admin$12m for civil servants’ housing
By Patrick Chitumba
THE Government has channelled $12 million for low cost housing units for civil servants under the Civil Service Housing Loan Facility, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Giles Mutsekwa said.
In his presentation at the just-ended Zimbabwe Local Government Association (Zilga) annual general meeting in Victoria Falls, Minister Mutsekwa also said negotiations with financial institutions for lines of credit towards low cost housing units were at an advanced stage.
Minister Mutsekwa said Shelter Afrique had already put money on housing in the country through local banks such as BancABC and FBC and some building societies.
“Building societies will also be facilitated to resuscitate mortgages. I am glad that the 2012 budget recognises the need to recapitalise the public and private housing institutions. Of the total budget, $9 million has been earmarked for joint venture projects involving the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe. I would like to appeal to local authorities to package their projects for possible joint ventures with my ministry,” he said.
Osiphatheleni beat up bogus cop
By Temba Dube
A Bulawayo man who claimed to be a policeman yesterday attacked two illegal foreign currency dealers popularly known as osiphatheleni and had to be rescued by police officers when the women retaliated and gave him a thorough hiding.
The incident, which was witnessed by this reporter, took place at about 8.30am opposite a Chicken Inn outlet situated at the corner of Fort Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue.
The man, whose name could not be established, approached the two women and started menacingly waving a pair of handcuffs in their faces.
He suddenly lunged at one of them who was heavily built and hit her above the right eye with the cuffs.
Blood gushed from the wound as the man turned on the other usiphatheleni who was of medium build.
He drew blood again, as he hit her behind the left ear with the handcuffs.
However, the man got more than he bargained for when the big moneychanger turned and charged at him.
Zanu-PF business exposition kicks off
The exhibition will run concurrently with the party’s 12th Annual National People’s Conference which will be officially opened by President Mugabe on Thursday.
In an interview at ZITF yesterday, Zanu-PF national fund-raising committee chairman Cde Noah Mangondo said many companies and organisations in and outside the country have confirmed their participation at the exhibition.
He urged Bulawayo companies to take advantage of the event to enhance their business operations.
“The business exhibition starts tomorrow (today) and runs up to Saturday from 8am to 6pm. Forty companies have already confirmed participation and have taken up stands. More than 150 informal traders have also registered with us,” said Cde Mangondo.
“The exhibition will be officially opened on Thursday by a member of the Praesidium. The objective of the expo is to offer a platform for the Zanu-PF leadership to interact with the business community and vice versa.
Young Warriors knocked out of Cosafa tournament
Zimbabwe …………………………………………………………………….1 (2)
Angola ………………………………………………………………………….2 (3)
Gift Banda files charges against Nyoni
Chronicle Reporters
THE Zifa Central Region match-fixing saga continues to get ugly with Bulawayo police yesterday inviting referee Cosmas Nyoni for questioning.
National Foods reopens Bulawayo flour mill
By Venencia Badza
ONE of Zimbabwe’s agro-foods processing firm, National Foods, yesterday re-commissioned its Bulawayo flour mill that had been closed for almost a year.
AMA to raise funds for agric
Business Reporter
CBZ has released $100 million agro bills that are being offered by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) to raise funding for agriculture production in the 2011/12 cropping season.
Confusion surrounds loan scheme
By Leonard Ncube
THE loan scheme advertised by Old Mutual recently, which can be accessed by businesses through CABS, has put Bulawayo industries into further confusion
Man jailed 16 years for rape
Court Reporter
A Bulawayo man will curse the day he decided to connive with a neighbour to lock up his 13-year-old stepdaughter in a room before raping her twice as he has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The incident occurred recently at Burombo Flats in Nguboyenja.
More rains expected
Chronicle Reporter
THE Meteorological Services Department yesterday said there will be a marked increase in rainfall activity across the country, with heavy rains expected in the Mashonaland region.
Met Services Department duty forecaster Mr David Chifuna said although a decline in rainfall activity was expected between today and tomorrow, it would increase in intensity from Thursday.
“However from 8 December to 11 December, mild to warm daytime temperatures are expected.