Footage: Evan Mawarire update from Courts earlier today (17.02.2017)

“Update from the courts earlier today. Matter has been postponed to March 16 because the state was not ready. Our resolve remains steady in uniting the citizens of Zimbabwe as we prepare for the coming season of change. #ThisFlag” (Evan Mawarire, 17.02.2017)

Reserve Bank Gov. Mangudya says the economy of Zimbabwe is an ‘albatross’!

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The Governor Dr. J.P. Mangudya Zimbabwean Reserve Bank writes a special piece on the Zimbabwean economy, not as bleak as the one Finance Minister P.A. Chinamasa wrote in mid-year report of 2016. The Monetary Policy Statement (MPS), of January of 2017, as still evident of the issues in the Zimbabwean economy. With the knowledge of the debt-burden that has arisen together with the suspended international loans, the state funds has funds dwindled. Also, the monetary and fiscal prudence has been weakening as told by the governor of the Reserve Bank. The Governor even called the Zimbabwean Economy an “albatross”, the rest of it says it all.

Zimbabwean economy needs to catch up:

“The positive spin-offs from the recent removal of Zimbabwe from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) remedial measures, following successful clearance of its arrears to the Fund in October 2016, are also expected to go a long way in reducing Zimbabwe’s country risk, thus attracting the much needed foreign investment. Completion of the clearance of external debt arrears to the rest of the international financial institutions – African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank and European Investment Bank (EIB) – is expected to further reduce the country’s debt burden that continues to be an albatross on Zimbabwe’s access to foreign finance for the past 16 years now at a time when other emerging markets have been making tremendous strides in their economic transformation. As a consequence, Zimbabwe has lagged behind and needs to catch up with its peers” (Mangudya, P: 6-7, 2017).

Reactions to drought:

“In 2016, food imports (maize and wheat), however, surged owing to the El Nino induced drought that destroyed crops in the Southern African region, including Zimbabwe. Continued reliance on imports of finished goods is unsustainable as it undermines current efforts to resuscitate domestic industrial production, leading to significant trade and current account deficits” (Mangudya, P: 15, 2017).

Other key development:

“Driven by merchandise trade developments, the current account deficit is estimated to have narrowed down by about 15.5%, from a deficit of US$1,519.4 million in 2015, to a deficit of US$1,283.9 million in 2016, partly on account of the projected decline in the import bill. Remittances, which are also a major source of import financing declined by 17.9% in 2016, from US$1,917.7 million received in 2015 to US$1,574.0 million in 2016. Of the total amount received in 2016, US$779.0 million reflects remittances from the Diaspora while remittances from International Organizations (NGOs) amounted to US$795.0 million” (Mangudya, P: 16, 2017).

Problematic government loans:

“Reflecting developments on both the current and capital account, the overall balance of payments position is estimated to have deteriorated from a deficit of US$25.8 million in 2015 to a deficit of US$186.4 million in 2016. This phenomenon reflects an unsustainable economic situation of funding capital projects using loans as opposed to equity. The danger with this scenario is that debt would become unsustainable as exports are mortgaged towards debt repayments” (Mangudya, P: 19-20, 2017).

Unbalanced economy:

“The fact that the 14.4% of the country’s foreign receipts handled by RBZ for redistribution into the market seems to have more impact in the economy is a sign of market failure. The Bank shall quickly move to redress this market failure through measures that compel banks to adhere to the import priority list and to mitigate against institutional indiscipline such as the use of more foreign exchange for personal card and DSTV transactions ahead of raw materials to produce cooking oil, for example. Financial institutions should do some soul searching and rethink on how they add value to the economy under the New Normal” (Mangudya, P: 67, 2017).

Bond- Notes introduction:

“The Bank is encouraged by the manner in which the nation embraced bond notes. The Bank has to date issued $94 million of bond notes into the market against an aggregate value of the export incentive of $107 million. Whilst the circulation of the bond notes represented by levels of deposits and withdrawals is also encouraging, the Bank is putting in place a redistributable measure that mitigates against skewed concentration of bond notes within the banking sector by limiting the maximum amount of bond notes that each bank should hold at any given point in time in relation to its level and type of transactions. This measure is necessary to ensure that bonds notes are distributed proportionately according to the customer base or customer profile of each banking institution” (…) “The Bank is directing financial institutions to strictly observe the policy to deposit bond notes into the US$ accounts without requesting the banking public to differentiate between bond notes and US$ cash. This measure is essential to ensure that bond notes continue to trade at parity with the US$ and to reflect the fact that bond notes are supported by the US$200 million offshore facility to support the demand for foreign exchange attributable to bond notes” (Mangudya, P: 67-68, 2017).

When you see this numbers alone, there would be more meat in the report that says lots of the downfalls of the economy. The Governor said the fiscal issues and debt, together with the lacking of imports and exports, the short and less infused funds. With that in mind, instead of pounding on the troubled economy, we should rather enjoy a moment of explanation of why albatross is so dire:

“something or someone you want to be free from because that thing or person is causing you problems” (Cambridge Dictionary) and this one too: “a continuing problem that makes it difficult or impossible to do or achieve something” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). So the Albatross for the Zanu-PF is the economy, even as they eat of it and deplete it. However, the turbulence and insecurity isn’t over as the trust in the Bond-Notes or the other factors as the New Normal isn’t giving. Peace.

Reference:

Dr. J.P. Mangudya – ‘“Stimulating Economic Growth and Bolstering Confidence”’ – Monetary Policy Statement, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)

#ThisFlag: Interview with Dr. Edgar Munatsi before their strike (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sTVGkW_OE8

Opinion: NRM SG Lumumba wants the CAOs only to work together with ruling party; as the Opposition are only creating trouble with the civil servants she assumes!

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I got to be honest, when the NRM SG Lumumba or any other in the Ruling Regime is forgetting how they hired people and for what reason; then I need to address the mistakes and the bewilderment in the lacking of institutionalism and professionalism in the Movement. Not that I am surprised as they follow any wink or movement from Mzee. Let’s show first what the Secretary General Lumumba said recently and then what a CAO was claimed to be doing when the Public Service Commission hired a dozen in 2014!

“The National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretary general, Ms Kasule Lumumba, has warned district Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) against being influenced by Opposition district chairpersons while executing their duties” (…) “It has come to my attention that most of the district Opposition leaders use their positions to intimidate our CAOs, mostly those who have been transferred to new offices such as our CAO in Wakiso and others in different districts,” Ms Lumumba said” (…) “When I stop you CAOs from being influenced by the district chairpersons, it doesn’t mean that I have told you to have disagreements with them but when you notice that you’re being influenced, please refuse and report to our offices for technical support. But I also need you people to have harmony and good working relationship with them while executing your duties,” she added” (Kiggundu, 2017).

What are key factors in all job descriptions of CAOs?

“Providing direction and guidance to the Local Government Councils and their Departments in the application of the relevant laws and policies. Supervising, monitoring and coordinating the activities of the District and Lower Council’s employees and departments and ensuring accountability and transparency in the management and delivery of Council services. Developing capacity for development and management of the planning function in the District. Supervising and coordinating the activities of all delegated services and the officers working in those services. Keeping custody of all documents and records of the Local Government Council. Acting as liaison Officer between the District Council, Government and private sector. Advising the Chairperson and Executive on the administration of the Council” (Public Service Commission, 31.09.2014).

So when you see the NRM Secretary general statement, it is fault and mistaken it’s role of the CAO. The CAOs are for the better work of the Local Government Council, that means for all members neither if they are Democratic Party, Uganda People’s Congress, Forum for Democratic Change, Farmers Party or the Progressive People’s Party. What matters is that the results and the work of the Local Government Council, not their allegiance or their place in which party. The CAO are also for ensuring accountability and transparency. Being so means that the CAO has to look over the LGC and their portfolios, their works and their needed assistance across party lines, neither if it is NRM or any other party. Still, the NRM SG Lumumba is more about the opposition creating fear supposedly from the Opposition. Since the NRM are usually pre-occupied with finding ways of bribing justice and rule of law.

The CAO and the LGC are inter-connected neither party involved in the district that matters. The Councillors and other leaders need to know what plans and how to participate together with the CAO to fulfil the guidance and needed state oversight of the works of the district. If this isn’t done, than the checks and balances will be lacking trust.  There need to be a working relationship between the District Council and the CAO. When the CAO will be the liaison of the works done in the district!

So I would wish the ruling party and ruling regime had more tact. But that is asking too much, people like NRM SG Lumumba always create enemies instead of trying to bring an olive-branch. It is not in her character to be peaceful or dialogue. Instead she is on the war-path. Blaming the opposition and giving them a head-spin.

She would never ever have said this about her own, hey she would praise for the work in the districts. NRM SG didn’t say anything about the NRM Councillors because they are perfect and doesn’t try to intimidate or use their positions at all. They are perfect party members and local elected officials who work in wonderful harmony with the CAOs, not like the opposition. This could be the second meaning of what she did say?

Well, enough of the nonsense from the Movement for today. Peace.

Reference:

Kiggundu, Joseph – ‘Lumumba cautions CAOs on Opposition leaders’ (12.02.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lumumba-cautions-CAOs-on-Opposition-leaders/688334-3809580-41if1u/index.html

Zimbabwe: Urgent Notice- “To: Zimbabwe Hosptial Doctors Association Members” (10.02.2017)

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#ThisFlag: Evan Mawarire – “I’m so glad to be back home in Zimbabwe where I belong” (Footage)

“Thank you for your support and for speaking out for Zimbabwe. None of us should ever be intimidated into silence. This is our home and we have the full right to participate in making it a better country. Like we said in the beginning, HATICHADA, HATICHATYA! ASISESABI njalo ASISAFUNI! FED UP & NOT AFRAID!” (Mawarire, 10.02.2017)

Uganda: Change of Dates of Birth for Public Officers (06.02.2017)

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#ThisFlag: “Free at Last to the sound of lying ministers!” (09.02.2017)

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#ThisFlag: Pastor Evan Mawarire in Chikurubi Prision (05.02.2017)

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#ThisFlag: Evan Mawarire Pre- Recorded Video On Anticipation Arrest (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVzTCzgRn9U