adminGovt urged to get tough on piracy
Herald Reporter
Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu has challenged Government to safeguard musicians against piracy saying the practice was affecting the livelihoods of thousands of people in the music industry.
Minister Shamu, who is the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians patron, called on lawmakers to impose deterrent sentences on those caught pirating music.
This comes amid reports that thousands of CDs containing sungura artist, First Farai’s latest album “Pahasha” had flooded the market.
The album was released last week and has not been distributed to most parts of the country.
“I was pained to see him (First Farai) coming with such sad news. It means he has got nothing from the project.
“Consider the costs, time and effort put to come up with a single piece of work then we have someone making hundreds of copies within an hour.
“Government should impose severe jail terms on such culprits because this has destroyed the musicians and the music industry in general,” he said.
Minister Shamu said musicians are accused of being irresponsible with their earnings yet piracy was hitting them in the pocket.
City set to incur US$12m deficit
Takunda Maodza Senior Reporter
THE Harare City Council is set to incur a US$12 million deficit after Government stopped the municipality from increasing maternity fees.
We’re not partisan: Chihuri
Crime Reporter
POLICE Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri yesterday said claims that the police were partisan were a figment of some people’s imagination since the loyalty of officers to their country should never be questionable.
Female rapists resurface
Wenceslaus Murape Senior Reporter
CASES of female rapists that had stopped in the wake of the arrest of three suspects in Gweru last year have resurfaced amid reports that two men were sexually abused over the festive period.
AG assures officers
Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Court Reporter
ATTORNEY-General Mr Johannes Tomana has assured his officers of better working conditions once the Attorney General’s Office Act becomes operational.
The Act was passed in Parliament and awaits operationalisation. Mr Tomana was speaking at an awards ceremony for the best law officers and prosecutors for 2011 held at a Harare hotel recently.
The AG also commended the officers for steadfastly remaining at work at a time most professionals in other offices were leaving for greener pastures.
“Over the past two years, the staff turnover rate has significantly reduced. Officers (in AG’s Office) have been long suffering as they hope the operationalisation of the Attorney General’s Office Act will come with better conditions of service. I want to assure you . . . that hope shall not fail,” he said.
Mr Tomana hailed the prosecutors and law officers for lifting the office’s flag high.
“I would like to appreciate the work done in the AG’s Office over the years in professionalism, hard work, commitment, loyalty and steadfastness . . . ” he said.
FCA Motors boss wins court battle
Court Reporter
FCA Motors owner Fredrick Mtandah has won a court battle to temporarily keep his passport after a Harare magistrate dismissed the State’s application compelling him to return the travel document.
Sikhala in court
Court Reporter
MDC 99 leader and former St Mary’s legislator Job Sikhala yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court charged with contravening sections of the immigration Act.
ZTE boss scoops top award
Business Reporter
President of the ZTE Corporation Mr Shi Lirong has been awarded the “Economics Figure of the Year” award by CCTV for being named the most influential economic figure of 2011.
Banks’ deposits at ECB hit record high
FRANKFURT. – Banks’ deposits with the European Central Bank have hit a new record high, data showed yesterday, suggesting that lenders remain reluctant to lend to each other amid ongoing market tension.
From ‘terrorists’ to high-flying business leaders
JOHANNESBURG. – For decades, activists in the ANC were jailed and exiled as terrorists.