Connect with us

National

Chamisa’s CCC set for landslide victory in parly, council by-elections

Published

on

BY GIBBS DUBE

Zimbabwe’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)  led by Nelson Chamisa, which was set up two months ago, is heading for a landslide victory in council and parliamentary by-elections held on Saturday.

Advertisement

Official results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) indicate that CCC has retained almost all parliamentary seats in urban areas.

CCC has conceded defeat in Mutasa South where its candidate got 5,269 votes compared to the ruling party’s candidate who amassed 5,818 votes.

In tweet, CCC said, We lost this seat to Zanupf.”

Advertisement

CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa, said in a tweet, “This by-election has shown that ultimately all authority comes from the citizens.

“Citizens are above politicians & their foolish politics.

“Why did you waste national resources tax payers money? Would these resources not have been deployed to better our health, education sectors?”

Advertisement

Zanu PF says the party will issue a statement after analysing all the results.

There were 28 parliamentary and 122 council seats that were up for grabs nationwide.

BY-ELECTION RESULTS (Preliminary)

Advertisement

Constituency: Mufakose Province: Harare CCC: 4039 Zanupf: 1128 MDC Alliance : 218 Winner: CCC Susan Matsunga

Constituency: Glenview North Province: Harare CCC: 4053 Zanupf: 1578 MDC Alliance : 112 NPF: 20 Winner: CCC Fani Munengami

Constituency: Mutasa South Province: Manicaland CCC: 5269 Zanupf: 5818 MDC Alliance : 162 Independent: 50 Winner: We lost this seat to Zanupf

Advertisement

Constituency: Kambuzuma Province: Harare CCC: 3092 Zanupf: 1333 MDC Alliance : 108 Winner: CCC Willias Madzimure

Constituency: Glen-Norah Province: Harare CCC: 5098 Zanupf: 1552 MDC Alliance : 280 UDA :18 RPZ: 49 Winner: CCC Wellington Chikombo

Constituency: Nkulumane Province: Bulawayo CCC: 2760 Zanupf: 1900 MDC Alliance : 150 DOP:18 RPZ: 45 Winner: CCC Phulu Kucaca

Advertisement

Constituency: Marondera Central Province: Mashonaland East CCC: 6756 Zanupf: 4200 MDC Alliance:292 Independent:55 Winner: CCC Caston Matewu

Constituency: St Mary’s Province: Harare CCC: 5830 Zanupf: 4483 MDC Alliance:201 Independent : 55 Winner: CCC Tarusenga Unganayi Dickson

Constituency: Harare East Province: Harare CCC: 7534 Zanupf: 3045 MDC Alliance:114 UZA: 100 LEAD: 25 Winner: CCC Laxton Tendai Biti

Advertisement

Constituency:Dangamvura-Chikanga Province: Manicaland CCC: 13132 Zanupf: 6304 MDC Alliance:341 PZ: 209 MA/AT 57 Winner: CCC Mutseyami Chapfiwa Prosper

Constituency: Pumula Province: Bulawayo CCC: 3092 Zanupf: 1212 MDC Alliance:110 ZAPU:227 UDA: 33 RPZ: 27 Independent: 62 Winner: CCC Mahlangu Sichelesile

Advertisement

National

Econet unveils new home and business data packages

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has launched new ‘Smart-Suite’ Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) data packages consisting of six plans tailored to address the data needs of different customers – from the ‘SmartLite’ plan, offering 50GB of data (best for light users) and retailing for $30, to ‘SmartPro’, offering 800GB of data (ideal for established SMEs) and retailing at $170.

Advertisement

In between are ‘SmartPlus’, offering 75GB at $40 (targeting families); ‘SmartMax’, offering 100GB at $50 (ideal for bigger homes and freelancers); ‘SmartFlex’, offering 200GB at $70 (tailored for flexible scaling and small offices) and ‘SmartUltra’, offering 400GB at $99 (suitable for heavy, multi-users and SMEs).

Introducing the SmartSuite packages on multiple media channels, Econet said the new data packages will be easy to upgrade and will offer flexible plans “that grow with your needs”.

To ensure optimized and stable performance within a customer’s premise and network coverage area, the new packages will be geo-locked to a customer’s location, and accessible using a 4G or 5G CPE (customer premises equipment) router.

Advertisement

Geo-locking – a term used to describe the restriction of access to a product or service to a specific geographical location – ensures customers get the best possible usage experience while enabling service providers like telcos and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to ringfence critical resources such as bandwidth, making certain they are utilized by the intended users.

Econet said the SmartSuite packages will be available through its Econet Shops across the country where the company enjoys the largest network coverage, adding that CPE routers will also be available for sale in its shops – starting from US$48 per unit. The company noted though that customers will be free to use their existing CPEs, or to purchase CPEs anywhere elsewhere, as long as they were compatible with Econet’s SmartSuite product specifications.

Econet, which is the largest mobile network operator in Zimbabwe, enjoys the widest 4G (LTE) network coverage in the country. With 300 5G base stations deployed in the country’s major cities and towns, it is by far the market leader in 5G technology in Zimbabwe.

Advertisement

The launch of the new SmartSuite packages follows a notice to customers of the former SmartBiz packages from Econet a month ago, notifying them that it would soon launch new data packages offering more choice and flexibility, and tailored to different customer needs.

Customers registered to the old SmartBiz service and who already have a CPE, can simply dial *143, choose a package of their choice and credit their new SmartSuite package. New subscribers to the SmartSuite packages will however need to buy a new SmartSuite SIM from an Econet Shop, as well as a CPE, for them to be able to connect to the new packages. If they own a CPE that meets Econet’s specifications, they will be able to use it for their SmartSuite package.

Along with the new SmartSuite data packages, Econet continues to offer its all its customers the choice of a wide range of mobile data products, accessible ‘on the go’ throughout the country via the customer’s mobile device or smartphone.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

National

Parliament advocates for youth employment quota amidst growing crisis

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Parliament convened on Tuesday to discuss a crucial motion demanding the establishment of a quota system for youth employment in the public sector.

Advertisement

This motion is in response to alarming statistics revealing that over 62% of Zimbabwe’s population is under the age of 35, yet these young people face significant challenges in accessing job opportunities.

MP Ropafadzo Makumire, who moved the motion, stated, “I rise today to move this motion in my name with respect for this House and with deep concern for the future of young people.” He articulated the urgency of addressing youth unemployment, citing Section 20 (1) (c) of the Constitution, which mandates that the Government “at every level must take reasonable measures to ensure that the youths are given opportunities for employment and economic development.”

Makumire expressed his concern regarding Statutory Instrument 201 of 2024, which raised the pensionable retirement age for civil servants from 65 to 70 years, declaring, “This unintentionally reduced opportunities for young Zimbabweans entering the workforce.” He emphasized the struggle of the youth, stating, “Every year, over 30 000 graduates leave our universities and colleges. Many struggle to find meaningful jobs… the majority are struggling to meet even basic needs.” He also pointed out that many graduates resort to street vending: “If we can take a sample of street vendors in the streets eof Harare… you are going to realise that the majority of them are graduates. This is a sign that this country is in jeopardy.”

Advertisement

Mutsa Murombedzi seconded the motion and echoed the urgency for action. He remarked, “Our Constitution is clear. Section 20 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe obligates the State to take measures to ensure that youth are afforded opportunities for employment… The Government raised the retirement age for civil servants… it acted in a manner that is inconsistent with this constitutional principle.” He expressed deep concern: “If we do not give the youth jobs, we bury them either in graves of addiction or in airports as they flee this country.”

During the debate, another legislator acknowledged the global unemployment issue, stating, “The issue of unemployment is a global phenomenon… inasmuch as I acknowledge that we have over 62% of youths between the ages of 15 to 35… there are a number of initiatives that have been put forward by our Government to make sure that our youths participate in the mainstream economy.” He mentioned vocational training efforts as critical steps forward: “We have localised some of these programmes that have been implemented… with young people who are taking up vocational training courses.”

Joseph Mapiki raised concerns about the context of employment: “What is happening in the country is totally different from what is happening in other countries… we came up with the law that someone must be able to employ someone, not waiting for someone to employ you.” He highlighted initiatives to empower young entrepreneurs, stating, “We are happy that the Government managed to sign an MoU called India Zimbabwe… where they are purchasing low-priced machines.”

Advertisement

Dexter Malinganiso partially supported the motion, recognizing the demographic dividend of the youth. “It is evident that we have in Zimbabwe a very good demographic dividend that is still energetic, agile, educated and willing to partake in nation building,” he said, while also acknowledging government efforts to create opportunities for youth.

Finally, Tanatsva Mukomberi emphasized the need for progressive solutions. He stated, “It is key to note that solutions come from proper cause and effect analysis. To analyse what actually causes high rates of youth graduates’ unemployment, not just focusing on unemployment per se.” He highlighted the importance of exploring sustainable solutions that enable young people to thrive rather than simply identifying the problem.

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

National

Government rolls out business reforms to boost agriculture sector

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The government has undertook reforms  to ease doing business in the country, starting with the agriculture sector, specifically targeting livestock, dairy farming, and stockfeed sub-sectors.

Advertisement

Quoting from the press statement by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion on Wednesday: “The initiative seeks to enhance the investment climate, encourage domestic production, and attract foreign direct investment.”

Minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube, announced these reforms which are “a product of a multi-stakeholder process led by the Office of the President and Cabinet, with support from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, and technical assistance from the World Bank.”

The reforms aim to cut through “excessive regulations, high compliance costs, and duplication of responsibilities across institutions” that have constrained the agriculture sector. For instance:
– “Dairy farmers previously required up to 25 permits across 12 agencies.”
– “Feed manufacturers needed 23 permits from 10 departments.”
– “Beef cattle farmers faced 18 requirements, while abattoirs required 20, dairy processors 21, and feed processors 23.”

Advertisement

Key reforms introduced include:
– “Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) farm registration fees cut to $1 flat fee.”
– “Dairy processor registration reduced from $350 annually to a one-time $50 fee.”
– “Feed manufacturing registration cut from $150-$250 to $20 flat fee.”
– “Livestock movement clearance reduced to $5 per herd (down from $10 per beast).”
– “Import permit for livestock genetics (heifers, bulls, semen) reduced from $100 to $20.”

Ncube emphasized the government’s commitment “to creating a modern, efficient, and business-friendly regulatory system that drives inclusive economic growth and positions Zimbabwe as an Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.”

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 VicFallsLive. All rights reserved, powered by Advantage