adminMali soldiers seize power
Renegade Malian soldiers went on state television yesterday to declare they had seized power in protest at the government’s failure to quell a nomad-led rebellion in the north.
Fire devours Mt Kenya’s ancient forests
A week-long fire raging on Kenya’s highest mountain has devoured thousands of hectares of Mount Kenya’s ancient forests, a crucial water catchment for the country.Described as a potential ecological disaster, the fire on Mount Kenya is now threatening the wildlife in the area as well.
Hundreds rally for teenager shot dead
NEW YORK — The parents of a black teenager shot to death by a Hispanic neighbourhood watch captain in Florida told demonstrators in New York they will keep fighting to get justice for their son.Al-Qaeda claims wave of deadly Iraq attacks
Al-Qaeda’s front group in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks that killed 46 people across the country this week, and said the violence exposes how weak government security is ahead of the upcoming Arab League summit in the capital, Baghdad.What are alien invasive species?
These are exotic plants which have become naturalised and threaten the existence of indigenous species by penetrating and replacing indigenous vegetation.Alien invasive species in Zimbabwe
Kombi owner abducts boy (5)
By Freedom Mupanedemo
POLICE in Shurugwi have arrested a commuter omnibus operator and his employee after the two recently allegedly abducted a five-year-old boy at his home during the night and went on to draw his blood using a syringe.
The two suspects, Bothwell Chihuta (33), who runs a fleet of kombis written “Senior Botha” and his accomplice, Joachim Chidende, whose age was not given, went on to allegedly dump their five-year-old victim by the roadside near Donga police base.
The incident, suspected to be a ritual move meant to enhance Chihuta’s businesses, occurred on Wednesday last week.
Police sources in Shurugwi said Chihuta and his accomplice drove away along the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road where they dumped their victim.
The two accused who had been on the run were arrested on Monday.
Acting police spokesperson for Midlands, Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, yesterday confirmed the incident and the arrest of Chihuta and Chidende.
Mayor demands full report on stands
Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo has demanded a report from council officials, explaining why home seekers are being given three days to raise deposits for housing stands.
Home seekers at Emhlangeni medium density suburb on Tuesday complained that council had given them a three-day ultimatum to raise a $4 200 deposit for housing stands or risk losing them.
Their counterparts in Emganwini and Pumula South were also given three days to raise about $2 700 in order to claim housing stands that council had allocated to them.
Council used to ask for a 35 percent deposit on the value of a stand, payable three weeks after the offer. The balance was being paid over 18 months.
The new system calls for more than half of the money in three days.
In an interview yesterday, Clr Moyo said the matter was under investigation and council would submit a report to him today.
“What is happening is unfair. We have people who have been on the housing waiting list for more than 15 years. They are suddenly being ambushed with unrealistic money demands that are supposed to be met over an unreasonably short time. We have to get to the bottom of the issue,” said Clr Moyo.
Government yet to avail contribution to $40m fund
Harare — The Government is yet to avail its $20 million contribution to the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf) that it launched in partnership with Old Mutual to revive ailing industries in Bulawayo.
Government selects vulnerable districts
By Leonard Ncube
THE Government has selected a district from each of the country’s 10 provinces where disadvantaged and vulnerable families will by the end of this month start receiving social grants of between $10 and $25.
One of the 10 districts, Goromonzi of Mashonaland East, has already started receiving the grants.
The development comes after the Government reportedly mobilised about $45 million which would see at least 300 000 economically disadvantaged households benefiting through monthly grants under the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer Scheme (HSCTS).
Responding to written questions, the national coordinator for the programme in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Leon Muwoni, said the other nine districts to be covered this year are Mangwe (Matabeleland South), Umguza (Matabeleland North), Mzilikazi (Bulawayo), Zvishavane (Midlands), Epworth (Harare), Makoni (Manicaland), Rushinga (Mashonaland Central), Kariba (Mashonaland West) and Chivi in Masvingo.
PSL fixtures announced
By Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE 2012 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures have been released with two of the traditional giants Highlanders and Dynamos being handed relatively easy home matches when the season opens during the weekend of March 31/April 1.
Highlanders, under Zambian Kelvin Kaindu, will play host to Blue Rangers, formally Blue Ribbon, while Callisto Pasuwa will lead the reigning champions DeMbare against Central Region champions Hardbody.