The majority of Zimbabweans are unhappy with the decline in their well-being under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration and are unlikely to retain him for a second term in the 2023 elections, a local non-governmental organisation has claimed in a report.
In its latest report on organised violence and torture (OVT) and elections in Zimbabwe, the Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) also said the military should be confined to the barracks ahead of the elections while government officials should not fan hate speech to avoid a bloodbath.
Zimbabwe goes for elections in 2023 amid concerns of growing poverty, unemployment, cash shortages among other problems.
“Notwithstanding the COVID-19 crisis, the general populace has seen a significant decline in their well-being, a condition for which they may well hold the current government responsible, and likely to support it again in a poll,” RAU said.
“These are the conditions that increase the probability of the return of OVT, a probability reflected in the warlike rhetoric of Zanu PF supporters. Hence, we make a number of recommendations.”
The report noted that Mnangagwa “scrapped through” a narrow victory in 2018, the ruling party would likely stop at nothing to win the 2023 elections, raising the possibility of violence.
“As we have pointed out, OVT can reach the threshold of crimes against humanity, and it is evident that OVT reaches this threshold when the probability of the ruling party losing political power is very high, especially over the hold on the presidency,” the report read.
“It is critical that the pre-election period before 2023 is characterised by a total absence of hate speech, especially by members of the government, and that all persons making such statements are charged under sections 37(1)(c) and 42(2) of the Criminal Code.
“There must be no deployment of members of the ZNA [Zimbabwe National Army] into the civilian space outside of conditions that approximate a state of public emergency, as indicated in section 113 of the Constitution, and, if deployed, the provisions of section 214 of the Constitution be strictly adhered to, with full public disclosure.”
The report said a recent study looking at violence in several Sadc countries governed by former liberation movements showed that Zimbabwe was the most violent.
The violence was significantly related to elections.
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo, however, dismissed claims that his party was failing to address the plight of the people, saying anyone saying that was not following developments on the ground.
“I am not sure what they are talking about,” Khaya Moyo said. “They are not following the implementation of our manifesto. There are lots of projects and programmes that have been implemented.
“We are not in 2023, we are only in 2021 and the assessment can only be done before the end of the next election. Why do they throw away the two years remaining? You can’t conclude when we have two more years to go.”
A report by the Mass Public Opinion Institute last week gave Mnangagwa a 33% lead in the 2023 polls ahead of the MDC Alliance’s 25%, but pointed out that Zimbabweans were not happy with the direction the country was taking under Mnangagwa. -Newsday
By A Correspondent- Commuters are shunning the Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (Zupco) buses because of exorbitant fares the public transporter is now charging.
The boycott comes after ZUPCO increased fares by 100% last week.
Commuters said they could no longer afford Zupco fares.
The government phased out private transport operators, accusing them of ripping off passengers.
A survey by Southern Eye yesterday established that the Zupco bus crews were now forced to accept half fares after commuters began shunning their buses.
Commuters opted for private transporters, which are charging between $40 and $50, while Zupco buses increased fares to $60 and $80 with effect from July 1.
“Zupco conductors are approaching us this time asking us to get into their kombis and buses at lower fares. They are facing serious resistance from commuters who are shunning their buses,” said a commuter, Nombulelo Nyoni.
Most commuters who spoke to Southern Eye said Zupco should revert to the old fares.
Zupco southern region manager Tinei Rwasoka said he was in a meeting and could not comment on the issue.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic, who was denied entry into South Africa on Monday morning because he did not have a valid visa, is set to join the rest of the squad in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) after securing the visa on Tuesday morning.
The Croat was detained at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Monday morning due to visa issues.
The squad proceeded to the COSAFA Cup host city with only assistant coach Tonderai Ndiraya and goalkeepers’ trainer Tembo Chuma.
Co-assistant coach, Lloyd Chitembwe didn’t travel since he’s reportedly blacklisted by South African immigration for previous transgressions.
A ZIFA source told the Chronicle that Logarusic is expected to arrive in the Eastern Cape in time for the team’s 2 pm training session. Said the source:
The visa glitch has been addressed. Coach Loga has been granted a visa and will arrive on time for the team’s 2 pm training session in Gqeberha. The good thing is that the guys will train under the coach.
Meanwhile, ZIFA on Monday blamed the travelling agent for the visa gaffe, saying they were misled into believing that the Croatian will get his visa at the point of entry.- Chronicle
South Africa-based Zimbabwean family perished in a gas explosion accident that happened on Thursday morning in Bloemfontein.
The late 49-year-old Terrence Kagande, his wife Cindy 42, children Jade, 16, and Isiah, 13, succumbed to burns and fumes when a gas heater reportedly exploded.
The Anchor reports that the late sportsman coached rugby and basketball at St Georges and St Johns Colleges before his move to South Africa.
The publication also reports that family spokesperson Gary Kagande said the family was devastated by the death of Terry, his wife and his children.
He also dismissed rumours that South African police were investigating a suspected multiple murder case. Gary Kagande said:
As much as we as a family are in shock and would want to mourn our dearly departed brother and his family peacefully. We would want to dismiss with the contempt that they deserve, the rumours that police were investigating murder cases.
According to a police report given to Cindy’s sister in Bloemfontein, Gary, a former Zimbabwe Sables rugby player, said the children were sleeping in the lounge with the heater on while their parents were in their bedroom.
The blanket they were using reportedly caught fire and melted the gas pipe from the heater leading to the explosion.
Toxic gases and smoke inhalation killed both Terry and Cindy before they could rescue their children or themselves.
Gary expressed the family’s gratitude to all people in Zimbabwe and South Africa who are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Terrence was the son of the late Herbert Kagande, who was the parish pastor at the New Apostolic Church in Hatfield and Jane Kagande, who lives in Bloemfontein, South Africa.- Pindula News
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed as false, social media reports claiming that police officers are blocking people without COVID-19 vaccination certificates from getting into Harare Central Business District.
ZRP national spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told ZimFact that the reports are false. He said:
This is false information. I answered that question to journalists yesterday.
Earlier, Nick Mangwana, Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, tweeted that the roadblocks had been mounted only because intercity travel had been banned under measures that were announced on 29 June. Said Mangwana:
On reports of long queues of vehicles bottlenecked at roadblocks trying to get into Harare, Mazowe and Mutoko are cases in point.
The short response is that intercity is banned fellow citizens. Very few people who are providing an essential service should be travelling.
COVID-19 vaccination certificates are not required when entering Harare, according to the police.
However, the police are enforcing COVID-19 regulations that restrict travel between cities to only essential services.
There is no legal basis for the police to demand proof of vaccination at checkpoints.-ZimFact
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has arrested a Ministry of Industry and Commerce clerk for fraudulently issuing 350 motor vehicle licences to importers of second-hand vehicles. In a statement Zacc said Andrew Matevere has since appeared in court and was denied bail.
“The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) has arrested a Ministry of Industry and Commerce licence clerk for issuing 350 motor vehicle import licences to importers of second-hand vehicles that did not qualify under the recently gazetted SI89 of 2021.”
Zacc has since the beginning of the year arrested more than 100 people for corruption amid calls by the Commission for policy makers to expedite the enactment of the whistleblowers’ legislation following reports of victimisation of whistleblowers.
Out of 103 arrests made so far, 79 dockets have already been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution.
Zacc is targeting to submit 180 dockets to NPA this year, a 100 percent increase from the number achieved in 2020.– Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to return Dr Joshua Nkomo’s properties as a way of honouring his legacy.
According to President Chamisa, returning Dr Nkomo’s properties is the only appropriate way of paying homage to the liberation war icon.
President Chamisa also described the late Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as a true champion of the liberation struggle.
“July is a special month as we remember Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo for the heroic contribution to the liberation struggle.
The best way to honor Dr Nkomo’s legacy is for the government to immediately return all ZPRA properties and all such properties that belonged to Dr Nkomo,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to return Dr Joshua Nkomo’s properties as a way of honouring his legacy.
According to President Chamisa, returning Dr Nkomo’s properties is the only appropriate way of paying homage to the liberation war icon.
President Chamisa also described the late Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as a true champion of the liberation struggle.
“July is a special month as we remember Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo for the heroic contribution to the liberation struggle.
The best way to honor Dr Nkomo’s legacy is for the government to immediately return all ZPRA properties and all such properties that belonged to Dr Nkomo,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has conveyed condolences to the families of the victims of a horrific accident that occurred along Masvingo- Mbalabala road on Monday.
Twenty (20) people died in the horrific head-on collision that occurred at around 3.45 pm.
In a statement the Zimbabwe Republic Police said: “The ZRP confirms that 20 people have died when a Toyota Granvia which was travelling from Masvingo towards Zvishavane burst a tyre, veered onto the oncoming Toyota Wish’s lane which was coming from Zvishavane direction.
The vehicles had a head-on collision at the 61km peg along Masvingo-Mbalabala Road near Chitowa Business Centre, just after Mhandamabwe. The accident occurred at 1545 hours.
Three injured victims were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital while the bodies have been taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital.”
However, the MDC Alliance has accused the police of allowing overloaded vehicles to pass through roadblocks after receiving bribes.
“How do overloaded vehicles pass through roadblocks? This means the police are being given bribes and at the end of the day, we lose lives,” an MDC Alliance official said.
By Staff Reporter|The threats by the government of Zimbabwe to censor the activities of Non Governmental Organizations are totally unacceptable, a pressure group has said.
According to Citizens in Action Southern Africa, the attempt by the government to close civic space is a direct violation of United Nations position on freedom of association.
See Citizens in Action Southern Africa position paper below:
Shrinking Civic Space in Zimbabwe
Produced and Released by:
Citizens in Action in Southern Africa (CIASA) 05 July 2021
“A call for solidarity in strengthening of CSOs Operating Environment in Zimbabwe”
Since the threats to clamp down operations of CSOs by the President of Zimbabwe in his State of the Nation Address link in which he announced that “…all NGOs who do not stick to their mandates shall risk being de- registered or facing the wrath of the law”, the civic space for NGOs in Zimbabwe has evidently been shrinking.
This has since regressed democracy and independency of NGOs in performing its watchdog role especially in providing checks and balances for the three arms of the government namely the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature.
As a result, the country is lacking accountable democratic institutions and show little respect for political rights, leaving the control of corruption completely up to the political will of the government which undermines any improvements in anti-corruption efforts made so far.
The recent remarks by a political leader of a political party in Zimbabwe link is signifying that NGOs in Zimbabwe are severely restricted in their ability to operate in the current political situation, putting their safety at stake.
The efforts and trajectory to strengthening civic space and championing in promoting rule of law, constitutionalism and anti-corruption in the country is now becoming a fallacy due to the threats being amplified targeting such NGOs.
On the 21st of June 2021, the Provincial Development Coordinator for Masvingo Province circulated a memorandum link, advising all CSOs and CBOs that are programming around youth issues to be cleared and granted Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture with immediate effect. Shockingly, this directive was given a timeline of only 7 working days which in our view as CIASA is an attempt by the authorities and officials to shrink CSOs operating space.
On the 30th of June 2021, Harare Metropolitan Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) issued a letter advising that all NGOs are now required to register with the Provincial Development Coordinator, submit their workplans and project commissioned by 9 July 2021.
There is no legal or policy provision within the current frameworks which oblige NGOs to register with the PDC offices. These developments are also coming at a time when there is ongoing review of the PVO Act which is also motivated by the intention to enact an NGO bill.
From CIASA’s contextual analysis, all these works together towards constraining the civic space. The review of the PVO Act has been motivated by various reasons chief among them being the need to include the Financial Anti-Terrorist Financing (FATF) recommendations to do with Anti- Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism.
An independent and empowered civil society is an essential component and ingredient of a healthy country conducive for growth, development and prosperity. Civil society Organizations (CSOs) help and support citizens, ensuring their voices are heard. They can advise policy makers, assist in legislative drafting and in general support authorities in decision making, thus ensuring that policies respond to citizens’ needs.
They also have an important role to play in monitoring governments’ and parliaments’ activities, holding them accountable for their actions, especially when these infringe on people’s rights. CSOs are vital vehicles for active citizenship; legal, financial and policy frameworks need to be in place so that they can operate freely and sustainably.
If the space for civil society and youth organizations is shrinking, the consequences for democratic societies could be considered an impediment to the exercise of citizens’ rights to freedom of association and expression, and therefore a serious threat to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)’s Article 13 requires that each government promotes the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non- governmental organizations and community-based organizations, in the prevention of and the fight against corruption. Civic space is therefore fundamental in upholding democracy and freedom of expressions as a key human right. When civic space is safeguarded, citizens and CSOs can organize, participate and communicate without hindrance, and without fear of retaliation.In doing so, they can exercise their rights and determine the political, economic and social structures around them. However, this is only possible when the government respect and facilitate the fundamental rights of its citizens to associate, assemble peacefully, and freely express views and opinions, in the physical as well as the digital world.
Civic spaces thus become crucial in fighting corruption and promoting transparent and accountable societies. The continuous lack of an enabling environment is a cause for concern to CIASA and the entire CSOs fraternity hence the calls for strengthening the space for civil society actions and contributions towards sustained, equitable and inclusive growth of the country at large without leaving anyone behind. If the government continue to corrode civic spaces for citizen and CSO engagement, this will result in opacity and a lack of accountability in governance. It is also a cause for concern that criminal justice systems are being used as a tool of repression, with human rights defenders facing charges of propaganda against the state whereas journalists reporting on impunity are harassed and unjustifiably arrested. CIASA is therefore calling the government of Zimbabwe to: a) Allow citizens and non-state actors to monitor and hold the government accountable without fear of retaliation.
b) Foster an enabling environment for active civil society and citizens’ participation in the development discourse of the country at all levels.
c) Engage objectively and constructively with civil society on national planning processes, national dialogue processes and CSOs operating space and parameters. d) Ensure that the GoZ relations with CSOs are strengthened, regulated and safeguarded to enhance the civic space for civil society across the country. END://
The World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed a cooperation and financing agreement to implement 10 strategic initiatives to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen systems for health. This new agreement, which will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period, aims to address some of the persistent challenges that impede progress against the three diseases and protect hard-won gains from new pandemics like COVID-19.
In 2019, a total of 1.4 million people died from tuberculosis and an estimated 409,000 people died from malaria. In 2020, 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Through the new agreement, the strategic initiatives seek to:
Expand TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV in 9 countries across Africa; Strengthen efforts to provide differentiated HIV service delivery; Accelerate efforts to find people with TB missed by health systems in 20 countries; Accelerate introduction of innovation for multi-drug resistant TB treatment through regional operational research in Eastern and Central Europe; Support 26 countries and territories to eliminate malaria by 2025; Improve country data collection and use to develop evidence-informed policy; Foster the rapid uptake of service delivery innovations with South to South Learning; Improve quality of care; Encourage rapid uptake of procurement and supply chain management innovation; and Increase program sustainability, facilitate the transition to domestic financing and improve program efficiency.
WHO and the Global Fund have a long and successful partnership working together to scale up HIV, TB and malaria interventions and strengthen health systems in many countries. Through focused efforts and catalytic investments, this collaboration has contributed to significantly reduce the disease burdens of HIV, TB and malaria worldwide, saving millions of lives since 2002.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, reinforces the need to strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared goals of ending the epidemics,” said Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Director, Deputy Director-General’s Office, WHO. “This agreement supports countries to develop more effective responses to the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics and build the resilient health systems they need to reach the most vulnerable.”
“Together, WHO and the Global Fund have proven to be a powerful force that builds on strong in-country support and regional presence, technical leadership and financial resources to strengthen systems for health and accelerate the end of AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics,” said Michael Byrne, Head of Technical Advice and Partnerships at the Global Fund.
Source: World Health Organization
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Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy, Kuda Tagwirei is involved in several underhand deals that are siphoning State resources at an alarming pace.
This was revealed by The Sentry, an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers.
See part of the The Sentry report on Tagwirei’s shadowy business deals.
Shadows and Shell Games
Uncovering an Offshore Business Empire in Zimbabwe
Set well back from the public road at the end of a long driveway lined with palm trees is an extravagant new mansion, being built by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Zimbabwean businessman and presidential advisor accused of corruption.
Much like this Harare residence, Tagwirei’s business empire of more than 40 companies has mostly been hidden from the public eye.
By analyzing hundreds of company documents, court filings, and communications, The Sentry’s investigation shows how Tagwirei used complex corporate structures to build and hide his wealth, potentially benefiting from preferential government treatment along the way.
Tagwirei has invested in gold, nickel, platinum, and chrome mines by hiding behind South African businesspeople and offshore structures in Mauritius and the Cayman Islands and by using lawyers and financiers who are seemingly happy to turn a blind eye to accusations of cronyism and corruption.
New documents uncovered by The Sentry also show how Tagwirei has used similar networks to hide his financial interests in Zimbabwe’s new public-private partnership mining company, Kuvimba Mining House, with Zimbabwe’s Finance Ministry reportedly collaborating to deflect public scrutiny from these arrangements.3
In 2019, Tagwirei paid millions of dollars to a Zimbabwean military-owned company so that Landela Mining Ventures, a company he controlled, could purchase 50% of Great Dyke Investments (GDI), a platinum mine worth hundreds of millions and run as a joint venture with a Russian firm. The payment raises fears about off-budget financing of Zimbabwe’s abusive and partisan military.
An examination of Tagwirei’s business track record reveals a pattern of accusations of privileged access and special treatment, some of which may warrant further investigation by regulators and law enforcement.4 On January 27, 2021, over a year after Landela Mining Ventures had bought half of the platinum mine, Zimbabwe granted GDI a five-year corporate income tax holiday and exempted its shareholders resident in Zimbabwe from resident shareholders’ taxes on GDI dividends—retroactively applied to January 1, 2020.5 6 Auditors investigating corruption red flags in a 2016 $630 million diesel generating plant contract found that the Office of the President had improperly interfered with the procurement process, ordering officials to evaluate Tagwirei’s sole bid outside the standard process.7 Other decisions worthy of further investigation include allegations of preferential access to hard currency and the appointment of Tagwirei’s oil trading company, without a tendering process, to run a $1 billion dollar agriculture project.8
In addition to alleged business dealings with the Zimbabwean military, Tagwirei appears to have the ability to contact senior civilian officials in Zimbabwe at short notice, particularly at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
Such high-level access, together with the pattern of previous decisions, raises the possibility of state capture, when the public realm—particularly regulatory, legal, and public policy decision-making—has been influenced to benefit private interests. Senior officials at Tagwirei’s companies have denied state capture.9
The operations of Tagwirei’s network are emblematic of larger structural problems in Zimbabwe. A select group of politicians, the military, and businesspeople dominate government decision-making with little oversight or scrutiny. Key information about public finances remains shrouded in secrecy.
An environment of impunity prevails. Left unaddressed, these dynamics will likely become further entrenched
By A Correspondent- Five family members died in the Masvingo horror road accident that claimed 21 people died yesterday.
The accident happened after a Zvishavane-bound Toyota Granvia burst a tyre and veered into the opposite lane where it collided with a Toyota Wish that was heading towards Masvingo resulting in the death of 18 people on the spot and three in hospital.
By A Correspondent- A sombre atmosphere today engulfed the scene of the Masvingo horror road accident scene where 21 people died yesterday when relatives of the deceased collected the bodies of their beloved ones.
Police commanders in Masvingo province visited the site and vowed to ruthlessly clampdown on pirate taxis and road unworthy vehicles together with lockdown violators.
A Zvishavane-bound Toyota Granvia burst a tyre and veered into the opposite lane where it collided with a Toyota Wish that was heading towards Masvingo resulting in the death of 18 people on the spot and three in hospital.
Assistant Commissioners Florence Marume and Fredrick Mbengwa today visited the crash site as part of ongoing police investigations to establish the actual circumstances behind the carnage.
The two senior Masvingo police commanders who were accompanied by provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa also took time to talk to some of the eyewitnesses and relatives of the deceased who were at the scene trying to come to terms with the horror crash.
Speaking at the scene, Inspector Dhewa said police were on an all-out war against unregistered pirate taxis and lockdown violators.
He warned pirate taxis violating lockdown rules and circumventing police checkpoints by using bushy roads that their time was up.
Inspector Dhewa said investigations were still underway to establish the cause of the crash.
He disclosed that the death toll had risen to 21 with only one survivor battling for life at Zvishavane District Hospital.
By A Correspondent- Bogus estate agents in Bulawayo have auctioned the Minister of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Judith Ncube.
Minister Ncube told the state media that she was visited by people who had been sold her house by bogus estate agents.
“I once found six cars parked outside my house and the owners said they had been informed by an estate agent that my house was for sale, which was false.
” I implore members of the public to be careful about what they believe and who they pay for services. Let’s not get carried away by what we see on social media platforms but rather let’s stick to credible sources and platforms,” she said.
Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe (EACZ) chairman Mr Nicodimus Kuipa said the industry has been battling for some time now with bogus operators who call themselves accommodation agents and fleece members of the public.
He urged the public to keep a lookout for rogue elements and report them to authorities.
“The advent of social media though good, has come with its own challenges as anyone can advertise and market products and services without complying with professional registration requirements. Estate agents can advertise on any forum but need to be registered with the Estate Agents Council of Zimbabwe as long as they are marketing properties belonging to third parties. The law allows anyone to sell or lease out their own properties but this service is restricted to estate agents once it involves third parties.
“In general, properly trained and registered estate agents do not run accounts where people are invited to register and pay money for service to do with finding accommodation to buy or rent as agents are in most cases paid for such services by the property owners who mandate them. Our industry has battled for some time now with bogus agents who are not registered with EACZ,” he said.
“Prospective tenants must not be charged anything as the agent receives payment from the lessor who mandates the agent with the instruction. The fees which agents charge for the various services they offer are legislated and guided by Statutory Instrument 89/2016 – Estate Agents (Professional Conduct) (Amendment) Rules.”
Mr Kuipa said it was important for the public to only deal with registered agents.
He said bogus agents can be easily identified as they do not have a current year compensation fund certificate (which should be displayed in the front office).
By A Correspondent- The government has committed economic suicide by printing new notes.
The printing of new notes has previously during the former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Gideon Gono, era resulting in the soaring of inflation to an unprecedented level.
In the same Gono style, the desperate government has announced the introduction of $50 notes that will come into circulation with effect from tomorrow the 7th of June 2021.
The central bank said it shall release $360 million worth of these new notes.
The notes will become the fifth note in circulation although the use of the $2 and $5 notes is now limited due to inflation.
By a Correspondent- A Masvingo family has lost US$21 000 cash and four Samsung cellphones to a machete-wielding gang.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police, cops in the town are investigating a robbery case that occurred at Runyararo South West, Masvingo at the weekend at around 0200hours where a family was attacked by five unknown suspects armed with machetes.
The police said the assailants, severely assaulted the owner of the house and stole the money and the gadgets.
1/2 The ZRP is investigating a robbery case which occurred at Runyararo South West, Masvingo on 03/07/21 at around 0200hours where a family was attacked by five unknown suspects armed with machetes.
— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 6, 2021
By A Correspondent- The government haswith immediate effect reintroduced exemption letters which were used during the first lockdown in 2020 for those employed in critical sectors of the economy.
Speaking in a post-cabinet media briefing on Tuesday evening, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said businesses that violate the restrictions will face stiffer penalties including the withdrawal of business operating licences.
She said:
The nation is advised that the exemption mechanisms which were used during the first lockdown in 2020 will be reactivated with immediate effect.
Given the above challenges, Cabinet has directed that the Treasury urgently releases the first tranche of $368.2 million it had committed to funding the enforcement of Level 4 lockdown measures.
This will reinforce the current efforts of containing the spread of COVID-19. Stiffer penalties will be imposed for violations of COVID-19 restrictions, including the withdrawal of business operating licences.
As you might be aware, the entire country is now under Level 4 lockdown, following the surge in COVID-19 cases.
It is however not clear who will be responsible for issuing the exemption letters and how essential service workers will travel before they acquire the documents.
By A Correspondent- In a desperate move to increase cash in the banks, the bankrupt Zanu PF government has introduced some $50 notes that will come into circulation with effect from tomorrow the 7th of June 2021.
The printing of new notes has historically shown that it was not the solution to the cash shortages, as it caused hyperinflation.
The central bank said it shall release $360 million worth of these worthless new notes.
The notes will become the fifth note in circulation although the use of the $2 and $5 notes is now limited due to inflation.
In a statement released Tuesday, central bank Governor Dr John Mangudya said the $50 bank note will be “issued on the 6th of July (Tuesday) 2021 through Statutory Instrument 196 of 2021.”
“The Bank shall release $360 million through normal banking channels and banks are expected to fund their respective accounts held at the Reserve Bank and collect the cash from 7 July 2021,” reads part of the statement.
Statutory Instrument 196 of 2021 has since been gazetted and it reads: “The design of the fifty dollar banknote shall be as follows – (a) on the front side the dominant feature shall be the logo of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (three balancing rocks), with the visually impaired recognition feature to the left, latent image showing the denomination, windowed security strip inscribed “50” with colour shift from red to green, watermark with highlighted inscription “RBZ” and see-through of Zimbabwe Bird looking to the left in perfect register, as secondary features; and (b) on the back side there shall be an impression of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the motif of Mbuya Nehanda, gold coloured iridescent band showing the denomination of the note and see-through of Zimbabwe Bird looking to the right. The RBZ has accelerated the issuance of notes into the system and as of 25 June 2021, currency issued by the apex bank amounted to $3.88 billion from $2.38 billion at the end of December 2020. The new notes come at a time inflation has been slowing down although the central bank revised upwards its end of year inflation forecasts to 25 percent from an earlier projection of 10 percent. Experts say paper currency does not add to Reserve Money as banks are required to buy it from the central bank using their electronic balances. Reserve Money is however at an all-time high of $24.45 billion.
By A Correspondent- Police in Beitbridge have arrested a gang of seven armed robbers that were in the habit of pouncing on local residents, taxi drivers and villagers living close to the Limpopo River.
The group would use machetes, knives, and firearms to subdue their victims.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thabani Mkwananzi confirmed the arrests today.
He identified some of the gang members all from Beitbridge district as Conscious Gumbo alias Pride Ndou (27) of Mawale village, Philemon Chizani alias Man-fire (28) of Tshitaudze suburb in the border town, Handson Mhlanga (26) of Mawale and Thembani Ncube (26).
The other suspect is a 16-year-old who cannot be named because of his age, while the names of two others were being verified.
“One of the suspects, Philemon Chizani was shot in the leg during a fracas with the police detectives on Sunday in Beitbridge town,” said Asst Insp Mkwananzi.
“Five of the gang members were arrested in Mawale village and Beitbridge town on Sunday when our detectives tracked them.
“The suspects had attacked four people on July 1 in two separate incidents and they were armed with knives, machetes and a pistol.”
Asst Insp Mkwananzi said in the first case, they had robbed a taxi driver and his passenger before stealing a pirate taxi (Honda Fit) they later dumped near Lutumba Business Centre along the road leading to Masvingo.
He said before dumping the Honda Fit, the suspects used it to rob a couple in Mawale of R10 000 in cash and flea markets wares worth thousands of dollars.
By A Correspondent- The government introduction of $50 notes that will come into circulation with effect from tomorrow the 7th of June 2021.
The central bank said it shall release $360 million worth of these new notes.
The notes will become the fifth note in circulation although the use of the $2 and $5 notes is now limited due to inflation.
In a statement released Tuesday, central bank Governor Dr John Mangudya said the $50 bank note will be “issued on the 6th of July (Tuesday) 2021 through Statutory Instrument 196 of 2021.” “The Bank shall release $360 million through normal banking channels and banks are expected to fund their respective accounts held at the Reserve Bank and collect the cash from 7 July 2021,” reads part of the statement. Statutory Instrument 196 of 2021 has since been gazetted and it reads: “The design of the fifty dollar banknote shall be as follows – (a) on the front side the dominant feature shall be the logo of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (three balancing rocks), with the visually impaired recognition feature to the left, latent image showing the denomination, windowed security strip inscribed “50” with colour shift from red to green, watermark with highlighted inscription “RBZ” and see-through of Zimbabwe Bird looking to the left in perfect register, as secondary features; and (b) on the back side there shall be an impression of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the motif of Mbuya Nehanda, gold coloured iridescent band showing the denomination of the note and see-through of Zimbabwe Bird looking to the right. The RBZ has accelerated the issuance of notes into the system and as of 25 June 2021, currency issued by the apex bank amounted to $3.88 billion from $2.38 billion at the end of December 2020. The new notes come at a time inflation has been slowing down although the central bank revised upwards its end of year inflation forecasts to 25 percent from an earlier projection of 10 percent. Experts say paper currency does not add to Reserve Money as banks are required to buy it from the central bank using their electronic balances. Reserve Money is however at an all-time high of $24.45 billion.
By A Correspondent- A Mt Pleasant married woman’s marriage has collapsed after her illicit affairs with another married man leaked.
Brenda Muzhinye, a dress maker in the capital, told H-Metro that confessing bedding a married man only identified as Farai to her husband, backfired and cost her marriage.
Muzhinye said she was forced to leave their apartment by her husband of 11 years Wilmote Zembe after revealing her shenanigans.
Zembe said Muzhinye had turned her dress making factory into a love nest where she took Farai for se_x sessions.
“I never thought my wife would betray my trust I gave her when I suggested to move her factory from home to a better place for her business,” said Zembe.
“Instead of marketing her dresses, she decided to expose her under garments and conduct se_x lessons with Farai.
“She would lie about getting busy and waiting for her clients at the factory when she was busy with married men.
“I suspected from her moves, excuses and denying me my c0njugal rights that someone was dipping his stick into my well.
“My investigations took me closer to the truth and upon confronting her she disclosed her shenanigans.
“I feel betrayed and reduced to nothing considering how I worked together with her to be where we are today.
“Kurera imbwa nemukaka inofuma yokuruma.
“Brenda ndinomuda asi wandibaya panyama nhete mwoyo wangu wawona,” said Zembe.
In an interview, Farai confirmed dating Muzhinye arguing that she lied about her marital status.
“I regret the time I spent with Muzhinye unaware that she was married and I do not see myself continuing with the affair,” said Farai.
“She lied to me that she had separated with Zembe and I felt guilty the day I met the husband narrating how he sweated for Muzhinye to look attractive,” he said.
Muzhinye confirmed giving her love and heart to Farai and blamed him for exposing their WhatsApp conversations to her husband.
“I discovered that I had no peace within me for cheating my husband for 45 the days I saw Farai behind his back,” said Muzhinye.
“Guilt conscience forced me to confess to my husband after he asked me why I was denying him his conjugal rights most of the time.
“I told my husband that I had a one night stand with Farai and that did not go well with him.
“He chased me away from home and I returned after engaging my relatives to seek forgiveness.
“Upon accepting my forgiveness my husband gave me a condition that I was to disclose name and contact numbers of the man I had bedded.
“After I did that, he chased me away again.
“It was at around 10pm when he forced me to leave the house and I collected my clothes only.
“Today (yesterday) is my last day to post adverts of my dresses on social media because my life has been ruined and I do not know why Farai decided to add salt on my wound by giving my love messages with him to my husband.
“I want to believe Farai, believed to be a member of security agencies, was used by my husband to propose and expose me,” said Muzhinye.
By A Correspondent- A sombre atmosphere today engulfed the scene of the Masvingo horror road accident scene where 21 people died yesterday.
Police commanders in Masvingo province visited the site and vowed to ruthlessly clampdown on pirate taxis and road unworthy vehicles together with lockdown violators.
A Zvishavane-bound Toyota Granvia burst a tyre and veered into the opposite lane where it collided with a Toyota Wish that was heading towards Masvingo resulting in the death of 18 people on the spot and three in hospital.
Assistant Commissioners Florence Marume and Fredrick Mbengwa today visited the crash site as part of ongoing police investigations to establish the actual circumstances behind the carnage.
The two senior Masvingo police commanders who were accompanied by provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa also took time to talk to some of the eyewitnesses and relatives of the deceased who were at the scene trying to come to terms with the horror crash.
Speaking at the scene, Inspector Dhewa said police were on an all-out war against unregistered pirate taxis and lockdown violators.
He warned pirate taxis violating lockdown rules and circumventing police checkpoints by using bushy roads that their time was up.
Inspector Dhewa said investigations were still underway to establish the cause of the crash.
He disclosed that the death toll had risen to 21 with only one survivor battling for life at Zvishavane District Hospital.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) have confirmed that Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic was barred from entering South Africa for the Cosafa Cup.
The team arrived in South Africa for the regional showpiece but Logarusic was not allowed to enter because he did not have visa, a setback which has now been confirmed by the local football governing body.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation that the Zimbabwe Senior National Men’s team, the Warriors left this Monday morning for Port Elizabeth, South Africa via Johannesburg for the upcoming Cosafa Cup. The team arrived safely in Port Elizabeth, South Africa,” ZIFA said in a statement.
“The Association would however like to inform the nation that the head coach Zdravko Logarusic has been denied entry upon arrival at Oliver Tambo international Airport on the basis of him not holding a valid visa for the host country, South Africa. This is despite the fact that we confirmed with visa and travel agencies in Zimbabwe prior to departure and we were assured that as long he possessed a valid Zimbabwean workers permit, he would be allowed entry in South Africa.”
“We were then dismayed upon arrival when we were told by Immigration officials that that only service and diplomatic holders from Croatia were exempt from South African visa requirements. This was not been anticipated by the Association and the travel agent has availed a letter of apology after this debacle.”
“The Agent has also agreed to reimburse expenses resulting from this anomaly. Unfortunately, it is very clear that valuable training time has been lost as a result of this gaffe. The Association is now saddled with ensuring that the coach get a visa and proceed and join the team in Port Elizabeth in the shortest time possible.”
“Meanwhile assistant Coach Tonderai Ndiraya will prepare the team in the absence of Coach Lloyd Chitembwe who was never pencilled to travel to South Africa as a result of his non authorisation to travel to South Africa.”
“We apologise to the nation for the inconvenience, however the team remains in high spirits and ready to compete to everyone’s best abilities. We would like to assure the nation that the Association is making frantic efforts to remedy the situation.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) have confirmed that Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic was barred from entering South Africa for the Cosafa Cup.
The team arrived in South Africa for the regional showpiece but Logarusic was not allowed to enter because he did not have visa, a setback which has now been confirmed by the local football governing body.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation that the Zimbabwe Senior National Men’s team, the Warriors left this Monday morning for Port Elizabeth, South Africa via Johannesburg for the upcoming Cosafa Cup. The team arrived safely in Port Elizabeth, South Africa,” ZIFA said in a statement.
“The Association would however like to inform the nation that the head coach Zdravko Logarusic has been denied entry upon arrival at Oliver Tambo international Airport on the basis of him not holding a valid visa for the host country, South Africa. This is despite the fact that we confirmed with visa and travel agencies in Zimbabwe prior to departure and we were assured that as long he possessed a valid Zimbabwean workers permit, he would be allowed entry in South Africa.”
“We were then dismayed upon arrival when we were told by Immigration officials that that only service and diplomatic holders from Croatia were exempt from South African visa requirements. This was not been anticipated by the Association and the travel agent has availed a letter of apology after this debacle.”
“The Agent has also agreed to reimburse expenses resulting from this anomaly. Unfortunately, it is very clear that valuable training time has been lost as a result of this gaffe. The Association is now saddled with ensuring that the coach get a visa and proceed and join the team in Port Elizabeth in the shortest time possible.”
“Meanwhile assistant Coach Tonderai Ndiraya will prepare the team in the absence of Coach Lloyd Chitembwe who was never pencilled to travel to South Africa as a result of his non authorisation to travel to South Africa.”
“We apologise to the nation for the inconvenience, however the team remains in high spirits and ready to compete to everyone’s best abilities. We would like to assure the nation that the Association is making frantic efforts to remedy the situation.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
COSAFA has changed the format of the 2021 COSAFA CUP after Madagascar became the latest country to pull out of the competition.
The withdrawal of the Indian Ocean Islanders follows Comoros’ and has left Group B with only Malawi and Zambia.
The pool has now been dissolved with the two remaining teams merged into into other groups.
COSAFA conducted a draw and placed defending champions Zambia in Group A along with hosts South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini. Malawi joined the ‘new’ Group B (old Group C), which contains west African guest nation Senegal, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Mozambique.
The top two nations in each group will advance to the semifinals and there will be no spot for best placed runners-up.
Matchday One fixtures inn Group A remain unchanged and will see Eswatini face Lesotho at 14h00 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and South Africa play Botswana at the same venue at 17h00.
The opening matches in the Group B (old Group C) will now be played on Wednesday and will see Mozambique tackle Zimbabwe at the Wolfson Stadium at 12h00, and Senegal meet Namibia at the same venue at 15h00.
COSAFA has also announced that teams may use five substitutes in matches, though they must be brought on at only three separate points during the game.
Warriors Fixtures:
7.7.21 vs Mozambique 12Noon 9.7.21 vs Malawi 12Noon 11.7.21 vs Namibia 2PM 13.7.21 vs Senegal 12Noon- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Marvelous Nakamba is now back in England and started the 2021-22 pre-season with Aston Villa on Monday.
The Zimbabwean midfielder and other players, who are not on international duty, held a gym session on their first day of training at Bodymoor Heath and were monitored by fitness coaches Oli Stevenson, Paddy Moore and Jack Sharkey.
Nakamba was retained by the club for the upcoming campaign and will again form the core of the Villa midfield along with the likes of Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Jack Grealish.
Meanwhile, the 27-year old spent part of his off-season break in Zimbabwe and managed to meet president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
During the State House visit on June , where he was accompanied by Ex-Nottingham Forest player Dexter Blackstock and Uebert Angel, the Villa star revealed plans to invest in the country.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to return Dr Joshua Nkomo’s properties as a way of honouring his legacy.
According to President Chamisa, returning Dr Nkomo’s properties is the only appropriate way of paying homage to the liberation war icon.
President Chamisa also described the late Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as a true champion of the liberation struggle.
“July is a special month as we remember Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo for the heroic contribution to the liberation struggle.
The best way to honor Dr Nkomo’s legacy is for the government to immediately return all ZPRA properties and all such properties that belonged to Dr Nkomo,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) have confirmed that Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic was barred from entering South Africa for the Cosafa Cup.
The team arrived in South Africa for the regional showpiece but Logarusic was not allowed to enter because he did not have visa, a setback which has now been confirmed by the local football governing body.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) would like to inform the football fraternity and the nation that the Zimbabwe Senior National Men’s team, the Warriors left this Monday morning for Port Elizabeth, South Africa via Johannesburg for the upcoming Cosafa Cup. The team arrived safely in Port Elizabeth, South Africa,” ZIFA said in a statement.
“The Association would however like to inform the nation that the head coach Zdravko Logarusic has been denied entry upon arrival at Oliver Tambo international Airport on the basis of him not holding a valid visa for the host country, South Africa. This is despite the fact that we confirmed with visa and travel agencies in Zimbabwe prior to departure and we were assured that as long he possessed a valid Zimbabwean workers permit, he would be allowed entry in South Africa.”
“We were then dismayed upon arrival when we were told by Immigration officials that that only service and diplomatic holders from Croatia were exempt from South African visa requirements. This was not been anticipated by the Association and the travel agent has availed a letter of apology after this debacle.”
“The Agent has also agreed to reimburse expenses resulting from this anomaly. Unfortunately, it is very clear that valuable training time has been lost as a result of this gaffe. The Association is now saddled with ensuring that the coach get a visa and proceed and join the team in Port Elizabeth in the shortest time possible.”
“Meanwhile assistant Coach Tonderai Ndiraya will prepare the team in the absence of Coach Lloyd Chitembwe who was never pencilled to travel to South Africa as a result of his non authorisation to travel to South Africa.”
“We apologise to the nation for the inconvenience, however the team remains in high spirits and ready to compete to everyone’s best abilities. We would like to assure the nation that the Association is making frantic efforts to remedy the situation.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has conveyed condolences to the families of the victims of a horrific accident that occurred along Masvingo- Mbalabala road on Monday.
Twenty (20) people died in the horrific head-on collision that occurred at around 3.45 pm.
In a statement the Zimbabwe Republic Police said: “The ZRP confirms that 20 people have died when a Toyota Granvia which was travelling from Masvingo towards Zvishavane burst a tyre, veered onto the oncoming Toyota Wish’s lane which was coming from Zvishavane direction.
The vehicles had a head-on collision at the 61km peg along Masvingo-Mbalabala Road near Chitowa Business Centre, just after Mhandamabwe. The accident occurred at 1545 hours.
Three injured victims were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital while the bodies have been taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital.”
However, the MDC Alliance has accused the police of allowing overloaded vehicles to pass through roadblocks after receiving bribes.
“How do overloaded vehicles pass through roadblocks? This means the police are being given bribes and at the end of the day, we lose lives,” an MDC Alliance official said.
By Staff Reporter|The threats by the government of Zimbabwe to censor the activities of Non Governmental Organizations are totally unacceptable, a pressure group has said.
According to Citizens in Action Southern Africa, the attempt by the government to close civic space is a direct violation of United Nations position on freedom of association.
See Citizens in Action Southern Africa position paper below:
Shrinking Civic Space in Zimbabwe
Produced and Released by:
Citizens in Action in Southern Africa (CIASA) 05 July 2021
“A call for solidarity in strengthening of CSOs Operating Environment in Zimbabwe”
Since the threats to clamp down operations of CSOs by the President of Zimbabwe in his State of the Nation Address link in which he announced that “…all NGOs who do not stick to their mandates shall risk being de- registered or facing the wrath of the law”, the civic space for NGOs in Zimbabwe has evidently been shrinking.
This has since regressed democracy and independency of NGOs in performing its watchdog role especially in providing checks and balances for the three arms of the government namely the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature.
As a result, the country is lacking accountable democratic institutions and show little respect for political rights, leaving the control of corruption completely up to the political will of the government which undermines any improvements in anti-corruption efforts made so far.
The recent remarks by a political leader of a political party in Zimbabwe link is signifying that NGOs in Zimbabwe are severely restricted in their ability to operate in the current political situation, putting their safety at stake.
The efforts and trajectory to strengthening civic space and championing in promoting rule of law, constitutionalism and anti-corruption in the country is now becoming a fallacy due to the threats being amplified targeting such NGOs.
On the 21st of June 2021, the Provincial Development Coordinator for Masvingo Province circulated a memorandum link, advising all CSOs and CBOs that are programming around youth issues to be cleared and granted Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture with immediate effect. Shockingly, this directive was given a timeline of only 7 working days which in our view as CIASA is an attempt by the authorities and officials to shrink CSOs operating space.
On the 30th of June 2021, Harare Metropolitan Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) issued a letter advising that all NGOs are now required to register with the Provincial Development Coordinator, submit their workplans and project commissioned by 9 July 2021.
There is no legal or policy provision within the current frameworks which oblige NGOs to register with the PDC offices. These developments are also coming at a time when there is ongoing review of the PVO Act which is also motivated by the intention to enact an NGO bill.
From CIASA’s contextual analysis, all these works together towards constraining the civic space. The review of the PVO Act has been motivated by various reasons chief among them being the need to include the Financial Anti-Terrorist Financing (FATF) recommendations to do with Anti- Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism.
An independent and empowered civil society is an essential component and ingredient of a healthy country conducive for growth, development and prosperity. Civil society Organizations (CSOs) help and support citizens, ensuring their voices are heard. They can advise policy makers, assist in legislative drafting and in general support authorities in decision making, thus ensuring that policies respond to citizens’ needs.
They also have an important role to play in monitoring governments’ and parliaments’ activities, holding them accountable for their actions, especially when these infringe on people’s rights. CSOs are vital vehicles for active citizenship; legal, financial and policy frameworks need to be in place so that they can operate freely and sustainably.
If the space for civil society and youth organizations is shrinking, the consequences for democratic societies could be considered an impediment to the exercise of citizens’ rights to freedom of association and expression, and therefore a serious threat to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)’s Article 13 requires that each government promotes the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non- governmental organizations and community-based organizations, in the prevention of and the fight against corruption. Civic space is therefore fundamental in upholding democracy and freedom of expressions as a key human right. When civic space is safeguarded, citizens and CSOs can organize, participate and communicate without hindrance, and without fear of retaliation.In doing so, they can exercise their rights and determine the political, economic and social structures around them. However, this is only possible when the government respect and facilitate the fundamental rights of its citizens to associate, assemble peacefully, and freely express views and opinions, in the physical as well as the digital world.
Civic spaces thus become crucial in fighting corruption and promoting transparent and accountable societies. The continuous lack of an enabling environment is a cause for concern to CIASA and the entire CSOs fraternity hence the calls for strengthening the space for civil society actions and contributions towards sustained, equitable and inclusive growth of the country at large without leaving anyone behind. If the government continue to corrode civic spaces for citizen and CSO engagement, this will result in opacity and a lack of accountability in governance. It is also a cause for concern that criminal justice systems are being used as a tool of repression, with human rights defenders facing charges of propaganda against the state whereas journalists reporting on impunity are harassed and unjustifiably arrested. CIASA is therefore calling the government of Zimbabwe to: a) Allow citizens and non-state actors to monitor and hold the government accountable without fear of retaliation.
b) Foster an enabling environment for active civil society and citizens’ participation in the development discourse of the country at all levels.
c) Engage objectively and constructively with civil society on national planning processes, national dialogue processes and CSOs operating space and parameters. d) Ensure that the GoZ relations with CSOs are strengthened, regulated and safeguarded to enhance the civic space for civil society across the country. END://
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to return Dr Joshua Nkomo’s properties as a way of honouring his legacy.
According to President Chamisa, returning Dr Nkomo’s properties is the only appropriate way of paying homage to the liberation war icon.
President Chamisa also described the late Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe as a true champion of the liberation struggle.
“July is a special month as we remember Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo for the heroic contribution to the liberation struggle.
The best way to honor Dr Nkomo’s legacy is for the government to immediately return all ZPRA properties and all such properties that belonged to Dr Nkomo,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
The World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed a cooperation and financing agreement to implement 10 strategic initiatives to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen systems for health. This new agreement, which will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period, aims to address some of the persistent challenges that impede progress against the three diseases and protect hard-won gains from new pandemics like COVID-19.
In 2019, a total of 1.4 million people died from tuberculosis and an estimated 409,000 people died from malaria. In 2020, 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Through the new agreement, the strategic initiatives seek to:
Expand TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV in 9 countries across Africa; Strengthen efforts to provide differentiated HIV service delivery; Accelerate efforts to find people with TB missed by health systems in 20 countries; Accelerate introduction of innovation for multi-drug resistant TB treatment through regional operational research in Eastern and Central Europe; Support 26 countries and territories to eliminate malaria by 2025; Improve country data collection and use to develop evidence-informed policy; Foster the rapid uptake of service delivery innovations with South to South Learning; Improve quality of care; Encourage rapid uptake of procurement and supply chain management innovation; and Increase program sustainability, facilitate the transition to domestic financing and improve program efficiency.
WHO and the Global Fund have a long and successful partnership working together to scale up HIV, TB and malaria interventions and strengthen health systems in many countries. Through focused efforts and catalytic investments, this collaboration has contributed to significantly reduce the disease burdens of HIV, TB and malaria worldwide, saving millions of lives since 2002.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, reinforces the need to strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared goals of ending the epidemics,” said Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Director, Deputy Director-General’s Office, WHO. “This agreement supports countries to develop more effective responses to the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics and build the resilient health systems they need to reach the most vulnerable.”
“Together, WHO and the Global Fund have proven to be a powerful force that builds on strong in-country support and regional presence, technical leadership and financial resources to strengthen systems for health and accelerate the end of AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics,” said Michael Byrne, Head of Technical Advice and Partnerships at the Global Fund.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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By Staff Reporter|The threats by the government of Zimbabwe to censor the activities of Non Governmental Organizations are totally unacceptable, a pressure group has said.
According to Citizens in Action Southern Africa, the attempt by the government to close civic space is a direct violation of the United Nations position on freedom of association.
See Citizens in Action Southern Africa position paper below:
Shrinking Civic Space in Zimbabwe
Produced and Released by:
Citizens in Action in Southern Africa (CIASA) 05 July 2021
“A call for solidarity in strengthening of CSOs Operating Environment in Zimbabwe”
Since the threats to clamp down operations of CSOs by the President of Zimbabwe in his State of the Nation Address link in which he announced that “…all NGOs who do not stick to their mandates shall risk being de- registered or facing the wrath of the law”, the civic space for NGOs in Zimbabwe has evidently been shrinking.
This has since regressed democracy and independency of NGOs in performing its watchdog role especially in providing checks and balances for the three arms of the government namely the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature.
As a result, the country is lacking accountable democratic institutions and show little respect for political rights, leaving the control of corruption completely up to the political will of the government which undermines any improvements in anti-corruption efforts made so far.
The recent remarks by a political leader of a political party in Zimbabwe link is signifying that NGOs in Zimbabwe are severely restricted in their ability to operate in the current political situation, putting their safety at stake.
The efforts and trajectory to strengthening civic space and championing in promoting rule of law, constitutionalism and anti-corruption in the country is now becoming a fallacy due to the threats being amplified targeting such NGOs.
On the 21st of June 2021, the Provincial Development Coordinator for Masvingo Province circulated a memorandum link, advising all CSOs and CBOs that are programming around youth issues to be cleared and granted Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture with immediate effect. Shockingly, this directive was given a timeline of only 7 working days which in our view as CIASA is an attempt by the authorities and officials to shrink CSOs operating space.
On the 30th of June 2021, Harare Metropolitan Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) issued a letter advising that all NGOs are now required to register with the Provincial Development Coordinator, submit their workplans and project commissioned by 9 July 2021.
There is no legal or policy provision within the current frameworks which oblige NGOs to register with the PDC offices. These developments are also coming at a time when there is ongoing review of the PVO Act which is also motivated by the intention to enact an NGO bill.
From CIASA’s contextual analysis, all these works together towards constraining the civic space. The review of the PVO Act has been motivated by various reasons chief among them being the need to include the Financial Anti-Terrorist Financing (FATF) recommendations to do with Anti- Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism.
An independent and empowered civil society is an essential component and ingredient of a healthy country conducive for growth, development and prosperity. Civil society Organizations (CSOs) help and support citizens, ensuring their voices are heard. They can advise policy makers, assist in legislative drafting and in general support authorities in decision making, thus ensuring that policies respond to citizens’ needs.
They also have an important role to play in monitoring governments’ and parliaments’ activities, holding them accountable for their actions, especially when these infringe on people’s rights. CSOs are vital vehicles for active citizenship; legal, financial and policy frameworks need to be in place so that they can operate freely and sustainably.
If the space for civil society and youth organizations is shrinking, the consequences for democratic societies could be considered an impediment to the exercise of citizens’ rights to freedom of association and expression, and therefore a serious threat to democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)’s Article 13 requires that each government promotes the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non- governmental organizations and community-based organizations, in the prevention of and the fight against corruption. Civic space is therefore fundamental in upholding democracy and freedom of expressions as a key human right. When civic space is safeguarded, citizens and CSOs can organize, participate and communicate without hindrance, and without fear of retaliation.In doing so, they can exercise their rights and determine the political, economic and social structures around them. However, this is only possible when the government respect and facilitate the fundamental rights of its citizens to associate, assemble peacefully, and freely express views and opinions, in the physical as well as the digital world.
Civic spaces thus become crucial in fighting corruption and promoting transparent and accountable societies. The continuous lack of an enabling environment is a cause for concern to CIASA and the entire CSOs fraternity hence the calls for strengthening the space for civil society actions and contributions towards sustained, equitable and inclusive growth of the country at large without leaving anyone behind. If the government continue to corrode civic spaces for citizen and CSO engagement, this will result in opacity and a lack of accountability in governance. It is also a cause for concern that criminal justice systems are being used as a tool of repression, with human rights defenders facing charges of propaganda against the state whereas journalists reporting on impunity are harassed and unjustifiably arrested. CIASA is therefore calling the government of Zimbabwe to: a) Allow citizens and non-state actors to monitor and hold the government accountable without fear of retaliation.
b) Foster an enabling environment for active civil society and citizens’ participation in the development discourse of the country at all levels.
c) Engage objectively and constructively with civil society on national planning processes, national dialogue processes and CSOs operating space and parameters. d) Ensure that the GoZ relations with CSOs are strengthened, regulated and safeguarded to enhance the civic space for civil society across the country. END://
A Kwekwe landlord was stabbed to death by his 24-year-old tenant following a verbal clash over rent around 2 am on Monday.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the death of Prayer Banda (22) of Mbizo 18 in Kwekwe after he was stabbed by Victor Moyo (24). Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said:
We are investigating a case of murder of a 22-year-old man who died after being stabbed once with a knife by a tenant.
Circumstances are that the now deceased, Banda of Mbizo 18, Kwekwe arrived home in the early hours of the morning. He forced open a tenant’s bedroom door ordering him to vacate the room.
A misunderstanding ensued and the now deceased produced a knife in an attempt to stab the tenant.
The now deceased was overpowered and disarmed. Moyo used the same knife to stab the now deceased leading to him bleeding profusely.
Banda tried to seek assistance from his neighbours but collapsed and died before he could get any help.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest. Banda’s body was ferried to Kwekwe General Hospital Mortuary where it awaits a post-mortem.
Inspector Mahoko called on members of the public to solve disputes amicably without resorting to violence.- Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has conveyed condolences to the families of the victims of a horrific accident that occurred along Masvingo- Mbalabala road on Monday.
Twenty (20) people died in the horrific head-on collision that occurred at around 3.45 pm.
In a statement the Zimbabwe Republic Police said: “The ZRP confirms that 20 people have died when a Toyota Granvia which was travelling from Masvingo towards Zvishavane burst a tyre, veered onto the oncoming Toyota Wish’s lane which was coming from Zvishavane direction.
The vehicles had a head-on collision at the 61km peg along Masvingo-Mbalabala Road near Chitowa Business Centre, just after Mhandamabwe. The accident occurred at 1545 hours.
Three injured victims were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital while the bodies have been taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital.”
However, the MDC Alliance has accused the police of allowing overloaded vehicles to pass through roadblocks after receiving bribes.
“How do overloaded vehicles pass through roadblocks? This means the police are being given bribes and at the end of the day, we lose lives,” an MDC Alliance official said.
We are investigating a case of murder of a 22-year-old man who died after being stabbed once with a knife by a tenant.
Circumstances are that the now deceased, Banda of Mbizo 18, Kwekwe arrived home in the early hours of the morning. He forced open a tenant’s bedroom door ordering him to vacate the room.
A misunderstanding ensued and the now deceased produced a knife in an attempt to stab the tenant.
The now deceased was overpowered and disarmed. Moyo used the same knife to stab the now deceased leading to him bleeding profusely.
Banda tried to seek assistance from his neighbours but collapsed and died before he could get any help.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Moyo’s arrest. Banda’s body was ferried to Kwekwe General Hospital Mortuary where it awaits a post-mortem.
Inspector Mahoko called on members of the public to solve disputes amicably without resorting to violence.
By A Correspondent- Government yesterday said it had given police the greenlight to shoot and kill suspected armed robbers who have become a menace in the past weeks, threatening to make the country ungovernable.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba announced the new measures yesterday as two more suspects involved in a shootout with law enforcement agents last week succumbed to the injuries, bringing the number of armed robbers shot dead during the weekend gunfire exchange to three.
One of the armed robbers who died yesterday was identified as Richard Mutanga.
“Guys, stop these armed robberies, you will die. I have warned you, the government will not hesitate. You are a dead man walking, trust me,” Charamba tweeted.
Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe also said government would, from now on, show no mercy on the armed robbers.
“The armed robbers are being accounted for. Seven notorious ones were accounted for on Sunday,”Kazembe said.
“Police will descend on them heavily and the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he added.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi further said police had set up crack teams across the country to track down all suspected armed robbers and bring them to account.
“We are not going back and the crack teams that we set up are all over the country tracking the armed robbers, so to those who will try to hide, they will certainly be found and arrested,” he said.
“The public must rest in the comfort that the police currently are on top of the situation and we are tracking all known armed robbers as evidenced by what happened last weekend.
So far, from those we arrested, three people have died. Yesterday, we were talking of one robber who died, now they are three. One of them died this (yesterday) morning.”
Three of the armed robbers later appeared before the courts yesterday and one of them was remanded in custody on his hospital bed.
The trio that appeared in court were identified as Valentine Mutasa, Godfrey Josi and his wife Juliet Gavaza. They were remanded to July 14 pending trial.
Peter Mushipe was also remanded in hospital to July 14.
The courts heard that the gang was involved in several armed robberies around Harare.
Josi is facing more than eight counts of armed robbery, while his accomplices have various counts of the same crime.
Allegations were that Josi and his accomplices went to the University of Zimbabwe compound on June 15 and stormed one of the directors, Weng Dong’s house where they stole US$22 000 after exchanging gun fire with him. They also robbed Seedex Company on March 20 and went away with US$20 000.
During another robbery at Gateway School, the gang went away with US$250 000 after blowing the cash vaults at the school.
Last month, Home Affairs deputy minister Ruth Mavhungu-Maboyi told Parliament that the nation was now living in fear due to the armed robbers.
MPs said the police were ill-equipped in most cases to deal with the armed robbers and called on government to avail resources.
By A Correspondent- A passenger plane carrying 28 people has gone missing this Tuesday in Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
According to Russia’s emergencies ministry, there were 22 passengers and six crew on board.
The plane, an Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop in operation since 1982, was en route from regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Palana, a town in northern Kamchatka when it lost contact with air traffic control.
Valentina Glazova, a spokeswoman for the local transport prosecutor’s office, told the AFP news agency that “search and rescue efforts” were ongoing.
She said:
All that is known at this time, what has been possible to establish, is that communication with the plane was interrupted and it did not land.
Anatoly Bannikov, deputy minister of transport and road construction, said:
The plane belongs to Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise whose director is Khrabrov Aleksey Vladimirovich.
The plane has been in operation since 1982 and has a valid certificate of airworthiness.
The crew has passed a pre-flight examination. Search and rescue operations are being carried out now.
Citing emergency ministry sources, Russian state news agency Tass reported that the search area was set within a radius of 15-25 kilometres (9-15 miles) around the Palana airport, with a focus on the Okhotsk Sea.
An emergency ministry source said:
The area has been roughly determined within 15-25 kilometres from the airport, along the coastline. A search is also underway at sea. The objective data shows that the aircraft crashed into the sea.
The weather in the area the plane was travelling through was cloudy at the time it went missing, the Interfax news agency reported, quoting the local meteorology centre.
Kamchatka’s government said that communication with the plane had been lost nine kilometres (5.5 miles) from Palana’s airport.
ZACC has arrested a Ministry of Industry and Commerce Licence Clerk Andrew Matevere for issuing out 350 motor vehicle import licenses to importers of second hand that did not qualify under the recently gazetted SI89 of 2021.
By A Correspondent | Temba Mliswa’s ex girlfriend has confirmed she has a child with a very senior and rich govt official by surname, Moyo.
This comes against the backdrop of Susan Mutami privately making boasts that she is the late Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo’s ‘baby mama.’
Last year Mutami had a series of affairs with top politicians who include the Judicial Services Commission Secretary, Walter Chikwana, two MPs anong others. She also announced two pregnancies to two different men in a single year, and last week threatened to bed a journalist’s 94 year old father.
Sources in Australia say Mutami receives tens of thousands of dollars via the Canberra embassy, and announcing the development, Mutami said:
Nhai kana une mwana wemhene yenyika mumba mako, a Moyo who can afford anything in life, ane USD20k quarterly toy allowance zvinoita here kubvisa mari yemwana akagadzirirwa future na baba vake uchipawo vana vemurombo or unoenda nana Shumba kuma Bales..
So u are saying I shld drop mwana wevaera Moyo’s standards to accommodate the others? Mwana ajaira kudya gelato in the middle of the night becoz he can afford it ndongomuti hakusisina here?
By Nomusa Garikai- “The national army is a people’s army. Citizens have a duty to correct delinquent characters whose misconceived and misbegotten view seeks to reduce a people’s military into a militia of a political party,” Nelson Chamisa, leader of MDC Alliance, to New Zimbabwe.
“Those utterances are not only a source of national instability and threat to national security but also earn the country a banana republic and pariah status.”
Chamisa was responding to Patrick Chinamasa, Acting Zanu PF National Commissar, who was boasting that the bond Zanu PF and Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) was “unbreakable”. We all know that the army has played a key role in the rigging of elections to keep Zanu PF in power notably in the 2008 elections and the 2017 military coup to topple the late dictator Robert Mugabe.
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect Chamisa and his MDC friends into power on the understanding they would implement the democratic reforms necessary to end Zanu PF’s strangle hold on ZDF, Police, ZEC, Judiciary and all the other state institutions. It was for you, Mr Chamisa, and your fellow MDC friends to propose the democratic reforms to break the unholy Zanu PF – ZDF, Zanu PF- Police, etc. bonds during the 2008 to 2013 GNU when you had the best chance ever to do so. MDC leaders failed to implement even one reform in five years of the GNU.
The tragic reality is not only did Nelson Chamisa and his fellow MDC friends waste the golden opportunity of the GNU to implement the democratic reforms but, worst of all, they will never ever get any reforms implemented in the future even if they were given another golden opportunity to do so because they have no clue what these reforms are, how they should be implemented and by whom!
Chamisa is expecting the people to “correct” Chinamasa and his fellow Zanu PF thugs and break the Zanu PF – ZDF bond. He does not say what it is exactly the people are expected to do or say much less how these action will end Zanu PF’s strangle hold on the Army and all the other corrupt state institutions under the regime’s spell.
The last 41 years of Zanu PF gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness have left Zimbabwe in economic ruins and political paralysis – stuck with a vote rigging corrupt and tyrannical ruling party, on the one hand, and on the other, an equally corrupt and incompetent opposition that does not even have the common sense as how to end the dictatorship. The economic situation is now so bad basic services such as education and health care have completely collapsed and 49% of the population now live in abject poverty. The situation is socially, economically and politically unsustainable; we need to implement the democratic reforms, they are the prerequisite for meaningful political and economic change, as a matter of great urgency.
Just because Nelson Chamisa and his MDC friends have failed to implement even one reform in 21 years does not mean no one else can do it. We need to find the men and women who will implement the reforms a.s.a.p.
MDC leaders have failed to implement even one democratic reform these last 21 years because they have never understood what the reforms are much less who should implement them. This is a cold political reality many Zimbabweans have been slow to accept as shown by the number of people who continue to follow Chamisa et al and participate in these flawed and illegal elections. Like it or not, by participating Zimbabweans are giving legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF; this is insane and we must stop the madness.
“Citizens have a duty to correct delinquent Zanu PF leaders!” So now it is the citizens’ “duty to correct” Zanu PF thugs, deliver the democratic changes and we will all live happily ever after! No wonder MDC leaders have failed to implement even one reform in 21 years; they have been waiting for povo to implement the reforms!
By A Correspondent- Police in Harare are investigating a case of suspected murder after the body of a Southlea Park man, Tawedzerwa Mumvuri (45), was found floating in a well on Saturday.
“Police are investigating a case of suspected murder after the body of a male adult was discovered plunged and floating in a well in Southlea Park in Harare. The case is being treated as suspected murder and investigations are in progress,” Mwanza said.
“We urge the public to secure their wells with concrete slabs in order to avoid scenes of this nature.”
It is alleged that on July 2 at around 8am, the informant, Violet Mumvuri (21), who is the now-deceased’s daughter, left for work, leaving her father alone at home. At the end of the day, Violet came back home, but failed to locate her father.
The following day, she woke up and searched for her father around the yard and discovered that something was amiss at the well.
The iron sheets which they used to cover the well had caved in, which raised her suspicion.
When she drew closer, Violet discovered her father’s body floating in the water.
She informed neighbours before the case was reported at Southlea Park Police Station.
By A Correspondent- Godfrey Josi and Juliet Gavaza, a couple suspected to be part of a gang of armed robbers arrested over the weekend in connection with a spate of heists around Harare, allegedly bought two houses, a plot in Mhondoro, a residential stand in Murehwa, four vehicles, 10 cattle and household property from their share of money robbed from various people and institutions since last year.
The couple is understood to have bought a four-roomed house in Budiriro 4 Extension in Harare for US$20 000, a seven-roomed house in Zengeza 5 Chitungwiza valued at US$36 000, residential stand in Murehwa for US$2 600 and a 2,5 hectare plot at Kent Farm in Mhondoro.
They also bought an Isuzu KB300, a Mercedes Benz, two Honda CRVs and 10 cattle in Headlands.
Josi (43) and Gavaza (36), who reside in Damofalls, Harare, yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court along with Valentine Mutasa, charged with money laundering, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Their alleged accomplice, Peter Mushipe, was remanded from a hospital bed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
The five suspected armed robbers are facing a combined 25 counts of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and money laundering.
They were all remanded in custody to July 15.
Another suspected armed robber Richard Mutanga died on Sunday at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, becoming the second suspect after Benjamin Musasa, to die from injuries sustained during a shoot-out with police at the weekend.
The State led by Mr Anesu Chirenje alleges that on June 6 this year, the suspected armed robbers went to the University of Zimbabwe’s farm compound in Marlborough, Harare, where they confronted Christopher Chizhanga, who was manning the place and assaulted him.
They allegedly demanded to be shown Zhang Wend Dong’s residence where they went and stole US$20 000 and other valuables.
On June 27 at around midnight, they went to Zimstrong located at corner Kirkman and Golden Quarry roads in Harare.
It is said they robbed a Chinese national of US$500.
The court heard that on September 7, 2020 they went to Ephynes Mhembere’s residence in Epworth where they forced open the doors, attacked and robbed her of US$910, R9 000 and other valuables.
Mr Chirenje further alleged that on March 10 this year they went to Seedex Company in Ruwa where they removed two panels from the pre-cast wall and gained entrance into the premises.
They allegedly manhandled Tapera Foya and his wife, tied them and fired shots into the air and force marched them into the office where they stole US$20 019.
On March 28, they went to Douglas Chitakunye’s residence where they robbed him of US$470, laptops and other valuables.
The court also heard that on the same day at around midnight, they went to Gateway High School where they pointed a gun at Kundishora Musikanzwa, who is a security guard.
It is said they tied him and ordered him to show them where the other security guards were, but they failed to locate them.
They then went to the administration block where they broke into the deputy headmaster’s office, but could not find anything worth stealing.
The court heard that they then blew a safe using explosives and stole US$250 000.
The armed robbers were arrested on July 3, 2021 after detectives tracked them to Damofalls where they were arrested and found in possession of firearms and explosives.
By A Correspondent- A Chiredzi based young prophet Kudakwashe Hlangana, popularly known as Apostle Joel in the prophetic sector or as Nasty Diego Rockstar in the social media streets has been caught up in a love dilemma dating many girls at the same time.
Apostole Joel who is also a son of a bishop belonging to the Holy Ministries church has a WhatsApp group chat circulating with the tittle, where all his girlfriends where added as he apologized to them for breaking their hearts.
In an interview with H-Metro, Apostle Joel revealed that he was looking for a girl to marry.
“I am 21 years old, I’m a grown up now so I was looking for a girl to marry.
“It is just unfortunate that one of the girls who i was with created a group and added all the other girls.
“It was nothing serious, I was just looking for a woman to settle with.
“We all have a choice before finally marrying,” he told H-Metro.
The young apostle also dismissed the claims that the girls where from his church.
“These girls are not from church.
“I think there was a mix up
“I was just having fun on WhatsApp, the girls took it serious.
“Otherwise it was not really something serious, ndezvekungotamba.
“They go to their own churches they are not from my church,” he said.
When asked about his reputation as a prophet altogether as a son of a Bishop, Apostle Joel later on dismissed the claims again.
“I’m not a prophet, I’m a music promoter.
“I can’t also really say I’m a son of a Bishop actually.
“You should be asking me about music.
”You should be asking me about how people in the entertainment industry are struggling during these hard times.
“This story of these girls should not really be an issue.
“They brought this story to you from their own angle because they are just hurt.
“Otherwise it was not supposed to be handled like this,” he added.
When a local publication tried to contact Shenel Zambasira one of Kuda’s girlfriends who had created the group titled “My girlfriends”, she could not be contacted for comment.
Shenel kept on dismissing the H-Metro calls.
In another interview with other of Kuda’s girlfriends who was also in the group she revealed most of the young prophet’s bad habits and traits.
“He has many girlfriends such that I’ve lost count of how many they are.
“He sleeps with them all, yet he is a prophet.
“He uses muteuro to date both classic girls and to take advantage of them.
“He manipulates them in the name of prophecy and that’s how he takes money from them.
“He breaks couple’s relationships in the name of prophecy and later takes over the girls.
“His behavior and post in the church go two different directions and I hope he does not go on breaking innocent people’s hearts and using prophecy as a tool to hold them hostage whist destroying them,” she told H-Metro.
By A Correspondent- Twenty people were killed yesterday afternoon when a Toyota Granvia burst a tyre and collided head-on with a Toyota Wish at the 61km peg along Masvingo-Zvishavane Road near Chitowa business centre just after Mhandamabwe.
Eighteen people died on the spot while two died on admission to Zvishavane District Hospital, where three seriously injured passengers are receiving treatment.
The Toyota Granvia, which was travelling from Masvingo, had a tyre burst and rammed into the Toyota Wish which was coming from Zvishavane.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident saying police were still to establish the number of people who were travelling in each vehicle.
This was the most fatal single road accident so far this year.
“The ZRP confirms that 20 people have died when a Toyota Granvia which was travelling from Masvingo towards Zvishavane burst a tyre and crashed into the oncoming Toyota Wish.
“The vehicles had a head-on collision at the 61km peg along Masvingo-Zvishavane near Chitowa Business Centre around 3:45pm.
“Three injured victims were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital while the bodies have been taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital mortuary.”
Ass Comm Nyathi said police officers were still on the ground last night conducting further investigations.
“Our officers are on the ground and are trying to establish the number of people who were in each car. It is a very sad loss,” he said.
Toyota Granvia and Toyota Wish vehicles are notorious for illegally transporting passengers and are a common sight on the country’s highways.
The vehicles are usually overloaded, with Wish vehicles carrying up to 10 passengers while Granvia vans usually carry around 15 passengers.
Illegal transporters have been cashing in on the ban of inter-city buses under the enhanced Level Four Covid-19 control regulations and have been carrying passengers between cities.
On June 7 and 8, six people died while 15 others were injured in two separate incidents along the Harare-Mutare highway and the Harare-Chirundu highway.
In the first accident, two women and a boy died while nine other passengers were injured when their Toyota Hiace vehicle rolled several times before landing on its roof.
In the second accident, three people died while six were injured when a Honda Fit car side-swiped a haulage truck at the 94km peg along the Harare-Chirundu highway.
On March 5, 13 people were killed in two separate road accidents which occurred in Manicaland and Mashonaland Provinces.
In Manicaland Province, seven people — four Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officers, two civilians and an inmate — were killed when the pick-up truck in which they were travelling collided head-on with a fuel tanker at the 67km peg along the Mutare-Nyanga Road.
Two inmates survived the fatal accident and were rushed to Bonda Mission Hospital.
In a separate incident, six people died on the spot on the 135km peg along the Harare-Mukumbura Road when a motorist lost control of his vehicle and hit a pedestrian who had just disembarked from another vehicle and five others who were reportedly walking on the road verge.
By A Correspondent- Two thugs armed with AK-47s were killed during a failed cash-in-transit robbery.
They died after being run over by a cash-in-transit vehicle in Oakley Trust outside Mkhuhlu near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, on Sunday at about 9.50am.
Shocked taxi drivers and bystanders said the G4S truck was on its way to Thulamahashe after it had just collected cash from the nearby Build It hardware store in Mkhuhlu.
“But as the G4S truck drove passed the nearby Victor Driving School in Oakley, it came across the robbers who were waiting on the road. The robbers immediately started firing at the security back-up team with AK-47s. We had to duck and dive from flying bullets hailed by the gang. The blue Toyota Cressida they were using collided with the back-up van and a crossfire started between the guards and the gang. The taxi was shaking from the AK-47 shots,” said one of the taxi drivers.
“The cash truck made a sudden U-turn when it heard heavy gunshots. But it came across a silver Mercedes-Benz with another criminal gang inside. The cash van tried to hit the Mercedes with their truck but were unsuccessful. Two of the robbers tried to shoot at the guards. But the cash van driver ran over the two robbers and killed them on the spot. Realising they were in trouble, the other gang hijacked an Audi and fled the scene,” said a villager.
Colonel Brenda Muridili confirmed a security vehicle was travelling towards Thulamahashe when a bakkie and sedan appeared.
“The bakkie rammed the escort vehicle off the road, injuring the driver who was taken to hospital. A shoot-out between the suspects and the guards ensued which led to two suspects being killed on the scene. The police recovered an AK-47 rifle on the scene with several magazines. Cash was not taken. Other suspects fled the scene,” said Muridili.
Police are appealing to anyone with information to call CrimeStop number on 08600 10111 or send tip-offs on MySAPS App.
By A Correspondent- Norton member of parliament, Temba Mliswa has demanded the arrest of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General, Godwin Matanga for allegedly flouting tender procedures through buying service vehicles without going to tender.
On his Twitter handle, Monday Mliswa said he has the evidence that would incriminate Matanga.
“As you’re well aware, I previously exposed Commissioner-General Matanga’s (CGM) flouting of PRAZ regulations in the purchase of police vehicles,” he posted
1/ Good morning and welcome to The Matanga Files Part 2: As you’re well aware, I previously exposed Commissioner General Matanga’s (CGM) flouting of PRAZ regulations in the purchase of police vehicles. The matter has been reported and we await the outcome @ZACConline@praz_zw
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) July 5, 2021
By A Correspondent- Police in Mutare are investigating three separate robbery cases that recently took place between Sakubva and Chikanga high-density suburbs.
Residents interviewed expressed concern over a surge in robbery cases in their communities. Police said the Sakubva-Chikanga footpath has become a haven for robbers who are waylaying unsuspecting residents moving around the communities.
Manicaland police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda advised locals to remain vigilant and constantly aware of their surroundings and ensure that appropriate security precautions are in place.
“We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and constantly aware of their surroundings and ensure that appropriate security precautions are in place,” said the police spokesperson.
He said on June 2021 at around 7PM, Tonderai Rukuto, a student at Mutare Polytechnic College was coming from Sakubva going to Chikanga using a dust road which links Chikanga and Sakubva. He was allegedly robbed of his ItelA14 and Mobicel cellphones by two unknown persons. “The complainant was crossing the railway line, from Sakubva when he came across two unknown male adults who emerged from the tall grass and produced knives.
“They demanded the cellphone and cash from Rukuto who subsequently handed over the two cellphones, an Itel A14 and a Mobicel. One of the suspects searched the complainant’s pockets but did not find anything,” said Insp Chananda.
He added that Rukuto was allegedly stabbed twice with a knife on his upper left shoulder and once on his lower thigh when he requested to be given his sim card by the robbers.
“He managed to escape and ran towards Chikanga Area 2 where he met a well-wisher who drove him to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where he was admitted and treated,” said the police spokesperson.
On June 24, around 1930 hours, James Manaka (23) was walking alone from Sakubva to Chikanga using a dust road that links Chikanga and Sakubva and was allegedly robbed of his Itel cellphone and US$10 by four male robbers.
“When the complainant arrived between the footbridge at the railway line which links Sakubva and Chikanga suburbs, four robbers emerged from the front. One of the robbers stabbed the complainant once on his right shoulder while others took away his Itel cellphone and cash US$10-00 from his pockets,” said Insp Chananda.
The complainant managed to escape towards Chikanga Area 2 where he was assisted by well-wishers who took him to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
On the same day, at around 745pm, Tendai Mushunje (39) of Federation Chikanga, employed by Guard Alert as a security guard was walking from Devonshire, Sakubva going to Federation Chikanga using a footpath that links Sakubva and Chikanga suburbs and was allegedly robbed by three unknown robbers.
He was stabbed on both shoulders and stomach and was robbed of his satchel with contained clothes and an Itel A14 cellphone.
“Mushunje escaped and ran towards Federation where he collapsed upon reaching Luke Mukungato`s residence. ukungato rushed Mushunje to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit,” said the police spokesperson.
“Investigations are in process and we appeal to members of the public who might have information that may lead to the arrest of the culprits to report any nearest police station.” – Pungwe News
By A Correspondent- Police at the weekend arrested seven dangerous robbers in separate incidents under a special operation during which one suspect was shot and killed in a shoot-out.
Some of the robbers are understood to have been behind the March 28 raid at Gateway High School in Harare where they made off with US$250 000.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of seven dangerous and notorious armed robbers and the death of one robber after a shoot-out with police detectives in Harare on 3 July, 2021. “Police received information that one robbery gang leader, Godfrey Josi, was in Damafalls and a crack team raided the suspect who bolted out of a room armed with a revolver. “He scuffled with the police officers and was shot on the left leg. A revolver loaded with two live rounds, three super power explosive dynamites and four fuse cables were recovered Asst Comm Nyathi said Josi revealed that his accomplices were Richard Mutanga, Zvidozvashe Zuda, Peter Mushipe, Valentine Mutasa, Decide Rice and the now deceased Benjamin Craig Musasa. He said Mutanga was raided in Unit ‘O’, Chitungwiza, leading to the recovery of a gateway vehicle, a Honda CRV while Zuda was arrested at Kuwadzana roundabout with a pistol and bullets. “Police detectives followed Peter Mushipe in Stoneridge area, Harare, where the suspect tried to run away while armed with a 12 Bore shot gun loaded with one live round. “He was subsequently shot on the right leg and live rounds of ammunition were recovered from his pockets. The fifth suspect, Valentine Mutasa had a confrontation with police officers at Glenwood Park, Epworth and was shot on the left hip leading to the recovery of a 303 rifle with three rounds of ammunition.” Rice, said Ass Comm Nyathi, was lured to Harare Drive in Greendale where he arrived in the company of Benjamin Musasa. “The two suspects suddenly fired some shots towards the police detectives. During the exchange of fire, Musasa was shot and arrested while the ring leader, Rice, escaped. A revolver with erased serial numbers was recovered.” Ass Comm Nyathi said the injured suspects were taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital where Musasa died on admission. He said they also arrested Juliet Gavaza (37) after investigations revealed that she was married Josi and had a house in Zengeza 5, Chitungwiza, belived to have been bought from the proceeds of armed robberies. Police have secured all the transactional documents related to the house. “The suspects are linked to seven armed robbery cases which include the one at Gateway High School on 28 March 2021 where US$250 000 was stolen and the robbery in Muzari Suburb, Chinhoyi, on 12 January 2021 where US$60 000 was taken,” said Ass Comm Nyathi. “There is another robbery case at UZ farm compound on 10 May 2021 where US$20 000 was stolen and the recent robbery which occurred on 29 June 2021 when the suspects took US$19 800 from a Beatrice farmer.” He said they had also established that Josi, Mushipe, Mutasa and the now deceased Musasa were linked to several cases of armed robbery and had arrest warrants against them. Mutasa is alleged to have committed murder in Nembudziya, Gokwe and was involved in an armed robbery case in Kadoma. “Police reiterate the position of His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa that armed robbers will be dealt with decisively. “Police urge the public to continue supplying information on all robbers so that the law may take its course,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
By A Correspondent- Norton member of parliament, Temba Mliswa said the Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General, Godwin Matanga should be arrested for flouting tender procedures through buying service vehicles without going to tender.
On his Twitter handle Monday Mliswa said he had the evidence that would incriminate Matanga.
“As you’re well aware, I previously exposed Commissioner-General Matanga’s (CGM) flouting of PRAZ regulations in the purchase of police vehicles,” he posted
1/ Good morning and welcome to The Matanga Files Part 2: As you’re well aware, I previously exposed Commissioner General Matanga’s (CGM) flouting of PRAZ regulations in the purchase of police vehicles. The matter has been reported and we await the outcome @ZACConline@praz_zw
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) July 5, 2021
All artisanal miners will soon be required to be registered as part of efforts by Government to formalise their operations, curb illegal gold dealing and protect the environment, Reserve Bank of Zimbawbe Governor Dr John Mangudya told the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Tourism yesterday. It is estimated that there are between 500 000 and 1,5 million artisanal and small-scale miners, including farmers who do a little gold panning in the off season, and only 16 percent are registered.
Dr Mangudya said a statutory instrument on the requirements for registration was being crafted and would be gazetted soon.
“We want to register for the sake of traceability and knowing who you are and where you are from,” Dr Mangudya said.
Under the envisaged registration system, the miners’ biometric details would be captured and the miner would be issued with a registration number.
Registered miners would also undergo training on environmentally friendly mining methods and land reclamation.
In 2020 gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners declined by 31 percent to 19,052 tonnes due to many reasons including smuggling and less production by miners.
In 2019 Fidelity took delivery of 27,66 tonnes, and that was a fall from the 33,2 tonnes delivered in 2018.
According to Fidelity, the small-scale and artisanal mining sector, which had in recent years been producing the bulk of the gold, last year delivered 9,347 tonnes compared to 9,738 tonnes by the primary producers.
In 2019, small-scale miners delivered 17,478 tonnes while large mining houses produced 10,181 tonnes.
Zimbabwe earns much of its foreign currency from mining, with gold being one of the major contributors.
However, the sector is facing a myriad of challenges including delays in payment for deliveries, power cuts, and smuggling with South Africa and the United Arab Emirates the main destinations.
Authorities estimate that between 30 and 35 tonnes of gold are being smuggled each year.
Under the Government’s US$12 billion mining industry roadmap, gold is expected to contribute US$4 billion a year by 2023. Herald
A MAHUSEKWA villager has been sentenced to an effective three years in jail for fatally assaulting his brother at the height of a domestic dispute, more than a decade after being charged with the offence.
Muranganwa Jokwi plead not guilty to the charge of murdering his 74-year-old brother but tendered a plea of guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide, when he appeared before High Court judge, Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa. After Jokwi’s plea, the defence and prosecution counsel came up with a statement of agreed facts and the matter proceeded on that basis.
Jokwi, who had been away from home for a considerable period of time, arrived at the family homestead where his brother stayed.
While discussing family issues, a misunderstanding ensued, resulting in his brother assaulting him with a piece of firewood. Jokwi disarmed the frail old man and went away.
The two later met at a field and the fight ensued again. Jokwi overpowered his elderly brother and flogged him with a piece of firewood and later with a switch. The elderly man sustained severe injuries and died a few hours later.
The prosecution could not get witnesses who could testify on what actually happened during the assault. The only available witnesses were a woman who saw the elderly man lying injured in the field, police officers who received the death report and the doctor who carried the post mortem.
And given the plea tendered, both the defence and prosecution counsel agreed that Jokwi was negligent in his conduct when he severely battered his elderly brother failing to realise that death might result from such conduct.
Satisfied that the limited plea to culpable homicide was appropriate in the circumstances, Justice Munangati-Manongwa convicted Jokwi of culpable homicide.
She slapped him with five years’ imprisonment two of which were suspended for five years on usual conditions.
In passing sentence, Justice Munangati-Manongwa said the court could not impose a fine in such a case given the degree of negligence.
She, however, expressed concern over the delay of 12 years before the matter was tried. -Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has implored SADC to stop the gruesome violence against unarmed civilians in Swaziland.
President Chamisa has described the violence against unarmed civilians as worrisome.
“Reports of gruesome violence against unarmed civilians by eSwatini authorities is worrisome.
The quest for democratic governance in eSwatini is legitimate and just.
SADC should urgently help to restore peace by bringing all stakeholders into dialogue. #SwaziLivesMatter,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti also wrote: The situation in Swaziland is out of hand.The army must go back to the barracks .
Kings Mswati has crossed huge lines. He is now a bandit in international law.He must abdicate. @AUC_DPA must act to save lives #EswatiniLivesMatter #eSwatini #eSwatiniProtest #EswatiniProtests
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has implored SADC to stop the gruesome violence against unarmed civilians in Swaziland.
President Chamisa has described the violence against unarmed civilians as worrisome.
“Reports of gruesome violence against unarmed civilians by eSwatini authorities is worrisome.
The quest for democratic governance in eSwatini is legitimate and just.
SADC should urgently help to restore peace by bringing all stakeholders into dialogue. #SwaziLivesMatter,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti also wrote: The situation in Swaziland is out of hand.The army must go back to the barracks .
Kings Mswati has crossed huge lines. He is now a bandit in international law.He must abdicate. @AUC_DPA must act to save lives #EswatiniLivesMatter #eSwatini #eSwatiniProtest #EswatiniProtests
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy, Kuda Tagwirei is involved in several underhand deals that are siphoning State resources at an alarming pace.
This was revealed by The Sentry, an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers.
See part of the The Sentry report on Tagwirei’s shadowy business deals.
Shadows and Shell Games
Uncovering an Offshore Business Empire in Zimbabwe
Set well back from the public road at the end of a long driveway lined with palm trees is an extravagant new mansion, being built by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Zimbabwean businessman and presidential advisor accused of corruption.
Much like this Harare residence, Tagwirei’s business empire of more than 40 companies has mostly been hidden from the public eye.
By analyzing hundreds of company documents, court filings, and communications, The Sentry’s investigation shows how Tagwirei used complex corporate structures to build and hide his wealth, potentially benefiting from preferential government treatment along the way.
Tagwirei has invested in gold, nickel, platinum, and chrome mines by hiding behind South African businesspeople and offshore structures in Mauritius and the Cayman Islands and by using lawyers and financiers who are seemingly happy to turn a blind eye to accusations of cronyism and corruption.
New documents uncovered by The Sentry also show how Tagwirei has used similar networks to hide his financial interests in Zimbabwe’s new public-private partnership mining company, Kuvimba Mining House, with Zimbabwe’s Finance Ministry reportedly collaborating to deflect public scrutiny from these arrangements.3
In 2019, Tagwirei paid millions of dollars to a Zimbabwean military-owned company so that Landela Mining Ventures, a company he controlled, could purchase 50% of Great Dyke Investments (GDI), a platinum mine worth hundreds of millions and run as a joint venture with a Russian firm. The payment raises fears about off-budget financing of Zimbabwe’s abusive and partisan military.
An examination of Tagwirei’s business track record reveals a pattern of accusations of privileged access and special treatment, some of which may warrant further investigation by regulators and law enforcement.4 On January 27, 2021, over a year after Landela Mining Ventures had bought half of the platinum mine, Zimbabwe granted GDI a five-year corporate income tax holiday and exempted its shareholders resident in Zimbabwe from resident shareholders’ taxes on GDI dividends—retroactively applied to January 1, 2020.5 6 Auditors investigating corruption red flags in a 2016 $630 million diesel generating plant contract found that the Office of the President had improperly interfered with the procurement process, ordering officials to evaluate Tagwirei’s sole bid outside the standard process.7 Other decisions worthy of further investigation include allegations of preferential access to hard currency and the appointment of Tagwirei’s oil trading company, without a tendering process, to run a $1 billion dollar agriculture project.8
In addition to alleged business dealings with the Zimbabwean military, Tagwirei appears to have the ability to contact senior civilian officials in Zimbabwe at short notice, particularly at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
Such high-level access, together with the pattern of previous decisions, raises the possibility of state capture, when the public realm—particularly regulatory, legal, and public policy decision-making—has been influenced to benefit private interests. Senior officials at Tagwirei’s companies have denied state capture.9
The operations of Tagwirei’s network are emblematic of larger structural problems in Zimbabwe. A select group of politicians, the military, and businesspeople dominate government decision-making with little oversight or scrutiny. Key information about public finances remains shrouded in secrecy.
An environment of impunity prevails. Left unaddressed, these dynamics will likely become further entrenched
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has released a statement in solidarity with jailed political activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has described Makomborero Haruzivishe as a hero of the struggle for democracy.
See full statement:
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Pays Tribute To Incarcerated Pro-democracy Hero, Haruzivishe
05-07-2021
Today, the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly pays tribute to incarcerated pro-democracy hero Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months in prison on trumped up charges of ‘resisting lawful arrest and inciting public violence.’
Running under the #MakoMonday banner, the Youth Assembly is seeking to raise awareness about the nervous conditions of young people in this country while at the same time demanding for the unconditional release of Haruzivishe.
Since usurping power through a coup in November 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has been on a warpath with young people.
Since stealing the ballot will of young people through the barrel of the gun on 01 August 2018, Emmerson Mnangagwa has embarked on a blood letting trail against young people committing all sorts crimes against humanity.
From abductions, torture, rape, murder, displacements, arbitrary arrests to imprisonment, the regime is using all sorts of fascist tricks to silence our voices.
The targeted attack on young people as evidenced by Makomborero Haruzivishe’s unjustified imprisonment is a generational attack by an old generation who stole and diverted the liberation agenda to pursue their petty parochial interests of self enrichment at the expense of the people.
Henceforth, the persecution by prosecution of Mako is a micro of the macro. The ultimate agenda is to silence the voices of all young people in this country!
It is against this background that we must all speak up and raise awareness against the continued caging of Cde Mako through this first step,- the #MakoMonday campaign.
This an ongoing campaign where we dedicate every Monday to our hero, Mako till he is freed.
We are all Mako, Mako is us!
FreeMako
MakoMondays
DefyOrDie
RegisterToVoteZw
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
The World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed a cooperation and financing agreement to implement 10 strategic initiatives to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen systems for health. This new agreement, which will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period, aims to address some of the persistent challenges that impede progress against the three diseases and protect hard-won gains from new pandemics like COVID-19.
In 2019, a total of 1.4 million people died from tuberculosis and an estimated 409,000 people died from malaria. In 2020, 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Through the new agreement, the strategic initiatives seek to:
Expand TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV in 9 countries across Africa; Strengthen efforts to provide differentiated HIV service delivery; Accelerate efforts to find people with TB missed by health systems in 20 countries; Accelerate introduction of innovation for multi-drug resistant TB treatment through regional operational research in Eastern and Central Europe; Support 26 countries and territories to eliminate malaria by 2025; Improve country data collection and use to develop evidence-informed policy; Foster the rapid uptake of service delivery innovations with South to South Learning; Improve quality of care; Encourage rapid uptake of procurement and supply chain management innovation; and Increase program sustainability, facilitate the transition to domestic financing and improve program efficiency.
WHO and the Global Fund have a long and successful partnership working together to scale up HIV, TB and malaria interventions and strengthen health systems in many countries. Through focused efforts and catalytic investments, this collaboration has contributed to significantly reduce the disease burdens of HIV, TB and malaria worldwide, saving millions of lives since 2002.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, reinforces the need to strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared goals of ending the epidemics,” said Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Director, Deputy Director-General’s Office, WHO. “This agreement supports countries to develop more effective responses to the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics and build the resilient health systems they need to reach the most vulnerable.”
“Together, WHO and the Global Fund have proven to be a powerful force that builds on strong in-country support and regional presence, technical leadership and financial resources to strengthen systems for health and accelerate the end of AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics,” said Michael Byrne, Head of Technical Advice and Partnerships at the Global Fund.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Presidential spokesperson, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda says the beleaguered former ruling party Zanu PF’s support base is shrinking with each passing day.
Dr Sibanda told Change Radio Zanu PF would not win the 2023 polls because of its rigidity and inability to resolve the deepening political crisis.
“Youths must lead the way as citizens coverge for change. Zanu PF cannot expand its political space.
The military industrial complex is in charge of the country and we are determined to fight for victory,” said Dr Sibanda.
By A Correspondent- Police are setting roadblocks at tollgates where they are demanded covid-19 certificates from citizens to pass through.
This was witnessed by travellers coming from Mutoko Monday evening, who faced some difficulties in passing the Mutoko-Harare toll gate after failing to produce covid vaccination cards to the police.
Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi, Monday afternoon, however, denied having sanctioned the police to embark on that exercise.
By A Correspondent- There’s chaos at the Mutoko road tollgate Monday evening after police officers barricaded the toll gate and demanded covid-19 certificates.
The affected travellers told ZimEye.com that the police were saying that unvaccinated people could not enter Harare.
But Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi Monday afternoon told the state media that they did not sanction such an operation.
By A Correspondent- 20 People have died in a head-on collision in Masvingo.
On its Twitter handle this evening, ZRP said the 20 died when a Toyota Granvia which was travelling from Masvingo towards Zvishavane burst a tyre, veered onto the oncoming Toyota Wish’s lane which was coming from Zvishavane.
The vehicles had a head-on collision at the 61km peg along Masvingo – Mbalabala Road near Chitowa Business Centre, just after Mhandamabwe. The accident occurred at 1545 hours.
ZRP said three injured victims were taken to Zvishavane District Hospital while the bodies have been taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital.
By A Correspondent- The government has opened up on the controversial proposal by some lawmakers who wanted teenagers to be allowed to access contraceptives.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga told the National Assembly last week that girls under the age of 16 cannot be given contraceptives as they cannot legally consent to legal sexual activity.
He said if they required emergency contraceptive treatment this would require parental consent as would any medical treatment.
Speaking as Minister of Health and Child Care, he rejected a proposal in a report tabled by the portfolio committee on Health and Child Care that parental consent should no longer be sought when a child wanted to access medical treatment, including contraceptives.
The committee, chaired by Proportional Representative MP Dr Ruth Labode, had called for the removal of age restrictions on access to reproductive health services like the requirement of consent from a guardian for a child to receive medical treatment.
VP Chiwenga said while Zimbabwe did not have legislation specifying at what age parental consent was no longer required to receive medical treatment, the common practice was that parental consent was required to provide medical treatment to a child under 16 years.
“Since a child under the age of 16 years cannot consent to sexual intercourse in practice, it is presumed that a child under the age of 16 years does not need contraceptives.
“Emergency contraceptives would be considered a form of medical treatment and therefore, individuals aged under 16 would require parental consent to access them in practice,” said VP Chiwenga.
He also gave health implications of initiating young girls on contraceptives. “Anatomy of teenagers is not fully developed to be able to carry the pregnancy and its complications which include obstructed labour, obstetric fistulas, symphysis pubis diastasis and ultimately maternal death. Early sexual debut increases risk of these adolescents to cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections including HIV Chlamydia and gonorrhoea which have adverse effects on future fertility. Methods of contraception are not 100 percent effective therefore these adolescents remain at a higher risk of complications in case of unwanted pregnancies.” VP Chiwenga said entrapping the girl-child in child bearing had the effect of creating a vicious cycle of poverty. “If age restriction for accessing reproductive healthcare services is removed, the interpretation is that, a person who can decide when to use contraceptives also has power as to decide when they can indulge in sexual activity and also as when they want to have a baby. This will be a time bomb for immorality against the diverse cultural and religious communities in Zimbabwe and a high potential of increased burden on Government’s social security nets, where high numbers of children will be having children out of wedlock,” said VP Chiwenga. He said there was need to align the statutory criminal law with the Constitution, and align any variations in the range of laws with the Constitution, which basically sets this age at 18 years when a Zimbabwean becomes a full legal adult. VP Chiwenga said there were numerous challenges posed by the various statutory clauses regarding age of consent as they were at variance with the Constitution which set the age of 18 years when a Zimbabwean can marry. He said age of consent to sexual activity is set at 16 years for both boys and girls who are unmarried while the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act currently provides that the age of consent to sexual activity for married couples is 12 years. “The Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act also limited the offence of “sexual intercourse with young persons” to where the perpetrator has “extra marital sexual intercourse” with a young person. This poses challenges as it linked sexual activity with marriage, said VP Chiwenga. On HIV testing and accessing results, VP Chiwenga said children under 16 may consent to it if they are married, pregnant or a parent, or they can demonstrate that they are mature enough to make a decision on their own.
“In addition, if a parent or care-giver cannot or will not give consent for a child under 16 years, the attending health worker can seek approval from hospital authorities or the Minister to give treatment without parental consent if it is in the best interest of the child. The requirement to “demonstrate that they are mature enough to make the decision on their own” raises challenges as the term was vague,” said VP Chiwenga.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has said it has embarked on a campaign that would drive away foreign investors from operating businesses in the economic sub-sectors reserved for Zimbabwean citizens.
Zanu PF secretary for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Mike Bimha told the state media that the issue of reserved sectors was outlined in its revised Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy.
He said the reserved sectors should benefit and be owned by Zimbabwean citizens only and those already owned by foreigners should partner and empower locals.
The reserved sectors include, transport (passenger buses, taxis and car hire services), retailing, wholesaling, hair salons, advertising agencies, estate agencies, grain milling, bakeries, tobacco grading and packaging and artisanal mining. He also said foreign entities in reserved sectors were only allowed where firms would fund local production adding that local authorities were supposed to ensure that this aspect of policy was enforced.
“The reserved sectors are only for Zimbabwean citizens and not for foreigners. Local authorities must stop issuing licenses to foreigners,” he said.
Bimha said the economic empowerment department was supposed to establish robust systems for policing compliance.
There was need for a facility that provided funding and capacity building for citizens to increase their participation in business.
“The facility which must be supported by Government and the private sector can be in the form of a trust which is auditable, transparent and accountable. This fund will scale up the number of entrepreneurs in communities throughout the different value chains and test innovative economic empowerment approaches in order to share lessons learnt and build the evidence for effective business models. There must be pilot innovative interventions for the communities’ economic empowerment in different sectors of the economy.
“Outside the Economic Empowerment Fund, assistance will also be sought from various vehicles and financial institutions such as Empower Bank, Women’s Bank, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) and commercial banks among others. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will give guidance in this area,” said Bimba.
A unit within the Zanu PF party and Government would oversee the implementation and evaluation of the Economic Empowerment Policy. “Government should consider incorporating the main aspects of this policy as it amends the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, ” he said.
By A Correspondent- 20 People have died in a head-on collision in Masvingo.
ZRP spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident to the state media.
More to come…
Breaking news 1/3 The ZRP confirms that 20 people have died when a Toyota Granvia which was travelling from Masvingo towards Zvishavane burst a tyre, veered onto the oncoming Toyota Wish’s lane which was coming from Zvishavane direction.
— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) July 5, 2021
By A Correspondent- Police in the city of Kings and Queens have raided a beer party and arrested 37 people for violating COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
The last week’s arrests came after police received some tip-offs from neighbours.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube told reporters that they arrested 15 patrons in Nketa and another 22 in Nkulumane for disturbing the peace of their neighbours and also violating lockdown measures.
He noted that the parties were potential super-spreaders of the virus, adding that the accused would soon appear in court.
Nkulumane, Emakhandeni, the Bulawayo central business district, and the northern suburbs were recently declared COVID-19 hotspots, prompting authorities to put them localised lockdowns.
By A Correspondent-Over 450 healthcare workers in Mashonaland East have tested positive for Covid-19 to date, translating to 16.3% of the total number of cases in the province.
According to the state media as of Sunday, Mashonaland East had recorded 3 789 cases.
However, acting provincial medical director Dr Paul Matsvimbo said the infections have not affected health centres in the province as they remain operational. He said 129 Covid-19 Infections were reported in the province on Sunday, the highest daily count since the pandemic began. Seven of the infected persons are healthcare workers. Among the infected persons are six fully-vaccinated persons. “Most of the health workers isolated themselves at home. But as a measure to provide the staff with critical healthcare, the newly established isolation centre has a ward for staff which is also equipped with advanced machinery and this will boost the workers’ morale,” said Dr Matsvimbo. He emphasised the need for vigilance. “As of Wednesday, we have seen our biggest jump, cases are increasing at an alarming rate,” said Dr Matsvimbo. “We have record 59 positive cases which were identified from 402 samples tested today.” Marondera has been identified as a Covid-19 hotspot in the province as it accounted for 32 of the 59 cases recorded yesterday. Cumulatively, Marondera has accounted for 1 169 cases of the provincial total of 2 795, followed by Murehwa district with 360 cases and Mutoko with 299 cases. Goromonzi has 257 cumulative cases, Chikomba 254, Seke 179, Hwedza 114, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe 100 and Mudzi 63.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has embarked on a campaign to ensure that foreign nationals do not operate businesses in the economic sub-sectors reserved for Zimbabwean citizens.
Zanu PF secretary for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Mike Bimha told the state media that the issue of reserved sectors was outlined in its revised Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Policy.
He said the reserved sectors should benefit and be owned by Zimbabwean citizens only and those already owned by foreigners should partner and empower locals.
The reserved sectors include, transport (passenger buses, taxis and car hire services), retailing, wholesaling, hair salons, advertising agencies, estate agencies, grain milling, bakeries, tobacco grading and packaging and artisanal mining. He also said foreign entities in reserved sectors were only allowed where firms would fund local production adding that local authorities were supposed to ensure that this aspect of policy was enforced.
“The reserved sectors are only for Zimbabwean citizens and not for foreigners. Local authorities must stop issuing licenses to foreigners,” he said.
Bimha said the economic empowerment department was supposed to establish robust systems for policing compliance.
There was need for a facility that provided funding and capacity building for citizens to increase their participation in business.
“The facility which must be supported by Government and the private sector can be in the form of a trust which is auditable, transparent and accountable. This fund will scale up the number of entrepreneurs in communities throughout the different value chains and test innovative economic empowerment approaches in order to share lessons learnt and build the evidence for effective business models. There must be pilot innovative interventions for the communities’ economic empowerment in different sectors of the economy.
“Outside the Economic Empowerment Fund, assistance will also be sought from various vehicles and financial institutions such as Empower Bank, Women’s Bank, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) and commercial banks among others. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will give guidance in this area,” said Bimba.
A unit within the Zanu PF party and Government would oversee the implementation and evaluation of the Economic Empowerment Policy. “Government should consider incorporating the main aspects of this policy as it amends the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, ” he said.
Tinashe Sambiri|Prominent journalist Batsiranai Ngugama, who is also a teacher at Serima High School has described the persecution he was subjected to by overzealous police officers as sad and unfortunate.
Ngugama was arrested in Gutu on Sunday after challenging police brutality. A ZRP cop based at Stephen Business Centre insulted and assaulted Misheck Tavuya, a teacher at Serima High School prompting Ngugama to challenge police barbarism.
Below is Ngugama’s full statement:
It’s true. A police officer named Mirasi assaulted Mr Misheck Tavuya over a packet of chips on Saturday during the curfew.
When Tavuya approached another officer Murimi at Steven Base, he did not take action.
Tavuya approached me on Sunday morning and told me the story. I phoned the Officer Cst Murimi asking if he had assisted Tavuya. I told him I was a journalist and just wanted to here if he was going to arrested his fellow workmate who was in company of a girlfriend during the time of incident.
Cst Murimi then threatened me not to write or take anything he said. I told him I was professional and knew protocol.
“Handingakudzingisiyi basa. Kana ndichida comment I will phone Press at Province” I said.
The officer then changed my statement and said I had said ‘ndichamudzingisa basa’.
He boasted that he had framed a lot of cases and won then in court and was going to fix me heavily.
He handcuffed me. At the station, I was exposed to a litany of abuse and assault.
They were attempts to bribe the assaulted teacher, but I feared not. My point was why breaking curfew and assaulting and failure to arrest another police officer.
By A Correspondent | The controversial UK licensed immigration-sponsor and CEO of Lorac, a company that’s collecting thousands of dollars from struggling Zimbabwean job seekers promising them work in Britain, Caroline Nyakudya has dodged the question on the recruitment cap she has on her allocation from the British government.
On Wednesday Nyakudya went to the extent of claiming friendship with a journalist while avoiding an interview over the matter. On Saturday, she promised she would answer the question during her Monday webcast.
But the situation completely changed on Monday afternoon, when she blatantly refused to answer to any other question other than those she has handpicked. She announced that she is only engaging those who have paid her fee.
The development comes at a time when she has failed to explain discrepancies on company documentation she has been advertising, and failing to disclose her limitations. Analysts say she is unfairly milking tens of thousands from job seekers who Kay never get even past an English Test, let alone a British Visa.
Announcing on Monday, Nyakudya said:
I will pick out some questions shortly…so the rest of the team, if you can look out for any questions that might be there, from candidates, okay, so from existing candidates who are going through the process…those candidates who are going through the process, who have decided Lorac International is the model that they are going with. Those to us are our priority and those to us are the people that we really need to ensure understand the system, and understand how it runs. And understand how to contact and to communicate. So we want to make sure that when you are trying to contact us you are contacting us, A: on the correct numbers…You’re also contacting us, in terms of the correct pathways. So we are not really, we will not be responding to information that is not passed through our correct channels. That is not information that we are paying out any attention to at all; we will be responding to any information that is directed to us with regards to our official channels. And that is where we stand.
Tinashe Sambiri|Prominent journalist Batsiranai Ngugama, who is also a teacher at Serima High School has described the persecution he was subjected to by overzealous police officers as sad and unfortunate.
Ngugama was arrested in Gutu on Sunday after challenging police brutality. A ZRP cop based at Stephen Business Centre insulted and assaulted Misheck Tavuya, a teacher at Serima High School prompting Ngugama to challenge police barbarism.
Below is Ngugama’s full statement:
It’s true. A police officer named Mirasi assaulted Mr Misheck Tavuya over a packet of chips on Saturday during the curfew.
When Tavuya approached another officer Murimi at Steven Base, he did not take action.
Tavuya approached me on Sunday morning and told me the story. I phoned the Officer Cst Murimi asking if he had assisted Tavuya. I told him I was a journalist and just wanted to here if he was going to arrested his fellow workmate who was in company of a girlfriend during the time of incident.
Cst Murimi then threatened me not to write or take anything he said. I told him I was professional and knew protocol.
“Handingakudzingisiyi basa. Kana ndichida comment I will phone Press at Province” I said.
The officer then changed my statement and said I had said ‘ndichamudzingisa basa’.
He boasted that he had framed a lot of cases and won then in court and was going to fix me heavily.
He handcuffed me. At the station, I was exposed to a litany of abuse and assault.
They were attempts to bribe the assaulted teacher, but I feared not. My point was why breaking curfew and assaulting and failure to arrest another police officer.
Zimbabwe national team coach Zdravko Logarusic has picked his captain to lead a group of fringe players at the 2021 Cosafa Cup.
Ovidy Karuru, who is the vice-captain of the first tier squad, will wear the arm band at the tournament. He was the captain when Zimbabwe last lifted the trophy in 2017.
Other senior players in the squad are Washington Arubi, Qadr Amini and Jimmy Dzingai.
The team, meanwhile, is expected to depart for South Africa today.
The tournament is expected to start on Tuesday in Nelson Mandela Bay.
So far twenty players are currently in camp afte a couple of changes in the team.
Striker Evans Rusike will no longer travel after he sustained a torn Achilles tendon during training on Sunday. Also pulling out due to injury and fitness issues are Perfect Chikwende and Godknows Murwira.
The trio joins Knox Mutizwa, Kevin Moyo and Germany-based midfielder Jonah Fabisch who were dropped from the selection earlier on.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Stand-in Bafana Bafana coach Helman Mkhalele has named the captain that will lead the squad at the 2021 COSAFA Cup.
AmaZulu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa has been named the national team captain for the tournament. He will be assisted by club teammate Siyethemba Sithebe, and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rushine de Reuck.
The COSAFA Cup will get underway on Tuesday with Bafana Bafana taking on Botswana in their opening match before facing Eswatini on Friday, 9 July.
Meanwhile, Mkhalele is standing in for Belgian coach Hugo Broos, who will not be in charge of the team.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 to reach the semifinals of the COPA America semifinals on Sunday morning.
Captain Lionel Messi scored one goal and created two others for Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez in the victory.
They will play Colombia, who beat Uruguay on penalties earlier in the day.
In the other semifinal, Brazil beat Chile to set up a date against Peru who defeated Paraguay 4-3 on penalties after an eventful 3-3 draw that saw both sides finish with 10 men.
The games will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Copa America semifinal fixtures:
Tuesday 6 July Brazil vs Peru (1 am CAT).
Wednesday 7 July Argentina vs Colombia (3 am CAT.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has implored SADC to stop the gruesome violence against unarmed civilians in Swaziland.
President Chamisa has described the violence against unarmed civilians as worrisome.
“Reports of gruesome violence against unarmed civilians by eSwatini authorities is worrisome.
The quest for democratic governance in eSwatini is legitimate and just.
SADC should urgently help to restore peace by bringing all stakeholders into dialogue. #SwaziLivesMatter,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti also wrote: The situation in Swaziland is out of hand.The army must go back to the barracks .
Kings Mswati has crossed huge lines. He is now a bandit in international law.He must abdicate. @AUC_DPA must act to save lives #EswatiniLivesMatter #eSwatini #eSwatiniProtest #EswatiniProtests
Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira as their new manager on a three-year contract.
The 45-year-old Frenchman is replacing Roy Hodgson who departed Selhurst Park by mutual consent at the end of last season.
Speaking after his appointment, Vieira said on the club’s website: “I am really excited to have this opportunity to return to the Premier League, and manage this great football club, as we begin a new chapter together.’
“It is a project that is really appealing to me, having spoken a lot with the Chairman and Sporting Director about their ambition and plans for the whole club, including the Academy.
“The club has fantastic foundations in place after many years in the Premier League, and I hope we can make further improvements and continue to drive the club forward.”
He continued: “I am also very excited to experience the atmosphere the club’s supporters make at Selhurst Park and away from home too, and I know just how important that can be for the team.”
Vierra has previously managed OGC Nice in French Ligue 1 and New York City FC in the American MLS.
He also oversaw Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad at one point in his career.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
The World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed a cooperation and financing agreement to implement 10 strategic initiatives to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen systems for health. This new agreement, which will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period, aims to address some of the persistent challenges that impede progress against the three diseases and protect hard-won gains from new pandemics like COVID-19.
In 2019, a total of 1.4 million people died from tuberculosis and an estimated 409,000 people died from malaria. In 2020, 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Through the new agreement, the strategic initiatives seek to:
Expand TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV in 9 countries across Africa; Strengthen efforts to provide differentiated HIV service delivery; Accelerate efforts to find people with TB missed by health systems in 20 countries; Accelerate introduction of innovation for multi-drug resistant TB treatment through regional operational research in Eastern and Central Europe; Support 26 countries and territories to eliminate malaria by 2025; Improve country data collection and use to develop evidence-informed policy; Foster the rapid uptake of service delivery innovations with South to South Learning; Improve quality of care; Encourage rapid uptake of procurement and supply chain management innovation; and Increase program sustainability, facilitate the transition to domestic financing and improve program efficiency.
WHO and the Global Fund have a long and successful partnership working together to scale up HIV, TB and malaria interventions and strengthen health systems in many countries. Through focused efforts and catalytic investments, this collaboration has contributed to significantly reduce the disease burdens of HIV, TB and malaria worldwide, saving millions of lives since 2002.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, reinforces the need to strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared goals of ending the epidemics,” said Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Director, Deputy Director-General’s Office, WHO. “This agreement supports countries to develop more effective responses to the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics and build the resilient health systems they need to reach the most vulnerable.”
“Together, WHO and the Global Fund have proven to be a powerful force that builds on strong in-country support and regional presence, technical leadership and financial resources to strengthen systems for health and accelerate the end of AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics,” said Michael Byrne, Head of Technical Advice and Partnerships at the Global Fund.
Source: World Health Organization
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Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy, Kuda Tagwirei is involved in several underhand deals that are siphoning State resources at an alarming pace.
This was revealed by The Sentry, an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers.
See part of the The Sentry report on Tagwirei’s shadowy business deals.
Shadows and Shell Games
Uncovering an Offshore Business Empire in Zimbabwe
Set well back from the public road at the end of a long driveway lined with palm trees is an extravagant new mansion, being built by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Zimbabwean businessman and presidential advisor accused of corruption.
Much like this Harare residence, Tagwirei’s business empire of more than 40 companies has mostly been hidden from the public eye.
By analyzing hundreds of company documents, court filings, and communications, The Sentry’s investigation shows how Tagwirei used complex corporate structures to build and hide his wealth, potentially benefiting from preferential government treatment along the way.
Tagwirei has invested in gold, nickel, platinum, and chrome mines by hiding behind South African businesspeople and offshore structures in Mauritius and the Cayman Islands and by using lawyers and financiers who are seemingly happy to turn a blind eye to accusations of cronyism and corruption.
New documents uncovered by The Sentry also show how Tagwirei has used similar networks to hide his financial interests in Zimbabwe’s new public-private partnership mining company, Kuvimba Mining House, with Zimbabwe’s Finance Ministry reportedly collaborating to deflect public scrutiny from these arrangements.3
In 2019, Tagwirei paid millions of dollars to a Zimbabwean military-owned company so that Landela Mining Ventures, a company he controlled, could purchase 50% of Great Dyke Investments (GDI), a platinum mine worth hundreds of millions and run as a joint venture with a Russian firm. The payment raises fears about off-budget financing of Zimbabwe’s abusive and partisan military.
An examination of Tagwirei’s business track record reveals a pattern of accusations of privileged access and special treatment, some of which may warrant further investigation by regulators and law enforcement.4 On January 27, 2021, over a year after Landela Mining Ventures had bought half of the platinum mine, Zimbabwe granted GDI a five-year corporate income tax holiday and exempted its shareholders resident in Zimbabwe from resident shareholders’ taxes on GDI dividends—retroactively applied to January 1, 2020.5 6 Auditors investigating corruption red flags in a 2016 $630 million diesel generating plant contract found that the Office of the President had improperly interfered with the procurement process, ordering officials to evaluate Tagwirei’s sole bid outside the standard process.7 Other decisions worthy of further investigation include allegations of preferential access to hard currency and the appointment of Tagwirei’s oil trading company, without a tendering process, to run a $1 billion dollar agriculture project.8
In addition to alleged business dealings with the Zimbabwean military, Tagwirei appears to have the ability to contact senior civilian officials in Zimbabwe at short notice, particularly at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
Such high-level access, together with the pattern of previous decisions, raises the possibility of state capture, when the public realm—particularly regulatory, legal, and public policy decision-making—has been influenced to benefit private interests. Senior officials at Tagwirei’s companies have denied state capture.9
The operations of Tagwirei’s network are emblematic of larger structural problems in Zimbabwe. A select group of politicians, the military, and businesspeople dominate government decision-making with little oversight or scrutiny. Key information about public finances remains shrouded in secrecy.
An environment of impunity prevails. Left unaddressed, these dynamics will likely become further entrenched
Tinashe Sambiri|Prominent journalist Batsiranai Ngugama, who is also a teacher at Serima High School has described the persecution he was subjected to by overzealous police officers as sad and unfortunate.
Ngugama was arrested in Gutu on Sunday after challenging police brutality. A ZRP cop based at Stephen Business Centre insulted and assaulted Misheck Tavuya, a teacher at Serima High School prompting Ngugama to challenge police barbarism.
Below is Ngugama’s full statement:
It’s true. A police officer named Mirasi assaulted Mr Misheck Tavuya over a packet of chips on Saturday during the curfew.
When Tavuya approached another officer Murimi at Steven Base, he did not take action.
Tavuya approached me on Sunday morning and told me the story. I phoned the Officer Cst Murimi asking if he had assisted Tavuya. I told him I was a journalist and just wanted to here if he was going to arrested his fellow workmate who was in company of a girlfriend during the time of incident.
Cst Murimi then threatened me not to write or take anything he said. I told him I was professional and knew protocol.
“Handingakudzingisiyi basa. Kana ndichida comment I will phone Press at Province” I said.
The officer then changed my statement and said I had said ‘ndichamudzingisa basa’.
He boasted that he had framed a lot of cases and won then in court and was going to fix me heavily.
He handcuffed me. At the station, I was exposed to a litany of abuse and assault.
They were attempts to bribe the assaulted teacher, but I feared not. My point was why breaking curfew and assaulting and failure to arrest another police officer.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has released a statement in solidarity with jailed political activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has described Makomborero Haruzivishe as a hero of the struggle for democracy.
See full statement:
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Pays Tribute To Incarcerated Pro-democracy Hero, Haruzivishe
05-07-2021
Today, the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly pays tribute to incarcerated pro-democracy hero Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months in prison on trumped up charges of ‘resisting lawful arrest and inciting public violence.’
Running under the #MakoMonday banner, the Youth Assembly is seeking to raise awareness about the nervous conditions of young people in this country while at the same time demanding for the unconditional release of Haruzivishe.
Since usurping power through a coup in November 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has been on a warpath with young people.
Since stealing the ballot will of young people through the barrel of the gun on 01 August 2018, Emmerson Mnangagwa has embarked on a blood letting trail against young people committing all sorts crimes against humanity.
From abductions, torture, rape, murder, displacements, arbitrary arrests to imprisonment, the regime is using all sorts of fascist tricks to silence our voices.
The targeted attack on young people as evidenced by Makomborero Haruzivishe’s unjustified imprisonment is a generational attack by an old generation who stole and diverted the liberation agenda to pursue their petty parochial interests of self enrichment at the expense of the people.
Henceforth, the persecution by prosecution of Mako is a micro of the macro. The ultimate agenda is to silence the voices of all young people in this country!
It is against this background that we must all speak up and raise awareness against the continued caging of Cde Mako through this first step,- the #MakoMonday campaign.
This an ongoing campaign where we dedicate every Monday to our hero, Mako till he is freed.
We are all Mako, Mako is us!
FreeMako
MakoMondays
DefyOrDie
RegisterToVoteZw
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
The World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed a cooperation and financing agreement to implement 10 strategic initiatives to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics and strengthen systems for health. This new agreement, which will cover the 2021-2023 implementation period, aims to address some of the persistent challenges that impede progress against the three diseases and protect hard-won gains from new pandemics like COVID-19.
In 2019, a total of 1.4 million people died from tuberculosis and an estimated 409,000 people died from malaria. In 2020, 690,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Through the new agreement, the strategic initiatives seek to:
Expand TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV in 9 countries across Africa; Strengthen efforts to provide differentiated HIV service delivery; Accelerate efforts to find people with TB missed by health systems in 20 countries; Accelerate introduction of innovation for multi-drug resistant TB treatment through regional operational research in Eastern and Central Europe; Support 26 countries and territories to eliminate malaria by 2025; Improve country data collection and use to develop evidence-informed policy; Foster the rapid uptake of service delivery innovations with South to South Learning; Improve quality of care; Encourage rapid uptake of procurement and supply chain management innovation; and Increase program sustainability, facilitate the transition to domestic financing and improve program efficiency.
WHO and the Global Fund have a long and successful partnership working together to scale up HIV, TB and malaria interventions and strengthen health systems in many countries. Through focused efforts and catalytic investments, this collaboration has contributed to significantly reduce the disease burdens of HIV, TB and malaria worldwide, saving millions of lives since 2002.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, more than ever, reinforces the need to strengthen our partnership to achieve our shared goals of ending the epidemics,” said Dr Mubashar Sheikh, Director, Deputy Director-General’s Office, WHO. “This agreement supports countries to develop more effective responses to the HIV, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics and build the resilient health systems they need to reach the most vulnerable.”
“Together, WHO and the Global Fund have proven to be a powerful force that builds on strong in-country support and regional presence, technical leadership and financial resources to strengthen systems for health and accelerate the end of AIDS, TB and malaria as epidemics,” said Michael Byrne, Head of Technical Advice and Partnerships at the Global Fund.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has implored SADC to stop the gruesome violence against unarmed civilians in Swaziland.
President Chamisa has described the violence against unarmed civilians as worrisome.
“Reports of gruesome violence against unarmed civilians by eSwatini authorities is worrisome.
The quest for democratic governance in eSwatini is legitimate and just.
SADC should urgently help to restore peace by bringing all stakeholders into dialogue. #SwaziLivesMatter,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti also wrote: The situation in Swaziland is out of hand.The army must go back to the barracks .
Kings Mswati has crossed huge lines. He is now a bandit in international law.He must abdicate. @AUC_DPA must act to save lives #EswatiniLivesMatter #eSwatini #eSwatiniProtest #EswatiniProtests
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has released a statement in solidarity with jailed political activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has described Makomborero Haruzivishe as a hero of the struggle for democracy.
See full statement:
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly Pays Tribute To Incarcerated Pro-democracy Hero, Haruzivishe
05-07-2021
Today, the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly pays tribute to incarcerated pro-democracy hero Makomborero Haruzivishe who was sentenced to 14 months in prison on trumped up charges of ‘resisting lawful arrest and inciting public violence.’
Running under the #MakoMonday banner, the Youth Assembly is seeking to raise awareness about the nervous conditions of young people in this country while at the same time demanding for the unconditional release of Haruzivishe.
Since usurping power through a coup in November 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime has been on a warpath with young people.
Since stealing the ballot will of young people through the barrel of the gun on 01 August 2018, Emmerson Mnangagwa has embarked on a blood letting trail against young people committing all sorts crimes against humanity.
From abductions, torture, rape, murder, displacements, arbitrary arrests to imprisonment, the regime is using all sorts of fascist tricks to silence our voices.
The targeted attack on young people as evidenced by Makomborero Haruzivishe’s unjustified imprisonment is a generational attack by an old generation who stole and diverted the liberation agenda to pursue their petty parochial interests of self enrichment at the expense of the people.
Henceforth, the persecution by prosecution of Mako is a micro of the macro. The ultimate agenda is to silence the voices of all young people in this country!
It is against this background that we must all speak up and raise awareness against the continued caging of Cde Mako through this first step,- the #MakoMonday campaign.
This an ongoing campaign where we dedicate every Monday to our hero, Mako till he is freed.
We are all Mako, Mako is us!
FreeMako
MakoMondays
DefyOrDie
RegisterToVoteZw
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Tinashe Sambiri|Prominent journalist Batsiranai Ngugama, who is also a teacher at Serima High School has described the persecution he was subjected to by overzealous police officers as sad and unfortunate.
Ngugama was arrested in Gutu on Sunday after challenging police brutality. A ZRP cop based at Stephen Business Centre insulted and assaulted Misheck Tavuya, a teacher at Serima High School prompting Ngugama to challenge police barbarism.
Below is Ngugama’s full statement:
It’s true. A police officer named Mirasi assaulted Mr Misheck Tavuya over a packet of chips on Saturday during the curfew.
When Tavuya approached another officer Murimi at Steven Base, he did not take action.
Tavuya approached me on Sunday morning and told me the story. I phoned the Officer Cst Murimi asking if he had assisted Tavuya. I told him I was a journalist and just wanted to here if he was going to arrested his fellow workmate who was in company of a girlfriend during the time of incident.
Cst Murimi then threatened me not to write or take anything he said. I told him I was professional and knew protocol.
“Handingakudzingisiyi basa. Kana ndichida comment I will phone Press at Province” I said.
The officer then changed my statement and said I had said ‘ndichamudzingisa basa’.
He boasted that he had framed a lot of cases and won then in court and was going to fix me heavily.
He handcuffed me. At the station, I was exposed to a litany of abuse and assault.
They were attempts to bribe the assaulted teacher, but I feared not. My point was why breaking curfew and assaulting and failure to arrest another police officer.
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s blue-eyed boy, Kuda Tagwirei is involved in several underhand deals that are siphoning State resources at an alarming pace.
This was revealed by The Sentry, an investigative and policy team that follows the dirty money connected to African war criminals and transnational war profiteers.
See part of the The Sentry report on Tagwirei’s shadowy business deals.
Shadows and Shell Games
Uncovering an Offshore Business Empire in Zimbabwe
Set well back from the public road at the end of a long driveway lined with palm trees is an extravagant new mansion, being built by Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a Zimbabwean businessman and presidential advisor accused of corruption.
Much like this Harare residence, Tagwirei’s business empire of more than 40 companies has mostly been hidden from the public eye.
By analyzing hundreds of company documents, court filings, and communications, The Sentry’s investigation shows how Tagwirei used complex corporate structures to build and hide his wealth, potentially benefiting from preferential government treatment along the way.
Tagwirei has invested in gold, nickel, platinum, and chrome mines by hiding behind South African businesspeople and offshore structures in Mauritius and the Cayman Islands and by using lawyers and financiers who are seemingly happy to turn a blind eye to accusations of cronyism and corruption.
New documents uncovered by The Sentry also show how Tagwirei has used similar networks to hide his financial interests in Zimbabwe’s new public-private partnership mining company, Kuvimba Mining House, with Zimbabwe’s Finance Ministry reportedly collaborating to deflect public scrutiny from these arrangements.3
In 2019, Tagwirei paid millions of dollars to a Zimbabwean military-owned company so that Landela Mining Ventures, a company he controlled, could purchase 50% of Great Dyke Investments (GDI), a platinum mine worth hundreds of millions and run as a joint venture with a Russian firm. The payment raises fears about off-budget financing of Zimbabwe’s abusive and partisan military.
An examination of Tagwirei’s business track record reveals a pattern of accusations of privileged access and special treatment, some of which may warrant further investigation by regulators and law enforcement.4 On January 27, 2021, over a year after Landela Mining Ventures had bought half of the platinum mine, Zimbabwe granted GDI a five-year corporate income tax holiday and exempted its shareholders resident in Zimbabwe from resident shareholders’ taxes on GDI dividends—retroactively applied to January 1, 2020.5 6 Auditors investigating corruption red flags in a 2016 $630 million diesel generating plant contract found that the Office of the President had improperly interfered with the procurement process, ordering officials to evaluate Tagwirei’s sole bid outside the standard process.7 Other decisions worthy of further investigation include allegations of preferential access to hard currency and the appointment of Tagwirei’s oil trading company, without a tendering process, to run a $1 billion dollar agriculture project.8
In addition to alleged business dealings with the Zimbabwean military, Tagwirei appears to have the ability to contact senior civilian officials in Zimbabwe at short notice, particularly at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).
Such high-level access, together with the pattern of previous decisions, raises the possibility of state capture, when the public realm—particularly regulatory, legal, and public policy decision-making—has been influenced to benefit private interests. Senior officials at Tagwirei’s companies have denied state capture.9
The operations of Tagwirei’s network are emblematic of larger structural problems in Zimbabwe. A select group of politicians, the military, and businesspeople dominate government decision-making with little oversight or scrutiny. Key information about public finances remains shrouded in secrecy.
An environment of impunity prevails. Left unaddressed, these dynamics will likely become further entrenched
Mr Mnangagwa with blue-eyed boy Kuda Tagwirei and Constantino Chiwenga
By A Correspondent- Six armed robbers were on Saturday nabbed by the police during a shootout in Harare, which killed one of them.
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed the incident.
The robbers were arrested after one of them, Godfrey Josi (41), was caught in Damafalls.
He then revealed the whereabouts of his accomplices identified as Richard Mutanga (40), Zvidozvashe Zuda (35), Peter Mushipe (40), Valentine Mutasa (30), the deceased Benjamin Craig Musasa (39) and Decide Rice.
Nyathi said the robbers were arrested in Chitungwiza, Stoneridge, Kuwadzana, Epworth and Glendale.
He said they were all in possession of guns and live rounds of ammunition.
“The police urge the public to continue supplying information on all robbers so that the law may take its course,” Nyathi said.
