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THE 2021 budget presented by the finance minister Mthuli Ncube to Parliament shows that the minister was living in a ‘fantasy world,’ according to academic, Professor Austin Chakaodza. “Some of the major challenges facing our society are issues of poverty and unemployment. Ninety percent of the people of Zimbabwe were already unemployed before the eruption of COVID-19. The majority of the people continue to lack certain basic capabilities which are encapsulated in the socio - economic rights guaranteed in the constitution,” he said. “They continue to be deprived of basic capabilities - such as the capability to be free from hunger, to live in good health, to be literate and access to a social security safety net. This budget does not fulfil a number of human rights such as the right to food, health, education and training,” Chakaodza said. A big part of Mthuli 2021 budget is a range of new tax measures to fund the ambitious $421,6 billion budget. The highlight of this plan is how the taxman plans to go after the informal sector, which is the bulk of the economy but pays little tax. From new and higher taxes to a new tax unit targeting SMEs, it is a budget that gives away very little, but takes a lot. Here is how some of Mthuli’s measures will affect you. If you are a low-income earner There is not much tax relief for you. The tax-free threshold has only been raised slightly from $5 000 per month to $10 000 per month. Tax bands will begin at $10 001 and end at $250 000 per month. This does little for the poorest workers. For perspective; in October, a Zimbabwean family of five needed $18 750 just to stay above the poverty line. If you earn more than $250 000, you pay the highest marginal tax rate of 40%. If you are expecting a bonus, the bonus tax-free threshold has gone up from $5 000 to $25 000, with effect from 1 November 2020. If you were tired of the 2% tax, sorry The 2% tax on mobile money and other electronic transfers stays. The tax has been unpopular since it came in 2018, but Mthuli says it has “generated substantial resources that have enabled Government to support various infrastructure projects”, including the COVID-19 response. So, the Minister isn’t giving much of this cash-cow away. You will no longer pay the 2% for transactions of up to $500, which is just a small increase from the current $300. For forex transactions, this tax will apply above US$5. The maximum of this tax that your business can pay has been raised from $25 000 to $800 000 on transactions with values exceeding $40 million, with effect from 1 January 2021. If you were planning to import a car Government will now control the importation of cars that are 10 years or older. Owning a car has just slid further from the reach of the majority, who cannot afford new vehicles. According to Mthuli, Zimbabwe has spent around US$1,3 billion importing buses and used cars over the past five years. Cars older than 10 years are now off the Open General Import Licence. This means that, from 2021, you will need a special import licence for older cars.
Many people have been killed since clashes began on Monday. Scores too had been killed in the run up to the vote as protestors marched against Conde's bid for a third term.
Dear Editor,
This expression of concern was penned on October 14th after discussion among a small group of parents and chaperones who are grappling with the steep learning curve occasioned by Covid -19 on the formal education scenario.
The article This education culture shock requires key issues to be addressed comprehensively by the authorities appeared first on Stabroek News.
CHAIRMAN of the People's National Party (PNP) Fitz Jackson has rubbished allegations that he has endorsed Lisa Hanna in her bid to be elected to the party's top job.Since Thursday, supporters of the other candidate for the post - Mark Golding - have been questioning the neutrality of Jackson, after news emerged that he attended a meeting which Hanna hosted with delegates in his St Catherine Southern constituency.
NURSES have objected to the decision by the Health ministry to scrap the flexible working hours system so that they can work for 40 hours a week. BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA Health secretary Jasper Chimedza on October 19 directed provincial medical directors to resume normal working hours for all nurses, saying the flexi working hours were creating artificial nurse shortages. But Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo, in a letter to Chimedza dated October 21, objected to the order, accusing the permanent secretary of making unilateral decisions. “The decision to implement the flexible working hour system is a product of agreement within the HSBNP [Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel]. It was not given unilaterally by the government nor did the employees adopt it on their own accord,” Dongo said. “With this in mind, your decision to unilaterally remove a system which you found in place and, in any event, was reached by agreement, is irregular and certainly not in good faith.” He added that the ministry’s circular ran contrary to the other communication they received on May 11, 2020, where it was put clearly that the flexible hour system would remain in place because it reduced exposure to COVID-19. He said the nurses, therefore, found it unfortunate that he proceeded to remove the flexible hour system when the risk of exposure was still quite high owing to poor supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). “Tied to the above, the flexi-hour system did not only address issues to do with PPE but also addressed issues of incapacity,” Dongo told Chimedza. “When you go to the origins of adopting this system, the reason was that regular working hours were becoming expensive to maintain on the salaries nurses were getting.” lFollow Harriet on Twitter @harrietchikand1
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Wednesday, October 14, 2020 announced that more than 100 Confederate symbols have been removed since May 26, 2020 — the start of the protests following the police killing of George Floyd. The Whose Heritage? report’s data and map track public symbols of the Confederacy across the United States. Since... [Read More]
The policy pursued by the US president has a huge impact on people's lives both at home and abroad, so the outcome will matter to everyone when Americans go to the polls on 3 November,
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Our courts are deteriorating quickly to an anti-worker mindset. Over the past four years, two very conservative Supreme Court justices have been appointed, Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, moving the Court further to the right and further away from protecting our rights. And a third anti-labor judge will likely be railroaded through in advance of the election. In addition, more than 50 judges for the United States Courts of Appeals, more than 135 judges for the United States District Courts, and two judges for the United States Court of International Trade have been appointed during the current term. In consequence of these numerous court appointments, our courts are turning in a detrimental way against fair labor practices and human rights. Through your vote in November, you can help fend off further anti-labor control of decisions and policy.
Who Will Go On Record? Rev. Dr. Jennifer Leath, 5thEpiscopal District Pope Francis is “evolving.”According to theNew York Times, in the documentary, “Francesco,”Pope Francis rearticulates [...]
Extreme global poverty is projected to rise this year to unprecedented levels and Jamaica will be among the hardest hit countries, as the ongoing fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic, combines with the impact of conflict and climate change...
FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and his son Siqokoqela have taken the Botswana-headquartered Choppies Enterprises, its distribution centre and Nanavac Investments to court demanding an outstanding US$44 million for their 51% shares in the company. BY SILAS NKALA The family held shares in the supermarket chain before it was pushed out in January last year. Through their lawyer Zibusiso Ncube, Mphoko and his son filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court seeking an order declaring their entitlement to payment of the true value of the 51% shares they held before being booted out. The Mphokos also claimed interest at the rate of 5% per annum from January 9, 2019, when they were unlawfully divested of their shareholding, to date of full payment. In their declaration of the claim, the Mphokos submitted that at all material time, they were the majority shareholders of Nanavac Investments, holding an aggregate of 51% shares. “First applicant (Siqokoqela) held 25,5% shares and second applicant (Phelekezela) held 25,5% shares in first defendant (Nanavac Investments), while the second defendant (Choppies Enterprises) held the remaining 49% of the first defendant (Nanavac Investments)’ shares,” reads the declaration. “In about 2018, a dispute arose between first applicant and second defendant resulting in the second and third defendants instituting legal proceedings against first plaintiff and his wife and the first defendant at the High Court. The second defendant instituted malicious and false criminal complaints to the police, resulting in the institution of magistrates’ court proceedings against the first plaintiff and his wife.” They said the proceedings resulted in their arrest and detention and on January 9 in order to secure freedom, the Mphokos signed a deed of settlement with Choppies Enterprises in terms of which they disposed of their shareholding in Nanavac Investments to Choppies Enterprises. “The deed of settlement between the parties provided that the two plaintiffs were to be paid US$2,9 million by second defendant for the acquisition of plaintiffs’ full rights and title to the first defendant’s shareholding,” they said. “The payment of first applicant’s salary which was due from first defendant had been unlawfully stopped and threats of foreclosure on a mortgage bond in which first applicant had acquired funds from a local bank which the plaintiff could only service if he was not in detention and was receiving his salary from first defendant, the second plaintiff made him sign the deed of settlement in fear of the continued persecution of his son and his daughter in law by second defendant.” The Mphokos said the unlawful deed of settlement understated value of the shareholding they owned in that US$2,9 million offered for the shares constituted about 7% as opposed to 51% of the value of the shares in Nanavac Investments, which was given as US$44 million at the Botswana Stock Exchange. “The second defendant paid the sum of US$2,9 million in local currency, where shareholding was purportedly being acquired
Sierra Leone Telegraph: 24 October 2020: As countries across the world ramp up their response to the unfolding second wave of the deadly Coronavirus Pandemic that has killed over one million people, authorities in Sierra Leone have decided its time to scale down the government’s response. This decision was announced by the government’s national spokesman…
… economic and educational opportunities for Black Americans and overhauling the nation’s …
Courts ended legal segregation long ago, but Jim Crow language remains preserved in Alabama's lengthy constitution.
The stars of \"Bad Hair,\" a comedy-horror about a woman who ends up getting a demonic weave in order to get ahead in the workplace, talk Black hair politics.
Health insurance and the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) is among the issues on which the outcome of the November 3 United States Presidential and Congressional elections hang. US President Donald Trump is seeking to have the...
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia To Sean Broadus and his brother Evan, Ice Cube was more than an icon. He presented as someone to admire – a hope for making it out of the hood. The Broadus brothers live near the Gilbert Lindsay Community Center in South Central, Los Angeles, […]
A flagrant, predatory, and fraudulent effort to defraud voters has allegedly occurred in a South Los Angeles senior citizen housing complex in Jefferson Park.
The post Investigation Launched After Senior Citizens in South LA Victimized By Voter Fraud appeared first on Los Angeles Sentinel.
By REBECCA BOONE and DAVID CRARY Associated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. coronavirus caseload has reached record heights with more than 83,000 infections reported in a single day, the latest ominous sign of the disease's grip on the nation, as states from Connecticut to the Rocky Mountain West reel under the surge. The U.S. death toll, meanwhile, has grown to 223,995, according to the COVID-19 Dashboard published by Johns Hopkins University. The total U.S. caseload reported on the site Friday was 83,757, topping the 77,362 cases reported on July 16. The impact is being felt in every section […]
The post US sets coronavirus infection record; deaths near 224,000 appeared first on Black News Channel.
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s top police official on Saturday ordered the immediate mobilization of all officers to “reclaim the... View Article
The post Nigeria’s police order massive mobilization to 'dominate the public space' after unrest over SARS appeared first on TheGrio.
[Government of Mauritius] A United Nations Recovery Fund (UNRF) to the tune of USD 2.5 million was launched, on Monday 24 August 2020, during a ceremony held at the State House, in Réduit. It will support the Government of Mauritius and local communities to minimise the socio-economic and environmental impact following the oil spill which resulted from the grounding of the bulk carrier MV Wakashio at Pointe d'Esny.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Tarirai David Mnangagwa, was allegedly duped of US$4 million after he was booted out a company which he co-funded. BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE The directors of Hozheri Stone Crushers Private Limited have already appeared in court where they were granted $20 000 bail each by Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga, who remanded them to November 27. The accused, Elizabert Mushiringi, Chad Cecil Mupandanyama and Alec Mawere, who were represented by Tatenda Ndhlovu and Reginald Chidawanyika, were charged with fraud. Allegations are that on September 29, 2017 Mushiringi and Mupandanyama registered a company called Wozheri Stone Crushers Private Limited with the Registrar of Companies under number 8640/2017. According to their memorandum of association, Mnangagwa was a major shareholder with a 60% stake, Mushiringi had 5% while 15% were controlled by Mupandanyama. It is alleged Mushiringi and Mupandanyama owned 40% on registration, but only took 20% indicating they would allot the remaining shares later. Since the formation of the company in 2017, Mnangagwa took on his role of financier and was tasked to scout for other investors. It is the State’s case that on July 2, 2018, Mushiringi and Mupandanyama after realising that Mnangagwa had brought in viable investment in the company, allegedly connived to boot him out of the company. The State alleges Mushiringi and Mupandanyama allegedly fraudulently removed Mnangagwa from the directorship and replaced him with Mawere and updated the records at the Registrar of Companies. It is alleged when the complainant was removed, he was never told of the development and he continued rendering services to the company. On October 10 this year, during the verification of account opening at CBZ Bank, the complainant got to know that the accused persons had used fake company documents to resign him from the company, which then prompted him to report the matter to the police. Armed with a warrant of search, detectives from Commercial Crimes Division proceeded to Gweru and seized the company documents used in the commission of the offence. The State alleges Mnangagwa suffered a prejudice of US$4 million of the investment due to the accused person’s misrepresentation.
PHOTO CREDITS: STOCK MONTAGE/GETTY IMAGES Nat Turner (pictured) was a former Black American slave who led the only effective, sustainedslave rebellion in U.S. history. Turner's courageous revolt against America's founding benefactor of demonic inhumanity in August of 1831. He spread terror throughout the white South where slaveholders were exceedingly brutal. Turner's freedom fighting set off […]
President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden are intensifying their efforts to persuade uncommitted voters to pick sides in the closing days of the presidential election campaign.
An unreleased Biggie freestyle has surfaced 23 years after the rapper's death — and in a Pepsi commercial, no less. Tune in here.
[Nation] A rise in coronavirus cases among learners and teachers could slow down the back-to-school calendar even as the Ministry of Education insists all will be well.
Jamaicans are being urged to get vaccinated for the influenza virus as a combination of the flu, dengue, and COVID-19 could be dire for those who are most vulnerable and strain the public health system.Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton made the call Thursday evening at the ministry's weekly virtual 'COVID Conversations' forum. He said last year less than half of the 25,000 vaccines which were made available were taken up.
Transnet has been in the midst of an overhaul over the past year, following revelations of corruption and mismanagement under its previous executives including Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh and Siyabonga Gama, among others.
BY JIM TURNER NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday named John Davis, the executive vice president of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, to fill the long-vacant position of secretary of the Florida Lottery. Davis, a standout safety in the early 1990s when the Florida State Seminoles were annually in […]
The post Orlando chamber of commerce leader to head Florida Lottery appeared first on Florida Courier.
Local companies with plans to expand their physical plants say that they have become increasingly impatient with the time it is taking to establish the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Caymanas in St Catherine. Sanmerna Paper Product, which is...
