adminGrain loan scheme extended
By Prosper Ndlovu
THE Government has extended the grain loan scheme facility to the 2012/13 farming season amid revelations that 500 000 hectares of the 1,6 million hectares of land planted in this year’s farming season is a write-off.
This was said by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made, in Bulawayo yesterday.
Presenting a report on the first round crop assessment in the country during the annual chiefs’ conference in Bulawayo, Dr Made said the country recorded a sharp decline in the maize crop hectarage this season compared to last year.
He attributed the development to the dry spell affecting most parts of the country.
“The rainfall pattern this season has been one of the most difficult. We received very minimal rainfall totals. As a result we only managed to plant 1 600 000 hectares of maize, which is a reduction from last year’s 1,8 million hectares,” said Dr Made.
Chiefs endorse President Mugabe
By Paul Nkala
THE annual chiefs’ conference opened in Bulawayo yesterday with chiefs endorsing President Mugabe as the Zanu-PF presidential candidate for elections scheduled for this year.
Emerging from a plenary session where chiefs from each of the country’s 10 provinces had gathered to come up with resolutions to present to President Mugabe today, the chiefs said they wanted Zanu-PF’s First Secretary to continue leading the country.
The chairperson of chiefs from Mashonaland East province, Chief Musarurwa, said it was the general view of all the chiefs from the province that President Mugabe had done a lot for the country, including giving land to the people and as such should be allowed to continue as Head of State.
Chief Musarurwa, who is also a Senator, said the only time that President Mugabe cannot stand is when he passes on, and emphasised it in fluent SiNdebele: “inkosi ikhutshwa yikufa.”
‘Devolution not the solution to Zim’s problems’
Chronicle Reporter
DEVOLUTION of power is not a suitable governance system for the country as it poses risks of civil and ethnic strife, the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo, said.
Nyasha Mushekwi involved in Asiagate
By Sikhumbuzo MoyoFORMER Caps United striker Nyasha Mushekwi, now at South African Absa Premiership giants Mamelodi Sundowns did participate in the shamed Far East tours after all.
According to an initial list sent to this publication, the Sundowns forward, who scored an incredible six goals in the Nedbank Cup match for his club over the weekend, did not appear anywhere and his non-inclusion from the national team had been attributed to Zifa president Cuthbert Dube’s calls that Mushekwi had a below par performance in the Cape Verde match hence he should not be called up again.
Zicosa zonal games at Hillside Teachers’ College
Sports ReporterHILLSIDE Teachers’ College will again play host to the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Colleges Sports Association (Zicosa) games which will run from 15 to 16 March.
The games are athletics, basketball, cricket, tennis and soccer for men and women.
Zim to take part in wheelchair basketball
Sports ReporterTHE International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) has presented to Zimbabwe an opportunity to play host to the 2013 Africa Cup Championships.
The competition, according to the IWBF calendar, is set for next February and will also be used as a World Cup qualifier.
CAPS’ Irish delight
Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United’s new manager Sean Connor has expressed confidence in the squad asse-mbled by the club before his arrival and is eager to see a turnaround of fortunes at the Premiership giants this season. Addressing a Press conference yesterday while flanked by his assistant Lloyd Chitembwe and defender Tapiwa
Implement realistic strategic plans, Premiership clubs challenged
Roy Matiki Sports Reporter
SEASONED sports administrator David Mutambara has challenged Premiership club chiefs to implement realistic strategic plans and devise ways that will result in a more effective management of both the Premier Soccer League and their teams. Mutambara made the remarks while addressing 13 PSL clubs’ chairmen and
Obert Moyo joins Caps
By Sikhumbuzo MoyoFORMER Hwange skipper Obert Moyo has reportedly snubbed fading Bulawayo giants Highlanders and joined Caps United on a two-year contract.
Bosso secretary Andrew Tapela, however, said he could only talk about players who were training with Bosso and Moyo was not part of those.
Moyo was linked with a move to Bulawayo, a team he once snubbed during the Kennedy Ndebele regime, but sources close to the player said he left his home town of Hwange for the capital yesterday morning.
Warriors drop
Sports ReporterZIMBABWE’S Warriors have paid the price for their surprise defeat to Burundi in a 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier with the country’s flagship team tumbling out of the top 100 on the latest Fifa Coca Cola Football rankings. The Warriors were ranked 99 last month and stayed in the top 100 despite being absent from