Bad luck continues to stalk Zambia's white farmers, hounded from Zimbabwe

Currency's success spells ruin for exporters who are paid in US dollars

Rory Carroll, Chongwe
Monday February 27, 2006
The Guardian

When disaster visited them in Zimbabwe it had a name, Robert Mugabe. Now
disaster has followed white farmers into exile in Zambia but this time there
is no villain, just bad luck.
Hounded from Zimbabwe, things went well at first for the 200 farmers who
crossed the border to Zambia. Welcomed by the government, they leased tracts
of fertile land and borrowed money to buy equipment and seed. Within two
years the new arrivals were producing bumper harvests of maize and tobacco,
helping to transform a hunger-stricken nation into a breadbasket and
exporter.

In this peaceful corner of southern Africa the settlers, part of the
diaspora from one of the continent's last white tribes, thought they could
start anew. Now that dream has withered. A fickle economic wind has gusted
through Zambia, scattering the farmers' calculations and driving many to the
brink of ruin.

"There is a real risk people will go under. Our own operation is really
struggling. The mood is very despondent," said Peter MacSporran, a former
president of Zimbabwe's Commercial Farmers Union who relocated to a property
24 miles north of the Zambian capital, Lusaka. The gloom was shared by Guy
Scott, a former Zambian agriculture minister, who said many farms were not
viable under present conditions.

In the past three months Zambia's currency, the kwacha, has surged by a
third against other currencies, hammering exporters whose produce is paid
for in US dollars. Heavily in debt, their livelihood in the balance, some
farmers have compared the impact to Zimbawe's land grabs.

"It feels like a double whammy - the second time something terrible has
happened in six years," said Mr MacSporran, 56. "The economics are killing
us but it's no one's fault. It's because of the success of the country."

It is a plight laden with ironies. President Mugabe turned on white farmers
to divert attention from his government's political and economic failures.
Now it is success - Zambia's - which is causing the difficulty.

Debt forgiveness, a recovery in copper mining and a boom in agricultural
production - driven largely by the Zimbabwean influx - have helped make the
kwacha one of the world's best performing currencies.

With most farmers locked into a set dollar price for tobacco their income
has been slashed by up to a third becausethey must convert the dollars into
local currency to pay labour and other costs.

Confusion over a 17.5% VAT on farm inputs - in theory the tax can be claimed
back but it cripples cash flow - has compounded the crisis.

Some of the 4,000 white people dispossessed in Zimbabwe moved to Australia,
Britain and other western countries, farmers no more.

Those who could imagine no life except under African skies scattered across
the continent, tilling fields in Nigeria, Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa
and Zambia. The last, anglophone, politically stable and with a soil and
climate similar to Zimbabwe, was initially thought the easy option.

Despite the hardship Brent Greatorex stood by his decision to move to
Chongwe, a lush district south east of Lusaka. "I'm 37 going on 90 but
knowing what I know now I would still come, though I'd do things
differently."

His story is typical. A second-generation Zimbabwean, he watched helpless as
youth militias and independence war veterans heeded Harare's call to invade
white-owned farms. Salvaging what they could in January 2003, Mr Greatorex,
his wife Vanessa and two children moved to Chongwe and took a 15-year lease
on 1,300 hectares of a disused dairy farm. With just over $1m borrowed from
a bank and a US company, Universal Leaf Tobacco, they built a house, bought
equipment and hired labourers. Teething problems in the first two seasons
produced disappointing yields. "But now we're flying," said Mr Greatorex,
standing amid 10-feet high maize. He expected to produce 240 tonnes of
tobacco, 280 tonnes of maize and 360 tonnes of wheat.

But the profit had all but vanished. Costs were much higher - creaky
infrastructure made transport expensive and labourers earned $2.30 a day
compared to 20 cents a day in Zimbabwe. In addition to 400 labourers it was
necessary to hire 35 guards to hinder crop theft.

Meanwhile revenue had dwindled because of the rise of the kwacha, which
analysts predict will continue to strengthen. Mr and Mrs Greatorex had given
up socialising and showjumping as too expensive.

Their son and daughter missed friends and loathed their adopted country,
which was relatively undeveloped compared to Zimbabwe. "I'm not going to be
a farmer. No way," said Kurt, 14. He wants to be a motorbike mechanic.

Nevertheless Mr Greatorex was hopeful of riding out the crisis and paying
his debts within seven years. "I'm not starting again, this has to work."

In addition to the economic woes there is a fear, largely unstated, that
Zambia's politics may one day unravel. Their memories are haunted by
Zimbabwe where after 20 years of cordial relations the government, desperate
to deflect unpopularity, turned against the white minority.

Zambia's authorities are grateful for the farmers' investment but
embarrassed by the perception that it took white people to turn around the
economy. Mr Mugabe has scolded his neighbour for taking in "racist
colonialists". President Levy Mwanawasa has played down their impact and
stressed they have received no tax breaks.

"The government has been welcoming but it's not as if they're singing and
dancing at our arrival. We have to keep our heads down," said one farmer.

The agriculture minister, Mundia Sikatana, praised the settlers' expertise.
"They have contributed a lot to our economy. Our farmers are emulating their
methods," he told the Guardian.

But in the next breath he said: "We are giving them the instruction that
they have got to take their Zambian employees for what they are, human
beings."

It was a coded warning that any hint of exploitation or racism would not be
tolerated. In Zimbabwe some farmers, self-described "Rhodies" who pined for
the days of Ian Smith's white minority rule, were notorious for their
prejudice.

But interviews with black Zambians found that the majority respected the new
arrivals for the wealth they had created. Mr MacSporran said his compatriots
had resolved not to rock the boat. "When you lose everything once, and you
get a second chance, you don't do anything to compromise your chances."

Moving away

Mozambique
More than 100 farmers have moved to the former Portuguese colony, many
settling in the districts of Manica, Barue and Sussundenga, near the border
with Zimbabwe. Employing more than 4,000 labourers, they grow tobacco,
cotton and maize. All land in Mozambique belongs to the state and cannot be
bought or sold, but can be leased.

Malawi
Dozens settled in Malawi after an invitation from the government which said
the investment could provide jobs. Only a few critics have railed against
the arrivals: "There is no land to give away in Malawi," said an editorial
in the Daily Times.

Nigeria
President Olusegun Obasanjo has encouraged farmers to come to west Africa.
"We don't want to take away what is good for Zimbabwe, but we don't want
what is good for Africa taken away." More than a dozen have accepted the
invitation.

Harare Residents Association Blasts Makwavarara Extravagance

Zim Daily

            Monday, February 27 2006 @ 12:05 AM GMT
            Contributed by: correspondent
            THE insensitive commission running the affairs of the City of
Harare has once again demonstrated its lack of prioritisation by splashing
over $238 million for a mere advertisement (Herald 21 February 2006) to
congratulate President Robert Mugabe on his birthday. Cholera has claimed
nearly 35 people since the crisis began in early January. Nearly 10 people
died in Epworth of cholera, according to confirmed media reports.

            Refuse has continued to pile in the Central Business District
(CBD), in residential and industrial areas. Raw sewerage continues to flow
in the streets of Dzivarasekwa, Mbare, in Mabvuku and Warren Park, but still
the City of Harare has not responded to residents' complaints.

            What CHRA finds disturbing is the chairperson of the illegal
commission running the City of Harare, neither Sekesai Makwavarara's
propensity to splash money on vanities that bring neither sanity nor repair
burst sewer pipes to Harare residents except to quench Makwavarar's thirst
to spend ratepayers' money.

            Recently, she wanted $35 billion to buy curtains and furniture
for the mayoral mansion, a figure said to have been drastically reduced. The
misguided attempt to appease the President and his government will surely
not endear the illegal commission to the majority residents of Harare who
want every cent of their money to go towards repairing damaged sewer and
water pipes, refuse collection and repair of potholed roads that have
replaced the smooth tarmacs of yesteryear, including cutting grass with
slashes.

            According to the Herald, the City of Harare's advertisement cost
$238 945 042, 80. CHRA believes this money should have gone towards fuel
purchases for refuse collection. Informed people at Town House say this
money could have bought about 2 000 litres of fuel from ordinary service
stations but could have bought about 9 600 litres if they were buying from
the state-owned National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (Noczim).

            Competent commercial companies that are making profits placed
quarter-page colour adverts to congratulate the President on attaining 82
years yet the City of Harare that is failing to meet most of its financial
obligations 'found' the money to congratulate the President. This propensity
for flamboyance remains unmatched as the City vehemently denies disease
outbreaks which can be prevented by proper planning and prioritisation.

            Nomutsa Chideya and Makwavarara must be reminded that the whole
world is greater than its part. We insist that elections to choose
legitimate residents' representatives should be held soonest before the
illegal commission running the City of Harare destroys everything that the
once Sunshine City stands for.

Govt Corruption, Bureaucracy Negatively Affecting Manufacturing - CZI

Zim Daily


Report
            Monday, February 27 2006 @ 12:01 AM GMT
            Contributed by: correspondent
             A damning report released by the Confederation of Zimbabwe
Industry (CZI) yesterday concluded that corruption and bureaucracy in the
public sector, partucularly government institutions was negatively affected
businessess. The report, titled Manufacturing Sector Survey Report
2004-2005, is based on a survey carried out on 100 firms in 11 sub-sectors
of the manufacturing industry and is the fifth in a series.

            According to the report 13% of the companies that were surveyed
are operating below capacity, with the clothing sector being the only sector
operating optimally. The major reason cited as cause of the low capacity
utilization was lack of foreign currency to import raw materials.

            The exchange rate played a major role in the decline of exports.
88% of the companies reported that the managed exchange had negative impact
on their business. The low capacity leads to higher prices as the companies
try to cushion themselves against overheads. 41% of the companies involved
in the survey cited loss in demand as reason for decline in capacity. The
report revealed that 48% of the companies have lost confidence in the
improvement of Zimbabwe's economy any time soon.

            "48% say the economy will not turnaround in the foreseeable
future," said the report. It said revenues attributed to output grew by 66%
which is far less than the rate of inflation, which currently stands at
613%. The report also said that companies in the manufacturing sector were
no longer benefiting from export transactions. "79% now consider doing
business with the outside world as worse off in 2005 than 2004." The report
said SADC still constitutes a significant market of Zimbabwe's exports with
90% of export destinations.

            The dominant markets are Zambia, South Africa, Malawi and
Botswana. 34% of the companies said the export facilities put in place by
the central bank were beneficial while 26% said they had negative effects
and the remainder was indifferent. The report further said that 78% reported
that there was no improvement in the external lines of credit.

            There was a 42% decline in employment in manufacturing sector as
most contract workers were retrenched while the remaining employed are
working fewer hours. 54% of the firms said corruption and bureaucracy in the
public sector negatively affected their business. 58% of the 100 firms voted
for economic liberalisation while most of them raised concern over the
continued change in policy without implementation and the need for security
of tenure.

            They also called for establishment of a multi-sectoral committee
to oversee the preparedness for the next farming season. Zimbabwe has one of
the largest, most diversified and integrated manufacturing sectors in sub
Saharan Africa. The sector account for 15% of the country's GDP and employs
17% of the working population.

Pro-Senate Faction Must Stop Using MDC Name And Logo Forthwith

Zim Daily

            Monday, February 27 2006 @ 12:06 AM GMT
            Contributed by: correspondent
             By Nelson Chamisa
            The events of the weekend of 25 and 26 February have come and
gone. A group of former leaders of the Movement for Democratic Change are
exercising their constitutional right of freedom of association and could
decide to form a new political organization. We welcome them to the
turbulent political scene in Zimbabwe as we continue our struggle to
dislodge the Zanu PF dictatorship.

            May we however urge them to urgently look for a new name so that
they are not confused with the Movement for Democratic Change founded by the
working people of this country led by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.
That formation of the working people's convention remains intact and led by
the former secretary general of the ZCTU, Morgan Tsvangirai.

            The legal and constitutional position regarding the leadership
of the MDC remains unchanged. Morgan Tsvangirai, as confirmed by the
unchallenged High
            court judgment of December 2005 remains the lawful President of
the Movement for Democratic Change until a Congress convened, in
consultation with him, is held or until the High Court judgment is set aside
by a competent court, whichever comes first.

            We have no doubt in our minds that our fellow citizens in the
new political formation, the majority of whom claim moral constitutional
superiority will uphold the rule of law and the Constitution of the MDC and
do the right thing without being compelled to do so. The struggle that we
have is about removing a dictatorship and resolve the crisis of governance
in our country in order to usher in a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning
governed by a people driven democratic national Constitution. The people's
project is unstoppable.

Zimbabwe Vigil Diary - 25th February 2006

Supporters came from all over the country to join the Vigil on a bright but
icy day with a piercing Arctic wind which twice overturned our table,
sending copies of our petition flying down the Strand.

The 70 or so people who braved the elements were pleased to hear that the
Vigil has now submitted its evidence on torture to the Human Rights Office
of the UN in Geneva.  We were invited to contribute following a petition we
submitted to the UN about human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.  The bulky
dossier we have sent them includes personal testimonies from a number of our
supporters detailing their torture at the hands of the Mugabe regime.  As it
considers this matter, we are stepping up the pressure with a new petition
demanding UN intervention as the situation spirals out of control in
Zimbabwe.  We would like to thank Kevin of Redress and Tor of the Zimbabwe
Human Rights NGO Forum for their help with our submission.

We were pleased to have with us Kudaushe Matimba, a former member of the
Bhundu Boys, who gave a star performance on the drums.  Unfortunately his
fingers were too cold to play much on the mbira someone brought to the
Vigil.  We are happy to report that he is engaged on a new music project.

Crispen Kulinji was among a large group from Leicester who helped galvanise
the singing.  He said: "Some of you can sing, some of you are good at
slogans.  Some of you might be CIOs.  For those who are CIOS can you turn
your mobiles on and send this song to Mugabe".  Much laughter.  By the close
there was a powerful energy as we all joined hands to sing the national
anthem in a huge circle around the four maple trees outside the Embassy.

We were disappointed not to get our usual supply of the Zimbabwean newspaper
this week - our supplier was in an area closed by police investigating a
serious crime incident.  The paper is always food for debate among our
networking supporters.

Supporters gave generously for the funeral expenses in Zimbabwe of Gilbert
Shoko, MDC MP for Budiriro, who died on Thursday night.  Others were happy
to give interviews to a lady who is collecting material for a programme on
women's asylum issues.

FOR THE RECORD: 68 signed the register today.

FOR YOUR DIARY: Monday, 27th February, 7.30 pm, Zimbabwe Forum, Upstairs at
the Theodore Bullfrog pub, 28 John Adam Street, London WC2 (cross the Strand
from the Zimbabwe Embassy, go down a passageway to John Adam Street, turn
right and you will see the pub). The speaker will be Yvonne Mahlunge, a
member of the MDC Executive who currently resides in the UK.  She will be
speaking the political implications for refugees and their families of the
upcoming Asylum and Immigration Tribunal appeal in March against a previous
ruling on Zimbabwean asylum seekers.

Vigil co-ordinator

The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place
every Saturday from 14.00 to 18.00 to protest against gross violations of
human rights by the current regime in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in
October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair
elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk

Africa's lions could die out in a decade: study

New Kerala, India

Johannesburg: Africa's lion population could die out in the next decade if
nothing is done to save the estimated 30,000 animals, a South African
newspaper has reported quoting experts responsible for the latest research
on the issue.

Conflict with humans and livestock, a loss of habitat due to development and
a virus similar to the feline immunodeficiency virus has caused the
continent's lion population to dwindle from an estimated 200,000 in the
1980s, The Sunday Times newspaper reported.

The study released at the Eastern and Southern African Lion Strategy
Conference here this week pointed to a sharp drop in the number of lions in
Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.

While lions in South Africa's Kruger National Park were identified as having
a good chance of survival, it has already been shown that of the 103 cubs
born in Botswana's Okavango Delta in the last six years, only 10 have
survived.

It was critical that Africa embarked on action to defend its wild lions,
animals that played a crucial role in the continent's economy through
tourism and trophy hunting, researcher Kate Nicolls of Lion Aid in Botswana
was quoted as saying in the report.

Schools run out of mealie-meal

      February 27, 2006,

      By Andnetwork .com

      A SERIOUS shortage of mealie-meal has hit boarding schools in and
around Bulawayo, with some institutions saying they are left with only a
week's supply of the commodity and could be forced to send students home.

      An official at Milton High School in Bulawayo, Mr Fanuel Kandodo, told
The Sunday News on Wednesday that the school has been desperately appealing
for mealie-meal from millers and the Grain Marketing Board but to no avail.

      "We do not know where to get mealie-meal now and we have tried to talk
to GMB officials but their phones are not answered at times,'' he said.

      He complained that when mealie-meal is available it is given to
supermarkets only. The shortage was becoming unbearable as students were
surviving on rice, which is an expensive substitute.

      An official at Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo High School who refused to be
named said the school was left with just a week's supply of maize meal, a
situation he described as "grave''.

      A source at Northlea High School who refused to be named said although
the school had some mealie-meal, the stocks would not last the term.

      The public relations manager of the GMB, Mrs Muriel Zemura, said on
Thursday that arrangements were being made for schools and hospitals to get
first preference in the allocation of mealie-meal and maize.

      "We have given schools and hospitals first preference to buy
mealie-meal and maize from GMB and we hope that the move will alleviate the
food crisis in schools,'' said Mrs Zemura.

      The deputy Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Cde Gabriel
Shumba, encouraged the GMB to supply boarding schools with maize or
mealie-meal, adding that schools facing problems must immediately report to
the nearest ministry offices.

      "Boarding schools should be treated as priority areas when buying
maize or mealie-meal from GMB because they cannot keep children and teachers
with no food. All schools facing problems to get food should report
immediately to education offices so that arrangements are made promptly,''
said Cde Shumba.

      The southern districts of the country have been reeling under a
serious shortage of mealie-meal for the past month..

      Source: Sunday News

Hard times ahead, Mugabe warns

Daily Mirror, Zimbabwe

The Daily Mirror Reporter
issue date :2006-Feb-27

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has called on the country to brace itself for
difficult times ahead - a message seemingly premised on his anticipated
retirement in 2008.
The President was speaking on the 20th anniversary of the 21st February
Movement marking his 82nd birthday at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare on Saturday.
"Gadzirirai upenyu hwamangwana hwakaoma. (Be prepared for a difficult
future)," President Mugabe told more than 15 000 people, including
government and ruling Zanu PF officials and diplomats.
The President stressed the need for every Zimbabwean to be mentally and
physically geared up for attacks by Western powers such as Britain and the
US.
Saying leaders were chosen by people, not through street demonstrations or
playing to the international gallery, President Mugabe reiterated his
criticism of anti-Senate MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai that he is a traitor
to Zimbabwe's revolutionary cause.
President Mugabe asked Zimbabweans to judge whether Tsvangirai, a puppet of
US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was
still relevant to Zimbabwean politics.
He said: "Presidents do not come from strikes and street demonstrations.
They are chosen by the people. Tsvangirai's masters are in Britain and the
United States, but all you people are the real masters. Let that lesson be
taught to Mr Blair and Mr Bush so they can teach their student Tsvangirai
who has ears but does not hear and has eyes but does not see."
The President outlined some of the major pressing challenges, he said
needed special attention. President Mugabe said more could be done to
improve on the four percent reduction in HIV and Aids incidences the country
recorded recently. He said society must teach the youths to abstain from sex
instead of encouraging the use of condoms.
He castigated men who abused minors saying such people needed to be given
stiffer punishments. The President lamented: "Chapinda muvanhu vedu chii?
Chii chinoita kuti baba vabate vana vavakazvara chibharo? Uroyi hwakadii
ihwohwo hwekuti iwe uri baba wazvara vana, wava kuvabata uchivapamba?  (What
has go wrong among our people? What causes a father to rape his own
daughters? What kind of cruelty is it that makes a father rape his
daughters?)
 "How do we punish such people? Should we use pincers to castrate them?"
He also blasted homosexuals and warned those practising that they would be
imprisoned.
He also noted the need to improve the health and education sectors and to
provide decent accommodation for people.
The President donated 100 computers to 10 schools from different districts
in Manicaland.
The 21st February Movement celebrations were spiced up with performances by
poets, traditional music groups, choral groups, music by Zanu PF political
commissar Elliot Manyika and Mutare-based sungura star Hosiah Chipanga.
Chipanga, who belted out a song specially penned for the President, and
Manyika got the crowd on their feet with their music.
Speakers including Zanu PF national secretary for youths Absolom Sikhosana,
Manicaland provincial youth chairperson Enock Porusingazi and provincial
Governor Tinei Chigudu took turns to congratulate the President for serving
the nation.

Power cuts cost Falgold billions

Daily Mirror, Zimbabwe

Shame Makoshori
issue date :2006-Feb-27

GOLD producer, Falcon Gold (Falgold) has announced losing gold worth US$425
000 this month due to an array of macro economic problems, especially the
persistent electricity outages by troubled power company, Zesa Holdings.
Zesa Holdings has in the past six years been battling to satisfy increasing
demand on the market when output has plummeted due to massive vandalism of
its properties and a recent reduction in power imports from South African
utility, Eskom.
The company has also been handicapped by ageing equipment at Kariba South
hydro-electricity plant and the Hwange Thermal Power Company (HPC) that are
reportedly in urgent need for maintenance.
Kariba generates 750 Megawatts (MW), but due to poor rehabilitation of
electricity generation plants, HPC is generating 550 MW against a 920 MW
potential.
Zesa Holdings had accumulated US$330 million in debts amid high operating
loses of Z$8 trillion as at December 31, 2005.
Falgold said the problems were worsened by the continuous shortage of spare
parts as a result of massive bureaucratic procedures in importing the parts.
The industry has also been generally hit by escalating working costs caused
by rising inflation.
   Falgold warned on Friday last week that the effect of the power
interruptions will be disastrous to gold production in Zimbabwe and the
economy in general.
"This month is a good example where a two hour load shedding was imposed at
our Dalny Mine, the power was actually off for 36 hours due to a
simultaneous Zesa power fault. The mine then flooded and a total of 135
hours production was subsequently lost.
"This is an example of what load shedding can cause in mining during the
rainy season.
"Losses in the past four to five months is estimated at 24 kilogrammes
equating to US$425 000," Falgold said.
The company also expressed serious concerns on the exchange rate which
management said had remained "frozen" at $99 202 to the greenback against a
parallel market rate of $175 000 to the US$.
This translates to a 76.4 percent disparity and Z$1.7 billion for every
kilogramme of gold channelled through the official market against a Z$2.7
billion through the black market.
Meanwhile, another major gold mine, RioZim last week released the 2005
annual financials indicating a $376 billion post tax profit, up from $19
billion in the comparative period in 2004.
RioZim also expressed grave concern on load shedding by Zesa Holdings,
blamed on plant under utilisation at two of its mines - Renco and Empress
Nickel Refinery.
It, however, remained optimistic that the current development work at Renco
Mine will yield positive results going ahead while a recapitalisation
programme underway at Empress is projected to culminate in a more efficient
performance in 2006.

Residents prefer rain water

Daily Mirror, Zimbabwe

From Our Correspondent in Marondera
issue date :2006-Feb-27

RESIDENTS here have resorted to taping rainwater into containers as
substitute for the dirty water being supplied by the Marondera Municipality.
A survey by The Daily Mirror has shown that residents were now collecting
rainwater from rooftops for domestic use.
In separate interviews, the residents said they had been doing this since
the beginning of the rain season.
"We use the rain water for cooking and drinking because it is clean. As for
the dirty water from our taps which smells, we use it for bathing and
washing clothes," said Maidei Mapungwana of Dombotombo high density suburb.
Another resident, Matthew James from Nyameni, concurred with Mapungwana.
He said: "We hope the rain season will continue until the Municipality of
Marondera improves the quality of its water. Water problems in the town
started a few years ago when an old pump at the Chicago Pump Station failed
to pump effluent from industrial and residential areas to Emswood waterworks
owing to continuous breakdowns and failures to repair it."
This has resulted in sewerage flowing into one of the town's supplying dams,
Rufaro Dam.
Although council claims that it is purifying the water, residents maintain,
it is still dirty and gives out a smell.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has since taken Marondera
Municipality to court to answer to charges of providing dirty water to the
residents.
Judgment in the case is expected early next month.

City termini face closure

Daily Mirror, Zimbabwe



The Daily Mirror Reporter
issue date :2006-Feb-27

A HEALTH hazard is looming at two commuter omnibus termini along Albion
Street in Harare which now face imminent closure due to lack of ablution
facilities.
Operators from Warren Park, Westlea, Kuwadzana, Southerton, Greencroft and
Avondale currently use the ranks.
City fathers designated the termini outside the Central Business District
(CBD) during the clean-up operation to reduce congestion and return sanity
on the capital's roads.
City spokesperson, Madenyika Magwenjere said the
twin ranks would be shut down soon.
"We are going to close the termini because there are no sanitary facilities
there.
"Some would be relocated to Market Square while we will create a small
terminus for Southerton at the corner of Speke Avenue and Chinhoyi Street,"
he said.
Magwenjere said council was also concerned with the re-emergence of touting
in the CBD by commuter operators especially from Mbare.
"Mbare commuter buses are now driving into the CBD leaving official ranks.
"We are liasing with the police so that they clamp down on operators who go
beyond their designated points," he said, adding council was planning to
designate areas for taxis to stop the prevailing haphazard situation.
Meanwhile, city authorities would from today be removing refuse in Tynwald
and Dzivaresekwa suburbs.
"We are continuing with our refuse removal blitz and tomorrow (today) we
would be in Tynwald and Dzivaresekwa.
 We urge residents there to have their refuse bins outside," Magwenjere
said.
He said teams cutting grass and filling up potholes would be in Mufakose.
Harare is currently facing a serious shortage of refuse removal trucks.
The situation is worsened by the fact that only 12, out of a fleet of 45
trucks, are in use, thereby compromising service delivery.