adminConstitution: Zuma team expected
Felex Share Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma’s backroom facilitation team is expected in Harare today to get an update on Constitution-making in Zimbabwe. But, political analysts said the visit was insignificant because the final determination on the draft Constitution lay with principals in the inclusive Government.
They said a “clear signal” on the way forward would come from the principals, not the facilitation team.
A member of the team, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, said they would not dictate what should be included in the new Constitution.
She said the team would meet negotiators from the three main political parties today.
“As you are aware, the draft Constitution was availed and the MDC formations made their consultations and immediately endorsed the document, while on the other hand Zanu-PF has an input to make,” she said.
“We are not going to dictate, but facilitate the finding of an agreement between the parties where we can.”
“We have got an entire responsibility to look at the implementation of the Global Political Agreement and we will also look at other areas, especially after the Maputo summit.”
Zanu-PF, after auditing the draft against the national report, came up with amendments on some provisions of the draft.
The two MDC formations declared the amendments void, saying the revolutionary party should bring its concerns to the Second All Stakeholders’ Conference.
Zanu-PF negotiator Cde Patrick Chinamasa yesterday said the principals were dealing with the draft constitution.
“They now have the case before them and are the highest authority to deal with the matter,” he said.
“If the facilitation team comes, we are going to listen to their message. As to what will happen after that, I do not want to speculate.”
MDC negotiator Mrs Priscillah Misihairambwi Mushonga expressed optimism the facilitation would break the deadlock.
Bread price increase blocked
Farirai Machivenyika and Faith Mabika
GOVERNMENT will not allow the proposed increase in the price of bread because it will push up inflation, Finance Minister Tendai Biti has said.
He said yesterday that there was no justification for the increase.
The National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe last week said it would pass the high prices of local flour and tariffs on imported flour to consumers, unless Government reduced the duty from 20 percent to five percent.
Bakers want a loaf to cost US$1,20, up from US$1.
But Minister Biti said there had been no fundamental changes in the price and tariffs to warrant the increase.
“The statement by the bakers’ association is misleading. As you are aware, there is no duty on the importation of wheat,” he said.
“Wheat is imported by millers who then produce flour for onward selling to bakers.
“What the bakers’ association is trying to do is to push us to liberalise the importation of flour.”
Minister Biti said it was irresponsible for bakers to claim there was an increase in the price of flour.
“It is irresponsible to insinuate an increase in the price of wheat and import duty when duty on wheat is not there and has not been increased,” he said.
“As far as we are concerned, there is nothing that justifies the rise in the price of bread and we will not accept that.
“We will not accept an appetite from a small section of business to push inflation.”
Zimbabwe has maintained an inflation rate of between three and four percent since the introduction of the multi-currency regime.
Minister Biti said the price of oil was declining on the international market, ruling out fuel as a factor in the increase of the price of bread.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe echoed similar sentiments.
GMAZ chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said bakers should not use flour prices as an excuse to increase bread prices.
Econet in trouble
Innocent Ruwende Senior Court Reporter
ECONET may face contempt of court charges for terminating interconnection services to NetOne while the High Court was in session to determine the matter yesterday.
Justice Ben Hlatshwayo said he would revisit the matter to determine whether or not Econet was being contemptuous of the court.
He made the remarks after learning that Econet had disconnected NetOne while he was about to hear the matter.
Justice Hlatshwayo said he did not know why it was necessary for Econet to disconnect NetOne.
“Simply disconnecting members of the public without warning is irresponsible. Members of the public are busy carrying out their duties then they are suddenly disconnected.”
NetOne managing director Mr Reward Kangai and lawyer Advocate Ray Goba, who is being instructed by Mr Collin Kuhuni, also learnt of the developments in court.
Econet lawyer Advocate Firoz Girach, who is being instructed by lawyers Mtetwa and Nyambirai, submitted that his client disconnected NetOne at 10am yesterday.
He said Econet’s customers were forewarned through messages over the weekend.
Adv Girach said the matter was on whether or not Econet had a legal right to disconnect NetOne over a US$19 million debt.
But Justice Hlatshwayo said the disconnection should have been stalled for the court hearing to proceed.
“Out of the respect of this court, the disconnection should not have been done. We should be sitting here knowing the public is connected,” said Justice Hlatshwayo.
He said Econet should have stuck to the position it made on Thursday last week in which it agreed to reconnect NetOne pending the finalisation of the matter.
Zim population census ends
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
THE 2012 population census ended yesterday and Government was expected to release
President in Dubai en-route to Iran
Hebert Zharare in Dubai
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Herald Reporter
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WFP to help get grain to needy areas
Agriculture Reporter
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