adminRBZ to launch Credit Reference Bureau
Mbongeni Ncube
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is working to establish a Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) to assist banks and micro-finance institutions (MFI’s) to avoid lending money to individuals and companies over-exposed to debt, an official has said.
The registrar of banks, Mr Norman Mataruka said:
“The bureau will create a data base of all individuals and companies that are swimming in debt so that banks and micro-finance institutions will be aware of such entities and avoid conducting business with them.
“The bureau will also engage in monitoring the performance of money-lending institutions making sure that they practise international standards,” said Mataruka.
Upsurge in diarrhoea cases
Makhosi Sibanda
THE Ministry of Health and Child Welfare recorded a total of seven diarrhoea-related deaths and 10 688 cases in just one week this month.
According to the Ministry’s latest weekly report, the figures were recorded during the third week of this month which ended on the 18th.
President to cap 62 LSU graduands
Uyapo Majahana
President Mugabe will cap a total of 62 graduands at Lupane State University graduation tomorrow, a 400 percent increase from last year.
The State University, which rents premises around Bulawayo, would be holding its third graduation since its inception in 2005.
The first graduation was held in 2010 where President Mugabe capped 16 graduands.
In an interview, LSU information and public relations manager Mr Zwelithini Dlamini said the university had recorded a sharp increase in enrolment in the past few years, which led to a rise in the number of graduands.
Alexio Kawara set to rock Bulawayo club
Entertainment Reporter
THE award-winning soul sensation, Alexio Kawara is set to give Club Forty40 patrons a breather from their customary reggae night when he plays there this Friday.
The venue has established a tradition of bringing top reggae acts to the city on Fridays, with Judgment Yard, Canadian based dancehall guru Mad Minnox and Legendary Sounds all gracing the venue in the last two months.
However activities at the club will be more mellowed this weekend when the Shaina and Tinodanana hit-maker stages a show at the nightspot on Friday to give revellers a taste of his soulful brand of music. This will be Kawara’s second show in the city in the last few months after he gave an inspiring performance at this year’s Intwasa Festival koBulawayo.
MDC-T case thrown back to High Court
Paul Nkala
MDC-T will now have to go back to the drawing board after the Supreme Court yesterday remitted back to the High Court a civil matter
National Gallery, British Council call for applicants for filming course
Entertainment Reporter
THE National Gallery in Bulawayo and the British Council are calling for applicants for a film production course that seeks to help young film-makers further their ambitions.
The course will include training, production and mentoring by an award-winning UK based Media Company. No cut-off date has been set for applicants but the course is set for early 2013.
Good Samaritan robbed of cash
Midlands Correspondent
A 52-year-old man from Shurugwi town paid the price of playing Good Samaritan when he was robbed at gunpoint by two unknown suspects he had given a lift from Gweru, police have confirmed.
Acting police spokesperson for Midlands Province, Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the victim, Mr Andrew Muzenda had picked up the two suspects near Cathedral Hall just outside the Gweru Central Business District.
He said the suspects later forced him to stop the vehicle at Sungano Motel turnoff before they demanded cash from him at gunpoint.
“The two were given $60 that Mr Muzenda had in his pockets before they allowed him to drive off,” he said.
Chikohora re-elected Comesa Business Council secretary-general
Oliver Kazunga
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce immediate past president, Mr Trust Chikohora has been re-elected secretary-general of the Comesa Business Council (CBC).
He was elected for another one year at the recently held general assembly in Kampala, Uganda.
“I was retained as secretary general of the CBC for another year. In fact, the general assembly agreed to retain the entire board for another year,” he said.
Next year, Mr Chikohora said they would continue working with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) secretariat to introduce a business passport in the trading bloc.
Media 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.