ZAMBIAN RAILWAYS WORKERS GO FOR THREE MONTHS WITHOUT PAY

Zambian contractors and suppliers have gone for over three months without getting paid. The country is undergoing financial problems and has been able to pay suppliers half of what they owe them whilst some  contractors  have received half of their money with others getting none at all. 

Zambian railways

The government decided to divert $40 million out of the $120 million Eurobond money that was allocated to the recapitalization of Zambia Railways forcing the opposition party to demand the immediate payment of the money.

The UPND leader said his party was saddened that government neglected former workers retired after the termination of the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) concession who required only $5.1m (K30,000,000) but chose to pay a different workers’ category. He said President Michael Sata and the PF government were Hypocrites. 

one of Zambian trains.

Meanwhile Zambian Railways Managing Director Muyenga Atanga  fired three senior workers and placed Director of Finance on appraisal with a view to fire him for suspected leaking information to the Zambian Watchdog about his continued abuse of resources in the company.

The same thing has been happening with Zambia's  neighbours (Zimbabwe) as they have failed to pay their workers their due.

   

Several National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) employees have in the past  slept at the main railway station in protest over non-payment of salaries, with officials saying they had no financial solutions.

Botswana civil servants to get 4% increase on salaries

The government of Botswana has offered a 4% salary increase to civil servants in the ongoing salary negotiations with public sector trade unions. The negotiations have been ongoing at the Bargaining Council since the second week of February with trade unions proposing a 16 percent increase, while government maintained that they could only afford a 4 percent increase. 

The government will also introduce what they have termed an “overtime recession allowance.'' A D4 scale employee would have his or her salary increased by close to P1000 (made up of 5% overtime recession plus 4% increment). Those in A3 would get close to P200 increase. Therefore the increment would benefit civil servants across board.

The unions and government to settle for a four percent hike, the wage bill will increase by P520 million to about P13.5 billion. But if the unions have their way, the proposed adjustment will drive the wage bill to about P15 billion, a third of the total budget proposal for 2015/16.

Though it has not met the standards of people's expectations, the government should be given some credit on what it has done.

http://www.botswanaguardian.co.bw/news/1326-salaries-to-increase-by-4.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What will become of Zimbabwean universities???

Just last week, most state university students missed lectures due to the ongoing strike. Lupane state university lecturers were on go-slow while some missed lectures. The same happened with Great Zimbabwe university together with the one in Bindura. National University of Science and Technology followed suit after the government failed to pay them their 2014 bonuses and February dues.

 

  

The worst scenario happened when students in the University of Zimbabwe demonstrated when they were slapped with closed dining hall doors and lecture rooms on their faces. The eviction from hostels and campus infuriated the students even more. They marched in the institution grounds and outside the university premises calling out for service since they paid their fees. Non academics and academics were demanding their dues thats why a strike had to take place. Students were however instructed to go back to class as lectures had resumed with allegations that lectures had received their pays.

This therefore tends to be a cause for concern because it looks like people affected have to demonstrate for the government to take action. Does it mean students have to protest for the government to do something. Students at Nust were also affected by the strike twice in one semester and there hasnt been any demonstration taking place that is why the strike has repeated itself. Does this mean students have to cry fowl for them to get their service.

UZ lecturers joined their counterparts from Great Zimbabwe University, Midlands State University, National University of Science and Technology and Midlands State University counterparts in the industrial action.

UZ studentshttp://www.zbc.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53889:-uz-students-in-peaceful-demo&catid=36:local-

ZIMBABWE EXPELLED FROM FIFA 2018 WORLD CUP COMPETITIONS

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has notified the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that it was expelled from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It will be held in Russia and African games start in june where the screening will be done. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/news=zimbabwe-expelled-from-the-preliminary-compe

 The country had been given several deadlines and warnings by Fifa to settle the debt with the Brazilian José Claudinei Georgini, nicknamed Valinhos, who managed the national team from January to November 2008. His time as a coach is the year in which there was an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. This could be a reason why he has not been paid as yet or it could mean that the country mismanaged funds or his service was taken for granted. Either way, ZIFA had to pay him his dues.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/news=zimbabwe-expelled-from-the-preliminary-compet

 ZIFA was granted a 60-day period to settle half of its debt to the coach and a 120-day period to settle the remainder of the debt. ZIFA was warned that, if they did not pay within the granted periods, the case would – upon the express written request of the creditor – be resubmitted to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for the possible imposition of harsher sanctions, which could lead to expulsion from a FIFA competition. ZIFA did not appeal the decision. 

The country has never qualified for the world cup and its chances to do in 2018 have been wiped off its face. Maybe 2022 will be a better year for Zimbabwe.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/12/zimbabwe-expelled-world-cup-2018-qualifying-debt

Namibians against Tobacco project

NAMIBIAN HEALTH MINISTRY FIGHTS TOBACCO PROJECT

Officials and experts in Namibia are fighting tooth and nail with the Zambezi region project. Officials stated that the country has seen a lot of  uncommunicable diseases like cancer which are likely to be caused by smoking tobacco. They also aired out issues to do with desertification caused by farming tobacco.

One expert,Rod Davis recommended a technique called Alley Cropping, where strips of natural forest or bush are left to minimise deforestation. http://www.namibiansun.com/agriculture/tobacco-expert-slams-plantation-plan.77461

People are now taking tobacco farming as a form of poverty eradication because there is a lot of unemployment and tobacco sells fast.The Minister of Health and Social Services Richard Kamwi has also rejected the idea of a tobacco plantation, while youth land activists have lodged an official objection.http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=24324&page_type=story_detail

A Chinese company (Namibia Oriental Tobacco cc) has been given the green light to establish a N$1 billion tobacco and maize plantation in the region. The 3000 people to be employed at the project will be exposed to drugs and might end up smoking. The director of  the forestry in agriculture said the country will not clear land for such a project. 

Many fear that it will have a negative impact on the environment therefore Zimbabwean expertise is needed because they are one of the major tobacco exporters in the world.

 

Tobacco plantations. https://www.google.com/search?q=pictures+of+tobacco+fields&tbm=isch&imgil=imuh_SPxi-aCgM%253A%253BIGUHzXOnhzrSNM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.tobaccofieldcigars.com%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=imuh_SPxi-aCgM%253A%252CIGUHzXOnhzrSNM%252C_&usg=__Ieii60GEMe3UuOS_QeebCczCOWM%3D&biw=1280&bih=891&ved=0CDEQyjc&ei=-X0BVZ2cOYOpOqTxgYAF#imgrc=imuh_SPxi-aCgM%253A%3BIGUHzXOnhzrSNM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tobaccofieldcigars.com%252Fimages%252Ftobacco1x.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.tobaccofieldcigars.com%252F%3B380%3B246

Chinese company, Namibia Oriental Tobacco cc, has applied for 10 000 hectares in Zambezi for growing tobacco and maize. Last week, the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement carried an advertisement calling for objections to the Chinese company's application for land at Liselo - See more at: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=24324&page_type=story_detail#sthash.QIGrxTPz.dpuf

     Tobacco farmers. http://www.namibiansun.com/agriculture/tobacco-expert-slams-plantation-plan.77461

Benson Ntomwa said Namibia has seen an increase in non-communicable diseases like cancer which can be caused by smoking. - See more at: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=24324&page_type=story_detail#sthash.QIGrxTPz.dpuf

Benson Ntomwa said Namibia has seen an increase in non-communicable diseases like cancer which can be caused by smoking. - See more at: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=24324&page_type=story_detail#sthash.QIGrxTPz.dpufN

Namibia has seen an increase in non-communicable diseases like cancer which can be caused by smoking. - See more at: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=24324&page_type=story_detail#sthash.QIGrxTPz.dpuf

Namibia has seen an increase in non-communicable diseases like cancer which can be caused by smoking. - See more at: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=24324&page_type=story_detail#sthash.QIGrxTPz.dpuf

MATEBELELAND PEOPLE FUMING OVER MALEME SAGA

The people of Matopos are in a rage over Maleme's farm. They are declaring they will not allow Roderick Mashingaidze to take over the piece of land. Their suggestion is that a Ndebele person should take over not Mashingaidze who also happens to be a senior Central Intelligence officer. They even wrote graffiti on rocks saying ''Not Maleme" A meeting was held and people expressed their outcries over the matter. The meeting attracted a lot of people from villagers to various stakehloders from different organisations.http://www.radiodialogue.com/maleme-farm-saga-rages/

Maleme Ranch offered grazing pastures to villagers who were given pieces of land by Cunningham to conduct small-scale agricultural projects, like poultry farming. People who had gathered at the meeting waited forever for the vice president Dr Mphoko to show up at the scene as he was supposed to address the people. This angered the villagers more. Villagers have vowed to stage a vigil at Maleme, owned by Peter Cunningham, to ensure that the State spy does not set foot on it. The resistance is tribe-based and tribe-driven and is not necessarily on the issue of invasion, but on who is invading. http://www.southerneye.co.zw/2015/03/10/maleme-ranch-saga-angers-matabeleland/  

Mashingaidze is reported to have moved to the farm and the villagers around have expressed concerns that the man should go and look for a farm at his province.

 People of Matopo gathered to discuss the Maleme issue. http://www.radiodialogue.com/maleme-farm-saga-rages/

DHLAKAMA THREATENING NEW MOZAMBICAN PRESIDENT

The gas-rich nation has seen political turmoil. The new parliament and the new president are under fire as political problems  continue to bedevil Mozambique.

Top journalist and commentator Fernando Lima says on day one of the new legislature, the nation has a crisis on its hands.

“We have a political crisis in the country since Mr. Afonso Dhlakama, the head of RENAMO, is proclaiming a new state for the provinces of the center and northern part of the country," he said, speaking to VOA News via Skype from Mozambique’s capital. "Of course, this should not be understood as a secessionist claim. It is more of a negotiating effort with government. Still, it is a major crisis within our political system.” 

Dhlakama said the FRELIMO party rigged polls in October and RENAMO has to lead the country. Earlier this year, he threatened to secede and declare himself president of the “Republic of Central and Northern Mozambique. Political analysts have said there need be a political dialogue because RENAMO won 37 percent of votes, doubling its share from the 16 percent it won in the previous election in 2009. http://www.voanews.com/content/mozambique-new-parliament-facing-political-crisis/2594810.html

 RENAMO had proved, and the figures are in evidence of that, that it is a major party and it is a major player in the politics of Mozambique therefore Felipe Nyusi who is the new president has to accommodate Dhlakama's party.  

Afonso Dhlakama

ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT ILL OR BEWITCHED

 Zambian president-elect, Patriotic Front president Edgar Lungu is said to be ill hence the delay to officially configure him as president. His spokesperson said he has been diagnosed with malaria hence the delay of his configuration as president.The Watchdog (Zambian paper) has been consistent in revealing that Edgar Lungu is a very sick person and unfit to handle the strenuous work of president. Meanwhile, a similar incident happened in the neighbouring country Zimbabwe where the newly appointed vice presidents were involved in bizzard incidents. Mr Mnagagwa's office was spiced with cynade whilst Mr Mphoko was involved in a car accident. A Nigerian prophet is said to have indicated that if Mr Lunga wins he will die after a  few months. With such an incident occurring before his inauguration, we tend to wonder if it was just one of those prophets. 

The doctors said Edgar’s current health problems are a result of alcohol withdrawal. Because of strict media scrutiny during this campaign period Lungu has been forced to keep away from the alcohol to help clean his 'chakolwa’ image but his body isn’t taking that well. http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/

Zambian president Edgar Lunghttp://nehandaradio.com/2015/03/08/zambian-president-collapses-during-march/a

TENSION IN LESOTHO

Prime Minister, Tom Thabane who fled to South Africa as military leaders tried to overthrow him has vowed to prosecute them.Troops tried to overthrow him after he fired the head of the army, Lieutenant General Tlai Kamoli. He also dissolved parliament in June last year ahead of a vote of no confidence in him.There has been tension between the army and police despite the existing Peace accord. The elections will determine if Thabane wins and what will happen to the militia. The tension in the country will come to an end if Thabane loses and it is most likely that the country will be ruled by a coalition government formed by opposition parties. A multi-party system in such a  country is detrimental to its stability.

BOTSWANA TO WIPE AWAY GHOST WORKERS

Countries in Southern Africa seem to have something in common...Ghost workers!!  The Botswana government is aimed at recovering P9million from fake employees. It seems money is punched into fake accounts. Some corrupt government officials and civil servants have created accounts that belong to people who do not exist and cash the money themselves. It is not so different from their eastern neighbors as the government tried to do a follow up in 2013 trying to wipe away ghost workers in Zimbabwe.

The Botswana government has vowed to recover 9million pula from  52 ghost workers whom they have been paying since 2006.According to the Director, the roll out to all Ministry Headquarters in Gaborone will be completed by the 31st March, 2016 after which they will start rolling out the system to district offices.She stressed that the Oracle Payroll System will also be used to detect people without position and those holding positions which are not theirs.

ESKOM TO PULL PLUG ON ZAMBIA AND ZIMBABWE

ESKOM, which is the electrical distributor in South Africa has increased its load shedding  due to problems faced by the company. The country seems to be taking the Zimbabwean route, where power cuts have become a norm, with people doing their cooking or iron before the power is cut. This shows that it has become a part of people's lives as shown by the way they have adapted.

In a recent publication by the Fin 24, there has been  a declaration by Public Enterprises Minister, Mr Brown that Eskom can pull plug on Zambia and Zimbabwe. It becomes a wonder as to what the Kariba station and Hwange power station as well as ZESCO for Zambia are doing if Eskom will affect Zimbabwe. The countries in Southern Africa seem to be in trouble. It could be a dark continent after all!

ZESCO

 

FACTIONALISM IN ZANU PF CONTINUES...

It never rains but it pours for Zanu-pf. Another member of parliament has been dismissed from power. The ongoing process of dismissal of party members since last year seems not to come to an end. Mutasa, who was recently dismissed from parliament would not let this practice go without check. He has sued the president and Zanu-pf. Seems if you raise your voice in the party the result is to be chucked out of the party. It is only now that Mutasa reveals that allegations raised against Mujuru's party were ''malicious and defamatory''.

The chucking out of party members from October 2014 is said to be a breach of the national constitution as well as that of the party. Rugare Gumbo who aired out his voice last year when 19 deputy members were dismissed form the party is tasting the same medicine. He was dismissed alongside his colegue who has been mentioned above. What goes around seems to come around. The functionalism in the ruling party is now a cause for concern. Who will remain behind then? It is a time bomb for every member.  

Rugare Gumbo

RENEWAL OF SANCTIONS ON MUGABE AND WIFE

The strife between western people and Zimbabwe does not seem to come to an end as long as President Mugabe continues to rule! The European Union has renewed its sanctions on President Mugabe and his wife upto 2016. It seems they are hanging on the individual of the president than Zimbabwe. This exercise is aimed at excluding and isolating Zimbabwe so no one does business with us. This has not proved to be effective as we see the recent Russians who injected 4 billion dollars to Zim which went towrds mining and are looking for investment. Other countries that have come looking for investments are Germany who are coming into the country in April, China and Britain. The sanctions seem to be targeting the ruler than the people.