US, China Firms Back Batoka Project

DEBRA MATABVU
Zimbabwe Sunday Mail
NOVEMBER 25, 2018

President Emmerson Mnangagwa will next week meet representatives of major multinationals General Electric and PowerChina in a milestone indaba that will set the tone for construction of the massive Batoka Gorge Hydro Power Plant.

The 2 400MW, $5,2 billion plant will be situated a few kilometres downstream Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, and Zimbabwe and Zambia will share the electricity equally.

Progress on the Batoka talks comes as President Mnangagwa this week commissions the Arcadia Lithium project, which has capacity to generate nearly $250 million in export revenues annually.

In his weekly column in the The Sunday Mail, President Mnangagwa said presentations on the project by the American and Chinese firms would be on December 5 and 6 in Harare and Lusaka respectively.

Bringing Batoka Gorge on-stream will see Zimbabwe attain electricity self-sufficiency.

The country is producing about 1 300MW against demand of 1 900MW, with deficit being covered by imports from South Africa and Mozambique.

Government has — with Chinese investment — upgraded Kariba South Hydro and now an Indian firm is refurbishing Hwange South Thermal to the tune of $310 million.

President Mnangagwa says his infrastructure upgrade agenda has been backed by a new African Development Bank report (“Building a New Zimbabwe: Targeted Policies for Growth and Job Creation”).

“The AfDB report treats investing in the development of infrastructure as a high priority, and suggests Zimbabwe needs to mobilise ‘patient capital’ for that,” says President Mnangagwa.

“By ‘patient capital’, the report figuratively refers to long-term infrastructural investment with a maturity of 10 years or more, much of which has tended to come from countries like China and India.

“Already, these two countries are our development and trading partners, and have been active in financing infrastructural projects here, including in the energy sector.

“India has just committed itself to refurbish our Hwange Power Station to the tune of $310 million. We need to move with speed to take up this offer which will augment our power supplies, thus limiting further our power import bill.

“Yesterday I met officials from General Electric on the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Power Project, which we are set to implement jointly with the sister Republic of Zambia as an IPP.

“Prior to this, I wrote to President Edgar Lungu proposing that a consortium of Power China and General Electric be contracted to work on the project which has been outstanding since 1972 when it was first proposed. President Lungu graciously agreed.

“Once completed, the project will generate about 2 200 megawatts which will be shared equally between us and Zambia. With other power projects either completed, underway or planned, Zimbabwe is set to be a power surplus nation.”

The Head of State and Government said his administration would also revamp transport and communications infrastructure.

President Mnangagwa said talks with Sadc members were underway to come up with a regional transport hub masterplan.

“Our goal should thus be to make Zimbabwe a sub-regional transport and communication hub,” the President added.

Zimbabwe’s leader said Southern African countries were working on major transport corridor.

“I am happy that on the side-lines of the recent African Union Extraordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, I conferred with President Masisi of Botswana on this possibility.

“Building on a prior meeting between him and President Nyusi of Mozambique, Zimbabwe will soon host a ministerial meeting on how our three countries can cooperate towards investing in rail and pipeline links which will serve our countries and beyond.

“Thereafter, another meeting involving Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique will be convened to map out plans for a Southern Corridor.”

The Sunday Mail understands the tripartite ministerial meeting is likely to be convened as early as this week.

Zimbabwe Government Releases $60m for Fuel

01 DEC, 2018 - 00:12
Herald Reporters

Government has released US$60 million towards procurement of fuel to mitigate current shortages, a situation that had seen the emergence of unscrupulous fuel dealers charging more than double the gazetted pump price.

Long winding queues could be seen at  filling stations in Harare’s central business district yesterday as fuel tankers made deliveries.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi said the availed funds would improve supplies considerably. Zimbabwe needs $20 million worth of fuel every week.

“Government has released some funds towards alleviating the current crisis which, however, will require constant monitoring as the US$60 million released will only last three weeks given the country’s US$20 million per week fuel requirement,” said Minister Mutodi.

Earlier, Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo had indicated that fuel supplies had arrived in Msasa but required foreign currency payment to be accessed.

Minister Gumbo, who had just arrived from a business trip to Mozambique, could, however, not reveal more information, saying he needed to get fuller details from the acting minister.

The unavailability of fuel in recent days had also seen commuter omnibuses hiking fares by almost double while fuel dealers were charging about $15 for five litres of petrol and $12 for five litres of diesel.

Meanwhile, Government has approved the current level of mandatory fuel blending to 15 percent.

This was announced in a Government Gazette published yesterday under the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22]: Exemption From Levels of Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol.

“It is hereby notified in terms of Section 4(1) of the Petroleum Mandatory Blending of Anhydrous Ethanol with Unleaded Petrol) Regulations 2013, published in Statutory Instrument 17 of 2013, that the Minister of Energy and Power Development approves the current level of mandatory blending to 15 percent.

“The consequences of this approval is that all licensed operators shall from the date of publication of the general notice be mandated to sell unleaded petrol blended at E15,” read the SI.

In the Extraordinary Gazette, Government also announced customs duty on imported fuel with effect from today.

“According to the Extraordinary Gazette of 30 November 2018 Statutory Instrument 259 of 2018, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has in terms of Section 225 of the Customs and Excise Act[Chapter 23;02] made the following notice:

“This notice maybe cited as the Customs and Excise (Tariff) (Amendment) Notice, 2018 (No. 5). This notice shall come into operation on 1st December 2018. Part 11 of the Second Schedule of the Customs and Excise (Tariff) Notice, 2017 published in Statutory Instrument 53 of 2017 is amended by the repeal of the following; leaded petrol and unleaded US$0,385 per litre for quantity of a kilogramme, cubic metre square or litre.

“Power kerosene, having a density at 200C expressed in kilogrammes per litre of no lower than 0,796 and a flash point (closed test at sea level) of not lower than 21 degrees Celsius 0, 796 and a flash point (closed test at sea level) of not lower than 21 degrees Celsius and not higher than 44 degrees Celsius at $0,33per litre.”

— Herald/ZBC.

ED Clamps Down on Pharmacies

KUDA BWITITI
NOVEMBER 25, 2018

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said pharmacies that demand foreign currency for medicine and medical provisions will lose their licenses.

The Head of State and Government said his administration would not stand by while the public was abused by greedy retailers who accessed foreign currency from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, but then still demanded greenbacks from ordinary people.

At the first of his Presidential Thank You Rally at Murombedzi growth point in Zvimba yesterday, Zimbabwe’s leader also said he was firmly focused on socio-economic transformation and would from this week go around the country to launch at least 11 major projects.

Addressing thousands of people who turned out for the rally, President Mnangagwa said Government was taking tough measures on businesses that promoted economic hardships while pursuing profits.

“These pharmacies are charging in US dollars but their employees are not paid in US dollars. We sat down as Cabinet and directed the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo, to tell them Government is not happy with what they are doing.

“The majority of you who were now selling medical provisions, asking for US dollars, it’s not proper because you go and queue at the RBZ asking for foreign currency to import these drugs.

“There is no reason why you should, therefore, ask the public to purchase these drugs in foreign currency when you yourselves get it from the Reserve Bank.

“Those of you who do not heed this caution: danger is coming, we will withdraw your licences,” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

President Mnangagwa said he had told Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu to regularly engage business over pricing.

“Prices were going up left right and centre, but I called business leaders to State House, and immediately some of them reduced the prices. Fertiliser was increased from $35 to more than $100, but when I engaged with them, they said they would reduce it to $45.

“Most of the manufacturers and wholesalers are charging acceptable prices, but it is the retailers who have the biggest problem.

“I asked my young minister, Ndlovu, to meet with them and I am waiting for further details. But if they refuse to reduce prices then they will also lose their licenses,” he said.

The President said in line with Government’s focus on the socioeconomic sphere, Zimbabwe’s food security had been guaranteed thanks to Command Agriculture which ensured the Strategic Grain Reserve was adequately stocked.

He said Command Agriculture beneficiaries who had not abided by contractual obligations would be blacklisted until they honoured their debts.

“We are in our third year with Command Agriculture and it has been a tremendous success because we have eradicated hunger.

“We now have more than one million tonnes in the Strategic Grain Reserve so that means there is no family that will go hungry because you will receive the grain for free. You should work with your councillors, headmen and chiefs and they will assist you

“Every week (Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare) Minister (Dr Sekai) Nzenza briefs us on the food security situation because we want to make sure that no one goes hungry and all those in need of food aid can easily get it.

“We have enough grain to feed the people until next year and there should be no family in the country that should go hungry.”

The ruling party’s First Secretary added that the Presidential Inputs Scheme was non-discriminatory.

“The Presidential Inputs Scheme is not selective, it is open to everyone regardless of political affiliation,” he said. “We have 1,8 million families that … should all benefit from this programme which gives fertiliser and maize seed to every household. This should enable you to provide enough to feed the family at household level.

“Those in the opposition, MDC, are also free to benefit from this scheme. This programme is open for all and sundry.”

President Mnangagwa said his administration had enhanced democracy, and now everyone should focus on economic development, saying “none but ourselves will take the country forward”.

“Starting (this week) we will have several ground breaking ceremonies. There is going to be the new executive headquarters for Parliament on the 30th of this month.

“From there, we will go to the lithium mine project that will bring us billions (of dollars). I have a long list, at least 11 projects, on my table.”

The President said the $300 million availed for devolution in the 2018 National Budget demonstrated his Government’s commitment to inclusive development across Zimbabwe.

Present at the rally were Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Zanu-PF National Chair Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, and ruling party Politburo and Central Committee members among other officials.

Poll Violence: Final Report Takes Shape

Norman Muchemwa
Zimbabwe Sunday Mail

The Commission of Inquiry into the August 1, 2018 Post-Election Violence is compiling its final report containing its findings, which will be handed over to President Emmerson Mnangagwa within the stipulated time frame.There were claims yesterday that the Commission had completed its report, with some individuals peddling falsehoods about what is contained in a document that has not been finalised.

President Mnangagwa set up the Commission, led by South Africa’s former President Mr Kgalema Mohlanthe, to investigate violence instigated by suspected MDC Alliance supporters who were demanding early release of the July 30 Presidential election results.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is constitutionally required to announce Presidential election results within five days of voting, but violent protestors took to the streets just two days after polling.

Six people died and at least 23 were injured.

More than 100 people and organisations presented testimonies and/or evidence to the Commission, and the body has until December 19 to furnish the President with its report.

President Mnangagwa swore in the Commission on September 19, 2018 and gave it three months to complete its work.

The terms of reference were: “(a) To inquire into the circumstances leading to the 1st of August 2018, post-election violence; (b) to identify the actors and their leaders, their motive and strategies employed in the protests; (c) to inquire into the intervention by the Zimbabwe Republic Police in the maintenance of law and order;

“(d) To investigate the circumstances which necessitated the involvement of the military in assisting in the maintenance of law and order; (e) to consider whether the degree of force used was appropriate to the ensuing threat to public safety, law and order; (f) to assess extent of damage/injury caused thereof; (g) to investigate any other matters which the Commission of Inquiry may deem appropriate and relevant to the inquiry;

“(h) To make suitable recommendations; and (i) to report to the President in writing, the result of the inquiry within a period of three months from the date of swearing-in of the commissioners.”

In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Secretary to the Commission Mrs Virginia Mabhiza said what had been presented to the President last week was an executive summary and not a full report.

“Commissioners are still compiling the final document which will be presented to the President within the stipulated timeframe.

“Evidence gathered by the Commission is vast and that will require a reasonable amount of time to collate and produce a credible report that will be handed over to the President.

“As you are aware, the Commission’s mandate will run until the 19th of December, that’s when the 90 day period will lapse since the Commissioners were sworn in on the 19th of September,” she said.

After the report is handed over to the President, it is his prerogative to decide what he will do with the document, Mrs Mabhiza said.

With Mr Motlanthe on the Commission are international law expert Mr Rodney Dixon (UK), former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku (Nigeria), former Tanzania People’s Defence Forces Commander General (Retired) Davis Mwamunyange, University of Zimbabwe lecturers professors Lovemore Madhuku and Charity Manyeruke, and former Law Society of Zimbabwe president Mrs Vimbai Nyemba.

COSATU Rejects Attempts to Slow Down the Finalization of the NHI Bill

COSATU Rejects calls from "pro-poor" civil society organisations for Cabinet to send the NHI Bill back to the Department of Health, COSATU views this as a blatant effort to slow down the implementation of the of the NHI policy for the poor and working class that are in desperate need of quality health care services.

Implementation of the NHI is a non-negotiable as public health services deteriorate significantly to the point of near collapse. The claims in the media that the public comment process has been rushed could not be further from the truth. This is a renewed attempt by the detractors of the NHI to remove the policy and any enabling legislation off the table, while the South African Health system continues to be in crises as a result of underfunding as well as a lack of health care professionals in the public sector.

The leaked letter from the National treasury that has been cited as the basis of the call to withdraw the bill from cabinet has been later qualified by National treasury as a part of ongoing engagements to ensure policy coherence. Further to that National treasury reports that substantial progress on key areas of the NHI bill has been reached and many of the issues raised by National Treasury has been substantially addressed. Therefore the basis for calls from civil society is substantially flawed and devoid of the facts.

The reports by the DG of health of "sidelining" are a cause for concern and correctly reported a clear break in ranks. COSATU urges the DG of health as the accountable officer for the Department of Health to work more effectively with the Presidency to achieve Universal Health Coverage. The spats in the mainstream media take us backwards and deny the poor and the working class of their rights to quality health care. President Cyril Ramaphosa is providing leadership and stewardship on the NHI process and has reiterated the commitment of the entire South African Government to overcome the two-tier health system.

The NHI Bill brings South Africans a step closer to the realisation of Universal Health coverage. The NHI bill seeks to establish the NHI fund and set out its powers, functions and governance structures to provide a framework for the active purchasing of health care services by the fund on behalf of the final users. The Bill also sets out to create mechanisms for the equitable, effective and efficient utilisation of the fund's resources in order to meet the needs of the population and to limit undesirable and unethical conduct in relation with the NHI fund.

COSATU cannot emphasise enough the urgency in the implementation of the NHI in the face of the quadruple disease burden as well as the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality. COSATU therefore rejects any attempt to slow down the implementation of the NHI bill and any progressive enabling legislation.

Issued by COSATU

Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)
Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 679

Limusa Central Committee Statement: 24-25 November 2018

27 November 2018

The Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa convened a two day ordinary Central Committee meeting on the 24th - 25th November 2018. This Central Committee meeting spent most of it's time discussing organisational matters.

On Cosatu

As this was the first Central Committee of Limusa after the Congress of Cosatu, The CC congratulated the giant federation in South Africafor having a fruitful and smooth Congress. Limusa National Office Bearers were mandated by the Central Committee to prioritize staying in good standing with the federation in terms of paying subscriptions.

On organizing

The Central Committee noted that there is growth in terms of membership in the union, however the decision has been taken to go back to the ground and prioritize recruitment as workers in the metal industry begins to have hope in Limusa. Service to our members has also been identified as the area of priority. The National Office bearers were mandated to fast track settings of structures in the provinces and locals as year 2019 is the year of congresses in Limusa.National Office Bearers were also tasked to work closely with the Provinces and give necessary support in order for the union to grow.

MEIBC Registration

The organization is in advance stage with the processes to register with the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council. The Central Committee mandated National Office Bearers to fast track the finalisation of that process.

On Denel

We reject the behaviour of the management of Denel DLS) to take decisions unilaterally without properconsultation with Limusa on issues that affects our members. The salary cuts, short time and voluntary separation package that Denel wants to implement without proper consultation with the union is rejected and Limusa shall closely monitor this development and we shall fight it as the union. Our shopstewards at Denel have consistently warned about mismanagement of money at management level and no decisive actions were taken to correct those in time, we therefore not going to allow our members to be punished for failure of their management. The union will continue to engage with Denel on this matter and shall do everything to protect our members from this exploitation.

On National Office Bearers

The Central Committee discussed the matter of unemployment of it's President comrade SibonisoMdletshe and decided torelease him from his duties as the President as the union needed to comply with section 100 of the Labour Relations Act which requires leaders of the unions to submit their work addresses to the department of Labour. Comrade Siboniso was then asked to continue serving Limusa as the official. The CC also received a request from it's General Secretary comrade Cedric Gina to be released from his duties as he wants to attend to some personal matters. The Central Committee accepted the request of comrade Cedric and thanked him for the contributions he made in building Limusa.

The decision was taken in the meeting to fill the vacant positions of the President, the First Deputy President and the General Secretary. The following comrades were elected unopposed:

President- Comrade Peter Motlhoki
1st Deputy President- Comrade Reginald Baatjies
General Secretary- Comrade Siboniso Mdletshe.

The collective office bearer of Limusa is now as follows:

President: Comrade Peter Motlhoki
1st Deputy President: Comrade Reginald Baatjies
2nd Deputy President: Comrade Akhona Dweba
National Treasurer: Comrade Sello Rapao
General Secretary: Comrade Siboniso Mdletshe
Deputy General Secretary: Comrade Mawonga Madolo

The Central Committee further took a decision to maintain a working relationship with cde Cedric and provide necessary support where it can.

On media communication

The Central Committee dismissed with contempt it deserves, the lies peddled in the STAR newspaper by faceless people who wish to see divisions in LIMUSA. Limusa have no time to waste in entertaining such as workers are joining us in numbers we have a responsibility to spend our time in serving our members. The meeting further emphasised that leadership when communicating to media must communicate the decisions of the organization.

The Central Committee noted the developments of Numsa registering political party and we call upon all metal workers who have political homes to come and join Limusa as it is the only metal workers union in South Africa that is only focusing on service to it's members.

Issued by Limusa Secretariat

Siboniso Mdletshe (General Secretary)
Tel: 011 339 2869
Cell: 081 348 0439/ 072 386 4932

NEHAWU Currently Preparing for a Strike at Clinix Health Group

26 November 2018

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union [NEHAWU] is currently preparing for a strike at Clinix Health Group on a number of disputes including matters of mutual interest. The strike will begin on the 3rd December 2018 after we were awarded a certificate to strike on the 19th November 2018 by the CCMA.

The national union recently declared a dispute with the CCMA on the unilateral change to conditions of employment after the employer implemented new job profiles which were as a result of a process which was unilaterally implemented over a period of time without any form of consultation with the union. Our members and workers are now subjected to unfair performance assessments based on the new job profiles.

This unilateral change to conditions of employment has led to added and extra responsibilities without any form of remuneration

adjustments for workers. The dispute was referred to the CCMA and was heard on the 19th November 2018. After deliberations the CCMA awarded NEHAWU a certificate to go on strike. Our members and workers have been patient with the employer for far too long and the patience has now ran out hence they have elected to go on a strike action.

The 2018/19 salary negotiations have also deadlocked after the employer refused to concede to our reasonable and genuine demands. The employer has made it unequivocally clear that they are not willing to concede to our demands notwithstanding the fact that the union has been accepting wage settlements below the sector market trends due to the financial challenges faced by the company over the past three years which led to retrenchments.

The company received a financial boost late last year of over 30% shares bought by the Public Investment Commission [PIC] on behalf of the Unemployment Insurance Fund [UIF]. This act of intransigency by the employer has incited workers to consider going on a strike action. The wage strike action is scheduled to coincide with the other strike on Unilateral Change to Conditions of
Employment on the 3rd December 2018.

Our demands are as follows amongst others,

an increase of 9% across the board
a minimum salary of R5500
a R1500 Housing Allowance
an increase from R1400 to R2000 for medical aid
Uniform Top-up of R2000 for general staff which should include an option for shoes and two tops and two bottoms for Special Units (e.g. Scrub suit)

Our members are ready and highly mobilized for the impending strike because the employer has opted to embark on a process of union bashing through victimisation and harassment of our members and shop stewards which has resulted in the unfair dismissal of two shop stewards, suspension of three others and three members. We appeal to the employer to concede to our demands on both disputes to avert any disruptions to the normal functioning of the hospitals of the Clinix Health Group.

Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat

Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968; December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969; Khaya Xaba (NEHAWU Media Liaison Officer) at 082 455 2500 or email: khaya@nehawu.org.za Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za

SADTU Statement on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

25 November 2018

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) fully supports the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which begins from 25 November to 1O December. This international campaign aims to stimulate action to end violence against women and children and raise awareness on the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children.

This year's theme, #HearMeToo could not have come at a better time; we agree that for far too long, silence and stigma have allowed violence against women to escalate relentlessly. The voices of women and children should not be silenced but be treated with respect when they report cases of violence against them.

As a Union in the education sector, we welcome a Resolution signed at the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) in September that we believe will be instrumental in ensuring that justice prevails in cases where educators are accused of sexual misconduct involving children.

Children testifying as witnesses or victims in disciplinary hearings against teachers charged with sexual misconduct, will no longer be subjected to testify in multiple platforms but in an arbitration process that will have qualified arbitrators with sufficient experience in hearings involving minor children. We believe this will go a long way in ensuring that matters against educators charged with sexual misconduct will be speedily resolved and that learners are not subjected to further trauma.

SADTU will, during this period, make its message loud and clear against gender based violence, more especially against children. We cannot allow the conduct of a few to tarnish the name of the profession and that of the Union.

As an affiliate of COSATU, SADTU is fully behind the Federation's Day of Action Against Gender Based Violence - women and children violence in particular, 27 November.

ISSUED BY: SADTU Secretariat

CONTACT:

General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke: 082 783 2968
Deputy General Secretary, Nkosana Dolopi: 082 709 5651
Media Officer, Nomusa Cembi: 082 719 5157

Ramaphosa, Kagame, Two Other Africans at 2018 G20 Summit

Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban 
Africa News

Only one African country is in the Group of 20 (G20) nations, South Africa. Its president Cyril Ramaphosa is currently attending the summit being held in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires (November 30 – December 1).

Ramaphosa is joined by three other Africans who are at the summit in different capacities. Rwandan president Paul Kagame is also attending but in his capacity as current President of the African Union, AU.

The other African is a representative of the A.U’s New Partnership for Economic Development (NEPAD) program. In 2017 NEPAD was represented by Senegal President Macky Sall.

The last African is Ethiopia’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus – the WHO Director-General. The head of the global health outfit was also present in Hamburg as was the United Nations (U.N.) secretary-general, Antonio Guterres.

The G20 summit website said: “Countries which chair key regional groups – such as the African Union (AU), the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) – are generally invited to the summit.

“This year these regional groups will be represented by Rwanda, Singapore and Senegal, respectively. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has also been invited by Argentina for this year’s G20 and is represented by Jamaica.”

Other partners aside the UN and WHO are: Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The International Labour, Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD), the World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) complete the list of partner organizations. Leaders of all the outfits were present at the summit.

The Group of Twenty is comprised of 19 countries plus the European Union. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

DRC Confirms 'Serious' Threat Against U.S. Embassy

REUTERS

Congolese authorities have confirmed that a security threat against U.S. government facilities that has kept the U.S. embassy closed all week is real and serious.

The U.S. embassy in the capital, Kinshasa, has been closed since last weekend due to what it says is “credible and specific information of a possible terrorist threat”. It has declined to elaborate.

Earlier in the week, Democratic Republic of Congo’s government spokesman said U.S. officials were keeping the government in the dark and questioned whether the threat was an “imaginary alert”.

It’s clear these threats are serious. The U.S. and our services have serious information regarding the validity of the threat.

But in a news conference on Friday, Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu, who met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Fitzsimmons on Wednesday, said the threat was real.

“It’s clear these threats are serious. The U.S. and our services have serious information regarding the validity of the threat,” he said.

“For the moment, there is coordination between the security services of the U.S., regional countries and Congo.”

He declined to provide any further specifics.

Threat from ADF in Congo Brazaville

U.S. officials have remained tight-lipped in public about the nature of the threat, but have informed foreign diplomats that the embassy closure is due to the arrest last week of a cell of Tanzanian jihadists from a Ugandan Islamist group called the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), two diplomats told Reuters.

U.S. officials believe the cell members were planning to strike U.S. government facilities in Kinshasa, which lies just across the Congo River from their base in Congo Republic’s capital, Brazzaville, the diplomats said.

However, the diplomats did not know where the arrests took place nor how many cell members were arrested. Congo Republic’s government spokesmen said he had no information on the matter.

Any such plot would mark a dramatic shift for the ADF, a militia that operates primarily in eastern Congo, nearly 2,000 km from Kinshasa, and which has never carried out attacks outside of eastern Congo or Uganda.

A third diplomat, who was also briefed on a purported ADF threat to U.S. facilities, expressed scepticism about the threat, which the diplomat said was flagged to U.S. officials by Congo’s military intelligence service.

Who is backing ADF?

U.N. and independent experts have for years been unable to confirm allegations from the Ugandan and Congolese governments that the ADF has links to Somalia’s al Shabaab or other jihadist groups.

But a report by the Congo Research Group and Bridgeway Foundation earlier this month found the ADF had received money in recent years from a financier linked to Islamic State, suggesting tentative ties with foreign jihadists, including in Tanzania and other east African countries.

Ex-South Africa President Wants $2.2bn Corruption Case Set Aside

South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma wants corruption charges relating to a $2.2 billion arms deal to be permanently set aside, his lawyers said on Friday, when Zuma made his fourth court appearance since the charges were reinstated.

Zuma, who was ousted by the ruling party in February, faces 16 charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a deal to buy 30 billion rand of European military hardware for South Africa’s armed forces in the late 1990s.

The case is a rare example of an African leader being held to account for his actions. Zuma denies wrongdoing.

On Friday, judge Mjabuliseni Madondo adjourned the case to May 20, giving lawyers time to prepare for a debate on whether there should be a “permanent stay of prosecution”.

Zuma’s lawyer Mike Hellens said on Friday that state prosecutors had displayed a dismissive attitude towards Zuma.

The 76-year-old Zuma, wearing a black suit and red tie, was subdued in court. Several former cabinet ministers and African National Congress politicians travelled to Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal province, to support their former patron.

Zuma, whose nine years in power were marked by economic stagnation and credit rating downgrades, has previously said he is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt.

The charges against him were originally filed a decade ago but then set aside by the National Prosecuting Authority shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009.

After his election, his opponents fought a lengthy legal battle to have the charges reinstated, finally succeeding in 2016. Zuma countered with his own legal challenges.

The speed with which prosecutors have moved against Zuma is a sign of his waning influence since he was replaced as head of state by Cyril Ramaphosa, his former deputy.

Ramaphosa has made the fight against corruption a priority as he seeks to woo foreign investment and revamp an ailing economy.

REUTERS

Rep. Karen Bass Elected to Lead Growing Congressional Black Caucus

California Democrat Replaces Louisiana Rep. Cedric L. Richmond

Nov 28, 2018 3:23 PM
Katherine Tully-McManus
@ktullymcmanus

The Congressional Black Caucus elected Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., to lead the group in the 116th Congress. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus elected California Democratic Rep. Karen Bass to lead them in the next Congress, as the group crosses a milestone 50-member threshold.

The CBC is adding nine new members, bringing its total membership to 55. Bass, who currently serves as the caucus’s second vice chair, replaces Louisiana Democratic Rep. Cedric L. Richmond, who took the helm of the caucus in late 2016.

“There’s much work to be done next Congress to ensure equality and justice for African Americans and other marginalized communities, and I am confident Congresswoman Bass will continue to provide strong leadership in this regard,” Richmond said in a statement.

Since its formation in 1971, the CBC has been dominated by Democrats. The group focuses on serving African-Americans and other marginalized populations and in recent years has pursued legislative priorities including a criminal justice overhaul , education opportunities, affordable health care and addressing racial disparities in heath outcomes.

The CBC holds significant power within the Democratic Caucus and the chairmanship can be a launching pad into party leadership positions — the current assistant Democratic leader, South Carolina Rep. James E. Clyburn, is a former CBC chairman. Members of the CBC are expected to chair five House committees and 28 subcommittees in the next Congress.

Bass was first elected to her Los Angeles-area seat in 2010. She previously served six years in the California State Assembly, where in 2008 she became the first African-American woman to become speaker of any state legislature.

Bass is set to lead the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations in the new Congress, which will give her a platform to promote foreign policy initiatives to build capacity in African countries.

She also serves on the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over criminal justice legislation and voting rights proposals.

Detroit Group Calls for Changes at Charles H. Wright Museum

Charles E. Ramirez
The Detroit News
6:37 p.m. ET Nov. 29, 2018

Detroit — A group on Thursday called on the trustees of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to add new board members and cancel an exhibit featuring Thomas Jefferson's plantation.

It also demanded the museum include more community representatives on the committee responsible for finding a new CEO for the institution.

Tahira Ahmad, a member of the coalition, said the group has submitted the proposed changes to museum officials, but they have rejected them.

"We ask, whose museum is this?" she said. "Who is making policy for the museum and in whose interests are they working?"

Ahmadwas among about a dozen members of the group, called the Black Legacy Coalition, that's calling on the museum's board to make the changes. She said the entire coalition is made up of about 20 smaller groups.

She made the remarks during a news conference the coalition held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on the corner of Cass and Forest in Detroit's Midtown district.

The museum responded Thursday to the group's claims.

"The mission of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History remains the same — open minds and change lives through the exploration of African American history and culture," museum spokeswoman Delisha Upshaw said in a statement.

"We value feedback, perspectives and input from the community and have taken steps to address concerns from this particular part of the community. We are also considering how a broader representation of the community can be included and represented."

The coalition said it demands the museum add to its board of trustees a list the group has of 11 community representatives. The board has a nine-member executive committee and a total of 32 members.

"The current board includes more than 30 persons, many of whom are tied to major corporations, elite law firms and other businesses in the Metro Detroit area," said Abdul-Musawwir Aquil, another member of the coalition.  "None of them may be said to represent the Detroit African-American community at large."

Ahmad and Aquil also said the group demands the museum cancel an exhibit featuring  Jefferson's plantation that's scheduled to be installed next year.

On its website, the museum said it plans to bring in an exhibit called "Seating Sally Hemings at the Table." Hemings was one of Thomas Jefferson's slaves at his Monticello plantation and bore him at least six children. Historians believed Jefferson began a sexual relationship with her when she was about 16-years-old.

"It's a powerful exhibit that tells the story of Sally Hemings and other families who were enslaved at the Monticello Plantation — from their perspective," Upshaw said. "We're proud to work with Gayle Jessup White, a Hemings and Jefferson family descendant, to tell the important, often forgotten stories about these families, their tremendous contributions to our country, and their legacies that live on today."

The same exhibit opened in September at the African American Museum of Dallas as “Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty.” It examines the dual nature of Jefferson, a man who could so eloquently opine that “all men are created equal” while enslaving human beings, according to museum officials.

Also, the coalition requested the museum include community members on the committee leading the search for a new CEO. The museum's previous CEO, Juanita Moore, announced in June she was retiring from the post July 1. Moore had served as its administrator for 12 years.

The group urged Detroiters to buy museum memberships and to call and email its interim COO, George Hamilton.

Located on the corner of East Warren Avenue and Brush Street in Detroit's Cultural Center, the museum has been housed in its current building since 1997. The museum itself, however, was founded in 1965 by Dr. Charles H. Wright in a small building on West Grand Boulevard. Wright died in 2002.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @CharlesERamirez

Tennessee House Elects 1st African-American Minority Leader

ASSOCIATED PRESS
NOVEMBER 26, 2018 08:47 AM,
NASHVILLE, TENN.

Tennessee House Democrats have elected the chamber's first African-American minority leader.

Democrats chose Rep. Karen Camper of Memphis during leadership elections Sunday. She replaces former Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley, who left the Legislature in an unsuccessful bid for governor.

The next legislative session begins in January.

In a news release, Camper pledged to bring aggressive leadership to advance legislation on Democratic agenda items, including quality health care and economic opportunities for all Tennesseans.

Republicans maintained a supermajority in the Legislature during the November elections. Democrats gained one seat in the House and made no inroads in the Senate.

Rep. Mike Stewart of Nashville will remain Democratic caucus chairman.

Republicans have nominated Majority Leader Glen Casada as the next speaker.

Funeral Held for Alabama Man Killed Amid Mall Shooting: Report

Elizabeth Zwirz By Elizabeth Zwirz
Fox News

Witnesses inside the Alabama mall recount what they saw, heard during the shooting.

A funeral was held in Alabama Saturday for Emantic "EJ" Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., the 21-year-old who was fatally shot when police responded to a mall shooting on Thanksgiving night.

The service took place at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, which was filled with more than 1,000 people, according to The Associated Press.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson stood before the crowd to deliver the eulogy for Bradford, who law enforcement initially suspected was the gunman in the shooting at Riverchase Galleria Mall, the outlet said.

Shots were fired inside the mall after two men got into an altercation. One of the men pulled out a handgun and shot an 18-year-old twice. A 12-year-old girl standing nearby was also shot.

MAN KILLED IN ALABAMA MALL SHOOTING WAS ‘LIKELY’ NOT GUNMAN, POLICE SAY

Police responded to the scene and spotted Bradford brandishing a pistol. Officers shot and killed Bradford and said the 21-year-old was the one who'd shot the 18-year-old man.

Authorities later retracted the accusation and launched a search for the actual shooter.

The suspected gunman, Erron Brown, 20, was reportedly arrested earlier this week.

In his address, Jackson asserted that law enforcement needed to release tapes that captured the violence, according to AP.

"We will have the tape made public," Jackson said. "We want transparency, not cover-up. Tell the whole story, tell it now. We want justice now. We want fairness now."

SUSPECTED GUNMAN IN THANKSGIVING ALABAMA MALL SHOOTING ARRESTED, OFFICIALS SAY

The officer who shot Bradford – who was reportedly placed on inactive duty amid an investigation into the imatter – “must face justice,” Jackson said.

Family and friends of the 21-year-old attended the funeral, and described Bradford as a considerate individual who could be counted on, the outlet said.

His father, Emantic Bradford Sr., became emotional while talking about his son, saying he was “always going to be my hero.”

“The years that I had with him were 21 good years,” he said. “I miss my baby and his mama miss him, too.”

Fox News’ Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

African-American Mural Vandalized With Swastikas; Los Angeles Police Treating As Hate Crime

By EMILY SHAPIRO
ABC News
Nov 30, 2018, 11:43 AM ET

An African-American mural in Los Angeles has been vandalized with swastikas in an act the Los Angeles Police Department said it's treating as a hate crime.

The white swastikas were painted over the faces of four female figures from the Black Panther movement, part of the "Our Mighty Contribution" mural in the city's Crenshaw District.

The vandalism was reported Thursday, said LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein.

"We are currently asking the public for any information they may have about the incident," Rubenstein told ABC News Friday via email. "If anyone does have information they are encouraged to call Southwest Detectives."

Besides Black Panthers, "Our Mighty Contribution" depicts other African-American icons through history, from including Martin Luther King Jr. to Louis Armstrong to Harriet Tubman, political consultant Jasmyne Cannick told ABC News.

"In 2002 a group of about 12 artists got together and painted what is there now," she said.

"The wall in the community is pretty well known. It's been featured in a lot of music videos, a lot of movies," she said, and it's "always been sort of an unwritten rule with taggers and gang members that that wall is hands off."

"In a city that gets tagged on a regular basis, it's amazing that all of these years, for the most part, it has not been bothered," Cannick said.

One of mural's artists has cleaned off the swastikas, Cannick said.

"I really want this investigated. I really think the community deserves to know who did this," she said. "For a police department that prides itself on solving cases from 50 and 60 years ago, this should be pretty easy to crack."

News of the vandalism comes one week after another alleged hate crime in the city.

On Nov. 23 a driver allegedly spewed "hateful remarks regarding Jewish heritage" at two Jewish men after they left their synagogue, according to Los Angeles police. The driver then allegedly tried to plow into them on the street, police said.

The men were not hurt and the suspect was taken into custody.

"Hate in America is on the rise," Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Moore told reporters Monday as he announced the suspected driver's arrest.

"That has to change," Moore said.

Swastikas Painted on African-American Mural in Los Angeles

Police said they are investigating the vandalism to an art work depicting black history as a hate crime.

Nov. 30, 2018 / 7:28 PM EST
NBC News
By Stephan Kozub

Los Angeles police on Friday were trying to determine who painted swastikas on a mural that has been a fixture and a source of pride in the black community for decades.

The mural on Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles depicts the Blank Panthers and major African-American figures on a wall that has been the site of art work celebrating black history since the 1970s. The LAPD said it was investigating Thursday's vandalism as a hate crime.

In 2002, a dozen local artists completed the 7,880 square foot “Our Mighty Contribution” mural to commemorate black history, including images of Martin Luther King, Jr., slavery, Louis Armstrong, and Harriet Tubman.

Vandals defaced the section of the mural devoted to the Black Panther Party, spray-painting swastikas over the faces of individuals.

“This wall is our history and it’s a source of pride in our community. It tells our story,” said local political strategist and commentator Jasmyne Cannick in a video posted on Twitter. “It’s just absolutely a travesty. It’s devastating. It is upsetting. We can’t stand for this.”

Enkone, the artist who originally painted the Black Panther portion of the mural, immediately went to the wall and removed the Nazi symbols by Thursday afternoon.

“It’s a shame because we did this mural for everybody,” Enkone told KNBC.

When Cannick learned about the swastikas Thursday morning, she went to see the vandalism for herself. While there, she reported the incident to police and alerted the Anti-Defamation League. In a tweet responding to Cannick, the ADL of Los Angeles called it a “heinous act of hate” and said it was in contact with law enforcement.

Investigators are looking for witnesses and possible security camera images, Los Angeles Police Department officials told KNBC.

Southwest Airlines agent mocks 5-year-old named 'Abcde,' posts boarding pass online
“We will find you and we will prosecute you,” LAPD Capt. Alex Baez said.

Police said they believe the vandalism is an isolated incident.

The mural defacement follows recent Nazi vandalism in other parts of the country. New York City Police opened their own hate-crimes investigation Thursday after swastikas were spray-painted on the office walls of a Columbia University professor who identifies as Jewish and has written books about the Holocaust.

Earlier this month, a mural at Duke University honoring the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre was defaced with the Nazi symbol.

“It seems to be randomly happening all over the place," Cannick said. "I think this particular incident, it really hit people because [the mural] is so well known. It’s really loved and adored and appreciated by so many people.

“I want to know who did it and why they did it,” she added.

White Farmers' Legal Fight Against Plans to Give Their Land to Black South Africans Without Compensation is Thrown Out by Country's High Court

South Africa's High Court rejected a legal challenge brought by white farmers
President Cyril Ramaphosa plans land expropriation without any compensation
Afriforum questioned legality of change to the constitution to allow land reforms

By REUTERS and AP
16:10 EST, 30 November 2018

South Africa's High Court rejected a legal challenge today brought by a group representing white farmers against President Cyril Ramaphosa's plans for land expropriation without compensation.

Land is a hot-button issue in South Africa where racial inequality remains entrenched more than two decades after the end of apartheid when millions of the black majority were dispossessed of their land by a white minority.

Ramaphosa, who replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma in February, has made land redistribution a flagship policy as he seeks to unite the fractured ruling African National Congress (ANC) and win public support ahead of an election next year.

In its legal challenge, Afriforum questioned the legality of a key parliamentary committee report which recommended a change to the constitution to allow land expropriation without compensation.

'The relief sought by the applicants... is dismissed,' said Judge Vincent Saldanha.

Afriforum, which represents mostly white Afrikaners, alleged that the parliamentary committee had illegally appointed an external service provider to compile the report, and also failed to consider more than 100,000 submissions opposing land expropriation without compensation.

Around 65 percent of public submissions were against a change, according to parliamentary officials.

Parliament successfully countered Afriforum's case by saying the court action was premature, the committee had not abrogated its powers and all views had been taken into account.

'We welcome the orders handed down today particularly because we've always been of the view that the matter was not urgent,'

Lewis Nzimande, co-chair of the constitutional review committee, told reporters outside the High Court in Cape Town.

'They [lawmakers] may set aside the recommendations, they may reject the recommendations but procedurally... we can't just reject the whole work of the committee,' he said.

He said the report, just one step in a long process to change the constitution, will probably be debated in both houses of parliament on December 4.

Thereafter, it is expected a new bill proposing the exact changes envisaged to the constitution will go to parliament and further public participation.

Only once both houses of parliament approve changes to the constitution will it be sent to Ramaphosa for ratification.

This process is unlikely to be completed before a parliamentary election expected to be held in May.

Afriforum said after the judgement they would continue challenging what they say is a flawed process, including through further legal action.

'AfriForum therefore undertakes to use every possible mechanism at its disposal to, in the interest of everyone in the country, fight to the bitter end against the undermining of property rights,' it said in a statement.

Nearly a quarter of a century after the end of white-minority rule, white South Africans comprise just eight per cent of the population but still hold most of the individually owned private land.

This disparity keeps most of the economic power in the hands of a few and makes the country one of the most unequal societies in the world.

In July President Cyril Ramaphosa said the ANC planned to amend the constitution to allow for expropriation without compensation, sparking concerns that the move could destabilise the fragile economy and spur conflict in an already socially divided nation.

A month later US President Donald Trump waded into the controversy by tweeting - incorrectly - that South Africa had begun seizing farms and that high numbers of farmers were being killed.

Zimbabwe President Puts His Stamp on New Parliament Building

01 DEC, 2018 - 00:12 

President Mnangagwa officiates at the new Parliament Building ground-breaking ceremony, while Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, China’s Acting Ambassador to Zimbabwe Cde Zhao Baogang, Cabinet ministers and Government officials look on in Mt Hampden yesterday. —Picture by Justin Mutenda

Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

President Mnangagwa yesterday officially launched the construction of the new 650-seater Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, nearly 20 kilometres outside Harare, that is expected to be completed by mid-2021 at the latest.

The building is being constructed by the Shanghai Construction Group using a grant of approximately $98 million (RMB 676,43 million) extended to Zimbabwe by the Chinese government.

The construction of the new Parliament Building is expected to solve the space challenges being experienced at the current building that has become too small for the 350 legislators.

The new Parliament Building is part of Government’s wider plans to establish a new city in Mt Hampden, where all three arms of the State will be housed.

In his address before he broke the ground and laid the foundation stone, President Mnangagwa said the new Parliament would enhance the country’s democracy.

“This infrastructure will enable parliamentarians to fully execute their legislative roles and further entrench democratic tenets in all facets of our society,” President Mnangagwa said.

He said parliamentarians had a critical role to play for the attainment of the country’s Vision 2030 that called for hard work and dedication to duty.

“I urge all parliamentarians to understand that they have a critical role to play as they enact and pass laws that will propel the attainment of our national Vision 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.

“As such, hard work, diligence and commitment to duty must be a trait that is embedded in all parliamentarians. In the Second Republic, non-attendance of meetings and dereliction of parliamentary duty should not be tolerated.”

President Mnangagwa said the law was an instrument of development that should facilitate and promote development and urged legislators to demand urgency in the pace of various legislative reforms that were being implemented.

“In addition, MPs must be accountable to the people both individually and collectively, as they have the onerous burden to truly represent the people that elected them into office,” he said.

“I call upon all citizens to account for all MPs with regards to their activities in Parliament and legislative agenda.”

President Mnangagwa said the relocation of Parliament would be a catalyst for other developments.

“The relocation of Parliament to Mt Hampden will be a catalyst for subsequent developments throughout this area,” he said. “All three arms of the State will relocate here.

“We shall also develop other Government buildings, banking halls, shopping malls, residential areas and recreation facilities which will culminate in the emergence of a new city.”

President Mnangagwa thanked the Chinese government for providing the grant for the construction of the new Parliament Building.

“This long awaited construction of the new Parliament will be undertaken by Shanghai Construction Group and is funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the tune off RMB 676,43 million,” he said.

Chinese Government for their continued support of our various development programmes. We commend the Belt and Road Initiative under which infrastructure development projects such as this one are being undertaken in emerging markets.”

China has provided funding for various infrastructure programmes in the country, including the ongoing expansion of the Hwange Thermal Power Station and the expansion and modernisation of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport that will commence soon.

Early this year, President Mnangagwa commissioned and switched on the $533 million Kariba South Power Station Extension Project undertaken by China’s Sino Hydro, which added another 300 megawatts to the national grid.

In 2016, the Government commissioned the $153 million Victoria Falls International Airport built by China Jiangsu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group.

Zimbabwe Starts Building New Parliament, Paid by China

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30 2018
Kenya Daily Nation

In Summary
Officials say the current colonial-era parliamentary building in the city centre is too small to accommodate lawmakers.

Mnangagwa said at the ceremony that China had provided a "grant, not a loan, to build a new parliament", without giving a figure.

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday laid the foundation stone for huge new parliament

The building which is to be located on farmland north-west of the capital, Harare, will have a total floor area of 33,000 square metres.

When completed it will replace the current parliament building, built in the colonial era, which the government has said is too small to house its more than 200 lawmakers.

The project will cost $46m, news site Quartz reported in 2016.

An artist's impression of the building, which is being funded by China, has been shared by the information ministry:

Officials say the current colonial-era parliamentary building in the city centre is too small to accommodate lawmakers.

Mnangagwa said at the ceremony that China had provided a "grant, not a loan, to build a new parliament", without giving a figure.

"Other facilities like banks, hotels will be built around this place," Mnangagwa said adding that a "modern, smart city" was planned.

Mnangagwa took over from long-time ruler Robert Mugabe who was ousted by the military in November 2017.

He has vowed to revive Zimbabwe's economy that has been in ruins for nearly two decades.

China has funded and provided loans for many infrastructure projects across Africa in recent years, ranging from roads and power plants to sports stadiums and government institutions.

Critics say China's increasing sway over the continent undermines democracy and sovereignty.

Additional report by AFP