National

Zimbabweans don’t need licences for generators, says EMA

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2023

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has dismissed social media speculation that individuals who use generators will now need to have registered licences.

EMA’s Environmental Education and Publicity Manager Amkela Sidange made the clarification on Monday following a speculation that those who ran their generators for household use without licences were going to pay a fine of up to $100 000 for pollution.

Zimbabweans are increasingly relying on generators because of long hours of power cuts due declining power generation at the Kariba Dam and Hwange Power Station.

“The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) would like to correct a notion that it licences operation of any generator above 5kVA, which has caused unnecessary panic among members of the public especially those using generators at household level or for domestic purposes,” Sidange said.

“As a matter of fact, Section 64 of the Environmental Management Act (Cap 20:27) clearly stipulates that, “No owner or operator of a trade or any establishment shall emit a substance or energy which causes or is likely to cause air pollution without an emission licences, thus clearly indicating that this is an operation at commercial level or for industrial use.

“The appliance of operation is further buttressed under Statutory Instrument 72 of 2009 (Environmental Management [Atmospheric Pollution Control] Regulations, 2009), where an appliance means any stationary fuel-burning appliance or apparatus which is capable of

consuming more than 5 kilograms per hour of fuel or other combustible matter, whether such fuel or combustible matter is in a solid, liquid or gaseous state.

In this case, a generator becomes the appliance and if it is consuming more than 5kg per hour of fuel, and being used for commercial purposes or industrial use, then it must be licenced by the Agency.”

Sidange said the law clarifies that the appliance, in this case generators, are defined on fuel consumption basis and not on power basis that the public has been made to understand.

“On that note the Agency wants to implore members of the public to always look at the brighter side of this piece of legislative narrative which seeks to prevent air pollution and ensure members of the public enjoy access to clean environment (air) which is not harmful to health as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27)

“Also prevention of air pollution dovetails towards the fight against climate change where as a country we want to achieve our Nationally determined Contributions (NDCs), of 40% per capita emissions reduction across all sectors of the economy below the projected business as usual scenario by 2030.”

Meanwhile, Sidange called on those found on the wrong side of the law to desist from causing public panic by disseminating incorrect information and at the same time for the members of the public to engage the Agency when not in the clear about certain environmental law implications.

National

Zimbabwe’s economy to defy drought odds, says Fin

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In his midterm budget presentation for 2024 , Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube outlined the government’s fiscal strategy to navigate the challenges posed by the El-Nino induced drought, while maintaining a stable economy.

“The fiscal policy thrust and macro-fiscal framework of the approved 2024 National Budget remains unchanged under the theme ‘Consolidating Economic Transformation’,” Minister Ncube stated on Thursday at the National Assembly.

Despite the drought’s impact, the government’s priority is to “alleviate the impact on vulnerable households and the economy, as well as ensuring that the economy emerges stronger and more resilient going forward.”

Minister Ncube emphasized the need to address the elevated food assistance needs of citizens, while maintaining a stable economic environment.

The introduction of the ZiG currency in April 2024 has brought “relatively stable prices and exchange rate stability,” according to Ncube.

To maintain this stability, the government will implement supportive tax and expenditure policies to increase demand for the local currency, complemented by monetary policy that manages market liquidity.

Looking ahead to the end of the year, Ncube outlined measures to protect the domestic currency and restore macro-economic stability. “Containing expenditure pressures and major expenditure heads such as the wage bill and debt servicing will be critical in order to avoid monetising the budget deficit,” he cautioned.

The re-calibrated 2024 Macro-Fiscal Framework projects revenues of ZiG93.2 billion (22% of GDP) and expenditures of ZiG98.8 billion, resulting in a budget deficit of ZiG5.6 billion (1.3% of GDP).

Despite the drought, Ncube expressed optimism, stating, “The current stable economic environment, together with economic transformation and diversification underway, is expected to enable the economy to register positive economic growth of 2%.”

National

Police refute claims of inciting violence at ZINASU gathering

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2024

Admin

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted allegations that they had sparked violence at the ZESA Training Centre in Harare, where 44 Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) activists were arrested on Wednesday morning.

“The Police were only called in after violence erupted amongst the ZINASU group,” ZRP spokesperson assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said on X.

“The violence led to the destruction of ZESA and State property,”he added.

“As a result, Police were called in to come and maintain law and order. This is on record and can be confirmed by ZESA officials.”

The press statement was released after the human rights lawyers and civic organizations took to social media to condemn the police, alleging that they had instigated the violence.

ZINASU reported that the police, violently disrupted the ZINASU General Council Meeting at 10:00 am at ZESA National Training Center.

Most of the students were brutally assaulted and some were arrested and take to Harare Central Police Station.

Hours later, they updated the public that the students arrested were to be released on fine, but President Emmanuel SiTiMaH was taken into CID custody, amid calls for his immediate release.

But the ZRP stood firm, dismissing these claims and emphasizing that their sole objective was to maintain law and order.

“We appeal to civic organizations to verify with Police before issuing statements or raising unsubstantiated allegations,” Nyathi said.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there are laws to be observed in the country and anyone who engages in acts of violence and destruction of property will be brought to book.”

Police did not disclose the whereabouts of the 44 and the ZINASU President.

National

Developing: ZINASU students under siege

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2024

Admin

BY STAFF REPORTER

Disturbing reports emerging from Zimbabwe, where students attending a Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) General Council meeting at ZESA National Training Center were allegedly beaten, injured, and arrested by riot police.

Image: ZINASU

“Students gatherings have become a taboo in this country, students are suffocating as we speak‼️Students are not free”ZINASU shared on X.

The Zimbabwe Peace Project notes students also received suspicious calls from unknown numbers.

ZINASU a united front of Zimbabwean students, dedicated to the socio-economic advancement of students and the liberation of students from all forms of exploitation and oppression.

More to follow…