adminNew SA law to affect Zim exports: AfDB
The African Development Bank (AfDB) says the recent enactment of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) by South Africa is against the promotion of free trade under the Sadc Trade Protocol.Algeria hostage-takers threaten more attacks
DUBAI — The Mulathameen Brigade that claimed the mass hostage-taking in Algeria threatened to carry out more attacks unless Western powers ended what it called an assault on Muslims in neighbouring Mali, according to the SITE monitoring service.Israeli election campaign winds down
Jerusalem — With less than 24 hours until Israelis vote in general elections, party leaders were yesterday campaigning down to the wire ahead of a ballot seen returning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to office.EDITORIAL COMMENT:Unity of purpose shown by political parties refreshing
The unity with which the inclusive Government has been moving the constitution making process in the past few days is commendable.French, Malian troops enter Diabaly
French and Malian troops have entered the key central Malian town of Diabaly, which has faced heavy airstrikes and fighting since being seized by al-Qaeda-linked rebels a week ago.Poet expo to be held in Masvingo
Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO-based poet stable Dzimbabwe Poets in collaboration with Masvingo Arts platform will play host to a poet expo slated for 26 January at Charles Austin Theatre.Gweru Sports Club forms women’s rugby team
Lovemore Zigara
GWERU’S representatives in the Lion Lager National Rugby League, Gweru Sports Club (GSC), have formed a women’s side which is set to compete with other women clubs in the national league.
VP Nkomo laid to rest
Harare Bureau
THE country must peacefully hold its harmonised elections this year in fulfillment of Vice President Landa John Nkomo’s wish, President Mugabe said yesterday.
Addressing thousands of mourners who thronged the National Heroes Acre in Harare to pay their last respect to Cde Nkomo, President Mugabe underscored the need for peace.
“Let us carry that message with us in our daily lives. It was his dear wish to see elections, which are scheduled for this year, carry this exhortation of peace, peace and more peace. For it is one way we could honour his legacy and that of others who fought for this country in order to make it the peaceful and tranquil oasis we have today.
“The overriding common denominator is that we are all Zimbabweans.
“The heroes who lie here would surely turn in their graves if we betrayed their sacrifices and trust through petty personal differences that serve only to weaken us so that the enemy can once again recolonise us.”
President Mugabe said the nation derived solace from observing that Cde Nkomo died on the day the parties to the GPA resolved outstanding issues that were standing in the way of concluding the draft Constitution.
BCC barred from swearing in councillor
Court Reporter
BULAWAYO High Court judge, Justice Lawrence Kamocha yesterday granted an interim order interdicting Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Middleton Nyoni from swearing in Mr Fidelis Fengu as a special interest councillor.
The ruling by Justice Kamocha sitting in his chambers now interdicts the Bulawayo City Council from swearing Mr Fengu into office.
Mr Jack Matshazi, a ratepayer with the city council last week on Friday filed an urgent chamber application through his lawyer, Mr Job Sibanda, of Job Sibanda and Associates seeking an order to bar the council from swearing in Mr Fengu, as a special interest councillor.
The application by Mr Matshazi followed an order last week by Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Dr Ignatius Chombo that the local authority immediately swear in Mr Fengu or Mr Nyoni risks losing his job by last Saturday.
Controversy was sparked when, in a letter dated 22 November last year, Dr Chombo appointed Mr Fengu, a special interest councillor representing people with disabilities in terms of Section 4A of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15).
BCC Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou reportedly turned Mr Fengu away when he reported for duty.
Hospitals detain mothers over maternity fees
Prosper Ndlovu
PUBLIC hospitals and clinics continue to detain mothers and deny them their babies’ birth confirmation records over maternity fees despite the scrapping of the charges by the Government, a survey has revealed.
According to Justice for Children Trust, a children’s rights organisation, some health institutions in Bulawayo are demanding user fees from mothers after delivery with those who fail to settle the bills reportedly being denied birth confirmation records or detained.
The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare announced the scrapping of maternity fees at public health institutions last year in a bid to make maternity services accessible to more women including the poor.
Justice for Children Trust’s child protection and development officer Mr Admire Mandizvidza said at least 20 cases of detained mothers were reported in Bulawayo every month.
He said detaining mothers and denying them birth confirmation records was a violation of the child’s rights.
Mr Mandizvidza said it was disturbing that while Government has made significant progress in making health institutions accessible to people including those in rural areas, some centres were opposing the move.