Civil Engineer: Contract (Hwange)

Auto Electrician (Hwange)

Attachee: Sales and Marketing (Harare)

Planning Officer (Bulawayo)

Receptionist (Harare)

Semi-Skilled Cook (Chipinge)

IT Officer

Human Resources Officer

Stores Assistant

Project Coordinator

Graduate Trainee: Agronomy (Chisumbanje)

Estimator – Auto Body Centre Harare

Apprenticeship Trainee- Millwright

Graduate Trainee Program (Traineeship)

Students On Attachment (Various Departments)

Information Technology Graduate Trainee (Chisumbanje)

Counselor

Field Officer

Project Driver (Hwange)

Registered General Nurse (RGN) (Harare)

Intensive Care Nurse (ICN) (Harare)

Sales Agents x50

Tobacco Programmes Officer (Harare)

Payroll Clerk (Harare)

Library Technical Assistant

Assistant Binder

Broadcast Technician

Research, Innovation and Industry Linkage Officer (RIILO)

Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) Officer

Procurement Officer

Intellectual Property Management Officer

Research Officers x2

Business Development Officers x2

Innovation Lead (Engineering)

Innovation Lead (Arts & Creative Industries)

Innovation Manager

Public Health Specialist: Prevention, Care & Treatment (Harare)

Director General (Harare)

<p>President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that the government will continue to support local farmers and small business enterprises.</p>
<p>He posted on Twitter after he had stopped to buy farm produce from vendors in Kwekwe on Tuesday. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Yesterday (Tuesday), I made an impromptu stop in Kwekwe market to buy fresh, Zimbabwean produce and to talk with vendors and hear the challenges they are facing. We will continue to work around the clock to help our farmers and small businesses. Merry Christmas!</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>His remarks come when farmers have indicated that there is less support from the government, a scenario that has seen them producing enough to sustain the local industry let alone export.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the government this year announced that it was converting commercial farmers’ <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/10/26/zimbabwe-govt-speaks-on-99-year-leases-for-white-commercial-farmers/">five-year leases to 99-year leases.</a></p>
<p>Farmers have always asked for the 99-year leases which they said would assist them in securing lines of credit from banks who were rejecting the 5-year leases.</p>
<p>The government has also been assisting farmers through the Presidential Inputs Scheme and the Command Agriculture but the initiatives’ combined contribution has not been sufficient for farmers.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa/status/1209514342036754434"><strong>President Emmerson Mnangagwa</strong></a></p>


Pindula News

"We'll Continue To Work To Help Our Farmers And Small Businesses," - ED

<p>The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission has been accused of trying to hoodwink members of the public into believing that the anti-graft body was serious about corruption.</p>
<p>This comes as a number of prominent people in the country have been arrested in connection with corruption but they have not been prosecuted.</p>
<p>In some cases, the courts throw away the cases as ZACC would have failed to present enough evidence to support the claims that the arrested individuals are indeed corrupt.</p>
<p>This has made some observers think that the Anti-corruption drive is a mere talk show. This notion is captured well in a Zoom Morning Post article which notes:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>When President Emmerson Mnangagwa took over power, he spoke about fighting corruption, we do not know if this was a genuine talk or he was just talking to please the multitudes which thronged the giant National Sports Stadium in Harare.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Fighting corruption is essential considering that in developing countries, according to the United Nations Development Programme, funds lost to corruption are estimated to be at 10 times the amount of official development assistance.</p>
<p>The debate is ongoing over the allegedly missing US$3 billion which was meant for Command Agriculture yet the country is facing severe starvation.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/barking-dogs-seldom-bite-anti-corruption-drive-a-catch-and-release-game/"><strong>Zim Morning Post</strong></a></p>


"It Appears Barking Dogs Seldom Bite," ZACC Arrests, No Prosecution Yet

<p>Alfonce Mbizwo, the News Day Assistant Editor, Everson Mushava, News Day Chief Reporter and Veneranda Langa have claimed that ZANU PF’s recent actions in Parliament show that the ruling party is so desperate to have the endorsement of the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa.</p>
<p>ZANU PF legislators have been disrupting Parliament business to punish MDC legislators who snubbed Parliament events attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying he was illegitimate.</p>
<p>For the trio, the actions of the governing party have a huge adverse impact on Zimbabwe as a nation. In their Saturday article they observe:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>It was informative that the first disruption was made to prevent Sakunda Holdings executives from presenting evidence to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the unaccounted for US$3 billion in public funds the firm received for government’s much-vaunted Command Agriculture programme.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>The writers observe that the public will never know how and why their funds were used until the MDC has recognised Mnangagwa’s legitimacy.</p>
<p>They note that the corrupt activities of some individuals will go unchecked for as long the stand-off between ZANU PF and MDC which started in 2018 continues. The MDC claims Mnangagwa rigged 2018 elections.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/11/why-is-ed-zanu-pf-desperate-for-mdcs-endorsement/"><strong>News Day</strong></a></p>


"Consequences Of ZANU And ED's Desperation For MDC Endorsement,"

<p>Former Finance Minister, Tendai Biti who is also the Vice President of the opposition MDC led by Nelson Chamisa has proposed that some functions and powers be removed from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.</p>
<p>Biti opined that the central bank was everywhere in the economy already a set up that is likely to stifle the economy. Speaking during a debate in the National Assembly on the second reading stage of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Bill, Biti said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Two weeks ago, I presented on behalf of the PAC a report on the omissions of the RBZ. We made a recommendation that the footprints of the RBZ were too much in the economy because they are responsible for distribution of foreign currency, export requirements, subsidies and issuance of Treasury Bills, lending and borrowing.</strong></p>
<p><strong>PAC recommended that section 6 of the RBZ Act should be amended so that their functions are issuance of foreign currency, management of the monetary policy statement, management of the payment system and a banker of last resort.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>He claimed that the RBZ itself needed to be investigated for corruption therefore it cannot house the Financial Intelligence Unit.</p>
<p>His remarks come when there are pending cases which suggest that the RBZ violated Public Finance Principles, for instance, by borrowing without the approval of the Parliament.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/11/probe-rogue-rbz-biti/"><strong>News Day</strong></a></p>


Parliamentarians Move Motion To Limit RBZ Powers And Functions

<p>The United Nations has said that Zimbabwe is facing imminent severe starvation which is man-made. Among other things, the international organisation cites maladministration, drought and sanctions as some of the major factors worsening the crisis which is expected to drag until the end of the first quarter of 2020 when the country expects its next harvest.</p>
<p>See below the UN statement.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-img" data-maxheight="505" data-maxwidth="390" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKeAX-5WsAAC5hl?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/></p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-img" data-maxheight="487" data-maxwidth="377" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKefMEeXYAE4ffn?format=jpg&amp;name=large"/></p>


FULL TEXT: "Zimbabwe On Brink Of Man-Made Starvation," United Nations

<p>Zimbabwe is facing severe starvation which can match that of Somalia and Yemen, a United Nations expert Hilal Elver warned this Thursday.</p>
<p>The UN Special Rapporteur was presenting a preliminary statement at the end of her 11-day visit on the right to food when she indicated that starvation due to El Nino induced drought was making its way into Zimbabwe and is likely to affect about 60% of the total population. Elver said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>In rural areas, a staggering 5.5 million people are currently facing food insecurity, as poor rains and erratic weather patterns are impacting harvests and livelihoods. In urban areas, an estimated 2.2 million people are food-insecure and lack access to minimum public services, including health and safe water.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>She added that starvation was likely to be worsened by poverty and high unemployment, widespread corruption, severe price instabilities, lack of purchasing power, poor agricultural productivity, natural disasters, recurrent droughts and unilateral economic sanctions.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the government has since appealed for handouts from sympathisers and stakeholders saying that the country <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/president-mnangagwa-we-need-to-import-around-800-000-tonnes-of-maize/">would need about 800 000 tonnes of maize to head off hunger.</a></p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/zimbabwe-faces-starvation-akin-to-war-torn-somalia-says-un-rights-expert/"><strong>Zim Morning Post</strong></a></p>


"Zimbabwe Faces Starvation Matching That Of Somalia And Yemen," UN

<p>The ZWMB has disbursed $4.5 million to 2000 farmers The Sunday Mail reports. The funds will be used to buy farming inputs under the rebranded Smart Agriculture.</p>
<p>This was revealed by the bank’s marketing manager who spoke to the publication and said:</p>
<blockquote><p>As at 15 November 2019, disbursements had been done to the initial 2 000 farmers … and we have released $4,5 million.</p>
<p>As part of its financial inclusion initiatives and the national focus to enhance food security, Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank is financing farmers on small grains production and we are promoting crops such as sorghum, sunflower, cowpeas, finger millet and rapoko.</p></blockquote>
<p>Smart Agriculture comes in to replace controversial<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016"> Command Agriculture</a> which was introduced in 2016 by the govt.</p>
<p>More: <strong><a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/womens-bank-releases-45m-for-smart-agric">Sunday News </a></strong></p>


Zimbabwe Women Micro-Finance Bank Disburses $4.5 Million For Smart Agriculture

<div class="css-901oao r-hkyrab r-1qd0xha r-1blvdjr r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-19yat4t r-bnwqim r-qvutc0" dir="auto" lang="en"><span class="r-18u37iz">ZANU PF legislators have walked out of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing that was meant to investigate corruption allegations raised against Sakunda Holdings boss, Kuda Tagwirei.</span></div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en"></div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">The development means that Tagwirei will not be appearing before Parliament since the Tendai Biti headed PAC no longer has a quorum.</div>
<p>NewZWire reports that <span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">Zanu PF legislator, Tinomudaishe Machakaire is the one who persuaded his Zanu PF colleagues on the committee to deny chairman Tendai Biti a quorum by walking out.</span></p>
<p>Some argue that the move was triggered by the opposition MDC’s decision to boycott the 2020 Budget Statement presentation by Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube this Thursday.</p>
<p>MDC legislators have boycotted a number of Parliament events which president Emmerson Mnangagwa attended saying that he was an illegitimate leader.</p>
<p><img alt="Image" class="css-9pa8cd" decoding="async" draggable="true" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJaMIZFXsAEWz50?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/></p>
<p>Sakunda Holdings is under probe after it allegedly misused more than US$3 billion Command Agriculture funds.</p>
<p><strong>More: <a href="https://twitter.com/zimlive/status/1195296855036440579">NewZWire</a></strong></p>


Sakunda Boss Avoids Parliamentary Hearing As ZANU PF MPs Walk Out To Deny Biti A Quorum

<p>Seven million Zimbabweans residing in both rural and urban areas have reportedly registered for food aid.</p>
<p>The Herald reports that a third of the vulnerable population, which is 2.2 million people, resides in the urban areas.</p>
<p>Public Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister, Lovemore Matuke on Wednesday said that the government was, together with its partners had started assisting the vulnerable people. Matuke said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>We have started extending food aid and cash assistance to some of them, but we are yet to cover all the affected people.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Zimbabwe is facing severe starvation due to El Nino induced drought, Tropical Cyclone Idai which destroyed crops which were weeks away from harvest and the deteriorating economic situation.</p>
<p>This is happening when the Public Accounts Committee is alleging that more than US$3 billion meant for Command Agriculture was abused by the scheme runners, Sakunda Holdings which is owned by Kuda Tagwirei.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/7m-register-for-food-aid/"><strong>The Herald</strong></a></p>


Half Of Zimbabwe's Total Population Registers For Food Aid

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<p lang="en">Alex Tawanda Magaisa, the former advisor to the late former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai has said that ZANU PF sympathisers view criticism of bad governance as tantamount to being unpatriotic. He went on to list a number of cases which prove that maladministration was affecting growth in the country. Read the full thread below.</p>
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<p lang="en">Pito Investments was paid US$4.9 million by a ZETDC to supply transformers. Pito never delivered. The money has not been recovered &amp; no one has been held accountable. <em>For criticising this, ZANU PF apologists say you don’t love your country; that you wish the country to fail.</em></p>
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<p lang="en">2013 CMED paid US$2.7 million to First Oil Company for fuel supplies. First Oil did not deliver. The money was not recovered &amp; no one has been held accountable.</p>
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<div>In 2016, the Zimbabwe Power Company, another ZESA unit paid ZAR196 064 to York Investments for the supply of gas. The gas was not delivered.</div>
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<div>In 2017, a Minister caused US$1 million to be paid to his relative, for the use of her property as offices of a new airline. None of the money has been recovered.</div>
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<p lang="en">2016, the GMB paid $1 million in advance for maize. The Auditor-General could not identify the recipients. The maize was never delivered. The money wasn’t recovered.</p>
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<p lang="en">In 2016, the government corruptly handed Sakunda Holdings a major contract to build the Dema Power Plant ahead of APR Energy, the US company which had won the tender.</p>
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<p lang="en">The AG &amp; the Public Accounts Committee found that millions were looted under Command Agriculture. The IMF has raised concerns regarding dubious payments to Sakunda.</p>
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<p lang="en">In 2017, Solutions Motors was paid $1.5 million to supply goods to government. It delivered just a fraction of the goods. Outstanding amount has not been recovered.</p>
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<p lang="en">Govt is spending US$16 million on luxury vehicles for Ministers but it is has fired doctors who are asking for decent wages &amp; better working conditions in hospitals.</p>
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<p lang="en">This is a snippet of the plunder of the state But it’s enough to show why there is so much criticism of the government. People criticise the government not because they hate their country but because they love it. It is irresponsible to keep quiet in the face of such looting.</p>
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<p lang="en"><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa/status/1192045433725558786"><strong>Alex Tawanda Magaisa</strong></a></p>
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FULL THREAD: "Criticising Maladministration Is Equal To Selling Out In Zimbabwe"

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<p lang="en">Alex Tawanda Magaisa, the former advisor to the late former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai has said that ZANU PF sympathisers view criticism of bad governance as tantamount to being unpatriotic. He went on to list a number of cases which prove that maladministration was affecting growth in the country. Read the full thread below.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text txt-size-variable--18 margin-b--10 with-linebreaks padding-t--10" lang="en">Pito Investments was paid US$4.9 million by a ZETDC to supply transformers. Pito never delivered. The money has not been recovered &amp; no one has been held accountable. <em>For criticising this, ZANU PF apologists say you don’t love your country; that you wish the country to fail.</em></p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">2013 CMED paid US$2.7 million to First Oil Company for fuel supplies. First Oil did not deliver. The money was not recovered &amp; no one has been held accountable.</p>
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<article class="stream-item js-stream-item is-draggable is-actionable" data-account-key="twitter:1202099125" data-drag-type="tweet" data-key="1192045517829758978" data-tweet-id="1192045517829758978">
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<div class="thread">In 2016, the Zimbabwe Power Company, another ZESA unit paid ZAR196 064 to York Investments for the supply of gas. The gas was not delivered.</div>
<div class="tweet-body js-tweet-body">
<div></div>
<div class="js-card-container">In 2017, a Minister caused US$1 million to be paid to his relative, for the use of her property as offices of a new airline. None of the money has been recovered.</div>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">2016, the GMB paid $1 million in advance for maize. The Auditor-General could not identify the recipients. The maize was never delivered. The money wasn’t recovered.</p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">In 2016, the government corruptly handed Sakunda Holdings a major contract to build the Dema Power Plant ahead of APR Energy, the US company which had won the tender.</p>
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<article class="stream-item js-stream-item is-draggable is-actionable" data-account-key="twitter:1202099125" data-drag-type="tweet" data-key="1192045530806935552" data-tweet-id="1192045530806935552">
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">The AG &amp; the Public Accounts Committee found that millions were looted under Command Agriculture. The IMF has raised concerns regarding dubious payments to Sakunda.</p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">In 2017, Solutions Motors was paid $1.5 million to supply goods to government. It delivered just a fraction of the goods. Outstanding amount has not been recovered.</p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">Govt is spending US$16 million on luxury vehicles for Ministers but it is has fired doctors who are asking for decent wages &amp; better working conditions in hospitals.</p>
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<p class="js-tweet-text tweet-text with-linebreaks" lang="en">This is a snippet of the plunder of the state But it’s enough to show why there is so much criticism of the government. People criticise the government not because they hate their country but because they love it. It is irresponsible to keep quiet in the face of such looting.</p>
</blockquote>
<p lang="en"><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa/status/1192045433725558786"><strong>Alex Tawanda Magaisa</strong></a></p>
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<p>Prominent journalist <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Hopewell_Chin%27ono" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Hopewell Chin’ono</strong></a> said that the US$3 billion reportedly stolen through the opaque <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Command Agriculture</strong></a> programme over the past two years could have been used to pay the country’s 1 620 doctors each US$1 200 per month for 128 years.</p>
<p>Writing on microblogging site Twitter, Chin’ono said:</p>
<blockquote><p>Zimbabwe has 1 620 doctors. They are asking for a wage of US$1200.</p>
<p>That is US$1,944,000 for all our doctors per month or US$23,328,000 per year.</p>
<p>US$110,000,000 was looted from <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/National_Social_Security_Authority" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>NSSA</strong></a> according to the Auditor-General</p>
<p>It would have paid wages for our doctors for 4 yrs 7 months!</p>
<p>Zimbabwe has 1620 doctors. They are asking for a wage of US$1200.</p>
<p>That is US$1,944,000 for all our doctors per month or US$23,328,000 per year.</p>
<p>US$3Billion was looted through Command Agriculture.</p>
<p>It would have paid wages for our doctors for 128 years! Yes 1 Century and 28 yrs</p></blockquote>


Here Is How US$3 Billion 'Stolen' From Command Agric Could Have Averted Doctors' Strike - REPORT

<p>The Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga in the Ministry of Finance and Development, George Guvamatanga has claimed that only US$900 million was paid to Sakunda for the Command Agriculture programme since its inception.</p>
<p>His remarks are in sharp contrast with reports by the Tendai Biti-led Public Accounts Committee which suggested that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/sakunda-holdings-faces-forensic-audit-over-command-agriculture-funds/">over US$3 billion was paid to Sakunda Holdings to fund the scheme.</a></p>
<p>Speaking to ZBC in an online interview, Guvamatanga said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Under my watch, I came in when there was an outstanding amount to Sakunda of $170 million which I signed off. The total for command wheat, maize, and soya since its inception 2016 to the 2018-2019 agricultural season, only $900 million has been paid. For people to come here and brand this programme with figures around $1 billion $2 billion and $3 billion being thrown around, I don’t know where they get these numbers. Since its inception, not more than $1 billion has been disbursed towards the traditional command agriculture.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/sakunda-holdings-faces-forensic-audit-over-command-agriculture-funds/">a forensic audit for the scheme</a> is expected after Parliament said that an audit was necessary in order to regain public confidence in the programme.</p>
<p>The audit will drag in the programme runners, Sakunda Holdings which is owned by business mogul, Kuda Tagwirei who is reported to be President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://www.zbc.co.zw/govt-clarifies-command-agriculture-payments-to-sakunda/"><strong>ZBC News</strong></a></p>


New Twist To Sakunda's USD$3 Billion Command Agriculture Saga

<p>Parliament has this Thursday recommended that a forensic audit has to be undertaken on the Command Agriculture following allegations that the funds meant for the programme were abused by Sakunda Holdings which is owned by Kuda Tagwireyi, an alleged ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.</p>
<p>The recommendations were made in Victoria Falls by the Felix Mhona-led Budget and Finance Parliamentary Portfolio Committee during the ongoing 2020 pre-budget seminar. The Budget and Finance Committee report read:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>To restore stakeholder confidence in the Command Agriculture programme, and its credibility, the 2020 national budget must provide for a forensic audit of the programme with the aim of weeding out corrupt elements and recovering misused and abused resources.</strong></p>
<p><strong>There is need to build credibility for the Command Agriculture programme by abiding by the undertaking that selection of beneficiary farmers and suppliers will be done in a transparent manner and targets farmers with a good track record of honouring obligations.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Auditor-General Mildred Chiri’s audit reports revealed that Sakunda was in 2017 and 2018, in that order, allocated US$2,1 billion and US$1,5 billion for the programme without Parliament approval and supporting documents from the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in breach of the Public Finance Management Act.</p>
<p>Reports suggest that the money was abused.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://nehandaradio.com/2019/11/02/command-agriculture-runners-face-audit/"><strong>Nehanda Radio</strong></a></p>


Sakunda Holdings Faces Forensic Audit Over Command Agriculture Funds

<p>Rains have this Friday fallen in Harare after a week of very high temperatures. This also happens after England-based preacher, Passion Java, like the Biblical Elijah had declared that there will be no rains until his stolen watch has been returned. The rains are essential for the agrarian economy of Zimbabwe and also for power generation which has declined due to decreasing water levels at Kariba Dam.</p>
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<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="352" id="video-135943-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/RAINS-IN-HARARE-01-NOVEMBER-2019.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/RAINS-IN-HARARE-01-NOVEMBER-2019.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/RAINS-IN-HARARE-01-NOVEMBER-2019.mp4</a></video></div>

WATCH: Rains Fall In Harare As Passion Java Declares " No Rains Until His Watch Is Found"

<p>An opinion columnist in the Newsday has labelled <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016">command agriculture</a> a smokescreen designed to loot from the state. The columnist explained how Sakunda was given the uperhand to spearhead the President’s brainchild code-named Command Agriculture.</p>
<p>The Columnist qouted the Economist Intelligence Unit EIU which stated that:</p>
<blockquote><p>Productivity in the agriculture sector remains relatively low with national average of less than one tonne per hectare for maize compared to Zambia’s 2,5 tonnes/ha and South Africa’s five tonnes/ha. This low level of productivity is common across all other crops and even livestock production.</p>
<p>Factors behind low productivity include low skills by farmers, low levels of mechanisation, use of inappropriate farming methods and farmer absenteeism from the plots and farms. To improve this, the 2020 National Budget should address the effectiveness of extension workers, including their mobility to improve knowledge transfusion to communal farmers</p></blockquote>
<p>The Columnist then went on to add their voice to the article by saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>Instead of guaranteeing Sakunda unlimited access to Treasury Bills and further plunging the country into debt, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube should start the process of capacitating agricultural colleges and extension services so that they can impart knowledge to “new” farmers on new seed varieties and management.</p>
<p>We know it’s fashionable to be neo-liberals, but certainly Zimbabweans should not allow socialism for the rich, a small political elite and its cronies milking the State dry, through free land, free inputs, free implements and their debts being taken over by the State. Agriculture remains Zimbabwe’s quick route to economic recovery if done properly; and the bad guys are weeded out</p></blockquote>
<p>Command Agriculture was born in 2016 and has been operational over the past 2 farming seasons but with very little to show for it despite receiving $3 Billion dollars.</p>
<p>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/10/command-agriculture-the-perfect-smokescreen-for-looting-the-state/"><strong>Newsday</strong></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>


OPINION: Command Agriculture The Perfect Disguise For Looting

<p>Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/John_Mangudya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>John Mangudya</strong></a> has blamed former Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa for the unlawful issuance of US$3,2 billion Treasury Bills from 2017 to 2018 mostly for the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Command Agriculture</strong></a> Programme.</p>
<p>Mangudya was appearing before the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Tendai Biti</strong></a>-led Public Accounts Committee to explain how the RBZ issued out the US$3, 6 billion TBs. Responding to Biti who had asked why the RBZ spent billions of money not approved by Parliament, Mangudya said:</p>
<blockquote><p>The question should be referred to the Ministry of Finance who gave you the information. It is they who should answer to you. The money was not spent by the RBZ.</p>
<p>We just get an instruction from the principal-agent (Finance ministry) who wrote letters for us to issue payments for Command Agriculture, and it is the Ministry of Finance who should give you the reasons why.</p></blockquote>
<p>Mangudya insisted that he was being given instructions by the Ministry of Finance and had no legal basis to reject the instructions.</p>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/10/mangudya-throws-chinamasa-under-the-bus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></strong></h4>


Mangudya Blames Chinamasa Over 'Looted' Funds

<p>Commercial farmers in Zimbabwe have said that they are adopting strategies which are meant to revive the agriculture sector which has been a shadow of its former self since two decades ago.</p>
<p>Among other strategies, farmers have resolved that during the forthcoming agricultural season, they will be adopting drought-resistant crops and will be applying chemicals to head off the devastating effects of pests including the notorious armyworm.</p>
<p>This comes as the country has been reduced to a basket case over the past 20 years and is currently facing severe starvation due to natural disasters and mismanagement of funds meant for government-initiated agricultural schemes such as the Command Agriculture.</p>
<p>Agriculture Minister, Retired Chief Air Marshal, Perrance Shiri, commended leading agriculture inputs suppliers for their efforts. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>I would like to commend your resolution to bring back agricultural vibrancy as commercial farmers, this will certainly go a long way in the development of Zimbabwe in general.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Tawanda Mangisi, the representative of a local seed house, Syngenta took the opportunity to introduce a new variety with a potential of producing 12 tonnes per hectare and is also an early, maturity variety.</p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/commercial-farmers-vow-to-restore-zims-bread-basket-status/"><strong>ZBC News</strong></a></p>


Commercial Farmers Adopting Strategies To "Restore Zim's Bread Basket Status"

<p>The governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mangudya has claimed that former Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, approved the funding of the government’s agricultural support programmes he is now criticising.</p>
<p>Giving oral evidence before the Biti chaired Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts, Mangudya said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>It does not inspire confidence that our MPs do not listen when others are talking. You see this letter? This letter, colleagues, is a letter to show that the agriculture you are talking about today, the Presidential Input Scheme started way back in 2009 during Government of National Unity, and the funding of this scheme was almost on the similar principle.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Biti responded saying who approved the programmes does not matter. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>That is not important. It is not important. Even assuming that there was Command Agriculture in 2009, the law has to be complied with. No, John, you can’t ascribe misdemeanour on my part. You are being petty and childish. This is not an inquiry about Tendai Biti.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>The former Finance Minister is very critical of the government’s agricultural support programmes which he says lack transparency.</p>
<p>He often cites the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/07/19/watch-us3-billion-disappeared-from-agriculture-ministry-without-a-trace/">disappearance of US$3 billion meant for command agriculture.</a></p>
<p><strong>More: </strong><a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/mangudya-humbles-biti-again-in-parliament/"><strong>The Chronicle</strong></a></p>


"Biti Approved The Funding Of Govt’s Agric Support Programmes He's Attacking Now," Mangudya

<p>The Zimbabwe Fertiliser Company (ZFC) claims that it was overlooked by the government when it sought for a fertiliser supplier for the Presidential Input Scheme despite being owned 50% by the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Government_of_Zimbabwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>government of Zimbabwe</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This came out when ZFC managing director Richard Dafana appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlements, during a tour on the company’s Aspendale Plant. He said:</p>
<blockquote><p>We did not see the tender, we knocked on government doors trying to understand what was going to happen to the Presidential Input Scheme but they said they were not the ones who are responsible.</p>
<p>We have knocked on all doors and so as we stand here I cannot tell you who the contracting part is because I don’t know but government owns ZFC 50 % we can give you all the documents that show you that Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) own 50% and when we opened this new plant, the Minister he acknowledged that indeed government owns 50%.</p></blockquote>
<p>The government has become the major fertiliser buyer in the country because of its various agricultural schemes such as <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Command Agriculture</strong></a> and the Presidential Input Scheme.</p>
<p>Fertiliser Seed Grain (FSG) was awarded a contract by the government to supply fertiliser for its programmes.</p>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.openparly.co.zw/govt-abandons-its-own-zfc-in-favour-of-fsg/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Parly</a></strong></h4>


State-owned Fertiliser Company Cries Foul

<p>Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Perrance_Shiri" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Perrance Shiri</strong></a> said the government has started distributing farming inputs to small-scale farmers, the bulk of whom are in the rural areas.</p>
<p>The inputs are being distributed under the Presidential Input Support Scheme, which targets 640 000 hectares of maize. Speaking to State media, Minister Shiri said:</p>
<blockquote><p>Distribution of Presidential Inputs has started all over the country. You might have witnessed the launch of the scheme in areas such as Mkosa, Mary Mount, Chomutukuku and Chimanda, which means already inputs have started being deployed.</p></blockquote>
<p>Shiri also revealed that distribution of inputs under the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Command Farming</strong></a> programme has started and the maize output target has been set at 4,5 million tonnes.</p>
<p>Several banks have been roped in to support Command Farming, with the producer price of wheat being set at $8 612,08 per tonne from $1 089,69.</p>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/farmers-start-receiving-inputs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday News</a></strong></h4>


Distribution Of Presidential Inputs Underway - Shiri

<blockquote><p>Recent announcements by the government, that it would disburse $2.8 billion for the Command Agriculture and issuing some $300 million in Treasury bills is a serious cause for concern, judging by the murkiness that has surrounded the same over the years.</p>
<p>The regime has failed to grasp that, after three years of Implementation that Command agriculture has totally failed. The fact that both, the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ministry_of_Finance_and_Economic_Development" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Ministry of Finance</strong></a> and the Ministry of Agriculture, continue with this programme shows that they are involved in the looting and are incompetent. The country is facing starvation despite billions being pumped into agriculture.</p>
<p>Currently, Zimbabwe is in need of 900 tonnes of maize at an estimated landed price of US$198 million, 300 tonnes of wheat at a landed price of US$108 million as well as 80 tonnes of soya at a price of about US$36, 8 million, although it appears that the direct import of cooking oil is supplementing soya at a greater expense.</p>
<p>We require mitigating the various effects of the failed command agriculture Programme which has cost the country billions of dollars yet the country continues to import grain.</p>
<p>In both the Transitional Stabilisation Plan and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zim_Asset" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>ZimAsset</strong></a>, the government did set up various programs including the Special Maize Programme, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Command Agriculture</strong></a> and the presidential input scheme to mitigate the shortages of food security and to reduce the effects of climate change but all these were a complete failure.</p>
<p>Forensic audits show that the Ministry failed to account for over USD3 billion pumped into this sector, after the so-called new dispensation took over in November 2017.</p>
<p>Not only did the Ministry of Agriculture fail to account, but they have also dismally failed to impact this vital industry in any form of production.</p>
<p>Maize yields stand at below 0, 75 tonnes a hectare, and the lowest in the sub-continent while the current winter wheat crop is a disaster!</p>
<p>Yet Mr Mnangagwa’s government continues to recycle the same old but failed mantra.</p>
<p>Command agriculture, for example, is operational, under the Office of the President and Cabinet, with expenditure being accounted for by the Ministry of Agriculture.</p>
<p>Complicating the whole issue is that direct payments are being made to the supplier, by the RBZ/Ministry of Finance without the knowledge of the Ministry of Agriculture.</p>
<p>This is totally untraceable and unaccountable, and an act of self-enrichment while the nation starves. This is austerity for the poor and prosperity for the elite who are looting funds through this murky programme.</p>
<p>The question is simple: why would you release to a Ministry $2.8 billion when they have not accounted for 3.1 billion in the past?</p>
<p>The minister’s livestock references to various cattle diseases are all a result of a collapsed veterinary program where a regime of dipping and treating has collapsed.</p>
<p>While we are sure the false and hollow sanctions narrative will be shouted hoarse, our predicament is solely due to bad management and lack of production in the sector, leading to acute shortages of foreign currency.</p>
<p>It is well known that the forex crisis is due to the bogus 1; 1 rate held onto by the Minister of Finance in order to placate the various cartels in the fuel, gold, and grain sectors as well as fellow “inmates” at the RBZ.</p>
<p>The agriculture supplementary budget brings the consolidated revenue to 3, 5 billion ZL$, (or US$ 400Million). The bulk of this money is allocated to three areas.</p>
<p>• A total of 1.5 billion allocated to the Strategic Grain Reserves ( handled by the GMB)<br/>
The GMB has recently been made a monopoly, being the sole purchaser of grain. The operation is totally corrupt and has a record of non-payment and unaccountable stock levels.</p>
<p>Recent reports indicated huge stocks written off as unfit for human consumption. The idea of a sole grain trader is also to control import permits while the nation has a large deficit. This is to facilitate arbitrage or “rent-seeking” by the politically connected.</p>
<p>• A further $1,9 billion allocated to the Agricultural Inputs Scheme ( handled under the OPC’s Command Programme ). Following the unaccountable 3 billion dollars, this appears to follow the mantra of doggedly pursuing failed policies to suit a few self-enriching agendas.</p>
<p>• The vulnerable Input Scheme receives consolidated revenue of 780 million.<br/>
A noble idea, however, managed to benefit political ends in rural areas. This scheme needs to be revamped, made accountable and non-political, to exclude the elite.</p>
<p>As the MDC, we insist on this regime to desist from the culture of corruption, unaccountability and self-enrichment. This can only be done with government abiding by its own laws, reversing the institutional demise of bodies that have been caused by political appointees.</p>
<p>Only a prudent strategy agreed to by all stakeholders and imputed in a forum of openness and democracy can reverse the rot.</p>
<p>While the regime continues with the same old policy, with the same management, we raise concern over the handling of both the drought relief and the inputs for the coming season.</p>
<p>The looting is taking precedence over good agricultural practices and programs.</p>
<p><strong>Rusty Markham</strong><br/>
<strong>Secretary for Lands and Agriculture</strong></p></blockquote>


FULL TEXT: MDC Bemoans Corruption In Command Agriculture Program

<p>The ZANU PF Youth League has demanded 40 per cent of the farming implements availed under the controversial government bank-rolled <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Command Agriculture</a> programme.</p>
<p>Deputy secretary <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Lewis_Matutu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lewis Matutu</a> took to the microblogging site, Twitter, to express the wing’s demands. He wrote:</p>
<blockquote><p>We are demanding 40% of the mechanisation equipment that will be allocated to farmers by the government.</p>
<p>It is our time as young people to participate in the development of our country and shape our future.</p></blockquote>
<p>In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, President <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Emmerson_Mnangagwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a> revealed that ZWL$1, 8 billion and US$51 million will be added to the scheme for the upcoming summer cropping season.</p>
<p>Reports claim that US$3 billion set aside for the programme from 2017 to 2019 could not be accounted for by Treasury officials.</p>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zanu-pf-youths-demand-40-percent-command-agriculture-machinery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe.com</a></strong></h4>


ZANU PF Youths Want 40% Of Command Farming Equipment

<p>Treasury has revealed that it will not write off <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016">command agriculture</a> debts. This was revealed in a statement from treasury which stated that people who benefited from command agriculture in the past 2 seasons are supposed to pay back the debt in full.</p>
<p>The statement from the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ministry_of_Finance_and_Economic_Development">Ministry of Finance</a> read in part:</p>
<blockquote><p>Government has not written off any debts to farmers and does not intend to do so. All farmers are expected to honour their obligations under the programme in full, even after the programme has been wound up</p></blockquote>
<p>Command Agriculture received <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/07/21/parliament-angered-by-3-billion-swallowed-by-command-agriculture-between-2017-and-2018/">$3 Billion from treasury since 2017</a> but has very little to show for it as the country is facing one of the worst famines since a 2008 and is supposed to import<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/07/03/president-mnangagwa-we-need-to-import-around-800-000-tonnes-of-maize/"> 800k tonnes of maize</a> to feed the nation.</p>
<p>More: <strong><a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/treasury-not-writing-off-command-agric-debts/">The Herald </a></strong></p>
<p> </p>


Command Agriculture Debts Won't Be Written Off - Treasury

<p>To unlock the $2.8 Billion needed for command agriculture the government of Zimbabwe has adopted a new funding model that will see it providing guarantees with banks and the private sector funding the programme. The Government has since invited private partners to fund the project. Speaking during a Q&amp;A session before senate last week Agriculture Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Perrance_Shiri">Perence Shiri</a> said:</p>
<blockquote><p>The approach to financing the special maize and soya beans programme which is commonly referred to as Command Agriculture has changed for the forthcoming season. The programme will be funded through the banks and private sector with Government providing guarantees. Treasury has committed to issue a guarantee worth RTGS$968 million to unlock the required funding of RTGS$ 2,8 billion for the programme</p>
<p>We have approached various stakeholders to play their respective roles and we are in the process of receiving and distributing inputs to the farmers. So, funding has been availed for the coming 2019/2020 season though the approach this year is slightly varied from what we used to do. However, funding has already been put in place and acquisition of various inputs like fertilisers, chemicals and seed is already taking place and has taken place in some cases and farmers have started receiving inputs</p></blockquote>
<p>Command Agriculture in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/parliament-angered-by-3-billion-swallowed-by-command-agriculture-between-2017-and-2018/"> swallowed $3 Billion dollars but has shown very minimal results</a> with the government seeking to <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-to-import-maize-to-prevent-starvation-vangelis-haritatos/">import maize these year</a> and wheat shortages that sometimes cause bread shortages in the country.</p>
<p>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/new-funding-model-for-command-agriculture/"><strong>The Chronicle</strong></a></p>


Government To Employ A New Funding Model For Command Agriculture

<p>A report by <em>Financial Times</em> claims that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) privately warned the Zimbabwean government that payouts to <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Sakunda_Holdings" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Sakunda Holdings</strong></a> were exacerbating shortages in the economy and signified high-level corruption.</p>
<p>Sakunda Holdings is owned by businessman <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Kudakwashe_Tagwirei" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Kudakwashe Tagwirei</strong></a> who is a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and linked to the ruling ZANU PF party.</p>
<p>The payouts that were given to Sakunda were met by the Central Bank printing money, leading to the devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollar.</p>
<p>Sakunda, which owns a stake in commodities trader Trafigura Zimbabwe, received $366m in government bonds as payments for supplying <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Command_Agriculture_2016" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Command Agriculture</strong></a>.</p>
<p>Sakunda redeemed some of the bonds, with the payout being made in Zimbabwe dollars leading to an 80 per cent surge in Zimbabwe’s monetary base — money in circulation including bank reserves.</p>
<p>The Central Bank’s decision last week to freeze the accounts of Sakunda and other companies was a result of the IMF’s warning to the Zimbabwean government, the report claims.</p>
<h4><strong>More: <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/800e9ace-dec5-11e9-9743-db5a370481bc?desktop=true&amp;segmentId=d8d3e364-5197-20eb-17cf-2437841d178a#myft:notification:instant-email:content" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Financial Times</a></strong></h4>


IMF Warning 'Forced' Govt To Freeze Sakunda Accounts - Report

<p>Willias Madzimure an opposition MDC legislator for Kambuzuma on Thursday described Finance minister Mthuli Ncube as a complete failure.</p>
<p>Madzimure added that since Parliamentarians have exposed his failure, the executive should now decide whether he remains in Cabinet or not.</p>
<p>Speaking during a panel discussion convened by the National Association of NGOs (Nango) under the theme Public Finance Management: <em>Can it be a Gateway to Sustainable Economic Development</em>, Madzimure said:</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>In Parliament, MPs have been able to put Ncube where he belongs, but it is the duty of the Executive to decide whether he remains as Finance minister or not because his performance is dismal – but I cannot say that former Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa should come back because he is the one who actually killed all financial systems in Zimbabwe.</strong></p></blockquote>
<p>Ncube has been accused of overborrowing in breach of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) which stipulates that any new borrowing must not exceed 20% of the previous year’s revenues.</p>
<p>Ironically, Ncube who has been borrowing without approval from Parliament has been arguing that the country has registered a surplus since the introduction of austerity measures.</p>
<p>News Day reports that Ncube is due to present three Bills which the Parliament has to condone, one of which deals with the missing US$3 billion for Command Agriculture.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/09/mthuli-a-complete-failure-mp/"><strong>More: News Day</strong></a></p>
<p> </p>


ED Told To Fire Mthuli Ncube

<p>Former ZANU PF politburo member, Jonathan Moyo says the sudden fall in the value of the Zimbabwe dollar against the US dollar on Thursday was caused the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).</p>
<p>Moyo made the allegations on microblogging site, Twitter, insinuating that the Central Bank intended to raise foreign currency for the Command Farming programme and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s delegation to New York for United the Nations General Assembly. Wrote Moyo:</p>
<blockquote><p>Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe treasury staff was told not to leave their desks at COB today to process “night disbursements” for Sakunda’s command agriculture looting-purse and per diems for Mnangagwa’s 90-strong New York delegation to the UN, as the ZWL-US$ exchange rate went haywire today!</p></blockquote>
<p>Unconfirmed reports suggested that the Zimbabwe dollar was trading at 1:24 for electronic transfers later in the day on Thursday.</p>


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