WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP

Monday

Investigations have been instituted into the operations of the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) after many allegations have been filed with Government of corporate rot and malfeasance and complaints that the pensions offered keep the elderly in abject poverty.

In a statement yesterday, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, said he had immediately tasked the NSSA board to institute full investigations into the allegations that have been raised against NSSA and ensure appropriate action was taken.

Tuesday

The new Marriages Act became law on

Friday, a piece of legislation that brings all marriage laws together, makes all marriages equal and finally provides a way to transform a registered customary union into a civil marriage, while making it clear that child marriages are totally banned with those arranging or solemnising such marriages facing five years in jail.

Wednesday

The near convergence of the auction average and the interbank rate was maintained yesterday, but for the first time the auction average at $308,5201 was above the interbank rate of $301,4994, although only by 2,3 percent, as the Government announced a cocktail of measures to tame exchange rate fluctuations and curb speculative behaviour.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the Government is now paying contractors for major infrastructure projects half in

dollars and half in local currency, with the local currency payments staggered to avert the temptation to try and convert a solid local currency payment on the black market.

Thursday

A new bus terminal that was constructed at the Beitbridge Border Post under the ongoing US$300 million modernisation programme opened to traffic yesterday.

Since the project started 18 months ago, border efficiency and its management system, which had become a perennial headache as traffic built up on both sides of the border, have been steadily improving. The Beitbridge Border Post is being transformed in three phases under a 17,5year concession involving the Government and the Zimborders Consortium.

Friday

The Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Douglas Karoro, has been fired by President Mnangagwa“for conduct inappropriate for a Deputy Minister”following his arrest and remand for defrauding the Presidential Inputs Scheme of US$73 300 worth of inputs over the last two months.