Hope this letter find you in good health wherever you are and I believe you are enjoying every minute of your heartbeat.
I really know that you are a real war veteran, son of the soil, a distinguished decorated retired soldier with many gongs, accolades and honours which you obtained during the liberation struggle.
I know in comradeship you fought side by side with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Chiwenga and proved that you were such a very powerful cadre, hence they chose you to be the Deputy Minister of Defence in their government. I know it was done out of merit and not patronage or clansmaship. You are a very competent somebody.
I hear a lot of naysers and mafikizolos calling you all sorts of names like foul mouthed Victor Matemadanda who was always at loggerheads with the opposition has been thrown under the bus by the very person whom he rallied behind and helped in the removal of Robert Mugabe in the November 2017 coup.
I tried to connect the dots on the reason why the Hounourable President relieved you of your very important duties in the revolutionary party and the reason was not satisfying at all. I was left shell shocked to hear that the President said you were very incompetent. Why did he assign an incompetent leader like you? I also doubt his competency as well.
I pray for you, our beloved ZANU PF national political commissar and deputy Minister of Defense Cde Victor Matemadanda as you take on your new ambassadorial post in Mozambique. Yours is a promotion not a demotion as you come at par in pecks with the likes of James Maridadi
I vividly remember that other day when you were poisoned and later survived. These people hate you and they do not want to see your success and therefore you must always watch your back.
I have been in Cabo Delgado Province Pemba Nanyimbi in Mozambique. It is such a good country which is bubbling with peace serve for these disturbances in the province. Their politics is different from ours which is full of hate. You are going to learn a lot from them.
My piece of advice is that go and hold yourself than being a political rabble rouser and motormouth which you were exhibiting here in Zimbabwe. Don’t ever try to interfere with their domestic politics.
Before you go make sure that you go through some etiquettes on how to hold such a post so that you won’t be found wanting again. I trust with your nostalgic intelligentsia you are going to make it.
During the time of the old dispensation Robert Mugabe also fired you and when you see two different coaches firing you, that means you must self introspect and correct the mistakes. Zimbabwe does not belong to the war veterans only or either to the revolutionary party.
I will remember you with your previous presser where you were all over Nelson Chamisa accusing him of being a tyranny and advising members of the opposition to vote for Douglas Mwonzora as their leader was something unheard of in politics.
Warriors star Khama Billiat has rubbished reports suggesting that his daughter Kimberly had been shot dead in South Africa.
Social media went into overdrive this morning after renowned Ghanaian journalist Nuhu Adams tweeted saying Kimberly (10) had been shot and killed at a mall in South Africa.
In a statement released by Billiat through his agent Godfrey ‘Vokal’ Bakasa, the Kaizer Chiefs winger regreted lack of responsibility in the post.
“Bad journalism got people writing unverified and fake news! All in the name on click-baiting! Utterly disappointed with people who write and circulate fake stories especially about a kid’s life. As grown ups, we can do better. Kimberly Billiat is alive, the only harm that can come her way is the rubbish some adults post for hype,” reads the statement.
Adams has since made a public apology to the Warriors star over the fiasco.
“Very sorry to everyone here for the news I tweeted about Khama Billiat and his daughter. I got the news from a very reliable source but there is no iota of truth. My apologies to Khama Billiat and his family and everybody who was affected and all South Africans. Lessons learned<” he tweeted.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarušić will most likely make some changes to the team which beat Botswana, in tomorrow’s clash against Zambia.
Zimbabwe take on Zambia in the last AFCON qualifier but the contest is a dead rubber as the Warriors have already booked a place at the continental showpiece, after beating the Zebras while Chipolopolo drew with the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
During the Botswana clash, which was settled by a solitary Perfect Chikwende first half header, captain Knowledge Musona picked up a knock late on and had to be replaced.
Apart from the fitness issues, Musona, just like Teenage Hadebe and Jimmy Dzingai picked up yellow cards and if they are booked again tomorrow night, they will miss the first game at AFCON.
Against this background, Logarušić will make some changes.
In goal, Spain based Martin Mapisa is set for his Warriors debut, the same goes for Victor Kamhuka.
The towering defender will most likely partner Alec Mudimu in the heart of the Warriors defence.
In midfield there might be a place for AmaZulu’s Butho Ncube , the same applies for Zambia-based Tanaka Chinyahara, while Last Jersey will likely have some minutes too.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has called for transparency in the vaccination programme.
In its weekly health update, MDC Alliance urged the Government of Zimbabwe to work together with South Africa in determining the best way forward regarding the choice of vaccines.
Read statement below:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert
10th Edition
28 March 2021
Vaccination program: are we winning?
Summary:
Safety is the most important thing in any vaccination program. Efficacy is another issue that needs to be determined here in Zimbabwe.
With 95% of our virus being the South African variant, we do not know whether the Sinopharm vaccine will give us efficacy results comparable to what they reported in China and other countries.
We are now in phase 2 of our vaccination program. The aim of our weekly health alert is to inform the public and assist you in making wise decisions about prevention and treatment of this new disease. We collaborate with a wide range of scientific minds and it is our patriotic duty to help in curbing this pandemic in our borders, to hold government to account regarding national resources, to prevent corruption, looting and tender-preneurship, and to agitate for the best possible covid-19 prevention and treatment interventions for Zimbabwe.
We call upon the authorities to be transparent in the issue of vaccine choice and procurement, the issue of cost of the vaccine, and the disclosure to the public of data available from the manufacturers, the World Health Organisation, and other countries regarding safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
Choice of a vaccine should not be a purely political issue, but we should examine safety and efficacy rigorously.
Please note that we do not have all the answers related to covid-19 vaccination. In fact no one on earth does, not even the World Health Organisation. The disease is evolving daily, and so is the science to fight it.
Our recommendations are based on current knowledge and sound science, as we know it now, and on the work and advice of the World Health Organisation. When knowledge changes, we will not hesitate to advise on the new understanding. A good example is, we were told before that as much as 61% of the virus circulating in Zimbabwe was the B.1.351 variant, originally identified in South Africa. More recent studies have now shown that this variant accounts for 95% of the virus circulating in Zimbabwe, and the transition happened at the time of the second wave (December/January).
This is worrisome, and we feel the Government of Zimbabwe must work together with our neighbour South Africa in deciding on the best way forward with the choice of vaccines, and closely sharing data on safety and efficacy.
Another pending issue is that the World Health Organisation has not yet issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Sinopharm vaccine, though the required dossiers were submitted. WHO had promised to give their determination by early March, but this was moved to early April for reasons unknown to us. It is the WHO which looks into the issue of good manufacturing practices after inspection of facilities, and we await their advice.
However, please note that for most vaccines, countries started using the vaccines before the WHO had issued its EUA, because of the urgency of the matter before us. Good examples are the Moderna, Sinovac and Sputnik V vaccines which also still await EUA from WHO just like Sinopharm.
There are however vaccines with EUA from WHO like the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine, and these may come to us through the COVAX facility. Could government please update us on when we may expect to receive vaccine from the COVAX facility.
Our advice regarding the Sinopharm vaccine, which is the only vaccine government has procured, has not changed. We have no problem with the vaccine as far as the science behind it is concerned. It is an inactivated whole virus vaccine, and we have been using several vaccines made in the same way in Zimbabwe for the past half a century. We are also aware that Sinopharm has been used in several other countries and there are no significant adverse events that have been reported. We still urge all Zimbabweans, especially the front line workers, to get vaccinated now. If this vaccine turns out to be as efficacious as has been reported elsewhere, there will be a scramble for the vaccine and many front line workers may then fail to access it.
We note the recent arrival of Sinovac vaccine, another Chinese inactivated virus vaccine. It seems to have a good safety record where it has been used, and we recommend all who can, to get vaccinated by whichever vaccine is offered to them.
Other vaccines are in the offing. We do not know yet whether one can get vaccinated by more than one vaccine type, serially. There are studies underway to see if this would confer better protection, so we wait for results, and while we wait, we get vaccinated with the available vaccine!
We eagerly await results from the first phase of this vaccination program. When South Africa used the Astra Zeneca vaccine, they were very quick to assess its efficacy and make the necessary changes quite early in their vaccination program.
To date, over 61000 people have received their first dose and 6569 have received their second dose of Sinopharm. We want a scientific update now. The pharmaco-vigilance unit should give us either a daily or a weekly update on adverse events. The platform for that already exists.
We implore the government to be very transparent and quick to announce any suspected adverse events following immunization if any should occur, while they work hard to establish the presence or absence of a causal link, like they did in Europe with Astra Zeneca vaccine (the reported clotting disorders). That kind of quick action solidifies the people’s confidence in the vaccination program.
Lastly, we as the MDC-Alliance and President Advocate Nelson Chamisa note with pleasure the recent ten-fold increase in uptake of the vaccine. Whatever the reasons are, we think that is the right direction for Zimbabwe to take.
Many thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee for this informative article.
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Childwelfare. MDC-Alliance.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has called for transparency in the vaccination programme.
In its weekly health update, MDC Alliance urged the Government of Zimbabwe to work together with South Africa in determining the best way forward regarding the choice of vaccines.
Read statement below:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert
10th Edition
28 March 2021
Vaccination program: are we winning?
Summary:
Safety is the most important thing in any vaccination program.
Efficacy is another issue that needs to be determined here in Zimbabwe.
With 95% of our virus being the South African variant, we do not know whether the Sinopharm vaccine will give us efficacy results comparable to what they reported in China and other countries.
We are now in phase 2 of our vaccination program. The aim of our weekly health alert is to inform the public and assist you in making wise decisions about prevention and treatment of this new disease. We collaborate with a wide range of scientific minds and it is our patriotic duty to help in curbing this pandemic in our borders, to hold government to account regarding national resources, to prevent corruption, looting and tender-preneurship, and to agitate for the best possible covid-19 prevention and treatment interventions for Zimbabwe.
We call upon the authorities to be transparent in the issue of vaccine choice and procurement, the issue of cost of the vaccine, and the disclosure to the public of data available from the manufacturers, the World Health Organisation, and other countries regarding safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
Choice of a vaccine should not be a purely political issue, but we should examine safety and efficacy rigorously.
Please note that we do not have all the answers related to covid-19 vaccination. In fact no one on earth does, not even the World Health Organisation. The disease is evolving daily, and so is the science to fight it.
Our recommendations are based on current knowledge and sound science, as we know it now, and on the work and advice of the World Health Organisation. When knowledge changes, we will not hesitate to advise on the new understanding. A good example is, we were told before that as much as 61% of the virus circulating in Zimbabwe was the B.1.351 variant, originally identified in South Africa. More recent studies have now shown that this variant accounts for 95% of the virus circulating in Zimbabwe, and the transition happened at the time of the second wave (December/January).
This is worrisome, and we feel the Government of Zimbabwe must work together with our neighbour South Africa in deciding on the best way forward with the choice of vaccines, and closely sharing data on safety and efficacy.
Another pending issue is that the World Health Organisation has not yet issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Sinopharm vaccine, though the required dossiers were submitted. WHO had promised to give their determination by early March, but this was moved to early April for reasons unknown to us. It is the WHO which looks into the issue of good manufacturing practices after inspection of facilities, and we await their advice.
However, please note that for most vaccines, countries started using the vaccines before the WHO had issued its EUA, because of the urgency of the matter before us. Good examples are the Moderna, Sinovac and Sputnik V vaccines which also still await EUA from WHO just like Sinopharm.
There are however vaccines with EUA from WHO like the Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine, and these may come to us through the COVAX facility. Could government please update us on when we may expect to receive vaccine from the COVAX facility.
Our advice regarding the Sinopharm vaccine, which is the only vaccine government has procured, has not changed. We have no problem with the vaccine as far as the science behind it is concerned. It is an inactivated whole virus vaccine, and we have been using several vaccines made in the same way in Zimbabwe for the past half a century. We are also aware that Sinopharm has been used in several other countries and there are no significant adverse events that have been reported. We still urge all Zimbabweans, especially the front line workers, to get vaccinated now. If this vaccine turns out to be as efficacious as has been reported elsewhere, there will be a scramble for the vaccine and many front line workers may then fail to access it.
We note the recent arrival of Sinovac vaccine, another Chinese inactivated virus vaccine. It seems to have a good safety record where it has been used, and we recommend all who can, to get vaccinated by whichever vaccine is offered to them.
Other vaccines are in the offing. We do not know yet whether one can get vaccinated by more than one vaccine type, serially. There are studies underway to see if this would confer better protection, so we wait for results, and while we wait, we get vaccinated with the available vaccine!
We eagerly await results from the first phase of this vaccination program. When South Africa used the Astra Zeneca vaccine, they were very quick to assess its efficacy and make the necessary changes quite early in their vaccination program.
To date, over 61000 people have received their first dose and 6569 have received their second dose of Sinopharm. We want a scientific update now. The pharmaco-vigilance unit should give us either a daily or a weekly update on adverse events. The platform for that already exists.
We implore the government to be very transparent and quick to announce any suspected adverse events following immunization if any should occur, while they work hard to establish the presence or absence of a causal link, like they did in Europe with Astra Zeneca vaccine (the reported clotting disorders). That kind of quick action solidifies the people’s confidence in the vaccination program.
Lastly, we as the MDC-Alliance and President Advocate Nelson Chamisa note with pleasure the recent ten-fold increase in uptake of the vaccine. Whatever the reasons are, we think that is the right direction for Zimbabwe to take.
Many thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee for this informative article.
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Childwelfare. MDC-Alliance.
Brush regularly but not aggressively. Brush teeth at least twice a day in small circular motions for about 2 to 3minutes. Prevent back and fourth motions. Use soft bristles toothbrush and change your toothbrush every 3months or whenever ends look frayed whichever comes first.
Use fluoride.Its a mineral found in toothpaste that prevents cavities. Lack of fluoride causes tooth decay.
Floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between the teeth where the toothbrush is unable to reach. It can also prevent bad breathe.
See a dentist regularly. One should visit the dentist at least twice a year (every 6months) or if there are any changes in the mouth. A dental visit might also depend on health history, age and overall dental health.
Do not smoke. Smoking harm the body’s immune system making it difficult for the body to heal tissues. Smoking itself is a risk factor for gum disease and also cause bad breathe and yellowish teeth.
Consider a mouthwash. Get advise from a dentist on which mouthwash to use. However chlorhexidine containing mouthwash are advised as it has antibacterial effects.
Limit sugary foods and starches. These promote bacterial growth causing cavities. Fibre rich fruits and vegetables are advised.
Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Like sugary food they also promote bacterial growth that causes cavities.
Tips for kids
Babies and toddlers should not go to bed with bottles and sippy cups.
Brush baby teeth as soon as they come out with soft baby toothbrush and tiny amounts of fluoride.
Baby teeth (primary teeth) are important as permanent teeth. Tooth decay disrupt space in the mouth of babies and toddlers making it difficult for the adult teeth to develop correctly. Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
ZESN PRESS STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ZEC’S STATEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES
ZESN Welcomes Resumption of Voter Registration
25-March-2021- The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) commends ZEC for adhering to the dictates of the law as espoused in the Electoral Act on the need for continuous voter registration.
ZEC announced the resumption of electoral activities through a Press Statement, published in the mainstream media and its social media platforms on Tuesday 23 March 2021.
The Network is however irked by the continued suspension of by-elections without consulting stakeholders. ZESN calls on the ZEC to publicize and implement its COVID-19 Policy on Electoral Activities and outline how the Policy will be used to administer by- elections under COVID-19.
Accordingly, selective application of the law by allowing for “some” electoral processes to be conducted at the peril of others is unendurable given the fact that the continuous suspension of by-elections closes up what is left of the shrinking democratic space and undermines the civil and political entitlements of citizens.
ZESN notes that the umbrella ban on electoral activities issued on 2 January 2021 through promulgation of Statutory Instrument 10 0f 2021 by the Minister of Health and Child Care which moved Zimbabwe to level 4 from level 2 of the National COVID-19 lockdown affected the voter registration exercise which had resumed during the last quarter of 2020. Voter registration, being a key component of the electoral cycle, has to be conducted on a continuous basis to keep the voter’s roll up to date.
The Network will continue to advocate for the institution of electoral reforms that are key in ensuring the holding of credible and fair electoral processes. Some of these reforms include; strengthening of the ZEC Independence and building trust and confidence; provision of continuous and more robust and inclusive voter education; transparency in key electoral processes delimitation; and representation of Special Groups (women, youth, and people with disabilities) among others.
More so, ZESN will continue to enhance the capacity of youths, women and People with Disabilities to advocate for electoral reforms by 2023 by facilitating sustained engagement between the ZEC and key electoral stakeholders such as political parties, Civil Society Organizations and relevant institutions supporting democracy throughout the electoral cycle. Further, in view of the COVID-19 context; ZESN will prioritize provision of Civic and Voter Education through media campaigns virtually and using radio since physical campaigns cannot be held at the moment mobilizing eligible voters, women, youth, and people with disabilities as well as marginalized groups to register to vote and if need be to transfer their registration. The move is meant to ensure enhanced and informed citizens’ participation in the voter registration exercise.
The government of Zimbabwe must not negate its obligation to adequately fund the Electoral Commission and to institute the necessary reforms to meet the constitutional benchmarks and regionally and internationally agreed standards.// ENDS
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has hinted that his party could change its name as vultures circle on the country’s main opposition party ahead of crucial by-elections that might change Zimbabwe’s political landscape.
A sustained onslaught against the MDC Alliance by the Douglas Mwonzora led-MDC has created 48 vacancies in Parliament and over 80 in local authorities.
By-elections remain suspended under controversial regulations to slow down the spread of Covid-19, but the constitution says the polls must be held 90 days after a vacancy is declared.
MDC-T last week added to the political intrigue when it said it will contest the by-elections under the MDC Alliance barrier once they are called, a move some described as a potential killer punch for Chamisa’s party.
The former ICT minister, however, yesterday insisted they were “10 steps ahead” of the rivals and for the first time hinted the MDC Alliance could be undergoing massive rebranding.
Chamisa yesterday tweeted: “We are building a great new home for all who are honest, capable, principled, patriotic, incorruptible and selfless.
“We are availing two vitals, a fresh, strong team and a fantastic great dream. A great Zimbabwe.”
The tweet sparked debate with his followers urging the MDC Alliance to move with speed in rebranding.
Chamisa did not give away much in an interview with The Standard, saying the party will talk about the by-elections once they are called.
“It may be a building, it may be a party, new values or anything,” he said.
“A home may be a value or anything.
“We will talk about the by-election at some stage, for now, we are talking about bringing people who are not tainted by greed and benefitting from public service.
“We want people, who are moved by the desire to serve and transform the country.”
He added:
“Those are the qualifications for you to be part of the team, not greed.
“Public service is enhanced in integrity and people moved by their hearts for others, not just their stomachs.”
Chamisa said Zimbabwe was being consumed by politics of hate.
He laughed off claims by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week that he had allegedly received a Covid-19 vaccine from a western embassy in Harare.
“They just think that I have this incredible capacity to be mischievous. They always think I am always scheming and plotting,” Chamisa said.
“I actually plan, I don’t scheme, I actually plan, and not plot
“There is too much hate in our politics. “There must be no hate.
“People must unite and we need a proper change of heart and mind in people with access to public offices so that we don’t exhibit cruelty, violence, harm or anything like that.
“What advances societies is not the cannibalisation of the genuine and well-meaning, but their emulation.
“Instead of appreciating better ideas, they want to destroy that better idea.
“You will not get better by destroying those better than you.”
Mnangagwa has been accused of trying to create a one party state by using state institutions to dismantle the MDC Alliance.
MDC Alliance deputy president Tendai Biti and six other legislators became the latest victim of recalls after speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda allowed the People’s Democratic Party to withdraw the MPs under controversial circumstances.-Standard
The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission in accordance with the Constitution and the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10:19] is pleased to announce the following appointment in the Secretariat:
Ms Sukai Tongogara is now the Executive Secretary to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. She is a registered legal practitioner and a holder of a Master of Science Degree in International Law from the University of Zimbabwe.
Ms Tongogara has been employed by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission since 2006. She has held several senior posts in the Commission in the areas of Investigations, Prevention, Corporate Governance, Public Education, External Relations and International Conventions.
She played a major role in the establishment of the Investigations, Legal Services and External Relations Departments within the Commission.
Ms Tongogara is Zimbabwe’s Focal Person for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and is responsible for ensuring Zimbabwe’s compliance to the provisions of the Convention. She successfully coordinated Zimbabwe’s two reviews under UNCAC in 2011 and 2017.
Together with a team of Government Experts, Ms Tongogara conducted reviews on the Republics of Zambia, Benin and the Russian Federation on their implementation of UNCAC. As a former Law Officer and Provincial Magistrate, she has an impeccable record of hard work and discipline.
The Chairperson, Commissioners and Secretariat at ZACC would like to extend their congratulations to Ms. Tongogara, and wish her the best in her new role with the Commission.
MDC Alliance is gearing up for the upcoming 2023 national elections although it is clear not even one democratic reform would have been implemented since the last elections. The party’s leader, Nelson Chamisa was not concerned about that!
“We will not discuss and disclose our strategies on social media platforms. We are serious about our next steps,” Chamisa reportedly answered when he was asked about going into yet another election with no reforms.
“If you want to understanding our value just check how our opponents are panicking and misbehaving.”
Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess with 50% of the country’s population now living in abject poverty and the education and health care services have all but completely collapsed after decades of being starved of funds. And as long as the country remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical thugs who have rigged elections to stay in power.
After 41 years being stuck in this hell-hole the country desperately needs a clearly, workable, fool-proof, tried and tested plan A, with backup plans B and C, mapping out how the nation is finally going to ending this curse of rigged elections and the pariah state. The last thing this nation should accept is yet another unconventional solution of which we, the people at the coal face of it all, are not permitted to know but expected to blindly follow and hope for the best!
MDC leaders have had 21 years, 5 of which in the GNU, to bring about the democratic changes the nation has been dying for. They had their best opportunity to do so during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Sadly, they sold-out and failed to implement even one reform in the five years.
Ever since the failed GNU, MDC leaders have participated in flawed and illegal elections on the basis the party had devised Winning In Rigged Elections (WIRE) strategies. The party has always refused to disclose what these strategies were but, most notably, none of the strategies have ever worked because Zanu PF was always won the elections.
It has become as clear as daylight, that the WIRE strategies are feeble excuses why MDC leaders keep participating in these flawed and illegal elections knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging and they were helpless to stop the rigging.
What the nation wants to know is what is being done to end this curse of rigged elections and bad governance! After 41 years of rigged elections we what free, fair and credible elections; that is not too much to ask!
The reason why MDC A and the rest in the opposition camp have participated in the flawed elections is because Zanu PF has been giving away a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate. It is these bait seats the opposition are after.
By participating in these flawed elections, the opposition gave the process credibility and gave the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
So, both Zanu PF and the MDC leaders have gained something from these flawed elections. It is the ordinary Zimbabweans who have lost everything since they have been left stuck with Zanu PF in power and the consequences of Zimbabwe being a pariah state!
The way out of this economic and political mess has been staring us in the face all along – implement the democratic reforms designed to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections. Just because Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friend took their eyes off the ball and failed to implement even one reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU does not meaning no one else can implement the reforms much less that the reforms are no longer required.
Of course, there is no chance of Zanu PF implementing any reforms before the 2023 elections or ever. Why would Mnangagwa and company reform themselves out of office, especially when they know they are guaranteed to get legitimacy from the guaranteed participation of the opposition in the flawed elections.
The party failed to explain why it has, unilaterally, abandoned the universally acknowledged strategy of implementing the reforms in favour of the downright idiotic tactic out-rigging Zanu PF, given the latter’s a well-oiled vote rigging juggernaut! The nation is not interested in these WIRE strategies because everyone is sick and tired of rigged elections; they just want this problem sorted and not kicked down the road!
The people have watched with a sense of foreboding and despair the events that has torn MDC A apart; the people can see the root causes of the implosion are self-inflicted blunders.
There is no denying MDC A has lost a lot of political credibility; as has MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora and other opposition parties!
There is no doubt that Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF cronies will be going into the 2023 elections with not even one token reform in place. No doubt MDC A and the usual opposition suspects will participate in the flawed elections, fighting over the few gravy train seats on offer. The political question that must be nagging President Mnangagwa is Can Zanu PF get away with another rigged elections given MDC A and company have lost political credibility?
“MDC A will not disclose its WIRE strategies!” So, the nation is having yet another 2023 elections, rigged, just to test MDC A’s revised WIRE strategies! How foolish is that!
By A Correspondent- After toiling in South Africa for four years without amassing any wealth, Richard (not real name) decided to come back to his rural home in Chilonga to venture into farming.
During the 2019/2020 farming season, Richard grew sorghum and when he sold the crop, he was able to buy a cart and three donkeys.
He says to complement revenue he gets from farming; he digs wells for other members of the community.
“I dig wells and I am very good at it. I was digging wells for members of the community and being paid, until the dark day, February 26, 2021 when government introduced statutory Instrument 50 and 51 of 2021,” he said.
Through SI 50/2021, government set aside 12 940 hectares of the Chilonga land for purported production of lucerne grass and ordered eviction of all people in occupation of any part of that land.
SI 51/2021 declared that the land above ceased to be part of Chiredzi communal land.
While SI 50 was repealed by SI72A/2021, and removed the threat of immediate eviction, the Chilonga people are now on land that has already been taken by the state through SI51
Richard says despite the threat of being unable to farm, “I am losing income even from my well-digging business.
“No one is now prepared to invest in digging a well when they do not know what the future holds,” he lamented
“Government should just leave us on our land,” said another villager who spoke on condition of anonymity as the villagers have been threatened for speaking to the media and civic society organisations.
“We have relied on this land for centuries. We do not get enough rain, but we have become used to our environment and know how to make use of it and eke out a living.
“We do not get any government support even when other areas get relief aid, we do not get anything, but we have been contend with it.
“We have learnt to work with the little we have and make the most of it and it has worked for years. Why does government want to disrupt our lives,” questioned the villager.
Zimbabwe Human rights Association Masvingo provincial person, Joel Hita urged government to listen to the Chilonga community.
“While the repealing of SI 50 provides relief to the affected villagers, it does not extinguish the threat of displacements for the Shangaan community because the land is no longer communal land,” Hita said.
“If government and the investor are genuine on the development mantra, they should listen to the community and make them grow the lucerne.”
In a statement released last Thursday, the Civil Society Working Group against Displacements, noted that the Chilonga evictions were not divorced from the broader trends of the displacements that have been experienced.
The group called on the government to “immediately and permanently” withdraw SI51/2021 and start a process of reviewing the communal land holding laws.
The Chilonga land has been earmarked for a lucerne grass farming project by Dendairy, a private milk producer.
By Showbiz reporter | The popular singer, Poptain used the Hell Commander’s orange lamborghini for his latest music video just before today’s accident that killed one person, it has emerged.
Poptain’s new song which he recorded the video with the car, is titled, “handikendenge- I just don’t care!” (Video below).
While it could not be established at the time of writing, how far or near Poptain was to the accident, the man had uploaded the music video by end of day yesterday with the car that would explode into flames hours later. Video below
The Hell Commander’s Lamborghini which burst into flames last night
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW….
By A Correspondent | Balls of fire were the scenes when the late socialite, Ginimbi’s former manager Shaleen Nullens, Ms Shally’s boyfriend was involved in an accident last night.
Ms. Shally confirmed that her boyfriend, the businessman Trevor ‘Hell Commander’ Mbizvo was involved in “a terrible accident” last night while driving a Lamborghini Huracan.
One person was reported dead at the scene. Mbizvo’s friend Eddy whose handle is @blacklistedd_ the Pilot had been in the Lamborghini traveling with the man.
Eddy @blacklistedd_ the Pilot one of hell commander’s friend who was also in that Lamborghini
Eddy @blacklistedd_ the Pilot one of hell commander’s friend who was also in that Lamborghini
Ms Shally who recently received a Range Rover from Mbizvo as an apology after he cheated on her, posted on her portal saying, “It’s been a walk filled with challenges, the news is true my love @the_hell_commander had a terrible accident last night when he was driving the Lamborghini hurricane, one very precious life was lost and the hell commander is in hospital suffering from a few injuries.”
She also added saying: “A lot has been happening lately but we would appreciate your support and also allow us to mourn our close friend we lost.
Ms Shally has been living in South Africa since her client, Ginimbi’s death at the end of 2020. It was at that time speculated that she had been kicked out of the Domboshava mansion by Ginimbi’s ex-wife Zodwa Mkandla.
Shally’s response was:
“I was living with Genius not because I was homeless. When Genius was buried, I flew back to South Africa the next day because I can’t live in that house without him, every corner of that house holds precious memories.”
Former Zanu PF National Political Commissar, Victor Matemadanda has threatened Zanu PF provincial and DCC chairpersons accusing them of taking unconstitutional and unprocedural actions and decisions.
It is reported that Matemadanda was officially told that he was no longer party commissar and deputy defence minister by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during a politburo meeting on Thursday.
Midlands ZANU-PF followers interpreted the decision as a good move by Mnangagwa to clip the wings of Matemadanda who was now being over-hasty. Matemadanda was recently quoted telling party structures that Zanu PF was behind the decimation of the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.
In his address to party structures in Marondera last week, Matemadanda said: “As we speak, the MDC Alliance is going.” Among the other co-signatories to the circular is Zanu PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu. This is because the likes of Chamisa unscrupulously rose to power.
“The party is melting like a burning candle. We are not yet through (with them); very soon we will be announcing what we call big names. They are coming back home.”
Nelson Chamisa and the Americans are crying foul accusing President Mnangagwa of being behind the oppositions demise.
“Do you think that we liberated this country to surrender it? If that is the case, then we need to be examined by psychiatrists,” Matemadanda was further quoted.
He also said, “Do you think that we missed a greater part of our youth days liberating this country to donate it? Are we donors? We will defend ourselves.”
The Gokwe Central MP is now set to be reassigned to head a diplomatic mission. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba said:
“Matemadanda was not fired, but he has been reassigned for a higher responsibility out of the country. A number of our embassies have no representatives, hence there is a need to fill in those vacant posts.”
By A Correspondent- More than 11 000 people were vaccinated during the first four days of the mass vaccination roll-out in Victoria Falls, health officials have said.
The number constitutes just over a quarter of the entire Victoria Falls population which is estimated to be about 40 000, up from 33 000 reported during the 2012 census.
The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme was launched in the city last Monday, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa receiving his first dose of the Sinovac vaccine.
Hwange District Medical Officer Dr Fungai Mvura said 11 915 people (6 594 males and 5 321 females) had been vaccinated with the first dose by Thursday.
Said Dr Mvura:
So far the turn-out is promising as queues keep growing each day. The programme will continue at static sites and those who still want to be vaccinated will be attended there.
Static vaccination centres have been opened at Victoria Falls Hospital, Chinotimba Clinic, Zimbabwe Aids Project Clinic and ZRP Clinic while several mobile sites were established at hotels, companies, and street corners as the government move to achieve a 60 per cent herd immunity of the population.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said a total of 65 466 people had received their first jab while 7 965 had been given their second shot nationally against COVID-19 as of Saturday, 27 March 2020.
A self-styled Bindura Johanne Masowe WeChishanu prophet and leader Madzibaba Rakeni Gumbira of Chiwaridzo has gone insane after leading 7 congregants in a three-day prayer session on top of the sacred Jeta mountain.
The matter came to light at Chief Masembura’s traditional court on Wednesday where Rekani was fined a bovine and two goats from his followers for him to be mentally stable.
Madzibaba Rakeni’s insanity was clear for all to see when he appeared at Chief Masembura’s traditional court.
During the trial Tafadzwa Gura who is a younger brother to Madzibaba Gura said his brother’s wife also began hallucinating the moment he arrived at his home and was still behaving oddly at the chief’s kraal.
The man of cloth started hallucinating and continuously slamming himself against the ground during the appearance while his wife appeared to be in a trance.
His accomplices told the court that they ascended the mountain on Tuesday last week where they held prayer sessions until Thursday.
They said their leader started showing signs of madness on Thursday as they descended the mountain.
In another shocking revelation, one of his followers, Madzibaba Wishmore Chivende narrated that during the course of their prayers they came across baboons and cattle on top of the mountain.
He stated that in one of the incidences that left them shocked, one of the cows they saw on top of the mountain managed to come to a fire place where they were seated and ate the ash before leaving without causing any incident.
“I also want two goats from each of you for accompanying him and trespassing into our sacred place without permission from its custodians,” Chief Masembura said to the other five members of the sect who accompanied Rakeni to the sacred mountain.
The sacred mountain is located in Nyakudya village in Masembura communal lands.-Byo24
By A Correspondent- Immediately after last week’s meeting between Douglas Mwonzora and Thokozani Khupe, Khupe reportedly went on to report Mwonzora for fraud at the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Commercial Crimes Unit (CCU), The Standard reports.
Khupe in December when she lost the election to Mwonzora recanted her previous statement that had exonerated Mwonzora from any fraud and accused him of defrauding the party of $6.3 million.
This was revealed by a senior MDC T official that said that reports that there were discussing a cordial working relationship are obviously not true:
Although we are not aware of what the two discussed, Khupe left the meeting and advised other party leaders that she had been summoned by the police to give her statement about the missing $6,3 million and she went and gave the statement.
Other witnesses in the alleged embezzlement of the party funds also gave their statements, with Khupe confirming that party funds indeed went missing.
So what’s being said about that meeting, that the two have a cordial working relationship, is not true. There’s still a disput
When contacted for comment Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba denied the reports and said they were not aware of the reports:
We are not aware of that, It hasn’t come to our attention. We can only comment when it becomes official. Khupe is our vice-president and a long-serving deputy president after Gibson Sibanda.
As you are aware, she was unwell just after the extraordinary congress and was on leave.
However, Khupe’s office reportedly confirmed the development and said a report was indeed made to the police:
Madam Khupe was indeed summoned to the police to give her statement in the case where it’s alleged that senator Douglas Mwonzora embezzled party funds ahead of the extraordinary congress in December last year
The Hell Commander’s Lamborghini which burst into flames last night
By A Correspondent | Balls of fire were the scenes when the late socialite, Ginimbi’s former manager Shaleen Nullens, Ms Shally’s boyfriend was involved in an accident Sunday morning.
Ms. Shally confirmed that her boyfriend, the businessman Trevor ‘Hell Commander’ Mbizvo was involved in “a terrible accident” last night while driving a Lamborghini Huracan.
One person was reported dead at the scene. Mbizvo’s friend Eddy whose handle is @blacklistedd_ the Pilot had been in the Lamborghini traveling with the man.
Eddy @blacklistedd_ the Pilot one of hell commander’s friend who was also in that Lamborghini
Eddy @blacklistedd_ the Pilot one of hell commander’s friend who was also in that Lamborghini
Ms Shally who recently received a Range Rover from Mbizvo as an apology after he cheated on her, posted on her portal saying, “It’s been a walk filled with challenges, the news is true my love @the_hell_commander had a terrible accident last night when he was driving the Lamborghini hurricane, one very precious life was lost and the hell commander is in hospital suffering from a few injuries.”
She also added saying: “A lot has been happening lately but we would appreciate your support and also allow us to mourn our close friend we lost.
“Please keep us in your prayers.”
Ms Shally has been living in South Africa since her client, Ginimbi’s death at the end of 2020. It was at that time speculated that she had been kicked out of the Domboshava mansion by Ginimbi’s ex-wife Zodwa Mkandla.
Shally’s response was:
“I was living with Genius not because I was homeless. When Genius was buried, I flew back to South Africa the next day because I can’t live in that house without him, every corner of that house holds precious memories.”
By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe will soon introduce a Covid-19 certificate that will be linked to an individual’s passport and National Identify Document and a COVID-19 vaccination passport, The Sunday News reports.
This is reportedly meant to curb fake COVID-19 certificates that are sometimes used by people for various reasons. This was revealed by The director of Health Informatics and Data Analytics in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Simukai Zizhou who also revealed the government has completed vaccination certificates that can be used for the same purpose too.
Said Dr Zizhou:
This new card will have security features which can then be easily scanned and verified. The ministry has all the records of people that have been vaccinated thus it will be simple for authorities to verify this, further it will be linked to the individual’s passports and identity documents which were captured during the exercise. The card will have a QR code which is now the international best practice in terms of verification of information. Further, this card will close the loophole of the fake certificates that were now in the market.
The new passport will reportedly be available from next week according to the publication:
This new card will be available as from next (this) week as we are just addressing a few pending issues. However, for those that have already got their second dose and will require to travel to countries that require one to be vaccinated they can come to the ministry where they will then be issued with these new cards
This comes after the President launched the second phase of the vaccination programme in Victoria Falls last week which saw the number of vaccinated people soar by close to 80% from around 36 000 to over 65000 in a few days.
There has been a global outcry over the introduction of COVID-19 passports as people say they will promote discrimination among other reasons. Zimbabwe has so far received 600 000 doses of Sinopharm and Sinovac both vaccines were developed in China.-statemedia
A New YouTube account yesterday titled Soul Jah Love released 9 songs that were released by the musician before his unfortunate demise last month.
The new YouTube account released the following songs that were sang by Soul Jah Love:
Ndiri Mhondoro
Ndomira semurume
Saka Vaudze
Ndobuda Ndichipinda
Ndasakura ndazunza
Totenda dzanwa
Nhau
Ndinotenda
Under pressure.
It is still not clear if this is just a YouTuber trying to monetise the musician’s music, or they are just sharing them for fun or they obtained consent from his family and his estate executor to share the musician’s songs.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s office has introduced covid-19 ‘passports’.
Zimbabwe will now be among the first countries in the world to issue out Covid-19 certificates that will be linked to the person’s passport and National Identify Document. The certificate will also be used when people are travelling in and out of the country and help in curbing the proliferation of fake Covid-19 certificates that were being used by some prospective travellers. Global debate has already started over the issue of Covid-19 vaccination certificates being used as “passports” and international airlines and stakeholders in the travel industry have thrown their support behind vaccine “passports”.
The director of Health Informatics and Data Analytics in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Simukai Zizhou, told Sunday News yesterday that the ministry has already completed the new vaccination certificate which will come in the form of a card with security features and a Quick Response bar code (QR code) which can be scanned for verification.
He said the ministry has developed the card to also curb the proliferation of fake vaccination certificates which were being produced by unscrupulous individuals. The certificates will start being issued this week.
“This new card will have security features which can then be easily scanned and verified. The ministry has all the records of people that have been vaccinated thus it will be simple for authorities to verify this, further it will be linked to the individual’s passports and identity documents which were captured during the exercise. The card will have a QR code which is now the international best practice in terms of verification of information. Further, this card will close the loophole of the fake certificates that were now in the market,” said Dr Zizhou.
He said those who have already taken the second dose can approach the ministry where they will be issued with the new cards.
“This new card will be available as from next (this) week as we are just addressing a few pending issues. However, for those that have already got their second dose and will require to travel to countries that require one to be vaccinated they can come to the ministry where they will then be issued with these new cards,” said Dr Zizhou.
Commenting on the same development, Bulawayo City Council Health Director, Dr Edwin Sibanda said council has been briefed on the issue and was waiting for guidance from the Government on how this will be implemented.
“Yes, we have also been made aware of this new arrangement, we are awaiting further direction from the ministry but what we have been doing thus far is capturing all those that have been vaccinated in our system for such verification,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo is preparing for the mass vaccination in the city which is expected to start this week after the arrival of more vaccine doses in the country with an initial 110 000 residents being targeted. Victoria Falls was the first city to embark on the mass vaccination which was launched by President Mnangagwa last week in the tourism city to boost confidence in the outside world about safety and health, a low-hanging fruit in the tourism industry. Dr Sibanda said they had already put in place all systems and deployed personnel that will be doing mass vaccination in the city.
“We are waiting for more vaccine doses from the Government. It is then that we can then say when the mass vaccination programme will begin in the city but it could be this week. In the meantime, we have put in place all the necessary systems for this programme, the various points have been identified, the teams have been set and are ready to start,” said Dr Sibanda.
Meanwhile, this week the city’s vaccination team will be vaccinating teachers in the province. Bulawayo provincial education director Mrs Olicah Kaira has sent a circular to schools informing them on the points of vaccinations. She said the programme will be targeted at all Government, private early childhood development centres, independent colleges, trust and private schools.
According to the circular, the vaccination teams will be at Milton High tomorrow for those from Bulawayo Central, on Tuesday they will be at Maranatha Primary for those from Imbizo District, on Wednesday they will be at Mpopoma High for Mzilikazi District and on Thursday they will end at Makeurtan Primary for Reigate District.
According to the Minister of Health and Child Care as of last Friday the country had 61 093 people who had taken their first dose of the vaccine, with 6 569 getting their second doses. Sunday News
By A Correspondent- Lightning has killed 19 belonging to farmers in BH27 Village under Chief Mvuthu in Hwange District.
The 19 cattle belonged to different farmers and were part of 72 cattle penned in a Boma, a community project where cattle from the whole or part of the village are housed in one big kraal. A Boma is a stockade where farmers keep livestock safe at night and away from predators like lions and hyenas. On average, one cow is sold for about US$500 in the area, which means farmers lost cattle worth about US$9 500. Area councillor Godfrey Moyo (Ward 3) said the affected farmers were distraught and will need Government support to restock.
“Yes, the 19 cattle were struck and killed by lightning last night (Friday) while housed in a Boma. We are all shocked as a community and devastated, as you know cattle are a source of income and a symbol of wealth. This is a disaster which needs State attention,” said Clr Moyo.
Clr Moyo said five communal farmers were affected by the incident with one farmer having lost five beasts.
“This will affect many livelihoods in the era. Some lost their entire herd.”
Village head Mr Tymon Sibanda said villagers woke up to the shocking reality of the incident and were still at a loss of words.
“We are still in shock over this development. Villagers are devastated after 18 adult cattle and a calf were struck by lightning last night. Not much is known as it took place at night but the situation is terrible,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said according to their tradition and cultural beliefs it is taboo to consume meat from a beast struck by lightning.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took a moment to display how Emmerson Mnangagwa betrayed South Africa’s blacks during the difficult Apartheid era.
During his prepared-speech at the funeral of the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli, Ramaphosa revealed the hidden thoughts of many in the African National Congress over Mnangagwa, who signed secret deals with the racist apartheid regime to sabotage the efforts of liberating blacks.
Mnangagwa is on video in 1986 advising that Zimbabwe must ‘stay away’ from assisting South Africa’s blacks during the time when he was the State Security Minister.
At a time when every other border country was assisting black South Africans militarily, a cowardly Mnangagwa would come on video to say he is afraid of the racist apartheid regime. Mnangagwa is on video saying, he is afraid because at any time the racist regime could ‘strangle us.’ Mnangagwa would soon after that reveal his advisory which was to stay away from South African affairs. (see video below)
The Hell Commander’s Lamborghini which burst into flames last night
By A Correspondent | Balls of fire were the scenes when the late socialite, Ginimbi’s former manager Shaleen Nullens, Ms Shally’s boyfriend was involved in an accident last night.
Ms. Shally confirmed that her boyfriend, the businessman Trevor ‘Hell Commander’ Mbizvo was involved in “a terrible accident” last night while driving a Lamborghini Huracan.
One person was reported dead at the scene. Mbizvo’s friend Eddy whose handle is @blacklistedd_ the Pilot had been in the Lamborghini traveling with the man.
Eddy @blacklistedd_ the Pilot one of hell commander’s friend who was also in that Lamborghini
Eddy @blacklistedd_ the Pilot one of hell commander’s friend who was also in that Lamborghini
Ms Shally who recently received a Range Rover from Mbizvo as an apology after he cheated on her, posted on her portal saying, “It’s been a walk filled with challenges, the news is true my love @the_hell_commander had a terrible accident last night when he was driving the Lamborghini hurricane, one very precious life was lost and the hell commander is in hospital suffering from a few injuries.”
She also added saying: “A lot has been happening lately but we would appreciate your support and also allow us to mourn our close friend we lost.
Ms Shally has been living in South Africa since her client, Ginimbi’s death at the end of 2020. It was at that time speculated that she had been kicked out of the Domboshava mansion by Ginimbi’s ex-wife Zodwa Mkandla.
Shally’s response was:
“I was living with Genius not because I was homeless. When Genius was buried, I flew back to South Africa the next day because I can’t live in that house without him, every corner of that house holds precious memories.”
By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed war veterans to incite violence on citizens and force them to vote for Zanu PF in 2023. Mnangagwa gave the directive in Harare this weekend when he was addressing his party’s central committee meeting.
The President was reported by the state media which said he challenged veterans of the liberation struggle to display their war-time vibrancy and mobilisation acumen in preparation for the 2023 elections.
War veterans have a record of terrorizing villagers whenever the country goes for elections.
By A Correspondent- Government has announced that it will soon be relocating people in rural areas whose homesteads were built on wetlands to concur with the impending demolition of houses.
The President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration also said it will relocate people on dysfunctional urban settlements that were developed on swamplands.
This was announced by the Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu through the state media.
In an interview with Sunday News, Minister Ndlovu said the Government through Environmental Management Agency (Ema) has completed the initial mapping exercise meant to identify wetlands in towns and cities to pave way for the relocation and subsequent demolition of houses in dysfunctional settlements. Minister Ndlovu said Ema was expected to come up with a comprehensive and scientific map that identifies all wetlands countrywide, an exercise that is expected to be completed in May.
“All houses on wetlands should be removed. We realised that even in rural areas, some of the houses were collapsing following the incessant rains because they were built on wetlands. So the wetlands mapping exercise will not be confined to urban areas but will cover the whole country including rural areas. All people whose homesteads are on wetlands in rural areas will be relocated as well,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu said Ema was working with Zimbabwe National Geo-space Agency and University of Zimbabwe (UZ) to come up with a scientific map that will be uploaded on google maps to guide prospective developers and local authorities on land utilisation.
By A Corespondent-HUMAN rights groups have urged family members of surviving Gukurahundi victims to document their stories in the spirit of ensuring the right to truth in the context of grave violations and breaches of humanitarian law.
The human rights group made the call as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims last week.
The annual observance of the day was chosen in memory of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on March 24, 1980 in El Salvador.
Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador. The annual commemorations, however, emphasise the need to ensure relatives of victims of enforced disappearances, torture, murder and summary executions enjoy the right to the truth of what happened to their loved ones.
In Zimbabwe, the government has kept a tight lid on Gukurahundi, which remains a dark chapter in the country’s history.
Findings into the mass killings by the Chihambakwe commission of inquiry have never been made public.
Khumbulani Maphosa, the executive director of the Matabeleland Institute for Human Rights (MIHR)said it was disheartening that the government was buying time with the hope that surviving Gukurahundi victims lose memory owing to old age or die through natural deaths.
“As MIHR,we are concerned that many older persons are dying without finding truth and closure; some are beginning to lose memory without getting the opportunity to tell their stories; and some are still suffering at their old age from the trauma and experiences of the time,” Maphosa said. “All these factors strip elderly people of the right to human dignity as espoused in Section 51 of the constitution and international law.
“We, therefore, urge young people and families to assist the elderly to document their stories using new media technologies such as blogs, podcasts and vlogs.”
There have been calls for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure the release of the Chihambakwe report in the spirit of promoting national healing as a sign of commitment to finding redress to the emotive issue.
Mbuso Fuzwayo, the coordinator of Ibhetshu Likazulu, a pressure group that is vocal on finding redress to Gukurahundi said: “Survivors of this genocide still search for truth; the window dressing by the perpetrator is a sign that they are not remorseful and are not willing to solve Gukurahundi.
By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed his party youths to incite violence on citizens and force them to vote for Zanu PF in 2023.
Mnangagwa gave the directive in Harare this weekend when he was addressing his party’s central committee meeting.
“In our political mobilisation matrix, our women and youth leagues must not be left behind. I commend the Youth League for their recent successful mobilisation efforts
“However, much more needs to be done by Youth League structures, at provincial, district, branch and cell and village levels to encourage their peers to join the party and register as voters.”
By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared war on the opposition MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa led local authorities and said that his Zanu PF party would persuade urban voters to shun the opposition in the next election.
Addressing his party executives in Harare yesterday, Mnangagwa said his party was currently seized with addressing issues arising from illegal settlements and poor service delivery in urban local authorities.
“Determined to overcome the challenges being faced by our urban residents, the party must seize every available opportunity to engage the urban residents,” said Mnangagwa. “The ground is fertile for us to vote out the corrupt and squabbling opposition.
By James Gwati-President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Zanu PF are celebrating a fictitious oil project which they are fooling themselves that it would make Zimbabwe the fifth-largest oil producer in the world.
Mnangagwa told his party senior executives this weekend that the ambitious Muzarabani, oil project was going to make the country one of the richest nations in the World.
“The Second Republic is on a permanent and irreversible path of modernising, industrialising and growing our economy,” Mnangagwa said. “Yesterday (Friday), I witnessed the signing ceremony of a US$30 million oil and gas exploration agreement between my Government, Geo-Associates Private Limited Company and Invictus Energy, an Australian Stock Exchange-listed company. This strategic project has far-reaching positive prospects to transform the livelihoods of the people of Muzarabani District in particular and boost the (Gross Domestic Product) GDP of Mashonaland Central Province.” He said investors are confident “they will find oil”. “If that happens, according to estimates, Zimbabwe will be the fifth-largest oil producer, and that is a unique position.”
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said the Zanu PF orchestrated recalls will not shake the popular movement.
Hon Biti accused Zanu PF of plotting to decimate the MDC Alliance before the 2023 polls.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa is using every tricky in the political book to destroy the MDC Alliance. Recalls will not shake us,” said Hon Biti.
He also accused Zimstats of publishing fake inflation figures.
“The existence of an entrenched multiple exchange regime, a strong parallel market,multi tier pricing system makes #Zimstats official inflation figures a joke…
As long as auction exchange rate remains rigged and as long as multiple economies exist Zim official figures are fake,” argued Hon Biti.
SuperSport United left-back Onismor Bhasera paid for his own ticket to join the rest of the Warriors in Francistown after being drafted as a last minute addition, it has emerged.
The veteran defender was drafted into the Warriors fold as there was no natural left back in Zdravko Logarusic’s side following the withdrawal of Golden Arrows’ Divine Lunga.
A ticket from Johannesburg to Francistown according to sources in the Warriors camp, was purchased for the Mutare-bred defender but it had issues.
He then bought his own ticket, an indication of commitment praised by Logarusic.
” He had problems with the ticket that had been bought for him but he didn’t lament about that, he just took his own money and bought a new ticket. This is the commitment that I want in the players and I will reward such players,” said the firebrand Croat.
“When I called Bhasera, the players came to me and said thank you coach. He is a player with so much influence in the team and will keep him going forward,” he added.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s former deputy Minister of Justice during the GNU era, Obert Gutu might have to resign from the ruling ZANU PF which he joined recently if he is appointed a member of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
The former opposition MDC-T spokesman is one of the 29 candidates who have been shortlisted for interviews to fill in vacancies at the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission which will be held in public in Harare on the 14th of April this year.
His resignation will be in line with section 236 of the constitution which specifically states that members of commissions are to be apolitical.
It is possible though for a political party member to be appointed to the commission, but he or she must relinquish party membership within 30 days of such appointment.
The constitution also stipulates that members of the commission must be chosen for their integrity and their knowledge and understanding of, and experience in, mediation, conciliation, conflict prevention and management, post-conflict reconciliation or peace-building.
Meanwhile, exiled former cabinet Minister, Walter Mzembi says some of the Commissions are now redundant and are not serving their intended purposes.
He added:
This particular one has never been allowed to function beyond the fanfare of appointments! Kune inwe inonzi Gender Commission which can’t even tackle obvious cases in the Presidium!
By James Gwati- Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said he was affected by the Chinese made COVID-19 vaccine.
Mangwana on his Twitter account Saturday said after taking the vaccine on Friday he felt dizzy and went to sleep.
“About 6 hours after getting my second #ZimVaccinationdose, I felt woozy. I had to go to bed early. Maybe it was related to the vaccine, maybe it was not. This morning, I woke up feeling fresh and was able to follow my exercise repertoire without any after-effects”, he posted on his Twitter account this morning.
His post suggests that the Chinese jab is not safe and confirms the scepticism which Zimbabweans have on the vaccine.
There is a low uptake of the vaccination program with Zimbabweans remaining sceptical of the Chinese jab fearing that it could cause severe side effects.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- “Zanu PF has relieved Victor Matemadanda from the political commissar post over incompetence and his verbal diarrhoea remarks on the decimation of the opposition MDC Alliance,” reported Bulawayo 24.
“Speaking at the Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Marondera on Sunday, Matemadanda took numerous jabs at MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, including saying his party is melting like a candle and they (the ruling party) are not yet done.”
Actually, everyone in Zanu PF is very pleased; none more pleased than President Mnangagwa himself; that MDC A is imploding. The last year has been bad enough for Zanu PF without having to worry about MDC A highlighting the many problems.
President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra; launched soon after the November 2017 coup and of which he was cocksure would deliver economic recovery; died soon after the launch. The regime’s failure to keep its promise to hold free and fair elections, to stamp out corruption, etc. confirmed the country was still a pariah state and snuffed out all hope of any meaningful economic recovery.
Investors are a shrewd and savvy lot; they do not do business in a pariah state.
As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state, there will be no meaningful economic recovery much less the economic miracle of Zimbabwe becoming an “upper middle income nation by 2030, Vision 2030” that President Mnangagwa and his Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube, wittering about!
The corona virus pandemic has made the country’s bad economic and health situation even worse. And by handling the pandemic with the usual blundering incompetence, Zanu PF has turned a tragedy into a catastrophe. The country has managed to keep its official covid-19 cases and deaths figures very low by not testing for the virus, for example.
The price of not testing is infected people who should be in isolation continue to live in the community and thus spread the virus.
So far, Zimbabwe has secured enough vaccines to vaccinate 500 000 and will be very lucky to reach the 10 million head-immunity by the end 2022 as we are depending on donated vaccines. SA, which is buying most of its own vaccines, is hoping to achieve its head immunity by the end of this years. The delay in reaching the head immunity will cause more economic disruption and cost more human suffering and deaths.
Zimbabwe has the money to buy the vaccines and lots beside; if only the country would act and stop the wholesale looting that has being going on for decades now!
“We don’t need anyone’s money (to finance development) as we can do it on our own. Sometimes it’s just the mindset and belief to achieve that,” Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mangudya, told Business Times last month.
“Like what oil is to Nigeria, gold is to Zimbabwe. The precious mineral alone has the potential to turn around the country’s fortunes.”
It is estimated that Zimbabwe is losing a staggering US$1.2 billion worth of gold is smuggled out of the country every year.
On 3 March 2016 then President Mugabe admitted that the nation had lost $15 billion worth of diamonds because of the looting and plunder in Marange and Chiadzwa.
Of course, President Mnangagwa must be very, very pleased that MDC A is imploding and therefore have completely taken their eyes off the ball. Otherwise, he and his entire Zanu PF cabinet would been squealing like pigs if just one MDC A MP had forced the regime to carry out corona virus tests as WHO recommendations and thus forced the regime to reveal the true covid-19 cases and deaths figures.
However, as much as Zanu PF is very pleased that MDC A is imploding, Mnangagwa knows the importance of keeping up the pretence that MDC A is a formidable opposition. The importance of be subtle!
“Usachenjedza vanyamukuta kuzvara uchada!” (Never insult the midwife whilst you still need her expert service!) so goes the Shona adage!
Zanu PF leaders are well versed in being subtle!
“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC people have learned to enjoy the gravy train good-life and not rock the boat!) Zanu PF cronies boosted during the 2008 to 2013 GNU when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing the reforms. They would always follow this with a finger to their mouth!
It was in Zanu PF’s interest to string Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends along even though they were selling out by failing to implement the reforms. Even after the GNU, Zanu PF has been very careful never to gloat about MDC leaders being corrupt, incompetent and sell outs because Zanu PF’s legitimacy is dependent on maintain the pretence that MDC leaders are a credible opposition.
Victor Matemadanda has mockingly dismissed Chamisa, whose MDC A has all but imploded, as nothing but a Chihuahua that has lost its teeth, bark and can hardly stand. It is absurd that the marauding elephant, Mnangagwa, should even consider Chamisa a threat.
By completely discrediting the MDC A as a political force, Matemadanda has given the people of Zimbabwe the impetus to demand the implementation of democratic reforms leading to the holding of free, fair and credible elections. This is exactly what Zanu PF has fought hard to avoid! And no wonder Matemadanda has been summarily fired – he lacked political fineness to appreciate incompetent and corrupt MDC was exactly what Zanu PF needed as the opposition!
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Former MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe still wants her successor Douglas Mwonzora to be prosecuted over the alleged theft of $6,3 million belonging to the party despite claims that the two have closed ranks, it has emerged.
After their well-publicised meeting last Tuesday, Khupe visited the police’s commercial crimes unit where she reportedly gave a statement over the case against Mwonzora.
A former Mwonzora ally Patson Murimoga filed a case against the MDC-T leader ahead of the party’s controversial extraordinary congress last December after the money allegedly disappeared.
Khupe lost elections to choose the party’s leader, leading to a major public fallout between her and Mwonzora. She accused the senator of rigging the polls.
Last week’s events showed that the two were far from finding each other, MDC-T insiders said.
“Although we are not aware of what the two discussed, Khupe left the meeting and advised other party leaders that she had been summoned by the police to give her statement about the missing $6,3 million and she went and gave the statement,” said a top MDC-T official.
“Other witnesses in the alleged embezzlement of the party funds also gave their statements, with Khupe confirming that party funds indeed went missing.
“So what’s being said about that meeting, that the two have a cordial working relationship, is not true. There’s still a dispute.”
Mwonzora’s spokesperson Penias Damba said they were not aware of Khupe’s visit to the police.
“We are not aware of that,” Damba said. “It hasn’t come to our attention. We can only comment when it becomes official.”
He insisted that Khupe and Mwonzora had a good working relationship.
“Khupe is our vice-president and a long-serving deputy president after Gibson Sibanda,” Damba said.
“As you are aware, she was unwell just after the extraordinary congress and was on leave.
“That’s not the first time that the two have met or the last time.
“It’s the culture of the president to meet the party’s standing committee, national council, down to the branches.
“There’s a cordial relationship between Khupe and the president.”
Khupe’s office yesterday confirmed that she gave her statement to the police over the missing funds.
“Madam Khupe was indeed summoned to the police to give her statement in the case where it’s alleged that senator Douglas Mwonzora embezzled party funds ahead of the extraordinary congress in December last year,” said an official.
Mwonzora has dismissed the theft allegations and accused his accusers of trying to tarnish his image.
By Jane Mlambo| Mutare Central Member of the House of Assembly, Mr Innocent Gonese, has resigned from the Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Order to pave way for MDC-T president, Senator Douglas Mwonzora, to be a member of the important Parliament management committee.
The Standing Rules and Orders Committee sets the policies and management of Parliament and has a little over 20 members drawn from both houses.
The committee comprises the Speaker of the National Assembly (chairperson), President of the Senate (deputy chairperson), Deputy Speaker, Deputy President of the Senate, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and two other ministers appointed by the President, the Leader of Government Business, the Leader of the Opposition, chief whips of all parties represented in Parliament, the President of the National Council of Chiefs, eight members elected by Parliament — four from each House, and two members appointed by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the President of the Senate.
Some members of the party viewed the move as way of saving himself (Mr Gonese) from being recalled from the August House.
However, in a telephone interview, Mr Gonese said his resignation was only informed by the need to ‘take a break’.
“I just felt I needed to take a break and this had nothing to do with paving way for anyone. The party does not refuse anyone the right to resign from any post in Parliament if one feels they cannot serve in that capacity anymore.
“In fact, everyone in the party is very clear on those developments and it is not an issue, even in the upper echelons of the party. It is just that I felt I needed to take a break, that is all,” said Mr Gonese.
MDC Alliance’s national deputy spokesperson, Mr Clifford Hlatshayo, referred all questions to the provincial executive, ironically saying he is not privy to the matter.
The Mr Nelson Chamisa-led opposition party’s Manicaland spokesperson, Mr David Panganai, confirmed that Mr Gonese’s resignation did not go down well with their membership.
“The long and short of it all is that Mr Gonese resigned from the top parliamentary committee without the knowledge of the party. This raised a lot of eyebrows and some sections within the party are not happy and suspect that this could have been done for selfish reasons.
ZBC report: The ZANU PF Midlands province leadership has welcomed more than 200 MDC Alliance party members who joined the ruling party at its Kwekwe District office this Friday.
Welcoming the new members at the Party’s District Coordinating Committee (DCC) meeting in Kwekwe this Friday, the local leadership called for unity of purpose and challenged the new members to work towards strengthening the revolutionary party.
Former MDC Alliance legislator Blessing Chebundo revealed why he joined the revolutionary party.
“I have come to realize that ZANU PF is a solution team not a problem team hence I have decided to join the solution team and I want to be part and parcel of the team.”
New ZANU PF member Mrs Evelyn Rubvuto highlighted that the MDC Alliance lost its purpose as an opposition party and is now a movement in disarray.
In line with party procedure, the members will undergo the requisite induction through the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to have an appreciation of the national interest, party ideology and value systems.
Today in Kwekwe About 400 MDC Alliance *card carrying members crossed the floor and joined people’s revolutionary patriotic Party ZANUPF. #Walalawasala
Outspoken former Zanu PF legislator Killer Zivhu has said he was involved in a road accident this Saturday.
Zivhu said he was grateful to God for saving his life but did not indicate where and at what time the accident occurred. He tweeted:
Ndaita (I was involved in an) accident can’t say much for now saved by God.
In another tweet about an hour later, Zivhu said he had parked his car and an unidentified individual clandestinely tampered with one of the front wheels causing it to come off as he was driving away. He said:
Parked my car munhu ndokuuya ndokusunungura manatsi angu ndazongoona ndotevera vhiri apa nderemberi asi Mwari haasi womunhu mumwe.”- Pindula News
▫️We are meeting towards independence as we remember our fallen heroes and heroines.
▫️We have successfully rolled out the vaccination programme on Covid 19 and we must remain vigilant.
▫️We must remain vigilant and unite our party structures to be productive and grow our economy.
▫️I urge the Central Committee to support the DCC structures and they need your guidance to prosper. Discipline and loyalty must be our guiding principles and we must be always disciplined. We are a proper Party full stop.
▫️The 2023 harmonised elections must be worked towards by all organs of the Party through mobilisation. I commend the efforts being made by the youth league in the mobilisation strategies.
▫️Those who are still in the political wilderness are invited to come home and join us. Our hands are open. I encourage the spirit of Ubuntu and oneness to be with us.
▫️The successful agricultural growth plans and presidential input scheme are also taking root and a source of income. We have also launched the garlic farming programme starting with Masvingo province.
▫️Provinces and districts are encouraged to embrace farming projects and moreso the mining sector is progressing well.
▫️The fight against corruption continues in all sectors.
▫️My government has approved the rehabilitation of all road infrastructure using local resources. I urge all community radio stations to promote all government programmes.
▫️ The Second Republic is on an irreversible path of industrializing, modernizing and reviving our economy.
▫️On the ICT sector we have commissioned the ICT factory that will help in the realisation of the new digital world.
▫️The minister of finance will update the Central Committee on the state of the economy.
▫️We must all be patriotic to our country by campaigning that all our people become vaccinated against covid19.
▫️We must continue to exercise peace love and harmony as Zimbabweans.
▫️As Central Committee let us continue to serve our people wholeheartedly as we strive towards our Vision 2030
The rains fittingly fell around midday just as the hearse bearing the remains of Tapiwa Makore Jnr rolled into Makore Village, Murehwa, yesterday.
And around mid-afternoon, as the brown wooden coffin eased into the brown soils of the village, it showered again.
Culturally, there is a link between the opening of the heavens and the burying of the dead.
But if the rains were meant to soothe the departed soul of the seven-year-old Tapiwa or offer a comforting mourning atmosphere for the Makore family, clouds of intrigue, uncertainty and delayed justice will linger a little bit longer for the family.
Explaining to The Sunday Mail during Friday night’s vigil why his family had rejected the DNA results which confirmed that a head found three days after the gruesome murder was not their son’s, Munyaradzi Makore, father to the murdered Tapiwa, said the skull had no human flesh, no hair and its teeth did not even match their son’s. Not even a tongue.
Even a pathology test run by Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals confirmed that the head belonged to a 13 or 14-year-old, not a seven-year-old.
What has raised suspicion is that DNA samples were only extracted from Tapiwa’s mother, and not from both parents. The father confirmed as much, saying the DNA tests were conducted through samples drawn from his wife, and not from him, or both of them.
Ms Tabitha Chikeya, a lawyer who offered legal services pro deo to the family, also confirmed that samples were drawn from the mother only and not from both parents.
“That directive came from the police who were conducting the investigations, that they needed samples only from the mother, and only the police can answer why they decided on that. Maybe it was a financial consideration,” she said.
Pressed on whether the decision could have been premised on that a mother is considered a 100 percent match, she refused to answer, preferring that only the police can answer that.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The DNA tests were done with guidance from experts and since this was not a paternity test, it was only prudent to get samples from the mother.”
On why the family had refused a State-assisted funeral, Mr Makore said the assistance they wanted was justice for Tapiwa Jnr, and not coffin, food and related funeral expenses, as they could contain those.
“It is justice that we want. To us, everyone who has something to do with the murder is with the police and we are just wondering why the wheels of justice seem to be taking this long to turn,” he said.
Tapiwa Jnr was last seen around sunset on Wednesday September 16 last year when he was sent to tend the family garden. A search party that evening yielded nothing only for dogs to drag pieces of what looked like a human body piece into the village compound that Friday.
When police arrived in the village to investigate, a search was ordered into every homestead in the village. A pair of trousers covered in blood was recovered in Tafadzwa Shamba’s room, who was immediately taken in by the police as his explanation to the soiled trousers did not add up.
On interrogation Tafadzwa, a herdboy, implicated his employer, Tapiwa Makore Snr, who is cousin to Munyaradzi Makore. The herdboy readily admitted to the gruesome murder and explained in graphic detail how they had intoxicated the young boy with beer, before cutting him into pieces. Through his indications, limbs were located and dug from a pit latrine.
However, the family contends that the skull that was found on the Sunday after Tapiwa’s murder on Thursday was not only too old to be their son’s but did not have human flesh, blood or hair.
“What is surprising us is that the limbs which were retrieved about two weeks after the murder had intact flesh, save for those parts which had been removed by Tafadzwa, yet the skull which was recovered in less than three days did not have any flesh. Even the pathologists who did a post mortem at Parirenyatwa said the skull was too old to be our son’s,” explained the father.- The Sunday Mail
▫️We are meeting towards independence as we remember our fallen heroes and heroines.
▫️We have successfully rolled out the vaccination programme on Covid 19 and we must remain vigilant.
▫️We must remain vigilant and unite our party structures to be productive and grow our economy.
▫️I urge the Central Committee to support the DCC structures and they need your guidance to prosper. Discipline and loyalty must be our guiding principles and we must be always disciplined. We are a proper Party full stop.
▫️The 2023 harmonised elections must be worked towards by all organs of the Party through mobilisation. I commend the efforts being made by the youth league in the mobilisation strategies.
▫️Those who are still in the political wilderness are invited to come home and join us. Our hands are open. I encourage the spirit of Ubuntu and oneness to be with us.
▫️The successful agricultural growth plans and presidential input scheme are also taking root and a source of income. We have also launched the garlic farming programme starting with Masvingo province.
▫️Provinces and districts are encouraged to embrace farming projects and moreso the mining sector is progressing well.
▫️The fight against corruption continues in all sectors.
▫️My government has approved the rehabilitation of all road infrastructure using local resources. I urge all community radio stations to promote all government programmes.
▫️ The Second Republic is on an irreversible path of industrializing, modernizing and reviving our economy.
▫️On the ICT sector we have commissioned the ICT factory that will help in the realisation of the new digital world.
▫️The minister of finance will update the Central Committee on the state of the economy.
▫️We must all be patriotic to our country by campaigning that all our people become vaccinated against covid19.
▫️We must continue to exercise peace love and harmony as Zimbabweans.
▫️As Central Committee let us continue to serve our people wholeheartedly as we strive towards our Vision 2030.
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has introduced a Catch-up strategy for primary and secondary school pupils that will see learners who were affected by prolonged non-academic activity because of the Covid-19 pandemic last year being taught 2020 material before proceeding to this year’s classes.
Under the programme, Sunday News understands that in some instances pupils will have to redo their preceding levels syllabi in the first term before proceeding to the next level. For example, those who are in Grade Two this year will have to first complete the Grade One material.
According to the Catch-up strategy document sent to schools and District School Inspectors, which was signed by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Ambassador Cain Mathema, last week, the new learning model provides guidelines for the practical delivery of blended teaching and learning, catch-up activities to compensate for lost learning time, and a coordinated system for accelerated learning, all of which involve the use of alternative learning platforms for the benefit of pupils.
Minister Mathema said the new teaching model, which seeks to enhance the continuity of teaching and learning for all learners at all times in Zimbabwe, drew lessons from the experience of disrupted school activities due to several climatic change phenomena as well as the global Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the new model was designed following a baseline assessment by the ministry which revealed that most learners especially those from public schools, rural areas and council schools had limited access to teaching and learning after the announcement of the lockdown at the end of March last year. He said the first term’s work was covered while that of second and third term was not covered in most schools. That resulted in poor performances by the 2020 Grade Seven pupils.
“The guidelines in this strategy are intended to trigger more school-based innovative strategies for the inclusive, full coverage of syllabi to cover up lost teaching and learning time. The catch-up strategies are grouped into three categories, namely content, learner and teacher enhancement strategies.”
Content strategies include syllabus compression and concept integration, he said.
“Teacher enhancement strategies are, team teaching, Performance Lag Address Programme (PLAP), multigrade teaching and use of Learning Area Platforms (LAPs) to guide teachers to cover up for lost teaching time for the maximisation of teacher-learner contact learning. Learning enhancement strategies include Clinical Remediation, Guidance and Counselling, Child Protection Committees, School Health Services, including Menstrual Health Management, Career Guidance as well as the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme,” he said.
Minister Mathema said the blended teaching and learning approach makes use of both the traditional face-to-face classroom interaction, online learning, home and school-led community-based learning with tutorial support as well as the use of printed self-study guides, revision notes and other modules.- The Sunday News
COVID Taskforce Chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri's contradicting rambling statements: Coronavirus is God's sanctions to punish the West…I will never take the Chinese vaccine…I have just taken the Chinese vaccine | WHAT WILL SHE BE SAYING BY MAY 2021? pic.twitter.com/1zsUZQQIln
FARMERS in BH27 Village under Chief Mvuthu in Hwange District are counting their losses after a bolt of lightning killed 19 cattle during a storm that hit the area on Friday.
The 19 cattle belonged to different farmers and were part of 72 cattle penned in a Boma, a community project where cattle from the whole or part of the village are housed in one big kraal. A Boma is a stockade where farmers keep livestock safe at night and away from predators like lions and hyenas. On average, one cow is sold for about US$500 in the area, which means farmers lost cattle worth about US$9 500. Area councillor Godfrey Moyo (Ward 3) said the affected farmers were distraught and will need Government support to restock.
“Yes, the 19 cattle were struck and killed by lightning last night (Friday) while housed in a Boma. We are all shocked as a community and devastated, as you know cattle are a source of income and a symbol of wealth. This is a disaster which needs State attention,” said Clr Moyo.
Clr Moyo said five communal farmers were affected by the incident with one farmer having lost five beasts.
“This will affect many livelihoods in the era. Some lost their entire herd.”
Village head Mr Tymon Sibanda said villagers woke up to the shocking reality of the incident and were still at a loss of words.
“We are still in shock over this development. Villagers are devastated after 18 adult cattle and a calf were struck by lightning last night. Not much is known as it took place at night but the situation is terrible,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said according to their tradition and cultural beliefs it is taboo to consume meat from a beast struck by lightning.
“The carcasses are usually burnt or buried and a traditional cleansing ceremony is done. However, others conduct prayers according to their denominations. In this case both prayers and traditional cleansing were done and carcasses sold to Lion Encounter, an organisation keeping lions for tourism purposes on the outskirts of Victoria Falls City. As a helping hand Lion Encounter paid the affected farmers US$40 per beast,” he said.
The Boma project was started in 2016 in the area with the objective of trying to improve soil fertility and animal production.
Under the project farmers rotate to pen community cattle and are also assisted by Non-Governmental Organisations in looking after the animals. The NGOs provide services such as de-worming and dipping. The Boma is moved from farmer to farmer at intervals of seven days to ensure that the farmers also share manure.
The incident comes after a Chipinge farmer in February lost 25 Brahman cattle after they were also struck by lightning.
The Government has launched an investigation into the alleged abuse of funds that were availed as safety nets for Covid-19 affected groups after it emerged that Government officials, Members of Parliament and civil servants, among them teachers were receiving the money ahead of intended beneficiaries.
Without revealing names, sources said some MPs and civil servants allegedly connived with officials from the Department of Social Welfare to register as vulnerable people in order to access the money.
To mitigate the effects of Covid-19, the Government availed funds under different categories that were meant to help businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic.
As part of the programme was the $17 million fund which was meant to assist Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) and the $20 million for Sports and Arts sectors as part of the Covid-19 stimulus and recovery package, among others.
The Government has also been paying selected vulnerable families through the Department of Social Welfare $1 500 per month to cushion them from the effects of the pandemic and lockdown.
However, it has emerged that some Government officials who were in charge of distributing the money registered themselves and their relatives to benefit from some facilities, drawing the attention of top Government officials.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Cde July Moyo confirmed that a random check with the Department of Social Welfare revealed that senior Government officials and civil servants were among beneficiaries of the monies availed by the Government.
“We probed the Department of Social Welfare on where they had got names of people who were supposed to benefit from the relief funds availed by the Government. Some of our own leaders, teachers and Members of Parliament were on those lists. What we felt was that the officers at the department were also taking advantage of the situation by also manipulating the system and if confronted they would finger-point these top officials who appear on the lists,” he said.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said he has received complaints about the abuse of the money and an audit will be carried out.
“This is a scam, we need to access the names of beneficiaries and compare it with the actual database that is in place at the Department of Social Welfare and see where the problem is emanating from. The benefit for vulnerable members of the community started at $300 and we raised it to $600 and now we are raising it to $1 500. We want our elderly to get this fund not for them to be cheated out of their benefits,” he said.
In some areas, SMEs who applied for the relief fund failed to access the money. Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said she has received reports from SMEs that very few members managed to access the money.
“This cushion was introduced by the President to cushion SMEs, vendors and the elderly. We asked people to register through their associations to benefit. All names, however, went through the Department of Social Welfare.
Everywhere where I am going the real beneficiaries are saying they never received the funds. A large portion is saying they never got the funds. We do hope an investigation will get to the bottom of the matter,” she said.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube said retailers in the city were concerned that the intended beneficiaries were not seemingly the people who benefited.
“We have a big challenge with us, we need proper insight into this matter and it must be investigated. I was called by a manager at one retail shop in Bulawayo to observe what was going on, there were very long queues in their shop at two payment points that were supposed to be assisting the elderly people who receive this fund. But the manager said they were shocked to see very youthful people who come monthly to use the funds and not elderly people,” said Cde Ncube.
She said while the elderly could send other people to buy their groceries, there was a strong suspicion that many undeserving people were benefiting. -Sunday News
Masvingo Polytechnic College students booed Zimbabwe First Lady for the economic hardships in the country.
Hundreds of riot police were called to flash out students from hall of residence and lecture room as government panicked.
Mai Mnangagwa had visited Masvingo to launch her traditional food cooking competitions.Masvingo Polytechnic was expelling students for none payment of schools.
” Kure uko !! Unouya kuzodzidzisa vanhu kubika mufusha ndiyaniko asi ngagone kubika mufushwa.? ” one student was heard shouting whilst thousands were booing .
“Iwe unouya kuno nemota dzese idzi kupedza mari yenyika munopenga chete !! Pasi neZanuPF!!” Another student was heard saying.
“The programme by First Lady could have been beneficial to the nation if she had invested in research on putting value addition to mufusha and research for international market for our mufushwa.The whole programme becomes of little value if its about cooking to eat.” Said Sufsan Moyo a political analyst.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said the popular movement is in the process of building a great team that will shape and map the country’s future.
“We’re building a GREAT NEW HOME for all who are honest,capable,principled, patriotic,incorruptible and selfless.
We’re availing 2 vitals;a FRESH STRONG TEAM and a FANTASTIC GREAT DREAM.
A GREAT ZIMBABWE VISION driven by NEW LEADERS.Together we make Our ZIMBABWE GREAT!Blessed Sabbath,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also hailed Ugandan Judge Esther Kisakye for refusing to be swayed by Yoweri Museni.
“INSPIRATION FROM UGANDA. JUSTICE IS POSSIBLE IN OUR LIFETIME!! I salute this courageous defence of the the law.”
Justice Kisakye of the Supreme Court disagreed with eight Justices in their decision on two applications arising from the presidential election petition filed by presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
Kyagulanyi petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge President Museveni’s victory in the presidential elections.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said the popular movement is in the process of building a great team that will shape and map the country’s future.
“We’re building a GREAT NEW HOME for all who are honest,capable,principled, patriotic,incorruptible and selfless.
We’re availing 2 vitals;a FRESH STRONG TEAM and a FANTASTIC GREAT DREAM.
A GREAT ZIMBABWE VISION driven by NEW LEADERS.Together we make Our ZIMBABWE GREAT!Blessed Sabbath,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also hailed Ugandan Judge Esther Kisakye for refusing to be swayed by Yoweri Museni.
“INSPIRATION FROM UGANDA. JUSTICE IS POSSIBLE IN OUR LIFETIME!! I salute this courageous defence of the the law.”
Justice Kisakye of the Supreme Court disagreed with eight Justices in their decision on two applications arising from the presidential election petition filed by presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
Kyagulanyi petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge President Museveni’s victory in the presidential elections.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said the Zanu PF orchestrated recalls will not shake the popular movement.
Hon Biti accused Zanu PF of plotting to decimate the MDC Alliance before the 2023 polls.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa is using every tricky in the political book to destroy the MDC Alliance. Recalls will not shake us,” said Hon Biti.
Hon Biti
He also accused Zimstats of publishing fake inflation figures.
“The existence of an entrenched multiple exchange regime, a strong parallel market,multi tier pricing system makes #Zimstats official inflation figures a joke…
As long as auction exchange rate remains rigged and as long as multiple economies exist Zim official figures are fake,” argued Hon Biti.
Farmers in BH27 Village under Chief Mvuthu in Hwange District are counting their losses after a bolt of lightning killed 19 cattle during a storm that hit the area on Friday.
The 19 cattle belonged to different farmers and were part of 72 cattle penned in a Boma, a community project where cattle from the whole or part of the village are housed in one big kraal. A Boma is a stockade where farmers keep livestock safe at night and away from predators like lions and hyenas. On average, one cow is sold for about US$500 in the area, which means farmers lost cattle worth about US$9 500. Area councillor Godfrey Moyo (Ward 3) said the affected farmers were distraught and will need Government support to restock.
“Yes, the 19 cattle were struck and killed by lightning last night (Friday) while housed in a Boma. We are all shocked as a community and devastated, as you know cattle are a source of income and a symbol of wealth. This is a disaster which needs State attention,” said Clr Moyo.
Clr Moyo said five communal farmers were affected by the incident with one farmer having lost five beasts.
“This will affect many livelihoods in the era. Some lost their entire herd.” Village head Mr Tymon Sibanda said villagers woke up to the shocking reality of the incident and were still at a loss of words.
“We are still in shock over this development. Villagers are devastated after 18 adult cattle and a calf were struck by lightning last night. Not much is known as it took place at night but the situation is terrible,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said according to their tradition and cultural beliefs it is taboo to consume meat from a beast struck by lightning.
“The carcasses are usually burnt or buried and a traditional cleansing ceremony is done. However, others conduct prayers according to their denominations. In this case both prayers and traditional cleansing were done and carcasses sold to Lion Encounter, an organisation keeping lions for tourism purposes on the outskirts of Victoria Falls City. As a helping hand Lion Encounter paid the affected farmers US$40 per beast,” he said.
The Boma project was started in 2016 in the area with the objective of trying to improve soil fertility and animal production.
Under the project farmers rotate to pen community cattle and are also assisted by Non-Governmental Organisations in looking after the animals. The NGOs provide services such as de-worming and dipping. The Boma is moved from farmer to farmer at intervals of seven days to ensure that the farmers also share manure.
The incident comes after a Chipinge farmer in February lost 25 Brahman cattle after they were also struck by lightning. Sunday News
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s office has introduced covid-19 ‘passports’.
Zimbabwe will now be among the first countries in the world to issue out Covid-19 certificates that will be linked to the person’s passport and National Identify Document. The certificate will also be used when people are travelling in and out of the country and help in curbing the proliferation of fake Covid-19 certificates that were being used by some prospective travellers. Global debate has already started over the issue of Covid-19 vaccination certificates being used as “passports” and international airlines and stakeholders in the travel industry have thrown their support behind vaccine “passports”.
The director of Health Informatics and Data Analytics in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Simukai Zizhou, told Sunday News yesterday that the ministry has already completed the new vaccination certificate which will come in the form of a card with security features and a Quick Response bar code (QR code) which can be scanned for verification.
He said the ministry has developed the card to also curb the proliferation of fake vaccination certificates which were being produced by unscrupulous individuals. The certificates will start being issued this week.
“This new card will have security features which can then be easily scanned and verified. The ministry has all the records of people that have been vaccinated thus it will be simple for authorities to verify this, further it will be linked to the individual’s passports and identity documents which were captured during the exercise. The card will have a QR code which is now the international best practice in terms of verification of information. Further, this card will close the loophole of the fake certificates that were now in the market,” said Dr Zizhou.
He said those who have already taken the second dose can approach the ministry where they will be issued with the new cards.
“This new card will be available as from next (this) week as we are just addressing a few pending issues. However, for those that have already got their second dose and will require to travel to countries that require one to be vaccinated they can come to the ministry where they will then be issued with these new cards,” said Dr Zizhou.
Commenting on the same development, Bulawayo City Council Health Director, Dr Edwin Sibanda said council has been briefed on the issue and was waiting for guidance from the Government on how this will be implemented.
“Yes, we have also been made aware of this new arrangement, we are awaiting further direction from the ministry but what we have been doing thus far is capturing all those that have been vaccinated in our system for such verification,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo is preparing for the mass vaccination in the city which is expected to start this week after the arrival of more vaccine doses in the country with an initial 110 000 residents being targeted. Victoria Falls was the first city to embark on the mass vaccination which was launched by President Mnangagwa last week in the tourism city to boost confidence in the outside world about safety and health, a low-hanging fruit in the tourism industry. Dr Sibanda said they had already put in place all systems and deployed personnel that will be doing mass vaccination in the city.
“We are waiting for more vaccine doses from the Government. It is then that we can then say when the mass vaccination programme will begin in the city but it could be this week. In the meantime, we have put in place all the necessary systems for this programme, the various points have been identified, the teams have been set and are ready to start,” said Dr Sibanda.
Meanwhile, this week the city’s vaccination team will be vaccinating teachers in the province. Bulawayo provincial education director Mrs Olicah Kaira has sent a circular to schools informing them on the points of vaccinations. She said the programme will be targeted at all Government, private early childhood development centres, independent colleges, trust and private schools.
According to the circular, the vaccination teams will be at Milton High tomorrow for those from Bulawayo Central, on Tuesday they will be at Maranatha Primary for those from Imbizo District, on Wednesday they will be at Mpopoma High for Mzilikazi District and on Thursday they will end at Makeurtan Primary for Reigate District.
According to the Minister of Health and Child Care as of last Friday the country had 61 093 people who had taken their first dose of the vaccine, with 6 569 getting their second doses. Sunday News
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said the Zanu PF orchestrated recalls will not shake the popular movement.
Hon Biti accused Zanu PF of plotting to decimate the MDC Alliance before the 2023 polls.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa is using every tricky in the political book to destroy the MDC Alliance. Recalls will not shake us,” said Hon Biti.
He also accused Zimstats of publishing fake inflation figures.
“The existence of an entrenched multiple exchange regime, a strong parallel market,multi tier pricing system makes #Zimstats official inflation figures a joke…
As long as auction exchange rate remains rigged and as long as multiple economies exist Zim official figures are fake,” argued Hon Biti.
Oppah Muchinguri’s husband has not been seen alongside his wife, since 2014.
Male politicians in Zimbabwe are measured and judged by their love affairs. Morgan Tsvangirai was questioned on his love for women and hoping from one relationship to the next.
Robert Mugabe was questioned over his relationship with Grace Mugabe while Sally Mugabe was still alive.
Recently Kembo Mohadi had to resign from his post as Vice President due to sexual scandals.
Do we measure women politicians against the same standards we set for male politicians?
In 2015 then Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Oppah Muchinguri declared that she had found new love and paraded her husband Bishop Anthony Kashiri
Oppah Muchinguri announced that she was customarily married to a Pentecostal clergyman, Bishop Anthony Kashiri, making her “Mai Mufundisi”. The two were believed to have dated for some time, but they did all they could to keep the relationship a secret to avoid unnecessary publicity.
Cde Muchinguri flaunted her new-found love around at Mutare Polytechnic during the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting at Headlands Hall where thousands of Zanu-PF supporters from Headlands Constituency had converged to petition the party leadership to expel their representative in the National Assembly, Cde Didymus Mutasa, from the party and Parliament.
That was the last that we saw or heard of Bishop Anthony Kashiri the Apple of Oppah Muchinguri’s eye. Bishop Anthony Kashiri didn’t appear at any function or event with Oppah Muchinguri since the Mutare Poly meeting.
Today Oppah Muchinguri is the Minister of Defence and is known as Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri. It begs the question are they still married, are they still together or has Oppah Muchinguri found a new love?
The absence of Bishop Kashiri has fuelled speculation that Oppah Muchinguri is single again and searching for a new love.
We need to hold all politicians to account for their morality or the lack thereof.
Society has a strong moral bias against the behaviour of male politicians yet we ignore the same standards when it comes to female politicians.
The media will write stories about General Chiwenga’s divorce, the media will pounce on Mohadi divorce stories or any other male politician. Female politicians such as Oppah Muchinguri’s marriages and divorce won’t make headlines because we measure male and female politicians using different standards.
Oppah Muchinguri needs to come out in the open and tell the people of Manicaland if she is divorced, the same way she came out in the open and announced her marriage at a ZANU PF event.
SuperSport United left-back Onismor Bhasera paid for his own ticket to join the rest of the Warriors in Francistown after being drafted as a last minute addition, it has emerged.
The veteran defender was drafted into the Warriors fold as there was no natural left back in Zdravko Logarusic’s side following the withdrawal of Golden Arrows’ Divine Lunga.
A ticket from Johannesburg to Francistown according to sources in the Warriors camp, was purchased for the Mutare-bred defender but it had issues.
He then bought his own ticket, an indication of commitment praised by Logarusic.
” He had problems with the ticket that had been bought for him but he didn’t lament about that, he just took his own money and bought a new ticket. This is the commitment that I want in the players and I will reward such players,” said the firebrand Croat.
“When I called Bhasera, the players came to me and said thank you coach. He is a player with so much influence in the team and will keep him going forward,” he added.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance deputy chairperson and Zengeza West MP, Hon Job Sikhala has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is a desperate dictator.
The Zanu PF regime has announced that MDC Alliance MPs, particularly Hon Sikhala and Hon Settlement Chikwinya will be fined for disrespecting Mr Mnangagwa in Parliament.
Responding to the announcement, Hon Sikhala wrote on Twitter:
Ladies and gentlemen I have one question to all of you who participated and celebrated November 17, 2017 kuti maiva maonei muna Mnangagwa? Kurikuendeswa nyika is totally closure of any pol space. All of us are going to be banned from contesting elections using one trick or the other.
Our freedom will never be deterred by antics of a desperate dictatorship.
Yesterday Jonathan Samkange presented a Report on the Parliamentary Privileges Committee which he was chairing and found 108 MDC Alliance MPs guilty of not standing up when Emmerson Mnangagwa comes to Parliament. All MPs were fined )level 12 of the fine)
So as it stands no Member of Parliament elected on the MDC Alliance ticket in 2018, will be allowed to stand again to become one in their lifetime. When we talk of evil, this is evilness in full motion.”
MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere also dismissed the pronouncement:
“Parliament has ceased to be a legitimate voice for the people.
They want Hon @JobSikhala1 and Hon @chikwinya to pay $800,000 and others to pay $400,000 as a fine for challenging Zanu PF.”
Pitso Mosimane has congratulated Zimbabwe for qualifying to the Afcon 2021 tournament to be held in Cameroon in January next year.
The Warriors booked their place with a game to spare following their 1-0 victory over Botswana on Thursday. Perfect Chikwende scored the solitary goal in the 14th minute.
They will finish the qualifying campaign as Group H runners-up, behind Algeria.
The Al Ahly coach posted his congratulatory message on Social Media.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
SuperSport United left-back Onismor Bhasera paid for his own ticket to join the rest of the Warriors in Francistown after being drafted as a last minute addition, it has emerged.
The veteran defender was drafted into the Warriors fold as there was no natural left back in Zdravko Logarusic’s side following the withdrawal of Golden Arrows’ Divine Lunga.
A ticket from Johannesburg to Francistown according to sources in the Warriors camp, was purchased for the Mutare-bred defender but it had issues.
He then bought his own ticket, an indication of commitment praised by Logarusic.
” He had problems with the ticket that had been bought for him but he didn’t lament about that, he just took his own money and bought a new ticket. This is the commitment that I want in the players and I will reward such players,” said the firebrand Croat.
“When I called Bhasera, the players came to me and said thank you coach. He is a player with so much influence in the team and will keep him going forward,” he added.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said the popular movement is in the process of building a great team that will shape and map the country’s future.
“We’re building a GREAT NEW HOME for all who are honest,capable,principled, patriotic,incorruptible and selfless.
We’re availing 2 vitals;a FRESH STRONG TEAM and a FANTASTIC GREAT DREAM.
A GREAT ZIMBABWE VISION driven by NEW LEADERS.Together we make Our ZIMBABWE GREAT!Blessed Sabbath,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also hailed Ugandan Judge Esther Kisakye for refusing to be swayed by Yoweri Museni.
“INSPIRATION FROM UGANDA. JUSTICE IS POSSIBLE IN OUR LIFETIME!! I salute this courageous defence of the the law.”
Justice Kisakye of the Supreme Court disagreed with eight Justices in their decision on two applications arising from the presidential election petition filed by presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
Kyagulanyi petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge President Museveni’s victory in the presidential elections.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said the Zanu PF orchestrated recalls will not shake the popular movement.
Hon Biti accused Zanu PF of plotting to decimate the MDC Alliance before the 2023 polls.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa is using every tricky in the political book to destroy the MDC Alliance. Recalls will not shake us,” said Hon Biti.
He also accused Zimstats of publishing fake inflation figures.
“The existence of an entrenched multiple exchange regime, a strong parallel market,multi tier pricing system makes #Zimstats official inflation figures a joke…
As long as auction exchange rate remains rigged and as long as multiple economies exist Zim official figures are fake,” argued Hon Biti.
Brush regularly but not aggressively. Brush teeth at least twice a day in small circular motions for about 2 to 3minutes. Prevent back and fourth motions. Use soft bristles toothbrush and change your toothbrush every 3months or whenever ends look frayed whichever comes first.
Use fluoride.Its a mineral found in toothpaste that prevents cavities. Lack of fluoride causes tooth decay.
Floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between the teeth where the toothbrush is unable to reach. It can also prevent bad breathe.
See a dentist regularly. One should visit the dentist at least twice a year (every 6months) or if there are any changes in the mouth. A dental visit might also depend on health history, age and overall dental health.
Do not smoke. Smoking harm the body’s immune system making it difficult for the body to heal tissues. Smoking itself is a risk factor for gum disease and also cause bad breathe and yellowish teeth.
Consider a mouthwash. Get advise from a dentist on which mouthwash to use. However chlorhexidine containing mouthwash are advised as it has antibacterial effects.
Limit sugary foods and starches. These promote bacterial growth causing cavities. Fibre rich fruits and vegetables are advised.
Drink water instead of sugary drinks. Like sugary food they also promote bacterial growth that causes cavities.
Tips for kids
Babies and toddlers should not go to bed with bottles and sippy cups.
Brush baby teeth as soon as they come out with soft baby toothbrush and tiny amounts of fluoride.
Baby teeth (primary teeth) are important as permanent teeth. Tooth decay disrupt space in the mouth of babies and toddlers making it difficult for the adult teeth to develop correctly. Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has said the Zanu PF orchestrated recalls will not shake the popular movement.
Hon Biti accused Zanu PF of plotting to decimate the MDC Alliance before the 2023 polls.
“Emmerson Mnangagwa is using every tricky in the political book to destroy the MDC Alliance. Recalls will not shake us,” said Hon Biti.
He also accused Zimstats of publishing fake inflation figures.
“The existence of an entrenched multiple exchange regime, a strong parallel market,multi tier pricing system makes #Zimstats official inflation figures a joke…
As long as auction exchange rate remains rigged and as long as multiple economies exist Zim official figures are fake,” argued Hon Biti.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said the popular movement is in the process of building a great team that will shape and map the country’s future.
“We’re building a GREAT NEW HOME for all who are honest,capable,principled, patriotic,incorruptible and selfless.
We’re availing 2 vitals;a FRESH STRONG TEAM and a FANTASTIC GREAT DREAM.
A GREAT ZIMBABWE VISION driven by NEW LEADERS.Together we make Our ZIMBABWE GREAT!Blessed Sabbath,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
President Chamisa also hailed Ugandan Judge Esther Kisakye for refusing to be swayed by Yoweri Museni.
“INSPIRATION FROM UGANDA. JUSTICE IS POSSIBLE IN OUR LIFETIME!! I salute this courageous defence of the the law.”
Justice Kisakye of the Supreme Court disagreed with eight Justices in their decision on two applications arising from the presidential election petition filed by presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
Kyagulanyi petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge President Museveni’s victory in the presidential elections.
By A Correspondent- Traditional grains producers in Gwanda have been left counting their losses after quelea birds invaded the district and destroyed the staple crop, with the late planted grains being the most affected.
Farmers in the southern parts of Gwanda normally grow traditional grains such as sorghum and finger millet which do well in the semi- arid region.
However, the invasion of the quelea birds and armoured crickets in areas such as Sukwi, Silonga, Bengo, Mlampaheli, Halusupi and Kafusi has destroyed most of the late planted traditional grains crop.
Farmers’ hopes of bumper yields from their traditional crop have since been dashed.
“We are facing a huge problem with these birds , we have tried everything including trying to scare them off but we have failed “ said one farmer.
“As you can see from this field here its pathetic . Look at the area planted compared to what has been harvested , it’s a huge loss I tell you “ said another farmer.
According to Agritex officer for Ward 18 Mr Kudakwashe Zhou, it is the late planted crop which has been affected, while good harvests were achieved by those who planted early.
“This is a perennial challenge, yes we have seen the breeding site which is at dordburn. Those who planted late are having field losses while those who planted in October managed to get good harvests,” he said.
Urgent intervention by authorities will be critical as the quelea birds could also affect the winter crop.
“On the issue of small urge farmers to plant their traditional early before they experienced bird invasions . I would also researchers or breeders to come up with varieties that are bird tolerant, like we have Tsholotsho beheaded variety which have thorny and cannot be destroyed by quelea birds while we also urge national parks to urgently intervene,” said Gwanda district Agronomist Danisa Dube.
Farmers in semi-dry regions have often been encouraged to grow traditional grains in order to ensure food self-sufficiency, with least 70 thousand hectares being put under the traditional cereal crops in Matabeleland South province this summer cropping season.
Zimbabwe’s former deputy Minister of Justice during the GNU era, Obert Gutu might have to resign from the ruling ZANU PF which he joined recently if he is appointed a member of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
The former opposition MDC-T spokesman is one of the 29 candidates who have been shortlisted for interviews to fill in vacancies at the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission which will be held in public in Harare on the 14th of April this year.
His resignation will be in line with section 236 of the constitution which specifically states that members of commissions are to be apolitical.
It is possible though for a political party member to be appointed to the commission, but he or she must relinquish party membership within 30 days of such appointment.
The constitution also stipulates that members of the commission must be chosen for their integrity and their knowledge and understanding of, and experience in, mediation, conciliation, conflict prevention and management, post-conflict reconciliation or peace-building.
Meanwhile, exiled former cabinet Minister, Walter Mzembi says some of the Commissions are now redundant and are not serving their intended purposes.
He added:
This particular one has never been allowed to function beyond the fanfare of appointments! Kune inwe inonzi Gender Commission which can’t even tackle obvious cases in the Presidium!
By A Correspondent- Health experts yesterday warned the new COVID-19 variants were already in Zimbabwe and that the country could be hit by a third wave in six weeks time.
They said COVID-19 infections were anticipated to rise during the upcoming Easter holidays next week.
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Johannes Marisa said some people were now complacent after being inoculated, but risked contracting the highly infectious respiratory disease because the variants were mutating and could resist the vaccine.
“It is not that we will be caught unawares by the new wave of the pandemic,” Marisa said. “The COVID-19 third wave is hovering above us because people are not serious about following the regulations.
“In six weeks’ time or even earlier, we would be in trouble with the new variants,” he said.
Government eased the lockdown restrictions to level two last month, leading to complacency as some citizens are no longer social distancing and wear face masks.
Zimbabwe on Thursday recorded 29 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths. The new cases included two returnees from Botswana.
Experts said global statistics on new infections and deaths were on the rise, hence Zimbabwe was likely to follow the same trend if measures were not put in place to enforce adherence to precautionary measures.
“People are no longer practising social distancing, especially in city centres, banks and shops, people are overcrowding. We might be affected by the new variants,” Marisa added.
“Obviously, if people remain complacent on following the COVID-19 regulations, cases continue to rise.
“Government should embark on massive COVID-19 awareness campaigns to mitigate the danger of being hit by the new variants which are deadly. Right now, we are following the same trend of when we were affected by the second wave.”
Mpilo Central Hospital acting executive Solwayo Ngwenya said the third wave was inevitable.
He said the reopening of schools, complacency of the population and the approaching Easter holidays were providing fertile ground for the emergence of new variants.
“Even if borders are closed, we can get new variants here in Zimbabwe,” Ngwenya said.
“Variants can devolve within a population. The South African variants were detected in Zimbabwe before the borders were closed, which is 65% prevalent and highly infectious.
“As long as we allow new infections to rise, we can’t avoid the third wave. Then there is the issue of illegal border crossing which fuels transmission of new variants. At the moment, the wave has already started, taking into consideration the trend of how the country was affected by the pandemic.”
He said international travel by air also contributed to emergence of new variants.
Health deputy minister John Mangwiro said the third wave could be avoided if people followed the World Health Organisation COVID-19 protocols and got vaccinated.
He said government will tighten enforcement of COVID-19 regulations ahead of the festive season to curb the spread of coronavirus.
“We don’t want to be hit by the third wave. We can avoid it,” Mangwiro said.
“Government is encouraging people to get vaccinated to protect themselves against the virus. We will enforce the wearing of face masks and social distancing to avoid new infections. We don’t want to lose more lives.”
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights secretary Norman Matara said: “We might get the new variants or not, depending on the behaviour and attitude of the people towards following COVID-19 protocols.
“Certainly, if people dump masks, stop sanitising and practising social distancing, we might be affected by the third wave. People also have to know that vaccination is important for protection against the virus.”-newsday
By A Correspondent- A Harare man was arrested yesterday for savagely attacking his wife, who later succumbed to the injuries, following a domestic dispute.
Sharon Munhenga (22) of Budiriro high-density suburb was assaulted by her husband, Macdonald Chivero on February 28, and died at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital on March 19.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the murder.
According to Nyathi, Munhenga was assaulted after she refused to leave the family home as ordered by her husband.
“She did not comply with the order and was seriously assaulted by the suspect with fists and open hands all over the body,” Nyathi said.
“The victim went to Sally Mugabe Hospital for medication and returned home.
“Her condition deteriorated and later died on March 19, 2021.”
In a related case, Nyathi said on March 25 2021 in Ruvimbo Phase 1, Chinhoyi, Nelson Nhunge (55) had an altercation with his wife, Faith Mhlanga (36), over food.
“The suspect struck his wife with a pot once on the left eye, then stabbed her with a knife several times on the neck before she died,” Nyathi said.
Nyathi added that police have since arrested the suspect and the body is still awaiting post-mortem at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.
“Members of the public are urged to shun violence and people should not take the law into their hands, but should report to law enforcement agencies or approach third parties for assistance to resolve conflicts,” Nyathi said.
Meanwhile, the police are also investigating a suspected murder case where a body of an unidentified woman was found dumped close to Mukuvisi River on Thursday.-Newsday
By A CorrespondentClasses have continued unhindered at Prince Edward High School in Harare despite 7 Form Six pupils testing positive for coronavirus recently.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said parents with children at the school should not panic as the situation is under control.
He said:
Those affected as alluded to by the headmaster of the school are in quarantine. The rest of the students are continuing with their lessons as usual
Earlier this week Prince Edward High School headmaster Dr Aggrippa Sora advised parents with children enrolled at the institution that 7 borders had tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr Sora said the school had taken advantage of the free PCR testing being availed by the Higher Life Foundation and sent its 265 boarding students for testing as a precautionary measure.
He said:
Unfortunately, the first batch of results has indicated that (7) seven 6 Upper borders tested positive for COVID-19. The rest of the results are still to come in but all 265 boarders were tested with the last test done on Wednesday 24 March 2021.
By A Correspondent- Two Dotito women were mauled by a fox on Thursday in the bush.
Precious Nyakumunda (19) of Murisi village, Dotito was attacked on her right hand while on her way from the garden while Ndakaitei Hodzi (45) was also attacked on the right leg while on her way to a borehole to fetch some water.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.
It is further alleged that the victims told other villagers of the incidents before going to Karanda hospital where they were treated and discharged.
The villagers teamed up and pursed the dangerous animal which they found at the next Kufandirori village and killed it using stones and logs.
Police warned people who live close to mountains to be on the watch of wild animals and also seek medication when they are attacked.
Oppah Muchinguri’s husband has not been seen alongside his wife, since 2014.
Male politicians in Zimbabwe are measured and judged by their love affairs. Morgan Tsvangirai was questioned on his love for women and hoping from one relationship to the next.
Robert Mugabe was questioned over his relationship with Grace Mugabe while Sally Mugabe was still alive.
Recently Kembo Mohadi had to resign from his post as Vice President due to sexual scandals.
Do we measure women politicians against the same standards we set for male politicians?
In 2015 then Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Oppah Muchinguri declared that she had found new love and paraded her husband Bishop Anthony Kashiri
Oppah Muchinguri announced that she was customarily married to a Pentecostal clergyman, Bishop Anthony Kashiri, making her “Mai Mufundisi”. The two were believed to have dated for some time, but they did all they could to keep the relationship a secret to avoid unnecessary publicity.
Cde Muchinguri flaunted her new-found love around at Mutare Polytechnic during the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting at Headlands Hall where thousands of Zanu-PF supporters from Headlands Constituency had converged to petition the party leadership to expel their representative in the National Assembly, Cde Didymus Mutasa, from the party and Parliament.
That was the last that we saw or heard of Bishop Anthony Kashiri the Apple of Oppah Muchinguri’s eye. Bishop Anthony Kashiri didn’t appear at any function or event with Oppah Muchinguri since the Mutare Poly meeting.
Today Oppah Muchinguri is the Minister of Defence and is known as Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri. It begs the question are they still married, are they still together or has Oppah Muchinguri found a new love?
The absence of Bishop Kashiri has fuelled speculation that Oppah Muchinguri is single again and searching for a new love.
We need to hold all politicians to account for their morality or the lack thereof.
Society has a strong moral bias against the behaviour of male politicians yet we ignore the same standards when it comes to female politicians.
The media will write stories about General Chiwenga’s divorce, the media will pounce on Mohadi divorce stories or any other male politician. Female politicians such as Oppah Muchinguri’s marriages and divorce won’t make headlines because we measure male and female politicians using different standards.
Oppah Muchinguri needs to come out in the open and tell the people of Manicaland if she is divorced, the same way she came out in the open and announced her marriage at a ZANU PF event.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Prophet Uebert Angel as Special Presidential Envoy & Ambassador at Large For Zimbabwe to the America's and Europe. Can a prophet double up as an ambassador?
Pedzisai Sakupwanya, popularly known as Scott, has been elected chairman of the Gold Buyers Association of Zimbabwe (GBAZ).
The elections were conducted following a meeting held at the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (Z.M.F) Head Office in Msasa, Harare on Friday.
The meeting was attended by licensed gold buyers across the country.
Said Sakupwanya:
My association will be working with gold buyers across the country to ensure that all buyers are taking their productions to Fidelity Printers Refinery.
We hope that the prices around the country will be on par to eradicate bogus buyers.
The association’s Treasurer General Raj Skorus said the formation of the association will help in the eradication and elimination of leakage sponsored competition which was prejudicing small scale and artisanal miners.
He added that the establishment of one union will improve the quality of communication within the gold buyers’ community.
HIGH Court Judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi on Friday 26 March 2021 granted RTGS$5 000 bail to Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leader Takudzwa Ngadziore, who had been in remand prison for 28 days on charges of partaking in or convening a gathering during the national lockdown period.
Ngadziore was arrested on 26 February 2021 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members and charged with convening and partaking in a prohibited gathering in contravention of section 5(3)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Consolidation and Amendment Order of Statutory Instrument 200/2020 as read with Statutory Instrument 42/2021 for allegedly partaking or convening a gathering which was prohibited during the national lockdown period.
Prosecutors claimed that Ngadziore and other pro-democracy campaigners attended at Harare Magistrates Court, where they convened a media briefing denouncing the arrest of Makomborero Haruzivishe, castigated police brutality and called for the resignation of ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.
Ngadziore, who is represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa and Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) had been denied bail. In 4 March 2021 by Harare Magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro, who ruled that the 22-year-old ZINASU leader was likely to re-offend since he allegedly committed the offence while on bail in some other matters.
But Justice Chitapi on Friday 26 March 2021 granted an appeal filed by Ngadziore against Magistrate Guwuriro’s ruling and ordered the ZINASU leader to pay RTGS$5 000 bail and to report once every fortnight on Fridays at Harare Central Police Station.
Meanwhile, Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joanah Mamombe and opposition MDC-Alliance party youth leader Cecillia Chimbiri, will remain detained at Chikurubi Female Prison after Justice Chitapi denied them bail on Thursday 25 March 2021.
Justice Chitapi ruled that it is not in the interests of justice to grant the duo bail and said that he agreed with Magistrate Guwuriro that there are compelling reasons to deny bail to Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri had appealed against Harare Magistrate Guwuriro’s decision to deny them bail. Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri, who are represented by Bamu and Charles Kwaramba of ZLHR, were arrested on 5 March 2021 and charged with convening and partaking in a prohibited gathering in contravention of section 5(3)(a) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Consolidation and Amendment Order of Statutory Instrument 200/2020 as read with Statutory Instrument 42/2021.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri allegedly read a statement entitled; “Statement in Solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe and Condemnation of Police Brutality in Zimbabwe” in which she stated that police officers “are among the top perpetrators of human rights abuses.”
By A Correspondent- An upcoming Bulawayo based dancehall/reggae artiste, Seh Mac (real name Macnore Sibanda) is set to release a single in honour of the late legendary musician, Soul Jah Love.
Chibaba as he was affectionately known, died on February 16 and Seh Mac says he wants to honour him for his immense contribution to the music industry through a single titled RIP Makuruwani.
The song is due to be released on 1 April.
“Soul Jah Love was a teacher because through his music, he managed to relay valuable cultural information to the public. At one point, I mingled with him at his Mbare studios hence I decided to produce this track to celebrate his legacy,” Seh Mac said.
He said he is out to conquer in the music industry as he has landed an international collaboration with USA-based Jamaica musician, Dynamo Y13. The two are working on a track titled Bad Mind People set to be released on April 18.
“2021 is a year I want to make my presence felt. In that light, I’m working on an international collaboration which is going to be released on the 18th of April.”
Seh Mac said he has also set his eyes on collaborating with South African artistes, among them DJ Call Me and Caltonic.
The musician is not new to international collaborations as his talent has been recognised as far as Jamaica where he also recently lured artiste, Natural Image from that country for a collaboration.
The song titled Whine Your Waist was produced by Bulawayo’s BmC and managed to get airplay in stations in Jamaica and the United States of America.
Seh Mac is yet to release an album but has a string of singles that include Mangoma Takapasa and Mumwe Musikana. He has managed to share the stage with the likes of Ti Gonzi, Bazooka, Seh Calaz and Jah Signal
Waterborne diseases are brewing in Harare due to the failure by the municipality to collect refuse and attend to sewer bursts which have not only become an eyesore but a health time bomb in most high density areas.
In a snap survey conducted by CHRA this week areas such as Mufakose, Highfields, Mabvuku, Tafara, Glen View, Budiriro are grappling with unattended sewer bursts with uncollected solid waste becoming an order of the day.
City officials in Glen View highlighted that they were unable to attend to the sewer bursts due to lack of equipment. “We can’t attend to the bursts because we do not have the rods for sewer chokes, the one set of rods we have has been sent to Mufakose” said a city plumber stationed at Glen View.
In Mabvuku residents have made a makeshift sewer pond after the City failed to fix a perennial sewer burst at corner Mashingwe and Chizhanje with residents resorting to open defecation in maize fields because their toilets are now unusable because they are flooded with sewer.
“We need to urgently conduct all stakeholders that will include development partners operating in the area in order to come up with a collective intervention the situation can go haywire anytime if we continue watching” said Mr Chikoti a Tafara resident.
The situation is worse in Glen View where sewer is now gushing out from toilets flowing into houses. “This is unbearable we are stuck, we have reported this to the municipality but there have been a lot of excuses from the municipality to repair these bursts”, charged Vimbai Nyachuru CHRA Ward 32 Coordinator.
The City center has not been spared piles of uncollected waste are heaped at charge office Bus terminus and behind First Street Police Post.
The situation also comes at a time when there are machinations to sweep the issue of 15 undelivered refuse trucks under the carpet which were purchased by the City in 2015 at a cost of US3,1 million.
Harare City Council claims that they are failing to collect refuse due to lack of refuse trucks , however there have been no efforts to claim the trucks 15 refuse compactors purchased from Mass Breed Investments and the Ministry of Local Government has remained mum on the issue.
CHRA has petitioned Parliament of Zimbabwe on the issue of the 15 undelivered refuse trucks in a bid to cause an investigation on the issue.
Tatenda Gudza tatoo in memory of her late sister Moana
Socialite Mitchell Moana Amuli died in a car accident on 8th of November 2020 when she was coming from her birthday celebration at Ginimbi’s “Dreams nightlife club” which was formerly known as “club sankayi”. The accident also claimed the socialite Genius Ginimbi Kadungure and two other friends.
Her sister Tatenda Tatts Gudza had a tatoo inscribed on her shoulder in memory of Moana.
“Until we meet again, forever in my heart Moana ty22″
By Patrick Guramatunhu- “Zanu PF has relieved Victor Matemadanda from the political commissar post over incompetence and his verbal diarrhoea remarks on the decimation of the opposition MDC Alliance,” reported Bulawayo 24.
“Speaking at the Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Marondera on Sunday, Matemadanda took numerous jabs at MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, including saying his party is melting like a candle and they (the ruling party) are not yet done.”
Actually, everyone in Zanu PF is very pleased; none more pleased than President Mnangagwa himself; that MDC A is imploding. The last year has been bad enough for Zanu PF without having to worry about MDC A highlighting the many problems.
President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra; launched soon after the November 2017 coup and of which he was cocksure would deliver economic recovery; died soon after the launch. The regime’s failure to keep its promise to hold free and fair elections, to stamp out corruption, etc. confirmed the country was still a pariah state and snuffed out all hope of any meaningful economic recovery.
Investors are a shrewd and savvy lot; they do not do business in a pariah state.
As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state, there will be no meaningful economic recovery much less the economic miracle of Zimbabwe becoming an “upper middle income nation by 2030, Vision 2030” that President Mnangagwa and his Minister of Finance, Professor Mthuli Ncube, wittering about!
The corona virus pandemic has made the country’s bad economic and health situation even worse. And by handling the pandemic with the usual blundering incompetence, Zanu PF has turned a tragedy into a catastrophe. The country has managed to keep its official covid-19 cases and deaths figures very low by not testing for the virus, for example.
The price of not testing is infected people who should be in isolation continue to live in the community and thus spread the virus.
So far, Zimbabwe has secured enough vaccines to vaccinate 500 000 and will be very lucky to reach the 10 million head-immunity by the end 2022 as we are depending on donated vaccines. SA, which is buying most of its own vaccines, is hoping to achieve its head immunity by the end of this years. The delay in reaching the head immunity will cause more economic disruption and cost more human suffering and deaths.
Zimbabwe has the money to buy the vaccines and lots beside; if only the country would act and stop the wholesale looting that has being going on for decades now!
“We don’t need anyone’s money (to finance development) as we can do it on our own. Sometimes it’s just the mindset and belief to achieve that,” Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mangudya, told Business Times last month.
“Like what oil is to Nigeria, gold is to Zimbabwe. The precious mineral alone has the potential to turn around the country’s fortunes.”
It is estimated that Zimbabwe is losing a staggering US$1.2 billion worth of gold is smuggled out of the country every year.
On 3 March 2016 then President Mugabe admitted that the nation had lost $15 billion worth of diamonds because of the looting and plunder in Marange and Chiadzwa.
Of course, President Mnangagwa must be very, very pleased that MDC A is imploding and therefore have completely taken their eyes off the ball. Otherwise, he and his entire Zanu PF cabinet would been squealing like pigs if just one MDC A MP had forced the regime to carry out corona virus tests as WHO recommendations and thus forced the regime to reveal the true covid-19 cases and deaths figures.
However, as much as Zanu PF is very pleased that MDC A is imploding, Mnangagwa knows the importance of keeping up the pretence that MDC A is a formidable opposition. The importance of be subtle!
“Usachenjedza vanyamukuta kuzvara uchada!” (Never insult the midwife whilst you still need her expert service!) so goes the Shona adage!
Zanu PF leaders are well versed in being subtle!
“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC people have learned to enjoy the gravy train good-life and not rock the boat!) Zanu PF cronies boosted during the 2008 to 2013 GNU when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing the reforms. They would always follow this with a finger to their mouth!
It was in Zanu PF’s interest to string Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends along even though they were selling out by failing to implement the reforms. Even after the GNU, Zanu PF has been very careful never to gloat about MDC leaders being corrupt, incompetent and sell outs because Zanu PF’s legitimacy is dependent on maintain the pretence that MDC leaders are a credible opposition.
Victor Matemadanda has mockingly dismissed Chamisa, whose MDC A has all but imploded, as nothing but a Chihuahua that has lost its teeth, bark and can hardly stand. It is absurd that the marauding elephant, Mnangagwa, should even consider Chamisa a threat.
By completely discrediting the MDC A as a political force, Matemadanda has given the people of Zimbabwe the impetus to demand the implementation of democratic reforms leading to the holding of free, fair and credible elections. This is exactly what Zanu PF has fought hard to avoid! And no wonder Matemadanda has been summarily fired – he lacked political fineness to appreciate incompetent and corrupt MDC was exactly what Zanu PF needed as the opposition!
Male politicians in Zimbabwe are measured and judged by their love affairs. Morgan Tsvangirai was questioned on his love for women and hoping from one relationship to the next.
Robert Mugabe was questioned over his relationship with Grace Mugabe while Sally Mugabe was still alive.
Recently Kembo Mohadi had to resign from his post as Vice President due to sexual scandals.
Do we measure women politicians against the same standards we set for male politicians?
In 2015 then Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Oppah Muchinguri declared that she had found new love and paraded her husband Bishop Anthony Kashiri
Cde Muchinguri flaunted her new-found love around at Mutare Polytechnic during the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting at Headlands Hall where thousands of Zanu-PF supporters from Headlands Constituency had converged to petition the party leadership to expel their representative in the National Assembly, Cde Didymus Mutasa, from the party and Parliament.
That was the last that we saw or heard of Bishop Anthony Kashiri the Apple of Oppah Muchinguri’s eye. Bishop Anthony Kashiri didn’t appear at any function or event with Oppah Muchinguri since the Mutare Poly meeting.
Today Oppah Muchinguri is the Minister of Defence and is known as Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri. It begs the question are they still married, are they still together or has Oppah Muchinguri found a new love?
The absence of Bishop Kashiri has fuelled speculation that Oppah Muchinguri is single again and searching for a new love.
We need to hold all politicians to account for their morality or the lack thereof.
Society has a strong moral bias against the behaviour of male politicians yet we ignore the same standards when it comes to female politicians.
The media will write stories about General Chiwenga’s divorce, the media will pounce on Mohadi divorce stories or any other male politician. Female politicians such as Oppah Muchinguri’s marriages and divorce won’t make headlines because we measure male and female politicians using different standards.
Oppah Muchinguri needs to come out in the open and tell the people of Manicaland if she is divorced, the same way she came out in the open and announced her marriage at a ZANU PF event.
The Binga community was plunged into mourning this week following the death of Chief Sikalenge, born Charles Baleya Muleya.
Chief Sikalenge passed on after a long illness. He was 71.
Binga district development co-ordinator Farai Marinyane described the late traditional leader as a hard worker, unifier and development oriented.
“It’s sad to confirm the untimely death of Chief Sikalenge.
“He was one of our senior chiefs in Binga and he worked so hard to develop the district,” Marinyane said.
“He was not well for some time and today, he has sadly departed. He will truly be missed.”
The nephew of the late chief, Amon Muleya, said: “I am at pain and shock about the untimely death of my uncle.
“He was a great leader and the void he left will be difficult to fill.”
Chief Sikalenge contributed to the development of Bulawayo Kraal and Manjolo irrigation schemes as well as the introduction of Tonga subject in Binga schools.
He leaves behind four wives, several children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.-newsday
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has lifted the suspension on voter registration and certain “field work” as announced on January 8, 2021. However, the suspension of by-elections remains in place.
The MDC Alliance is deeply concerned with the unconstitutionality of the decision to suspend by-elections.
Section 159 of the Constitution requires vacant elective public offices to be filled within 90 days.
This constitutional imperative has been wholly ignored.
The effective banning of elections follows the unlawful recall of elected representatives from Parliament and local government.
The will of the people continues to be abrogated as Mr (Emmerson) Mnangagwa’s regime pursues its one-party State agenda.
We are of the firm view that it is grossly unreasonable to ban by-elections when COVID-19 restrictions continue to be eased throughout the country.
Various electoral activities took place during the strict lockdown, including internal party elections by Zanu-PF and extraordinary congresses by other parties. In the circumstances, there is no justification for the continued ban.
Zec has a constitutional obligation to prepare for, conduct and supervise elections in this country.
They have an additional legal obligation to consult widely before taking decisions on matters that impact electoral democracy.
There is need to hold stakeholder meetings to ensure that there is clarity and input from all key stakeholders on its strategic plan and programming for the year.
Zec last held a consultative meeting in February 2018.
The MDC Alliance has written to Zec requesting a meeting and to date, we have heard no response.
We call for urgent, sincere engagement on these critical issues.
We also reiterate our call for a voter registration blitz.
The number of new registrations since 2018 is negligible, whereas the data suggests that over 600 000 people have reached voting age since the last election.
The law requires the voter registration process to be ongoing.
We are of the firm view that Zec cannot proceed with the delimitation of ward boundaries before the national voters’ roll is updated.
The people’s right to free, fair and verifiable elections as well as representation of their choice is a central tenet of any constitutional democracy.
By A Correspondent- A 27 year old woman from Avondale, Harare appeared before a magistrate on Friday on allegations of stealing US$3 000 from a friend she had accompanied to collect the money from Western Union last year.
The suspect, Cloudette Phoebe Tabazwa was not asked to plead when she appeared before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti who granted her bail.
As part of her bail conditions, Tabazwa was ordered to pay $10 000 bail, to report every Friday at Avondale Police Station, surrender her travel documents and not interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.
Prosecuting, Tapiwa Zvidzai told the court that on May 21 last year, Tabazwa picked the complainant, Tatenda Kamutepfa, together with her sister Rudo at their residence and drove them to Western Union in Borrowdale where Rudo withdrew US$3 000 that belonged to Tatenda.
From Borrowdale, the trio drove into Harare CBD where Tatenda intended to get her hair done and she left the money in her handbag in the car and Tabazwa drove away.
Tabazwa returned after two hours without her car and told Tatenda that she had taken her money from the handbag to solve some issues and would refund her after two hours.
However, Tabazwa became evasive, prompting Tatenda to call Tabazwa’s husband Clayton Taranyika who paid US$1 200 and the balance was never settled, leading to her arrest.
