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Tagwirei shifts assets after US, UK sanctions

Published

3 years ago

August 13, 2021

BY FELIX NJINI AND ANTONY SGUAZZIN

Zimbabwe’s government is pressing ahead with a plan to combine its mining assets under a massive private-public enterprise, even as evidence mounts that the project could be linked to a tycoon sanctioned by the United States and United Kingdom

Previously unreported documents, including correspondence among executives and shareholders, show that weeks after Kudakwashe Tagwirei was sanctioned by the US, his Mauritius-based Sotic International Ltd. began planning to shift its assets to a newly created Zimbabwean holding company — Ziwa Resources Ltd.

Ziwa is the only private shareholder in the partnership, called Kuvimba Mining House Ltd.

Zimbabwe government officials have repeatedly denied that Tagwirei has any connection to Kuvimba.

But Bloomberg in May reported that Kuvimba holds assets that were until at least late last year part-owned by Tagwirei, citing company documents, emails and transcripts of WhatsApp conversations between executives.

The government has as recently as last month declined to say how Kuvimba came to possess the assets, which include choice mineral deposits and mines that it says are worth $2 billion.

Tagwirei, an advisor to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was sanctioned by the US on August 5 last year on allegations that he used political influence to gain access to scarce foreign currency and win lucrative deals.

The US linked him to the disappearance of $3 billion from a farm-subsidy program, and the UK sanctioned him last month for similar reasons.

Under the US sanctions, Tagwirei is effectively cut off from international financial markets.

The ruling prohibits US citizens from doing business with him, and his assets in the U.S. are frozen and must be reported to the US Treasury.

Tagwirei didn’t answer calls made to his mobile phone for this story.

Known locally as “Queen Bee,” Tagwirei’s influence over the Zimbabwean economy is so deep that US and UK officials have said payments made to him helped trigger a collapse in Zimbabwe’s currency and contributed to runaway inflation, including drastic increases in the price of food.

Zimbabwe last year called the U.S. sanctions racist and intended to undermine the government. – Bloomberg

Lupane

Conductor killed in bus accident along Dandanda-Jotsholo road

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A bus conductor lost his life in a tragic accident along Dandanda-Jotsholo Road in Lupane after being run over by the bus he was working on.

The incident occurred on November 17, at approximately 1:30 a.m.

According to the police report, the conductor was hanging precariously on the moving bus and unfortunately slipped and fell, resulting in fatal injuries.

The police are now urging bus operators and crew members to exercise extreme caution and adhere to safety protocols to avoid such devastating accidents.

They specifically warn against allowing loaders or conductors to hang dangerously on moving vehicles, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety on the roads.

Bubi

Inyathi man handed community service for burning wife’s belongings

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A 39-year-old man from Inyathi Township has been convicted of malicious damage to property after a disagreement with his wife

The accused recently appeared before the Inyathi Magistrates’ Court for malicious damage to property.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, sometime in September, the accused person had a misunderstanding with the complainant, his wife over the welfare of the family.

He forced the complainant and their children out of the house.

While the complainant was away, the accused person burnt the complainant’s belongings.

The destroyed property was valued at $140.

The accused person was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which 3 months were suspended for 5 years.

A further 18 months were suspended on condition that he completes 630 hours of community service.

The remaining 3 months were suspended on condition of restitution.

Hwange

Victoria Falls residents at odds with roaming buffaloes, Zimparks maintains they belong

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents of Victoria Falls are struggling to coexist with a large number of buffaloes that have taken over the streets of both high-density urban areas and low-residential areas.

The buffaloes seem to be everywhere, leaving residents frustrated and desperate.

Videos taken by residents and VicFallsLive, our media organization, show people trying to chase them away using sticks and rocks, but the buffaloes are undeterred.

This morning, three buffaloes blocked the road on Jakaranda Street, eating leaves from the trees and grass.

Despite the distress calls from residents, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) maintains that the buffaloes are within their habitat.

“I think we need to understand who is is saying there has been a growing trend of buffalos in Victoria Falls for an example, l think the numbers we have in Victoria Falls we don’t have much problems with them and this is what attracts tourists,”said Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson.

“It’s a tourist town and one of the major draw-cuts for tourists is those buffalos. It is definitely their habitat that’s where they stay in the wild.”

However, residents disagree. They say the buffaloes are causing a nuisance and pose a danger to humans.

“We are working hard to make a living, and now we have to deal with these wild animals in our streets,” said Khulani Ncube.

In one incident, about 40 buffaloes blocked the road on Mkhosana Street near Kazungula Road, eating vegetables. “It’s like they own the place,” said Trymore Ndolo who witnessed the scene, adding that they might cause a casualty if action is not taken.

While the Zimparks says that the buffaloes are a tourist attraction, residents argue that their safety should come first.

“We understand that tourism is important, but what about our lives?” asked a resident.