World Environment Day: UN Secretary-General Calls for Global Collaboration to Combat Plastic Pollution
In a resounding call to action, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has urged governments, companies, and individuals to unite in the fight against the escalating threat of plastic pollution. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Guterres emphasized the dire consequences of our current plastic consumption and disposal habits, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Gutteres underscored the alarming statistic that a staggering 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year, with one-third of it being used only once before being discarded. This pervasive throwaway culture has far-reaching implications for the health of our planet, making it imperative for concerted efforts to address the issue.
Of particular concern is the daily influx of plastic waste into our oceans, rivers, and lakes, amounting to the equivalent of over 2000 garbage trucks. This relentless flow of plastic waste poses a grave threat to marine life and fragile ecosystems, demanding immediate action on a global scale.
During his recorded speech, Guterres emphasized the essential role of governments in enacting stringent regulations to limit plastic production, promoting the development of recycling infrastructure, and incentivizing the exploration of alternative materials. These measures are crucial in curbing the rampant production and disposal of plastic and fostering a more sustainable future.
Gutteres also emphasized the responsibility of companies in embracing sustainable practices. This includes implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions and investing in research and innovation to develop viable alternatives to plastic. By adopting these practices, companies can significantly contribute to reducing plastic pollution and driving positive change.
The UN Secretary-General further stressed the power of individual choices in driving change. Consumers, he urged, should make conscious decisions to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics and adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. By adopting such practices, individuals can play an active role in mitigating plastic pollution and protecting the environment.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th, serves as a powerful reminder of the need for global awareness and action to safeguard the environment. This day receives support from numerous non-governmental organizations, businesses, and government entities, and is a significant outreach effort by the United Nations to promote environmental protection.
POLITICS
Election 2023: Nomination Court Prepares to Identify Candidates for Upcoming Harmonized Election
In preparation for the highly anticipated August 23rd harmonized election in Zimbabwe, the nomination court is gearing up to convene on the 21st of June. This crucial court session will play a significant role in registering eligible candidates who aspire to participate in the forthcoming election.
Legal expert Advocate Tichaona Chivasa, in an interview with Great Dyke News, shed light on the nomination court’s responsibilities.
He highlighted that once the court completes its proceedings, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will obtain the final list of validated candidates, which will subsequently be printed on the ballot papers.
Advocate Chivasa also shared details regarding the financial obligations associated with candidature. Aspiring presidential candidates are required to pay a fee of US$20,000, while those seeking parliamentary or council election positions must pay US$1,000. Proportional representation candidates are expected to pay a fee of US$200.
Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially announced the date for the general elections, setting them for August 23rd. Additionally, through Statutory Instrument 85 of 2023, the President designated October 2nd as a potential runoff election date for the presidential office if required.
State, Church forge inseparable bond
ZIMBABWE will continue to champion its own development in line with the “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” mantra while foreigners who want to assist the country should follow as locals take the lead, President Mnangagwa said.
Further, under the able leadership of the ruling party Zanu PF party the relationship between the State and Church will remain inseparable while freedom of worship remains guaranteed.
“Nyika inonamatirwa nevene vayo” was evident at the Zimbabwe Grounds on Saturday as Vapostori and Zion members offered their final pledge to President Mnangagwa and Zanu PF ahead of the August 23 harmonised polls.
Addressing hordes of indigenous churches congregants at the national convention for Vapostori and Zion for Economic Development, President Mnangagwa said development and improvement of livelihoods is the new norm under his leadership.
“We are working on achieving Vision 2030, and to do that, we need honest, hardworking people. Under the Second Republic, we have introduced science and technology in all universities so that we build our country.
“We should be able to produce what we consume as a country. Foreigners who want to help us build our country should follow while we take the lead,” he said.
The President said his Government has introduced a raft of programmes that uplift the lives of people, such as Pfumvudza, which ensures food security at the household level.
“We are now manufacturing our own tick grease after the January disease threatened our national herd. There are 35 000 villages across the country, and we are drilling solar boreholes in all (the) 35 000 villages.
“We have already done that in Binga, and all 17 chiefs have solar boreholes, so we are going to do that for all chiefs across the country,” he said
President Mnangagwa said Zanu PF remains committed to working with all churches which are key to promoting peace and unity in society.
“The liberation struggle protected our heritage and birthright; that was the reason we went to war. However, we are now protecting it through voting. That is why we are encouraging everyone to go and vote.
“As Zanu PF, we are committed to working with all the churches. We want to work with them, because the purpose of the church is to preach peace and we, as Zanu PF, love peace,” he said.
The President added: “In the coming elections, we call upon the nation to be peaceful during campaigns and elections.”
“As Government, we will always remember to come and worship with you who vote for us and put us in power. As Government, we will always remember the Church. The relationship between the State and Church is very important to us.”
Vapostori4ED national executive chairperson Madzibaba Moses Lyold Gwasarira said he will now engage all 10 provinces in robust campaigns for the President and Zanu PF.
“The process will start with star rallies in each of the country’s 10 provinces before being cascaded down to districts, with robust Vapostori and Zion election campaigns for President Mnangagwa’s resounding victory,” he said.
Madzibaba Gwasarira said he will engage every church leader at branch level, sect, shrine and anyone with a position like a deacon, church minister, pastor and prophets.
“So that we create the last section of a campaign towards August 23, which is the nucleus of national influence where each and every person will disseminate the same message where he is living and where church is situated to all congregates,” he said.
The sect’s national spokesperson, Madzibaba Obey Mapuranga said their campaign was more of religious patriotism, which was founded by their fathers.
“We also wish the President to confer religious hero status to our leaders like Marange and Samuel Mutendi to be recognised at the national heroes acre,” he said.
The host Vapostori4ED Harare provincial chairperson also leader of Velvet Shrine Madzibaba Owen Velvet said as Vapostori and Zion members they remained resolute in supporting the ruling party.
“We are there to offer support to President Mnangagwa so that he wins resoundingly during the 2023 elections. Our aim at the moment is to verify if all our members are registered to vote and will vote for Zanu PF.”
A member of Zion Judea who identified himself as Madzimai Tariro said it was an honour to interact with the President.
“I am glad that we have a listening leader who gives us time as church people. The President’s message was clear that we should hold peaceful elections,” she said.
Madzibaba Amos of Johanne Masowe Rashanu said they were pushing for the Government to allocate them land.
“Our plea is that our places of worship should be allocated to us permanently as we are tired of being moved from one place to the other by local authorities,” he said.
Among the congregates who attended were members from Zviratidzo ZveVapostori, Zion Judea, MAFC-W Mugodhi, MAFC- Munodawafa and Johanne Masowe Vakomana.
In addition, members from St Bylot, Vadzidzi Vajesu, ZCC Ruben Makuva, Zion of Andreas Shoko, Jerusalem-Muzika, Jerusalem-Machemero, Johanne Murenje, St Peter’s, Zion City, Runyararo RweVapostori, Johanne Masowe Rashanu and Zion Rekwa Dhavidhi Masuka, also attended.
-Herald-
LABOUR
Developer Contracts Face Termination In Chiredzi
Councillors in Chiredzi have begun the process of cancelling an agreement with land developer Full Life Open Arms Africa Investments (FLOAAI), accusing the company linked to minister of Local Government July Moyo of breaching a contract signed in 2018.
This development comes only two weeks after residents approached the High Court in a bid to stop the developer from selling un-serviced stands at Buffalo Range Extension which is near Croco Motors along the Ngundu-Tanganda highway.
With the influence of senior government officials, FLOAAI was given the mandate to develop 750 hectares of Buffalo Range on behalf of a joint venture between Chiredzi Town Council and Chiredzi Rural District Council.
The land is for Chiredzi town expansion and the contractor was supposed to develop the area before handing it back to the local authorities.
Chiredzi Rural District Council acting chairperson Leornard Makondo told The NewsHawks that his local authority is now initiating a process to formally cancel an agreement they entered with FLOAAI in 2018.
He said a technical services committee met on Tuesday and resolved to immediately cancel the agreement, citing breach of contract on the side of the developer.
“We are aware that there is a High Court case against this developer but as council we started a process to formally cancel our contract with the developer. According to our agreement, the developer was supposed to develop 750 hectares, that is providing all needed services and roads, and hand the developed area back to council. This is now not the case as the developer is already selling un-serviced stands and this, accordingly, is a breach of the Local Authorities Act, as well as our contract with him, so we have to cancel it.”
“A technical services committee met on Tuesday and moved a motion to cancel the deal. We are holding a full council meeting on Friday where this will definitely be accepted,” said Makondo.
A councillor who heads a critical committee at Chiredzi Town Council said they had discussions as policymakers and agreed to take joint action with their fellow policymakers from Chiredzi Rural since the issue involves both local authorities.
He said they will copy what is being done by councillors from the rural local authority.
“We agreed verbally as councillors to cancel the deal, citing failure to fulfil what we agreed in 2018. We will be guided by activities being done by our brothers from rural local authority and we will follow suit. The case is between the courts and we are cited as respondents, but we instructed out lawyers not to respond but we will go there as witnesses to what is happening. We cannot defend things which are bad. This developer is a fraudster who should be pushed away from Chiredzi despite his links to government officials,” said the councillor.
Emmanuel Matimba, a resident who is an applicant in an interdict to stop the activities of FLOAAI, told The NewsHawks that FLOAAI responded to the application filed by residents at the Masvingo High Court while the two local authorities ignored.
He said they are waiting to be furnished with a court date so that the case is heard before a judge. Member of Parliament for Chiredzi West Farai Musikavanhu said despite being in the campaign period his party Zanu PF, which does not condone corruption, should not allow developers to rob people their hard-earned cash in Chiredzi.
He said Chiredzi town, which is a declared cholera zone, is already facing water shortages due to a ballooning population figure hence allowing FLOAAI to sell stands without services like water will worsen the crisis.
“The terms of reference under which the developer was employed must be put under the microscope as this could turn out to be one of those land baron deals where poor residents are robbed of their hard-earned money while being exposed to pyramid schemes run by briefcase operators with no bank balances to support the undertaking of such a massive project”
“Yes, we are in a campaign period, but our culture in Zanu PF is to put the interests of the people first and protect them from wolves that may present themselves in sheep skins. This project is a classical example where we must walk the talk of the ‘zero tolerance to corruption’ mantra by President Mnangagwa” said Musikavanhu.
-Newshawks-
LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Drama in Karoi as garbage truck catches fire
THERE was drama in Karoi town’s central business district when a Karoi Town Council (KTC) refuse truck was forced to dump garbage in the middle of the road after catching fire.
The garbage was offloaded near a business complex on the highway and vehicles were forced to divert routes.
The NewsDay witnessed the drama as the workers rushed to offload the garbage in the middle of the road.
They later called a fire tender to put out the fire.
KTC employees blamed mushrooming canteens using firewood to prepare food in the high-density suburb of Chikangwe and the town area.
-afrogazette-
CRIMES AND COURTS
Police Arrest Nine Suspects in Connection with Mine Robberies in Kwekwe District
the police in the Midlands have expressed their gratitude to the public for their collaboration, leading to the arrest of nine suspects involved in a series of unlawful entry and robbery cases targeting mines in and around the Kwekwe District.
Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, the ZRP Midlands Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer, commended the public’s cooperation during an interview with Great Dyke News.
He revealed that acting on a valuable tip-off, the police swiftly apprehended all nine suspects at Bluetech Service Station. This arrest proved instrumental in recovering a cache of stolen items and evidence linked to the criminal activities.
The recovered items included a 303 rifle, complete with a magazine containing six rounds, approximately 200 kilograms of pregnant gold carbon, solar panels, a generator, two water pumps, and a variety of cellphones. These findings underscore the magnitude of the criminal activities perpetrated by the suspects and the potential impact on the mining community in the region.
SPORT
Ultimatum For Who, Me?- Maruwa
Despite Dynamos president Moses Maunganidze having confirmed that they had given Herbert Maruwa and his technical team a two match ultimatum, the coach professed ignorance. He said hehas only heard of the ultimatum through the media.
Maruwa said the club had not spoken to him about the ultimatum and is not worried with such reports. However had the result of the weekend game against ZPC Kariba had gone otherwise, the coach could have lost his job.
The 3-0 victory over ZPC Kariba is a job half done for him, as he is still to win their next encounter against his former club Black Rhinos.
Dynamos had only scored one goal in their last five games. But in yesterday’s game they harvested three goals and Maruwa was exstatic with the return and he heaped praises on his lads for the job well done.
“I have always been saying that goals will come and today they have come. We are now preparing for our next match against Black Rhinos. We will make sure that we get a positive result,” said Maruwa..
“I have been reading about it (the two game ultimatum) in the newspapers. But what I know is that I am preparing for the game against Black Rhinos.
It was a good game of football and a good result for the team.
I just talked to the boys that we need to put our act together and today they came out good.”
With the victory DeMbare have moved to position six on the log with 18 points, four behind Highlanders the log leaders.
Benzema to leave Real Madrid after 14 years
The Ballon d’Or-winning striker, who joined the Spanish giants from Lyon in 2009, will depart on a free transfer when the season ends.
Benzema, who had a year left on his contract, is set to move to Saudi Arabia after receiving a “record offer” from Al-Ittihad, according to Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague.
Benzema, 35, won five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles with Madrid.
Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya television station reported on Sunday that Benzema will sign a two-year deal with Al-Ittihad.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti had said on Saturday that he expected the former French international to stay next season.
“Benzema as been an example of behaviour and professionalism, and has represented the values of our club,” Madrid said in a statement on Sunday. “He has earned the right to decide his future.”
He is the third first-team player confirmed to be leaving Madrid in two days, after it was announced on Saturday that both Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio will also depart this summer.
Speaking on Saturday, Ancelotti said: “Kane is a great player, he is from Tottenham and we have to respect both the player and the club.”
The Frenchman won a total of 25 major titles with Real Madrid, a record for the club.
Benzema is the Ballon d’Or holder, having guided Madrid to the Champions League title last season with 15 goals in the competition.
Also among his titles were five Club World Cups and three Copa del Rey triumphs.
Benzema, who has made 647 appearances for Madrid, is the second on their all-time goalscoring list with 353 – only Cristiano Ronaldo has more.
He is set to make his final Madrid appearance on Sunday against Athletic Bilbao, their final match of the 2022-23 La Liga season.
“Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great legends of our club and one of the great legends of world football,” the club added.
“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best in this new phase of his life.”
Madrid will finish second in La Liga if they win on Sunday – but they are 11 points behind champions Barcelona and have failed to retain their Champions League title after being beaten in the semi-finals by Manchester City.
Those disappointments have led to many changes being rumoured at Santiago Bernabeu this summer – with Benzema’s departure among the most seismic.
Ancelotti had said on Saturday that he had “no doubts” Benzema would stay, and Benzema himself claimed “the internet is not reality” when asked about his future on Thursday.
With a number of key players leaving, Real will need to bring in a new striker.
Balague says Spanish striker Joselu could join on loan from Espanyol, while Ancelotti is a fan of Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Real are also planning on a move for Paris St-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe next summer.
-Newsday-
REGIONAL NEWS
Over 350 were injured in Senegal clashes – Red Cross
The Red Cross in Senegal says almost 360 people were injured in violence that broke out on Thursday after the opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to two years in prison.
At least 16 people are known to have died in the clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the capital, Dakar, and Mr Sonko’s home city of Zinguinchor.
Supporters of Mr Sonko say his convictions on charges of “corrupting” a young woman are politically motivated.
They have condemned what they called the “murderous repression” of the security forces.
On Sunday the situation appeared calm.
The government has restricted access to the mobile internet, to stop what it called “subversive messages” from being shared. bbc
