FOCUS 24 News

06/09/2024

#2024 Defence Forces Day Celebrations.

02/09/2024

Polypipes for sale all sizes and classes available

17/08/2024

President Lourenço has now handed over the Chairmanship of SADC to President Mnangagwa.

17/08/2024

44th SADC Summit

17/08/2024

Today his Excellency Cde E.D Mnangagwa will assume the SADC Chairmanship.
SADC Summit

16/08/2024

16/08/2024

By Brighton Mandidewa

7th SADC Summit Public Lecture incorporate cross-pollination of ideas

Youth Representative graduate trainne, Eureka Gold Mine, Miss Primrose Mlambo has underscore the zealous need for youth empowerment, capacitation in order to industrialise the SADC region.

She was speaking yesterday at the 7th SADC Summit Public Lecture held at the University of Zimbabwe under the theme, 'Building Research Capacity and Innovation Ecosystems for a Sustainable Industrialized SADC Economy."

"Currently there is a 30% unemployment rate, most of our graduates coming from the institutions are struggling to find employment because the current education system that we created is solid to channel our workers."

"With the model that Zimbabwe is bringing forward, we are not focusing with the theoretical aspect of education but rather channeling out people who can innovate to Industrialise."

"Most of our curricular is starting to include an aspect of innovation in all the disciplines."
"The youths are the integral part of the system, however we cannot do anything unless we have the support of our leaders, the vanguard of society, she says."

" We need to channel both the youths, the males and the females into a quality education system such that we produce highly skilled human capital."

Further, Professor Address Malata, Vice Chancellor, Malawi University of Science and Technology in her address reiterated the aspect need of curriculum change.

"Our curriculum approaches need to change, every student must be taught about innovation."

"Beyond innovation there must also know about entrepreneurship."

"Jobs are not there, the private sector is not growing, students do not have to be told to look for a job, there must be told how to create jobs", she says.

Moreover, innovation and entrepreneurship must also be taught at primary level.
Professor Malata also urged universities to open up to those we think are uneducated, they have skills and innovative ideas.

Present at the event was His Excellency Cde E.D Mnangagwa and his Vice Presidents, Professor Dr. Paul Mapfumo, Professor Aloys N. Mvuma, Tanzania, Professor Peter Nyarango, Namibia, Professor Carlos Francisco, Angola.

15/08/2024

7th SADC Summit

15/08/2024

A HURUNGWE traditional leader is embroiled in a bribery storm after allegedly demanding a bribe from Chinese investors intending to set up a US$1billion cement manufacturing plant and thermal power station in the area.

Three chiefs, namely Chanetsa, Nematombo and Dendera, born Elfas Dendera, reportedly have interests in the mega project, which is set to transform the face of Magunje.

The cement factory and thermal power station project by WlH-ZIM Cement (Private) Limited, which is an investment vehicle established by Labenmon and West International Holdings, is expected to be undertaken in Hurungwe Ward 11 at Katenhe turn-off, under Headman Chasara, Chief Chanetsa. Huo Wencai, a Chinese national, is responsible for implementation of the massive project. The other directors are, Huo Yan, Xu Yongxu and Jin Xiaoliang.

One of the investors, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, confided in NewZimbabwe.com that Chief Dendera wants a kick-back inorder to convince supposedly “disgruntled” villagers on the advantages of the initiative.

“The Chief is making incessant demands for a urban property, either in Karoi or Chinhoyi, in addition to putting a security fence at his current homestead where he wants a solarised borehole installed. He also wants US$5 000 cash and a vehicle of his choice.

“He is not working alone, but with other interested parties who want to take advantage of us. The demands smack of greed and should be investigated by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC),” said the investor.

Chief Dendera reportedly made the demands after some villagers, working with a local civic organisation, raised environmental concerns over the new investment.

While most are upbeat of employment prospects, some villagers argue construction of the cement plant near Kemureza dam could alter the local ecosystem, affect aquatic life and compromise the health of inhabitants as pollutants enter the food and water supply chain.

In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, Chief Dendera confirmed he made an initial demand for US$5 000, a town house, top-of-the-range vehicle and upgrades to his homestead, including installation of a solarised, but struggled to justify why he was making the demands.

“The issue is that initially l was not consulted and when the investors later realised they needed to involve me as l have jurisdiction over part of Magunje, including the army barracks area, they asked what their company could do for me as gratitude.

“Yes, l made demands but this was after l was asked what l wanted done for me as Chief, since this project is coming into our area, although that particular location of project site falls under Chief Chanetsa. As a neighbouring traditional leader, Chief Nematombo, is also involved,” explained Chief Dendera.

“Information is getting twisted, l only made the demands after l was asked to do so by the company,” he added.

Curiously, on July 25, Chief Dendera wrote to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) director-general noting he was concerned about his subjects’ health and hence the need to protect at least 18 villages.

“I as Chief Dendera am expressing my concerns as a key stakeholder of the said area in dispute for this project with reference to the eastern side of Magunje Dam and 18 homesteads under myjurisdiction that fall under me.

“I became aware of this said project after I was invited for a full council meeting on 21 June, 2024 chaired by council chair Mary Mliswa and I was very surprised and shocked.

“However, the pertinent point I am raising is that has your department done an environmental impact assessment report and if so when and what were the findings?

“I am very concerned about my subjects’ food security as 18 villages under my jurisdiction benefit from Magunje Dam.

“I am also concerned about our health as a community and we have Magunje Dam in my jurisdiction which is a water source for over 10 000 inhabitants in Magunje growth point and about 5 000 in the surrounding area.

“Please note, this is not to say as Hurungwe District, me as a stakeholder, we are not embracing the project. It is the flawed processes and the environmental conditions concerns.”

The investors allege Chief Dendera, who is reportedly working in cahoots with top Zanu PF officials and an army colonel, only engaged EMA inorder to pile pressure on the Chinese and justify his demands for a bribe.

The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) also recently petitioned the government to stop construction of a proposed cement plant citing environmental and health concerns.

When contacted by NewZimbabwe.com for an update on the stand-off, EMA Mashonaland West publicity and education officer, Munyaradzi Nhariswa confirmed his agency was scrutinising an application for a greenlight on the project.

“We can confirm receipt of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the Hurungwe cement project. An all inclusive stakeholder review process is currently underway which seeks to take on board the views and opinions of interested and affected parties,” Nhariswa said.

When the billion-dollar project is complete, Magunje will be an industrial hub housing a new dry-process clinker cement production line with an annual capacity of 2.7 million tonnes equipped with a 100megawatt (MW) power generation unit.

About 5 000 jobs will be created while the factory will fill the local demand gap for top-quality cement pegged at US$5 per bag, as well as high-calcium white ash.

The project owners say no displacement of villagers will occur while locals will get first preference for job opportunities and skills training needed for the massive project. Source
New Zimbabwe

15/08/2024

Today, His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is the Guest of Honour at the 7th SADC Summit Public Lecture, being held at the University of Zimbabwe, Diamond Conference Centre in Harare.

HE President Mnangagwa will give a presentation of the Public lecture, which is running under the theme, "Building Research Capacity and Innovation Ecosystems for a Sustainable Industrialised SADC Economy."

15/08/2024

7th SADC Summit Public Lecture
Theme: Building Research Capacity and Innovation Ecosystems for a Sustainable Industrialized SADC Economy.

15/08/2024

His Excellency Cde E.D Mnangagwa arrives at Rufaro Stadium.

01/08/2024

Breaking News:

Vybz Kartel and his co-accused have been freed after the Court of Appeal ruled against a retrial for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams. The decision, delivered by a three-judge panel, was just announced.

01/08/2024

H.E. President Mnangagwa has met the outgoing French ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. Laurent Chevallier at State House this afternoon. The farewell courtesy call comes as the last of Ambassador Chevallier's official engagements in Zimbabwe. Ambassador Chevallier's tour of duty in Zimbabwe began in September 2020, and he leaves the country at the end of the week.

In an interview with the press after meeting the President, Ambassador Chevallier said he looks forward to a continuation of the warming relations between Harare and Paris. He also expressed his hope that French companies would come to invest in Zimbabwe, describing the investment climate in the country as favourable.

31/07/2024

SADC Industrialization Week

14/12/2023

Breaking News

Terry G has died.

14/12/2023

Update Parliament

Mabvuku Tafara Member of Parliament, Hon. P. Sakupwanya(Zanu Pf) is one of the newly sworn in Members of Parliament.

12/12/2023

Former Mabvuku/Tafara Member of Parliament Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi, who was recently replaced by Scott Sakupwanya, has been arrested for assault and malicious damage to property.

He is currently held at Harare Central Police Station and will appear at the Harare Magistrates Court today.

12/12/2023

Latest News

The Zimbabwe Republic Police - have named some of the alleged drug suppliers as part of the work being done by the National Committee on the Elimination of Drugs and Substance Abuse.

Some have been convicted at court while others are on remand.

11/12/2023

Kana nemiwo

08/12/2023

Breaking News

Cde Pedzai Sakupwanya of ZANU PF has been declared duly elected National Assembly member for Mabvuku Tafara constituency, following the High Court's nullification of the candidature of recalled CCC candidate, Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi by the High Court of Zimbabwe.

The development means that there will be no by-election in the constituency this Saturday.

07/12/2023

Nust 29th graduation ceremony.

04/12/2023

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29/11/2023

Construction underway at Mbudzi Interchange.
53% complete says the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.

29/11/2023

Today's motivation

29/11/2023

Zimbabwe records new cholera cases

By Brighton Mandidewa

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, has recorded new cholera cases in Zvishavane and Mbire districts as the outbreak deepens.

In a Post Cabinet Press Briefing presented by Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development as acting Minister of Health and Child Care Honourable Professor Amon Murwira said there were 1 744 new suspected cholera cases reported compared to 1 259 reported the previous week.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care noted that from the period 16 November, 2023 to 23 November, the highest number of cholera cases were from Harare {705} and Chitungwiza {163}.

Cabinet has however reiterated that there is need to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in communities.

28/11/2023

Fire blaze along Willowvale road.