WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP

Monday

President Mnangagwa calls for Zimbabweans to remain united as the country marks 39th Heroes Day commemorations. He urged Zimbabweans to use their skills to overcome prevailing socio economic challenges in the country which he described as a passing phase.

He said a unitary state like Zimbabwe needed a united people who recognized their different roles and responsibilities.

Tuesday

A new Companies Act which seeks to improve the ease of doing business through investor protection, transparency and increased accountability is set to be signed into law by President Mnangagwa soon. The Act will replace the existing one that has been widely condemned for anomalies, including allowing the functions of shareholders to overlap, causing chaos in the operations of companies and bureaucracy.

Wednesday

ZESA has downgraded load shedding from stage two to one after it started receiving 400 MW from South Africa.

ZESA will now cut off power during the morning and evening peak periods. The peak hours are 5am to 10am and 5 pm to 10 pm. This comes after Government made arrangements with the South African power utility Eskom to offset its US$ 23 million debt by paying

US$ 890 000 weekly.

Thursday

President Mnangagwa says doors for national dialogue are still open.

In a response to a pastoral letter from church leaders, President Mnangagwa assured the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and head of denominations that he had taken steps to entrench the spirit of dialogue in the country.

He said he would not tire to make peace pleas saying dialogue should proceed without preconditions or any sense of preferential entitlement or recognition on any one’s part.

Friday

The diplomatic community criticised the MDC- Alliance leadership for expending energy on violent demonstrations bent on reversing the Second Republic’s milestones in turning around the country‘s economic fortunes.

Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador Mawampanga Mwanananga criticised the MDC Alliance planned protests describing the party’s action as grandstanding.