MARONDERA - Two fishermen found human remains in their fishing nets in Wenimbe dam recently. The fishermen, who requested anonymity for fear of political victimization, disclosed their catch to a chief's runner, Lazarus Masangomayi.“I told the fishermen to make a formal report to the police for investigations to be carried out, but they refused, citing possible torture by state security agents,” said Masangomayi.
Bodies of assassinated suspected MDC activists were dumped in the dam during the June 27, 2008 re-run of the presidential polls. 18 skeletons were retrieved from Wenimbe dam by the police at the time before Zanu (PF) ordered the exercise to be abandoned. The MDC has since composed a political song in memory of the activists murdered and dumped in the dam.
Residents of Marondera have called for a body retrieving programme before the local authority draws water from the dam for human consumption. – Taurai Bande
PEP hails economic development
JOHANNESBURG – South African-based PEP Stores, which operates under the brand, Power Sales, in neighbouring Zimbabwe, said operations had improved following the deregulation of the economy and the formation of an inclusive government.
The company said this week that it was hopeful these developments would help it regain its status as the countrys leading clothing retailer.
Since the formation of the unity government business for Power Sales has improved and we are now we are able to trade again. Out of control inflation due to the loss of value of the Zimbabwe dollar made it impossible to carry on trading. At least now some sanity has been restored in the market with the adoption of the Rand and US dollar, said Louis Brand, PEPs commercial director.
He went on to explain that the abolition of levies on export proceeds and foreign currency trade in South African Rand or US dollar RBZ had made a big difference.
The fact that stores now accept the Rand and US dollar has helped to bring inflation under control.
Brand however said the company was sceptical of the presence of the previous regime, which is largely blamed for the collapse of the Zimbabwean economy.
The catalyst for significant change and progress will be a government with credibility in the eyes of the people of Zimbabwe and the outside world. That credibility can only be built by delivery. With much of the previous regime still in place, it remains to be seen whether substantial change is possible.