By A Correspondent- A Murereka man has been fined $1000 for stealing maize.
Learnmore Matangambiri, 23, of Murereka, appeared before Chinhoyi Provincial Magistrate Tapiwa Banda charged with theft.
He was found guilty as charged and was fined $1000 or 30 days in jail.
Two months were suspended on condition that he pays restitution of $1320 before June 31.
The complainant in this case is Johnson Chipfinhu, 39, of Murereka.
Prosecuting, Odrah Chitoro told the court that on May 27, at around 12am, Chipfinhu was asleep at his homestead when he woke up and heard some footsteps through his bedroom window in his yard.
He peeped through the window and saw Matangambiri.
He again heard some footsteps which prompted him to wake up out of his bedroom and caught him red handed picking up a 50kg of shelled maize from the stack.
At that moment, he called him by his name, asking him what he was doing.
This did not go down well with Matangambiri who picked up a half brick and hit Chipfinhu on his back.
However, the two wrestled as Matangambiri tried to flee from the scene.
Chipfinhu then called for help, resulting in the owner of the maize, Shumirai Ganye, and other neighbours coming to the fracas.
The matter was reported to the police leading to his arrest and subsequent appearance in court.
Independent Media has initiated investigations into the decuplets matter in South Africa and established that the ten babies were actually born and any effort to claim otherwise is a cover pushed by authorities at the hospital.
We present below findings by the Independent Media:
1. Gosiame Thamara Sithole was admitted to Steve Biko Academic Hospital on Monday, June 7, 2021.
2. She was admitted late in the morning and taken to the maternity ward. 3. At 6 pm or thereabouts, a group of four doctors and two nurses attended to Sithole.
4. Sithole gave birth to five babies via vaginal delivery. Doctors then proceeded to do a Caesarian section and delivered the remaining five babies.
5. Independent Media can confirm that Sithole was at Steve Biko Academic Hospital from June 7 until Friday, June 11. 6. Independent Media can confirm that Sithole was transferred to the lodgers’ section on Thursday. She was not provided with food except for bread and tea in the mornings. She was provided with no medical or psychological assistance.
Added the organisation:
_This information is corroborated by several independent sources, including staff at Steve Biko Academic Hospital._
_Considering our findings, Independent Media calls for an urgent investigation into the actions and statements of the CEO of Steve Biko Academic Hospital Dr Mathebula; the Gauteng Provincial government, and the Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi with respect to the birth of the decuplets._
Independent Media demanded answers from Dr Mathebula, Gauteng Premier Mr David Makhura and Ms Mokgethi on the following questions:
1. Did they know that Gosiame Thamara Sithole was admitted at Steve Biko Academic Hospital on 7 June 2021 and had given birth that evening?
2. Do they have details of the operational set-up for the delivery, and can they share the names of the specialists and doctors who attended to the birth?
3. Can they share details of what extraordinary measures would have been taken to ensure the safety of the mother and the multiple babies?
4. Can they share information about the whereabouts of the doctors who attended the birth? 5. Why did they not disclose that the births did in fact take place at Steve Biko Academic Hospital?
6. What is their response to allegations from staff at Steve Biko Academic Hospital that they were threatened into not revealing any information about the births?
7. What is their response to allegations that the hospital was wholly unprepared for this unprecedented birth? 8. Can they confirm the number of doctors, neonatal staff, paediatricians, that attended the birth to take care of the health of the mother as well as the decuplets?
9. Can they respond to information we have that there were not enough functional incubators at the time of the birth?
10. Can they let us know where the babies are and their state of health?”
Independent Media said it was beyond shocked at the treatment meted out to Sithole. Added the organisation:
_She was given no food, no support, no post-natal medical care, and no counselling after an unprecedented birth. Any birth can be difficult, but that of delivering 10 babies is exceptional and should have been suitably prepared for._
_Worse still, Ms Sithole was pressured by hospital authorities to say she was not at Steve Biko Hospital. Ms Sithole has suffered trauma and shock – physical and psychological – following her treatment at the hands of both hospital and government authorities._
Independent Media said also called upon the national government to make full disclosure around these matters and for the hospital to tell the public what has happened to the babies suggesting there has been extreme medical negligence.
The organisation further argues that instead of looking out for the wellbeing of the mother and the decuplets, they have focused all their attention on discrediting Mr Piet Rampedi (Editor) and Independent Media.
In so doing, they have unquestionably supported what appears to be a cover-up of mammoth proportions.
Residents Trust (CHITREST) Director Alice Kuvheya on Wednesday 16 June 2021 appeared at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court after she was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and charged with incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence.
The 36 year-old Kuvheya was arrested on Monday 14 June 2021 and charged with incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The CHITREST Director was also charged with incitement to commit violence as defined in section 187(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 36(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors claim that Kuvheya, who is represented by Freddy Masarirevhu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, communicated, persuaded and induced people to wage war between authorities at Chitungwiza Municipality and some Chitungwiza residents and some informal traders.
The prosecutors charged that Kuvheya recorded a video which she shared on social media platforms in a bid to incite residents and informal traders to resist a government backed exercise to demolish trading and vending stalls and structures.
Kuvheya’s alleged actions, prosecutors argued, would result in public disturbances and disorder.Kuvheya returns to court on Thursday 17 June 2021, where her application for refusal of remand will be heard before Magistrate Isheanesu Matova.
Through his lawyer, Kuvheya is arguing that the facts of the charge of incitement does not constitute or disclose an offence.On Wednesday 16 June 2021, Magistrate Matova ordered the state to carry out investigations into complaints made by Kuvheya against ZRP wherein she protested against the conduct of police officers who did not advise her about the charge she was facing upon arrest on Monday 14 June 2021 and who also took her from one police station to another and amended the charge several times.
On 10 June 2021, Kuvheya, CHITREST and Harare Residents Trust, who were represented by Rudo Bere of ZLHR, obtained a High Court order granted by Justice Edith Mushore stopping local and central government from carrying out unprocedural demolitions of homes, perimeter walls and informal traders’ structures as the exercise is not in compliance with the law in particular section 32 of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act and section 3 of the Administrative Justice Act.
By A Correspondent| Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST) Director Alice Kuvheya on Wednesday 16 June 2021 appeared at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court after she was arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and charged with incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence.
The 36 year-old Kuvheya was arrested on Monday 14 June 2021 and charged with incitement to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence as defined in section 187 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
The CHITREST Director was also charged with incitement to commit violence as defined in section 187(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as read with section 36(1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Prosecutors claim that Kuvheya, who is represented by Freddy Masarirevhu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, communicated, persuaded and induced people to wage war between authorities at Chitungwiza Municipality and some Chitungwiza residents and some informal traders.
The prosecutors charged that Kuvheya recorded a video which she shared on social media platforms in a bid to incite residents and informal traders to resist a government backed exercise to demolish trading and vending stalls and structures.
Kuvheya’s alleged actions, prosecutors argued, would result in public disturbances and disorder.
Kuvheya returns to court on Thursday 17 June 2021, where her application for refusal of remand will be heard before Magistrate Isheanesu Matova. Through his lawyer, Kuvheya is arguing that the facts of the charge of incitement does not constitute or disclose an offence.
On Wednesday 16 June 2021, Magistrate Matova ordered the state to carry out investigations into complaints made by Kuvheya against ZRP wherein she protested against the conduct of police officers who did not advise her about the charge she was facing upon arrest on Monday 14 June 2021 and who also took her from one police station to another and amended the charge several times.
On 10 June 2021, Kuvheya, CHITREST and Harare Residents Trust, who were represented by Rudo Bere of ZLHR, obtained a High Court order granted by Justice Edith Mushore stopping local and central government from carrying out unprocedural demolitions of homes, perimeter walls and informal traders’ structures as the exercise is not in compliance with the law in particular section 32 of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act and section 3 of the Administrative Justice Act.
The legend produced many heavy weight champions during his active days. Striker recently celebrated his 66th birthday. May the family, boxing fans and those close to him be comforted during this time.
Platform for Youth and Community Development Trust (PYCD) joins the world in celebrating the day of the African Child.
The day of the African Child is commemorated every year on the 16th of June. The theme for this year in 2021 reads, 30 YEARS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE CHARTER: ACCELERATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 2040 FOR AN AFRICA FIT FOR CHILDREN.
This theme resonates well with the work of PYCD that has been endured for over a decade. In commemorating this year’s edition, PYCD acknowledges various efforts made by government and the civic society in the region in trying to protect and uplift the welfare of the African child.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe as adopted in 2013, read together with various statutes and institutional frameworks on child rights have been promulgated with sensitivity that is child –friendly to all forms of ill-treatment and abuse.
PYCD is saddened that despite all these efforts, the challenges affecting the African child remains glaring and far from over. These child-friendly rights continue to be pinned down due to the existence of harmful cultural and religious practices that have taken precedence over the law.In our decade of existence, PYCD has realised that the aspirations of the African Charter for the rights and welfare of the child, as ratified by over 50 states are still to be realised, due to the absence of safety measures that are linked to lack of preparedness at the level of the majority of African governments.
All things being equal, the charter provides for both civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, yet these remain aspirational without being realised. The prevalence of natural disasters such as droughts, pandemics, human error and mismanagement of natural resources make life harder for children who remains vulnerable and neglected.
Zimbabwe has recently been a victim of cyclones such as Cyclone Idai, Cyclone Eloise and Cyclone Chalane whose impact on children has been devastating. This has been made even worse by the coming in of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Children have been left vulnerable to abuses such as sexual exploitation and poverty. Many children have been forced out of school or thrown far away from the protection of their parents due to the impact of the pandemic.
We continue to witness and read increasing cases of children who are being abducted or murdered for ritual purposes. The upsurge of child marriages is also due to the instigation of some religious and cultural beliefs, acts which continue to destroy the dignity of the child.
During this year, PYCD has promoted discussion and dialogue involving learners from selected high schools in Chipinge district. In partnership with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the project has facilitated some of the learners to participate in an essay competition with the topic. “Ending Child Marriages in Zimbabwe”.
This is our contribution in a small way as we seek to confront one of the most debilitating interference to the rights of children namely, the right to education, the right to health as well as the right to information.
This intervention is aimed at involving the young women and girls to actively participate in the campaign to end child marriages by 2030.PYCD is sad to report that some of our lined up activities to commemorate the day of the African Child are now in limbo due to Covid-19 preventative measures announced by the Vice President Mr Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health.
The activities that have been suspended include soccer and netball tournaments that were scheduled for the 19th of June 2021. The idea of soccer and netball was seeking to allow young people to come together and receive speeches and messages on the importance of the day.
It is also aimed to inspire and positively influence young people to co-exist and cooperate to achieve sustainable community.
In the best interest of the child, PYCD therefore recommends the following
-That the government of Zimbabwe expedite the promulgation of all relevant laws to address juvenile justice issues including establishing a district criminal justice system for children.
-That the government of Zimbabwe fully align the children’s Act to the constitution ,including reviewing the Children’s Act to incorporate and ensure that the justice Mechanism system embrace the best interests of the child as paramount in all matters concerning the child
-That the government expand pre-trial diversion programmes and invest in Children ‘s education for a better post-coronavirus world.
Below are pictures of the People’s President Nelson Chamisa at a funeral in Gutu during the mass burial of the 5 family members who perished in a car accident a few days ago. The victims are all from his village.
A Roman Catholic priest, Father Emmanuel Ribeiro has died at the age of 86.
Father Ribeiro
Father Ribeiro died this morning at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare.
He is credited with masterminding the late former President Robert Mugabe and Edgar Tekere’s great escape to Mozambique.
Father Ribeiro also sheltered Mugabe and Enos Nkala when they had been just released by the Ian Smith regime as outlaw Political prisoners after 12 years.
Father Ribeiro was born in 1935 in Zimbabwe into a strong Catholic family. He went to St Francis Xavier College, Kutama in 1951. In 1952 he joined Chishawasha seminary where he did his Junior Certificate in Education, before joining Chishawasha seminary for Philosophy studies in 1954. He proceeded to Gokomere Mission where he did his teaching course. He was ordained a diocesan priest on 13 December 1964.
Father Ribeiro is credited with composing the first Shona hymns of the Roman Catholic church in the late 50’s.
His first song, “Gamuchirai Mambo mupiro uyu” came in 1961 and continues to be sung today.
His other popular compositions include “Alleluia munyika dzose”, “Tauya nezvipo zvemupiro”, “Mambo Mwari wamasimba”, ”Hwayana yaMwari”, Mwari Ngaarumbidzwe” amongst others.
Despite a gold looting scandal Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, Ms Henrietta Rushwaya, was 3 days ago re-elected as the federation’s president for the next five years.
Ms-Henrietta-Rushwaya-
This follows the recent ZMF national elections.
The federation spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi said Ms Rushwaya together with three other national executive members have retained their positions.
“Ms Rushwaya together with three other national executive members have retained their positions. Mr Marufu Sithole as the vice president, Mr Morgan Mugawu as the secretary general and Mr Lufeyi Shato treasury general have won the elections unopposed,” he told the state media.
Washington, DC – June 16, 2021: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Dhaneshwar Ghura conducted a virtual staff visit with the Zimbabwe authorities during June 1–15, 2021 to discuss recent economic developments and the economic outlook.
At the conclusion of the IMF virtual mission visit, Mr. Ghura issued the following statement:
“Zimbabwe has shown resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and other exogenous shocks. The pandemic, on top of cyclone Idai in 2019, a protracted drought, and weak policy buffers, has taken a severe toll on the economic and humanitarian situation. Despite the authorities’ timely actions to support the most vulnerable groups and businesses during the pandemic, real GDP contracted by 4 percent in 2020, after a 6 percent decline in 2019. However, an economic recovery is underway in 2021, with real GDP expected to grow by about 6 percent, reflecting a bumper agricultural output, increased energy production, and the resumption of greater manufacturing and construction activities. Uncertainty remains high, however, and the outlook will depend on the pandemic’s evolution, the pace of vaccination and implementation of sustainable policies.
“The IMF mission notes the authorities’ efforts to stabilize the local currency and lower inflation. In this regard, contained budget deficits and reserve money growth, as well as the introduction of a foreign exchange auction system, are policy measures in the right direction.
“Further efforts are needed to solidify the stabilization trends and accelerate reforms. The near-term macroeconomic imperative is to improve the coordination among fiscal, foreign exchange and monetary policies, while addressing COVID-19 related economic and humanitarian challenges. In line with the last Article IV consultation, the mission highlighted that structural reforms aimed at improving the business climate and reducing governance vulnerabilities are essential for ensuring sustained and inclusive growth. To this end, the authorities’ strategy and policies as embodied in their National Development Strategy need to be fully operationalized and implemented. Durable macroeconomic stability and structural reforms would bode well for the recovery and Zimbabwe’s development objectives.
“Zimbabwe has been a Fund member in good standing since it cleared its outstanding arrears to the IMF in late 2016. The Fund provides extensive technical assistance in the areas of economic governance and financial sector reforms, as well as macroeconomic statistics. However, the IMF is precluded from providing financial support to Zimbabwe due to an unsustainable debt and official external arrears. A Fund financial arrangement would require a clear path to comprehensive restructuring of Zimbabwe’s external debt, including the clearance of arrears and obtaining financing assurances from official creditors; a reform plan that is consistent with macroeconomic stability, growth and poverty reduction; a reinforcement of the social safety net; and governance and transparency reforms.
“The virtual IMF mission staff visit outcome will serve as a key input in the preparations for the 2021 Article IV consultation mission expected to take place later this year.
“The IMF staff held meetings with Minister Mthuli Ncube, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya, other senior government and RBZ officials, representatives of the private sector and Zimbabwe’s development partners.
“The IMF staff wishes to express its gratitude to the Zimbabwean authorities and stakeholders for the constructive and open spirit in which all discussions were held.”
By A Correspondent- MDC-T Bulawayo province is battling factionalism hardly a month after infighting within its women’s wing exposed differences between supporters of party leader Douglas Mwonzora and his deputy Thokozani Khupe.
A belated International Womens’ Day celebration party held in the city last month was almost aborted after a group of women linked to Khupe walked out on Mwonzora, who was the guest speaker.
Khupe did not attend the celebrations.
Last Saturday, the divisions were also laid bare when the party held two separate meetings, a few kilometres apart, as opposing camps professed ignorance of each other’s gatherings.
Khupe graced a meeting held in Njube, while another was being held in Mpopoma led by MDC Veterans Association (VAA) chair Gideon Mangena, just a few kilometres away.
“To be honest, I did not know anything about that (Khupe) meeting,” Dorothy Ndlovu, who is the national chairperson of the MDC-T women’s national assembly, said in an interview with Southern Eye.
Journalist Jeffrey Moyo was on 15 June 2021 granted bail on appeal by High Court judge Justice Takuva in Zimbabwe’s second city of Bulawayo.
This followed the denial of bail on 31 May 2021 by Magistrate Rachel Mukanga.
Read: Journalist Moyo denied bail
Moyo was granted bail on the following conditions:
– That he pays ZW$5000.00 to the Clerk of Court Bulawayo Magistrates Court – That he surrenders his passport to the Clerk of Court Bulawayo Magistrates Court – That he continues residing at his given address. – That he reports to Mabelreign Police Station once a month on the first Friday of each month.
Moyo is being charged together with Thabang Manhika an employee of the Zimbabwe Media Commission on charges of contravening the Immigration Act.
By A Correspondent- Small-Scale Millers Association of Zimbabwe president Davis Muhambi has been fingered in the abuse of the government Roller Meal subsidy programme where he is said to have diverted subsidised mealie- meal to the black market..
Muhambi owns United Milling Company which is based in Bulawayo and was part of the government managed Roller Meal subsidy programme last year.
According to NewsDay, the corruption scam was revealed by disgruntled workers at Muhambi’s firm.
The workers told NewsDay that Muhambi owed local shops more than US$300 000 worth of roller meal which he failed to supply despite having accessed maize from GMB.
The government last year in March rolled out a roller meal subsidy programme where it prepaid millers to supply cheap maize meal to citizens throughout the country.
Millers, who participated in the programme accessed maize from GMB and got paid in advance for milling and distribution of mealie-meal by the Treasury.
There were, however, reports of the abuse of the facility by some millers who diverted the product to the black market and sold it in United States dollars.
Yesterday, Muhambi accused business rivals of spreading falsehoods to tarnish his image.
“Who are those employees who told you about salary arrears?” he asked. “Our payroll is up to date. We have already paid our workers the May salaries. We do not have any salary arrears. What is your concern on whether I pay my workers or not? If you publish that story I am going to sue you,” he said.
Asked to comment on accusations of failing to supply roller meal to retailers, Muhambi said it was normal in business to be in debt, adding that his company was also owed by other corporates.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T Bulawayo province is battling factionalism hardly a month after infighting within its women’s wing exposed differences between supporters of party leader Douglas Mwonzora and his deputy Thokozani Khupe.
A belated International Womens’ Day celebration party held in the city last month was almost aborted after a group of women linked to Khupe walked out on Mwonzora, who was the guest speaker.
Khupe did not attend the celebrations.
Last Saturday, the divisions were also laid bare when the party held two separate meetings, a few kilometres apart, as opposing camps professed ignorance of each other’s gatherings.
Khupe graced a meeting held in Njube, while another was being held in Mpopoma led by MDC Veterans Association (VAA) chair Gideon Mangena, just a few kilometres away.
“To be honest, I did not know anything about that (Khupe) meeting,” Dorothy Ndlovu, who is the national chairperson of the MDC-T women’s national assembly, said in an interview with Southern Eye.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youths have petitioned the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, expressing reservations over the lyrics in Sulumani Chimbetu’s song, Chirwere.
The song Chirwere has lyrics that denounce the way Emmerson Mnangagwa got into power in November 2017.
Mnangagwa became the President in November 2017 after ousting his long time ally, the late Robert Mugabe, through a military coup.
It is considered taboo in the Shona custom to engage in cultural ceremonies in November.
Through their organisation Zimbabwe Revolutionary and Patriotic Youth Network (ZIRAPAYON), Zanu PF youths wrote to ZPCS and minister Ziyambi complaining that Sulu should interpret his song.
Sulu, who is the brand ambassador for the ZPCS, where he is an assistant commissioner, implied in the song that the country was being plagued by problems because it installed a leader in the month of November.
In the letter, the youths are demanding that Sulu should explain what he meant in the song.
“ZIRAPAYON Harare province was not pleased by a song released by the ambassador of the ZPCS Assistant Commissioner Sulumani Chimbetu featuring one chanter popularly known as Hwindi President,” the letter read in part.
“We seek clarity on what he meant. We are sure that your esteemed office would also want to understand what the goodwill ambassador implied. We join hands with you and all patriotic Zimbabweans in demanding an explanation. A proactive response will be highly appreciated.”
Last week Sulu, son of the late legendary musician and liberation war hero, Simon, torched a political storm after his pictures clad in Zanu PF regalia went viral.
This came shortly after he was photographed in the company of Harare West MP Joanah Mamombe (MDC Alliance.
Sulu has been under a barrage of criticism from mainly Zanu PF supporters who took him to task over his association with Mamombe and of late, Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) president Takudzwa Ngadziore.
He was the subject of political scrutiny after he was captured on camera welcoming Ngadziore from remand prison and is on record expressing solidarity with the student leader.
This upset some Zanu PF members who wanted him to be stripped of his ZPCS ambassadorial role.
By A Correspondent- Vocal Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa, has been targeted by Zanu PF MPs who want him injected from parliament.
Yesterday Deputy Speaker of National Assembly, Tsitsi Gezi said she will today rule whether Mliswa is not in contempt of Parliament for allegedly abusing other Members Parliament.
Deputy Speaker Gezi ejected Mr Mliswa this afternoon for disorderly conduct and said she will make a ruling on whether his conduct did not constitute contempt of Parliament.
This was after Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi proposed that Mliswa be investigated for disorderly conduct in the chamber.
This was after Mliswa had dressed down Ziyambi, during a question and answer parliament session.
Police had to intervene yesterday when relatives of a 23-year-old-man who died last week from injuries sustained after being attacked at Duriro Bar in the capital, dumped the body at the rural home of MDC-T vice president and former Harare mayor Elias Mudzuri.
Mudzuri owns the bar where the man was attacked and the victim’s relatives accuse the politician of having played a role in the assault. The relatives were ordered to remove the body and proceed with burial arrangements pending the conclusion of investigations into the case.
According to reports, the relatives left Ronald Mukumbira’s coffinon a verandah at Mudzuri’s home in the Four Miles area of Zaka at around 6am on Wednesday. Mudzuri is under investigation after being implicated as one of the people who participated in the attack on Mukumbira.
Police urged the relatives to be patient and let the law take its course with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide Section now handling the matter.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case, saying investigations were still in progress.
“We have intensified investigations with a view to ascertain what transpired on the day in question. The CID Homicide is investigating the matter and he (Mudzuri) will be summoned soon,” he said.
Mukumbira was allegedly assaulted on June 7 and died on June 10 at his house in Epworth, allegedly from injuries sustained during the attack.- The Herald
A four-year-old boy died after he was hit by a bus along Herbert Chitepo Avenue in Harare yesterday while a tout was fatally stabbed near Simon Vengai Muzenda bus terminus in a dispute over passengers.
The boy was left in a car by his mother when she went into a funeral parlour, but was hit by the bus when he attempted to follow her, said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
“He died instantly. Police are now conducting investigations. It is a sad incident. Parents must not leave children unattended,” he said.
In the tout case, police are now hunting the killers of Patrick Mudiwe, a tout. Mudiwe was popularly known as Kedha and his injured colleague was identified as Jasper Maoneke.
The deadly clash was sparked off when touts who are said to belong to Bolt Cutter and CAG buses, were fighting.
Mr Maoneke was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he was reportedly battling for his life.
Allegations are that Mr Mudiwe, who reports said helped load Bolt Cutter buses, had a scuffle with a tout identified only as Tinashe, who reportedly helped load CAG buses.
It is said as the scuffle ensued, a white Nissan Hardbody with concealed number plates arrived with a gang of up to 10 people who started assaulting Mudiwe.
Asst Comm Nyathi said while the 10 people in the Nissan Hardbody were assaulting Muduwe, reports are that he managed to escape and ran away.
He said as soon as Mr Mudiwe was stabbed and died, the suspects rushed back into their vehicle and sped off.
He warned bus operators to stop employing touts.- The Herald
A four-year-old boy died after he was hit by a bus along Herbert Chitepo Avenue in Harare yesterday while a tout was fatally stabbed near Simon Vengai Muzenda bus terminus in a dispute over passengers.
The boy was left in a car by his mother when she went into a funeral parlour, but was hit by the bus when he attempted to follow her, said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
“He died instantly. Police are now conducting investigations. It is a sad incident. Parents must not leave children unattended,” he said.
In the tout case, police are now hunting the killers of Patrick Mudiwe, a tout. Mudiwe was popularly known as Kedha and his injured colleague was identified as Jasper Maoneke.
The deadly clash was sparked off when touts who are said to belong to Bolt Cutter and CAG buses, were fighting.
Mr Maoneke was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals where he was reportedly battling for his life.
Allegations are that Mr Mudiwe, who reports said helped load Bolt Cutter buses, had a scuffle with a tout identified only as Tinashe, who reportedly helped load CAG buses.
It is said as the scuffle ensued, a white Nissan Hardbody with concealed number plates arrived with a gang of up to 10 people who started assaulting Mudiwe.
Asst Comm Nyathi said while the 10 people in the Nissan Hardbody were assaulting Muduwe, reports are that he managed to escape and ran away.
He said as soon as Mr Mudiwe was stabbed and died, the suspects rushed back into their vehicle and sped off.
He warned bus operators to stop employing touts.- The Herald
OLYMPICS chiefs are set to give out 160,000 condoms to athletes at Tokyo despite sex being banned due to Covid.
The athletes taking part at Tokyo have been discouraged by the organising committee from having sex despite the distribution of condoms in a bid to “raise awareness.”
Giving out condoms has been a long-running tradition within the Olympics.
The tradition began as early as 1988, mainly to prevent the spread of HIV.
Each participant will receive around 14 condoms each, as well as a 33-page guide book on social distancing rules, urging them to “avoid physical contact, including hugs and handshakes.”
In a statement, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended the move, saying: “Our intent and goal is not for athletes to use the condoms at the Olympic Village but to help with awareness by taking them back to their own countries.”
The Tokyo Games are a year over due because of the ongoing pandemic.
The new start date for the Games will be 23 July 2021 and will finish on the 8 August.
The decision comes days after a member of the Japanese Olympics Committee came out and said Tokyo had been “cornered” into going ahead with the Games according to the Guardian.
Kaori Yamaguchi, an executive member of the Japanese Olympic Committee, warned they would leave a “bitter taste” due to widespread public opposition.
She accused the IOC of ignoring valid concerns about safety at the event. Saying, “The IOC seems to think that public opinion in Japan is not important.” — Reuters
The late former President Robert Mugabe’s daughter Bona and her husband Simbarashe Mutsahuni have approached the High Court challenging the Statutory Instrument (SI) 41 of 2020 published to reduce their 1 800-hectare Mazowe farm.
Bona Mugabe
The couple cited Lands minister Anxious Masuka and Attorney-General Prince Machaya as respondents.
This was after Masuka published the Rural Land (Farm Sizes) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No 2) (SI 41 of 2020) on February 14, 2020, to facilitate the reduction of commercial sizes for redistribution to other farmers.
Mutsahuni and his wife said the SI was unconstitutional as the minister failed to consider important issues that were brought about the new law.
“The applicant has a direct interest in this matter, having been affected by the application of the provisions of SI 41 of 2020,” said Mutsahuni in his founding affidavit.
The amendment was done in terms of section 21 of the Land Commission Act (Chapter 20;29) repealing provisions of the Rural Land (Farm Sizes) Regulations, 1999, published in SI 419 of 1999.
In substance, SI 41 of 2020 sought to alter the sizes of land which can be held under the various natural regions in Zimbabwe.
The couple is a holder of an offer letter under Model A2 Phase II, in respect of Subdivision Consolidation measuring 1 804, 9719 hectares of Sigaro Farm, Mazowe district in Mashonaland province, which was granted on June 22, 2017 by the Lands minister.
“Acting in terms of SI 41 of 2020, the minister proceeded to withdraw the aforesaid offer letter with an express intention to reduce the extent of the land which we hold under the offer letter. This was unfair because it is common cause that the new SI came into effect when the old SI 419 of 1999, was in full effect,” Mutsahuni submitted.
“Despite this, it is also common cause that the minister did not adhere to the provisions of these regulations and proceeded to allocate individuals land sizes beyond the prescribed sizes under SI 419 of 1999. Pursuant to the promulgation of SI 41 of 2020, the minister has sought to pursue a rigid adherence to the new farm sizes stated therein.”
Mutsahuni said the SI was arbitrary in that its consequence was that it was applied retrospectively without regard to the nature and extent of investments made by any farmer who historically would have been on the farm.
He said they were not given any discretion to consider the suitability of the prescribed farm size against the extent of any investments made by farmer affected and the extent of utilisation.
Machete gangs have since July 2018 been invading Mangwande Primary School in Lower Gweru prompting teachers to desert the institution as they feared for their lives.
The school is now left with five teachers out of a staff complement of 14.
Teachers fled after a female colleague was assaulted and gang-raped by five machete-wielding youths as her three minor children watched.
The machete gang then force-marched the head to the school cash vault which they failed to break.
They then searched other teachers’ houses and stole various items.
Two members of the gang were later arrested and jailed for 37 years each.
A parent with a child at Mangwande School, Thomson Moyo said children in Grade Four and Grade Six had not been attending classes for the whole of the last term. Moyo said:
It’s disheartening that our children are failing to learn due to shortages of teachers mainly caused by desertions because of machete gang terror.
From the information we have gathered, the teachers were saying they fear for their lives.
Another parent, Esnath Mlalazi said following the robbery at the school three years ago, teachers deserted their staff cottages before they left the school in successive years. She said:
They started by deserting the school staff houses, saying they feared for their lives before they went on to transfer from the school in successive years.
Addressing a meeting organised by churches last year, Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima said there was a need to decisively deal with the machete gangs.
He called on stakeholders to join hands with police and put an end to machete gangs, whom he said had become “warlords” with “potential to start civil wars”.
Machete gangs have in the past three years been targeting and terrorising gold mining towns.- NewsDay
…first response, military attack and reconnaissance…
Sifelani Tsiko-Agric | Herald | Zimbabwe’s innovator and inventor Maxwell Sangulani Chikumbutso has scored another first for the country by developing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, which could be used for military operations, border patrols, anti-smuggling missions, wildlife protection and delivery of medication to remote places.
The drone uses power generated using radio frequency to reach up to 11 000 feet above sea level.
The gifted innovator and Form Two drop-out from Harare told The Herald yesterday that the drone — called the Saith UAV — has unique features that could be a pathway for him to enter the highly competitive aviation and hi-tech global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone that Chikumbutso has developed.
“Our drone possesses the following hitherto unparalleled capabilities — a flying endurance pursuant to which it reaches a speed of 600km per/hr and a height over 11 000 feet above sea level with a carrying capacity of 45kg,” he said.
“We are one of the few African companies that are resolutely thriving to make Africa a technology driven and pioneering continent. This places us at the very heart of Africa’s surge into the future.”
Chikumbutso is now applying the roll-up-your-sleeves determination and a penchant for entrepreneurship to fuel his Saith Holdings start-up tech company to the commercialisation stage entering the very complex technologies market.
“The drone will be effectively and efficiently deployed as an emergency first response, military attack and reconnaissance, border patrols as well anti-smuggling, national parks and wildlife protection.
“It will also be used for medication deliveries to remote places,” he said.
The young innovator is best known for developing a green power generator which can produce electricity using radio frequency.
Last year, he was featured on the “Thrive II” documentary which captured breakthroughs in science, medicine and engineering among top global innovators and inventors across the world.
He has also developed a prototype automated disinfecting machine to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Chikumbutso said he was motivated to develop the machine after watching how countries were struggling to disinfect public places.
In 2015, he unveiled his innovations at Bluff Hill Industrial Park in Harare, where he got a standing ovation from an audience which could not believe a Zimbabwean could make the crucial inventions using basic, but highly-engineered materials to design a helicopter, drone, electric car and a green power generating machine.
Chikumbutso said it cost about US$220 000 to produce the drone which he said would be sold for over US$500 000.
Through his Saith Holdings company, he said he had engaged the Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Government to seek clearance to conduct trials.
“No doubt this will prominently place Zimbabwe on the forefront of cutting edge technological innovation.
“The project will undoubtedly generate foreign currency and awesome job opportunities for our people mainly to those mechatronics and engineering graduates who have been struggling to secure employment,” he said.
The use of drones has exploded in recent years — for security, military, delivery, law enforcement, filming, and more recently health screening purposes.
Drones are increasingly being used in Africa to do precision agriculture such as spraying of crops to help cut costs for farmers and enhance efficiency.
While multiple countries have proven the benefit of using drones, challenges of regulation still remain in most African countries.
Many African nations are struggling to address a range of drone-related issues, including privacy concerns, maintaining public safety and preventing the use of drones with malicious intent.
Chikumbutso said prospects were bright that the development of his drone could help the country to explore innovative solutions for some of its most pressing problems.
“Drone technology can be applied to solve the challenge of delivering medical supplies to rural and hard-to-reach areas that are cut off from the main transportation systems in the country,” he said.
“It could also be expanded to cover life-saving deliveries for pharmaceuticals, vaccines and blood packs. Drones can also take blood and DNA tests to laboratories where the results can be analysed and methods of treatment can more accurately be determined.
“Drones have exciting opportunities and could be used in humanitarian and emergency situations saving a lot on time and lives.” – State Media
Tinashe Sambiri|Every citizen has a role to play in exposing rigging of elections, MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has said.
President Chamisa was responding to award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s tweet on how elections are rigged by the Zanu PF regime.
“Thank you @daddyhope for the great work.
You are on point. We’re working 24/7 to address past mistakes and fix the gaps.
As citizens, we each must play a role to defeat cheating and rigging. Fellow Zimbabweans,Your country needs you. Change is in your hands. Play your part!”
Below is Hopewell Chin’ono’s tweet:
Listen to this video, and RETWEET it if you are interested in CHANGE coming to Zimbabwe!
Many people talk about rigging of elections and yet we have not explained how they are rigged and importantly how to stop the rigging!
Delay in the conclusion of labour cases against suspended top managers has proved costly to Harare City Council which is now paying about $300 000 monthly to each of its five directors sitting at home, while those occupying the same positions in acting capacities are also getting the same figures plus a host of benefits.
Town Clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango and five directors are currently on suspension over corruption-related charges. Some have been on suspension for close to a year without any hearing.
All top managers (Grades one to three) are on suspension except for health services director Dr Prosper Chonzi (Grade two) who is substantively in office.
Eng Chisango, Mr Stanely Ndemera (finance director), Mr Addmore Nhekairo (housing director), Eng Zvenyika Chawatama (works director), Charles Kandemiri (chamber secretary) are all receiving salaries and benefits from home.
Their cases have dragged for months and council is failing to prosecute their labour cases.
They are receiving full salaries and benefits while those appointed to their posts in acting capacity are also drawing the benefits and salaries in the region of $300 000 each.
Information gathered reveals that Eng Chisango is receiving a salary in the region of $320 000 while in the comfort of his home.
The other directors are getting varying amounts in the region of $300 000 but slightly lower than the Town Clerk’s salary.
Eng Chisango reportedly has two council vehicles and gets 320 litres of fuel monthly. He also gets allowances for entertainment, airtime, refreshments, public relations and responsibility.
Other directors get almost the same allowances monthly. Interestingly, those in acting capacity are getting the same salaries and perks.
The local authority is also headed for a showdown after recently losing a labour case against its human capital and development director Dr Cainos Chingombe.
Council’s lawyers, who are also charging a fortune, bungled in the case and filed defective papers leading to the dismissal of their case by the Labour Court.
This means council will now have to pay Dr Chingombe a backdated salary and benefits. He had been fired for misconduct.
Dr Chingombe was suspended in 2017, and reinstated in November last year before being subsequently fired in April this year.
He contested the decision in the Labour Court, a case where council lawyers put a poor performance.
Acting Harare Mayor Musarurwa Stewart Mutizwa said the council has since set up an independent tribunal to do hearings for the suspended bosses.
“Hearings are ongoing, we anticipated that the tribunal would finish within one month, but issues are very complex.
“The challenge is that some of these officials have pending criminal cases so at times when they are supposed to be appearing before the tribunal, they will be called by the police,” he said.
Acting human capital director Mr Bosman Matengarufu said the suspended personnel will continue to be on full salaries and benefits until their cases have been finalised.
“In the event of suspension of an executive person, the hearing should be done within 14 days and if it fails to kick start the suspended person will be on paid leave. “For other employees, a hearing should be concluded in 30 days.
“In the current cases, we have others that are still under investigation, meaning a disciplinary hearing cannot be conducted for now.
“If the issue is not yet concluded, we will continue to pay salaries and benefits. You cannot punish an employee on the basis that he or she is simply being accused,” he said.
Mr Matengarufu said the conclusion of some of the cases was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic as the country experienced a series of lockdowns.
However, The Herald has it on good record that the council has been taking a lackadaisical approach on at least 40 cases involving senior and middle managers that have been fully investigated by the Harare Municipal Police.
A clear sign of laxity by council is the case involving Mr Nhekairo, who was among the first directors to be put on suspension in August 2019 and since then the council is yet to finalise his disciplinary hearing.
A source within council said Grade 4s who are currently occupying the vacant top posts have also connived to hike their salaries to match those of the top three grades.
“A Grade 4 employee is now pocketing a gross salary of about $250 000 against Grade 6s getting $60 000 despite both doing almost similar jobs.
“Even in the event that the suspended directors are back in office, they know that their salaries will be okay,” said the source. Mr Matengarufu dismissed the allegations saying all procedures are done with council approval.
Last year, the senior managers also hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons following reports that they secretly quadrupled their salaries, instead of a proposed 50 percent increment, angering councillors who called for the immediate reversal of the hikes. – Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Australia Province donated cash to Tungamirai Madzokere and Last Maengahama on Monday.
Madzokere and Maengahama spent nearly 10 years in jail for a crime they did not commit.
MDC Alliance Secretary for Welfare, Maureen Kademaunga commended well-wishers in Zimbabwe and abroad for supporting Maengahama and Madzokere financially…
“Thank you Zimbabwe for the continued outpouring of love and solidarity to our Cdes @LastMaengahama and Clr Madzokere.
Today we say tinotenda to @mdczimbabwe Australia province for a cash donation towards their immediate needs as they reintegrate into society. God bless you.
I was delighted to see my brother back at his workplace where his wife Mrs Maingehama has managed to keep their family business going under very difficult circumstances.
Reintegration is a process and both Last Maengahama and Clr Madzokere are so thankful for all the support & solidarity they are receiving from Zimbabweans at large as they rebuild their lives,” Kademaunga said in a statement.
Zupco is buying 667 buses from China by year end, with delivery of the first batch of 100 buses expected soon.
Further, through its intercity digital payment platform in partnership with Vaya, every intercity passenger will be covered with insurance amounting to $50 000 in the event of an accident on the road resulting in hospitalisation, disability or death.
The digital platform allows passengers to buy a ticket and book a seat for intercity via the online “VAYA ne ZUPCO” App or the Web portal.
President Mnangagwa has since recently indicated that every route should have a Zupco presence.
“We want an equitable distribution of these buses in all the country’s provinces and districts. To this end, we have engaged our suppliers to ensure the delivery of buses that are suitable for the rough terrains in rural areas,” he said recently while commissioning 40 buses in Chinhoyi.
Speaking yesterday on the sidelines of the launch the of Vaya ne ZUPCO platform, Zupco acting chief executive Mr Evaristo Madangwa said the delivery of the buses will go a long way in alleviating transport woes in the country.
“At the moment to assist transport woes we have roped in private players while we are waiting for our buses to arrive that we have acquired. We are engaging our partners, among them private operators to come in and help us out.
“We are expecting about 100 buses in the near future and eventually about 667 buses by year end from China,” he said.
Mr Madangwa also hailed the Government for moving in to deal with congestion in urban areas which he said was also hitting hard on Zupco’s operations.
“We have seen that the reason why it seems as if there are transport shortages is also the issue of congestion. There are strategies that have been put in place to make sure that the congestion is removed so that we improve the flow of traffic to and from the centres. That is a very welcome move,” he said.
During peak hours a bus plying the route from Chitungwiza to Harare and back can take two to three hours owing to congestion, but the same route usually takes less than half the time on any other time.
Mr Madangwa also encouraged the public to embrace use of tap cards, although this will also mean that more buses under his operational control are willing to accept the cards.
“You know in this era of Covid-19 we are promoting cashless transactions so we have intensified the machines in our buses that are handling transactions for tap cards so that we ease the process of handling cash and also try and assist in making sure that we are Covid-19 compliant.
“So we have got a solution for tap cards and we encourage all members of the travelling public to embrace the tap card which is a digital way of paying,” he said.
Mr Madangwa said at all major cities or boarding points kiosks at terminuses sell tap cards and offer the recharge service.
While passengers are normally happy with tap cards, since they can be recharged with swipe cards or mobile money, while cash is harder to get instantly, many buses under the Zupco franchise do not have the tap card readers that are required.
Another reason why many passengers want buses to use tap cards is the popular $45 fare, which normally means payment of $50 since there are hardly any $5 notes now in circulation.
Speaking at the same occasion to launch the VAYA ne ZUPCO platform yesterday, Harare Institute of Technology Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Engineer Talon Garikai, said the partnership and online booking platform is aligned to global trends of public and private sector partnerships, and the use of technology in public transport to transform people’s lives.
“I hope that this innovation and partnership, which will initially support passengers travelling between Harare and Bulawayo, will quickly be rolled out throughout other cities and across the country, so that our people can benefit from this smart partnership,” he said.-State Media
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly today joins the rest of African countries in commemorating the Day of African Child otherwise known as June 16 Day.
The Day of African Child is marked on the African calendar as a way of cherishing the gallant efforts of South African children who were gruesomely butchered by the Apartheid regime in 1976 for demanding the right not to be taught in Afrikaans language.
That uprising better known as the Soweto Uprising gave birth to this special June 16 Day which is commemorated every year on our African calendar.
It is painful and shameful that 45 years after the murderous 1976 events in Soweto, here in Africa we still have blood thirsty regimes that abduct, torture and murder the African child, all for absolute power.
Here in Zimbabwe, we have one of the most cruel dictatorship that is worse than the racist Apartheid regime of South Africa.
We have a brutal regime that fires live bullets on its citizens as we have witnessed on 01 August 2018.
From arbitrary arrests, pre-trial detentions, abductions, rape torture to murder, the ills of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime are just too much.
While the Apartheid regime would oppress Africans, at least there was some form of infrastructural development and their economy was stable.
The tragedy with Mnangagwa’s apartheid regime is that besides cartels that are looting the national cake, there is virtually no any development to talk about under his so-called, New Dispensation.
The worst part is that citizens who are scrounging for survival through vending following the destruction of the formal economy by this regime are also having their sources of livelihoods destroyed too.
Mnangagwa’s regime has ganged up to destroy the only remaining source of livelihoods for citizens- vending. As we speak right now they are busy destroying vending sites in Chitungwiza and Harare and those who dare to question their inhumane acts like CHITREST Director, Alice Kuvheya are arrested.
The African Child just can not breath under Mnangagwa’s regime!
Children are dying like flies in empty hospitals because there is no medical supplies and doctors are incapacitated to go to work.
We have a regime that is breeding a social problem in the near future because children of the poor can not access basic education. Our education has been commodified by the dictator and is now beyond reach of many.
More so, teachers are incapacitated to report for work and the regime has done nothing to ameliorate their circumstances except buying themselves expensive helicopter.
It is time for the African child in Zimbabwe to draw inspiration from the Soweto children who chose to dare the Apartheid dictatorship.
FreeMako
DefyOrDie
CitizensConvergenceForChange
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson
Q: How have the vaccines been developed so quickly? Does this mean that their safety and efficacy has been compromised?
A: The speed of development of COVID-19 vaccines has been unprecedented for several reasons, but the safety and efficacy requirements for vaccines have not been compromised, Vaccine development was facilitated by:
The massive financial investment by governments, industry and philanthropic organisations in vaccine development and the re-direction of much of the global research and commercial infrastructure for the development and manufacture of vaccines. Governments also enabled companies to take the commercial risk of manufacturing some vaccine stocks ahead of regulatory approvals.
New technologies adapted from the development of other vaccines – mRNA vaccines were developed for COVID-19 very rapidly after the sequence of the COVID-19 virus was determined, but the underlying technology had been under development since much longer and production could be scaled up very quickly. The adenovirus technology used for adenovirus vector vaccines was first tested with SARS, MERS and Ebola virus over the last 20 years, and so was able to be adapted quickly to COVID-19, which has several similarities to these viruses.
Clinical trial successes – it has been possible to rapidly recruit large numbers of volunteers into clinical trials and, with unfortunately high rates of infection in several countries, to complete trials with 10,000-50,000 people in a short period of time. Under normal circumstances, it may take many months or even a few years to carry out trials of this size to determine whether a vaccine is effective. Very close collaboration – between regulators, industry and clinical researchers enabled clear indications of regulatory requirements and early access to results.
Intensive and insightful research – researchers predicted that the “spike protein” on the virus would be a good target for vaccine development, and almost all vaccines have been designed to induce a response to this protein. So far, the spike protein has produced a strong immune response in those vaccinated, and for those vaccines that have reported clinical results are highly protective from COVID-19 disease. Q: Will mRNA vaccines affect the DNA of vaccine recipients?
A: No. The mRNA in the vaccine has not been shown to incorporate itself into the genes of vaccine recipients and breaks down in the weeks after vaccination. mRNA vaccines contain genetic instructions for our cells, which only read them and provide copies of the SARS-CoV2 spike protein. This enables the body’s natural immune systems to cause a response in vaccine recipients if they are later exposed to the virus.
Q: How long will COVID-19 vaccination provide protection for immunised people?
A: We do not yet know how long protection from any of these vaccines lasts. We will get better insights over the next 12 months.
The duration of protection provided by vaccines can vary. For example, the seasonal influenza vaccine is given annually, because the influenza virus mutates, and protection wanes over a number of months. Other vaccines, such as those for rubella or measles provide multi-year or even life-long protection from disease. Mutations in key viral proteins can mean that virus variants emerge. The SARS-CoV-2-coronavirus is prone to mutations that creates variants, some of which have become established in a number of regions of the world. The scientific community and regulators are very actively monitoring whether the current vaccines can continue protecting people from infection with new variants. A number of vaccine developers are currently developing vaccines against the range of variants, and it is likely that booster shots with these vaccines will increase protection against known variants. Regulators have agreed that review of data on vaccines against variants will be facilitated based on assessment of immune response to the variant, in the same way that new seasonal influenza vaccines are evaluated each year. Q: Why are there so many vaccine candidates?
A: As the global seriousness of the pandemic became rapidly apparent, development of effective vaccines for COVID-19 became the top priority of many pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutes. There was also unprecedented government and private sector investment in vaccine development. There is now a wide range of technologies for developing new vaccines – and many of the organisations developing COVID-19 vaccines have particular experience in one or more of these technologies. This has ensured that there would still be vaccines available if some were not approved for reasons of efficacy, safety or manufacturing challenges.
Q: What if many people start getting a reaction from a particular COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Short-term reactions, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue or headache are common following any vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines. These reactions usually pass in a day or two. If new evidence becomes available that suggests that a specific serious adverse event may be linked to a particular COVID-19 vaccine then regulators will take action, working collaboratively on a global basis and liaise with public health authorities. The type of actions that can be taken depend on the nature of the adverse event, and could range from issuing safety warnings for patients, healthcare professionals and the community; updating the product information or consumer information for the vaccine to show contraindications for the use in particular patients (e.g. those with certain co-morbidities); to closely monitoring adverse events in certain groups of patients; preventing the release of a particular batch of vaccine through to temporary suspension of the use of the vaccine until more is known.
Q: How are regulators speeding up the time it takes to authorise a COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Many regulators globally have implemented faster access pathways for COVID-19 vaccines, without compromising on strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
Some countries have Emergency Use Authorisation pathways which assess the available data at the time of authorisation. Exercising these provisions is a matter for those countries, taking into account the benefits versus risks in the context of the prevailing domestic pandemic situation. Different countries may coin this pathway or authorisation routes differently but essentially, they follow the same principles. Other countries have implemented accelerated/priority, conditional or provisional approval schemes.
Under normal circumstances, regulatory assessment begins once all information to support registration is available. For COVID-19 vaccines, many regulators have agreed to accept data on a rolling basis to enable early evaluation of data as it becomes available. Regulators will only be in a position to make a provisional approval decision for a vaccine once there is sufficient data to support adequately the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine for its intended use. If a decision is made to grant provisional or conditional approval, it will be based on the requirement for the sponsor to submit more comprehensive, longer term clinical data, stability data and other information with agreed timelines. Q: Did our country approve this COVID-19 vaccine, or are we relying on another country’s approval?
A: Most countries are carrying out independent regulatory evaluations on the submitted data for each vaccine. However, to ensure a more efficient use of resources and expertise, regulators in different countries are communicating closely on safety, efficacy and quality data and discussing technical issues as they may arise. In many cases principles of WHO Good Reliance Practices and collaborative mechanisms leverage the output of other regulators.
Q: Why weren’t very rare blood clots with low platelets with the AstraZeneca or Janssen vaccines picked up during clinical trials?
A: Thromboembolic events with concurrent thrombocytopenia are very rare – with estimates based on the number of spontaneous reports suggesting an overall incidence on the order of 10-15 cases per million doses. The clinical trials of these vaccines included large numbers of people, often with 10,000 to 20,000 individuals in the active vaccine arms, but even in trials of this size it was statistically unlikely that such very rare events would be detected. This shows the importance of continual safety monitoring during the use of these vaccines, to allow very rare events to be detected and investigated further.
Source:
Joint Statement from the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities and World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
An illegal miner from Chitungwiza village, Mazowe committed suicide yesterday by drinking poison mixed with illicit beer over his wife’s infidelity
Philimon Master sent texts messages to his wife Sandra Nyemwererai (35) informing her of his intentions of killing himself because she had cheated him.
Master’s body was found by the police lying on the ground with a bottle of illicit beer, a pesticide and a suicidal note that had the phone number of the wife and her address.
Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case.
Police warned people to respect human life and seek counselling when they have differences.
“Killing one self is not a solution, when ever couples have problems they should seek counselling from a third part that include pastors ,the police and family members that can save people’s lives”- Bulawayo 24
An illegal miner from Chitungwiza village, Mazowe committed suicide yesterday by drinking poison mixed with illicit beer over his wife’s infidelity
Philimon Master sent texts messages to his wife Sandra Nyemwererai (35) informing her of his intentions of killing himself because she had cheated him.
Master’s body was found by the police lying on the ground with a bottle of illicit beer, a pesticide and a suicidal note that had the phone number of the wife and her address.
Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case.
Police warned people to respect human life and seek counselling when they have differences.
“Killing one self is not a solution, when ever couples have problems they should seek counselling from a third part that include pastors ,the police and family members that can save people’s lives”- Bulawayo 24
By A Correspondent- Former Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo is seeking to enter into a political pact with Matabeleland-based opposition parties in a bid to “reclaim” the region politically, socially and economically.
Moyo leads the United Movement for Devolution (UMD.
This is the second attempt by Moyo to unite the region’s fringe political parties after a similar attempt collapsed in 2018.
“It is abundantly clear from past electoral results that Zanu PF has always benefited from a divided opposition vote by emerging a minority winner,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“In this regard, there is an urgent need for Matabeleland political parties to work together as a collective if we are to achieve our goal of reclaiming Matabeleland politically, socially and economically.
“The UMD remains open to various political collaborative options available on the table in order to avoid dividing our votes in the region.”
Moyo quit the MDC-T in 2018 where he was national chairperson to launch the UMD which he said would push for devolution, end marginalisation, underdevelopment and other problems faced by the Matabeleland region.
“The people of Matabeleland have been calling for unity and collaboration of political parties operating in the region in order to defeat Zanu PF and defend our territory. Accordingly, unity of purpose remains fundamental and a special component in achieving a united Matabeleland vote in the 2023 elections,” he added.
Zapu Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Patrick Ndlovu told Southern Eye that his party was amenable to a coalition pact with regional parties.
“We are in talks with a number of parties with which we share ideological fundamentals. For now, the talks are concentrated on forming a united front. We have not yet come to elections,” he said.
Ndlovu, however, refused to reveal the identity of the political parties that Zapu is engaging in talks with.
In 2018, a number of political parties came together to form the MDC Alliance.
The Coalition of Democrats also brought together opposition parties such as Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, the Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe, the People’s Rainbow Coalition, and other fringe political parties in a bid to remove Zanu PF, but the project failed to produce the desired results.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T Bulawayo province is battling factionalism hardly a month after infighting within its women’s wing exposed differences between supporters of party leader Douglas Mwonzora and his deputy Thokozani Khupe.
A belated International Womens’ Day celebration party held in the city last month was almost aborted after a group of women linked to Khupe walked out on Mwonzora, who was the guest speaker.
Khupe did not attend the celebrations.
Last Saturday, the divisions were also laid bare when the party held two separate meetings, a few kilometres apart, as opposing camps professed ignorance of each other’s gatherings.
Khupe graced a meeting held in Njube, while another was being held in Mpopoma led by MDC Veterans Association (VAA) chair Gideon Mangena, just a few kilometres away.
“To be honest, I did not know anything about that (Khupe) meeting,” Dorothy Ndlovu, who is the national chairperson of the MDC-T women’s national assembly, said in an interview with Southern Eye.
By A Correspondent- Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa has been ejected from parliament for dressing down Zanu PF’s Ziyambi Ziyambi.
Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Tsitsi Gezi ejected the vocal independent lawmaker before laying contempt of parliament charges against him.
Mliswa was whisked out of the parliament building after Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi had proposed that he be investigated for “disorderly conduct” in the chamber.
That was after Mliswa had dressed him ( Ziyambi) down during a question and answer session.
By A Correspondent- Polygamous End Time Message Church pastor’s fifth wife is reported to have fled to a safe house over sexual and physical abuse in the hands of her husband.
Innocent Gumbura, who is married to Sarah Wendy Romol has been described as hostile, over-controlling, excessively violent, verbally abusive, belittling and manipulative person in a probation officer’s report to the magistrate court in a row over custody of four minor children which the former applied for.
“The respondent (Romol) alleges that she ran away from him (Gumbura) because the applicant was getting agitated by the fact she had stopped sexual relations with him and hence was increasingly threatening to take the children away, chase her out of the house and would not provide support for the children stating they would eat from school,” the report reads.
Romol says she had to look for a haven as she was always being threatened.
“As a result respondent alleges that she fled as a result of excessive fear and trauma suffered from the threats, degradation and physical abuse by the applicant.”
The report has it that Gumbura would beat his children with his ‘big belt that he wore in his waist’ for asking for ‘yummy’ food which he would give elder girls in the family while the others were made to have sadza. Gumbura has four other wives and 15 children.
“. . . when angry he beats mummy and forces her throat in-between the head board panels or shouts at them. . .” the minor children said in the report.
Romol says she got into contact with Gumbura when her mother was sick and when she died they were left in Gumbura’s church’s custody. All this came out after Gumbura approached Harare Children’s Court seeking custody of his four minor children born to his fifth wife Sarah Wendy Romol.
The Children’s Court therefore requested the department of Social Development for a probation officer’s report.
According to a Harare Central District probation officer Ms Gumbo, the case is expected to be heard today.
“The applicant stated that he separated with the respondent in 2018 after which, the respondent later on the 25th of February 2021, fled their matrimonial home in Hillside taking with her all their children,” reads part of the report signed by one Ms S Gumbo.
“He further stated that, he has not seen his children ever since and that he believes his wife and children are in some safe house provided by Msasa.
“On the other hand, the respondent concedes to the information provided and alleges that her marriage had its own problems hence the separation and eventual escape to safety in February 2921.
“Both families acknowledged that they were in a polygamous relationship which included four other families and 15 other siblings to the concerned children, reads part of the case background.
In his submission, Gumbura indicated that he was applying for custody because Romol had no mental, physical and financial capacity to take care of the children.
He alleged that she suffered from mental problems namely neurosis and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ailments he alleged she once received attention at a local hospital.
Gumbo in her recommendation report she addressed the court to consider placing the four children in the custody of their mother Romol and Gumbura the father be given the right to access. The case is expected to be heard today.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T Bulawayo province is battling factionalism hardly a month after infighting within its women’s wing exposed differences between supporters of party leader Douglas Mwonzora and his deputy Thokozani Khupe.
A belated International Womens’ Day celebration party held in the city last month was almost aborted after a group of women linked to Khupe walked out on Mwonzora, who was the guest speaker.
Khupe did not attend the celebrations.
Last Saturday, the divisions were also laid bare when the party held two separate meetings, a few kilometres apart, as opposing camps professed ignorance of each other’s gatherings.
Khupe graced a meeting held in Njube, while another was being held in Mpopoma led by MDC Veterans Association (VAA) chair Gideon Mangena, just a few kilometres away.
“To be honest, I did not know anything about that (Khupe) meeting,” Dorothy Ndlovu, who is the national chairperson of the MDC-T women’s national assembly, said in an interview with Southern Eye.
Platform for Youth and Community Development Trust (PYCD) joins the world in celebrating the day of the African Child. The day of the African Child is commemorated every year on the 16th of June. The theme for this year in 2021 reads, 30 YEARS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE CHARTER: ACCELERATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 2040 FOR AN AFRICA FIT FOR CHILDREN.
This theme resonates well with the work of PYCD that has been endured for over a decade. In commemorating this year’s edition, PYCD acknowledges various efforts made by government and the civic society in the region in trying to protect and uplift the welfare of the African child.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe as adopted in 2013, read together with various statutes and institutional frameworks on child rights have been promulgated with sensitivity that is child –friendly to all forms of ill-treatment and abuse. PYCD is saddened that despite all these efforts, the challenges affecting the African child remains glaring and far from over. These child-friendly rights continue to be pinned down due to the existence of harmful cultural and religious practices that have taken precedence over the law.
In our decade of existence, PYCD has realised that the aspirations of the African Charter for the rights and welfare of the child, as ratified by over 50 states are still to be realised, due to the absence of safety measures that are linked to lack of preparedness at the level of the majority of African governments. All things being equal, the charter provides for both civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, yet these remain aspirational without being realised. The prevalence of natural disasters such as droughts, pandemics, human error and mismanagement of natural resources make life harder for children who remains vulnerable and neglected.
Zimbabwe has recently been a victim of cyclones such as Cyclone Idai, Cyclone Eloise and Cyclone Chalane whose impact on children has been devastating. This has been made even worse by the coming in of the Covid-19 pandemic. Children have been left vulnerable to abuses such as sexual exploitation and poverty. Many children have been forced out of school or thrown far away from the protection of their parents due to the impact of the pandemic. We continue to witness and read increasing cases of children who are being abducted or murdered for ritual purposes. The upsurge of child marriages is also due to the instigation of some religious and cultural beliefs, acts which continue to destroy the dignity of the child.
During this year, PYCD has promoted discussion and dialogue involving learners from selected high schools in Chipinge district. In partnership with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the project has facilitated some of the learners to participate in an essay competition with the topic. “Ending Child Marriages in Zimbabwe”. This is our contribution in a small way as we seek to confront one of the most debilitating interference to the rights of children namely, the right to education, the right to health as well as the right to information. This intervention is aimed at involving the young women and girls to actively participate in the campaign to end child marriages by 2030.
PYCD is sad to report that some of our lined up activities to commemorate the day of the African Child are now in limbo due to Covid-19 preventative measures announced by the Vice President Mr Constantino Guvheya Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health. The activities that have been suspended include soccer and netball tournaments that were scheduled for the 19th of June 2021. The idea of soccer and netball was seeking to allow young people to come together and receive speeches and messages on the importance of the day. It is also aimed to inspire and positively influence young people to co-exist and cooperate to achieve sustainable community.
In the best interest of the child, PYCD therefore recommends the following • That the government of Zimbabwe expedite the promulgation of all relevant laws to address juvenile justice issues including establishing a district criminal justice system for children • That the government of Zimbabwe fully align the children’s Act to the constitution ,including reviewing the Children’s Act to incorporate and ensure that the justice Mechanism system embrace the best interests of the child as paramount in all matters concerning the child • That the government expand pre-trial diversion programmes and invest in Children ‘s education for a better post-coronavirus world
By A Correspondent- Norton Member of Parliament, Temba Mliswa has been ejected from parliament for dressing down Zanu PF’s Ziyambi Ziyambi.
Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Tsitsi Gezi ejected the vocal independent lawmaker before laying contempt of parliament charges against him.
Mliswa was whisked out of the parliament building after Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi had proposed that he be investigated for “disorderly conduct” in the chamber.
That was after Mliswa had dressed him ( Ziyambi) down during a question and answer session.
ZanuPF Senator and Dep Minister of Public Service Hon Lovemore Matuke, Gutu North and Dep Minister for Youth Hon Yeukai Simbanegavi, Gutu South Member of Parliament and ZanuPF Chief Whip Hon Pupurai Togarepi and ZanuPF Gutu DCC chairman Munyoro were booed by villagers as it was announced that government state assistance for the funeral of the 5 victims of the Matizha accident was only RTGS 50 000.
The funeral was attended by a high powered government high ranking officials who included members of the Provincial JOC.
Hon Matuke confidently announced that the funeral was state assisted. ZanuPF expected villagers to appreciate the assistance by government but was shocked by the reaction by the villagers.
ZanuPF officials wanted to deny MDC Alliance People’s President Nelson Chamisa from addressing the mourners but was overruled by the Chagweda family.
The MDC Alliance People’s President Nelson Chamisa is related to the Chagwedas. It was public knowledge to the villagers the role President Chamisa had played in assisting the bereaved family. President Chamisa’s contribution was reported to be over comparable to that of the state .The family member who survived in the accident was reported to have been under medical bill under MDC Alliance leader President Chamisa.
The ZanuPF leadership could not wait for the burial process .They had been humiliated by villagers. They departed immediately after their speeches.
www.chiwaradailytelegram.org.zw //
President Chamisa at the burial of Gutu accident victims…
By Jane Mlambo| Controversial politician and Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has told dendera music prodigy Sulumani Chimbetu to learn from the late national hero Oliver Mtukudzi who never delved into politics.
This follows Sulumani’s track with Hwindi President which has been construed as political by Zanu PF youths.
The line that irked Zanu PF youths says the country’s problems stem from the installation of new leaders in November- a month regarded as sacred.
Posting on Twitter, Mliswa told Sulumani not to mix politics with music as was the case with Mtukudzi who ended up being accorded national hero status when he passed on in 2019.
“Sulu, a great musician in his own right, should learn lessons from the late, great, Dr. Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi: not to mix music with politics.
“Tuku stuck to music no matter what and despite many accusations, he remained consistent and was eventually declared a National Hero upon his passing,” said Mliswa.
Many musicians in Zimbabwe including Thomas Mapfumo, Leonard Zhakata suffered backlash and had their music banned from being played on national radio stations due to their lyrics which were deemed political.
Tuku had his Bvuma/Tolerance album censored after it was misconstrued to mean that the then President Robert Mugabe was old.
A Beitbridge woman lost US$10 000 to two armed robbers who masqueraded as buyers of a vehicle she was selling after she offered them overnight accommodation.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thabani Mkhwananzi confirmed the incident which occurred last Monday in Mapolovele Village.
He said Ms Prisca Muleya (33) and her husband had placed an advert on various WhatsApp groups for the sale of their vehicle and the two men arrived at their home under the pretext of buying the vehicle.
“I can confirm that we recorded a robbery case which occurred in Mapolovele Village in Beitbridge. Ms Muleya and her husband advertised that they were selling a car on various WhatsApp groups. The two suspects arrived at the home under the pretext of buying the vehicle and only found her. She invited the two men to wait for her husband who further delayed to return until it was night.
“Ms Muleya then offered the two men a place to sleep. During the night they budged into her bedroom while she was asleep and demanded cash while armed with a pistol. They took US$10 000 and fled into the night. Her husband returned home a few hours later and they reported the matter to the police,” he said.
Asst Insp Mkhwananzi said investigations were underway and appealed to members of the public with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the police.
He urged members of the public to desist from keeping large sums of money in their homes.
“As police, we urge people to desist from keeping large sums of money in their homes as they will be putting their lives at risk. People should also be careful of strangers and not trust them. Members of the public should also be careful about whom they tell sensitive information such as the valuables they have,” he said.
The notorious 9 armed robbers including Mussa Taj Abudul who were nabbed in Beitbridge have been jailed 4 years.
Mussa Taj Abudul and 8 others had a year of their jail term suspended and they will serve an effective 3years behind bars.
The development comes after the notorious nine, who’ve been on a spate of armed robberies, were found guilty of the alleged robberies.
The nine who appeared before magistrate Mateko at Harare magistrates court in court 5 for judgment for illegally possessing firearm and ammunition have been found guilty and remanded for tomorrow for mitigation and sentencing.
Their lawyer Mrs Concillia Maheya was absent.
The nine include: Mussa Taj Abudul, Tapiwa Mangoma, Liberty Mupamhanga and 6 others. Magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko in convicting the nine said it was clear that they were acting in common purpose when they were arrested.
The nine were arrested in Beitbridge in August 2020 following a tip-off.
By A Correspondent- Chiredzi commercial farmer, Tony Renato Sarpo (55), who was last year slapped with a 10month prison sentence for theft of trust property, has been freed after his sentence was quashed by the High Court last week.
Sarpo was in June last year convicted and sentenced by Chiredzi magistrate Geraldine Mutsoto for stealing 40 wheelbarrows belonging to Matabeleland Engineering.
Four months were, however, suspended on condition that he paid a $300 fine and a further six months were suspended on condition that he paid $8 800 restitution by July 31, 2020.
Sarpo appealed the ruling at the High Court which last week ruled in his favour and set aside the sentence.
“The appeal be and hereby upheld. The conviction of the accused be and is hereby quashed and the sentence set aside. The accused be and is hereby found not guilty,” the High Court ruled.
Sarpo has scored several victories against Matabeleland Engineering.
In one of the cases he was convicted in February last year by Harare magistrate Nyasha Vitorini for stealing a Toyota Hilux single cab truck valued at $10 000 also belonging to Matabeleland Engineering.
David Wayne Williams, one of the co-directors of Matabeleland Engineering trading as Yagden Engineering, told the court that Sarpo refused to return company documents, assets, receipt books, vehicles, vehicle registration books, accounts books and other assets following his resignation on June 2, 2016.
Sarpo, who was executive director and a shareholder in the firm, held on to the vehicle and sold it to Intrachem through Harris Auto, Harare.
Vitorini sentenced him to 12 months in prison, of which six months were conditionally set aside. Six months were suspended on condition that he restituted the complainant and performed 210 hours of community service.
Sarpo, however, appealed both conviction and sentence at the High Court and was acquitted.
As Africa celebrates the day of the African child it is important to also note that the real African child has nothing to celebrate. African children are being exploited as cheap labour in the DRC, Tanzania, South Africa and many other African countries. The African child is being murdered in cold blood in Mozambique, Libya and other war torn African countries.
Sadly millions of children in Africa live in abject poverty and those who get an opportunity to at least go to school have no hope whatsoever of a brighter future as the political elite do not prioritize quality education for the poor African citizens in their states.
The theme for the Day of the African Child (DAC) this year is “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”.
The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (Committee), established under Articles 32 and 33 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (the Charter) selected this theme for the commemoration of the DAC in 2021.
Labour Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) acknowledges the Day of the African Child (DAC) as an important day to promote children’s rights and welfare issues.
Beyond the recognition of this day on the 16th of June every year, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child should move from just an advocacy tool to an action committee that penalizes all African countries that are not prioritizing the protection and welfare of children in their states.
How do we celebrate children in Africa when their future is bleak and hopeless? How do we inspire a sober reflection and action towards addressing the plethora of challenges that children face on a daily basis when African LEADers prefer to be puppets of other countries without taking care of their own first?
Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children has got very valid and real aspirations which unfortunately remain just writings in a booklet which have zero monitoring and evaluation models to ensure implementation from member states.
Today I challenge all the 55 States of Africa to commit to implement the following aspirations as soon as possible to ensure that children in Africa have sustainable livelihoods.
Aspiration 1: The African Children’s Charter, as supervised by the African Children’s Committee, provides an effective continental framework for advancing children’s rights
Aspiration 2: An effective child-friendly national legislative, policy and institutional framework is in place in all Member States
Aspiration 3: Every child’s birth and other vital statistics are registered
Aspiration 4: Every child survives and has a healthy childhood
Aspiration 5: Every child grows up well-nourished and with access to the basic necessities of life
Aspiration 6: Every child benefits fully from quality education
Aspiration 7: Every child is protected against violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse
Aspiration 8: Children benefit from a child-sensitive criminal system
Aspiration 9: Every child is free from the impact of armed conflicts and other disasters or emergency situations
Aspiration 10: African children’s views matter
As the LEADer of LEAD, I am making a commitment today to hold the government of Zimbabwe to implement and uphold the aspirations of the Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children.
It is sad that right here in my beloved Zimbabwe we have children way below 16 who are being exploited in farms, mining settlements and domestic work. Children are being pimped for sexploitation & turned into beggars by some ruthless and unscrupulous people.
Children and young people in Zimbabwe are in a drug and substance abuse pandemic and we are fast losing a generation. It takes a community to raise a child, today I make a clarion call to all Zimbabweans to be the custodians of every child in their community.
To hold all elected officials to account to ensure that children are protected and that their rights as enshrined in section 81 of the constitution of Zimbabwe are upheld.
We all have an obligation to nurture an environment that will inspire hope for a brighter future for all African children regardless of class in the society.
TogetherWeCan uplift the Afrikan child to prosperity and a life free from fear and want.
By A Correspondent- Lawyers for the 9 armed robbers Mussa Taj Abudul and others have finished submitting their mitigations before magistrate Barbara Mateko.
The state has also finished its submissions.
At 15:00hrs they will be back in court for sentencing.
The development comes after the notorious nine, who’ve been on a spate of armed robberies, were found guilty of the alleged robberies.
The nine who appeared before magistrate Mateko at Harare magistrates court in court 5 for judgment for illegally possessing firearm and ammunition have been found guilty and remanded for tomorrow for mitigation and sentencing.
Their lawyer Mrs Concillia Maheya was absent.
The nine include: Mussa Taj Abudul, Tapiwa Mangoma, Liberty Mupamhanga and 6 others. M
agistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko in convicting the nine said it was clear that they were acting in common purpose when they were arrested.
The nine were arrested in Beitbridge in August 2020 following a tip-off.
By A Correspondent- Teachers at Mangwande Primary School in Lower Gweru have reportedly deserted the learning institution for security reasons after machete gangs terrorised the area since July 2018.
As a result, the school is now left with five teachers out of a staff complement of 14.
NewsDay gathered that the teachers fled after a female colleague was assaulted and gang-raped by five machete wielding youths as her three minor children watched. The machete gang then force-marched the head to the school cash vault which they failed to break.
They then ransacked other teachers’ houses and stole various items.
Two members of the gang were later arrested and jailed for 37 years each.
A parent with a child at Mangwande School, Thomson Moyo said children in Grade Four and Grade Six had not been attending classes for the whole of last term.
“It’s disheartening that our children are failing to learn due to shortages of teachers mainly caused by desertions because of machete gang terror,” Moyo said.
“From information we have gathered, the teachers were saying they fear for their lives.”
Another parent, Esnath Mlalazi said following the robbery at the school three years ago, teachers deserted their staff cottages before they left the school in successive years.
“They started by deserting the school staff houses, saying they feared for their lives before they went on to transfer from the school in successive years,” she said.
Midlands provincial education director Robson Machimbira was non-committal when NewsDay contacted him for comment. He only said the robberies were reported.
“That case was reported to the police,”Machimbira said.
However, last year while addressing a meeting organised by churches, Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima said there was need to decisively deal with the machete gangs.
He called on stakeholders to join hands with police and put an end to machete gangs, whom he said had become “warlords” with “potential to start civil wars”.
By A Correspondent- A well known Harare lawyer, Charles Chinyama is facing imminent de-registration after being found guilty of six counts of unethical conduct for fleecing clients of money running into thousands of United States dollars, plunging the name of the learned profession into disrepute.
Chinyama, a senior partner at Chinyama and Partners Legal Practitioners, is just one of many attorneys fleecing large sums from their clients, given the number of lawyers that have so far been deleted from the practicing lawyers registry.
His conviction early this month comes after the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) hauled the lawyer before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT) on seven counts of improper conduct.
He was accused of a string of charges including acting in an improper and unseemly manner by having a ‘questionable’ relationship with a client who was the estranged wife of the complainant in the course of divorce proceedings between the couple.
Chinyama also failed to account to client (two counts) and to properly perform a client’s mandate and taking advantage of such client, failure to issue receipts and to account for funds held in trust, and placing himself in a position of conflict with client’s interests.
In addition, Chinyama failed to issue receipts and to account for funds held in trust and failing to account for debts recovered on client’s behalf; and raising a false bill for legal fees and forging an acknowledgment of debt by client in support of legal action against such client for recover of fees.
After a fully contested hearing, the LPDT found him guilty of six counts and absolved him of the seventh charge.
In one of the counts involving complainant Zhou Haixi, the disciplinary authority found that Haixi engaged the services of Chinyama and deposited US$70 000 into the trust account that he operated.
When Haixi wrote to the respondent on 29 July 2016 enquiring on the status of the funds, there was no response.
Chinyama was also instructed to recover debts in the sums of US$20 000 and US$4 000 on two separate occasions.
Despite having recovered the debts, the lawyer failed to account for the amounts. Instead, Chinyama then billed Haixi for US$132 790, which bill was contested by the complainant.
Both the LSZ and Chinyama have since been directed to make submissions before the LPDT on aggravation and mitigation.
By A Correspondent- Desperate to become husband and wife, a Chipinge couple reportedly connived to murder the woman’s daughter (4) from her previous marriage.
Langton Sithole (30) of Charurwa Village and Violet Chabvukwa (36) of Chikwanda Village under Chief Mutema were recently arrested for the murder of Blessing Mabhejo.
The love-birds reportedly sought to conceal evidence by faking a drowning accident.
Last week they appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi facing murder charges.
They were not asked to plead, remanded in custody to June 17 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
It is alleged that Sithole’s family could not bless his union with Chabvukwa due to the four-year-old girl.
Prosecuting, Mr Thulani Zondwayo said: “Sithole and Chabvukwa were about to settle down as a couple, but the former’s family refused to bless their union due to the child Chabvukwa had from her previous marriage.”
Mr Zondwayo said on May 30, the lovers took the girl to a nearby dam and murdered her.
“Sithole said while at the dam wall, he pinned the girl to the ground and suffocated her to death with a plastic container. “After accomplishing their mission, Sithole removed the girl’s top garment and placed her body on the banks of the dam before going away,” said Mr Zondwayo.
However, police detectives led by Detective Assistant Inspector Emmerson Ziki, Detective Sergeant Kasora and Detective Sergeant Antonio received a tip-off and attended the crime scene.
They discovered that only half of Blessing’s body was submerged in water, an indication that there was foul play. Investigations led to Sithole and Chabvukwa’s arrest.
According to the State papers gleaned by The Manica Post, Sithole admitted that he killed the young girl.
“I admit to the charges levelled against me. I was in love with Violet (Chabukwa) who is the mother of the now deceased. I told Violet that we could not marry each other as my parents would not allow me to marry a woman with a child from a previous marriage.
“On May 30, I connived to kill Blessing. I went to the dam first and sat on the dam wall. Violet then came with the deceased and sat close to me while holding the baby closely.
“I took an empty peanut butter container and covered both the nose and the mouth of the now deceased until she suffocated and passed away. I then took a towel which was in my possession and gave it to Violet so that she could wipe the blood that was coming from Blessing’s nose.
“We removed the Blessing’s top garment and placed her body at the edge of the dam while her legs were submerged in the water,” said Sithole.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) the biggest workers’ union, has condemned the “inhumane” treatment of workers at a Chinese tiles company Sunny Yi Feng Tiles after a collapsed employee was transported by a forklift.
ZCTU posted on social media expressing concern and calling upon the Zimbabwean citizenry to resist such treatment even if t was being done on another citizen. Said the workers’ union:
_No Zimbabwean should allow the inhumane treatment of a fellow Zimbabwean like we are witnessing (Sunny Yi Feng) @SunnyYiFeng_Ltd Look at an employee who collapsed being transported by a Fork Lift. This lack of care and ill-treatment of a human being like an animal must be denounced by all._
_Zimbabweans are not xenophobic, we want to coexist with everyone. But we are supposed to be independent enjoying our human and workers rights at work._
_We must not be taken back to the degrading treatment we endured in the past during colonial rule._
Sunny Yi Feng Tiles which is based in Norton was previously in the news, again for the wrong reasons, after a Chinese national at the company reportedly assaulted Chief Chivero who had gone there to seek employment for his people.
Chief Chivero was reportedly left with a twisted arm after being beaten up by a Chinese national who has since been deported.
There have been growing concerns over how Chinese-owned companies treat their workers in Zimbabwe and other African countries.
Another case that is being used as a reference to the ill-treatment of workers is the Gweru shooting incident in which a Chinese employer at Treden mine in Gweru shot his employees who had visited the company premises asking for their money.
One of the two employees who were shot, Kenneth Tachiona who was shot in both legs by Zhang Xuelin, a 41-year-old employer is now disabled.
By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) yesterday escalated plans to punish “outliers” including listed milling giant, National Foods, which it said were “abusing” foreign currency acquired through the auction system.
The central bank named 18 companies which allegedly abused the foreign currency auction system under the recently promulgated Statutory Instrument (SI) 127 of 2021.
SI 127 of 2021 prohibits business operators from charging above the official exchange rate and empowers authorities to punish those that refuse to accept the Zimbabwe dollar for local transactions.
Food processing giant, National Foods, Georgia Petroleum, AfricaSteel and several fuel companies were among the errant businesses said to be abusing the forex facility.
SI 127 of 2021 imposes fines of up to $1 million on firms found guilty of manipulating the auction system and abusing foreign currency.
According to the SI, companies are liable for a fine of $50 000 or its equivalent in foreign currency for refusing to take payment in local currency at the official exchange rate.
Firms will be fined $5 million for supplying false information to their banks when applying for foreign currency at the RBZ auction.
A $50 000 penalty will also be levied on anyone selling goods at a rate above the official exchange rate and the same fine applies to companies that issue Zimdollar receipts for goods sold in United States dollars.
In a statement, RBZ governor John Mangudya said the Financial Intelligence Unit and the central bank’s Exchange Control Division conducted an investigation on business entities defying SI 127 of 2021 and named 18 companies as culprits.
“RBZ wishes to advise members of the public that over the past weeks it has engaged a number of business associations and entities to discuss the modalities for compliance with SI 127 of 2021,” Mangudya said.
“The bank would like to express its appreciation to the business community for valuable feedback during engagements which have culminated in business’ clearer understanding of the essence of SI 127.
“The bank (RBZ) has a duty of care to ensure that the significant progress that the economy made since the introduction of the foreign exchange auction system in June 2020 continues on an unabated positive trajectory while at the same time protecting consumers and fostering compliance to engender fair play in the economy.”
The central bank boss added: “It is against these noble objectives that SI 127 was put in place to provide for penalties against errant entities that were at the forefront of abusing the foreign ex-change auction system to the detriment of the stability of the economy.
“After investigations by the Financial Intelligence Unit and the bank’s ex-change control division, the entities list-ed hereunder which were abusing the foreign exchange auction system shall be dealt with in accordance with SI 127.
“Going forward and in line with the recommendations from the business community on the need to continue to enhance stability in the economy, the bank’s efforts to foster compliance in terms of SI 127 shall be limited to outliers that wantonly abuse the foreign ex-change auction system, exchange rate manipulation and non-compliance with anti-money laundering rules and regulations.
“The bank’s focus on these key areas coupled with business reality check self-discipline, self-monitoring and per review will sustain inflation and exchange rate stability.”
The reforms under SI 127 of 2021 triggered a wave of price hikes in Zimbabwe and United States dollar terms, as terrified firms raced to protect their interests.
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) has called on authorities to immediately scrap the SI. The CZI said fear among business-es was that while government’s intentions were noble, the unintended con-sequences would be dire.
“The immediate impact of applying the SI would be that US dollar prices will be hiked so as to result in the same Zimbabwe dollar price prevailing prior to the SI.
“This means an immediate spike in US dollar inflation, a component of our blended inflation rate,” CZI said.
“Companies have been relying on local US dollar sales to generate the bulk of foreign currency used to sustain operations.
“Use of the auction rate would result in consumers converting their US dollars to Zimbabwe dollars on the parallel market prior to purchasing, a practice already rampant outside the major retail chains such as Pick n Pay, OK and Bon Marche. This will deprive companies of what has become their main source of foreign currency.”
By A Correspondent- Government yesterday revealed that 23% of children in the country were out of school due to economic challenges.
This was said by Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare where she said the figures were arrived at after a research done by the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee led by the Food and Nutrition Council conducted in May 2021.
“The research conducted revealed that financial constraints, age and adolescence pregnancy were some of the notable reasons why about 23% of the children were not in school,” Mutsvangwa said.
“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has witnessed increased support from Treasury and, a reduction of assistance from the development partners. At least 54% of the households received support from government, with development partners complementing these efforts by supporting 25% of the households,” she said.
Mutsvangwa claimed that average household monthly support for the vulnerable increased from US$33 in 2020 to US$75 in 2021.
On COVID-19, Mutsvangwa said the country was on high alert after experiencing a surge in weekly cases from 226 during the week ending June 6, 2021 to 596 in week ending June 14, 2021.
“Cabinet further approved the localised lockdowns in hotspot areas, such as Kwekwe, Kariba and Hurungwe districts. In addition, Zimbabwe’s neighbours are also experiencing surges in new COVID-19 cases and deaths.”
She said 95,6% of COVID-19-positive cases were attributable to local transmission, adding that the police and other law enforcement agents would increase roadblocks and patrols to ensure compliance with the recently announced COVID-19 containment measures.
“Health Inspectors will vigorously enforce laid down standard operating procedures for restaurants, retailers, public transporters and other commercial operators, including revoking operating licences where necessary,” she said.
Mutsvangwa also announced that Cabinet has adopted principles of the Air Zimbabwe Debt Assumption Bill so that it clears the airline’s domestic and external debt following the appointment of a new board and management to run the airline.
“It is expected that the Bill will ensure revival of the airline and its associated companies from perennial loss-making entities, to enablers of growth in tourism, trade, commerce and the economy in general,” she said.
A Zimbabweans student at the University of Namibia who lied to police that his laptop and mobile phone had been stolen in Victoria Falls after he sold the gadgets, has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Allan Nyamuziwa of 1724 Landpark in Marondera was convicted on his own plea to deliberately supplying false information to a public authority by Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.
He said he was travelling to his hometown from Namibia when he disembarked from a bus to relieve himself in Victoria Falls.
Nyamuziwa said the bus was gone when returned so he decided to sell his laptop and phone to get transport money.
He reported to the police on Sunday that his gadgets and US$200 cash had been stolen.
Nyamuziwa told police that he was robbed in a bush near Kingdom Hotel prompting police to investigate the issue. Investigations revealed that he had lied about the robbery and he was arrested.
He admitted to police that he “cooked up” the robbery story so he could be assisted with free travel as a victim and he also did not want his parents to know that he sold the items.
He was sentenced to six months in prison which was wholly suspended for five years on condition he doesn’t commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Nyamuziwa is a first-year Engineering student at the University of Namibia.
Cabinet has blamed complacency for the recent spike in Covid-19 infections with people mistaking the early successes against the pandemic for a total victory.
People have increasingly been disregarding Covid-19 mitigatory measures falsely believing the virus no longer poses a threat.
Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) commended Zimbabwean authorities for the way they have managed the spread of the pandemic, Government has repeatedly warned of a possible and deadly third wave of the virus if people let their guard down.
The warnings follow the emergence of deadlier variants of the disease which are more difficult to manage.
Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga announced renewed containment measures at the weekend to give the country a strong chance of beating the pandemic.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing last night, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said containment measures had been tightened.
“Government notes, with concern, that there was a surge in weekly cases from 226 during the week ending 6 June 2021, to 596 in the week ending 14 June 2021.
“The surge is mostly attributable to the general complacency in adhering to the set Covid-19 preventive and precautionary measures both in the communities and workplaces,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“Reinforcement of the containment and preventive measures, encapsulated in the extraordinary Government Gazette of 14th June 2021 (Statutory Instrument 170 of 2021), has thus been instituted to curb the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths. This will ultimately contain a third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet further approved the localised lockdowns in hotspot areas such as Kwekwe, Kariba and Hurungwe.
“In addition, Zimbabwe’s neighbours are also experiencing dramatic surges in new Covid-19 cases and deaths,” she said urging the public to exercise extreme caution when travelling in and out of Zimbabwe.
People were supposed to strictly observe relevant preventive measures and to avoid unnecessary travel.
“The public is being advised that the police and other law enforcement agencies will increase roadblocks and patrols to ensure compliance with the recently announced Covid-19 containment measures and that health inspectors will vigorously enforce laid down standard operating procedures for restaurants, retailers, public transporters and other commercial operators, including revoking operating licences where necessary.”
ON the Day of the African Child, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) encourages the public to join the rest of the continent in celebrating African children.
The Day of the African Child was established by the then Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in memory of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa. On this day, students marched in protest against the poor quality of education they were receiving under the apartheid regime and they wanted to defend their right to be taught in their own languages.
The Day of the African Child is also meant to serve as an opportunity to celebrate African children and reflect upon the steps that can be taken in order address the problems that they face.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated the challenges that plague African children. In Zimbabwe, the number of child marriages that occurred during the national lockdown imposed by government to curtail the spread of COVID-19 increased at an alarming rate as confirmed by government early this year. The harsh economic impact of the lockdown left many parents desperate, which led them to marry off their children in exchange for money or other goods.
Unfortunately, some parents also opted to marry off their children to reduce the strain on the household income. Children remain the worst-affected parties in the illegal practice of child marriages in Zimbabwe. In addition, the practice disproportionately affects the girl child and this makes the goal of gender equality difficult to achieve. Children are often saddled with enormous responsibilities in the marriages and these responsibilities limit their ability to fully develop to their full potential, like other children who do not shoulder such burdens.
Moreover, children in child marriages are often subject to abuse in the marriages and teen pregnancies which are potentially detrimental to their health or even lethal in some cases.
Apart from the scourge of child marriages, African children have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 impact on education. In general, African children lack basic resources that are present in many schools across the globe but they particularly lack access to information, communication and technology (ICT) resources that are essential to continue educational activities due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased reliance on virtual learning during national lockdowns across the globe excluded many African children who could not afford to purchase the devices and internet access that was required to access the virtual resources.
This led to the exclusion of many children from the benefit of advancing their education. The lack of access to these virtual resources by African children also threatens to widen the inequality gap between African states and the rest of the world. Policy makers are urged to prioritise the education of African children by ensuring that they have greater access to ICT services.
On this Day of the African Child ZLHR calls upon:
• All members of the public to celebrate African children;
• Community leaders and civil society to foster dialogue with children in order to effectively address the challenges they face;
• Policymakers to accelerate programmes that are meant to uplift the welfare of African children.
By A Correspondent- A bus terminus tout was killed, allegedly by a bus crew, early Wednesday in Harare.
The body of the unnamed man was still at the 4th Street bus terminus at 7AM as police interviewed witnesses.
A witness at the scene told ZimLive by phone: “He was stabbed in the chest during a fight over passengers at around 5AM. He was tussling with a C.A.G Travellers Coaches bus crew.”
The witness said the C.A.G bus had left for Mutare after the incident.
The dead man’s body was covered with a purple blanket as police canvassed the area for witnesses.
Police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was yet to get a report of the incident.
Touts at bus terminus often engage in nasty fights over passengers. Some travellers have lost property or been roughed up by the touts who often drag them – against their will – to a particular bus
By A Correspondent- Teboho Tsotetsi, the decuplets father has blocked donations for the babies as he can’t locate his wife and the babies since last week when she allegedly gave birth.
In a police statement on Saturday – in support of a missing person inquiry – Tsotetsi told the police he was concerned about Gosiame Thamara Sithole’s whereabouts and her safety since she told him he was not allowed to see his decuplets due to Covid-19 regulations.
Speaking to Pretoria News after submitting the statement, Tsotetsi said in a WhatsApp message:
_I appreciate the financial support that we have been getting from members of the public, but I also would like to appeal to the public to stop making money deposits into our accounts until members of the community have seen the babies._
He said he had seen his heavily pregnant wife for the last time on 7 June, Sunday night when he accompanied her to the Esangweni Clinic in Tembisa, after she complained about labour pains.
Almost a week after Sithole repeatedly failed to tell him where she was, Tsotetsi said he gave the police a statement in support of their inquiry on Saturday.
The inquiry came after Tsotetsi’s family members opened a missing person case at the Tembisa South police station on Thursday.
In his statement, Tsotetsi said Sithole informed him that she was initially at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital before she requested to be moved to the lodge facilities of the Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH).
He said he sent her a WhatsApp message informing her that he was being harassed by the police who are investigating a case of a missing person because her whereabouts are unknown. Further reads the message:
_I had been tracked by the police, and If they get hold of me I will be arrested as I am a suspect now because I am the last person to see you. I really needed to see you but my priority is our safety. Please forward me your picture and the pictures of our babies._
Sithole reportedly said she was at Tshwane District Hospital, Dr Savage Road, Pretoria.
Gweru – A suspected rapist who was found in the act with a Grade 3 pupil offered US$5 bribe to buy the silence of the man who caught him in action.
The 62-year-old Norman Makovere from Mawere Village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi presented the witness who is the uncle of the complainant with US$10 and went on to plead for US$5 change.
It is the State case that in November 2020 Makovere allegedly raped the minor in her mother’s kitchen. The accused arrived at the complaint’s homestead and asked for water to drink.
He then realised that the minor’s parents were not at home.
Instead of drinking the water, Makovere asked the minor’s siblings to go and play outside as he grabbed the complaint. He lowered the minor’s pants and allegedly raped her. The minor’s uncle passed by and found the accused in the act.
Makovere then offered US$10 to the uncle but the latter reported the case to Police.
Gweru Regional Magistrate Phathekile Msipa remanded the accused in jail for judgement.
The Synagogue Church Of All Nations (Scoan) has announced that the funeral ceremony of its founder, Temitope Joshua (popularly known as TB Joshua) will begin on July 5.
In a statement published on its social media pages, the church said TB Joshua would be laid to rest at Scoan in Lagos. “We know you are aware that our father in the Lord, Prophet TB Joshua, has been taken home to be with the Lord,” the statement read.
“We want to assure you that nothing will stop the work of God at The SCoan from moving on. Prophet TB Joshua may be absent in the body, but he is present in the spirit (Colossians 2:5). Indeed, God is even more powerful at distance!
“We are currently preparing for the week-long service from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th July, 2021 in honour of Prophet TB Joshua’s life and legacy. He will be laid to rest at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (Scoan) in Lagos, Nigeria.
“All services will be broadcast live on Emmanuel TV. The services which will be open to the public will be communicated to you at the appropriate time.”
TB Joshua, a popular televangelist who was as revered as he was controversial, died on June 5, a few days before his 58th birthday. The church did not state the cause of his death.
The family of Ronald Mukumbira, a man who died following brutal assault – allegedly by MDC-T Vice President Elias Mudzuri – Wednesday morning left the body of the deceased at Mudzuri’s home.
The body was left on a verandah at Mudzuri’s home in the Four Miles area of Zaka at 6 AM this morning.
dead body
The 23-year-old died on June 10, three days after he was brutally assaulted at Mudzuri’s Duriro Pub & Grill in Harare’s Workington industrial area, allegedly over missing pool table balls, which Mukumbira was accused of stealing.
After he was treated and discharged from Sally Mugabe Hospital, Mukumbira allegedly told his mother, Netsai Mukumbira, that he had been attacked by the former Harare mayor, his brother Leonard Mudzuri and other unnamed men.
Speaking to ZimLive by phone, Netsai said:
_We took the body to the Mudzuri homestead this morning. There were people at the homestead, they watched through the curtains. We left the body by the verandah, and we wait and see what they do with it._
_Dumped at doorstep … The body of Ronald Mukumbira was delivered to the Mudzuri home by scotch-cart early Wednesday.
The Mukumbira family is angry that police have not arrested Mudzuri, and their mood was not lifted by a post-mortem report which did not link the assault to the death. According to the victim’s mother, the pathologist wrote that “police to investigate._
The family fears that police are unable to arrest Mudzuri because of his and his party’s links to the ruling Zanu PF party, which is associated with impunity.
Police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told ZimLive that Mukumbira’s death is still under investigation.
LEGAL think-tank Veritas says it is illegal for police to demand spot fines from offending motorists as they will be violating provisions of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
In its latest Bill Watch publication, Veritas said spot fines were in contravention of section 141 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which allows police to issue written notices to petty offenders and order motorists to pay a fine or appear in court, but does not stipulate spot fines.
Last week, the issue of spot fines sparked heated debate in Parliament, with some legislators arguing that spot fines promoted corruption within the traffic police force.
But Home Affairs deputy minister Ruth Mavhunga-Maboyi said it was government policy for traffic offenders to pay spot fines at police checkpoints, adding that motorists could negotiate payment terms if they did not have cash at hand.
But Veritas said section 141 did not authorise police officers to demand payment of fines on the spot, whether in cash or electronically.
“Motorists must be given the option of paying their fines later, if they admit their guilt, or of appearing in court to contest the matter if they do not. Of course, the section does not prohibit police officers from inviting motorists to pay their fines on the spot, and if they do pay their fines immediately it can save trouble all round. If payment is made, the police should issue a receipt,” it said.
“But the law does not allow police officers to compel motorists to pay. If they use coercion to induce payment, they will be acting illegally and may be liable to prosecution for extortion under section 134 of the Criminal Law (Code), a crime which carries a 15-year prison sentence.”
In 2012, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Maphios Cheda ruled that motorists should be issued with tickets and given a reasonable time within which to pay, unless they voluntarily chose to pay the fines immediately.
In 2017, another High Court judge Justice Esther Muremba awarded damages to a motorist who was detained at a roadblock for over an hour because he could not pay a fine and ruled that it was illegal for police officers to force motorists to pay spot fines at roadblocks.
Veritas added: “In light of the law, which is perfectly clear, and the judicial pronouncements we have cited, which are definite and unanimous, it is shocking that the police continue to demand payment of traffic fines immediately rather than issuing motorists with traffic tickets and giving them the option of paying immediately or later.
“It is also disturbing that the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, when asked to explain the conduct of the police, was unable to provide the National Assembly with a correct statement of the law.”
By A Correspondent- Studio 263 actress Chipo Bizure, has been dragged to the courts by her boyfriend’s wife.
Bizure is girlfriend to the complainant Fortunate Mapfumo’s husband. The court heard that on June 8 at around 2am, Bizure went to Mapfumo’s place of residence in Avonlea and started to ring the intercom demanding to see her boyfriend Sugar Chagonda who is Mapfumo’s husband who was inside the house.
After being told that she must return in the morning, Bizure started blowing her car horn and banging the gate and when she discovered that the gate was not locked, she went inside and destroyed two bar stools that were on the veranda.
Upon hearing the noise, Mapfumo and her son went out and Bizure ran outside and locked herself in the car and was hooting at the gate till 5:30 am.
Bizure yesterday changed her plea and said she only hooted once and broke the bar stools by mistake not intentionally as alleged by the State and is willing to compensate Mapfumo.
The court heard that at around 6:30am when Mapfumo was about to go to work she saw Bizure parked at the gate blocking the way and she refused to remove her car saying one of the tyres had been deflated by Mapfumo’s gardener which prompted her to call the police leading to Bizure’s arrest.
On the other hand, Mapfumo also appeared in the same court accused of unreasonable disposal of household effects which falls under the Domestic Violence Act in which her husband Sugar Chagonda accused her of depriving him access to his cell phones.
The court told the State that the allegations were not supporting the charge and the State was prompted to withdraw charges against her before plea.
The State told the court that they will summon her when they decide to try her on theft charges after getting authority to prosecute from the Prosecutor General.
By A Correspondent- Investigations into police Commissioner Erasmus Makodza, accused of corruptly abusing his post or concealing from the police the business dealings of his girlfriend on a police farm in Mashonaland East are almost complete and his trial has been set for next month.
The State led by Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa set July 27 as the trial date for Makodza.
Makodza today appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje.
KNOWLEDGE Musona has been linked with a sensational return to Kaizer Chiefs, but this time around, we look at the reasons why it may very well happen!
Former Kaizer Chiefs star Musona (30) is on the verge of being axed by his current club Anderlecht in Belgium after returning from a loan deal away.
The club is reportedly being forced to let go of a number of its surplus first-team high-earners with the hope of cutting down their wage bill and the Zimbabwean striker is one of the names tipped to exit the club.
Musona has been linked with a return to the DStv Premier Soccer League on many previous occasions, but it will cost PSL teams a fortune to buy him out of his European contract. He still has one year left in his contract with his Belgian club.
Now that the former Kaizer Chiefs star is set to be released by Anderlecht, all that Amakhosi have to do is come up with a lucrative offer for the striker in terms of his salary.
Kaizer Motaung’s side may not splash the cash regularly on massive transfer fees, but when it comes to take-home pay at the end of the month, Amakhosi stars are definitely among the best paid in the league.
Samir Nurkovic and Khama Billiat reportedly cash in on close to R1 million every month at Naturena and a similar figure will be needed should Kaizer Chiefs wish to land Musona.
Musona scored 44 goals and made 13 assists in just 80 appearances for the Glamour Boys in two previous stints with the club. — The South African
An illegal miner from Chitungwiza village, Mazowe committed suicide yesterday by drinking poison mixed with illicit beer over his wife’s infidelity
Philimon Master sent texts messages to his wife Sandra Nyemwererai (35) informing her of his intentions of killing himself because she had cheated him.
Master’s body was found by the police lying on the ground with a bottle of illicit beer, a pesticide and a suicidal note that had the phone number of the wife and her address.
Mashonaland Central deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Naison Dhliwayo confirmed the case.
Police warned people to respect human life and seek counselling when they have differences.
“Killing one self is not a solution, when ever couples have problems they should seek counselling from a third part that include pastors ,the police and family members that can save people’s lives”- Bulawayo 24
Police are investigating a case in which a self-styled prophet alleged raped a 30-year-old woman in Old Highfield in Harare.
Harare Central Province Spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza said it is alleged that, on June 6 2021 at around 3pm, the suspect only identified as Madzibaba Ray, visited the complainant at her residence in Highfields.
“Upon arrival, it is stated that the suspect introduced himself as Madzibaba Ray from Johane Masowe yeChishanu-Nyeredzi Nomwe.
“He reportedly told the complaint that she was possessed with evil spirit which needed spiritual cleansing.
“The suspect allegedly went closer to the complainant and unzipped her jean dress.
“He also reportedly told the complainant that he had been sent by the Holy Spirit to cleanse her.
“In the process, the accused had unprotected sexual intercourse once without the complainant’s consent.
“After the act, the suspect went away leaving the complainant alone,” he said.
“Later on, the complainant told one Madzimai about the ordeal.
“When the suspect was called by Madzimai about what happened, he became evasive.
“The matter was then reported at the station where investigations are underway.
“The suspect is on the run and anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the suspect should report to any nearest police,” he said.
Inspector Mwanza urged members of the public to avoid being fooled by the so-called self-styled prophets into believing spiritual cleansing through sex.
He said it is all lies as the perpetrators will be using psychological means to lure the unsuspecting victims to quench their appetite for sex.- H-Metro
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the all-time highest goalscorer in Euros history after scoring a brace for Portugal against Hungary in a delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament match played Tuesday.
Portugal won 3 nil thanks to a goal from Guerreiro and a brace from the Juventus star Ronaldo.
The brace makes Ronaldo the all-time highest goalscorer in the UEFA Euros history with 10 goals ahead of second-placed Michel Platini who has 9 goals while Alan Shearer is in the third position with 7.
This comes as his top “rival” Lionel Messi scored a free-kick against Chile in the Copa America underway in Brazil to become the player with the highest number of free-kick goals.
Messi now has 57 free-kick goals while Ronaldo has 56.- Pindula News
Tinashe Sambiri|Well-placed government sources have pointed out that the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and Douglas Mwonzora are secretly planning to form a Government of National Unity and push elections to 2025.
This, according to the sources, is a gimmick calculated to frustrate voters assuming they would be tired of waiting for elections by 2025.
The MDC Alliance Namibia has released a statement on the plot by Mwonzora and Mnangagwa to form a “counterfeit” inclusive government.
Read full statement below:
No to postponement of harmonised elections and the creation of a fake Government of National Unity, Mdc Alliance Namibia slams Mwonzora.
16 June 2021
There is a clandestine nefarious plot by the desperate Zanupf regime and power-hungry Mwonzora to push the much awaited harmonised elections further than 2023 according to their mouthpiece,The Daily News.
Rapacious Mwonzora Douglas Togarasei on Friday revealed to The Standard that he had gone to State House to pay a courtesy call on Mr Mnangagwa. Mdc Alliance Namibia believes that Zanupf is exploiting State institutions such as the State House , the courts ,the police, soldiers and state agents to aid Mdc -T in its bid to position itself as the main opposition party in Zimbabwe so that they can strengthen their sadist intention to forge an Anti-poor government that make it easy for Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to postpone elections.
The judicially-constructed MdcT leader said he would not take in the Polad meetings as he preferred a broader dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s multiple political and economic problems. What perturbes social democrats and few party officials is the lack of transparency especially when you are representing Constitutional Democracy. Mwonzora visited his Zanupf counterpart without the knowledge of the people he purports to represent. This unpacks the greedy nature of a stomach politicians in the leadership of this Zanupf backed political outfit.
One of the anonymous member of their party said, “We are all asking ourselves what was really so important about this meeting , which was kept away from everyone”. This lack of transparency is not characteristic of a Social Democrat but a dictatorship and authoritarian masquerading as a democratic leader.
Moreover, “We suspect there is a holy alliance going on here and parallel arrangements are coming”, the official revealed.
This is the incontrovertible evidence to prove that Mwonzora is now a certified Zanupf surrogate who is ready to do anything to derail the freedom train. The plot to sabotage the will of the people must be confronted with equal varlour, mettle and nerve. Trying to postpone elections through a counterfeit GNU is not only beyond nonsense but also devilish, evil and satanic. Social democrats should peacefully and democratically pent up their fury resisting the selfish interests of two monocrats who are planning to suspend our 2013 constitution. It has become visibly clear that Mwonzora is being condomised by the regime to perpetuate the toiling of the unsuspecting masses. There is no need to conceal a democratic fight from the owners of the struggle.
Furthermore, something could be really fishy here because social democracy exists publicly. Mwonzora tried his pathological lies saying he was directed by the MdcT National Executive Council to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe. What mesmerized Social Transformers in was that the constitution of his party calls for transparency and accountability of leadership. No hidden agendas in a Constitutional Democracy. We shall work tirelessly to defend the Constitution that allows us to have elections after every five years. Mwonzora is a Zanupf puppet who is being manipulate the international community. That shall be resisted with equal measure.
Moreso, Mwonzora is the reason why Mr Mnangagwa declared our peace-loving party ,Mdc Alliance led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa a terrorist organisation. This is a futile attempt by Zanupf to just the pre-trial detentions, arbitrary arrests, torture, abductions, forced disappearances and illegal convictions of the Mdc Alliance leaders and activists. We are quite cognisant of their ploy to postpone elections and push them further than 2023, a move that will be resisted by all Zimbabweans across the globe. Mwonzora and his masters must know voting is a civil responsibility. We shall fulfill our revolutionary mandate to vote for complete.
In a nutshell, Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Mwonzora intend to take people for granted. They are afraid of the #CitizensConvergenceForChange and the panic to contest with our brave astute leadership in 2023 is now a mammoth task since social democrats are now available for the #Agenda2021. Zimbweans are not victims of national consciousness, they are politically and economically conscious of what should be done. Ours is a fight for socio-economic transformation. We are not stomach politicians who pretend to be social democrats so that they can feed their anticipating bellies.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is geared to win Zimbabwe for complete change. Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Mwonzora must commence to respect the people of Zimbabwe through adhering to the People’s Constitution. #NoToPostponentOfHarmonisedElections.
Tinashe Sambiri|Well-placed government sources have pointed out that the Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa and Douglas Mwonzora are secretly planning to form a Government of National Unity and push elections to 2025.
This, according to the sources, is a gimmick calculated to frustrate voters assuming they would be tired of waiting for elections by 2025.
The MDC Alliance Namibia has released a statement on the plot by Mwonzora and Mnangagwa to form a “counterfeit” inclusive government.
Read full statement below:
No to postponement of harmonised elections and the creation of a fake Government of National Unity, Mdc Alliance Namibia slams Mwonzora.
16 June 2021
There is a clandestine nefarious plot by the desperate Zanupf regime and power-hungry Mwonzora to push the much awaited harmonised elections further than 2023 according to their mouthpiece,The Daily News.
Rapacious Mwonzora Douglas Togarasei on Friday revealed to The Standard that he had gone to State House to pay a courtesy call on Mr Mnangagwa. Mdc Alliance Namibia believes that Zanupf is exploiting State institutions such as the State House , the courts ,the police, soldiers and state agents to aid Mdc -T in its bid to position itself as the main opposition party in Zimbabwe so that they can strengthen their sadist intention to forge an Anti-poor government that make it easy for Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to postpone elections.
The judicially-constructed MdcT leader said he would not take in the Polad meetings as he preferred a broader dialogue to resolve Zimbabwe’s multiple political and economic problems. What perturbes social democrats and few party officials is the lack of transparency especially when you are representing Constitutional Democracy. Mwonzora visited his Zanupf counterpart without the knowledge of the people he purports to represent. This unpacks the greedy nature of a stomach politicians in the leadership of this Zanupf backed political outfit.
One of the anonymous member of their party said, “We are all asking ourselves what was really so important about this meeting , which was kept away from everyone”. This lack of transparency is not characteristic of a Social Democrat but a dictatorship and authoritarian masquerading as a democratic leader.
Moreover, “We suspect there is a holy alliance going on here and parallel arrangements are coming”, the official revealed.
This is the incontrovertible evidence to prove that Mwonzora is now a certified Zanupf surrogate who is ready to do anything to derail the freedom train. The plot to sabotage the will of the people must be confronted with equal varlour, mettle and nerve. Trying to postpone elections through a counterfeit GNU is not only beyond nonsense but also devilish, evil and satanic. Social democrats should peacefully and democratically pent up their fury resisting the selfish interests of two monocrats who are planning to suspend our 2013 constitution. It has become visibly clear that Mwonzora is being condomised by the regime to perpetuate the toiling of the unsuspecting masses. There is no need to conceal a democratic fight from the owners of the struggle.
Furthermore, something could be really fishy here because social democracy exists publicly. Mwonzora tried his pathological lies saying he was directed by the MdcT National Executive Council to pursue dialogue for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe. What mesmerized Social Transformers in was that the constitution of his party calls for transparency and accountability of leadership. No hidden agendas in a Constitutional Democracy. We shall work tirelessly to defend the Constitution that allows us to have elections after every five years. Mwonzora is a Zanupf puppet who is being manipulate the international community. That shall be resisted with equal measure.
Moreso, Mwonzora is the reason why Mr Mnangagwa declared our peace-loving party ,Mdc Alliance led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa a terrorist organisation. This is a futile attempt by Zanupf to just the pre-trial detentions, arbitrary arrests, torture, abductions, forced disappearances and illegal convictions of the Mdc Alliance leaders and activists. We are quite cognisant of their ploy to postpone elections and push them further than 2023, a move that will be resisted by all Zimbabweans across the globe. Mwonzora and his masters must know voting is a civil responsibility. We shall fulfill our revolutionary mandate to vote for complete.
In a nutshell, Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Mwonzora intend to take people for granted. They are afraid of the #CitizensConvergenceForChange and the panic to contest with our brave astute leadership in 2023 is now a mammoth task since social democrats are now available for the #Agenda2021. Zimbweans are not victims of national consciousness, they are politically and economically conscious of what should be done. Ours is a fight for socio-economic transformation. We are not stomach politicians who pretend to be social democrats so that they can feed their anticipating bellies.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is geared to win Zimbabwe for complete change. Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Mwonzora must commence to respect the people of Zimbabwe through adhering to the People’s Constitution. #NoToPostponentOfHarmonisedElections.
By Dorrothy Moyo| A faceless Zimbabwean man is heard in a viral video announcing he has lost over 2,500 to a fire that torched down a property he is physically in.
The man is seen kneeling down without showing his face while announcing that hell has broken lose on him. This is just a disaster, the man says in the undated video.
“I thought I should tell you the stress that I have it is too much,” the man says.
He continues saying: ” And right now, these notes are likely to be worth $2,500.
“It was $2500, which has all been reduced to ashes like this, this is just a disaster.
Dear Editor. Ward 26 Clr, Max Dutuma constructed this shelter for a widow popularly known as Gogo vaDiva at Gazaland, Highfields. She's been neglected by her kids. A well wisher offered his premises so that she can be accommodated and her house be erected in this chilly weather pic.twitter.com/lsYQ6tlQAy
Q: How have the vaccines been developed so quickly? Does this mean that their safety and efficacy has been compromised?
A: The speed of development of COVID-19 vaccines has been unprecedented for several reasons, but the safety and efficacy requirements for vaccines have not been compromised, Vaccine development was facilitated by:
The massive financial investment by governments, industry and philanthropic organisations in vaccine development and the re-direction of much of the global research and commercial infrastructure for the development and manufacture of vaccines. Governments also enabled companies to take the commercial risk of manufacturing some vaccine stocks ahead of regulatory approvals.
New technologies adapted from the development of other vaccines – mRNA vaccines were developed for COVID-19 very rapidly after the sequence of the COVID-19 virus was determined, but the underlying technology had been under development since much longer and production could be scaled up very quickly. The adenovirus technology used for adenovirus vector vaccines was first tested with SARS, MERS and Ebola virus over the last 20 years, and so was able to be adapted quickly to COVID-19, which has several similarities to these viruses.
Clinical trial successes – it has been possible to rapidly recruit large numbers of volunteers into clinical trials and, with unfortunately high rates of infection in several countries, to complete trials with 10,000-50,000 people in a short period of time. Under normal circumstances, it may take many months or even a few years to carry out trials of this size to determine whether a vaccine is effective. Very close collaboration – between regulators, industry and clinical researchers enabled clear indications of regulatory requirements and early access to results.
Intensive and insightful research – researchers predicted that the “spike protein” on the virus would be a good target for vaccine development, and almost all vaccines have been designed to induce a response to this protein. So far, the spike protein has produced a strong immune response in those vaccinated, and for those vaccines that have reported clinical results are highly protective from COVID-19 disease. Q: Will mRNA vaccines affect the DNA of vaccine recipients?
A: No. The mRNA in the vaccine has not been shown to incorporate itself into the genes of vaccine recipients and breaks down in the weeks after vaccination. mRNA vaccines contain genetic instructions for our cells, which only read them and provide copies of the SARS-CoV2 spike protein. This enables the body’s natural immune systems to cause a response in vaccine recipients if they are later exposed to the virus.
Q: How long will COVID-19 vaccination provide protection for immunised people?
A: We do not yet know how long protection from any of these vaccines lasts. We will get better insights over the next 12 months.
The duration of protection provided by vaccines can vary. For example, the seasonal influenza vaccine is given annually, because the influenza virus mutates, and protection wanes over a number of months. Other vaccines, such as those for rubella or measles provide multi-year or even life-long protection from disease. Mutations in key viral proteins can mean that virus variants emerge. The SARS-CoV-2-coronavirus is prone to mutations that creates variants, some of which have become established in a number of regions of the world. The scientific community and regulators are very actively monitoring whether the current vaccines can continue protecting people from infection with new variants. A number of vaccine developers are currently developing vaccines against the range of variants, and it is likely that booster shots with these vaccines will increase protection against known variants. Regulators have agreed that review of data on vaccines against variants will be facilitated based on assessment of immune response to the variant, in the same way that new seasonal influenza vaccines are evaluated each year. Q: Why are there so many vaccine candidates?
A: As the global seriousness of the pandemic became rapidly apparent, development of effective vaccines for COVID-19 became the top priority of many pharmaceutical companies and medical research institutes. There was also unprecedented government and private sector investment in vaccine development. There is now a wide range of technologies for developing new vaccines – and many of the organisations developing COVID-19 vaccines have particular experience in one or more of these technologies. This has ensured that there would still be vaccines available if some were not approved for reasons of efficacy, safety or manufacturing challenges.
Q: What if many people start getting a reaction from a particular COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Short-term reactions, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue or headache are common following any vaccination with COVID-19 vaccines. These reactions usually pass in a day or two. If new evidence becomes available that suggests that a specific serious adverse event may be linked to a particular COVID-19 vaccine then regulators will take action, working collaboratively on a global basis and liaise with public health authorities. The type of actions that can be taken depend on the nature of the adverse event, and could range from issuing safety warnings for patients, healthcare professionals and the community; updating the product information or consumer information for the vaccine to show contraindications for the use in particular patients (e.g. those with certain co-morbidities); to closely monitoring adverse events in certain groups of patients; preventing the release of a particular batch of vaccine through to temporary suspension of the use of the vaccine until more is known.
Q: How are regulators speeding up the time it takes to authorise a COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Many regulators globally have implemented faster access pathways for COVID-19 vaccines, without compromising on strict standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
Some countries have Emergency Use Authorisation pathways which assess the available data at the time of authorisation. Exercising these provisions is a matter for those countries, taking into account the benefits versus risks in the context of the prevailing domestic pandemic situation. Different countries may coin this pathway or authorisation routes differently but essentially, they follow the same principles. Other countries have implemented accelerated/priority, conditional or provisional approval schemes.
Under normal circumstances, regulatory assessment begins once all information to support registration is available. For COVID-19 vaccines, many regulators have agreed to accept data on a rolling basis to enable early evaluation of data as it becomes available. Regulators will only be in a position to make a provisional approval decision for a vaccine once there is sufficient data to support adequately the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine for its intended use. If a decision is made to grant provisional or conditional approval, it will be based on the requirement for the sponsor to submit more comprehensive, longer term clinical data, stability data and other information with agreed timelines. Q: Did our country approve this COVID-19 vaccine, or are we relying on another country’s approval?
A: Most countries are carrying out independent regulatory evaluations on the submitted data for each vaccine. However, to ensure a more efficient use of resources and expertise, regulators in different countries are communicating closely on safety, efficacy and quality data and discussing technical issues as they may arise. In many cases principles of WHO Good Reliance Practices and collaborative mechanisms leverage the output of other regulators.
Q: Why weren’t very rare blood clots with low platelets with the AstraZeneca or Janssen vaccines picked up during clinical trials?
A: Thromboembolic events with concurrent thrombocytopenia are very rare – with estimates based on the number of spontaneous reports suggesting an overall incidence on the order of 10-15 cases per million doses. The clinical trials of these vaccines included large numbers of people, often with 10,000 to 20,000 individuals in the active vaccine arms, but even in trials of this size it was statistically unlikely that such very rare events would be detected. This shows the importance of continual safety monitoring during the use of these vaccines, to allow very rare events to be detected and investigated further.
Source:
Joint Statement from the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities and World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
NGO Forum director Mr Musa Kika performed a tactical withdrawal of his latest urgent High Court application an hour before the case management.
Kika is litigating to stop Chief Justice Luke Malaba exercising his authority pending the outcome of a Supreme Court appeal.
The High Court last month ruled that the Chief Justice did not have the right laid out in the latest constitutional amendment to opt to continue in office until he was 75.
The development saw the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi threatening three High Court judges saying they were now captured by the opposition. Kika does not hold any position in any of the country’s opposition parties.
Ziyambi and the Attorney-General noted an appeal against the decision, which was said would suspend the lower court’s order.
Following the noting of appeal, CJ Malaba returned to work, a development that upset Mr Kika, the leader of the original application to block the Chief Justice from continuing in the post after he turned 70, who then unsuccessfully sought another High Court order for the top judge to be found in contempt of court and committed to civil imprisonment for six months.
After losing that application after the two judges found that a long-settled law did stay judgments once an appeal was noted, Mr Kika again approached the High Court, this time seeking leave to execute the May 15 judgment pending appeal.
But just an hour before the case management meeting, set for 2pm yesterday before Justices Esther Muremba, Pisirayi Kwenda and Paul Musithu, Mr Kika, through his legal counsel, withdrew the application without giving reasons.
He tendered wasted costs of the suit.
The High Court last week ruled that CJ Malaba was not in contempt of court, when he resumed his judicial functions after an appeal to the Supreme Court was noted against the earlier High Court decision that the constitutional amendment giving him the option of five more years of service did not apply to him and other senior judges.
The judgment confirmed that the noting of an appeal automatically suspends the execution of any judgment or decision appealed against, including the declaratory order on May 15, and so dismissed the urgent application Mr Kika was seeking.
Two High Court judges, Justices Amy Tsanga and Sylvia Chirawu-Mugomba dismissed the urgent application by Mr Kika, for lack of merit. -State Media
A ZIMBABWEAN student at the University of Namibia who lied to police that his laptop and mobile phone had been stolen in Victoria Falls after he sold the gadgets, has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Allan Nyamuziwa of 1724 Landpark in Marondera was convicted on his own plea to deliberately supplying false information to a public authority by Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.
He said he was travelling to his hometown from Namibia when he disembarked from a bus to relieve himself in Victoria Falls.
Nyamuziwa said the bus was gone when returned so he decided to sell his laptop and phone to get transport money.
He reported to the police on Sunday that his gadgets and US$200 cash had been stolen.
Nyamuziwa told police that he was robbed in a bush near Kingdom Hotel prompting police to investigate the issue. Investigations revealed that he had lied about the robbery and he was arrested.
He admitted to police that he “cooked up” the robbery story so he could be assisted with free travel as a victim and he also did not want his parents to know that he sold the items.
He was sentenced to six months in prison which was wholly suspended for five years on condition he doesn’t commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Nyamuziwa is a first-year Engineering student at the University of Namibia. – Chronicle
DENDERA ace Sulumani Chimbetu has courted the ire of a Zanu PF party-linked youth group through his song whose lyrics seem to condemn the November 2017 military coup that ushered in President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
It is considered taboo in the Shona custom to engage in cultural ceremonies in the month of November. Mnangagwa was sworn in November 2017 after the ouster of the late former President Robert Mugabe via a military coup.
Zimbabwe Revolutionary and Patriotic Youth Network (ZIRAPAYON) wrote to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi on June 9 expressing reservations over the lyrics in Sulu’s song, Chirwere.
Sulu, who is the brand ambassador for the ZPCS, where he is an assistant commissioner, implied in the song that the country was being plagued by problems because it installed a leader in the month of November.
In the letter, the youths are demanding that Sulu should explain what he meant in the song.
“ZIRAPAYON Harare province was not pleased by a song released by the ambassador of the ZPCS Assistant Commissioner Sulumani Chimbetu featuring one chanter popularly known as Hwindi President,” the letter read in part.
“We seek clarity on what he meant. We are sure that your esteemed office would also want to understand what the goodwill ambassador implied. We join hands with you and all patriotic Zimbabweans in demanding an explanation. A proactive response will be highly appreciated.”
Last week Sulu, son of the late legendary musician and liberation war hero, Simon, torched a political storm after his pictures clad in Zanu PF regalia went viral.
This came shortly after he was photographed in the company of Harare West MP Joanah Mamombe (MDC Alliance)
Sulu has been under a barrage of criticism from mainly Zanu PF supporters who took him to task over his association with Mamombe and of late, Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) president Takudzwa Ngadziore. He was the subject of political scrutiny after he was captured on camera welcoming Ngadziore from remand prison and is on record expressing solidarity with the student leader. This upset some Zanu PF members who wanted him to be stripped of his ZPCS ambassadorial role. -Newsday
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance says it will leave no stone unturned in a spirited attempt to push for electoral reforms before the 2023 elections.
The Zanu PF regime is deliberately slowing down the process of implementing reforms fearing the implications of free and fair polls.
The MDC Alliance Namibia has launched a new branch as part of efforts to recruit new members before the 2023 elections.
See statement below:
Mdc Alliance Namibia Northern Branch successfully launched in Ondangwa on Saturday.
On Saturday, 12 June 2021 all roads led to Ondangwa, in the Northern part of Namibia where social democrats gathered to launch another organic branch.
Constitutional fighters who converged at Oshikoto Lodge resolved to have more other other branches in the region since they are a lot of Zimbabweans who reside in the north.
It was quite exhilarating to meet an energetic and enthusiastic Youth Assembly ready to take up the revolutionary duty to fight for socio-economic transformation in the motherland.
The Youth Commander, Tapiwa Jaricha , Vice Tafadzwa ‘Buju’ Maguraushe, Organiser, Panashe (former Zinasu activist), Sec Gen Robert Vambe, Treasurer General, Givemore Makoni , Vice Mangende and the Youth Assembly Spokesperson, cde leader Valentine. The launch was greatly successful because the pragmatic youths displayed their great zeal to win Zimbabwe for complete change.
Tafadzwa ‘Buju’Maguraushe, the Youth Vice Commander reiterated that as the youths, they are prepared to embrace dangerous freedom against peaceful slavery.
He promised fireworks during this #CitizensConvergenceForChange and he encouraged unity in the branch so that all social democrats can concentrate on the tiresome journey to total emancipation.
Moreover, the Main Wing also unearthed their leadership prowess by organising a successful political meeting as part of the #Agenda2021. Apart from the Youth Assembly, the district was humbled by the great appetite unravelled by the main wing.
The newly elected democratic fighters reflected their capacity to recruit , mobilise and radicalise social transformers in the north and Namibia as a whole to Go and Register to Vote, Go and Vote in 2023 and defend the Vote against Zanupf shenanigans mainfesting in rigging of the People’s Vote. The leadership pledged peacefully and democratically defend the will of the people.
We were absolutely amazed with the revolutionary energy in the newly elected team led by the diligent Chairperson , Amos Chiraya, Vice Festus Suvo, Secretary General George Pfidze, Organiser James Chikwekwete, Treasurer General Obert Majoni, Vice Tawanda Nyamakura, Spokesperson Takesure Chavhunduka , Vice Treddy Mukumba , Director of Security Cde. Mhizha and the Elections Director , Respect Gweshe who concurred with participatory democracy to win Zimbabwe against arbitrary arrests, torture,illegal convictions, looting and gross abuse of human rights. It was made clear by social transformers in the North that #CitizensConvergenceForChange is the only panacea to socio-economic transfiguration in Zimbabwe. The leadership confessed their dedication to support all social liberation policies that are pro-poor.
Furthermore, the Elections Director, Respect Gweshe and Chairperson, Amos Chiraya, collectively pledged to put their heads on the block pushing for comprehensive political and electoral reforms before 2023.
They promised to undertake a massive recruitment and mobilisation drive ahead of 2023 general elections.
Mdc Alliance Namibia Northern Branch was sanitised through the physical presence of the District Chairperson, Elisha Chambara , Commander Tapshinda, Rundu Branch Sec Gen, Simbarashe Ndoda, Women’s Assembly Chairlady, Sec General Tarisai Nhira and other branch leaders. The Chairperson, instilled more revolutionary confidence in the energetic leadership. It was however, noted that although with excuses , the district leadership was expected to show solidarity especially the Director for Elections , Sec General and the Organising secretary so that they could strengthen and orient the structures.
In a nutshell, Rundu Branch Spokesperson challenged social democrats to prepare themselves to vote because voting is a civic mandate of all right thinking citizens.
The branch was inspired by the call electoral reforms that will guarantee free, fair and credible elections. We discovered that it was possible to mobilise 6 million voters by 2023. Advocate Nelson Chamisa Wamba Dia Wamba was the only person agreed to have the capacity to put the economy on a sounder footing. NaNero TiriWero.
The Government has dispossessed Osisa director Mr Siphosami Malunga and his two partners, of their farm land saying it was never his in the first place.
In a brief statement, govt said
Mr Malunga and his partners bought a shadowy company that claimed to own the farm, which was owned by a white proprietor.
But the white farmer did not have exclusive ownership of the land in question since it had been acquired by Government almost two decades before, the report said.
Matabeleland North Province Minister of State Hon Richard Moyo told the state media Government is not in the business of removing blacks from farms and Malunga and his partners can benefit from the largesse if they do not own land elsewhere.
“The farm in question belonged to white farmers by the name of Swindells. When Government compulsorily acquired land in the 2000s we did not immediately resettle people because there was a black man by name Eddie Warambwa who claimed to have bought the farm from the white man. It was only after his death that we realised that he was a front of the white man and measures were taken to repossess the land, there is no victimisation here.
“Maybe Mr Malunga and his partners bought assets on the farm but certainly not the land as it belongs to Government. We are in the process of allocating the land and those who were on the farm will benefit just as any other Zimbabwean if they do not have another piece of land elsewhere,” he said.
The Herald said the three, who, apart from Mr Malunga, also include Mr Zephaniah Dhlamini and Charles Moyo, instead of applying for the land to Government, when the offer was presented to them, they chose not to.
The Lands Ministry later on established the trio were using only 30 hectares out of the 500ha and at some point during land inspection, they submitted the sale of shares document which was however deemed fraudulent as it was not signed.
By Showbiz Reporter | The UK based socialite, Olinda Chapel exploded on Tuesday night over alleged insults by the transgender activist Tatelicious Karigamombe.
How many times does Tatelicious talk about me and my husband?, Olinda asked while complaining.
The development comes after Olinda was derided by Tate, as the latter constantly mentioned names of all of Olinda’s family members including her minor child. VIDEO LOADING BELOW …
A man was found dead in a maize field in Bulawayo’s Pumula South suburb with stab wounds all over the body while another died at his home in Njube after being stabbed by unknown assailants.
The two unrelated cases come at a time when murder cases seem to be on the rise in Zimbabwe, particularly in Bulawayo.
In a tweet, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi appealed for information that may lead to the arrest of the attackers.
“Police in Bulawayo are appealing for information that may assist investigations in two separate murder cases. On 12/6/21 a body of an unknown male adult was found in a maize field behind Plot 6 Pumula South Habek with several stab wounds on legs and shoulders,” tweeted the police.
“In another murder case, Police are investigating circumstances surrounding a case in which a Njube man (44) died after arriving home at night with a stab wound on the chest. Anyone with information should contact any nearest police station.- Chronicle
By A Correspondent- Studio 263 actress Chipo Bizure, has been dragged to the courts by her boyfriend’s wife.
Bizure is girlfriend to the complainant Fortunate Mapfumo’s husband. The court heard that on June 8 at around 2am, Bizure went to Mapfumo’s place of residence in Avonlea and started to ring the intercom demanding to see her boyfriend Sugar Chagonda who is Mapfumo’s husband who was inside the house.
After being told that she must return in the morning, Bizure started blowing her car horn and banging the gate and when she discovered that the gate was not locked, she went inside and destroyed two bar stools that were on the veranda.
Upon hearing the noise, Mapfumo and her son went out and Bizure ran outside and locked herself in the car and was hooting at the gate till 5:30 am.
Bizure yesterday changed her plea and said she only hooted once and broke the bar stools by mistake not intentionally as alleged by the State and is willing to compensate Mapfumo.
The court heard that at around 6:30am when Mapfumo was about to go to work she saw Bizure parked at the gate blocking the way and she refused to remove her car saying one of the tyres had been deflated by Mapfumo’s gardener which prompted her to call the police leading to Bizure’s arrest.
On the other hand, Mapfumo also appeared in the same court accused of unreasonable disposal of household effects which falls under the Domestic Violence Act in which her husband Sugar Chagonda accused her of depriving him access to his cell phones.
The court told the State that the allegations were not supporting the charge and the State was prompted to withdraw charges against her before plea.
The State told the court that they will summon her when they decide to try her on theft charges after getting authority to prosecute from the Prosecutor General.
By A Correspondent-A Correspondent- Beitbridge Woman lost US$10 000 to two armed robbers who masqueraded as buyers of a vehicle she was selling after she offered them overnight accommodation.
Matabeleland South acting provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Thabani Mkhwananzi confirmed the incident which occurred last Monday in Mapolovele Village.
He said Ms Prisca Muleya (33) and her husband had placed an advert on various WhatsApp groups for the sale of their vehicle and the two men arrived at their home under the pretext of buying the vehicle.
“I can confirm that we recorded a robbery case which occurred in Mapolovele Village in Beitbridge. Ms Muleya and her husband advertised that they were selling a car on various WhatsApp groups. The two suspects arrived at the home under the pretext of buying the vehicle and only found her. She invited the two men to wait for her husband who further delayed to return until it was night.
“Ms Muleya then offered the two men a place to sleep. During the night they budged into her bedroom while she was asleep and demanded cash while armed with a pistol. They took US$10 000 and fled into the night. Her husband returned home a few hours later and they reported the matter to the police,” he said.
Asst Insp Mkhwananzi said investigations were underway and appealed to members of the public with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the police.
He urged members of the public to desist from keeping large sums of money in their homes.
“As police we urge people to desist from keeping large sums of money in their homes as they will be putting their lives at risk. People should also be careful of strangers and not trust them. Members of the public should also be careful about who they tell sensitive information such as the valuables they have,” he said.
By A Correspondent- Harare could now be safe after the court has convicted nine notorious armed robbers responsible for a spate of robberies around the country.
Musa Taj Abdul, Liberty Mupamhanga, Prince Makodza, Godfrey Mupamhanga, Charles Lundu, Rudolph Kanhanga, Innocent Jairos, Tapiwa Mangoma and Carrington Marasha were convicted after a full trial. The nine had denied the charges when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko.
They were arrested in Beitbridge in August last year following a tip-off. The nine are also facing other armed robbery cases which are still pending at the court.
Mr Oscar Madhume and Mrs Francesca Mukumbiri appeared for the State. Mrs Mateko in convicting the nine said it was clear that they acting in common purpose when they were arrested.
By A Correspondent- Nine notorious armed robbers responsible for a spate of robberies around the country have been convicted of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Musa Taj Abdul, Liberty Mupamhanga, Prince Makodza, Godfrey Mupamhanga, Charles Lundu, Rudolph Kanhanga, Innocent Jairos, Tapiwa Mangoma and Carrington Marasha were convicted after a full trial. The nine had denied the charges when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko.
They were arrested in Beitbridge in August last year following a tip-off. The nine are also facing other armed robbery cases which are still pending at the court.
Mr Oscar Madhume and Mrs Francesca Mukumbiri appeared for the State. Mrs Mateko in convicting the nine said it was clear that they acting in common purpose when they were arrested.
By A Correspondent- The government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has declared war against white-owned companies and accused them of abusing foreign currency.
The RBZ released a statement Tuesday and said the companies that were found out by its Financial Intelligence Unit will be fined.
The companies include National Foods (Pvt) Ltd, Georgia Petroleum (Pvt) Ltd, Tettola Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Africa Steel (Pvt) Ltd, Westville Investments (Pvt) Ltd (T/A Omni Africa), Flicknik Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, Duo Valley Commodity Brokers, Faircclot Investments, GlenuLas Trading, Natural Stone Export Company, Nuvert Trading, Phirebrook Investments, Classic Energy, Clorex Energy, Explochem, Mutare Mart & Exchange, Souzcre Fuels and Kimya Investments.
According to a recently gazetted anti-business investment law SI 127 of 2021, businesses that access foreign currency on the RBZ Foreign Exchange Auction System (introduced last year) and then proceed to peg prices using parallel market rates may face a maximum fine of ZW$50,000. Any business that puts a premium on goods and services in local currency to induce consumers to pay using foreign currency will face a penalty of ZW$50,000.
The RBZ said that the accused companies shall be dealt with under SI 127.
“The Bank has a duty of care to ensure that the significant progress that the economy made since the introduction of the foreign exchange auction system in June 2020 continues on an unabated positive trajectory whilst at the same time protecting consumers and fostering compliance to engender fair play in the economy. It is against these noble objectives that SI 127 was put in place to provide for penalties against errant entities that were at the forefront of abusing the foreign exchange auction system to the detriment of the stability of the economy.
Accordingly, after investigations by the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Bank’s Exchange Control Division, the entities listed hereunder which were abusing the foreign exchange auction system shall be dealt with in accordance with SI 127,” read the statement by RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya.
By A Correspondent-Zanu PF has hijacked the funeral of five Chagweda family members of Gutu who perished in a road accident along the Chivhu-Roy highway last Saturday morning.
The family members namely, Francis Chagweda (33) who was the driver, Lloyd Chagweda (31), Viola Chagweda (35), Mavis Chagweda (61) all of Chidyamakuni Village in Chiwara and Eneres Said of Chiweshe died on the spot after a Toyota Wish they were traveling in was involved in a head-on collision with an Inter Africa bus.
They were traveling to Chiwara from Harare for a family function when disaster struck.
Gutu Senator Lovemore Matuke and Gutu South National Assembly representative Pupurai Togarepi have since taken control of all the burial arrangement of the deceased.
By A Correspondent-Government, through the national Civil Protection Unit has granted state assistance for the burial of five Chagweda family members of Gutu who perished in a road accident along the Chivhu-Roy highway last Saturday morning.
The family members namely, Francis Chagweda (33) who was the driver, Lloyd Chagweda (31), Viola Chagweda (35), Mavis Chagweda (61) all of Chidyamakuni Village in Chiwara and Eneres Said of Chiweshe died on the spot after a Toyota Wish they were traveling in was involved in a head on collision with an Inter Africa bus.
They were traveling to Chiwara from Harare for a family function when disaster struck.
Gutu Civil Protection Unit chair and district development co-ordinator Ms Chiedza Tafirei said the deceased will get a state assisted burial. Ms Tafirei said all the deceased except Said would be buried at Chidyamakuni Village tomorrow while the latter would be buried in Chiweshe.
The Civil Protection Unit had chipped in with $50 000 towards meeting the funeral expenses of the five deceased.
Besides the cash, the State had also chipped in with rice and cooking oil among other foodstuffs for the funeral.
Gutu Senator Cde Lovemore Matuke and Gutu South National Assembly representative Cde Pupurai Togarepi also donated foodstuffs towards the funeral.
By A Correspondent | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signed a trade deal with Australia touted to boost the economy. The nation walked away from the European Union last year.
In an announcement, Johnson said: “Today’s deal will create incredible opportunities for British businesses and consumers, by: Removing all tariffs on British goods, making it cheaper to sell iconic products like cars, Scotch whisky and ceramics into Australia.
“Slashing red tape for thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses trading with Australia.Saving British shoppers money with lower prices and more choice.Making it easier to travel and work in Australia, especially for young people.Safeguarding British farmers whilst opening up new trading opportunities.
“And believe me Amanda, this is just the start of the world of opportunities we are grasping as an independent trading nation.
“We are already making excellent progress towards striking more tailored trade deals with like-minded allies across the globe. And today’s deal paves the way for us to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a £9 trillion free trade area of some of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies.
“Today’s deal will create incredible opportunities for British businesses and consumers, by:
“Removing all tariffs on British goods, making it cheaper to sell iconic products like cars, Scotch whisky and ceramics into Australia.
“Slashing red tape for thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses trading with Australia. Saving British shoppers money with lower prices and more choice.
“Making it easier to travel and work in Australia, especially for young people.
“Safeguarding British farmers whilst opening up new trading opportunities.
“And believe me Amanda, this is just the start of the world of opportunities we are grasping as an independent trading nation.
“We are already making excellent progress towards striking more tailored trade deals with like-minded allies across the globe.
“And today’s deal paves the way for us to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a £9 trillion free trade area of some of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies.”
