adminShowdown looms at ZCTU
Chronicle Reporter
THE divided Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is headed for yet another showdown after the Lovemore Matombo-led faction declared that it would occupy the union’s headquarters in Harare with effect from today.
Battle over MDC presidency now a political issue: Ncube
Chronicle Reporter
THE president of the MDC, Professor Welshman Ncube, yesterday said the battle over the presidency of the party between him and Professor Arthur Mutambara that has spilled into the courts is no longer a legal issue but a political one.
The MDC leadership had a council meeting yesterday before a rally for the people of Makokoba where they deliberated on the battle over issues surrounding the presidency and the case involving some legislators who reportedly denounced their membership to join the Prof Mutambara-led MDC.
Addressing his party supporters at Stanley Hall in Makokoba, Prof Ncube said Prof Mutambara was being “unreasonable” by denying what he initially admitted — having lost the presidency at the party’s congress in January.
He said Prof Mutambara was “contesting the obvious”.
“Almost a year has passed since our congress in January and surprisingly those who are denying the outcome are those who were there,” said Prof Ncube.
“You all know that there is no other leadership besides this one. Now, they were saying they are waiting for the High Court judgment for something they already knew. People are just contesting the obvious and this issue is not a legal case but simply political. This is elementary and as a party we will continue to fight because it has nothing to do with the law.”
Zimpapers to apply for TV licence
Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE Newspapers (1980) Ltd will apply for a television licence to complement its radio licence so that it becomes a fully-fledged media organisation.
The newspaper group last month was granted a commercial radio licence after going through a rigorous vetting exercise that saw the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe also awarding a licence to AB Communications.
In a speech during the Zimpapers end-of-year cocktail, board chairman Dr Paul Chimedza said the group would apply for a television licence as soon as the opportunity availed itself.
“The highlight for 2011 is our successful bid for a radio licence, which positions us strongly in the market and moves us closer to achieving our vision of being an integrated media house.
“This generated a lot of anger in some quarters who are unhappy about our getting the radio licence. People have a democratic right to express themselves publicly, privately, in the courts of law, inParliament or even under water about this issue.
Security forces, protesters clash again in Cairo
CAIRO — Protesters and security forces fought in Cairo yesterday, the third day of clashes that have killed 10 people and exposed rifts over the army’s role as it manages Egypt’s promised transition from military to civilian rule.
Malema ridicules Zuma
Johannesburg — Suspended ANC Youth League president Julius Malema joined in songs that ridiculed President Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s Limpopo conference — labelling him the “shower man” in reference to his 2006 rape trial, according to the Sunday Times.
Kenya’s army marches toward Somalian port town of Kismayu
NAIROBI — As Kenya’s military is advancing toward Somalia’s port town of Kismayu, the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) has come under renewed international pressure to move swiftly toward ending its tenure in August next year.
Miss Bulawayo crowned
By Auxilia Katongomara
OUTSTANDING 23-year-old year executive assistant Bongani Dlakama beat 23 other contestants to emerge Miss Bulawayo 2011 at a beauty pageant held at a local hotel on Friday night.
Precious Dube (23) was named first runner-up while Valerie Chingonzo (20) was the second runner-up.
Ibumba fest disappoints artistes
Entertainment Reporter
THE curtain has come down on the low profile 2011 Ibumba Festival, which started on Thursday.
Bongani Fassie in drunken rampage
THE son of late Afro-pop icon Brenda Fassie, Bongani, spent Reconciliation Day in a jail cell for assault and drunk driving.
Econet wins top Africa award
Harare Bureau
ECONET Wireless has won the 2011 Africa Frost & Sullivan award for its excellence in delivering broadband communications after a recent analysis of the continent’s ICT market.