ZIM IS SAFE, SAYS ZIM-SA FORUM
THE Zimbabwe-South Africa Forum, a diaspora initiative formed by locals living in South Africa has distanced itself from reports that Zimbabwe is a dangerous and military zone and all investors should stop any transactions with the country forthwith.
A shadowy organisation named Zimbabwe Business Forum Link South Africa last week issued a statement calling on prospective investors to suspend all investment deals with the country.
“We are not processing any business plans or packages for Zimbabwe, the forum will not be liable for any losses or sufferings incurred by its prospective member as a result of doing business in Zimbabwe.
“Any of our members or diasporans must not send cash to Zimbabwe, rather send food parcels. The idea is to reduce the annual $1 billion approximate remittances to Zimbabwe which is now the source of liquid cash being used by the Zimbabwean Government,” read part of their statement.
However, Zimbabwe-South Africa Forum president Mr Anele Ndlovu said such statements were toxic.
“As Zim-SA Forum, we completely distance and dissociate ourselves with the statement issued by an organisation calling themselves Zim Business Forum Link.
“We condemn such toxic and untrue statements as we have been informed by security authorities that there is no military on the ground in our country and that Zimbabwe is not a dangerous military zone as there is no military on the ground,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said Zimbabwe
is a
safe investment destination.
He said President Mnangagwa has for the past eight months worked hard to change the course of the country both economically and politically.
“He has been very clear and consistent on his message of economy and investment, peace and the rule of law. As Zim-SA Forum, we acknowledge the unfortunate incident that took place on 1 August in Harare where six lives were lost.
“We hope such incidents will not happen in the future where people incite and promote violence, but rather we hope that our people, including our leaders of different parties, will exercise restraint, promote peace even where there are differences, and express themselves within the provisions of the Constitution and the confines of the law,” said Mr Ndlovu. A BULAWAYO man has been jailed 20 years for stealing 4 950 metres of copper cables valued at $15 468 while his three accomplices are still at large.
Alywn Ngoma (31) of Pumula North pleaded not guilty to charges of destroying copper cables when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira last week but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and four years were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Ngoma will serve an effective 16-year sentence.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said Ngoma and his three accomplices stole the copper cables on 3 August.
“On 3 August, Ngoma and his accomplices hired a Honda Fit vehicle to transport them from Bulawayo to Gwanda. The driver of the vehicle dropped them off at Vumbachikwe area around 9pm where there was a power line.
“Ngoma and his accomplices then instructed the driver to head back to Gwanda town and wait for their call so that he would come back and collect them. They remained behind and cut off $4 950 metres of copper cables,” he said.
Mr Dube said Ngoma and his accomplices instructed the driver to collect them and their loot.
He said while they were waiting a ZETDC electrician arrived at the scene in the company of police officers to inspect the power line after receiving a report of power disruptions in the area.
jail ONE of Bulawayo’s prominent educationists and businessman Mr Clement Kunzekweguta has urged rural communities to utilise locally available human capital to economically develop their areas.
Speaking at Sikhethimpilo Centre’s 20th celebrations at Maphisa Growth Point in Matobo District, Matabeleland South yesterday Mr Kunzekweguta said communities should harness the skills possessed by its youths to turnaround their economic fortunes.
Sikhethimpilo is a faith and community-based organisation under the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood, which was founded by Sister Lubirga with the help of community and homebased care givers in 1998.
“The skills which these children are acquiring from the institution should benefit them and the entire district. There is no need to hire skills from Bulawayo when you have the personnel at your disposal. These children have been taught practical courses and as such upon completion they shouldn’t struggle to get employment within their locality,” he said.
Sikhethimpilo is home to orphans and vulnerable children in the district.
It also offers practical courses in carpentry, building, fashion and fabrics, electrical wiring, dress making, hairdressing, catering and most recently to school drop-outs and school leavers aged between 16 and 24. Mr Kunzekweguta also implored youths to embrace entrepreneurship skills to enable them to improve their livelihoods.
“I hereby urge all the children that have been imparted with skills from this institution to use these skills to better their lives and refrain from the donor dependency syndrome, which has severely affected most communities in the country. You should not be cry babies but seek ways to improve your lives using the skills that you have acquired,” he said.
The organisation has assisted more than 300 orphans and vulnerable children with educational services. It is also undertaking a goat project funded by Egmont Trust. The goat project is meant to assist orphans and vulnerable children in various villages through educational support, health and other needs.