three points and we need to win the whole game. The worst part is that we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we need to do. We were soft. "Everything we do in the week, we have to do better in the game. In this moment, we need to focus on day by day. We need to survive this season and then we can think ahead. I don't want to just say the negative part. In the second half, we were close to win this game." Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has criticised his players for starting matches slowly after they recovered from a 2-0 half-time deficit at Goodison Park to earn a point against Everton. Beto and Abdoulaye Doucouré both scored after suspect defending from the visitors before Bruno Fernandes' well-placed free-kick and Manuel Ugarte's first goal for the club levelled proceedings. A late penalty for Everton was controversially overturned by VAR to leave both teams with a point, but United were once again left ruing their slow start as their disappointing Premier League season continues. Amorim's team have now scored in the first half just once in their last 11 games in the league -- Fernandes' penalty against Brighton -- and failed to register a shot of any description in the opening period on Merseyside. "The worst part is that we have the free men, and we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we are supposed to do," Amorim told TNT Sports after the game. This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production. "We did not exist in the first half ... We suffered two goals from second balls, and that was clear that they will create that chances by second balls, we were soft. _*Title dent on Arsenal chances, beaten 1 nil by West Ham at Emirates*_ Details to follow… This is an Ignite Media Zimbabwe news production.