BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A daring heist has just gone down in Bulawayo, where armed robbers hit an Ecobank branch on Fife Street and 9th Avenue.

The robbers made off with a whopping US$ 4 million in cash, leaving witnesses stunned and police scrambling for clues.

Here’s what we know so far: the robbers targeted a Safeguard Security transit vehicle delivering money to the bank.

Witnesses say the guards didn’t resist, and the robbers got away with four cash boxes. The getaway vehicle was described as a white single-cab Ford Ranger.

But here’s the thing – the police think this might be an inside job. “The manner in which this incident occurred shows an element of inside job or leakage of information,” said Commissioner Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations) Nyathi Paul.

The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the National Complaints Desk or report to their nearest police station.

They’re also assuring the public that they’ll get to the bottom of this and ensure that justice is served.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The City of Bulawayo is seeking a new Town Clerk after Christopher Dube’s four-year contract expired on September 30.

According to a statement from the City Council, “The Town Clerk’s (Mr Christopher Dube) four year contract with the City of Bulawayo ended at midnight of Monday, 30 September 2024. Whereas Council had resolved (7 February 2024) to extend the contract subject to approval by the Local Government Board, a request of approval was sent to the Local Government Board on the 25th March 2024. However by the end of day of 30 September 2024 such approval had not been obtained. In the circumstances therefore the Town Clerk vacated office at midnight on 30 September 2024 by expiration of contract.”

Acting Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, announced that the Chamber Secretary, Sikhangele Zhou, will assume the role of Acting Town Clerk until a suitable replacement is found.

“The City of Bulawayo will soon commence the search for a new Town Clerk and in the meantime, as provided in the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15, the Chamber Secretary (Mrs Sikhangele Zhou) will be Acting Town Clerk until a substantive Town Clerk is appointed,” the statement read.

Dube previously served as the Town Clerk of Victoria Falls.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

“It remains the duty of all of us to respect and abide by measures and instruments intended to maintain economic stability and tame inflation,” President Mnangagwa said in his State of the Nation Address at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden on Wednesday.

He emphasized the importance of embracing the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, which was adopted in April 2024 to stabilize the domestic currency.

“The adoption of the ZiG was an important step towards stabilising the domestic currency anchored by our gold and 8 precious metal reserves,” he noted.

However, Zimbabwe has been facing economic challenges, including hyperinflation, which has eroded the value of the currency and made it difficult for citizens to afford basic goods and services.

The country has been using a multi-currency system since 2009, but the RTGS dollar has struggled to maintain its value, leading to high inflation rates.

In response, the government has implemented measures to stabilize the currency, including the adoption of the ZiG and the willingness to allow greater flexibility in the foreign exchange market.

Despite these efforts, parallel market activities driven by speculative tendencies have resurfaced, causing concerns about economic disruptions.

President Mnangagwa assured Zimbabweans that the government remains committed to backing the currency through setting aside 50% of royalties for building reserves.

“Foreign currency inflows from exports have increased from US$7 billion in 2023 to US$8 billion in 2024,” he reported.

He also highlighted the government’s efforts to deepen the foreign exchange market and promote effective price discovery.

“The increased flexibility on the foreign exchange market is expected to further promote effective price discovery and encourage holders of foreign exchange to participate in the willing-buyer willing-seller market,” he explained.

In conclusion, President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to work together to lay a solid foundation for economic prosperity, peaceful development, and freedom from undue external interference.

“Let us respect and abide by measures intended to maintain economic stability and tame inflation,” he emphasized.