Alpha Media Holdings

Inflation rate soars to 191.6%

Zimbabwe’s inflation rate jumped to 191.6% this month from 131.7% in May as the cost of living continues to soar.

According to figures released by the Zimbabwe Statistics Agency (Zimstat) yesterday, monthly inflation was 30.7%, which was 9.6 percentage points higher than May’s 21%.

June’s inflation rate is the highest since April 2021 when it was pegged at 194.07%. The country has been experiencing a surge in prices of basic goods and services in the past few months amid a collapse of the local currency.

In another development, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) yesterday increased the price of fuel from US$1.73 to US$1.77 for petrol and US$1.76 to US$1.88.

Zera said citizens must be grateful to the government for keeping the fuel prices “low”. — STAFF REPORTER

Men accused of insulting ED set free

Two men from Mashonaland West, who were accused of insulting President Emmerson Mnangagwa, after they allegedly used derogatory words to criticise his leadership have been set free.

Kariba Magistrate Tendai Banda acquitted Vincent Chigwedere, who had been on trial since 2020.

During trial, prosecutors alleged that Chigwedere, a resident of Hurungwe impaired Mnangagwa’s image when he made an obscene and indecent statement about the Zanu PF leader.

But Banda ruled that prosecutors had failed to establish a prima facie case against the 47-year-old who was represented by Unite Saizi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

In Bindura, magistrate Ruramai Chitumbura set free Tinotenda Majuru, a Bindura resident who had been hauled to court over the same charges.

Majuru (24) was accused of using derogatory words in criticising Mnangagwa and his ruling party during a squabble with Samson Wazara while drinking beer.

Majuru was set free by Chitumbura after his lawyer, Ernest Jena of ZLHR, challenged the prosecution of his client in the absence of a certificate of authority to prosecute issued by the prosecutor-general in terms of the law.

— STAFF REPORTER

Zanu PF youths invade school

ZANU PF youths recently invaded Bernard Mizeki College in Marondera threatening to remove the school head for allegedly suspending a teacher, who is a ruling party member.

The group stormed the Anglican Church-run institution on June 9, accusing the headmaster Howard Mathews of racism in a bid to save their colleague who had been suspended over indiscipline and misconduct.

They arrived at the institution before the teacher (name withheld) was about to face a disciplinary hearing, disturbing the whole process.

“We reported the matter to the police but they came late, the group had disappeared,” a staff member at the school said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Mashonaland East coordinator Tapiwa Chengeta on Friday confirmed the incident, saying there was no need for Zanu PF to politicise a professional matter. Police in Mashonaland East Province on Friday could neither deny nor confirm that they were handling the case. — JAIROS SAUNYAMA

Citizens want action on pollution

ABOUT 46% of Zimbabwe’s population says pollution is a very serious problem in their communities, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.

According to Round 9 Survey findings titled “Zimbabweans demand more action from government on pollution,” government should be doing more to limit pollution and protect the environment.

“Trash disposal is the most important environmental issue affecting communities in Zimbabwe cited by 30% of respondents, followed by deforestation 23% and pollution of water sources 16%,” the report reads in part.

The survey says about 74% of citizens want more action from the government to limit pollution and protect the environment, including 51% who say the government should be doing a lot more.

The Afrobarometer team in Zimbabwe, led by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI), interviewed 1,200 adult citizens of Zimbabwe between 28 March and 10 April 2022. — PRIDE MZARABANI

People

en-zw

2022-06-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digital.alphamedia.co.zw/article/281543704606893

Alpha Media Group