National

Robbers prey on mistrust of Zimbabwe’s financial system

Published

3 years ago

September 22, 2021

VicFallsLive

BY GAMUCHIRAI MASIYIWA AND VIMBAI CHINEMBIRI

Tariro remembers hearing a sudden bang on her kitchen door, the kind that produces shivers.

She peeked through the window and saw 10 men armed with iron crowbars. They wanted to enter.

The 54-year-old ran into her bedroom shouting “mbavha,” Shona for thieves, as the men knocked down the door.

“They tied my mouth with a top I was wearing before bathing and said that I should cooperate, or they would kill me,” said Tariro, who asked to use only her middle name out of fear of being targeted again.

They found $700 in her church uniform, as if they knew exactly where to look. Then they left.

Tariro believes the robbers came after her because she used to work at a non-governmental organisation and earned United States dollars.

“They assumed I had a lot of money in my house,” she said, still shaking at the memory.

Her decision to hoard cash stems from Zimbabwe’s cratering economy and rapid currency changes over the past two decades that have decimated the country’s monetary system and made keeping money under the bed more palatable than putting it in the bank.

Not only has such stockpiling affected Zimbabweans’ ability to grow a savings account, it also has made an increasing number of people targets for robberies.

In 2009, Zimbabwe introduced a multicurrency system that made it possible for residents to use the US dollar, the South African rand and other currencies.

But inflation rose so much that, a decade later, the government returned to the local currency.

Officials introduced a separate account to deposit foreign currency, but all bank balances that held US dollars were converted into Zimbabwean dollars (ZWL).

Nearly overnight, people’s money was worth much less.

Zimbabweans like Tariro stopped trusting banks.

Fearing additional changes in policy, many people started keeping their foreign currency — which depreciates slower than the ZWL — at home.

“There’s no incentive to keeping money in the bank,” said Farai Mutambanengwe, founder and executive officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe, a lobbying organization that promotes access to markets.

As a pandemic measure, the government started allowing official transactions in foreign currency again in March 2020.

But residents remain wary of unpredictable fluctuations.

Even those paid through the banking system distrust it.

Some prefer to buy foreign currency on the black market to preserve the value of their money.

Harrison Dumba, who works as a chef at a local restaurant, says he gets paid in local money through a bank transfer but immediately buys US dollars on the black market because they don’t lose value as quickly.

“I do not see the benefit of keeping my money in the bank,” said the 36-year-old. “It can lose value while you think you are saving money.”

The coronavirus has caused even further economic hardship, as lockdowns and decreased travel affect jobs.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police national crime office recorded nearly 3,500 robberies last year.

Between January and March of this year, police had already counted more than 2,300 burglaries.

The US Department of State has pointed to money stuffed in pillows and pockets as a motivator for robberies.

“Criminals have specifically targeted businesses and residences known to house or store large sums of cash,” according to an April 2020 safety report.

Zimbabwean officials acknowledge the rise in crime but play down its connection to a flailing monetary system.

Ruth Mavhungu-Maboyi, deputy minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, attributed the surge in violence to an increasing availability of guns and a lack of police vehicles.

She points to a spate of recent arrests — including those of seven suspects in recent burglaries — as signs that authorities are working to curb crime. But she also emphasizes the need for residents to trust banks.

“Does keeping your money at home really bring something?” she said. “Instead, it can get stolen. Encouraging people to keep money in the banks is an issue of safety.”

The uptick in crime hasn’t had only financial consequences; it’s had psychological ones.

Since the attack in her home, Tariro finds it hard to trust people.

“My life has not been normal since then,” she said.

She has rented her house out to other families, so she doesn’t have to live alone.

She panics when dogs bark. And she spends money immediately because she doesn’t feel comfortable saving it anymore. – Global Press Journal

National

Zim hosts 7 000 children, regional delegates for World Children’s Day

Published

7 days ago

November 15, 2024

VicFallsLive

UNICEF

BY LEONARD NCUBE

Part of the over 7 000 children and delegates from across Southern Africa who are expected to attend the World Children’s Day celebrations in Victoria Falls tomorrow have started arriving in the resort city, which is already experiencing huge vehicular and human traffic.

The Chronicle, reports that, Zimbabwe, in partnership with Unicef, is hosting the children from seven SADC countries — Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe, for the World Children’s Day.

The day is observed every November 20 but celebrations will be held tomorrow at Baobab Primary School so that the programme does not disturb learning and examination processes.

High ranking delegates from Namibia, and children from five of the countries had arrived yesterday, with the majority expected today and tomorrow.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo, his Permanent Secretary Mr Simon Masanga, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Ms Sithandiwe Ncube plus officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education are already in Victoria Falls coordinating preparations for a successful event.

Proceedings will start this morning with a golf and chess tournament for children at Elephant Hills Golf Course and Mosi-oa-Tunya High School.

This will culminate in a prize-giving ceremony for winners of the two tournaments at a dinner to be hosted by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, this evening at Elephant Hills Resort.

According to update reports at the preparatory meeting chaired by Minister Moyo yesterday, the golf and chess tournaments will start this morning with junior golfers teeing off and those playing chess also taking part.
There will also be about 200 non-golfers who will also be taken to the golf course so they learn the sport.

The main event will take place tomorrow where President Mnangagwa is expected to be joined by his counterparts and their representatives from the six SADC countries that are part of the programme.

Proceedings will start with a road march by children between 7am and 9am ahead of the main programme.
After the proceedings and lunch, a total of 570 children will be taken for a tour of the Victoria Falls Rainforest, a Unesco designated World Heritage Site and one of the Natural Wonders of the World.

Transport, accommodation and feeding logistics for all the children have been arranged so that they enjoy their day.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Moyo said he was impressed by the Whole of Government approach exhibited by various ministries and departments, in partnership with Unicef, which is co-hosting the event with Zimbabwe.

“We will assembly at the Elephant Hills where the First Lady and other delegates will participate at the children’s dinner. Some have started arriving so we will end the dinner early so that the children go and rest,” he said.

“On Saturday they will march from 7am so that they arrive at the venue by 9am. After the programme, 570 children are what we are going to cater for at the Rainforest.

“In the evening there will be a monumental lighting of the Flame of Hope on the ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Victoria Falls Bridge officiated by Vice-President General (Retired) Dr Costantino Chiwenga. That is the broad outline of the programme,” said Minister Moyo.

Matabeleland North will provide the bulk of the 7 470 children expected at the event.
According to the organising committee, 450 will come from the country’s nine provinces other than Matabeleland North who will provide 7 020. About 1 200 of these will come from the six Matabeleland North districts while 5 820 will come from Hwange District.

Of these Hwange children, 4 520 will arrive early tomorrow morning while 1 300 are coming today.
The children will be staying at Rest Camp and several schools that have been designated as villages for them.

The Environmental Management Agency has identified 60 volunteer litter pickers and still wants 40 more, the mop out litter during the course of the two days.

The venue is almost ready will tents set, chairs set and final touches being done.
If anything, Baobab Primary School, looking more like a mini-city because of the set-up, are the biggest beneficiaries of the programme considering the amount of rehabilitation work being done at the school.

Classroom and administration blocks have been repainted, landscaping done on the school grounds while a perimeter fence is being erected and a new gate opened.

A borehole is to be drilled at the school and Minister Moyo yesterday said the facility should be allowed to run a tuck-shop during the event so they benefit from hosting the crowds. There will also be various exhibitors at the event while a roadshow will also be done to publicise the event.

Unicef country director, Ms Etona Ekole, appreciated work done by the organising committee so far.
“Thank you for the organisation and dedication you have shown. We are impressed by the commitment and I think we are going to have incredible celebrations,” she said.

The 2024 Regional World Children’s Day commemorations will build on the Calls-for-Action of children and the commitments by the Heads of State made at the previous celebrations, which focused on education, climate, children with disability and the need for society to be inclusive and uphold children’s rights.

The children from the participating countries will present an updated call for action and hold their governments accountable for the commitments made to promoting children’s rights.

Every 20 November, the world celebrates World Children’s Day, which highlights the right to participation, which is one of the underpinning principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Since 2021, four countries — Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe — have come together to celebrate the Regional World Children’s Day jointly, and this year Zimbabwe hosts the programme building on the momentum created by the commemorations in Botswana in 2021, Zambia in 2022 and Namibia last year.

Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa have been invited to join the commemorations making seven attending countries.
SOURCE: THE CHRONICLE

National

ZESA struggles to meet demand as Hwange fault and Kariba dam water levels bite

Published

1 week ago

November 13, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, ZESA has announced that the national power grid is experiencing reduced electricity generation capacity due to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station and low water levels at Kariba Dam.

“ZESA Holdings would like to advise its valued stakeholders that the national power grid is currently experiencing reduced electricity generation capacity due to a technical fault at Hwange Power Station,”

“This has been further compounded by low generation capacity at Kariba Power Station, resulting from low water levels.

Our technical teams are actively working to resolve the fault at Hwange to minimize the impact on our customers.”

ZESA STATEMENT

Meanwhile, the Zambezi River Authority has sounded the alarm on the dire water levels at Kariba Dam, which has dropped to a critically low 2.40%.

This has left Zimbabwe and Zambia facing a precarious electricity supply situation.

As the power cuts continue, communities are feeling the brunt of the outages.

Businesses are struggling to operate, and residents are forced to go without electricity for extended periods. The situation has also affected water supply, communication, and healthcare services.

Other news organizations and research have highlighted the severity of the power crisis in Zimbabwe.

According to a report by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development, the country’s energy sector is facing a myriad of challenges, including aging infrastructure, lack of investment, and a heavy reliance on imported electricity.

The report notes that the power cuts have had a devastating impact on the economy, with businesses losing millions of dollars in productivity and revenue.

The situation has also affected the livelihoods of ordinary Zimbabweans, who are struggling to access basic services like healthcare and education.

National

Stepdad accused of killing three months old daughter

Published

1 week ago

November 12, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Shurugwi stepfather has appeared in court facing allegations of poisoning to death his 3-month-old stepdaughter.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Tatenda Masunda (24) appeared before the Shurugwi Magistrates’ Court facing a murder charge.

The State alleges that on the 3rd of November, at around 5 AM, the accused stopped the infant’s mother from taking the baby with her to a nearby borehole where she intended to do the laundry.

He then retrieved a poisonous substance, commonly used in gold purification, which he had hidden in the yard, and fed it to the infant.

The accused later brought the visibly distressed and crying infant to the mother.

The mother rushed the infant to Zvamabande Hospital.

She was referred to Shurugwi District Hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The accused fled to Chegutu, where he was arrested on the following day.

He was remanded to the 21st of November
pending investigations.