U.S Congress Set to Discuss America, Zimbabwe Relations

FILE: House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio seen during the opening session of the 114th Congress in Washington, Jan. 6, 2015.WASHINGTON DC—Zimbabwe will be the focus of a congressional hearing in Washington on Wednesday set to discuss a wide range of issues including sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe and his inner circle and future relations between the two nations.

Sponsored by the subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, the hearing marks a significant moment for Zimbabwe, which has not been a topic of much discussion of late in Washington. Panelists testifying at the hearing are deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa, Shannon Smith, executive director Ben Freeth of the Mike Campbell Foundation, and regional program director for Africa, Imani Countess of the Solidarity Center. Countess is one of the panelists speaking at a congressional hearing on Zimbabwe. Interview With Kennias Shamuyarira And Calisto Jokonya. Smith was part of a high-level delegation which visited Zimbabwe two weeks ago that also included Steven Feldstein, assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. They were assessing the current situation in the country amid concerns of the worsening socio-economic and political environment in the nation. Countess told Studio 7 a lot will be discussed, including the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA), which was passed by the United States congress to provide a transition to democracy and to promote economic recovery in Zimbabwe. Its primary objective was to “support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth, and restore the rule of law.” A delegation of U.S. business executives from the influential Corporate Council on Africa – which promotes trade between Washington and Africa – is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe on Wednesday to explore business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. The mission has so far visited Zambia. The delegation is expected to hold key meetings with Zimbabwean government ministers of finance, agriculture, tourism and trade. They will also meet with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya as well as officials from the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, among others. USA and its allies imposed targeted sanctions on President Mugabe and his colleagues following elections which they said were rigged in favour of his party and other related issues. – VOA

FILE: House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio seen during the opening session of the 114th Congress in Washington, Jan. 6, 2015.

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Journalists take the most corrupt Minister Mpofu to court over $200,000 in unpaid wages

The most corrupt Minister Mpofu FORMER journalists at the collapsed Zimbabwe Mail newspaper have dragged transport minister, Obert Mpofu, to court over outstanding salaries amounting to about $200,000. Mpofu, who was the major shareholder of the newspaper which closed in March this year, has been summoned to appear before a labour tribunal on 17 June in Harare.

The Zimbabwe Mail hit the market in December 2013 as a daily publication before turning into a weekly in February 2014 and eventually closing down.

Battered by viability problems, the company slashed salaries in half in September last year

but by the time of its closure, staffers said even the reduced wages were not being paid.

Documents seen by NewZimbabwe.com reveal that 42 former employees of have sued the paper for alleged non-payment of outstanding salaries and unlawful dismissal.

 “You are hereby notified that the matter between you (The Zimbabwe Mail) and 40 others concerning alleged non-payment of outstanding salaries in lieu of leave and alleged unlawful dismissal.

 “If you fail to attend the hearing before T Sakarombe at Makombe Building on 17 June 2015, the hearing may proceed without you to the possible detriment of your interest,” reads part of the court documents.

 The summons was handed over to The Zimbabwe Mail board chairperson, Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga on Monday. The workers are being represented by Rodgers Matsikidze of Mucheche Law Chambers.

The newspaper shut down operations citing viability challenges in March this year without paying any benefits for its entire workforce.

A commercial bank also owned by Mpofu collapsed this year. The minister is said to be one of the richest members of President Robert Mugabe’s cabinet although questions remain over the source of his wealth.

Mnangagwa: Tsvangirai President of Zimbabwe in 2008

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai was going to be President of Zimbabwe in 2008 admitting for the first time that the MDC leader won that year’s elections.

 Speaking while shooting down former ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa, Mnangagwa said Tsvangirai was fully set to rule Zimbabwe.

He alleged that Mutasa acted in support of Tsvangirai’s automatic presidency in that election when Robert Mugabe was beaten by the MDC leader who garnered 73% of total votes.

“In 2008 when (MDC-T leader Mr Morgan) Tsvangirai almost ruled this country, I was the chief election agent for the President and Mutasa was the secretary for Administration. “Surprisingly, when the results were announced, Mutasa had already packed all his belongings from the office.

When I phoned him he told me that he was already in Rusape,” said Mnangagwa. He continued his barrage against Mutasa saying, “we wondered how the secretary for Administration would run away at such a critical moment. I phoned (Nicholas) Goche. He also said he was already in Bindura.

 How could a man in charge of our security at the time desert us at that critical moment?

This is the kind of people we were dealing with. They thought MDC was going to rule this country,” he added.Mnangagwa made these remarks while addressing rallies in Mutata’s Headlands stronghold and Mutare areas to drum up support for the Mugabe controlled party’s candidates ahead of next Wednesday’s parliamentary by-elections.