adminMedia urged to disseminate accurate information
Mkhululi Sibanda
THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity, Cde George Charamba
Farmers urged to grow commercial crops
Mbongeni Ncube
FARMERS have been urged to grow commercial crops rather than concentrate on subsistence production.
Growing cash crops, said immediate past president of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU), Mr Donald Khumalo has potential to boost economic growth and ensure food security.
In an interview, Mr Khumalo said since the rains have started falling farmers should focus on growing commercial crops which can earn them high profits.
“Farmers throughout the country should focus their efforts on growing commercial crops such as cotton, maize and tobacco. Farmers should make sure there is enough to feed themselves and more to sell thereby increasing exports,” he said.
Zimbabwe ready for UNWTO assembly
Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT says it is satisfied with the country’s state of preparedness to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly next year.
Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi yesterday said the preparations were going on well.
He said some UNWTO inspectors were expected in the country in January next year to assess the progress.
“So far so good, we are comfortable with the progress in terms of preparing for the general assembly meeting,” said Minister Mzembi.
“We are doing well, but of course this is subject to the findings of the inspectors that are coming in January to assess the state of preparedness.”
Minister Mzembi said Government had set aside 1 200 hectares of land for uptake by investors in preparation for the crucial event.
“The land may be used for construction of new hotels and many other structures for tourism,” he said.
DR Congo rebels set pullout demands
M23 rebels controlling the eastern city of Goma in the DR Congo have said they will not pull out unless their demands are met.
Al Jazeera’s Nazanine Moshiri, reporting from Goma, said the rebels were demanding that the government hold national talks and dissolve the electoral commission enacted by President Joseph Kabila.
Other demands include the involvement of the opposition in the government and withdrawal of the rebel group FDLR from positions it is occupying.
Protesting farmers spray European parly with milk
Angry farmers protesting at falling dairy prices in the EU have sprayed fresh milk at the European Parliament and riot police in Brussels.
Thousands of dairy farmers, accompanied by hundreds of tractors, descended on the Belgian capital on Monday for two days of demonstrations.
Disruption has continued, with EU officials hindered from reaching their offices by tractors blocking roads. Farmers want an increase of up to 25 percent in their prices to cover costs.
EU milk is often sold at below production costs due to a drop in international demand and increased competition.
The European Milk Board (EMB), which is co-ordinating the protest, says small farmers are being forced out of business.
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).
HCCL, 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.
MDC-T councillor resigns
Chronicle Reporter
THE MDC-T councillor for Ward 12 in Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province, Salani Nkomazana, has resigned from the party citing frustration by the senior leadership.
Clr Nkomazana is the second high profile councillor after Victoria Falls Mayor Clr Nkosilathi Jiyane, to part ways with the MDC-T structures in the province.
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.