SADC Statistics News

25/07/2024

22/07/2024

South African police discover multimillion-dollar m**h lab on farm

POLICE in South Africa arrested four people, including two Mexican nationals, after uncovering a multimillion-dollar drug manufacturing lab on a farm in the country’s north.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as Hawks, raided the property in the town of Groblersdal after receiving information suspicious activity was taking place there, SAPS said in a statement.

After searching four structures on the property, police found large quantities of chemicals used to make illicit drugs including acetone and crystal m**h, with an estimated street value of 2 billion South African rand ($109.4 million).

The four suspects detained on Friday include the farm owner and two Mexican nationals, the police service said, adding that the Hawks are not ruling out the possibility of further arrests.

“What makes this different from other [seizures] is the involvement of Mexican citizens,” Katlego Mogale, national spokesperson for the Hawks told Reuters, adding: “It means that our task has just become very difficult.”

It is not clear if the drugs seized were intended for the South African market or overseas.

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said its embassy in South Africa had “not received the respective consular notification and is in contact with local authorities to find out the details of the case and the alleged Mexicans involved.”

The suspects will appear at Groblersdal Magistrate’s court on Monday on charges of manufacturing, dealing, and possessing illicit drugs, according to the police service.

In January, police said around 131 drug labs had been shut down across the country since 2019, adding that during the festive season last year, more than 19,000 people were arrested for drug possession.

21/07/2024

Money supply tightened, RBZ assures nation of continued stability

Story by Stanley James, Business Editor

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has pledged to ensure systems are in place to maintain the value of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.

It emerged during the Institute of Chartered Accountants 2024 Winter School in Victoria Falls that the stability being experienced in the economy has made it easier for industry and commerce to compile financial statements.

An interaction with the central bank saw accountants seeking assurances on the maintenance of the current stability for the benefit of Zimbabweans.

RBZ Deputy Governor Dr Innocent Matshe reaffirmed commitment to the current stability gains.

"We reaffirm our commitment to the growth of this economy by ensuring that the current stability gains are consolidated, so let me assure everyone that the current stability gains will continue," he said.

The banking sector revealed increased demand for the newly introduced structured currency riding on stability, amid expectations of an improvement on overall savings for the domestic currency.

"In terms of savings, there is a gradual improvement which we believe shall translate into overall growth of the banking sector riding on the stability of the Zimbabwe Gold," said ZB Financial Holdings Limited, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shepherd Fungura.

Stability is being cited by industry and commerce as an important element towards effective business planning, accurate financial statements, and overall economic growth.

20/07/2024

BREAKING NEWS

Embattled power utility company in Zambia ZESCO says only 23% from 100% of water is now remaining for Zambia’s power generation.

Junior workers are pleading with senior management to tell Zambians the truth that soon the country will be in full total darkness.

20/07/2024

On your right is Jafali Chande, a once popular and promising Malawian footballer.

18/07/2024

Thats how Malawian players calculate their ages.

15/07/2024

Prophet Passion Java's wedding cake is one of the most decorated wedding cakes .

12/07/2024

ZIMBABWE is set to receive 1 000 metric tonnes of grain from Rwanda as part of a global response to the appeal by President Emmerson Mnangagwa after the country was affected by the El-Nino-induced drought.

Since the end of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has put in place policies that spurred socio-economic and political growth.

As the country marked 30 years since the end of the civil disturbances, it has announced a donation of grain to Zimbabwe, a development welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Frederick Shava.

11/07/2024

Tanzanian artist, Shadrack Chaula, who was convicted last week of cybercrimes, has been released from prison after social media users raised more than $2,000 to pay his fine.

Chaula was arrested earlier this month after posting a viral TikTok video in which he burned a picture of President Samia Suluhu Hassan while insulting her.

He was given the option to pay the fine or spend two years in prison.

The case sparked an uproar in the country, with some lawyers saying the 24-year-old painter hadn't broken any laws by burning the picture. Police said they arrested him for using "strong words" against President Samia.

11/07/2024

PREPARATIONS for the 44th SADC Summit have reached the final stage with road contractors having completed 95% of the 200 kilometres of roads earmarked for construction and rehabilitation in Harare.

As part of preparations for the mega-regional event, road construction and rehabilitation has been visible in greater Harare.

10/07/2024

Brave Gladiators captain, Zenatha Coleman has a street named after her in Keetmanshoop. She was born and raised in Keetmanshoop.

10/07/2024

A MAN in Masvingo is making a living from selling homemade diesel to villagers.

He has been running the business since February this year.

Simbarashe Chirambadare ( 31) invented a machine and started experiments about making his homemade diesel during the Covid-19 lockdown.

He claims he gained knowledge from reading a book about making diesel and started to experiment.

His clients include farmers, who are buying his diesel for their tractors, while others are using his diesel for their generators and grinding mills.