By A Correspondent- A 24 year old man appeared in court yesterday for attempting to disarm an AK47-wielding soldier guarding Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s Borrowdale residence in Harare.

Munyaradzi Sani was denied bail when he appeared before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti and remanded in custody to January 7.

Prosecutor Anesu Chirenje opposed bail, arguing that Sani had acted intentionally and could attempt to storm Chiwenga’s residence again if
released.

Chirenje also asked the State to examine Sani mentally.

The court heard that on December 18, Tinashe Mandaza was on duty outside Chiwenga’s residence when he saw Sani walking along Hellensvale Drive towards the VP’s house.

Mandaza asked Sani to leave, but he refused and, instead, leaned on the precast security wall at the VP’s house and asked for a cigarette.

A scuffle ensued, with Sani trying to grab the gun, but Mandaza was assisted by colleagues to arrest him.

By A Correspondent- Chief Bere of Masvingo has died, barely two years after taking over at the substantive chief.

Born Phineous Tafirei, Chief Bere died at the age of was 85.

Chief Bere died a few days ago after a short illness at Ndanga District Hospital with close relatives refusing to disclose the exact date of his demise, citing cultural restrictions of their clan.
Sources said the late chief’s remains have since been interred privately according to the Bere clan customs and tradition, though the official funeral will be held tomorrow.
Top Government officials, including Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira, are expected to attend the funeral.
The late Chief Bere was installed in 2019, becoming the first chief of the clan in 125 years after the colonial government banished the chieftainship for resisting Rhodesian rule.
Family spokesperson Mr David Masomere today confirmed Chief Bere’s passing away, but could not be drawn into revealing further details, citing clan tradition.
Mr Masomere could also neither confirm nor deny swirling rumours that the late chief’s remains had since been buried privately according to the clan’s customs.
The late chief was of the Shumba totem and his area of jurisdiction stretched from Mashava to the west and Bhuka in the south east.
The Bere chiefdom borders Zimuto, Charumbira and Chivi chiefdoms. Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has condemned the disruption of President Nelson Chamisa’s charity event by police details in Harare on Monday.

The regime is treating the MDC Alliance as a banned organization.

Heavily armed police officers prevented the elderly and people living with disabilities from receiving Christmas gifts donated by President Chamisa.

“The MDC Alliance condemns the regime’s treatment of the movement as a banned political organization. No justification exists for why armed riot police must violently disrupt the old & the infirm from receiving Christmas gifts from President
@nelsonchamisa,” MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi said.

“Elderly persons and persons with disabilities were pushed out of the hall by
@PoliceZimbabwe
. The regime continues to declare war on the citizens & abuse state institutions as they fear the groundswell of organic citizen support for the people’s President, Adv
@nelsonchamisa,” MDC Alliance posted on Twitter.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson on Sunday said he warned the late prominent human rights champion Dewa Mavhinga against coming to Zimbabwe.

Mavhinga died mysteriously two weeks ago in Johannesburg.

Addressing mourners at the burial of the veteran human rights defender in Hwirisha, Chikomba, President Chamisa narrated how he tried to stop Mavhinga from visiting Zimbabwe.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:

“I had told Dewa to defer his visit to Zimbabwe, but he insisted that he would come.

He told me that he was in the southern region visiting other countries including Mozambique.

He inquired why I was stopping him from coming to Zimbabwe. I also insisted that he should not come to Zimbabwe. About four weeks ago, we held a virtual meeting with Dewa and three others for over an hour planning the way forward on the 2023 elections. Dewa was a veteran, a stalwart, very resolute and a beast on fighting for human rights.

It is not possible to become a human rights defender without a human rights attacker.

He was a defender because our people are being attacked. We have been robbed as a country, as the whole world, as a generation.”

President Chamisa also posted on Twitter:

In CHIKOMBA Hwirisha..Laying to rest a Hero and Democrat DEWA MAVHINGA. A leader par excellence.A solid family anchor.A community leader in development. A global icon. A human rights defender.A pillar & Cde in the struggle for freedom. An intellectual giant. RIP beloved brother.

By-Due to the marked increase in the recorded number of daily new cases of COVID-19 coupled with the new Omicron variant, the Government has tightened lockdown measures and extended the Level Two lockdown by a further two weeks.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa during the 43rd post-Cabinet media briefing announced that Cabinet advised that all Government departments will stop face to face meetings and conduct critical meetings virtually.
“All government departments will stop face-to-face meetings. All remaining end-of-year planning and other such critical meetings shall be held virtually,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“Communities at all levels are urged to remain vigilant and to continue adhering to COVID-19 prevention measure. COVID-19 lockdown measures have been extended by another two weeks,” said the Information Minister.
As at 14 December 2021, the country had 177 690 confirmed cases, including 130 279 recoveries and 4 745 deaths. To date, a total of 3 980 917 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

-Ministry Of Health and Child-Care

By A Correspondent-Zimdancehall, king Winky D will finally get the chance to draw the entertainment curtain in Johannesburg with his new project, Happy Again, in a highly-anticipated once-off show at the Link Lounge in Midrand Saturday night.

The initial show was pencilled for the beginning of December but was put on ice following newly-implemented Covid-19 restrictions.

According to the organisers, the show has now been given an all-clear and will definitely go ahead.

This is not the first time Winky has done the honours to close the year as he did the same again in 2020.

While last year he was supported by Zimbabwean amapiano princess ShaSha, this year the line-up has a South African flavour to it as the energetic Busiswa is also billed to perform.

The show is the brainchild of Munya “Touch” Jeranyama who has proven over the years that he is good in the game to host an artiste of Winky D’s stature.
“We were obviously disappointed a few weeks ago when we had to cancel the show at the last minute. It was definitely beyond our control but I would want to assure fans that this Saturday it’s on and all roads must lead to Midrand,” said Touch.
Apart from Busiswa, a number of artistes will take to the stage among them love songs crooner Paddy Watts, Fayth M and Elcee Gweja among others.

Tops DJs such as Irie Dread, Spragga, Chuck and Tibra will be at the turntables.

Joburg’s top Zimbabwean MCs Rico Myers and Abra Simmz will be taking turns on the mic.
Winky will be coming with his entire Vigilance Band and will give a live performance unlike some artists who play backtracks.
Tickets are being sold online via Touch’s social media handles.
Early birds will get tickets for R250 online and the fee rises to R300 at the gate for general tickets.
The show will kick off at 3pm and will run until midnight when the official curfew kicks in.

-H-Metro

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has embarked on another fake 1 million job creation promise campaign ahead of the 2023 elections.

During the 2013 national elections, the party also promised that it was going to create 1 million jobs if voted into power, but the reverse happened after it rigged that year’s polls.

Through the state media, the party Tuesday said the President Rural Development Scheme, launched by President Mnangagwa at Jinjika Village, in the Makorokoro area of Mangwe District, Matabeleland South, last week would generate the jobs.

Mnangagwa last Wednesday, launched a garden project at Sekusile-Makorokoro in Jinjika Village.

By A Correspondent- A Harare man has lost US$25 00 cash and two cell phones to armed robbers.

In a statement posted on their Twitter handle, ZRP said they have instituted an investigation towards the robbery case.

“1/4 The ZRP is investigating a robbery case which occurred on 20/12/21 at 1100 hours along Acturus Road, Harare where a motorist driving a Toyota D4D vehicle was robbed US$2500 cash and two cellphones,” said ZRP.

1/4 The ZRP is investigating a robbery case which occurred on 20/12/21 at 1100 hours along Acturus Road, Harare where a motorist driving a Toyota D4D vehicle was robbed US$2500 cash and two cellphones.

— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) December 21, 2021

By-A 35-year-old man has appeared in court for allegedly fondling a woman’s breast in a commuter omnibus.

Liberty Phiri (35) who resides in Shurugwi appeared before Shurugwi magistrate Mrs Pretty Mukumbo facing one count of indecent assault.
Phiri pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He was remanded in custody to December 23 for trial.
It is the State’s case that on June 5 both the accused person and the complainant were travelling from Chivi to Shurugwi in a commuter omnibus.
The complainant was seated on the front seat while the accused person was at the back.
The accused person allegedly inserted his hands into the complainant’s blouse from behind and fondled her.
The court heard that the complainant ordered the commuter omnibus driver to stop the vehicle before she alerted other passengers.
The matter was reported to police officers who were manning a road block at Unki turn off leading to Phiri’s arrest.
In an unrelated matter, a 51-year-old man from Shurugwi was arrested for allegedly assaulting an eight-year-old girl.
Munyaradzi Magarinya who resides at number 93 Hidden Treasure, Shurugwi appeared before Mrs Mukumbo facing a count of assault.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to December 23 for trial. Chronicle

By A Correspondent- Zimbabweans are going to experience a dark Christmas this year after prices of essential commodities have suddenly gone up.

The state media reports that that past week saw several shops, including big supermarkets, increasing prices of basic commodities such as mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, meat, rice, fish, and potatoes.

The Government paid civil servants their bonuses in United States dollars, and businesses have responded by increasing prices of basic commodities, thereby reducing the Government workers’ purchasing power.
What is surprising is that even foreign currency prices have been increased which means the price hikes have nothing to do with the exchange rates.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) association has already raised the red flag warning consumers against panic buying.
Businesses are saying the price increases have been triggered by a combination of factors, including the firming of the United States dollar against the local currency especially on the parallel market but as already stated even prices in forex have increased.
The consumers are saying prices are now beyond the reach of the majority of people and prices of meat products which are usually in high demand during the festive season, are among the products that have been increased by very high percentages.
A snap survey of the prices in shops within the Bulawayo central business district revealed that a 2kg packet of chicken which used to sell for an average $1 000 now sells for between $1 200 and $1 300.

The price of bread which was $143 is now $170.
A kilogramme of fresh kapenta (sardine) shot up to an average of $500 for a kilogramme in most retail outlets. A two-litre bottle of cooking oil has risen from $500 to $700 while the price of Boom washing powder increased from $450 to $600. A crate of eggs has risen from about $700 to around $900. A two-litre Coke has increased to around $309 from $250 while the price of a 10kg bag of mealie-meal which was selling for $540 has increased to $659.
One shopper, Mrs Primrose Hadebe, a teacher who was buying ingredients to bake cakes said the price hikes were shocking.
“Prices of most commodities have gone up. We got paid our bonuses in forex but we have not enjoyed the cushioning because of the price hike madness we are witnessing. In some cases prices have more than doubled compared to last month,” said Mrs Hadebe.
Another shopper Mr Tafadzwa Dube said the price hikes had dampened the festive mood as most consumers can no longer afford the food items they usually buy at Christmas.
“We can only buy selected items because of the exorbitant prices being charged by retailers,

The merry-making we had planned for this year following the payment of bonuses in forex is no longer possible,” said Mr Dube from Hillside suburb in Bulawayo.
There were however other shoppers who were pushing trolleys full of goodies and looked unfazed by the price hikes.
“Well, I was part of a grocery club and we were paying US$30 per month and as such I have enough to spoil my family this Christmas. It wasn’t easy paying that amount but now we are among the few families that are going to enjoy themselves this Christmas,” said a woman who only identified herself as Buhle.
Many consumers have however called on the Government to intervene and stop the price hike madness which they say is eroding their buying power each day.
“I am a teacher and have just withdrawn my forex bonus but it can only buy very little because of the exorbitant prices in both local currency and forex. Only two weeks ago the bread price was $150 but now its $160. This is just one of the many food items whose price has been increased,” said Mrs Marie Ncube from Mkoba 9 suburb in Gweru.
Another consumer Miss Amanda Moyo said the increase in prices of basic commodities had spoiled this year’s Christmas festivities.
“These price increases are eroding salaries and something should be done to stop this,” she said.
The CZR association president Mr Denford Mutashu attributed the rise in commodity prices to the firming of the United States dollar against the local currency.

He said in some cases the increases could also be attributed to profiteering.
“The increases are directly related to the continued firming of the United States dollar against the local currency on the parallel market,” he said.
Mr Mutashu urged consumers to avoid panic buying saying there are enough commodities in the shops.
“Consumers should avoid panic buying but should instead take their time to compare prices so that they get the best bargains. Suppliers and manufacturers have assured us of sufficient stocks beyond the festive season,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Dr Tinashe Manzungu said price increases will likely push up inflation and stifle consumer spending.
“The price increase is everywhere, at hardware shops they have also increased prices even for products pegged in United States dollars. The firming of the United States dollar against the local currency has nothing to do with price hikes,” he said.

The Minister for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Professor Paul Mavima said it was unfortunate that prices of basic commodities have increased at a time when people were preparing for the festive season.
He said there was a need to stabilise the exchange rate so that salaries are not eroded.
“Yes, there has been an increase in prices of basic commodities. As a nation we need to put in place fundamentals that stabilise the exchange rate,” he said.
Prof Mavima said in Zimbabwe dollar terms, no matter how much workers are paid the salaries would be eroded by exchange rate fluctuations.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) said the country has recently witnessed a steep increase in the prices of most commodities.
It said the prices of most basic goods have significantly increased since the start of the festive season as retailers take advantage of increased holiday spending.

The CCZ also said the country’s latest LPG gas price increase which took effect on December 7, from $270 a kg to $400 a kg, also had a ripple effect on prices.
“The energy price increase feeds directly into rising food and transport costs, both of which have an impact on consumers during the festive season. Consumers are paying a little bit more for just about everything than they did a month ago and significantly more than they did for the same goods and services last year. Covid-19 related bottlenecks in the supply chain have also contributed to the rise in prices,” said CCZ.
It said festive seasons are usually characterised by huge consumer spending and retailers often take advantage by increasing prices.
“The welfare of consumers continues to slide with most consumers living below the Poverty Datum Line in the face of relentless increases in the prices of basic goods and services,” said CCZ.

By-At least 95 cattle worth US$60 000 have disappeared from CSC Dubani Ranch in Colleen Bawn, Matabeleland South.

The cattle comprising of 45 cows, 35 heifers and 15 steers, all branded “T1 R1 K3”, went missing between April 4 and November 21 this year.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the theft saying the cattle had not yet been recovered.
“The police are investigating a case of stock theft which occurred between April 28, 2021 and November 21, 2021 at CSC Dubani Ranch, Colleen Bawn in Matabeleland South in which 95 cattle comprising 45 cows, 35 heifers and 15 steers all branded “T1 R1 K3” are missing, he said.
“The value of the stolen stock is US$60 000. Anyone with information to contact any nearest police station.”
In July, the police in Chikombedzi, Chiredzi, arrested a man for allegedly stealing 12 cattle.
The suspect, Ivin Francisco (23) was caught by two complainants on July 18 who intercepted him at around 2am while driving the herd of cattle.
The stolen cattle consisted of seven cows, one bull and four oxen and all were recovered.
In April this year, a 28-year-old woman and her male accomplice were arrested on allegations of stealing two cattle from a farm in Mvurwi. Sharon Matambo (28) and her accomplice Tapiwa Nyakatsaka (26) were arrested while trying to sell the cattle in Chiweshe.
Police have since launched a manhunt for a third suspected accomplice in the case, Amos Zhakata, who is still on the run.
Investigations revealed that the three went to Rondere Farm in Mvurwi where they allegedly stole the two beasts which they then transported to Chiweshe communal area. Their luck ran out when they were arrested while selling the cattle in Chiweshe.
Meanwhile, police in Mashonaland West have arrested Justice Mutero Mahoko (29), Norest Chin’ozho (29), Tichaona Chemhere (19), Gift Muvengwa (37), Leo Marecha Ndawana (32) and Harrison Wizilam (41) who committed several counts of robbery, unlawful entry and theft cases in the province during the period between November 23 and December 14.
Property worth $856 095 was stolen while items valued at $557 325 have since been recovered by the police. Herald

By A Correspondent- Zanu PF 2023 elections fundraising committee, Chairman and outgoing COSAFA President Phillip Chiyangwa has disowned his 14-year-old from his allegiance to his divorced mother.

Chiyangwa also threatened the son with possible arrest and imprisonment should he continue to call.

The son was only asking for school fees from Chiyangwa when he disowned and threatened him.

In the leaked audio, Chiyangwa also announces he will get the mother arrested and killed the moment she lands in Zimbabwe.

The fees for two boys, the teen and his 8 year old brother have not been paid since April 2021, and after being requested, Chiyangwa begins abusing the boy, the latter who stands his ground against bricks of vulgarities and later on, the young man literally floors his 62 year old father.

During the abusive 10 minutes, Chiyangwa even labels his son a thief, over the lad’s request for the son’s Bluffhill house built wholly by the mother to be sold in order to pay fees.

(Chiyangwa who owns 72 properties across Zimbabwe, continues to quarrel with his son calling the lad and mother thieves while admitting his only investment is a paltry $5,000 for the land).

Below is a transcript of the leaked audio:

PC: You have committed a crime.

SON: Which crime?

PC: The one of selling the stand.

SON: That’s not a crime.

PC: If it’s not a crime wait until you find your mother in prison.

SON: Prison for what?

PC: Stealing a stand

SON: She didn’t steal a stand. And it’s not sold

PC: Oh okay, keep talking like that; what was your desire to go to court? Why did you go to court to get a declaratory order on stand? Why would you and your mother spend so much energy?

SON: Right right but you don’t have the power you don’t have the power to arrest someone,

PC: I have reported this case.

SC: Pardon

PC: I’ve caught a thief.

SON: No.

PC: I caught a thief.

SON: No. My mother is not a thief

PC: That property is my property that one, until you’re 18.

SON: It’s in my name so legally it’s my property.

PC: All the powers about it it’s ownership is me.

PC:I am the only person who can say it can be sold not your mother. Your mother has got absolutely nothing to do with this property (Child’s mother is the one who built the house).

SON: But that property you didn’t build it; and you are not our guardian.

PC: All my children have got stands. You are not the only child and you are the worst of all my children, so all my children have got properties there; all my children have got properties there.

SON: And please we are not the worst don’t call us the worst. You are the most idiotic who calls me about stupid things concerning a mother.

PC: You are the worst ever child who should be calling me. If I had a way of stopping you from calling me that’s what I want. You see? And I’m sure it will come when you are 18 you will not be allowed to call me. In fact I will give a court order to ensure that you’re not allowed near me.

SON: Alright, but we are buying a house in SA and fees is not stupid.

PC: Yah, everything is idiotic, everything about yourselves, your mother has already walked away from this, I don’t know why you are back on this again, you know what I mean? When thieves are cornered; do you know what they do?

SON: What thieves are you talking about?

PC: You’re thieves.

SON: We are not thieves and don’t call us stupid, what kind of a father are you?

PC: I say bastards, you know. You should never call this number.

SON: We are not bastards don’t call us that.

PC: You’re are bastards,

SON: No we’re not.

PC: Yah, don’t call this number. Don’t call my number, yeah, what the fuck? I’m not your father, I don’t know you. Don’t call this number. Why would you call me?

SON: Ok so then if you’re not our father then stop going to court for custody.

PC: I am not asking for custody I’m not asking for anything; I just want you to fuck off, stay away from me but anyone who comes near me I will lock them, I will get them locked up, because you are thieves.

SON: We are not thieves what did we do?

PC: I am not going stop f**** me around. Don’t call me; stay away from me. Our peace is keep your border I keep my border. But don’t call. Don’t think of me, I don’t need you; I don’t need you I seriously don’t need you even when I am ill, what do I need you for? What do I need you for, you [FIRST NAME]

What for?

PC: Why would you seriously say I want my father, I want my father? Stay with your mother don’t call this number don’t ever scratch your phone and dial this number; do you hear? Phone your mother’s relatives stay there don’t call me. You hear? Stay there, don’t call me. You have no connection here to Chiyangwa himself.

Change your number; go with your mother to a lawyer there and change your surname. Don’t use my surname. I don’t want you to use my surname. I don’t want you to use my surname.

SON: Alright keep your borders there we’ll go to court for that.

PC: Exactly.

SON: We’ll use that to look after ourselves.

PC: We are in court already so don’t waste time the only thing that’s left is for your mother to be arrested. She was silly.

SON: Arrested for what?

PC: She’s sworn on an affidavit that she bought, where is the agreement letter signed with your mother?

SON: Yes, but I have been saying the property has not been sold.

PC: I said she wants to court to say she bought it. From who? She wants to go to court to say she bought it from who? Why would you lie yourself when I ask you and I say you called me you called me then when there is a record that you called, why would you say that you didn’t call me? Who called who today? Have I ever been looking for you? Why would you call me today. What for?

SON: There’s an agreement for the house, stop lying about the house.

PC: Why would you call me?

SON: We are just asking for fees that’s it. If you can pay my fees then mum can pay [YOUNG BROTHER -NAME WITHHELD’s fees.

PC: I don’t want to talk to you; your mother and I … we ended our relationship a long time ago. Your mother is your Guardian. Stop at your mother don’t call me please. You especially you I don’t want to talk to you. Especially you if you call you make it worse.

SON: You make it worse how?

PC: It’s because i don’t like you.

SON: The moment I know it’s you then I don’t like you I don’t need you; you are just this square of a person; I don’t need you; go on with your life to your mother.

SON: Okay, so if you are not our guardian, then she’s our guardian, so she can sell the house,

PC: When you left Zimbabwe going to South Africa did I give you a letter saying go to South Africa? To who?

SON: Okay but then you are not; you said you’re not our guardian. So she is our guardian so she can sell the house.

PC: Iwe (hey you) don’t say she can sell, she can sell, she can sell what belongs to her; Let her sell what belongs to her.

SON: But you’re not our Guardian yourself.

PC: May I say something: that’s very good, but she doesn’t own the land. Okay, so she can sell whatsoever she wants to sell, but she cannot sell my land.

SON: Okay then we will go on with our lives.

PC: Whatever I sweated for in my life is nothing to do with [CHILD’S MOTHER NAME WITHELD]

SON: But she built the house so it belongs to her.

PC: There is no house and nobody will hear your story; man you think I haven’t been there? You see?; You think I haven’t been there?

This is just plain down straight criminal your mother has paraded her life harassing me.

SON: She will never be arrested.

PC: Thank you very much so let her come here and demonstrate that she is around.

SON: Alright. But you said you you want to get her arrested you can’t arrest her for a lie because you are lying.

PC: So she is not selling the house, she lied that she bought the land, that’s up to her and me.

Yes Brian, you called me earlier? SIDE CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE ELSE… TRUNCATED.

PC: Iwe (hey you NAME WITHHELD) I have finished. You and your mother I don’t want to have anything to do with you you…

SON: Yeah, you can leave my mother alone now, it’s like you have a personal hate against someone who doesn’t even worry about you.

PC: Your mother and you are causing me problems your mother sent me audios, that are a record that she will not be in touch with me again until she is dead, eeh and so forth.

SON: She hasn’t been in touch with you though.

PC: I’ve got the audios, so you keep arguing with yourself I am simply asking you; Can you stop texting and contacting me.

SON: So then can you leave her alone, stop lying about her.

PC: I am not even, I never called you I never called her. You are the one entering my territory can you stop please, yeah.

By A Correspondent| Award winning musician Chipo Muchegwa has paid tribute to her mentor and manager Donald Ganyaupfu who tied the knot to his long time lover Cynthia Muchabaiwa over the weekend.

Muchegwa shared her sentiments on her official Facebook page and passed her passionate congratulatory message.

“To the man behind my success Donald Ganyaupfu and his beautiful wife Cynthia..our newly Weds, best couple ever, I love you guys,” she posted.

The wedding was graced by several socialites and Comic Pastor was one of the master of ceremonies.

It was pomp and fanfare as guests were serenaded to live performances by Victor Kunonga,Dereck Mpofu and Chipo Muchegwa. Ganyaupfu took Cynthia on the aisle amid soothering music in the background.

Ganyaupfu is a businessman and philanthropist and he has immensely contributed in the arts industry for a long time.

He has worked with guitar maestro Mono Mukundu and Dereck Mpofu before he took over the management of Muchegwa.

The musician was born without limbs and her musical journey is amazing as she has defied all odds in the cut throat industry.

Her version of Steve Makoni’s Handiende is part of a compilation by Mono Mukundu titled Anatha Brick that features the works of various musicians Mukundu worked with in 2019.
The album contains nine singers including the likes of Mbeu, Jane Doka, Bongo Riot, Kambo Boys, Baba Taps, Dereck Mpofu, Patience Musa, Rati Mpeswe, McIntosh Jerahuni, Klara Wojtkowska, Tafadzwa Matiure, Chihuri Girls and Studio Blunders.

She was nominated in the Arts Personality of the Year (Female) and PWD Achiever of the Year Award categories in the Norton Achievers Awards.

She won the Arts Personality of the Year Award in 2019.

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has condemned the disruption of President Nelson Chamisa’s charity event by police details in Harare on Monday.

The regime is treating the MDC Alliance as a banned organization.

Heavily armed police officers prevented the elderly and people living with disabilities from receiving Christmas gifts donated by President Chamisa.

“The MDC Alliance condemns the regime’s treatment of the movement as a banned political organization. No justification exists for why armed riot police must violently disrupt the old & the infirm from receiving Christmas gifts from President
@nelsonchamisa,” MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi said.

“Elderly persons and persons with disabilities were pushed out of the hall by
@PoliceZimbabwe
. The regime continues to declare war on the citizens & abuse state institutions as they fear the groundswell of organic citizen support for the people’s President, Adv
@nelsonchamisa,” MDC Alliance posted on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- More than 95 cattle worth US$60 000 were stolen from the Cold Storage Commission (CSC) Dubani Ranch in Colleen Bawn, Matabeleland South between 4 April and 21 November this year.

The stolen cattle comprise 45 cows, 35 heifers and 15 steers, all branded “T1 R1 K3”.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the theft saying the cattle had not yet been recovered.

He said:

The police are investigating a case of stock theft that occurred between April 28, 2021, and November 21, 2021, at CSC Dubani Ranch, Colleen Bawn in Matabeleland South in which 95 cattle comprising 45 cows, 35 heifers and 15 steers all branded “T1 R1 K3” are missing.

The value of the stolen stock is US$60 000. Anyone with information to contact any nearest police station.

In April this year, police arrested a 28-year-old woman and her male accomplice on allegations of stealing two cattle from Rondere Farm in Mvurwi.

Sharon Matambo (28) and her accomplice Tapiwa Nyakatsaka (26) were arrested while trying to sell the cattle in Chiweshe.

Police have since launched a manhunt for a third suspected accomplice in the case, Amos Zhakata, who is still on the run.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man died on the spot after a vehicle he was driving fell off the Mzilikazi flyover before rolling several times in the early hours of Monday.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Bulawayo Province Inspector Abednico Ncube identified the deceased as Dumisani Sibanda (59) who was driving a white Mercedes Benz vehicle.

Said Ncube:

The deceased Dumisani Sibanda aged 59 years was driving a Mercedes Benz with no passenger on board when he lost control of the vehicle at the Luveve-City Flyover resulting in the vehicle veering off the road and hitting the railway line before rolling several times.

Inspector Ncube said a report was made to the police and the fire brigade was called to attend the scene.

He added:

It’s best to rest and only to drive when fit to do so. Roads are normally slippery during the rainy season and vision is likely to be blurred due to bad weather. Let’s drive with caution.

-CITE

By A Correspondent- Chief Bere, born Phineas Tafirei (85) whose chieftainship was recently resuscitated after nearly 100 years has died, reported The Mirror.

His family is reportedly keeping the death secret until the burial day tomorrow in line with their customs and traditions.

It is not clear when exactly the chief died but The Mirror reported sources as saying it has been for some days now.

Family spokesperson David Masomere confirmed Chief Bere’s death but he said that he did not have the finer details. Said Masomere:

Yes, I can confirm that Chief Bere has died. I cannot give you further details because traditionally we are not allowed to talk about the chief’s funeral. All the details will be given at his burial tomorrow.

Chief Bere was installed in April 2019 when the chieftainship was revived after being dormant for 96 years.

The traditional leader was controversially installed as the coronation was done despite a High Court interdict obtained by the members of the Bere clan who were disputing Tafirei’s ascension to the throne.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that Chief Bere died due to suspected poisoning during a beer drink as the chieftainship dispute remains unresolved.-Mirror

Paul Mwazha, Archibishop of one of the country’s largest indigenous church denominations, the African Apostolic Church, reportedly ordered its members to vote for ZANU PF or risk being de-churched.

In an undated video circulating on social media, an unidentified man wearing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trademark Zimbabwean scarf told a gathering of church members that all congregants who vote against ZANU PF will be excommunicated. The man said:

The African Apostolic Church is the one that prays for the nation. For this country to know peace you are the ones who pray, you are the ones who pray for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Your Paul Mwazha said to all African Apostolics, anyone who votes against ZANU PF will be chased out of the church.

Recently, the church’s chairperson for publicity Bishop Gwatirera Javangwe said its members will continue to vote for the ruling party in national elections.

Speaking at an event organised by the church to celebrate Paul Mwazha’s legacy at Mapembe Shrine last month, Javangwe said:

Archbishop Mwazha always taught us to vote for ZANU PF. The church and government are one thing. I promise that we will continue working closely with our government. That’s our assurance.

By A Correspondent- Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zimbabwe is set to join the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) following the party leadership’s endorsement of the move.

Polad comprises of some opposition parties which participated in the 2018 general elections. EFF participated in the elections but had not yet formally joined the grouping.

The party’s president Innocent Ndibali said plans to join POLAD are already at an advanced stage.

“As a party, we have resolved to join POLAD. We have realized that POLAD is the only platform where Zimbabweans through their various political parties can come together and map the way forward for this great country.  POLAD is a noble idea and we thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for coming up with the idea,” the party’s president Innocent Ndibali said.

The United Kingdom based politician but currently in the country on party business said he will be going to Harare this week to finalize the deal.

“I am supposed to travel to Harare anytime this week to finalize the Polad deal. We hope to work with our colleagues and advance our pan African agenda especially on the issue of black empowerment through the land distribution. We are however against the compensation of white farmers for the land which we took from them,” said Ndibali

By A Correspondent- A wave of price increases of groceries a few days before Christmas has dampened the festive mood, with members of the public lamenting the reduction of their purchasing power.

Over the past week, several shops including retail chains and major supermarkets have hiked the prices of mealie-meal, cooking oil, sugar, meat, rice, fish and potatoes among others

Businesses claim the price increases were triggered by the depreciating Zimbabwe dollar against the United States dollar on the parallel market.

A snap survey by Chronicle of prices in shops within the Bulawayo Central Business District showed that a 2kg packet of chicken which used to sell for an average of $1 000 now sells for between $1 200 and $1 300.

A kilogramme of fresh kapenta (sardine) increased to an average of $500 for a kilogramme in most retail outlets.

The survey also showed that a two-litre Coke has increased to around $309 from $250 while a two-litre bottle of cooking oil has risen from $500 to $700.

One shopper, Primrose Hadebe, a teacher said they have not enjoyed their bonuses that were paid in foreign currency owing to the “price hike madness”. She said:

Prices of most commodities have gone up. We got paid our bonuses in forex but we have not enjoyed the cushioning because of the price hike madness we are witnessing.

In some cases, prices have more than doubled compared to last month.

The Government paid civil servants their bonuses in United States dollars in November to cushion them against rising inflation.

Another teacher, Marie Ncube from Mkoba 9 suburb in Gweru, implored the Government to intervene and stop the price hikes. She said:

I am a teacher and have just withdrawn my forex bonus but I can only buy very little because of the exorbitant prices in both local currency and forex.

Only two weeks ago the bread price was $150 but now it’s $160. This is just one of the many food items whose price has been increased.

Meanwhile, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu attributed the prices increases to the weakening Zimbabwe dollar against the United States dollar.

Said Mutashu:

The increases are directly related to the continued firming of the United States dollar against the local currency on the parallel market.

He urged consumers to avoid panic buying and instead take their time to compare prices so that they get the best bargains.

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Tinashe Manzungu told Chronicle that price increases will likely push up inflation and cut consumer spending.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said there was a need to stabilise the exchange rate so that salaries are not eroded.

He noted that even if salaries are raised in Zimbabwe dollar terms, they will be eroded by exchange rate fluctuations.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) said the energy price increase had a ripple effect on prices as it directly feeds into rising food and transport costs.

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa was on Monday blocked from hosting a charity event for the elderly and people with disabilities in Hatfield, Harare, by heavily-armed riot police.

The opposition party usually hosts an end of year get-together just before Christmas where it donates various goodies to the needy in society.

MDC Alliance’s deputy national spokesperson Ostallos Siziba condemned the police for treating the party as if it were a banned political organisation. Said Siziba:

We were supposed to give charity goods to old people here in Hatfield as per tradition, in the democratic movement as we conclude the year we give back to communities and our program was disrupted by members of the police.

We had notified the police as per the law enforcement protocols and order in this country, but we were banned.

So, to them, the MDC is a banned organisation that cannot exercise the freedom to gather and assemble as prescribed by the constitution of this country.

… We have been disrupted but we continue with our program and we will advise our people on how we are going to move.

In a video circulating on social media platforms, an elderly woman walking with the aid of a walking stick castigates the police for disrupting the event. She is heard shouting:

What kind of people are you? Do you think you are wise? Your behaviour is unacceptable. Why do you block us from accessing food handouts as if the food is coming from your homes? You are being paid by the President, does the President know me?

By A Correspondent- As the political temperatures reach the boiling point ahead of impending Zanu-PF provincial elections in Mashonaland West, party youths at the weekend staged a demonstration against Information deputy minister Kindness Paradza who is eyeing the provincial chairmanship in Chinhoyi.

The youths are believed to have been hired from Chegutu and Mhangura by Paradza’s nemesis, Vengai Musengi.

Paradza is also Makonde district coordinating committee (DCC) chairman.

They accused Paradza of snubbing a meeting to resolve an election dispute in Mhangura.

The demonstrators arrived at the PCC meeting venue, Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), aboard a Blue Circle bus while others drove in vehicles singing and blowing horns.

They waved placards inscribed “Down With Paradza” and “We are tired” in full view of anti-riot police officers who took no action.

In the heat of the chaos, Zvimba South legislator Phillip Chiyangwa, who was just beginning to address the meeting, ordered the party’s security department to stop the commotion, but they could not be deterred.

Chiyangwa bellowed: “Security, please check what is happening, we don’t want to be attacked from behind. I have never encountered such indiscipline within the party.”

Paradza was escorted to his vehicle by state security agents and party security officials.

He said he was not moved by legionnaires hired by his rivals, who were afraid of losing in the upcoming provincial plebiscites.

“My detractors are running scared and are now using dirty tricks to soil my name. The district elections were held and are now behind us, and all those raising dubious appeals are merely out to attract unnecessary attention,” he said.

Guest of honour at the meeting, politburo member, Christopher Mutsvangwa described the incident as unfortunate and said perpetrators must be punished.

“It is an unfortunate incident which l have requested the resident minister (Mary Mliswa-Chikoka) to sort out. It is something which we don’t tolerate as a party,” Mutsvangwa said.

Ironically, Mliswa-Chikoka herself reportedly faces a backlash from voters in Kadoma for employing machete gangs to intimidate supporters of her rivals.

During her recent whirlwind tour of Kadoma district to drum up support, Mliswa-Chikoka allegedly hired Tsitsi Mutariswa and one Enia, who is married to one George ‘Mbimbo’ Chikwaturo, to instil fear in would-be voters to rally behind her candidature.

Paradza, Mliswa-Chikoka and Musengi are expected to square off in the race for provincial chairman post in polls whose dates are yet to be set.

By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced the arrest of six suspected armed robbers who pounced on a CAG bus and robbed its crew and passengers of over US$20 000.

The robbery occurred at around 6.30 PM along the Harare-Chirundu highway on Tuesday last week.

Police said the robbers are Justice Mutero Mahoko (29), Norest Chin’ozho (29), Tichaona Chemhere (19), Gift Muvengwa (37), Leo Marecha Ndawana (32), and Harrison Wizilam (41).

The police also said property worth ZW$856 095 was stolen, while the items valued at ZW$557 325 have been recovered.

By-The police said carjackers in Harare are now employing new tactics in robbing unsuspecting drivers.

The police said this after two motorists lost their vehicles to armed robbers after offering them lifts in the last few days.

The first motorist lost his Toyota Vitz, US$20 cash and a Huawei cellphone to robbers on December 15.

Police say the suspects posed as genuine passengers, before turning against the Harare driver at around 8pm.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery and warned people against offering lifts to strangers.
Police are still looking for four armed robbers, including two women, who robbed a motorist of his Honda CRV vehicle, two cellphones and US$50 after being offered a lift in Harare on Monday night last week.
The four robbers were offered a lift near Boka Auction Floors when they pretended to be going to Southlea Park in Harare, but along the way, the gang manhandled the driver before robbing him and dumped him.
A report was then made to the police, who are still looking for the robbers.

The robbers struck at the Marirangwe turn-off along Masvingo road and stole from the 48-year-old man his Honda CRV vehicle registration number ACV 5783, two cellphones and a wallet containing US$50. Anyone who can help the police should contact any police station, said Asst Comm Nyathi.
In a related incident, another man lost his car at the 165km peg along Harare-Bulawayo Road.
The man, aged 49, lost a Honda Fit car, US$40, Infinite cellphone and some clothes to four unknown suspects whom he picked in Chinhoyi on the pretext they were going to Gweru.
Investigations are in progress.
Meanwhile, police in Matabeleland South are investigating a fatal hit and run road traffic accident which occurred on December 10, 2021 at 11.30pm at the 39km peg along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road where an unknown motorist ran over a woman pedestrian and did not stop.
A black BMW motor vehicle mudguard was found at the scene. Anyone with information should contact any police station.

-Herald

By A Correspondent-MDC Alliance secretary-general, Charlton Hwende, said the party should not be bothered by Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichisi, MDC-T.

POsting on his tweeter account Tuesday, Hwende said 2022 was a year of progressive change.

“In President 

@nelsonchamisa

 tonosvika Chete!! The struggle is underwritten by the People. Our biggest Challenge is entryism but the struggle always flushes out secret agents, operatives, plants, intruders, interlopers,informants, moles and Hibernators. #NgaapindeHakeMukomana,” he said.

By-Two motorists have lost their vehicles to armed robbers after offering them lifts in the last few days.

The first motorist lost his Toyota Vitz, US$20 cash and a Huawei cellphone to robbers on December 15.

Police say the suspects posed as genuine passengers, before turning against the Harare driver at around 8pm.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery and warned people against offering lifts to strangers.
Police are still looking for four armed robbers, including two women, who robbed a motorist of his Honda CRV vehicle, two cellphones and US$50 after being offered a lift in Harare on Monday night last week.
The four robbers were offered a lift near Boka Auction Floors when they pretended to be going to Southlea Park in Harare, but along the way, the gang manhandled the driver before robbing him and dumped him.
A report was then made to the police, who are still looking for the robbers.

The robbers struck at the Marirangwe turn-off along Masvingo road and stole from the 48-year-old man his Honda CRV vehicle registration number ACV 5783, two cellphones and a wallet containing US$50. Anyone who can help the police should contact any police station, said Asst Comm Nyathi.
In a related incident, another man lost his car at the 165km peg along Harare-Bulawayo Road.
The man, aged 49, lost a Honda Fit car, US$40, Infinite cellphone and some clothes to four unknown suspects whom he picked in Chinhoyi on the pretext they were going to Gweru.
Investigations are in progress.
Meanwhile, police in Matabeleland South are investigating a fatal hit and run road traffic accident which occurred on December 10, 2021 at 11.30pm at the 39km peg along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road where an unknown motorist ran over a woman pedestrian and did not stop.
A black BMW motor vehicle mudguard was found at the scene. Anyone with information should contact any police station.

-Herald

By- Police in Chegutu have arrested six suspected robbers in connection with several robberies, unlawful entry into premises and theft cases.

The crimes were committed over a period of several weeks spanning from November 2021 to 14 December 2021 in and around Chegutu.

Police have identified the suspects as Justice Mutero Mahoko (29), Norest Chin’ozho (29), Tichaona Chemhere (19) Gift Muvengwa (37), Leo Marecha Ndawana (22) and Harrison Wizilam (41). The ZRP said in a statement:
The suspects used machetes and iron bars to force doors open before gaining entry into premises where they targeted television sets, cellphones, motor vehicles as well as cash, among other valuables.
The arrest cleared eight cases of robbery and two cases of unlawful entry into premises and theft.

In a related incident, police confirmed the arrest of Tinaye Gumbo (21) for an armed robbery that occurred in Beitbridge on Saturday last week around 11 PM.
Police said the suspect, together with his two accomplices only known as Kedha and Malume, attacked two complainants who entered the country through an illegal entry point near Beitbridge Prison.

The suspect was fished out by a Police dog in a nearby bush after the complainants had made a report.

By -Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is pushing for the arrest of the former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa on trumped-up corruption allegations.

the former ZCTU boss said in a statement:
“It is political vengeance and persecution. Unfortunately, it is led and supported by Zanu PF enablers in ZCTU who seek to hoodwink workers into believing that this is a genuine concern.
Firstly, the report to Zacc (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission) was made just before the past ZCTU conference,” Mutasa said.
“Zanu PF senior officials were already warning me of the impending audit and arrest. That is also why some publications were writing defamatory articles against me. In all the articles, they cited Zanu PF enablers within ZCTU despite their denials.”
He said he had nothing to fear as the charges were trumped up and the whole thing was political persecution driven by vengeance.
On December 9, presidential spokesperson, George Charamba warned that Mutasa would soon be caged over alleged “transgressions” and misuse of funds during his tenure at the helm of the ZCTU.
Moyo said reports of his “imminent arrest” were given prominence last week towards the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition annual general meeting to harm his chances of getting nominated for the chairperson position.
“This report was meant to be used to cause my arrest should the voting delegates’ numbers support my re-election. This would ensure I was removed from the conference processes and lose by default. This was put on hold when the other team realised that they could win.
“Secondly, this report is meant to silence me against the regime or its backers in ZCTU.”
Mutasa lost the ZCTU presidency in October to Florence Taruvinga, who became the first female president of the organisation since independence.
Taruvinga works for Zesa as a technician and was ZCTU’s first vice-president.
Valentine Chikosi and Nicholas Mazarura were elected first and second vice-presidents respectively, while Douglas Chiradza was elected as treasurer-general.
Japhet Moyo remains the secretary-general.
-Newsday

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson on Sunday said he warned the late prominent human rights champion Dewa Mavhinga against coming to Zimbabwe.

Mavhinga died mysteriously two weeks ago in Johannesburg.

Addressing mourners at the burial of the veteran human rights defender in Hwirisha, Chikomba, President Chamisa narrated how he tried to stop Mavhinga from visiting Zimbabwe.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:

“I had told Dewa to defer his visit to Zimbabwe, but he insisted that he would come.

He told me that he was in the southern region visiting other countries including Mozambique.

He inquired why I was stopping him from coming to Zimbabwe. I also insisted that he should not come to Zimbabwe. About four weeks ago, we held a virtual meeting with Dewa and three others for over an hour planning the way forward on the 2023 elections. Dewa was a veteran, a stalwart, very resolute and a beast on fighting for human rights.

It is not possible to become a human rights defender without a human rights attacker.

He was a defender because our people are being attacked. We have been robbed as a country, as the whole world, as a generation.”

President Chamisa also posted on Twitter:

In CHIKOMBA Hwirisha..Laying to rest a Hero and Democrat DEWA MAVHINGA. A leader par excellence.A solid family anchor.A community leader in development. A global icon. A human rights defender.A pillar & Cde in the struggle for freedom. An intellectual giant. RIP beloved brother.

By-Police in Kwekwe have for the past three months been stuck with the body of a man that was retrieved from the scene of a road traffic accident that happened along Gokwe-Kwekwe Road on 20 October 2021 at around 2:45 PM.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Midlands Province Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko told The Mirror that the deceased, believed to have been around 30 years of age at the time of his demise, had no identification documents on him.

He said that the body was found after a Honda Fit vehicle in which the deceased was travelling was involved in an accident at Tiger Reef Junction.

Inspector Mahoko said the deceased is dark in complexion, approximately 30 years, medium built and approximately 1.5 metres in height.

He was wearing a red t-shirt inscribed Manchester United, a black pair of jean trousers and black shoes when his body was discovered.

Inspector Mahoko appealed to people with a missing relative to come and identify the body at Kwekwe Mortuary. He said:

ZRP is concerned with the number of sudden death cases of people without identification particulars. It is suspected that the man is known as Alboy Ncube.

Members of the public missing a relative matching the description given above are advised to approach Kwekwe Traffic or the nearest Police station.

It is important to carry identification particulars at all times and a trusted person to know your movements.

More: The Mirror

By -Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is pushing for the arrest of the former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa on trumped-up corruption allegations.

the former ZCTU boss said in a statement:
“It is political vengeance and persecution. Unfortunately, it is led and supported by Zanu PF enablers in ZCTU who seek to hoodwink workers into believing that this is a genuine concern.
Firstly, the report to Zacc (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission) was made just before the past ZCTU conference,” Mutasa said.
“Zanu PF senior officials were already warning me of the impending audit and arrest. That is also why some publications were writing defamatory articles against me. In all the articles, they cited Zanu PF enablers within ZCTU despite their denials.”
He said he had nothing to fear as the charges were trumped up and the whole thing was political persecution driven by vengeance.
On December 9, presidential spokesperson, George Charamba warned that Mutasa would soon be caged over alleged “transgressions” and misuse of funds during his tenure at the helm of the ZCTU.
Moyo said reports of his “imminent arrest” were given prominence last week towards the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition annual general meeting to harm his chances of getting nominated for the chairperson position.
“This report was meant to be used to cause my arrest should the voting delegates’ numbers support my re-election. This would ensure I was removed from the conference processes and lose by default. This was put on hold when the other team realised that they could win.
“Secondly, this report is meant to silence me against the regime or its backers in ZCTU.”
Mutasa lost the ZCTU presidency in October to Florence Taruvinga, who became the first female president of the organisation since independence.
Taruvinga works for Zesa as a technician and was ZCTU’s first vice-president.
Valentine Chikosi and Nicholas Mazarura were elected first and second vice-presidents respectively, while Douglas Chiradza was elected as treasurer-general.
Japhet Moyo remains the secretary-general.
-Newsday

By-Parirenyatwa Hospital At least 436 workers from all departments at Zimbabwe’s largest medical centre, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, are in isolation after contracting Covid-19 while on duty; an official has said.
Hospital spokesperson Linos Dhire said operations had been scaled down as a result of the situation.

“The rate of infections is quite higher at our institutions compared to previous waves, which is a reflection of incidences of Covid-19 in the community.
“We have a significant number of staff members across all departments who are in isolation.
“The infections are affecting service delivery in our hospital,” he said.
Zimbabwe on Thursday recorded 4 247 Covid-19 cases and 12 deaths, pushing the national cumulative infections to 186 304.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, active Covid-19 cases rose to 49 396.
Over the past two weeks, the country recorded a 472 percent increase in new COVID-19 cases.
This prompted the government to introduce a few changes to existing Covid-19 regulations including scaling down all government activities to 30 percent in response to the rising Covid-19 infections. – New Ziana

By A Correspondent- A South African pastor has used church money to gamble.

The 49-year-old pastor from Tsakane, Ekurhuleni is now looking for help.

His wife (45) said she supported him when he started to gamble as they were struggling financially.

“Church was closed and we were struggling financially. He bet on his phone and he sometimes won. He spoiled us whenever he won. I thought he would stop gambling when lockdown levels were lowered and churches were reopened, but he never did. He was enjoying it.”
She said although her husband started to lose, he still continued to gamble.
“He took the little money we got from the church and used it for gambling. He took the tithe and gambled with it. I don’t know how to get him to stop. We need prayers,” she said.
She said they’ve been together for more than 15 years.
“He’s always been a good man who doesn’t do bad, but Covid messed him up,” she said.
She asked not to be photographed and to keep the church’s name anonymous as people are still going to church and paying tithes. The pastor told Daily Sun he has registered for counselling.
“I will start in January. I can also see that this has gone out of hand. I want it to stop,” he said.
He said if someone can help him beat this either with prayers or something else, they are welcome to.
“I see that this is messing up my marriage. I will end up with no wife and no church. I started gambling when we had nothing as we couldn’t go to church, but now it’s in me. I can’t stop that easily, but I will work hard to beat it,” said the pastor.
Bishop Vusumuzi Dlamini of Glory to the Lord Ministry said the pastor asked for prayers and confessed about his addiction.
“We have a programme where we help people addicted to drugs, alcohol and other substances. We give them counselling and support. The pastor will join this programme starting in January. We have hope he will stop gambling when he’s done with the programme and people’s tithes will be safe,” he said. Daily Sun

By-The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced the arrest of six suspected armed robbers who pounced on a CAG bus and robbed its crew and passengers of over US$20 000.

The robbery occurred at around 6.30 PM along the Harare-Chirundu highway on Tuesday last week.

Police said the robbers are Justice Mutero Mahoko (29), Norest Chin’ozho (29), Tichaona Chemhere (19), Gift Muvengwa (37), Leo Marecha Ndawana (32), and Harrison Wizilam (41).

The police also said property worth ZW$856 095 was stolen, while the items valued at ZW$557 325 have been recovered.

By A Correspondent- A 28-year-old man who duped businessman Philip Chiyangwa’s Daughter, Cherish Natasha Chiyangwa, of £18 000 in a botched mining investment deal, was spared jail after the court ordered him to pay back the money.

Willard Munyaradzi Kachere was initially jailed for two years when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga.
The two years were suspended on condition that he pays back US$14 000 on or before February 20 next year.
Kachere had denied the charges, saying he never entered into any agreement with Cherish and that the money had not been sent to him, but to Jamie Farai Muswibe.
He also disputed the amount involved.
“She entered into a business transaction with Jamie Farai Muswibe wherein they shared all the risks, profits and losses associated with running a business enterprise,” said Kachere.
Cherish, in her testimony, told the court that Kachere approached her seeking US$20 000 as capital which was to be invested in mining.
She said Kachere promised her that they would earn US$2 000 in monthly profits.
Mr Tapiwanashe Zvidzai, prosecuting, had it that sometime in April last year, Kachere approached Cherish saying he wanted partners to invest in the mining business.
Kachere then told her that if she invested US$20 000 in the deal, they would get US$2 000 in profits every month.
Cherish then engaged her business partner Muswibe, who then sent Kachere £18 310 through World Remit.
Kachere received the money and later failed to give Cherish the promised monthly profits, which prompted Muswibe to return into the country to establish why he was failing to remit the profits as agreed.
Muswibe then realised that Kachere had not used the money as agreed, which forced Cherish to lodge a complaint with the police.

• Herald

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said they have arrested 1 361 397 2 820 countrywide for violating COVID-19 control measures since the imposition of the lockdown on 30 March.

Most of the arrests were made in central business districts of cities and towns where the police would arrest citizens for not wearing face masks.

Bars and bottle-store are also other places where the police arrest people accusing them of gathering.

By- Rowdy Zanu PF supporters in Chimanimani, at the weekend attacked the party’s Senator for Manicaland Province, Dorothy Mabika.

Her attack came barely a few weeks after the Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Mike Madiro, who is also the Deputy Home Affairs Minister, was attacked by party youths.

Mabika is also  Zanu PF Manicaland vice-chairperson.

She was elected Senator this year to fill the post left vacant following the passing on of Ellen Gwaradzimba, who was also the provincial minister early this year.

Speaking Sunday at a Zanu PF Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting at Marymount Teachers College, Madiro confirmed Mabika survived an attack as she drove past Chakohwa area in Chimanimani West constituency.

He was responding to a point raised by Central Committee member Esau Mupfumi, who called for party members to remain united during the provincial elections.

“Manicaland is united. It is no longer time to engage in quarrels or intimidate each other. Let us remain united as we walk through this journey (provincial elections) together,” Mupfumi said.

In response, Madiro said Mabika’s attack reaffirmed fears there were sellouts within the party who wanted to cause alarm and despondency.

“I think you are all aware that I was attacked last month and yesterday (Saturday) our vice-chairperson Mabika was attacked as well at Chakohwa,” Madiro confirmed.

“Her car was ambushed at a certain turn-off near Chakohwa. I don’t think someone deserves to lose life due to internal party elections.”

Mabika was not injured but failed to attend the PCC meeting Sunday.

Madiro, threatened the perpetrators of violence against party members, that they would soon face the full wrath of the law.

“I had to announce this whilst you are here boss (Engelbert Rugeje) because when I was attacked, I thought our members had learnt a lesson, but it is a fuss that our vice-chairperson was attacked again.”

Rugeje is a Zanu PF Politburo member.

Madiro added: “Those who are perpetrating this kind of violence should be warned that the law will soon catch up with you.”

Zanu PF provincial elections are expected to be held before December 31, and according to Rugeje he had received 288 curriculum vitaes from aspiring party members who are vying for positions within the main wing, women and youth leagues.

-NewZimbabwe

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson on Sunday said he warned the late prominent human rights champion Dewa Mavhinga against coming to Zimbabwe.

Mavhinga died mysteriously two weeks ago in Johannesburg.

Addressing mourners at the burial of the veteran human rights defender in Hwirisha, Chikomba, President Chamisa narrated how he tried to stop Mavhinga from visiting Zimbabwe.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:

“I had told Dewa to defer his visit to Zimbabwe, but he insisted that he would come.

He told me that he was in the southern region visiting other countries including Mozambique.

He inquired why I was stopping him from coming to Zimbabwe. I also insisted that he should not come to Zimbabwe. About four weeks ago, we held a virtual meeting with Dewa and three others for over an hour planning the way forward on the 2023 elections. Dewa was a veteran, a stalwart, very resolute and a beast on fighting for human rights.

It is not possible to become a human rights defender without a human rights attacker.

He was a defender because our people are being attacked. We have been robbed as a country, as the whole world, as a generation.”

President Chamisa also posted on Twitter:

In CHIKOMBA Hwirisha..Laying to rest a Hero and Democrat DEWA MAVHINGA. A leader par excellence.A solid family anchor.A community leader in development. A global icon. A human rights defender.A pillar & Cde in the struggle for freedom. An intellectual giant. RIP beloved brother.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson on Sunday said he warned the late prominent human rights champion Dewa Mavhinga against coming to Zimbabwe.

Mavhinga died mysteriously two weeks ago in Johannesburg.

Addressing mourners at the burial of the veteran human rights defender in Hwirisha, Chikomba, President Chamisa narrated how he tried to stop Mavhinga from visiting Zimbabwe.

President Chamisa, quoted by NewsDay said:

“I had told Dewa to defer his visit to Zimbabwe, but he insisted that he would come.

He told me that he was in the southern region visiting other countries including Mozambique.

He inquired why I was stopping him from coming to Zimbabwe. I also insisted that he should not come to Zimbabwe. About four weeks ago, we held a virtual meeting with Dewa and three others for over an hour planning the way forward on the 2023 elections. Dewa was a veteran, a stalwart, very resolute and a beast on fighting for human rights.

It is not possible to become a human rights defender without a human rights attacker.

He was a defender because our people are being attacked. We have been robbed as a country, as the whole world, as a generation.”

President Chamisa also posted on Twitter:

In CHIKOMBA Hwirisha..Laying to rest a Hero and Democrat DEWA MAVHINGA. A leader par excellence.A solid family anchor.A community leader in development. A global icon. A human rights defender.A pillar & Cde in the struggle for freedom. An intellectual giant. RIP beloved brother.

By A Correspondent- A 20 year old Form 6 pupil at Churchill Boys High School was arrested for writing the Ordinary Level Shona examination for a friend whom he charged US$3.

Leon Chimufombo on Saturday appeared before Harare magistrate Noticia Shenje and was charged with contravening the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Act and sitting, or attempting to present himself at an examination with the intention of impersonating another person.

He was jointly charged with Tanaka Mudorozi (18), who is the student that sought his services.

The duo was represented by Lucky Dube and was released on free bail to January 17.

The complainant, Zimsec, is represented by its security and loss control manager only identified as Nyabonde.

The State alleges that Mudozori gave his school uniform to Chimufombo so that he would be disguised as a Form 4 student and sit for the Zimsec Shona Paper 1, 2021 examination on his behalf.

The plot was exposed by an invigilator who noticed that Chimufombo was writing the exam for Mudzori since he knew the latter.

Chimufombo was arrested and he implicated Mudozori, who was also apprehended.

By A Correspondent- A leader of the Johanne Masowe Echishanu, Andby Makururu has pledged allegiance to the ruling Zanu-PF party, saying President Emmerson Mnangagwa was economically empowering members of his sect.

“I realised that if a person is poverty stricken,  he or she will start to think to vote for the opposition party, but President Mnangagwa  has always urged us to work hard,” Makururu told members of his sect at a prayer session.

He said members of his sect, one of the largest apostolic groupings in the country, would support Mnangagwa in the elections expected in 2023.

“All my church members are going to vote for Mnangagwa in 2023, and how I am going to do that, you can ask me. Poverty is the number one enemy, and so I am supporting my church members with poultry, bakery and other projects so that they can self-sustain,” he said.

“Mnangagwa has the country at heart and we are fully behind him. As church leaders, we are there to provide spiritual guidance to the President.”

Recently, Makururu launched a women’s empowerment programme under which women from the sect would get loans from the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank to start businesses

By A Correspondent- New political outfit, Freedom Alliance unveiled its leaders at a congress held at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at the weekend.

The congress ran on Friday and Saturday.

Public policy and development expert Samukele Hadebe was voted president, while former Peace and Reconciliation minister Moses Mzila Ndlovu, who is also the leader of Alliance for National Salvation (Ansa) is one of the deputy presidents.

Other deputy presidents are former Mthwakazi Republic Party vice-president Presia Ngulube and Senzeni Mpofu.

Nkayi businessman Mqondisi Ndebele was voted national chairperson, while Beauty Ndlovu will deputise him.

Njabulo Ngwenya was voted the secretary-general, Kauhelo Sebata is the senior deputy secretary-general, and Sipho Moyo was voted the deputy secretary for administration, and Nhlanhla Ncube clinched the deputy secretary-general (communications) post, and the treasurer-general is Nomathemba Ndebele.

Freedom Alliance was formed by different stakeholders in Matabeleland who include individual citizens, civic society members, political parties, the diaspora community and church organisations.

The outfit maintains that it was not a political party, adding that it sought to address governance and development imbalances that have affected Matabeleland region since independence through mobilising votes for people with the region’s interests at heart regardless of political affiliation ahead of the 2023 elections.

Ncube said the Freedom Alliance was formed soon after the Matabeleland people’s convention held from May 9 to 14 this year.

“It includes people from various walks of life, organisations and those from diverse cultural backgrounds who came together to form Freedom Alliance,” Ncube said.

He said their target voters were people from Matabeleland and Midlands regions.

“The alliance is not a political party; hence everyone retains their positions in their political parties. They remain members, but they become an alliance to harvest the efforts and energies to see the end of Matabeleland marginalisation, poverty, abuse and resource exploitation,” he said.

By A Correspondent- University of Kent law lecturer Alex Magaisa said that exiled former ZANU PF officials, the so-called G40 kingpins, have not changed and will still abuse power if given another chance.

Posting on the microblogging site, Twitter, Magaisa said the likes of Patrick Zhuwao and Jonathan Moyo are still as vile as they were during the Robert Mugabe era and behave as if they have title deeds to name-calling.

Magaisa was responding to Zhuwao, a nephew to the late former president Robert Mugabe, who had suggested that his latest BSR was a personal attack on Jonathan Moyo and other former G4O kingpins. Below is Magaisa’s post in its entirety:

[Patrick Zhuwao] you say I want to silence you and your friend, Prof Jonathan Moyo. I have no such power.

You silenced yourselves by the egregious abuse of power during your time in govt.

You lost the moral authority to speak on issues that you now claim to be champions of.

Check your friend’s record when he was Information Minister and how many journalists, media houses and citizens he mocked and silenced when he had the power to promote freedom.

Daily News press bombing, Capital Radio, ZBC journalists, foreign journalists like Andrew Meldrum.

You behaved like demigods as if power would not end. And I haven’t even mentioned the abuse of Morgan Tsvangirai, the name-calling and the disgusting, cruel and hurtful words when Itai Dzamara was abducted and caused to disappear in 2015 when you were all in government.

And even now, you both behave like you have title deeds to name-calling. I wanted to show that you have not changed, notwithstanding the pontification over the last 4 years of exile.

You’re still the same vile characters who revel in using uncouth language towards others.

You clearly haven’t come to terms with losing power. And your conduct in recent days confirms what I (and probably others) always suspected: that if given another chance in or near power you will be just as vile and dangerous as you were during the Mugabe regime.

The axe might forget, but the tree never does. It’s tough and traumatic to be in exile; to be unable to return home because kwakaberekera ngwena.

Humility is an underrated but beautiful thing. Respect the people that suffered abuse. Deal with the reality of the post-power phase.

Meanwhile, Zhuwao did not take Magaisa’s criticism lying down but sarcastically referred to the academic as “Mighty Professor Magaisa”. Said Zhuwao:

I don’t claim to be a champion of anything oh Mighty Professor [Alex Magaisa]. I only urged my colleagues to not give up politics because the ranks of the opposition are bereft of politically astute characters.

By A Correspondent- Bus operators are increasing security measures on their buses following a rise in armed robbery cases on buses.

Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation chairman Sam Nanhanga on Sunday said they were going to use metal detectors to prevent people with machetes or guns from boarding buses. Said Nanhanga:

We are going to have metal detectors to make sure that no persons with guns and other harmful metal objects board the bus.

Even if a person is just carrying a machete, they will be detected and will not be allowed to get into the bus.

From now, we are going to use those detecting gadgets because if we do not do that, we will be victims of robberies, especially during this festive season.

This is to ensure the safety of the passengers and the bus crews as well.

Buses have become easy targets for armed robbers who sometimes board buses pretending to be passengers while carrying dangerous weapons.

Last week on Tuesday evening, a gang of armed robbers pounced on a CAG Travellers Coaches bus at the 325km peg along the Harare-Chirundu highway.

The robbers, who have since been arrested, undressed all passengers before escaping with the clothes and more than US$20 000.

By A Correspondent- A twenty year old man from Kezi, Mtsuli Village under Chief Malaba, Matabeleland South province, committed suicide following a misunderstanding with his grandfather over an unspecified issue.

Indications are that after the argument, the now-deceased Ashton Ncube packed his clothes and left home by bicycle.

He hanged himself on a tree using a shoelace last Thursday.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena last Friday told Southern Eye that: “I can confirm that police in Matabeleland South are investigating a case of sudden death involving Ashton Ncube (20), who allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree using a shoelace on December 16 at around 10am following an alleged misunderstanding with his grandfather,” Mangena said.

She said on December 12, Ncube was berated by his grandfather over his behaviour, which did not go down well with him.

Mangena said Ncube’s body was discovered by villagers in a nearby bush.

The villagers informed his grandfather before reporting the matter to police.

“His body was transferred to St Joseph Hospital for post-mortem.  We urge members of the public to consult third parties to resolve their differences.  No problem is beyond solution,” she said.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has apologised to its customers in Harare for a power outage that it blamed on underground cable faults.

In a public notice, ZETDC said the areas affected by the power outage are Overspill, Solani, Munyuki, Makomo, Kubatana Primary School area, Glenwood, Mabvuku, Tafara, New Ardbennie Industrial area, Sunshine Bazaar, Plymouth road and Simon Mazorodze road, Tynwald South, ZIMRE, Kuwadzana, Sawley Way, Admiral Tait road and Chinyika road, Gletwyn, parts of The Grange and Hayhill, Chitungwiza Unit L and the surrounding areas.

Power outages are common in Zimbabwe during the rain season, with the problem of load shedding worsened by trees falling on power lines, plunging households into darkness.

ZETDC has often been criticised by electricity users for its failure to respond timeously to faults.

By A Correspondent- A campaign to decriminalise sex work was last week launched in Bulawayo with the aim of lobbying policymakers to consider sex as a profession.

The campaign was launched by the Sexual Rights Centre (SRC) last week on Wednesday which emphasised that sex workers should speak with one voice in fighting for their rights.

SRC programmes co-ordinator Nombulelo Madonko yesterday told Southern Eye that they want sex work to be decriminalised.

“We are launching the decriminalisation of sex work in Zimbabwe strategy with the Zimbabwe Sex Workers Alliance.  This launch will be held together with sex worker-led organisations to garner support towards crafting of policies to decriminalise their profession,” Madonko said.

“We will lobby other sex workers throughout the country to join the campaign through their provincial co-ordinators,” she said.

Madonko said sex workers would also drum up support from their counterparts in the rural areas.

“We are using the footprint of the provincial co-ordinators to speak to sex workers and capacitate them to ensure that we get their support. We want sex work to be decriminalised because the operating environment is not what it was about 10 years ago.

“We are thankful to the June 2015 Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling that correctly interpreted the law, which was being misused to arrest sex workers. After getting arrested, sex workers were charged for contravening council by-laws with crimes such as loitering and blocking pavements,” she said.

Madonko said the ConCourt ruling allowed sex workers to do their work freely at night on the streets without being arrested.

She said sex workers had encountered several other challenges including being assaulted, murdered by clients, adding that their body parts were being used for ritual purposes.

“I will refer to the most recent case where a sex worker was found dead in a hotel room and had the number 666 inscribed on her stomach. This is not the only case. There are a number of murder cases of sex workers that go unreported, but they come to our attention at SRC.”

She said sex work should be recognised like any other job, adding that sex workers should be respected and allowed to operate freely.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo residents in Pumula North are living in fear due to heavy blasting works at a nearby Chinese quarry mine.

A Chinese firm, Haulin Quarry Mining Company is conducting quarry mining on the outskirts of Pumula North suburb near Pumula High School and Methodist village.

Residents expressed concern over the explosion and noise pollution emanating from the mining site.

They told Southern Eye that they felt the ground shaking from the blasting activities at the site.

Chairperson of the Unemployed Association and founder of the Pumula Leadership Forum Givemore Mangena said they were worried about the effects of the blasting that might lead to infrastructural damage.

“We are worried about our houses and the school.

“The noise is too much and it might demolish our houses and the school,” he said.

Mangena said residents were considering reporting the matter to the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) so that it demands an environmental impact assessment from the Chinese company, and to find out if the residents’ properties are safe.

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association executive council secretary for administration Thembelani Dube, said the effects of explosions were discussed by the residents and the director of Haulin Quarry Mining Company, Hau Haung.

He said the outcome of the meeting was that they would be a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the company and residents on the issue.

“A verbal agreement is not enough, a memorandum of understanding should legalise the company’s dealings in the community in case there are infrastructural damages.

“The affected people should be compensated in the event of a crisis,” he said.

Dube said Haung showed them that the company was properly documented.

He said Ema and council were also engaged on the possible effects of the Chinese company’s blasting activities.

“The positive issues outnumbered the negatives, hence Haung was allowed to operate.

“The company’s 10-year lease is set to expire in 2031,” he said.

Haung agreed to sign a MoU with residents, and assured them that the company will ensure that the blasting does not cause any damage to their houses.

“”I am sorry about the damage caused, it will never happen again.

“This blasting is not a long-term thing.

“I have also ordered the engineers to reduce the explosives,” Haung said.

Ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo could not immediately comment on the issue as she said she was in a meeting.

The noise pollution is affecting people in Pumula South and Magwegwe West which is 3km away.

By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa has alleged that he was being persecuted by  suspected Zanu-PF activists and that graft allegations against him were a plot by the ruling party to have him arrested.

In a statement, Mutasa said the government and Zanu-PF had engineered the corruption allegations.

“It is political vengeance and persecution. Unfortunately, it is led and supported by Zanu-PF enablers in ZCTU who seek to hoodwink workers into believing that this is a genuine concern. Firstly, the report to Zacc (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission) was made just before the past ZCTU conference,” Mutasa said.

“Zanu-PF senior officials were already warning me of the impending audit and arrest. That is also why some publications were writing defamatory articles against me. In all the articles, they cited Zanu-PF enablers within ZCTU despite their denials.”

He said he had nothing to fear as the charges were trumped up and the whole thing was political persecution driven by vengeance.

On December 9, presidential spokesperson, George Charamba warned that Mutasa would soon be caged over alleged “transgressions” and misuse of funds during his tenure at the helm of the ZCTU.

Moyo said reports of his “imminent arrest” were given prominence last week towards the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition annual general meeting to harm his chances of getting nominated for the chairperson position.

“This report was meant to be used to cause my arrest should the voting delegates’ numbers support my re-election. This would ensure I was removed from the conference processes and lose by default. This was put on hold when the other team realised that they could win.

“Secondly, this report is meant to silence me against the regime or its backers in ZCTU.”

Mutasa lost the ZCTU presidency in October to Florence Taruvinga, who became the first female president of the organisation since independence.

Taruvinga works for Zesa as a technician and was ZCTU’s first vice-president.

Valentine Chikosi and Nicholas Mazarura were elected first and second vice-presidents respectively, while Douglas Chiradza was elected as treasurer-general.

Japhet Moyo remains the secretary-general.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has decried the plight of migrants in South Africa, whom it says were being denied healthcare among other necessities.

In a recent MSF’s Limpopo mobility survey report, it stated that denial of access to healthcare services in South Africa was common.

The report reveals a range of challenges faced by migrants on their journeys to and from South Africa, including high rates of sexual violence in border towns and communities, long stays in detention in South Africa for Zimbabweans, language barriers to healthcare access for central African migrants and more.

The report was released on Saturday in commemoration of the annual Migrants Day, which falls on December 18 each year.

The project co-ordinator for the MSF migration project in Beitbridge, Rinako Uenishi, urged authorities to assist migrants who face dehumanising challenges.

“Having arrived at these insights, we share our concerns with authorities to advocate for better migrant conditions,” Uenishi
said.

“Our interviews revealed that many migrants spend protracted periods in detention facilities, a quarter of respondents had spent more than a year locked up, with limited access to healthcare and basic needs. This is a real problem, both from a medical and human rights perspective.”

The MSF survey found that respondents spent time in more than two facilities on average, with living conditions in police stations reported as being poorer than prisons and the Lindela Repatriation Centre.

Only 26% of the interviewees had been tested for HIV and 9,4% for tuberculosis, most in Lindela or prison.

It said in police stations, the rates are much lower.

“There are some reports of transactional sex and forced sex in certain facilities, yet respondents reported very poor access to condoms in detention, especially in Lindela,” Uenishi said.

MSF regional migration referent Vinayak Bhardwaj said: “Many of those whose papers expire before they are able to renew endure inhumane and often illegal conditions of arrest and detention prior to deportation, heightening the risks of contagion during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Bhardwaj pointed out that the MSF team in Beitbridge reports an 80% positivity rate among returning residents who are tested for COVID-19 at the border.-newsday