By A Correspondent- WhatsApp is no longer officially supported on some phones and users have already started experiencing issues. WhatsApp installation might even be still working but it will soon stop. This is because Facebook, the makers of WhatsApp, has decided to stop supporting these older phones. This is a blow to many Zimbabweans considering that WhatsApp is the beginning and end of all communications. According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), WhatsApp is the internet for most people and a lot of informal and formal businesses rely on it for their communications and even making sales. Below is a list of phones that are no longer supported.
For iPhones, the following are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S plus
iPhone SE
For Samsung phones, the following are no longer supported and can no longer support WhatsApp:
Galaxy Trend Lite
Galaxy Trend II
Galaxy SII
Galaxy S3 mini
Galaxy Xcover 2
Galaxy Core
Galaxy Ace 2
For LG the following phones are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
Lucid 2
Optimus F7
Optimus F5
Optimus L3 II Dual
Optimus F5
Optimus L5
Best L5 II
Optimus L5 Dual
Best L3 II
Optimus L7
Optimus L7 II Dual
Best L7 II
Optimus F6, Enact
Optimus L4 II Dual
Optimus F3
Best L4 II
Best L2 II
Optimus Nitro HD
Optimus 4X HD
Optimus F3Q
Support for the following ZTE phones is no longer available and can no longer run WhatsApp:
ZTE V956
Grand X Quad V987
Grand Memo
For Sony, the following phones are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
Xperia Miro
Xperia Neo L
Xperia Arc S
The following Huawei phones can no longer run WhatsApp:
Ascend G740
Ascend Mate
Ascend D Quad XL
Ascend D1 Quad XL
Ascend P1 S
Ascend D2
Here are other phones that can no longer run WhatsApp:
Alcate
Archos 53 Platinum
HTC Desire 500
Caterpillar Cat B15
Wiko Cink Five
Wiko Darknight
Lenovo A820
UMi X2
Run F1
THL W8
How can you fix this?
Some are settling for either budget brands like the Xiaomi, iTel and Techno or they end up buying refurbished secondhand yesteryear flagships. The problem with the latter is one ends up with a phone that’s closer to its end of life support.
Some are buying new phones while some who have unsupported Android phones buy some time by installing WhatsApp versions such as GBWhatsApp. Reports suggest that these versions will eventually stop working too as they are based on the official WhatsApp installation file.
GOVERNMENT has appointed a team to monitor what Zimbabweans post on social media around the clock, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.
Mutsvangwa was, however, quick to state that the government did not intend to regulate social media.
“We have actually come up with a cyber-team that is constantly on social media to monitor what people send and receive since we cannot wish social media away,” Mutsvangwa said.
“We are also appealing to the Zimbabweans and top government officials that whatever message they post on social media should be to build not to destroy the community.”
Mutsvangwa blamed the late former President Robert Mugabe for maintaining a tight grip on media while praising his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa for “ensuring free speech”.
“People used to have fear and respect on social media during Mugabe’s time, but all that is no longer there in the second republic.”
Harare Polytechnic media studies lecturer Spanyoge Madziwa said the government had no role in regulating social media since it did not own any social media network.
“With the advent of technology, we have seen an improvement in the use of digital space for people to air their concerns without fear. So there is no need to regulate social media, people must be free,” he argued.
Madziwa also spoke out against promoting hate speech on social media, saying this tarnishes the country’s image.
He added: “People should use proper channels when they need clarification from relevant authorities. However, social media is a tool used by whistleblowers, especially on corruption.”
Mnangagwa’s government is currently working Cyber-Security and Data Protection Bill which will, apart from punishing social media abusers, allow snooping on private communication among citizens.- NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Over 2000 Lubimbi villagers in Binga are facing eviction to pave the way for the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam.
Through the dam construction committee, the government said it had identified a piece of land in the Nakanono area, which they believe is suitable for their resettlement.
Dam committee chairperson, Edmond Sibanda, said the assessment has been completed.
Sibanda said:
Communities have agreed on Nakonono area, which is the former Kana Block farms. The land is near Shangani River, and is also close to the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road. However, we are still waiting for a response from the government. That is the land we want as a community and it is big enough to support meaningful livelihoods for all the affected communities. However, Lubimbi ward councillor Chrispen Munkuli said they were still debating the issue because the council has not yet visited the place for assessment. He added:
We were advised that workers from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency also have to visit the place and give a way forward on the valuation exercise. The government recently carried out an assessment on the value of the property which is likely to be affected by the expansion of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Lubimbi with a view to compensate the evictees in United States dollars. The Gwayi-Shangani Dam project, which is part of the Zambezi Water Project, is scheduled to be completed by December 2022.
GOVERNMENT has appointed a team to monitor what Zimbabweans post on social media around the clock, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said.
Mutsvangwa was, however, quick to state that the government did not intend to regulate social media.
“We have actually come up with a cyber-team that is constantly on social media to monitor what people send and receive since we cannot wish social media away,” Mutsvangwa said.
“We are also appealing to the Zimbabweans and top government officials that whatever message they post on social media should be to build not to destroy the community.”
Mutsvangwa blamed the late former President Robert Mugabe for maintaining a tight grip on media while praising his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa for “ensuring free speech”.
“People used to have fear and respect on social media during Mugabe’s time, but all that is no longer there in the second republic.”
Harare Polytechnic media studies lecturer Spanyoge Madziwa said the government had no role in regulating social media since it did not own any social media network.
“With the advent of technology, we have seen an improvement in the use of digital space for people to air their concerns without fear. So there is no need to regulate social media, people must be free,” he argued.
Madziwa also spoke out against promoting hate speech on social media, saying this tarnishes the country’s image.
He added: “People should use proper channels when they need clarification from relevant authorities. However, social media is a tool used by whistleblowers, especially on corruption.”
Mnangagwa’s government is currently working Cyber-Security and Data Protection Bill which will, apart from punishing social media abusers, allow snooping on private communication among citizens.- NewsDay
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma ?? (@chumasteve) Tweeted: @mdczimbabwe Dep Organizer for Manicaland, Itayi Masaka has been arrested in Mutare.
His arrest follows on sterling work he did during the recent tour of Manicaland by President @nelsonchamisa. This is another clear case of persecution by prosecution by the regime. https://t.co/Iz9rJhxVwS (https://twitter.com/chumasteve/status/1455547455236448257?s=20)
By A Correspondent- WhatsApp is no longer officially supported on some phones and users have already started experiencing issues. WhatsApp installation might even be still working but it will soon stop. This is because Facebook, the makers of WhatsApp, has decided to stop supporting these older phones. This is a blow to many Zimbabweans considering that WhatsApp is the beginning and end of all communications. According to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), WhatsApp is the internet for most people and a lot of informal and formal businesses rely on it for their communications and even making sales. Below is a list of phones that are no longer supported.
For iPhones, the following are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S plus
iPhone SE
For Samsung phones, the following are no longer supported and can no longer support WhatsApp:
Galaxy Trend Lite
Galaxy Trend II
Galaxy SII
Galaxy S3 mini
Galaxy Xcover 2
Galaxy Core
Galaxy Ace 2
For LG the following phones are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
Lucid 2
Optimus F7
Optimus F5
Optimus L3 II Dual
Optimus F5
Optimus L5
Best L5 II
Optimus L5 Dual
Best L3 II
Optimus L7
Optimus L7 II Dual
Best L7 II
Optimus F6, Enact
Optimus L4 II Dual
Optimus F3
Best L4 II
Best L2 II
Optimus Nitro HD
Optimus 4X HD
Optimus F3Q
Support for the following ZTE phones is no longer available and can no longer run WhatsApp:
ZTE V956
Grand X Quad V987
Grand Memo
For Sony, the following phones are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
Xperia Miro
Xperia Neo L
Xperia Arc S
The following Huawei phones can no longer run WhatsApp:
Ascend G740
Ascend Mate
Ascend D Quad XL
Ascend D1 Quad XL
Ascend P1 S
Ascend D2
Here are other phones that can no longer run WhatsApp:
Alcate
Archos 53 Platinum
HTC Desire 500
Caterpillar Cat B15
Wiko Cink Five
Wiko Darknight
Lenovo A820
UMi X2
Run F1
THL W8
How can you fix this?
Some are settling for either budget brands like the Xiaomi, iTel and Techno or they end up buying refurbished secondhand yesteryear flagships. The problem with the latter is one ends up with a phone that’s closer to its end of life support.
Some are buying new phones while some who have unsupported Android phones buy some time by installing WhatsApp versions such as GBWhatsApp. Reports suggest that these versions will eventually stop working too as they are based on the official WhatsApp installation file.
By A Correspondent- Zambia’s ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), spokesperson Joseph Kalimbwe said his country’s President would never hire a private jet and address an empty auditorium at the climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Kalimbwe on Wednesday suggested that the benefit of travelling to Glasgow might not have produced results comparable to the cost of travelling as many leaders addressed empty auditoriums.
He said Wednesday:
In Africa, we must understand that buying/hiring private jets is not a sign of economic success. We measure economic success by how many people can easily find jobs, how many can afford a decent living. These are the fundamentals of a nation’s economic success – not private jets!
We can use $1 Million to fund public school projects & get kids back into school – to jumpstart their future. Theirs is a future we must protect. Our leadership will not burn private jet fuel from Lusaka to go address 4 people overseas when we can save money & fly commercial!!
Some observers view Kalimbwe’s statement as a direct jab at President Emmerson Mnangagwa who reportedly hired a private jet from Azerbaijan, a former Soviet Republic, for an average of US$415 000 for a one-way trip from Harare to Glasgow.
The estimate suggests Mnangagwa is spending close to USS$1 million on travel alone.
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) has released the 2021/2021 season gate charges as the domestic league is set to resume on Saturday, 6 November, after a two-year absence.
The government suspended football and other sporting activities as a way to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
PRESS RELEASE: CASTLE LAGER PSL GATE CHARGES The Premier Soccer League would like to advise all stakeholders that gate charges for Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches have been pegged as follows:
Rest of Ground: US$10
Grand Stand: S$15
VIP US$20
Payments can be made through swipe or Ecocash at the prevailing ZWL interbank equivalent.
Selling points will be announced in due course.
KUDZAI BARE
COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA LIAISON OFFICER
Last month, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) gave the green light for fully vaccinated fans to attend football matches in the Chibuku Super Cup tournament which was used as preparation for the local league.
SRC approved a maximum of 2 000 fans per game.- Pindula News
Tinashe Sambiri|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said disgruntled citizens will “punish Zanu PF” by voting in numbers in 2023.
Hon Sikhala also mocked the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa over addressing empty chairs in Glasgow.
“When u are an international shame, you end up addressing empty chairs like Mnangagwa.
Kwayi huyai muone chikara chichidzvova. Chichidzvovera ma empty chairs.
Hakuna kupera kunodarika uku. A shame to our nation.
Lets punish ZANU PF in 2023.”
Hon Sikhala added: “What I knew is that Zimbabweans in the UK would never betray their colleagues on the frontline. I knew they will show their solidarity with those back home here.
Thank you Zimbabwe, thank you colleagues for telling the truth about Zimbabwe. You are great and we love u all.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said disgruntled citizens will “punish Zanu PF” by voting in numbers in 2023.
Hon Sikhala also mocked the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa over addressing empty chairs in Glasgow.
“When u are an international shame, you end up addressing empty chairs like Mnangagwa.
Kwayi huyai muone chikara chichidzvova. Chichidzvovera ma empty chairs.
Hakuna kupera kunodarika uku. A shame to our nation.
Lets punish ZANU PF in 2023.”
Hon Sikhala added: “What I knew is that Zimbabweans in the UK would never betray their colleagues on the frontline. I knew they will show their solidarity with those back home here.
Thank you Zimbabwe, thank you colleagues for telling the truth about Zimbabwe. You are great and we love u all.”
The day 23 October 2021 will go down in history as a special one for the Barura Express and Dembo Families. This was a day when Dembo’s close relatives, friends and fans met to reflect on the life of one of the greatest sons of Zimbabwe in the music industry, Leonard Musorowenyoka Kwangwari Gwaendepi Tazvivinga Dembomavara a.k.a Leonard Dembo. Dembo left us on 9 April 1996 and was laid to rest at his rural home at Chaka.
The historic event to celebrate his life in death after twenty five years was convened at Chaka, in Chirumanzu district in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Chaka is located thirty kilometres from Mvuma along Masvingo road. The Dembo homestead is exactly two kilometres from the Chaka centre, next to Gonawapotera Secondary School under Village Head Mhere.
As a loyal cadre of the Dembo legacy, I travelled overnight on 22 October 2021 to be at the venue. Surely, I could not afford to miss this great moment in my life. The preparations for the event had been going on for several months and it had been a packed and busy moment for the Dembo family as they prepared for the day, yet, it was only one day, a great and necessary day indeed. The man (Dembo) himself would always say “Gadziriro yako Mudiwa…izuva rimwe chete paGore asindinorikonewaaa…”. The important thing is that the “Dembo @25 years in Death Commemoration” event was a huge success.
Anever-to-missevent
I had always regarded myself as the greatest of Dembo supporters. Yes, I am, but reader, I was surprised to note that there are also some fans who belong to my class. Upon arrival at the Dembo homestead, I noted that the GOAT (greatest supporters of all times) was already there. The GOAT had travelled to Chaka a day before. Edfree January (Chairman), Nicholas Mugauri (Treasurer); Rambisai Munetsi (Secretary); Joseph Jongwe and Dr Johannes Marisa were already there.
Reader, a separate article will be written where I share with you the calibre, history and role of the GOAT in promotion of Dembo legacy. This is the core team that worked closely with the Dembo family to ensure that the unveiling of the tombstone of Leonard is successful. The GOAT, as they call themselves are a special group of the Dembo fans, made up of very committed people. The Chairman, Mr January, is a strong but nearly firm man. Nicholas (Monya), is a humble but very emotional man when it comes to the Dembo legacy. Rambisai is a bit stable but very sensitive about Dembo things. Joseph is a particular fan who has the capacity to sacrifice everything in the name of Dembo-he travelled all the way from Mozambique for the event. Dr Marisa, an all whether friend of the Dembo family. Let me not pre-empt what I will say in the promised article on this team.
The “Dembo @25 in Death Commemoration” event was also attended by Dembo’s close relatives, friends and other fans outside the GOAT; media houses (electronic and print); government officials; Chirumanzu community members and music promoters who worked with the late musician (including Partson Chimbodza and Grammar Records).
Participants had travelled from as far as Mozambique and South Africa to be with the Dembo and Barura Families on this day. By the way, I always argue that the Barura Express Family is bigger than the Dembo Family!
ASpecialHonourforMebutforallDemboFans
I was greatly honoured by the Dembo family to preside over this great event. I was thrown in the “deep” end to drive the event as the Event Director (some prefer to call it ED…or Master of Ceremonies). Waal… what a great honour for me and the Barura Express family at large! Thank you Dembo family for showing trust in me, and indeed, I am sure I did not disappoint.
It became an opportunity for me to represent the millions of the Dembo fans who could not physically be with us in Chaka due to other commitments.
I thought then and still believe, that I knew what the Dembo fans expected from the Government, media, and other stakeholders. Yes, they had always been sharing their proposals, aspirations, concerns and wishes regarding the status of Dembo in the Zimbabwean society through various platforms including the famous DEMBO THE LEGEND group.
I knew that Dembo supporters wished for their departed hero to be accorded an official hero status by the Government. The fans had been enviously observing how other Zimbabwean musicians’ work had been officially recognised by the Government (both the First and Second Republics), yet, their own musician (Dembo) seemed not to have received that honour despite his clear influence on our social, economic and cultural lives.
I knew too that the fans were worried about the way the Dembo sons were being unfairly treated by the media (and also by some section of the Dembo fans themselves)- who put them (the sons) under unnecessary pressure.
The fans were also concerned that the Dembo music is not fully benefiting the family, yet, on a daily basis it rocks all our local, regional and global radio stations and public places.
Indeed, Dembo fans had also been reflecting on possibilities of developing a more sustainable way of collectively supporting the Dembo legacy.
The fans had further been worried about the level of piracy that continued to rob the Dembo family of the potential proceeds from their father and husband’s sweat.
Therefore, my role as the ED of the day, allowed me to convey these wishes of the Dembo fans to the relevant audience present at the event and across the nation. I conveyed the key message to the representative of Minister Kirsty Coventry, Mr Shackson Reward. The message was clear that, we expect our beloved and “listening” Government to seriously consider honouring our legend through according him a hero’s status.
I further officially complained to our media for their discouraging reports about Dembo sons and I reiterated that it is not fair to compare Tendai and Morgen, not even any other Zimbabwean musician to Leonard. Learnard was a rare breed of an artist-he can never be compared to any other mortal musician, thus, his shoes were too big for his sons to fill.
Yet, the media and some Dembo fans should work to support the sons and not discourage them.
GogoMunatsiandGogoDembo “ WereNotPresent ”
While we gathered in Chaka to celebrate the life of Leonard, while we danced to Chitekete, Mazano, Ruva Rashe, Sarura Wako, Kutinya Marimba, Tinokumbira Kurarama, Nzungu Ndamenya, Fungai, Dudzai, Ziviso and others, two women who occupied a special place in the late musician’s life were visibly not there-Gogo Munatsi and Gogo Dembo. They could not even celebrate with us.
You will remember reader, that Dembo always sang about “Ambuya vangu ndingavatenda neiko….vakandizvarira chivaraidzo changuwoooo…”. He was grateful for his mother in law had given her fruits (Eunice Dembo) to him (Leonard). Dembo’s mother in law could have added the flavour of joy to the @25 years in death commemorations had she been around.
Dembo always sang about his mother, our mother and everyone’s mother. Countless songs from Dembo remind us of the need to respect and take care of our parents.
Surely, Gogo Dembo should have been happy to learn that his son was still being loved even in death. She should have been there to witness this great honour bestowed unto her son.
Sadly, Dembo family lost these two special women (Gogo Munatsi and Gogo Dembo) within almost a month apart, barely a few weeks before the great day (23 October2021).
On behalf of all the Barura Express family, as the ED, I took the opportunity to pass our condolences to the Munatsi and Dembo families for their loss of the two special women.
FormerWorkmencouldhavetoldusmoreaboutthelegend
The participants at the Chaka event would have loved to personally and physically interact with members of the Barura Express who directly worked with Leonard.
Innocent Mujintu (only surviving member now according to available sources) could not make it to the event due to last minute commitments. The rest of the other members are unfortunately late: Alexander Muudzwa, Chrispen Zimburu, Cosmas Nyathi, Kidson Madzorera and Shepard Akim. This was the special team that shaped the Dembo music during the last moments of our hero on earth.
EmotionallyFilledSpeechesfromtheDemboFamily
The Dembo family members were given the opportunity to share their thoughts about their son, father, brother and husband. Leonard’s brother, Gift, delivered an emotional speech chronicling the life of his elder brother. He also shared some insights into the private life of his brother, his character and aspirations for his extended family. Gift, a cool but very unassuming man, thanked the Dembo fans for gracing the event.
Another key member of the Dembo family, Rabson Mhike whose father (now late) was Leonard’s elder brother, also emotionally narrated his stay with his uncle (Babamunini Leonard) and Mainini (Eunice Dembo). Rabson is now a successful businessman working closely with his uncle, Gift, and he owes this to Leonard’s support in his early life.
Dembo sons (Morgen and Law Tendai) and daughter, Fenistia Linah (Fenny) emotionally narrated how their mother took care of them after the death of their father. They were grateful for the unending support they continue to receive from the greater Barura Express family.
Critically, though, Leonard’s children appealed to the fans and the media not to give them unnecessary pressure by expecting them to match the standards reached by their father. What they need is support and not pressure.
They however committed to working with their father’s fans in protecting, promoting and even defending the Dembo legacy.
For me, the event was a huge milestone in my continued search for the true history of Dembo. I finally met, the queen herself, Mrs Eunice Dembo (VaChihera), the wife to the legendary musician. Here is a strong woman and one who loved her husband. One could tell that she still misses her partner.
I will reserve a lot more detail about this special woman for a separate article because, indeed, the @25 years Dembo commemorations gave me the opportunity to know more about my hero through his wife.
Mrs Dembo narrated how she met Leonard in Masvingo, the growth of their love, the successes in their life, their children, the death of her husband and the subsequent tombstone unveiling on this great day. She briefly shared, on the side-line of the tombstone unveiling session, that indeed, Leonard loved his family. It was indicated that he would even take his children to his shows. “Fenny uyu, aiendwa naye kumashows….achitenderera pamakumbo ababa vake vachiridza gitari ravo…..Dai kuchema kwaimutsa munhu, dai murume wangu akamuka nokuti ndirikumuchema nguva dzose…” she said.
I can only say that, Mrs Dembo has all we need to know about our hero. She is indeed the legitimate source of that history. As a historian myself, I was particularly interested in every word that Mrs Dembo said. That for another day!
DembowasaCommunityMan
Leonard interacted with his Chaka community members each time he visited his rural home. Village Head Mhere and Headman Chaka confirmed that the late musician was a humble and simple man. The two traditional leaders thanked the Barura Express family for the support it gave to the Chaka community through Leonard. Chaka community’s profile was catapulted to the international level through Leonard Dembo.
In her speech, Mrs Dembo also appreciated the support her family always gets from the traditional leaders while she is in Harare. She also shared that Leonard would buy some goodies for the elderly members of Chaka community whenever he happened to be around. This was confirmed by some women I talked to at the graveyard where Leonard lies.
Nicholas Mugauri, a GOAT, asked a certain butcher man at Chaka regarding Leonard’s conduct when he was at Chaka and the answer was “the man was very humble and he would come and play with his band at this veranda….”
TheGovernment’s “ Commitment ”
Over the years, the Dembo fans had been eagerly waiting for that moment when their hero’s annual commemorations would attract the attention of the Government. Thanks to the GOAT, this time around, the event was graced by a Senior Civil Servant. The Minister of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation, Dr Kirsty Coventry was represented by Mr Shackson Reward, the Midlands Provincial Arts, Culture Promotion and Development Administrator.
Mr Reward narrated the history of Leonard from his birth in 1959 at Masvingo General Hospital, his music career and influence in our society. He indeed agreed with the fans that Leonard deserved to be formally accorded a hero status. He had this to say in his speech “Dai Leonard akafa munguva ye Second Republic, nyaya yacho hamaiihwina Changamire, dai arere pachikomo.. (If Leonard had died during the reign of the Second Republic, he would have been accorded a national hero’s status and would have been laid at the National Heroes Acre)”.
Mr Reward reiterated that the media needs to contribute towards the protection of the Dembo legacy. He further committed that in all future high profile events in the Midlands, the Barura Express will be invited to play as a way of supporting it.
In response to the Minister’s commitment, a Clergyman, Rev Zihove who had led the Church Service requested for Government to consider naming one of the roads after Leonard Dembo as this would comfort the late musician’s fans.
As fans we have faith in our Government, that one day, “Dembo Day” will be officially recognised.
TheGiganticTombstone
The climax of the event was the unveiling of Dembo’s tombstone. The Minister, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Dembo Family members and the Church leadership led the procession to the graveyard which is located about half a kilometre from the Dembo homestead. The fans were particularly impressed by the size and quality of the tombstone that befitted their hero. The tombstone is very unique-it almost has got four faces. From each side you will see Dembo’s pictures, all his albums and key messages from his wife, sons and daughter. As he was of the Shumba (Lion) totem, a big lying but very alert lion is also pictured in very expensive and attractive materials. Then “Dembo’s Guitar” is also hanging at the top part of the tombstone. Reader, this tombstone is unique, nice, big, and very attractive.
Speaking at the graveyard, Mr Reward called for the Chaka community leadership to consider building a Mausoleum in order to protect the tombstone from rains, sunlight and animals. He further argued that the tombstone can also be used as a tourist attraction feature.
Rev Zihove then challenged the Church to also consider hidding the call by erecting a fence around the graveyard. This structure is actually the best that the Dembo family could offer to our hero and as fans we are grateful.
Indeed, the Barura Express under Tendai is “Mayaas”. I can boldly confirm this. When Dr Marisa warned that the Barura Express has remained a force to reckon with when he delivered his speech on behalf of millions of Dembo fans, I had not taken him seriously.
The band played a couple of Leonard’s songs and the community members were treated to an early Christmas. Tendai’s lead guitar is “Mayaas”. For me, Tendai is now almost 90% close to his father. The man surprised many and surely you would think that he had been in the Barura Express of the early 1990s.
While it will be very difficult to fully imitate the way his father did it, Tendai’s future is very bright. I was also personally impressed by the drummer, the rhythm and baas players, the dancers and the vocalist. With full support from the Dembo fans, this band has the potential to reach high levels. Let us support the group for the sake of Dembo legacy!
MorgenLaunched “ ChikaraKununa ”
I was also honoured to officially announce the arrival of another excellent work from Morgen Dembo, “Chikara Kununa” Album. I am currently reviewing the album and will be able to share my full appreciation of the project in the next few days. I have already sampled a few songs and indeed, Morgen has very good voice. With time, we will surely have Leonard’s voice back through Morgen.
During the commemoration of his father’s @25 years in death, Morgen teamed up with his sister, Fenny to back the Barura Express as they sang “Sunga musoro wedendende musungo wakanaka…dendendede…” The crowd enjoyed and called for more. Well done Moggie.
And …. TheDemboDocumentaryisloading ….
Meanwhile, Fenny is leading a Dembo documentary development process. The documentary will cover Leonard’s life, career, and all that we may need to know about our hero. I am happy that I managed to give my input into the documentary.
This promises to be an exciting project that will allow the Dembo fans to have a full and true picture of Dembo’s life beyond the bits and pieces that we continue to pick in the media. However, this will be also an opportunity for the fans to support the Dembo family as the project will be monetised. This will be our small and humble way of supporting the family of the man who continues to entertain and educate us even in death.
For any feedback, please contact me on Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp or Call: +263773 218 860 or follow me on @DrTinasheGumbo1 or Blog: http://tinashegumbo.wordpress.com
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira is being roasted on social media platforms after attempting to defend beleaguered Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mr Mnangagwa addressed an empty auditorium at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow on Tuesday.
The troubled Zanu PF leader is facing protests in Glasgow with human rights activists calling for his expulsion from the conference.
Masarira wrote on Twitter: “When @HHichilema from Zambia was addressing, it was empty. Zambians aren’t mocking their President about it. We need to take time & introspect as Zimbabweans.
Brand Zimbabwe is more important than the bitterness most Zimbabweans harbour. We only have one Zimbabwe.”
However, angry citizens say Masarira’s attempt to endorse Mnangagwa is futile.
“Mr Mnangagwa is unsellable,” observed one Manners M.
“Sit down Linda, Mnangagwa is doomed,” Marry J commented.
WHO is kicking off the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 today in Geneva, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. WHO and the UN regional commissions, in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, have developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action, which is released today.
Globally, over 3500 people die every day on the roads, which amounts to nearly 1.3 million preventable deaths and an estimated 50 million injuries each year – making it the leading killer of children and young people worldwide. As things stand, they are set to cause a further estimated 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries during the next decade, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These unacceptable numbers, both in absolute and relative terms. Road traffic crashes have remained a major cause of death globally, even though every one of those deaths and injuries is preventable.
“The loss of lives and livelihoods, the disabilities caused, the grief and pain, and the financial costs caused by road traffic crashes add up to an intolerable toll on families, communities, societies and health systems,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “So much of this suffering is preventable, by making roads and vehicles safer, and by promoting safe walking, cycling and greater use of public transport. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety lays out the practical, evidence-based steps all countries and communities can take to save lives.”
Recognizing the importance of the problem and the need to act, governments from around the world declared unanimously – through UN General Assembly Resolution 74/299 – the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 with the explicit target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during that period.
“One of the best ways to save and improve lives is to make our streets safer — but that work often doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries.
“Bloomberg Philanthropies has been working to improve road safety since 2007 by strengthening laws, increasing enforcement, redesigning streets, and using data. I’m glad to say that the WHO’s ambitious global plan for road safety includes many of the strategies that we’ve used to save lives, and it will help encourage governments around the world to make road safety the high priority it should be.”
This Global Plan describes the actions needed to achieve that target. This includes accelerated action to make walking, cycling and using public transport safe, as they are also healthier and greener modes of transport; to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours; and to guarantee timely and effective emergency care. It is aimed to inspire countries, including governments and partners to act boldly and decisively, using the tools and knowledge gained from the last Decade of Action to change course.
“More than 50 million people have died on the world’s roads since the invention of the automobile. This is more than the number of deaths in World War One or some of the worst epidemics.” says Dr Etienne Krug, the Director of the Department of the Social Determinants of Health. “It is time to put in action what we know works and shift to a much safer and healthier mode of transport. This new plan will lead countries onto a more sustainable path.”
The Global Plan outlines recommended actions drawn from proven and effective interventions, as well as best practices for preventing road trauma. It should be used as a blueprint to inform and inspire national and local plans that are tailored to local contexts, available resources and capacity. The Global Plan is aimed not only at senior policy-makers, but also other stakeholders who can influence road safety, such as civil society, academia, the private sector and community and youth leaders.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday addressed an almost empty auditorium at the Climate Change (COP26) summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mnangagwa made his address before empty seats, as did all the leaders who delivered their addresses during the 9am to 1pm slot.
Over 120 heads of State and 25 000 delegates are attending the summit.
As Mnangagwa was addressing, scores of United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans were picketing outside the conference room, denouncing him over the country’s bad human rights record, while others extolled him for his re-engagement efforts in the face of adversity.
This is not the first time Mnangagwa has addressed an empty auditorium.In September 2019, he addressed a near empty 1 800-seater auditorium at the 74th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
It is not customary that State Presidents would address packed auditoriums as many leaders would be following proceedings from other venues or attending other ongoing events elsewhere.
In his address yesterday, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was battling the effects of climate change which had resulted in severe droughts and cyclone-induced floods.
“It is most unfortunate that the impact of climate change is disproportionately borne by vulnerable communities that have contributed the least to the current stock of atmospheric carbon,” he said.
“Vulnerable countries must, therefore, be capacitated to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change. The expectation is that the major emitters will scale up mitigation action and show greater interest in adaptation.
“Decisions at this COP26 should strengthen the implementation of current nationally determined contributions.
“It is further imperative that the set emission reduction targets are anchored on supporting, financing and equipping countries to gradually and sustainably migrate from fossil to renewable energy.”
He added: “Notwithstanding that as a country we are ‘a net sink’, I am pleased to highlight that Zimbabwe has revised its nationally determined contributions, a committed conditional 40% per capita greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030.
“Comprehensive strategies are being implemented towards mainstreaming climate change adaptation and resilience across all sectors of our economy.”
Mnangagwa repeated the call for the lifting of sanctions.
Social media users reacted differently to Mnangagwa’s address, with some saying he did not deserve an audience at the climate change summit since his government was contributing to environmental hazards.
Mnangagwa’s government has been widely criticised for approving the construction of houses on wetlands and unsustainable mining activities, particularly by Chinese companies, with detrimental effects to the environment.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, posting on his @Jamwanda2 Twitter handle, said there was nothing untoward about the empty auditorium during Mnangagwa’s address.
“Absolute confusion in terms (of) who the audience for UN summits are,” he said.
“The unschooled think the audience is in the immediate auditorium of delivery. Quite sad, embarrassing in fact!!!!”- NewsDay
By A Correspondent-Twenty people were this week sustained serious injuries after the commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst a tyre and rammed into a stationary haulage truck along Christmas Pass.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the 20 were rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
“The driver of a Toyota Hiace commuter omnibus, William Mangenje, failed to control his vehicle after its tyre burst upon approaching the 258 km peg. He was coming from Mutare heading to Penhalonga around 3pm. He hit a haulage truck which was stationary.
“The vehicle was damaged and there are no fatalities. Some of the passengers sustained minor injuries while others sustained serious ones and were taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka. -ManicaPost
By a Correspondent- Emmerson Mnangagwa’s panicky administration has deployed hundreds of police officers, many in riot gear, in Harare amid fears of an imminent uprising, it has emerged.
Security sector sources revealed that in addition to the cops, who have maintained a heavy presence in Harare’s central business district (CBD) for over a week, the government has also secretly deployed significant numbers of undercover agents, mainly from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to gather intelligence.
They are required to submit daily reports. The heavy riot police presence has been witnessed in the city center every day since police officers clashed with a grouping of war veterans who were protesting the low allowances they receive from the government. The deployment comes at a time the governing party, Zanu PF, has been spooked by MDC Alliance Nelson Chamisa’s trailblazing nationwide campaign which it has sought to violently thwart. It also comes amid a general apprehension occasioned by growing discontentment over worsening economic problems. “The is a general fear among police commanders at the moment that the worsening hardships could trigger civil unrest and this was worsened by war veterans taking to the streets recently,” a police source said. “The idea is to showcase as much firepower as possible and scare away any potential rioters. This is precisely why you have seen police trucks on the streets and increasing roadblocks on the city’s main feeder roads. It’s psychological warfare taking place,” the source said. Another source said: “Reports that have been received generally show that there is a gloomy mood in the country which may crystalize into civil unrest. The entire security sector is currently on alert and ready to step in if the need arises.” NewZimbabwe.com went under-cover to interview some of the riot police officers who have been spending whole days on the city’s pavements and they professed ignorance on why they were deployed. “We don’t know why we were told on the streets. Normally, such information is kept away from us. We are simply told to go and occupy the streets and wait for further instructions,” a pair of female police officers who have been camped near the new government complex in Harare said. “In short, we don’t know why we are here,” they said, clearly showing exasperation. National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed there has been an element of civil unrest which occasioned the deployment. “The police have a mandate to maintain order,” Nyathi said. “I may not be aware of what you are calling huge numbers, but police patrols or moving around in vehicles or on foot is part of that responsibility of maintaining police visibility and assuring the public of their safety,” he said. Asked who specifically has threatened public security, Nyathi said: “I do not know what you mean by asking if the public safety is under threat. Remember police have a duty to conduct patrols in the country and patrols are conducted by the police moving around and being seen by the public, so I do not know if there is a problem if the forces are patrolling.
By A Correspondent- A Hailstorm that hit parts of Mutare rural and left a trail of destruction with over 100 homesteads, schools and clinics, among other infrastructure heavily damaged.
Mutare Rural district development co-ordinator Wilson Boore said the hailstorm hit the area on Monday.
“The hailstorm affected ward 20, Jaricha and Revesai villages, where 28 households were destroyed. It also affected ward 34 in Nyagundi village, where 54 households were destroyed,” he said.
“Most houses had their roofs ripped off, while walls were damaged. Councillors and traditional leaders are still compiling a list of those affected by the hailstorm.”
Boore said Munyarari and Chinyauhwera primary schools were also affected by the hailstorm.
“As I speak, teachers at these schools are staying in the open. However, their issues are being addressed. Munyarari Clinic was severely damaged. The clinic has six rooms which were destroyed. These include the labour, drug, HIV and observation rooms,” he said.
Boore urged government to swiftly respond to natural disasters and assist the affected families, while also pleading for assistance from development partners. NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Below is the list of some of the phones which WhatsApp and Facebook have phased out.
For iPhones, the following are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
iPhone 6
iPhone 6S plus
iPhone SE
For Samsung phones, the following are no longer supported and can no longer support WhatsApp:
Galaxy Trend Lite
Galaxy Trend II
Galaxy SII
Galaxy S3 mini
Galaxy Xcover 2
Galaxy Core
Galaxy Ace 2
For LG the following phones are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
Lucid 2
Optimus F7
Optimus F5
Optimus L3 II Dual
Optimus F5
Optimus L5
Best L5 II
Optimus L5 Dual
Best L3 II
Optimus L7
Optimus L7 II Dual
Best L7 II
Optimus F6, Enact
Optimus L4 II Dual
Optimus F3
Best L4 II
Best L2 II
Optimus Nitro HD
Optimus 4X HD
Optimus F3Q
Support for the following ZTE phones is no longer available and can no longer run WhatsApp:
ZTE V956
Grand X Quad V987
Grand Memo
For Sony, the following phones are no longer supported and can no longer run WhatsApp:
Xperia Miro
Xperia Neo L
Xperia Arc S
The following Huawei phones can no longer run WhatsApp:
Ascend G740
Ascend Mate
Ascend D Quad XL
Ascend D1 Quad XL
Ascend P1 S
Ascend D2
Here are other phones that can no longer run WhatsApp:
Alcate
Archos 53 Platinum
HTC Desire 500
Caterpillar Cat B15
Wiko Cink Five
Wiko Darknight
Lenovo A820
UMi X2
Run F1
THL W8
How can you fix this?
Some are settling for either budget brands like the Xiaomi, iTel and Techno or they end up buying refurbished secondhand yesteryear flagships. The problem with the latter is one ends up with a phone that’s closer to its end of life support.
Some are buying new phones while some who have unsupported Android phones buy some time by installing WhatsApp versions such as GBWhatsApp. Reports suggest that these versions will eventually stop working too as they are based on the official WhatsApp installation file.
By A Correspondent -A police officer who was caught with 143 kgs of loose marijuana/dagga/mbanje has been sentenced to four years imprisonment. Berlin Dombodzvuku, a police officer stationed at Support Unit Zulu Troop appeared before Marondera Magistrate Ms Rumbidzayi Munemo on Tuesday and was sentenced to five years after a full trial. Magistrate Munemo suspended one year on the condition that Dombodzvuku does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
Effectively, Dombodzvuku will serve a four-year jail term. He was allegedly caught by officers after a high-speed chase, resulting in him abandoning his vehicle before attempting to flee on foot, but to no avail. Ms Phumuzile Ndlovu prosecuted for the State.
By A Correspondent- A pastor with Heartfelt International Ministries in Kariba, Tonderai Muridzi (32) on Tuesday appeared before Kariba magistrate Mr Tendai Banda for assaulting a form five learner Ngonidzashe Makovere (17).
He was fined $20 000 after admitting to the charges. Prosecutor Ms Karen Musiiwa told the court that on September 7, a passer-by requested to use the toilet from Makovere to which he agreed.
The passer-by spilt some water on the toilet floor prompting Muridzi to force the boy to clean up as the passer-by had left. The boy complied but Muridzi started shouting at him, accusing him of delaying. The clergyman entered the complainant’s room and started bashing him with open hands and fists, resulting in the complainant sustaining injuries. The matter was reported at Kariba Police Post leading to Muridzi’s arrest. Reported cases of clergymen resorting to the use of force to solve issues have been on the rise lately.
Some months ago, a video circulated on social media in which an unidentified pastor was whipping a young man who was being accused of disrespecting his biological father. In 2014, several police officers were seriously injured in a brawl with members of the Johane Masowe apostolic sect in the high-density suburb of Budiriro 2 in Harare. This was after the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe president Johannes Ndanga, in the company of anti-riot police, had gone to then Madzibaba Ishmael-led shrine seeking to enforce a ban on the church for alleged abuse of women and children.
By A Correspondent- Over 2000 Lubimbi villagers in Binga are facing eviction to pave the way for the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam.
Through the dam construction committee, the government said it had identified a piece of land in the Nakanono area, which they believe is suitable for their resettlement.
Dam committee chairperson, Edmond Sibanda, said the assessment has been completed.
Sibanda said:
Communities have agreed on Nakonono area, which is the former Kana Block farms. The land is near Shangani River, and is also close to the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road. However, we are still waiting for a response from the government. That is the land we want as a community and it is big enough to support meaningful livelihoods for all the affected communities. However, Lubimbi ward councillor Chrispen Munkuli said they were still debating the issue because the council has not yet visited the place for assessment. He added:
We were advised that workers from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency also have to visit the place and give a way forward on the valuation exercise. The government recently carried out an assessment on the value of the property which is likely to be affected by the expansion of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Lubimbi with a view to compensate the evictees in United States dollars. The Gwayi-Shangani Dam project, which is part of the Zambezi Water Project, is scheduled to be completed by December 2022.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) says all necessary medical procedures were taken despite the unfortunate death of boxer Taurai Zimunya on Monday morning.
Zimunya was knocked out in a non-title fight in Borrowdale, Harare, on Saturday. He was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital and tests reportedly indicated he suffered bleeding in the brain.
This is the first time in Zimbabwe that a boxer has died from injuries sustained in the ring.
ZNBWCB has since passed its condolences to the Zimunya family and says it is yet to get the actual autopsy report.
“All the necessary medical procedures were followed and emergency medical assistance was provided at the venue before he was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital where he received further medical care. Autopsy report on the actual cause of his death is yet to be obtained from the experts.
“The boxing fraternity has indeed been shaken by this unfortunate incident. As the ZNBWCB, we join the Zimunya family, friends and the entire boxing fraternity in mourning the untimely death of a budding boxer. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course once we are advised by his family,” said ZNBWCB in a statement.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma ?? (@chumasteve) Tweeted: @mdczimbabwe Dep Organizer for Manicaland, Itayi Masaka has been arrested in Mutare.
His arrest follows on sterling work he did during the recent tour of Manicaland by President @nelsonchamisa. This is another clear case of persecution by prosecution by the regime. https://t.co/Iz9rJhxVwS (https://twitter.com/chumasteve/status/1455547455236448257?s=20)
Warriors coach Norman Mapeza says the absence of vibrant junior football structures in the country will stall progress at national level.
There have been no junior football since the coronavirus pandemic started two years ago.
Mapeza was quoted as saying by the Chronicle: “We have talent as a country, but that counts for nothing as long as we don’t guard and nurture it jealously.
“We need a strong junior policy that will see every club being compelled to have a reserve team made up of Under-18s or Under-20s. These sides will be playing every week where their senior teams will be playing.”
Mapeza added that setting up these structures will help junior national team coaches on picking the players unlike the present scenario where selection criteria is not even clear.
“Right now, we have a team going for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Lesotho. Where did the coach see those players? If we had a national junior league, we will be having that information in our data base,” said Mapeza. – Soccer24 Zimbabwe
The Warriors team has suffered more player-withdrawals ahead of their final two Group G games in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Zimbabwe take on rivals Bafana Bafana at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on the 11th of November before hosting the East Africans at the National Sports Stadium three days later.
Following the withdrawals of captain Knowledge Musona and defender Teenage Hadebe through injuries, the national team will also be without France-based midfielder Marshall Munetsi and Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
Munetsi won’t be selected due to fitness issues, having suffered a knock last month. He hasn’t played a game since then.
Mapisa is withdrawing from the team after his, Zamora CF, requested that the player be excused from selection as he is the only goalkeeper available at the club.
Tinotenda Kadewere will not be selected for the two games as coach Norman Mapeza feels the striker needs more time to settle at Lyon after recently recovered from a thigh muscle problem.
The squad announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday or Thursday. – Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tottenham have appointed Antonio Conte as their new head coach, replacing Nuno Espirito, who was sacked yesterday.
Conte is joining the club after leaving Inter Milan at the end of last season.
Speaking after his appointment, the gaffer said: “I am extremely happy to return to coaching, and to do so at a Premier League club that has the ambition to be a protagonist again.
“Tottenham Hotspur has state-of-the-art facilities and one of the best stadiums in the world.
“I can’t wait to start working to convey to the team and the fans the passion, mentality and determination that have always distinguished me, as a player and as a coach.
Conte explained why he snubbed Tottenham’s approach immediately after his departure at Inter.
“Last summer our union did not happen because the end of my relationship with Inter was still too recent and emotionally too involved with the end of the season, so I felt that it wasn’t yet the right time to return to coaching,” he said.
“But the contagious enthusiasm and determination of Daniel Levy in wanting to entrust me with this task had already hit the mark. Now that the opportunity has returned, I have chosen to take it with great conviction.”
The appointment, meanwhile, marks his return to the EPL after his initial stint with Chelsea three years ago.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira is being roasted on social media platforms after attempting to defend beleaguered Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mr Mnangagwa addressed an empty auditorium at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow on Tuesday.
The troubled Zanu PF leader is facing protests in Glasgow with human rights activists calling for his expulsion from the conference.
Masarira wrote on Twitter: “When @HHichilema from Zambia was addressing, it was empty. Zambians aren’t mocking their President about it. We need to take time & introspect as Zimbabweans.
Brand Zimbabwe is more important than the bitterness most Zimbabweans harbour. We only have one Zimbabwe.”
However, angry citizens say Masarira’s attempt to endorse Mnangagwa is futile.
“Mr Mnangagwa is unsellable,” observed one Manners M.
“Sit down Linda, Mnangagwa is doomed,” Marry J commented.
The day 23 October 2021 will go down in history as a special one for the Barura Express and Dembo Families. This was a day when Dembo’s close relatives, friends and fans met to reflect on the life of one of the greatest sons of Zimbabwe in the music industry, Leonard Musorowenyoka Kwangwari Gwaendepi Tazvivinga Dembomavara a.k.a Leonard Dembo. Dembo left us on 9 April 1996 and was laid to rest at his rural home at Chaka.
The historic event to celebrate his life in death after twenty five years was convened at Chaka, in Chirumanzu district in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Chaka is located thirty kilometres from Mvuma along Masvingo road. The Dembo homestead is exactly two kilometres from the Chaka centre, next to Gonawapotera Secondary School under Village Head Mhere.
As a loyal cadre of the Dembo legacy, I travelled overnight on 22 October 2021 to be at the venue. Surely, I could not afford to miss this great moment in my life. The preparations for the event had been going on for several months and it had been a packed and busy moment for the Dembo family as they prepared for the day, yet, it was only one day, a great and necessary day indeed. The man (Dembo) himself would always say “Gadziriro yako Mudiwa…izuva rimwe chete paGore asindinorikonewaaa…”. The important thing is that the “Dembo @25 years in Death Commemoration” event was a huge success.
Anever-to-missevent
I had always regarded myself as the greatest of Dembo supporters. Yes, I am, but reader, I was surprised to note that there are also some fans who belong to my class. Upon arrival at the Dembo homestead, I noted that the GOAT (greatest supporters of all times) was already there. The GOAT had travelled to Chaka a day before. Edfree January (Chairman), Nicholas Mugauri (Treasurer); Rambisai Munetsi (Secretary); Joseph Jongwe and Dr Johannes Marisa were already there.
Reader, a separate article will be written where I share with you the calibre, history and role of the GOAT in promotion of Dembo legacy. This is the core team that worked closely with the Dembo family to ensure that the unveiling of the tombstone of Leonard is successful. The GOAT, as they call themselves are a special group of the Dembo fans, made up of very committed people. The Chairman, Mr January, is a strong but nearly firm man. Nicholas (Monya), is a humble but very emotional man when it comes to the Dembo legacy. Rambisai is a bit stable but very sensitive about Dembo things. Joseph is a particular fan who has the capacity to sacrifice everything in the name of Dembo-he travelled all the way from Mozambique for the event. Dr Marisa, an all whether friend of the Dembo family. Let me not pre-empt what I will say in the promised article on this team.
The “Dembo @25 in Death Commemoration” event was also attended by Dembo’s close relatives, friends and other fans outside the GOAT; media houses (electronic and print); government officials; Chirumanzu community members and music promoters who worked with the late musician (including Partson Chimbodza and Grammar Records).
Participants had travelled from as far as Mozambique and South Africa to be with the Dembo and Barura Families on this day. By the way, I always argue that the Barura Express Family is bigger than the Dembo Family!
ASpecialHonourforMebutforallDemboFans
I was greatly honoured by the Dembo family to preside over this great event. I was thrown in the “deep” end to drive the event as the Event Director (some prefer to call it ED…or Master of Ceremonies). Waal… what a great honour for me and the Barura Express family at large! Thank you Dembo family for showing trust in me, and indeed, I am sure I did not disappoint.
It became an opportunity for me to represent the millions of the Dembo fans who could not physically be with us in Chaka due to other commitments.
I thought then and still believe, that I knew what the Dembo fans expected from the Government, media, and other stakeholders. Yes, they had always been sharing their proposals, aspirations, concerns and wishes regarding the status of Dembo in the Zimbabwean society through various platforms including the famous DEMBO THE LEGEND group.
I knew that Dembo supporters wished for their departed hero to be accorded an official hero status by the Government. The fans had been enviously observing how other Zimbabwean musicians’ work had been officially recognised by the Government (both the First and Second Republics), yet, their own musician (Dembo) seemed not to have received that honour despite his clear influence on our social, economic and cultural lives.
I knew too that the fans were worried about the way the Dembo sons were being unfairly treated by the media (and also by some section of the Dembo fans themselves)- who put them (the sons) under unnecessary pressure.
The fans were also concerned that the Dembo music is not fully benefiting the family, yet, on a daily basis it rocks all our local, regional and global radio stations and public places.
Indeed, Dembo fans had also been reflecting on possibilities of developing a more sustainable way of collectively supporting the Dembo legacy.
The fans had further been worried about the level of piracy that continued to rob the Dembo family of the potential proceeds from their father and husband’s sweat.
Therefore, my role as the ED of the day, allowed me to convey these wishes of the Dembo fans to the relevant audience present at the event and across the nation. I conveyed the key message to the representative of Minister Kirsty Coventry, Mr Shackson Reward. The message was clear that, we expect our beloved and “listening” Government to seriously consider honouring our legend through according him a hero’s status.
I further officially complained to our media for their discouraging reports about Dembo sons and I reiterated that it is not fair to compare Tendai and Morgen, not even any other Zimbabwean musician to Leonard. Learnard was a rare breed of an artist-he can never be compared to any other mortal musician, thus, his shoes were too big for his sons to fill.
Yet, the media and some Dembo fans should work to support the sons and not discourage them.
GogoMunatsiandGogoDembo “ WereNotPresent ”
While we gathered in Chaka to celebrate the life of Leonard, while we danced to Chitekete, Mazano, Ruva Rashe, Sarura Wako, Kutinya Marimba, Tinokumbira Kurarama, Nzungu Ndamenya, Fungai, Dudzai, Ziviso and others, two women who occupied a special place in the late musician’s life were visibly not there-Gogo Munatsi and Gogo Dembo. They could not even celebrate with us.
You will remember reader, that Dembo always sang about “Ambuya vangu ndingavatenda neiko….vakandizvarira chivaraidzo changuwoooo…”. He was grateful for his mother in law had given her fruits (Eunice Dembo) to him (Leonard). Dembo’s mother in law could have added the flavour of joy to the @25 years in death commemorations had she been around.
Dembo always sang about his mother, our mother and everyone’s mother. Countless songs from Dembo remind us of the need to respect and take care of our parents.
Surely, Gogo Dembo should have been happy to learn that his son was still being loved even in death. She should have been there to witness this great honour bestowed unto her son.
Sadly, Dembo family lost these two special women (Gogo Munatsi and Gogo Dembo) within almost a month apart, barely a few weeks before the great day (23 October2021).
On behalf of all the Barura Express family, as the ED, I took the opportunity to pass our condolences to the Munatsi and Dembo families for their loss of the two special women.
FormerWorkmencouldhavetoldusmoreaboutthelegend
The participants at the Chaka event would have loved to personally and physically interact with members of the Barura Express who directly worked with Leonard.
Innocent Mujintu (only surviving member now according to available sources) could not make it to the event due to last minute commitments. The rest of the other members are unfortunately late: Alexander Muudzwa, Chrispen Zimburu, Cosmas Nyathi, Kidson Madzorera and Shepard Akim. This was the special team that shaped the Dembo music during the last moments of our hero on earth.
EmotionallyFilledSpeechesfromtheDemboFamily
The Dembo family members were given the opportunity to share their thoughts about their son, father, brother and husband. Leonard’s brother, Gift, delivered an emotional speech chronicling the life of his elder brother. He also shared some insights into the private life of his brother, his character and aspirations for his extended family. Gift, a cool but very unassuming man, thanked the Dembo fans for gracing the event.
Another key member of the Dembo family, Rabson Mhike whose father (now late) was Leonard’s elder brother, also emotionally narrated his stay with his uncle (Babamunini Leonard) and Mainini (Eunice Dembo). Rabson is now a successful businessman working closely with his uncle, Gift, and he owes this to Leonard’s support in his early life.
Dembo sons (Morgen and Law Tendai) and daughter, Fenistia Linah (Fenny) emotionally narrated how their mother took care of them after the death of their father. They were grateful for the unending support they continue to receive from the greater Barura Express family.
Critically, though, Leonard’s children appealed to the fans and the media not to give them unnecessary pressure by expecting them to match the standards reached by their father. What they need is support and not pressure.
They however committed to working with their father’s fans in protecting, promoting and even defending the Dembo legacy.
For me, the event was a huge milestone in my continued search for the true history of Dembo. I finally met, the queen herself, Mrs Eunice Dembo (VaChihera), the wife to the legendary musician. Here is a strong woman and one who loved her husband. One could tell that she still misses her partner.
I will reserve a lot more detail about this special woman for a separate article because, indeed, the @25 years Dembo commemorations gave me the opportunity to know more about my hero through his wife.
Mrs Dembo narrated how she met Leonard in Masvingo, the growth of their love, the successes in their life, their children, the death of her husband and the subsequent tombstone unveiling on this great day. She briefly shared, on the side-line of the tombstone unveiling session, that indeed, Leonard loved his family. It was indicated that he would even take his children to his shows. “Fenny uyu, aiendwa naye kumashows….achitenderera pamakumbo ababa vake vachiridza gitari ravo…..Dai kuchema kwaimutsa munhu, dai murume wangu akamuka nokuti ndirikumuchema nguva dzose…” she said.
I can only say that, Mrs Dembo has all we need to know about our hero. She is indeed the legitimate source of that history. As a historian myself, I was particularly interested in every word that Mrs Dembo said. That for another day!
DembowasaCommunityMan
Leonard interacted with his Chaka community members each time he visited his rural home. Village Head Mhere and Headman Chaka confirmed that the late musician was a humble and simple man. The two traditional leaders thanked the Barura Express family for the support it gave to the Chaka community through Leonard. Chaka community’s profile was catapulted to the international level through Leonard Dembo.
In her speech, Mrs Dembo also appreciated the support her family always gets from the traditional leaders while she is in Harare. She also shared that Leonard would buy some goodies for the elderly members of Chaka community whenever he happened to be around. This was confirmed by some women I talked to at the graveyard where Leonard lies.
Nicholas Mugauri, a GOAT, asked a certain butcher man at Chaka regarding Leonard’s conduct when he was at Chaka and the answer was “the man was very humble and he would come and play with his band at this veranda….”
TheGovernment’s “ Commitment ”
Over the years, the Dembo fans had been eagerly waiting for that moment when their hero’s annual commemorations would attract the attention of the Government. Thanks to the GOAT, this time around, the event was graced by a Senior Civil Servant. The Minister of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation, Dr Kirsty Coventry was represented by Mr Shackson Reward, the Midlands Provincial Arts, Culture Promotion and Development Administrator.
Mr Reward narrated the history of Leonard from his birth in 1959 at Masvingo General Hospital, his music career and influence in our society. He indeed agreed with the fans that Leonard deserved to be formally accorded a hero status. He had this to say in his speech “Dai Leonard akafa munguva ye Second Republic, nyaya yacho hamaiihwina Changamire, dai arere pachikomo.. (If Leonard had died during the reign of the Second Republic, he would have been accorded a national hero’s status and would have been laid at the National Heroes Acre)”.
Mr Reward reiterated that the media needs to contribute towards the protection of the Dembo legacy. He further committed that in all future high profile events in the Midlands, the Barura Express will be invited to play as a way of supporting it.
In response to the Minister’s commitment, a Clergyman, Rev Zihove who had led the Church Service requested for Government to consider naming one of the roads after Leonard Dembo as this would comfort the late musician’s fans.
As fans we have faith in our Government, that one day, “Dembo Day” will be officially recognised.
TheGiganticTombstone
The climax of the event was the unveiling of Dembo’s tombstone. The Minister, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Dembo Family members and the Church leadership led the procession to the graveyard which is located about half a kilometre from the Dembo homestead. The fans were particularly impressed by the size and quality of the tombstone that befitted their hero. The tombstone is very unique-it almost has got four faces. From each side you will see Dembo’s pictures, all his albums and key messages from his wife, sons and daughter. As he was of the Shumba (Lion) totem, a big lying but very alert lion is also pictured in very expensive and attractive materials. Then “Dembo’s Guitar” is also hanging at the top part of the tombstone. Reader, this tombstone is unique, nice, big, and very attractive.
Speaking at the graveyard, Mr Reward called for the Chaka community leadership to consider building a Mausoleum in order to protect the tombstone from rains, sunlight and animals. He further argued that the tombstone can also be used as a tourist attraction feature.
Rev Zihove then challenged the Church to also consider hidding the call by erecting a fence around the graveyard. This structure is actually the best that the Dembo family could offer to our hero and as fans we are grateful.
Indeed, the Barura Express under Tendai is “Mayaas”. I can boldly confirm this. When Dr Marisa warned that the Barura Express has remained a force to reckon with when he delivered his speech on behalf of millions of Dembo fans, I had not taken him seriously.
The band played a couple of Leonard’s songs and the community members were treated to an early Christmas. Tendai’s lead guitar is “Mayaas”. For me, Tendai is now almost 90% close to his father. The man surprised many and surely you would think that he had been in the Barura Express of the early 1990s.
While it will be very difficult to fully imitate the way his father did it, Tendai’s future is very bright. I was also personally impressed by the drummer, the rhythm and baas players, the dancers and the vocalist. With full support from the Dembo fans, this band has the potential to reach high levels. Let us support the group for the sake of Dembo legacy!
MorgenLaunched “ ChikaraKununa ”
I was also honoured to officially announce the arrival of another excellent work from Morgen Dembo, “Chikara Kununa” Album. I am currently reviewing the album and will be able to share my full appreciation of the project in the next few days. I have already sampled a few songs and indeed, Morgen has very good voice. With time, we will surely have Leonard’s voice back through Morgen.
During the commemoration of his father’s @25 years in death, Morgen teamed up with his sister, Fenny to back the Barura Express as they sang “Sunga musoro wedendende musungo wakanaka…dendendede…” The crowd enjoyed and called for more. Well done Moggie.
And …. TheDemboDocumentaryisloading ….
Meanwhile, Fenny is leading a Dembo documentary development process. The documentary will cover Leonard’s life, career, and all that we may need to know about our hero. I am happy that I managed to give my input into the documentary.
This promises to be an exciting project that will allow the Dembo fans to have a full and true picture of Dembo’s life beyond the bits and pieces that we continue to pick in the media. However, this will be also an opportunity for the fans to support the Dembo family as the project will be monetised. This will be our small and humble way of supporting the family of the man who continues to entertain and educate us even in death.
For any feedback, please contact me on Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp or Call: +263773 218 860 or follow me on @DrTinasheGumbo1 or Blog: http://tinashegumbo.wordpress.com
Tinashe Sambiri|Hard-hitting MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has said disgruntled citizens will “punish Zanu PF” by voting in numbers in 2023.
Hon Sikhala also mocked the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa over addressing empty chairs in Glasgow.
“When u are an international shame, you end up addressing empty chairs like Mnangagwa.
Kwayi huyai muone chikara chichidzvova. Chichidzvovera ma empty chairs.
Hakuna kupera kunodarika uku. A shame to our nation.
Lets punish ZANU PF in 2023.”
Hon Sikhala added: “What I knew is that Zimbabweans in the UK would never betray their colleagues on the frontline. I knew they will show their solidarity with those back home here.
Thank you Zimbabwe, thank you colleagues for telling the truth about Zimbabwe. You are great and we love u all.”
WHO is kicking off the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 today in Geneva, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. WHO and the UN regional commissions, in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, have developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action, which is released today.
Globally, over 3500 people die every day on the roads, which amounts to nearly 1.3 million preventable deaths and an estimated 50 million injuries each year – making it the leading killer of children and young people worldwide. As things stand, they are set to cause a further estimated 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries during the next decade, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These unacceptable numbers, both in absolute and relative terms. Road traffic crashes have remained a major cause of death globally, even though every one of those deaths and injuries is preventable.
“The loss of lives and livelihoods, the disabilities caused, the grief and pain, and the financial costs caused by road traffic crashes add up to an intolerable toll on families, communities, societies and health systems,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “So much of this suffering is preventable, by making roads and vehicles safer, and by promoting safe walking, cycling and greater use of public transport. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety lays out the practical, evidence-based steps all countries and communities can take to save lives.”
Recognizing the importance of the problem and the need to act, governments from around the world declared unanimously – through UN General Assembly Resolution 74/299 – the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 with the explicit target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during that period.
“One of the best ways to save and improve lives is to make our streets safer — but that work often doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries.
“Bloomberg Philanthropies has been working to improve road safety since 2007 by strengthening laws, increasing enforcement, redesigning streets, and using data. I’m glad to say that the WHO’s ambitious global plan for road safety includes many of the strategies that we’ve used to save lives, and it will help encourage governments around the world to make road safety the high priority it should be.”
This Global Plan describes the actions needed to achieve that target. This includes accelerated action to make walking, cycling and using public transport safe, as they are also healthier and greener modes of transport; to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours; and to guarantee timely and effective emergency care. It is aimed to inspire countries, including governments and partners to act boldly and decisively, using the tools and knowledge gained from the last Decade of Action to change course.
“More than 50 million people have died on the world’s roads since the invention of the automobile. This is more than the number of deaths in World War One or some of the worst epidemics.” says Dr Etienne Krug, the Director of the Department of the Social Determinants of Health. “It is time to put in action what we know works and shift to a much safer and healthier mode of transport. This new plan will lead countries onto a more sustainable path.”
The Global Plan outlines recommended actions drawn from proven and effective interventions, as well as best practices for preventing road trauma. It should be used as a blueprint to inform and inspire national and local plans that are tailored to local contexts, available resources and capacity. The Global Plan is aimed not only at senior policy-makers, but also other stakeholders who can influence road safety, such as civil society, academia, the private sector and community and youth leaders.
Public officials for Zaka district have expressed concerns over low voter turnout among youth during previous electoral processes and their continuous disengagement from political systems and community development structures. Speaking during a community meeting facilitated by Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD), the public officials highlighted that voter apathy among the nation’s youths remains a cause for concern.
The public officials called upon the youth to register with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for them to be eligible to vote and participate in various electoral processes at both local and national level. Mr. Imbayarwo, Zaka ward 19 councillor and COTRAD peace committee member clarified voter registration requirements and the importance of youth’s peaceful participation in electoral processes both as voters and most importantly as candidates for various posts obtainable through election and or nomination.
The councillor encouraged the youth to take electoral processes seriously because it is the time to choose officials who will represent their communities and preside over development processes. Mr. Imbayarwo added that the youth should ensure their proper representation through the election process, for their concerns and interests to be prioritized.
The public officials also urged the youth to participate and contest in local development committee elections such as Ward Development Committees (WADCOs), Village Development Committees (VIDCOs) and School Development Committees (SDCs).
Electoral participation is a right enshrined in section 67 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. The Constitution gives every citizen of Zimbabwe the right to form , join a political party of choice, vote in all elections and referendums and to stand for public office and if elected to hold such office. The youth in Zimbabwe constitute about 60% of the total population. Therefore, ensuring youth’s peaceful participation in elections enhances peace and good governance in the country.
“COTRAD will continue to promote youth participation through civic and voter education, provision of youth leadership training, conflict management and peace building campaigns and facilitating engagement platforms where the youth discuss their concerns and priorities with public officials” said Kupfuwa Ishmael COTRAD official.
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial political figure Linda Masarira is being roasted on social media platforms after attempting to defend beleaguered Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mr Mnangagwa addressed an empty auditorium at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow on Tuesday.
The troubled Zanu PF leader is facing protests in Glasgow with human rights activists calling for his expulsion from the conference.
Masarira wrote on Twitter: “When @HHichilema from Zambia was addressing, it was empty. Zambians aren’t mocking their President about it. We need to take time & introspect as Zimbabweans.
Brand Zimbabwe is more important than the bitterness most Zimbabweans harbour. We only have one Zimbabwe.”
However, angry citizens say Masarira’s attempt to endorse Mnangagwa is futile.
“Mr Mnangagwa is unsellable,” observed one Manners M.
“Sit down Linda, Mnangagwa is doomed,” Marry J commented.
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma ?? (@chumasteve) Tweeted: @mdczimbabwe Dep Organizer for Manicaland, Itayi Masaka has been arrested in Mutare.
His arrest follows on sterling work he did during the recent tour of Manicaland by President @nelsonchamisa. This is another clear case of persecution by prosecution by the regime. https://t.co/Iz9rJhxVwS (https://twitter.com/chumasteve/status/1455547455236448257?s=20)
2. It is a fact that it is the prerogative of the President to proclaim the date of by elections in consultation with ZEC on its state of administrative preparedness.
6. The mandate of ZEC includes conducting elections and referendums in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe. It is important to note that ZEC does not make or set aside these laws it merely implements and is bound by existing legislation until it is set aside by lawmakers.
By A Correspondent- Hailstorm hit parts of Mutare rural and left a trail of destruction with over 100 homesteads, schools and clinics, among other infrastructure heavily damaged.
Mutare Rural district development co-ordinator Wilson Boore said the hailstorm hit the area on Monday.
“The hailstorm affected ward 20, Jaricha and Revesai villages, where 28 households were destroyed. It also affected ward 34 in Nyagundi village, where 54 households were destroyed,” he said.
“Most houses had their roofs ripped off, while walls were damaged. Councillors and traditional leaders are still compiling a list of those affected by the hailstorm.”
Boore said Munyarari and Chinyauhwera primary schools were also affected by the hailstorm.
“As I speak, teachers at these schools are staying in the open. However, their issues are being addressed. Munyarari Clinic was severely damaged. The clinic has six rooms which were destroyed. These include the labour, drug, HIV and observation rooms,” he said.
Boore urged government to swiftly respond to natural disasters and assist the affected families, while also pleading for assistance from development partners.
By A Correspondent- Retired Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Colonel Mutero Johane Masanganise whose Bushmead mansion was recently gutted by fire is appealing for financial support to refurbish his property.
The mansion that caught fire at around 2pm on October 12 was extensively damaged while properties worth millions of dollars were burnt to ashes.
A veld fire is alleged to have originated from a residential stand which is under construction next to Rtd Col Masanganise his home.
The Retired service chief said he has been receiving heart-warming support from the community and appealed for financial support for him to be able to reconstruct the mansion.
“My community stood by me since tragedy struck. I was given clothes, a stove, pots, a fridge and all kinds of utensils and above all emotional support.
“The people of Bushmead really showed me what love is and I am very grateful for that. I appeal to anyone who feels in their heart to help me and my family to rebuild our home to come forward,” said Masanganise.
Masanganise added that efforts to stop the fire did not reap the desired results as it had destroyed property worth over ZW$9 million.
“The neighbours called the Fire Department which arrived at the scene within half an hour but damage had already been done. I lost a lot because the value of the damaged structures is over ZW$9.7million,” added Masanganise.
Sources however allege that contract workers who were working on the next house that is owned by an unnamed United Kingdom based person started the fire and failed to control it.
By A Correspondent- A Harare man was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals yesterday after he fell while posing for some photographs at a footbridge along Julius Nyerere Way.
The man, only identified as Vincent, sustained head injuries and his photographer disappeared from the scene.
Scores of people took turns to record Vincent while writhing in pain only to receive comfort from his wife after he instructed one of the sympathisers at the scene to call her.
“I was posing for some photographs when I slipped from the footbridge,” said Vincent writhing in pain.
“Someone is calling my wife,” he added.
Vincent’s wife and one of the relatives refused to entertain the press.
Paramedics attended Vincent and rushed with him to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Julius Nyerere Way footbridge has protective rails by its sides and Vincent could have climbed up the rails presumably to capture a moment leading to the fall.
By A Correspondent- The trial of controversial journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who is being charged with obstructing justice might be postponed to February 2022 after the State asked for further remand on the basis that they are now wanting to contact Twitter over the charges.
Chin’ono is accused of breaching his bail conditions by tweeting about the court outcome of a gold smuggling scandal despite a ban on him posting on Twitter.
The charge is linked to the arrest of Zimbabwe Miners Federation head Henrietta Rushwaya at Harare Airport on October 26 as she was about to board a flight to Dubai with six of gold in her hand luggage.
In a tweet, Chin’ono said he had talked to prosecutors about Rushwaya, an act which the state said had jeopardised “the integrity of the case against himself and that of Rushwaya”.
Said Chin’ono:
The State has asked for further remand on the basis that they are now wanting to contact Twitter. They have applied for a long remand to February 2022. This is meant to just keep me constrained! We are now waiting for the magistrate to make a ruling on the state’s request
This is the tweet that resulted in my arrest on November 3, 2020. I spent 23 days in Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
By A Correspondent| Model Girlfriend By A Correspondent A Harare, SA based slay queen and model, Panashe Munetsi who has made headlines for faking pregnancies and miscarriages as a way of trapping her ‘blessers’ is denying rights to a certain man claiming fatherhood of her four year old son.
Munetsi who is reported to be struggling and preying on Khama Billiat after she hit a brickwall with three other men she has been blackmailing to accept fatherhood of her son.
A close source ,speaking on anonymity status has revealed that a Harare based man known as Sipho Dube is claiming to be the father of the child, however he is being denied the right due to his poor social status.
“ We know one Sipho Dube is the father of the son, yes her and Khama Billiat had a one night stand some years back .However ,Sipho has been coming time and again trying to get access to the child and even asking for paternity tests as he is fully convinced that he is the father of Panashe’s son.
“ We know Sipho Dube and even one Dj Flavour knows the lad as he played a part in the making up of the chemistry between Dube and Panashe, the only thing is that Dube is not a big horn, he lives in Mabvuku, totally broke and considered of less class compared to the top dudes who rock with the model,” revealed the source.
This publication is reliably informed that Munetsi who is currently based in SA has hit financial hard times and failing to afford the lavish slay style of living she is used to.
“Panashe is in financial doldrums and the more she has been exposed for being a cobra in high heels and red lipstick the faster she has been losing her grip on ‘blessers’ and the only trump card close to her chest is extorting Khama but we are saying she has to come out clean and give responsibility to where it is due,” added the source.
Efforts to get a comment from Sipho Dube were futile as he was unreachable at the time of publishing.
By A Correspondent- Tendai Ndoro’s former wife, Thando Maseko, has said she is not the woman who kicked him out of their home and took possession of all the couple’s vehicles. Ndoro is reported to have registered all the couple’s properties in his wife’s name.
A weekly publication identified Thando Maseko as Ndoro’s South African wife but Maseko reached out to iHarare and denied being the woman at the centre of Ndoro’s woes.
She stated that her marriage to the footballer ended in 2018 and that she never stayed at the palatial Kyalami Estates, from which Tendai Ndoro was recently kicked out.
She revealed that before their marriage collapsed in 2018, the couple stayed at a rented house in Boksburg and Ndoro was not the owner of the property. Thando furnished iHarare with documents to back what she is saying. Said Thando:
“I just wanted to clear the air. On the issue that was posted about me, This lady in the picture is not me. People are mistaking me for the lady Tendai was dating after our marriage ended in 2018.
“I’ve not seen Tendai since then, and I’ve never lived in Kyalami. When I was staying with him, we were in a rented house in Boksburg, and he didn’t own that property.”
Maseko added that she only started seeing the footballer driving luxurious cars after her marriage had collapsed when he began seeing someone else.
After the marriage ended, Thando was evicted from the rented Boksburg house, as Ndoro had stopped paying rentals.
On the issue of the photos making the rounds online, Thando revealed that the lady in question is not her. She said that contrary to the claims being made, the lady in question is actually a Zimbabwean and not a South African as alleged.
Thando Maseko reiterated that she is not looking to spoil her ex-husband’s name. She feels that he is going through a lot and does not want to add to his woes. She said she is only looking to clear her name and to do right by her family.-IHarare
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday addressed an almost empty auditorium at the Climate Change (COP26) summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mnangagwa made his address before empty seats, as did all the leaders who delivered their addresses during the 9am to 1pm slot.
Over 120 heads of State and 25 000 delegates are attending the summit.
As Mnangagwa was addressing, scores of United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans were picketing outside the conference room, denouncing him over the country’s bad human rights record, while others extolled him for his re-engagement efforts in the face of adversity.
This is not the first time Mnangagwa has addressed an empty auditorium.In September 2019, he addressed a near empty 1 800-seater auditorium at the 74th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
It is not customary that State Presidents would address packed auditoriums as many leaders would be following proceedings from other venues or attending other ongoing events elsewhere.
In his address yesterday, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was battling the effects of climate change which had resulted in severe droughts and cyclone-induced floods.
“It is most unfortunate that the impact of climate change is disproportionately borne by vulnerable communities that have contributed the least to the current stock of atmospheric carbon,” he said.
“Vulnerable countries must, therefore, be capacitated to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change. The expectation is that the major emitters will scale up mitigation action and show greater interest in adaptation.
“Decisions at this COP26 should strengthen the implementation of current nationally determined contributions.
“It is further imperative that the set emission reduction targets are anchored on supporting, financing and equipping countries to gradually and sustainably migrate from fossil to renewable energy.”
He added: “Notwithstanding that as a country we are ‘a net sink’, I am pleased to highlight that Zimbabwe has revised its nationally determined contributions, a committed conditional 40% per capita greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030.
“Comprehensive strategies are being implemented towards mainstreaming climate change adaptation and resilience across all sectors of our economy.”
Mnangagwa repeated the call for the lifting of sanctions.
Social media users reacted differently to Mnangagwa’s address, with some saying he did not deserve an audience at the climate change summit since his government was contributing to environmental hazards.
Mnangagwa’s government has been widely criticised for approving the construction of houses on wetlands and unsustainable mining activities, particularly by Chinese companies, with detrimental effects to the environment.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, posting on his @Jamwanda2 Twitter handle, said there was nothing untoward about the empty auditorium during Mnangagwa’s address.
“Absolute confusion in terms (of) who the audience for UN summits are,” he said.
“The unschooled think the audience is in the immediate auditorium of delivery. Quite sad, embarrassing in fact!!!!”
Meanwhile, opposition MDC alliance leader Nelson Chamisa said his party had a clear climate change policy that spoke to the creation of new jobs in renewable energy industries.
“To reduce the frequency of extreme weather shocks like cyclones, bold acceleration towards more sustainable methods of generating energy, manufacturing goods, transportation, urban development, and farming need to be taken by all countries. Net zero emissions by 2050 is the target,” Chamisa said in a statement.
“As the next government, our climate change policy is clear. While the journey to net zero by 2050 appears daunting, it represents a unique opportunity for Zimbabwe to create new jobs in new industries like renewable energy, electric vehicles, smart farming and green manufacturing.”
Acting President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday extended the Covid-19 induced level two national lockdown by another two weeks.
He also said vaccination centres are required to commence vaccinating the 16-17-year age group with immediate effect after the Government extended the exercise to the older teenagers on Monday.
In a statement yesterday, Acting President Chiwenga said the lockdown extension comes at a time when the country has recorded a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths.
He said the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases speaks to the effectiveness of the lockdown measures put in place by Government.
“The last two weeks has seen a reduction in the number of cases of Covid-19 which has resulted in the country recording an average of 45 new cases per day and an average of one death per day.
“This indicates that the lockdown public health measures currently in place are effective in controlling the transmission of the virus,” he said.
Acting President Chiwenga said globally and nationally, public health discussions have been ongoing regarding extending vaccination to children and other special groups such as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
“Based on the available scientific data in line with Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe guidance, the specialist paediatricians have recommended the vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group with the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“The public is hereby advised that the Covid-19 vaccination for the 16 to 17 years age group has been approved. All the provinces, secondary schools, colleges, universities and vaccination centres are hereby required to commence the vaccination campaign of this age group with immediate effect. For the avoidance of doubt the only vaccine type eligible for this age is the Sinovac Covid-9 vaccine.”
Acting President Chiwenga said Government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is determined that Zimbabwe achieves herd immunity by the end of December.
An independent election watchdog has said the discord between the Health ministry and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) over pending by-elections is clear confirmation of confusion on who is in charge of the polls.
Zec chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba told diplomats a fortnight ago that the electoral body was ready to conduct by-elections, and was waiting for Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga to lift his statutory instrument suspending the polls.
Chiwenga’s deputy John Mangwiro, however, last week said the ministry had nothing to do with elections.
“Worryingly, this discord is disturbing and a sure sign of policy inconsistency and confusion on who authorises or suspends the holding of by-elections. In turn, this affects the credibility of elections and is contrary to promoting democracy and relevant human rights,” the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) said in a statement yesterday.
“The continued suspension of by-elections is non-compliant to regional and international instruments that govern the conduct of democratic elections that Zimbabwe is signatory to.”
There are 28 vacancies in Parliament and 105 in local government following the recall of MDC Alliance legislators and councillors by Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-T.
Observers and election watchdogs have argued that suspending elections can never be an option whatsoever the circumstances, arguing that such a practice was an assault on democracy.
According to Zesn, there is no reason why elections remain suspended when large public gatherings are being allowed, citing a church gathering of the African Apostolic Church on October 23 in Harare South which attracted over 16 000 congregants.
Last week, Mnangagwa addressed a bussed crowd of thousands in Mwenezi, Masvingo province, on the anti-sanctions day as the number of oversubscribed political party gatherings continue to surge.Last week, Zanu PF held a conference in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province, which was attended by over 250 delegates.
“This brings into question the sincerity of the continued suspension of by-elections on account of the protection of public health, especially as by-elections are due in only selected wards and constituencies where only local voters will participate and turnout is usually low in by-elections,” Zesn added.
Neighbouring South Africa, which has the highest COVID-19 deaths in Africa, held municipal elections on Monday. A number of countries have also held elections under the COVID-19 pandemic.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has been accused of abusing powers enshrined in the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act to make autonomous pronouncements that violate human rights
.This was revealed in a 2020/21 report on civic society submissions to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) which stated that since he assumed power in 2017, Mnangagwa has been unnecessarily invoking the Act, and has made 25 proclamations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
APRM is Africa’s governance self-assessment tool by civic society organisations (CSOs) which aims to improve governance on the continent by advocating for the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability.
The report said Mnangagwa’s COVID-19 pronouncements resulted in by-elections being postponed.
It said the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act usurped the law-making function ordinarily vested in Parliament. The Act can only be used in exceptional circumstances.
“The President invoked this Act to counter the COVID-19 crisis which gave him the power to implement unilateral regulations without Parliamentary oversight,” the CSOs said in their submissions.“The Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Deferral of Rent and Mortgage Payments during National Lockdown) Regulations, 2020 is a typical example of the unilateral implementation of regulations by the President.
“For the better part of 2020 and 2021, the country was operating at various degrees of the national lockdown implemented through presidential powers without Parliamentary approval.
“While it is understandable that the country and the world were tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and that extraordinary measures needed to be taken, the overuse of presidential powers to implement over 25 regulations impacted citizens’ rights to representation,” the report read.
It said giving sweeping powers to the President to enact regulations on issues that should be regulated through an Act of Parliament was an affront to the principle of separation of powers.
The report further raised alarm over the continued shrinking of civic space and the ploy by the Mnangagwa’s administration to silence dissenting voices through abuse of law enforcement agents in a bid to retain power.
The CSOs also said on October 22, 2020, Mnangagwa vowed to push for crafting of the Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment Bill to muffle non-governmental organisations and private voluntary organisations.
“Similarly, the proposed introduction of a Patriotic Bill, which intends to criminalise the work of CSOs and opposition party supporters, is another worrisome development. When viewed in unison, these developments point to a systematic attack on CSOs and democratic spaces, by threatening civic activity and limiting freedom of speech.”
The CSOs said a COVID-19-induced state of disaster was not a state of emergency.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ruling Zanu PF have been served with court papers in a case where a member of the party’s youth league is challenging the constitutionality of his ascendancy to power following the 2017 coup.
Sybeth Musengezi filed papers at the High Court in October seeking an order declaring as illegal the November 19, 2017 Zanu PF central committee meeting that removed the late Robert Mugabe as party leader.After the meeting, Mugabe was forced to resign as the party leader and President and replaced by Mnangagwa.
In his court challenge, Musengezi argues that Mnangagwa’s ascendancy to power after the “kangaroo” special committee meeting violated the Zanu PF constitution, hence it was illegitimate.
Musengezi cited Zanu PF, Mnangagwa, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa, former Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko and ex-finance secretary Ignatius Chombo as first to fifth respondents, respectively.“Copy of court application for a declarator in terms of section 14 of the High Court Act for the second respondent served on the responsible person Mr Ziyambi Ziyambi (Justice minister) at 0955 hours,” reads in part a signed note from the court sheriff after the delivery of the papers to Mnangagwa on Monday.
Musengezi, who is represented by his lawyer Nqobani Sithole, wants the High Court to declare the central committee meeting that confirmed Mnangagwa president “unlawful and null and void”.
He argued that Mugabe was not incapacitated to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee in terms of Article 7 section 38 of the party’s constitution.
Musengezi’s court challenge is seen as part of a wider power struggle between Mnangagwa and a faction loyal to his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga.
By A Correspondent- A suspected mental patient went berserk and allegedly stoned four cars at an overnight car park in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb before torching two of them, reducing them to shells.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday at a car park situated at the intersection of Nketa Drive and Hyde Park in Mpopoma.
One of the burnt cars, a Mazda BT50 twin cab is valued at US$20 000 while the value of the other one, a Toyota Hilux twin cab could not be ascertained. However, the market price for a brand-new Toyota Hilux D-4D 2013 model is US$50 000. The Toyota Hilux belongs to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) while the Mazda BT 50 is owned by an individual.
The owner of the Mazda BT50 who declined to be named was at the scene when the Chronicle crew arrived. He refused to comment. He said: I can’t talk to you right now as you can see that I am not emotionally sound. Talk to the owner of the car park. Sources said firefighters from the Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Services department were called to the scene and quelled the fire, which had already extensively damaged the two cars. The owner of the car park, Mr Sibangani Malunga said the incident occurred between 1 AM and 2 PM. He said:
The incident occurred between 1 AM and 2 AM and it appears a mentally ill man strayed into my premises while my two security guards were fast asleep. He damaged four cars before burning two other cars, one of which belongs to an NGO. This is my only source of living and, therefore, with this unfortunate incident, some of my loyal clients are likely to ditch me. This has cost the owners of the cars a fortune and it is clear that this has affected them emotionally. Police are now handling the matter, but on my side, I will also find ways of getting to the bottom of this mater. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said investigations were underway adding that no arrests have been made.
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has said it will not retaliate against violence perpetrated against its supporters by Zanu PF activists during the opposition party’s rural voter mobilisation meetings.
Chamisa is on a countrywide tour of rural areas, where he is meeting community leaders as he solicits for support ahead of the 2023 elections.
During his visits to Mutare, Masvingo and Nyanga last month, his convoy was attacked.
The party also alleges that there was an attempt on his life in Mutare which saw his vehicle being shot at.
MDC Alliance secretary for rural mobilisation Happymore Chidziva yesterday told NewsDay that the opposition party would not retaliate physically.
Chidziva said the rural mobilisation exercise was meant to deal with fear of violence in the countryside during electoral periods.
“Our strategy is simple. We do not respond to violence with violence. The reason why Zanu PF is using violence is due to panic as we penetrate the rural areas once perceived to be its stronghold. Our response is more work in rural areas and we will stretch it because we have the energy, the time and the age,” Chidziva said.
After the attacks on Chamisa in Masvingo, Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa said the violence was triggered when Chamisa tried to “impose’ himself on the people”.
Chidziva said Zanu PF had run out of ideas, hence it was resorting to violence.
He said people in rural areas were eager to meet Chamisa.
“The people are clear, the old, the women and the youth are all converging to support Chamisa. We are overwhelmed by calls from citizens in the rural areas who just want to see our president,” he said.
Zanu PF is also on mobilisation campaign of at least five million votes while the MDC Alliance is targeting six million votes.
Last week, the ruling Zanu PF party said it had already secured four million registered voters.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has staged Zambia’s new President Haikainde Hichilema to have pictures with their party leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Glasgow and use the same for propaganda.
Hichilema is the MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s ally, and Zanu PF has done this to portray as if Mnangagwa is closer to the new Zambian leader.
Before he became the President of Zambia, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba posted an image of HHand Chamisa labelling them sell-outs.
On Tuesday, Zanu PF information director Tafadzwa Mugwadi said Mnangagwa and HH were friends.
He tweeted:
Zim & Zambia share lots in common Our democratic dispensations need cool heads to steer the ship Noisymakers can make whistles in the graveyard like stray ghosts but they are too small to shake these fraternal relations. Sit down!! Good Evening Cdes
Zim & Zambia share lots in common
Our democratic dispensations need cool heads to steer the ship
Noisymakers can make whistles in the graveyard like stray ghosts but they are too small to shake these fraternal relations. Sit down!! Good Evening Cdes @edmnangagwa & @HHichilemapic.twitter.com/8CGTrjn4Q3
By A Correspondent-A man from Sizinda Village, Kezi, Matabeleland South, lost ZAR500 000 and over US$1 000 cash to axe-wielding robbers who invaded his home on the 31st of October this year. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) which is now investigating the case announced the development appealing to members of the public who might have information on the assailants. Pindula News presents the police statement. The ZRP is investigating a robbery case that occurred on 31/10/21 at about 2300 hrs, at Sizinda Village, Kezi, where four unknown male adults who were armed with an axe, flick knife and knobkerrie pounced at the complainant’s house and demanded cash. The complainant surrendered safe keys, cash amounting to ZAR 500 000 and US$1 100 to the suspects. Anyone with information to contact any Police Station.
Meanwhile, some said such huge amounts of cash must be kept at the banks where it is safer. Some members of the public are, however, afraid that they might not be able to withdraw their money since the treasury can change policies as it did in 2019 when it declared that the U.S. dollar was now equivalent to the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dollar
By A Correspondent | The heroic television whistleblower, Shepherd Yuda has suffered an attack in two of his cars just after a successful three day demonstration against Emmerson Mnangagwa that caused the ZANU PF leader to be banned from his famous Trades Hall Glasgow building celebration party.
Yuda had arrived at his home when a few minutes later after coming back to his parking lot he suddenly found his first car’s driver’s window smashed in by an unknown object.
Soon after that, he also found his second car pelted with eggs, though without visible damage.
Nothing was stolen.
This is the damage to the vehicle, says Shepherd Yuda speaking on FB live video, after his car's driver's seat was vandalised by unknown assailants. pic.twitter.com/RTAVBZyl2N
Police were informed of the direct and unequivocal threats against his life by a ZANU PF activist who spoke via live video on Monday night.
Speaking to ZimEye, Yuda said the person(s) who did this were driven by revenge for the humiliation Mnangagwa suffered at the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
Below is the live video he filmed shortly after the attack.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday addressed an almost empty auditorium at the Climate Change (COP26) summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mnangagwa made his address before empty seats, as did all the leaders who delivered their addresses during the 9am to 1pm slot.
Over 120 heads of State and 25 000 delegates are attending the summit.
As Mnangagwa was addressing, scores of United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans were picketing outside the conference room, denouncing him over the country’s bad human rights record, while others extolled him for his re-engagement efforts in the face of adversity.
This is not the first time Mnangagwa has addressed an empty auditorium.In September 2019, he addressed a near empty 1 800-seater auditorium at the 74th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
It is not customary that State Presidents would address packed auditoriums as many leaders would be following proceedings from other venues or attending other ongoing events elsewhere.
In his address yesterday, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was battling the effects of climate change which had resulted in severe droughts and cyclone-induced floods.
“It is most unfortunate that the impact of climate change is disproportionately borne by vulnerable communities that have contributed the least to the current stock of atmospheric carbon,” he said.
“Vulnerable countries must, therefore, be capacitated to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change. The expectation is that the major emitters will scale up mitigation action and show greater interest in adaptation.
“Decisions at this COP26 should strengthen the implementation of current nationally determined contributions.
“It is further imperative that the set emission reduction targets are anchored on supporting, financing and equipping countries to gradually and sustainably migrate from fossil to renewable energy.”
He added: “Notwithstanding that as a country we are ‘a net sink’, I am pleased to highlight that Zimbabwe has revised its nationally determined contributions, a committed conditional 40% per capita greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030.
“Comprehensive strategies are being implemented towards mainstreaming climate change adaptation and resilience across all sectors of our economy.”
Mnangagwa repeated the call for the lifting of sanctions.
Social media users reacted differently to Mnangagwa’s address, with some saying he did not deserve an audience at the climate change summit since his government was contributing to environmental hazards.
Mnangagwa’s government has been widely criticised for approving the construction of houses on wetlands and unsustainable mining activities, particularly by Chinese companies, with detrimental effects to the environment.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, posting on his @Jamwanda2 Twitter handle, said there was nothing untoward about the empty auditorium during Mnangagwa’s address.
“Absolute confusion in terms (of) who the audience for UN summits are,” he said.
“The unschooled think the audience is in the immediate auditorium of delivery. Quite sad, embarrassing in fact!!!!”- NewsDay
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has said it will not retaliate against violence perpetrated against its supporters by Zanu PF activists during the opposition party’s rural voter mobilisation meetings.
Chamisa is on a countrywide tour of rural areas, where he is meeting community leaders as he solicits for support ahead of the 2023 elections.
During his visits to Mutare, Masvingo and Nyanga last month, his convoy was attacked.
The party also alleges that there was an attempt on his life in Mutare which saw his vehicle being shot at.
MDC Alliance secretary for rural mobilisation Happymore Chidziva yesterday told NewsDay that the opposition party would not retaliate physically.
Chidziva said the rural mobilisation exercise was meant to deal with fear of violence in the countryside during electoral periods.
“Our strategy is simple. We do not respond to violence with violence. The reason why Zanu PF is using violence is due to panic as we penetrate the rural areas once perceived to be its stronghold. Our response is more work in rural areas and we will stretch it because we have the energy, the time and the age,” Chidziva said.
After the attacks on Chamisa in Masvingo, Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa said the violence was triggered when Chamisa tried to “impose’ himself on the people”.
Chidziva said Zanu PF had run out of ideas, hence it was resorting to violence.
He said people in rural areas were eager to meet Chamisa.
“The people are clear, the old, the women and the youth are all converging to support Chamisa. We are overwhelmed by calls from citizens in the rural areas who just want to see our president,” he said.
Zanu PF is also on mobilisation campaign of at least five million votes while the MDC Alliance is targeting six million votes.
Last week, the ruling Zanu PF party said it had already secured four million registered voters.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday addressed an almost empty auditorium at the Climate Change (COP26) summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mnangagwa made his address before empty seats, as did all the leaders who delivered their addresses during the 9am to 1pm slot.
Over 120 heads of State and 25 000 delegates are attending the summit.
As Mnangagwa was addressing, scores of United Kingdom-based Zimbabweans were picketing outside the conference room, denouncing him over the country’s bad human rights record, while others extolled him for his re-engagement efforts in the face of adversity.
This is not the first time Mnangagwa has addressed an empty auditorium.In September 2019, he addressed a near empty 1 800-seater auditorium at the 74th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York.
It is not customary that State Presidents would address packed auditoriums as many leaders would be following proceedings from other venues or attending other ongoing events elsewhere.
In his address yesterday, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was battling the effects of climate change which had resulted in severe droughts and cyclone-induced floods.
“It is most unfortunate that the impact of climate change is disproportionately borne by vulnerable communities that have contributed the least to the current stock of atmospheric carbon,” he said.
“Vulnerable countries must, therefore, be capacitated to mitigate, adapt and build resilience to climate change. The expectation is that the major emitters will scale up mitigation action and show greater interest in adaptation.
“Decisions at this COP26 should strengthen the implementation of current nationally determined contributions.
“It is further imperative that the set emission reduction targets are anchored on supporting, financing and equipping countries to gradually and sustainably migrate from fossil to renewable energy.”
He added: “Notwithstanding that as a country we are ‘a net sink’, I am pleased to highlight that Zimbabwe has revised its nationally determined contributions, a committed conditional 40% per capita greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030.
“Comprehensive strategies are being implemented towards mainstreaming climate change adaptation and resilience across all sectors of our economy.”
Mnangagwa repeated the call for the lifting of sanctions.
Social media users reacted differently to Mnangagwa’s address, with some saying he did not deserve an audience at the climate change summit since his government was contributing to environmental hazards.
Mnangagwa’s government has been widely criticised for approving the construction of houses on wetlands and unsustainable mining activities, particularly by Chinese companies, with detrimental effects to the environment.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, posting on his @Jamwanda2 Twitter handle, said there was nothing untoward about the empty auditorium during Mnangagwa’s address.
“Absolute confusion in terms (of) who the audience for UN summits are,” he said.
“The unschooled think the audience is in the immediate auditorium of delivery. Quite sad, embarrassing in fact!!!!”- NewsDay
By A Correspondent| Two pupils from Gokomere High School in Masvingo Province reportedly stabbed each other during a fight over a girlfriend.
This is according to Masvingo’s Hevoi FM.
According to Hevoi FM: Form three and form two students at Gokomere High School stabbed each other with a knife during a fight over a girlfriend yesterday.The two were admitted at Gokomere Mission Clinic.Parents at the school are calling for the return of corporal punishment to instill discipline.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed an empty auditorium at the ongoing climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mnangagwa took to the podium late Tuesday morning and only to address a few delegates, including ushers.
This shows that world leaders attending the COP26 are not interested in his presence at the climate change conference.
Yesterday, Mnangagwa came face to face with demonstrations staged by Zimbabweans in the UK lobbying the British Prime-minister, Borris Johnson, to deport him.
Isheanesu Mutyambizi | Manchester United provided a thrilling comeback well designed for Tuesday night football in the Champions League against Atlanta, as they fought hard to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the next stage of the European tournament with the score line 2-2 by full time.
The Red Devils who have been dubbed “The Comeback Kings” in the Champions League, have had to rely on the individual brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, who again scored a brace to save Manchester United from having to be in a tough position in Group F before they travel to Spain to face the Yellow Submarines of Villa Real, who are in good form after beating Young Boys 2-0 to move up to second.
Ole Gunner Solskjaer has praised his team for stepping up to the plate and not giving up and praised Ronaldo by comparing his performance to Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls who is considered the Greatest basketball player of all time, due to his reputation of always scoring the last shot that seals the game.
Though the jury is still out to decide if he deserves to be United manager for the foreseeable future, and his tactical decisions under scrutiny despite the comeback draw. Ole Gunner is determined to improve his side performances, as they will be facing Manchester City on Saturday.
But just like a cat has nine lives, Ole Gunner is proving to be that sort of manager who always deliver results whenever his job is on the line, one doesn’t know what the Baby faced Assassin has under his sleeve.
A young and upcoming professional boxer died yesterday due to injuries sustained after a brutal knockout.
24-year-old Taurai Zimunya collapsedafter a third-round knockout in a bantamweight fight on Sunday evening.
He was knocked out by Tinashe Majoni of Charles Manyuchi Academy in a lightweight bout at the Rise of Champions fight series in Harare.
Initially, Zimunya was treated at the ringside when he collapsed during the bout. He was later taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital on oxygen support but never regained consciousness.
Scans were done at Westend Clinic to aid doctors to ascertain the source of his injuries. Efforts to save his life were in vain as he died later in the early hours of yesterday.
At the time of publishing, the cause of death had not been ascertained. However, it is alleged that he succumbed to head injuries that he sustained during the brawl. – ZimLive
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has unveiled a comprehensive climate change policy.
This comes at a time the current regime is carrying out perilous coal-mining activities in Hwange.
Below is President Chamisa’s presentation on the COP26 Climate Change Conference.
COP26, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),kickstarts today 1 until 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
For Zimbabwe, this landmark conference could not have come at a more appropriate time. In recent years our beloved country has been ravaged by several catastrophes directly linked to climate change, including Cyclone Idai, which in 2019 claimed about lives in Zimbabwe.
At COP26,we expect serious & binding commitments by the world’s wealthiest countries towards reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Rich countries contribute the most to the precarious state of the world’s climate,as such,responsibility for the crises must fall where it must.
To reduce the frequency of extreme weather shocks like Cyclones,bold acceleration towards more sustainable methods of generating energy,manufacturing goods, transportation,urban development, & farming need to be taken by all countries. Net zero emissions by 2050 is the target
As the next government,our climate change policy is clear.Whilst the journey to net zero by 2050 appears daunting, it represents a unique opportunity for Zimbabwe to create new jobs in new industries like renewable energy,electric vehicles,smart farming and green manufacturing.
At a minimum, we expect significant contributions to investment funds (e.g., Green Climate Fund: https://greenclimate.fund), earmarked for less developed countries, like Zimbabwe to access the green finance required to build resilience and adapt to climate change…
Tinashe Sambiri| Human rights activist Shepherd Yuda says he was phoned by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who wanted to have a closed door meeting with him.
However, the firebrand activist refused to be swayed by Mr Mnangagwa
Yuda is leading protests against the beleaguered Zanu PF leader.
WHO is kicking off the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 today in Geneva, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. WHO and the UN regional commissions, in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, have developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action, which is released today.
Globally, over 3500 people die every day on the roads, which amounts to nearly 1.3 million preventable deaths and an estimated 50 million injuries each year – making it the leading killer of children and young people worldwide. As things stand, they are set to cause a further estimated 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries during the next decade, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These unacceptable numbers, both in absolute and relative terms. Road traffic crashes have remained a major cause of death globally, even though every one of those deaths and injuries is preventable.
“The loss of lives and livelihoods, the disabilities caused, the grief and pain, and the financial costs caused by road traffic crashes add up to an intolerable toll on families, communities, societies and health systems,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “So much of this suffering is preventable, by making roads and vehicles safer, and by promoting safe walking, cycling and greater use of public transport. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety lays out the practical, evidence-based steps all countries and communities can take to save lives.”
Recognizing the importance of the problem and the need to act, governments from around the world declared unanimously – through UN General Assembly Resolution 74/299 – the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 with the explicit target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during that period.
“One of the best ways to save and improve lives is to make our streets safer — but that work often doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. “Bloomberg Philanthropies has been working to improve road safety since 2007 by strengthening laws, increasing enforcement, redesigning streets, and using data. I’m glad to say that the WHO’s ambitious global plan for road safety includes many of the strategies that we’ve used to save lives, and it will help encourage governments around the world to make road safety the high priority it should be.”
This Global Plan describes the actions needed to achieve that target. This includes accelerated action to make walking, cycling and using public transport safe, as they are also healthier and greener modes of transport; to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours; and to guarantee timely and effective emergency care. It is aimed to inspire countries, including governments and partners to act boldly and decisively, using the tools and knowledge gained from the last Decade of Action to change course.
“More than 50 million people have died on the world’s roads since the invention of the automobile. This is more than the number of deaths in World War One or some of the worst epidemics.” says Dr Etienne Krug, the Director of the Department of the Social Determinants of Health. “It is time to put in action what we know works and shift to a much safer and healthier mode of transport. This new plan will lead countries onto a more sustainable path.”
The Global Plan outlines recommended actions drawn from proven and effective interventions, as well as best practices for preventing road trauma. It should be used as a blueprint to inform and inspire national and local plans that are tailored to local contexts, available resources and capacity. The Global Plan is aimed not only at senior policy-makers, but also other stakeholders who can influence road safety, such as civil society, academia, the private sector and community and youth leaders.
The MDC Alliance is confident of a resounding victory in the 2023 elections as the opposition party continues to carry out what it calls “an intensive voter registration campaign” across the country.
Party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere told NewsDay that the MDC Alliance is targetting six million votes in the upcoming elections. She said:
The opposition party is going to win the 2023 elections, and it is going to do so resoundingly.
We are currently carrying out an intensive voter registration campaign in villages, towns and cities to ensure we galvanise six million citizens to vote for change.
We are mobilising the citizens to turn out to vote in their millions and defend that vote vigilantly.
We are building a polling agent defence system to ensure the vote is protected from rigging through a polling station-based mobilisation and monitoring programme.
We will run the biggest electoral campaign that’s never been seen in the region and ultimately win Zimbabwe for change.
This is why our new candidate selection procedures will give communities the power to decide which leaders will represent them.
Mahere was responding to President Emmerson Mnangagwa who last week declared a ZANU PF victory two years ahead of the general elections.
Mnangagwa told ZANU PF supporters at the just-ended annual conference in Bindura that he had already sealed the 2023 victory. -NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has staged Zambia’s new President Haikainde Hichilema to have pictures with their party leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Glasgow and use the same for propaganda.
Hichilema is the MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s ally, and Zanu PF has done this to portray as if Mnangagwa is closer to the new Zambian leader.
Before he became the President of Zambia, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba posted an image of HHand Chamisa labelling them sell-outs.
On Tuesday, Zanu PF information director Tafadzwa Mugwadi said Mnangagwa and HH are friends.
He tweeted:
Zim & Zambia share lots in common Our democratic dispensations need cool heads to steer the ship Noisymakers can make whistles in the graveyard like stray ghosts but they are too small to shake these fraternal relations. Sit down!! Good Evening Cdes
Zim & Zambia share lots in common
Our democratic dispensations need cool heads to steer the ship
Noisymakers can make whistles in the graveyard like stray ghosts but they are too small to shake these fraternal relations. Sit down!! Good Evening Cdes @edmnangagwa & @HHichilemapic.twitter.com/8CGTrjn4Q3
By A Correspondent- The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has acknowledged political violence perpetrated by the ruling Zanu PF party on the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.
NPRC said it would not launch an inquiry on the matter as it has not yet received a formal complaint.
This was disclosed by NPRC deputy chairperson Lilian Chigwedere yesterday on the sidelines of the commission’s preventive dialogue meeting held in Harare.
Chigwedere’s utterances follow reports by Chamisa’s MDC Alliance that its leader survived an assassination attempt during his visit to Mutare last month, while his convoy was attacked in Masvingo and Nyanga where he had gone to conduct rural outreach programmes to garner support ahead of the 2023 elections.
Zanu PF acting spokesperson Mike Bimha has denied the alleged attacks, while acting party political commissar Patrick Chinamasa claimed that Chamisa was attacked because he provoked Zanu PF supporters by encroaching into their territory.
Chigwedere told NewsDay that the NPRC investigation team was on standby and could not immediately act on the matter without a complaint having been lodged with the
commission.
She, however, acknowledged that there were political conflicts between Zanu PF and the opposition MDC Alliance.
“With regards to elections, these discussions we are having here are meant to come up with different ways of dealing with election-related conflicts. With regards to the clashes, that is a conflict that is already taking place. As a commission, the way we work is that we send our investigation team to find out what is exactly taking place.
“While we are doing this (discussions), we are in the process of getting a team. But our team usually goes to do investigations if there have been reports made to the commission. We just don’t say there is a conflict and rush to do investigations. No one has come to the commission with a complaint. We are just hearing it from the media, but as a commission, we are just putting our team on standby.”
She said there was need for the NPRC, together with peace committee members, to work towards curtailing recurrence of political violence in the country.
“Currently, there was an increasing shift in focus on the 2023 elections. In order to guarantee non-recurrence of perennial election-related conflicts, the onus is on you to engage robustly and deliberately in preventive dialogues with all stakeholders, to ensure that re-emergence of past experiences are curtailed.
“The setting up of peace committees to contribute towards the promotion of peace through dialogue, mediation and conciliation of disputes among communities, individuals and groups as well as the implementation of programmes deemed necessary for the prevention of conflicts all fall squarely with the constitutional mandate of the NPRC.”
Chigwedere urged government and citizens to work together to end political conflict.
Meanwhile, in a speech read on her behalf by her deputy director Kumbirayi Chimusoro at the NPRC event, Mashonaland East Provincail Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengi raised concern over the recurrence of election violence in the country.
She urged the NPRC to facilitate grassroots dialogue to promote peaceful elections.
“As you are aware, the country is now geared up for the election period and it is my hope that the peace committees will take the necessary preventative measures to facilitate local level dialogue on how to deal with the cyclical electoral violence, uncertainties and contestations usually associated with our county’s elections,” she said. NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance says its President Nelson Chamisa has the key to unlocking relations which Zimbabwe has been sidelined from by the west over human rights abuses.
Ostalloz Siziba, the party’s deputy spokesperson, claimed that even the ruling Zanu PF was aware of that fact.
He told NewZimbabwe: Ironically when Zanu-PF funds its people and thugs to carry placards and ask Nelson Chamisa to help them end Zimbabwe’s international isolation, they recognize his legitimacy and capacity to resolve these issues and they are very correct. For the first time I have seen Zanu-PF articulating in their own protests a clear message, it acknowledges that Chamisa is the only one who can give them jobs, end international isolation, yes give him the responsibility to govern and he will have multilateral and bilateral conversations with the international community.
He said Zimbabwe is isolated from the international community because of violence and terror, corruption and extraction of economic-political order, legitimacy questions associated with the ZANU PF government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He said once the MDC Alliance comes to power, it will “make a clear program of re-engagement which is born out of the domestic resolution of our own problems so that we get to the community of nations.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic has confirmed a shooting involving its officers in Bulawayo Monday.
In a statement posted on their Twitter account, the Police said the robbers managed to flee.
Tweeted ZRP: The ZRP confirms a shooting incident that occurred near the Naik area at corner H Chitepo and 5th Avenue Byo on 29/10/21 at 1910 hrs. Police Detectives fired two shots on a Toyota twin cab with suspects for robbery cases that occurred in Gwanda in a bid to stop them. The suspects did not stop and sped away in the vehicle. Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.
In a different case, Police arrested Elias Muchemwa (25) and Tapiwa Mutevedzi (37) on 29 October 2021 at the 71km peg along Harare – Mutare Road in connection with robbery cases that occurred on 22 October this year at Maintu Farm, Marondera. The suspects reportedly attacked a couple and stole goods worthy US$390 and ZWL$49000. Said the Police: The suspects and their accomplice only identified as Para who is still at large were travelling in a Honda fit vehicle when they were intercepted by the Police while evading the Police checkpoint.
The arrest led to the recovery of some of the stolen items including three solar panels, 75 litres of diesel, various groceries, clothes, blankets and 50kg maize seed.
1/2 The ZRP confirms a shooting incident which occurred near Naik area at corner H Chitepo and 5th Avenue Byo on 29/10/21 at 1910 hrs. Police Detectives fired two shots on a Toyota twin cab with suspects for robbery cases which occurred in Gwanda in a bid to stop them.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic has confirmed a shooting involving its officers in Bulawayo Monday.
In a statement posted on their Twitter account, the Police said the robbers managed to flee.
Tweeted ZRP The ZRP confirms a shooting incident that occurred near the Naik area at corner H Chitepo and 5th Avenue Byo on 29/10/21 at 1910 hrs. Police Detectives fired two shots on a Toyota twin cab with suspects for robbery cases that occurred in Gwanda in a bid to stop them. The suspects did not stop and sped away in the vehicle. Anyone with information to contact any nearest Police Station.
In a different case, Police arrested Elias Muchemwa (25) and Tapiwa Mutevedzi (37) on 29 October 2021 at the 71km peg along Harare – Mutare Road in connection with robbery cases that occurred on 22 October this year at Maintu Farm, Marondera. The suspects reportedly attacked a couple and stole goods worthy US$390 and ZWL$49000. Said the Police: The suspects and their accomplice only identified as Para who is still at large were travelling in a Honda fit vehicle when they were intercepted by the Police while evading the Police checkpoint.
The arrest led to the recovery of some of the stolen items including three solar panels, 75 litres of diesel, various groceries, clothes, blankets and 50kg maize seed.
1/2 The ZRP confirms a shooting incident which occurred near Naik area at corner H Chitepo and 5th Avenue Byo on 29/10/21 at 1910 hrs. Police Detectives fired two shots on a Toyota twin cab with suspects for robbery cases which occurred in Gwanda in a bid to stop them.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a murder case in which a 15-year-old secondary school girl was stabbed to death during a fight with another learner aged 16 over a boyfriend. The deceased died on Friday last week in Nkayi. According to a statement by the ZRP issued on Monday, the victim was stabbed with a kitchen knife during the tussle. Read the statement: Police in Gwelutshena are investigating a murder case in which a learner (15) died while fighting over a boyfriend with another learner aged 16 on October 29 2021 at Mawala, Ngwaladi area. The suspect stabbed the victim with a kitchen knife, which she was given by her cousin (14).
This comes at a time when the police have continued to express concern over the rising cases of murder, particularly those involving minors.
By A Correspondent| City of Harare Chief Security officer Collen Tongoona has come out guns blazing against the City Fathers he accuses of allegedly suppressing him from assuming a rotational position that has gone vacant at the entity.
This follows the role he played in investigating over 50 councillors whose cases are before the courts for illicit land deals where scores were duped of their hard earned money through a land allocation scam, he alleges.
A leaked document in possession of this publication exposes the ongoing impasse. Tongoona believes that “The position of head Public Safety Division (PSD) fell vacant when the incumbent, Negion Moyo’s contract expired. The department is currently filling the position by way of acting appointments”.
He said that acting appointments at the entity are governed by Statutory Instrument 135 of 2012, Collective Bargaining Agreement: Harare Municipal Undertaking (General Conditions of Service.
“…in terms of clause 1 (1), the agreement shall be binding on the employer and employees from Grades 16 to 5 in the Harare Municipal Undertaking.”
He further states that clause 27 (4)(d) of the SI outlines limitations surrounding a person co-opted to the vacant post will operate:
“An employee who has been appointed to act in a higher position shall continue to act in such position for a continuous period of three months and any extension shall be for a maximum non-renewable period of six months.”
Clause 27 (4) (g) of the said SI also stipulates that, “ The rotation shall apply in instances where more than one employee of the same standing level, experience and qualifications exist and qualify to act to act in the higher position.”
Tongoona feels he is being overly treated unfairly as he is competent enough to assume the post on a rotational bases as provided for by the cited clauses. In the letter he further explains that in the said Division there are two employees of the same level , experience and qualifications these two, that is himself and the Chief traffic officer who are all under grade 5 but this has not been followed.
He claims that the Chief traffic Officer Martin Chimombe was re-appointed against procedure sidelining him.
“However, instead of applying the rotation principle, the Acting Chamber secretary Warren Chiwawa went on to re-appoint the Chief Traffic Officer to act in the position of Head PSD, side-lining myself ayet we are of the same standing level, experience and qualifications. This is against the spirit of fairness or impartiality espoused by clause 27 (40(g).
“Chimombe is for some reason being favoured while I have become a victim for obvious reasons. I am being victimized for being the chief security Officer of the Harare Metropolitan Police (HMP) at a time the section exposed massive corruption in the disposal of land throughout the city of Harare leading to the arrest of more than 50 council officials including executives who occupied influential positions, and I am a signatory to all their internal investigation reports.
He further states that the victimisation also arises from that fact that he is a “key State witness for 10 officials with land scandal cases before the courts. This is the reason why I am being victimised and side-lined for the appointment to act in the position of Head PSD,” he said.
Tongoona claims that Chimombe was also appointed in that position so as to superintend over the department which was investigating him.
“Mr Chimombe has not wasted time in using the appointment to deal with potential witnesses with the able assistance of the the Acting Chamber Secretary Mr Warren Chiwawa. They have used their positions to cause an investigation against me and an unknown others from HMP which investigation is seeking to discredit the allegations against Mr Chimombe as detailed in the report dated April 17, 2020.,” he said.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed an empty auditorium at the ongoing climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
Mnangagwa took to the podium late Tuesday morning and only to address a few delegates, including ushers.
This shows that the world leaders attending the COP26 are not interested in his presence at the climate change conference.
Yesterday, Mnangagwa came face to face with demonstrations staged by Zimbabweans in the UK lobbying the British Prime-minister, Borris Johnson, to deport him.
Lionel Messi has revealed that he is open to return to Barcelona as a technical secretary after retiring from playing football.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was forced out at Camp Nou in the summer and moved to PSG.
He had spent eighteen years with the Spanish giants.
Despite the departure, Messi has reiterated his affection for the Blaugrana and revealed his intention to be part of the club’s senior management in the future.
“Yes, I always said that I would like to come back to help the club in whatever way,” Messi told Diario Sport.
“I want to be useful and help so that the club is doing well. I would love to be a technical secretary, but I don’t know if it will be at Barcelona.
“I would like to return to the club to contribute what I can because I love [Barcelona] and I would love them to keep doing well, to continue growing and to continue to be among the best in the world.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
South African coach Hugo Broos has named his final 24-man squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana.
Group G leaders Bafana Bafana host the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the FNB Stadium on the 11th of November before clashing with second-placed Ghana in Cape Coast three days later.
Broos’ charges lead the way with 10 points from four matches while Ghana occupy second place with nine points from the same number of matches.
Ethiopia are third with three points while Zimbabwe anchor the group with just one point.
WHO is kicking off the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 today in Geneva, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. WHO and the UN regional commissions, in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, have developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action, which is released today.
Globally, over 3500 people die every day on the roads, which amounts to nearly 1.3 million preventable deaths and an estimated 50 million injuries each year – making it the leading killer of children and young people worldwide. As things stand, they are set to cause a further estimated 13 million deaths and 500 million injuries during the next decade, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. These unacceptable numbers, both in absolute and relative terms. Road traffic crashes have remained a major cause of death globally, even though every one of those deaths and injuries is preventable.
“The loss of lives and livelihoods, the disabilities caused, the grief and pain, and the financial costs caused by road traffic crashes add up to an intolerable toll on families, communities, societies and health systems,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, “So much of this suffering is preventable, by making roads and vehicles safer, and by promoting safe walking, cycling and greater use of public transport. The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety lays out the practical, evidence-based steps all countries and communities can take to save lives.”
Recognizing the importance of the problem and the need to act, governments from around the world declared unanimously – through UN General Assembly Resolution 74/299 – the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 with the explicit target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by at least 50% during that period.
“One of the best ways to save and improve lives is to make our streets safer — but that work often doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. “Bloomberg Philanthropies has been working to improve road safety since 2007 by strengthening laws, increasing enforcement, redesigning streets, and using data. I’m glad to say that the WHO’s ambitious global plan for road safety includes many of the strategies that we’ve used to save lives, and it will help encourage governments around the world to make road safety the high priority it should be.”
This Global Plan describes the actions needed to achieve that target. This includes accelerated action to make walking, cycling and using public transport safe, as they are also healthier and greener modes of transport; to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours; and to guarantee timely and effective emergency care. It is aimed to inspire countries, including governments and partners to act boldly and decisively, using the tools and knowledge gained from the last Decade of Action to change course.
“More than 50 million people have died on the world’s roads since the invention of the automobile. This is more than the number of deaths in World War One or some of the worst epidemics.” says Dr Etienne Krug, the Director of the Department of the Social Determinants of Health. “It is time to put in action what we know works and shift to a much safer and healthier mode of transport. This new plan will lead countries onto a more sustainable path.”
The Global Plan outlines recommended actions drawn from proven and effective interventions, as well as best practices for preventing road trauma. It should be used as a blueprint to inform and inspire national and local plans that are tailored to local contexts, available resources and capacity. The Global Plan is aimed not only at senior policy-makers, but also other stakeholders who can influence road safety, such as civil society, academia, the private sector and community and youth leaders.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has unveiled a comprehensive climate change policy.
This comes at a time the current regime is carrying out perilous coal-mining activities in Hwange.
Below is President Chamisa’s presentation on the COP26 Climate Change Conference.
COP26, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),kickstarts today 1 until 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
For Zimbabwe, this landmark conference could not have come at a more appropriate time. In recent years our beloved country has been ravaged by several catastrophes directly linked to climate change, including Cyclone Idai, which in 2019 claimed about lives in Zimbabwe.
At COP26,we expect serious & binding commitments by the world’s wealthiest countries towards reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Rich countries contribute the most to the precarious state of the world’s climate,as such,responsibility for the crises must fall where it must.
To reduce the frequency of extreme weather shocks like Cyclones,bold acceleration towards more sustainable methods of generating energy,manufacturing goods, transportation,urban development, & farming need to be taken by all countries. Net zero emissions by 2050 is the target
As the next government,our climate change policy is clear.Whilst the journey to net zero by 2050 appears daunting, it represents a unique opportunity for Zimbabwe to create new jobs in new industries like renewable energy,electric vehicles,smart farming and green manufacturing.
At a minimum, we expect significant contributions to investment funds (e.g., Green Climate Fund: https://greenclimate.fund), earmarked for less developed countries, like Zimbabwe to access the green finance required to build resilience and adapt to climate change…
Tinashe Sambiri| Human rights activist Shepherd Yuda says he was phoned by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who wanted to have a closed door meeting with him.
However, the firebrand activist refused to be swayed by Mr Mnangagwa
Yuda is leading protests against the beleaguered Zanu PF leader.
Tinashe Sambiri| Human rights activist Shepherd Yuda says he was phoned by Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa who wanted to have a closed door meeting with him.
However, the firebrand activist refused to be swayed by Mr Mnangagwa
Yuda is leading protests against the beleaguered Zanu PF leader.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has unveiled a comprehensive climate change policy.
This comes at a time the current regime is carrying out perilous coal-mining activities in Hwange.
Below is President Chamisa’s presentation on the COP26 Climate Change Conference.
COP26, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),kickstarts today 1 until 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
For Zimbabwe, this landmark conference could not have come at a more appropriate time. In recent years our beloved country has been ravaged by several catastrophes directly linked to climate change, including Cyclone Idai, which in 2019 claimed about lives in Zimbabwe.
At COP26,we expect serious & binding commitments by the world’s wealthiest countries towards reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Rich countries contribute the most to the precarious state of the world’s climate,as such,responsibility for the crises must fall where it must.
To reduce the frequency of extreme weather shocks like Cyclones,bold acceleration towards more sustainable methods of generating energy,manufacturing goods, transportation,urban development, & farming need to be taken by all countries. Net zero emissions by 2050 is the target
As the next government,our climate change policy is clear.Whilst the journey to net zero by 2050 appears daunting, it represents a unique opportunity for Zimbabwe to create new jobs in new industries like renewable energy,electric vehicles,smart farming and green manufacturing.
At a minimum, we expect significant contributions to investment funds (e.g., Green Climate Fund: https://greenclimate.fund), earmarked for less developed countries, like Zimbabwe to access the green finance required to build resilience and adapt to climate change…
A good afternoon depending on your current location. How can I ever get better without having my children in my CUSTODY, I have not seen or spoken to my children for 2years now, they were stolen from me from my matrimonial home under instructions from my husband.
Zimbabwean born Scottish legislator, Maggie Chapman, has said she was not endorsing the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa when she wore Mnangagwa’s scarf recently.This comes after the circulation of her picture in which she was wearing the scarf with Zimbabwean colours.
The scarf is seen more as a ZANU PF regalia than a Zimbabwean one.
Zimbabwe’s Information Secretary, Nick Mangwana, also commented on the photo:Comrades and friends are still arriving in Scotland. Here they are seen with Scottish MP, Maggie Chapman, who made raves when she took her oath in Shona to show she still has links with Zimbabwe. Good to see her adorning the beautiful scarf.
Responding to an anonymous person, Maggie Chapman refuted claims by some that she was endorsing the Mnangagwa regime. She said:As I said to Mike: Thanks for your message and apologies for the photos.
They are in no way an endorsement of ZANU PF or the regime in Zimbabwe which I deplore. I bumped into some Shona speakers at the end of my street and had a conversation about Zimbabwe – as I always do with any Shona speakers. I am sorry I didn’t recognise them as individuals or the scarf.
They did recognise me, which is why it turns out they were so keen on the photos.
The endorsement would have been a boost to the Zimbabwean government which is pushing the engagement and re-engagement agenda after being isolated for over two decades.
ON International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon the public to condemn impunity for crimes against journalists in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world.
ZLHR also calls upon the authorities to adopt reform measures to prevent attacks and violence against journalists, and to investigate all crimes against journalists and prosecute all perpetrators to promote justice and accountability.
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is celebrated every year on 2 November. It is an opportunity for everyone to publicly condemn impunity for crimes against journalists and a chance to demand the prosecution of perpetrators of these crimes by governments around the world. The 2021 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists seeks to emphasise the instrumental role of prosecutorial services in investigating and prosecuting crimes and threats of violence against journalists.
Journalists play an instrumental role in the effective functioning of democratic governments. They promote access to information which enables citizens to demand and assert all their civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. In sharing information, journalists also enhance accountability as they empower people with information. They inform the general populace of the decisions and or actions or omissions of the executive and legislature.
All over the world, journalists and members of the media are vulnerable to attacks and violence, there is a disturbing trend of threats, killings, arrests of journalists, despite their vital importance in democracies. These attacks have a detrimental effect on the effective functioning of democracies, freedom of expression and access to information. Violence against journalists has a chilling effect on society and the journalists themselves. The heinous crimes against journalists are seldom investigated by the authorities and many perpetrators of these crimes and attacks are rarely brought to justice.
In Zimbabwe, journalists have regrettably not been immune to some of these attacks. Journalists have been exposed to arbitrary detention, arrest and prosecution, assaults, harassment, abductions, confiscation of their tools of trade and other equipment and threats of unspecified action.
There has also been a disturbing culture of impunity for attacks and crimes against journalists which serves to embolden perpetrators and encourages them to continue with their evil acts.
Journalists have often been victimised for their work in ensuring that the authorities remain accountable to the public. ZLHR has provided legal support to several journalists who have been targeted when carrying out their journalistic work. These include but is not limited to Hopewell Chin’ono, Kumbirai Mafunda, Edgar Gweshe, Leopold Munhende, Thomas Madhuku, Nyashadzashe Ndoro, Robert Tapfumaneyi, Marshal Bwanya, Gaddaffi Wells, Adrian Matutu, Tongai Mwenje, Tinashe Muringai and Desmond Munemo among others.
ZLHR remains concerned that the authorities are failing to fully recognise that journalists play an invaluable role in exposing human rights violations, corruption and other illegal activities by state and non-state actors. Equally compelling is the failure by the prosecutorial authorities to take any appropriate action to hold all perpetrators of these illegal attacks accountable for their crimes.
On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, ZLHR reminds the authorities that ending impunity for crimes against journalists is essential for the protection of the rights to freedom of expression and access to information that enables the enjoyment of all other rights.
Further, ZLHR reminds the government of Zimbabwe to implement the recommendations made by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission) on 7 August 2020 in the Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe – ACHPR/Res. 443 (LXVI) 2020.
The African Commission specifically called on the government to guarantee protection of the rights of amongst other players; journalists including from arbitrary arrest and detention.
Res.443 also calls on the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that measures taken by its law enforcement agents do not lead to violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, including expression, association and assembly.
On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, ZLHR calls upon:
• The public to condemn all acts of impunity for crimes against journalists in Zimbabwe and the rest of the world; • The government of Zimbabwe to implement the recommendations made by the African Commission in Resolution 443. • The authorities to adopt measures designed to prevent attacks and violence against journalists and other members of the media; • The authorities to investigate all crimes against journalists and prosecute all perpetrators in order to promote justice and accountability.
Climate Change Diplomacy has been good for Zimbabwe . Inside the walkabouts, exchange of greetings & hospitality gestures , requests are made for further engagement . Dialogue is superior and more productive than standoffs for everyone .
By A Correspondent- A 15 year old Gwelutshena girl lost her life after she was fatally stabbed by her 16-year-old rival when the two had a misunderstanding over a boyfriend.
The girl died after she was stabbed with a kitchen knife.
The incident happened last week on Friday.
In a statement that was released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on its Twitter page, the law enforcement agents said investigations are still underway.
Below is the full statement by ZRP:
“Police in Gwelutshena are investigating a murder case in which a learner (15) died while fighting over a boyfriend with another learner aged (16) on 29/10/21 at Mawala, Ngwaladi area. The suspect stabbed the victim with a kitchen knife which she was given by her cousin (14).”
Marry Mubaiwa, who is facing a number of criminal charges at the Harare Magistrates Court, has been medically examined by two Government doctors to ascertain the effects of medication she is taking on her ability to comprehend trial proceedings, a court heard.
Mubaiwa’s lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, today told Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje that she was medically examined on Friday but was yet to receive the results.
Prosecutor Mr Michael Reza applied for the matters to be postponed to November 15 pending availability of her results.
Mubaiwa is charged with attempted murder, assault, money laundering and externalisation and violating the Marriage Act.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean born Scottish legislator, Maggie Chapman, has said she was not endorsing the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa when she wore Mnangagwa’s scarf recently.
This comes after the circulation of her picture in which she was wearing the scarf with Zimbabwean colours. The scarf is seen more as a ZANU PF regalia than a Zimbabwean one.
Zimbabwe’s Information Secretary, Nick Mangwana, also commented on the photo:
Comrades and friends are still arriving in Scotland. Here they are seen with Scottish MP, Maggie Chapman, who made raves when she took her oath in Shona to show she still has links with Zimbabwe. Good to see her adorning the beautiful scarf.
Responding to an anonymous person, Maggie Chapman refuted claims by some that she was endorsing the Mnangagwa regime. She said:
As I said to Mike: Thanks for your message and apologies for the photos. They are in no way an endorsement of ZANU PF or the regime in Zimbabwe which I deplore. I bumped into some Shona speakers at the end of my street and had a conversation about Zimbabwe – as I always do with any Shona speakers. I am sorry I didn’t recognise them as individuals or the scarf. They did recognise me, which is why it turns out they were so keen on the photos.
The endorsement would have been a boost to the Zimbabwean government which is pushing the engagement and re-engagement agenda after being isolated for over two decades.
China firmly opposes all unilateral sanctions and firmly supports the Zimbabwean people's rejection of external interference and pursuit of independent development. We solemnly urge certain organizations and countries including the US to lift illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe. pic.twitter.com/c5DTrRSWEo
— Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe (@ChineseZimbabwe) November 2, 2021
By A Correspondent, in Glasgow | There was drama when Zimbabweans arriving at Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Tuesday-scheduled-party venue received an announcement that the ZANU PF leader is no longer entering the building following a successful protest against his Scottish Galla.
ZimEye arrived at the Trades Hall Glasgow to see Zimbabweans screaming in celebration following the revelation with prominent ED-Swiss-Ban activist and Film Director Silvano’s Mudzvova saying, “Mnangagwa paTrades Hall, Galla remangwana haachakwanisa kunge achiuya, tazvimisa, tazvidira jecha, muno muUK!”
While efforts to get further confirmation from the building owner, a charity, were not possible, as they had walked out, scores of other Zimbabweans confirmed the development at the scene where ZimEye swiftly held a broadcast that continued for nearly 2 hours and was watched by tens of thousands around the world much to the delight of the masses who have endured 41 years of genocide as Mnangagwa announces his climate change policy which is that he deploys soldiers every time he discovers the public ‘are the ones who caused the drought(or stopped the rain).’ An estimated more than 30,000 people have been killed since 1983 as the new ZANU PF leader unleashes violence for over 4 decades.
Other concerns are over the destructive coal mining by a Chinese business in the Hwange National Park which has now spread towards Victoria Falls Road and since contributed to continuous fires burning from underground, turning the region into a literal hell on earth.
Zimbabweans held a combined protest with Sri Lankans at the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference against the dictators who run their two countries. More protests are due to continue today, Tuesday. VIDEO BELOW
By A Correspondent| A Harare slay queen and former model Panashe Munetsi has come under fire for blackmailing and extorting money from high profile celebrities with rumour saying that she has hatched a plan to extort South African based Zimbabwean footballer, Khama Billiat.
The struggling 28-year-old lady is mother to a four-year-old son and has allegedly pinned the fatherhood of the child to more than three Harare man blackmailing them for money at the same time.
Munetsi who is currently residing in South Africa after border jumping with her kid is reportedly claiming that her son was sired by Billiat and this follows failure of her previous attempts on three other men.
A reliable source close to these developments told this publication that the former model is a pro in faking pregnancies and miscarriages as way of earning a meal ticket.
“Panashe’s modus operandi includes faking pregnancies and miscarriages, a strategy she uses to trap her ‘blessers’ so as to extort and blackmail them for money.
“Several men have fallen victims to her tricks including some rich high profile celebrities, “said the source.
Munetsi who is reported to have hit hard times in SA is alleged to be claiming that Billiat is the father of her son.
“We are exposing this to simply serve would be victims of her modus operandi, and we fully know that her plan is to go for Billiat whom she met some years back, we know she had since approached three other men claiming that they were fathers to her son.
“She however been developing cold feet each time those men would ask her to go for DNA as she is not really sure who the father of the kid is,” added the source.
Information obtained by this reporter also revealed that Munetsi approached one Sipho Dube and previously she blackmailed a certain Zambian but Zimbabwean based rich guy.
Efforts to get a comment from both Billiat and Munetsi were futile at time of publishing.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has said Mozambique should account for the missing journalist Ibraimo Mbaruco who has been missing since April 2020. Pindula News presents MISA’s statement.
Statement on International Day to Ending Crimes of Impunity against Journalists.
As the world commemorates the International Day to Ending Crimes of Impunity against Journalists, MISA urges the authorities in Mozambique to account for the whereabouts of journalist Ibraimo Mbaruco.
Mbaruco has been missing since April 2020.
This is very worrying because of the chilling similarities of his unknown fate with that of Tanzanian journalist, Azory Gwanda, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances in November 2017.
The Tanzanian government only reported him as dead in 2019.
Gwanda was investigating a spate of high profile killings in the Rufiji area when he went missing.
It is, therefore, inexplicable, given the state machinery at the disposal of the Mozambican government, that a human being, let alone a journalist, can just vanish from the face of the earth, leaving his traumatised family in the dark as to what could have happened.
The seemingly lackadaisical, if not offhand manner, with which the Mozambican government is handling this serious matter, is disconcerting and raises unnecessary speculation and conspiracies on who was involved in Mbaruco’s disappearance.
Throughout the world, it is the State’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, including journalists.
Mbaruco’s last known message was that he was surrounded by soldiers.
His fate is not a matter that should easily be swept beneath the carpet but deserves the serious attention of the Mozambican government for the knowledge and peace of his family and colleagues.
Allowing the perpetrators to go unpunished will spawn and perpetuate a culture of impunity that poses great risk to the work of journalists whose profession is at the core of accountable governance, respect for fundamental human rights and socio-economic development.
Our concerns come at a time when the southern African region is experiencing unprecedented upsurges in media freedom violations in member countries previously envied as paragons of media freedom.
For instance, a South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) crew was allegedly held against their will and threatened by African National Congress (ANC) supporters in Buffelshoek, Bushuckridge in Mpumalanga on October 21, 2021.
The news crew had to be rescued by the police.
According to the SABC news website, the ANC supporters, numbering about 20, threatened to burn the broadcaster’s vehicle and take the crew’s equipment.
At least four community radio stations were vandalised, with equipment worth tens of thousands of United States dollars destroyed during protests in South Africa following the incarceration of that country’s former president Jacob Zuma.
The radio stations that fell victim to the protesters are Alex FM, in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, Mams Radio, In Mamelodi, northeast of Pretoria, West Side FM, in Kagiso, west of Johannesburg and Intokozo FM, in Durban.
In Malawi, a group of 10 Malawi police officers on January 22, 2021, allegedly assaulted an investigative journalist, Henry Mhango, while he was reporting on compliance with COVID-19 regulations.
Nine journalists were on September 30, 2021, arrested by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police while at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) offices in Harare.
The journalists, Leopold Munhende, Thomas Madhuku, Nyashadzashe Ndoro, Robert Tapfumaneyi, Marshal Bwanya, Gaddaffi Wells, Adrian Matutu, Tongai Mwenje, and Tinashe Muringai, had gone to ZEC offices to cover a demonstration by members of the opposition MDC Alliance.
The journalists were taken to Harare Central Police Station before being released without charge, following the intervention of lawyer Chris Mhike.
MISA urges other SADC governments to take a leaf from the action of the Zambian Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary, Amos Malupenga, in his quest to safeguard media freedom and the rights of journalists.
Malupenga marched to the police headquarters in Lusaka on March 12, 2021, demanding that law enforcement agents do more to protect journalists who were facing increased attacks and harassment.
As highlighted by UNESCO, impunity for crimes against journalists damages societies by covering serious human rights abuses, corruption and crime.
We, therefore, urge authorities to investigate crimes committed against journalists on duty and prosecute the perpetrators, as this will send clear messages that society does not tolerate attacks against the media.
As has been pointed out, impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime.
The media is at the core of citizens’ right to free expression and accountable governance.
