admin‘Occupy’ protestors target White House
WASHINGTON – Protestors linked to the “Occupy” movement apparently threw a smoke bomb over the White House fence, capping a day of protests in Washington, the Secret Service said. No arrests were made after demonstrators from the Occupy DC group marched on the White House, and protesters were peacefully dispersed, as officers dealt with the device, a Secret Service
No going back, says Uhuru Kenyatta
NAIROBI. – Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta maintains that not even a war crimes case at The Hague can pull him out of the race to succeed President Mwai Kibaki. Kenyatta, who is awaiting a verdict from the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber on whether he should face trial over the 2008 post-election violence, said he would press on with his
Nigeria orders probe into fuel corruption
ABUJA. – Nigeria’s graft watchdog has launched an investigation into corruption surrounding government subsidies on imported fuel, which critics say have bled billions of dollars from the treasury into the pockets of fuel importers. The move follows a week of protests after President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration tried to axe the popular subsidy to tackle corruption and waste in
Volunteer editors against Wikipedia blackout
WASHINGTON. – The shutdown of Wikipedia, one of the Internet’s most-visited sites, is not sitting well with some of its volunteer editors, who say the protest of anti-piracy legislation could threaten the credibility of their work. “My main concern is that it puts the organisation in the role of advocacy, and that’s a slippery slope,” said editor Robert Lawton, a Michigan
Let’s value information and steer development
A fortnight of non-visibility on the radar was like a thousand years, and it made me realise and appreciate how much pleasure and satisfaction I derive from saying my two cents worth.
There were a number of year-enders touching on every aspect of what people believed was newsworthy in 2011, and a lot of envisioning about 2012. My own list is no longer newsworthy, except for one issue.
Violence: You can’t talk it away
The peroration by the leadership of Zimbabwe’s three main political parties over the issue of political violence in general, in particular the insanity that rocked Chitungwiza during the first weekend of November has been regurgitated and selectively lauded by various media units – all the time telling us that the gathering of politicians from across the political field was what
Civil servants salary talks collapse
By Pamela Shumba
CIVIL servants bodies have resolved to go on strike tomorrow after their meeting with Public Service Minister Lucia Matibenga hit a brickwall yesterday.
Last week Minister Matibenga told civil servants’ representatives that she would meet them yesterday to communicate the Government’s position on their grievances.
Civil servants are demanding a salary of up to $538 from the $253 given to the least paid worker.
However, Minister Matibenga did not turn up for the meeting as she was reportedly caught up in a ministerial meeting.
Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, civil servants’ representatives expressed disappointment with the minister’s attitude.
The president of the Apex Council, which is the body that represents all civil servants, Ms Tendai Chikowore, said they were disappointed with their employer and were already in the process of organising the strike.
“The meeting was a non event. We arrived at Kaguvi Building at 2pm as per our arrangement but the minister was nowhere to be seen,” said Ms Chikowore in a telephone interview.
“We were later informed that she was attending a ministerial advisory committee meeting. We understand that the meeting was over when we were still waiting for her, but she did not see it important to come and address us.”
She said civil servants representatives had lost trust in Minister Matibenga.
Provinces apply for grain loans as food shortages worsen
Chronicle Reporters
THE shortage of food in Matabeleland region, Masvingo and the Midlands has reached critical levels with provinces applying for the grain loan scheme in order to avert starvation.
The Government re-introduced the grain loan scheme last month following a serious food deficit that has gripped most parts of the country.
In separate interviews yesterday Governor for Matabeleland South Angeline Masuku and her Matabeleland North counterpart, Thokozile Mathuthu, confirmed that communities had started applying for food relief.
“Yes we have started applying for food relief under the grain loan scheme. We want to assure the people that no one will die of hunger because all the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots in the province have enough grain stocks.
“What is important for people to know is that this grain is offered on credit and they will be required to pay it back. Of course some people are scared of the debt but it is better than to let children starve,” said Governor Masuku.
By October last year a majority of families in Matabeleland South were already facing food shortages with villagers in some areas reportedly surviving on wild fruits and roots of some trees.
In Matabeleland North, Governor Mathuthu said although some districts still had food, others such as Tsholotsho were in need of urgent food assistance.
Police laxity condemned
Harare Bureau
GENERAL Mujuru was alone in his car when he came home the night he died in a fire at his Beatrice farmhouse in August last year, one of the police constables at the gate told the inquest yesterday.
But Const Obert Mark said there had been a jacket hanging over the backseat.
In his evidence, while being questioned by Vice President Joice Mujuru, Const Mark conceded security at the farm was inadequate.
He and Const Augustino Chinyoka spoke of the delays in raising the alarm and trying to seek help. Const Mark and one of the other two constables on duty had been asleep and were roused by Const Chinyoka at around 2am when the fire was intense. They had managed to report the fire to Beatrice Police Station but did not have enough airtime to call the Harare Fire Brigade, who as a result only arrived at 5am.
The police had to find the maid once they saw the fire so she could tell them which room Gen Mujuru slept in and when they did try and enter the house they had to try a window far from the blaze since the fire was now so intense.
Veteran journalist Moyo dies
Chronicle Reporter
ZIMBABWE Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) current affairs editor Freedom Moyo has died.
He was 37.