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.”

Ngwenya said a third wave would be more fatal.

-newsday

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

Latest On @JoanaMamombe @CeciliaChimbiri and @DenfordNgadziore bail application. Bail ruling has been postponed to 2:15pm pic.twitter.com/2XVXu2vD3b

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 23, 2021

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 23, 2021

 

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?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 23, 2021

AUDIO LOADING BELOW…

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….

https://youtu.be/fSyPVhs4ATY

https://youtu.be/Q3SXU3Ks-kg

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 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?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 23, 2021

AUDIO LOADING BELOW…

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….

https://youtu.be/fSyPVhs4ATY

https://youtu.be/Q3SXU3Ks-kg

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.

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.

-statemedia

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

https://twitter.com/CampaignMillion/status/1374226148033462272?s=20

AUDIO LOADING BELOW…

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.

https://youtu.be/Q3SXU3Ks-kg

https://youtu.be/Q3SXU3Ks-kg

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

By A Correspondent| High enrolment in government schools is depriving learners as they are being asked to come to school once every week to allow social distancing in classes.

Government announced the re-opening of schools in a phased approach with examination classes having opened doors last week while the rest of classes have resumed today.

One of the schools in Harare has informed parents that their children will only attend face to face classes once a week.

In one of the messages seen by ZimEye, a teacher told parents that pupils who will come to school when its not their turn will be send back home.

The school said the move is meant is meant to implement social distancing following government’s announcement emphasizing strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

“This group will come on Monday. Those who are not in this group should not come. If they do come, I will ask you to come and collect them as we are implementing social distancing. Thank you for your co- operation in advance,” reads one of the messages.

 CHRA joins the world today in commemorating World Water Day under the theme valuing water. The theme comes at a time when water has become a scarce resource in Harare

Harare City Council failed to produce adequate clean and safe water for Harare residents.  In suburbs such as Tafara Ward 46, the area has more than 20 years without a single drop of water.

Apparently the city council is producing 440megalitres per day against a demand of 1200mega megalitres.

In Harare 60% of treated water is being lost through water bursts and the responsiveness of council to such has not been good enough to preserve water as a valuable resource.

The shortage of this valuable resource has affected the productive time of women and young girls mostly as they are caregivers of the society.

In most cases they spent more than three hours at communal boreholes in an effort to access water. This has exposed them to all forms of abuse and harassment by water barons.

Water is the life blood of our economy and it is needed for life to exist. The shortage of water has crippled production of goods and services as it is essential.

CHRA will continue to call upon the government and the local authority to work together to end the water crisis through investing more resources to improve the water sources.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said that schools reopened last week with no problems and he expects the return of all learners to classes this Monday to be incident-free as well.

Speaking to State media on Sunday, Mathema thanked stakeholders including teachers, parents and learners for adapting to the normal compulsory safety protocols. He said:

The education sector has adjusted to the new normal. Last week we resumed lessons for examination classes without any problem and we expect the same this week with the rest of the classes.

Teachers who were supposed to report for duty last week reported. I want to commend parents, learners and teachers for the way they have managed the resumption of classes under the circumstances.

The measures prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care for a safe resumption of classes are now in place and we are ready for the resumption of classes.

Everyone is ready and we expect a safe resumption of classes tomorrow (today) as some learners have started going to school, joining those who resumed their lessons last week

National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) president Arthur Maphosa also said schools opened last week without any major challenges and they expect the prevailing situation to continue.

National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) president Cynthia Khumalo said they are ready to welcome all pupils back to school though there are still challenges regarding social distancing protocols in some schools.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed the appointment of Dorothy Mabika as Manicaland Senator replacing Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba who passed away.

Dr Gwaradzimba was also Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution.

The electoral management body has also notified of the nomination by Zanu-PF of Frederick Metrine Mudau from Beitbridge, Matabeleland South to fill the vacancy of Proportional Representative Member of Parliament in the National Assembly left by Lisa Singo who died early this year.

ZEC has also accepted the nomination of Dr Fredrick Shava as Midlands Senator to fill in the vacancy left by Dr Sibusiso Moyo.

Dr Shava has since been sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The announcements were made by ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba in a Government Gazette published last Friday.-statemedia

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka fired the head of an Agricultural Rural Development Authority (Arda)-run agriculture scheme in Lupane on the spot and said the parastatal’s operations are not in sync with the Second Republic’s thrust of transforming the country’s economy through agriculture.

Dr Masuka was also riled by the fact that Government has had to write off a sorghum crop at the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme in Binga as a result of “remote management”, leading to a wastage of resources.

He breathed fire during a tour of the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Project and the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme on Friday, where he was accompanied by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo.

The minister said a lackadaisical approach to work had no place in the Second Republic that was anchored on maximisation of resources and betterment of citizens’ lives through production.

Despite the ineptitude at the irrigation schemes, the country is on the verge of its largest harvest in 37 years with farmers expecting to reap between 2,5 and 2,8 million tonnes of maize and above 360 000 tonnes of traditional small grains following above normal rains that fell countrywide this year.

Dr Masuka was not impressed with the sorghum crop in Lupane and said it was unlikely that a meaningful yield would be realised. He instructed that it be removed. The crop was not properly planted leaving a lot of gaps in between, leading the minister to conclude that poor agronomic work was on display.

The Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Project is being revived and benefited from three centre pivots from Government. Arda is the project manager and works with the local community in planting of crops.

Dr Masuka fired on site, the Bubi-Lupane Irrigation Project manager for alleged incompetence saying the same will befall officials who fail to meet Government’s expectations in the transformation of the agriculture sector. Chronicle could not establish the official’s name.

“I’m not happy with Arda’s performance, you are still in the past. Arda must wake up to the realities of the Second Republic and the President’s thrust of using agriculture as a vehicle for the attainment of vision 2030,” said Dr Masuka. He said Government has set minimum requirements for managing Arda irrigation sites.

Dr Masuka said going forward, Government wants Arda managers to be stationed on-site as opposed to visiting the farms.

“When you employ you must pay only a basic survival salary to that scheme manager. It must be a performance-based contract and 75 percent of the annual salary must come from a crop production bonus. The crop production bonus is predetermined. For wheat we want 4,5 to 5 tonnes per hectare they (farm managers) get their two percent on the net. If they are unable to do that then it means they will be a sunset clause in that contract which says the moment they harvest and it not happened (achieving the yield target) it means the contract automatically lapses,” said Dr Masuka.

“So, we don’t deal with this perennial problem of hiring mediocre people that do not want to grow this community. This scheme in the years ahead will be the envy of many districts. It is our intention with Minister Moyo to bring the Presidency here to launch the 200 hectares per district. This will be the first district to attain 200 hectares. We want that wheat to be a classic crop so that we can plan for launch of the 200 hectare per district by the President and I suggest that it takes place here. It has to happen.”

He said Government is moving towards having each district having 200 hectares of crop under irrigation as part of measures to ensure the country has food security.

“Government policy is that Zimbabwe is going to get drier in the decades ahead. So, we must climate proof our agriculture. Our population is increasing and vision 2030 beckons. Therefore, we must prepare and transform agriculture and through it transform rural livelihoods. That is why the President has indicated that he wants to see 200 hectares per district,” he said. He said the sorghum crop was a write-off and Arda should bear the cost.

“This crop is unlikely to yield anything due to poor agronomy. So, the intervention is that we convert this immediately into fodder and stop the irrigation. We plan for winter wheat for pivot number one and pivot number two with all the water now going to pivot number three where we have 60 hectares of sugar beans, where we are likely to salvage something if it’s not commercial then it’s for the communities that have already worked and we pay them for their labour and everything through that. You as Arda you will recoup your costs on the next wheat crop without burdening the community. The community’s investment is to make a living out of agriculture and agriculture as a business,” he said.

Dr Masuka said Arda should start preparing for winter wheat farming as it removes the sorghum.

“As you can see the planting itself was done poorly and it is our considered view that at this stage we must prepare better for the next crop. We must admit that we have failed on this crop and we must pledge and commit to do better on the next crop. We will be employing a professional scheme manager who will be assisting in the management of the scheme and we will replicate this,” said Dr Masuka.

At the Bulawayo Kraal, the minister did not mince his words as he read a riot act to the new Arda board and management to up its game and prove its worth. He said full-time managers must be stationed at Bulawayo Kraal and Bubi-Lupane Irrigation as one of the remedial measures.

“Today we were touring Arda estates in Matabeleland North. We started with Bubi-Lupane and now we are at Bulawayo-Kraal. At both schemes we learnt about how not to farm and clearly the two schemes at this stage are a write-off.

“We are disappointed that resources went down the drain but however, we are pleased that the new Arda board chairman and chief executive are with us to see why we have been talking about Arda needing a transformation. I look forward to this board and management transforming Arda and agriculture as well as the rural landscape in pursuit of the noble vision by the President for an upper and empowered middle-income society by 2030,” said Dr Masuka.

Minister Moyo said the scheme requires a hands-on approach. He said plans are underway to prepare for planting winter wheat and beans in the next few weeks.

The Bulawayo Kraal project has been failing to produce a successful crop due to a myriad of challenges including recurrent pipe leaks. The projects seek to create employment for locals and alleviate poverty through transforming the area into an economic hub.

Binga District is traditionally viewed as lagging in terms of development and the irrigation scheme is one of the many projects in the area to show the potential of the district to sustain itself and feed the province. The scheme will cover 15 000ha and will provide food and nutrition security in the country in the backdrop of climate change and recurrent drought.

Arda entered into partnership with a local investor to develop the 15 000ha piece of land into a food and export crops as well as crocodile farming zone. Irrigation equipment including three centre pivots and pipes to draw water from Zambezi River are already in place.

Newly-appointed Arda board chairman Mr Ivan Craig said a mammoth task lies ahead of the parastatal and this will include proper planning and having on-the-ground managers.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Illegal money changers in Harare and other parts of the country are now hanging around and even inside supermarkets that might have a reasonable number of shoppers using foreign currency offering to pay a premium.

They use their bank cards or Ecocash to pay for groceries and other items on behalf of shoppers and get the hard currency later.

The near ubiquitous CCTV systems that most supermarkets have installed to prevent shoplifting are just as good at catching currency deals on the premises, and the supermarkets dislike the practice.

Some even get to an extent of pushing trolleys for the customers in supermarkets, make payment and assist the shopper to pack the groceries in their vehicles.

In some shops, illegal money changers pose as genuine customers, picking some items and putting them into trolleys. They then sidle up to likely targets and ask if they are using US dollars. If the shopper is not the dealer breaks off and starts stalking another target.

Officially, US$1 is worth a whisker under $84, but the illegal foreign currency traders are offering higher rates ranging from $100 to $110 per US$1. Cash rates are lower, around $90.

Traditionally, illegal money changers in Harare hung around Patrice Lumumba Street near the intersection with Agostinho Neto Avenue opposite Meikles Hotel, around the south and west sides of Eastgate Mall, outside Roadport international bus station, in Kwame Nkrumah Avenue at the back of Holiday Inn and some shopping centres across the suburbs, both high and low density.

They are still there, but some, faced with the competition, are now trying the supermarkets.

Supermarkets like OK Zimbabwe, Pick n Pay, Mahomed Mussa, Spar and others that stick to the official auction rates in their transactions are mostly targeted by illegal money changers.

Smaller shops that illegally trade at exchange rates higher than the official rate do not attract illegal money changers. At one stage police did wonder if shop owners using official rates were working in cahoots with the illegal changers, and some shop owners were even questioned, but none have been charged and the police now accept that the shop owners are as against the practice as they are.

Zimbabwe Retailers Association president Mr Denford Mutashu confirmed the new business approaches of the “store dealers”.

“Illegal foreign currency traders operating on the entrances to major shops have become a menace. They are an ugly creature, not only to us, but to the entire economy. They are weighing down on positive policies introduced by the Government to revive the economy,” he said.

Much of the forex meant for formal shops, is being collected by illegal traders outside major shops, resulting in serious foreign currency shortages for certain imported consumer goods. While industry can go to the auctions, and store owners can buy local products without foreign currency, the commercial sector still has to find its own currency to import some of the luxury and semi-luxury consumer items that are not on the auction priority lists. They were relying on raising their own foreign currency by offering to take US dollars and other currencies at their tills, but using auction rates. Now, especially in the city centre, shops are seeing fewer foreign currency shoppers.

“It’s a huge problem for the sector. It is now difficult for established shops to raise forex for restocking. All forex is now being mopped and diverted to the black market.

“We are not an arresting authority, but we continue to engage the police in our quest to curb the rot. The police have tried their best, but they are also facing challenges. ” We need to work together with the law enforcement agents,” he said.

As part of an investigation, an investigative journalist visited a number of shops in Harare, including OK First Street, Pick n Pay Kavalamanja Battle Street and Mahomed Mussa Wholesalers in Guy Clutton Brock Avenue where money changers had slunk into the premises, pretending to be shoppers and sliding up to those who they thought might be using US dollars. At Pick n Pay Jason Moyo Avenue, illegal money changers could be seen pushing trolleys as if they wanted to buy, when they intended to negotiate with buyers.

“My brother, are you using US dollars? I can swipe for you at a good rate of US$1:$110. It’s cheaper for you because the shop uses a lesser rate of US$1:$83,” said a female money changer, who used to operate from Eastgate Mall.

Asked on the rate for EcoCash payment, the woman said: “For EcoCash transactions our rate is US$1: $100 because the charges of transacting are higher,” she said.

At OK First Street Mall, the rate for using bank cards was US$1: $105 when EcoCash rate was at US$1: $100. Illegal money changers at OK First Street offered to push the trolley for their “clients” in the shop assisting in picking groceries. They also offered to push the trolley to the vehicle where they would get their cash. They no longer accept to be paid their US dollars in the supermarkets for fear of being captured by cameras.

Beitbridge town is generally a rand economy due to the area’s location at the busiest inland border in Sadc. Many people transact in foreign currency which has resulted in some informal currency dealers camping near or at established wholesale shops including N. Richards and N & R, and other shops, where they target those people intending to buy goods using either South African rands or United States dollars. They offer lucrative rates which are slightly above the official auction rates.

In exchange for the foreign currency, they either buy goods on behalf of the clients using their credit cards or transfer money into the clients’ bank accounts. One dealer who preferred anonymity said their major clients were shop operators from the rural part of the district who use mainly rand to restock goods for their shops.

“You will note that because of network connectivity in rural parts of the district, many transactions are done in foreign currency and hence there is a huge amount of rands in circulation there.

“It’s cheaper for the shop owners to buy goods using local currency at the wholesales and hence we offer them lucrative deals,” said the dealer.

In Bindura The Herald visited Pick n Pay supermarket where money changers were openly touting for clients on the entrance. The illegal transactions were being done in full view of some police officers who turned a blind eye and chose to mind their own business.

A woman who was pacing around the Pick n Pay supermarket while displaying wards of notes approached The Herald reporter offering to buy for her using her bank card at the rate of US$1: $100.

The situation was the same at N. Richards where people illegally transacted without fear.-statemedia

Former MDC-T vice-president Obert Gutu, who defected to Zanu-PF last week, says he crossed the floor after realising that the main opposition party had long been buried together with its late founder Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.

He told NewsDay that he decided to join Zanu-PF for its ideological clarity, adding that it took him two years to make the decision.

Gutu and former MDC Alliance senator James Makore joined the ruling party last week and were welcomed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other senior party officials during a ceremony held at State House.

“I took a decision to join Zanu-PF after a lengthy process. I have been in the MDC for over 20 years after starting from a low position as organising secretary for Harare North district. I think the party just lost direction. In 2002, there was unity and the vibe and solidarity, but I don’t know what happened over time. There was backbiting, camps, money exchanging hands and that happened around 2004,” he said.

“There was now a direct attack on Tsvangirai, being labelled a dictator, and it would appear he had his own intelligence, hence did what he did. Morgan would not openly show anger. Even if insulted, he would take it in and I think that was his strength and he would manage people. If Tsvangirai’s succession had been well-handled, the party would have been stronger.”

Gutu claimed that those that now assert to have liked Tsvangirai were the loudest in fighting him.

“Makore and a group of some elderly people stood with Tsvangirai at that time and they include Morgan Femai, the late Cephas Makuyana and others. (Elias) Mudzuri had a rural mobilising strategy that was vibrant. There was no Twitter that time and they really went on the ground just like what Zanu-PF is doing now.”

He claimed that the old guard in the MDC were now bitter as they worked for the party but remain as unsung heroes.

“The MDC has not healed since 2005. People say I hate (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa), I don’t. Why should I? He is one of the few who know my village home, having been there with Tsvangirai and a few others and was here when my daughter graduated and even came with his wife,” Gutu said.

“I can tell you the MDC went with Tsvangirai. It was buried with Tsvangirai in Humanikwa village.”

Tsvangirai succumbed to colon cancer on February 14, 2018 and was buried at his rural home in Buhera.-Newsday

News review early Monday – VIDEO LOADING BELOW…. 7.30am (UK time)

Today (Saturday) the @mdczimbabwe president @nelsonchamisa mourned Rex Matova, a prominent businessman behind chambara businesses centre in Chikomba.- MDC Alliance