By A Correspondent- China has unveiled a scholarship programme that will benefit 33 scholars drawn from three of the country’s public universities to study in the Asian country.
This comes after Zimbabwe and China upgraded their “all-weather friendship” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”.
The China-Zimbabwe Scholarship Programme will benefit 33 outstanding students from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Midlands State University (MSU) and National University of Science and Technology (Nust) to study at various learning institutions in China.
Held under the aegis of the Culture Exchange and Research Center (Caecerc) and the Chinese embassy, the initiative will benefit Zimbabwe’s excelling, but underprivileged students.
Caecerc chairperson Ke Zhao told NewsDay that the programme was aimed at cementing relations between the two countries in the field of education.
“Caecerc and the Chinese embassy initiated this programme as a means to help intelligent, responsible but underprivileged students in the tertiary education sector,” he said.
“Plans are already in place to obtain more funding from other Chinese and local companies in Zimbabwe so that it can cover many students and expand to other universities and tertiary institutions.”
Last week, the programme was officially launched at the MSU and Nust and will be launched at the UZ at a later date.
Apart from that programme, six students from Zimbabwe are sent to the Nanjing University to undertake post-graduate studies in Arts.
The programme was broadened to cover other fields of study.
“The initiative is a brainchild of the Chinese embassy, which aims to give a helping hand to the education sector in Zimbabwe. The objectives of the initiative include awarding scholarships to excelling but underprivileged students,” Zhao added.
“(We are implementing) the 20+20 Co-operation plan for Chinese and African institutions of higher education through empowering young academics.”-newsday
By A Correspondent- Gweru residents associations have slammed mayor Josiah Makombe’s plans to move into the mayoral mansion despite suggestions that the house be turned into a money-spinning venture.
Addressing journalists last week, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association director Cornelia Selipiwe accused city fathers of “having appetite” for lavish lifestyles at the expense of ratepayers.
“It is unfortunate that we requested for a reduction in rates and council refused, yet we have a sweet-talking mayor who now wants to move into the mayoral mansion,” Selipiwe said.
“Besides driving in a Toyota Prado which was purchased for former town clerk (Elizabeth Gwatipedza), he now wants the mansion. The city fathers want to enjoy at our (residents) expense, yet they don’t want to slash rates.”
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers Development Association director David Chikore weighed in, saying the mayor should address residents’ concerns and desist from leading an expensive life.
“We have reports that the mayor now intends to move into the mayoral mansion and we are surprised that he has suddenly developed this propensity for a lavish lifestyle,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Makombe was non-committal over the issue.
“I have no comment to that,” he said. “I will not comment on personal issues.”
Two years ago, council announced plans to turn the mayoral mansion into a lodge in a bid to boost revenue for the cash-strapped local authority.
To date, the proposal has not materialised amid reports that officials at Town House failed to reach consensus over the issue.
Council made the resolution to turn the mansion, which has been lying idle since the departure of then mayor Sesel Zvidzai in 2008, into a lodge a few years ago, but the project stalled after there were proposals for Gwatipedza to use it as her official residence.
The move to turn the upmarket property into the town clerk’s residence was, however, resisted by residents and council had to abandon it.
In 2016, the Judicial Service Commission approached council requesting to lease the building and use it as the seat for High Court sessions, but residents objected, arguing that council would not benefit from such a deal.
The mayoral mansion is one white elephant that Gweru has for years been urged to exploit, as the city’s coffers are running dry due to dwindling income streams.
At one point, council tried to lease out the property for US$3 000 per month, but found no takers.-newsday
By A Correspondent- A High Court sheriff on Monday broke into suspended judge Justice Erica Ndewere’s residence and attached two motor vehicles to recover legal fees won by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) against her.
Justice Ndewere’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said two men from the Office of the Sheriff of the High Court broke the gate and tried to break the kitchen door after she had directed them to deliver the court documents to her lawyers.
The Sheriff attached her husband’s truck and brother’s motor vehicle to recover the cost of suit after she had withdrawn a matter against the JSC.
The JSC is claiming $175 000 for legal fees awarded against the suspended judge.
“The officials from the sheriff of the High Court forcibly gained entry into Justice Ndewere’s premises and tried to physically break down her door, but they failed,” Mtetwa said.
“They then attached her husband’s truck and her brother’s car. JSC and its lawyers should have at least advised us of the intended visit so that all this drama could have been avoided.”
Earlier in 2020, JSC staff attempted to forcibly enter Justice Ndewere’s residence to seize vehicles following her suspension.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he had not received the report.
“I am not aware of such a report,” Nyathi said. “The sheriff works under the High Court and I would not be privy of legal matters under its jurisdiction.”
The judge was suspended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on November 5, 2020 for alleged incompetence.
She was accused of failing to complete 28 reviews and eight reserved judgments as well as failing to properly read a file of a convict.
Justice Ndewere has denied the allegations, claiming that Chief Justice Luke Malaba was victimising her after she ignored his “unlawful” directive to deny bail to former Labour minister Priscah Mupfumira on charges of abusing National Social Security Authority funds and MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala on inciting public violence charges.
She also accused Chief Justice Malaba of lying to Mnangagwa that she had 34 outstanding matters when she only had three.
She also submitted that the JSC failed to carry out an independent investigation into her alleged misconduct, but rather “rubber-stamped” the unlawful investigation done by Chief Justice Malaba without verifying the allegations.
Her case is being investigated by a tribunal headed by retired judge Justice Simbi Mubako.
By A Correspondent- A Shurugwi-based artisanal miner had his left leg amputated after rivals brutally axed him in a suspected love triangle.
Mr Simon Vingirayia, the court heard, lost consciousness as blood gushed from his left knee after his assailant axed him on a large vein and doctors had to amputate the leg above the knee to save his life.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Brian Paketh from Gweru Provincial Hospital told the court that Mr Vingirayi, was dying slowly as he was losing 20 percent of his blood per hour.
This was heard during the appearance of three artisanal miners who include two brothers from Shurugwi, Charles (29) and Philbert Chingwaya (22) and Tafadzwa Rundora (31) before Gweru Regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa. They are facing a count each of attempted murder.
The trio pleaded not guilty. In his evidencein -chief, Dr Paketh said the accused persons intended to “kill” the patient (Vingirayi) slowly.
“An attack on the knee will kill you but you will die slower than an attack on the neck. I’m trained to safeguard life. An attack is not measured and we as human beings are not designed to receive attacks. They intended to kill the patient slowly. If you are attacked like that on the knee, you will bleed until you get to zero then you die,” he said.
Dr Paketh said they were forced to amputate the leg to save Vingirayi’s life.
“We had to amputate his left limb and now he has a permanent disability. His injury was a danger to his life, hence surgical amputation had to be done to save him from excessive bleeding that was putting his life at great risk. When Simon Vingirayi came to Gweru Provincial Hospital, he had lost more than 50 percent of blood that was gushing from two deep cuts on the left knee,” he said. Charles, under cross examination had the court in stitches when he said, “Dr I just injured him, I didn’t amputate his leg. It was you.” In response, Dr Paketh said,
“What we did was a formalisation of the amputation of the leg which was already dysfunctional.”
Dr Paketh said they had to repair the bleeding vessels which were deep adding that the injury was too extensive.
“So, we put him in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) because we were losing his life. His life was in danger and we then had to amputate above bleeding vessels and we closed up the vessels just above the injured side. The rest of the injuries, we repaired them successfully. We surgically removed an already dysfunctional leg. The injuries were consistent with a sharp object. Any attack of the body is risky to life.”
It is the State case as presented by Mr Talent Tadenyika that on May 20 last year at around 8PM and at Chief Ndanga bar, Adare Farm, Shurugwi, Vingirayi was playing a pool game with one Timothy Changunduma.
Vingirayi went outside the bar together with Changunduma and stood near a braai stand where they were having a conversation. The court heard that Charles, Philbert and Rundora arrived in a Toyota Noah vehicle. Charles who was driving the vehicle allegedly remained behind while Philbert and Rundora disembarked.
The court heard that Charles charged towards Vingirayi holding a big axe. Charles allegedly told Vingirayi he wanted to kill him because he was having an extra marital affair with his wife.
Charles allegedly felled Vingirayi with a blow to the head using the axe handle. He allegedly axed Vingirayi on the left knee three times. Philbert and Rundora, the court heard, allegedly stabbed Vingirayi on the head with a knife while Charles continued axing the left leg.
Vingirayi, the court heard, became unconscious and only regained consciousness after he had been admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital where his leg was amputated.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the two brothers and their friend.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo motorist was forced to fire warning shots to deter drunken university students who engaged in an orgy of violence — attacking motorists and passersby after attending an unsanctioned party, NewsDay reported.
Under COVID-19 regulations, parties remain banned.
According to police, a university student Michael Muza was arrested on Saturday after hosting an unsanctioned party which turned violent, resulting in a motorist pulling his gun and firing warning shots.
“The ZRP warns residents and university students against hosting parties late into the night and engaging in orgies of violence. On April 24, police in Bulawayo arrested Muza for breaching COVID-19 regulations,” police said.
“The suspect hosted a party for his fellow university students in Selbourne Park, Bulawayo, which resulted in violence and attack on motorists who were passing by. A cornered motorist had to fire warning shots to evade attack from marauding students.”
In a follow-up statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the law enforcement agency was worried over the holding of unsanctioned parties as he also warned bar and nigh-club operators against operating without authorisation.
“In this regard, all operators who continue to defy COVID-19 health and safety measures will face severe penalties as outlined by government and should not cry foul on arrest by police. People found drinking beer at bars, beerhalls and restaurants will also be arrested by the police and made to face due processes of the law,” he said.
Bars, beerhalls and nightclubs remain closed.
Bulawayo liquor traders have repeatedly petitioned government to lift the suspension while also appealing to authorities to declare a waiver on the rentals from March 2020, arguing that they were finding it difficult to pay rentals as they were closed and not getting any revenues.
According to the Liquor Traders Association, Bulawayo has 1 015 outlets registered with the liquor licensing board.
By A Correspondent- Government should admit that its mass public transporter, Zupco, is failing to cope with demand, a consumer watchdog and commuters said in response to the transport shortages bedevilling Bulawayo.
Commuters have been battling transport challenges since last week after Local Government minister July Moyo urged police and other security organs to be “ruthless” with private commuter omnibuses.
“We operate under pieces of legislation, so if enforcement requires you (police) to command the municipal police, please do so. If the law, as it does, allows you to say if you are overwhelmed, please bring the army, please do it,” Moyo told a Bulawayo provincial COVID-19 taskforce meeting.
This has seen police smashing kombi windows and engaging in high-speed chases with private commuter omnibuses even in the central business district.
Moyo even threatened to “bring the army” to ensure only Zupco-registered commuter operators provide transport services despite evidence that the latter is failing to cope with demand.
“The government must accept the fact that it does not have the capacity to provide for the comprehensive transport needs of commuters.
It must bring on board the private sector and only ensure that they abide by the COVID-19 control regulations,” National Consumer Rights Association co-ordinator Effie Ncube said.
“Commuters are consumers of transport services and they must be treated with dignity. It is important that whenever they need transport it must be there, so the State must not create a gridlock where it is impossible to get transport.”
Commuter omnibus owners under the Tshova Mubaiwa Transport Co-operative Company approached the High Court in July 2020 challenging the Zupco monopoly.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association director Michael Ndiweni added: “There has been a serious challenge with transport for traders.”
Bulawayo resident Panashe Ndlovu said she feared being mugged after getting home late. “We are being exposed not only to muggings, but even rape,” she said.-newsday
By A Correspondent- Government has embarked on a nationwide drive to promote previously marginalised indigenous languages.
Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema yesterday told journalists at the launch of the indigenous languages radio lesson development workshop that his ministry was working towards revitalising local languages.
“It gives me great pleasure to take this opportunity to acknowledge the celebration of identity, diversity and heritage through the development of indigenous languages radio lesson scriptwriting workshop,” he said.
“The ministry supports the growth of indigenous languages in this 21st century era. The competency-based curriculum has a policy for indigenous languages as a medium of instruction in order to support Barwe, Chewa, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Kalanga, Sesotho, Shona, Tonga, Venda, Xangani and Xhosa at infant level. The role of indigenous language in sustainable development has to be emphasised from early childhood learning.”
Mathema said the beauty of different languages converging in one room was the foundation for future collaborations and partnerships which would eventually avail a multiplicity of opportunities.
“The airing of all languages revitalises and maintains the languages for everyday and future generations use. The capacity of indigenous languages or voice’s space in popular culture cannot be ignored and learners need to be made aware of opportunities that exist in social media, prose, poetry and film, among others,” he added.
There is a global drive on indigenous languages and multilingualism and the radio lessons will provide learners with a window to acquire the skill to speak more than one language and improve tolerance and peaceful living in the country.
By A Correspondent- Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe has issued a statement that addresses cement supply backlog and price hike by retailers. Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe, formerly Circle Cement, and a subsidiary of the Lafarge Group, said the company is equipped to supply the local demand at affordable price.
We present the statement in full below:
Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe Limited wishes to advise all valued customers that the cement supply backlog currently prevailing in the market is temporary and will ease out in the coming weeks.
The consumption spike being witnessed is a very positive economic growth indicator which may be attributed to a rise in mortgage finance as well as improved disposable income following a successful tobacco and maize farming season on the back of the Command Agriculture Programme.
As a company well-rooted in Zimbabwe with a presence of over seven decades of operations, Lafarge is excited by this development in the market. We are well equipped and committed to serve the Zimbabwean market for its future growth.
Whilst we employ all necessary measures to ensure that the market can be served optimally, we kindly urge our customers to bear with us and not to be lured to trade cement on the black market.
The prices of our cement have not been adjusted upwards, therefore any price hike by retailers is unjustifiable. The parallel market causes unnecessary panic and destabilises the market which burdens individual income and is ultimately regressive for national economic growth.
We would like to thank our valued customers for their patience and loyalty to Zimbabwe’s Tried and Trusted product
By A Correspondent- Dynamos legend, Stanley “Samora “ Chirambadare, will Thursday appear in court allegedly charged with sodomising a minor at his football academy.
Chirambadare who was popularly known for his overlapping runs during his playing days runs Revival Junior Football Academy in Mufakose, Harare, which nurtures junior football talent.
Reports suggest that the former Dynamos left-back was picked by Marimba police on Wednesday and is expected to appear before the court at Rotten Row.
It is further reported that the alleged sodomy came to light when a 13-year-old boy who was abused by Chirambadare tried to sodomise the other kids at the academy.
Chirambadare who was at some point an assistant coach at Dynamos is allegedly unmarried and is said to be staying alone in Mufakose, Harare.
Chirambadare is said to have started playing for DeMbare juniors in 1981 but was only able to take his football seriously when he had finished his advanced level studies in 1984.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- MDC leaders are corrupt, incompetent and sell-outs and, like all cowards, they love being portrayed as courageous fighters. They loved the News Day headline “Mwonzora’s senators reject Mnangagwa Bill”.
“Harare Metropolitan senator Elias Mudzuri warned other senators against betraying the will of the electorate by passing a defective constitutional amendment,” reported News Day.
Masvingo senator Tichinani Mavetera (MDC-T) said: “I do not want to be reminded of the most embarrassing situation in the previous dispensation where we had a Vice-President being embarrassed in public and being told by the First Lady: ‘you work at the mercy of the President’.”
The MDC leaders know Zanu PF has the constitutional power, 2/3 majority, to pass any amendments. They know their fight to stop the Bill is futile, they are just putting on a show to impress their naive and gullible supporters.
If MDC leaders were not so corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent then they should have implemented the democratic reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. They had the golden opportunity to implement the reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU and they wasted it.
Mugabe bribed the MDC leaders with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, they forgot about the reforms.
Ever since GNU debacle, MDC leaders have completely given up on implementing reforms and have been participating in flawed and illegal elections giving the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. Just to make sure the opposition participated, Zanu PF has dangled a few gravy train seats to entice them. As we can see, it has worked.
Senator Mudzuri and his fellow MDC leaders, be they from the Chamisa or Mwonzora led faction, are all gearing to participate in the 2023 elections with no reforms in place. As before, Zanu PF will rigged the elections and, as before, MDC participation will give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. And so Zanu PF will remain in power, the MDC leaders will stage more futile shows of defiance and meanwhile the country will continue to sink deeper and deeper into the abyss.
41 years of corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship has destroyed the country’s once promising economy, even basic services such as education and health care have collapsed and 49% of our people are living in abject poverty. The prospect of extending Zanu PF ’s corrupt and tyrannical rule in 2023 is unthinkable.
The challenge before us is make sure the reforms are implemented and the next elections are free, fair and credible. After 41 years of bad governance and the country in total economic meltdown, God knows we need the antidote, good governance.
Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies have a vice-grip on the reins of power, thanks to the treasonous betrayal of the MDC leaders who failed to implement the reforms. They are not going to implement any reforms and will resist demands to do so, and for good reason. They know Zanu PF will never win a free, fair and credible elections, not with the party’s record of corruption, incompetence and tyrannical oppression.
Zanu PF will never ever reform itself out of office.
The 2008 to 2013 GNU was special in that SADC leaders had managed to force Zanu PF to agree to implementation of democratic reforms. The task of implementing the reforms were given to Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends. But, as state above, MDC leaders sold out!
We are where we are; we can we do to end this circus of rigged elections and bad governance?
Zanu PF will hold the 2023 elections with not even a token reform in place and determined to blatantly rig the election. The party will be banking on the MDC leaders and the usual suspects to participate in the flawed elections in droves and thus give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
Both Zanu PF and MDC are banking on ordinary Zimbabweans participating in the flawed elections to give the process credibility and the results legitimacy. Zanu PF will be counting on the party’s coercive powers to force Zimbabweans to register as voters, to attend rallies and even frog-match them to the polling station, especially those in the rural areas.
MDC will claim to have Win In Rigged Elections (WIRE) strategies. All nonsense, of course. They always complain of Zanu PF “stealing the elections”, the very thing their strategies were supposed to stop.
Wining rigged elections is an MDC oxymoron. Why would one continue to take such a foolish and unnecessary gabble particularly given what is at stake here – the chance to end the curse of bad governance and return to peace, freedom and chance for the nation to live.
It is time for every thinking Zimbabwean out there to refuse to participate in these flawed and illegal elections and to demand the country implement the reforms and hold free, fair and credible elections.
Here are some of the reforms that must be implemented before the next elections:
3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora must be allowed to vote.
ZEC must produce a verified voters’ roll, it is an outrage that Zimbabwe has never ever produced a verified voters’ roll in 41 years of the country’s independence.
Public bodies like ZEC, Police, Army, Judiciary, etc. must be reformed to guarantee their independence and impartiality in carrying out their constitutional duties.
State assistance must not be politicised and the practise of turning traditional leaders into political party commissars must seize.
The wholesale looting of the nation’s resources such as diamonds and gold must be stamped out. The ill-got loot has been used to bankroll the vote rigging activities making it impossible to have free and fair election.
Just because both Zanu PF will never implement the reform and MDC failed to implement even when they had the golden opportunity to do so; does not mean the reforms are no longer required. The reforms are the key to ending Zimbabwe’s curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Both Zanu PF and MDC leaders are not up to the task and so we must find others who will implement the reforms.
Mudzuri et al damning criticism of Mnangagwa’s dictatorial tendencies are nothing more than quarrelsome hen’s shtick, cursing and swearing at the chick-snatching eagle. MDC belated criticism will not stop Mnangagwa enjoy the dictatorial powers accrued from Amendment Bill No 2 no more than the hen’s shtick stop the eagle enjoy its chicken meal!
Dr. G. S. Magombo, Permanent Secretary for Energy and Power Development attending Eco-Tourism and Renewable Energy Dialogue in Victoria Falls. Issues under discussion include topic on greening the Tourism sector. How to improve efficiency in the sector. pic.twitter.com/TksjNZrlTc
— Ministry Of Energy And Power Development (@official_MOEPD) April 29, 2021
Since Kembo Mohadi is on record saying Matabeleland genocide was necessary for nation building, we also put it on record that his sacking by Mnangagwa following his sexual romps was good for nation building even though he (President Mnangagwa) and 1st Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga are doing the same thing at a double scale than him. That is how Shona supremacists build a nation. We will never shed a single drop of tear for Kembo Mohadi.
We saw him at an Independence Day function held at Zimbabwe State House. He spent the whole day trying to cover his shameful face with a newspaper pretending to be reading. We say to him, follow on the foot steps of another sellout, Enos Nkala, who after discovering that Shona supremacists were using him, he resigned and left Zanupf, retreated back to Bulawayo to live amongst the people that he despised and sold out during Matabeleland genocide.
He was immediately forgotten by his Shona masters. They used and dumped him like a condom when his purpose was over.
Due to love of money Kembo Mohadi will rather hang in there and face more humiliation as long as bread crumbs are still falling from the master’s table. How can a whole individual in his right state of mind choose to exchange his dignity and image for a few pieces of silver? What a shame!
2nd Vice President A Dummy And Useless Office
While it took Mugabe a short 3 days to replace Joyce Mujuru when she was fired from her position as 1st Vice President of Zimbabwe in 2014, Mnangagwa is yet to fill the position of 2nd Vice President 2 months after Kembo Mohadi resigned. This confirms what MLO has been saying all along that the 2nd Vice President position is a dummy meant to hoodwink Matabeles and the world that Matabele and Shona people are united.
People of Matabeleland have since realised that this office is not a symbol of unity as the Shona supremacists would like us to believe. But it is a symbol of oppression, capture,mockery, tribal segregation, dehumanisation, demonization, and humiliation for Matabeles.
If Zimbabwe was a true democratic and genuine representative of both Matebeles and Shonas and the 2nd Vice President represented Matabeles in the Zimbabwe presidium, people of Matabeleland would be up in arms right now holding protests and calling for Mnangagwa to fill up the position left vacant by Kembo Mohadi.
But there is silence both in Matabeleland and Mashonaland concerning the issue. No one from both sides misses Mohadi because both Matabele and Shona people know that he represented no one except his greedy self and family. In fact Shonas are celebrating the humiliation and down fall of another Matabele and Matabeles are celebrating the fall of another dangerous traitor.
We see energetic young people staging protests in Matabeleland and foreign countries, not calling for Mnangagwa to appoint another blind fool to take up the useless position of 2nd Vice President, but demanding the restoration of Matabeleland state.
Matabeleland Is Not Zimbabwe
Matabeleland is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Matabeleland. For the Zimbabwe government to continue pretending that Zimbabwe is a unitary state with Matabeleland as one of its regions at a time when we are demanding our independence from Zimbabwe is a clear political rape case and fantasy.
Matabeleland and Mashonaland were colonised on different dates using different methods by the BSA Company.
On 13 September Shona people led by many different chiefs, donated their country, Mashonaland, to the BSA Company. The white people were so excited with their priced gift that they mistook cowardice and lack of patriotism to peacefulness. Therefore Shona people were viewed as peaceful and cooperative .
We do not think the British and Rhodesians still hold the same view after Matabeleland genocide, violent grabbing of white farms and properties, gross human rights abuse that include torture, cutting hands and burning the buttocks of their own people with plastic, military coup and brazen corruption by the Shona supremacist government which they ably assisted to take political power in 1980.
Matabeleland was occupied through conquest on 3 November 1893 after a fierce war well known as the 1st Anglo – Matabele war.
Our cultures and languages are different. Shona people do not have a king but Matabele people have one. Stealing, corruption and witch craft form the DNA and culture of Shona people. This was confirmed and well articulated by late Herbert Ushewokunze former Minister of Home Affairs, late Kumbirai Kangai former Minister of Agriculture and Zanupf member of parliament, Killer Zivhu, who are on record saying that corruption and stealing is part of Shona culture and that stealing from the government or organization is self empowerment.
In Matabeleland the above is a forbidden societal abomination that should not be allowed to prevail.
Give Us Matabeleland or Death
Matabeleland is our motherland, the only special possession bequeathed to us by our ancestors and God. We shall leave no stone unturned, no mountain or building standing in pursuit of our independence.
If the situation demands, we are prepared to take up arms of war and shoot our way to independence. The means justifies the end!
It is not a crime to take up AKs and fight for our independence, if that was the case, all African countries including Zimbabwe would be still under white colonisation by now.
Disgruntled opposition MDC-T senators have accused their party leader Douglas Mwonzora of whipping them to vote for the passage of the controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 2 while criticising it in public to manage public perception.
The senators, some of whom boycotted yesterday’s Committee Stage debate on the Bill, said they were ordered to shred the Bill during debate and secretly vote for it.
Mwonzora has become the butt of public criticism in the opposition camp where he has been labelled a “sellout” and Zanu-PF appendage after he publicly supported some of the ruling Zanu-PF party’s “undemocratic” policies.
Last week, his legislators in the Lower House joined forces with their Zanu-PF counterparts and voted for the passage of the Bill, before his senators on Tuesday sprang a surprise and poked holes on the proposed amendments, as ordered by their party chief whip Tichinani Mavetera.
“Opposing of the Bill is just a publicity stunt,” an MDC-T senator, who requested anonymity, said yesterday.
“The strategy is that senators will oppose the Bill publicly, but will then vote with Zanu-PF on the pretext that they were supporting amendment on issues to do with women representation and youth in Parliament.”
The senator added: “While other legislators can vote with their conscience, three have been ordered to vote for the Bill to help Zanu-PF achieve the twothirds majority required to pass it.”
MDC-T sources said Mavetera convened a caucus meeting at Parliament Building on Tuesday, where the opposition senators were ordered to publicly oppose the contentious amendments to the Bill to manage public perception of the party.
The party then identified three senators who would vote in favour of the Bill to allow it to sail through.
The party came under criticism last week after its legislators voted in favour of the amendments viewed by stakeholders as a reversal of the gains made in 2013 when the country adopted the new Constitution.
Yesterday, the Bill passed the Senate Committee Stage without any amendments.
The Senate had to vote after reaching a deadlock in adopting clause 13(4) which deals with the retirement age of judges.
The clause was endorsed after 45 voted in support while 19 were against.
The Bill seeks to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa the power to extend judges’ tenure of office beyond retirement age of 70.
Mavetera yesterday denied reports that he whipped MDC-T senators to publicly oppose the Bill and later vote for its passage.
“I can confirm that the party’s position on voting for the Bill is that they should vote for the issues with national interest,” he said.
“Party members will, however, vote guided by their personal conscience. Party spokesperson Witness Dube can respond to further questions.”
Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba denied that the party had whipped its senators to vote for the Bill, blaming their rivals in the MDC Alliance of spreading the falsehoods.
“There was no caucus meeting that was held,” Damba said.
“The president (Mwonzora) had been at the office from 10am up to 3pm when he attended the Senate meeting. I have evidence to prove that.
“Even if we might not want the Bill to pass, we cannot stop Zanu-PF because they have the majority in both the Senate and the National Assembly.”
Last week, Mwonzora defended his legislators, arguing that most of the amendments they voted for were in the public interest.
Contributing to the Second Reading of the Bill in Parliament on Wednesday, Mwonzora opposed the provision on the running mate, saying it promoted the appointment of incompetent vice-presidents, but supported the amendments on devolution.
“We have started a new philosophy that the youths are not leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders of today and introducing them into the Legislature is a right step in bringing that leadership. Of course, we have debated devolution, time without number and this is a very old story. We support devolution.”
He said the running mate clause was aimed at stopping presidents from appointing useless deputies.
Yesterday in the Senate while debating the same Bill, Mwonzora opposed clause 13 of the Bill, which gives Mnangagwa powers to handpick the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice and the Judge President.
He said the Bill should be referred back to the National Assembly for further debate.
By A Correspondent- Gweru City Council workers have returned to work almost a week after they downed tools to press for better working conditions.
Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union national general-secretary Kudakwashe Munengiwa yesterday confirmed the latest development, saying workers had signed an agreement with council to periodically review their working conditions.
“We signed an agreement which we feel addresses most our concerns,” he said.
“Although the agreement is not necessarily perfect, we looked into it and agreed the need for workers to resume work while dialogue continues and at the same time not shortchanging ratepayers on service delivery.
“Council also agreed to lift suspensions on eight union leaders as part of the signed agreement.”
Munengiwa said the workers would return to work despite the $10 000 offered by council as basic pay for the lowest paid employee.
“That is what they offered and if allowances are included, the lowest grade worker will take home about $18 500, which we, however, said should be reviewed periodically,” he said.
Mayor Josiah Makombe confirmed signing the agreement and said his council had always had an “open door policy” to dialogue with workers over their welfare.
When the employees went on strike last week, acting town clerk Vakai Chikwekwe threatened to withdraw their salaries.
Over the years, workers have been proposing short working hours per week owing to inadequate transport allowances as well as low pay.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi accused a Senator of being a tribalist on Tuesday for claiming that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was marginalising Matabeleland and women by failing to appoint a new vice president.
Zimbabwe has not had a second vice president since March 1 when Kembo Mohadi quit following a sex scandal.
Khaliphani Phugeni, an MDC-T Senator for Bulawayo, drew Ziyambi’s ire during a debate on the Constitutional Amendment No 2 Bill.
Phugeni argued that scrapping the “running mate” clause by which a president is elected on the same ticket as his two deputies would deny Zimbabweans principled vice presidents, as well as block the path for minorities and women to assume the presidency in the event of death or resignation of the incumbent.
“The issue of the running mate does speak to the issue of gender balance. You will recall we had a vice president in this country in the name of Joice Mujuru. She was unceremoniously removed from her position by a very powerful president who later lived to regret that action but it was too late,” Phugeni said in the Senate.
“It also speaks to the issue of the historically marginalised people of Matabeleland. We had a vice president here by the name of (Phelekezela) Mphoko. When the military intervention happened (in 2017), he had to run for his life and when he came back he was, like Mujuru, removed from power and we have never heard of him.
“The former vice president of the country (Kembo Mohadi) resigned after not so pleasing details emerged about him and his private affairs. We’re just over a month now and there is no replacement. The people of Matabeleland feel they’re underrepresented in the executive power of this country.”
Phugeni said the running mate clause “secures the position for women who are extremely vulnerable and the minorities – if not because of our democratic dispensation or dispossession, at least by an act of God, that women may one day rise to a level where we can address and say Her Excellency Madam so and so.”
He added: “With the running mate clause, we can at least have someone from the minorities become a president because gender and ethnicity must have no role in the leadership and participation in a political life of our people.”
Ziyambi, who is steering the Bill through both House, first denied that Mphoko was targeted by the military during the coup that ousted the late former President Robert Mugabe. According to Ziyambi, Mphoko was in Russia at the time.
The minister bristled: “I think let us not tribalise issues that are not necessarily tribal, like the people of Matabeleland are saying they need a president. Who told you that you are their spokesperson? I think it is an issue that the president when he sees fit, he appoints his assistant. He is not appointing assistants because of tribal lines; he is appointing assistants because they are Zimbabweans.
“If you look at our provinces, they’re not equal. I may probably say that the population in Mashonaland West may be times two the population in Matabeleland South. So those are issues that I believe as a nation we are all relative. Let us leave these issues of trying to tribalise things when we’re discussing a Constitutional Amendment.”
Zanu-PF’s constitution says the party will have “two vice presidents and second secretaries appointed in accordance with the Unity Accord by the president and first secretary for their skill, experience, probity, integrity and commitment to the party, its ideology, values, principles and policies.”
Mnangagwa is forced to replace Mohadi with a high-ranking member of the former PF Zapu liberation movement which unified with Zanu in a 1987 Unity Accord to form Zanu-PF.
Mnangagwa has kept Mohadi as second secretary of Zanu-PF alongside Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, prompting some to speculate that he feels he is not bound by the Unity Accord to name an ex-Zapu leader as Vice President of the country.
Zanu-PF’s women’s wing has been lobbying for a woman in the presidency, raising the possibility that Mnangagwa may name a woman as one of his two deputies in government.
By Israel Dube- Since Kembo Mohadi is on record saying Matabeleland genocide was necessary for nation building, we also put it on record that his sacking by Mnangagwa following his sexual romps was good for nation building even though he (President Mnangagwa) and 1st Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga are doing the same thing at a double scale than him. That is how Shona supremacists build a nation. We will never shed a single drop of tear for Kembo Mohadi.
We saw him at an Independence Day function held at Zimbabwe State House. He spent the whole day trying to cover his shameful face with a newspaper pretending to be reading. We say to him, follow on the foot steps of another sellout, Enos Nkala, who after discovering that Shona supremacists were using him, he resigned and left Zanupf, retreated back to Bulawayo to live amongst the people that he despised and sold out during Matabeleland genocide.
He was immediately forgotten by his Shona masters. They used and dumped him like a condom when his purpose was over.
Due to love of money Kembo Mohadi will rather hang in there and face more humiliation as long as bread crumbs are still falling from the master’s table. How can a whole individual in his right state of mind choose to exchange his dignity and image for a few pieces of silver? What a shame!
2nd Vice President A Dummy And Useless Office
While it took Mugabe a short 3 days to replace Joyce Mujuru when she was fired from her position as 1st Vice President of Zimbabwe in 2014, Mnangagwa is yet to fill the position of 2nd Vice President 2 months after Kembo Mohadi resigned. This confirms what MLO has been saying all along that the 2nd Vice President position is a dummy meant to hoodwink Matabeles and the world that Matabele and Shona people are united.
People of Matabeleland have since realised that this office is not a symbol of unity as the Shona supremacists would like us to believe. But it is a symbol of oppression, capture,mockery, tribal segregation, dehumanisation, demonization, and humiliation for Matabeles.
If Zimbabwe was a true democratic and genuine representative of both Matebeles and Shonas and the 2nd Vice President represented Matabeles in the Zimbabwe presidium, people of Matabeleland would be up in arms right now holding protests and calling for Mnangagwa to fill up the position left vacant by Kembo Mohadi.
But there is silence both in Matabeleland and Mashonaland concerning the issue. No one from both sides misses Mohadi because both Matabele and Shona people know that he represented no one except his greedy self and family. In fact Shonas are celebrating the humiliation and down fall of another Matabele and Matabeles are celebrating the fall of another dangerous traitor.
We see energetic young people staging protests in Matabeleland and foreign countries, not calling for Mnangagwa to appoint another blind fool to take up the useless position of 2nd Vice President, but demanding the restoration of Matabeleland state.
Matabeleland Is Not Zimbabwe
Matabeleland is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Matabeleland. For the Zimbabwe government to continue pretending that Zimbabwe is a unitary state with Matabeleland as one of its regions at a time when we are demanding our independence from Zimbabwe is a clear political rape case and fantasy.
Matabeleland and Mashonaland were colonised on different dates using different methods by the BSA Company.
On 13 September Shona people led by many different chiefs, donated their country, Mashonaland, to the BSA Company. The white people were so excited with their priced gift that they mistook cowardice and lack of patriotism to peacefulness. Therefore Shona people were viewed as peaceful and cooperative .
We do not think the British and Rhodesians still hold the same view after Matabeleland genocide, violent grabbing of white farms and properties, gross human rights abuse that include torture, cutting hands and burning the buttocks of their own people with plastic, military coup and brazen corruption by the Shona supremacist government which they ably assisted to take political power in 1980.
Matabeleland was occupied through conquest on 3 November 1893 after a fierce war well known as the 1st Anglo – Matabele war.
Our cultures and languages are different. Shona people do not have a king but Matabele people have one. Stealing, corruption and witch craft form the DNA and culture of Shona people. This was confirmed and well articulated by late Herbert Ushewokunze former Minister of Home Affairs, late Kumbirai Kangai former Minister of Agriculture and Zanupf member of parliament, Killer Zivhu, who are on record saying that corruption and stealing is part of Shona culture and that stealing from the government or organization is self empowerment.
In Matabeleland the above is a forbidden societal abomination that should not be allowed to prevail.
Give Us Matabeleland or Death
Matabeleland is our motherland, the only special possession bequeathed to us by our ancestors and God. We shall leave no stone unturned, no mountain or building standing in pursuit of our independence.
If the situation demands, we are prepared to take up arms of war and shoot our way to independence. The means justifies the end!
It is not a crime to take up AKs and fight for our independence, if that was the case, all African countries including Zimbabwe would be still under white colonisation by now.
Malawi’s Director of Public Prosecution, Dr Steve Kayuni prosecutor, has been accused of “killing” Shepherd Bushiri’s daughter Israella by delaying her travel for medication abroad.
Sworn affidavits by Bushiri’s doctors suggest that Dr Steve Kayuni’s actions reduced the child’s chances of survival from a hopeful 90 per cent to just 5 per cent.
The late Israella Bushiri (8), was refused medical evacuation at Kamuzu International Airport in the country’s capital Lilongwe in February 2021 when a private medical ambulance chartered by the family was turned away.
Israella was only permitted to leave Malawi on the 25th of February after the family approached the courts and she died on the 29th of March, in Nairobi, Kenya.
During her funeral service, Shepherd Bushiri absolved the government of Malawi of any wrongdoing but said a single person was behind the block that led to the child’s death.
But Israella’s doctors, who tended to her until she died have now released documents and a scathing affidavit that implies Kayuni’s decision to delay the child’s treatment led to her death.
Reads part of the affidavit written by the doctors and submitted to Bushiri’s lawyers, and signed by Kenyan police:
The child reacted well initially to treatment, but required ventilators, and advanced medical care which was not availed in Malawi. Her condition was life-threatening but she had at least 95% chances of recovering if she had received immediate care. The delay allowed the infection to progress unmitigated, damaging the lining of her lungs and causing mucus build up.
By the time she was eventually released, she only had 5% chances of survival. Had she been allowed to travel when the evacuation was first ordered, she would have survived.
In an interview after the Bushiris appeared before a Lilongwe Magistrate, Steve Kayuni refused to comment saying it was a court decision and court process which is still underway adding “No comment.”
Kayuni who is the lead prosecutor in the extradition case between the Bushiri’s and South Africa also refused to confirm or deny the allegations by the Bushiri family that it was his decision to block the child’s travelling.
The Bushiris are reportedly intending to lay criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter (culpable homicide) against “whoever made that decision to stop the medical evacuation”.
By A Correspondent- Eight suspected robbers broke into the former Agriculture minister Joseph Made’s farmhouse and stole an assortment of goods worth thousands of dollars.
The eight on Tuesday, appeared before Marondera magistrate Patience Chirimo facing unlawful entry, theft and possession of dangerous drugs charges.
Fungai Jiri (34), Tafadzwa Masimo (33), Talent Mugandani (25), Genesis Matiza (30), Sylvester Masimo (20) Takudzwa Mukamba (19), Prudence Bata (21) and Tadia Shanganya (17) were remanded in custody to May 7 for trial.
Allegations are that on April 22, police detectives in Marondera were tipped that the suspected broke into a house and stole various goods in Macheke, a neighbouring small town.
The police detectives then went to a house in Mutamba, Macheke, where the accused persons were staying.
The detectives apprehended Jiri, Tafadzwa, Mugandani and Matiza leading to the discovery of various properties, including mattresses, gas tanks, fridges and microwaves, among other things.
Upon being quizzed, the accused persons implicated four others who were later arrested in Wedza.
The court heard that on April 15, Sylvester Masimo and Mukamba, who were employed at Made’s Tara Farm, and their accomplices used a claw bar to force open a locked door to the former minister’s house.
The accused went on to steal a six-plate gas and electric industrial stove, seven mattresses, a deep freezer, a microwave oven, 2×14-inch television sets, a 7kg gas tank, a 3kg gas tank, a Capri fridge, a 5,5 horsepower generator, a one-plate gas burner, various clothes, aluminium pipes, cutlery, a Motorola base station radio and five garden chairs.
On March 16 at Bronsburry Farm in Marondera, the accused allegedly cut the fence, got into the yard and stole one unregistered black and red Honda motorbike.
On March 30, the accused persons went to Matepe Farm, where they cut a perimeter fence, got into the yard and stole two unregistered Honda motorbikes, two mountain bicycles, helmets, three pairs of goggles and a car battery.
The value of the stolen property was around $800 000.
By James Gwati- The Premier Soccer League has announced the return of local football after a year of no games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kenny Ndebele, the PSL chief executive, announced the return of the country’s most beautiful game to the state media Wednesday evening during Charlse Mabika’s Game Plan TV show.
Ndebele said the first match will be played on the 15thof May.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has closed doors for all opposition party members who are defecting to the ruthless party and said that they will not get any positions.
This was disclosed yesterday by Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, who said the conditions also applied to other Zanu PF party members.
“New members who join the party need training to be familiarised with Zanu PF structures, rules and other issues,” Mpofu said.
“It will be just like an orientation process where they would be taught of the party values so that they become full members who are aware of Zanu PF norms and values. It creates problems when members are not aware of their party’s guidelines,” he said.
Former top executive members of the opposition, among them Lillian Timveos (former MDC Alliance deputy treasurer-general), Obert Gutu (former MDC-T vice-president) and former senator James Makore (MDC Alliance) recently defected to Zanu PF.
By A Correspondent- A Kariba man believed to be a member of the apostolic sect on Wednesday escaped with injuries after an elephant attacked him.
State media report that the incident occurred along Mahombekombe Township’s main road in the Local Board area around 4 am when the elephant dragged him into a nearby thicket.
Neighbours heard screams as the panicking man, was crying out for help.
By a stroke of luck, the man managed to escape the elephant’s grip before running to the nearby Methodist Church.
He had sustained injuries on the right leg.
The injured man reportedly ran to find a vehicle that took him to seek medical attention at Kariba District Hospital.
Mr Costain Machingura who heard noises including the trumpeting of the enraged elephant woke up from his nearby bedroom to find the elephant still searching for the man.
“The elephant was in a combative mode when I arrived on the scene after hearing noises including the screams of a man,” he said.
“I went outside and found it still looking for him. He is lucky as it is quite unusual for the elephant to miss its target. I saw a man running some distance away before we saw the man coming back in a vehicle on his way to the hospital.”
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident saying that Zimparks rangers were currently looking for the problem animal.
“Our rangers are on the ground as always trying to account for the problem animal while efforts are underway to teach communities on animal behaviours so that we minimise human-wildlife conflict,” said Mr Farawo.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officials in Kariba are hunting down an elephant that attacked a local man yesterday.
A Kariba man on Wednesday escaped with injuries after an elephant attacked him.
The incident occurred along Mahombekombe Township’s main road in the Local Board area around 4 am when the elephant dragged him into a nearby thicket.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident saying that Zimparks rangers were currently looking for the problem animal.
“Our rangers are on the ground as always trying to account for the problem animal while efforts are underway to teach communities on animal behaviours so that we minimise human-wildlife conflict,” said Mr Farawo.
A councillor from Zibagwe Rural District Council and his wife died after they were assaulted with a log by their mentally challenged grandson on Sunday evening.
Ward 8 Councillor, Ambrose Ncube (74), died on the spot after the attack by Victor Sibanda (24).
His wife, Thandi Khumalo (68) also died after she was assaulted as she tried to intervene. National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
“We can confirm that police are investigating a murder case of an elderly couple, a man aged 74 and his wife aged 68. The couple is believed to have been murdered by their grandson believed to be mentally challenged.”
He said the incident took place at Village Mutsekwa under Chief Samambwa in Zhombe on Sunday around 6pm. He said details of the murder were still trickling in adding he would update as they come in.
Zibagwe RDC Council Chair, Councillor Chamunogwa Zvishamira said Sibanda is son to one of their now-deceased’s daughters and had been taken in to stay with them a few days earlier.
“The late councillor had just taken his grandson in to stay with them. I am told that the grandson has a mental challenge.
Details are still sketchy but we heard that they had a misunderstanding which led to him drawing a log and hitting him several times in the head and he died on the spot,” said Cllr Zvishamira.
He said the wife died as she tried to intervene. “Seeing that her husband was being attacked the wife tried to restrain Sibanda, but he turned the log on her and assaulted her and she also died on the spot.
“Their bodies have since been taken to Kwekwe General Hospital where they await postmortem,” he said. He said Sibanda had been picked up by the police.- Chronicle
"No-one will be able to kill all these people, says @OfficialMukanya "these soldiers have their own relatives living among the masses who're suffering; if we remain silent we'll spend another 100ys struggling,there'll be no easy freedom, stop lying to yourselves.FULL INTERVIEW… pic.twitter.com/AHzhTJGg9c
By A Correspondent | Central Intelligence agents have boasted saying that they have confiscated over 20 million US dollars worth of goods at the country’s borders during the time of the ongoing lockdown (March to April). The state media report which ZimEye debunks, states as follows:
Fifty-four buses transporting smuggled goods worth over US$20 million have been intercepted since the beginning of March.
As a result of the smuggling, the country has been losing millions of dollars in potential import revenue.
An official within the national security cluster what’s quoted by the state owned Herald newspaper saying that between March 1 and April 28, they intercepted 54 buses carrying an assortment of smuggled goods worth over $20 million.
ZimEye has can however prove the operation
“We have been intercepting some of the buses at security checkpoints between Beitbridge and Harare and Bulawayo,” said the official.
“We have established that in most cases the smugglers are using illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River to bring in commercial goods which they then load in buses at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus for onward transmission to various towns and cities nationwide”.
Government deployed the National Security Taskforce on January 5 at the recommendation of the National Joint Operations Committee (JOC), following numerous reports of smuggling and other criminal activities at the country’s border with South Africa.
A survey by Chronicle revealed that most dealers are travel to the border town of Beitbridge and illegally cross into South Africa through various entry points, and then bring back hordes of goods for resale.
They then load in intercity buses at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus, which is handling an average of 10 buses daily down from 30 due to strict Covid-19 regulations being implemented by the Government.
Common goods that are being smuggled into the country include building material, vehicles, fuel, livestock, flea market wares, illicit medicines, groceries, fuel, tyres, genetically modified (GMOs) vegetables and fruits, electrical gadgets, and vehicles among others.
Minerals, cigarettes and stolen livestock are also being smuggled out of the country.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they had resorted to naming and shaming bus companies that are being used to smuggle goods and transport contrabands.
He said they were also engaging the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, to revoke or suspend operating licenses and permits for those bus operators found on the wrong side of the law.
“The rate at which we are intercepting buses which are being used to smuggle goods into the country or carry contrabands is alarming.
“Now we have resorted to naming and shaming those bus companies involved in such criminal activities,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said they had also established that the syndicates were working with bus crews who in some instances pretend to be transporting returnees from South Africa.
“Fortunately, these where criminals are being intercepted while or after smuggling goods of commercial nature into the country,” he added.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police will descend heavily on both the smugglers and the bus crews conniving to break the law.
Zimra spokesperson Mr Francis Chimanda said between March 21 and March 29 four buses were intercepted between Harare and Beitbridge and were referred for physical examination at the border post.
He said the authority collected additional import revenue of $1,917,684.00 which included $958,842.00 duty payable and an equal amount in fines.
Mr Chimanda said they had introduced the 100 percent searches on all cargo mostly being following an upsurge in a trend of false declarations by either the transporters or the importers.
But a ZimEye investigation involving LIVE video coverage at the borders during the same period, shows the operation was another Grace Mugabe style raid in which good are seized the borders and then later donated to selected people for Political reasons. One of these incidents was on the 29th March 2021 when piles of groceries meant for the suffering masses struggling due to the ongoing lockdown were taken away. The incident was filmed (below).
By A Correspondent | The respected Reporters Without Borders organisation has called on authorities to end all and any remaining accusations against award winning journo, Hopewell Chin’ono.
In a short brief just after the state lost the falsehoods-publishing case against Chin’ono, yesterday, RSF said, ” some of the charges against Hopewell Chin’ono Hopewell Chin’ono have been dropped today.
“The investigative journalist has spent 80 days in detention last year.
“@RSF_inter calls on the authorities to end all the baseless accusations & legal proceedings against him.”
Chin’ono was arrested last year and charged for sharing the video of a Harare woman whose child was assaulted by a police officer, according to eye witnesses. At the time, the police released two different identifies of the woman.
#Zimbabwe??: some of the charges against Hopewell Chin'ono @daddyhope have been dropped today. The investigative journalist has spent 80 days in detention last year. @RSF_inter calls on the authorities to end all the baseless accusations & legal proceedings against him. pic.twitter.com/3PCc6nJHkV
A councillor from Zibagwe Rural District Council and his wife died after they were assaulted with a log by their mentally challenged grandson on Sunday evening.
Ward 8 Councillor, Ambrose Ncube (74), died on the spot after the attack by Victor Sibanda (24).
His wife, Thandi Khumalo (68) also died after she was assaulted as she tried to intervene. National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said:
“We can confirm that police are investigating a murder case of an elderly couple, a man aged 74 and his wife aged 68. The couple is believed to have been murdered by their grandson believed to be mentally challenged.”
He said the incident took place at Village Mutsekwa under Chief Samambwa in Zhombe on Sunday around 6pm. He said details of the murder were still trickling in adding he would update as they come in.
Zibagwe RDC Council Chair, Councillor Chamunogwa Zvishamira said Sibanda is son to one of their now-deceased’s daughters and had been taken in to stay with them a few days earlier.
“The late councillor had just taken his grandson in to stay with them. I am told that the grandson has a mental challenge.
Details are still sketchy but we heard that they had a misunderstanding which led to him drawing a log and hitting him several times in the head and he died on the spot,” said Cllr Zvishamira.
He said the wife died as she tried to intervene. “Seeing that her husband was being attacked the wife tried to restrain Sibanda, but he turned the log on her and assaulted her and she also died on the spot.
“Their bodies have since been taken to Kwekwe General Hospital where they await postmortem,” he said. He said Sibanda had been picked up by the police.- Chronicle
By Patrick Guramatunhu | MDC leaders are corrupt, incompetent and sell-outs and, like all cowards, they love being portrayed as courageous fighters. They loved the News Day headline “Mwonzora’s senators reject Mnangagwa Bill.”
“Harare Metropolitan senator Elias Mudzuri warned other senators against betraying the will of the electorate by passing a defective constitutional amendment,” reported News Day.
Masvingo senator Tichinani Mavetera (MDC-T) said: “I do not want to be reminded of the most embarrassing situation in the previous dispensation where we had a Vice-President being embarrassed in public and being told by the First Lady: ‘you work at the mercy of the President’.”
The MDC leaders know Zanu PF has the constitutional power, 2/3 majority, to pass any amendments. They know their fight to stop the Bill is futile, they are just putting on a show to impress their naive and gullible supporters.
If MDC leaders were not so corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent then they should have implemented the democratic reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. They had the golden opportunity to implement the reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU and they wasted it.
Mugabe bribed the MDC leaders with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, they forgot about the reforms.
Ever since GNU debacle, MDC leaders have completely given up on implementing reforms and have been participating in flawed and illegal elections giving the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. Just to make sure the opposition participated, Zanu PF has dangled a few gravy train seats to entice them. As we can see, it has worked.
Senator Mudzuri and his fellow MDC leaders, be they from the Chamisa or Mwonzora led faction, are all gearing to participate in the 2023 elections with no reforms in place. As before, Zanu PF will rigged the elections and, as before, MDC participation will give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. And so Zanu PF will remain in power, the MDC leaders will stage more futile shows of defiance and meanwhile the country will continue to sink deeper and deeper into the abyss.
41 years of corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship has destroyed the country’s once promising economy, even basic services such as education and health care have collapsed and 49% of our people are living in abject poverty. The prospect of extending Zanu PF ’s corrupt and tyrannical rule in 2023 is unthinkable.
The challenge before us is make sure the reforms are implemented and the next elections are free, fair and credible. After 41 years of bad governance and the country in total economic meltdown, God knows we need the antidote, good governance.
Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies have a vice-grip on the reins of power, thanks to the treasonous betrayal of the MDC leaders who failed to implement the reforms. They are not going to implement any reforms and will resist demands to do so, and for good reason. They know Zanu PF will never win a free, fair and credible elections, not with the party’s record of corruption, incompetence and tyrannical oppression.
Zanu PF will never ever reform itself out of office.
The 2008 to 2013 GNU was special in that SADC leaders had managed to force Zanu PF to agree to implementation of democratic reforms. The task of implementing the reforms were given to Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends. But, as state above, MDC leaders sold out!
We are where we are; we can we do to end this circus of rigged elections and bad governance?
Zanu PF will hold the 2023 elections with not even a token reform in place and determined to blatantly rig the election. The party will be banking on the MDC leaders and the usual suspects to participate in the flawed elections in droves and thus give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
Both Zanu PF and MDC are banking on ordinary Zimbabweans participating in the flawed elections to give the process credibility and the results legitimacy. Zanu PF will be counting on the party’s coercive powers to force Zimbabweans to register as voters, to attend rallies and even frog-match them to the polling station, especially those in the rural areas.
MDC will claim to have Win In Rigged Elections (WIRE) strategies. All nonsense, of course. They always complain of Zanu PF “stealing the elections”, the very thing their strategies were supposed to stop.
Wining rigged elections is an MDC oxymoron. Why would one continue to take such a foolish and unnecessary gabble particularly given what is at stake here – the chance to end the curse of bad governance and return to peace, freedom and chance for the nation to live.
It is time for every thinking Zimbabwean out there to refuse to participate in these flawed and illegal elections and to demand the country implement the reforms and hold free, fair and credible elections.
Here are some of the reforms that must be implemented before the next elections:
3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora must be allowed to vote.
ZEC must produce a verified voters’ roll, it is an outrage that Zimbabwe has never ever produced a verified voters’ roll in 41 years of the country’s independence.
Public bodies like ZEC, Police, Army, Judiciary, etc. must be reformed to guarantee their independence and impartiality in carrying out their constitutional duties.
State assistance must not be politicised and the practise of turning traditional leaders into political party commissars must seize.
The wholesale looting of the nation’s resources such as diamonds and gold must be stamped out. The ill-got loot has been used to bankroll the vote rigging activities making it impossible to have free and fair election.
Just because both Zanu PF will never implement the reform and MDC failed to implement even when they had the golden opportunity to do so; does not mean the reforms are no longer required. The reforms are the key to ending Zimbabwe’s curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Both Zanu PF and MDC leaders are not up to the task and so we must find others who will implement the reforms.
Mudzuri et al damning criticism of Mnangagwa’s dictatorial tendencies are nothing more than quarrelsome hen’s shtick, cursing and swearing at the chick-snatching eagle. MDC belated criticism will not stop Mnangagwa enjoy the dictatorial powers accrued from Amendment Bill No 2 no more than the hen’s shtick stop the eagle enjoy its chicken meal! – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
A 57-YEAR-OLD Binga man has been arrested after he fatally axed his uncle who tried to stop him from selling a cow that was “old and thin.”
William Sibanga Muzamba of Twakachibona village under Chief Pashu reportedly surrendered himself to the police soon after killing his uncle Simati Mefias Mudimba (62) from the same area on Saturday.
The two had been drinking traditional beer at Mr Fanson Muleya (53)’s homestead when they argued over a cow which Muzamba wanted to sell.
Mudimba allegedly drew an axe and threatened to strike his nephew who, however, disarmed him and struck him twice on the head.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the murder and arrest of Muzamba who is expected to appear in court soon.
“We received a report of a man who was murdered by his nephew following a misunderstanding over sale of a beast. On 24 April around 5pm William Sibanga Muzamba and Simati Mefias Mudimba were drinking traditional beer at the informant, Mr Fanson Muleya’s homestead. Muzamba was discussing selling his beast with his uncle Mudimba who told him not to sell it and suggested that it be slaughtered because it was old and had lost weight,” said Insp Banda.
He said this did not go down well with Muzamba leading to an argument which degenerated into a misunderstanding.
Mudimba allegedly rained insults on Muzamba before pulling out a small axe from his trousers and threatened to kill his nephew.
Police said Muzamba grabbed the axe and disarmed his uncle before striking him twice on the head and he died on the spot.
Other villagers who were at the homestead drinking beer fled from the scene.
Mr Muleya rushed to police Pashu base and reported a case of murder while Muzamba later went to the same police base and surrendered himself.
Police attended the scene and took the body to St Patrick’s Hospital in Hwange for a post-mortem.- Chronicle
Talking Points to the governor Coumo for New York.
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By Owen Chari | The Senate and Assembly have delivered a huge victory for workers who have been demanding protections for over a year.
Governor Cuomo must do more than call essential workers heroes–
He must sign the NY HERO act immediately NY has the opportunity to lead the nation and become the first state to take the lessons learned from Covid-19 and create an airborne infectious disease standard to fight this pandemic and whatever comes next Covid is still here. New York continues to be a Hotspot and thousands of people across the state have died just in the last month. frontline essential workers continue to be among the most vulnerable to new COVID infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Workers in New York have gotten all of us through this crisis. Whether it is through rapid response in hospitals during the different outbreaks, or steadily producing our food and caring for our families for the last year, all workers in New York have been essential for us to survive this crisis, they deserve protections.
With new variants spreading and vaccinations still months and months away from completion it is urgent that we prioritize the safety of frontline workers who continue to face high risk of infection.
We cannot wait for Vaccines.
As NY reopens in these dangerous conditions it is critical that we reopen safely by protecting workers with enforceable workplace safety rules.
Workers are the experts and must be empowered through health and safety committees to keep their workplaces safe Governor Cuomo must stand with workers and sign the bill immediately with no changes.
Well-orchestrated syndicates have this year been using buses to smuggle goods across Zimbabwe with the loss in import duties and other taxes prompting the National Security Taskforce to clampdown on such criminals.
An official within the national security cluster said between March 1 and April 29, 54 buses were caught carrying an assortment of smuggled goods worth over $20 million.
“We have been intercepting some of the buses at security checkpoints between Beitbridge, Harare and Bulawayo,” said the official.
“We have established that in most cases the smugglers are using illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River to bring in commercial goods which they then load in buses at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus for onward transmission to towns and cities nationwide”.
Government deployed the taskforce on January 5 at the recommendation of the National Joint Operations Committee, following numerous reports of smuggling and other criminal activities along the South African border.
A survey revealed that many dealers are illegally crossing into South Africa bringing back large quantities of goods for resale.
They then load intercity buses at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus, which is handling an average of 10 buses daily, down from 30 at its peak owing to strict Covid-19 regulations being implemented by the Government.
Common goods being smuggled into the country include building materials, vehicles, fuel, livestock, flea market wares, illicit medicines, groceries, fuel, tyres, genetically modified vegetables and fruits and electrical appliances.
On the export side, both small-time and well-established dealers are smuggling minerals, cigarettes, and stolen livestock into South Africa.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police had resorted to naming and shaming bus companies that are being used to smuggle goods and transport contrabands.
He said they were also engaging the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, to revoke or suspend operating licences and permits for those bus operators found on the wrong side of the law.
“The rate at which we are intercepting buses which are being used to smuggle goods into the country or carry contraband is alarming.- The Herald
Kanzuru ngainetsane nesu panyaya yemari chokwadi tinofanira kubhadara inga nyaya yedzimba iri ku Lawyer ravo Mai Piri ma paper avakatikandira painge pasina kunzi ndokutorerai imba pakanzi bhadarai dzimba mukarega tokutorerei matanho kana kutengesa midziyo ikozvino tiri kumanikidzwa ku sign ma less egore imba yokugara kunge tackshop kutedzera Z R A ne Z E S A makambani nokuoma kwakaita zvinhu vanedzimba dzisina vanhu vavo vebasa Saka vakaisa vanhu kuti imba idzodzo dzichengeteke kana zvinhu zvanaka vakanyora vanhu basa usazonetse kubvisa zvinon Local government ndiyo ine basa rokugadzirisa panogarwa nevanhu ikozvino vakuita zvekuvenganisa vanhu panemumwe arikurwadziwa zvikuru arikutotsvaga nganga zvanzi ndobata mushonga chete akaenda ku court ikamudya arikuti shamwari yangu chaiyo ndiyo ingadaro handifunge kuti kunekumwe kurikutorerwa vanhu dzimba sekuno.
Ndiwo ma Toilet atakavakirwa ne Dona tikashanda kwemwedzi yakawanda pasina kubadarwa.
Chicken Inn midfielder Brett Amidu (24) said he decided to stay at the club after he was invited for trials at Lusaka Dynamos of Zambia.
Amidu and striker Obriel Chirinda were invited for a 10-day trial period at the Zambian club.
While Chrinda took up the offer, Amidu revealed that he decided not to go to Zambia on advice from his employers. He said:
I decided to stay and not go to Zambia after I got advice from my bosses. I just listened to the advice after I was told that going to Zambia was not a good move.
Amidu revealed his ambition to play in Europe and also touched on his failed transfer to Egypt. He said:
It is every player’s dream to play outside the country if an opportunity arises. As for me, my ambition is to play in Europe and if it so happens that I go to a country like South Africa it would be a stepping stone.
I don’t know what really happened with the Egypt deal. I sorted everything including the visa, but I don’t know what really transpired.
Several Zimbabwean players in recent years have not found the grass greener on the other side of the Zambezi River.
The trio of Partson Jaure, Nqobizitha Masuku and Devon Chafa had short stints at Zambia side Buildcon before and mutually terminated their contracts in 2018.
Joel Ngodzo and Donald Teguru (Buildcon) and Winston Mhango (Kabwe Warriors) have all returned home after short stints in Zambia.
Ngodzo and Mhango have joined Highlanders while Teguru is at FC Platinum.-NewsDay
State Media- The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 2) Bill, which proposes a raft of amendments to the Constitution, went through its Second Reading and Committee stage in the Senate yesterday without any further amendment and will go to the Third Reading, the final stage, on Tuesday next week.
Since the amendment has already gone through the National Assembly with the required two-thirds majority, should it receive that same level of approval or better in the Senate at the Third Reading, it can then become part of the Constitution.
The only clause that caused a division, a vote where a split is recorded, was the clause on allowing judges of the High and Supreme Courts to be promoted to a higher court without having to go through another public hearing, as they would havegone through that process in their original appointment to the bench and it being felt undignified for judges to publicly compete for promotion.
But 45 senators voted in favour of retaining the new provision, while only 19 voted against. If, and this is not considered likely since the 19 joined the majority in approving the other 26 clauses, the same group votes against the Bill on the Third Reading it will still pass as the 19 are not a large enough group to be a blocking third.
In the Second Reading, where the principles of the Bill are debated, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi outlined for senators the main provisions of the Bill and the reasons why the proposed amendments weredesired.
A major proposal is to retain the present system whereby the President appoints the vice-presidents. In the Constitution, this was supposed to change in 2023 to have the President, First Vice-President and Second Vice-President stand for election as a team.
The present feeling is that the interim system should be made permanent to allow the President to make the choice.
A second major proposal, which has seen near universal support, was to retain for another 10 years a special provision to have an additional block of women MPs in the National Assembly, elected by party lists using proportional representation in each province.
It had been hoped that in the first decade of the present Constitution that societies would change sufficiently swiftly to make gender balance automatic. This has not been the case, hence the desire for another 10 years of an interim measure.
The National Assembly went further, and agreed that a similar provision, with an additional block of women councillors equal to a third of the council membership, should be chosen by party lists. The Senate agreed in the Committee Stage.
For judges, it was felt that sitting judges should not have to compete with each other in public interviews when being considered for promotion, this tending to be undignified.
This is the single point where there was a vote later on in the committee stage. Judges will also be able to serve until they are 75 if they are fit and willing once the amendment becomes law.
The Prosecutor General will still be appointed in way to guarantee independence, the President having to follow the advice of the Judicial Service Commission and with a tribunal appointed to recommend any dismissal. But the two processes will not be identical to those used for judges, as it was felt that a judge should retain a higher status.
The last major amendment was to sort out the provincial councils, with the MPs and senators from each province no longer able to sit on these councils since Parliament is supposed to oversee the provincial councils and legislators cannot be judges on themselves. This will also enhance devolution.- Herald
By A Correspondent | Central Intelligence agents have boasted saying that they have confiscated over 20 million US dollars worth of goods at the country’s borders during the time of the ongoing lockdown (March to April). The state media report which ZimEye debunks, states as follows:
Fifty-four buses transporting smuggled goods worth over US$20 million have been intercepted since the beginning of March.
As a result of the smuggling, the country has been losing millions of dollars in potential import revenue.
An official within the national security cluster what’s quoted by the state owned Herald newspaper saying that between March 1 and April 28, they intercepted 54 buses carrying an assortment of smuggled goods worth over $20 million.
ZimEye has can however prove the operation
“We have been intercepting some of the buses at security checkpoints between Beitbridge and Harare and Bulawayo,” said the official.
“We have established that in most cases the smugglers are using illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River to bring in commercial goods which they then load in buses at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus for onward transmission to various towns and cities nationwide”.
Government deployed the National Security Taskforce on January 5 at the recommendation of the National Joint Operations Committee (JOC), following numerous reports of smuggling and other criminal activities at the country’s border with South Africa.
A survey by Chronicle revealed that most dealers are travel to the border town of Beitbridge and illegally cross into South Africa through various entry points, and then bring back hordes of goods for resale.
They then load in intercity buses at Dulivhadzimu bus terminus, which is handling an average of 10 buses daily down from 30 due to strict Covid-19 regulations being implemented by the Government.
Common goods that are being smuggled into the country include building material, vehicles, fuel, livestock, flea market wares, illicit medicines, groceries, fuel, tyres, genetically modified (GMOs) vegetables and fruits, electrical gadgets, and vehicles among others.
Minerals, cigarettes and stolen livestock are also being smuggled out of the country.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they had resorted to naming and shaming bus companies that are being used to smuggle goods and transport contrabands.
He said they were also engaging the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, to revoke or suspend operating licenses and permits for those bus operators found on the wrong side of the law.
“The rate at which we are intercepting buses which are being used to smuggle goods into the country or carry contrabands is alarming.
“Now we have resorted to naming and shaming those bus companies involved in such criminal activities,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said they had also established that the syndicates were working with bus crews who in some instances pretend to be transporting returnees from South Africa.
“Fortunately, these where criminals are being intercepted while or after smuggling goods of commercial nature into the country,” he added.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police will descend heavily on both the smugglers and the bus crews conniving to break the law.
Zimra spokesperson Mr Francis Chimanda said between March 21 and March 29 four buses were intercepted between Harare and Beitbridge and were referred for physical examination at the border post.
He said the authority collected additional import revenue of $1,917,684.00 which included $958,842.00 duty payable and an equal amount in fines.
Mr Chimanda said they had introduced the 100 percent searches on all cargo mostly being following an upsurge in a trend of false declarations by either the transporters or the importers.
But a ZimEye investigation involving LIVE video coverage at the borders during the same period, shows the operation was another Grace Mugabe style raid in which good are seized the borders and then later donated to selected people for Political reasons. One of these incidents was on the 29th March 2021 when piles of groceries meant for the suffering masses struggling due to the ongoing lockdown were taken away. The incident was filmed (below).
Tinashe Sambiri|Two MDC Alliance members, Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfumba have been granted ZWL $ 5000 bail each.
Tome was sexually assaulted by an overzealous cop in central Harare at the beginning of the month.
“Vongai Tome, Ngoni Mupfumba and two others have been granted $5000 bail each by the High Court,” the MDC Alliance said in a statement.
The bail application for Hon Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri has been postponed to April 30.
“UPDATE ON THE DUO. 28-04-2021.
The duo, Joana Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri appeared today before Judge Tapiwa Chitapi at the High Court. The defense Council led by Alec Muchadehama submitted a bail application on changed circumstances.
Justice T Chitapi in the circumstances will give a RULING ON FRIDAY 30 -04-21,” a source told ZimEye.com.
"No-one will be able to kill all these people, says @OfficialMukanya "these soldiers have their own relatives living among the masses who're suffering; if we remain silent we'll spend another 100ys struggling,there'll be no easy freedom, stop lying to yourselves.FULL INTERVIEW… pic.twitter.com/AHzhTJGg9c
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
Some signs of recovery emerging but major efforts required to restore and strengthen health services
The second round of a World Health Organization “pulse survey“ reveals that over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial disruptions persist, with about 90% of countries still reporting one or more disruptions to essential health services, marking no substantial global change since the first survey conducted in the summer of 2020.
Within countries, however, the magnitude and extent of disruptions has generally decreased. In 2020, countries reported that, on average, about half of essential health services were disrupted. In the first 3 months of 2021, however, they reported progress, with just over one third of services now being disrupted.
Overcoming disruptions
Countries have been working to mitigate disruptions. Many have now stepped up communications efforts to inform the public about changes to service delivery and provide advice about ways to safely seek health care. They are also triaging to identify and better meet the most urgent patient needs.
More than half the countries consulted say they have recruited additional staff to boost the health workforce; redirected patients to other care facilities; and switched to alternative methods to delivering care, such as providing more home-based services, multi-month prescriptions for treatments, and increasing the use of telemedicine.
In addition, WHO and its partners have been helping countries to adapt their processes so they can better respond to the challenges being placed on their health systems; strengthen primary health care, and advance universal health coverage.
“It is encouraging to see that countries are beginning to build back their essential health services, but much remains to be done,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. “The survey highlights the need to intensify efforts and take additional steps to close gaps and strengthen services. It will be especially important to monitor the situation in countries that were struggling to provide health services before the pandemic.“
Persisting causes of disruptions
Countries are still having to make important decisions when responding to COVID-19 that may negatively affect access to care for other health issues. Redeployment of staff to provide COVID-19 relief and temporary closures of health facilities and services continue.
Although they may have taken on new staff, 66% of countries continue to report health workforce-related reasons as the most common causes of service disruptions.
Supply chains are also still disrupted in nearly one third of countries, affecting the availability of essential medicines, diagnostics, and the PPE needed to safely and effectively provide care.
Communications efforts need to be further scaled up: more than half of countries report service disruptions due to patients not seeking care and because of community mistrust and fears of becoming infected.
Meanwhile, 43% of countries cite financial challenges as major causes for disruptions in service utilization.
As a result, millions of people are still missing out on vital health care. In terms of services, the biggest impact reported by nearly half of countries is on provision of day-to-day primary care to prevent and manage some of the most common health problems. Long-term care for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, and palliative end-of-life care, is also still badly disrupted – severely affecting older people and people living with disabilities.
Potentially life-saving emergency, critical and surgical care interventions are still disrupted in about 20% of countries, reflecting the most immediate indirect consequences of the pandemic. Two thirds of countries also report disruptions in elective surgeries, with accumulating consequences as the pandemic is prolonged.
Among the most extensively affected health services (i.e. those for which more than 40% of countries are reporting disruptions) are those for mental, neurological and substance use disorders; neglected tropical diseases; tuberculosis; HIV and hepatitis B and C; cancer screening, and services for other noncommunicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes; family planning and contraception; urgent dental care; and malnutrition.
Issued ahead of World Immunization Week (which starts 24 April) and World Malaria Day (25 April) the survey reveals that serious gaps also remain in addressing disruptions to services in both these areas.More than one third of countries are still reporting disruptions to immunization services, despite progress in countries reducing disruptions to immunization services in health facilities and “outreach” immunization services by about 20% and 30% respectively compared to 2020. This highlights the need for new and sustained approaches to improving immunization coverage and uptake.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose serious challenges to global health beyond the impact of the disease itself,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “For children, disruptions to immunization services have serious consequences. As we scale up delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, we have to ensure that this does not come at the cost of essential childhood vaccinations. We cannot allow today’s fight against COVID-19 to undermine our fight against measles, polio or other vaccine preventable illnesses. Prolonged immunization disruptions will have long-term consequences for children’s health. The time to catch up is now.”
Meanwhile, nearly 40% of countries are also reporting disruptions to one or more malaria services. While progress compared to 2020 – with about 10% fewer countries reporting disruptions to malaria diagnosis and treatment and 25-33% fewer countries reporting disruptions to malaria prevention campaigns (including distribution of long-lasting insecticide impregnated bed nets, indoor spraying and seasonal malaria chemoprevention), the reported level of disruption is still significant and needs to be urgently addressed.
WHO will continue to support countries so they can respond to increased strains on health systems and rapidly evolving priorities and needs throughout the course of the pandemic, and to ensure that COVID-19 control strategies are in balance strategies to tackle other health priorities and secure continued access to comprehensive care for everyone, including the most vulnerable.
Key support mechanisms include the ACT-Accelerator, which works to speed up equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, and the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which guides actions taken at national, regional, and global levels to tackle COVID-19.
The Organization also remains focused on the delivery of the work it has committed to before the COVID-19 pandemic started. Internally, through the “Boost initiative” and the UHC Partnership, which covers 115 countries, WHO has strengthened its capacity to provide additional support to countries so they can maintain essential health services during the pandemic, and advance progress towards universal health coverage.
Source: World Health Organization
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Popular Gweru socialite, Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30) who was shot and killed in a frenzied gun attack on four people by a local polygamous man, who accused his second wife of cheating was yesterday buried at Senga cemetery in an emotional send-off thronged by hundreds of mourners.
It was indeed a befitting send-off as mourners paid their last respects at her parents’ house in Senga high density suburb.
Gamu was shot at close range from the back as she fled through the stair cases of a flat at her friend’s residence in Gweru Central Business District on Friday after his alleged killer, Peter Dube confronted her together with the other three as he accused Gamu of being involved in his second wife’s alleged acts of infidelity.
Gamu was killed together with Dube’s suspected second wife’s lover, Shelton Chinhango while the second wife herself, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister, Nyaradzo sustained serous gunshot wounds.
Nyasha and Nyaradzo are still hospitalised with their condition reportedly now stable.
The road leading to Senga cemetery was totally sealed off as hundreds of lights flicking cars blocked all ends of the road behind a Nyaradzo Funeral Service hearse on its way to Gamu’s final resting place.
“We are very saddened that we have lost a lady of the people. For a very jovial lady like Gamu to die violently like that was the most cruel thing she least deserved,” commented one of her peers, and neighbour, Elizabeth Chidoori.
Gamu’s aunt, Mrs Entrance Takaidza said they were still trying to come to terms with Gamu’s sudden departure.
“She was a hardworking young lady and we are still in shock, we did not even know that she was as popular as this, it’s disheartening that she died a violent death,” she said.
Mr Simbarashe Dzvuka, father tothe late Gamu said they were not expecting some payment from the Dube family, but were keen to have the assailant brought to book so he could be accountable for the callous killing.
He confirmed the Dube family had reached out to them and allowed them to be at the burial.
“We are still in shock as a family and we are in mourning. The death of my daughter was just cruel by all measure but what can we do, we can’t resuscitate life. What we wish is to have justice in the end, this Dube guy should face justice, this is all what we can say at the moment,” said Mr Dzvuka.
Gamu is survived by one child.
Meanwhile, a convoy of over 100 cars drove from Kwekwe to Gweru to pick one of the shooting victims’ body Shelton Chinhango, a well know gold dealer in Kwekwe who was also buried yesterday.
Hundreds of gold dealers and artisanal miners who used to relate with Chinhango made a convoy of cars as they honked and skidded while giving Chinhango a befitting send-off.
On Monday,Dube’s relatives sent an SOS saying they were now living in fear as they constantly received threatening calls from Chinhango’s peerswho vowed to mete out revenge.
Dube’s young brother, Advance said they were advised by the police to move away cars fromDube’s car dealership company after receiving calls from unknown people threatening to burn down the car sales premises.- The Herald
By A Correspondent- A Binga man has been arrested after he fatally axed his uncle who tried to stop him from selling a cow that was “old and thin.”
William Sibanga Muzamba (57) of Twakachibona village under Chief Pashu reportedly surrendered himself to the police soon after killing his uncle Simati Mefias Mudimba (62) from the same area on Saturday.
The two had been drinking traditional beer at Mr Fanson Muleya (53)’s homestead when they argued over a cow that Muzamba wanted to sell.
Mudimba allegedly drew an axe and threatened to strike his nephew who, however, disarmed him and struck him twice on the head.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the murder and arrest of Muzamba who is expected to appear in court soon.
“We received a report of a man who was murdered by his nephew following a misunderstanding over the sale of a beast. On 24 April around 5 pm, William Sibanga Muzamba and Simati Mefias Mudimba were drinking traditional beer at the informant, Mr Fanson Muleya’s homestead.
Muzamba was discussing selling his beast with his uncle Mudimba who told him not to sell it and suggested that it be slaughtered because it was old and had lost weight,” said Insp Banda.
He said this did not go down well with Muzamba leading to an argument that degenerated into a misunderstanding.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has sensationally said that it would not give any positions to all opposition party members who are defecting from their political groupings.
This was disclosed this week by Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, who said the conditions also applied to other Zanu PF party members.
Lillian Timveos, former MDC Alliance deputy treasurer-general, Obert Gutu, former MDC-T vice-president, and former senator James Makore, MDC Alliance recently defected to Zanu PF.
“New members who join the party need training to be familiarised with Zanu PF structures, rules and other issues,” Mpofu said.
“It will be just like an orientation process where they would be taught of the party values so that they become full members who are aware of Zanu PF norms and values. It creates problems when members are not aware of their party’s guidelines,” he said.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF has mocked opposition party members who are defecting to the ruthless party and said that they will not get any positions.
This was disclosed yesterday by Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu, who said the conditions also applied to other Zanu PF party members.
“New members who join the party need training to be familiarised with Zanu PF structures, rules and other issues,” Mpofu said.
“It will be just like an orientation process where they would be taught of the party values so that they become full members who are aware of Zanu PF norms and values. It creates problems when members are not aware of their party’s guidelines,” he said.
Former top executive members of the opposition, among them Lillian Timveos (former MDC Alliance deputy treasurer-general), Obert Gutu (former MDC-T vice-president) and former senator James Makore (MDC Alliance) recently defected to Zanu PF.
By A Correspondent -The government has announced the death of five more people on Covid-19 related illness and at the same time reporting 62 new cases.
This number has brought the cases to 38 164 in 24 hours.
So far, the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in Zimbabwe stands at 1 560 while the national recovery rate stands at 93 per cent.
The vaccination programme is continuing countrywide with 433 939 people having been vaccinated against Covid-19 as of yesterday.
A total of 370 676 people received the first dose while 63 263 got the second jab.
The seven-day rolling average for new cases rose to 41 yesterday from 34.
By A Correspondent-Former Agriculture Minister Joseph Made has lost property worth $800 000 to thieves.
This came out on Tuesday at the Marondera magistrates court after eight men had appeared before the local court’s Patience Chirimo facing unlawful entry, theft and possession of dangerous drugs charges.
Fungai Jiri (34), Tafadzwa Masimo (33), Talent Mugandani (25), Genesis Matiza (30), Sylvester Masimo (20) Takudzwa Mukamba (19), Prudence Bata (21) and Tadia Shanganya (17) were remanded in custody to May 7 for trial.
Allegations are that on April 22, police detectives in Marondera were tipped that the suspected broke into a house and stole various goods in Macheke, a neighbouring small town. The police detectives then went to a house in Mutamba, Macheke, where the accused persons were staying.
The detectives apprehended Jiri, Tafadzwa, Mugandani and Matiza leading to the discovery of various properties, including mattresses, gas tanks, fridges and microwaves, among other things. Upon being quizzed, the accused persons implicated four others who were later arrested in Wedza.
The court heard that on April 15, Sylvester Masimo and Mukamba, who were employed at Made’s Tara Farm, and their accomplices used a claw bar to force open a locked door to the former minister’s house.
The accused went on to steal a six-plate gas and electric industrial stove, seven mattresses, a deep freezer, a microwave oven, 2×14-inch television sets, a 7kg gas tank, a 3kg gas tank, a Capri fridge, a 5,5 horsepower generator, a one-plate gas burner, various clothes, aluminium pipes, cutlery, a Motorola base station radio and five garden chairs.
On March 16 at Bronsburry Farm in Marondera, the accused allegedly cut the fence, got into the yard and stole one unregistered black and red Honda motorbike.
On March 30, the accused persons went to Matepe Farm, where they cut a perimeter fence, got into the yard and stole two unregistered Honda motorbikes, two mountain bicycles, helmets, three pairs of goggles and a car battery.
By A Correspondent- The ruthless President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has announced that it is in the process of blacklisting teachers who do not report for duty because of incapacitation.
According to the state media, this process has already started with a list of teachers who skipped lessons last month being sent by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to the Public Service Commission.
The state media also reported that the other list of teachers missing from their classrooms this month is being collected with the ruthless administration moving to enforce what it is calling the policy of no-work no-pay.
Last week, the government forced teachers and other civil servants to carry out their duties normally saying that negotiations with their representatives for a salary adjustment continue.
“Government reiterates that it will strictly apply the no-work no-pay labour principle to all cases of teacher absenteeism, and the responsible ministry has compiled and submitted a list of teachers that did not conduct lessons in March to the Public Service Commission. The April list is being compiled,” said Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa.
By A Correspondent- A Kariba man escaped with injuries after an elephant attacked him this morning.
State media report that the incident occurred along Mahombekombe Township’s main road in the Local Board area around 4 am when the elephant dragged him into a nearby thicket.
Neighbours heard screams as the panicking man, believed to be a member of the apostolic sect was crying out for help.
By a stroke of luck, the man managed to escape the elephant’s grip before running to the nearby Methodist Church.
He had sustained injuries on the right leg.
The injured man reportedly ran to find a vehicle that took him to seek medical attention at Kariba District Hospital.
Mr Costain Machingura who heard noises including the trumpeting of the enraged elephant woke up from his nearby bedroom to find the elephant still searching for the man.
“The elephant was in a combative mode when I arrived on the scene after hearing noises including the screams of a man,” he said.
“I went outside and found it still looking for him. He is lucky as it is quite unusual for the elephant to miss its target. I saw a man running some distance away before we saw the man coming back in a vehicle on his way to the hospital.”
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident saying that Zimparks rangers were currently looking for the problem animal.
“Our rangers are on the ground as always trying to account for the problem animal while efforts are underway to teach communities on animal behaviours so that we minimise human-wildlife conflict,” said Mr Farawo.
By A Correspondent- The recent disturbing and shocking case of the bullying of form one students by fellow senior students at Mutare Boys High has exposed teachers at the learning institution.
Teachers are the parents of pupils at boarding school and they must always monitor the children.
Authorities must investigate this case and get to the bottom of it so that such sad incidents do not happen again. It is not enough for authorities like Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba, to not only urged school headmasters to be on the lookout for bullying.
Authorities must also monitor the use of mobile phones by students at boarding schools and make sure that they are only used during appropriate times.
By A Correspondent- A report by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has cited cultural practices such as demand for lobola and other religious beliefs as some of the major barriers for many people to access national documents such as birth certificates.
The report also said undocumented wives in a union have also seen the collapse of their marriages after the husband gets frustrated by the failure to document children.
“Cultural evidence established that when one parent is deceased, particularly the mother, male witnesses reported that they faced difficulties in obtaining birth certificates for their children because the maternal relatives refused to cooperate,” reads the report.
“There were testimonies of children with deceased mothers who had failed to have their births registered because their maternal relatives insisted on lobola issues being settled first before they availed themselves as witnesses or offered any other form of assistance during the registration process.”
The report was tabled before Parliament last week following a national inquiry into access to national documents
Alex Zenda says Mnangagwa"was joking" when he said he's sending the army when he discovers you're the ones who stopped the rain. pic.twitter.com/2WHJp5hceq
Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), Sprout Women Empowerment Trust, Rural Young Women Support Network, Kundai Rutendo Trust, and Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust (CODET) statement on persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe
We the undersigned women’s rights organizations and women-led community-based organizations (CBOs) are concerned and deeply worried about the recent harassment of Harare West Member of Parliament (MP) Honourable Joana Mamombe by prison officials.
A video recording of the brazen inhumane treatment of Hon. Mamombe has since gone viral across social media platforms.
In the video, a visibly sick and in pain Hon. Mamombe is shedding tears pleading with prison officials not to move her back to the notorious Chikurubi Prison before she has fully healed.
“I am in pain, I am in great pain…don’t move me” pleads a tearful Mamombe to prison officials. “We have instructions from higher up to take you” is the cold response from a prison official.
The group of prison guards proceed to manhandle Hon. Mamombe and bundle her into a prison truck and take her to prison.
This callous act is carried out in broad daylight in front of cameras without shame or restraint.
Hon. Mamombe has been in remand prison since 5 March 2021 when she was arrested alongside her colleague Cecilia Chimbiri and charged with violating COVID-19 restrictions.
The flimsy charge arose after Hon. Mamombe and her colleagues had addressed a press conference at Harare Magistrate’s Court after the conviction of fellow activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
It is shocking that the police arrested and charged Hon. Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri given that the duo was well within their rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and international conventions for which Zimbabwe is a state party to.
Furthermore, no court proceedings were affected by the press conference and Hon. Mamombe and her colleagues all observed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of social distancing and wearing face masks.
As WALPE we hold that the charges show that the government of Zimbabwe is weaponising COVID-19 to close democratic space.
It also disturbing that Hon. Mamombe was arrested and denied bail during the women’s month of March.
In addition, it is apparent that Hon. Mamombe has been deliberately and vindictively targeted since her abduction and torture in May 2020.
All these brutal acts of repression further close the space for women to effectively and fully participate in politics.
As women’s rights organizations, we thus call on the government of Zimbabwe to unconditionally and immediately release Hon. Mamombe and all other political prisoners.
For Hon. Mamombe, her release is urgent given her deteriorating health condition which requires specialist attention.
We also call on the region and international community to raise their voice on the illegal detention of Hon. Mamombe and other political prisoners
Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), Sprout Women Empowerment Trust, Rural Young Women Support Network, Kundai Rutendo Trust, and Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust (CODET) statement on persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe
We the undersigned women’s rights organizations and women-led community-based organizations (CBOs) are concerned and deeply worried about the recent harassment of Harare West Member of Parliament (MP) Honourable Joana Mamombe by prison officials.
A video recording of the brazen inhumane treatment of Hon. Mamombe has since gone viral across social media platforms.
In the video, a visibly sick and in pain Hon. Mamombe is shedding tears pleading with prison officials not to move her back to the notorious Chikurubi Prison before she has fully healed.
“I am in pain, I am in great pain…don’t move me” pleads a tearful Mamombe to prison officials. “We have instructions from higher up to take you” is the cold response from a prison official.
The group of prison guards proceed to manhandle Hon. Mamombe and bundle her into a prison truck and take her to prison.
This callous act is carried out in broad daylight in front of cameras without shame or restraint.
Hon. Mamombe has been in remand prison since 5 March 2021 when she was arrested alongside her colleague Cecilia Chimbiri and charged with violating COVID-19 restrictions.
The flimsy charge arose after Hon. Mamombe and her colleagues had addressed a press conference at Harare Magistrate’s Court after the conviction of fellow activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
It is shocking that the police arrested and charged Hon. Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri given that the duo was well within their rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and international conventions for which Zimbabwe is a state party to.
Furthermore, no court proceedings were affected by the press conference and Hon. Mamombe and her colleagues all observed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of social distancing and wearing face masks.
As WALPE we hold that the charges show that the government of Zimbabwe is weaponising COVID-19 to close democratic space.
It also disturbing that Hon. Mamombe was arrested and denied bail during the women’s month of March.
In addition, it is apparent that Hon. Mamombe has been deliberately and vindictively targeted since her abduction and torture in May 2020.
All these brutal acts of repression further close the space for women to effectively and fully participate in politics.
As women’s rights organizations, we thus call on the government of Zimbabwe to unconditionally and immediately release Hon. Mamombe and all other political prisoners.
For Hon. Mamombe, her release is urgent given her deteriorating health condition which requires specialist attention.
We also call on the region and international community to raise their voice on the illegal detention of Hon. Mamombe and other political prisoners
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Zimbabwe has once again woken up to some Twitter messages sent by the ever attention seeking Susan Mutami. It is important to understand who Susan Mutami is. She is if you remember, the official mistress of high profile people in Zimbabwe’s parliament. Her latest boyfriend was Temba Bhuru Mliswa.
Susan Mutami
Susan Vivian Mutami is a Zimbabwean philanthropist and health care professional other wise known as a professional carer in Australia.
She was born in Kwekwe but is now an Australian citizen. Mutami was born in 1988. She came to the public domain In February 2021, when she told a publication that she was battling to end a three-month relationship with Temba Mliswa. She said she regretted meeting the politician whom she accused of turning her life upside down and soiling her image. She met Mliswa in October 2020 during a ceremony in which she was donating medical suppliers in Norton. Mutami is accused of collecting medical supplies from Australia then she donates them in Zimbabwe without acknowledging that she is only an agent. It was during these donations that she started dating every MP who she donated to.
She also revealed she was pregnant with twins for Mliswa.
It was in her public singing that she made very significant allegations which could not be ignored by any reasonable security agency.
Mutami claimed that she knows the person who threw a freebase at President Mnangagwa in Bulawayo White City stadium in 2018 This bombing has never been resolved yet.
Susan Mutami made sensational revelations that Mliswa wanted to kill Minister July Moyo using witchcraft and that in the death list of Mliswa there was Minister Muda NCUBE and a list of top officials.
Seemingly enjoying the new found publicity Susan made allegations that she has a baby with the late Minister SB Moyo.
When the list of the men who leaked her hairy cake was revealed it showed that Susan was a Parliamentary sexual activist as all her boyfriends where members of parliament.
The issue came to a climax when the ministerial mistress or is parliamentary mistress was stopped from boarding a flight by the airport officials. The security officers grew a high interest in the presidential sex activist not for her talented use of her bottom but for the Knowlledge she confessed to have had regarding many acts of terrorism in Zimbabwe.
Obviously Susan became a person of interest and she needed to be interviewed so that she will help the police to finalise their investigations in several cases mentioned by Susan.
Surely any reasonable officer would have wanted to know more of what Mutami claimed to know in the terrorists activities in Zimbabwe.
All countries oils not have allowed her to go without assisting in the cases she had raised. Terrorism is the use or threat of action, both in and outside of the Zimbabwe,designed to influence any international government organisation or to intimidate the public.
It must also be for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause. Examples include: serious violence against a person or damage to property,endangering a person’s life (other than that of the person committing the action), creating a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public.
Terrorism crimes and terrorist-related offences are subject to the criminal justice system in the same way as all other crimes. However, terrorism offences are distinct from other types of crime in that individuals who commit terrorism-related offences have political, religious racial and/or ideological motivations, unlike typical criminal motivations, which may be personal gain or revenge, for example. The Zimbabwean security officials then took interest in Susan because of what she had said.
In terrorism cases it is wise to consider every information provided so that you will never regret ignoring information which might turn to be credible.
So as expected Mutami could not be allowed to leave the country without giving enough information she claimed to know. It is therefore normal to request the law to allow a foreign national to enter or remain in Zimbabwe to give evidence in court should the evidence become credible.
Due to the international element of serious and organised crime, it may be necessary for a foreign national to come to Zimbabwe or for their departure to be deferred to enable them to give evidence in court or until such a tome that the information is fully collected. In most cases the foreign national will be a witness giving evidence in a criminal case on behalf of the prosecution, including for example where they have been involved in a covert policing operation. There may also be occasions where a foreign national is required to give evidence as a witness for the defence in a criminal case or as a witness in a civil case.
It is essential that the integrity of Zimbabwe’s security and immigration control and border security is maintained. The final decision about whether a person is allowed into the UK, or whether departure from the UK is deferred, will be made by the Security officers with ministers being consulted if necessary.
A request for a foreign national to enter for their stay to be extended or for their departure to be deferred for the purpose of giving evidence, may be made at the port of entry or departure in the case of Mutami at the airport.
It must be known that a witness is one who, being sworn or affirmed, according to law, deposes as to his knowledge of facts in issue between the parties in a cause.
The testimony of witnesses can never have the effect of a demonstration, because it is not impossible, indeed it frequently happens, that they are mistaken, or wish themselves to deceive. There can, therefore, result no other certainty from their testimony than what arises from analogy. When in the calm of the passions, we listen only to the voice of reason and the impulse of nature we feel in ourselves a great repugnance to betray the truth, to the prejudice of another, and we have observes that honest, intelligent and disinterested persons never combine to deceive others by a falsehood. We conclude then, by analogy, with a sort of moral certainty, that a fact attested by several witnesses, worthy of credit, is true. This proof derives its whole force from a double presumption. We presume, in the first place, on the good sense of the witnesses that they have not been mistaken; and, secondly, we presume on their probity that they wish not to deceive. To be certain that they have not been deceived, and that they do not wish to mislead, we must ascertain, as far as possible, the nature and the quality of the facts proved; the quality and the person of the witness; and the testimony itself, by comparing it with the deposition of other witnesses, or with known facts. It is to this end that Suzan Mutami was politely asked to stay a little longer and to give more information on the issues she has professed her Knowlledge.
What happened in Bulawayo white City stadium was pure terrorism. In the 2005 World Summit Declaration, world leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes — the first such high-level consensus. One year later, the unanimous adoption of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy represented a milestone in the multilateral counter- terrorism domain that laid the foundations for a comprehensive and integrated response to terrorism at the national, regional and international levels. So Zimbabwe acts with the full blessings of the world in fighting terrorism. So by stoping Suzan from departing was actually Following the adoption of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the United Nations which has intensified system-wide efforts to foster multilateral action to prevent and combat terrorism. The Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy also reaffirmed the crucial role of respect for human rights and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism and stressed, in particular, the need to promote and protect the rights of victims of terrorism.
Over the last two decades, Zimbabwe has seen a rise in transnational security threats, including domestic terrorism perpetuated by the opposition. This presents a growing concern for the region and the European Union and other stakeholders on the ground and outside the region are working in partnership with governments. To meet this challenge, criminal justice institutions in the region recognize that developing more robust and efficient mechanisms for handling terrorism cases would benefit long-term efforts Currently, trial court judges often handle tremendous caseloads resulting from case management workloads, delay tactics by advocates, insufficient eye-witness evidence and little to no forensic evidence Additionally, judges handling terrorism cases experience serious threats to life and are often targets of terrorist attacks Judges from all courts are being exposed to more complex transnational cases requiring knowledge of international legal principles and mechanisms These challenges will benefit from appropriate strategies in line with human rights and rule of law principles.
Now despite boasting that she has Knowlledge of the attacks on the president and that she is aware of plots to kill some ministers Susan Mutamiri sends a Twitter below Replying to @LynneStactia
@JoanaMamombe and @ceechimbiri2 “Anything to do w abductions and torture it’s Isaac Moyo. I see u people accusing Mudha kuti mhondi do u know that being a minister is just a ceremonial post the day to day operations of the org are done by Isaac Moyo. Ndo Mhondi yenyika.”
“he’s a criminal and a murderer. Ma army General apedzwa na Isaac Moyo. Covid munoiziva imimi? What he did to my son is unforgivable kana 50k haiporesi ronda rangu riri mumoyo. I can’t fight him back nezvibhakera bt nyaya dzake ndodzitaura dzese.”
This is not only attention seeking by a mentally deranged woman but it is dangerous smearing the security forces of the nation. Susan Mutami is now a best friend of Minister Muda’s NCUBE and July Moyo the very ones she said were in the line of death under the jaws of Temba Mliswa’s juju.
It is clear judging from Susan Mutani’s behaviour that minister Muda NCUBE and July Moyo have found a person to use to settle their scores. Muda’s NCUBE and July Moyo are known of seriously messing up Midlands by their bully tactics and hiding behind their proximity to the head of state. There is a lot of complaints from all over Zimbabwe that the two ministers have personalised the president of Zimbabwe. They have made the president their personal property. The question now is “Is Susan Mutami attacking Isaac Moyo because she is being used by the two ministers or it is her insanity again?” The truth is not very far it will be revealed soon where Mutami is getting her power. If it is powered by her generous distribution of her dignity then she needs to come round and be a person again.
Zimbabwean authorities will not stop defending its people and its territory because there is a woman on Twitter. The barrage against Isaac Moyo and lies is not only reckless but it is malicious and seriously an assault on our security.
When it comes to Zimbabwe we can not hesitate to throw the knobkerie. Susan is being used to tarnish the image of the country and that of Moyo whom she lambasted and accused of being a killer. Such accusations are the ones which are believed by the West when the start imposing sanctions.
Now true to her handlers who are in the government Susan Mutami has slapped Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe with a US$50 000 claim for unlawful arrest early this year.
Also being sued by Mutami are; Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, the Director State Intelligence Services (Central Intelligence Organisation) Isaac Moyo, and Officer-in-Charge Law and Order, Harare. She was requested to postpone her journey on 18 February 2021 at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. In a letter to Kazembe also copied to Matanga, the complainant’s legal counsel Mbidzo Muchadehama and Makoni says the claim is arising from the events which transpired on February 18 2021 when Mutami and her son were detained by the state security agents and police details at the airport. In the process of checking in, the letter said, the state agents prevented the complainant from boarding their flight to Dubai. “They had no warrant of arrest for our clients. Our clients had not committed any offence. They were not about to commit any offence, neither were they committing any offence,” the letter said. The lawyers claim that despite the complainant’s protestation, they were taken against their will to a police post at the airport where they were briefly detained before taken to Harare Central Police Station CID Law and Order section where they were kept against their will until Sunday 21 February 2021 when they were eventually allowed to depart. The state security agents are being accused of claiming Mutami was a key state witness in a pending case without requesting her at any given time to act as such. “The detention subjected her to psychological trauma as she was detained together with her four-year-old son. She was subjected to personal anguish, torment, pain, shock, and suffering particularly when state security agents barred her from using her inhaler,” the lawyers said. The legal practitioners said Mutami also lost several income-generating opportunities upon her arrest and detention especially when the purpose of her travel to Dubai was for business as she is the proprietor of S.V.M Health, registered in Australia. “Should you be willing to settle this amount in full or intend to negotiate on the amount payable, kindly liaise with the writer of this notice for the possible settlement. “Should we not hear from you, or should you be opposed to this claim we have further instructions to proceed and institute proceedings for the recovery of the above-stated damages without further notice to yourselves,” the lawyers added.
These lawyers are not understanding that Susan is a vital witness in a case of terrorism. Terrorism is a global phenomenon. Terrorists have the means and the determination to plan and carry out multiple attacks. They have done so in the past and at the White City stadium which Mutami clearly said had information about it. The aim of security officers and investigators throughout the Zimbabwe is to ensure that such plans and events are detected, investigated and prosecuted swiftly and effectively to ensure that the safety and security of our citizens is protected and that offenders can be brought to justice in the courts. The Intelligence and Police leaders in Zimbabwe have recognised that in terrorism cases with cross border elements there may be substantial benefits to the public interest in enabling vital witnesses to remain in the country.
As it is commonly understood, the concept of independence includes the duty and ability of a country to decide each case according to an objective evaluation of evidence that is presented and an impartial application of the law without the influence of outside factors.
The concepts of independence, impartiality, and fairness have both an objective and a subjective component. The authority of a judiciary to exercise its powers is frequently found in a given State’s constitution or similar founding document and the enabling legislation that supports it. Additionally, national courts often adopt rules to further clarify their operating procedures. Taken as a whole, these laws and procedural rules should create a comprehensive framework that consistently protects and advances an independent and impartial judiciary which upholds the rule of law and engenders public confidence in the exercise of its authority.Nevertheless, the best constructed system on paper is not guaranteed to produce the legitimacy and trust that comes If it was in America Mutami would not have been allowed to leave the country until she clarifies her Twitter. Despite those ministers who are digging her her utterances constitutes a crime.
Pressure continues to mount on Zimbabwean tactician Kaitano Tembo after SuperSport United’s 1-1 stalemate with Swallows in the DStv Premiership yesterday.
Sipho Mbule’s second half leveler rescued a point for struggling Matsatsantsa, whose winless run in the league now stretches to nine games.
The last time the Pretoria-based side were victorious in the South African top-tier was when the beat Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 2-0 on January 24.
United’s woes have put Tembo under the microscope, with the former Warriors and Dynamos defender’s future a subject of debate in and outside the club.
The club’s hierarchy has reportedly started the process of identifying possible replacements should the need to relieve Tembo of his duties arise.
Tembo took over from Erik Tinkler three years ago after being assistant for a long time and has led the club to MTN 8 glory.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Warriors prospect Edward Munjoma made his debut in the Major League Soccer in the United States for FC Dallas over the weekend.
The 22-year old, who was born to Zimbabwean parents in Texas, United States, played the last 16 minutes in their 1-3 defeat to San Jose Earthquakes, at the Paypal Park Stadium.
The fullback came through Dallas’ youth systems and is under contract until 2022, with the club having an option to extend it up to 2025.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|Scores of MDC-T members have abandoned Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora’s political formation to join President Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.
The former MDC- T members argue Mwonzora is a Zanu PF puppet.
Mwonzora’s political formation is falling apart with each passing day…
“Former MDC-T members in Plumtree today defected to the MDC @nelsonchamisa .
They were led by former cllrs conelius Nyathi ward 1, Jabulani Tshuma ward 2 Former district treasurer Barbra Ngwenya and others . They say Mwonzora is a Zanu puppet,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
Some signs of recovery emerging but major efforts required to restore and strengthen health services
The second round of a World Health Organization “pulse survey“ reveals that over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial disruptions persist, with about 90% of countries still reporting one or more disruptions to essential health services, marking no substantial global change since the first survey conducted in the summer of 2020.
Within countries, however, the magnitude and extent of disruptions has generally decreased. In 2020, countries reported that, on average, about half of essential health services were disrupted. In the first 3 months of 2021, however, they reported progress, with just over one third of services now being disrupted.
Overcoming disruptions
Countries have been working to mitigate disruptions. Many have now stepped up communications efforts to inform the public about changes to service delivery and provide advice about ways to safely seek health care. They are also triaging to identify and better meet the most urgent patient needs.
More than half the countries consulted say they have recruited additional staff to boost the health workforce; redirected patients to other care facilities; and switched to alternative methods to delivering care, such as providing more home-based services, multi-month prescriptions for treatments, and increasing the use of telemedicine.
In addition, WHO and its partners have been helping countries to adapt their processes so they can better respond to the challenges being placed on their health systems; strengthen primary health care, and advance universal health coverage.
“It is encouraging to see that countries are beginning to build back their essential health services, but much remains to be done,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. “The survey highlights the need to intensify efforts and take additional steps to close gaps and strengthen services. It will be especially important to monitor the situation in countries that were struggling to provide health services before the pandemic.“
Persisting causes of disruptions
Countries are still having to make important decisions when responding to COVID-19 that may negatively affect access to care for other health issues. Redeployment of staff to provide COVID-19 relief and temporary closures of health facilities and services continue.
Although they may have taken on new staff, 66% of countries continue to report health workforce-related reasons as the most common causes of service disruptions.
Supply chains are also still disrupted in nearly one third of countries, affecting the availability of essential medicines, diagnostics, and the PPE needed to safely and effectively provide care.
Communications efforts need to be further scaled up: more than half of countries report service disruptions due to patients not seeking care and because of community mistrust and fears of becoming infected.
Meanwhile, 43% of countries cite financial challenges as major causes for disruptions in service utilization.
As a result, millions of people are still missing out on vital health care. In terms of services, the biggest impact reported by nearly half of countries is on provision of day-to-day primary care to prevent and manage some of the most common health problems. Long-term care for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, and palliative end-of-life care, is also still badly disrupted – severely affecting older people and people living with disabilities.
Potentially life-saving emergency, critical and surgical care interventions are still disrupted in about 20% of countries, reflecting the most immediate indirect consequences of the pandemic. Two thirds of countries also report disruptions in elective surgeries, with accumulating consequences as the pandemic is prolonged.
Among the most extensively affected health services (i.e. those for which more than 40% of countries are reporting disruptions) are those for mental, neurological and substance use disorders; neglected tropical diseases; tuberculosis; HIV and hepatitis B and C; cancer screening, and services for other noncommunicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes; family planning and contraception; urgent dental care; and malnutrition.
Issued ahead of World Immunization Week (which starts 24 April) and World Malaria Day (25 April) the survey reveals that serious gaps also remain in addressing disruptions to services in both these areas.More than one third of countries are still reporting disruptions to immunization services, despite progress in countries reducing disruptions to immunization services in health facilities and “outreach” immunization services by about 20% and 30% respectively compared to 2020. This highlights the need for new and sustained approaches to improving immunization coverage and uptake.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose serious challenges to global health beyond the impact of the disease itself,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “For children, disruptions to immunization services have serious consequences. As we scale up delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, we have to ensure that this does not come at the cost of essential childhood vaccinations. We cannot allow today’s fight against COVID-19 to undermine our fight against measles, polio or other vaccine preventable illnesses. Prolonged immunization disruptions will have long-term consequences for children’s health. The time to catch up is now.”
Meanwhile, nearly 40% of countries are also reporting disruptions to one or more malaria services. While progress compared to 2020 – with about 10% fewer countries reporting disruptions to malaria diagnosis and treatment and 25-33% fewer countries reporting disruptions to malaria prevention campaigns (including distribution of long-lasting insecticide impregnated bed nets, indoor spraying and seasonal malaria chemoprevention), the reported level of disruption is still significant and needs to be urgently addressed.
WHO will continue to support countries so they can respond to increased strains on health systems and rapidly evolving priorities and needs throughout the course of the pandemic, and to ensure that COVID-19 control strategies are in balance strategies to tackle other health priorities and secure continued access to comprehensive care for everyone, including the most vulnerable.
Key support mechanisms include the ACT-Accelerator, which works to speed up equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, and the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which guides actions taken at national, regional, and global levels to tackle COVID-19.
The Organization also remains focused on the delivery of the work it has committed to before the COVID-19 pandemic started. Internally, through the “Boost initiative” and the UHC Partnership, which covers 115 countries, WHO has strengthened its capacity to provide additional support to countries so they can maintain essential health services during the pandemic, and advance progress towards universal health coverage.
Source: World Health Organization
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Tinashe Sambiri|Two MDC Alliance members, Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfumba have been granted ZWL $ 5000 bail each.
Tome was sexually assaulted by an overzealous cop in central Harare at the beginning of the month.
“Vongai Tome, Ngoni Mupfumba and two others have been granted $5000 bail each by the High Court,” the MDC Alliance said in a statement.
The bail application for Hon Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri has been postponed to April 30.
“UPDATE ON THE DUO. 28-04-2021.
The duo, Joana Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri appeared today before Judge Tapiwa Chitapi at the High Court. The defense Council led by Alec Muchadehama submitted a bail application on changed circumstances.
Justice T Chitapi in the circumstances will give a RULING ON FRIDAY 30 -04-21,” a source told ZimEye.com.
Tinashe Sambiri|Scores of MDC-T members have abandoned Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora’s political formation to join President Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.
The former MDC- T members argue Mwonzora is a Zanu PF puppet.
Mwonzora’s political formation is falling apart with each passing day…
“Former MDC-T members in Plumtree today defected to the MDC @nelsonchamisa .
They were led by former cllrs conelius Nyathi ward 1, Jabulani Tshuma ward 2 Former district treasurer Barbra Ngwenya and others . They say Mwonzora is a Zanu puppet,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90% of countries
Some signs of recovery emerging but major efforts required to restore and strengthen health services
The second round of a World Health Organization “pulse survey“ reveals that over one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial disruptions persist, with about 90% of countries still reporting one or more disruptions to essential health services, marking no substantial global change since the first survey conducted in the summer of 2020.
Within countries, however, the magnitude and extent of disruptions has generally decreased. In 2020, countries reported that, on average, about half of essential health services were disrupted. In the first 3 months of 2021, however, they reported progress, with just over one third of services now being disrupted.
Overcoming disruptions
Countries have been working to mitigate disruptions. Many have now stepped up communications efforts to inform the public about changes to service delivery and provide advice about ways to safely seek health care. They are also triaging to identify and better meet the most urgent patient needs.
More than half the countries consulted say they have recruited additional staff to boost the health workforce; redirected patients to other care facilities; and switched to alternative methods to delivering care, such as providing more home-based services, multi-month prescriptions for treatments, and increasing the use of telemedicine.
In addition, WHO and its partners have been helping countries to adapt their processes so they can better respond to the challenges being placed on their health systems; strengthen primary health care, and advance universal health coverage.
“It is encouraging to see that countries are beginning to build back their essential health services, but much remains to be done,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO. “The survey highlights the need to intensify efforts and take additional steps to close gaps and strengthen services. It will be especially important to monitor the situation in countries that were struggling to provide health services before the pandemic.“
Persisting causes of disruptions
Countries are still having to make important decisions when responding to COVID-19 that may negatively affect access to care for other health issues. Redeployment of staff to provide COVID-19 relief and temporary closures of health facilities and services continue.
Although they may have taken on new staff, 66% of countries continue to report health workforce-related reasons as the most common causes of service disruptions.
Supply chains are also still disrupted in nearly one third of countries, affecting the availability of essential medicines, diagnostics, and the PPE needed to safely and effectively provide care.
Communications efforts need to be further scaled up: more than half of countries report service disruptions due to patients not seeking care and because of community mistrust and fears of becoming infected.
Meanwhile, 43% of countries cite financial challenges as major causes for disruptions in service utilization.
As a result, millions of people are still missing out on vital health care. In terms of services, the biggest impact reported by nearly half of countries is on provision of day-to-day primary care to prevent and manage some of the most common health problems. Long-term care for chronic conditions, rehabilitation, and palliative end-of-life care, is also still badly disrupted – severely affecting older people and people living with disabilities.
Potentially life-saving emergency, critical and surgical care interventions are still disrupted in about 20% of countries, reflecting the most immediate indirect consequences of the pandemic. Two thirds of countries also report disruptions in elective surgeries, with accumulating consequences as the pandemic is prolonged.
Among the most extensively affected health services (i.e. those for which more than 40% of countries are reporting disruptions) are those for mental, neurological and substance use disorders; neglected tropical diseases; tuberculosis; HIV and hepatitis B and C; cancer screening, and services for other noncommunicable diseases including hypertension and diabetes; family planning and contraception; urgent dental care; and malnutrition.
Issued ahead of World Immunization Week (which starts 24 April) and World Malaria Day (25 April) the survey reveals that serious gaps also remain in addressing disruptions to services in both these areas.More than one third of countries are still reporting disruptions to immunization services, despite progress in countries reducing disruptions to immunization services in health facilities and “outreach” immunization services by about 20% and 30% respectively compared to 2020. This highlights the need for new and sustained approaches to improving immunization coverage and uptake.
“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose serious challenges to global health beyond the impact of the disease itself,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “For children, disruptions to immunization services have serious consequences. As we scale up delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, we have to ensure that this does not come at the cost of essential childhood vaccinations. We cannot allow today’s fight against COVID-19 to undermine our fight against measles, polio or other vaccine preventable illnesses. Prolonged immunization disruptions will have long-term consequences for children’s health. The time to catch up is now.”
Meanwhile, nearly 40% of countries are also reporting disruptions to one or more malaria services. While progress compared to 2020 – with about 10% fewer countries reporting disruptions to malaria diagnosis and treatment and 25-33% fewer countries reporting disruptions to malaria prevention campaigns (including distribution of long-lasting insecticide impregnated bed nets, indoor spraying and seasonal malaria chemoprevention), the reported level of disruption is still significant and needs to be urgently addressed.
WHO will continue to support countries so they can respond to increased strains on health systems and rapidly evolving priorities and needs throughout the course of the pandemic, and to ensure that COVID-19 control strategies are in balance strategies to tackle other health priorities and secure continued access to comprehensive care for everyone, including the most vulnerable.
Key support mechanisms include the ACT-Accelerator, which works to speed up equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, and the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which guides actions taken at national, regional, and global levels to tackle COVID-19.
The Organization also remains focused on the delivery of the work it has committed to before the COVID-19 pandemic started. Internally, through the “Boost initiative” and the UHC Partnership, which covers 115 countries, WHO has strengthened its capacity to provide additional support to countries so they can maintain essential health services during the pandemic, and advance progress towards universal health coverage.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|Two MDC Alliance members, Vongai Tome and Ngoni Mupfumba have been granted ZWL $ 5000 bail each.
Tome was sexually assaulted by an overzealous cop in central Harare at the beginning of the month.
“Vongai Tome, Ngoni Mupfumba and two others have been granted $5000 bail each by the High Court,” the MDC Alliance said in a statement.
The bail application for Hon Joana Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri has been postponed to April 30.
“UPDATE ON THE DUO. 28-04-2021.
The duo, Joana Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri appeared today before Judge Tapiwa Chitapi at the High Court. The defense Council led by Alec Muchadehama submitted a bail application on changed circumstances.
Justice T Chitapi in the circumstances will give a RULING ON FRIDAY 30 -04-21,” a source told ZimEye.com.
Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), Sprout Women Empowerment Trust, Rural Young Women Support Network, Kundai Rutendo Trust, and Conscious Development and Empowerment Trust (CODET) statement on persecution of Hon Joana Mamombe
We the undersigned women’s rights organizations and women-led community-based organizations (CBOs) are concerned and deeply worried about the recent harassment of Harare West Member of Parliament (MP) Honourable Joana Mamombe by prison officials.
A video recording of the brazen inhumane treatment of Hon. Mamombe has since gone viral across social media platforms.
In the video, a visibly sick and in pain Hon. Mamombe is shedding tears pleading with prison officials not to move her back to the notorious Chikurubi Prison before she has fully healed.
“I am in pain, I am in great pain…don’t move me” pleads a tearful Mamombe to prison officials. “We have instructions from higher up to take you” is the cold response from a prison official.
The group of prison guards proceed to manhandle Hon. Mamombe and bundle her into a prison truck and take her to prison.
This callous act is carried out in broad daylight in front of cameras without shame or restraint.
Hon. Mamombe has been in remand prison since 5 March 2021 when she was arrested alongside her colleague Cecilia Chimbiri and charged with violating COVID-19 restrictions.
The flimsy charge arose after Hon. Mamombe and her colleagues had addressed a press conference at Harare Magistrate’s Court after the conviction of fellow activist Makomborero Haruzivishe.
It is shocking that the police arrested and charged Hon. Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri given that the duo was well within their rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe and international conventions for which Zimbabwe is a state party to.
Furthermore, no court proceedings were affected by the press conference and Hon. Mamombe and her colleagues all observed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of social distancing and wearing face masks.
As WALPE we hold that the charges show that the government of Zimbabwe is weaponising COVID-19 to close democratic space.
It also disturbing that Hon. Mamombe was arrested and denied bail during the women’s month of March.
In addition, it is apparent that Hon. Mamombe has been deliberately and vindictively targeted since her abduction and torture in May 2020.
All these brutal acts of repression further close the space for women to effectively and fully participate in politics.
As women’s rights organizations, we thus call on the government of Zimbabwe to unconditionally and immediately release Hon. Mamombe and all other political prisoners.
For Hon. Mamombe, her release is urgent given her deteriorating health condition which requires specialist attention.
We also call on the region and international community to raise their voice on the illegal detention of Hon. Mamombe and other political prisoners
Thank you great people for the hand you gave to the wives of Legwani Mavhunga & Munyaradzi Mafararikwa. A total of US$800 was raised in addition to 24000rtgs that went throug the wives' Ecocash account. We delivered 100 US to top up to the amount in the Ecocash. Thanks all. pic.twitter.com/iBgSDap0LZ
Vapedza ka kuchekeresa hanzvadzi yangu, havasisina kana basa naye. Varikundinyima futi fuel…” – after assassinating my brother they no longer care for him they are even denying me fuel, she said...
By A Correspondent | There is no food at all at Emmerson Mnangagwa’s top pilot’s funeral, it has emerged, sparking murmurings that the late Wing Commander was assassinated.
Thomas Manyowa (in the picture with his junior Lt Mapiye), who has been Mnangagwa’s most trusted helicopter pilot, is the most senior Airforce official of the crew who died in last week’s chopper accident in Arcturus. He is also the one who flew the presidential team to Karanda mid April when Mnangagwa opened a 160 metre footbridge.
I am deeply pained by the passing on of these two fine AFZ officers in a helicopter crash which also claimed a kid while injuring the mother and one other child. Barely two weeks ago, I tweeted on the two, highlighting late Flt-Lt Mapiye as a symbol of possibilities for the pic.twitter.com/1gf9iezpZi
There have been loud complaints since Monday after the state provided only 12 loaves of bread and a small packet of mealie meal. This is all the government has provided for the funeral since Monday, several family sources told ZimEye.
On Monday, a group of soldiers dispatched by the state arrived at the property in Avondale carrying a paltry 12 loaves of bread and a 10kg packet of mealie meal for Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own pilot. The development led to the late’s sister, Rutendo screaming alleging her brother was killed. Speaking just as the loaves of bread were delivered, she rushed to say: “Vapedza ka kuchekeresa hanzvadzi yangu, havasisina kana basa naye. Varikundinyima futi fuel…” – after assassinating my brother they no longer care for him they are even denying me fuel, she said.
While efforts to get a comment from the Airforce were fruitless, ZimEye found the fmaily struggling for sustenance late Wednesday.
Another source complained saying, “how can they do this to the man they hae given state assistance who was doing all this work?”
They continued saying, “Even the defence minister Oppah Muchinguri came here with a convoy of 22 cars, but despite that large number they did not leave a penny, despite Mai Muchinguri describing Thomas as the most reliable pilot.”
ZimEye was at the time of writing reaching out to Minister Muchinguri and the Airforce of Zimbabwe spokesperson.
This AirForce of Zimbabwe Lady helicopter pilot is Flight-Lieutenant Mapiye. She flew us to Karanda yesterday. We celebrate this Officer who is the first Lady helicopter pilot of AFZ. Yes, they can. pic.twitter.com/iwOJFikHXF
By A Correspondent | One of Zimbabwe’s top influencers, who has been giving the state sleepless nights with fearless news analyses, Dr Clarence (real name Clarence Patsika) has gone missing, days after his house was allegedly sprayed with radioactive materials.
https://youtu.be/UEjm_zXlO24
Over 4 weeks have gone by without a single post updated or published by the YouTuber who runs the TV7Live channel. The tube which was launched in 2011, has grown from zero to a whopping 99,600 subscribers, that is 3 times larger than the state run broadcaster, ZBC, and 4 times the state owned Zimpapers Television Network.
Everything was working well all this while with riveting daily updates particularly late at night that gave the state-run broadcasters a rude run for their money. The steady rise in subscribers continued well until suddenly on the 30th of March, 2021, he broadcast a video of himself announcing that this is his last session before dying. The stream was titled “my final words before I die.” (Video below)
https://youtu.be/MMSwxFX9YUo
It was at this point that some subscribers contacted ZimEye journos to check on the man. ZimEye only managed some success when after two days of calling he finally answered. He briefly responded with a sigh, saying he would communicate in writing. Without saying much he switched off the phone.
In less than 2 hours however he sent in several pictures saying that all his equipment has been damaged and his house attacked with both acid and radio active materials. He did not disclose the identity of the person who did this.
On the 4th April, he told ZimEye, ” people want to kill me.
“I don’t know who but among them those that steal my art and want to keep me unheard.
” I’ve always been stalked. My place was laced with radio active chemicals, some liquid acid put in my house and all my gadgets burned,” he said.
At this point in time, ZimEye tried to engage him for further detail when he replied saying, “I’ll give u more info when my head clear,” he replied.
A structured study of his last broadcasts suggests serious inconsistencies in his mental probity. ZimEye makes a follow up investigation broadcast today.
DO YOU KNOW CLARENCE PATSIKA? – CONTACT ZIMEYE RIGHT NOW
By A Correspondent- Arrested MDC Alliance leaders Joana Mamombe and Cecelia Chimbiri have been hauled to Harare Magistrates Court where they are appearing together with Netsai Mrova who is out on bail.
The trio are appearing in Court 15 and magistrate Bianca Makwande is presiding over their case while they are being represented by the ZLHR’s Mutongi Bhamu.
Said a source privy to the development:
“The magistrate who is presiding over this case is the same person who denied the trio bail last year in July 2020.
There are documents/ papers being sent to and fro in the court room. We are yet to be furnished regards what is really happening since there is a mute exchange of documents.
But we suspect the problem rests on the person presiding in this case.
The girls are now appearing in Court for the Second time after their initial appearance at the High court for the 151th time since 13 May 2020.
This is despite that they are the victims of abduction and abuse after they were tortured and sexually abused by state security agents.”
OPPOSITION MDC-Alliance party youth leader Obey Sithole on Tuesday 27 April 2021 spent his second night in police detention at Harare Central Police Station after some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers released him from police cells yesterday morning to appear at Harare Magistrates Court but later made a volte-face.
While Sithole and his lawyer Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) were at the prosecutors’ “vetting” office at Harare Magistrates Court, ZRP officers then decided to take him back to Harare Central Police Station saying they had received instructions from their superiors who advised that it was too early to take Sithole to court.
Sithole is now expected to appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28 April 2021.
The MDC-Alliance party youth leader was arrested on Monday 26 April 2021 by ZRP officers outside Harare Magistrates Court and was charged with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
ZRP officers allege that Sithole together with some unidentified people who have not yet been apprehended participated in a demonstration held at New Government Complex in Harare on 1 April 2021, where he sang protest songs with the lyrics “haikona kutamba neropa revakomana” and held placards inscribed “Free Mako, Free Joana, Ziyambi Must Go”.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday 28 April 2021, the High Court will hear and make a determination on a fresh bail appeal filed by Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joana Mamombe and MDC-Alliance party youth leader Cecilia Chimbiri seeking to be released from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where they have been in detention for 53 days.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri, who are represented by Alec Muchadehama, Charles Kwaramba and Jeremiah Bamu of ZLHR were arrested on 5 March 2021 by ZRP officers and charged for allegedly failing to confine themselves at home and convening a media briefing outside Harare Magistrates Court calling for release of pro-democracy campaigner Makomborero Haruzivishe in contravention of Zimbabwe’s national lockdown regulations.
The hearing of their bail appeal on Wednesday 28 April 2021 will be the fourth time that they have sought to be released from prison pending the commencement of their trial.
The High Court will also make a determination on a bail appeal filed by Ngonidzashe Mupfumba, Patrick Shumba and Kudakwashe Butau, who were denied bail by Magistrate Denis Mangosi.
The trio was arrested on 6 April 2021 by ZRP officers and charged with disorderly conduct after they allegedly chanted some slogans outside Harare Magistrates Court after attending a court session for Haruzivishe.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said it is investigating an armed robbery that happened in a supermarket at Nare Business Centre, Gwanda Central Business District (CBD).
We present the police’s full report below.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the circumstances in which a supermarket at Nare Business Centre, Gwanda (CBD) was robbed of USD 6 000.00 and ZAR 500 000.00 on 26th April 2021 by four armed suspects who are yet to be identified.
The criminals attacked the complainant Thokozile Zororo who is now recovering at Gwanda Provincial Hospital.
JUST IN: Justice Tawanda Chitapi ends the detention of Ngonidzashe Mupfumba, Patrick Shumba & Kudakwashe Butau by setting them free on RTGS$5 000 bail & ordering them to report @PoliceZimbabwe once every fortnight on Fridays. https://t.co/cNcdy0AjEQ
High Court judge Justice Jester Charewa has ended the persecution of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono after he set aside Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube’s decision to place the award winning investigative reporter on remand.
Justice Charewa declared that section 31 of the Criminal Code is no longer part of Zimbabwean law.
Chin’ono was arrested last year and charged with communicating or publishing falsehoods.
Chin’ono was represented by Harrison Nkomo from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has ended the persecution of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono after obtaining an order granted by Justice Jester Charewa in which she quashed criminal proceedings against Chin’ono on charges of communicating or publishing falsehoods.
Said the ZLHR :
“ZLHR lawyer Harrison Nkomo has ended the persecution of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono after obtaining a court order granted by High Court Judge Justice Jester Charewa in which she quashed criminal proceedings against the anti-corruption campaigner on charges of publishing falsehoods.
Justice Charewa set aside Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube’s decision to place Chin’ono on remand and declared that section 31 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act that is publishing or communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State is no longer part of Zimbabwean law.”
#ZLHRBREAKINGNEWS: Our lawyer Harrison Nkomo has ended the persecution of freelance journalist @daddyhope after obtaining an order granted by Justice Jester Charewa in which she quashed criminal proceedings against Chin'ono on charges of communicating or publishing falsehoods. pic.twitter.com/1Gvldg62pM
Chin’ono was on 8 January 2021 arrested on allegations of publishing or communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State.
It is alleged Chin’ono breached Section 31 (a) (iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act by posting a tweet that falsely reported the death of a child after a physical assault by the police
By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC-Alliance party youth leader Obey Sithole on Tuesday 27 April 2021 spent his second night in police detention at Harare Central Police Station after some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers released him from police cells yesterday morning to appear at Harare Magistrates Court but later made a volte-face.
While Sithole and his lawyer Obey Shava of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) were at the prosecutors’ “vetting” office at Harare Magistrates Court, ZRP officers then decided to take him back to Harare Central Police Station saying they had received instructions from their superiors who advised that it was too early to take Sithole to court.
Sithole is now expected to appear at Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28 April 2021.
The MDC-Alliance party youth leader was arrested on Monday 26 April 2021 by ZRP officers outside Harare Magistrates Court and was charged with criminal nuisance as defined in section 46 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
ZRP officers allege that Sithole together with some unidentified people who have not yet been apprehended participated in a demonstration held at New Government Complex in Harare on 1 April 2021, where he sang protest songs with the lyrics “haikona kutamba neropa revakomana” and held placards inscribed “Free Mako, Free Joana, Ziyambi Must Go”.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday 28 April 2021, the High Court will hear and make a determination on a fresh bail appeal filed by Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joana Mamombe and MDC-Alliance party youth leader Cecilia Chimbiri seeking to be released from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, where they have been in detention for 53 days.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri, who are represented by Alec Muchadehama, Charles Kwaramba and Jeremiah Bamu of ZLHR were arrested on 5 March 2021 by ZRP officers and charged for allegedly failing to confine themselves at home and convening a media briefing outside Harare Magistrates Court calling for release of pro-democracy campaigner Makomborero Haruzivishe in contravention of Zimbabwe’s national lockdown regulations.
The hearing of their bail appeal on Wednesday 28 April 2021 will be the fourth time that they have sought to be released from prison pending the commencement of their trial.
The High Court will also make a determination on a bail appeal filed by Ngonidzashe Mupfumba, Patrick Shumba and Kudakwashe Butau, who were denied bail by Magistrate Denis Mangosi.
The trio was arrested on 6 April 2021 by ZRP officers and charged with disorderly conduct after they allegedly chanted some slogans outside Harare Magistrates Court after attending a court session for Haruzivishe.
Mupfumba, Shumba and Butau are represented by Gift Mtisi of ZLHR.
A 33-year-old man from Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb died Monday after being run over by an earth-moving machine (dozer) which he was being tested on, police have said.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube in a statement confirmed the accident adding that the body of the deceased, Tutukani Mlotshwa, had since been conveyed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) mortuary for post mortem. Ncube said:
Police in Bulawayo received a report that on the 26th April 2021 at around 1000hrs, a fatal incident involving an earth-moving machine (Dozer) occurred in Bulawayo, where a male adult was killed.
Circumstances are that the now deceased, Tutukani Mlotshwa, a male adult aged 33 years residing in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo was being tested on his earth-moving operating skills so that he could be employed as an earth-moving machine operator. The machine suddenly stopped, as he was operating it.
He got out of the operator’s seat and opened the engine cabinet. He started reviving the machine and it suddenly started moving again. He lost his balance and fell from the wheel where he was standing and was pulled under the machine. The dozer then crushed him beneath its wheels and continued moving on its own.
He said Mlotshwa who sustained multiple body injuries was ferried to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where he was certified dead upon arrival.
Ncube added that the cause of the death was due to negligence by the now deceased and the case will be investigated as sudden death.
He also said it is regrettable that life was lost through an incident that was avoidable and urged members of the general public to be cautious when operating machines as they are not predictable.
The list of teachers who skipped lessons last month has been sent by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to the Public Service Commission while the list of teachers missing from their classrooms this month is being collected as Government moves to enforce the policy of no-work no-pay.
Last week, Government urged teachers and other civil servants to carry out their duties normally while negotiations with their representatives for a salary adjustment continue. But it was also made clear that the Government was implementing the standard global procedure of not paying those who were not at work without lawful excuse.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa confirmed yesterday after the Cabinet meeting that the Public Service Commission would now be implementing this policy.
“Government reiterates that it will strictly apply the no-work no-pay labour principle to all cases of teacher absenteeism, and the responsible ministry has compiled and submitted a list of teachers that did not conduct lessons in March to the Public Service Commission. The April list is being compiled,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Although negotiations are ongoing, Government unilaterally raised civil service salaries 25 percent this month with a further 50 percent to be effected in June as it follows its other policy of boosting salaries as its revenues rise.
In its meetings with employees, Government has outlined the fiscal constraints, many emanating from a prolonged economic shutdown owing to the lockdown measures instituted to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, during which revenue generation was reduced.
The Government has the twin policies of ensuring long-term growth by ensuring recurrent expenditure, which includes salaries, are paid out of taxes, without borrowing or printing money, but will keep the slice of revenue devoted to pay roughly constant, meaning pay rises as tax revenues rise.
Despite the competing needs, and this includes the additions to the health budget to fight Covid-19 and buy vaccines, Government has remained committed to fulfilling the payment of salaries and benefits to all civil servants, including those that were sent home during the long periods of high level national lockdown.
As part of the Covid-19 prevention measures, Minister Mutsvangwa said law enforcement agents are intensifying efforts to curb the re-emergence of illegal transport operators countrywide as more groups take the major risks of flouting lockdown regulations. She said 17 727 arrests were made countrywide during the week under review for flouting lockdown regulations, bringing the total arrested so far to 607 386 since the start of the pandemic in Zimbabwe.
Most kombi operators have returned their buses to the roads and are operating as before although under present regulations only those who are registered with Zupco are supposed to have their mini-buses on the road.
Critically, the transport operators are not observing the Covid-19 prevention protocols such as sanitising passengers and disinfecting their vehicles regularly. There is also information that some transport operators that previously owned kombis, have sold them and reinvested in fuel-saving vehicles such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Wish cars, which now crowd urban routes and highways.
Some of those risking travel in such cars are not only exposing themselves to health hazards, but have been robbed or raped.
Senators from the Douglas Mwonzora-led opposition MDC-T party yesterday deviated from their party position on the Constitutional Amendment No 2 Bill and rejected clauses giving unfettered powers to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to handpick his deputies as well as judges, saying the proposed changes would entrench dictatorship.
The senators, who contributed to the Second Reading Stage of the Bill demanded that the “running mate” clause be retained after it was struck down by the Lower House.
Their counterparts in the National Assembly last Tuesday sided with Zanu-PF legislators to pass the controversial Bill.
Clauses 3, 4 and 5 of the Bill propose to do away with the “running mate” provision which compels the President to be elected on the same ticket with his two deputies.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told senators that the proposed amendment was progressive.
“This is contrary to the practice of our Southern African Development Community (Sadc) partners, where the President appoints the other members of the Presidium. The President ought to have the freedom to choose, at any time, the Vice-President he is comfortable to work with,” Ziyambi said.
But Mwonzora’s legislators rejected the amendments.
Midlands senator Morgen Komichi said adopting the amendments would take back the country back to the Robert Mugabe era, where Executive powers were concentrated on the President.
“The powers that were taken and were being used during the old dispensation were too many. The President had too much power before the new dispensation and it created what we call a big man. In other words, it created a dictator. People become frightened when the Constitution is amended. The powers that were stripped from one person are now going back to that person (President),” Komichi said.
He said when a President dies, there must be a smooth transfer of power.
“When (Tanzanian) President (John) Magufuli passed away, the following day Madame President (Samia Suluhu Hassan ) was sworn-in and there was no problem. So why can we not do the same as Zimbabwe? Do we think that when people are chosen as the first and second Vice-Presidents, they become enemies of the President of the nation?”
Komichi also opposed the proposed clauses which allowed the President to appoint judges, saying it would compromise the independence of the Judiciary.
Harare Metropolitan senator Elias Mudzuri warned other senators against betraying the will of the electorate by passing a defective constitutional amendment Masvingo senator Tichinani Mavetera (MDC-T) said: “I do not want to be reminded of the most embarrassing situation in the previous dispensation where we had a Vice-President being embarrassed in public and being told by the First Lady: ‘you work at the mercy of the President’.
“When you have the President appointing the Judiciary, we have got a problem. Where is that independence? One who appoints can disappoint, I know we have got party jackets, but those jackets are not above national jackets. This is an onerous responsibility bestowed on us to defend the institution called Parliament.”
Masvingo senator Esinath Rwambiwa then suggested that the proposed amendment should go for public hearing.
“The Constitution was crafted in 2013 and we all agreed that is what we want. We have not gone back to the people to tell them the status right now and we are already changing what they said. I do not think it is right. This came from the people and we should take it back to the people,” she said.
Zanu-PF senators were all in support of the proposed constitutional amendments, saying the President should have the power to handpick his preferred deputies and judges.
Mashonaland West senator Joseph Chirongoma (Zanu-PF) said: “We want the President there and he should be able to choose his own Vice-Presidents and that is what the people said. Even if we are to go back to consult the people, they will reiterate word for word what I have said in this House.”
Ziyambi said opposition senators were taking issue over nothing as the function of a Vice-President was simply to assist and nothing more.
“Now you have a President, the assistant does not want to assist and you need an impeachment process to remove him. So this clause was so badly done to the extent that I do not even understand why people are clamouring for it. It is one of the most useless clauses in the Constitution,” Ziyambi said.
He said the President should be allowed to exercise all Executive powers.
Among other proposed amendments of the Constitution in the Bill is the provision that says the 60 proportional representation seats must remain in force until 2033.
The Bill also proposes to exempt sitting judges from undergoing public interviews, and that judges should serve beyond retirement age of 70 years.
By A Correspondent- The list of teachers who skipped lessons last month has been sent by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to the Public Service Commission while the list of teachers missing from their classrooms this month is being collected as Government moves to enforce the policy of no-work no-pay.
Last week, Government urged teachers and other civil servants to carry out their duties normally while negotiations with their representatives for a salary adjustment continue. But it was also made clear that the Government was implementing the standard global procedure of not paying those who were not at work without lawful excuse.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa confirmed yesterday after the Cabinet meeting that the Public Service Commission would now be implementing this policy.
“Government reiterates that it will strictly apply the no-work no-pay labour principle to all cases of teacher absenteeism, and the responsible ministry has compiled and submitted a list of teachers that did not conduct lessons in March to the Public Service Commission. The April list is being compiled,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Although negotiations are ongoing, Government unilaterally raised civil service salaries 25 percent this month with a further 50 percent to be effected in June as it follows its other policy of boosting salaries as its revenues rise.
In its meetings with employees, Government has outlined the fiscal constraints, many emanating from a prolonged economic shutdown owing to the lockdown measures instituted to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, during which revenue generation was reduced.
The Government has the twin policies of ensuring long-term growth by ensuring recurrent expenditure, which includes salaries, are paid out of taxes, without borrowing or printing money, but will keep the slice of revenue devoted to pay roughly constant, meaning pay rises as tax revenues rise.
Despite the competing needs, and this includes the additions to the health budget to fight Covid-19 and buy vaccines, Government has remained committed to fulfilling the payment of salaries and benefits to all civil servants, including those that were sent home during the long periods of high level national lockdown.
As part of the Covid-19 prevention measures, Minister Mutsvangwa said law enforcement agents are intensifying efforts to curb the re-emergence of illegal transport operators countrywide as more groups take the major risks of flouting lockdown regulations. She said 17 727 arrests were made countrywide during the week under review for flouting lockdown regulations, bringing the total arrested so far to 607 386 since the start of the pandemic in Zimbabwe.
Most kombi operators have returned their buses to the roads and are operating as before although under present regulations only those who are registered with Zupco are supposed to have their mini-buses on the road.
Critically, the transport operators are not observing the Covid-19 prevention protocols such as sanitising passengers and disinfecting their vehicles regularly. There is also information that some transport operators that previously owned kombis, have sold them and reinvested in fuel-saving vehicles such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Wish cars, which now crowd urban routes and highways.
Some of those risking travel in such cars are not only exposing themselves to health hazards, but have been robbed or raped.-statemedia
Latest on @JoanaMamombe @CeceliaChimbiri bail judgement. The High Court has provisionally postponed the ruling to Friday 30 April 2021 pic.twitter.com/PudfxUPeih
