An unidentified woman has claimed that the late former president of Zimbabwe, Rober Mugabe had no children. The woman further claims that the three children, Bona, Robert Jnr and Chatunga were fathered by Peter Pamire, a prominent Zimbabwean entrepreneur who died in a tragic car accident.

Her remarks are consistent with a purportedly leaked CIO document which also claims that in 1994 and 1995 Grace had two abortion which she claimed were a miscarriage but they were the kids of Peter Pamire”s.

According to the Daily News, Grace Mugabe nee Marufu who was working as secretary to then-president Mugabe, became his mistress and, while still married to Stanley Goreraza (air force pilot Stanley Goreraza), had two children with him, Bona born in 1988, named after Mugabe’s mother, and Robert Peter Jr.

Credit : pindula

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Farai Dziva|MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has said the biting economic crisis in the country is the major cause of suicide cases.

Below is Chamisa’s statement on World Mental Health Day:

Today it is the World Mental Health Day, a very important occasion where we stop and reflect on how we would have spent the previous year looking after the most import part of the human body, the mind.

On the 10th of October every year, the world commemorates and acknowledges the importance of mental health across the world in metropolitan and rural communities.

The focus on this year’s World Mental Health Day is on suicide, because it has become a global public health crisis that is preventable, and yet it has become a mental health menace which has taken many of our people to the grave prematurely.

The World Health Organisation informs us that every 40 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world takes their own life through suicide.

That is a frightening statistic, 2160 people dying daily through suicide, it translates to 788,400 people dying annually from suicide.

This prevalence makes suicide an immediate problem that requires urgent medical and social solutions within our communities, because not doing so is robbing the country of people who succumb to this menace at the prime of their lives.

Suicide is now believed to be the leading cause of death among young people aged between 16 and 28 in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately here in our country, it is not unusual anymore to read headlines in the local media related to suicide.

Our citizens are now so used to it, such that they simply shake their heads in disbelief whenever another suicide story is published in our media.

A society should NEVER be conditioned to something so dreadful that can be drastically reduced by public mental health interventions, failing to do so is an act of gross irresponsibility and social negligence.

This means that suicide has become a major public health priority that needs immediate attention in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately we currently have a broken public health delivery system that is struggling to treat the most basic of medical conditions due to years of underfunding and neglect.

According to the World Health Organisation, our country has one of the highest suicide rates in the region, this is not surprising anymore because a struggling economy puts unbearable pressure on the minds of its citizens.

Associated with suicide are also mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and many other mental health conditions that unfortunately due to our age old cultural taboos, they are not talked about sufficiently and openly in our communities.

These mental health disorders are easily treatable, but because of the huge treatment gap for such conditions in our country, 90 percent of those needing evidence-based care do not get it because we don’t have enough professionals to treat them.

Zimbabwe currently has only 15 practicing psychiatrists for a population of 15 million people that is one psychiatrist for every one million people.

Unfortunately almost all of them are restricted to tertiary health facilities in Harare, making it difficult for those at community and rural locations to access this pertinent service.

Task shifting is a concept that has been encouraged by the World Health Organisation as a way of addressing this treatment gap.

Making evidence-based care treatments accessible to many of our people who can’t afford to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist is extremely important.

By training community health volunteers as we have seen with the Friendship bench program, it is possible to provide immediate access in communities, schools, universities and the work place with the much-needed mental health care.

There is an urgent need for our mental health professionals to explore ways of scaling up task shifting models, particularly the ones that have been developed locally.

Mental health requires our communities to get together because Zimbabwe is going through one of the most difficult times, and the risk of mental ill health is high and probable in all segments of our country regardless of societal status, class or race.

As a political party concerned with the mental well-being of our citizens, the MDC values the importance of mental health because it is a key building block to a prosperous society and economy.

A prosperous and healthy economy by its very nature will reduce the pressures that afflict our people daily, resulting in disorders such as depression and anxiety or worse.

I therefore on this very important day encourage all Zimbabweans to take time out to show compassion towards each other, and remember that regardless of our various chosen political persuasions, we are one people.

Be your brother’s keeper, be the mother of the nation who will help heal the many traumatic wounds that we carry from a very difficult past and presently harsh economic environment.
Under my new government, I make a commitment today to putting mental health amongst my first priorities in order to reduce the unacceptable mental treatment gap.

It is totally unacceptable that out of every 100 people that require access to mental health services in our country, only 10 people are able to get that much needed help that is 10 percent.

We will change all that and make mental health the most urgent priority in our health delivery system. For what are we without our minds?

Today let us create space and pay attention to citizens that need someone to talk to and share their stories, talking is an important therapy tool in healing the mind.

Let us all take time to listen to the broken-hearted, and let us all remember to take good care of our mental health.

On behalf of the MDC and myself, I wish the whole country a happy World Mental Health day.

Advocate Nelson Chamisa – President
Movement For Democratic Change

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF and the opposition MDC have shot down proposal by churches that the country should suspend elections for seven years to pave way for political and economic reforms under a new structure of government to usher free and credible elections.

The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) made the proposal on Tuesday, arguing that a seven-year sabbatical from elections would address the current political paralysis and deepening mistrust and polarisation.

The churches claimed the period of reform would stabilise the fast deteriorating economy under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which has seen the country’s inflation figures rising at an unprecedented pace since the record-breaking 2008 hyperinflation.

But Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said the country was coming from elections that produced winners and there was no need to suspend the Constitution.

He said economic hardships were not caused by elections and the proposals by the churches were misplaced.

“That is their proposal, that is their view. We go by the dictates of the Constitution,” Mpofu said.

“We have a Constitution that guides the conduct of elections and the mandate thereof. We have been reading about the view from the churches and it is their entitlement to have their own views. As Zanu PF, we feel there is need to constantly respect the Constitution.

“We have come out of an election that produced their leadership. What is motivating the view, I don’t know.”

Pressure has been mounting on both Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to engage in dialogue to solve the country’s plunging economy.

Mnangagwa this year entered into dialogue with presidential representatives of fringe political parties in last year’s elections.

Chamisa snubbed the talks, demanding a neutral mediator, instead of Mnangagwa, who he accused of lacking legitimacy after allegedly stealing last year’s polls.

The opposition leader has constantly claimed that the country was experiencing a legitimacy problem.

Chamisa’s deputy, Tendai Biti, also dismissed the proposal by the church, saying any solution on the country’s crisis was predicated on genuine talks between Zanu PF and the MDC, the main political actors, followed by social dialogue.

“The churches are putting the cart before the horse,” Biti said.

“The country is in serious structural crisis, we don’t want to put make up on the crisis. There has to be genuine dialogue in the country, supported by the international community. This dialogue is not about sharing positions or suspending the Constitution, but structural reforms, that is what is key.

“The problem is much deeper than elections, the country is in crisis. Any solution should be a product of dialogue. There are two major players in the country’s polity, Zanu PF and the MDC and the dialogue between these two actors is key, followed by social dialogue. The church should only facilitate their dialogue. And the solution should come from the process of dialogue.”

— NewsDay

Farai Dziva|
ZANU PF Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda came to cornered MP Killer Zivhu’s rescue when he warned the party’s Provincial Executive against suspending the Parliamentarian.

The Chivi South MP, Zivhu, was suspended for allegedly abusing social media platforms after he tweeted that
president Emmerson Mnangagwa and leader of opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa must find each other and dialogue.

ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial leadership suspended him and were calling for his dismissal from the party.

When one firewood block produces smoke, you do not have to remove it. You must leave it in the fireplace so that it can be assisted by others to catch fire than removing it.

If you keep on removing firewood, you may end up without any in your fireplace.

So you should help each other to reform than dismissing those who are found violating the party rules and regulations,” said Matemadanda.

Farai Dziva|Zanu PF insiders have maintained Killer Zivhu will be fired from the party in spite of Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda’ s intervention in the matter.

Although Matemadanda came to Zivhu’s rescue when he warned the party’s Provincial Executive against suspending the Parliamentarian, party stalwarts have vowed Zivhu will be fired.

The Chivi South MP, Zivhu, was suspended for allegedly abusing social media platforms after he tweeted that
president Emmerson Mnangagwa and leader of opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa must find each other and dialogue.

ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial leadership suspended him and were calling for his dismissal from the party.

When one firewood block produces smoke, you do not have to remove it. You must leave it in the fireplace so that it can be assisted by others to catch fire than removing it.

If you keep on removing firewood, you may end up without any in your fireplace.

So you should help each other to reform than dismissing those who are found violating the party rules and regulations,” said Matemadanda.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- There was pandemonium along Angwa street opposite the former Ximex Mall in Harare this morning when a sacred snake was discovered raising speculation that it came out of the boot of a car belonging to one of the entrepreneurs who operates near the area.

The snake, which brought pedestrians in the city centre to a standstill was however reportedly killed and shoved down a drain along Angwa street.

While others said it had been killed, others alleged that the snake was shoved inside the drain alive considering that it is a sacred snake.

Said a man who refused to speak on camera:

“The snake is called “ngara” and it is sacred and a very rare snake which signals misfortune. It had so many colours and i am shocked that such a type of snake can be discovered in the central business district.”

Added a female vendor along Angwa street:

“While i did not see where it came from, what i know is that it was shoved down the drain alive. I think the owner is the one who pushed for it not to be killed. It is very strange that such a type of snake can be discovered here. But this is not the first time that we have witnessed such. Vanhu vepano vanoshandisa mushonga meaning the business people who operate from this area use juju.”

An elderly man confirmed that the type of snake that was discovered is a very rare species adding that besides misfortune, the snake signalled the death of a very big person within a community such as a King.

AUDIO LOADING BELOW (STORY CONTINUES)

“It was good that they did not kill it. Ngara is a very sacred snake which when you see it in any community, it signals sickness or even death. In most instances, the death of even a king.”

Watch the live video loading below for this story and more…….

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By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa pulled a shocker and pledged to donate USD$1 Million to the Global Fund during a Global Fund replenishment event held in France on Thursday.

The money is for fighting against, TB and Malaria.

In a statement on Thursday Finance and Economic development Minister Mthuli Ncube said, “His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa giving his speech at the Global Fund replenishment event in Lyon France. He acknowledged the critical role of the Global Fund in Zimbabwe’s flight against HIV, TB and Malaria. He pledged US$1 million towards the Global Fund.”

video loading below……….

Today it is World Mental Health Day, a very important occasion where we stop and reflect on how we would have spent the previous year looking after the most import part of the human body, the mind.

On the 10th of October every year, the world commemorates and acknowledges the importance of mental health across the world in metropolitan and rural communities.

The focus on this year’s World Mental Health Day is on suicide, because it has become a global public health crisis that is preventable, and yet it has become a mental health menace which has taken many of our people to the grave prematurely.

The World Health Organisation informs us that every 40 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world takes their own life through suicide.

That is a frightening statistic, 2160 people dying daily through suicide, it translates to 788,400 people dying annually from suicide.

This prevalence makes suicide an immediate problem that requires urgent medical and social solutions within our communities, because not doing so is robbing the country of people who succumb to this menace at the prime of their lives. Suicide is now believed to be the leading cause of death among young people aged between 16 and 28 in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately here in our country, it is not unusual anymore to read headlines in the local media related to suicide.

Our citizens are now so used to it, such that they simply shake their heads in disbelief whenever another suicide story is published in our media.

A society should NEVER be conditioned to something so dreadful that can be drastically reduced by public mental health interventions, failing to do so is an act of gross irresponsibility and social negligence. This means that suicide has become a major public health priority that needs immediate attention in Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately we currently have a broken public health delivery system that is struggling to treat the most basic of medical conditions due to years of underfunding and neglect.

According to the World Health Organisation, our country has one of the highest suicide rates in the region, this is not surprising anymore because a struggling economy puts unbearable pressure on the minds of its citizens. Associated with suicide are also mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and many other mental health conditions that unfortunately due to our age old cultural taboos, they are not talked about sufficiently and openly in our communities. 

These mental health disorders are easily treatable, but because of the huge treatment gap for such conditions in our country, 90 percent of those
needing evidence-based care do not get it because we don’t have enough professionals to treat them. Zimbabwe currently has only 15 practicing psychiatrists for a population of 15 million people that is one psychiatrist for every one million people.

Unfortunately almost all of them are restricted to tertiary health facilities in Harare, making it difficult for those at community and rural locations to access this pertinent service.

Task shifting is a concept that has been encouraged by the World Health Organisation as a way of addressing this treatment gap.

Making evidence-based care treatments accessible to many of our people who can’t afford to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist is extremely important. By training community health volunteers as we have seen with the Friendship bench program, it is possible to provide immediate access in
communities, schools, universities and the work place with the much-needed mental health care.

There is an urgent need for our mental health professionals to explore ways of scaling up task shifting models, particularly the ones that have been developed locally. Mental health requires our communities to get together because Zimbabwe is going through one of the most difficult times, and the risk of mental ill health is high and probable in all segments of our country regardless of societal status, class or race.

As a political party concerned with the mental well-being of our citizens, the MDC values the importance of mental health because it is a key building block to a prosperous society and economy. A prosperous and healthy economy by its very nature will reduce the pressures that afflict our people daily, resulting in disorders such as depression and anxiety or worse.

I therefore on this very important day encourage all Zimbabweans to take time out to show compassion towards each other, and remember that
regardless of our various chosen political persuasions, we are one people.

Be your brother’s keeper, be the mother of the nation who will help heal the many traumatic wounds that we carry from a very difficult past and presently harsh economic environment. Under my new government, I make a commitment today to putting mental health amongst my first
priorities in order to reduce the unacceptable mental treatment gap.

It is totally unacceptable that out of every 100 people that require access to mental health services in our country, only 10 people are able to get that much needed help that is 10 percent.  

We will change all that and make mental health the most urgent priority in our health delivery system. For what are we without our minds?

Today let us create space and pay attention to citizens that need someone to talk to and share their stories, talking is an important therapy
tool in healing the mind. Let us all take time to listen to the broken hearted, and let us all remember to take good care of our mental health.

On behalf of the MDC and myself, I wish the whole country a happy World Mental Health day.

Advocate Nelson Chamisa President – Movement For Democratic Change

DISGRUNTLED Bulawayo residents have criticised the selection process of 24 student nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital after 20 were selected from outside Matabeleland. 

The 24 reportedly started their studies on Monday. 

The Health and Child Care Ministry recently introduced an online nurses’ application forum after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concluded there were unacceptable levels of bribery in the old system.

In a letter to the hospital, disappointed applicants said there was need for responsible authorities to investigate the development. “The national advertisement came out a few months ago and we failed to access the website and if you did, you couldn’t know where to pay the RTGS$10 application fee. Internet is not accessible and affordable especially to our rural peers in and outside our region for example where will one get internet connection in Lupane, Bulilima, Nkayi, Tsholotsho?”

The letter also questioned why the selection and interviews were done “secretly” compared to the past years before online application system was adopted.  “Some of us went and noticed that most of those coming for interviews are mostly from Harare and surrounding areas of Mashonaland East and Central. People from our region did not make it surprisingly but most if not all from other provinces came back to Bulawayo to start school on Monday at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals.” 

They also called on Health Ambassador First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, provincial ministers of state, MPs, councillors, and all activists to demonstrate against corruption.

The applicants claimed the health system was sidelining the Matabeleland region. “We should start fighting for the statistics in terms of allocation as we have hospitals in Matabeleland like Mpilo and UBH which are as big as Parirenyatwa. Mpilo School of Nursing enrols 25 students per intake, Gwanda 15, St Luke’s 10 while Harare hospital 50, Parirenyatwa 50, Chitungwiza 40, and looking at number it’s clear they don’t want us to learn. They keep lying that we are all quick to cross the border to South Africa but allocation of posts is not justifiable for starters,” reads the letter. 

Some nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital said the students who came from other places were likely to be employed in their provinces of origin on completion of studies, leaving a gap in Matabeleland.  Contacted for comment, Mpilo clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya who also heads the school of nursing said: 

“I would like to confirm that this time around, the selection and interviews were done from Harare and none of us had a hand or were consulted. We have since received the 24 names of the student nurses who started on Monday and all these were a recommendation from the head office,” said Dr Ngwenya. 

UBH clinical director Dr Narcissus Dzvanga could not be reached for comment. Another source from the hospital said what she described as “deliberate marginalisation” of Matabeleland prospective students would have far reaching effects on access to health.

“What they have simply done is declare that as a people from this region we do not deserve access to health care. From the list of 24, only four students are from this region and it is clear that they are not worried about our right to health,” she said. 

She also said the online application though a noble idea, did not take into cognisance economic challenges. 

-State Media

By A Correspondent- The Zanu-PF Youth League executive left the country yesterday for Angola to attend the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) youth congress which kicks off today.

The party’s deputy secretary for Youth Affairs Lewis Matutu is the head of delegation.

Matutu said the congress was meant to discuss issues affecting youths.

“They invited us to observe and give solidarity to them as our colleagues,” he said.

“Remember MPLA is a former liberation movement and this follows the meeting we had in Victoria Falls.

“They extended an invitation to say, ‘please come and grace our congress so we discuss issues of youth leadership in the region and amongst former liberation movements’.

“We will also focus on issues affecting the youth and improve their welfare.”

The conference runs from October 10 to 12.

Matutu said they will exchange notes and ideas on youth participation in leadership.

“They are ahead of us in terms of economic development, youth participation in leadership and government so that is what we want to learn from them, that interaction is critical to us,” he said.

“We will also relay the issue of sanctions and update them on what we are doing as we move towards 25 October.”

-StateMedia

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

USD = ZWL$15.3037
ZWL$ = RAND0.9897
Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

USD = ZWL$18.50 zimrates
USD = ZWL$18.60 zwl365
USD = ZWL$19 bluemari
USD = BOND12 zimrates

More: Marketwatch

The Zanu-PF youth league has blasted the University of Zimbabwe over the the sacking of two specialist doctors that sparked an uproar from their colleagues who also threatened to down tools.

The youth league secretary general Tendai Chirau said the move by the UZ was irrational.

He was responding to a statement by the tertiary institution that it had reinstated the two doctors.

“In the first place, such irrational pronouncements should not be made,” said Chirau.

Below is the statement by the UZ.

Zanu PF and the opposition MDC have shot down proposals by churches that the country should suspend elections for seven years to pave way for political and economic reforms under a new structure of government to usher free and credible elections.

The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) made the proposal on Tuesday, arguing that a seven-year sabbatical from elections would address the current political paralysis and deepening mistrust and polarisation.

The churches claimed the period of reform would stabilise the fast deteriorating economy under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which has seen the country’s inflation figures rising at an unprecedented pace since the record-breaking 2008 hyperinflation.

But Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu said the country was coming from elections that produced winners and there was no need to suspend the Constitution.

He said economic hardships were not caused by elections and the proposals by the churches were misplaced.

“That is their proposal, that is their view. We go by the dictates of the Constitution,” Mpofu said.

“We have a Constitution that guides the conduct of elections and the mandate thereof. We have been reading about the view from the churches and it is their entitlement to have their own views. As Zanu PF, we feel there is need to constantly respect the Constitution.

“We have come out of an election that produced their leadership. What is motivating the view, I don’t know.”

Pressure has been mounting on both Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to engage in dialogue to solve the country’s plunging economy.

Mnangagwa this year entered into dialogue with presidential representatives of fringe political parties in last year’s elections.

Chamisa snubbed the talks, demanding a neutral mediator, instead of Mnangagwa, who he accused of lacking legitimacy after allegedly stealing last year’s polls.

The opposition leader has constantly claimed that the country was experiencing a legitimacy problem.

Chamisa’s deputy, Tendai Biti, also dismissed the proposal by the church, saying any solution on the country’s crisis was predicated on genuine talks between Zanu PF and the MDC, the main political actors, followed by social dialogue.

“The churches are putting the cart before the horse,” Biti said.

“The country is in serious structural crisis, we don’t want to put make up on the crisis. There has to be genuine dialogue in the country, supported by the international community. This dialogue is not about sharing positions or suspending the Constitution, but structural reforms, that is what is key.

“The problem is much deeper than elections, the country is in crisis. Any solution should be a product of dialogue. There are two major players in the country’s polity, Zanu PF and the MDC and the dialogue between these two actors is key, followed by social dialogue. The church should only facilitate their dialogue. And the solution should come from the process of dialogue.”

The University of Zimbabwe has succumbed to pressure and rehired paediatric surgeon Dr Bothwell Mbuwayesango and senior cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr David Chimuka recently suspended for allegedly leading doctors’ demonstrations.

In a twist of events, the top academic learning institution in the country on Wednesday backtracked on its decision after other lecturers at its Medical School threatened to stop taking classes.

A joint statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Paul Mapfumo and Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) secretary-general Dr Sacrifice Chirisa said:

Following these deliberations and further submissions by representatives of the Surgical Department of the University of Zimbabwe, the parties resolved that… the university reconsiders its action in light of further information availed and submissions made during the discussions.

The suspension had been widely condemned by many within and beyond the medical fraternity. Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association had said that surgical training was going to suffer because of the suspensions.

Dr Mbuwayesango made headlines after leading a team that successfully separated conjoined twins in 2014 during an eight-hour operation at Harare Hospital.

Paul Nyathi|One of Africa’s remaining dictators Yoweri Museveni and his new found friend Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa partied on Wednesday at Uganda’s Independence celebrations while main opposition leader Bobi Wine was placed on house arrest.

In a Twitter thread on Tuesday,Wine also a popular musician in the country, said Museveni wanted to frustrate a music concert organised by his party.

“Since 11:00pm, police and military surrounded my home and my private property, One Love Beach Busabala, in yet another move to place me under house arrest and block our Independence Day music concert. 156th concert so far! For singing truth to power, I can’t perform in my own country,” said Wine who posted pictures of the police camped outside his home.

Wine, an ally of Zimbabwe opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa, said Museveni was afraid of critical voices.

Wine had to make a daring motorbike escape from security forces after they barricaded his home. He later shared a video of himself hopping onto a motorbike surrounded by dozens of cheering supporters while police remained around his house.

He captioned the video, “Busabala Final destination,” — the venue of his canceled concert.

The Ugandan police on Tuesday said the concert was not approved because they did not have the manpower to provide security for those attending the show.

“We are unable to provide adequate security as police officers will be at the Independence Day celebrations in Sironko and other authorized venues,” police spokesman Patrick Onyango said in a statement.

However, Wine disagreed with police saying security personnel deployed to his homes could have been sent to the show instead.

“These are the same people who claimed not to have enough security to secure our people at the show. Yet, they have enough manpower to instill fear, harass citizens and block the show!,” Wine said in a Facebook post.

The 37-year-old reggae star, who is leading a revolutionary campaign in Uganda, has thrown his hat in the 2021 presidential race and has vowed to end Museveni’s 33-year-rule over the nation.

State Media|THE Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Judith Ncube has pledged to engage responsible authorities to resolve the questionable recent recruitment of student nurses in Bulawayo.

She made the commitment after a number of people flooded her office demanding answers yesterday.

Last week, Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo recruited 24 trainee nurses and 20 were reportedly from Harare, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central. 

At the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) it is claimed 23 out of the 27 trainees are from outside Matabeleland.

Ncube told state media that a number of delegations had approached her raising concern over the handful number of Matabeleland residents who were selected to study nursing in hospitals around the region. 

She said she was happy because people exercised their right to question and was going to gladly take their concerns to higher authorities. 

 “I have been busy attending to more than five delegations who flocked my office this morning seeking answers on what really transpired in the selection of student nurses. Indeed, it’s a serious public concern that should be addressed as a matter of urgency,” said Ncube. 

Ncube added that she failed to get hold of both chief executive officers from the hospitals for explanations. 

“Now that this issue has been raised it is now my duty to engage higher and responsible authorities for a solution. I will therefore give you guys an update after engaging them,” she said. 

Efforts to get a comment from the director of nursing services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Mrs Cynthia Chasokela were fruitless as her phone was not reachable. 

The Health and Child Care Ministry recently introduced an online nurses’ application forum after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concluded there were unacceptable levels of bribery in the old system. The Ministry’s public relations officer Mr Donald Mujiri said the recent selection was done by a digital system based on qualifications.  He referred media to the permanent secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva who was unreachable. 

One of the affected residents, Ms Musa Ndlovu said the unfair representation of people from Matabeleland is a reflection of the future challenges that people will have to brace up for. 

“They can give all the excuses they want but we know there is no way student nurses at Parirenyatwa or any hospital in Mashonaland will be dominated by people from Matabeleland. Before this whole online policy was introduced, we tried applying in hospitals in the northern region and they bluntly told us to stick to our lanes in the southern region,” she said. 

A letter circulating on social media also questioned why the selection and interviews were done “secretly” compared to the past years before online application system was adopted. 

“Some of us went and noticed that most of those coming for interviews are mostly from Harare and surrounding areas of Mashonaland East and Central. People from our region did not make it surprisingly but most if not all from other provinces came back to Bulawayo to start school on Monday at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals,” the letter alleges. 

“We should start fighting for the statistics in terms of allocation as we have hospitals in Matabeleland like Mpilo and UBH which are as big as Parirenyatwa. Mpilo School of Nursing enrols 25 students per intake, Gwanda 15, St Luke’s 10 while Harare hospital 50, Parirenyatwa 50, Chitungwiza 40.”

They also called on Health Ambassador First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, provincial ministers of state, MPs, councillors, and all activists to demonstrate against corruption. 

Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwe has inched closer to clamping down on citizens’ use of social media platforms and will likely fish out and penalize citizens who create and share what is deemed offensive material over outlets including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cabinet yesterday hurriedly approved the Cyber Crime, Security and Data Protection Bill which will all but shrink the internet usage space for Zimbabweans who have described it as another Public Order and Security Act reincarnation this time on the internet.

The bill was first mulled under the late former leader, Robert Mugabe in 2016 and took hold in 2017 after major protests against Mugabe and economic decline broke out in Harare.

The Bill, which provides for an array of issues such as code of conduct and ethics, data protection authority and penalties for violations, will be gazetted soon representing an important step towards it becoming law. It still has to be debated and approved by parliament, in which Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu PF party has a majority.

This was said by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu while briefing journalists on the 35th Cabinet decision matrix in Harare yesterday.

Mnangagwa said last week the bill has to be fast-tracked to protect Zimbabwe’s “cyber-space”. However, there is wide-spread sentiment the law is being pushed through to deal with potential uprisings, especially as public anger against the government’s austerity measures mounts up.

Minister Ndlovu was standing in for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.

“Cabinet considered and approved the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Ziyambi Ziyambi.) The Bill seeks to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information communication technologies,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said the Bill will also address issues to do with codes of conduct and ethics.

“More specifically, the Bill provides for the following: provision and approval of codes of conduct and ethics to be observed by all categories of data controllers, data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest under (the) Postal, Telecommunication and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Ndlovu.

The bill has been criticized for infringing on civil liberties if it becomes law and there are fears from rights and democracy campaigners it could also strengthen government bid to snoop on private communications of citizens. It sets out penalize people for generation and distribution of “data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic” harm.

“It will also seek to establish a data security centre and a Data Protection Authority, investigation and collection of evidence relating to Cyber Crime and unauthorised Data Collection and breaches thereof,” Ndlovu added.

He said the Bill will also seek to spell out the admissibility of electronic evidence for such offences and penalties for offences committed under the Act.

“The Bill will also provide penalties for the transmission of data messages inciting violence and damage to property, protection of citizens against cyber bullying and harassment, measures to address the production and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material using language that tends to lower the reputation or feelings of persons for the reason that they belong to a group of persons distinguished on the grounds set out in section 56 subsection 3 of the Constitution,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said the Bill will provide for penalties to persons who generate, distribute or broadcast data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic harm; and curbing the transmission of pornographic material.

“In essence, the Bill advocates the use of ICTs for more constructive purpose,” said Minister Ndlovu.

Though there have been growing calls among citizens for Government to come up with mechanisms that control the abuse of the Internet insofar as it has been used to tarnish the images of other people and used to propagate lies and hurtful messages, some Zimbabweans are also worried Mnangagwa is pushing the bill to become law so he can use it to deal with potential uprisings fueled through social media.

WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook have become key platforms for spreading information about protests in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa. WhatsApp in particular, is very well used in Zimbabwe, where it accounts for nearly 50% of all internet use in the country.

Zimbabwean government officials have long complained these platforms are being abused to spread false news, most of which is deemed by authorities to be offensive.

Mnangagwa’s government ordered a social media black-out in January this year after deadly protests rocked major urban centers following a massive fuel price hike.

The Cyber Crime and Cyber Security Bill “seeks to combat cyber-crime and increase cyber security” and to foster “data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest” said justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi in his presentation of the bill to cabinet.

The controversial bill has, however, been welcomed in some circles, especially on the principle of “curbing the transmission of pornographic material” in the Zimbabwean context where revenge pornography leaks have become common. The Human Rights Forum of Zimbabwe said earlier this year that revenge pornography was a form of gender-based violence, hence its call for laws to regulate the transmission of pornography.

“The technology will likely be Chinese and so will be the expertise for this project (social media regulation). And it’s probably to deal with protests and uprisings,” said Ruhanya.

State Media|Government has said economic reforms under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), including re-engagement and investment promotion efforts will put Zimbabwe on a firm pedestal for economic growth from next year onwards.

The economy is anticipated to grow by 4,6 percent next year, driven by improved foreign currency availability and a decent rainfall season in the 2019/2020 summer cropping season.

This was said by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in the 2020 Pre-Budget Strategy Paper released this week.

He said good rains will result in better agricultural yields and respectable dam levels for electricity generation, which would be channelled towards the productive sectors of the economy.

“Implementation of reforms outlined in the TSP is on course, with notable milestones on fiscal consolidation, monetary policy restoration, liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, structural and governance reforms, re-engagement, investment promotion and support for the productive sector,” he said.

“These reforms present a strong foundation for economic rebound in 2020 and beyond.”

Prof Ncube said next year, the economy is projected to “turn around building on the success of the ongoing reform initiatives” and premised on the broader assumptions, including a recovery in aggregate demand, improved foreign currency availability and improved macro-fiscal stability and business confidence.

“As a result, the economy is projected to grow by 4,6 percent in 2020,” he said.

Next year, global growth is projected to increase to 3,5 percent from an expected 3,2 growth this year.

The expected improvement is mainly spurred by accelerating growth in emerging markets and developing economies, which are off-setting an anticipated slowdown in advanced economies.

But the trade war between the United States and China, as well as Britain’s expected departure from the European Union (EU) bloc, commonly known as Brexit, remain major sources of uncertainty in advanced economies.

Prof Ncube said Zimbabwe’s economy has not been doing well this year because of “severe exogenous shocks related to climate change caused by drought and cyclone, which compromised agriculture activities and electricity generation with extended effects on other sectors, all forcing the economy into recession”.

Erratic rains in the previous cropping season have put pressure on Government to import more food for the population after a bad season, as it now has to balance foreign currency requirements with other critical sectors such as energy.

The 2020 Pre-Budget Strategy Paper is designed to facilitate discussions on policy direction for the 2020 National Budget, consistent with the objectives of the TSP and aspirations of Vision 2030 of achieving an upper middle income society.

Prof Ncube said the National Budget thrust was informed by progress made on implementation of various reforms under the TSP, including policy gaps that require attention during the forthcoming year.

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC has described the state of health service delivery as pathetic.

Read full statement below:

MDC leadership of the National Standing Committee met for seven hours in Harare today and took stock of the deteriorating economic situation that has affected ordinary citizens, particularly with respect to weekly fuel price increases that have triggered further increments on the prices of basic commodities.

Of concern to the leadership was that the illegitimate government of Mr. Mnangagwa has failed to deal with the burgeoning national crisis and the party resolved to take robust action in the near future on the side of the suffering people of Zimbabwe.

In any case, the leadership noted that the Mnagagwa regime was the biggest threat to the safety of the citizenry, judging by the regime’s clampdown on ordinary citizens and the proscription of their basic rights.

The party noted that there has been State capture as evidenced by cartels comprising top State players and a politically connected business elite. It is these cartels that are stealing taxpayers’ money through illegal deals and other nefarious activities that have brought the economy to its knees. The leadership also took note of the recent court judgement which ruled that the Mnangagwa administration had stolen from suffering Zimbabweans by collecting a 2 percent transaction tax for over six months outside any legal framework. The Mnangagwa government must simply have the decency of reimbursing Zimbabweans the money that it illegally collected from them.

Of major concern was the deteriorating predicament of the ordinary citizen as characterized by 18-hour power cuts as well as declining social services particularly in the health and education sectors. Transacting platforms for ordinary citizens such as the ecocash platforms have been virtually banned, further affecting despondent citizens who now can barely afford public transport costs and other basics.

The party leadership resolved that it will soon embark on a robust programme to respond to the national crisis through peaceful and constitutional means.

Luke Tamborinyoka
MDC Deputy National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|
A former police officer is suing Emmerson Mnangagwa and Home Affairs Minister Cain Mathema.

The former ZRP cop, Peter Kurauwone Dube is suing Mnangagwa Mathema for defying a 2010 High Court order compelling the police force to reinstate him, pending the finalisation of his appeal against unlawful dismissal .

“On March 25, 2010, Dube won a High Court order filed under case number HC 1673/09, compelling the then Public Service Commission (PSC) to reinstate him but the employer failed to comply with the order,” a source revealed.

The Harare -Beitbridge road is now regarded as a death trap but what can be done to reduce the high rate of accidents?

The government of Zimbabwe should come up with mechanism to repair and maintain the country’s major roads.Watch video below. …

By Veritas- The 10th October is the day on which the United Nations every year urges countries of the world to abolish the death penalty.

Zimbabwe has not yet heeded the call, even though no one has been executed here since 2005.  Our courts continue to sentence prisoners to death for murder, and these prisoners are kept in unspeakable conditions waiting for their sentences to be carried out, not knowing from one day to the next when they will be taken from their cells and hanged.  As the courts continue to impose the death sentence more and more prisoners suffer this horrible fate.

Children, the Unseen Victims

It is not only the prisoners who suffer.  This year we are asked to consider the innocent victims of the death penalty:  the families of condemned prisoners, particularly their children.  Children of condemned prisoners have committed no crime yet they are stigmatised by their communities and carry heavy emotional and psychological burdens.  They especially deserve our pity.

The Death Penalty can Easily be Abolished in Zimbabwe

The Constitution allows, but does not require, the penalty to be imposed for murder committed in aggravating circumstances.  All it needs to abolish the penalty, therefore, is a short Act of Parliament.  A Bill for such an Act has already been drafted [link].  If the Government were to put forward such a Bill most members of the public would acquiesce because the death penalty is not part of Zimbabwe’s indigenous culture.  The President and most Members of Parliament favour abolition:  all that is needed is political will.

Veritas urges the Government to present such a Bill to Parliament and urges all Parliaments of good will to pass it without delay. 

Zimbabwe Should Join the World in Abolishing the Death Penalty

• Out of the 195 member or observer states of the United Nations, only 55 keep the death penalty in law and in practice. 
• Out of the 54 nations in Africa, only 15 continue to carry out the death penalty. 
• More and more countries are abolishing the death penalty.  It is time for Zimbabwe to do so.

By A Correspondent- Cabinet yesterday approved the Cyber Crime, Security and Data Protection Bill which seeks to combat cyber crimes and enhance security in the wake of rampant abuse of the platform.

The Bill, which provides for an array of issues such as code of conduct and ethics, data protection authority and penalties for violations, will be gazetted soon. It will be tabled in Parliament for debate thereafter.

This was said by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu while briefing journalists about the 35th Cabinet decision matrix in Harare yesterday.

Minister Ndlovu was standing in for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.

“Cabinet considered and approved the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi.) The Bill seeks to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information communication technologies,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said the Bill will also address issues to do with codes of conduct and ethics.

“More specifically, the Bill provides for the following: provision and approval of codes of conduct and ethics to be observed by all categories of data controllers, data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest under (the) Postal, Telecommunication and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Ndlovu.

“It will also seek to establish a data security centre and a Data Protection Authority, investigation and collection of evidence relating to Cyber Crime and unauthorised Data Collection and breaches thereof.”

He said the Bill will also seek to spell out the admissibility of electronic evidence for such offences and penalties for offences committed under the Act.

“The Bill will also provide penalties for the transmission of data messages inciting violence and damage to property, protection of citizens against cyber bullying and harassment, measures to address the production and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material using language that tends to lower the reputation or feelings of persons for the reason that they belong to a group of persons distinguished on the grounds set out in section 56 subsection 3 of the Constitution,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said the Bill will provide for penalties for persons who generate, distribute or broadcast data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic harm; and curbing the transmission of pornographic material.

“In essence, the Bill advocates the use of ICTs for more constructive purpose,” said Minister Ndlovu.

There have been growing calls among citizens for Government to come up with mechanisms that control the abuse of the internet insofar as it has been used to tarnish the images of other people and used to propagate lies and hurtful messages.

-StateMedia

A MAN from Neruwana Village under Chief Budzi now has one eye after a fellow imbiber struck the other eye with a catapult following a dispute over traditional brew.

Sydney Neruwana was struck in the eye for taking and drinking traditional beer that he had not paid for.

The matter is that Maxwell Mucheyi of Porunobva Village under Chief Budzi bought beer together with friends and Neruwana who did not realize that his friend Mucheyi was sharing the beer with others, picked the mug and gulped down the contents.

Mucheyi then asked why Neruwana was drinking the beer which he had not bought and the latter responded in jest.

Mucheyi then took his catapult and struck Neruwana in the eye. The complainant had further bad news as the hospital told him that he runs the risk of getting the other eye affected.

Neruwana demanded a woman to marry from Mucheyi’s family as compensation for his eye but Chief Budzi rejected such a demand.

He ordered Mucheyi to pay four beasts since he was also responsible for hospital bills.

— Mirror

By A Correspondent- A fraudster who masqueraded as former High Court judge Justice Mafios Cheda and swindled several Government officials of large sums of money was jailed for an effective three years and two months.

Tinashe Munhuweyi (36), of Mufakose in Harare, would call the victims and introduce himself as Justice Cheda and would pretend to be desperate and in urgent need of financial help.

He conned Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs Victor Matemadanda, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Dr Sekai Nzenza and Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Richard Moyo.

Other victims include Great Zimbabwe University Professor Ben Siyakwazi and a relative to late retired High Court judge, Justice Simpson Mutambanengwe, Naboth.

The named victims lost a total of over $12 000.

Munhuweyi was convicted by magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Mugwagwa after a full trial.

In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Patience Chimusaru called for a lengthy prison term, arguing that Munhuweyi brought the name of Justice Cheda into disrepute.

Convinced by the State’s submissions, the magistrate said there was need for a deterrent sentence which would send a message to would-be offenders.

She then sentenced Munhuweyi to 56 months in prison before setting aside six months on condition of good behaviour and a further 12 months were suspended on condition he restitutes all the victims on or before January 1, next year.

She effected 38 months, but failure to pay back the money, Munhuweyi will serve an effective 50 months.

On September 17 last year, Munhuweyi contacted Matemadanda while purporting to be Justice Cheda and misrepresented that he had two trucks which had run out of fuel at Chirundu Border Post.

He requested for $600 to refuel the trucks and pay for other expenses. Munhuweyi asked Cde Matemadanda to transfer the money into a supplied EcoCash account and promised to repay the debt.

Munhuweyi became evasive after receiving the money.

When Matemadanda testified during trial, he said when he received the call for help from the imposter, he was made to believe it was Justice Cheda since they had met on several occasions.

He said when Munhuweyi became evasive, he then conducted his own investigations and later spoke to the real Justice Cheda, who knew nothing about the transactions.

According to Matemadanda, Justice Cheda even said he had also received various complaints of people who had been duped in his name.

On November 28, Munhuweyi, the court heard, contacted Minister Nzenza masquerading as Justice Cheda and lied that his nephew had a truck carrying fertiliser which had a breakdown on its way from South Africa.

He asked for $825 to fix the truck before asking for a further $863 the following day which he said was for fuel.

The money was sent via EcoCash.

Minister Nzenza became suspicious due to the unending demands and made her own investigations which unearthed the scam.

Using the same modus operandi, Munhuweyi defrauded Professor Siyakwazi after misrepresenting that his son “Christian Cheda” had died while on his way to India for medical attention.

He then said he was looking for financial assistance towards his son’s funeral.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Sunningdale 2 Primary School parents and members of the School Development Committee (SDC) have called for the immediate closure of the school amid fears of an outbreak of water borne diseases.

The two parties concurred that the problem which dates back to the year 2013 remain unattended with raw sewage flowing everywhere.

Fears have been raised as over 2000 children are at risk of contracting diseases as the council turns a blind eye to the problem.

“Since 2013, nothing has been done after consultations with the District Office and Council.

“We have engaged the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the head office over the matter, so we’re saying if the Council does not come up with a lasting solution, we’re closing the school.

“This year alone we last saw the councillor in January and even the MP does not know his people.

“We can’t continue to run the school in this state because we’re exposing children to typhoid and cholera,” he said.

The Sunningdale 2 Primary School SDC source also said they engaged the Council officials who promised to fix the sewage system adding that they will go on to close the school if they do not fulfill their promises.

Sunningdale Councillor Hammy Madzingira confirmed the situation at the school.H-Metro

THE Apex Council has requested an urgent National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) meeting tomorrow, to map a way forward on salaries that correspond with the continuously escalating cost of living.

The council, which represents all civil servants wrote to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and also demanded salaries indexed to the interbank rate.

“The Apex Council requests the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to convene an urgent NJNC meeting on or before October 9, 2019 to map the way forward on continuous escalating cost of living.

“The council also wishes to bring to the attention of the ministry that it maintains its demand of salaries payment to be indexed to interbank rate, basing on the salary scale of October 2018,” reads the letter.

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) president Mr Richard Gundane said it was important for the Government to adjust salaries monthly considering high inflation in the country.

“We are pressing for a new round of talks following the recent spike in prices of goods and services. 

“The price increases rendered the cost of living adjustments (COLA) a non-event. Teachers are worse off after the COLA.

“In this hyperinflationary environment, monthly adjustments would assist in closing the gap between salaries and prices. Government should, as a matter of urgency, also ensure that its workers have access to cash from the banks. There is more value in cash than alternative ways of transacting,” said Mr Gundane. 

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza could not comment on the issue yesterday, saying she needed to speak to the NJNC chairman first.

In August, Government increased civil servants’ salaries by 76 percent, a development that saw the lowest paid worker earning $1 023 up from $582.

Civil servants were demanding at least $4 750 for the lowest paid worker.

Prices of basic commodities have continued to increase, pushing the prices beyond the reach of many.

Apart from the various monetary incentives to cushion the civil servants, Government has promised to offer non-monetary incentives.

The Apex Council’s request comes when the Ministry of Health and Child Care brokered a deal with striking doctors by offering them a 60 percent increase in allowances and ordered all health workers to report to work or face disciplinary action for breaching their contracts.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the Health Services Bipartite Negotiating Panel (HSBNP) agreed to a 60 percent increase on Health Specific Allowances despite the doctors walking out on the negotiations demanding a higher percentage.

The 60 percent was an improvement on the previous offer by Government of 30 percent, which was rejected by the Health Apex Council.

-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Disgruntled Bulawayo residents have criticised the selection process of 24 student nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital after 20 were selected from outside Matabeleland. 

The 24 reportedly started their studies on Monday. 

The Health and Child Care Ministry recently introduced an online nurses’ application forum after investigations by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission concluded there were unacceptable levels of bribery in the old system.

In a letter to the hospital, disappointed applicants said there was need for responsible authorities to investigate the development. “The national advertisement came out a few months ago and we failed to access the website and if you did, you couldn’t know where to pay the RTGS$10 application fee. Internet is not accessible and affordable especially to our rural peers in and outside our region for example where will one get internet connection in Lupane, Bulilima, Nkayi, Tsholotsho?”

The letter also questioned why the selection and interviews were done “secretly” compared to the past years before online application system was adopted.  “Some of us went and noticed that most of those coming for interviews are mostly from Harare and surrounding areas of Mashonaland East and Central. People from our region did not make it surprisingly but most if not all from other provinces came back to Bulawayo to start school on Monday at Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals.” 

They also called on Health Ambassador First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, provincial ministers of state, MPs, councillors, and all activists to demonstrate against corruption.

The applicants claimed the health system was sidelining the Matabeleland region. “We should start fighting for the statistics in terms of allocation as we have hospitals in Matabeleland like Mpilo and UBH which are as big as Parirenyatwa. Mpilo School of Nursing enrols 25 students per intake, Gwanda 15, St Luke’s 10 while Harare hospital 50, Parirenyatwa 50, Chitungwiza 40, and looking at number it’s clear they don’t want us to learn. They keep lying that we are all quick to cross the border to South Africa but allocation of posts is not justifiable for starters,” reads the letter. 

Some nurses at Mpilo Central Hospital said the students who came from other places were likely to be employed in their provinces of origin on completion of studies, leaving a gap in Matabeleland.  Contacted for comment, Mpilo clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya who also heads the school of nursing said: 

“I would like to confirm that this time around, the selection and interviews were done from Harare and none of us had a hand or were consulted. We have since received the 24 names of the student nurses who started on Monday and all these were a recommendation from the head office,” said Dr Ngwenya. 

UBH clinical director Dr Narcissus Dzvanga could not be reached for comment. Another source from the hospital said what she described as “deliberate marginalisation” of Matabeleland prospective students would have far reaching effects on access to health.

“What they have simply done is declare that as a people from this region we do not deserve access to health care. From the list of 24, only four students are from this region and it is clear that they are not worried about our right to health,” she said. 

She also said the online application though a noble idea, did not take into cognisance economic challenges. 

THE Progressive Agriculture and Allied Industries Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Paawuz) has written to Labour and Social Welfare minister Sekai Nzenza, requesting for a meeting over the “conduct of white commercial farmers”.

In a letter dated August 2, 2019, Paawuz secretary-general Raymond Sixpence revealed that workers in the agriculture sector were being exploited, hence requesting for an emergency meeting with Nzenza.

“We are writing to you in displeasure over the conduct of farmers, particularly white commercial farmers. The farmers are abusing workers, making them to work for over 12 hours and underpaying them,” he wrote.

“The farmers are threatening workers and harassing them. They are only worried about production; they don’t care about workers’ welfare. We are kindly requesting for your honourable office to book for any appointment to meet with you and the two employer’s unions. We need harmony in the agriculture sector. Zimbabwe is open for business and not for workers exploitation,” Sixpence wrote.

Commercial Farmers’ Union director Ben Purcell Gilpin refuted the allegations, saying they were “advocating for and support fair labour practice in the agricultural industry and noted with concern any allegations of inappropriate labour practices”.

“The labour law provides for conciliation through the NEC (national employment council) and we believe the proper process of complainant should be followed. We would, therefore, appeal to all employers to act within the law and to use the designated NEC to settle disputes,” he said.

Gilpin said it would be important to have full facts in each case before any further comment, “suffice to say all we can do is to encourage good workplace relationships as this is essential for the sustainable operation of farming businesses”.

The agriculture sector is the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy as more than 70% of its population derives its livelihood from it, according to a 2016 report titled Working and Living Conditions of Workers in the Agricultural sector in Zimbabwe compiled by Naome Chakanya.

The sector contributes the highest figure in terms of the country’s wealth and employment.

In terms of employment, according to the Labour Force and Child Labour Survey released in 2014, the agriculture sector (including forestry and fishing) contributes about 67% of total employment and about 15% to the country’s gross domestic product.

Despite all this, workers in the sector are classified as working poor.

By A Correspondent| In a tragic incident, a new mother died hours after giving birth to triplets at St Patricks Hospital in Hwange on Wednesday.

The Binga woman who had not undergone an ultrasound scan because of the poor medical facilities provided at rural hospitals and clinics was not aware that she was carrying triplets until she went into labour.

The woman who has not yet been named, naturally gave birth to the first baby, but had complications giving birth to the other two and had to undergo surgery.

Speaking to a local publication, Mpilo Hospital Clinical Director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya revealed that the woman died from loss of too much blood adding that there had been delays in seeking medical attention.

“We tried everything here, but it failed. She died on September 25,

“We had a highly competent medical team that operated on her when she got here. We had the doctors but there was not a lot they could do. She had bled too much and stabilisation efforts were in vain,” he said.

The incident comes against a backdrop of high maternal mortality rate in the country which is largely caused by poor medical facilities and delays in seeking medical care.

According to Fungisayi Dube of the Citizens Health Watch, the estimated maternal mortality rate (MMR) in the country is at 651 per 100 000 live deaths.

The UZ department of surgery has withdrawn all services until their colleagues are reinstated.

All Government consultant doctors have also withdrawn their services and will not assist in teaching until the reinstatement of their colleagues.

ZIMA has called the Government’s actions madness and senseless.

The doctors have decided not to resign arguing that they will fight the madness from inside.

Teaching at the UZ Medical School has been immediately suspended until Government fixes the mess that it created.-Hopewell Chin’ono

The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) buses have been overwhelmed by commuters who can no longer afford the exorbitant fares being charged by commuter omnibuses following the recent fuel price hike.

Long queues have become the order of the day at all ZUPCO bus termini in Harare as the commuting public can longer afford fares charged by commuter omnibuses that range between ZWL $5 and $8 dollars for a local trip.

ZUPCO buses charge between a dollar and two for local trips, hence the huge turnout at the buses’ various termini as passengers try to avoid paying more in commuter omnibuses.

“This resulted in some of us here failing to report for work on time as we battle for the cheap mode of transport,” said one passenger.

“The transport situation has turned dire as kombis have hiked fares to between ZWL $10 and twenty dollars to and from work,” said another one.

“Its 11 o’clock now and I joined this queue in the morning but up to now I am yet to board the ZUPCO to go to work. The buses are being overwhelmed to say the truth because they are the cheap one, says commuter in the CBD,” said another one.

“We appeal to government to bring more buses because everyone is now preferring the ZUPCO, we don’t have money to board the expensive kombis, says another old woman in the city,” said another one.

A driver with ZUPCO confirmed the swelling numbers as the cheaper mode of transport has become the overwhelming choice for many.

“It has been hectic, but the fact is that the buses are few, says the driver,” he said.

Government introduced ZUPCO buses to cushion commuters from transport challenges and exorbitant fares charged by commuter omnibuses.

More buses are expected to arrive in the country from Belarus and South Africa.