ZIMBABWE ANGER OVER DIAMOND BAN

Zimbabwe’s government has condemned the US’ decision to ban its diamonds from entering the country on the grounds that they had been produced through forced labour. The US’s claim was a “shameless lie”, and amounted to new sanctions against Zimbabwe’s diamond industry, Information Minister Nick Mangwana was quoted by the…

AFTERNOON NEWS 15TH SEPTEMBER 2019 THE HEADLINES NGÓMBE-KASISI RESIDENTS BEMOAN HIGH CRIME RATE AFRICAN NEWS ZIMBABWEANS IN SOUTH AFRICAN HEAD HOME TO MOURN MUGABE Residents of Ng’ombe-Kasisi area have bemoaned the escalating crime rate in that area. The residents have complained to a Komboni Radio News crew which visited the community today that there is a gang of notorious youths that is terrorizing residents in the community. The residents disclosed that the said gang is reportedly breaking into residential houses and attacking innocent people even during broad day light. The residents have since appealed to the authorities in that area to institute measures to curb the high crime rate in that area. Residents of Kanyama compound have demanded for the change of the Community Based Enterprise that has been contracted by the council to collect garbage in that area. The residents have complained to Komboni Radio News that CBE has not been collecting garbage despite the residents paying for the service. The residents charged that they have since resorted to burying or burning the garbage due to the continued failure by the CBE to collect garbage on time. Meanwhile, Kanyama Ward 10 Councillor Brighton Bilumba has assured residents in his ward that he will take action against the named CBE for failing to collect garbage. A concerned resident of Chamboli Township in Kitwe has appealed to the local leadership to quickly address challenges being faced by residents of Old Ndeke and Mulenga Compounds when crossing the Matemate stream. Mr Jairos Matafwali says there is need for the authorities to erect a permanent foot bridge across the stream before the onset of the rainy season to avoid loss of lives. Mr Matafwali has noted with concern that the said bridge is of great value to the community as it is the only crossing point used by the majority residents among them traders who buy and sell farm produce at Chamboli market as well as school going pupils hence the need to erect a permanent one. He says he is concerned over the current status of the crossing point and hoped that urgent measures will be put in place as soon as possible. Beneficiaries of Social Cash transfer in Mungwi District have urged Government to be consistent in releasing the funds. Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Geoffrey Chisanga lamented that they last received the funds in February this year. He has since appealed to government to consider disbursing the funds. Beneficiaries of the social cash transfer have been crying foul over the delay of the monthly stipend which has accumulated for over six months in some parts of the Province. AFRICAN NEWS Some Zimbabweans living in South Africa are making their way back home to mourn former president Robert Mugabe. Others, however, say while they would’ve loved to go home to bury him, it’s his fault they don’t have the financial means to do so. Mugabe died at a Singapore hospital last Friday. He was 95-years-old. He will be buried at Heroes Acre in Harare. The exact date of the burial has not yet been set, but can only happen after a mausoleum is built, which could take up to 30 days. Ends/BBC