adminHCCL, coal merchants’ negotiations stalled
Oliver Kazunga
THE Coal Merchants Association of Zimbabwe (CMAZ) has said negotiations with Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) over coal distribution have been stalled by the absence of a substantive managing director at the company.
Recently, the merchants re-engaged HCCL to allow the traders to resume coal distribution business while the colliery focused on its mining core business.
“So far, there has not been any progress with regards to our negotiations with HCCL because there is nobody to negotiate with.
“Their managing director Mr Fred Moyo has left the company,” said CMAZ chairman, Mr Jabulani Nkomo in an interview.
Unions divided at Marikana hearings
Rustenburg — The public gallery at the Farlam Commission’s hearings was divided between people affiliated to competing unions yesterday.
One camp, which included the families of some of the deceased mine workers, wore green T-shirts associated with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).
The other group wore red regalia branded with the logos of the Congress of SA Trade Unions and its affiliate, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
ANALYSIS: Zanu-PF conference to set tone for elections campaign
Factmore Dzobo
NEXT week, Zanu-PF holds its 13th Annual National People’s Conference in Gweru, about three months before harmonised elections in March.
The theme for the 4-9 December convention is “Indigenise, Empower, Develop and Create Employment.” A futuristic convention centre is being built just outside Gweru to host 5 000 delegates expected to attend the revolutionary party’s conference. As preparations intensify, various sub-committees are working round the clock to ensure a flawless event. Much more significantly, Zanu-PF’s 10 provincial structures have already re-affirmed President Mugabe as the party’s candidate for next year’s plebiscite.
Party heavyweights from Matabeleland are hopeful of a successful conference, expected to set the tone for the party’s campaign for the March elections. They look forward to Zanu-PF resoundingly winning the poll, signalling a possible demise of opposition parties.
Wife scalds husband with hot porridge
Walter Mswazie
A 24-year-old woman from Mwenezi, Masvingo, scalded her husband with hot porridge leaving him nursing first degree burns after being caught red-handed sexually entertaining another man.
Alfina Zhou, of 123 NRZ Stands, Rutenga, was yesterday convicted on her own plea by Masvingo magistrate Ms Dorothy Mwanyisa.
She was sentenced to 10 months in prison of which four months were conditionally suspended for five years. The remaining six months were suspended on condition that she performs 210 hours of community service at Rutenga Clinic.
For the State Ms Zibusiso Mkandla said on an unknown date but sometime early this month at around 9pm, Zhou invited her unnamed lover to the house she shared with her estranged husband Mr Caesar Rutanhira who was away.
Asiagate convicts fined
Lovemore Dube and Sikhumbuzo Moyo
ZIFA yesterday confirmed throwing a lifeline to almost 70 players and soccer personalities who were given either wholly suspended sentences or the option of a fine for their involvement in the Asiagate scandal.
Between 2007 and 2010, Zimbabwe Warriors were involved in matches played in Bulgaria, Asia and Africa. All the games were organised by Asian betting and matchfixing masterminds.
The national association had been expected for weeks to announce the names of players and officials who fell within the six months to five years suspensions. Following a board and assembly meeting at the weekend, Zifa resolved to give the players another chance.
The players will have their suspensions commuted to fines ranging from $1 000 to $7 000 depending on one’s involvement in the games according to the findings of two committees, one led by Ndumiso Gumede and the other by Justice Ahmed Ebrahim.
Many talented stars looked destined for the streets or social football until Zifa took a decision to commute suspensions to fines.
Under-17s out of Zone Six Championships
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
A monumental boob by beleaguered Zifa in which they failed to fund the Under-17 soccer side’s trip for the second round, second leg African Youth Championships against Congo Brazzaville last month has seen the youngsters being excluded from the Zone Six Championships to be held in Zambia next month.
Bosso participation in African safari doubtful
Ricky Zililo
THE Zifa boob to register Highlanders for the 2011 Caf Confederation Cup without their consent might live to haunt the Bulawayo giants as their participation at next year’s lucrative Caf Champions League hangs in the balance.
Bosso are banned from participating in any continental competition after withdrawing from last year’s edition of the Caf Confederation Cup. The Bulawayo giants are banned until 2015. They were registered by Zifa without their consent.
On Monday Zifa wrote to Caf to plead on behalf of Bosso and the continental football body in its response said the matter will only be forwarded to their Bureau of Interclubs Committee on 9 December.
There is little hope that the Bulawayo giants will win the case as Khaled Nassar, of the Caf competitions divisions asked Zifa to submit two lists one with Highlanders and the other without Bosso.
Cash-strapped Vic Falls council to buy vehicles
Victoria Falls Reporter
PLANS by the cash-strapped Victoria Falls Municipality to buy a vehicle for the mayor and two for its managers are at an advanced stage despite the fact that the local authority has since last July been failing to pay salaries for its workers.
The move also comes at a time when councillors have expressed their reservations on how management bought a second-hand Mercedes Benz for the town clerk’s office for about $11 500 without the approval of the procurement board.
The councillors said they suspect underhand dealings.
These revelations are captured in the minutes of the Environmental Management and Technical Services Committee and the Finance and Development Committee meetings.