adminLiquor outlets violate Act
By Leonard Ncube
Most liquor outlets in Bulawayo are violating provision of the Liquor Act by operating outside prescribed hours with the Government losing thousands of dollars in revenue through outlets operating either without proper or using expired licences.
This comes amid revelations that only one liquor outlet, Café Baku, situated at the Bulawayo Centre, had approached the licensing board to extend the operating licence for the festive season.
The liquor outlets comprising bottle stores, bars, restaurants, sports bars and nightclubs risk being closed or have their licences revoked for violating the Liquor Act, Chapter 14:12.
The Liquor Licensing Board in conjunction with local authorities issues the licences.
Section 23(3) of the Liquor Act states that any money received by an authority shall rest with the local authority and be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, a Government account.
A licence to sell liquor costs $300 and is renewed annually in July.
Most outlets use this licence even when they hold functions or musical shows which is against the provisions of the Liquor Act.
Music promoters have also come under the spotlight for holding shows on licensed premises using the liquor licence for the premises yet they are supposed to apply for a separate licence for the particular event.
No diamonds in Beitbridge: Minister
Chronicle Reporter
Tests have shown that stones which sparked a rush in Beitbridge recently were not diamonds but aquamarine stones, a Government minister has said.
Last November, scores of people descended on Ponongoma area, four kilometres North west of Zezane Mission desecrating graves after reports of a discovery of diamonds.
In an interview, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Gift Chimanikire said results of a survey carried out by the regional mining engineer Mr Julius Moyo showed that the purported diamonds were gemstones similar to emeralds called aquamarine.
He said the stones were blue in colour and glittered like diamonds.
“Government has issued a prospecting licence to one miner to explore aquamarine stones in Beitbridge. It is possible that people contracted by the miner to dig the special stones went around the surrounding community telling villagers that there were diamonds in the area resulting in this scramble for “diamonds,” he said.
Deputy Minister Chimanikire said following the scramble for the gemstones, his ministry deployed a regional mining engineer to establish whether the stones were genuine diamonds.
Thousands visit Vic Falls rainforest
Victoria Falls Reporter
More than 7 500 entries were recorded at the Victoria Falls rainforest in six days from 21 to 27 December — an increase of 8,8 percent compared to the same period in 2010.
Responding to written questions, National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Ms Carol Washaya Moyo said locals constituted the highest number of visitors contributing 64 percent while international visitors constituted 19 percent and regional visitors 17 percent.
“From 21 to 27 December, the rainforest registered a total of 7 950 entries compared to 7 069 received over the same period last year, an increase of 8,8 percent.
“During the same period last year, locals constituted 57 percent, 17 percent international and 26 percent regional.
“Of the 2011 entries, 64 percent were locals while international visitors constituted 19 percent and regional visitors 17 percent,” she said.
Politicians must put people first
There were mixed feelings regarding the year 2011 with some saying it was an eventful year while others said it was a year to quickly forget.
New year resolutions: Do we really need them?
By Sukulwenkosi Dube
AS the year 2012 begins many people begin to develop or have already developed resolutions for the year.
Arts and culture industry lost an icon—Mari
By Auxilia Katongomara
THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has joined the nation in mourning one of the country’s veteran musicians, Tendai Mupfurutsa aka Prince Tendai who died last Wednesday in Harare.
Prince Tendai, a music producer and successful businessman succumbed to motor neurones disease, a day after he jetted in from China where he had been receiving treatment since July.
In a statement, the Director of NACZ, Elvas Mari said his organisation was still struggling to come to terms with the death of Prince Tendai.
C’ndo spins Byo into 2012
Entertainment Reporter
IT was all pomp and fanfare at the Woza 2012 gig held at Queens Sports Club over the weekend with a line up of DJs thrilling fans as they celebrated the coming of the New Year.
Hundreds of fun lovers from across the city thronged the stadium to be part of the Bohlingers Tight Party hosted by Delta Beverages and Events Africa.
The show started with a number of sporting activities such as mud-wrestling, darts and wet T-shirt competitions before high riding DJ Mzoe who made the best of the year 2011 after clinching several titles that have made him one of Bulawayo’s best spinners came on stage.
Nigeria sues Rick Ross
Rapper Rick Ross is being sued by the Nigerian government after he abruptly canceled a scheduled performance at a music festival in the country.
‘Libyans linked to Gaddafi can’t run in election’
TRIPOLI — Libyans with ties to ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi will be banned from running in elections under a bill drafted by the country’s new rulers.
Academics who wrote about Gaddafi’s “Green Book,” containing his musings on politics, economics and everyday life, will also be barred from running under the draft law, published online by the National Transitional Council (NTC) on Sunday night.
Prosecutors to take stage in Mubarak trial
The trial of Egypt’s ousted President Hosni Mubarak will resume in earnest today when judges begin hearing arguments from prosecutors, who say Mubarak and his co-defendants are to blame for the deaths of hundreds of protesters.