Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Namibia has released a statement in solidarity with Zimbabwe’s suffering teachers.
According to the MDC Alliance Namibia branch, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is giving teachers “unsalted peanuts”
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday, MDC Alliance Namibia spokesperson, Robson Ruhanya said:
“Our teachers are not slaves. Teachers deserve respect…”
“We salute ARTUZ leadership for declaring incapacitation as it does not make sense for our teachers to continue working for looters in the ZANU PF government.
We are in solidarity with ARTUZ since their push for #safeschools campaign alongside with #SaveOurEducationZW is a legitimate and constitutional struggle offering solidarity.
Our underpaid teachers dont deserve these ‘unsalted peanuts’ they are getting from this insensitive and corrupt government which is not shaken by the shoddy livelihoods displayed by our diligent workers in the education sector,” Ruhanya added.
“What mesmerises MDC- A Namibia is that when our defenceless and poverty-stricken teachers fall victim to the pandemic, their peanuts cannot afford a one day bed in the elite Covid-19 hospitals,” said Ruhanya.
Tinashe Sambiri|University and college students have challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to review tuition fees with immediate effect.
Students from tertiary institutions across the country have castigated government for being insensitive to their plight.
MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General Rujeko Hither Mpambwa accused Mr Mnangagwa’s administration of ambushing students.
“Surely @edmnangagwa you have failed us! This is a clear sign! Dear fellow students!
This Nicodemus kind of hiking fees @Official_NUST is totally unacceptable! What’s the purpose of such an ambush? Is it even justfiable after all lecturers been on go slow? And the nuts our parents get as salaries … @edmnangagwa #FeesMustFall2021 #ZanupfMustGo,” Mpambwa wrote on Twitter.
At least one in three patients hospitalised with Covid-19 suffer long-term health issues including multiple organ problems and deteriorated mental health, according to a review of studies looking at the lasting impact of the disease.
Published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday, the review looked at the frequency of symptoms among Covid-19 “long-haulers”, the most common of which include fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Authors of the research said the data pointed to an underappreciated health emergency that governments needed to study more closely and find ways to manage.
“Given the millions of people infected by SARS-CoV-2 globally, the long-term cost on physical, cognitive and mental aspects of health still remain to be seen,” lead author Kartik Sehgal, a medical oncologist at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told AFP.
“We may be capturing only the tip of the iceberg.”
While severe Covid-19 infects patients’ lungs – leaving many with long-term breathing issues – studies have shown that the virus also attacks other organs, leading to a variety of complications including cardiovascular illness and chronic inflammation.
Sehgal and colleagues reviewed nine long-term studies from Europe, the United States and China and found that several patients reported multiple organ problems months after they were discharged from hospital.
Overall, they found that 30 percent of patients studied reported at least one symptom, such as fatigue, shortness of breath and psychiatric conditions.
One study in Italy of 143 patients found that nearly 90 percent reported lingering symptoms 60 days after they recovered from initial Covid-19 infection.
The most common symptoms were fatigue (53.1percent), shortness of breath (43.4 percent), joint pain (27.3 percent) and chest pain (21.7 percent).
In total, more than half of patients experienced multiple symptoms two months after leaving hospital.
Three studies from France, Britain and China showed that between 25-30 percent of patients reported sleep disturbances weeks after recovering from Covid-19.
And approximately 20 percent of patients had reported hair loss, according to results from multiple studies.
The results regarding mental health were perhaps equally concerning.
In a cohort of 402 survivors in Italy one month after they were hospitalised, 56 percent tested positive for at least one psychiatric condition such as PTSD, depression or anxiety.
The authors said that around 30 percent of patients had developed PTSD after being hospitalised with Covid-19.
“It is important to not forget about the mental health effects of long-Covid-19, while taking care of the physical symptoms, as they can be easily missed,” said Sehgal, who is also an instructor at Harvard Medical School.
The researchers called for further investigation into long-Covid-19, and the wider establishment of clinics to treat people with lingering, life-altering symptoms.
Sehgal said he hoped the research showed that simply surviving Covid-19 is not necessarily a satisfactory health outcome.
“Although preventing deaths remains the most important goal, it is also important to recognise the multi-organ morbidity of Covid-19,” he said.
“The medical needs of patients with Covid-19 don’t stop at the time of hospital discharge and they also don’t necessarily stop after three to four weeks.”-AFP
Former Zimbabwe Farmers’ Development Company (ZFDC) chairperson Edward Raradza and his son, Mathew, who were facing allegations of defrauding the institution of US$494 423 meant for farming implements, were today freed by a Harare magistrate.
The pair were freed after the State agreed to have them removed from further remand saying it would proceed by way of summons.
Edward and Mathew Raradza were freed by Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje.
Allegations against the duo were that on July 9, 2009, Finwood Investments received farming implements worth US$497 649 through a credit facility from ZFDC.
On June 11, 2012, Raradza and his son allegedly acting in common purpose and without the company’s resolution, reduced Finwood Investment debt to US$500 000 after it had ballooned to US$597 844 due to interest and penalties.
On June 16 of the same year, Raradza allegedly deposited the US$500 000 into ZFDC’s BancABC account
Further allegations were that on the same day, the two allegedly took US$494 423 and transferred it into Coachcard Investments’ account to clear their private company’s debt with BancABC.
Coachcard Investments is said to be owned by Raradza and his wife Julie.
The offence came to light in March 2014 after the Auditor-General’s report.
Investigations led to Raradza and Mathew’s arrest.
Raradza and his son were also freed on another charge in which they allegedly defrauded ZFDC of $10 million which was meant for farming implements from China for its members.
It was being alleged that sometime in 2005, ZFDC was tasked to source agricultural equipment from China on behalf of eligible farmers through a credit facility.
Each farmer was supposed to pay 10 percent deposit to the company.
Between 2005 and 2010, ZFDC received farming equipment on credit through China Export and Import Bank valued at $60 million.
Allegations against the pair were that after receiving the equipment, which was guaranteed by Government, they stole it from ZFDC.
After receiving the equipment, which was guaranteed by Government, they allegedly stole them from ZFDC.
Among the equipment stolen were tractors valued at $9,74 million.-statemedia
MDC Alliance co-vice-president Tendai Biti says his purported recall, together with several other MPs, at the behest of a “political nonentity” Benjamin Rukanda, who once belonged to his breakaway People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before leaving for other parties, is a political fraud.
Biti said Rukanda is being used by his political opponents in Zanu-PF and its allied opposition parties to destabilise the MDC Alliance as was the case with MDC-T, first under Thokozani Khupe and now Douglas Mwonzora, fighting them.
Rukanda wrote a letter to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda purporting to recall Biti and other senior MDC Alliance MPs linked to PDP even though he has no political, hierarchical or legal basis to do.
“I don’t really know much about Rukanda. He was at provincial level before the party split ahead of the 2018 elections; with Lucia Matibenga and Gorden Moyo supporting Joice Mujuru and us going back to back Morgan Tsvangirai,” said Biti.
“He is not PDP secretary-general. We don’t know him. He is fake. So how can he recall MPs from other parties? In any case, this issue is still before the courts. So it’s not possible to recall anyone when you are not a member of a party and while the issue is still in the courts. So obviously, this fraud will be challenged.”
In 2015, Biti and his allies broke away from MDC-T then led by Tsvangirai, the original MDC founding leader, and formed PDP. However, towards the 2018 elections, PDP split over the issue of going back to support Tsvangirai or backing Mujuru who had been expelled from Zanu-PF in 2014.
Matibenga and Moyo – who was PDP secretary-general – supported Mujuru, while Biti and other MDC formations like the Welshman Ncube party backed Tsvangirai. Mujuru led the People’s Rainbow Coalition.
After Moyo left, PDP appointed Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya as secretary-general up to this day.
However, Rukanda, who purported to be PDP secretary-general, a position currently held by Chikwinya, this week wrote a letter to Mudenda recalling Biti who is Harare East MP, William Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Kucaca Phulu (Nkulumane), Sichelesile Mahlangu (Pumula), Regai Tsunga (Mutasa South) from parliament and Chikwinya.
Chikwinya, the real PDP secretary-general, said it was legally not possible for Rukanda to recall any PDP official from parliament as he was not a member of the party and, even then, before the split he was merely a provincial official.
“Rukanda was a provincial member for Masvingo when the PDP was still united. Ahead of the elections, the likes of Rukanda joined the PRC led by Mujuru, but we contested under the MDC Alliance. Those who joined PRC said they had fundamental differences with Tsvangirai and could not work with him, but we swallowed our pride and joined the alliance, which means legally they cannot recall us because we are not part of them and they never sponsored us to be MPs in the first place,” Chikwinya said.
“So legally it’s impossible for them to recall us, but politically we know they are being sponsored by Zanu-PF to destabilise our party. In this case, Zanu-PF looked for a willing tool and they found one in Rukanda. This is a Zanu-PF agenda, we know that.-Newshawks
Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe and her two accomplices Cecelia Chimbiri and Takudzwa Ngadziore will spend two more nights in prison after High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi deferred delivery of his ruling on their bail appeals to Thursday at 1000 hours.
The trio who were denied bail by Magistrate Vongai Guwuriro, appealed against her decision at the High Court and now await ruling by Justice Chitapi.
They are represented by Jeremiah Bhamu, Alec Muchadehama and Charles Kwaramba from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Netsai Marova has called for resignation of police boss Godwin Matanga.
Matanga is presiding over an incompetent police force, according to the brave MDC Alliance youth leader.
The State is playing hide and seek with targeted political activists.
Below is Netsai Marova’s statement:
I was back in court today on allegations of resisting an arrest/ Assault (sickening charge) that the law and order Officer was again claiming did not have an order to arrest myself, Prof Madhuku and others who were part of the presser which was adressed by Hon Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe in solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe.
It is sad to note that after a whole week of unlawful detention from the 5th- 11th of March the State was not ready to furnish us with the trial date .
The State is requesting more time to take the docket back to Central for proper preparation and submission of a full docket for use by the court.
All this clearly justifies our call for resignation of Matanga whose leading a rotten institution that doesn’t respect proper equality of the law and respect of human rights.
Lastly was glad to interact with Zinasu Zinasu student leaders, Falon Dunga Allan Chipoyi Pritchard T Paradzayi Glown Magaya who were jointly charged of demostrating against the illegal arrest and detention of Pres Takudzwa Ngadziore.
We deserve justice and hope it’ll be served in our life time!
Tinashe Sambiri|University and college students have challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to review tuition fees with immediate effect.
Students from tertiary institutions across the country have castigated government for being insensitive to their plight.
MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General Rujeko Hither Mpambwa accused Mr Mnangagwa’s administration of ambushing students.
“Surely @edmnangagwa you have failed us! This is a clear sign! Dear fellow students!
This Nicodemus kind of hiking fees @Official_NUST is totally unacceptable! What’s the purpose of such an ambush? Is it even justfiable after all lecturers been on go slow? And the nuts our parents get as salaries … @edmnangagwa #FeesMustFall2021 #ZanupfMustGo,” Mpambwa wrote on Twitter.
A 29-year-old Zimbabwean woman has been arrested for killing her newly born baby by drowning her in a 20 litre bucket of boiling water in Pretoria , South Africa last week.
Wendy Tapiwa Chipo, from Rietfonten is accused of killing the infant after her first attempt to abort the pregnancy failed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for Northern Gauteng Ms Lumka Mahanjana said the accused has since appeared at the Brits Magistrates’ Court facing murder charges.
She said the accused dropped her bid to seek bail and was remanded in custody to May 14 pending further investigations.
“It is alleged that Wendy tried to abort her baby, when that failed and the baby came out alive, she dipped her in a 20-litre bucket of boiling water,” said Ms Mahanjana.
She said Wendy then put the dead body in a plastic bag.
“Together with her friend, they went to bury the baby at a bush near where she stays in Sunnyway Village in Rietfontein.
She asked the friend not to tell anyone about what she had done,” added the official.
The matter came to light on March 17 , when her friend who could not keep the secret anymore reported the matter to the police.
She then took the police to where they had buried the baby resulting in Wendy’s subsequent arrest the following day.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Namibia has released a statement in solidarity with Zimbabwe’s suffering teachers.
According to the MDC Alliance Namibia branch, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is giving teachers “unsalted peanuts”
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Tuesday, MDC Alliance Namibia spokesperson, Robson Ruhanya said:
“Our teachers are not slaves. Teachers deserve respect…”
“We salute ARTUZ leadership for declaring incapacitation as it does not make sense for our teachers to continue working for looters in the ZANU PF government.
We are in solidarity with ARTUZ since their push for #safeschools campaign alongside with #SaveOurEducationZW is a legitimate and constitutional struggle offering solidarity.
Our underpaid teachers dont deserve these ‘unsalted peanuts’ they are getting from this insensitive and corrupt government which is not shaken by the shoddy livelihoods displayed by our diligent workers in the education sector,” Ruhanya added.
“What mesmerises MDC- A Namibia is that when our defenceless and poverty-stricken teachers fall victim to the pandemic, their peanuts cannot afford a one day bed in the elite Covid-19 hospitals,” said Ruhanya.
ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela spoke about the Association’s efforts to bring the France-based duo.
“We have engaged Mozambique Football Federation, who have in principle, agreed to assist us to transport the players back to France after the qualifiers. MFF engaged their government which agreed to provide the private flight to Mozambique players who are based in France.
“We have written to the Sports and Recreation Commission and they have forwarded our correspondence to the ministry of sport. We have been informed that the ministry is engaging the Mozambique government. “We are making frantic efforts but the matter has not yet been finalised.
“They might not be available for the game against Botswana but we will continue working hard to ensure that the players are available for the game against Zambia.- ZIFA
Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Netsai Marova has called for resignation of police boss Godwin Matanga.
Matanga is presiding over an incompetent police force, according to the brave MDC Alliance youth leader.
The State is playing hide and seek with targeted political activists.
Below is Netsai Marova’s statement:
I was back in court today on allegations of resisting an arrest/ Assault (sickening charge) that the law and order Officer was again claiming did not have an order to arrest myself, Prof Madhuku and others who were part of the presser which was adressed by Hon Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe in solidarity with Makomborero Haruzivishe.
It is sad to note that after a whole week of unlawful detention from the 5th- 11th of March the State was not ready to furnish us with the trial date .
The State is requesting more time to take the docket back to Central for proper preparation and submission of a full docket for use by the court.
All this clearly justifies our call for resignation of Matanga whose leading a rotten institution that doesn’t respect proper equality of the law and respect of human rights.
Lastly was glad to interact with Zinasu Zinasu student leaders, Falon Dunga Allan Chipoyi Pritchard T Paradzayi Glown Magaya who were jointly charged of demostrating against the illegal arrest and detention of Pres Takudzwa Ngadziore.
We deserve justice and hope it’ll be served in our life time!
COURT UPDATE 23-03-21: The MDC Alliance trio is in court today. The duo Joana Mamombe and Cecillia Chimbiri are at the High Court and as set the ruling as been stepped down at 09.30hrs for 14.15hrhrs.
The postponement is known to the judge since he had set today for the ruling and now waiting at 14.15hrs . The other , Netsai Marova has been in court at the Magistrate’s court again politics playing diamond and jokers for further Remand of her case.
t is the State that is supposed to Set a Trial date but in the case of the Trio, the State is blaming the Trio for not setting a trial date.
(2) It is the State’s case against the Trio that they have a propensity to commit crimes…
By Jane Mlambo| Zanu PF National Commissar Victor Matemadanda has exposed the ruling party’s plan to destroy the opposition MDC Alliance and its leader Nelson Chamisa saying they are not yet done with him and have plans to get big names to cross the floor.
Addressing a Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial co-ordinating committee meeting held in Marondera on Sunday, Matemadanda said the opposition party was melting like a candle.
“As we speak, MDC Alliance is going down. This is because the likes of Chamisa unscrupulously rose to power.
“The party (opposition) 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,” said Matemadanda.
The Defence deputy minister added that Zanu PF would never donate the country to the opposition, saying the casualties suffered by the MDC Alliance were meant to decimate it.
“Now he (Chamisa) is crying accusing Zanu PF of being behind his demise. You think that we liberated this country to surrender it? If that is the case then we need to be examined by psychiatrists. 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,” Matemadanda added.
By A Correspondent- A Harare man has been dragged to court after abandoning his family to live with a friend. This came out last Thursday when his wife, Ms Charmaine Chikwiso, dragged her husband Mr Brandon Chando before Harare Civil Court magistrate Mr Nyasha Miti, seeking $5 000 for the upkeep of their minor child.
Chikwiso told the court that Mr Chando deals in chemicals and is a supervisor at a company earning a lot of money, but was failing to take care of his child. She said they used to stay together with Chando, but he deserted her and the child to avoid his responsibilities as a father.
“I want $5 000 for our minor child aged one. I work in a tuck-shop earning $3 000. He is a supervisor at a certain company and he is also in the business of selling chemicals. I do not know his monthly income, but he earns a lot of money.
“We used to stay together but he ran away for fear of responsibilities because he was not taking care of us. He does not have another wife or children whom I know,” she said.
Chando offered $2 000 saying that he was not involved in any chemical business, but was a supervisor only.
“I can only give her $2 000 because I earn $6 700. I do not have any other form of income and I also take care of my mother. We do not stay together and I am not married and have no other children besides our child.”
Chando said most of his money is spent on rentals and food and can only afford $2 000. But Chikwiso said Chando has the capacity to pay the $5 000 she wants because he was living at a friend’s house where he does not pay rentals.
Magistrate Miti ordered Chando to bring his bank statement for the past three months before postponing the matter to March 25 for ruling.-statemedia
Pupils writing public examinations this year are required to attend classes daily so that they make up for the lost time as a result of Covid-19 induced schools closure last year and this year.
The other pupils can alternate to enable schools to enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) such as social distancing. Examination classes which are Grade Seven, Form Four and Six resumed classes last week while the rest of the pupils returned to school yesterday.
According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Term One ends on June 4 with the Second Term commencing on June 28 and ending on September 10. The Third Term will start on October 4 and end on December 17.
Government has clarified that pupils not writing public examinations this year can alternate attending classes in order to limit the number of pupils per class.
According to the SOP, classes must not have more than 35 pupils. Schools will be expected to regularly conduct temperature tests on learners and sanitise hands as well as enforce mandatory wearing of masks.
In a telephone interview yesterday, the director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro said examination classes should attend classes daily to enable them to make up for the lost time during schools closure.
“As a ministry we would like to clarify on information doing the rounds in the media and social media that two days schooling has been okayed.
“Firstly, the issue at hand is that examination classes do not alternate and they are expected to attend school every day with school authorities ensuring they meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) health protocols,” said Mr Ndoro.
He said for non-examination classes the pupils can alternate if the school has big classes to justify such a move.
Last week, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema told the National Assembly that schools must accommodate all pupils who want to learn and those that have problems of space as a result of the reduced class sizes have the option of hot sitting. He said parents and guardians facing challenges in securing Grade One and Form One places for their children should approach the ministry officials.
“Every child in Zimbabwe must go to school and each school head whether these are public or private, must make sure that every child goes to school. If there is any situation where children are being turned away for whatever reasons, the parents, guardians and everybody else have to be in touch with my officers. We are not allowing that. Every child must go to school,” said Minister Mathema.-state media
By A Correspondent- An engineering student at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) has filed a $1 million lawsuit against police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for unlawful arrest and prosecution.
Panashe Vongai Sivandani claims she was wrongly arrested on July 31 last year for allegedly inciting public violence after being found in possession of a placard inscribed “Free Hopewell Chin’ono, no to nepotism, no to corruption”.
Through her lawyer Bruce Masamvu, Sivandani filed an application at the Bulawayo High Court on March 12 citing police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe and NPA as defendants.
“On a date mentioned, plaintiff arrived at Bulawayo Central Police Station to file a report of the kidnapping of herself and her companion, one Abednigo Shakafuswa. The report is still pending under case CR105/07/20,” particulars of the claim read.
“Following the kidnapping report and recovery of the plaintiff’s car with the help of the police, which car had been taken by the kidnappers, the plaintiff was then informed to report to Khumalo Police Station.
“On arrival at Khumalo Police Station, her mobile phone was seized by the police and she was detained, unattended, in the charge office from 2pm to 8pm.”
Sivandani said her lawyers were then informed late into the night that she was being charged with inciting public violence.
She was detained overnight and taken to court on August 1 where she was placed on remand.
She said she was granted bail pending trial and had to appear in court four times before she applied for refusal of further remand which was granted after the court ruled that there was no evidence linking her to the alleged crime.
“As a result of defendants’ wrongful and malicious conduct which was politically motivated, they have together caused emotional trauma, pain and suffering to the plaintiff by preferring baseless charges, detaining and prosecuting the plaintiff,” the lawyer said.
“The plaintiff is accordingly claiming non-patrimonial damages for nervous shock, emotional trauma, pain and suffering.
“As a result of the defendant’s conduct, the plaintiff suffered damages in the sum of $1 million…”
By A Correspondent- Renowned gospel musician, Machanic Manyeruke has bounced back with a new album.
The new album ‘Mwari Taurai’, has eight songs which feature Jonathan Mgazi and his wife Melinda.”
Baba Manyeruke said the album could mark his come-back, considering that it has an inspirational song, the title track “Mwari Taurai”, which has been dedicated to Covid-19.
“As always, I am inspired by societal settings and these have made me to survive in the sector, singing the truth. ‘Mwari Taurai’ is a song we say God should speak as we have hope and faith that this shall come to pass. “It is a fun-loving, happy song during the crisis that left so many saddened, especially by the deaths caused by Covid-19. Somehow, I felt that many people needed a reason to have hope, laugh, dance and sing again.”
Produced by Mgazi, Manyeruke said a video to the album was coming soon.
“I have noticed that times have changed and we as old artistes should embrace the new norm to stay relevant. I am working on a new video and I am glad some friends in the United Kingdom bought us a camera and equipment.
“The cameras are currently in Chegutu and ready for collection. I want to revive my video production and quality to meet the current trends.”
The majority of schools have adopted the COVID-19 standard operating procedures such as temperature checks, sanitising, wearing of masks and social distancing.
Schools opened for examination classes last week, with non-examination classes also resuming lessons yesterday, nearly three months after escalating coronavirus cases forced premature school closures.
Some schools have resorted to hot-sitting and alternate learning days to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
In Harare, Borrowdale Primary School has halved classes, meaning half the school is in classrooms on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remainder learning online.
The two groups then swop from Wednesday to Friday. Borrowdale Primary School Head Charles Chisekochevana told ZTN:
The term has started off very well and it is all because of the preparations that we made in terms of cleaning, provision of sanitisers and washing basins.
Overall, we are following the standard operating procedures outlined by (the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education).
Our children have now adapted and understand the (rationale) behind social-distancing and sanitisation.
In terms of social-distancing; each class is now using two classrooms so that we maintain the distance. We have infants who we have now put on staggered learning.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Taungana Ndoro on Monday said examination classes are required to attend school daily as Government moves to catch up on lost time due to the closure of schools for the better part of the first term.
Ndoro added that for non-examination classes, they can alternate if only the school has a huge enrollment or they have a justifiable explanation.-statemedia
Gweru City Council’s director of housing services Shingirayi Tigere, who is being accused of selling a residential stand to mayor Josiah Makombe without government approval, was last Friday granted $20 000 bail.
Tigere (58) appeared before magistrate Edwin Marecha facing criminal abuse of office charges.
Allegations were that Tigere sold the stand to Makombe without following due process.
Marecha ordered Tigere to reside at his given residential address and not to interfere with investigations.
The complainant in the case is the State represented by acting town clerk Vakai Chikwekwe.
Allegations are that Tigere facilitated the sale of a reserved stand, which was the remainder of Lot 17 Bickford of the Umsungwe Block measuring 7 801 square metres.
The stand was sold to Makombe without approval of change of reservation by the Local Government minister, prejudicing council of $166 735.
By A Correspondent- ZESA executive chairperson Sydney Gata yesterday urged government to revise its architecture of public enterprises as well as clip powers vested in Cabinet ministers to enable the country to successfully implement its national projects.
Gata made the call when he and other Zesa executives appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy to give oral evidence on the power utility’s operations after a 2019 forensic audit exposed rot at the parastatal.
Zesa officials admitted that the US$250 million Dema power plant deal was awarded to Sakunda Holdings by the Office of the President under unclear circumstances.
The committee heard that another dubious deal was the Gwanda solar project awarded to businessman Wicknell Chivhayo.
The PME deal for the supply of transformers to Zesa by the Indian company also came under scrutiny.
“Our nation will need to revisit the subject of ministerial directives to public enterprises. When we consider the number of cases that lead to white elephant projects that lead to failure to observe the provisions of the procurement Act, the Public Management Act, Corporate Management Act and others, it is this issue of directives,” Gata said.
“In most of the cases, what appears to have been happening was that there would be a businessman or business interest which is blocked politically for a particular project and then they bypass Zesa, they bypass a number of institutions and they make it to the minister.”
He said these directives might pass through the Cabinet to the project manager, making it difficult for those at the bottom of the pyramid to make any objections even if they knew there were discrepancies in a project.
“It eventually translates to a directive to do a particular project which may not be on the business plan of the government, and sometimes even when it is, the directive may specify a manner of its execution that is not consistent with our government,” Gata said.
The Zesa boss said it was highly unlikely for lower level managers to successfully overturn decisions around these projects, let alone write to express displeasure in the manner in which they are executed.
“I am yet to see a project manager or an accounting manager who has the courage to write back to the Auditor-General or Chief Secretary and say everybody above me was wrong. I am yet to see a project which was then stopped,” he said.
Gata said the country’s institutions should lessen the burden for lower level managers and carry out due diligence from the top.
He added that some lower level managers ended up being fired for executing such ill-considered directives.
Gata said he was aware that a number of people had been punished, demoted or even fired for failure to abide by such ministerial directives.
The 2019 forensic audit questioned the unclear circumstances under which the Dema deal was made.-newsday
POLICE in Mutoko have arrested a woman (88) who allegedly killed her 99-year-old husband by striking him with bricks after he refused to help her harvest cowpeas.
Enesia Chivhinge of Plot 35 Tamuka village in Hoyuyu is currently assisting police with investigations following the death of her husband, Saidi Daiton, who reportedly died a few days after the attack.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza yesterday confirmed the incident.
“Police in Mutoko have arrested an 88-year-old woman after she allegedly hit her 99-year-old husband with some pieces of bricks, leading to his death a few days later,” he said.
“It is saddening to note that the couple got involved in domestic violence at such an old age. People should understand the need to maintain peace with each other even in times of misunderstandings.”
It is alleged that on March 18 at around 5pm, the couple had a misunderstanding after the deceased had refused to accompany the suspect to the fields to harvest cowpeas.
In a fit of rage, the suspect hit her husband with bricks several times.
The suspect then left her husband lying on the ground as she proceeded to the fields.
It is further alleged that Chivhinge returned from the fields and found her husband still on the ground and helped him to get into their kitchen hut.
A relative, Tafadzwa Chivhinge (32), visited and was informed by the deceased that he had been assaulted by the wife with bricks.
Tafadzwa inspected the deceased’s body and discovered that he had bruises on his hands and legs. He suggested that Daiton be taken to a nearby clinic for treatment, but the deceased refused.
On March 20, Tafadzwa visited the couple again and discovered that Daiton’s condition was deteriorating.
He then took him to Nzira Clinic, where he died along the way.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the granny. Daiton’s body was taken to Mutoko Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has unleashed Zanu PF affiliated former council officials on 32 urban councils to conduct what it called an audit on the local authorities’ operations.
The team of Zanu PF affiliated former council officials were hired after July Moyo, the Local Government Minister had said that he was not happy with how MDC-Alliance led councils were managing cities and towns.
“I sent a team of ex-town clerks, ex-directors of works, treasurers, senior planners and human resources practitioners, but who know about local authorities. “They started in Victoria Falls and I was telling the mayor that the team reported that they found the most uncooperating officers in that area. In a lot of cases they cooperated,” he said.
By A Correspondent- Trouble seems to be brewing in paradise for Zaka Central legislator Davison Svuure whose councillors have pinned him down demanding accountability for the 2020 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Svuure and his councillors share a WhatsApp group in which they discuss developments in the constituency and areas of cooperation.
The gasket blew when Svuure asked for reports from the councillors who then fired back at the legislator saying he should also report to them on how the 2020 CDF funds have been used.
Each constituency received a total of $200 000 in CDF in 2020 which was revised upwards in the 2021 national budget to $2 million per constituency.
TellZim News is in possession of the leaked chats and audios from the WhatsApp group where Svuure told the councillors that they had no right to ask him about CDF as it was his money and was not obligated to explain himself to them.
“Is there anything happening in Ward 8, 9 and 13. Councillor Tererai (Ward 8) Mada (Ward 13) and Mutandavari (Ward 9) I am not hearing anything from there but we said lets share information of what is happening on the group.
“I heard you councillor Mada saying you don’t know anything about CDF, I don’t know what you want to know because the fund is not yours.
“It’s not for councillors but for the MP. The only way you can know about the CDF is only if you are in the CDF committee.
“You cannot come asking to see the CDF budget, it’s not your duty, there are parliament auditors who are responsible for that,” said Svuure.
Ward 13 councillor Manfred Mada responded saying they were not sharing information from their wards because Svuure was not doing the same.
“The challenge is we are kept in the dark on parliamentary issues and CDF so let’s communicate from top to bottom so that we know where we stand in terms of development,” said Mada.
Svuure, who doubles as the Zaka District Coordinating Committee (DCC) deputy chairperson, warned that councillors should respect him singling out Ward 8 councillor Tererai Tererai whom he said was his critic.
Svuure told TellZim News that he had discussed the matter with the councillors and told them that those who want clarification should visit his office in Jerera saying he could not discuss internal matters through the media.
“I discussed the matter with the councillors and I told them to visit the office if they wanted clarification on how the CDF was used and their silence means they understood so I cannot say anything more to the media. If there is anyone else who want to know more should come to my office,” said Svuure.-TellZim
By A Correspondent- About 60 000 vulnerable urban families hard hit by the ravaging effects of Covid-19 last received cushion allowances from government in September 2020 as Treasury has no resources to finance the social safety net.
Government, earlier this year, reviewed the payout from a measly ZW$300 to ZW$1 500 per household of five people.
In 2020, a social support cash transfer grant of ZW$600 million was announced but it had little to no effect due to the high cost of basic commodities.
In his food deficit mitigation programme and Covid-19 relief grants presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, on Monday this week, Labour minister Paul Mavima said his office last disbursed Covid-19 allowances in September 2020.
“We have not received funds for this programme in 2021. However, cash transfers for the 23 child protection supported districts continue. Allowances for cash transfers have been raised from $300 to $1 500 per month per household per five people,” he said.
Mavima said there was no Treasury authority to extend the Covid-19 allowances beyond December 2020.
Zimbabwe was plunged into a strict level four national lockdown in January 2021 as Covid-19 decimated lives, claiming three ministers, namely Sibusiso Busi Moyo (Foreign Affairs), Joel Biggie Matiza (Transport and Infrastructure Development) and Ellen Gwaradzimba (Manicaland provincial affairs minister). Agriculture minister Perrence Shiri succumbed to the coronavirus last year.
As business came to a grinding halt due to the national lockdown, 310 000 individuals drawn from the informal sector were badly affected.
The 60 000 families headed by children and the elderly largely relied on government Covid-19 allowances but the cash-strapped state has not been able to finance the programme.
There were widespread complaints over the paltry ZW$1 500 allowance which cannot feed a family of six. A consumer basket for low-income families in high-density suburbs costs around ZW$21 000, according to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.
Comparatively, South Africa through its Social Security Agency (Sassa) disbursed R300 social relief, R440 child support grant and R500 per caregiver.
Mavima said Covid-19 cushion allowance beneficiaries were drawn from local authorities, vendors’ associations, informal sectors groups, women’s organisations and small to medium enterprises.
“All applicants were subjected to a means test and verification process by our ministry staff. Politicians and other interest groups referred potential applicants to our offices and these would also go through a means test and verification process,” he said.
“Legislators played an oversight role and we did not expect them to be involved in the direct implementation of government programmes.”
Apart from vulnerable groups who were supposed to receive cash transfers, there are about 3.5 million people who require food assistance from the government and donors such as the World Food Programme.
Mavima told Parliament that it was fundamentally the responsibility of the government to provide social protection to citizens to manage “vulnerability associated with exogenous shocks”.
Due to biting food insecurity as a result of poor agricultural seasons, the government and donors launched a food deficit mitigation strategy in 2011.
The programme is meant to avail free food assistance to people living with disabilities, chronically ill, older persons and child-headed families.
Mavima said a total of 735 455 households have been receiving free grain as part of efforts to avert food insecurity in both rural and urban communities.
“In line with the food deficit mitigation programme policy, cabinet has approved the retargeting exercise for 2021-2022 cycle.
“We will stop grain distribution end of April, which coincides with the peak of the hunger period. Distributions will only commence after the 2021 Zimvac (Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee) results are published and retargeting done. The ministry will, however, be on the lookout for distress calls even during the period of retargeting,” he said.
Last year, the government announced a ZW$18 billion economic recovery and stimulus package for formal businesses to recover from Covid-19, but there is no information on how the money was disbursed and impacted on industry.-Newshawks
By A Correspondent- Health experts yesterday warned that the current COVID-19 vaccination programme might not effectively deal with the new mutants of the coronavirus.
They said most of the vaccines currently in use were factory-made last year using a structure of the virus, before the emergence of new variants which are more resistant.
Zimbabwe is currently implementing its inoculation programme, where it is targeting to vaccinate approximately 60% of the population to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Currently being used are the Chinese-made Sinopharm and Sinovac, which were developed during the first strain of the virus.
The warning by the health experts comes at a time the South African government has halted the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after a study showed that it was not effective in dealing with the new coronavirus variant in the neighbouring country.
This was after recent data from a trial done in that country showed that AstraZeneca was not effective against mild and moderate symptoms of the more contagious South African variant, also known as 501.V2 or B.1.351.
The Zimbabwean government in February began COVID-19 vaccinations after receiving a donation of 200 000 doses from the China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm). Last week, the southern African nation took delivery of 400 000 doses, while more are expected.
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Solwayo Ngwenya said there could be devastating effects if the third wave of the coronavirus struck, especially given that the vaccines were manufactured during the first strain of the virus.
“The problem is after you have vaccinated, you were vaccinating against that variant from last year, and there is now a new variant. Can you go and order another 20 million doses?” he asked rhetorically.
“This is a terrible situation we found ourselves in. The vaccine which you are using was made using a structure of the virus which was there last year. If the virus is a new type, it can’t lock, so you are not protected, which means your all-weather person has to check what is favourable in Zimbabwe. Go back and create a new vaccine.”
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Johannes Marisa concurred with Ngwenya, saying the current vaccines might not be very effective as the new variants were mutants.
“The third wave has various variants which are mutant and could be resistant to the already available vaccines because they were manufactured before the emergence of the new variants,” he said.
“Even those who do not have comorbidities will be affected. Locally, we can avoid being hard hit by the third wave if people follow the laid out World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitising.”
But Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights secretary Norman Matara said there could not be a conclusive claim that the manufactured vaccines would not be effective as there was no scientific evidence yet to prove that.
“The vaccines we are using might be very effective to the third wave variants. It all depends on the mutation on the new variants to judge the effectiveness of the vaccine after scientific studies, which include trial of the vaccine on COVID-19-related fevers,” he said.
“There is a need for such scientific researches to conclude whether or not the available vaccines are effective.”
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said the public should be confident of the efficacy of the WHO-approved vaccines as there was a possibility that new variants would continue emerging.
“COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. There are going to be as many COVID-19 waves in future with new variants and scientists cannot manufacture vaccines for each new variant each day. Therefore, what is needed is trust of the certified vaccines by WHO, which have been tested and proved to be effective for the viruses,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from the Health ministry over the issue were fruitless as Health deputy minister John Mangwiro told NewsDay that he was very busy and could not take questions.
Chief co-ordinator of the national response to COVID-19, Agnes Mahomva, was not responding to calls.
Meanwhile, Ngwenya added that the decision to open schools in the middle of a pandemic could be disastrous.
“Why do you want to sacrifice children’s’ lives yet they can learn later? If Ngwenya lost four years of education, but here I am, they are now calling me a professor. Let’s not sacrifice our lives for something which we can wait for,” he said.
“So, as a hawk, I am against opening of schools in the middle of a pandemic. Let’s not sensationalise this thing as if we have found a cure, we have not found a cure. We are actually facing a better threat. As I said, the vaccines will be made redundant. The vaccine is against the spike, when the spike changes, the vaccine is useless.”
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has announced the resumption of some electoral activities following the relaxation of the level 4 COVID-19 lockdown by President Emmerson Mnangagwa early this month.
In a statement this Tuesday, ZEC Chief Elections Officer Utoile Silaigwana said the electoral boy has lifted the suspension of voter registration and some field work it announced in January with effect from 1 April 2021.
However, the holding by-elections remain suspended due to the danger still posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Silaigwana said. Below is the statement in full:
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to announce that following the relaxation of lockdown measures of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 on 01 March 2021, the Commission will lift the suspension of voter registration and some field work it announced on 08 January 2021. The resumption of those suspended activities will come into effect on 01 April 2021.
However, in view of the danger still posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to uphold some health provisions of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 which are still in force, the conduct of by-elections remains suspended. This position will be reviewed in due course and stakeholders will be advised accordingly.
The Commission is advising all citizens who qualify to register as voters and those wishing to transfer their registrations to visit voter registration centres at ZEC provincial and district centres.
Everyone involved in those electoral activities should strictly observe the Ministry of Health Covid-19 health measures and the Commission’s Covid-19 Policy on Electoral Activities.-statemedia
WATCH- "What state assisted funeral when government failed to help us get back our son's head for burial. There is no justice 7 months later" Tapiwa Makore's family rejects ED's offer for state assisted funeral. https://t.co/0stTXjKEPs
The Republic of the Congo’s main presidential opposition candidate, Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, has died from coronavirus aged 60.
Kolelas died on Sunday of Covid-19 as he was being flown to France for treatment, his campaign director said on Monday, the day after presidential elections.
Kolelas had been seen as the main rival to Denis Sassou Nguesso, 77, who was widely expected to win Sunday’s vote. On Saturday, Kolelas posted a video from his sickbed, declaring he was “battling against death.”
“Rise up as one person … I’m fighting on my deathbed, you too fight for your change,” he urged his supporters, saying the election was “about the future of your children.”
Kolelas came second to Sassou Nguesso in the previous elections in 2016, picking up 15%, according to the official results. He was the only serious contender to the president left on Sunday after a string of boycotts, withdrawn candidacies and exclusions.
“Go and vote for change, then I won’t have fought for nothing,” Kolelas told supporters.
He had dreamed of replacing the country’s longtime leader, Sassou Nguesso, who had forced his father, Bernard Kolelas, to flee.
Nicknamed Pako, he was the fourth of 12 children. He studied economics in France and afterwards taught in French universities. He belatedly entered politics on the advice of his father, an ex-mayor of Brazzaville and former prime minister who fled to Mali with his family in 1997 when Sassou Nguesso fought his way back into power.
“It was when we were in exile that my father asked me to pursue the political struggle,” Kolelas said at a recent rally. “He only said it to me, not the others, as we (were) 12 brothers and sisters.” He returned to Congo in 2005 for the burial of his mother.
Two years later, the MCCI party founded by his father in 1990 signed a deal with Sassou Nguesso’s PCT, and in 2009 the younger Kolelas joined the government as fisheries minister, later becoming minister for public services.
But he distanced himself from Sassou Nguesso by opposing changes to the constitution enabling the president to seek a further term in office. In the run-up to the 2016 election, Kolelas founded his own party, the Union of Democratic Humanists, or UDH-Yuki.
Kolelas was supported in 2016 by a former rebel chief, Frédéric Bintsamou, alias Pastor Ntumi, who like him hails from the Pool region in southern Congo. After Bintsamou disputed the results, Pool erupted into violence, which ended the following year.
By A Correspondent | There was a mix of chaos and tears at 2pm yesterday when government representatives descended into Murehwa to demand that the late 7 year old Tapiwa Makore, ZimEye can reveal.
[AUDIO FIRES] Should the Makore family give into govt to grant Tapiwa state hero burial?
7 months after the 7-year old Tapiwa Makore was murdered and his body severally dismembered, the government of Zimbabwe on Monday held a rushed meeting at the Murehwa district office, to address and demand from the late’s family that he be granted a state burial.
The development exclusively revealed by ZimEye 4 days before the burial which will happen this coming Saturday.
Below were the scenes (on audio).
Present were bosses from the Zim Prisons/ZRP/ZANU PF and Doves/Ecosure and other unnamed people….
By A Correspondent- Police have arrested two self-styled prophetesses from the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect on murder charges.
Elina Rumhangu (36) and Dorothy Mbano (48) were arrested in connection with the murder of Prosper Chinagwe (43) who had visited their home for faith healing.
The suspects, both women, allegedly used a surgical blade to cut the swelling in Chinagwe’s veins on the left leg during a spiritual healing session at their house in Highfield.
Chinagwe died after being admitted to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital after losing a lot of blood through the cut.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident last week. He said:
The ZRP confirms the arrest of two members of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Sect in connection with a case of murder that occurred on March 14, 2021, in Highfield, Harare.
The victim, aged 43, visited the suspects at their residence for spiritual healing and was cut with a surgical blade, the swelling veins of his left leg.
He bled profusely and lost a lot of blood until the suspects ferried him to Sally Mugabe Hospital where he died upon admission.
Asst Comm Nyathi urged citizens to be cautious when they seek the help of self-proclaimed prophets.-statemedia
By Jane Mlambo| James E Risch, the United States Senator for Idaho who is also a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has castigated the Zimbabwe government for the recall of MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Harare East Tendai Biti saying it is another example of subversion of the will of the people.
Posting on Twitter yesterday Senator Risch said;
“The recall of @BitiTendai and other members of parliament in #Zimbabwe last week is yet another example of the systematic dismantling of the elected political opposition & subversion of the will of the Zimbabwean people.”
Biti was recalled from parliament together with five other members including Regai Tsunga, Settlement Chikwinya, Kucaca Phulu and two others who were former members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
By A Correspondent | There was a mix of chaos and tears at 2pm yesterday when government representatives descended into Murehwa to demand that the late 7 year old Tapiwa Makore, ZimEye can reveal.
[AUDIO FIRES] Should the Makore family give into govt to grant Tapiwa state hero burial?
7 months after the 7-year old Tapiwa Makore was murdered and his body severally dismembered, the government of Zimbabwe on Monday held a rushed meeting at the Murehwa district office, to address and demand from the late’s family that he be granted a state burial.
The development exclusively revealed by ZimEye 4 days before the burial which will happen this coming Saturday.
Below were the scenes (on audio).
Present were bosses from the Zim Prisons/ZRP/ZANU PF and Doves/Ecosure and other unnamed people….
By A Correspondent- ZRP over the weekend reportedly arrested 182 border jumpers countrywide as they intensify patrols at various ports of entries to combat border jumping.
The arrests were confirmed by ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner who told the publication that last weekend they arrested 275 border jumpers including 23 minors for attempting to cross into South Africa without valid documents :
Members of the public are warned from using unauthorised ports of entry or exits and failing to declare their goods.
Police have arrested 182 people for violating the Immigration Act on Operation “No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni/ Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe.”
Since the onset of the operation on January 7, 2021, a total of 8 299 arrests have been made
Some of the people arrested were fined while some are expected to appear in court soon. ZRp revealed that have increased border patrols in a bid to curb rampant cases of smuggling between the 2 countries.
Zimbabwe is yet to open its borders after closing them in January following the country’s COVID-19 second wave that was experienced after the festive season.
A Chipinge man is recovering from a leg injury admitted at Chipinge District Hospital after he fell from a motorbike following horrific encounter with an unidentified flying object he witnessed on Friday evening. – THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY….
By A Correspondent- People who had COVID-19 before are vaccinated once, a senior official in the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.
Chief director curative services in the Ministry, Dr Maxwell Mareza Hove said the body of a person who has had COVID-19 has been put on alert by the natural infection and if they are not sick and are asymptomatic, they get a single jab which acts as as a second dose. Dr Hove said:
By vaccinating we are trying to sensitise the body to get alert that there is COVID-19 disease so it produces a certain type of antibodies.
For those who have already had the disease, the body has been put on alert by the natural infection and if they are not sick and are asymptomatic, we can give them but as a second dose because they are already sensitised by the previous infection.
If the person is stable we give the vaccine as a booster so that the immune system is stronger.
Dr Hove also urged citizens to open up about their conditions to health staff so that it can be ascertained if they are ready to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. He said:
Those above 60 years are also being vaccinated but after the screening, because the elderly tend to have other conditions like diabetes, hypertension or respiratory problems.
When they are not stable or blood sugar is out of control we wait until they have been cleared by their doctor.
HIV is equally a chronic disease. If the viral load is low and they are taking their medication with no sickness, they get vaccinated but if the viral loads are still high we wait until that is controlled.
By A Correspondent- Chaos characterised the reopening of schools for non-examination classes yesterday, with pupils not turning up at most schools possibly assuming that teachers heeded their unions’ call for a nationwide strike.
At most schools visited by NewsDay, teachers reported for duty in large numbers, but there were very few pupils.
Information ministry permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana confirmed the development on his Twitter handle, saying: “Surprisingly, it is the students who registered less than 100% turnout in some schools such as Munondo Primary, Daikieth and Windsor Primary School in Goromonzi.”
Mashonaland West provincial education director Gabriel Mhumha also said: “Today, we witnessed more teachers reporting for work than students reporting for school. The teachers’ percentage turnout was around 90%100%, while students’ turnout was around 70%-95%.”
But Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) president Obert Masaraure claimed that over 90% of teachers had heeded the strike call.
“We have embarked on a nationwide protest under the banner #SaveOurEducation. We are demanding that government resolves the incapacitation of teachers as our salaries should be restored to pre-October 2018 levels, where we were earning salaries ranging between US$520 and US$550,” he said.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said: “We support Artuz and what we are calling for is a clear constructive dialogue between government and teachers as soon as possible.We want to believe that there is something positive that can be born if we put our heads together. Let us dialogue and possibly agree on a solution.”
Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union national co-ordinator Wonder Nyapokoto said: “Our stance regarding this issue is that our members are incapacitated and can only go once a day or once a week or fail to report for work at all considering the limited resources concerned.”
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro, however, told NewsDay that there were no protests and the ministry was happy with the teachers’ and pupils’ turnout.-Newsday
7 months after the 7-year old Tapiwa Makore was murdered and his body severally dismembered, the government of Zimbabwe on Monday held a rushed meeting at the Murehwa district office, to address and demand from the late’s family that he be granted a state burial. The discussion was held at 2pm.
The development exclusively revealed by ZimEye 4 days before the burial which will happen this coming Saturday.
Below were the scenes (on audio).
Present were bosses from the Zim Prisons/ZRP/ZANU PF and Doves/Ecosure and other unnamed people.
Robert Sigauke, Political Commentator, Johannesburg
Analysis…Robert Sigauke
The Standard newspaper reported that Clifford Hlatswayo who is an MDC Alliance Spokesperson, communicated that the Alliance is mulling protests in response to the recalls of Tendai Biti and other MPs from parliament. Tendai Biti, Settlement Chikwinya and others were recalled from parliament, to the effect that they ceased to be members of the party PDP which seconded them to parliament after they identified themselves with the MDC Alliance. The PDP constitution provides that any member of parliament from their party may be recalled once they cross the floor to another party.
The Courts found on more than one occasion that the MDC Alliance is not a political party, but a loose coalition of opposition parties. The agreement document itself says so, that the MPs will retain their respective political parties but operate, coalesce and consult under the banner of the Alliance coalition.
There are pertinent questions therefore, did Tendai Biti cross over to an MDC Alliance which is not a political party? Secondly, does this mean there was never a party for Tendai Biti to cross over to, if there is no political party called the MDC Alliance? Thirdly, is ZANU-PF responsible for the illegal actions and outcomes of flawed MDC Alliance processes, sheepishly done by the MDC Alliance’s own members who are even lawyers of repute, which repute is now even questionable?
The case regarding if Biti and others never crossed over to any party as the MDC Alliance is a non-existent party is an academic argument for another day, what is important is that even if there was no party called MDC Alliance which Tendai Biti and others could cross over to, their objective conduct and subjective state of intent is informative and fundamental. The spirit and purpot of the provision in the PDP constitution (and constitutions of other parties) that any MP who ceases to be a member of the party may be recalled from parliament, was done because such member no longer represents the interests of the PDP but rather the interests of a different, opposing political party and therefore he must not be allowed to sit in the parliamentary seat of the PDP which seconded him as he is now publicly and expressly/tacitly disassociating himself with the PDP. This then effectively renders worthless the argument that the MDC Alliance is not a party, because it has its own distinct agenda, ethos, policies, and identity. In this instance, whether the Alliance is an actual or fictitious party, whoever recognises and associates themselves with the Alliance ceases to be a member of the PDP or any other party, and is now considered a member of that fictitious or actual party called the MDC Alliance. Therefore, the legality of the recalls is unquestionable and above board.
ZANU-PF therefore, does not need to meddle its hands to taint the already tainted and legally flawed MDC Alliance outcomes. The recalls are legal, and so were the findings of the Court that Chamisa’s rise to power was illegal too. ZANU-PF cannot be held responsible for the sheepish behaviour, political bankruptcy and illegal actions of the (questionably) clever Harare lawyers.
Of more interest is the response of the MDC Alliance to the latest recalls. They have advised they will organise protests to hold the government responsible. Is this a clever and effective strategy? Is this a strategy at all? Is it ZANU-PF which recalled MDC-T and PDP members of parliament, or was it the absence of convergence and infighting within those parties?
Will a regime holding a gun put back Biti into parliament because the youths of Mbare and some vendors have done toyi toyi, which is illegal even against COVID restrictions? Will the regime soil their pants and go against the PDP constitution and parliament rules because Mabvuku youths have protested in favour of illegality?
I think it holds much wisdom for the MDC Alliance to protest rather, if they will, for by-elections to be done so that the “much loved” members recalled by Khupe and PDP may return to parliament, legally. Surely if ZANU-PF is holding birthday parties and gatherings in the midst of COVID restrictions, it can be persuaded to save face and consider holding by-elections under those very same health protocols. ZANU-PF is desperate for legitimacy especially post the 2017 coup and the controversial 2018 elections, that is a bargaining chip for the MDC Alliance to invite the ruling party to prove its commitment to legitimacy and that it is not afraid of the ballot in the constituencies where MPs were recalled.
The current regime is an outcome of two revolutions, both born out of the barrel of a gun. Protests, against them, do not work!
Robert Sigauke is a Legal Manager and Political Commentator. He writes from Johannesburg. He can be reached on [email protected]
An enraged 88-year-old Mutoko woman last week struck her 99-year-old husband who later died due to the injury he sustained during the attack after he refused to help her with household chores.
99 year old Saidi Daiton was struck by bricks by Enesia Chivhinge after he reportedly refused to help her carry some cowpeas from their field. The incident occurred at Tamuka village in Mutoko on Thursday.
The Incident was confirmed by Mashonaland East Provincial Spokesperson Tendai Mwanza who said:
Police in Mutoko have arrested an 88-year-old woman after she allegedly hit her 99 year old husband with some pieces of bricks leading to his death a few days later.
The two reportedly had a misunderstanding after the now deceased allegedly refused to help the accused to ferry cow peas from their field to their home.
This is believed to have not gone down well with the accused who allegedly picked up some farm brick pieces and struck Saidi Daiton several times on the left hand and both legs.
An informant Tafadzwa Chivhinge told the police that when he got home that day, the now-deceased told him he had been attacked by his wife and Chivhinde after inspecting his injuries told him to seek medical attention. Dalton’s condition is said to have deteriorated 2 days later and when he was rushed to a nearby clinic he was pronounced dead on arrival according to Inspector Mwanza:
The informant hired a motor vehicle to ferry him to Nzira Clinic but Saidi Daiton unfortunately passed away on the way at around 1800 hours. The informant made a report at ZRP Mutoko on 21 March 2021 at around 0700 hours leading the police to attend. The accused was arrested and detained at ZRP Mutoko.
The body was ferried to Murewa Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem. It is saddening to note that the couple got involved in domestic violence at such ages. People should understand the need to maintain peace with each other even in times of misunderstandings. : ZTN
The company board must understand that it is not only their duty under law, but because they have a duty of care to their customers, shareholders and stakeholders. Cybersecurity is ever-increasing in the Covid-19 era. On one hand, businesses are going through a radical transformation while on the other hand the attack surface is rapidly expanding due to more people working from home and being online more than ever. There is increased pressure on executive teams to step-up and get a better handle on cybersecurity.
As board members, cybersecurity has grown so large that their consequences can significantly impact a company’s valuation. As a result, network security and data privacy are now boardroom governance concerns. Regulators like Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SECZ), should respond by increasing oversight and highlighting the need for public companies to make disclosures related to the cybersecurity risks. Zimbabwe’s Boardrooms should not only devote more attention to this ever-increasing cybersecurity risks but also evaluate their company’s corporate readiness for such attacks.
In Zimbabwe and beyond, data breaches and cybersecurity attacks have proliferated over the past few years and incidents occurring at Zimbabwe’s large and reputable companies are further stressing the harsh reality that no company is safe from this modern day threat.
Zimbabwe is a cashless society and the realm of the fight against corporate cybersecurity hacks and the mishandling of confidential data are boards of directors and their management teams whose challenge is further exacerbated by tougher disclosure requirements as required by the now Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill and the speed at which the threats are evolving. As a cashless society, what constituted a valid preventive strategy five years ago is unlikely still appropriate today.
Social engineering is now the number one crime and cybersecurity now extends well beyond criminal organizations conducting targeted attacks on corporations to include personal data gathered from social media platforms like facebook, navigation systems and home security monitoring to personal health tracking devices.
The only companies that has CTO/CIO professionals on their board are telecommunications and mobile network operating (MNO) companies. The rest still have ICT security buried within the ICT department. The Chief Information officer (CIO) or the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is left to decide security levels in isolation from the actual business risks, he or she is trying to manage, with little access to decision-makers at board level or to adequate funding. Unaware of the risks, business units frequently perceive ICT security simply as a cost and an obstruction and ways to circumvent it. Similarly, they plan strategy and take business decisions with scant regard for the risk consequences. The lack of board involvement means the regime is not focused and board reporting is inaccurate.
With the COVID-19 out-break, companies must implement a new ICT corporated governance strategies and processes. Board members, senior managers and the CIO/CTO, must understand the severity of the cyber security threat landscape and how cybersecurity attacks could impact the company’s business model, customers and reputation.
Having the CIO/CTO on the company’s board, it makes it easier for the board to identify the damaging impacts and to be identify priorities for the business and the ICT security team. It is not enough to simply increase the security budget, the budget must be focused on the highest priority risks.
It is essential that the appropriate ICT governance is implemented within a structure that suits the individual organisation’s corporate governance model, risk appetite and culture, business activities and specific threat landscape.
As the organisation improves its ability to manage cybersecurity risk, the cyber ICT governance process will mature and become more embedded in wider risk ICT governance, integrating with related business processes e.g. resilience, business continuity, fraud management and crisis management. The increased maturity of ICT corporate governance will also enable the organisation to introduce more quantitative measurements and to exploit the use of software tools.
Cybersecurity is now critical aspect of boardroom oversight, but an overwhelming majority of directors rate their own and their board’s knowledge of ICT risk as ‘in need of improvement’. A lack of cyber-knowledge at board level can lead to overreliance on cyber experts and difficulty for directors in judging an appropriate level of involvement.
To help board members address this critical topic, the Institute of Directors of Zimbabwe (IODZ), along with Zimbabwe Information and Communication Technology (ZICT), the ICT division of Zimbabwe Institution Of Engineers (ZIE) will be organizing a series of roundtable discussions across the country, with the meetings focused on implications for the boardroom: how directors can effectively oversee cybersecurity risk; the necessary processes and policies to protect sensitive networks, systems and data from unauthorized access or attack; and the potential for financial and legal problems created by cyber-threats.
If you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact us on email [email protected] or whatsapp/call +263772278161
If I were Secretary to God Secretly I would with pengold Write all statehouse unspeakables About the Statehouse president Or is it Statehouse resident! Him being her mirror collection Of her perennial correction Either him foolish Or her a maron fool A colossal colony of her neighbor’s slander tongue Who competes to complete To spit into the looking glass, And the parallel dry cheeks Provoke body’s backyard tears Enough to teargas A May Day Workers protest march . Will her brood ever hatch into scarffed crocodile? The curse of a incest underwear At the foot of Statehouse matrimonial riverbed! The river blooded Or liver flooded With political pimples guised as dimples, hi Make not a difference! **By COLLEN KAJOKOTO. The author is a persecuted Harare based Human Rights defender and protest poet.
166 days ago, President John Pombe Magufuli and I had dinner together at the State Residence in Dar es Salaam, but I did not know that it would be our last supper.
The following day, he saw me off the apron of Julius Nyerere International Airport, but I did not know that it would be our last goodbye.
Today, I join you all in a state of shock and grief at the passing of one of Africa’s finest sons because none of us saw it coming. This ability to let no one see his next move coming, which we find unsettling in his death, is also what we found inspiring about his life.
When they said laziness and sloth in public service cannot be cured, they did not see Magufuli coming.
When they said the cartels of corruption strangling Africa’s governments cannot be defeated, they did not see Magufuli coming. When they said African States cannot become middle-income economies within a single presidential term, they did not see Magufuli coming. When they said infrastructural projects in Africa cannot be completed on time and on budget, they did not see Magufuli coming. When they said the only way to pursue our development is to follow the failed.
prescriptions of foreign financial institutions that have left Africa more impoverished and in debt than they found it, they did not see Magufuli coming.
To us who had the privilege of knowing the unpredictable Magufuli, the example of his life of service shall forever be a launching pad for our own. To us who have the honour of going through this world as Africans, Magufuli’s love of country shall forever be a light on that pilgrimage. To us who have been entrusted with governing the nations of our beautiful and rich continent, Magufuli’s leadership shall forever move us out of complacency.
It is right for us to hold him in this regard. John Pombe Magufuli was not just an icon. He was a hero. May his name be preserved in every Capital of Africa as a symbol of the kind of resolve that will create the Africa we want.
May his work be venerated in every village as an example worthy of our imitation. And may his soul rest in eternal peace as he meets with his God, with whom we hope to one day see Magufuli coming.
HIGHLANDERS’ 2020 revenue increased by 58 percent despite inactivity caused by Covid-19.
According to the club’s audited financials, presented in local currency by club treasurer Donald Ndebele at Sunday’s annual general meeting, Highlanders’ income as at December 31, 2020, stood at $19 694 950 compared to $12 627 091 realised in 2019.
Highlanders’ revenue increased by $7 million despite not playing games due to a suspension of the country’s sport.
The biggest chunk of the revenue came from the sale of players and development fees.
Bosso sold Prince Dube to Azam FC of Tanzania and they paid US$50 000 which according to the audit report was equivalent to $4 104 545 using the official auction rate.
It was revealed in the financias that should Dube move from Azam, Highlanders are set to get 30 percent of the sale.
Michelle Katsvairo who moved to Botswana, bought himself out the Bosso contract for US$1 500 ($122 680).
Development fees paid to the Highlanders for Marvelous Nakamba and Teenage Hadebe earned the club $4 046 770.
The development fee for Nakamba’s move from Belgian side Club Brugge to English side Aston Villa was €44 171, with Bosso getting €35 326 (US$40 116) after the agent’s 20 percent commission.
According to the audit’s report, the balance paid to Highlanders was equal to $3 317 602 using the official exchange rate of 1:82.70.
The development fee for Hadebe’s move to Turkey’s Yeni Malatyspor was US$3 500 and after the agent’s fee, Highlanders received US$2 664 (an equivalent of $222 362 at an exchange rate of 83.50).
Highlanders indicated that they intend disposing some players to foreign leagues that are operational.
Bosso believe they have talent to attract foreign teams and will continue with their pursuit of selling players to generate revenue.
Having tasted the fruits of their development following compensation realised from Hadebe and Nakamba, Bosso will keep track of their junior products and seek compensation later…Chronicle
FRANCE-BASED Warriors forward, Tino Kadewere, is desperately eager to join his teammates and feature in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Botswana and Zambia.
However, the hopes for his appearance, appear to be fading.
There have always been doubt, over the availability of the Lyon striker, and his France-based colleague, Marshall Munetsi, who plays for Stade Reims, due to tough Covid-19 protocol, in that country.
However, Zimbabwe’s bid to have the duo got a significant boost, at the weekend, when French authorities, relaxed those tough conditions, and allowed African players to travel to their bases, for this week’s qualifiers.
This followed the intervention of FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, after some African countries, led by Senegal, accused the French clubs of discrimination.
But, the French sides came up with some strict conditions, demanding the players should use private, and not passenger jets, to minimise their chances of coming into contact with the Covid-19 virus.
This has now forced the African national associations to arrange special charter flights, for their players, to enable them to play in the final Nations Cup qualifiers.
ZIFA boss, Felton Kamambo, indicated on Sunday they had alerted Government, of the arrangements, to try and find ways of the Warriors duo being put on a plane, which was being arranged for Madagascar and Mozambican players.
The two players remained part of the 23-man squad, announced by coach Zdravko Logarusic, yesterday even though the chances of them, flying home for the two matches, were fading by late last night.
Kadewere’s brother, Prosper, yesterday told The Herald the striker was still hopeful an arrangement will be made for him to arrive in Botswana, ahead of the match on Thursday, in Francistown.
“He is still committed to come for the qualifiers. I am in constant touch with him (Tino) and just today (yesterday), he told me that he had packed his luggage ready to come,” said Prosper.
“He is very much keen and the fact is he is just waiting to hear the way forward from the authorities here.”
Kadewere would also be desperate, for a change of environment, to try and recharge his batteries, after Lyon were handed a lesson by champions Paris Saint Germain, in a French Ligue 1 match, on Sunday night.- The Herald
ZRP over the weekend reportedly arrested 182 border jumpers countrywide as they intensify patrols at various ports of entries to combat border jumping.
The arrests were confirmed by ZRP National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner who told the publication that last weekend they arrested 275 border jumpers including 23 minors for attempting to cross into South Africa without valid documents :
Members of the public are warned from using unauthorised ports of entry or exits and failing to declare their goods.
Police have arrested 182 people for violating the Immigration Act on Operation “No to Cross Border Crimes/ Fhasi Ngamilandu Yamukanoni/ Mhosva Pamiganhu Ngadzipere/ Amacala Kawaphele Emingceleni Yelizwe.”
Since the onset of the operation on January 7, 2021, a total of 8 299 arrests have been made
Some of the people arrested were fined while some are expected to appear in court soon. ZRp revealed that have increased border patrols in a bid to curb rampant cases of smuggling between the 2 countries.
Zimbabwe is yet to open its borders after closing them in January following the country’s COVID-19 second wave that was experienced after the festive season.-The Herald
An enraged 88-year-old Mutoko woman last week struck her 99-year-old husband who later died due to the injury he sustained during the attack after he refused to help her with household chores.
99 year old Saidi Daiton was struck by bricks by Enesia Chivhinge after he reportedly refused to help her carry some cowpeas from their field. The incident occurred at Tamuka village in Mutoko on Thursday.
The Incident was confirmed by Mashonaland East Provincial Spokesperson Tendai Mwanza who said:
Police in Mutoko have arrested an 88-year-old woman after she allegedly hit her 99 year old husband with some pieces of bricks leading to his death a few days later.
The two reportedly had a misunderstanding after the now deceased allegedly refused to help the accused to ferry cow peas from their field to their home.
This is believed to have not gone down well with the accused who allegedly picked up some farm brick pieces and struck Saidi Daiton several times on the left hand and both legs.
An informant Tafadzwa Chivhinge told the police that when he got home that day, the now-deceased told him he had been attacked by his wife and Chivhinde after inspecting his injuries told him to seek medical attention. Dalton’s condition is said to have deteriorated 2 days later and when he was rushed to a nearby clinic he was pronounced dead on arrival according to Inspector Mwanza:
The informant hired a motor vehicle to ferry him to Nzira Clinic but Saidi Daiton unfortunately passed away on the way at around 1800 hours. The informant made a report at ZRP Mutoko on 21 March 2021 at around 0700 hours leading the police to attend. The accused was arrested and detained at ZRP Mutoko.
The body was ferried to Murewa Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem. It is saddening to note that the couple got involved in domestic violence at such ages. People should understand the need to maintain peace with each other even in times of misunderstandings. : ZTN
Two burglars raided Mukuru Send Money Home transfer agent offices in Bulawayo city centre and got away with more than US$17 000 and R100 000 in what is suspected to be an inside job.
The raid occurred at the agent offices at Zapalala Supermarket along Jason Moyo between 9th and 10th Avenue.
It is not clear what time the burglars broke into the shop but the raid was discovered when the money transfer agent employees reported for duty at about 6:45AM on Sunday.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abdenico Ncube confirmed the incident saying investigations were underway.
“We are investigating an unlawful entry and theft case which occurred at a retail shop on Sunday evening. I don’t have the total amount that was stolen off-hand but I understand that the money runs into thousands of US dollars and Rand. Investigations on the matter are ongoing. We also want to appeal to financial institutions that handle substantial amounts to employ reputable security companies to man their premises,” said Insp Ncube.
Mukuru Send Money Home manager only identified as Munashe declined to comment on the matter.
“The case is with the police who are still investigating what happened. For now, we don’t have a comment as we are waiting for the police to give us any further information,” said Munashe.
The supermarket which houses the money transfer agent is usually characterised by queues but yesterday there were only a few people visiting the shop. Some were being turned away after being informed of the crime.
Sources said the security guard informed employees that burglars had used an unknown object to break into the supermarket and shop. It is however, not clear where the security guard was when the crime was committed.
“They got away with US$17 140, R109 400 and $1 000. What we gather is that nothing else in the supermarket was stolen. The thieves went straight to where the Mukuru safe is located and it seems the suspects had knowledge of the security code to unlock the safe. The main safe was opened without any evidence of using force. The safe has four sections and from those, two were unlocked using a code only known by a few employees. The suspects only used force to open the other two compartments,” said a source close to the investigations.
The source said the burglars who were wearing face masks were captured on closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras. Financial institutions handling mostly foreign currency have become targets for criminals.
Two week ago, six armed robbers raided Access Finance Bureau de Change, getting away with undisclosed amount of money at Parkade Centre.
The daring armed robbers disarmed a Safeguard security guard manning the Bureau de Change and even had the guts to attack the security company’s reaction team that had responded to the distress call and got away with the team’s vehicle which they later dumped in Malindela suburb.- Chronicle
A mound of sandy soil with a bunch of artificial flowers atop is what marks the grave of Gogo Eve Siwela (73) of Lower Gweru.
Shot dead….lower Gweru Gogo
On March 10, she was shot dead by two unknown men in a rare killing that has terrified the community as police investigations drag on. The killers are still at large.
While shooting victims are normally rich men or women, whose killings will be at the instance of a robbery and with their send-offs marked by an array of flowers and speeches, this was not the case with Gogo Siwela.
Hers is a “poor” countryside shallow grave that completes a sorry picture of the poverty that shrouds her petite homestead, comprising a one-roomed bedroom and a pole and dagga kitchen hut from where she was brazenly shot twice in the head.
The circumstances and motive behind the shooting of the elderly woman, who left behind two orphaned grandchildren aged 12 and 14 years, remains a mystery with the community still searching for answers.
Police are on the case 24/7 but there is still no breakthrough. The police have been revisiting the crime scene day in day out to gather more details where the two terrified minors remain chief witnesses to the gory incident.
The 12-year-old minor, who is a girl, has been taken to Gwanda by a distant relative who attended Gogo Siwela’s burial. Her sister is wandering around the village, reportedly still traumatised, as the children have not undergone trauma counselling.
Chronicle caught up with a relative who is still hanging around the homestead to attend to mourners and visitors still trickling in to enquire on the incident.
The relative was not aware of the teen’s whereabouts. “She is still traumatised, she witnessed the incident, her grandmother being shot in broad daylight and dying on the spot. What is even more heartbreaking is that after the incident, Gogo’s body spent almost five hours in a pool of blood as police waited for a van from Gweru to attend the scene.
“The incident occurred at around 9am and the police only removed Gogo from the scene at around 3pm and this traumatised the girl so much that she now wanders aimlessly. She rarely spends a day at home,” said the relative, Mr Pasca Mutero.
He said the other minor was no longer around after she was lucky to be taken by a distant relative who attended the burial.
“It’s a desperate situation for the girl. The other one was lucky as she is now in Gwanda. There is a relative who decided to take her because they have no one to look after them now. The one still around is in Form One at the nearby Lower Gweru Mission High so am a still around still pondering how to help her out,” he said.
Mr Mutero said he was a son to the late Gogo Siwela’s sister but was a poor villager who has no idea how to adopt the orphans left behind by Gogo Siwela.
“Even the local traditional leader is aware of the challenge which is staring at us so he promised to look for well-wishers to help in the upkeep of the girls,” he said. A neighbour, Mrs Jane Takavada, said the ruthless killing had scared everyone in the area.
“We are still in a shock, we are still wondering what the motive was, we are still waiting for police investigations and we hope they will come up with an answer to this mystery. She was one of the oldest women in the village, where everyone would go and tap some wisdom from, we are devastated,” she said.
Mrs Takavada, who is a plot holder at Insukamini Irrigation Scheme, said she would come to Gogo Siwela to ask for her two girls to assist her in the fields.
“I would in turn help Gogo with money to pay the girls’ fees and buy some books and now that she is gone, no one knows what will become of these two girls,” she said.
Chief Bunina, the local traditional leader, said the shooting had “turned the community upside-down” and could have destroyed the lives of the two girls. “It’s a shock which has continued to boggle the minds of many.
“We just hope the police will come up with something so that we have closure. Everyone is confused. We are still looking for answers, we know a person is shot when robbers are looking for cash or some valuables, but on this one, a poor villager of that age being shot from nowhere is something else, we are dumbfounded,” he said.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said investigations were still underway. -Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|Fifteen MDC Alliance members were arrested in Masvingo on Saturday for disturbing flyers to party members.
Mr Mnangagwa
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, a senior MDC Alliance official said the flyers were distributed as part of a strategy to encourage party members to “remain vigilant on the ground.”
“Fifteen party members were arrested and briefly detained for distributing party flyers.
State Security agents accused the 15 members of distributing flyers for the purpose of inciting social unrest and violence.
The government agents also accused our members of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government,” said the MDC Alliance official.
Can A Mere Flyer ‘Remove’ Mnangagwa ?
Tinashe Sambiri|Fifteen MDC Alliance members were arrested in Masvingo on Saturday for disturbing flyers to party members.
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, a senior MDC Alliance official said the flyers were distributed as part of a strategy to encourage party members to “remain vigilant on the ground.”
“Fifteen party members were arrested and briefly detained for distributing party flyers.
State Security agents accused the 15 members of distributing flyers for the purpose of inciting social unrest and violence.
The government agents also accused our members of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government,” said the MDC Alliance official.
Here’s What May Be Causing Your Digestive Gas Pain Worried about intestinal gas? It’s a normal part of digestion, but sometimes digestive problems like gas can signal more worrisome conditions.
Diana Rodriguez By Diana Rodriguez Medically Reviewed by Kareem Sassi, MD Last Updated: March 17, 2021 Here-Is-What-May-Be-Causing-Your-Digestive-Gas-Pain-00-1440×810 Painful gas can signal an underlying health condition.
Like it or not, everyone passes gas. “On average, an adult produces two pints of gas every day,” says Sari Acra, MD, MPH, a professor and director of the division of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. According to the National Institutes of Health, farting 13 to 21 times per day is normal.
Typically, gas in the digestive tract occurs as a result of swallowing air (aerophagia) and when bacteria in your large intestine break down certain foods.
A person can swallow large amounts of air by:
Chewing gum Smoking Drinking carbonated beverages Eating or drinking too quickly Wearing loose-fitting dentures Sucking on hard candy If the air isn’t burped back up, it will move down into your gastrointestinal tract and get released through the anus.
Food can also cause gas, although the type of food can vary from person to person. Known gas culprits include:
Certain vegetables, such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli Beans and lentils Milk products, like cheese, ice cream, and yogurt Drinks like apple juice, pear juice, and carbonated beverages with high-fructose corn syrup
Regular gas is a sign that you’re consuming adequate amounts of fiber and that you have healthy gut microbes.
But gas accompanied by other red flags — such as weight loss, anorexia, excessive diarrhea, vomiting, fever, prolonged bloating, and severe stomach pain — can be a sign of a digestive disorder or other gastrointestinal condition that needs attention. Problems include:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Lactose intolerance Pancreatitis Ulcers Celiac disease Gallstones Diverticulitis Trouble Passing Gas The flipside of excessive gas is the inability to pass gas, which can also be a symptom of an underlying problem, like an abdominal obstruction. An intestinal blockage is a serious condition and occurs as a result of a partial or total blockage of the small or large intestine.
According to the Mount Sinai Medical Center, a tumor, scar tissue (adhesions), or narrowing of the intestines are all likely causes of abdominal obstruction.
If you’re experiencing gas pain and you either can’t pass gas or have excessive flatulence, speak to your healthcare provider. They may be able to offer at-home solutions to your digestive woes. Or your doctor may schedule tests to determine if your gas pain is caused by another, more serious problem.
Is Your Gas Pain a Symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Is Your Gas Pain a Symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irina Strelnikova/iStock If your gas comes with severe stomach pain, persistent bouts of diarrhea or constipation and bloating that occurs at least three days a month, you might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you have IBS, then the nerves in your gastrointestinal tract will be more sensitive to the gas produced there. Dr. Acra says that the increased awareness of gas could make people feel like they’re passing gas more than usual.
IBS is a chronic, uncomfortable condition, but it won’t cause any damage to your GI tract. Symptoms can be managed with medication and diet.
ulcerative-colitis-checkin-checkup-722×406 Check In on Your Ulcerative Colitis How much is ulcerative colitis impacting your life? Are your treatment and diet plans working for you? Here’s how to check in before your next checkup with your doctor. Gas Pain Could Be Caused by Lactose Intolerance or a Food Allergy
Gas Pain Could Be Caused by Lactose Intolerance or a Food Allergy
If you notice that your gas seems worse after eating certain foods, such as dairy products (which contain lactose), the problem may be a particular food, or lactose intolerance. The body’s inability to tolerate a food or substance can trigger stomach or gas pain as your body struggles to digest it. When bacteria in your colon can’t properly digest these foods, they break down and are fermented into gas.
“Some people can’t digest the sugar contained in milk [lactose] because their intestines lack the enzyme necessary to break it down, or they can’t absorb fructose, the sugar that is found in many foods, including corn syrup,” says Acra.
Gas Is a Very Common Symptom of Pancreatitis
Gas is a Very Common Symptom of Pancreatitis iStock Gas is normal. But flatulence that’s accompanied by swelling in the abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting is not. These symptoms can be warning signs of pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas, which assists in the digestive process. Gas is a very common symptom of pancreatitis. A Chinese case study published in April 2019 in the journal Medicine noted that intestinal gas frequently caused pain and bloating in patients with pancreatitis.
Source: Everyday Health
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has reversed the decision to evict thousands of Shangaan people from their ancestral land.
Government was pushing for the eviction of Chiredzi villagers to create space for a grass-growing project.
Pressure groups in Masvingo Province say government’s decision to reverse the eviction of Chiredzi villagers from their ancestral land is a victory for citizens.
Masvingo Center for Research Advocacy and Development (MACRAD) Director Ephraim Mtombeni said:
It’s a victory for the people of Chilonga and the Shangaan speaking people.
The people supported #savechilonga campaign and MACRAD launched a High Court application challenging the legality of the evictions.the government reversed the decision to evict the Shangaan speaking people to pave way for Dendairy to grow lucerne grass.
Despite the Zim government bureaucrats acknowledging their obligation to protect all citizens, they are yet to secure shelter for victims of forced displacements.
The absence of political will by the government in respecting the minority social groups is driving them to ignore the calls by constitution and international legislatives.
The government should properly plan the destination of the affected people prior to enforcement of evictions.”
By James Gwati- A high powered delation of the members of the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) will this week fly to Victoria Falls to receive their first jabs of Mnangagwa will be accompanied by members of who will also receive their first jabs of the Chinese-developed Sinovac coronavirus vaccine.
The POLAD team will be joining President Emmerson Mnangagwa who will also be vaccinated.
Observers have however questioned the logic behind flying this high powered delegation just for a jab at a time the government is failing to increase the teachers’ salaries.
By James Gwati-The Makamba family has dedicated one week to remember their late son Zororo Makamba.
Zororo died on 23 March last year and was the first victim of COVID-19.
In fliers posted on social media by Zororo’s family and friends under #ZororoForever, they have urged people to either release a white or green balloon in memory of Zororo or plant a tree in memory of him between 21 and 28 March 2021.
2 Zimbabweans who were in jail in Kanye in Botswana reportedly escaped from prison yesterday with a Motswana mass murder convict, the Chronicle reports.
The 2 fugitives Anthony Hlanai (26) from Masvingo and Melodius Evans (28) from Bulawayo, escaped from Kanye Prison alongside Aobakwe Lehupu (27) who was serving a jail sentence for murder.
The matter was posted on Facebook on the official Botswana Government Facebook page where the Botswana government appealed to members of the public with information that might lead to their arrest to come forward. Public Relations Office, Botswana Prison Service Senior Superintendent Oagile Kojane released a statement on the matter that stated that:
Members of the public are requested to assist with information leading to the recapture of the below mentioned prisoners who escaped from Kanye Prison on Sunday, 21 March 2021 at 0145 hours.
Anthony Hlanai Age: 26 years Home Village: Tjibi (Masvingo District) Zimbabwean offence: Theft Common Sentence: 3 years.
Melodius Evans Age: 28 years Home Village: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Offence: Robbery Sentence: Remand
Anyone with information leading to the arrest of the three prisoners should contact Kanye Prison at 5440382/5440032 or report to the nearest Police Station or Prison.
Members of the Prison Service and other security organs are working around the clock to recapture the prisoners.
The Motswana mass murderer was reportedly convicted for murdering his grandparents, his aunt, his niece with an axe and a knife and injuring 2 other relatives in Ratsheru communal lands before burning all the huts they were living in, Lehupu when he committed the mass murders had been out of prison due to the Presidential amnesty while he had been serving time for stabbing a female relative three years earlier.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The late Vice President, Joshua Nkomo’s son is tipped to be nominated to lead his father’s ZAPU.
According to Newsday Sibangilizwe Nkomo’s name was forwarded from the party’s Kezi branch in Matabeleland South.
“His name has been submitted by his district. They want him to lead the party and if the nomination is accepted, he will be one of the contestants for the presidency,” reports the private daily newspaper.
The publication said ZIPRA Veterans Trust spokesperson Baster Magwizi could be the party’s vice president but other party members are said to prefer the party’s spokesperson Iphithule Maphosa to become the party’s Vice President.
The opposition party will hold their elective congress on 30 April 2021.
By James Gwati-The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is still making frantic efforts to have the France-based duo of Tino Kadewere and Marshal Munetsi to be flown in for these two crucial AFCON ties against Botswana and Zambia.
Zimbabwe is taking on Botswana on Thursday away before hosting Zambia at the National Sports Stadium four days later in Group H.
Zimbabwe is second in the group with five points and any of the three nations can easily grab the remaining qualification slot depending on how many points they pick in the remaining two matches.
Warriors captain Knowledge Musona arrived in Harare this afternoon
The Belgium-based star touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport just after midday and immediately joined the rest of the Warriors who are already in camp.
Orlando Pirates’ Terrence Dzvukamanja and Al Hilal’s Last Jesi also arrived today.
By James Gwati-The British Broadcasting Corporation has ignored President Mnangagwa at the memorial of the late Tanzanian President, John Pombe Magufuli.
BBC’s Africa desk Monday acknowledged all the African head of states who were paying their last respects to the late leader President Magufuli, but did not mention Mnangagwa.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has returned home from Tanzania and was welcomed at Robert Mugabe International Airport by his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, several Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials.
In Tanzania, President Mnangagwa joined 10 heads of State and Government from Africa who converged in Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania to bid farewell to the late leader who died of a heart ailment last Wednesday.
A Zimbabwean woman has been charged with infanticide after she allegedly killed her child by drowning her in a 20-litre bucket of boiling water, the Chronicle reports.
Wendy Tapiwa Chipo, from Rietfonten in Pretoria in South Africa, has already appeared at the Brits Magistrates’ Court facing murder charges and she has remanded in custody to 14 May 2021 pending further investigations.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson for Northern Gauteng Ms Lumka Mahanjana, Chipo first tried to abort her baby and failed before killing her with the help of her friend:
It is alleged that Wendy tried to abort her baby, when that failed and the baby came out alive, she dipped her in a 20-litre bucket of boiling water
Together with her friend, they went to bury the baby at a bush near where she stays in Sunnyway Village in Rietfontein.
She asked the friend not to tell anyone about what she had done.
The friend who could not keep the secret reported the matter to the police leading to Chipo’s arrest. A similar incident occurred last year in Mutare when a local woman drowned her baby in hot water by giving birth in a bucket of hot water for unknown reasons,
By A Correspondent-Warriors captain, Knowledge Musona has arrived in Harare ahead of two African Cup of Nations qualifying ties against Botswana and Zambia set for this Thursday and next Monday.
The Belgium-based star touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport just after midday and immediately joined the rest of the Warriors who are already in camp.
Orlando Pirates’ Terrence Dzvukamanja and Al Hilal’s Last Jesi also arrived today. Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa is expected to fly in tomorrow afternoon.
Zimbabwe takes on Botswana on Thursday away before hosting Zambia at the National Sports Stadium four days later in Group H.
Zimbabwe is second in the group with five points and any of the three nations can easily grab the remaining qualification slot depending on how many points they pick in the remaining two matches.
Zambia currently anchors Group H with three points on their tally while Botswana is third with four points.
Defending African champions Algeria have already qualified for the AFCON finals after amassing 10 points.
CHIVI9 Remanded in custody for continuition of Bail hearing
As Citizens Convergence for Change atmosphere begins in rural areas…Zanu pf regime pannicks
The Chivi9 arrested on Friday at Mhandamhabwe appeared today at Masvingo Magistrate Court. Maverick Advocate Mureri represented the 9 Chivi activists. Among the 9 are MDCA Youth leaders and a Member of Parliament candidate for MDCA in 2018 Hon Dickson Mapipi. The nine are being charged for gathering for the purpose of causing public violence, a malicious crafted charge which they did not commit. They have been remanded in custody awaiting continuition of Bail hearing tomorrow. Justice delayed is Justice denied!!
The gathering was addressed by Youth leader Gilbert Mutubuki and it was in solidarity with the arrested actictivists and leaders Cecilia Chimbiri,Makuomborero Haruzivishe,Johanna Mamombe and Takudzwa Ngadziore. The gathering was peaceful before ,during and after the address hence the charges are an extention of an oppressive system.
Thumbs up to the legal team head by Advocate Mureri. The youth secretary for Legal affairs not to be spared as he stood up the rescue and immediately securing food to the arrested cadres who had been kept hungry in Police hands.
The gathering was attended by around 30 people from different pressure groups and movements among them the People Power and MDCA. As upon the arrests the police were believed to be searching all attendees but later made u turn and pointed the swords to the 9 in custody.
These arrests has poked the people of Masvingo who are now in mood to roll up sleeves against this oppression. The Citizens Convergence for Change atmosphere has kicked off through the rural areas a move that have shocked Zanu pf to the extent of doing this usual state apparatus abuse to thwart possible peaceful resistance.
Meanwhile Masvingo People and Chivi in general are encouraged to stay strong and brave to fight for our fellow comrades in custody. Let this become the beginning of the People’s Struggle for People’s common Agenda.
By A Correspondent- ZAPU has said Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo’s utterances in Gwanda on Saturday confirms that the ruling party is aware that the Unity Accord is dead.
The Unity Accord was an agreement between ZANU and ZAPU that was signed on 22 December in 1987 to end the Gukurahundi massacres.
Moyo, who was in Gwanda for a Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC), told state media that it was the wish of late Vice President Joshua Nkomo for the 1987 unity accord between the parties to remain intact.
He said this following reports that Zanu PF Matabeleland South province on Saturday welcomed 28 ZAPU members who defected to the ruling party.
But speaking to NewZimbabwe.com over the weekend, ZAPU director of marketing and communications Patrick Ndlovu accused Zanu PF of engaging in cheap propaganda. He said:
The only positive to note in the story is the admission by Moyo that the unity agreement is dead and that ZAPU is no longer part of that accord.
It should settle the doubting Thomases and reassure the fence-sitters that Zapu is truly distinct from Zanu PF.
We would also remind Moyo that he should not speak on issues that are beyond his mandate.
Moyo was an Aide De Camp to the late Joshua Nkomo. He was not in the political structures. As such, he is not qualified to speak on the wishes of Nkomo.
What Nkomo in fact did say was ‘ngenani liphume lingela daka (go in and come out without being soiled).
Tinashe Sambiri|Fifteen MDC Alliance members were arrested in Masvingo on Saturday for disturbing flyers to party members.
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, a senior MDC Alliance official said the flyers were distributed as part of a strategy to encourage party members to “remain vigilant on the ground.”
“Fifteen party members were arrested and briefly detained for distributing party flyers.
State Security agents accused the 15 members of distributing flyers for the purpose of inciting social unrest and violence.
The government agents also accused our members of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government,” said the MDC Alliance official.
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has intensified efforts to disrupt MDC Alliance programmes across the country.
Mnangagwa has instructed secret agents to monitor MDC Alliance activities across the country.
However, the MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Province says Agenda 2021 is unstoppable:
The freedom train is not stopping neither is it procrastinating due to the exposure of wolves who have been masquerading in our midst as sheep.
We are not surprised at the unveiling of ED’s clansmen and girls who were aiding and abetting the regime all along.
As a Province we held our party Building meeting this weekend and resolved to keep the Revolutionary flame alight.we shall not betray the people’s struggle due to tribal politics or for the love of money. We are not in politics for money but for the emancipation of the people from the yoke of slavery.
We all resolved to take the regime to task and we would like to inform all and sundry that it is not a crime to converge for change neither is it a crime to call on the regime to respect our liberties and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution.
As Mash West,we are ready to hold the regime accountable.we shall not rest until we are no longer treated as slaves in our own native land.
Zambia star forward Fashion Sakala will miss this week’s AFCON qualifiers against Algeria and Zimbabwe, it has emerged.
The KV Oostende man, who has scored 13 goals in the Belgian League this season, sustained an injury in his side’s match against Mouscron this past weekend.
He is a key member of Micho’s squad, which is still within touching distance of their Group H participants Zimbabwe and Botswana in the race for AFCON qualification.
Chipolopolo take on Algeria on Thursday before clashing with the Warriors in Harare on Monday- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance has called on government to intensify awareness campaigns as a strategy of demystifying conspiracy theories surrounding the low uptake of Covid-19 vaccination in the country.
The party’s National Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Henry Madzorera who is a former health minister urged president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to invest time and money and capacitate health professionals to educate the populace on why government chose the sinopharm vaccine, Russia’s Sputnik V and India’s Covaxin detailing the scientific reasons for this.
He said such a move would demystify myths surrounding the jabs and increase its uptake.
Said Madzorera:
“Government should double its efforts in vaccinating the population. This means spending time and money on educating health workers and the entire population on why the government chose sinopharm vaccine, how it has performed elsewhere, and giving clinical details of the scientific trial phases that have been done already.
Dealing with mistrust and conspiracy theories should preoccupy government at this point. Empty reassurances and threats won’t help our situation.
The people want scientific information. That’s not the job of politicians. Government should resource the public health and scientific communities to do that.”
Zimbabwe received its first 200,000 coronavirus vaccines, a donation by the Chinese government joining Egypt and Equatorial Guineas as the first few African countries to get the vaccine.
The country’s Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who doubles as the country’s health minister, was the first to receive the jab, at Harare’s Wilkins Hospital a few days later in a development where government aimed to vaccinate around 60,000 healthcare and other frontline workers in the first round of vaccinations.
Zimbabwe reported an estimated 36,665 COVID-19 cases and 1,512 deaths according to statistics from the health ministry.
VP Chiwenga told legislators last Tuesday that Zimbabwe’s free vaccination programme, was targeting at least 10 million people, roughly 60% of the population.
However, Zimbabwean doctors expressed concern over the worrisome statistics of those taking the jab where fewer than 36,000 people had received shots in the first three weeks of Zimbabwe’s campaign to vaccinate front line workers like doctors, nurses and journalists among others.
In its report titled “Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy and Immunization Coverage in Zimbabwe: A Rapid Assessment, Version 1: DECEMBER 2016” the UNICEF recommended that there is need to design and implement a national social and behavior change communication (SBCC) or communication for development (C4D) strategy on immunization.
The organisation further emphasised the importance of “engagement and dialogue to address vaccine hesitancy and refusal.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is on record revealing that, like any vaccine, COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as a low-grade fever or pain or redness at the injection site.
“Most reactions to vaccines are mild and go away within a few days on their own. More serious or long-lasting side effects to vaccines are possible but extremely rare. Vaccines are continually monitored to detect rare adverse events.
Reported side effects to COVID-19 vaccines have mostly been mild to moderate and short-lasting. They include: fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhoea, and pain at the injection site. The chances of any of these side effects following vaccination differ according to the specific COVID-19 vaccine,” added the WHO.
See full text of the MDC Alliance statement below:
9th Edition
21 March 2021
Staring the third wave in the eye
Since the lifting of the last lockdown, we have already seen a modest increase in the number of daily infections recorded. We need to stay vigilant as the country opens up. Covid-19 safe practices ought to be applied consistently at all levels of our lives as Zimbabwean citizens, be it at the work places, in public transit, at churches, at school, or at funerals.
Wherever we interact with others outside of our household, it is critical that Covid-19 safe practices be instituted. Covid-19 can still run rampant as long as herd immunity hasn’t been achieved in our country.
By estimates, at least 60% of the Zimbabwean population has to be vaccinated and immune, to attain herd immunity, a state in which the virus no longer has room to keep spreading in our population. Until we reach that place when it will be difficult for the virus to spread like wildfire, we ought to do all we can to keep ourselves, our families, & friends, our neighbors & workmates, and all fellow Zimbabweans safe.
Other more well to do countries are already burning under the load of a third wave, and we must be warned. Countries like Germany & Italy are already seeing worrisome spikes in cases.
There are many ominous pointers to a possible third wave in Zimbabwe. With the Easter holidays coming, we get a chilling sense of déjà vu. Winter is also fast approaching, and that is the time when respiratory illnesses like the flu, Covid-19, etc hit us the most.
A third wave would be catastrophic. It may be more vicious in transmissibility with all the possible mutations that can happen, and the chances of a more aggressive and deadlier variant coming up always exists. The good news is that a third wave is completely preventable, if we as a people exercise the discipline necessary to prevent it for at least another year, while we ensure that our entire population gets vaccinated.
Lets focus on the positive aspects. What has worked for us in the past?
The lockdowns , if not politicised, work well to interrupt transmission. We don’t mean to imply that we should have more lockdowns, because these have their own nasty economic and social consequences, which as a nation we did not manage well and we can ill afford. We should work at preventing the necessity of any further lockdowns.
General preventive measures worked well when they were followed. These include hand washing, use of sanitisers, social distancing, avoiding super spreader events like funerals and parties, limiting unnecessary travel, masking up, and testing and isolation of the infected.
I must confess testing and contact tracing were a major challenge, but we still have opportunity to rise up and utilize that tool because the pandemic is still far from over. Free testing is a necessity. It’s a cheaper option than another lockdown.
How then can we avoid a third wave?
Government should double its efforts in vaccinating the population. This means spending time and money on educating health workers and the entire population on why the government chose sinopharm vaccine, how it has performed elsewhere, and giving clinical details of the scientific trial phases that have been done already.
Dealing with mistrust and conspiracy theories should preoccupy government at this point. Empty reassurances and threats won’t help our situation. The people want scientific information. That’s not the job of politicians. Government should resource the public health and scientific communities to do that.
The citizens demand more transparency on vaccine procurement by the government. That will instill more confidence in the people.
As MDC Alliance we urge all Zimbabweans to follow all the generally laid down rules of infection prevention so that we avoid any further lockdowns. This brief note serves to encourage every single one of us to take matters into our own hands to prevent a third wave from coming. It is completely doable.
Dr Henry Madzorera National Secretary for Health and Child Welfare
Zambia’s Patson Daka has reached the 20-goal mark after 18 games in the Austrian Bundesliga.
The Redbull Salzburg striker, who is expected to play a part against Zimbabwe on the coming Afcon Qualifiers, netted his latest goal in the 1-0 victory over LASK on Saturday.
Daka has now scored in six consecutive games in the league as continues to rake up phenomenal numbers with his goal scoring feat
Enock Mwepu, who is also in Chipolopolo team, put in a great performance an could have assisted Daka in the 26th minute but he failed to find the target.
The Group H Afcon qualifier will be played on 29 March at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
The French sports ministry has made a dramatic u-turn on the issue of African players in Ligue 1 and 2 being banned from travelling outside Europe during the international break, by announcing that they can now do so and won’t be quarantined upon return.
A decision made by the authorities in France to quarantine returnees from flagged countries for up to seven days had resulted in clubs agreeing to not release players for this week’s AFCON qualifiers.
The intervention on FIFA on the issue must have spearheaded the change, which was announced late last night.
“The Ministry of Sports confirms that international players returning from official competitions outside the EU with their national team, whether French or foreign, are exempt from the seven-day waiting period as long as they comply with a strict sanitary and medical protocol (bubble + daily PCR test on their return to their club),” the ministry said in a statement.
It’s not clear whether ZIFA are still in a position to fly the France-based duo of Tino Kadewere and Marshall Munetsi to Harare, considering the late announcement.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
A Zimbabwean clergyman has caused pandemonium on social media after claiming men who do not satisfy their wives in bed will go to hell.
Addressing men on marriage issues, Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi claimed: “Vamwe varume munoita basa rekurara nema girlfriends asi kana masvika kumba motadza kugutsa amai…
Imimi varume vakadaro kana mafa munoinda kugehena,iwe haudi kuhurirwa asi iwe unohura,wobva watadza kuzogutsa mudzimai wako
Audio iyi musaitumire kuvana vadiki asi kunaana baba,munogona kushanyira facebook page rangu vese vane mubvunzo rinonzi Sir Isaac Makomichi Love Potion
Kana usingade kuhurirwa newewo usahurewo,uye ukagutsa girlfriend asi mukadzi wemumba ane nzara,chokwadi zvinotsamwisa Mwari uye unoinda kugehena” Said Makomichi.
Some ladies in Masvingo believe Makomichi is encouraging couples to create a strong bond.
However, one angry man fumed:
Makomichi has no right to teach us about partners we should satisfy during sex, a man must do whatever pleases his feelings.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Fifteen MDC Alliance members were arrested in Masvingo on Saturday for disturbing flyers to party members.
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, a senior MDC Alliance official said the flyers were distributed as part of a strategy to encourage party members to “remain vigilant on the ground.”
“Fifteen party members were arrested and briefly detained for distributing party flyers.
State Security agents accused the 15 members of distributing flyers for the purpose of inciting social unrest and violence.
The government agents also accused our members of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government,” said the MDC Alliance official.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has challenged the Zanu PF administration to address conspiracy theories associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Zimbabweans are sceptical of taking the vaccine.
In its weekly health update, the MDC Alliance described the intimidation of citizens by Zanu PF politicians- including Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa- as unfortunate.
See statement below:
9th Edition
21 March 2021
Staring the third wave in the eye
Since the lifting of the last lockdown, we have already seen a modest increase in the number of daily infections recorded. We need to stay vigilant as the country opens up. Covid-19 safe practices ought to be applied consistently at all levels of our lives as Zimbabwean citizens, be it at the work places, in public transit, at churches, at school, or at funerals. Wherever we interact with others outside of our household, it is critical that Covid-19 safe practices be instituted. Covid-19 can still run rampant as long as herd immunity hasn’t been achieved in our country. By estimates, at least 60% of the Zimbabwean population has to be vaccinated and immune, to attain herd immunity, a state in which the virus no longer has room to keep spreading in our population. Until we reach that place when it will be difficult for the virus to spread like wildfire, we ought to do all we can to keep ourselves, our families, & friends, our neighbors & workmates, and all fellow Zimbabweans safe. Other more well to do countries are already burning under the load of a third wave, and we must be warned. Countries like Germany & Italy are already seeing worrisome spikes in cases.
There are many ominous pointers to a possible third wave in Zimbabwe. With the Easter holidays coming, we get a chilling sense of déjà vu. Winter is also fast approaching, and that is the time when respiratory illnesses like the flu, Covid-19, etc hit us the most. A third wave would be catastrophic. It may be more vicious in transmissibility with all the possible mutations that can happen, and the chances of a more aggressive and deadlier variant coming up always exists. The good news is that a third wave is completely preventable, if we as a people exercise the discipline necessary to prevent it for at least another year, while we ensure that our entire population gets vaccinated.
Lets focus on the positive aspects. What has worked for us in the past?
The lockdowns , if not politicised, work well to interrupt transmission. We don’t mean to imply that we should have more lockdowns, because these have their own nasty economic and social consequences, which as a nation we did not manage well and we can ill afford. We should work at preventing the necessity of any further lockdowns.
General preventive measures worked well when they were followed. These include hand washing, use of sanitisers, social distancing, avoiding super spreader events like funerals and parties, limiting unnecessary travel, masking up, and testing and isolation of the infected. I must confess testing and contact tracing were a major challenge, but we still have opportunity to rise up and utilize that tool because the pandemic is still far from over. Free testing is a necessity. It’s a cheaper option than another lockdown.
How then can we avoid a third wave?
Government should double its efforts in vaccinating the population. This means spending time and money on educating health workers and the entire population on why the government chose sinopharm vaccine, how it has performed elsewhere, and giving clinical details of the scientific trial phases that have been done already. Dealing with mistrust and conspiracy theories should preoccupy government at this point. Empty reassurances and threats won’t help our situation. The people want scientific information. That’s not the job of politicians. Government should resource the public health and scientific communities to do that.
The citizens demand more transparency on vaccine procurement by the government. That will instill more confidence in the people.
As MDC Alliance we urge all Zimbabweans to follow all the generally laid down rules of infection prevention so that we avoid any further lockdowns. This brief note serves to encourage every single one of us to take matters into our own hands to prevent a third wave from coming. It is completely doable.
Dr Henry Madzorera National Secretary for Health and Child Welfare MDC Alliance
Since the lifting of the last lockdown, we have already seen a modest increase in the number of daily infections recorded. We need to stay vigilant as the country opens up. Covid-19 safe practices ought to be applied consistently at all levels of our lives as Zimbabwean citizens, be it at the work places, in public transit, at churches, at school, or at funerals. Wherever we interact with others outside of our household, it is critical that Covid-19 safe practices be instituted. Covid-19 can still run rampant as long as herd immunity hasn’t been achieved in our country. By estimates, at least 60% of the Zimbabwean population has to be vaccinated and immune, to attain herd immunity, a state in which the virus no longer has room to keep spreading in our population. Until we reach that place when it will be difficult for the virus to spread like wildfire, we ought to do all we can to keep ourselves, our families, & friends, our neighbors & workmates, and all fellow Zimbabweans safe. Other more well to do countries are already burning under the load of a third wave, and we must be warned. Countries like Germany & Italy are already seeing worrisome spikes in cases.
There are many ominous pointers to a possible third wave in Zimbabwe. With the Easter holidays coming, we get a chilling sense of déjà vu. Winter is also fast approaching, and that is the time when respiratory illnesses like the flu, Covid-19, etc hit us the most. A third wave would be catastrophic. It may be more vicious in transmissibility with all the possible mutations that can happen, and the chances of a more aggressive and deadlier variant coming up always exists. The good news is that a third wave is completely preventable, if we as a people exercise the discipline necessary to prevent it for at least another year, while we ensure that our entire population gets vaccinated.
Lets focus on the positive aspects. What has worked for us in the past?
The lockdowns , if not politicised, work well to interrupt transmission. We don’t mean to imply that we should have more lockdowns, because these have their own nasty economic and social consequences, which as a nation we did not manage well and we can ill afford. We should work at preventing the necessity of any further lockdowns.
General preventive measures worked well when they were followed. These include hand washing, use of sanitisers, social distancing, avoiding super spreader events like funerals and parties, limiting unnecessary travel, masking up, and testing and isolation of the infected. I must confess testing and contact tracing were a major challenge, but we still have opportunity to rise up and utilize that tool because the pandemic is still far from over. Free testing is a necessity. It’s a cheaper option than another lockdown.
How then can we avoid a third wave?
Government should double its efforts in vaccinating the population. This means spending time and money on educating health workers and the entire population on why the government chose sinopharm vaccine, how it has performed elsewhere, and giving clinical details of the scientific trial phases that have been done already. Dealing with mistrust and conspiracy theories should preoccupy government at this point. Empty reassurances and threats won’t help our situation. The people want scientific information. That’s not the job of politicians. Government should resource the public health and scientific communities to do that.
The citizens demand more transparency on vaccine procurement by the government. That will instill more confidence in the people.
As MDC Alliance we urge all Zimbabweans to follow all the generally laid down rules of infection prevention so that we avoid any further lockdowns. This brief note serves to encourage every single one of us to take matters into our own hands to prevent a third wave from coming. It is completely doable.
Dr Henry Madzorera National Secretary for Health and Child Welfare MDC Alliance
I knew no politics by 1980 because I was still too young. I remember well in the early 1980s we used to read about Mugabe and Nkomo but this history made little sense to our young apolitical minds by that time. However, what I remember very well is that Mugabe was a well-respected person, we knew him for his nice safari suits, goggles and his good speaking skills.
I would like to admit that apart from Gukurahundi, Mugabe’s rule in the 1980s was perfect. Mugabe built schools, clinics, roads, funded tertiary education, funded rural farmers through the Agricultural Finance Company (now Agribank), civil servants were well cared for, and our Zimdollar was very strong etcetera.
Nobody knows the real genesis of Zimbabwe’s challenges, but what we know is the introduction of ESAP in 1990, the introduction of repressive laws like AIPA and POSA, and the killing and persecution of political opponents in early 2000.
I remember one Sunday morning walking at Gokwe centre. I wasn’t aware that Tsvangirai had scheduled a rally that Sunday at Gokwe centre. Suddenly three Zanu-PF thugs demanded to see my “party” card. I haven’t bought a Zanu-PF card in my life and so I failed to produce the “party” card.
They went on to ask me to tell them, my branch chairperson. I wasn’t a Zanu-PF supporter and so I couldn’t name any chairperson of any branch. I was beaten all over my body by fists and one of them removed his healed shoe and used the shoe to beat me on my face and head.
After their departure, I felt pain in my left arm. I thought my arm was broken and so I rushed to Gokwe Hospital. I was shocked by what I saw there. I saw tens of MDC youths severely injured just lying down on hospital floors, some with their clothes soaked in blood and some of them were completely naked. Their wounds looked as if the Zanu-PF thugs were using axes, pangas and some sharp objects on them.
The biggest surprise was that medical personnel at Gokwe Hospital were not attending to the injured MDC supporters. They were just watching them dying on the hospital floors. The Gokwe police failed to prevent Zanu-PF thugs from disturbing Tsvangirai’s rally. They only reacted after cars had been burnt and after people had been beaten. They were driving in their Santana picking the injured to the hospital. Violence perpetrators were never arrested.
As the country’s political violence continued unabated and Zimbabwe’s human rights continued to deteriorate and so was the national economy not spared. Shops were closed in 2008. The Zimbabwe dollar became valueless. I remember in 2008 when I went to South Africa for the first time, I went to the toilet to relieve myself at Musina Border Post I found hordes of the worthless Zimdollars used as toilet paper there. I was shocked!
There has been a single Zanu-PF since the 1987 Unity Accord. Later we started to read in the press of Zanu-PF factions. In 2008 there was Simba Makoni backed by Solomon Mujuru (according to the press). We later read about the Gamatox, then G40 and Lacoste. I am made to believe that these Zanu-PF factions had contributed immensely to our current political and economic challenges.
The Lacoste faction outfoxed all Zanu-PF factions with the help of the army in 2017 through a military coup which was declared ‘not a coup’ by the High Court. Today Zimbabwe has a government that is struggling to identify itself. Despite the fact that the current government forced Mugabe out of power for alleged incompetence the Zanu-PF party failed to fire him from party membership lists.
The current government tries to associate itself with Mugabe’s legacy when it suits them but calls itself the ‘Second Republic’ the ‘New Dispensation’ when issues of corruption, human rights violation, economic instability and a number of social and developmental failures which started during the Mugabe era comes into question.
There is no new dispensation or second republic to talk about in Zimbabwe. Wasn’t Mugabe a Zanu-PF president? Wasn’t Ngwena elected at the Zanu-PF congress to replace Mugabe as both the party and state president? So is the current government new? Do we have in any way gained the ‘Second Republic’ status in 2017? Not all. We are being ruled by the same old faces of 2008. There is nothing new to talk about.
Maybe by using the terms ‘new’ and ‘second’ the current government is trying to tell the world that Ngwena will rule in a different manner than Mugabe but the biggest question remains, is he indeed ruling differently. If the answer is yes then why did the army kill innocent people on 2018 August 1 in Harare, why the same corrupt traffic officers of the Mugabe era back to their corrupt game? (the only difference being that now the corrupt traffic officers are backed by army personnel at roadblocks), why are our rural roads still impassable especially Gokwe, Sanyati and Binga roads?
Why is there no real devolution taking place (the current devolution development fund is just a cover-up, real devolution as spelt in our constitution hasn’t taken place or will never happen), why are our industries still closed, why are our civil servants still earning peanuts, why are Zimbabweans still flocking to South Africa if our beautiful country is full of milk and honey? Why were victims of 2018 August 01 army killings not compensated in terms of the Montlante Commission recommendation.
I was in Kadoma in January 2021 and suddenly our attention was drawn to the presidential motorcade sirens. I was told Ngwena travels from Harare to his farm in Sherwood every weekend using the Harare-Bulawayo road. I wondered if Ngwena can travel at 120km/hour by his presidential motorcade by road from Kadoma to Sanyati Arda or from Kadoma via Venice Mine, Empress Mine, Masoro then Gokwe centre.
I concluded that he won’t attempt to do that. ZINARA only services roads which the rich and powerful use. This government had completely forgotten remote villages in terms of the road network. Those areas are remembered during election time when they make trips to those areas using helicopters to go and make false promises which will be repeated after every five years but never fulfilled.
There was much debate when the current government indicated that it was ready to compensate white farmers or return the land back to whites. Progressive thinking Zimbabweans asked why compensate the ‘thief’. However, the greatest question was not asked. Why communal land is said to belong to the state while townland is privately owned.
Look! We are all Zimbabweans but urban dwellers can buy or sell land but rural dwellers cannot buy or sell their land. One of the stanzas in our National Anthem reads as follows “Ilizwe labo koko betu tina sonke”, how then can this land belong to our forefathers if we can’t privately own it in rural areas.
The state has appropriated the land of our forefathers’ thereby improvised rural communities but enriching the rich urban dwellers. Our constitution must be revisited. We want title deeds for our communal stands and farms, plots and gardens. There must not be inequalities in land ownership.
If urban dwellers can have title deeds to their pieces of land, the same must happen to rural landowners. The so-called ‘new’ or the ‘second’ republic must look into this issue including giving title deeds to new farm owners.
The ‘new’ government had ignored or neglected to improve school infrastructure. One wonder who exactly must build or maintain school infrastructure between the SDCs and the government. I believe it is the responsibility of the government to build and maintain school infrastructure. In South Africa we see parents demonstrating against the department of education if school facilities are in bad shape but in Zimbabwe we were cheated into believing that it’s us parents who must build schools for our kids and not the government.
The government must budget and give each school a developmental or capital budget. Our rural schools are in a mess. Some schools don’t have toilets, library buildings, classes don’t have doors (imagine a teaching in a classroom without a door or window panes), no water or electricity (not even a single solar panel to power the school head computer) it’s pathetic.
We were taught and we are always told that Zimbabwe is a rich country but one would wonder where this richness is amidst the miseries, poverty, sufferings, economic instability, poor roads and poor internet connectivity (especially in the rural areas).
In this paper, the author had pointed out where the current government had failed Zimbabweans. The article further points out inequalities between rural and urban dwellers in terms of land ownership and the reader will be left to think on his/her own whether there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the unending Zimbabwe’s political and economic challenges.
Etiwel Mutero is an archivist, political analyst and a Gokwe peasant farmer. [email protected], +263773614293 SMSs only
— Etiwel Mutero Senior Archivist Ministry of Education,Arts & Culture Omusati Region Namibia 00264817871070 whatsapp/phoneSource – Etiwel Muter
Here are the 23 players to represent Zimbabwe against Botswana & Zambia on 25 & 29 March respectively.
The French Football Federation has agreed with the French government that Tinotenda Kadewere & Marshall Munetsi will be exempted from quarantine when they return to their clubs.
The two will use a private flight to return to France. The Association is engaging with its partners to ensure that the condition is met so that Zimbabwe can assemble the strongest possible team for the important matches
Warriors based in Zambia are already in camp, so is the SuperSport duo of Evans Rusike & Kuda Mahachi.
More players are expected to arrive today & tomorrow.
vs Botswana – 1800hours (Away) vs Zambia – 2100hours (NSS)
By Patrick Guramatunhu- A few days ago the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, announced that Tendai Biti and four other legislators elected under the MDC Alliance (MDC A) but from the People Democratic Party (PDP) had been recalled by the PDP.
The recall itself came as no surprise to anyone who has followed the mud-crab dance of Zimbabwe opposition politics.
MDC A is a coalition of six or so political parties including PDP, MDC-Ncube and MDC-T led by Morgan Tsvangirai whose primary purpose was for the partners to maximise on the opposition vote by fielding one candidate in all the 2018 electoral races. For convenience, the candidates called themselves MDC A although they each belonged to their individual party, MDC A was not a political party.
To muddy the waters, MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa following Tsvangirai death in February 2018 started calling itself MDC A whilst a break-away faction led by Thokozani Khupe retained the MDC-T name.
Chamisa called an MDC A congress in Gweru in May 2019 to which all MDC A members from other partners attended and were elected to key positions in the MDC A – the coalition had morphed into a political party.
One would have thought that Tendai Biti and his PDP crowd and Welshman Ncube and David Coltart and their MDC-Ncube, the three are all lawyers, would have had the common sense to convene their own party congress to formally dissolve the party or transplant it lock, stock and barrel to be MDC A. They did no such thing.
Tendai Biti was elected MDC A VP with Welshman Ncube as the other VP. David Coltart was elected MDC A Treasurer General. Other PDP and MDC-Ncube members were elected into key position in the MDC A party.
So Tendai Biti and all the other former PDP members who joined the MDC A after the May 2019 congress crossed the floor and could no longer call themselves PDP members and therefore were subject to recall by PDP. David Coltart and all the other MDC-Ncube legislators, can too be recalled by the old MDC-Ncube, if it still exists.
Tendai Biti’s reaction to the recall is to blame Zanu PF! Biti was the chair person of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and he is adamant the recall was a calculated move by Zanu PF to stop the corruption undercover by the committee coming out.
“We had those (PAC) reports ready and my recall is to make sure these issues to do with corruption are not brought before Parliament. We will convene as a party and make sure we come up with a collective decision. Remember, we contested elections not under the PDP, but under the MDC Alliance,” Biti said.
“Yesterday (Tuesday), they prevented me from moving a motion on Chilonga displacements in Parliament. Tomorrow (today), I was supposed to present a report on Zinara (Zimbabwe National Road Administration), and on Monday, we were supposed to cross-examine ZESA on (Kudakwashe) Tagwirei’s Dema deal and Wicknell Chivhayo’s Gwanda solar project. In a few weeks’ time, we were going to table the issue of land barons in Harare. So the cartels and Mnangagwa are responsible for this recall.”
An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb; so goes the old adage.
Yes the PAC reports Biti’s committee was going to release were going to embarrass Mnangagwa and company, old woman and dry bones, but we should not go over board on this. Zanu PF has a thick skin!
Over the years there have been numerous stories and reports from the Willowgate scandal, to Mugabe’s admission the country was being swindled out of US$ 15 billion dollars in diamond revenue, etc. Zanu PF has used its political dominance to take the sting out of all these adverse reports. No doubt it would have done the same in this case.
The bottom line is Zanu PF did not engineer the recall of these MDC A legislators. The sheer incompetence with which Tendai Biti and his fellow MDC A leaders have handled the transition from MDC A coalition to MDC A political party has created a lot of chaos and confusion. It is former colleagues in the old parties who are recalling the MDC A legislators. Zanu PF has taken advantage of the situation.
Tendai Biti is nothing but a noisy Chihuahua barking at a marauding elephant, to hear the bark one would think the Chihuahua going to eat the the elephant alive! Zanu PF is not going change because of what Biti says no more than the marauding elephant is going away because it fears being eaten alive with the Chihuahua.
If Zimbabweans are serious about ending corruption, we must demand democratic reforms leading to the holding of free, fair and credible elections. Free, fair and credible elections is more than just a basic human right; it is the alpha, omega and everything in between of good governance.
Tendai Biti and his MDC friends sold out on the golden opportunity to implement the reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. And since the GNU debacle they have participated in flawed elections giving legitimacy to Zanu PF for the sake of a few gravy train seats Zanu PF offered as bait. MDC leaders are hoping the nation will never notice the barking Chihuahua will never end the Zanu PF dictatorship, corruption and povo’s long suffering!
“Mnangagwa is responsible for my recall to stop PAC corruption reports coming out!” Yeah right! How about admitting, you shoot yourself in the foot!
Tinashe Sambiri|Fifteen MDC Alliance members were arrested in Masvingo on Saturday for disturbing flyers to party members.
Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday, a senior MDC Alliance official said the flyers were distributed as part of a strategy to encourage party members to “remain vigilant on the ground.”
“Fifteen party members were arrested and briefly detained for distributing party flyers.
State Security agents accused the 15 members of distributing flyers for the purpose of inciting social unrest and violence.
The government agents also accused our members of plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government,” said the MDC Alliance official.
Procrastination is the thief of time. To Mr Douglas Mwonzora the wait was just too much and he made sure that the tables were turned to his favour. The only way was to hide under constitutionalism where he accused Nelson Chamisa of unconstitutionally grabbing power when Tsvangirayi died.
By Leonard Koni-He accused the leader of MDC -Alliance Chamisa of grabbing the political power and eating where he did not sow. Its a taboo culturally in Zimbabwe for a young person to start picking a piece of meat before an elder picks up it. They must wait.
Our society does not believe in preparing young people to be the leaders. Douglas Mwonzora was angry and bitter that he failed to take over when Morgan Tsvangirayi died. Surely the future of the young people in Zimbabwe shall remain doomed. They are always disadvantaged when it comes to getting leadership posts.
They are told that ‘they are leaders of tomorrow’ When tomorrow comes the older people are too reluctant to leave their positions and always come up with excuses.
The adage also goes on that a young person cannot have a seat whilst the elderly are standing in a bus. In this case Nelson Chamisa is paying the price of dipping a big mosel of sadza in the plate full of meat and simultaneously picking a big piece of meat.
It is now as clear as Chibuku that the leadership which was surrounding the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirayi were all after power and not serving the people.
The likes of Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora are a true testimony that they are just purely driven and oiled by monetary gains. Such kind of leadership is atrocious as they squarely fit into the shoes of today’s Tshombes who can easily sell the struggle for just a few pieces of silver.
They can do anything for it, hence they could not resist the carrot which was dangled by Zanu PF. They don’t know what they really want. Thokozani Khupe once contested as a President where she got a partly 45 000 votes but is now an MP so as Mr Douglas Mwonzora who wanted to be President of MDC-Alliance and ended up contesting as a Secretary General. When he lost he started canvassing through the captured judiciary and won the battle. He got all the assistance to from the security forces to take over Morgan Tsvangirayi House under a dubious court order.
Since when did the police assist another opposition party to take over? From that time Mr Mwonzora started getting more air space from the government controlled media like ZTV and The Herald getting much praise from these two media outlets.
That much alone meant a lot that Mwonzora had a very long hand controlling him and was wholly captured and brought under the armpits of Zanu PF. Thanks to Covid19 strict lock down regulations where all such things were happening without the people responding.
What Douglas Mwonzora is doing to keep his position as the MDC-T leader is too keep on (Kafadza mutengi wedoro) literally meaning to keep on entertaining his boss President Mnangagwa through always talking nice things to him. That is why he ordered his Member of Parliaments not to chant anti Emmerson Mnangagwa’s slogans.
Without that Mr Douglas Mwonzora’s political life will hang by a thread.He is protecting his master, he respects the hand that feeds him and cannot bite it. He must dance according to the tune or else he will leave the dancing floor.
He got everything on a silver platter including the MRT House and all the assets without sweating.
Will one day Mr Douglas Mwonzora lead a strong opposition party?
Zimbabwe’s underpaid teachers have dug in and refused to report for duty today as schools open for non-examination classes, saying they will only do so after their employer, government, has acceded to their demand for their salaries to be restored to the preOctober 2018 levels.
Then, teachers were earning between US$520 and US$550, but are now earning the equivalent of slightly above US$100.
Government, which has threatened to dock salaries for workers who absent themselves without official leave, has said it has no capacity to pay US dollar-indexed salaries demanded by its restive workers.
Teachers yesterday rejected the 75% salary increment offered to all civil servants, saying the adjustment was not a product of collective bargaining.
Cabinet last week approved a 75% pay increment offer for civil servants, which will be paid in a staggered format, with 25% being effected this month, followed by the remainder, 50%, to be paid in June.
The standoff between government and teachers will negatively impact learners, who last had face-to-face lessons in September last year before going on a long COVID-19-induced break.
Teachers unions said their members would not report for duty because they are financially incapacitated to travel to their various stations and pay their children’s school fees.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) last week gave notice of a nationwide strike starting today despite pronouncements by the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) that it would meet this week to review civil servants’ working conditions.
Last week’s NJNC negotiations ended in a stalemate after the President Emmerson Mnangagwa-led administration dangled a 25% salary increase, which civil servants dismissed as a pittance.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said teachers under his union would not report for work despite the 75% increment announcement.
“It’s madness of the worst order. The same government gave police, soldiers, and Central Intelligence Organisation officers more than 100% salary increases with effect from February 2021. Now they want to give the rest of the civil service 25% with effect from April, and the other 50% from June,” he said.
“This double standard is unacceptable. Worse still, it is not a product of social dialogue, but unilateralism. What teachers want is restoration of the purchasing power parity of US$520 to US$550 or its equivalent.
“The incapacitation modus operandi will continue unabated until government takes teachers seriously.”
Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive officer Manuel Nyawo described the 75% proposed increment as a mockery to the teaching profession given that the increment would be staggered, adding that by June, it would have been eroded by inflation.
“We are so much frustrated and disappointed by the proposed 75% increment which remains a drop in the ocean. The increment margin that is being offered ranges from $3 500 to $4 500. How is the little amount going to solve our incapacitation?” Nyawo asked.
“There is no reason for us not to demonstrate. We are incapacitated, hence we will join any other union that wants to demonstrate for our own good.”
Artuz president Obert Masaraure said the salary increment had not yet been officially agreed with civil servants as it was announced through the media, which was the root of the crisis in the civil service.
He said protocols pertaining to agreement and announcement of salary increments by government were not duly followed, which further complicated the problem.
“It was never a collective bargaining engagement between the government and its employees. Government still has powers to fix salaries of civil servants without going through a genuine process of collective bargaining. All the salaries we are earning were never a product of a genuine collective bargaining process and we don’t have a signed collective bargaining agreement,” Masaraure said.
“We reject the 75% increment, both the process and the amount. The amount itself is pathetic and unacceptable. What we need is a genuine reform of the laws governing the civil service. Labour laws governing the civil service should be aligned to the Constitution so that we also have collective bargaining agreements which can govern us.”
Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said: “We have only seen the announcement in the Press. No communication has been made, but what we are looking forward to is a favourable outcome of negotiations whose results we have not received.
“We are looking forward to the second meeting and an improvement from the last offer and with a clear roadmap towards restoration of salary levels matching the pre-October 2018 US$550. Anything diverting from the roadmap will be unsatisfactory and unacceptable. Dialogue should demonstrate serious attention to this demand as promised in the NJNC agreement of November 2020.”
Moses Mhike, the Public Service Commission representative in the NJNC, said he was not aware of the proposed 75% increment.
“I was out of town and where I was, there was no access to the media. I haven’t come across such information, I am just getting into Harare now,” he said.-Newsday
Former Studio 263 actor Charles Kapfupi, who starred in the soap opera as Mr Wakanaka, described the late Anne Nhira as a well-mannered woman.
Mr Wakatama said this in reference to Nhira’s bold stance in stopping Zodwa Wabantu from coming to the Harare International Carnival.
“Anne Nhira was a God-fearing person, phenomenal actress and someone who believed in her culture.
“I will always remember her for her bold stance a er she stopped Zodwa Wabantu from coming to perform in Zimbabwe pantless.
“Her move divided opinions after she successfully lobbied Government.
“In life we need people who stand for what’s right like what she did on Zodwa Wabantu, who ended up aborting the trip to the capital.
“We need more people of her calibre who are bold enough to represent others,” he said.
Mr Wakatama said Nhira left an indelible mark as an actress.
“Judging by want she did and achieved in a short space of time, Nhira made watching television a must. It was through her leading role that Zimbabweans fell in love with Studio 263.
“I also feel proud to have worked with her and we would like to thank our Government for giving her this huge send-off .
“It’s a befitting farewell considering what she did for the film industry.
By Leonard Koni| Procrastination is the thief of time. To Mr Douglas Mwonzora the wait was just too much and he made sure that the tables were turned to his favour.
The only way was to hide under constitutionalism where he accused Nelson Chamisa of unconstitutionally grabbing power when Tsvangirayi died.
He accused the leader of MDC -Alliance Chamisa of grabbing the political power and eating where he did not sow.
Its a taboo culturally in Zimbabwe for a young person to start picking a piece of meat before an elder picks up it. They must wait.
Our society does not believe in preparing young people to be the leaders. Douglas Mwonzora was angry and bitter that he failed to take over when Morgan Tsvangirayi died.
Surely the future of the young people in Zimbabwe shall remain doomed. They are always disadvantaged when it comes to getting leadership posts.
They are told that ‘they are leaders of tomorrow’ When tomorrow comes the older people are too reluctant to leave their positions and always come up with excuses.
The adage also goes on that a young person cannot have a seat whilst the elderly are standing in a bus. In this case Nelson Chamisa is paying the price of dipping a big mosel of sadza in the plate full of meat and simultaneously picking a big piece of meat.
It is now as clear as Chibuku that the leadership which was surrounding the late Morgan Richard Tsvangirayi were all after power and not serving the people.
The likes of Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora are a true testimony that they are just purely driven and oiled by monetary gains. Such kind of leadership is atrocious as they squarely fit into the shoes of today’s Tshombes who can easily sell the struggle for just a few pieces of silver.
They can do anything for it, hence they could not resist the carrot which was dangled by Zanu PF.
They don’t know what they really want. Thokozani Khupe once contested as a President where she got a partly 45 000 votes but is now an MP so as Mr Douglas Mwonzora who wanted to be President of MDC-Alliance and ended up contesting as a Secretary General.
When he lost he started canvassing through the captured judiciary and won the battle. He got all the assistance to from the security forces to take over Morgan Tsvangirayi House under a dubious court order.
Since when did the police assist another opposition party to take over? From that time Mr Mwonzora started getting more air space from the government controlled media like ZTV and The Herald getting much praise from these two media outlets. That much alone meant a lot that Mwonzora had a very long hand controlling him and was wholly captured and brought under the armpits of Zanu PF. Thanks to Covid19 strict lock down regulations where all such things were happening without the people responding.
What Douglas Mwonzora is doing to keep his position as the MDC-T leader is too keep on (Kafadza mutengi wedoro) literally meaning to keep on entertaining his boss President Mnangagwa through always talking nice things to him. That is why he ordered his Member of Parliaments not to chant anti Emmerson Mnangagwa’s slogans.
Without that Mr Douglas Mwonzora’s political life will hang by a thread.He is protecting his master, he respects the hand that feeds him and cannot bite it. He must dance according to the tune or else he will leave the dancing floor.
He got everything on a silver platter including the MRT House and all the assets without sweating. Will one day Mr Douglas Mwonzora lead a strong opposition party? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
