By A Correspondent- Civil servants are complaining after some church leaders reportedly ordered them to double their tithes in United States dollars.
Reports claim that controversial preacher Isaac Makomichi has instructed civil servants to double their tithes because they have received their bonuses.
“It’s very difficult for us because our pastors are now demanding tithes in forex, my friend also told me that his pastor wrote a letter to church members who work in government demanding tithes in forex,” said one Togarepi who claims to be a teacher.
Several sources claim Makomichi wrote the said letters to his congregants.
Makomichi is known of distributing love charms to slayqueens and “making people rich” through his controversial herb, though some Christians describe him as a fake prophet who uses secret powers to “move mountains.”
“It’s a lie, he never said that, contact him on +263777469342 , I can’t answer such lies,”fumed Tashiel, one of Makomichi’s personal assistants.
Tinashe Sambiri|Former Government Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, has said the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is a typical hypocrite.
Professor Moyo argues Mr Mnangagwa has dismally failed to transform government systems and operations after promising to do so after the coup.
Mnangagwa took over power from his long time boss Robert Mugabe following a military coup in November 2017.
Professor Moyo argued:
” It’s asinine to equate @edmnangagwa clansmen in cabinet, PB, etc with Mugabe’s appointees like Chidhakwa, @PatrickZhuwao and Bona who were appointed to the level of their competence. ED’s appointees like Manikai and Herbert Nkala have risen to the level of their incompetence!
Those who say I shouldn’t complain about @edmnangagwa ‘s appointments, because they’re similar to Mugabe’s appointments which I didn’t complain about, are mad.
Mnangagwa accused Mugabe of favouring Zezurus, his relatives & cronies; so he ousted him in a coup promising better!
But @edmnangagwa ‘s promise to do better than or different from Mugabe is absent. Get it right: it’s not me who complained against Mugabe or who ousted him in a coup; it’s Mnangagwa. I’m complaining against Mnangagwa because he has not kept his coup promise. HE IS A HYPOCRITE!”
Political foes ….Kasukuwere, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Jonathan Moyo
Civil servants are complaining after some church leaders reportedly ordered them to double their tithes in United States dollars.
Reports claim that controversial preacher Isaac Makomichi has instructed civil servants to double their tithes because they have received their bonuses.
“It’s very difficult for us because our pastors are now demanding tithes in forex, my friend also told me that his pastor wrote a letter to church members who work in government demanding tithes in forex,” said one Togarepi who claims to be a teacher.
Several sources claim Makomichi wrote the said letters to his congregants.
Makomichi is known of distributing love charms to slayqueens and “making people rich” through his controversial herb, though some Christians describe him as a fake prophet who uses secret powers to “move mountains.”
“It’s a lie, he never said that, contact him on +263777469342 , I can’t answer such lies,”fumed Tashiel, one of Makomichi’s personal assistants.
Tinashe Sambiri|Former Government Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, has said the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is a typical hypocrite.
Professor Moyo argues Mr Mnangagwa has dismally failed to transform government systems and operations after promising to do so after the coup.
Mnangagwa took over power from his long time boss Robert Mugabe following a military coup in November 2017.
Professor Moyo argued:
” It’s asinine to equate @edmnangagwa clansmen in cabinet, PB, etc with Mugabe’s appointees like Chidhakwa, @PatrickZhuwao and Bona who were appointed to the level of their competence. ED’s appointees like Manikai and Herbert Nkala have risen to the level of their incompetence!
Those who say I shouldn’t complain about @edmnangagwa ‘s appointments, because they’re similar to Mugabe’s appointments which I didn’t complain about, are mad.
Mnangagwa accused Mugabe of favouring Zezurus, his relatives & cronies; so he ousted him in a coup promising better!
But @edmnangagwa ‘s promise to do better than or different from Mugabe is absent. Get it right: it’s not me who complained against Mugabe or who ousted him in a coup; it’s Mnangagwa. I’m complaining against Mnangagwa because he has not kept his coup promise. HE IS A HYPOCRITE!”
By A Correspondent- A 36 year old woman who is facing allegations of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy appeared in court this Wednesday facing aggravated indecent assault charges.
Rose Friday was remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court when she appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi this Wednesday.
The State alleges that Friday forced the 12-year-old boy to have sexual intercourse with her without protection.
The court heard that the boy told his mother what happened leading to Friday’s arrest.
Meanwhile, Friday’s husband Kudakwashe Mugabe aged 27 is facing obstruction of justice charges after allegedly trying to force the boy to withdraw the charges by threatening to assault him.
The duo is expected back in court on the 28th of this month.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has challenged the ZRP to act in a professional manner.
Hon Biti urged police to arrest known Zanu PF hooligans who abducted and tortured Nyasha Zhambe to death.
According to Team Pachedu, one Chief Inspector Cames Myambo is refusing to arrest the ZANU-PF thugs who abducted, tortured and killed Nyasha Zhambe.
Writing on Twitter, Hon Biti denounced the brutal murder of Zhambe by Zanu PF agents.
“Nyasha Zhambe Mawere was brutally murdered by the regime’s thugs on 27 Nov.Regime did not arrest perpetrators but chose to arrest his brother. Impunity & selective application of the law have sunk to a new low under Emmerson Mnangagwa s regime .We demand justice for Nyasha .
Section 208 of Constitution makes it clear that neither Security Services nor any of their members may a)act in a partisan manner b)further interests of any political party or cause c) prejudice lawful interest of any party c)violate fundamental rights or freedoms of any person,” Hon Biti said.
He also described the Zanu PF regime as clueless and vacuous.
“Yet another hopeless , loony decision made by a desperate vacuous regime. We have always argued that decisions on highly technical matters must be left to science and science alone ,not sorcery or witchcraft.Closing borders is no solution but vaccines & more vaccines .#ZanuPFMustGo
We have always maintained that somewhere in Emmerson s office is a government department created to make citizens suffer.This is clearly the busiest unit of this regime.Fact is we deserve better , we can do better .
ZIMBABWE IS CLOSED: Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has just made an extraordinary decision that all visitors and returning residents will undergo – at own cost – a mandatory PCR test and quarantine at designated facilities for WHO recommended days (14 currently). Curfew 9PM to 6AM.”
Zambia has announced new additional measures that are aimed at curbing the transmission of the coronavirus in the Southern African country.
Below is a statement by Zambian authorities:
UPDATED GUIDELINES FOR STRENGTHENING SURVEILLANCE AT POINTS OF ENTRY (POE) (30/11/2021)
Zambia has so far had three distinct COVID-19 waves since the first cases were detected in March 2020. Each subsequent wave has had higher cases, mortality and duration compared to the preceding one. While the national incidence of COVID-19 is currently low, the risk of a new wave of COVID-19 remains high. Factors that would facilitate a rise in cases include: i) Low vaccination rates ii) poor compliance to public health and social measures such as masking iii) the emergence of new variants that may be more transmissible and cause more severe disease.
The new Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant has been detected in various countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified it as a “variant of concern”. Zambia is therefore seeking to strengthen surveillance at Points of Entry to minimise the risk of importation of this and other variants.
In line with WHO and Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC) guidelines, Zambia will not impose a travel ban on any country, however, the following guidelines will apply to all international travel:
1. Screening for COVIO-19 will continue at all Points of Entry including airports and land crossings:
i. Port Health officers will observe all arriving passengers to detect those with obvious signs of illness and subject them to further evaluation including testing if indicated.
ii. All arriving passengers will undergo temperature screening
iii. Port Health Officers will collect and review health declaration forms completed by all passengers and verify contact details.
2. All travelers entering Zambia will be required to provide evidence of a negative SARS COV2 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for a sample collected within 72 hours of departure from the country of origin. Port Health Officers will determine the authenticity and validity of SARS COV2 negative certificates.
3. All travelers from countries that have reported the Omicron variant will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine for ten (10) days from the date of arrival;
a. Returning citizens, residents and permit-holders will be allowed to quarantine at home
b. Non-residents will be quarantined in designated centers at their own cost
4. Travelers departing from Zambia will be screened and must meet all COVID-19 testing requirements of the country of destination and/or transit.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has challenged the ZRP to act in a professional manner.
Hon Biti urged police to arrest known Zanu PF hooligans who abducted and tortured Nyasha Zhambe to death.
According to Team Pachedu, one Chief Inspector Cames Myambo is refusing to arrest the ZANU-PF thugs who abducted, tortured and killed Nyasha Zhambe.
Writing on Twitter, Hon Biti denounced the brutal murder of Zhambe by Zanu PF agents.
“Nyasha Zhambe Mawere was brutally murdered by the regime’s thugs on 27 Nov.Regime did not arrest perpetrators but chose to arrest his brother. Impunity & selective application of the law have sunk to a new low under Emmerson Mnangagwa s regime .We demand justice for Nyasha .
Section 208 of Constitution makes it clear that neither Security Services nor any of their members may a)act in a partisan manner b)further interests of any political party or cause c) prejudice lawful interest of any party c)violate fundamental rights or freedoms of any person,” Hon Biti said.
He also described the Zanu PF regime as clueless and vacuous.
“Yet another hopeless , loony decision made by a desperate vacuous regime. We have always argued that decisions on highly technical matters must be left to science and science alone ,not sorcery or witchcraft.Closing borders is no solution but vaccines & more vaccines .#ZanuPFMustGo
We have always maintained that somewhere in Emmerson s office is a government department created to make citizens suffer.This is clearly the busiest unit of this regime.Fact is we deserve better , we can do better .
ZIMBABWE IS CLOSED: Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has just made an extraordinary decision that all visitors and returning residents will undergo – at own cost – a mandatory PCR test and quarantine at designated facilities for WHO recommended days (14 currently). Curfew 9PM to 6AM.”
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo health officials say some pupils are resisting to be vaccinated in the ongoing vaccination programme targeting teenagers aged 16 and 17, a challenge blamed on parents and guardians’ vaccination hesitancy.
Government last month approved the vaccination of minors aged 16 years and above.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care in conjunction with the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry last week launched the vaccination of teenagers aged between 16 and 17.
Bulawayo City Council health department is carrying out an outreach vaccination programme in schools.
Magwegwe High School in Magwegwe suburb; Sobukhazi High School in Mzilikazi suburb; Sikhulile High School in Lobengula and Mandwandwe High School in Nkulumane suburb are some of the schools vaccination teams have so taken the programme.
Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director Dr Maphios Siamuchembu said the province made relative progress during the first week of the vaccination programme but some pupils are resisting the programme.
He said they intend to have vaccinated 10 000 pupils who are aged 16 and 17 when schools close on December 17, just two weeks away and so far, they have vaccinated 4 806 children.
Dr Siamuchembu said they have also taken advantage of the programme to vaccinate 1 523 children in schools who are 18 years old and above but are still in school.
“Our aim as a ministry is to achieve herd immunity by the end of this year.
By 31 December 2021 we want to have vaccinated 60 percent of the total population.
So, in Bulawayo we aim to have vaccinated 60 percent of the total of residents in the province.
We are aiming to vaccinate about 10 000 pupils who are eligible but we are getting resistance and refusals. So, this is part of the struggles that we are facing,” he said.
He said apathy among pupils is a reflection of how adults perceive the vaccination exercise.
Dr Siamuchembu said if more parents get vaccinated even their children will be eager to be vaccinated.
“For anyone below the age of 18, the greatest influence is the parent. So, the reasons why adults are reluctant to be vaccinated are the same reasons contributing to children not being vaccinated.
We started a vaccination programme many months ago but we have only vaccinated about 50 percent of the targeted population. People have various reasons for not wanting to be vaccinated,” said Dr Siamuchembu.
“Some are saying they are breastfeeding hence they are not eligible, others have doubts about the efficacy of the vaccine and others are afraid and they think the anti-Christ is in the vaccine. It’s the same reasons that these children are having because they are guided by their parents.”
He said it will be crucial for parents to encourage their children to get vaccinated for the country to achieve herd immunity.
In the Midlands province, the Provincial Medical Director Dr Mary Muchekeza appealed for more teenagers to get jabbed.
She urged more pupils as well as adults to consider receiving the vaccines in the wake of a surge in new infections in the province.
“A total of 19 114 within the age group of 16-17 vaccinated since 18 November against a target of 92 276.
This is a coverage of 21 percent. We are still encouraging all to embrace the vaccination programme,” said Dr Muchekeza.
She said there is a need for more teenagers to be vaccinated as learning institutions are recording new infections. “We now have a lot of cases in the province.
The cases are basically everywhere now and everyone should be on their best behaviour in terms of observing Covid-19 prevention measures,” said Dr Muchekeza.
“We encourage all eligible people to get vaccinated, especially now with the 4th wave being in full swing. We cannot afford to let down our guard because some learning institutions have tested pupils for Covid-19 and are getting positive cases.
So, it’s everywhere now. The communities need to be aware of this.”
Meanwhile, a local private school in Gweru has been forced to prematurely end the third term after fears of a Covid-19 outbreak at the school.
Midlands Christian School (MCS) authorities say three of their day pupils in the infants’ section have tested positive to the virus prompting the decision to shut the school for day scholars.
“In the meantime, we feel it is prudent that as a school we take immediate action to control the situation by asking for all day scholar pupils, once they have been collected today (Wednesday) to stay at home until further notice,” reads a letter sent to parents by the school head.-statemedia
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has directed local banks to pay civil servants their USD bonuses without charges. This comes after reports that some banks were paying in the local currency. Pindula News presents Ncube’s directive:
PAYMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS BONUS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
1. For the better part of the year 2021, Government has been seized with various initiatives to continue to stabilize the economy, contain inflationary pressures, and therefore restore the purchasing power of the local currency, with the primary goal being to increase the domestic and external competitiveness of the economy, save and preserve jobs and livelihoods and limit damage to the economy particularly in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
2. Macro fiscal stabilization has been achieved largely through fiscal consolidation and the resultant attainment of both fiscal balance and stabilization of the current account.
3. Government is grateful for. and fully recognises the sacrifice and co-operation of all Zimbabweans in the effort to stabilise the economy, which is now on a firm foundation for growth.
4. To further consolidate gains made in reducing inflation from a peak rate of 875% in July 2020 to less than 55% currently, recognising the cyclical nature of annual price hikes whenever we approach the payment dates for Civil servants’ bonuses, the Government of Zimbabwe decided to pay the 2021 bonuses for all civil servants in foreign currency.
5. As of 30 November 2021, bonus payments in foreign currency have been effected for all civil servants and pensioners through their banks.
6. However, it has come to the attention of the Treasury that some banks are compulsorily liquidating civil servants bonus payments and thereby forcibly paying them in domestic currency.
7. In addition, banks have resorted to making arbitrary charges against the bonus payments with some taking significant portions of the wages in the form of bank charges.
8. Both above practices take away the intended benefits of the Bonus payments and we, therefore, wish to advise as follows: –
a. All civil servants should be allowed to withdraw their bonus payments in full in United States Dollars, subject only to existing daily cash withdrawal limits set by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
b. Such bonus payment amounts are to be made in full without deduction or levy.
c. Government and banks will agree a structure for bank charges for these specific amounts which charges must be kept to a minimum.
9. In this regard, Government is appealing to the banks for their usual support and cooperation in ensuring that the payment of Civil Servants bonuses is implemented smoothly.
By A Correspondent- Students and lecturers at Esigodini Agricultural College are now living in fear after a number of pythons were found on the college premises.
It is understood that the college which is about 40 kilometres away from Bulawayo has recorded several python sightings around their premises.
A few months ago one python was found in the pottery by one of the students who was carrying out their broiler project.
The python had swallowed nine chicks and hid under the grass. Then another python was found in the fields hunting for birds.
The vice-principal for Esigodini Agricultural College, Farai Gomo said there were many pythons because there was once a man who used to keep different types of snakes around the area.
Said Gomo:
When he left, he freed all the snakes and this is why some of the pythons have dominated the college.
I once found a black mamba in my compound and another python was found along the fence at the principal’s house.
He advised residents and everyone in general not to walk during the night especially if they know that their environment is dominated by snakes.
Gomo advised people not to walk at night especially in places where pythons and different types of snakes are dominant.
He also said they should not provoke pythons because they are not violent snakes.
Meanwhile, officials said officers from the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management had collected some of the pythons at the college.
By A Correspondent- Vice President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga yesterday confirmed that the country had recorded its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, raising fears of a hard lockdown in the coming few weeks.
Scientists fear that the variant is more contagious and vaccines may be less effective against it.
The announcement by Chiwenga comes at a time when the country has been recording a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent days, resulting in some schools closing early.
The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa and Botswana.
It has now been reported in at least 24 countries, but this has not stopped a number of countries from imposing a travel ban on Zimbabwe alongside other southern African countries.
Chiwenga, who last week urged Zimbabweans not to panic over the new variant, confirmed that the country had recorded its first confirmed case.
“We are doing the genomic sequencing and we have already identified that we now have it (Omicron) in this country and, therefore, must remain vigilant,” Chiwengwa told young farmers in the capital yesterday.
“We want everyone to be safe, so let us be vaccinated and then let us follow the protocols. We don’t want to end up putting extra measures but if we follow these measures, I think every one of us will be safe and we will conquer this enemy.”
The announcement came a day after President Emmerson Mnangagwa had reimposed level two lockdown measures that include mandatory quarantine for returning citizens and visitors upon entering the country.
A 9pm to 6am curfew is now in place, restaurants and supermarkets must close at 7pm, bars and nightclubs are only open to the vaccinated while burials will now be monitored by Health ministry environmental officials.
Government on Wednesday issued Statutory Instrument (SI) 267 of 2021 giving effect to the new regulations.
Zimbabwe has recorded over 135 000 cases and 4 707 fatalities since the southern African country was hit by COVID-19 in March last year.
On Friday last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated the new variant B.1.1.529, also known as Omicron, a variant of concern.
Researchers around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron which is said to have many mutations.
South Africa had recorded about 11 500 new Omicron variant cases as of yesterday, up from 8 500 cases confirmed the previous day.
WHO has recommended, among other things, increased surveillance, particularly virus genome sequencing; focused research to understand the dangers posed by the variant; and ramping up mitigation measures, such as mandatory mask wearing.
Japan, Israel and a number of Western countries have already closed borders to foreigners, in particular from southern Africa.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said people who are not vaccinated will be excluded from nonessential stores, cultural and recreational venues.
According to WHO, COVID-19 has infected about 6,1 million people in Africa and claimed 152 113 lives.-newsday
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF chairperson for Mazowe district, Amatola farm Alexander Makukula (58) has been dragged to Bindura magistrates court facing a rape charge.
Makukula has been accused of raping his 15-year-old maid and threatening her and her mother with death if she makes the matter public.
He appeared before magistrate Samantha Dhlamini on Monday and was granted a $5 000 bail.
The state-led by Edward Katsvairo alleged that sometime in July Makukula was at his farm in Mazowe with the maid after his wife had gone out.
She went to bath and Makukula followed her in the bathroom tipped her down covered her mouth with a cloth and raped her.
The politician threatened both the mother of the victim and the victim.
The victim was escorted to their ward councillor Edwin Chinotimba (ZANU PF) who subsequently escorted her to Mazowe police to file a police report leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Makukula is expected back in court on December 7 for trial.
By A Correspondent- The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has given health workers until December 31, 2021, to get vaccinated or stop showing up at work.
The GHS director of health promotion, Dr Da-costa Aboagye said that unvaccinated health workers would not be permitted to their various workplaces if they do not take heed of the ultimatum.
They will only be allowed on to the hospital premises if they provide a negative PCR test result. Dr Aboagye said this was necessary to protect patients and staff from Covid-19.
This comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has allowed governments to impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccination as the world faces the threat of a new variant, Omicron.
WHO, however, warned that governments must exhaust all measures to encourage voluntary inoculation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health has launched a national Covid-19 vaccination month to afford people including health workers the opportunity to get vaccinated.
Dr Aboagye advised health workers to take advantage of the campaign and get vaccinated.
GHS has said that very soon the government might make the COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory to help the nation achieve its target of herd immunity by next year.
GHS director-general Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said mandatory vaccination was necessary to get the pandemic under control.-msn
I believe @AmandaDupont. Molemo Maarohanye (Jub Jub) raped me too. It happened in Mama Jakie's house in Naturena. He was my boyfriend. I was a teenager. I was a virgin. https://t.co/OcL9zY8YNN
Jub Jub conducted an interview on Podcast and Chill with MacG, which aired on Channel O yesterday, in his personal capacity. Moja Love was not part of the editorial of that interview and is not associated with the content thereof. 1/2
As a channel, though we don't condone any Gender Based Violence in any way and under any circumstances. As Moja Love, we have decided to suspend Jub Jub.
This is not the first time Amanda speaks out about the rape. She mentioned this during an interview with real Magazine in 2014. She didn't mention Jub Jub's name, but those that knew he was her ex knew it was him. I belive Amanda, I always have. Jub Jub is an abuser. https://t.co/L9a3bFv9oG
By A Correspondent- Lupane State University (LSU) and Inyathi High School in Matabeleland North province have recorded six and 13 COVID-19 cases, respectively, prompting authorities to be on high alert as the country braces for a fourth wave of the killer disease after a more fatal variant, Omicron, was recently detected in neighbouring Botswana and South Africa.
LSU spokesperson Zwelithini Dlamini confirmed the development yesterday, saying: “I am advised by the acting dean of students that one case was confirmed positive last night.
“Contact-tracing was done as of this morning and, so far, six cases have been confirmed.
“Those six have been isolated on campus. Meanwhile, all students are being tested.
“Those that are coming for the examinations which start on Monday will all be tested on arrival on Sunday.”
“Personnel from the Health and Child Care ministry are on the ground at campus and the situation is under control,” Dlamini said.
LSU sources yesterday blamed the outbreak to failure by authorities to test students on admission to campus.
“The reason for the outbreak is that students were allowed to get into hostels without being tested for COVID-19 on November 21,” said the source.
Matabeleland North provincial medical director (PMD) Admire Kuretu said he was only aware of the outbreak at Inyathi High School.
“Inyathi High is the one that reported 13 cases, 11 learners and two staffers a day before yesterday. They have been isolated and contacts were screened.
“The Bubi district health team is assisting the rest of the school with enforcement of COVID-19 prevention protocols.”
Several private boarding schools in and around Harare have closed and sent students home after an alarming increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases at the learning institutions.
On Monday, 100 students at Masvingo Teachers’ College tested positive for the virus.
The rise in confirmed cases has resulted in panic in schools.
President Emmerson Mnangangwa on Monday re-imposed level 2 lockdown measures and ordered tight border controls to curb the spread of the killer virus.
By A Correspondent- Residents of Tshabalala suburb in Bulawayo have spent two weeks without electricity after cables were stolen.
Several suburbs in Bulawayo have of late experienced electricity blackouts due to cable theft.
Tshabalala residents allege that they spotted a Zimbabwe Electricity, Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC)-branded vehicle in the area during the night, before electricity went off.
They suspect that ZETDC employees were responsible for the cable theft.
“It was in the middle of the night, and I was on my way home when I approached a precast wall near my place.
“I heard some strange noise and I flashed my torch to see what was happening,” Danisa Ndlovu a Tshabalala resident told Southern Eye.
“I saw people cutting cables. I stood there for a while and when they saw me they ran away leaving the cables.”
Ndlovu said the suspects jumped into a ZETDC vehicle and drove off.
“We have spent more than a week now without power and the cables are still lying there,” said another resident, Nomusa Sibanda.
“This is posing a danger to our kids who like playing around that area. We are not sure whether the cables are live or not. Children like to experiment a lot,” Sibanda said.
Zesa Southern Region manager Lovemore Chinaka said: “I do not have a report implicating ZETDC workers on the matter.
“I actually wasn’t aware that Tshabalala residents have no power.
“I will find out about what is happening in that area.”-newsday
THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport says the country’s airports are operating without radar systems exposing the country’s security aviation systems.
During a post-budget consultative meeting with parastatals in the transport sector Thursday, committee chairperson Oscar Gorerino expressed grave concerns over the continuous change and cancellation of contracts to tender winners to install the radar systems.
Radar systems consist of traffic communication, which enables traffic controllers to communicate with pilots. The radars also improve surveillance of the civilian airspace.
“It is very dangerous to have a non-functional radar system for a nation. Why is it taking too long to be upgraded?” Gorerino asked Transport Ministry secretary Theodius Chinyanga.
“There is need for a change of strategy on the radar system. What is worrying is the continuous change of tender awards all the time without any progress on the ground.”
Gorerino advised Chinyanga to organise a meeting between the MPs and the Chinese company, China Harbour Equipment Company (CHEC), that was awarded the tender to upgrade the system.
“We want to have a meeting with the Chinese company that you contracted. We cannot continue to operate without a proper radar system. It is very dangerous in terms of security,” Gorerino told the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) executives.
CHEC was awarded the tender as a sole bidder through a restricted process that excluded bidders from the West.
Gorerino also raised concerns of mineral leakages adding it was important for Zimbabwe to have compatible radar systems that allows improved communication and monitor the illegal smuggling of minerals.
The Transport Ministry secretary told the committee, the Treasury had failed to avail $3,4 million CAAZ requested for the purchase and installation of a new radar system at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Private aircraft were reported to be sneaking in-and-out of Zimbabwe’s airports without detection due to poor surveillance.
Turning to the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Gorerino raised concerns over the poor state of the rail system where trains are operating without GPS for communication and location purposes.
He said the NRZ locomotives were over 35 years yet their life span was for only 25 years.
“The National Railways of Zimbabwe system needs complete revamping. The infrastructure is obsolete,” said Gorerino.
However, the Transport Ministry secretary, Chinyanga told the committee, his ministry was satisfied with the financial support from the Treasury in the 2022 national budget.
The ministry’s bid for 2022 was for $82,2 Billion, and it was allocated $60 billion.
GOVERNMENT has ordered teachers to invigilate the ongoing Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) examinations or face penalties for failure to comply with the lawful order.
Some teachers unions called on their members to boycott invigilating the examinations after a deadlock over payment of invigilation allowances.
Zimsec said the obligation to pay invigilators fell under the Public Service Commission (PSC).
The PSC on Tuesday said invigilation was part of teachers’ duties in line with their employment contracts.
In a memorandum dated November 30, 2021, Primary and Secondary Education ministry chief director (human resources) Learnson Tagara said teachers who failed to invigilate Zimsec examinations would face the consequences.
This was after PSC chairperson Jonathan Wutawashe wrote to ministry secretary Tumisang Thabela ordering her to inform teachers that they were obliged to participate in line with their employment contracts
“Please refer to the attached minutes from the PSC dated November 25, 2021 and the approved job description for the post of a teacher,” Tagara wrote.
“According to the attached job description, invigilation is part of the duties of a teacher under making and administration of examinations. In view of the above, provincial education directors should remind their structures of these duties and sensitise teachers of the consequences of refusing to take part in the administration of examinations.”
But teachers unions accused the PSC of doctoring the minutes to dodge paying them for their services.
“That memorandum was not part of the contract teachers signed up for. We just saw a copy dated November 25, 2021,” Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said.
“Rules don’t apply in retrospect. We have done due diligence, including engaging those who are in the Education ministry human resource department, the minutes were non-existent in the past. It, therefore, does not apply to us, but to those who will agree to sign up for it.”
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said the order for teachers to invigilate for free was unacceptable.
“If that is allowed, then teachers will be ordered to dig wells, cut grass or clean toilets as part of their duties,” he said.
“This is an unfair labour practice and an unnecessary onslaught on teachers. Government just wants to abdicate the responsibility of paying for the invigilation of examinations.”
Primary and Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said teachers who refused to invigilate would be charged with breaching their employment contracts.
“Any breach of contract gives rise to a right in the hands of the innocent party to recover the damage suffered caused by the breach of contract by the defaulting party,” he said.
“Those damages can come in different forms such as rescission and/or restitution. Damages are normally classified as being compensatory or punitive. In this case, punitive damages may be given because the wrongdoer would have acted wilfully, maliciously or fraudulently.”
A RUSAPE senior police officer was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly stealing 15 beasts from a United Kingdom-based farmer who was accused of ill-treating her cattle.
Esther Doloba (48) who is an inspector in the Zimbabwe Republic Police recently appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare who remanded her out of custody to December 13 on $7 000 bail.
Doloba is jointly charged with Constable Naison Rashamira who is still at large.
To cover up for the offence, Doloba and Rashamira allegedly applied for a warrant to seize the cattle and took them to Zunidza Farm for safekeeping under the supervision of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“The accused persons did not record the cattle they had taken possession of in the police exhibit book, or in any police books as is the normal practice when one seizes exhibits which is contrary to and inconsistent with their duties,” said Mr Masanganise.
Ms Matewa was advised, and on her return from the UK, she went to Nyazura Police Station.
By A Correspondent- There was commotion at the Peoples Own Savings Bank (POSB) in Masvingo Thursday when war veterans and government pensioners staged a demonstration over delays to pay them their 13th cheque in hard currency.
Some war veterans and pensioners have been sleeping on pavements for the past three nights waiting for their bonuses while they spend the whole day in long winding queues.
The pensioners were irked after POSB employee in Masvingo told them they will have to convert their bonuses to local currency despite the government assuring them they will receive their money is US dollars.
One of the pensioners collapsed waiting to collect her bonus and an ambulance was called to rush her to the hospital.
Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com, Muchaneta Chimhere said she was forced to sleep outside the banking hall Wednesday night after she failed to get her money.
“I had no option but to sleep here because they didn’t manage to serve us and my grandchildren are alone in the rural areas. When I came here, I never expected that it’s going to be this tough to get what my husband worked for so many years,” she said.
Some pensioners said the bank officials were frustrating them and were serving them at a snail’s pace with few tellers attending to them.
However, POSB Masvingo branch manager Fungai Paguti, professed ignorance over the incidences adding the bank will proceed to make payments in hard currency.
“I didn’t see that when it happened, but I was outside at some point. We are going to give them their money in US dollars,” Paguti said.
Deputy Public Service Minister Lovemore Matuke told NewZimbabwe.com that the government official position regarding the payments had been communicated to the pensioners, but promised to look into the matter.
“I will have to check because as of now I don’t have any update from Masvingo. Everything was communicated to them about how they will get their money, but we have to verify first what is on the ground,” Matuke said.
By A Correspondent- Government has failed to adequately fund the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to conduct electoral activities, including pending March 2022 by-elections.
The was revealed by Zec deputy elections officer Jane Chigiji yesterday when she appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice to speak on the commission’s 2022 budget allocation.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube allocated $11,6 billion to Zec against its $23 billion bid to conduct various electoral activities next year.
Zec is supposed to conduct a voter registration blitz, by-elections to fill vacant local government and parliamentary seats in March and a delimitation exercise – redrawing electoral boundaries ahead of the 2023 elections.
But Chigiji said the Zec allocation was too little to cater for the costly exercises.
“We had put up a bid of $23 billion for preparation for the 2022 by-elections. Only $11,6 billion was allocated to us, meaning that there is a huge shortfall,” Chigiji said.
“We intend to conduct a voter registration blitz by the end of 2021, but it has been moved to 2022 to pave way for the Registrar-General’s Office to be able to issue identity documents, which are key for voter registration.
“We have pending by elections, the proposed budget allocation is not adequate to support the policy, priorities and strategies. We hope that in the event of a supplementary budget following the midterm review statement, additional support will be availed to Zec.”
Election watchdogs such as the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) have said inadequate funding of Zec is a threat to democracy as it impedes electoral processes.
Chigiji said other challenges affecting Zec include the need to fill vacant posts in the electoral body and a review of salaries of its employees.
“The commission again may fail to avail competitive conditions of service leading to mass resignations and failure to attack skilled manpower required for Zec to carry out its mandate and this will compromise the service delivery of the commission,” she said.
Political analysts said measly allocations to Zec show a lack of commitment on the part of government to conduct free and fair elections.
“The willingness of ensuring the independence of the commission should be evident in how the body is enabled through funding to carry out the requisite tasks such as voter registration and education,” political analyst Vivid Gwede said.
“So the funding just represents one of the many factors limiting the capacities of the commission. However, funding Zec before it is reformed as an institution in terms of its independence would not help much,” he said.
On Wednesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa torched a storm when he said opposition parties and civic organisations have failed to explain what kind of electoral reforms they were demanding.
Mnangagwa said this while addressing the Zanu-PF 357th politburo meeting.
“This misplaced narrative that we need reforms, economic reforms, electoral reforms is misplaced. No one has said what types of electoral reforms are required,” Mnangagwa said.
But MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said there was need to implement the Sadc guidelines on elections.
“We reiterate our call for the alignment of electoral laws to the Constitution. We also call for the earnest implementation of the Sadc guidelines and the full disbandment of the partisan and militarised Zec secretariat.
“In fact, the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa believes that our widely published #PRICE (Reliable, Inclusive and Credible Elections) campaign spells out all the reforms necessary for a free, fair and credible election,” Mahere said.
Mnangagwa’s government has been accused of lacking political will to implement reforms despite promises to do so.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- The police are looking for one Yolanda Chimbwanda of Epworth in connection with the murder of her husband.
Said the police:
The ZRP is appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Yolanda Chimbwanda (28) in connection with a murder case that occurred on 29/11/21 in Epworth, Harare. The suspect had a domestic dispute with her husband, Wiseman Kwashira.
Chimbwanda reportedly stabbed Kwashira on the upper left part of the ribs with a knife and fled to an unknown destination.
Kwashira was referred to Sally Mugabe hospital where he succumbed to the injuries on the 30th of November 2021.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has elevated First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa to a top Zanu-PF party post, a development which observers yesterday said could widen fissures within the ruling party apart.
Auxillia is the new Zanu-PF secretary for environment and tourism, a post previously occupied by former Public Service minister Priscah Mupfumira following Mnangagwa’s politburo reshuffle on Tuesday.
Auxillia was Mupfumira’s deputy all along having been appointed to the post by the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Mupfumira is currently battling a corruption charge in the courts involving US$90 000 National Social Security funds.
Early this year, Mnangagwa awarded Auxillia the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe gold medal for her “outstanding performance” in philanthropic activities, among 99 other outstanding institutions, civilians and gallant fighters of the liberation struggle.
Political analyst Fidelis Duri said her elevation was aimed at facilitating her political rise to consolidate Mnangagwa’s power base, copying from Mugabe’s template.
He argued that Auxillia was elevated during a politburo reshuffle announced on Wednesday to subdue Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, a leading contender in the behind-the-scenes battle to succeed Mnangagwa.
“This is purely history repeating itself. We have seen this before,” Duri said.
“We raised eyebrows when Mugabe appointed his wife Grace to key posts in the party before he sacked his deputy, now President. Mnangagwa is giving his wife an influential position. There is no doubt that the appointment was supported by Mnangagwa’s cronies who wanted him to remain in power so that they are rewarded somehow. The appointment points to the state of factionalism which has now become deep rooted in the ruling party.”
In 2014, Grace was given a doctorate in sociology by the University of Zimbabwe just two months after registering at the institution.
Once a quiet figure known for her shopping and charity work, she became more high-profile in Zanu-PF as the head of the women’s league and was instrumental in the ousting of several potential successors to her husband.
Another political analyst Rashweat Mukundu concurred, saying the politburo reshuffle and new appointments were aimed at disrupting plots by his rivals within the party.
“There is no doubt that the latest politburo moves by Mnangagwa are partly intended to disrupt his rivals in the party and also consolidate power by bringing in those close to him. Roping in the wife who we have no history in terms of her ranking in the party is a clear indication of a man wanting sympathy and support, and seeking to neutralise his opponents. This is akin to Mugabe’s last days as Mnangagwa is increasingly showing frustration with his failure to take a stronger grip of the party.
“As it was in the days of Mugabe, it looks like it will be the same in Mnangagwa’s days. Will he succeed where Mugabe failed? I doubt it. History is simply repeating itself because Mnangagwa has not sought to reform the party and country, but rather to implement the worst version of Mugabe’s power template.”
War veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa was appointed party spokesperson, taking over from the late national hero Simon Khaya Moyo.
Former minister Jonathan Moyo condemned Mutsvangwa’s appointment.
“#FamilyAffair. It is a husband and wife team handling information in government and Zanu-PF. And @edmnangagwa so!” he tweeted.
Political analyst Vivid Gwede said: “This is also a way of rewarding and returning Mutsvangwa from a political Siberia he had now seemed to be confined to. The other way of looking at it is that there is not much to write home about since there are many communicators within Zanu-PF at many levels.”
But Zanu-PF information director Tafadzwa Mugwadi said there was nothing amiss about the appointments.
“The appointing authority is an astute leader and he has no desire whatsoever to create a family dynasty and it should be noted with no ambiguity that Cde Mutsvangwa does not by any means belong to the Mnangagwa family. He is a deserving individual. Moyo was a cheerleader of the Mugabe dynasty and now he wants to make a comparison of the two.”-newsday
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has reported that a human skull was discovered at Rockridge Farm in Chegutu.
Said police in a statement:
On 30/11/21, ZRP Chegutu recorded a case of discovery of a human skull at Rockridge Farm. The skull was found at Muchenarota River while slightly covered in mud on the river bed.
A khaki trousers with a black belt, blue and white striped t-shirt, blue jersey and one black shoe were recovered while scattered a few metres from the skull. The clothes were searched and a Zimbabwean National Identity Card in the name of Jafeti White and a torn US$10 were recovered from the trousers’ pockets. Investigations are underway.
By A Correspondent- The South African government has officially issued a statement announcing that the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) will be terminated on 31 December 2021.
Current holders of this permit in South Africa will have a 12-month grace period to apply for a different visa type.
If they do not gain a new visa within that period they will be deported. Immigration Directive No 10 of 2021 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs reads:
ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMIT HOLDERS (ZEP)
Cabinet decided to no longer issue extensions to Zimbabwean nationals who are holders of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), but a 12 (twelve) month grace period following the expiry of the current ZEP on 31 December 2021 within which these ZEP holders need to regularise their status within South Africa in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) (‘the Immigration Act”) and the Immigration Regulations, meaning 31 December 2022.
During the said 12 (twelve) month period, holders of the ZEP should apply for mainstream visas that they qualify for and ensure that their applications comply with the provisions and requirements of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations. At the expiry of this 12 (twelve) month period, those who are not successful will have to leave South Africa or be deported.
Organisations: All Companies, Employers, Learning Institutes and Banks are to kindly note that applicants who are in possession of a ZEP expiring on 31 December 2021 must be allowed to continue with their services, provided they submit proof of application for a mainstream visa in terms of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations. Proof of application must be a VFS receipt.
Travel Conditions: All applicants with a ZEP must be allowed to travel freely in and out of South Africa until 31 December 2022, when the 12 (twelve) month grace period ends, after which they will only be allowed to travel in and out of South Africa if in possession of a valid visa.
The contents of this Immigration Directive must please be brought to the attention of all officials concerned.
This Immigration Directive follows Immigration Directive No 9 of 2021 which deals with: Declaration of Undesirability: Foreigners whose Visas/ Permits have expired.
By A Correspondent- Health professionals have expressed disgruntlement after some of them allegedly received their bonuses in local currency while other civil servants were struggling to access their 13th cheques at local banks yesterday.
There were long queues at several banks as frustrated civil servants struggled to withdraw their 13th cheque.
Civil servants have started receiving their 13th cheque in US dollars capped at US$700, with those earning above the limit set to receive the balance in local currency.
But the Health and Child Care ministry on Wednesday said there was an administrative blunder which resulted in health professional’s receiving theirs in local currency.
Health professionals were not amused by the slip-up.
A memo dated December 1, from the Health and Child Care ministry human resources director Edson Mundenda addressed to hospital chief executives confirmed the blunder, but blamed it on health professionals not having forex accounts.
“Please be advised that bonus payment for 2021 started with effect from November 30, 2021. However, it has been noted that some members did not have nostro accounts and their money was credited into their Zimdollar accounts or the money was still in suspense accounts,” Mundenda said.
“The members must verify with their banks so that the money will be transferred from Zimdollar accounts to nostro accounts or their nostro accounts be activated.”
The letter was addressed to the chief executive officers of Parirenyatwa, Mpilo, Sally Mugabe, United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Ingutsheni and Chitungwiza hospitals and was copied to provincial medical directors.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) president Enock Dongo yesterday described the blunder as disheartening.
“We are not sure what is happening and the challenge is that the ministry is not willing to engage with health workers. We don’t have any information on how this is going to be rectified,” Dongo said.
“Government has played its part, but the component which is missing is that of engagement. The efforts of the government are being pulled down by the ministry and the Health Services Board (HSB). This is a big demotivator; there is a lot of disgruntlement among health workers,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil servants, who spoke to NewsDay, described the bonuses as paltry after being paid between US$140 to US$240. Some banks were giving civil servants amounts ranging from US$50 to US$100 only while others failed, a survey by NewsDay revealed.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union president Obert Masaraure said: “The money has reflected in our accounts, but teachers are now battling to access it from banks where very long queues have resurfaced.
“Our banking sector should be functional and civil servants must not struggle to access their money. There are also ridiculous banking charges.”
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou added: “There is a whole lot of confusion over bonus. The majority of teachers have not received any message that the bonus is now in their respective bank accounts, and we are wondering what challenges could have been faced by their banks.
“A few teachers reportedly received their full bonuses of $254 yesterday. The erratic disbursement was causing unnecessary expenses to teachers, anxiety and worry to many of those that have not yet accessed their bonuses,” Zhou said.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions secretary-general Japhet Moyo also confirmed the difficulties experienced in accessing the US dollars bonuses
“The situation on the ground indicates that the employer released some funds, but there are some civil servants who are facing difficulties. However, the delay might be with systems in various banks where some nostro accounts take time to reflect,” Moyo said.
Unions representing civil servants said government had shown that it had capacity to pay civil servants in foreign currency despite, but refusing to award them US dollar-based salaries.
Civil servants have been pushing for US dollar salaries, but the government has been pleading incapacity.-newsday
By A Correspondent- A police officer stationed at the Police Protection Unit was left clutching his car keys when he discovered that his Honda Fit car had been stolen.
The cop had parked the vehicle directly opposite his workplace at the Southampton building.
The officer, Assistant Inspector Tawedzengwa Runyare (40), parked his white Honda Fit at the centre parking and left all the windows and doors closed.
A source said Runyare then went to his office.
When he came back at around 1.50 pm on the same day, shock gripped him as he found that the vehicle was gone. Said a source close to the incident:
He looked around thinking that maybe he would see it but to his utter shock, it had been stolen. He then dashed to Bulawayo Central Police Station and reported the matter.
The source added that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) vehicle theft squad (VTS) attended the scene but they have not yet gathered any information that may point to the recovery of the car. -HMetro
By A Correspondent| Controversial land baron and Pokugara Properties owner Kenneth Raydon Sharpe’s right hand man, Michael John Van Blerk is back in court today to answer to two separate charges of perjury and malicious damage to property.
Van Blerk who appeared in court again yesterday on his malicious damage to property case, notified of his intention to apply for discharge today.
The Pokugara Properties Managing Director is facing perjury charges after filing a false High Court affidavit that a show house built by land developer George Katsimberis, was built without approved building plans from the City of Harare.
He is jointly accused of malicious damage to property with his boss Kenneth Sharpe who is still at large, Pokugara Properties represented by Mandla Ndebele, City of Harare, suspended Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango and other city officials namely Engineer Isaiah Zvenyika Chawatama, Samuel Nyabezi and Laston Taonezvi.
It is the state’s case that the nine connived to destroy a show house built by Harare businessman George Katsimberis as part of a joint venture agreement with Sharpe.
According to court papers seen by ZimEye, sometime between July and October 2018, at lot 9 of 21 on consolidated number 19559 of 19828 on Harare Township corner Teviotdale and Whitwell in Borrowdale, the nine including Sharpe, who is still at large destroyed the show house knowing that Katsimberis is entitled to own, possess or control any property or realizing that there was a real risk or possibility that another person may be so entitled, damaged or destroyed the property intending to cause such damage or destruction.
Chisango, Chawatama, Nyabezi and Taonezvi also face criminal abuse of office charges for falsely claiming that there were no approved plans
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance supporters have managed to mobilise US$109 towards buying an armoured car for opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
The supporters want US$120K for the car.
The organiser of the gofundme initiative, T Basvi, says the drive to buy Chamisa an armoured vehicle was triggered by “countless merciless attacks (on Chamisa) by the ruling party, aided by the government security sector.”
He cites an attack on Chamisa’s convoy on 11 October 2021 by a group of suspected ZANU PF youths as evidence that Chamisa’s life was in danger.
The attack left Chamisa’s vehicles damaged and many of his aides seriously injured and hospitalized. The convoy was on its way to engaging the rural community in Masvingo to understand their issues in the aftermath of the pandemic’s 3rd wave.
Basvi believes that violence will intensify during the 2023 elections is high, hence the need to beef up Chamisa’s security before any unfortunate eventuality occurs. Basvi added:
As concerned global citizens, we have come up with this initiative to raise funds for the purchase of an amour plated vehicle as well as security apparel for his safety and security.
He also said it was clear that the regime wants to continue to frustrate democracy by attacking the main opposition.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Chirumhanzu South legislator Barbara Rwodzi as Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Chirumhanzu is in the Midlands province, where Mnangagwa also comes from.
In a statement, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said the appointment is with immediate effect. “In terms of section 104 (1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment No. 20 of 2013, His Excellency the President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Hon Barbara Rwodzi, MP of Chirumhanzu in the Midlands Province as Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry,” he said. -Herald
By A Correspondent- Mike Bimha was Wednesday appointed to the Zanu PF political commissar position by the party’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Bimha takes the party’s hottest and most controversial position, which Victor Matemandanda, early this year, left when he joined the diplomatic mission.
The former industry minister, who is brother to the former first lady Grace Mugabe, was the Zanu PF’s acting spokesperson until the Wednesday appointment.
Grace and Bimha both hail from the same Mashonaland East province.
By A Correspondent| Under-fire Pokugara Properties Managing Director Michael John Van Blerk has made another desperate bid to evade trial in a case in which he is accused of malicious damage to property after notifying the court of his intention to apply for discharge.
Van Blerk is accused malicious damage to property after he connived with City of Harare officials including suspended Town Clerk Hosiah Chisango to destroy a show house built by Harare businessman George Katsimberis at the corner of Teviotdale and Whitwell Road in Borrowdale.
Sharpe (L) and Managing Director Michael John Van Blerk (R)
Through his lawyer, Tawanda Zhuwarara, Van Blerk said he will tomorrow apply for discharge though he did not cite reasons for his latest move.
Van Blerk’s trial has stalled for a long time as he at one time told the court that he was suffering from a condition known as catatonic seizure.
State prosecutor Zivanai Macharaga requested for a medical examination which indicated that Van Blerk was fit to stand trial but the government doctor later told the court that he was threatened by unidentified male individuals who said Kenneth Raydon Sharpe’s right hand man was President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ally.
Recently, Van Blerk missed court with his lawyer telling the court that he fell off a horse.
Meanwhile, Van Blerk is coming to court on a wheel chair but soon after proceedings, he is often seeing walking with the aid of a stick and at some moments pushing his own folded wheelchair, in what smacks stage managed sickness just to avoid trial.
By A Correspondent- As of Thursday 02 December 2021, just over US$109 000 had been raised towards buying an armoured car for opposition MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa.
The organiser of the gofundme initiative, T Basvi, says the drive to buy Chamisa an armoured vehicle was triggered by “countless merciless attacks (on Chamisa) by the ruling party, aided by the government security sector.”
He cites an attack on Chamisa’s convoy on 11 October 2021 by a group of suspected ZANU PF youths as evidence that Chamisa’s life was in danger.
The attack left Chamisa’s vehicles damaged and many of his aides seriously injured and hospitalized. The convoy was on its way to engaging the rural community in Masvingo to understand their issues in the aftermath of the pandemic’s 3rd wave.
Basvi believes that violence will intensify during the 2023 elections is high, hence the need to beef up Chamisa’s security before any unfortunate eventuality occurs. Basvi added:
As concerned global citizens, we have come up with this initiative to raise funds for the purchase of an amour plated vehicle as well as security apparel for his safety and security.
He also said it was clear that the regime wants to continue to frustrate democracy by attacking the main opposition.
By A Correspondent- United States President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci has said the US is “struggling” with a decision to ban flights from countries with no declared Omicron variant like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.
Responding to a question during a press conference, Fauci said he hoped that “this gets sorted out and lifted before it has any significant impact on your country.”
Many countries have already slammed their borders shut to southern Africa, with Australia banning travellers from South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi.
The bans have also been strongly condemned by the World Health Organisation which said it was unnecessary.
The US has since recorded the first cases of the new coronavirus variant.
Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday announced that the long-awaited by-elections to fill 133 vacant local government and parliamentary seats would be held in March next year.
Mnangagwa made the announcement during an extraordinary session of the ZANU-PF Politburo, where he bemoaned factionalism and intraparty fighting tearing the ruling party apart.
Last month, Mnangagwa only said by-elections to fill 28 National Assembly and 105 local authority vacancies across the country will be held in the first quarter of 2022 but did not mention the exact month. Addressing the Politburo on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said:
As we prepare for the forthcoming by-elections next year in March, and the 2023 harmonised elections, let us focus on mobilising our membership to register as voters.
Stakeholders have been pushing the government to announce the election dates amid reports that opposition MDC-T had written to the president proposing that by-elections and 2023 elections be postponed until after electoral reforms have been implemented.
Some viewed the proposal by the opposition party as fear to lose the elections.
Most of the seats became vacant after MDC-T recalled MDC Alliance legislators and councillors following the 2020 Supreme Court ruling on the MDC leadership crisis. The court ruled that Chamisa’s ascendancy to power was in violation of the party’s constitution therefore it was null and void.
While Mnangagwa is convinced that ZANU PF will prevail against the opposition in the 2022 by-elections, he also expressed concern over factionalism in the ruling party.
There have been reports of party members physically attacking each other as they campaigned to land posts in the district and provincial structures.
Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday announced that the long-awaited by-elections to fill 133 vacant local government and parliamentary seats would be held in March next year.
Mnangagwa made the announcement during an extraordinary session of the ZANU-PF Politburo, where he bemoaned factionalism and intraparty fighting tearing the ruling party apart.
Last month, Mnangagwa only said by-elections to fill 28 National Assembly and 105 local authority vacancies across the country will be held in the first quarter of 2022 but did not mention the exact month. Addressing the Politburo on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said:
As we prepare for the forthcoming by-elections next year in March, and the 2023 harmonised elections, let us focus on mobilising our membership to register as voters.
Stakeholders have been pushing the government to announce the election dates amid reports that opposition MDC-T had written to the president proposing that by-elections and 2023 elections be postponed until after electoral reforms have been implemented.
Some viewed the proposal by the opposition party as fear to lose the elections.
Most of the seats became vacant after MDC-T recalled MDC Alliance legislators and councillors following the 2020 Supreme Court ruling on the MDC leadership crisis. The court ruled that Chamisa’s ascendancy to power was in violation of the party’s constitution therefore it was null and void.
While Mnangagwa is convinced that ZANU PF will prevail against the opposition in the 2022 by-elections, he also expressed concern over factionalism in the ruling party.
There have been reports of party members physically attacking each other as they campaigned to land posts in the district and provincial structures.
THE Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has refuted government and state media accusations that the union was working with the United Kingdom (UK) government to effect a regime change in the country.
Addressing the ruling Zanu-PF’s Politburo meeting Wednesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the government was investigating some teachers unions and civil society organisations claiming they were working against his government.
Mnangagwa’s remarks follows recent comments in the UK House of Lords that the British government was discussions with some trade unions in Zimbabwe over their welfare.
However, in an interview with Newzimbabwe.com Thursday, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said Mnangagwa’s accusations were unfounded and meant to divert attention on the current stalemate between the government and teachers over salaries and better working conditions.
“As PTUZ, we are baffled by such a lackadaisical, warped and vacuous approach. Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to investigate and make informed enunciations rather than the ludicrous hallucination of falsely accusing legitimate union leaders of a crime they have not committed?
“ZBC and The Herald have not only peddled misrepresentations, high sounding nothing, but falsehoods of the worst order. How a legitimate teachers’ union can overnight assume powers to change an entrenched totalising hegemonic power with full control of security forces, remains baffling and puzzling.
“We posit that this is a diversionary tactic tailor made to weaken our focus on teachers’ welfare and the establishment of a credible education system in Zimbabwe,” Zhou said.
The PTUZ boss urged Mnangagwa to launch investigations into the allegations.
“We welcome government investigations on teachers’ unions allegedly working in cohorts with the UK to deliver regime change. This is a rational approach that we believe can unravel the truth, if objectively done. Sadly, the ZBC and The Herald have already found culprits before any investigations are carried out.”
Zhou maintained that his organisation was apolitical with membership drawn from across the political divide.
“Ours is a labour union with members cutting across the political divide. We, however, have no apology for advancing the interests of teachers and defending any gains made.
“For this reason, we have knocked at every government door including the Office of the President, and petitioning parliamentary portfolio committees over the parlous state of our education system, lack of investment in quality public education, living wage and payment for invigilation of examinations run by ZIMSEC, among many other things.”
By A Correspondent- Zanu-PF first secretary, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed his wife, Auxillia into the politburo in a surprise reshuffle of the powerful organ.
She is the new Zanu-PF secretary for Environment and Tourism and replaces expelled Prisca Mupfumira.
Outspoken war veterans association chairperson Chris Mutsvangwa was appointed secretary for information and publicity, replacing the late national hero Simon Khaya Moyo who died last week after battling cancer.
Mike Bimha, who was acting secretary for information during Moyo’s illness was handed the difficult political commissar position. He replaces Victor Matemadanda, now Zimbabwe’s to Mozambique.
Recently promoted into politburo, former Mashonaland West Zanu-PF provincial chairman and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as secretary for Science and Technology whilst Foreign Affairs minister Fredrick Shava was appointed committee member for the organ.
Bulawayo Provincial affairs minister Judith Ncube has been appointed as a politburo member representing Bulawayo province while cabinet minister Josiah Hungwe was demoted from his position as secretary for production and labour to a previously non-existent senior member of the politburo position.
Mashonaland Central lynchpin and Kenneth Musanhi took over the position.
The Warriors have received a huge boost following the return of Marshall Munetsi from an injury, just weeks before the start of the 2021 Afcon tournament in Cameroon.
The midfielder was out of action for over a month after suffering a muscle strain on national duty with the Warriors in October. He missed the final two rounds of the World Cup Qualifiers in November plus six games with his French team Stade de Reims.
Munetsi marked his return with an appearance from the bench in Reims’ 2-1 victory against Lyon on Wednesday.
Fellow countryman and Lyon striker, Tinotenda Kadewere was an unused substitute in the game.
Kadewere has struggled for game time this season due to injuries and a red card suspension. He has featured mostly as a substitute and was dropped from the Warriors squad in the final rounds of the World Cup Qualifiers last month.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth defender Jordan Zemura is still on the sidelines with an ankle injury sustained in November.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
A diarrhoea outbreak has hit the City of Bulawayo with more than 200 cases being recorded in Tshabalala Extension and Sizinda this week.
The diarrhoea outbreak which is believed to have started last week Thursday in Tshabalala Extension and Sizinda suburbs has been blamed on the local authority’s failure to provide clean water. A resident said:
This outbreak began last Thursday after we consumed water that was sewer contaminated.
Another resident said many people in this area are suffering from diarrhoea adding that they were taking their sick son to the hospital. Added the resident:
The situation is really bad. My daughter is also sick, to make matters worse we currently do not have water. This is putting us at risk again because you cannot continue with the water-shedding exercise in an area where there is a diarrhoea outbreak.
Bulawayo City Council Spokesperson Ms Nesisa Mpofu confirmed the outbreak saying a team of health personnel has been dispatched to monitor the situation. She said:
As the City of Bulawayo, we noticed that as of the 28th of November following a report from one of the residents there was an increase in the number of people reporting at Tshabalala clinic with diarrhoea symptoms.
She added that all affected people are being treated at the Tshabalala clinic for free.
Last year, 13 people lost their lives after more than two thousand residents of the Luveve suburb consumed contaminated water.- ZBC News
VICE-PRESIDENT and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga yesterday confirmed that the country had recorded its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, raising fears of a hard lockdown in the coming few weeks.
Scientists fear that the variant is more contagious and vaccines may be less effective against it.
Constantino Chiwenga, pictured with a ‘mausoleum’ over his head.
The announcement by Chiwenga comes at a time when the country has been recording a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent days, resulting in some schools closing early.
The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa and Botswana.
It has now been reported in at least 24 countries, but this has not stopped a number of countries from imposing a travel ban on Zimbabwe alongside other southern African countries.
Chiwenga, who last week urged Zimbabweans not to panic over the new variant, confirmed that the country had recorded its first confirmed case.
“We are doing the genomic sequencing and we have already identified that we now have it (Omicron) in this country and, therefore, must remain vigilant,” Chiwengwa told young farmers in the capital yesterday.
“We want everyone to be safe, so let us be vaccinated and then let us follow the protocols. We don’t want to end up putting extra measures but if we follow these measures, I think every one of us will be safe and we will conquer this enemy.”
The announcement came a day after President Emmerson Mnangagwa had reimposed level two lockdown measures that include mandatory quarantine for returning citizens and visitors upon entering the country.
A 9pm to 6am curfew is now in place, restaurants and supermarkets must close at 7pm, bars and nightclubs are only open to the vaccinated while burials will now be monitored by Health ministry environmental officials.
Government on Wednesday issued Statutory Instrument (SI) 267 of 2021 giving effect to the new regulations.
Zimbabwe has recorded over 135 000 cases and 4 707 fatalities since the southern African country was hit by COVID-19 in March last year.
On Friday last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated the new variant B.1.1.529, also known as Omicron, a variant of concern.
Researchers around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron which is said to have many mutations.
South Africa had recorded about 11 500 new Omicron variant cases as of yesterday, up from 8 500 cases confirmed the previous day.
WHO has recommended, among other things, increased surveillance, particularly virus genome sequencing; focused research to understand the dangers posed by the variant; and ramping up mitigation measures, such as mandatory mask wearing.
Japan, Israel and a number of Western countries have already closed borders to foreigners, in particular from southern Africa.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said people who are not vaccinated will be excluded from nonessential stores, cultural and recreational venues.
According to WHO, COVID-19 has infected about 6,1 million people in Africa and claimed 152 113 lives.– Newsday
An artisanal miner employed at Black Rock Mine in Esigodini attacked his colleague several times all over the body with a shovel and stabbed him for refusing to cook sadza.
The incident happened this week on Monday at lunch time.
A worker at the mine who preferred not to be named said Farman Ncube (28) who hails from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo told his colleague Wonder Ncube that it was his duty to cook sadza and thereafter an argument ensued.
Sadza cooking – file copy | instructables com
Wonder lost his cool and reached for a shovel and severely attacked his mate all over the body, said the worker.
As if that was not enough he stabbed him on the arm with a sharp object. After the scuffle he fled from the scene.
Farman’s boss reported the matter at Hillside Police Station leading to the arrest of Wonder. Farman suffered a deep cut on the head and fractured ribs.
He urged community members never to take the law into their hands and urged them to engage third parties like relatives, friends or police rather than to engage in violence. -B Metro
Chris Mutsvangwa was appointed as the new secretary for information, replacing the late Simon Khaya Moyo.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was Appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema.
Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira.
Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology.
Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member.
Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province.
Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour.
Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has described the appointments and reappointments made by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa as useless and insignificant.
Hon Sikhala mocked Mr Mnangagwa for recycling tired geriatrics.
“Geriatrics are recycling themselves when the young and energetic are marginalized in ZPF. Doddering Chris Mutsvangwa replaces Khaya Moyo. Geriatric Bimha replaces Matemadanda. Old people’s home.
We are proud because we are young and have energy.
Geriatrics must fall.
They are witchcraft practitioners. Zimbabwe needs new leaders,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.
Below are the new appointments made by Mr Mnangagwa:
Mike Bimha is the new Political Commissar, replacing Victor Matemadanda.
Lillian Zemura will now deputise Bimha in the Commissariat.
Chris Mutsvangwa was appointed as the new secretary for information, replacing the late Simon Khaya Moyo.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema. Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira. Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology. Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member. Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province. Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour
Civil servants’ representatives are generally excited that their members have started withdrawing their US dollar bonuses, but are upset that some banks are deducting significant bank charges despite the instruction that such accrued charges should not be deducted from bonuses.
These are bank charges of anything between US$100 and US$200 on accounts that were opened last year when Government was paying its workers a cushioning allowance in foreign currency.
The account holders then retained the accounts although there was no money in them and the banks continued to levy charges, only collecting these when the bonus money arrived.
The levying of accrued bank charges is despite communication from the Ministry of Finance to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe last week that there should be no backdating of bank charges.
In an interview yesterday, Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Dr Sifiso Ndlovu said while their members were getting their US dollar bonuses, the charges needed to be removed altogether since the forex bonus is a once-off cushion from President Mnangagwa.
“What I have gathered is that a number of banks have released the US dollars and people are getting it,” he said.
“But I heard that some of the money has been chewed by bank charges, which I think should not be an issue since this was a once-off payment. The bank charges are the downside to the excitement we have over the US dollar bonuses.
“The Finance and Economic Development Minister (Professor Mthuli Ncube) said he would look into the issue of bank charges and we duly call upon him to do so, so that civil servants take home all their money.”
Permanent Secretary for Finance and Economic Development Mr Mr Guvamatanga last night said the ministry sent communication to the Reserve Bank last week directing that banks should not backdate bank charges.
“Some of the foreign currency accounts were opened last year when Government was paying some US dollar incentives to civil servants.
“The accounts remained open and since then, they have been accruing bank charges. Now, some greedy banks want to backdate the charges to last year, but we have directed them not to backdate the charges,” said Mr Guvamatanga.
He added that some banks were lying to their clients that they had not yet received foreign currency from the Reserve Bank, for as yet unknown reasons.
A comprehensive statement on the payment of US dollar bonuses is expected from the Ministry of Finance today.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima told The Herald last night that the payment of US dollar bonuses was on-going although some employees have challenges with their foreign currency accounts.
“By and large, the withdrawal of US dollar bonuses is going on smoothly,” said Prof Mavima.
“But I have to say that the demand for cash is quite high and you see long queues for cash at banks. However, this is a good challenge.
“We urge banks to avail as much cash as possible to civil servants at one go, so that they minimise the number of times that people go to the bank to save transport costs.”
President Mnangagwa decided on a once-off payment of US dollar bonuses for civil servants and Government pensioners to cushion them from the fluctuating exchange rates, which eroded the value of their earnings.
Government says paying bonuses in US dollars was ideal to ensure that they don’t take their earnings to the parallel market to buy forex, a move that would erode their earnings. Herald
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Zimbabwe will not qualify for a special debt relief programme until it pays off its debt to the World Bank (WB).
The southern African country has cleared its debt with the IMF but still owes the WB US$1.52 billion.
IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice told a media briefing in Washington that Zimbabwe does not qualify for debt service suspension. Rice said:
Zimbabwe is currently not eligible to make a request for debt relief under the Common Framework because of its arrears to the World Bank. Once the conditions for international re-engagement are in place and arrears to the bank, the World Bank, are resolved, what I can tell you is we believe the common framework could be a useful option to address Zimbabwe’s debt difficulties and of course for its part, the international community requires improvements also in domestic political conditions and economic policies to initiate re-engagement.
The common framework refers to an IMF initiative endorsed by the G20 and Paris Club that coordinates official creditors to provide debt treatments when they are needed by developing countries eligible for the debt service suspension.
In November 2020, G20 finance ministers and central bank governors agreed to the “common framework for debt treatments beyond the debt service suspension initiative”, which was also endorsed by the Paris Club.
However, due to its unsustainable debt and poor repayment record, Zimbabwe has been excluded from the initiative.
In November, an IMF team led by Dhaneshwar Ghura held Article IV meetings with authorities in Harare during which the lender said the threat to the country’s growth plans remained an unsustainable debt.
Last week, the government said external debt increased to US$13.7 billion in September, over half of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product, from about US$10.7 billion last year despite paying US$44.2 million to external creditors.
On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes. Here is a summary of what is currently known.
Current knowledge about Omicron
Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.
Transmissibility: It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors.
Severity of disease: It is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron. There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants. Initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease—but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks. All variants of COVID-19, including the Delta variant that is dominant worldwide, can cause severe disease or death, in particular for the most vulnerable people, and thus prevention is always key.
Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection
Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron (ie, people who have previously had COVID-19 could become reinfected more easily with Omicron), as compared to other variants of concern, but information is limited. More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.
Effectiveness of vaccines: WHO is working with technical partners to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines. Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death.
Effectiveness of current tests: The widely used PCR tests continue to detect infection, including infection with Omicron, as we have seen with other variants as well. Studies are ongoing to determine whether there is any impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests.
Effectiveness of current treatments: Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19. Other treatments will be assessed to see if they are still as effective given the changes to parts of the virus in the Omicron variant.
Studies underway
At the present time, WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron. Studies currently underway or underway shortly include assessments of transmissibility, severity of infection (including symptoms), performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments.
WHO encourages countries to contribute the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through the WHO COVID-19 Clinical Data Platform to rapidly describe clinical characteristics and patient outcomes.
More information will emerge in the coming days and weeks. WHO’s TAG-VE will continue to monitor and evaluate the data as it becomes available and assess how mutations in Omicron alter the behaviour of the virus.
Recommended actions for countries
As Omicron has been designated a Variant of Concern, there are several actions WHO recommends countries to undertake, including enhancing surveillance and sequencing of cases; sharing genome sequences on publicly available databases, such as GISAID; reporting initial cases or clusters to WHO; performing field investigations and laboratory assessments to better understand if Omicron has different transmission or disease characteristics, or impacts effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics or public health and social measures. More detail in the announcement from 26 November.
Countries should continue to implement the effective public health measures to reduce COVID-19 circulation overall, using a risk analysis and science-based approach. They should increase some public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. WHO is providing countries with support and guidance for both readiness and response.
In addition, it is vitally important that inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines are urgently addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and older persons, receive their first and second doses, alongside equitable access to treatment and diagnostics.
Recommended actions for people
The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s their turn.
WHO will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available, including following meetings of the TAG-VE. In addition, information will be available on WHO’s digital and social media platforms. – Source : World Health Organization
PTUZ Welcomes Objective Investigations but Condemns False Accusations and Diversionary Tactics
1 December 2021
As PTUZ we welcome govt investigations on teachers’ unions allegedly working in cohorts with the UK to deliver a regime change.
This is a rational approach that we believe can unravel the truth if objectively done. Sadly, ZBC and Herald have already found culprits before any investigations are carried out.
As PTUZ we are baffled by such a lackadaisical, warped and vacuous approach. Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to investigate and make informed enunciations rather than the ludicrous hallucination of falsely accusing legitimate union leaders of a crime they have not committed?
ZBC and Herald have not only peddled a tissue of misrepresentation, high sounding nothing but falsehoods of the worst order. How a legitimate teachers’ union can overnight assume powers to change an entrenched totalising hegemonic power with full control of security forces, remains baffling and puzzling.
We posit that this is a diversionary tactic tailor-made to weaken our focus on teachers’ welfare and the establishment of a credible system of education in Zimbabwe.
We want to reiterate that PTUZ is not and will never become an appendage of any political party or govt. It is a labour union with members cutting across the political divide.
We however have no apology for advancing the interests of teachers and defending any gains made. For this reason, we have knocked at every govt door including the office of the President, ED Mnangagwa, petitioning parliamentary portfolio committees over the parlous state of our education system, lack of investment in quality public education, living wage and payment for invigilation of examinations run by a parastatal, Zimsec, among many other things.
This is a struggle that we are prepared to fight for every time, and if need be die for, as it is the basis for the sustainable development of Zimbabwe. We have no regrets for managing the nation’s best assets, viz, pupils, but only call upon those who make decisions to engage in broad consultations and act responsibly, as opposed to educational vandalism and entrenchment of poverty and penury of teachers. Blame us now it doesn’t matter, history will absolve us.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed disappointment over Teachers’ representative organisations which are allegedly working with foreign governments to undermine his administration.
The President said this when he officially commissioned new 13 buses and 30 service delivery vehicles for the Public Service Commission at Morris Depot in Harare this Wednesday.
This brings the number of buses that have been disbursed to the PSC to 108.
The President highlighted that government will continue to channel resources towards improving the conditions of service in the public sector.
Mnangagwa, however, noted that while as an employer, the government is implementing measures to transform the country, some employees are working with foreign governments to undermine workplace harmony. He said:
Regrettably, while as an employer government is implementing all these measures, it is disheartening that some employees as has now been revealed are working with foreign governments to undermine workplace harmony as well as national peace and security. Fortunately, my government has the requisite capacity to ensure workplace harmony and guarantee national peace and security.
In the recent past, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) was accused of working with the British government to topple the Zimbabwean government.
The union has since denied the allegations saying it is only determined to ensure that the government has improved teachers’ salaries and working conditions.
PTUZ is saying its members will not invigilate ZIMSEC examinations unless they have been offered an allowance.- ZBC News
By A Correspondent- The South African government has formally written an announcement stating the deadline for the expiry of that the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP).
In the announcement, current holders of this permit in South Africa will have a 12-month grace period to apply for a different visa type.
If they do not gain a new visa within that period, they will be deported. Immigration Directive No 10 of 2021 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs reads:
ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMIT HOLDERS (ZEP)
Cabinet decided to no longer issue extensions to Zimbabwean nationals who are holders of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), but a 12 (twelve) month grace period following the expiry of the current ZEP on 31 December 2021 within which these ZEP holders need to regularise their status within South Africa in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) (‘the Immigration Act”) and the Immigration Regulations, meaning 31 December 2022.
During the said 12 (twelve) month period, holders of the ZEP should apply for mainstream visas that they qualify for and ensure that their applications comply with the provisions and requirements of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations. At the expiry of this 12 (twelve) month period, those who are not successful will have to leave South Africa or be deported.
Organisations: All Companies, Employers, Learning Institutes and Banks are to kindly note that applicants who are in possession of a ZEP expiring on 31 December 2021 must be allowed to continue with their services, provided they submit proof of application for a mainstream visa in terms of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations. Proof of application must be a VFS receipt.
Travel Conditions: All applicants with a ZEP must be allowed to travel freely in and out of South Africa until 31 December 2022, when the 12 (twelve) month grace period ends, after which they will only be allowed to travel in and out of South Africa if in possession of a valid visa.
The contents of this Immigration Directive must please be brought to the attention of all officials concerned.
This Immigration Directive follows Immigration Directive No 9 of 2021 which deals with: Declaration of Undesirability: Foreigners whose Visas/ Permits have expired.
By A Correspondent-Bulawayo has recorded a fourth diarrhoea outbreak since last year, with 157 cases reported so far in the high-density suburb of Tshabalala Extension.
The last outbreak in the city was in May this year when 50 cases were reported in Emganwini suburb.
In recent years, the city’s worst outbreak was reported in June last year, when 13 people died after nearly 2 000 residents fell ill in Luveve after raw sewage-contaminated drinking water.
Last year in October about 100 people, mostly children, were treated for running tummies in Mzilikazi and surrounding suburbs. The diarrhoea outbreaks follow the 2020 Auditor-General’s report tabled before Parliament that stated that Bulawayo is among six local authorities at risk of outbreak of water-borne diseases that could lead to deaths due to failure to manage sewer reticulation systems. According to residents, the latest outbreak in Tshabalala Extension is believed to have started on Thursday last week after their drinking water was contaminated due to a burst sewer pipe. Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director Maphios Siamuchembu said they are conducting investigations to ascertain what could be causing the diarrhoea outbreak. “I can confirm that a diarrhoea disease has broken out in Tshabalala extension. The first patients were seen on Monday and so far, we have a total of 157 cases, of which 106 were attended to at local health facilities,” he said. -Chronicle
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance supporters have raised US$109 towards buying an armoured car for opposition party leader Nelson Chamisa.
The supporters want US$120K for the car.
The organiser of the gofundme initiative, T Basvi, says the drive to buy Chamisa an armoured vehicle was triggered by “countless merciless attacks (on Chamisa) by the ruling party, aided by the government security sector.”
He cites an attack on Chamisa’s convoy on 11 October 2021 by a group of suspected ZANU PF youths as evidence that Chamisa’s life was in danger.
The attack left Chamisa’s vehicles damaged and many of his aides seriously injured and hospitalized. The convoy was on its way to engaging the rural community in Masvingo to understand their issues in the aftermath of the pandemic’s 3rd wave.
Basvi believes that violence will intensify during the 2023 elections is high, hence the need to beef up Chamisa’s security before any unfortunate eventuality occurs. Basvi added:
As concerned global citizens, we have come up with this initiative to raise funds for the purchase of an amour plated vehicle as well as security apparel for his safety and security.
He also said it was clear that the regime wants to continue to frustrate democracy by attacking the main opposition.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was Appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema.
Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira.
Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology.
Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member.
Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province.
Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour.
Over the past two days PSC threatened teachers to engage in mandatory invigilation using an old and obsolete circular that has outlived its usefulness. The current handbook on school leadership signed by the current line Ministry Perm Sec (and ratified PSC) on page 41 clearly spells out teachers’ duties. Invigilation is not part of the duties.
We are aware as Ptuz that it is dangerous to be enlightened when your employer or boss is ignorant and guilty of selective forgetfulness. It is for this reason that Ptuz leadership is currently under seige. We however, want to remind PSC that merely occupying a big office does not have an osmotic influence in which one suddenly finds himself/herself thinking better. As Ptuz the truth has always set us free and we will always navigate our representation of teachers based on light and not darkness.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed Government to assist in the funeral of the late Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Chief Executive Officer Douglas Munatsi.
Munatsi died in an inferno after his apartment mysteriously caught fire on Monday morning.
In a statement to the press, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said Government would liaise with the family to ensure Mnangagwa’s directive is effected.
By A Correspondent- The South African government has officially issued a statement announcing that the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) will be terminated on 31 December 2021.
Current holders of this permit in South Africa will have a 12-month grace period to apply for a different visa type.
If they do not gain a new visa within that period they will be deported. Immigration Directive No 10 of 2021 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs reads:
ZIMBABWEAN EXEMPTION PERMIT HOLDERS (ZEP)
Cabinet decided to no longer issue extensions to Zimbabwean nationals who are holders of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), but a 12 (twelve) month grace period following the expiry of the current ZEP on 31 December 2021 within which these ZEP holders need to regularise their status within South Africa in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) (‘the Immigration Act”) and the Immigration Regulations, meaning 31 December 2022.
During the said 12 (twelve) month period, holders of the ZEP should apply for mainstream visas that they qualify for and ensure that their applications comply with the provisions and requirements of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations. At the expiry of this 12 (twelve) month period, those who are not successful will have to leave South Africa or be deported.
Organisations: All Companies, Employers, Learning Institutes and Banks are to kindly note that applicants who are in possession of a ZEP expiring on 31 December 2021 must be allowed to continue with their services, provided they submit proof of application for a mainstream visa in terms of the Immigration Act and Immigration Regulations. Proof of application must be a VFS receipt.
Travel Conditions: All applicants with a ZEP must be allowed to travel freely in and out of South Africa until 31 December 2022, when the 12 (twelve) month grace period ends, after which they will only be allowed to travel in and out of South Africa if in possession of a valid visa.
The contents of this Immigration Directive must please be brought to the attention of all officials concerned.
This Immigration Directive follows Immigration Directive No 9 of 2021 which deals with: Declaration of Undesirability: Foreigners whose Visas/ Permits have expired.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was Appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema.
Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira.
Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology.
Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member.
Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province.
Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour.
SAFA’s CEO Tebogo Motlanthe has suggested that they would approach the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) if FIFA turns down their appeal against the penalty awarded to Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers.
The penalty incident saw Bafana Bafana losing 1-0 to the Black Stars to bow out of the World Cup Qualifiers.
SAFA launched a case with the world governing body and expressed their concerns about how Senegalese referee Ndiaye Maguette handled the match and the reception they got from their hosts.
The FA also claimed the match could have been manipulated and urged FIFA to investigate.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee met on 23 November to discuss the matter, and a decision will be announced soon.
Motlanthe told Sowetan Live they would seek CAS’ intervention should they feel the judgement is not fair.
He said: “Remember, they said they were going to listen to the matter on the 23rd. FIFA didn’t say they were going to give a decision on that day, so let’s just give them their time to do their work.
“There are a lot of things they are dealing with. If they don’t give you a good reason, you can still go and challenge the matter with CAS. So they’d rather do their work, and we give them the space. – Soccer24 Zimbabwe
On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). This decision was based on the evidence presented to the TAG-VE that Omicron has several mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves, for example, on how easily it spreads or the severity of illness it causes. Here is a summary of what is currently known.
Current knowledge about Omicron
Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.
Transmissibility: It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. The number of people testing positive has risen in areas of South Africa affected by this variant, but epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors.
Severity of disease: It is not yet clear whether infection with Omicron causes more severe disease compared to infections with other variants, including Delta. Preliminary data suggests that there are increasing rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of specific infection with Omicron. There is currently no information to suggest that symptoms associated with Omicron are different from those from other variants. Initial reported infections were among university students—younger individuals who tend to have more mild disease—but understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant will take days to several weeks. All variants of COVID-19, including the Delta variant that is dominant worldwide, can cause severe disease or death, in particular for the most vulnerable people, and thus prevention is always key.
Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection
Preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of reinfection with Omicron (ie, people who have previously had COVID-19 could become reinfected more easily with Omicron), as compared to other variants of concern, but information is limited. More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.
Effectiveness of vaccines: WHO is working with technical partners to understand the potential impact of this variant on our existing countermeasures, including vaccines. Vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death.
Effectiveness of current tests: The widely used PCR tests continue to detect infection, including infection with Omicron, as we have seen with other variants as well. Studies are ongoing to determine whether there is any impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests.
Effectiveness of current treatments: Corticosteroids and IL6 Receptor Blockers will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19. Other treatments will be assessed to see if they are still as effective given the changes to parts of the virus in the Omicron variant.
Studies underway
At the present time, WHO is coordinating with a large number of researchers around the world to better understand Omicron. Studies currently underway or underway shortly include assessments of transmissibility, severity of infection (including symptoms), performance of vaccines and diagnostic tests, and effectiveness of treatments.
WHO encourages countries to contribute the collection and sharing of hospitalized patient data through the WHO COVID-19 Clinical Data Platform to rapidly describe clinical characteristics and patient outcomes.
More information will emerge in the coming days and weeks. WHO’s TAG-VE will continue to monitor and evaluate the data as it becomes available and assess how mutations in Omicron alter the behaviour of the virus.
Recommended actions for countries
As Omicron has been designated a Variant of Concern, there are several actions WHO recommends countries to undertake, including enhancing surveillance and sequencing of cases; sharing genome sequences on publicly available databases, such as GISAID; reporting initial cases or clusters to WHO; performing field investigations and laboratory assessments to better understand if Omicron has different transmission or disease characteristics, or impacts effectiveness of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics or public health and social measures. More detail in the announcement from 26 November.
Countries should continue to implement the effective public health measures to reduce COVID-19 circulation overall, using a risk analysis and science-based approach. They should increase some public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. WHO is providing countries with support and guidance for both readiness and response.
In addition, it is vitally important that inequities in access to COVID-19 vaccines are urgently addressed to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and older persons, receive their first and second doses, alongside equitable access to treatment and diagnostics.
Recommended actions for people
The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others; wear a well-fitting mask; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s their turn.
WHO will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available, including following meetings of the TAG-VE. In addition, information will be available on WHO’s digital and social media platforms. – Source : World Health Organization
Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has described the appointments and reappointments made by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa as useless and insignificant.
Hon Sikhala mocked Mr Mnangagwa for recycling tired geriatrics.
“Geriatrics are recycling themselves when the young and energetic are marginalized in ZPF. Doddering Chris Mutsvangwa replaces Khaya Moyo. Geriatric Bimha replaces Matemadanda. Old people’s home.
We are proud because we are young and have energy.
Geriatrics must fall.
They are witchcraft practitioners. Zimbabwe needs new leaders,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.
Below are the new appointments made by Mr Mnangagwa:
Mike Bimha is the new Political Commissar, replacing Victor Matemadanda.
Lillian Zemura will now deputise Bimha in the Commissariat.
Chris Mutsvangwa was appointed as the new secretary for information, replacing the late Simon Khaya Moyo.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema. Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira. Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology. Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member. Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province. Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday announced that the long-awaited by-elections to fill 133 vacant local government and parliamentary seats would be held in March next year.
Mnangagwa made the announcement during an extraordinary session of the ZANU-PF Politburo, where he bemoaned factionalism and intraparty fighting tearing the ruling party apart.
Last month, Mnangagwa only said by-elections to fill 28 National Assembly and 105 local authority vacancies across the country will be held in the first quarter of 2022 but did not mention the exact month. Addressing the Politburo on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said:
As we prepare for the forthcoming by-elections next year in March, and the 2023 harmonised elections, let us focus on mobilising our membership to register as voters.
Stakeholders have been pushing the government to announce the election dates amid reports that opposition MDC-T had written to the president proposing that by-elections and 2023 elections be postponed until after electoral reforms have been implemented.
Some viewed the proposal by the opposition party as fear to lose the elections.
Most of the seats became vacant after MDC-T recalled MDC Alliance legislators and councillors following the 2020 Supreme Court ruling on the MDC leadership crisis. The court ruled that Chamisa’s ascendancy to power was in violation of the party’s constitution therefore it was null and void.
While Mnangagwa is convinced that ZANU PF will prevail against the opposition in the 2022 by-elections, he also expressed concern over factionalism in the ruling party.
There have been reports of party members physically attacking each other as they campaigned to land posts in the district and provincial structures.-newsday
Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has described the appointments and reappointments made by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa as useless and insignificant.
Hon Sikhala mocked Mr Mnangagwa for recycling tired geriatrics.
“Geriatrics are recycling themselves when the young and energetic are marginalized in ZPF. Doddering Chris Mutsvangwa replaces Khaya Moyo. Geriatric Bimha replaces Matemadanda. Old people’s home.
We are proud because we are young and have energy.
Geriatrics must fall.
They are witchcraft practitioners. Zimbabwe needs new leaders,” Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter.
Below are the new appointments made by Mr Mnangagwa:
Mike Bimha is the new Political Commissar, replacing Victor Matemadanda.
Lillian Zemura will now deputise Bimha in the Commissariat.
Chris Mutsvangwa was appointed as the new secretary for information, replacing the late Simon Khaya Moyo.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema. Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira. Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology. Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member. Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province. Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Zimbabwe will not qualify for a special debt relief programme until it pays off its debt to the World Bank (WB).
The southern African country has cleared its debt with the IMF but still owes the WB US$1.52 billion.
IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice told a media briefing in Washington that Zimbabwe does not qualify for debt service suspension. Rice said:
Zimbabwe is currently not eligible to make a request for debt relief under the Common Framework because of its arrears to the World Bank. Once the conditions for international re-engagement are in place and arrears to the bank, the World Bank, are resolved, what I can tell you is we believe the common framework could be a useful option to address Zimbabwe’s debt difficulties and of course for its part, the international community requires improvements also in domestic political conditions and economic policies to initiate re-engagement.
The common framework refers to an IMF initiative endorsed by the G20 and Paris Club that coordinates official creditors to provide debt treatments when they are needed by developing countries eligible for the debt service suspension.
In November 2020, G20 finance ministers and central bank governors agreed to the “common framework for debt treatments beyond the debt service suspension initiative”, which was also endorsed by the Paris Club.
However, due to its unsustainable debt and poor repayment record, Zimbabwe has been excluded from the initiative.
In November, an IMF team led by Dhaneshwar Ghura held Article IV meetings with authorities in Harare during which the lender said the threat to the country’s growth plans remained an unsustainable debt.
Last week, the government said external debt increased to US$13.7 billion in September, over half of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product, from about US$10.7 billion last year despite paying US$44.2 million to external creditors.
PTUZ Welcomes Objective Investigations but Condemns False Accusations and Diversionary Tactics
1 December 2021
As PTUZ we welcome govt investigations on teachers’ unions allegedly working in cohorts with the UK to deliver a regime change.
This is a rational approach that we believe can unravel the truth if objectively done. Sadly, ZBC and Herald have already found culprits before any investigations are carried out.
As PTUZ we are baffled by such a lackadaisical, warped and vacuous approach. Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to investigate and make informed enunciations rather than the ludicrous hallucination of falsely accusing legitimate union leaders of a crime they have not committed?
ZBC and Herald have not only peddled a tissue of misrepresentation, high sounding nothing but falsehoods of the worst order. How a legitimate teachers’ union can overnight assume powers to change an entrenched totalising hegemonic power with full control of security forces, remains baffling and puzzling.
We posit that this is a diversionary tactic tailor-made to weaken our focus on teachers’ welfare and the establishment of a credible system of education in Zimbabwe.
We want to reiterate that PTUZ is not and will never become an appendage of any political party or govt. It is a labour union with members cutting across the political divide.
We however have no apology for advancing the interests of teachers and defending any gains made. For this reason, we have knocked at every govt door including the office of the President, ED Mnangagwa, petitioning parliamentary portfolio committees over the parlous state of our education system, lack of investment in quality public education, living wage and payment for invigilation of examinations run by a parastatal, Zimsec, among many other things.
This is a struggle that we are prepared to fight for every time, and if need be die for, as it is the basis for the sustainable development of Zimbabwe. We have no regrets for managing the nation’s best assets, viz, pupils, but only call upon those who make decisions to engage in broad consultations and act responsibly, as opposed to educational vandalism and entrenchment of poverty and penury of teachers. Blame us now it doesn’t matter, history will absolve us.
If you can afford to flying to the country at this critical time, you sure he can afford to go into a hotel. What’s the purpose of returning for festive seasons, you’re returning for Christmas aren’t you? So clearly you can afford; there’s nothing that stops you from waiting…
If you can afford to flying to the country at this critical time, you sure he can afford to go into a hotel. What's the purpose of returning for festive seasons, you're returning for Christmas aren't you? So clearly you can afford; there's nothing that stops you from waiting… pic.twitter.com/moetWJtmhB
By Farai D Hove | The Zimbabwean government has taken over the funeral of the late Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency, CEO, Douglas Munatsi, who died unexpectedly on Monday morning 4 hours before meeting the president to whistleblow on corruption.
The development means Munatsi will be buried by armed soldiers.
When his body was discovered, it was taken away by astute police officers who tried to stop journalists from taking pictures of the incident at the car park of the Thornfields flat building where the successful banker died following a highly suspicious explosion, the case which law enforcement officers have recorded as a suspected murder.
The latest development was revealed in a press statement early Thursday morning which read.
“His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa, has directed that the late Douglas Munatsi who passed on earlier in the week be accorded a State-assisted funeral.
“The Office of the President and Cabinet will liaise with the bereaved Munatsi family to ensure this directive by His Excellency the President is effected, the statement read.
It continued saying:
“The Office continues to stand by the bereaved Munatsi family during this very difficult time.”
https://chat.whatsapp.com/LRgwccgxDeKC3qSnamVNcv
OBITUARY (NewsWire)| Doug Munatsi: ‘It Was Not An Easy Life To Abandon, To Come & Serve My Country’ Douglas Munatsi, the respected banker who died after a fire at his home in Harare, had an option to stay in the private sector, stitching up multimillion dollar deals in private equity.
But he surprised even himself by taking up a job as the man in charge of promoting investment into Zimbabwe.
The CEO of the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) died in a fire in the early hours of Monday at Northfields, a complex in Harare’s Avenues area, according to the residents’ association.
“The association wishes to advise stakeholders that at approximately 02.50AM, on Monday 29th November, a fire was detected by the occupant of flat C9 in Northfields. There was no electricity at the time due to a cable fault,” the statement said.
“The occupant in C10 heard commotion and noise, and went to his balcony to investigate further. There, he heard from the occupant of C9 that there was a fire and he asked to call the fire brigade. At 02.59, the fire brigade was called, and they arrived at 03.11. They fought the blaze for 2hrs, and despite their efforts, they were unable to save the occupant of C9, who is believed to be Mr Douglas Munatsi.”
Career Munatsi was born in Highfield and grew up in Mufakose in Harare, before his family lived in Gweru and Masvingo. His father died when he was a teenager, but he endured and made it to the University of Zimbabwe.
His first job after leaving university was with Barclays. He later joined the World Bank’s private sector arm, the International Finance Corporation. But the call of home then, was as loud as it was to be years later in his career.
He returned to Zimbabwe, and began work to set up his own bank.
In 1995, he founded Heritage Investment Bank, one of the first black-owned banks. Two years later, he engineered a daring corporate transaction. When Anglo American, one of the most influential companies in the country, wanted to sell out of First Merchant Bank, the country’s oldest merchant bank, Munatsi led a consortium that outcompeted bigger rivals for the FMB stake.
He did this by traveling to the UK to meet with Philip Baum, then head of Anglo, gambling by signing a deal even without his board back home in the picture.
In 2000, Munatsi merged FMB with udc, a leasing firm, and Bard discount house, to set up the African Banking Corporation, now BancABC, which he listed in Botswana. He later won the backing of Atlas Mara, run by Bob Diamond, a former Barclays executive. Atlas Mara became the significant shareholder, with a promise to shore up the bank’s capital. But that relationship turned sour, when John Vitalo, appointed as an executive without Munatsi’s okay, reneged on a deal to recapitalise the business.
At one meeting, Munatsi told Vitalo: “I am not a house negro”.
In 2014, after the relationship broke down, Munatsi and his partners, Francis Dzanya and Beki Moyo, sold their interest to Atlas Mara for US$210 million and left a business that they had founded.
“At our last function, leaving in December of 2014, people were crying. It was hugely emotional,” Munatsi once recalled. “That’s actually one of the criticisms we received from the new shareholder, to say ‘this is not a business, you’re just friends’. We were a family.”
The three then formed a new private equity outfit, DBF Capital, which is invested in energy, metals and insurance. The company was growing, but, just like in the IFC days, the urge to return home was strong.
Heading ZIDA In March 2020, he accepted an unexpected offer from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
ZIDA had just been formed, after new legislation that merged investment promotion agencies, such as the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, the Joint Venture Unit, and the Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority. Mnangagwa needed someone with some private sector experience and, more importantly, someone with market credibility.
Mnangagwa turned to Munatsi, with whom he had had several tough conversations on the economy.
“I said to him, all those things you always lecture me about, come and do them,” Mnangagwa said a the launch of ZIDA.
Why did he leave the cushy life in private equity to take up an inevitably frustrating job working for the government?
“It was not an easy life to abandon, to serve. But we all have to serve,” Munatsi told publisher Trevor Ncube in May.
“We think that there are solutions that we can provide for certain challenges that are in our country and, therefore, when you are called upon to put into practice some of the things that you often lecture other people to do, that’s the real test.”
Living outside the country, he said, “you realise that it does not give you satisfaction to see other countries progressing, to see other people doing the kinds of things that you think we should be doing in our country and you remain not contributing, not putting your hand to the plough or in the skin in the game”.
It was time, Munatsi, said, to put into practice the advice he had been giving the Zimbabwe government.
“So it is really a time to put to practice, to whisper quietly to the leaders to say we think we can do this slightly differently.”
At ZIDA, he set about the tough task of ending the decades-old culture of bureaucracy that frustrated investors. Where an investor previously needed to make stops at multiple offices, now they could have it all processed at ZIDA. It was a good plan, but he admitted in May how frustrating the job had been to cut through the red tape and force a new culture.
Munatsi had in 2019 been appointed to the RBZ’s monetary policy committee, but stepped down to focus on ZIDA after his appointment at the agency.
Munatsi’s farm, Kunatsa, is one of the country’s most successful farms. The farm, which Munatsi bought in 2001, achieves yields above 20 tonnes per hectare, often topping seed company Seed Co’s producer rankings.
Munatsi is survived by his wife, Bindzile, and three children.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has accorded a state assisted funeral to the late Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Chief Executive Officer Douglas Munatsi who died when his house caught fire on Monday morning.
In a statement to the press, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said Government will liase with the family to ensure the Mnangagwa’s directive is effected.
By A Correspondent| Gateway Stream continues to make airwaves on the innovation front with the latest campaign which seeks to help social influencers monetise their brand presence by earning a commission on sales they make on Gateway Stream.
Currently Zimbabwe has some social influencers who have reached the 1 million views/followers mark, however there is still a gap in terms of the social influencers actually earning an income from their presence on social platforms. Most of these platforms will only pay when views or followers reach a certain threshold, in the absence of which the social influencer does not earn anything.
“We aim to help social influencers exploit the valuable asset that they have, that is, access to markets, in a way that ensures that they monetize their brand equity. Social influencers already have what corporates want, a defined market and reach, which they access in an effective cost-effective way” said Rainbow Tourism Group Chief Executive Tendai Madziwanyika at the launch of the program.
Through the Gateway Stream Social Influencer program artists will be issued with an account on the Gateway Stream platform and a promo-code.
They will be able to sell all the products that are found on the Gateway Stream platform and earn a commission from the sales. Gateway Stream has a diverse product range from groceries, hardware, clothing, hotel accommodation, adventure activities, food & drink, and short-term insurance. A follower of the social network will have to quote the promo-code when processing a booking or making a purchase on Gateway Stream.
Once a member completes a purchase by way of payment, the agreed commission level for the specific product category will be credited to the social influencer’s account. The more sales the social influencer makes the more money they stand to earn!
“So far we have registered over 30 social influencers, ranging from musicians, comedians, and trending social influencers. Instead of being just brand ambassadors for different companies, they can earn passive and perpetual income directly from their networks “ said Taremeredzwa Chipepera the newly appointed General Manager for Gateway Stream.
He explained that this initiative is a mutually beneficial partnership that will drive traffic and sales volume on the platform. “We are driven by the desire to help social influencers gain greater value from their social networks,” he said.
Gateway Stream is currently working on the development of a portal which will enable the social influencers to have backend access where they can load their own products, view transactions under their promo-code, track their commission and request pay-outs from their account.
Besides the products on the platform, social influencers can also have an opportunity to brand and sell their own memorabilia such as clothing lines, perfumes, etc. on the Gateway Stream platform.
“The sky is the limit to opportunities which our local social influencers can explore on Gateway Stream. It’s time for them to make money from their brand, using music and entertainment as a hook! Imagine just converting 1% of their following – they will be well on your way to becoming a millionaire!” said Madziwanyika
By A Correspondent- The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has raised the alarm over the effects of underground coal fires on children in Hwange, urging the government to speedily act on the issue.
In a report released last week titled Effects of Coal Seam Fires and Other Environmental Hazards on Children in Hwange, the CNRG said several children are being burnt by underground fires caused by harmful activities by mining companies in Hwange.
The practices, according to the lobby group, are in breach of section 73 of the constitution, which guarantees every person the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or wellbeing.
“The unmitigated underground coal seam fires present serious hazards for children. Most of them experienced grave accidents in places no-one ever expected such disasters could happen. There were no danger warning signs to keep people away,” the report reads.
For instance, the coal seam fires that swallowed the little boy driving away cattle from their field had never been detected as there was no sign of fire on the surface. The mother who sent the boy to drive away the cattle now lives with a permanent sense of guilt over an accident she is not responsible for.
“Similarly, those who met their fate whilst playing suddenly found themselves trapped in an underground lake of fire with no slightest idea of what was happening or how they ended up there.”
According to the report, the underground coal seam fires are also prevalent throughout the concession owned by Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL), where there are also human settlements for the mine labour.
The organisation said residents have noted that mine residue dumps found in Number Two area and three other areas of HCCL are some of the most hazardous sites with raging underground coal seam fires.
Questions sent to Hwange Colliery corporate affairs manager Beauty Mutombe had not been responded to by the time of publication.
Studies have shown that the survivors of burn injuries often suffer from chronic pain and sensory problems, pruritus, and loss of strength. Psychosocially, a certain proportion may develop depression and post-traumatic stress disorder after being discharged from hospital and this can go on for several years after the incident.
The lobby group said the government should set up a dialogue among mining stakeholders in Hwange on reducing and bringing to an end underground fire incidence.
“There is also need to offer various forms of help to the affected children and their families and ensure they get equal opportunities in life. Both the families and the children need psycho-social support to overcome the trauma they now live with,” the report reads.
According to Global Forest Watch, most coal seam fires are ignited by human activity, usually in the process of coal mining or waste removal.
These fires can burn underground undetected for decades, occasionally protruding to the surface, with severe effects on flora and fauna. According to Global Forest Watch, underground coal seam fires cause the ground to become extremely hot and unstable, destroying roads and homes, as well as creating fiery sinkholes that swallow anything from cars to people.
As part of the recommendations, CNRG called on the government to align its progressive climate change response strategy and policy to practical reduction in coal activities in Hwange.
The organisation also recommended that the government come up with rehabilitation programmes for victims of coal seam fire.-Newshawks
By A Correspondent- The battle for the political control of the Midlands pitting rivals State Security minister Owen Mudha Ncube and incumbent Daniel Mackenzie Ncube has continued despite the two front-runners dropping out of the race after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s intervention.
Following Mnangagwa’s intervention, Midlands Provincial and Devolution minister Larry Mavima was imposed as an uncontested candidate for the provincial chair with both Mudha Ncube and Mackenzie Ncube pulling out of the race for the top post.
Mudha Ncube’s camp initially set the ball rolling by vigorously campaigning for the State Security boss but in October it had to change tactic after he gave the nod for his group to push for former youth league leader Edison Chakanyuka to contest Mackenzie Ncube.
The camp is now pushing for Mavima to be deputised by Chakanyuka, while also pushing for Mberengwa Zanu-PF member Tsitsi Zhou and youth activist Phineous Makombe to be provincial women and youth league bosses respectively.
“Attention comrades and friends, myself as chief campaign manager Gweru district for Team Mudha (wish to announce) we do have some changes to our team. This is now official,” key Mudha Ncube campaigner Philemon Safalan told faction members a fortnight ago in their WhatsApp group dubbed “Endorsement of Mudha”.
The Mackenzie Ncube faction prefers incumbent deputy provincial chairperson Robson Nyathi to deputise Mavima. The group is also pushing for youth activist Ralph Piki and Zanu-PF Kwekwe proportional representation MP Perseverance Zhou to be the youth and women’s league leaders respectively, saying their preferred choices were “the solution to their problems” (in the province).
All the candidates did not respond to questions from The NewsHawks. However, a party insider who spoke on condition of anonymity, told this publication that the Midlands was in the “spotlight” and nobody wanted to come out in the open expressing interest for provincial positions.
“You would remember that there was intense violence in the province during the district restructuring exercise that placed the Midlands in the spotlight,” he said.
“So people are nocturnally campaigning using their supporters and for now they would not want to publicly declare their interest for the positions. Tactics such as the use of campaign posters on social media platforms have become the order of the day while those being campaigned for remain silent behind the scenes.”
Provincial party spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri did not respond to questions sent to him. But according to a party source, Mudha Ncube and Mackenzie Ncube are fighting “tooth and nail” to outmanoeuvre each other in the province.
Mudha Ncube reportedly has the backing of Local Government minister July Moyo, while Mackenzie Ncube has the support of the minister of State in the President’s Office, Joram Gumbo. All protagonists claim they are loyal to Mnangagwa.-newshawks
By A Correspondent- The government has urged Zimbabweans living in neighbouring South Africa to adhere to that country’s administration’s decisions of not extending their Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) beyond 2022.
In a statement Wednesday, the Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa, said it will assist in implementing the process.
Last week South Africa announced a cabinet decision to suspend the special permits that had kept millions of Zimbabweans across the Limpopo legally.
The permits, which were supposed to expire on 31 December this year, were extended by an extra year and Zimbabweans are expected to leave South Africa or face deportation.
“The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe takes note of this decision by the Government of the Republic of South Africa, a close neighbour with which Zimbabwe enjoys excellent relations,” reads the statement.
“The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe urges and encourages all its nationals, beneficiaries of the special dispensation, to comply with this decision and to cooperate in its implementation.
“The Embassy of Zimbabwe has initiated engagements and consultations with the relevant authorities of the Government of South Africa with a view to ensuring the timely dissemination of information and the smooth implementation of this decision which will impact the lives and livelihoods of thousands of individuals and households.
“It is the Embassy’s expectation that this decision will be implemented with the minimum of disruption to the lives and livelihoods of the affected individuals and their families.”
South Africa’s decision is a culmination of heavy rioting, protests and petitions by a section of its citizens who have called for the unconditional flushing out of foreigners whom they blame for a rise in crime rate and increase drug abuse.
They have over the years blamed them for taking all their employment opportunities
By A Correspondent- Project Vote 263, a non-governmental organisation that is pushing for civic education to promote inclusive participatory democracy by encouraging people to register to vote, has expressed disappointment over the postponement of mobile biometric voter registration by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) without a clear reason.
Zec announced through a memorandum that the mobile biometric registration programme, which was scheduled to commence on 6 December “has been rescheduled to a later date to be advised in due course”.
Youngerson Matete, director of Project Vote 263, suggested that the postponement could be a ploy by the government to disenfranchise many youths.
“It is unfortunate that in 2018 we had a huge number of people who were not registered on the day of voting and to address this challenge we have resorted in assisting people in providing them with transport services. We were very happy and relieved to have Zec coming up with such an initiative – only to hear that they have cancelled it without a satisfactory reason,” said Matete.
“We are shattered, but we know it is part of the huge plan to disenfranchise the young people of their right to vote, knowing that 85% of the youth are unemployed and they do not afford transport to and from regional centres. The youths make up 67.5% of the total population, which will be a deciding number come 2023.
“That is why it is difficult for them to get identity cards. Youths are perceived to be members of the opposition.” Matete said voting is a constitutional right, not a privilege, and any theatrics meant to bottleneck the process is a huge disadvantage to the people of Zimbabwe.
He said besides ensuring that the Registrar General’s Office issues identity documents to Zimbabweans, there was an urgent need to educate people on the need to register while also ensuring that services are made accessible.
“The cancelation of the mobile registration has left us with a huge backlog of people who need transport to come and register to vote,” said Matete.
Biometric registration was initiated in Zimbabwe in 2017 in a bid to improve the electoral processes by providing an accurate, efficient and transparent process.
It was hoped the initiative would provide hope for a comprehensive nationwide top-up registration drive that was going to enhance the quality of the voters’ roll ahead of 2022 by-elections and the 2023 general elections.
A quality voters’ roll is important in engendering public confidence in the integrity of elections. Reports on past elections have concluded that the voters’ roll lacks credibility.
A report by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems revealed that the voters’ roll which was used in the 2013 elections contains thousands of names of dead people and double registration and was marred by the under-registration of young voters.-newshawks
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe is set to receive a million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from China, as the two nations cooperation to fight the new Covid-19 variant – Omicron.
South Africa announced the presence of the new variant in its territory last week, although the variant has been circulating in Europe for some weeks.
The donation will be the fifth batch of vaccines to Zimbabwe by the Chinese government, which also includes Sinopharm vaccines.
In September, the country received the fourth batch of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses from China.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Guo Shaochun, handed over the consignment to Zimbabwean Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care, at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
The latest donation was announced by Ambassador Shaochun on his official Twitter handle.
“1 million doses of Sinovac vaccine, the fifth batch of China’s vaccine donation to Zimbabwe is coming very soon. Facing the challenge by Omicron, China and Zimbabwe are promoting cooperation on the Medical and Health Program proposed by China in #FOCAC,” tweeted Ambassador Shaochun.
The donation will come as a boost to Zimbabwe as it faces the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Open University (Zou)’s Department of Peace, Leadership and Conflict Resolution is rocked by serious allegations of corruption involving foreign students paying tuition fees in foreign currency and attendant arbitrage activities.
Sources at Zou say some lecturers at the university’s Harare learning centres are running a racket for self-enrichment by collecting fees from foreign students, who include locals based outside the country, and then paying for them in local currency a fraction of the fees in real terms due to exchange rate differentials.
This helps them to make money through arbitrage, prejudicing the university. “It’s a clear case of arbitrage. You get one currency in one market and take advantage of exchange rate differentials to make money,” a source said.
“The only problem here is that this involves some corrupt practices of collaboration, deception and lies. But the arbitrage opportunities are huge and profitable in this scam. Students also benefit from the scam as they are asked to pay much less in forex if they agree to the deals. So everyone benefits.”
Foreign students pay as if they are locally registered to be allowed to settle their fees in local currency. Lecturers change their registration in order to pay much less and take the difference through arbitrage.
But arbitrage is just one of the corrupt practices at the university. The sources said some lecturers are also charging students for assignments and dissertations, which they write for them for payment. Some students who do virtual classes are presented as if they are actually physically attending classes to assist them to pass for payment.
Apart from that, Zou lecturers, who work on contract basis, are manipulating the system to give their friends more work to earn more. Those in charge always make sure their associates get more time to teach than others, hence more money.
“There is a lot of corruption going on at Zou in relation to payment of fees by foreign students and other things, such as a virtual classes and writing of assignments and dissertations,” a source said.
“What is more lucrative is lecturers collecting hard currency from foreign students or students outside who pay in forex, but pay for them an equivalent amount in local currency. So instead of remitting the forex, they present them as local so that they pay in RTGS or using a bank card. Given the exchange rate, which is now US$1 to ZW$160 in the informal market, it means they make a lot of money over nothing. All said and done, paying in forex is 99.9% higher than paying in local currency.”
Another source said: “Corruption is also rife in relation to virtual classes which involves foreign students. Some lecturers lie that some students attended lessons locally when they didn’t to justify awarding them marks on subjects they did not actually do.
“Currently there are virtual students’ dissertations being supervised and marked as local students. The virtual students pay for people to do their research.” The sources said this is prevalent at the Peace, Leadership and Conflict Resolution Department at Harare’s main post office chaired by Andrew Mukono. Mukono last week said he was not aware of the corrupt practices in his department. He also distanced himself from any corrupt activities.
“I have nothing to do with payment of fees for foreign students. If you are you to get the truth of the matter , nowhere have I got money from students. That is a fabrication I have never done anything of that sort. If there is anyone who wants to tarnish my image, my hands are clean.”-Newshawks
By A Correspondent- Broadcaster and musician Japhet Masuku has died.
Masuku died last Sunday and he will be buried this weekend at his rural home in eMkhalandoda, Nkayi.
Said John Masuku:
“1960s/70s broadcaster and muscian Japhet Masuku who died on Sunday night was recruited into broadcasting in the early 1960s during the Federation of Rhodesias and Nyasaland by the late Justice John Manyarara who later trained as a lawyer, became a judge in Zimbabwe and Namibia and Edward Moyo who later became ZBC Director General after retiring from UNESCO.
He was then a teacher at Matshetshe in Esigodini after training at Dombodema, Plumtree when Manyarara and Moyo first visited him for school choir recording.Japhet worked at the Bulawayo Studios in 11th Avenue before the Montrose Studios were built with colleagues such as Amon Nyamambi, Joseph Masuku, Cyrus Ntini, Ferdinand Sibanda,Christopher Sibanda, Lazarus Mpofu,Kingsley Banda(Sibanda) and Abbie Dube among many others.
Coming straight from teaching he was allocated the long running “Abancane Qha”/ Children’s Corner show to which he used to invite his favourite ‘brilliant young boys’ Muchadeyi Masunda lawyer who later became Harare Mayor and late war veteran and national hero Absalom Sikhosana.During his short stint at Harare,now Mbare Studios in Salisbury.
Japhet Masuku worked with Oliver Chimenya, Pamenous Nyamurowa, Hwaru Nyathi, Ephraim Chamba,Selby Hlatshwayo, Wilson Chivaura,Jabulani Mangena, Jonathan Mutsinze, Mavis Moyo, Shiyeka Khumalo among many others.
He was popular for his programme “Suka Masuku sizwe ingoma” a hit after hit type of presentation.
Leaving broadcasting on his own accord Jazi Elindizayo formed a music band Izintombi ZikaMthwakazi Labafana Bomdlalo which released the hit song “Thina Siyahlupheka”(We are suffering) which in no time was banned by Rhodesian authorities.
The flipside was “Ikhaya lethu silitshiyile” (We left our home) Band members included uBhaqela, Sibangani Nkomo Jonathan Majola and Bhangalala Mugabe.He also worked as a youth officer with the Bulawayo City Council before deciding in the mid 1970s to cross into Zambia to join late Joshua Nkomo led ZAPU and Zipra forces in the liberation war.
He straight away became a broadcaster of war news and the progress of the liberation struggle with the likes of Joseph Masuku, Jane Ngwenya, Iris Chiratidzo Mabuwa, Andrew Ngonye, Oliver Juru among others.
Returning home at Independence in 1980 and failing to secure a broadcasting job at ZBC Japhet briefly went back to teaching before rejoining Bulawayo City Council until retirement.
Born in eNtunteni, Essexvale now Esigodini Japhet Masuku was educated there and at Inyathi Mission under London Missionary Society.Japhet’s father uMankunku and John Masuku’s grandfather uWulumeni, sons of Phugeni Masuku of eMalungwane, Esigodini (Essexvale) were direct brothers,same father,same mother.
Uncle Japhet will be buried this weekend at his rural home in eMkhalandoda, eNkayi.
Jazi Elindizayo leaves behind two wives uMama uMaNgwenya and uMama uMaDube,several children and grand children.
By A Correspondent- Victory World International Ministries church leader Paul Sanyangore is facing a three-month jail term after failing to settle a US$10 200 debt with satellite transmission company, Viewsat Limited (Viewsat). The UK based company filed an application through lawyer Mr Davison Kanokanga for civil imprisonment in a bid to push the pastor to pay a $12 733 debt in 2018. In 2019, the High Court declared that Sanyangore must pay the company the money owed at the rate of US$350 per month. “On 23 January 2019, the High Court sitting at Harare ordered the civil imprisonment of the respondent Paul Sanyangore of 514 Houghton Park Drive, Houghton Park, Harare, for a period of 90 days.
“The order will remain in force until the respondent has paid the sum of $10 292.20 which the respondent owes to the applicant by virtue of a judgement of this court together with costs of the application for the order,” reads part of the writ of civil imprisonment. “You are ordered to arrest the respondent and deliver him, together with a copy of this writ, to Harare Central Prison where he shall be kept until (a) he has paid the judgment debt, together with the interest and costs that are due; (b) the period of 90 days from the date of his delivery to the prison has elapsed, or (c) a court has varied or revoked the order of civil imprisonment,” further reads the writ. According to the summons filed in December 2018, Sanyangore was advised to approach the High Court with his financial position to assess whether he was able to settle the debt or not. “You, the respondent (Sanyangore) is called upon to pay to the applicant (Viewsat) the sum of $12 733, 73 being taxed costs plus interest at the prescribed rate from the 12th of October 2017 to the date of payment plus collection commission in terms of Law Society by-laws and legal costs on a legal practitioner and client scale recovered by order of this court dated 9th January 2010 April…,” part of the summons read.
According to the summons, Sanyangore was asked to bring evidence of his financial position, including proof of his income from wages, salary or earnings from any other source. “The court will conduct an inquiry into your financial position and depending on the circumstances, it may not commit you to prison but instead give you further time to pay the sum due or direct you to pay it in instalments over a specified period,” part of the summons read.
Monica Mavhunga from Mash Central Becomes Deputy Secretary of Education to the Politburo.
Alice Dube was Appointed as Politburo member replacing Cain Mathema.
Monica Mutsvangwa has been appointed as Deputy Secretary for Transport & Social Welfare.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa was appointed the Secretary for Environment and Tourism. She was previously the Deputy and now replaces Cde Prisca Mupfumira.
Ziyambi Ziyambi replaces Mutsvangwa as Secretary for Science and Technology.
Frederick Shava has been appointed as a Politburo Member as a Committee Member.
Omega Hungwe and Oliver Chidawu have been appointed Politburo members with immediate effect and these two are coming from Harare Province.
Judith Ncube was appointed as a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province.
Josiah Hungwe who was secretary for Production and Labour now becomes a senior member of the Politburo, and he is replaced by Kenneth Musanhi as the Secretary for Production and Labour.
By A Correspondent- Two self-styled prophets from a Zionist church in Tsholotsho and a villager from Dete in Hwange have been jailed for nine years each for stocktheft.
Promise Vundla (33) and Hawkins Sibanda (47) are the self-styled prophets from Capuka village under Chief Matupula in the Sipepa area, Tsholotsho.
The duo visited Dete where they rented a house at Ms Hazel Sibanda’s homestead in Chamasichana village under Chief Nekatambe, praying for people and would receive payment in different forms including livestock.
Vundla and Sibanda prayed for Japhet Nyathi (56) of Mphakathi village under Chief Nekatambe in Dete and he offered to pay them using a calf after they charged him US$15 for consultation. Nyathi led the duo into a bush where he showed them a calf belonging to Mrs Cecilia Nkomo who is the complainant from Chabasichana. The three slaughtered the calf and shared the meat. Vundla, Sibanda and Nyathi appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri charged with stocktheft.
Vundla and Sibanda pleaded guilty and told the court that they were given the calf by Nyathi as payment for their services, but the latter pleaded not guilty saying he did not know the two. Vundla and Sibanda told the court that they were approached by Nyathi who wanted help and they charged him US$15 consultation fee which he offered to pay using a beast. The duo said Nyathi led them to the bush where he showed them a calf and they asked him to slaughter it before they offered him meat but he refused to take a share. The magistrate said stocktheft is a serious offence as she sentenced each of the trio to a mandatory nine years in jail. Prosecuting, Ms Nomusa Maseko said the offence was committed last month. “On the 24 th day of October 2021 in the morning the complainant released her herd of cattle for grazing. In the afternoon the herd came to drink water and she discovered that one male calf was missing. She looked for it but could not locate it,” said the prosecutor.
The court was told that on the following day, Ms Nkomo searched for the calf in the bush and saw a hide and some offals, with footprints around the area which she tracked to where Vundla and Sibanda were staying. The court was told that the complainant saw some meat hung to dry in a disused kitchen hut and identified a head and hooves which matched the missing calf valued at $30 000. She reported the matter to the police leading to the trio’s arrest.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed disappointment over Teachers’ representative organisations which are allegedly working with foreign governments to undermine his administration.
The President said this when he officially commissioned new 13 buses and 30 service delivery vehicles for the Public Service Commission at Morris Depot in Harare this Wednesday.
This brings the number of buses that have been disbursed to the PSC to 108.
The President highlighted that government will continue to channel resources towards improving the conditions of service in the public sector.
Mnangagwa, however, noted that while as an employer, the government is implementing measures to transform the country, some employees are working with foreign governments to undermine workplace harmony. He said:
Regrettably, while as an employer government is implementing all these measures, it is disheartening that some employees as has now been revealed are working with foreign governments to undermine workplace harmony as well as national peace and security. Fortunately, my government has the requisite capacity to ensure workplace harmony and guarantee national peace and security.
In the recent past, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) was accused of working with the British government to topple the Zimbabwean government.
The union has since denied the allegations saying it is only determined to ensure that the government has improved teachers’ salaries and working conditions.
PTUZ is saying its members will not invigilate ZIMSEC examinations unless they have been offered an allowance.- ZBC News
By A Correspondent – The Government Tuesday resolved to put on hold requests from the tourism industry to open up travel further as Harare activated increased monitoring, surveillance and enforcement protocols targeting entry points following the outbreak of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Cabinet designated the Omicron variant as a virus of major concern in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) declaration. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this during the post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday. Omicron variant was detected in South Africa forcing some global nations to impose travel restrictions on Sadc countries, including Zimbabwe.
Minister Mutsvangwa said in view of the threat posed by Omicron, Government resolved to shelve proposals by the tourism sector to further open up the economy ahead of the festive season. “Cabinet also resolved to put on hold requests from the tourism industry to further open up travel in order to allow for the monitoring of the situation of the new variant and its impact during the next two weeks,” said Minister Mutsvangwa. At the moment the country’s borders remain closed as part of the Covid-19 prevention measures. She said the country’s decision to consider Omicron as a variant of concern is informed by the declaration WHO issued indicating that a new variant of concern, SARS-CoV-2 variant: B.1.1.529, named Omicron, had been reported by South Africa.
“The Covid-19 National Committee has since designated Omicron a variant of concern in line with the WHO declaration. The country will therefore, henceforth, increase surveillance and enforcement of Covid-19 protocols, especially at ports of entry,” said Minister Mutsvangwa. She said Cabinet has resolved that Zimbabwe immediately adopts and implements the recently announced WHO guidance in handling Omicron variant. Minister Mutsvangwa said the measures include: “Enhancing surveillance and genomic sequencing efforts to better understand SARS-CoV-2 variants that might be circulating in the country; (b) reminding communities and individuals to take measures to reduce their risk to Covid-19 infection through the tried and tested protocols, such as wearing well-fitting masks, physical distancing, improving indoor ventilation, frequent washing and sanitising of hands and getting vaccinated.” She said the country will heighten screening of returning residents and surveillance of illegal entry points. “As the country goes into the festive season, and in order to reduce the risk of importing the new variant, in addition to strengthening Covid-19 surveillance and enforcement of protocols, vigilance of returning residents will be enhanced as well as at illegal or undesignated entry points and continued strengthening of the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the provinces will also be undertaken,” she said.
By Simba Chikanza | Zimbabwe’s remaining Chimurenga music legend and war veteran, Thomas Mapfumo has released an advisory to the young people of Zimbabwe saying they must not allow their destiny to be run by criminals.
While on his South Africa tour, Mapfumo spoke with a voice clearer than any preacher alive to date, saying the people’s Kingdom is on earth not in the afterlife, for which purpose they must seize the moment before it’s too late.
Below was his brief message, transcribed by ZimEye:
Down here on earth is where your Kingdom is.
Down here on earth is where our Kingdom is located, so if we fail to eat with others, while others go hungry, that's not what we want…Get out of your houses, and remove these scarfed people, because they're the ones making you poor …- Thomas Mapfumo pic.twitter.com/7uENQs0xdA
If we fail to eat with others, while others are dying of Hunger; that’s not what we want; get out of your houses and remove these scarfed people. Remove them; chase them out because they are the ones making you poor. If you keep silent fearing death, it’s going to fail on your side; You are going to spend the next 100 years. As for us, we’ll be gone. Because no generation on earth last forever. Each generation comes and goes. Understand this. This inheritance belongs to you young people; Yet you’re allowing it to be messed up, seeing clearly we are heading nowhere. It’s the wrong direction. Come on, wake up, demonstrate that you have the power, you can change things. The things of these days are only for the young people, they are not for the old. No. Those who are now old, get out, make way for the young, to do the job because it’s now their time. This inheritance is your, you young people, but you are allowing it to be messed up while you are watching, seeing clearly that we are going in the wrong direction. No, wake up. Stand up and show that you have the powers.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed disappointment over Teachers’ representative organisations which are allegedly working with foreign governments to undermine his administration.
The President said this when he officially commissioned new 13 buses and 30 service delivery vehicles for the Public Service Commission at Morris Depot in Harare this Wednesday.
This brings the number of buses that have been disbursed to the PSC to 108.
The President highlighted that government will continue to channel resources towards improving the conditions of service in the public sector.
Mnangagwa, however, noted that while as an employer, the government is implementing measures to transform the country, some employees are working with foreign governments to undermine workplace harmony. He said:
Regrettably, while as an employer government is implementing all these measures, it is disheartening that some employees as has now been revealed are working with foreign governments to undermine workplace harmony as well as national peace and security. Fortunately, my government has the requisite capacity to ensure workplace harmony and guarantee national peace and security.
In the recent past, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) was accused of working with the British government to topple the Zimbabwean government.
The union has since denied the allegations saying it is only determined to ensure that the government has improved teachers’ salaries and working conditions.
PTUZ is saying its members will not invigilate ZIMSEC examinations unless they have been offered an allowance.- ZBC News
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a robbery case in which stone-wielding robbers pounced on a house in Mt Pleasant and got away with US$48 000 and other valuables. Said the police in a statement:
The ZRP is investigating a case of robbery which occurred on 27/11/21 at about 0155 hours, where five unknown suspects pounced on a certain house in Mount Pleasant, Harare.
The five suspects who were armed with stones and wearing black face masks, demanded cash before being given safe keys. They stole US$ 48 000, iPhone XRS, car keys for a Toyota Mark X vehicle and went away.
Robbery cases have been on the rise in the past few years with some observers attributing the development to the economic crisis in the country.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa accused the United Kingdom (UK) embassy of funding trade unions of pursuing a regime change agenda.
His utterances come at a time when there is a deadlock between government and teachers over the payment of allowances to invigilate ongoing Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) examinations.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) and the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have refused to invigilate the examinations.
Mnangagwa’s remarks also have the potential to compromise relations between Harare and London further.
Mnangagwa said a foreign hand influenced the conduct of teacher unions and singled out the UK embassy.
“The British extra-territorial concern by a foreign legislature on a sovereign African State, which is a full and equal member of the United Nations, is grossly unwarranted in terms of tenets of international law and practise,” he said. “Because of this brazen, self-confessed violation of our sovereignty and threat to our national security and stability by the British government, my government will institute full and thorough investigations into this grave matter. “Zimbabwe is a sovereign State, has been since independence from colonial rule in 1980, which is not even affiliated to the Commonwealth, a body it voluntarily quit over differences related to her just land reform programme. “Equally, civic groups and teachers employed by the Zimbabwe government to work here in Zimbabwe are not employees of the British government, whether by contract or remuneration. Their activities, singly or in combination, have nothing to do with the British government or any foreign government for that matter.” But teacher unions dismissed Mnangagwa’s threats as an attempt to gag them from demanding better wages and improved conditions of service. The educators are demanding US dollar-denominated salaries or the equivalent in local currency. “We are aware of the African proverb that, ‘when a leopard wants to eat its young ones, it first accuses them of smelling like a goat’,” PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said. “Government is such a leopard in this scenario. Such ludicrous hallucinations are not only baffling, but are madness of the worst order.” Artuz president Obert Masaraure added: “We are no one’s agent, but we have a right to decide to change a corrupt and clueless regime. Our families are starving because of underpayment and our education is collapsing.”
TWO self-styled prophets from a Zionist church in Tsholotsho and a villager from Dete in Hwange have been jailed for nine years each for stocktheft.
Promise Vundla (33) and Hawkins Sibanda (47) are both self-styled prophets from Capuka village under Chief Matupula in Sipepa area, Tsholotsho.
The duo visited Dete where they rented a house at Ms Hazel Sibanda’s homestead in Chamasichana village under Chief Nekatambe, praying for people and would receive payment in different forms including livestock.
Vundla and Sibanda prayed for Japhet Nyathi (56) of Mphakathi village under Chief Nekatambe in Dete and he offered to pay them using a calf after they charged him US$15 for consultation.
Nyathi led the duo into a bush where he showed them a calf belonging to Mrs Cecilia Nkomo who is the complainant from Chabasichana.
The three slaughtered the calf and shared the meat.
Vundla, Sibanda and Nyathi appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Barbara Phiri charged with stocktheft.
Vundla and Sibanda pleaded guilty and told the court that they were given the calf by Nyathi as payment for their services, but the latter pleaded not guilty saying he did not know the two.
Vundla and Sibanda told the court that they were approached by Nyathi who wanted help and they charged him US$15 consultation fee which he offered to pay using a beast.
The duo said Nyathi led them to the bush where he showed them a calf and they asked him to slaughter it before they offered him meat but he refused to take a share.
The magistrate said stocktheft is a serious offence as she sentenced each of the trio to a mandatory nine years in jail.
Prosecuting, Ms Nomusa Maseko said the offence was committed last month.
“On the 24 th day of October 2021 in the morning the complainant released her herd of cattle for grazing. In the afternoon the herd came to drink water and she discovered that one male calf was missing. She looked for it but could not locate it,” said the prosecutor.
The court was told that on the following day, Ms Nkomo searched for the calf in the bush and saw a hide and some offals, with footprints around the area which she tracked to where Vundla and Sibanda were staying.
The court was told that the complainant saw some meat hung to dry in a disused kitchen hut and identified a head and hooves which matched the missing calf valued at $30 000.
She reported the matter to the police leading to the trio’s arrest.- Chronicle
Police in Chiredzi have arrested Alex Muchocha who allegedly murdered his girlfriend and dumped her at a dumping site.
The police confirmed the arrest on their Twitter handle and applauded residents for giving them a tip-off.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Alex Muchocha (45) in connection with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Mercy Zibhowa at Chiredzi Dumping Site on 22/11/21. The suspect was arrested in Hippo Valley on 28/11/21 following a tip of from members of the public,” reads the tweet.
“Meanwhile, the ZRP applauds members of the public for supplying vital information leading to the arrest of the suspect.”- Bulawayo24
VICE-PRESIDENT and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga yesterday confirmed that the country had recorded its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, raising fears of a hard lockdown in the coming few weeks.
Scientists fear that the variant is more contagious and vaccines may be less effective against it.
Constantino Chiwenga
The announcement by Chiwenga comes at a time when the country has been recording a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent days, resulting in some schools closing early.
The Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa and Botswana.
It has now been reported in at least 24 countries, but this has not stopped a number of countries from imposing a travel ban on Zimbabwe alongside other southern African countries.
Chiwenga, who last week urged Zimbabweans not to panic over the new variant, confirmed that the country had recorded its first confirmed case.
“We are doing the genomic sequencing and we have already identified that we now have it (Omicron) in this country and, therefore, must remain vigilant,” Chiwengwa told young farmers in the capital yesterday.
“We want everyone to be safe, so let us be vaccinated and then let us follow the protocols. We don’t want to end up putting extra measures but if we follow these measures, I think every one of us will be safe and we will conquer this enemy.”
The announcement came a day after President Emmerson Mnangagwa had reimposed level two lockdown measures that include mandatory quarantine for returning citizens and visitors upon entering the country.
A 9pm to 6am curfew is now in place, restaurants and supermarkets must close at 7pm, bars and nightclubs are only open to the vaccinated while burials will now be monitored by Health ministry environmental officials.
Government on Wednesday issued Statutory Instrument (SI) 267 of 2021 giving effect to the new regulations.
Zimbabwe has recorded over 135 000 cases and 4 707 fatalities since the southern African country was hit by COVID-19 in March last year.
On Friday last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated the new variant B.1.1.529, also known as Omicron, a variant of concern.
Researchers around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron which is said to have many mutations.
South Africa had recorded about 11 500 new Omicron variant cases as of yesterday, up from 8 500 cases confirmed the previous day.
WHO has recommended, among other things, increased surveillance, particularly virus genome sequencing; focused research to understand the dangers posed by the variant; and ramping up mitigation measures, such as mandatory mask wearing.
Japan, Israel and a number of Western countries have already closed borders to foreigners, in particular from southern Africa.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said people who are not vaccinated will be excluded from nonessential stores, cultural and recreational venues.
According to WHO, COVID-19 has infected about 6,1 million people in Africa and claimed 152 113 lives.– Newsday
Tinashe Sambiri|Through the rigorous community engagement programmes, President Nelson Chamisa is assisting villagers neglected by the Zanu PF regime for decades.
For instance in Mashonaland West Province, Skei Farm, President Chamisa is drilling four boreholes to assist the community.
Under the Development and Urbanization of Rural Areas( DURA), the MDC Alliance is determined to empower and equip neglected communities with essential services and facilities.
“Today we rolled out the Development and Urbanisation of Rural Areas (Dura) programme at Skei Farm in Mash West. President @nelsonchamisa is drilling 4 boreholes in Ward 14.
Under our Government every village household will have tapped water & Electricity #NgaapindeHakeMukomana,” MDC Alliance Secretary General, Charlton Hwende said in a statement on Twitter.
