These provinces are the only ones not presently hosting State universities. Higher and Tertiary Education Permanent Secretary Dr Washington Mbizvo said this while giving oral evidence before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education.

“We have identified pieces of land in Matabeleland South, Mashonaland East (Marondera University of Technology) and Manicaland and our professionals on the ground are already co-ordinating activities,” Dr Mbizvo said.

On the issue of cadetship, Dr Mbizvo said it was meant to retain skilled labour in Zimbabwe. “At one point we had 200 pharmacists who left the country. Therefore, bonding students helps us retain those professionals,” he said.

Dr Mbizvo said Presidential scholarships had benefited the country considering that 32 000 Advanced level students completed their studies every year, yet the country’s local universities only accommodated 11 000 of them.

“We have students who have studied law at Fort Hare and they have helped in reducing a big shortage of lawyers at the Ministry of Justice,” Dr Mbizvo said.

He said universities were expected to sustain themselves by doing research work instead of relying on Government funding.

“When designing fee structures, universities are expected to consult students before sending their proposals to the ministry.

“Universities have also been given a mandate to produce 40 percent of their budget from research work and to utilise the farms they were given,” Dr Mbizvo said.

Meanwhile, the University of Zimbabwe has lowered the cut-off points required to study certain programmes due to low student take-up.

UZ director of information Mrs Rosemary Magosvongwe said the faculty of science, for example, was now admitting students with five points.

“We were saying as long as one has 3 A levels that person should be accepted,” she said. Mrs Magosvongwe, however, said this was not the case in all faculties as some departments, such as law, had not cut-off points.

“Students who applied last year responded slowly so we had to fill those places with others and that is the reason why we were now taking those with low points. “We were taking students either from the waiting list,” she said.

Among other challenges the UZ is retaining lecturers. It has been reported that the institution has slightly over half of the required 1 200 lecturers. This has seen enrollment in some programmes, such as metallurgy and mining engineering, being frozen.

Mr Ahmadinejad said the sanctions were aimed at forcing Zimbabwe to surrender, and lauded the nation for its resistance to the pressures.

Commenting on Tehran-Harare ties, President Ahmadinejad urged implementation of all the agreements signed by the two nations.

During the meeting, Minister Mutasa delivered a special message from President Mugabe to President Ahmadinejad and called on Iran to further invest in Zimbabwe and boost bilateral ties.

Zimbabwe and Iran’s ties are decades old and the two have various agreements in the fields of agricultural and cultural co-operation.

They have also co-operated on the international front at forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In a related development Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Xin Shunkang has said Zimbabwe — China relations are designed to enhance economic and political development of the two countries.

Addressing students attending the Junior Command Staff Course Number 23 at the Zimbabwe Staff College on Monday, Ambassador Xin said China attached great importance to engaging other countries as equals.
“China’s foreign policy promotes peaceful co-existence and development. We are in a win-win situation with Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe gets help from China because Chinese people are getting assistance from this country.
“Zimbabwe and China share the same belief of equality and respect of national independence and sovereignty.
“The Chinese government will continue to assist the people of Zimbabwe in realising their potential,” he said.
He dismissed international media reports that claim China was plundering Zimbabwe’s resources saying all economic ventures between the two countries were mutually beneficial.

“In fact China is seeking to help develop the continent’s resources so that they benefit the African people.
“China is a developing country and we have benefited economically from co-operation with other countries,” he said.

Ambassador Xin said China would continue to support Zimbabwe in its economic revival efforts in the face of Western hostility.

Sino-Zimbabwe ties date back to the liberation struggle when the Asian country provided financial, technical and moral support to nationalists.

Since then, the two have become strong trading partners. China has also defended Zimbabwe from a malicious Western-led plot to get United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed on the country.

This year, Zimbabwe and China will run a series of events to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Mr Bungu was fired on allegations of absconding from work for more than 10 days.

Town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi said anyone who participated in the demonstration without seeking time off duty would be dealt with.

“I hope they took days off. They got permission from the police not from management,” he said.

Among other grievances are delay in payment of February salaries, and alleged nepotism and corruption by senior managers and councillors.

They also protested operationalisation of Easipark, a joint venture with a South African company to manage city termini, parkades and parking lots.

Doors to Town House were sealed as management feared workers would manhandle them and damage property.

Councillors from the human resources committee were seen shuttling from office to office but insisted workers were in the wrong.

In a petition to Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda, workers said Mr Bungu had served council for 23 years and his dismissal was victimisation for standing firm and steadfast on worker rights.

They also alleged that non-MDC-T workers were targeted for dismissal.

“(We) also complained to your office that the city administration was being made to ensure that workers who were not on the MDC-T membership roll were to be expelled from council in favour of MDC-T supporters which was and is illegal,” read part of the petition.

Some councillors are said to be siding with Mr Bungu but fear they will be labeled pro-Zanu-PF if they speak out.

Dr Mahachi said his management did not interfere in the operations of trade unions but would act decisively in the event that members disrupted operations.

“We come here to work,” he said.

Responding to allegations of fast-tracking Mr Bungu’s prosecution and dismissal when other disciplinary cases had been on hold for two years, Dr Mahachi said, “We have decided to fast track all cases and clear the roll.”

He said the city did not owe February salaries and the only only arrears pertained to a back-dated salary increment effected last November.

The workers maintained a vigil at Town House – singing and dancing – for nearly the whole day.

Some residents thought the baboon’s appearance was related to witchcraft. “The baboon emerged from one of the houses around 10am and the chaos started as residents started chasing it with the intention of killing it.

“The baboon went from house to house as it tried to escape the crowd.

“The chase lasted for about three hours. We phoned the police but they could not come to capture it.

“Another woman who was holding her baby was knocked down and they sustained minor injuries,” said one resident.

“An old woman threatened to deal with anyone who killed it,” another resident said. “We are not sure why she did that but we suspect the baboon was being used by someone for witchcraft purposes.

“Last year a leopard and a crocodile were discovered and we wonder where such animals are coming from,” she said.

The crowd eventually fatally stoned the baboon.

This comes after MDC leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, who is Prime Minister in the inclusive Government, had indicated he would engage Minister Chombo to have the councillors fired from the municipality.

However, Minister Chombo yesterday pointed out that the councillors had been dismissed over a party matter and this had nothing to do with Government.

“The Urban Council’s Act is our bible in this case and it stipulates that any councillor who is dismissed by his political party cannot be suspended from his position in Government,” he said.
Minister Chombo said if there were any sinister deals in the Chitungwiza council MDC should give him the report to use as a basis for any investigations.

He falsely added that the councillors were dismissed from the party because they refused to elect Dr Vincent Gwaradzimba as mayor to replace the Israel Marange, who was convicted of corruption involving the sale of a stand.

“I know the (Mr) Tsvangirai was addressing a political rally and he wanted to gain political mileage, but he knows very well that in terms of the law those councillors still have a legal mandate to serve in Chitungwiza,” he said.

Minister Chombo said if Mr Tsvangirai wanted to meet him, he was free to approach his office but that would not change anything.

The MDC is leading the way in fighting corruption by bringing to book all perpetrators, while thieves in Zanu-PF are accommodated by the party of thugs and murderers.

Sources in the MDC said a report on Chegutu, Kadoma and Bindura was ready to be tabled before the party’s national council.

Prof Moyo and three MDC-PF MPs – Mr Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Mr Patrick Dube and Mr Siyabonga Ncube – challenged Mr Moyo’s election as a Speaker saying the process was fraught with irregularities. Prof Moyo immediately filed notice to appeal against Justice Bharat Patel’s decision in the Supreme Court.

The trio had claimed Mr Moyo’s election was chaotic and in breach of secret ballot requirements.

However, Justice Patel dismissed the application with costs.

He said Parliament generally regulated its own proceedings without external interference.

He also noted that as a rule, the courts should not interfere with the internal proceedings of Parliament unless there was a failure to comply with constitutional structures.

“In the instant case, I do not perceive any such failure and unable to find any other basis for setting aside the election of the Speaker,” said Justice Patel.

The court noted that the appellants failed to justify their claims.

The judge agreed that the overall scenario prevailing in the House on the day in question could reasonably be described as not ideal.

“Nevertheless, despite the imperfections alluded to … it cannot be said that the process was disorderly as to be utterly chaotic,” said Justice Patel.

Turning to how some voters had displayed their votes, Justice Patel said on evidence before the court, there was nothing to show that MPs did not cast their votes in secret or that those who did display their votes did so under threat or duress.

He said it was clear that that Mr Tendai Biti (MDC) took the lead in showing his vote and that several of his colleagues were then emboldened to emulate his “impolitic” example.

This, the judge said, they did of their own volition after casting the ballots in secret.

Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma, who was cited together with Mr Moyo as a respondent, denied that the voting process was improper.

Prof Moyo filed a notice to appeal against the decision in the Supreme Court.

Through his lawyer, Mr Terrence Hussein of Hussein Ranchhod and Company, Prof Moyo argues that the lower court erred in finding that a proper election of Speaker of Parliament was conducted in terms of the Constitution and at law.

“The learned judge erred in condoning the first respondent’s failure to implement and enforce his own procedures for the election,” said Mr Hussein.

He also argues that Justice Patel got it wrong when he made a finding that the participant’s exposure of their completed ballot papers was not in violation of the secret ballot.

Mugabe’s sentiments came as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday again ignored  calls for an end to the  embargo, saying after meeting South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma

At the Zimbabwe House meeting,  Mugabe said: “He has done a good thing, it must be pursued. We want to see him setting up a team that will be effective in dealing with the sanctions.

“That team will have to go to Europe and America. We are under the GPA and we are expected to set up a joint team and we did so, but the EU, under Brussels said no, they would not receive it.

“But the Prime Minister can be listened by those people better than myself.

“If it was me I will do so in no time (setting up a team), but I do not know whether it will bring the desired results or more sanctions. We will discuss with the Prime Minister.”

On Monday PM Tsvangirai for the first time spoke out against sanctions.

This was after increasing pressure on him to fulfill his GPA obligations and join the other members of the inclusive Government in opposing the illegal embargo.

Mugabe said the sanctions would not achieve their intended result of making the country collapse as long as Zimbabweans remained united.

“What reason can they give for continuing with the sanctions, still no democracy, no rule of law and lack of human rights?

“So you see the norm that they use differs completely from what you and I will see as norms that we apply.

“They are finding excuses for applying the sanctions. We are a country with resources, some envy us for that and want to continue with the sanctions, but they will not achieve what they are meant to achieve, to get our country to collapse if we remain united.”

Mugabe said the greater part of the world, especially the densely populated east, were Zimbabwe’s friends.

He said Zimbabwe had not been vindictive and allowed over 400 British companies to continue operating here without harassment.

“We have not withdrawn our (diplomatic) missions, we continue to host their missions as well,” he said.

In London, Brown ignored  Zuma’s calls for an end to the sanctions.

President Zuma is in Britain on a State visit and had made it clear he wanted sanctions lifted.

This is in line with the position of Sadc, the African Union, the Pan African Parliament, Comesa and the Non-Aligned Movement.

At a joint Press conference yesterday, Brown said, “We are agreed that we should all put our heads together to find a solution in Zimbabwe to help Zimbabweans to move forward.”

He said wanted to see more “progress” before lifting sanctions.

Last month British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said they were waiting for direction from MDC-T on how to move forward on the embargo.

PM Tsvangirai duly castigated sanctions but this was after the EU had already extended their illegal embargo for another year.

On Tuesday, the US also extended its sanctions.

The PM’s shift came after pressure grew for him to start fulfilling his GPA obligation of lobbying for an end to the sanctions that his party campaigned for.

Zanu-PF’s Youth League had given the PM up to March 24 to start acting on sanctions or risk unspecified action.

The youths have since said they expect more from him than just one statement.

On Tuesday, the House of Assembly adopted a motion moved by Mwenezi East legislator Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti calling on PM Tsvangirai to do more on the embargo.

America’s Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act bars US citizens sitting on boards of multilateral lending institutions from extending financial assistance to Zimbabwe.

The US has said ZDERA will remain in place until Zimbabwe reverts to pre-1998 land tenure patterns when only 6 000 white farmers held onto farms that were later redistributed to nearly 300 000 black families.

In 2006, the EU admitted that its sanctions were initially put in place to influence the outcome of the 2002 presidential elections won by President Mugabe.

In a meeting at Zimbabwe House yesterday with editors of media organisations operating in the country, President Mugabe said while no one could predict when the constitution-making process would end, the inclusive Government’s time was legally limited.

“If the constitution-making process succeeds there will be an election and if it fails that too will lead to an election.

“No one knows when that will be but the GPA has a lifespan of about two years.

“Constitution-making has been slow because of the problems of resources and the GPA expires in February next year.

“But then we can always sit down (as the party principals) and decide which way to go as long as it is constitutional and that’s the way we will go. We will be guided by the constitution,” the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said.

President Mugabe said the elections would be harmonised as mandated by the constitution though local government polls might not be held.

Asked if the populace was ready for elections despite the perceived slow pace of reconciliation and healing efforts, President Mugabe said: “National healing depends on how parties conduct their campaigns and themselves.

“It depends on how the leadership conducts itself. What finally happens on the ground depends on the parties themselves. But of course a lot can be done to avoid violence.”

President Mugabe said if Zanu-PF asked him to stand in a Presidential race next year he would contest.

“If Zanu-PF says yes, I will go.”

According to the GPA, Parliament is supposed to lead a constitution-making process that should be complete in about 18 months after the signing of the agreement followed by a referendum for the citizenry to decide whether or not they accept the proposed supreme national law.

That will be followed by elections.

According to that timeline, the election would have been scheduled for at the earliest late this year but more likely in 2011.

However the process is behind schedule due to funding and other constraints.

President Mugabe said, “We are currently working on a new constitution but there have been some hitches.

“I don’t know of any country in the world which has organised a constitution-making process in such an elaborate way.

“We are going to each and every community. Normally the leadership writes a draft that they present to the people in a referendum but we are going to every community.

“Of course we have some groups who are opposed to this and say that it is not people-driven, people like (Lovemore) Madhuku but I suppose this is because he has been ignored.

“He has done his own draft and I don’t know if it is people-driven.”

On the issue of financing the process he said government was looking at the advisability of having the programme donor-funded.

He said donors would naturally want to have a say in how their money was used and what went into the constitution and they had to be wary of this.

President Mugabe said he was pleased with the way the inclusive Government had performed to date and said they were becoming more united by the day.

“So far so good,” he said.

The Zimbabwean leader said he now wanted to see the unity shown by the executive cascading to all levels of society.

Until now, this service had only been available to Econet’s Libertie subscribers. Econet already has a free call me back service with its South African sister company, Econet Wireless South Africa.

A Buddie or Business Partna prepaid customer without airtime can now send a call me back request to a friend.

Econet has said it is also developing probably the world’s first call me back service on payphones.
The service will allow low-income users to send a free message to anyone on the Econet network asking them to call back.

“Consider this, a person with no money whatsoever, can approach a payphone operator, give them the number of a relative, and the operator will send them a free message, asking them to call back the person who needs to make contact,” Econet spokesman Mr Ranga Mberi said.

“When the call comes through, the people can talk for as long as they like. The operator receives a commission from Econet and, therefore, does not charge anything for the service.

Econet’s vision is to install payphones wherever it has coverage in rural areas, as well as at all markets and in tuck shops,” he said.

Econet, which is the only operator with an extensive payphone service nationwide, believes that it has gone a long way to providing service to the most economically disadvantaged communities in the country.

The country’s biggest mobile service company has a subscriber base of just over three million and is expanding its network, aiming for five million subscribers by August this year.

Econet was the first mobile firm to introduce such advanced services as 3G, which allows high speed Internet access and video calling

A recent full council meeting gave the nod to town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi to process the twinning arrangement.

“Administration fulfills all the necessary requirements leading to the conclusion and signing of the twinning arrangement by the two cities,” reads part of the full council meeting resolutions.

Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda initiated the twinning arrangement with an Austrian diplomat.

Dr Mahachi said the City of Vienna had shown interest in the twinning deal hence management was seeking the concurrence of the full council.

Harare’s twinning arrangement with Munich in Germany last year saw the city receive medical drugs worth 500 000 Euro, X-ray monitors, respiratory and sterilising equipment and made a commitment to twin its hospitals with Harare clinics and hospitals.

Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo has urged local authorities to ensure that twinning arrangements benefited residents.

“Our cities and towns should make use of twinning arrangements to benefit through technology transfer from sister cities in the developed world. Local authorities should not enter into twinning arrangements that end as papers without tangible benefits,” he said.

Sister Cities International envoy, Ms Nancy Huppert, who was in Zimbabwe recently, said her organisation had US$25.7 million to support twinning arrangements between cities in the United States and developing countries.

“Sister Cities seek to increase co-operation by creating and promoting mutually beneficial partnership between US cities and the world from which Zimbabwe can also benefit,” she said.