adminUS ambassador Charles Ray regrets hard-line stance on Zimbabwe
Bulawayo Bureau
THE United States regrets its hard-line stance against Zimbabwe and is keen on mending the relations, out-going US Ambassador Mr Charles Ray has said.
Speaking at a farewell Press briefing in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Mr Ray, who is left with 19 days in the country, said he has enjoyed his three-year stay in Zimbabwe.
In a rare change of attitude, Mr Ray showered praises on Zimbabweans, saying the country had a lot of potential for economic growth despite the challenges it was going through.
He condemned negative international media reports on Zimbabwe saying such reports were responsible for repelling international investors.
“Reflecting on my nearly three years in Zimbabwe, I remain cautiously optimistic,” Mr Ray said.
“The long-term future of this country is bright, due in large part to the overwhelmingly energetic, dedicated and intelligent young people, who make up the majority of Zimbabwean population.”
Zimbabweans, said Mr Ray, have the sovereign right to determine their destiny and the choice to choose the leaders they want in a voting process without any outside interference. He admitted that his country erred in adopting a radical stance against Zimbabwe adding concerted efforts were needed to try and build bridges between Harare and Washington for mutual benefit.
Defaulters beware: Zinara gets scanners, high-tech patrol vehicle
Peter Matambanadzo
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Roads Administration yesterday unveiled a US$60 000 high-tech patrol vehicle and 25 scanners to ensure all motorists comply with the new vehicle licensing system.
The vehicle and scanners were handed over to the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Harare City Council to enable them to immediately start enforcing the law.
The development comes amid reports that only 350 000 vehicles were licensed by the end of the June 30 deadline under the new vehicle licensing system out of an estimated 800 000 vehicles.
The vehicle has electronic gadgets directly linked to Zinara’s national vehicle database and video recorders.
The car has an automatic number plate recognition device with an all-weather infrared camera.
Handing over the equipment in Harare yesterday, Minister of Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development Nicholas Goche bemoaned the failure by some motorists to observe traffic laws.
BEAM collapses
Felex Share
Herald Reporter
THOUSANDS of orphans and underprivileged primary school pupils under the Basic Education Assistance Module are likely to be stranded after Unicef pulled out of the programme.
Unicef has been supporting more than 400 000 disadvantaged primary school pupils for the past three years.
Government fully pays tuition fees for BEAM secondary school children while donors, through Unicef, catered for primary school pupils.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday said the pull out by Unicef would have “serious consequences” on the underprivileged children.
The development, he said, would “heap” more responsibilities on an already constrained Government.
“The move is going to have serious consequences on the lives of pupils under Beam,” said Minister Coltart. “What this means is Government will be forced to settle the difference but it’s common knowledge that Government does not have the resources.
“Last term, more than 400 000 pupils in primary education were supposed to benefit but not all of them got the assistance as funding from the donors was not enough.
“Government on the other hand has been struggling to cover the secondary school pupils,” he said.
Civil servants give Govt two-week ultimatum
Felex ShareHerald Reporter
CIVIL servants have given Government a two-week ultimatum to improve their salaries
RBZ tasked to recover US$47m Interfin owes Govt
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been tasked to ensure that Government recovers over US$47 million held up at Interfin
VP Mujuru urges MPs to be development oriented
Bulawayo BureauACTING President Joice Mujuru yesterday called on Members of Parliament to be always on the ground initiating development projects for the electorate.
Farmers poorly equipped
Agriculture Reporter
AT least 75 percent of farmers lack appropriate machinery for effective agricultural production, which is negatively affecting their operations.
Banker sees red over namesake
Herald CorrespondentA Harare banker is having a torrid time for sharing the same name and age with an armed robber.
Rush for top post
Municipal ReporterAT least 60 people applied for the post of Chitungwiza town clerk that was left vacant following the dismissal of Mr Godfrey Tanyanyiwa on corruption charges.
But only nine were short listed and interviewed on Tuesday. There were 19 others short listed for the posts of chamber secretary, director of housing and community services and director of health services.
Mzembi taken ill
Herald Reporter TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi was on Tuesday admitted at a city hospital suffering from extreme exhaustion and fatigue.