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
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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
Even if we boycott the harmonised elections,ZanuPF will create its own opposition to fake-oppose it and sanitise the status quo ??♀️??♀️??♀️ There is no point in boycotting elections #RegisterToVoteZW#2023iamvoting
I want to #RegisterToVoteZW. I don't know which opposition party to vote for. In my being truthful, I am so confused how many MDC Parties we got. For the first time, I am willing to learn and cast my vote wisely. Zimbabwe needs a change…
By A Correspondent- A part four Journalism student at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) was hospitalised after her cellphone exploded in her handbag, leaving her unconscious.
The university yesterday confirmed that Miss Khanyile Sithole was rushed to the United Bulawayo Hospitals after she collapsed following the blast in a lecture room on Monday.
Investigations are still underway to establish what could have caused the explosion although experts say mobile phones with faulty batteries or charging systems can explode spontaneously. Efforts to get comment from Miss Sithole were fruitless but her classmates said the explosion startled most of them into seeking cover.
“We were all seated waiting for our lecturer to arrive when we heard a loud pop. I thought the building was disintegrating. For a moment I thought maybe all the widows had been shattered, only to see smoke coming out of Khanyile’s handbag,” said one of her classmates.
“Khanyile was apparently more shocked than the rest of us. She shot out of her chair and immediately collapsed. When the dust had settled and we felt we were out of danger, some classmates took her to the campus clinic where nurses referred her to UBH for treatment. We are still in shock but we are happy that no one got injured during the incident,” said a student on condition of anonymity.
Experts say phone explosions can be caused by defects in manufacturing and usually it is batteries that lead to that.
“The common cause of battery explosion is when it is over-charged. In a cell phone’s battery system, there are separators that prevent two electrodes from connecting with each other. When the separators don’t work properly, it is more likely that these two electrodes will touch one another, and this will cause explosions,” reads a statement from an online electronic company.
Contacted for comment, Nust director for marketing and communications Mr Thabani Mpofu said Miss Sithole was stable.
“A part four student had an unfortunate incident after her phone exploded in her handbag which had a bottle of perfume. There was panic among students and she also suffered shock,” said Mr Mpofu.
“She was taken to UBH for treatment but we are happy to report that she has recovered as she had collapsed following the incident. She did not suffer any injury or burns just that her handbag was burnt after the explosion,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said Nust clinic nurses resuscitated Miss Sithole and referred her to UBH for further assessment.
“My comment would be to urge students to avoid carrying perfumes in the handbags together with cell phones as we suspect that may have caused the explosion. Sometimes when there are special occasions here at Nust like the graduation ceremony we ask students and parents not to bring perfumes as a combination of these may lead to an explosion,” said Mr Mpofu. He however, said the institution was still to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Opposition Zimbabwe People First has stood in solidarity with the recently arrested MDC Alliance Nation Youth chairperson, Obey Sithole and other leaders, activists, and citizens detained “for advocating for change.”
Sithole was on Monday arrested while leaving the Harare Magistrates Court where he was answering charges of holding an illegal demonstration in Warren Park last year. He said he was yet to be informed of the charges. We present Zimbabwe People First’s statement in full below.
THE Zimbabwe People First youths stand in solidarity with the recently arrested MDC Alliance Nation Youth chairperson Cde Obey Sithole and all other leaders, activists, and citizens incarcerated for advocating for change in our beloved Motherland – Zimbabwe.
We take serious notice of the injustice being perpetrated by the uniformed forces, the courts, and Zanu PF.These institutions, we believe are abetting gross human rights abuses exhibited by the continued persecution of opposition leaders and activists with the recent arrest of Cde Obey, Cde Joanna Mamombe, and others including myself Stephen Mazanza, the Zimbabwe People First national youth chairperson.
We believe and are gravely concerned that the Zanu PF regime is now stooping so low and has run out of ideas.
Their only option is to arrest, detain, and imprison anyone who they believe can stand up to them. All we are doing is excising our constitutional and democratic rights by either speaking out against the injustices we see or speaking for what we believe in.
The regime and its enablers cannot force us to love their evil deeds and as youths, we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. As youths, we have suffered enough because of Zanu PF.
We have no jobs, no food, and no proper education. In short, we are a lost generation.
This regime is so lost that the only way they know to resolve any differences is through violence and abductions. We demand reforms, we demand electoral reforms, media reforms, we demand that the uniformed forces must be non-partisan, we demand free education, we desire peace we desire the prosperity of our nation.
To the regime we say, “Please stop this persecution of opposition leaders. Stop arresting the youths”.
By A Correspondent- Legend in the medical field Dr Norleen T .M .Mbuwayesango has died.
Read the death notice:
“We sadly announce the death of a legend in the medical field Dr Norleen T .M .Mbuwayesango. She was wife to the famous Dr Mbuwayesango A Bothwell .
She succumbed to cancer yesterday afternoon.
Mourners are gathered in Westgate, Harare.
We publish the late Dr Mbuwayesango’s cancer journey which was published on June 10 2020 in Issues/ Pane Nyaya :
The Issues PaneNyaya #WCW for this week is an inspiration, a woman on a journey and a champion in our eyes.
This wife to Bothwell and mother of Tatenda and Shingai is confronting ‘head-on’ one the most feared, and life-threatening situations of our time – a cancer diagnosis.
Her name is Dr Noleen Tembani Munyandu-Mbuwayesango. On the morning of September 23, 2019, she found herself in a situation that she had never dreamt of or desired, a reality that she had always feared.
Driven by a conviction beyond her comprehension, she decided to self-examine her breasts as she took her shower. To her total alarm and shock, she observed a lump in one of her breasts.
Panic, fear, and despondency followed, as she shared the information with her husband and both being medical practitioners, immediately knew that it was breast cancer.
As they sat at their breakfast table that morning, mulling over the next steps, both were shuttered but knew they had to brace up to face their new reality even on the backdrop of knowledge on how deadly the disease could be and how difficult it could be to treat.
A few investigations later – various blood tests, CT scans, a Mammogram, MRI scan, bone scan and all the rigmarole – the cancer was placed at Stage IV. This stage meant that the cancer had spread to other parts of her body and was advanced. Noleen found herself stuck between being a doctor to other patients and suddenly a patient with a life-threatening condition- it was then that her daunting journey began…
A treatment plan was put in place where she would go through the steps of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and on 11 October 2019, the plan of treatment was operationalized.
The effects of chemotherapy immediately kicked in – diarrhoea, weight loss, lack of appetite, vomiting, loss of hair, change of skin and nail colour, body discomforts to name but a few. Noleen became prone to infections and all sorts of negative effects ensued.
By the end of the fourth cycle of Chemotherapy, she had lost about 10 kilograms. According to her it was ‘terrible’ so much that she even considered the option of quitting, but her doctors encouraged her and adjusted her doses to help her pull through.
She has since finished chemotherapy, had surgery, and is now undergoing radiotherapy.
We crush on her today, because of the journey that she’s travelled– not just one of boldness, bravery, positivity and utter determination, but also a journey that has opened her eyes to the needs around cancer, and driven her to TAKE ACTION.
The gaps surrounding cancer treatment in Zimbabwe registered a new meaning to Noleen as she journeyed – the limited access to information, to treatment and to screening and knowledge became glaringly real. The number of cancer-related deaths that could have been derailed.
Today Noleen is pursuing addressing these needs and making a positive change. She is enacting the change she wants to see as has now made it her primary role, to ensure that breast cancer does not maintain an upper hand on Zimbabwean women.
In addition to writing a book documenting her journey with cancer to motivate others, through a Trust under registration she has pledged to work on mitigating breast health issues by improved awareness, screening, diagnoses, access to treatment and follow up on survivors.
Noleen represents the myriads of untold stories and battles with cancer. The tears cried in secret and the pain endured unattended. She represents the women who have lived, and those who succumbed.
Noleen represents hope and a nudge towards fighting on.
Issues PaneNyaya finds herself deeply inspired and could not help but crush on her.”
By A Correspondent- 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.
By MISA Zimbabwe| One of the reasons that contributed to the increased levels of Internet penetration in Africa and in Zimbabwe was that the internet space was perceived as a ‘free and unregulated space’ for freedom of expression and access to information.
It was also viewed as a platform that provided the freedom, security and privacy for free expression and exchange of ideas and information.
This, however, has never been the true state of affairs as far as the Internet is concerned. Social media platforms have policies that regulate user behaviour on their platforms.
In Zimbabwe, existing laws have also been used to punish certain behaviour online, especially through the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Internet regulation has been characterised by different forms of ‘regulation’ that seemingly point at limiting freedom of expression. This includes restrictions on connectivity as was noted on a large scale during the 2019 Internet shutdown in Zimbabwe, intimidation and violence, censorship and surveillance, among others.
It is reported that the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, was recently asked in parliament what the government is doing to ensure and enforce cybersecurity and also punishing internet abusers.
The minister reportedly responded by saying the government is aware of the havoc which is caused by fake news on social media among families, communities and countries.
In that regard, the government is crafting a Cyber Bill which would soon be enacted to make sure that those who get on social media will be accountable and can be followed for what they would have written on social media and be dealt with if it is causing havoc and disharmony among the people.
It is MISA Zimbabwe’s position that the terms internet or social media abuse are very vague terms hence if any intention is expressed to punish conduct online, it would be important to specify that conduct.
This does not take away the need for responsible behaviour online, but neither does it mean every conversation or communication should be an offence or punishable at law.
The Internet space is, however, peculiar because the information is shared easily and quickly and has enabled other forms of expression like what is now known as digital activism or online movements.
In Zimbabwe, such notable movements have been the #ThisFlagMovement and also the #TajamukaMovement, which were aimed at advocating for the promotion of human rights and demanding improved access to basic needs.
Be that as it may be, regulation of the internet should not be centred on the tool, but rather on behaviours that can be justifiably identified as wrongs.
The first arrest based on social media communication was that of Vikazi Mavhudzi, who was charged with allegedly attempting to subvert a constitutionally elected government in 2011, although the case was dismissed for lack of evidence.
Since then, a trend of several arrests has been noted based on online communication, including that of Pastor Evan Mawarire, and more recently, that of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
There seems to be a pattern of arrests in Zimbabwe which have promoted self-censorship and fear among citizens to freely express themselves, especially online. If anything, this trend is pointing more towards abuse of the legislative process and the criminal justice system.
For instance, following the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign, an online campaign that was aimed at advocating against human rights violations in Zimbabwe, there was a proposition for the drafting of a Patriotic Bill, to criminalise ‘campaigning against one’s own country’.
MISA Zimbabwe position
MISA Zimbabwe’s key position is that any form of regulation of the Internet should be aimed at creating safe online spaces for the exercise of rights. More so, safe spaces for women and children who have largely been victims of online violence instead of being centred on the criminalisation of online communication under the guise of internet abuse.
The Cybersecurity and Data Protection Bill which was gazetted in May 2020, should therefore not be couched from the perspective of dealing with internet abusers.
The preamble of the Bill states that it is an Act to provide for data protection with due regard to the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution, public and national interest, and to establish a Cybersecurity and Data Protection Authority, and to provide for their functions.
That human rights centred approach is what should shape legislation in Zimbabwe.
Likewise, it is critical to also highlight that cybersecurity does not mean, and neither is it restricted to national security, although a culture of cybersecurity will create safe online spaces, promote digital rights and also promote national security.
It is notable that the gazetted Bill provided for offences like sending threatening data messages, cyberbullying and harassment, the transmission of false data messages intending to cause harm, the transmission of intimate images without consent, and child pornography, among others.
However, MISA Zimbabwe stands by its earlier position as noted in its commentary on the Bill. The provisions should not be wide and vague, particularly the provisions on cyberbullying and harassment, false information, the transmission of data messages inciting violence or damage to property.
These provisions were relied on to infringe on free expression through the now-repealed Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and also through the existing Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Pertaining to false information, it is not disputed that the spread of false information has been prevalent, more so during COVID-19. The World Health Organisation has also noted what is termed as an ‘infodemic’ as being an overabundance of information, which has resulted in the prevalence of misinformation.
Of note, is that there already exists a constitutional court order, in the case of Chimakure and 2 others v Attorney General, where the court noted that false news offences are unconstitutional as they infringe on freedom of expression and promote self-censorship.
The current framing of the provision in the Cyber bill is equally wide and vague, and will potentially resuscitate criminal defamation and promote self-censorship, which was similarly outlawed in the case of Madanhire and Another versus the Attorney General.
It should be noted that where false information has been spread, it is either misinformation or disinformation. Misinformation differs from disinformation in that disinformation is aimed at deliberately misleading, while misinformation can be through the genuine belief that the information is true.
The law should clearly distinguish the two and provide for possible defences which can include lack of knowledge of falsity.
Further, there are several ways of curbing the spread of false news that the government can implement which includes an open-door policy to providing substantive and accurate information. The government can also invest in innovative tools for fact-checking and information verification while also raising awareness and capacitating the public on the use of such tools.
This limits the risk of the overregulation of the internet space.
Above all, the golden rule is that any limitation of rights should be lawful, proportionate and necessary in a democratic society based on openness, justice, human dignity, equality and freedom.
Civil society organisations in Zimbabwe strongly condemn the increasing attempts to silence and shrink the civic space through the proposal to introduce the Patriotic Bill. It is our position that the proposed Patriotic Bill serves a single purpose, which is to criminalise free speech, and ultimately control, intimidate and stifle citizens’ democratic rights and fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Zimbabwe Constitution’s Chapter 4 Bill of Rights.
On the 4th of August 2020, Information Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, in her reading of the 27th Post Cabinet Press Briefing, highlighted that the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), in its 2018 and 2019 annual reports proposed the introduction of the Patriotic Bill. It was highlighted that the NPRC had recommended that “campaigning against one’s country” should be legislated at law and “criminalised”.
On the 4th of October 2020, The Sunday Mail published an article in which it was reported that principles of the proposed Patriotic Bill aimed at criminalising private correspondence with foreign governments to the detriment of the national interests, had been drafted, and were soon to be tabled before Cabinet for consideration for legal enactment. On the 2nd of March 2021, the late ZANU-PF legislator for Mberengwa South, Alum Mpofu, moved a motion in the National Assembly for the enactment of the proposed Patriotic Bill. Mpofu indicated that he was concerned with the negative portrayal of the country’s image and reputation and motivated that as the reason for moving the motion.
Amidst growing international condemnation of sustained State-sponsored human rights violations in Zimbabwe, the government has on numerous occassions, sought to shift blame by making unsubstantiated accusations of collusion between foreign governments and well-meaning citizens.
It is important to note that civil society organisations in their role as watchdogs, raise alarm both domestically and internationally on human rights developments. Therefore, the Patriotic Bill when viewed in unison with the proposed changes to the Private Voluntary Organisations Act [Chapter 17:05] points to an apparent attempt to stifle the activities of civil society organisations, thus undermining their watchdog and agenda setting role in perpetuating national democracy, good governance, demanding accountability and independent monitoring of duty bearers. It is our position that the proposed Patriotic Bill will only serves as a weapon to punish civil society organisations and political adversaries for exercising the right to expression, particularly in relation to the state of the nation.
As the Heads of NGO Coalitions operating in Zimbabwe, our considered view is that the general and sweeping nature of the proposed Bill is a cause for concern as it appears that it would apply to any citizen, civil society organisation and political opponent/party. There does not appear to be a delineation of what would constitute unacceptable private correspondence with foreign governments, save for what is determined by the government and in particular the ruling party. This is particularly of concern to the work of human rights-related organisations, whose mandate is to observe, bring attention to and seek redress for human rights violations.
As such, it is our consolidated view that there can be no room for a law such as the one proposed in a democratic society. We, therefore, call upon the government to:
Withdraw the proposed Patriotic Bill.
Focus on the alignment of existing laws with the Constitution.
Promote and uphold human rights in Zimbabwe.
To uphold the rule of law in Zimbabwe and independence of the judiciary.
To undertake legislative and administrative measures to implement the recommendations of the Motlanthe Commission.
To accelerate implementation of political, electoral and legislative reforms to improve democratic processes in Zimbabwe.
To address the issues arising from the reports by the 2018 Election Observer Missions in anticipation of the 2023 elections.
28April2008, MudziNorth, Peter Tom Butao died after he was severely assaulted by zanupf militia. Mnangagwa was the chief electionagent in which militia was unleashed in a systematic&brutal campaign of "OPERATION WAKAVHOTERA PAPI" #RegisterToVoteZW#ZanupfMustGopic.twitter.com/OkQKudv1bV
Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) senior officer Colonel Christopher Rufu Mayoyo, who died on Friday last week and was declared a liberation war hero was buried yesterday at Plot 2 Jatala Estates farm in Triangle.
Col Mayoyo, whose Chimurenga name was Charles Muchadura, was 63 at the time of his death.
In a statement this morning, ZNA director Public Relations, Colonel Alphios Makotore, said Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Cde Orbert Mpofu confirmed the status.
“In a letter conferring the Liberation War hero status to the late Colonel, Zanu PF Secretary for Administration said Colonel Mayoyo will be buried today(yesterday), 27 April 2021 at Plot 2 Jatala Estate Triangle, Chiredzi,” said Col Makotore.
Col Makotore said ZNA Chief of Staff Administration Staff, Major General Paul Chima, was the chief mourner.
Col Mayoyo was born on November 5, 1958 in Mayoyo Village, Zaka District in Masvingo.
He did his primary education at Mudavanhu School in the area before proceeding for secondary education at Mashoko Secondary School in Bikita from 1972 to 1975.
Col Mayoyo then went to Goromonzi High School for Advanced level where he was forced to drop out after only attending the first term due to financial challenges experienced by most indigenous families during the colonial era.
The senior officer joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and underwent military training at Takawira 2 in Mozambique before being moved to Nachingweya in Tanzania for further military training.
Col Mayoyo was deployed into the country with the Sasa Maliza Task Force at the height of the war and operated in the St Anne’s Goto area in Hwedza until ceasefire.
He was attested into the ZNA on 25 March 1980 as a private and rose through the ranks to colonel, the rank he held until the time of his death.
Col Mayoyo served with various units, among them 2.1 Infantry Battalion, Harare Base Workshops, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Directorate and Zimbabwe Staff College.
He also held several appointments which included Directing Staff at the Zimbabwe Staff College, Commanding Officer Harare Base Workshops and Director Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Directorate.
Col Mayoyo did several courses, among them the Potential Officers Course in 1989, Workshop Commanders Course in 1992 and Joint Command and Staff Course in Ghana in 1996.
He was awarded the Liberation War Medal, Independence Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal and the Commander Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Col Mayoyo is survived by his wife Priscilla, four children and five grandchildren.
His death came after two top Air Force of Zimbabwe bosses, Wing Commander Manyowa, Flight Lieutenant Annita Mapiye and a technician were killed in fiery helicopter in Acturus last week.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Gender Committee notes with huge concern, the continued incarceration and persecution of MDC Alliance female activists, Joanna Mamombe and Cecilia Chimbiri.
The activists are victims of persecution by prosecution and their ordeal at the hands of the State is clear testimony to the weaponization of the judiciary.
We note with great concern that the State continues to use judicial capture as a weapon to victimize dissenting voices in the country.
Mamombe, Chimbiri and another MDC Alliance activist, Netsai Marova were subjected to torture and sexual abuse by state security agents when they were arrested in May 2020 after protesting against the failure by the State to provide essential services to citizens following the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Following this ordeal, the trio spent 17 days in detention.
Currently, Mamombe and Chimbiri are languishing in remand prison after they were arrested in early March 2021 for addressing journalists at the Harare Magistrates Court.
On April 23, 2021Mamombe was forcibly removed from hospital where she had gone for medical attention. Prison authorities claimed they had been given instructions from above.
The Crisis Coalition Gender Committee is perturbed by the fact that judicial capture has led to violation of citizens’ fundamental rights enshrined in the country’s constitution.
In the case of Mamombe, the State continues to defy Section 50 of the country’s constitution on the rights of arrested and detained persons.
The State has also used pretrial detention as a weapon to punish dissenting voices and this is evidenced by the fact that in most cases involving bail applications by incarcerated activists, the High Court has often pointed out to a miscarriage of justice on the part of the lower courts.
We implore the State to uphold citizens’ fundamental rights and desist from weaponization of the judiciary to clampdown on opposition activists.
An independent judiciary is a critical component of a democratic society and we condemn the State’s overbearing influence on the judiciary.
We are further concerned that the State continues to use brute force in response to genuine calls for reforms by concerned citizens.
As the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Gender Committee, we will use all appropriate legal means to challenge judicial capture and hold the State to account on rights violations and we call upon progressive Zimbabweans to compliment our efforts.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government is under fire over the release of the 2019 Auditor-General’s report, which civil society organisations (CSOs) suspect could contain damning exposés of abuse of public funds.
The audit report, which was supposed to be tabled before Parliament mid-June last year, has not yet been released and government has remained mum about it.
The CSOs claimed that government was preventing Auditor-General Midred Chiri from publicising the 2019 audits of government, parastatals and local authorities accounts, which would expose public officials.
Former chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, Tendai Biti, told NewsDay that although the audit process could have been stalled by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it should have been published by now.
“Audit reports should be released on time as stipulated in the Public Finance Management Act to guarantee public finance accountability,” said Biti, who also once served as Finance minister.
“Citizens need to know how their money is being utilised and they can monitor it through the Auditor-General’s report. Failure to provide the report for public scrutiny is, therefore, unconstitutional.”
In the past, the AG’s reports have revealed abuse of millions of dollars in public funds.
Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum executive director Musa Kika said it had become the norm that government-run institutions failed to provide public reports timeously, which resulted in public financial losses going unchecked.
“Delay of the AG’s report exposes accountability and transparency deficits in an office that is supposed to exert accountability on others. These reports are for the public, who are the stockholders of public power and public resources, and must always have occasion to inspect them,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this appears to be a standing practice with many State-affiliated or constitutional offices that do not take time stipulations for release of reports seriously.”
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said he could not comment on the matter.
“I cannot comment on issues in the AG’s office. Her office is better placed to answer your questions,” Charamba said.
Chiri could not be reached for comment on her mobile phone.
During a recent discussion on public finance management, Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development official Angella Mandoreba said the problem with failure to release the AG’s report was that some public officials that might be implicated could be leaving office and going outside the country before they were held to account for misuse or abuse of funds.
“We are almost mid-2021 when the 2019 report hasn’t yet been released so by that time the AG’s report will be presented well after people have forgotten some of the important issues in the report. Timeliness is crucial in publishing such reports which are important for the public to monitor how public funds are utilised,” Mandoreba said.
By A Correspondent- The eight suspected robbers who pounced on former Agriculture minister Joseph Made’s farm before stealing an assortment of goods worth thousands of dollars appeared before Marondera magistrate Patience Chirimo yesterday 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.h
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.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- The monthly cost of living for a family of five has shot to $28 362 from $26 560 in March, data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicated yesterday.
Price increases have continued to eat into the consumers’ pockets whose earnings fall far below this figure.
ZimStat said a Zimbabwean consumer now requires $5 672,47 to stay above the poverty datum line (PDL), also known as the Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL).
This figure was $5 312,19 in March.
In December last year, ZimStat stopped reporting on the PDL for a family of five to focus on individual data.
It said this was in line with international standards.
But translated to an average family, the $5 672 adds up to $28 362.
“The Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) for Zimbabwe stood at $5 672,47 per person in April 2021. This means that an individual required that much to purchase both non-food and food items as at April 2021 in order not to be deemed poor. This represents an increase of 6,8% compared to the March 2021 figure of $5 312,19,” ZimStat said.
According to the statistics agency, the food poverty line (FPL) stood at $4 099,95 during the period.
This represents an increase of 1,7% over the March 2021 figure of $4 033.
FPL represents the amount of money that an individual requires to afford the minimum required daily energy intake of 2 100 calories.
ZimStat said the poverty datum lines varied by province as prices vary from place to place.
The data showed that Mashonaland Central had the highest cost of living at $31 770 followed by Matabeleland North and Mashonaland East with $31 420 and $30 995, respectively.
Bulawayo’s cost of living was pegged at $30 925, with Manicaland at $30 130, Masvingo ($29 135), Harare ($28 355), Midlands ($26 480) and Matabeleland South at $25 005.
The data demonstrated that Zimbabwe’s economic crisis was worsening.
The majority of people, including professionals and civil servants, are at risk of malnutrition because they earn far below the TCPL.
Civil servants have been pushing for a salary increase.
Teachers, who represent the bulk of the civil service, are said to be earning between $17 000 and $22 000 per month, but they have been demanding between US$520 and US$550 per month, or their equivalent in the local currency.
Private sector workers have been affected by a rapidly shrinking consumer base due to de-industrialisation and the resultant job losses.
Outdoor visits and activities are safer than indoor activities, and fully vaccinated people can participate in some indoor events safely, without much risk.
Unvaccinated People: Wear a mask, stay 6 feet apart, and wash your hands.
Safety levels assume the recommended prevention measures are followed, both by the individual and the venue (if applicable).
CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community. It is important to consider your own personal situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Chairman, Obey Tererai Sithole will today appear in court at Rotten Row Magistrate Courts, Harare.
Our youth commander was initially supposed to appear in court yesterday only for police to take him back to the station to cook up more charges at the instruction of ZANU PF.
As per our norm, we call upon our all our leaders, members and progressive forces to attend his court in solidarity.
Solidarity is the cornerstone for victory for a people fighting spineless dictatorship as in our case.
Let’s all attend in numbers this morning at Rotten Row Magistrate Courts.
FreeObey
FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma_ MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson_
By A Correspondent- A Zambian truck driver has been fined $6 000 or serve four months in a Zimbabwean jail after he hit a motorcyclist and drove off without stopping or reporting the accident.
Eugine Banda (43) who is employed by SANHE Transport and Logistics based in Kabwe in Zambia, hit Phillip Sibanda who was cycling along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road last month.
Banda, who was reportedly speeding and failed to apply brakes, was carrying 33 000kg of cobalt hydroxide and did not stop after hitting Sibanda leaving him for dead at the 392km peg.
Banda was arrested following investigations and was hauled before Victoria Falls magistrate Linda Dzvene facing three counts of negligent driving, failure to stop after a serious accident and failing to render assistance to the injured person.
He pleaded guilty to all three counts and the magistrate slapped him with a fine of $6 000 or be jailed for four months in default.
Prosecuting, Asher Chindedza said Sibanda fractured his leg and sustained some injuries and police officers who attended the scene referred him to Victoria Falls Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
By James Gwati- Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, has directed the party’s District Coordinating Committees (DCCs) to intimidate rural citizens so that they vote for their party in 2020.
Mpofu, told the state media that all DCCs had been directed to establish databases that capture all rural citizens in their respective jurisdictions.
Mpofu said they were targeting over five (5) million new people to vote for Zanu PF in 2020.
Zanu PF has a propensity of unleashing terror on citizens whenever the country holds elections.
The ruling party also uses state machinery in the form of state security agents to intimidate and displace opposition party supporters.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean businessman Mutumwa Mawere has hit hard times with his R2 million luxury apartment in Sandton set to go under the hammer over his failure to service his bond with a local bank.
Mawere left for South Africa after corruption investigations started against him when his former company, Shabanie Mashava Mines, came under Government scrutiny and he was accused of prejudicing the State of over Z$300 billion.
His mining assets were eventually frozen and the authorities took over the running of his mining firm.
By A Correspondent- Police are investigating a case where three people were found dead recently near Bata Farm in Bindura.
On Tuesday, the police said they were conducting investigations to establish the cause of the trio’s death.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident to The Herald.
“Yes, three people were found dead at Bata Farm yesterday. They were near a Honda CRV vehicle ABR 6239.
“One of the bodies was found lying about 40 m from the car and about 6 meters from dam shore. The second was found about 4.5 metres from the dam shore while the third one was found about 8.5 metres from the dam shore.
“Police are currently conducting investigations to establish the owner of the car.“Several items were found with the deceased which include money and cell phones. We also want to know what exactly happened, whether these people were attacked or they ate something, it is a puzzle that we want to unravel,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
By James Gwati- Zanu PF has directed its District Coordinating Committees (DCCs) throughout the country to force villagers to register to vote for the party ahead of the forthcoming national elections.
The party’s secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, told the state media that all DCCs had been directed to establish databases that capture all rural citizens in their prospective jurisdictions.
Mpofu said they were targeting over five (5) million new people to vote for Zanu PF in 2020.
Zanu PF has a propensity of unleashing terror on citizens whenever the country holds elections.
The ruling party also uses state machinery in the form of state security agents to intimidate and displace opposition party supporters.
By A Correspondent- the Police in Bindura has launched an investigation in a case in which three people were found dead recently near Bata Farm.
The police on Tuesday said they were conducting investigations to establish the cause of the trio’s death.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident to The Herald.
“Yes, three people were found dead at Bata Farm yesterday. They were near a Honda CRV vehicle ABR 6239.
“One of the bodies was found lying about 40 m from the car and about 6 meters from dam shore. The second was found about 4.5 metres from the dam shore while the third one was found about 8.5 metres from the dam shore.
“Police are currently conducting investigations to establish the owner of the car.“Several items were found with the deceased which include money and cell phones.
“We also want to know what exactly happened, whether these people were attacked or they ate something, it is a puzzle that we want to unravel,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
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
21 Sept 1898 My Dear Master I have done great foolishing Excuse me please Sir. I will not do such thing as this I make mistake by writing, I did’n’t mean to do it. To speak to you like that. My good master excuse me Please your Faithful Njube Lobengula
from left to right…Njube Lobengula and his brothers Mpezeni and Nguboyenja. – PIC CREDIT: Zimbabwe Epic by P.C. Mazikana and I.J. Johnstone
Letter Two
23 September 1898 My Dearest Master I want money please Sir for my pocket. And for when you are away that I may have my money near to me And I only want £2 Sir… And I want £1 for Trams which I have owed some one his Tram Picture. And I want to give him back his money. For your Kindness please to help your Servant I Remain your Faithful Servant Njube Lobengula ^… Sir I was working for my pocket money I want some book Sir^
Letter Three
14 Oct 1898 My Dearest Master Will you please let me go Home fore Holiday…. And will you tell me how many days I can stay there and after those days… I will come ^back^. I will always do what you want to Please sir for your Kindness Njube Lobengula
Letter Four
21 Oct 1898 My Dearest Master Please sir, will you let me go Home just for Holiday only. I will not ask you any more when I have been Home. Will you please have mercy on me. Please sir, I tell you do not think that I will rebell against you. How can I do wicked thing against you because you are so kind to me. And you have to be so careful to me. And giving me what I want… Please sir have mercy on me that I may go and see my Friends at Home and I will come back as soon as you want me to come back. And I want to seek for some business and if I see that I can’n’t have any things to do there I will come becau back again as soon as you want me to come I remain your Faithful Servant ?by Njube Lobengula
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 | 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, 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 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
Police are investigating a case where three people were found dead recently near Bata Farm in Bindura.
The three bodies were found less than seven metres from a dam and the deceased were found with several items including money and cellphones.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
Yes, three people were found dead at Bata Farm yesterday. They were near a Honda CRV vehicle ABR 6239.
One of the bodies was found lying about 40 m from the car and about 6 meters from the dam shore.
The second was found about 4.5 metres from the dam shore while the third one was found about 8.5 metres from the dam shore.
Police are currently conducting investigations to establish the owner of the car.
Several items were found with the deceased which include money and cell phones.
We also want to know what exactly happened, whether these people were attacked or they ate something, it is a puzzle that we want to unravel.”- The Herald
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
The proprietor of Bensam Flats in Gweru CBD — where a local businessman Peter Dube allegedly shot four people, killing two of them instantly last Friday — has kicked out the victims’ families.
Dube (35), a car dealer, has been in hiding since he allegedly shot and killed his second wife’s alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, also a car dealer based in Kwekwe and Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30) of Gweru.
He also allegedly shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34).
One of the tenants at the flats told Chronicle on condition of anonymity that the landlord visited the premises on Sunday night and ordered Nyasha and her family to move out. Said the tenant:
The landlord came last night and ordered Nyasha’s family out. He was in a no-nonsense mood. Nyasha, remember was planning to vacate the flat which Peter Dube was renting for her. We don’t know where they went but it was bad.
Nyasha is admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital where her condition is said to be stable as she is out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is recuperating in a female surgical ward.
Her sister was supposed to be operated on last night to remove a bullet lodged in her head.- Chronicle
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
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that he is working tirelessly to unite the people of Zimbabwe.
Speaking during an interview with CITE News at the weekend, President Chamisa said:
Zanu PF is in panic mode, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa himself has created his own opposition in a bid to decimate the MDC Alliance but the truth is that we are unstoppable.
Let me say Mr Mnangagwa has done a lot to help us rebuild the party.He thinks he is destroying us yet he is strengthening us.
My focus is on uniting the nation.Mr Mnangagwa knows we are the alternative and he is having nightmares because of our rising influence.
Lets be ready to fight for our rights, let’s be ready to fight for our freedom.
We represent light and they (Zanu PF bigwigs) represent darkness.
We are our own liberators, there is darkness before dawn..
Let’s be ready to celebrate our victory,” said President Chamisa.
He added:” We have realized that there are people who think that the struggle is about seeking to satisfy personal desires.
We will revisit our candidate selection processes.”
Popular Gweru socialite, Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30), allegedly shot dead in a frenzied gun attack on four people by a local polygamous businessman, was given an emotional send-off at a local cemetery yesterday.
The assailant accused his second wife of cheating on him. Mudungwe was buried at Senga cemetery in Senga high density suburb.
Scores of mourners defied Covid-19 restrictions which limit funerals to 50 people as they paid their last respects to Mudungwe who was buried around midday.
The mourners also didn’t observe social distancing or wear face masks which are some of the ways to mitigate against the spread of Covid-19.
Mudungwe’s burial was attended by fellow socialites, relatives, and friends who eulogised her as a “philanthropist with a heart of gold.”
The sleepy suburb of Senga came to life as top-of-the-range vehicles lined up in a procession to the cemetery.
The road leading to Senga cemetery was totally sealed off as light flashing cars clogged all ends of the road following a Nyaradzo Funeral Service hearse on its way to Mudungwe’s final resting place.
Shops, bars and tuck shops in the area recorded brisk business as mourners sought the wise waters, soft drinks and food from Monday evening when Mudungwe’s body returned from Bulawayo where it had been taken for post-mortem.
It was indeed a befitting send-off as women of different shapes and sizes, from the onion shaped to the pencil slim, all clad in black, thronged the late Gamu- as she was popularly known- parents’ house in Old Senga High Density suburb near Midlands State University (MSU) to celebrate her life.
Mudungwe was shot at close range from the back as she fled through the staircase of a flat at her friend’s residence in Gweru Central Business District (CBD) on Friday after her alleged killer, Peter Dube confronted her together with the other three as he accused Gamu of being involved in his second wife’s acts of infidelity.
Mudungwe was killed together with Dube’s suspected second wife’s lover, Shelton Chinhango while the second wife Ms Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister, Nyaradzo (34) sustained serious gunshots wounds.
Nyasha and Nyaradzo are still hospitalised with their condition reportedly now stable after undergoing lifesaving operations. Residents described it as the most emotionally moving funeral they had ever witnessed.
“This has been the most attended funeral in Senga High Density suburb. From the huge numbers of mourners to the top of the range vehicles, the black suits they were wearing and ladies in their best make up, the tears and the moving speeches, we have never seen anything like this. Shops, bars and tuck shops recorded brisk business,” said Mrs Mitchell Sibanda, a bartender. “We are very saddened by her untimely death because she was 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 neighbours, Ms Elizabeth Chidoori.
Gamu’s aunt, Mrs Entrance Takaidza said they were still trying to come to terms with her 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 Dzuka, father to the late Gamu said they were not expecting payment from the Dube family but were keen to have the alleged assailant brought to book.
He confirmed the Dube family had reached out to them and expected them to foot burial and other related costs. “We are still in shock as the family and we are in mourning. The death of my daughter was just cruel by all measures but what can we do?
We can’t bring her back to life. What we wish is to have justice in the end. This Dube guy should face justice. That is all we can say at the moment,” said Mr Dzuka.
Gamu is survived by one child (5). Meanwhile, a convoy of over 100 cars drove from Kwekwe to Gweru to pick Chinhango’s body. He was also buried yesterday.
The convoy made up of gold dealers and artisanal miners made its way past Bensam Flats where Chinhango was shot while seated on the driver seat of his Toyota Hiace.
From there they proceeded to Mixed Blend Car Sale where they honked and skidded while singing the song, “Ndimi makauraya” (you’re the ones who killed). The car sale is owned by Dube.Fears were that about three vehicles which had not been removed from the car sale were going to be destroyed- but the mourners drove off to Kwekwe in peace.- Chronicle
A part four Journalism student at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) was hospitalised after her cellphone exploded in her handbag, leaving her unconscious.
The university yesterday confirmed that Miss Khanyile Sithole was rushed er the United Bulawayo Hospitals after she collapsed following the blast in a lecture room on Monday.
Image credit Imgur
Investigations are still underway to establish what could have caused the explosion although experts say mobile phones with faulty batteries or charging systems can explode spontaneously.
Efforts to get comment from Miss Sithole were fruitless but her classmates said the explosion startled most of them into seeking cover.
“We were all seated waiting for our lecturer to arrive when we heard a loud pop. I thought the building was disintegrating. For a moment I thought maybe all the widows had been shattered, only to see smoke coming out of Khanyile’s handbag,” said one of her classmates.
“Khanyile was apparently more shocked than the rest of us. She shot out of her chair and immediately collapsed. When the dust had settled and we felt we were out of danger, some classmates took her to the campus clinic where nurses referred her to UBH for treatment. We are still in shock but we are happy that no one got injured during the incident,” said a student on condition of anonymity.
Experts say phone explosions can be caused by defects in manufacturing and usually it is batteries that lead to that.
“The common cause of battery explosion is when it is over-charged. In a cell phone’s battery system, there are separators that prevent two electrodes from connecting with each other. When the separators don’t work properly, it is more likely that these two electrodes will touch one another, and this will cause explosions,” reads a statement from an online electronic company.
Contacted for comment, Nust director for marketing and communications Mr Thabani Mpofu said Miss Sithole was stable.
“A part four student had an unfortunate incident after her phone exploded in her handbag which had a bottle of perfume. There was panic among students and she also suffered shock,” said Mr Mpofu.
“She was taken to UBH for treatment but we are happy to report that she has recovered as she had collapsed following the incident. She did not suffer any injury or burns just that her handbag was burnt after the explosion,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said Nust clinic nurses resuscitated Miss Sithole and referred her to UBH for further assessment.
“My comment would be to urge students to avoid carrying perfumes in the handbags together with cell phones as we suspect that may have caused the explosion. Sometimes when there are special occasions here at Nust like the graduation ceremony we ask students and parents not to bring perfumes as a combination of these may lead to an explosion,” said Mr Mpofu.
He however, said the institution was still to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion.- Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has pointed out that he is working tirelessly to unite the people of Zimbabwe.
Speaking during an interview with CITE News at the weekend, President Chamisa said:
Zanu PF is in panic mode, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa himself has created his own opposition in a bid to decimate the MDC Alliance but the truth is that we are unstoppable.
Let me say Mr Mnangagwa has done a lot to help us rebuild the party.He thinks he is destroying us yet he is strengthening us.
My focus is on uniting the nation.Mr Mnangagwa knows we are the alternative and he is having nightmares because of our rising influence.
Lets be ready to fight for our rights, let’s be ready to fight for our freedom.
We represent light and they (Zanu PF bigwigs) represent darkness.
We are our own liberators, there is darkness before dawn..
Let’s be ready to celebrate our victory,” said President Chamisa.
He added:” We have realized that there are people who think that the struggle is about seeking to satisfy personal desires.
We will revisit our candidate selection processes.”
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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A Zambian truck driver who hit a motor cyclist near Victoria Falls and drove off without stopping or reporting the accident has been sentenced to four months in jail.
Eugine Banda (43) who is employed by SANHE Transport and Logistics based in Kabwe in Zambia was carrying 33 000kg of cobalt hydroxide when he hit Mr Phillip Sibanda who was cycling along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road last month.
Banda who was speeding failed to apply brakes and did not stop after hitting Mr Sibanda leaving him for dead at the 392km peg.
Banda was arrested following investigations and appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Linda Dzvene charged with negligent driving, failure to stop after serious accident and failing to render assistance to the injured person.
He pleaded guilty to all the three counts and the magistrate slapped him with a fine of $6 000 or be jailed for four months in default.
Prosecuting, Mr Asher Chindedza said on the accident day, police attended the scene and referred Mr Sibanda to Victoria Falls Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
Mr Sibanda fractured his leg and sustained some injuries. Banda’s truck was impounded and taken to the Vehicle Inspection Department together with the damaged motorbike.
“The accused person hit a motor cyclist called Philip Sibanda who was cycling in the same direction with the truck. The accident occurred at the 392km peg when the accused hit the accused from behind,” said Mr Chindedza. – Chronicle
By Dorrothy Moyo | The government has threatened to totally suffocate striking teachers disconnecting them from their legal right to protest.
The development comes as teachers are being paid less than USD100 per month amid other employment constraints.
Announcing during a cabinet briefing, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said:
“Government reiterates that it will strictly apply the no-work no-pay labour principle to all cases of teacher absenteeism, and the responsible ministry (Primary and Secondary Education) has compiled and submitted a list of teachers who did not conduct lessons in March to the Public Service Commission.
“The April list is being compiled. Meanwhile, learner attendance across the country remained the same as recorded last week,” Mutsvangwa announced.
Tinashe Sambiri|The Zanu PF regime is on a dangerous warpath, MDC Alliance vice president Hon Lynette Karenyi-Kore has said.
VP Karenyi-Kore condemned the arrest of Youth Assembly leader Obey Sithole.
Sithole was arrested in central Harare on Monday.
“Zanu PF is on a Dangerous War Path- Arresting MDC Alliance Leaders. Yesterday the Arrested MDC Alliance Youth Chair, Obey Sithole.
While we Won Colonial independence we are far From True Independence. But they will never break our will, we will keep fighting for a better Zimbabwe,” said VP Karenyi-Kore.
