Miss Botswana makes Africa proud in the prestigious world peagent

Alexandria Mills of U.S.A., center, holds hands with Miss Botswana Emma Wareus, left, and Miss Venezuela Adriana Vasini, after crowned as winner of the 2010 Miss World pageant contest at the Beauty Crown Cultural Center in Sanya.



Mis Emma Wareus doing what she knows best

Miss Wareus ,of Botswana has made Africa proud when she clinched the first runner-up in the world peagent.Its indeed an achievement for Africa.

Gokwe falls under a deadly water crisis

Gokwe(ZimEye)-A serious water crisis has hit the growing Gokwe cotton farming town with residents resorting to fetching water from shallow wells, water flowing under bridges and broken water pipes exposing them to health hazards.
Residents of Mapfungautsi, Nyaradza, and Sasame high density suburbs wake up midnight daily to queue at a few water tapes that produce water with the rest resorting to dig shallow wells in the nearby wetland for drinking and other domestic use.

“We find the water we get from the wells we dig (zvitubu) safer to drink than fetching from Sasame river, because of it’s sewerage contamination,” said Sarudzai Muropa of Nyaradza.



“We are taking advantage of this broken pipe which leaks clean water ,but the problem is that because of its proximity to the main road, there is high risk of being crushed by cars.,” a woman identified as Mai Tasara of Sasame said while fetching water underneath a bridge using a cup.

Petronela Kanengoni of Mapfungautsi said for the past two years her tape had not been producing a drop of water.

‘What we do here is that we wake up at around midnight and queue at our neighbour’s tape which produces some drops during the night. We used to get drinking water from a borehole which was drilled by UNICEF during the height of Cholera two years ago but the borehole broke down because of pressure from the Mapfungautsi and Sasame residents,” she said.

Gokwe uses water drawn from a borehole and because of regular power cuts experienced here, the machine is always off.

Gokwe town council chair (MDC-T} Darlington Mudondo said the town was in critical water shortage which could cause another cholera outbreak when the rainy season comes, if it was not addressed.

“We have a perennial water crisis here which we believe will be solved only by finishing up the construction of Gwehava dam whose process is still in progress, because the borehole which pumps water to the entire area is being affected by power cuts and pressure from the growing Gokwe population,” he said.


Gokwe water is still in the hands of the bankrupt Zimbabwe Water Authority (ZINWA) after the council and the water authority failed to reach a consensus over sewer and water hand over and take over. The problem remains unresolved to date making residents to believe that the misunderstanding was affecting service delivery.

Efforts to get a comment from ZINWA Gokwe were fruitless. (ZimEye, Zimbabwe)

Gono-First Lady affair denied, threat to sue

Mendacious lies ... President Robert Mugabe and wife, Grace, said to be preparing for a legal "war" with the Sunday Times newspaper after it published claims that she was having an affair

by Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe was on Monday said to be preparing to take an unprecedented step to sue both the British and South African Sunday Times newspapers following damaging claims that his wife, Grace, was having an affair with Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono.

Gono, the First Lady and a retired Air Force official named in stories published on Sunday would join in the action, a source said.

Both Gono, 51, and Grace, nee Marufu, 45, strongly deny having an affair, and according to a mutual friend of the pair, “they are ready to go to war” with the Sunday Times.

“There is a major meeting planned for Wednesday which will be attended by lawyers and advisers to the President and Gono,” the source said. “But be in no doubt, we are going to see one of the biggest libel lawsuits ever because this story is a mendacious hatchet job which should never have been published.”

In an e-mail to New Zimbabwe.com on Monday, the source, who asked not to be named, said The Sunday Times’ story was “so sloppy that they lacked the courage to put it in their Zimbabwe edition.”

The story, written by Jon Swain and published simultaneously by the South African and British Sunday Times newspapers, alleged Gono and Grace had been having an affair for five years, and had romped in hotels in Malaysia, Cape Town, a South African house owned by retired Air Vice-Marshal Robert Mhlanga and even on a farm owned by the First Lady.

News of the affair, according to the Sunday Times, was broken to Mugabe on July 26 this year by his dying sister, Sabina. Mugabe’s bodyguard, Cain Chademana, was present in the discussion but “mysteriously died … a matter of dies later”. Citing intelligence sources, the Times said he had been “poisoned under Mugabe's instructions by Mugabe's intelligence men, allegedly employing an undetectable poison.”

But our source, who said she had been in contact with both Gono and the First Lady since the story broke, told New Zimbabwe.com the story was “littered with falsehoods”.

For instance, she pointed out, on July 26, President Robert Mugabe was IN UGANDA attending an African Union summit and therefore could not have met his sister. The Sunday Times also wrote that Sabina died after a short illness.

But our source says around the time she is supposed to have met Mugabe and told her of his wife’s infidelity, she was in a coma and unable to speak.


New Zimbabwe.com has checked her claims which would appear to be backed by comments made by President Mugabe at a funeral wake for his sister on July 29.

Mugabe said Sabina first suffered a stroke in 1995 which “damaged a third of her brain”. Physically she would appear well, but mentally she became somehow confused, Mugabe said.

In devastating remarks which strike at the heart of the Times’ story, Mugabe went on to say: “I last saw her when I visited the hospital [July 24] on my way to Uganda. She could recognise me. I looked at her and she was very frail but at least she could recognise me.”

Mugabe was at the opening ceremony of the AU summit in Kampala, Uganda, on July 25. Lawyers for Gono, the First Lady and Mhlanga will point out that the central plank of the Sunday Times’ story – the said conversation between Sabina and the President -- therefore falls away.

Our source went on to point out various inaccuracies in the story, stating: “If they can’t get the small things right, how can they be believed on the major issues?”

She said: “The story claims Sally Mugabe died in 1996. That’s a lazy lie because she was already four years dead that year.
“The story claims Cain Chademana was a senior police officer and a decorated veteran of Zimbabwe’s independence struggle. That’s a decorated lie because Chademana died aged 36, and therefore too young to have fought in any war. Again, he was never a police officer.

“As a matter of fact, Chademana had an illness known to all those who worked with him and I can tell you it was neither poisonous nor mysterious. Many months before his death, he had taken leave and was nowhere near the President.

“The story claims that Grace and Gideon met at Mhlanga’s house in Johannesburg for trysts. If that were true, why would Mugabe go on and reward Mhlanga with diamond concessions in Marange as chairman of Mbada Diamonds?

“Gono played a major role in organising Sabina’s funeral. You don’t let a man who has been sleeping with your wife organise your sister’s burial; then let him sit a few feet behind you at the burial; especially if that same sister told you he was bedding your wife.

“The Sunday Times story is very sloppy, to say the least. In every paragraph you can find something wrong, if you really want to, and the biggest puzzle is that editors in London and Johannesburg saw no problem with it. Neither did they seek comments from the people whose names they published – a most basic journalism rule.

“They have made a bed, but far from Gideon and Grace sleeping in it, their editors will lie in it. They must prepare to live with the consequences.”

Attempts to obtain a comment from Gono drew a blank as he was was said to be in meetings with a visiting IMF delegation on Monday, while Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba was unreachable.

The latest threat against the Sunday Times follows a turbulent year for the paper which has run several retractions, including a damaging apology for a story claiming that Transnet -- the company behind South Africa's national transport businesses – was “selling out our sea to foreigners”.

Journalists from the paper have been facing a barrage of questions from South African TV and radio stations since Sunday. One of the editors from the paper told e.tv news channel that they were challenging Mugabe to deny the story, “then we’ll expose him”.

If Mugabe goes ahead with the threatened action, he would join South African President Jacob Zuma who sued Britain's Guardian newspaper for libel and won in March this year.

Zuma accepted "very substantial" libel damages and an apology at the High Court from the Guardian over claims he was a rapist. He sued after publication of an article headlined ‘Get used to a corrupt and chaotic South Africa’ by Simon Jenkins which appeared on March 6.

His solicitor, Jenny Afia, told Mr Justice Eady at the High Court the piece alleged the president was guilty of rape, corruption and bribery arising from his involvement in an arms deal. She told the court: "Such allegations are of the utmost seriousness and totally untrue."

GRACE MUGABE AND GONO ARE LOVERS – BODYGUARD

By JON SWAIN: Harare

When President Robert Mugabe’s younger sister, Sabina, died in Harare after a short illness, pictures showed the 86-year-old president looking devastated at her funeral.

But it may well have been more than the death of his beloved sister that shattered Mugabe and sent his health into what is reported to be further decline.


According to one of Mugabe’s most trusted bodyguards who was present at the time, Sabina Mugabe, 75, warned her brother before she died that he was being betrayed by two of the most important people in his personal and political life: his wife and his personal banker, a pivotal member of his regime.

Sabina told the president that Grace and Gideon Gono, the powerful head of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Mugabe’s confidant, were secret lovers.Grace, 41 years Mugabe’s junior, has taken lovers before. One lover, Peter Pamire, died in a mysterious car accident. James Makamba, one of Zimbabwe’s richest businessmen and a top-ranking Zanu-PF official, enjoyed her favours but their affair ended in tears, too, when a furious and sexually jealous Mugabe ran him out of town in fear of his life.

But never before has Grace been romantically involved with a politician in Mugabe’s inner circle. And never before has a man so close to the president risked allowing it to happen.The dangers from discovery are high. Zimbabwe state intelligence officials made it known that Mugabe’s detection of the affair had already led to the murder of the bodyguard present at Sabina’s bedside and more trouble would almost certainly follow.

“Once he hears something like that, I think someone will go and meet God,” said one intelligence official.A pillar of the regime who Mugabe personally appointed in 2003 to head the central bank, Gono was a person he absolutely trusted ; furthermore, he was a family friend. The two have known each other since 1995 when Mugabe appointed Gono, then chief executive of a major Harare commercial bank, to be his personal banker.

“Mugabe trusted Gono. He even thought our boss was taking care of the first lady keeping a protective eye on her so that she could not again be adulterous,” said one senior official in Gono’s office who became aware of their secret affair, and who spoke out about it for the first time last month, on condition of anonymity.

Another in Gono’s entourage said Gono and Grace, who are business partners in several enterprises in Zimbabwe and South Africa, had been planning a life together after Mugabe’s death.

Mugabe’s marriage to Grace is itself founded on an adulterous relationship which shocked many Zimbabweans at the time. Grace was working as a junior secretary in the typing pool in Mugabe’s office and married to an air force officer when the two began having an affair. They had two children while Mugabe’s first wife, Sally – who was universally popular – battled a terminal kidney disease. After her death in 1996, Mugabe wed Grace, who is widely loathed and notorious for her lavish shopping sprees.

The Gono source said Grace and Gono first became romantically involved in 2005 and had seen each other regularly since. When they could not find an excuse to meet in South Africa or further abroad, they met at Gushungu Dairy Estate, Grace’s 1000ha farm about an hour from Harare.

They met twice, sometimes three times, a month.

They also met at the Harare home of a woman friend and business associate of Grace who is a Zanu-PF stalwart. They exchanged e-mails, which one official privy to them described as “explicit”.He said Mugabe had always naively accepted as true Grace’s story that she and Gono are related. They are not, although both come from the town of Chivhu, 200km south of Harare.

The enormity of Gono’s betrayal would have come as a devastating emotional shock to Mugabe when Sabina revealed it to him.Mugabe went to visit his sister between 6pm and 7pm on July 26 in the intensive care ward at the Avenues Clinic in Harare. As he sat on her bed with senior police commissioner Cain Chademana, his most trusted bodyguard, at his side, she told him the truth.

Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officials said Chademana told them of the discussion afterwards and said that the president left the meeting devastated.
“At first, Mugabe did not want to believe it was true, but Sabina told him to ask his men about the affair and make up his own mind,” said the officials, quoting what Chademana had told them.

“It was maddening because Mugabe had encouraged their friendship and sometimes asked Grace to see Gono to discuss mutual business matters.”

In early August, a few days after Sabina’s funeral, Mugabe and Grace left together for China on an official visit.Mugabe took his sister’s advice when he returned to Harare later in August, the state intelligence officials said .

He summoned his bodyguard, Chademana, to tell him exactly what had been going on. Like others in the state security services close to the Mugabes, Chademana had had good reason to believe Grace and Gono were having an affair even before Sabina revealed it in his presence, but had thought it wisest to keep quiet about it.

When Mugabe summoned him in August, “Chademana admitted that he knew something was going on which he had not said before”, said the state security officials.

“Mugabe is said to have gone very silent.”

It was a fatal admission. A matter of days later, at the end of August, Chademana mysteriously died. State security officials handed over his body to his son, Welcome, for burial. No autopsy was performed. The dead police officer was a decorated veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation war in the 1970s. He had served as Mugabe’s aide de camp for many years and officials in the president’s office let it be known that Mugabe was deeply shocked.

“It will be difficult for us to come to terms with this sad reality,” said Albert Ngulube, the department’s assistant director in a speech at Chademana’s funeral.
“We are not a murderous organisation but peace-loving Zimbabweans who are determined to protect our country.”

His remarks stopped further speculation of foul play arising from the bodyguard’s sudden demise.But CIO sources last week revealed that Chademana was poisoned under Mugabe’s instructions by Mugabe’s intelligence men, allegedly employing an undetectable poison. The instructions were carried out after Mugabe had briefed Happyton Bonyongwe, the director general of the CIO.

It was a desperate measure to keep Grace’s affair with Gono from leaking out and making a mockery of the ageing president.“Mugabe wanted it hushed up at all costs,” said a security official. “Gono is his personal banker, knows Mugabe’s financial secrets and is trusted. And there he is betraying the old man by having an affair with his wife.

“It would be too humiliating and could not be allowed to stand. In addition, Mugabe concluded that Chademana was the source of humiliating leaks about the president’s deteriorating health.”

Mugabe hopes the embarrassing secret of his wife’s infidelity with one of his right-hand men is safely buried with the body of the hapless Chademana in the Warren Hills cemetery outside Harare.

The reserve bank governor’s betrayal presents Mugabe with a dilemma. Throughout most of the last decade of political turmoil and economic meltdown Gono was central to Mugabe’s survival in power.

As the controller of the state coffers, he wielded enormous influence and patronage essentially saving Mugabe’s presidency by finding ways to keep the money flowing when the value of the Zimbabwe dollar had collapsed through hyperinflation.

By dipping into the coffers to fund all Zanu-PF projects, seeing the army generals and the security services were paid and bankrolling the party’s 2008 terror campaign to get Mugabe re-elected, Gono made himself indispensable.

After the reaching of a power-sharing agreement last year when Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai joined a coalition with Mugabe, Gono lost some of his power. But he still remains vitally important to Mugabe and the key figures in his regime and cannot be easily got rid of.

As Mugabe’s personal banker Gono, 50, manages the president’s vast family fortune looted from the country which Mugabe and Grace have stashed away in an opaque network of overseas bank accounts, business ventures and properties, many in the Far East. He also looks after the financial interests of General Constantine Chiwenga, the armed forces chief and others who surround Mugabe at the top and have enriched themselves through their positions.

A measure of Gono’s importance is that Mugabe unilaterally reappointed him to his post last year against considerable opposition from Tsvangirai and, clearly feeling his departure would be highly damaging, he has ever since resisted all demands to dismiss him.

Meanwhile, it looks as if Chademana’s killing could backfire. There are rumblings of discontent within the state intelligence agency where officers, already demoralised by low pay and the killing of Chademana, are talking. Last week several came forward with more revelations which showed the depth of Gono’s betrayal.

One who worked in Gono’s office said he first became aware of his boss’s affair with Grace several years ago when he accompanied him to Malaysia on official business.

During the visit Gono, who had been booked into the Sheraton hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, quickly disappeared to the Berjaya Langkawi beach and spa resort on the island of Langkawi to see her.

The source said that he and his colleagues thought nothing of it until they came to settle Gono and Grace’s hotel bill for the stay and found they were paying for a double room.

Asked how he reacted he said: “In our job we never trust anyone. Even those we are working with we don’t trust. We saw and kept quiet. It is very sensitive.”

At the end of last year, he said, the couple had shared a room at the Cape Grace hotel in Cape Town. Another of Mugabe’s right-hand men, the former Air Vice-Marshal Robert Mhlanga – a key figure in the controversial exploitation of Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond field which is so rich it could make Zimbabwe the world’s top diamond producer – was also said to be aware of Grace’s affair with Gono but kept silent.

Mhlanga has hosted the couple at his Johannesburg house on several occasions during their so-called business trips to South Africa.

“Ask me for another trip like that!” Grace said to Gono afterwards in one e-mail message seen by the official.

More incriminating claims came from the workers at Gushungu, Grace’s dairy farm, an hour’s drive from Harare.

The couple pass off their frequent visits to the farm as business and make a point of arriving and leaving separately.

“At first I did not think anything was going on between them outside business because each time Gono came he bought money with him for the farmworkers,” said one.

“But later on I started suspecting that something was going on each time we visited the house after they had gone.

“No one was allowed inside while they were there. After they left we went back inside. At once it was clear the bedroom had been used for their meeting even though the first lady’s bodyguards had tidied up. They had remade the bed but we could see the sheets had been used. And we noticed the perfume in the bedroom.”

Asked if it surprised him that Gono and Grace were using the farm for an affair, one worker said: “I am not surprised by it. Some others might be. But those who worked at the farm and particularly those who worked in the house will not be astonished.

“It was only going to be a matter of time before someone said it for us. We could not say it ourselves because of fear.”

GPA not one-man band — Chamisa

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s political party on Friday said they were part of the inclusive government not because of President Robert Mugabe’s benevolence but because they were given the mandate by the people of Zimbabwe in the March 2008 elections.

The MDC-T said it was not bothered if the life of the unity government was not extended beyond February next year.

Hon Nelson Chamisa

The MDC-T said the Global Political Agreement (GPA) was not about President Mugabe.
“It’s not a one-man band,” said Nelson Chamisa, the MDC-T spokesperson.

“It’s not only about Mr Mugabe and what he thinks or wishes.”

Chamisa said his party was not worried whether the life of the unity government was extended or not.“We do not want it (the inclusive government’s life) extended,” Chamisa said. “We wanted out long back but because of the people of Zimbabwe, we have remained. We want to protect them from dictatorship and autocracy.”

The MDC-T was reacting to threats by President Mugabe not to extend the life of the inclusive government because he was disappointed with the MDC formations.

Addressing the Zanu PF National Youth Assembly in Harare on Thursday, President Mugabe said he was disappointed by the propensity of the MDC formations to invite foreigners, particularly Europeans, into Zimbabwe’s domestic affairs.

“The life of this creature called the GPA is only two years,” the President said. “ . . . Some will say let us negotiate and give it another life.
I am reluctant because part of the things that are happening are absolutely foolish and stupid.”But Chamisa told NewsDay the MDC-T was in government because they were overwhelmingly voted by the people of Zimbabwe in March 2008.

“We are not in government on the magnanimity of Zanu PF. We are in government because of the magnanimity of the people of Zimbabwe,” Chamisa said.“We should be chasing away Zanu PF because they are the ones living on borrowed time and borrowed legitimacy.

Zanu PF is a direct beneficiary of the magnanimity of MDC and the people of Zimbabwe.”He added: “They (Zanu PF) were rejected.

They were voted out and they started beating people. It’s a fact and it’s known.

People are tired of political rhetoric. They want jobs, food, shelter and education, not name-calling. It doesn’t serve people.”Chamisa said the MDC-T helped address some of the thorny problems the country faced since coming into the inclusive government.

“It is a fact that we brought functionality. We brought the sanity that the people can now see,” he said.“Of course there are challenges faced by Zimbabweans, but we have managed to open schools and factories. Everything had collapsed under Zanu PF.”

He said the MDC-T had also managed to “debunk the notion that restrictive measures were responsible for our economic problems”.Chamisa said had it not been for the “intransigencies” of Zanu PF, the inclusive government could have achieved greater things.

“We have not made the progress we would have wanted because of the intransigencies of Zanu PF who think everything is economics of power not power of economics,” he said.Chamisa said the MDC-T had sacrificed so much to “save” Zanu PF but “it’s a pity our colleagues in Zanu PF do not reciprocate”.

President Tsvangirai to remain MDC-T leader

”.(Pictured: PM Morgan Tsvangirai – Will not be stepping down from party post)
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Written by Radio VOP
Sunday, 03 October 2010 05:00

HARARE -Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai will remain the leader of the MDC-T until the party achieves its core mission of delivering political change in Zimbabwe, the party has said. The MDC-T was reacting to media reports suggesting Tsvangirai would step down as party president next year in line with the MDC-T’s original constitution that “allows an incumbent to hold office of two five-year terms
The reports said the MDC-T had passed a resolution to the effect that the “movement’s third congress – where a new leader would be elected – would be held after the holding of presidential elections next year”.
The MDC-T said the reports were untrue and aimed at creating problems within the party ahead of the elections.??“The story claiming that President Morgan Tsvangirai is set to step down is false, malicious and misleading,” the MDC-T said.
“For the record, MDC and President Tsvangirai are firmly focused on the party’s agenda for real change; to stabilise the economy; to create jobs; and to ensure that democracy flourishes in Zimbabwe.
“President Tsvangirai’s invaluable soft-power to let democracy sit down; to allow Zimbabweans to reclaim their democratic space and national dignity remains the MDC’s foundation of vibrancy and strength.”
The party added: “Since President Tsvangirai humiliated Robert Mugabe and the former ruling party, Zanu (PF), in the 29 March 2008 elections, the party is clear about its roadmap to a new Zimbabwe.
“The MDC-T said at its 2006 historic congress, the people tasked their newly elected leadership with a specific agenda to take the nation out of a deep crisis of governance."
“The party set out specific benchmarks to measure progress and the people are confident that the MDC remains on the right track. The MDC, working together with the people, will continue to lead until change becomes a reality,” the party said.?
“The issues dominating debate in the MDC are anchored on the people’s agenda for real change; for good governance; for a prosperous Zimbabwe; and for a violence-free society. Anything else, outside these basic needs, has yet to find a place in the dominant discourse inside the party.”
The statement said the MDC-T members were happy with Tsvangirai’s leadership and remain firmly behind he prepares to lead the party in elections expected next year.

Khama the Great(II) shows people driven leadership

President Ian Khama playing snooker with old Naledi resident, a shanty town in Gaborone

Khama the Great(II) has silenced his critics by proving that he really means business about his beloved motherland,gone is the time of Presidents who appear before elections like frogs after the rains to get a ticket to go back to the city and leave the people languishing until next election.This is indeed a dawn of a new era in Africa.Indeed the death and burial of talkshops staged by our dear African leaders is in sight as new crop of African leadership seems to be progressive.I am really touched with this experience where the President goes to almost every village and address the people personally.This inspires the ordinary masses and obviously gives them something to talk about over their traditional opaque beer.Going to them will not make them want to come to the city,but it will improve and indeed boost their self esteem.

Right now elections are still far away but he still dines with both the rich and poor of his country because he is a father for them all.This is great leadership at its best and I urge African leadership to hearken to the call of valuing thier citizens as special,despite their financial status,not to celebrate their suffering under your rulership claiming that you have been President for decades.Its not about the term in Office,but fulfilling your God given mandate to lead us the ordinary masses with ubberima fide.God did not create all of us rich ,just as the hands are not equal,but we can all be happy in our different conditions.
May God bless President Ian Khama,and give him strides to have more wisdom as he leads his people whole heartedly.

To Zimbabwean leadership

We are looking for leaders of the people not gangsters,murderers and thugs.This is a great lesson to you.Other children with responsible fathers(leaders) might not get anything much,but are happy that thier father cares for them.Life is not always about money,but showing that you care for your people.

Zim wants R3bn loan from SA

Sep 08 2010 21:05

Sapa


Harare - Zimbabwe is negotiating R3.25bn in credit from South Africa in an effort to revive the country's economy, the finance minister said Wednesday.


Finance Minister Tendai Biti and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai

"There are two facilities that we are negotiating. One is a line of credit of R500m, one is a revival of an old overdraft facility of R2.75bn," Tendai Biti told business leaders in the capital.

"We are also talking to private capital, the banks," he said.

Mugabe and his longtime rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government in February last year, hoping to end a decade of political and economic crisis.

The unity government has appealed for $10bn for reconstruction, but major Western donors have demanded more political reforms before offering direct budget support.

Zim, Botswana seal $70m deal

Zimbabwe and Botswana at the weekend concluded a $70 million line of credit deal, one of the five facilities pledged by Sadc countries in support of its economic reconstruction, when the country formed a unity government last year.



Finance Minister-Tendai Biti

Finance minister Tendai Biti last week led a delegation of local businesspeople to Botswana to seal the deal.

The Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower took advantage of the occasion to press for speedy finalisation of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (Bippa)between the two neighbours.

The line of credit will be offered at Libor+5% (0,5% + 5%) and is expected disbursement in the next four weeks after disbursement modalities have been finalised between the two governments.

Libor is an acronym for London Interbank Offered Rate – the interest rate that banks charge each other for loans, usually in Eurodollars.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) president Joseph Kanyekanye, who was part of the delegation, yesterday told NewsDay that parties to the deal agreed to have the 500 million pula or US$70 million credit line packaged as a revolving facility.

“This is what the country is looking for. Given the liquidity challenges that we have been facing this should go a long-way in injecting life into the economy,” said Kanyekanye. “It is also critical that government heeds the call of our business partners in Botswana to have a Bippa in place to cement our economic ties.”

The deal comes just under two weeks after the Africa Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the Zimbabwean government launched a low-interest rate $100 million joint loan facility with an initial drawdown of $70 million, to revive the country’s economy.

Afreximbank will contribute US$50 million, while the government will chip in with US$20 million to the fund, which will be channelled through banks.

Botswana and Zimbabwe agreed that the $70 million facility would cover the export of goods and services and joint venture deals between the two countries.

They also agreed that 70% of the funds would go towards manufacturing with the rest being committed to other sectors.

Kanyekanye said the work on the Bippa had been going for a long time and there was no reason why it should not be concluded.

President Tsvangirai says transition irreversible

Dr Morgan Tsvangirai,MDC President
Monday 02 August 2010

The MDC President, Dr Morgan Tsvangirai has said the road to a new Zimbabwe was irreversible, and new, free and fair elections next year will see the MDC forming an exclusive government. Addressing thousands of supporters at Old Lwendulo Grounds in Hwange, Matabeleland North province, President Tsvangirai said there was progress in preparations for a fresh, free and fair election that the MDC is confident of winning resoundingly.

President Tsvangirai addressed the rally after a key meeting with the Matabeleland North provincial council meeting and the national leadership. President Tsvangirai apprised the people who thronged the rally on the progress made by the inclusive government, the Constitution-making process, elections. He also unveiled the MDC new Zimbabwe charter.

President Tsvangirai said the people of Zimbabwe had invested a lot in the MDC in order to bring real change to Zimbabwe. “Anyone who stands in the way of the MDC in delivering real change is undermining the objective of the people of Zimbabwe who invested in the MDC to deliver real change to the country, politically, socially and economically,” President Tsvangirai said. “We remain focused on this objective”.

He said that there were now commissions in place for elections, human rights and media. “We want to give more freedoms to the people rather than contain the freedom of the people. Other people did not want to see change, but they were pushed for change. The process of transition is an irreversible process to a free and fair election, because we can not continue to have this mule powered government as it is not doing much”.

President Tsvangirai also urged the people to participate in the ongoing public hearings on a new Constitution. “This is your opportunity to express your views in order to lay the basis of the leadership you want to see,” President Tsvangirai said. The rally was attended by the party’s National Standing Committee and members of the national executive and Matabeleland North provincial leadership.

On Sunday, President Tsvangirai addressed thousands of MDC supporters at another Real Change rally in Makokoba, Bulawayo where he said the MDC is strengthening the agenda of real change, and says the party was ready for a free and fair election expected to end the tenure of the transitional government. “Given the two years in government it shows that MDC can do better and no other party can deliver real change except the people’s movement and we are going to hold on,” he said.

The PM also hinted that the SADC team should be expected to jet in the country in the next two weeks to review progress in the GPA considering the violations of the GPA and the many outstanding issues of the GPA such as the appointment of Senator Roy Bennett as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and decision making in issues of governance. “The MDC continues to talk against unilateral decisions being made by Mugabe and yet he is just a partner in government. These toxic issues of jingles and decision making compromise and undermine the legitimacy of the GPA,” he said.

The rally was attended by the national Organising Secretary, Hon. Elias Mudzuri, deputy Organising Secretary, Hon. Morgen Komichi, Treasurer-General, Hon. Roy Bennett, the national Spokesperson, Hon. Nelson Chamisa, deputy spokesperson hon. Tabitha Khumalo and the Bulawayo provincial leadership.

South African people and its government have betrayed Africa

To fathom that few weeks ago we were like one African family cheering behind the bafana-bafana team is quite shocking. The South African flag was on almost every car, house ,College, university and, for once, Africa’s hopes were revived. Indeed it is time for Africa. Where has this xenophobia come from then? To make matters worse it’s targeted at the same poor peasants who stood by you in time of need.

The Zimbabweans and other foreign nationals were there helping to make the African World Cup event a success,but I am truly astounded to hear that the foreign African nationals are scampering for safety. The most embarrassing situation is that the xenophobia is being targeted against African brothers and sisters.Where has the spirit of pan-Africanism gone to?


Policemen trying to stop the fire on foreigners who’ve been set alight by local people

Africa has played a pivotal role to ensure that your independence became a reality. When Mandela was released from prison we were all mad with joy. I remember as a young man running with joy upon catching wind of the news that South Africa was free. It was indeed a sigh of relief to us because I had heard the ordeal they went through in the fight against apartheid. Many ordinary citizens from countries like Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe were persecuted by the apartheid regime because of you. However they never threw up the towel for your sake, they persevered for the sake of Africa. Is this how you are going to repay the same ordinary people who suffered for you? Do not mock God, every creature must submit to God and respect other people. As we speak more than hundred African brothers and sisters have died at your hands, cold blooded murder of innocent people. Why South Africa Why.



More than 22 people have been killed, several women have been raped and hundreds of people have been tortured and injured

The South African government though I have always respected President Zuma for his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe has played a willing accomplice in this ruthless, criminal episode. I do not need a rocket scientist to know that such a horrendous activity of murder and butchering of innocent Africans can take place in their back yard and they will not apprehend any culprit. In 2008 African brothers were roasted alive with tires and ,funny enough, no significant arrests were made. Xenophobia has reared its ugly head again, and now the perpetrators are super charged because they got away with it. It is very clear that the leadership of the country is trying hide behind a finger, but God will judge your nation harshly if you do not repent from the terror you have subjected your neighbors to . I think what is left is a SADC and AU resolve to let South Africa to play alone because it does not play well with neighbors. I know the South African government sympathizes with the victims during the day and celebrate at night, but let it be known to you that what goes around comes around and history shall make you to account for your actions

I appeal to human rights organizations to begin legal action against the South African government on behalf of the victims. These victims should be compensated for shock, torture and death and the hands of their citizens. Some children are now street kids and orphans because of this violence, some people have been displaced while others have their future put in limbo after their meager but hard earned acquired property was set ablaze with these heartless African citizens (South Africans).The actions of our South African brothers have created destitutes and some of the children are now orphans resulting in them dying in the streets from poverty and starvation. I urge the human rights activists to stand up and gather all the data about all the people who were massacred so that the record can be clear to the rest of Africa. South Africans have failed to appreciate that they do not leave in an Island.

Its indeed very painful to realize that some foreign nationals who helped in making the world cup a success left the country fleeing for dear life without being paid for their hard work because of fear .Most South African employers took advantage and delayed to pay these foreign nationals so that they would flee leaving their money behind. Worse still some South Africans have looted the property of foreign nationals which took them a lifetime to acquire. How painful is that, being injured by your own brother.



Civil society should come in urgently to help these hapless people who are struggling to put food on their table. If the government wanted to stamp this xenophobia out it would not take time. Sadly, it seems to be silently approving this callous and satanic act. South Africa should stand and unequivocally tell the continent about its position; about whether or not it is is part of us. We are not ready to force them to be part us; we have played our role of emancipating them.

Simbarashe Chirimubwe is the leader of Concerned Africans Association (CAA) and Global Zimbabwe Forum Coordinator for Africa.

Africa needs foreign investment to tackle infrastructure deficit

By: Keith Campbell
6th July 2010


The infrastructure deficit in Africa currently amounts, in monetary terms, to $1,5-trillion, African Development Bank vice-president and Chief Economist Prof Mthuli Ncube told Engineering News Online on Tuesday. And the continent probably can’t afford to finance all the required development from its own resources.

“A lot of money needs to come from abroad in foreign direct investment,” he highlighted.

“There’s a need to develop roads through quasi-market initiatives such as public-private partnerships. Railway development is very important for Africa. In the 1960s and 70s one could travel from the Cape a lot of the way to Cairo by train, but political conflicts did a lot of damage to railways.”


Rail is the cheapest way to move freight from the interior to the coast, but many ports also need development or refurbishment, particularly in West Africa.

“We also need to develop the airline industry. We need to be able to travel across Africa by air, both passengers and cargo,” he added. “It is very difficult to fly between African countries. For example, to fly from South Africa to Tunisia, you have to go via Paris or Dubai.”

Nor is this all. There is also the need to develop the entire power generation sector. Oil infrastructure has to be expanded, and gas infrastructure developed. There is a need for more dams, for water supply and hydropower.

For example, he cited the Inga project in the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “If it was developed it would be a wonderful project. It would benefit the whole region. The DRC couldn’t possibly use all that electricity.”

Then there is the issue of affordable housing. “One way for people to move into the middle class is to become home owners,” he pointed out.

There are, of course, areas in Africa with concentrations of high-quality infrastructure, such as Southern Africa, in particular South Africa, and North Africa, especially Egypt and Tunisia. “But all regions of Africa need more infrastructure,” he affirmed.

Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter

Africa must be democratic

By Rebaone Tswiio
NDOLA, Zambia - Democracy and political stability in Africa would create a conducive environment for trade and investment, President Lt Gen. Ian Khama Seretse Khama has said.Officially opening the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair on Saturday, President Khama said time was "long overdue" for Africa to rid herself of political instability and poor governance.
"In this day we can no longer patronise one another and watch and do nothing while our people suffer as a result of poor political leadership and bad management of national resources," emphasised President Khama.
He noted that in a democratic dispensation elected leaders owe a duty to their citizens to uphold principles of good governance, democracy and the rule of law, adding that "anything short of this is unacceptable."
President Khama also noted that Botswana and Zambia have had the difficult task of managing their economies during the global economic crunch while they both need to diversify their economies from dependence on the mineral sector.
"We all recognise that our countries can no longer afford to put our eggs in one basket," said President Khama. He added that sustained growth for both economies will require contributions from small, medium and large enterprises.
The fair was held under the theme "Economic recovery through innovation and competitiveness."
President Khama said the theme underscores the need to increasingly engage in systemic initiatives to improve the quality of the goods and services to make them competitive in the international market.

Guest of honour

President Khama noted that despite the financial crisis, Botswana and Zambia have significantly increased trade between them over the last five years.
President Khama emphasised the need for partnerships in mega projects within the region. "We should do everything in our power to ensure that construction of the Kazungula Bridge is complete as soon as possible."
The anticipated launch of a direct air link between Gaborone and Lusaka, he said, should also facilitate the swift movement of people, goods and services in a cost effective manner. BOPA

More defections from Mutambara MDC faction

Headlines, News — By admin on June 30, 2010 at 4:25 am

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara might be left with no political party to lead by the time elections come next year given the massive defections from his crisis ridden MDC faction. After his party lost 27 councillors from Nkayi South and Nkayi North early this month and 16 councillors from Lupane East another 9 councillors from Kusile Rural District in Matebeleland North province defected to join the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

In a letter addressed to the MDC Matebeleland South provincial leadership on Friday 25 June 2010 the councilors said their actions were based on free will and there was no undue influence.

“Believing in our individual freedoms of association and political affiliation, having familiarized with relevant sections of the Rural District Act and acting on free will and without any undue influence, on the 21st of April we resolved to defect from Mutambara’s party to the MDC that is led by (President) Morgan Tsvangirai. We fully pledge to further the interests, policies and uphold principles of the MDC’s Constitution,” read part of the letter, which was signed by the 9 councillors.
The nine councillors are; Albert Mkwananzi Ward 1, Xolani Mhlophe Ward 2, Nehru Mpofu Ward 5, Doorman Moyo Ward 8, Sibangilizwe Ncube Ward 9, Sabelo Liberty Nyoni Ward 13, Sthabile Moyo Ward 14, Clara Mkandla Ward 27 and Zett Ncube Ward 16.

Early in June this year Mutambara was dealt a huge blow when 27 councillors in Nkayi South and North defected to join the MDC party. In a letter dated 10 June 2010 and addressed to the party’s secretary general, Professor Welshman Ncube the councilors said they had joined MDC-T.

“We the undersigned Nkayi RDC councilors who were voted under your party hereby advice you that we resigned from your party MDC-M. We are pleased to advice you that we have joined MDC-T.”

“For the avoidance of doubt we would like to inform you that our reason for crossing the floor was directed by the electorate who voted us into office on 29-03-08,” read party of the letter.

The letter which is also copied to Mutambara and the party’s national chairperson further says “Please don’t bother yourselves anymore to contact us .The chapter is closed. It was good doing politics with you.”

The letter which was dropped at the party’s regional offices by the ward 21 councillor Sicelo Mpofu on a Friday also had national identity numbers and signatures of the councilors who had deserted the party.


Welshman Ncube
Four weeks ago 16 councillors from Lupane East, sympathetic to the sacked former MP for the area Njabuliso Mguni, also resigned from the party accusing the party’s leadership of dictatorship and dining and wining with Zanu (PF). The Nkayi councillors are also believed to be sympathetic to Abedinco Bhebhe, the former MP of the area who was also sacked by the party along side with former Bulilima East MP Norman Mpofu.

There are also reports that other MDC-M councilors from Gwanda, Hwange and Tsholotsho are planning to abandon the party.

Nehanda Radio understands there is a growing anti-Mutambara feeling in the party and that Secretary General Welshman Ncube is already plotting to overthrow him.

Prime Minister Tsvangirai reshuffles Cabinet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai - The following Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers are being redeployed within the Party to strengthen and add momentum to Party programmes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOOD afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here today to announce a ministerial reshuffle. This reshuffle is about the MDC delivering to the people of Zimbabwe. what they are looking for – real change.

Over the past 16 months, we have recorded definite success in certain areas.

We have brought sanity and stability to the economy.

We have revived the health sector, which had all but collapsed.

We have got the schools back up and running, and textbooks distributed.

We now have independent daily newspapers registered to operate.

Basic services such as sewerage reticulation, refuse collection and water provision have been restored in many areas.

However, we still have many challenges; and these frankly overshadow our successes to-date.

The pace of reform has been painfully slow.

Abuses of power are still all too common.

Many people are still struggling to make a living wage, and provide for their families.

Infrastructure rehabilitation and energy supply continue to inhibit development.

I am acutely aware that these and other challenges have led to a loss of confidence in the new administration amongst the electorate. In response to this, as Prime Minister and President of the MDC, I have just completed a comprehensive review of the performance of the Government, and in particular of my Office and those Ministers who represent the MDC.

As a result, I have decided on a number of changes needed to strengthen the performance of the MDC in government and outside government, in order to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe. These changes, are being made with immediate effect, and the new ministers will be sworn in tomorrow, Thursday 24th June.

The changes that are being implemented are as follows:

The following Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers are being redeployed within the Party to strengthen and add momentum to Party programmes:

Elias Mudzuri, formerly Minister of Energy and Power Development, and the Party’s National Organiser
Fidelis Mhashu, formerly Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, and the Party’s National Executive Member for Chitungwiza Evelyn Masaiti, formerly Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender & Community Development, and the Party’s Secretary of the Women’s Assembly Thamasanqa Mhalangu, formerly Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation & Empowerment, and the Party’s National Youth Chairperson.

The following will become Cabinet Ministers:

Jameson Timba, formerly Deputy Minister of Media, Information & Publicity, will become Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Tapiwa Mashakada, will become Minister of Economic Planning & Investment Promotion
The following will become Deputy Ministers:

Gift Chimanikire will become Deputy Minister of Mines & Mining Development
Obert Gutu will become Deputy Minister of Justice & Legal Affairs.
Tongai Matutu will become Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenisation & Empowerment
The following Cabinet Ministers will change portfolios, as follows:

Elton Mangoma formerly Minister of Economic Planning & Investment Promotion, will become Minister of Energy & Power Development Theresa Makone, formerly Minister of Public Works, will become Minister of Home Affairs
Giles Mutsekwa, formerly Minister of Home Affairs, will become co-Minister of Housing & Social Amenities
Gorden Moyo, formerly Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, will become Minister of State Enterprises & Parastatals
Joel Gabuza, formerly Minister of State Enterprises & Parastatals, will become Minister of Public Works
The following Deputy Ministers will change portfolios, as follows:

Murisi Zvizvai, formerly Deputy Minister of Mines & Mining Development, will become Deputy Minister of Media, Information & Publicity Jesse Majome, formerly Deputy Minister of Justice & Legal Affairs, will become Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender & Community Development Ladies and Gentlemen, the MDC agreed to form this inclusive Government as it represented the most practical means of moving Zimbabwe forward and halt the needless suffering of the people.

In undertaking this task I have been humbled and encouraged by the commitment of all members of the MDC’s leadership, both within and outside of Government and I believe we are truly embodying the principles of a Party of Excellence.

I therefore wish to thank those Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are returning to the Party for their commitment and hard work and I call upon those remaining in the Government and our new Ministers and Deputy Ministers to join me in redoubling our efforts to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe.

- Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC President and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe

27 councillors ditch Mutambara MDC

MDC-M Leader Authur Mutambara

HARARE - Twenty seven councillors in the Arthur Mutambara-led MDC have walked out of the party and crossed floors to the MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai in the latest mass defections to rock the party.

The mass defections come hardly two weeks after 16 councillors from Lupane East resigned from the party in solidarity with their sacked MP, Njabuliso Mguni, who also accused the party leadership of supping with Zanu (PF).

The 27 councillors from Nkayi South and North jumped ship on June 10. They said their constituents had taken the decision and they were simply following what the people who voted them into office wanted.

The impetus for the latest rebellion is not immediately clear according to the resignation letters, but inside sources say there was concern that Mutambara was ingratiating himself more and more with President Mugabe.

“We the undersigned Nkayi RDC councilors who were voted under your party hereby advice you that we resigned from your party MDC-M. We are pleased to advice you that we have joined MDC-T," said the resignation letter signed by all the councillors and addressed to party secretary general Welshman Ncube. The letter was copied to Mutambara.

Ncube was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

But the letter continued: "For the avoidance of doubt we would like to inform you that our reason for crossing the floor was directed by the electorate who voted us into office on 29-03-08. Please don’t bother yourselves anymore to contact us .The chapter is closed. It was good doing politics with you."

Party spokesman Ediwn Mushoriwa however denied that there were massive defections, saying "we have not received any official communication to that effect."

He described the letter as "fake" and said it wasnt the first letter the party had received purpoting to communicate defections.

But ward 21 councillor Sicelo Mpofu said no amount of denials would reverse the decision.

(C) Zimbabwe Reporter 2010

Constitution public hearings official launch Wednesday

HARARE - Zimbabwe on Wednesday officially launches public hearings on a new Constitution in Harare, with the three principals in the inclusive government expected to make an address.

The public hearings are expected to resume in earnest on Saturday, with citizens expected to weigh in on a proposed new Constitution. Outreach teams are poised to hold meetings in each of the country's 1 957 wards.

Thd public hearings commence amid complaints from the Prime Minister's MDC party that its supporters were under siege from marauding Zanu (PF) militia especially in the countryside.

Seventy teams will be deployed countrywide Saturday to gather views and ideas that Zimbabweans wanted included in the new governance charter.

An official function has been planned for Harare Wednesday where the three principals to the Global Political Agreement (GPA), President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara are expected to speak at the launch.

All the three principals have collectively shown anxiety for the process to start in earnest.

Tsvangirai said: "The new people-driven Constitution is our birthright.The Constitution is an important document that should guarantee the people’s basic rights."

The public meetings have been sidetracked by partisan bickering, shameless scrounging for donor dollars and bogus non-issues.

The MDC said in a statement Tuesday its Midlands North provincial chairperson, Cephas Zimuti who was arrested on Sunday at Gokwe Centre, was released on Monday without any charge being brought against him.

"The police had earlier charged him on flimsy charges of mobilising MDC supporters to participate in the Constitution-making process," the statement said.

In Masvingo West, Masvingo province, an armed self-styled war veteran, Risiko Mutande on Sunday threatened MDC supporters with unspecified action if they attended a rally that was to be addressed by the MP for the constituency, Tachiona Mharadza on Constitutional issues. Mutande made the threats in the company of Zanu (PF) youths, the MDC said.

The public hearings are expected to last two months. Zimbabweans hope a new charter, replacing one inked in 1979 before independence from Britain, will strengthen the role of parliament and curtail the president's powers, as well as guaranteeing civil liberties and political and media freedom.

(C) Zimbabwe Reporter 2010

Time for Africa to shine

By Baleseng Batlotleng

GABORONE - Some pundits believe that African teams taking part in the World Cup have a realistic chance of going far in the tournament.
On the background of playing host to the best showpiece in the world, African teams are in a different and better position than previous tournaments and most importantly better prepared to achieve success.
In addition to convincing preparations ahead of the world spectacle that kicks off today in South Africa, Africa's representation of six teams is a record on its own.
African teams have competed at every World Cup since 1970 with the best performance being the quarterfinal berth achieved by the Cameroon team of 1990 and the enterprising and yet powerful team of Senegal in 2002.
When the draw for the World Cup groups was conducted in Cape Town last December, a lot of commentators ruled out chances of any team from Africa making it to the next round as they were drawn against what was referred to as difficult opponents.
For instance, the once African powerhouse Nigeria was pitted against Argentina, a great team on its own with an array of talent distributed all over European big spending clubs and currently boosting of the attacking tricky midfielder and world's number one, Lionel Messi.
Nigeria might have a better chance against Argentina in their opening game but will have to produce a polished performance against Greece and South Korea in their remaining fixtures.
As for the host South Africa, the latest FIFA ranking places them as the lowest ranked in their group.
Despite the poor form over the last few years, Bafana Bafana remain Africa's hope and have been buoyed by a recent run of 12 unbeaten runs and catapulted themselves into real contenders to finish at least in the top two ahead of either Uruguay, France or Mexico.
It might be argued that friendly games Bafana have been playing did not offer the same intensity compared to competitive matches before a big tournament.
They failed to qualify for the AFCON finals in Angola and that might become a big blow for their preparations. Before the AFCON talk of town was Ivory Coast but the Elephants went on to disappoint in the campaign.
However, Ivory Coast are one of the expensively assembled team on the African continent with world class players plying their trade in the best leagues in Europe.
They have done tremendously well in previous tournaments but never came with the right results and as fate would have it they have been drawn in what many refer to as the group of death, comprising Portugal, Brazil, and Korea.
Added to the tough opponents' problem is the injury of their star player and skipper Didier Drogba who still remains a doubtful starter ahead of their opening encounter with Portugal on Thursday.
Ghana has remained a consistent team from Africa and that can also place them as favorites at the moment.
They are capable of beating any team but the absence of playmaker Michael Essien has been described as devastating against tough opposition such as Germany.
They can count on edging out Australia and their coach's native homeland Serbia.
Their best record in the World Cup was when they made it to the second round when they lost to Brazil during their debut in 2006.
The Algerian Les Fennecs will be making their first appearance at the tournament since 1986 where they were eliminated in the first round.
They were the last team to qualify for the tournament after a closely contested battle with Egypt where they marginally won 1-0 and many will hope for better results when the Desert Foxes face the star studded England, USA and Slovenia.
Missing from coach Rabah Saadane's full strength squad is Lazio enterprising midfielder Mourad Meghini.
BOPA