adminCivil servants threaten to stage one-day strike
Chronicle Reporter
CIVIL servants have threatened to stage a one-day strike on Thursday next week if the Government does not communicate its position on salary increases.
Civil servants’ representatives yesterday met with Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga as part of the negotiations to come up with better remuneration for the Government workers.
Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, civil servants representatives said they were losing patience and were disappointed with their employer for postponing consultations for a long time.
The president of the Apex Council, which is the body that represents all the civil servants, Mrs Tendai Chikowore, said the meeting was not as fruitful as they expected.
“The minister availed herself for the meeting and we appreciated that but there is no progress in terms of the position of the Government on civil servants’ salaries,” said Ms Chikowore.
Bulawayo City Council descends on backyard garages
Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO City Council has descended on backyard mechanics, towing and impounding their clients’ vehicles under repair saying that their operations are illegal.
A total of 12 vehicles have been impounded from different backyard garages in the city and nine illegal garages were ticketed.
The development has sent shock waves to many illegal operators amid revelations that there are several backyard garages that have sprouted in the city.
The local authority is reportedly demanding $120 to release each of the impounded vehicles and in addition, is asking $65 towing fees for each vehicle
Affected businesspeople have criticised the move by the council saying it was a blow to indigenisation and black empowerment.
Relating his ordeal to Chronicle yesterday, Mr Taurai Pikisai, who runs a spares shop along 15th Avenue and Jason Moyo Street, said the council was giving him a torrid time.
He said he had gone to attend a funeral service on Tuesday when he found four of his clients’ vehicles being towed to the council’s works yard along Khami Road.
Parks suspends bungee jumping in Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management has with immediate effect suspended bungee jumping in Victoria Falls until a safety audit is done by some South African experts.
This comes after an Australian tourist Erin Langworth cheated death after plunging into the crocodile-infested Zambezi River when a bungee cord snapped at the Victoria Falls Bridge.
The authority’s spokesperson, Ms Caroline Washaya Moyo, said the process would be completed within the next two to three days.
Meanwhile, the Victoria Falls Bungi Company has with immediate effect complied with the depart-ment’s directive and suspended bungee jumping.
In an interview in the resort town yesterday, Shearwater Adventures director, Mr Mike Davies, confirmed the suspension of the activity, adding that the move was aimed at allowing for a safety audit into the whole bungee jumping system.
He added that the safety audit by a South African based company, Rope Workz, was basically to investigate the cause of the breakage of the cord and to approve or make recommendations on the new system whichthey had put in place following the accident.
Government urged to allocate more to infrastructure development
Business Reporter
GOVERNMENT has been urged to allocate more to infrastructure development for the fast growth and recovery of the economy.
Zimplats has to comply with country’s laws: Moyo
Business Reporter
THERE will be no debate in terms of respecting the country’s laws, acting Finance Minister Gorden Moyo said yesterday.
Traders’ association to petition Government over duty
Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Cross Border Traders’ Association has said it will, before the end of the month, petition the Government over the 40 percent customs duty on clothing and footwear products.
Pozee to reclaim kwaito crown
By Auxilia Katongomara
LONG forgotten kwaito musician Pozee has bounced back on the local scene after a four-year lull with a blistering single, Elokitshini, which is making waves on local radio stations.
The dreadlocked star says he has come out of hibernation to reclaim his status as the local kwaito king.
Amakhosi re-launch productions
Entertainment Reporter
Amakhosi Township Square Cultural Centre will this year re-introduce its production department, an official has said.
Cheryl Cole plans Rihanna duet
After her tough 2011, Cheryl Cole is planning a massive comeback in 2012 and her first priority is to release a new album she can be proud of. Cheryl’s third solo release looks set to be her biggest yet, with top international producers involved and a rumoured duet with Cheryl’s own idol, Rihanna.
Publish before drafting new constitution
By Godwills Masimirembwa and Jacob Mudenda
DOUGLAS Mwonzora (MDC-T) claimed last week that legal opinion on the drafts of the first four chapters of the new constitution — prepared for Zanu-PF’s Cde Paul Mangwana — was leaked by these writers.