Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy organising secretary, Netsai Marova is a fearless young lady who has chosen to spend most of her time fighting for freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
Netsai Marova is celebrating her 26th birthday and the torture she has experienced, has not dampened her spirit.
Below is MDC Alliance Youth Assembly deputy spokesperson, Cecilia Chimbiri’s statement on Netsai Marova’s 26th birthday:
Happy 26th birthday to an amazing little sister, a comrade leader in the people’s struggle, A leader par excellence in the People’s Party ,The young People’s Acting Organiser , The responsible last born child to Gogo & Sekuru Marova .
An amazing ,brave ,courageous ,determined , hardworking young woman I could go on describing you but I’m here to say continue being this great woman , don’t be swayed by anything or anyone (focus) .I have seen you outgrow worries I have seen you deal with fear I have seen you translating your anger into prayer I have seen you drift from a lot of negativity and turning into positives , I’m proud of you and I’m happy our relationship is all I imagined a young sister would be since I do not have one biologically.
Family is not only blood family is you running around when big sis is being persecuted family is you at my family house checking up on me because when we parted maybe I wasn’t feeling ok Family is you calling me sis in every greeting message you send me Family is you consulting were you are not sure .
We are bound by strength love trust and the same goals and I’m glad this love is unbreakable and unmistakable .
Netsai Marova keep being focused as you are continue being great lil sis and always willing to learn you are soaring
As an Accountant you could be comfortable in any accounting firm , you could be married with children enjoying your days as a youth but here you are Fighting in the People’s struggle ,The definition of service and sacrifice it’s Divine dear Netsai .
Happy Birthday Honey Big sis adores you I pray the lord adds more years unto your life and everything you dream of is blue ticked , I wish you the best in this life and The struggle continues but we will prevail…
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to jeopardize the crucial COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by threatening citizens.
Mr Mnangagwa said those who do not take the vaccine will (at some point) not be allowed to board ZUPCO Buses.He also said those who do not take the vaccine will find it difficult to secure employment.
Below is the MDC Alliance Weekly Health Update:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert.
6th Edition
28 February 2022.
Welcome to yet another edition of the Weekly Health Alerts produced by MDC Alliance Health portfolio in conjunction with the Communications department.
This week we are looking at the lockdown and the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 Lockdown-Whither to Zimbabwe?
WE have been on level 4 lockdown in this second covid-19 wave since January the 5th, initially for four weeks, but extended twice by two weeks at a time, to March 2021. With the strict lockdown comes many socio-economic challenges, which the government has up until now been unable to mitigate. Business is at a standstill, the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, especially with the current requirement that to reopen your small business you need covid-19 certificates for your workforce, at own expense.
The restrictions on informal traders has plunged many families into abject poverty and outright starvation in some cases, with no bailout from government.
We cannot be in perpetual lockdown, especially in a country where there are no social safety nets, but the decision to lift the lockdown must be based on data and science, not on political considerations.
Weaponisation of the lockdown is a tragedy, and many in Zimbabwe feel the lockdown is being used as a political weapon.
As President Chamisa said before, the government should be working with local authorities and health care departments to come out with a more scientific targeted approach based on numbers and hotspots.
Constant surveillance through testing and isolation throughout the country is necessary. Let’s remember the WHO’s admonition: “You can’t replace the lockdown with nothing”. Measures must be put in place to ensure a smooth transition to normalcy with adequate control measures. We need a well-informed and committed population, with persistent long-term behavior change as part of our new normal. Covid-19 safe behaviours must be observed at all times.
Vaccines bring with them a new hope of permanent relief, but only if we get it right, and we establish and maintain the highest levels of transparency regarding the vaccine attributes of efficacy, safety & cost, and procurement decisions. Arrogance on the part of government will derail the program. Every citizen has a right to be heard, and all concerns must be addressed with empathy, knowing that we are all born equal under the law of Zimbabwe, and in the eyes of God Almighty. Dissemination of correct information is key to the acceptance of any particular vaccine by the people, in our case the Sinopharm vaccine, at least for now. The current low uptake is due to lack of information, which buttresses all the conspiracy theories.
Coercion and intimidation will work against the program. The government must make it abundantly clear that taking the vaccine is a completely voluntary exercise, and informed consent is necessary for administration of the jab. As the people watch the early recipients of the vaccine, and as real time data on safety and efficacy is rolled out by the government, more people will volunteer to take the vaccine.
The recent command and control intimidatory diatribe we heard from high offices threatening to limit liberties to use Zupco buses and to bar people from getting employment if not vaccinated are both extremely unfortunate and mortally retrogressive to the program.
But is the vaccination program adequate on its own to ensure the safe lifting of lockdown measures? The answer for now is no, until we have vaccinated enough people to protect the whole population. There is no magical figure to achieve herd immunity, but if 60-80% of the population is vaccinated, we will enjoy reasonable protection as a nation. This is a medium to long-term aspiration, considering that all we have now is 200000 donated doses of Sinopharm vaccine, which will cover 100000 people out of the projected minimum target of ten million recipients. There is hard work and difficult decisions ahead of us. We implore the government to collect quality data that will inform future steps.
What shall we do now to be able to lift the lockdown without courting a third wave backlash? The WHO suggests six conditions that must be met before lifting the lockdown:
Disease transmission must be under control. We have seen a reduction in the number of new cases and of deaths over the past month. We are not there yet, but we are making progress. On this score alone, controlled relaxation of lockdown measures is feasible.
Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”. This condition is the weakest link in our fight against covid-19. Government has never been able to supply enough testing kits to meet demand, and we continue to grope in the dark.
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes. In our case, its super-spreader events like ZUPCO buses, funerals, parties, shebeens, prisons and Zanu pf rallies. There is need to liberalise the transport sector to reduce unnecessary congestion. I do not consider church services to have super spreader potential if all things are done in an orderly manner and necessary precautions are taken, including social distancing, temperature checks, controlled numbers and masking up.
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures. We must at this stage take heed of what the teachers’ unions are saying about re-opening schools. To quote PTUZ, “…opening of schools is not an event, but a process that must be preceded by broad planning and engagement of teacher unions, parents, prioritization of health and safety of teachers, pupils, and ancillary staff”.
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”. We need to manage our boarders and test all immigrants, with a view to isolating for an appropriate period those found positive. Remember, our nasty second wave was due to relaxation of the borders, failure to quarantine and test all immigrants, failure to follow up new comers in the community, and the presence of illegal crossing points. These must be remedied as a necessary precondition to lifting lockdown measures.
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
A new culture must emerge. Social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, masking up, limiting size of gatherings, banning cultural practices like to eat at funerals, frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, must become the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Health workers must continue to wear PPE as before until the epidemic is over. Investment in covid-19 clinical management infrastructure and PPE must continue. Health worker continuing professional education must intensify. The law must be applied evenly across the political divide, religious affiliation, race, colour & creed.
Lifting the lockdown situation has become a necessity to save the people from suffering and starvation, and a sector-by-sector consideration must be done, with the necessary stakeholder consultation and a targeted geographical approach. New and much cheaper vaccines like the J&J that has been used in South Africa must be procured and introduced in Zimbabwe. Measures as outlined above must be taken to ensure we do not gravitate into an even nastier third wave.
Now is the time to move to alleviate the people’s suffering, while keeping the epidemic under control.
May I extend thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee members for their input into our articles.
I remain
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Child welfare MDC Alliance
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has released a comprehensive list of names of opposition members who were brutally murdered by Zanu PF between 2008 and 2013.
The list of honour has been released as part of efforts by the popular movement to pay homage to the heroes and heroines of the struggle for democracy.
See statement below : The regime has blood on its hands – we shall not forget the 2008 massacre of our cadres
We shall never forget, our bothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children and friends killed!
List of names of people killed by Zanu PF in 2008: 12 April 2008
1). Tapiwa Mubwanda (57) of Hurungwe was stabbed to death by Zanu PF supporters.he died leaving behind a wife and three children. Jawet Kazangarare and Private Peter Madamombe were identified as the murderers
15 April 2008
2). Murunde Tembo of Mudzi was attacked by Zanu PF supporters at his home in Vombofi village. They broke his legs and he died on his way to hospital.
17 April 2008
3). Tatenda Chibika died after Zanu PF supporter; Richard Makoni shot him at Chibeta Business Centre in Mutoko.
4). Moses Bashitwayo of Wedza died after receiving heavy assaults from Zanu PF supporters.
5). Zanu PF activists being led by Bvuka Chimbanzwa assaulted Solomon Bote of ward 22 in Musikavanhu in Makoni South to death.
6). Brighton Mabwera jnr, five years old from Manyika Viilage, Uzumba was burnt to death after the house he was sleeping in was set ablaze by Zanu PF activists in the middle of the night. His parents are strong supporters of the MDC.
24 April 2008
7). Zvidzai Mapurisa was murdered by suspected Zanu PF thugs who descended at his homestead in Village 21 in Gunikuni area in Masvingo south at around 1am.they are alleged to have taken him away and assaulted him severely with sticks and sjamboks, accusing him of mobilizing people to vote against Zanu PF.
25 April 2008
Tabitha Marume of Makoni West in Manicaland was shot and killed by soldiers at Chiwetu Rest Camp.
9). Zanu PF militia in Mbire beat Tenos Manyimo to death.
10). Bigboy Zhuwawo of Mbire in Mashonaland Central died on Sunday when Zanu PF militia for being an MDC supporter seriously attacked him.
11). Zanu PF supporters beat Chrispen Chiutsi of Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central.
28 April 2008
12). In Poshayi Village, Shurugwi, Midlands province, Clemence Dube was murdered by Zanu PF supporters.He was the MDC polling agent for Ward 12 polling station during the 29 March elections. His body has since been ferried to Bulawayo for a post mortem. Dube is survived by a wife and two young children.
27 April 2008
13). In Kotwa, Mudzi, Gilbert Nyagupe, a well known activist from Nyagupe village was axed to death by Zanu PF youth militia and one of the assailants was identified as Jessie Nhau.
29 April
14). Catherine Makwenjere of Mwenezi died at Morgenster Hospital in Masvingo after Zanu PF supporters had assaulted her for voting and supporting the MDC.
5 May 2008
Zanu PF supporters and men in army uniform led by Major Cairo Mhandu and Major Maravadza in Chiweshe communal lands in Mashonaland Central province beat the following to death 15). Tapiwa Meda 16). Joseph Madzuramhende 17). Alex Chiriseri 18). David Tachiwa Mapuranga 19). Arthur Matombo 20). Patson Mudzuramhende 21). Jeff Jemedze
8 May 2008
22). Nelson Emmanuel of Harare south died at the Avenues Clinic after he had been assaulted by Zanu PF youths on 4th of May 2008.
23). Tonderai Zireni (3 years old) was burnt to death after Zanu PF youths set alight the house he was sleeping in Zimunya, Mutare.
24). Isaac Danda of Gokwe Nembudziya was stabbed to death by Zanu PF youths who were being led by Major Moyo.
10 May 2008
25). Musafare Mudimu of Manyika village in Uzumba was assaulted to death by Zanu PF youths.
26). Karombe Benson Chipungu of Manyika village in Uzumba, Mashonaland East was beaten to death by Zanu PF youths for being an MDC member.
27). R Gomwe, 75, was struck by an axe leading to his death in Gokwe Nembudziya by Zanu PF youths led by Major Moyo. It is also alleged that the youths also looted his property and burnt his house.
28). Ruth Mushayahembe of Chimbwanda village in Uzumba was assaulted to death by Zanu PF youths and her husband is reported to be in critical condition in Murewa Hospital.
29). Elias Madzivanzira a headman in ward 8 in Shamva North, Mashonaland Central was killed using an axe by war vets known as Muroyiwa and Joshua of Bata farm.
11 May 2008
30). Sam Kahari, from Chidembo village in Shamva North was dragged out of bed at his home while asleep by Zanu PF youths and purported war veterans who then assaulted him leading to his death that same night.
31). Remember Kayembe, 23, of Mazowe was abducted by Zanu PF supporters who poisoned him leading to his death.
13 May 2008
Zanu PF supporters murdered four MDC supporters at Chaparira village in Mt Darwin East. They are; 32). Abiya Nyakudya who is the headman for the area, 33). Bright Mafuriro, 34). Fischer Chirese and 35). Sairiro Kamufuto and 36). Chaparira also a headman
14 May 2008
37). Beta Chokururama, a member of the MDC national youth was found dead in Chikwaka village, Mashonaland East. State security agents had abducted him on Tuesday 13 May at Juru Growth Point.
14 May 2008
38). Ken Nyevhe was found dead in Goromonzi district after he had been abducted at Juru Growth point on Tuesday 13 May. His body had gunshot and stab wounds.
39). Godfrey Kauzani was found dead with gunshot and stab wounds after he had been abducted at Juru Growth Point on Tuesday 13 May.
17 May 2008
40). Edson Zaya, the MDC treasurer for Ward 9 in Shamva North was murdered by Zanu PF supporters in broad daylight at Chidembo business centre.
18 May 2008
41). Choukuse Nyoka Mubango, the MDC ward 27 chairman in Buhera West, Manicaland was axed to death by Zanu PF supporters at his hime in full view of his wife and five children. A truck used by Zanu PF’s losing MP, Joseph Chinotimba was used in the attack.
21 May 2008
42). The body of Tonderai Ndira, 32, MDC;s national secretary for security was discovered in a mortuary at Parirenyatwa Hospital. State security agents at his Mabvuku home had abducted Ndira on 13 May. His body was in a composing state and his private parts were missing. Indications show that Ndira was murdered in Goromonzi.
43). Tafirenyika Kapfudza, a headman for Sanzu village in Uzumba was murdered by Zanu PF militia Douglas Mutesa and Costan Musariri.
44). Zanu PF militia in Mutawatawa beat Rosemary Maramba, who was six months pregnant, to death. Her body was found dumped at Nhakiwa village.
23 May 2008
45). Manyuke Nyamukada, 40, of Manyika village in Uzumba passed on at Michael Gelfand hospital in Harare after he had been brutally assaulted by Zanu PF supporters two weeks earlier. His homestead was razed to the ground and property and livestock looted.
24 May 2008
46). The body of Shepherd Jani, the MDC provincial treasurer for Masonaland East was discovered in Goromonzi. He had been kidnapped at gunpoint at the MDC Murehwa district office on 22 May 2008.
47). Taurai Matanda was shot dead by a ZNA major, Svosve Mupindu at Murambinda in Buhera, Manicaland. On that day, the soldiers had gone on a rampage beating people.
27 May 2008
48). Kidwell Zvavamwe, 35, of Ward 28, Shamva South died after being assaulted by Zanu PF thugs at his home a week earlier. Zvavamwe was assaulted in front of his wife, Lucia Mukaru and three children and sustained life-threatening injuries.
3 June 2008
49). Washington Nyamwa, 50). Chrison Mbano, and 51). Edson Ngwerume, were on Tuesday 3 June 2008 killed after Zanu PF supporters in a truck came to MDC offices at Jerere growth point and torched the offices. Four other MDC supporters who were present during the attack were still missing a week after the attack.
5 June 2008
51). Zanu PF supporters locked Dadirai Chipiro, 45, of Chikowero village, Mhondoro Ngezi, into her hut before they set it alight. Before this brutal act, the thugs had slashed off both Chipiro’s legs and hands. Chipiro was the MDC district chairperson. A vehicle belonging to Bright Matongo, the MP of Mhondoro Ngezi was used in the attack.
5 June 2008
52). Six year-old, Nyasha Mashoko, was burnt in his parents’ home at Zengeza Waterworks, Harare South by a group of Zanu PF supporters at around 8 pm. His mother, Pamela Pasvanai, sustained 88 percent burns following the arson and was admitted at Harare Hospital. Mashoko’s father, Brian Mamhove, was the MDC council candidate for Ward 1, Harare South. Nyasha was a grade one pupil at Zengeza Main Primary.
6 June 2008
53). Pamela Pasvanai, 21, died after she sustained serious burns following an attack at her home by Zanu PF supporters. Pasvani was eight months pregnant. She and her son Nyasha Mashoko were locked inside their Zengeza Waterworks house by the Zanu PF thugs. Pasvanai’s husband, Brian Mamhove, was the MDC council candidate for Ward 1, Harare South.
8 June 2008
53). Sofia Chingozho, 65, died in hospital after she had been assaulted by Zanu PF supporters at a funeral in Buhera North.
9 June 2008
55). Dumisani Hapazari, Chiredzi Zesa area manager was found dead in Chikombedzi on Monday morning after two CIO operatives had abducted him from his workplace last Wednesday.
11 June 2008
56). Mabika Mudzinga and 57). Leonard Mhete of Chigumisirwa village in Bikita East, Masvingo were murdered by Zanu PF hooligans as they tried to defend attacks from these group and their homesteads.
58). Tiziro Moyo, a teacher, 59). Stanford Mapuranga, and 60). Mirai Zvidzai from Maranda in Mwenezi were murdered by a group of Zanu PF supporters during the night.
61). Chengerai Kahari, of Chireka village, Bindura South is shot dead at 7. pm by armed Zanu PF militia who had mistakenly taken him for his brother who is an MDC councillor in the area.
12 June 2008
62). Rodrick Mukova, of Chimbudzi village in Mwenezi died from injuries he sustained following an attack from Zanu PF thugs.
13 June 2008
63). Kennias Artwell Bvekerwa, of Ward 7 in Chipinge, Manicaland province was severely attacked by Zanu PF militia led by one Chikumba leading to his death at Mapfumise Secondary School in the Clearwater area.
The MDC movement was born to emancipate people from the failed regime of ZANU PF.
The struggle was not to fill the pockets of the greedy few but to ensure that Zimbabwe goes back to democracy, rule of law, fighting corruption, ensure good working conditions for the employees, back to constitutionalism, fighting one party state, fighting state capture, ensure free and fair elections and so forth.
In Bindura we don’t forget the ruthless Border Gezi, Elliot Manyika, Masawi, the Mujambajechas and the rest evil crew of ZANU PF.
They killed our cadres in the likes of Trymore Midzi and several others. We have cadres who were with us in the trenches and we salute them.
One of the pioneers of the movement who never sold out and never left the struggle is Elliot Pfebve and his brother was killed in cold blood. These are the types of leaders who formed the MDC movement not for positions but for the total freedom of all the Zimbabweans.
The Gweru Congress ushered in New Leadership and the whole structure is intact. The diaspora structure is intact and all the external provinces support the struggle. The current leadership will take us far under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa.
Those who want to leave because of party positions you are free to leave. But my advise is that kusina amai hakuendwe. Together we will make a difference. The struggle is ours.
By James Gwati-Obert Mpofu has failed to explain to the nation how he acquired the multi-million dollar properties he owns in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. He was also accused by former President Robert Mugabe of disappearing US$15 billion Diamond money when he was the Mines Minister during the tenure of the Unity Government of MDC and Zanu PF.
Khaya Moyo was a member of former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s Gamatox faction. Mujuru and Mnangagwa ran opposing camps that wanted to ouster and succeed Mugabe.
He (Khaya Moyo) was also used by the late Bob to deliver a letter that fired Mnangagwa in 2017. The letter did not only fire Ngwena but also talked about his disrespect and disloyalty to Zanu PF.
Both Mpofu and Moyo are the most senior Zapu surviving cadres and stand equal chances of replacing the sex shamed Kembo Mohadi who resigned on Monday.
By James Gwati-Disgraced former Vice President Kembo Mohadi said his immoral behaviour did not only tarnish his image but also that of his Zanu PF party.
“My decision to relinquish the Vice President post is also a way of respecting the citizens of this Great Nation, and my Part Comrades, some of whom have been affected by the falsehoods and character assassination in the digital ecosystems,” he said in his resignation statement Monday.
Mohadi resigned from the position of Vice President on Monday over sexcapades.
The disgraced former Vice President was under pressure over the past week when audio recordings of him inviting some married women for unprotected sex in his office and hotels went viral on social media.
By James Gwati- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is said to have engineered the resignation of the disgruntled and embarrassed former Vice President, Kembo Mohadi.
Mohadi resigned from the position of Vice President on Monday over sexcapades.
The disgraced former Vice President was under pressure over the past week when audio recordings of him inviting some married women for unprotected sex in his office and hotels went viral on social media.
Last week Mohadi is said to have met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and discussed his (Mohadi) political future.
It was at that meeting that President Mnangagwa is said to have offered Mohadi some support, and told him that he should decide on his future – saving him the humiliation of a sacking which was going to cause tremors within their Zanu PF party.
By James Gwati- Police in Harare, Monday was on a rampage were it was indiscriminately arresting people they would have found moving around in the Central Business District demanding some bribes for them to be released.
ZimEye.com witnessed the immoral acts at Karigamombe Centre where the police arrested dozens of innocent citizens.
Those arrested included airtime vendors and beauty-therapists who operate at the area.
“ They demanded something from everyone so that they could free us we gave them US$5 and thats when they released us,” said one airtime vendor.
By James Gwati- Zimbabweans throughout the country are celebrating the easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which will see police withdrawing roadblocks they had established in all roads leading into all towns and cities’ Central Business Districts.
The police were using the COVID-19 lockdown checkpoints as their personal toll gates, through extorting money from motorists and the public.
President Mnangagwa on Monday announced that from tomorrow no COVID-19 lockdown exemption letters will be required for citizens moving in and around towns and cities.
The police were demanding money from citizens they would have found moving around without these exemption letters.
By James Gwati-Troubled national airliner, Air Zimbabwe has announced the resumption of the Harare and Dar es Salaam, route.
In a statement, Air Zimbabwe said the Harare-Dar es Salaam Tanzania flight will start tomorrow Tuesday adding that it will be servicing the two destinations every Tuesday and Saturday.
The airliner said it was now inviting bookings from prospective travellers to and from the east African country, with fares of US$230 for a one-way ticket and US$410 for a return ticket.
“Flights commence on Tuesday, March 2, 2021,” read the statement.
In 2018, it was reported that Air Zimbabwe had debts of more than $300 million and could no longer fly to most destinations due to threats by debtors to impound its aircraft. With mounting debt and only three of its aircraft operational, the airliner was put under administration on 6 October 2018.
“I have arrived at this decision not as a sign of cowardice but as a sign of demonstrating great respect to the office of the President so that it is not compromised or caricatured by actions linked to my challenges as an individual.”
No matter what’s going on in the world, maintaining a healthy, whole foods–focused diet is important for blood sugar management.
If you’ve been keeping up with federal guidance on who’s at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, you know that people with diabetes are among the affected groups.
People older than 60, along with those who have underlying health conditions such as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and cancer are also at a higher risk for serious illness from the novel coronavirus, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, non-Hispanic Black Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, all of whom have higher rates of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes than white Americans, per the National Diabetes Statistics Report, are also at higher risk for serious COVID-19 disease, including complications and death, as has been widely reported.
Yet it’s still unclear whether diabetes can leave a person at an elevated risk of getting infected in the first place, notes the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This is apparently true despite research, including a review published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, showing that the immune systems of people with persistent hyperglycemia (higher than normal blood glucose, or sugar) are impaired.
Scientific Research Linking Diabetes and COVID-19 Complications People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both three to four times more likely to develop serious COVID-19 disease and be hospitalized than those who don’t have diabetes, according to a study published online in December 2020 in Diabetes Care. A small preliminary study published in the March 2020 issue of Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews provides more insight into what’s affecting the severity. It looked at 174 people in Wuhan, China, and concluded that people with COVID-19 and diabetes but without other comorbidities were at a higher risk for severe pneumonia and the inflammation that contributes to an accelerated progression of COVID-19 and a worse prognosis.
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 if You Have Lupus From Nose to Toes, the List of COVID-19 Symptoms Keeps Growing Another study, which was published in April 2020 the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, analyzed 1,122 people at 88 hospitals in 11 U.S. states, and drew a link between diabetes and a fourfold increased risk of dying from COVID-19. Glytec, a provider of insulin software management, funded the research.
A study published online in May 2020 in Cell Metabolism supports these findings. For this cohort study, researchers analyzed the health data of 7,337 people in Wuhan with and without type 2 diabetes. They observed an association between having diabetes and an increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
Those with stable blood sugar levels had a better prognosis than those with diabetes whose blood sugar control was poor. In fact, the survival rate for those with good blood sugar control was nearly 99 percent, compared with an 11 percent death rate among those whose control was considered poor. Participants’ blood sugar levels were measured using postprandial and fasting blood glucose tests. The authors defined poor blood sugar control as tending to exceed 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and well-controlled blood sugar as ranging from 70 to 180 mg/dL
Diabetes Complications Can Increase Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19 Still, having complications related to diabetes, along with increasing age, may matter more than blood sugar control, suggested a study published in April 2020 in Diabetologia, which analyzed 1,317 people admitted to 53 French hospitals during a three-week period in March 2020. Study authors concluded that 10 percent of people with diabetes admitted to a hospital died within 10 days, and that men were more likely to die than women. The main contributing factors to death were having complications including neuropathy and heart disease, having a high body mass index (BMI) —indicating obesity — and being older. Patients between ages 65 and 74 were three times more likely to die than individuals younger than 55.
People with type 2 diabetes are definitely at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death, but those with type 1 or gestational diabetes may also be at higher risk, according to recent guidance by the CDC. In the French study, 3 percent of admitted patients had type 1 diabetes, while 89 percent had type 2 diabetes. The remainder of diabetes patients had other types of the disease.
Black people who have type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 may be especially vulnerable to worse outcomes because they are more likely to present with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that causes the blood to become acidic and that can be life-threatening in its own right. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in December 2020 found that 55 percent of Black clinic patients and 33 percent of Hispanic patients presented with DKA, compared with only 13 percent of white patients. “The shared risk of COVID-19 and DKA in type 1 diabetes worsens the short-term and long-term prognosis for Black and Hispanic patients,” said the study authors, also noting that “previous studies have demonstrated an increased risk of DKA among minority populations with type 1 diabetes.”
Understanding COVID-19 and Its Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases including the common cold, but also more severe illnesses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS); and COVID-19, which first became known at the end of 2019 during an outbreak in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei province and has since developed into a global pandemic.
According to the WHO, common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Fever Tiredness Dry cough Aches and pains Nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Skin rashes Pain in the muscles or joints Discolored fingers or toes Diarrhea Some infected people have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the virus.
The CDC describes the emergency warning signs for COVID-19 in adults as:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion or inability to wake up or stay awake Bluish lips or face Inability to rouse or stay awake If you are experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or call ahead to the hospital and let them know you are seeking care for COVID-19 or may have it, the CDC advises.
If you are interested in getting a test and want to know how to proceed, contact your local or state health department. The CDC lists state and territorial departments, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials has a directory you can use to find your local department.
For most people, the disease is mild, and many don’t develop symptoms at all. A South Korean study published in August 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at young people, the vast majority of whom were healthy, and found that 30 percent of those infected with the virus causing COVID-19 never developed symptoms at all. COVID-19 symptoms are mild for most others, although 10–15 percent of infected people do become seriously ill, and 5 percent become critically ill, according to WHO. Mortality estimates vary, but a New York–based study published in October 2020 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine found that 7.6 percent of hospitalizations resulted in death in August, down from 25.6 percent in March, when infection began to spread in the United States.
It’s important to note that the risk of death from COVID-19 is far greater than from influenza (flu), a disease it is frequently compared with. More than 340,000 people died of COVID-19 in the United States in 2020, according to CDC data. In contrast, the nation loses between 12,000 and 61,000 people per year to influenza, reports the CDC.
Source: Everyday Health
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By Ashleigh Jinjika| As we are about to celebrate women’s day on the 8th of March, we may need to look at the key issues to do with gender equality as far as access to land is concerned and the need to call for equal distribution of land and property rights.
Gender differences in land tenure should be recognized if land objectives, such as increasing land productivity, providing affordable housing, or promoting sustainable resource management, are to be met. There is a need for land tenure policy frameworks that explicitly address gender inclusive access to land. Without specific attention to gender inclusiveness, important segments of society may be excluded from the benefits of land administration, management, and development schemes. Human Rights Defender, Mr Prosper Tiringindi underscored that there are great gender inequities in access to land, housing and basic infrastructure and land rights discrimination is a violation of human rights. “In many countries, there is still a lack of adequate provisions for women to hold land rights independently of their husbands or male relatives. Statutory law often does not provide for women’s independent rights and when such legislation does exist, mechanisms to enforce it are often absent. In traditional or “customary” societies, women’s direct access to land through purchase or inheritance is often limited, yet they may have greater management and use rights than men. Since women are frequently the major household food producers, there are usually customary provisions for indirect access to land in terms of use rights acquired through kinship relationships and their status as wives, mothers, sisters, or daughters”, he said. Through labour mobility, divorce, separation, or death, an increasing number of women are becoming the heads of households. They are thus making many of the day-to-day decisions affecting shelter, food production, and household economics. Yet only a small proportion of these women hold secure land rights. Similarly, there are societies where access to land stems from the female line, and in this case male partners and children may be disadvantaged as societies change. On the other hand, there are increasing numbers of men and children who are homeless. Such gender-related changes in household and community maintenance need to be addressed in housing and economic development projects which target groups, for example, through special credit or rental arrangements. Migration to urban centres has resulted in a rapid rise in the number of rural families that have women as the heads of households. Many of these women are those with the least social power, and these include; single parents, widows, divorcees, wives of migrant workers and the aged. They are largely without effective decision-making powers, often without a voice in community governance, and increasingly without security as individuals under traditional law. Attempts to assert their rights can cause conflicts at the community or even national levels. Too often, women are left holding whatever rights they have at the will of male relatives. Single, divorced or widowed women can end up dependent on the goodwill of distant family members. At the same time female-headed households are faced with the responsibility for food production for growing populations. Even in male-headed households, women often have prime responsibility for food production while men commonly concentrate on cash crops. Making access to land more equitable does not mean addressing only the quantity of rights allocated. To make use of the rights and opportunities, access to land must also be enforceable or secure for example, against seizure by force or by law. Equitable access to land must also be effective, if more effective access to land is to be improved for men and women. To create gender equity, whether on the basis of human rights or for reasons of economic efficiency, then the principal challenges for land administration are, to understand and acknowledge the complexity of property rights regimes as they relate to the dynamic roles of both men and women in today’s societies; and to provide effective institutional structures that can protect and strengthen equitable access to land within the framework of a society’s particular land policy goals.
Mr President thank you for that but always bear in mind that we as Zimbabweans we are starving while you are enjoying at Munhumutapa ,Mr President could you have a better heart to us Zimbabweans there is covid but you are absolutely forgetting the common people who have voted
— Tinomuda Mutarisi (@TinomudaMutari1) March 1, 2021
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp is hoping star striker Mohamed Salah will remain at the club for a long time.
The Egyptian has been linked with a move away with Barcelona and Real Madrid said to be interested on signing him.
The forward further raised eyebrows shortly before Christmas when he talked positively about the Spanish sides.
Speaking to English newspaper, the Liverpool Echo, Klopp praised Salah for his performances on the field and tipped him to stay at Anfield.
“It’s just a bit awkward when I have to praise my own players, which I like to do to be honest, but especially in Mo’s case, the numbers speak for themselves,” the coach said.
“Mo is not only a goalscorer, he has developed as a footballer as well. He is a very, very important player for us and hopefully he will be that for a very long time of course.”
Salah is currently leading the EPL goal-scoring chart with seventeen goals after twenty six games.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
With less than a month to go before Zimbabwe take on Botswana and Zambia in decisive AFCON qualifiers, all eyes were, this past weekend, on Warriors stars abroad and here is how they fared for their respective clubs.
Marvelous Nakamba returned to the Aston Villa starting eleven in the claret and blue’s 1-0 win over Leeds United in the English Premier League.
The midfield enforcer dominated proceedings in the middle of the park and got an overall match rating of 8 out of 10. Villa are yet to concede a goal in any of the games Nakamba has featured in this season.
Knowledge Musona has recovered from the injury which kept him out of action since January and he started for Kas Eupen in their 2-0 victory away at Sint-Truidense VV in the Belgian League on Sunday. He was later taken off in the second half.
The captain’s return to full fitness will be a massive boost for coach for Warriors coach Zdravko Logarušić, who at some point was sweating over the availability of Musona and Khama Billiat for the impending battles slated for later this month.
Tino Kadewere started for Olympique Lyon in their 1-1 stalemate with Marseille in the French Ligue 1. The lanky striker, who is without a goal in the last six league games, was later replaced in the second half.
Tendayi Darikwa started and played the entire match as Wigan Athletic lost 1-2 to Peterborough in the English League One.
The right back has started in all his club’s games since being loaned from Nottingham Forest.
In the English Championship, Jordan Zemura was not in the Bournemouth squad which beat Watford 1-0, the same goes for Admiral Muskwe, in Wycombe Wanderers’ 0-2 defeat to Norwich City.
Teenage Hadebe continues to be employed at left back and was in the same position when Yeni Malatyaspor drew 1-1 away at Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig.
Still in Turkey, Hadebe’s Warriors central defense partner Alec Mudimu was in the Ankaraspor side which played out a goalless draw at home, against Tuzla in the TFF1.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Jordan Zemura has confirmed that he might be forced to withdraw from the Warriors squad due travelling imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bournemouth defender is part of the provisional 38-man squad that was named last week. The national team have two Afcon Qualifiers coming up in late March.
Zimbabwe will face Botswana away in Gaborone on 25 March before hosting Zambia in Harare four days later.
Zemura’s father, Sam, told the Herald that they don’t want the player to miss some games on return from national assignments since he has to go into quarantine.
“Red alert conditions will most likely make it difficult for him (Jordan) to fly but we are still waiting for a response from his club,’’ Sam said as he also explains that Jordan is still committed to play for the Warriors.
“He is definitely prepared to come to Zimbabwe.
“He is more than 100 percent prepared to come for these two qualifiers against Botswana and Zambia
“He is very excited by the offer. He will come to Zimbabwe, definitely, if they allow him at his club.’’
Jordan made his Warriors debut in the first leg of the back-to-back qualifiers, against the Desert Foxes of Algeria in November last year.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has relaxed COVID-19 lockdown regulations with intercity travelling now allowed among a raft of adjustments announced.
Addressing the nation following the expiry of the 14 day extension, Mnangagwa said letters are no longer a requirement to move around while gymnasiums, beerhalls and recreational facilities remain banned.
Informal sector, restaurants and local businesses have been told to re-open while he urged schools to prepare to open.
Curfew has been adjusted and will now start from 10pm to 5am while supermarkets will now close at 7pm.
” …”Susan is not in control of her phone, do you really think that is Susan who is tweeting…?”
By Dorrothy Moyo | Murder Charges are in the build against Norton MP Temba Mliswa following his fallout with his short time girlfriend Susan Mutami of the controversial 3 month pregnancy. Mutami at the weekend tweeted for the second time since the day she was stopped from flying out of Zimbabwe two weeks ago. It was said she is the one writing on her micro blogging portal, but friends have disputed this.
“Susan is not in control of her phone, do you really think that is Susan who is tweeting at the weekend?, ” a close friend to Mliswa’s girlfriend asked ZimEye Monday morning.
Mutami has spent a whole week in Zimbabwe after she was blocked from flying back to Australia and told she will be a state witness in a terrorism case against her boyfriend.
The holder of two fake degrees who says she studied counter terrorism, and is also a nurse, last week bolted out of a ZimEye interview after being asked to reveal the universities which issued her certificates.
The case the state has put her as a witness relates to the White City bombing which happened on 23 June 2018 which killed two people on the spot and left Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Marry, nursing swelling boils on their bodies. At a time when the country has waited 2 years without clear details on who was behind it, Mutami earlier this month accused her 3 month-period boyfriend of possessing secret details on the incident.
She also accused Mliswa of attempted murder, saying he has planned to kill Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, as well as presidential hopeful, Local Govt minister July Moyo.
Today, Mutami launched a tweet accusing an unnamed man of killing an unnamed man at a garage in Hurungwe. She went further to say the killer is now spending time making endless trips to Ghana so to heal the curse arising from that murder. Coincidentally, her boyfriend Mliswa who is from Hurungwe (his former Constituency) has been making several trips to Ghana.
WHO IS SUSAN MUTAMI CALLING A HURUNGWE (MLISWA CONSTITUENCY) GARAGE MURDERER?
Twimbos can you please educate me about Ngozi ini handinyatsoziva zvechivanhu. So In 2018 pane munhu akauraya mumwe mukomana in Hurungwe pa garage, since last year he’s been going to the family achida kuiripa but varikuramba.
Vakati iwe unoripa ngozi yemunhu wawakati hauna kuuraya here saka iri kumutambudza, akanzi achafa mafiro akaita mwana wavo and haafi akagara nemukadzi muhupenyu hwake since munhu akaurayiwa aive mujaya asati akamboroora. Anzwa nekuenda kuma prophet ku Ghana.
My question is does this affect the children vemhondi iyi and how can one protect vana vake. Ndinotenda kune vachabatsira.
The prospect of vaccine passports is getting closer in Europe — with more governments considering introducing them not only for travelers, but also to help reopen bars, restaurants and concert halls.
Asked whether the introduction of vaccine passports is likely, Britain’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, told reporters Monday some international travel likely would require proof of coronavirus inoculation.
“Some countries, clearly, are going to be wanting to insist that people coming to their country have evidence of a vaccination — just as people have insisted in the past that you have evidence you are vaccinated against yellow fever or other diseases,” he said.
European governments have been split about whether to endorse a system of vaccine passports, but the travel, tourist and hospitality sectors are desperate to get business going again and say they can’t afford another lost summer.
But civil libertarians worry the continent will be divided along a new haves and have-nots fault-line, and this week Britain’s foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, provoked a political uproar when he told a radio interviewer that Britons may have to present evidence of vaccination to enter bars and grocery stores.
“It’s something that hasn’t been ruled out and it’s under consideration, but of course you’ve got to make it workable,” Raab said.
His comment earned a sharp rebuke not only from civil libertarians but from Conservative lawmakers.
“For everyday life, I don’t think you want to require people to have to have a particular medical procedure before they can go about their day-to-day life,” lawmaker Mark Harper said. “That is not how we do things in Britain.”
Elsewhere in Europe, more governments are exploring the idea of introducing vaccine passports — at least for travel. Denmark’s finance minister, Morten Bødskov, last week raised the prospect of inoculation passports being introduced by the end of the month, which would make the Scandinavian country the world’s first to do so. Denmark is currently under a strict pandemic lockdown.
“Denmark is still hard hit by the corona pandemic,” he said. “But there are parts of Danish society that need to move forward, and a business community that needs to be able to travel.”
Estonia is working with the World Health Organization (WHO) on a project to create standardized electronic vaccination certification the country hopes could become the “gold standard” and attract global recognition.
Marten Kaevats, an adviser to the Estonian government on technology, told AFP the primary challenge for a globally endorsed system is to ensure that anyone checking the certificate can “trust the source.” The Estonian solution is looking at producing a digital version of the extant paper yellow-card used to prove yellow fever vaccination.
Estonia, a tech trailblazer that’s been a pioneer in government e-services, isn’t alone in exploring a possible a digital vaccine passport program that can command global respect. Britain, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, Lithuania and pharmaceutical companies have all announced initiatives. Some are looking at using QR codes, or even facial recognition technology.
The challenge is further complicated by the different data-systems countries have for keeping electronic health records that are not mutually recognized across borders. And most countries don’t even maintain digital health records.
Kaevats told AFP it is unlikely that a global digital ID will emerge in the coming months, and it is more likely there will be a muddling through in a messy and arbitrary way with a mix of paper and electronic certificates appearing.
Greece has urged the European Commission to shape a common understanding on how a vaccination certificate should be structured, so it could be accepted in all member states. But the EC is struggling — and officials say it becomes even more complicated when trying to fashion a framework for the recognition of certificates that might be developed by countries outside the European Union.
There also are disagreements over what rules should apply to travelers who received vaccines not approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Experts at the WHO have withheld recommending vaccination passports for travel, deterred by fears of a messy and dispute-filled implementation and worried by the insufficient guarantee that those who have been inoculated can’t spread the virus, if they still contract it themselves and are asymptomatic.
Some international airlines, including the Middle East’s Etihad, which has become the first airline to vaccinate all operational crew, say they already are planning to require passengers to produce pre-travel inoculation documentation. Some airlines are planning to add to their apps a requirement for passengers to add details of their vaccination before being able to book.
But vaccine passports and the emerging idea of inoculation certification being needed to enter restaurants, bars, concert halls and sports stadiums also is prompting a backlash from rights and privacy campaigners. They say that would be unfair when there is not universal access to vaccines and that such plans would be a backdoor way to make vaccinations mandatory, infringing on the freedom of those who refuse vaccines.
In Britain, rights campaigners reacted with dismay Tuesday when the country’s vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, told the BBC the government would not forbid businesses from pressing ahead with their own inoculation certification standards for customers and even for employees. “It’s up to businesses what they do,” he said. Zahawi previously had rejected the idea of vaccine passports, saying that the use of them would be “wrong” and “discriminatory.”
British ministers appear to be in a quandary, with no firm agreement within the cabinet about the way forward. While Foreign Minister Rabb has openly touted the possibility of vaccine certificates being required for domestic in-country activities, other ministers have briefed against the idea, saying they are sure there will be no formal endorsement of vaccine passports for domestic use.
While Johnson said Monday that Britons should not be expected to present paperwork to enter a pub, he shied away from discussing whether care homes and other businesses should be able to insist employees be inoculated.
Tony Blair, the former British prime minister, who has been campaigning for a global coronavirus vaccine passport system, said this week, “We have the technology that enables us to do this securely and effectively. The need is obvious.” He added, “The arguments against it really don’t add up.”
But critics say the result will be to divide people, and countries, between vaccine haves and vaccine have-nots, affecting the developing and poor nations much more than rich ones. Some experts estimate that most African nations are unlikely to see mass vaccination programs until 2023 or even 2024.
Germany’s ethics council, an independent government-funded body, has urged that no special conditions be accorded to the inoculated. It has said much is still unknown about whether vaccinated people can still spread the virus, and that introducing privileges for the vaccinated could prompt civil unrest with the have-nots feeling they are being elbowed aside.
France’s European affairs minister, Clément Beaune, has firmly objected to vaccine passports. “We are very reluctant,” he said. “It would be shocking, while the campaign is still just starting across Europe, for there to be more important rights for some than for others.”
Tinashe Sambiri|Former Zanu PF MP for Chivi South Constituency, Killer Zivhu has accused the Emmerson Mnangagwa led administration of gross incompetence.
Zivhu also subtly blamed the Zanu PF administration for violating human rights.
“During Rhodesia time the problem was not the economy but utsinye, kubatirira , ruvengo pamwe nevhu.
Now Zimbabwe time the major problem is now the economy, corruption, elections, human rights zvichingoinda zvakawanda .
Are we not proving that whites are better than us?” Zivhu wrote on Twitter.
However, political observers are sceptical of Zivhu’s sincerity arguing the big politician is speaking out of bitterness.
By Prince Njagu| As the Zimbabwean economy continues to take crumble. More and more young Zimbabweans are taking a stand against mal-governance and plunder of resources by politicians. Jail time is the price that all young people have to pay for standing up against any form of injustice in Zimbabwe.
It all started with the arrest of MDC Alliance Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe and other MDC Alliance youth leaders in 2020. Which was followed by the arrest of prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and then an endless list of other activists.
“Arrests and abductions have become the norm in Zimbabwe. Anyone who has a different opinion to that of the ruling ZANU PF government; they are put in jail and denied bail,” said activist Sandra Bvungidzire.
Human rights activist Makomborero Haruvizishe, was violently arrested by security details in Harare for his courageous stand against the corrupt ZANU-PF led government.
The arrest of Makomborero is being viewed by many as an attempt to silence the young people of Zimbabwe. Any action which opposes ZANU PF is a jail punishable offence and people of Zimbabwe live in fear of being persecuted.
Unlawful detention and imprisonment has become the ultimate price which Zimbabweans pay for disagreeing with the ZANU PF authoritarian rule.
Unlawful abductions and detentions have become the new normal in Zimbabwe. Anyone whose actions are deemed to be a threat to the status quo is used as an example to intimidate the others.
The courageous act shown by Makomborero resembles the current mindset of most young Zimbabweans who are now tired of the repressive ZANU PF rule.
These arrests are meant to intimidate the masses; but recent events point to more young Zimbabweans becoming more resilient and standing against the authoritarian regime.
“Nations are shaped defined and determined by the agency and electricity of their young people. Vibrant youth leadership is the oxygen that determines the destiny of nations. The young Makomborero defines courage,” said MDC-A leader Nelson Chamisa on his Twitter account.
The arrests have only worsened and so has the bravery of Zimbabweans.
The ZANU PF government has been accused of pulling the strings within the judicial system and making sure that anyone who is arrested for voicing against the “ruling elite” is detained; denied bail and made to rot in jail.
“We are worried that this weaponisation of law by the police and growing persecution of activists has a pernicious and gnawing effect on our ‘nascent’ democracy,” said Harare West MP Joana Mamombe whilst addressing protesters who went to attend flash protests at the Harare High Court on Thursday.
#RussiaZimbabwe ?? Dear Zimbabwean Friends, Would you like to attend Russian language courses? Free of charge… all our students will be welcomed to our extra-classes, we will learn some Russian songs, prepare Russian pancakes. would you love these activities?
— Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe (@RuEmbZimbabwe) March 1, 2021
By Dorrothy Moyo | A COVID variant first seen in Brazil has been found in the United Kingdom with one positive test unaccounted for A COVID-19 variant that was first seen in Manaus, Brazil, has been found in up to six UK cases. One of those cases has not been accounted for, with vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi urging that person to get in touch with the NHS.
The variant, first seen in Brazil in December, has led to criticism of the UK’s border controls, with hotel quarantine from certain countries not coming in until February. The British govt’s responsible department, Public Health England, has since issued the below announcement:
Cases of Variant of Concern first detected in Manaus identified in the UK
Up to 6 cases of the Variant of Concern first identified in Manaus, Brazil (P.1) have been detected in the UK. Public Health England (PHE) has identified 3 of these cases of the Variant of Concern in England.
Two of the cases in England are from one household in South Gloucestershire with a history of travel to Brazil and there is a third, currently unlinked case.
The cases in South Gloucestershire were rapidly followed up by the PHE Health Protection Team – cases and their contacts have been identified and retested. One case that had travelled to Brazil has been isolating at home with their household since returning to the UK.
PHE and NHS Test and Trace are following up with all passengers on Swiss Air flight LX318 travelling from Sao Paulo via Zurich and landing in London Heathrow on 10 February, to provide public health advice and test them and their households. Anyone who returned to the UK at that time should have gone home immediately from the airport and isolated for 10 days.
If you were a passenger on the flight and have not been contacted, please call 01174 503 174 to arrange a test for you and your household contacts.
Although the risk to the wider community is considered low, as a precaution, PHE, working in collaboration with South Gloucestershire Council and NHS Test and Trace, is taking swift and decisive action to deploy surge asymptomatic testing as well as increasing sequencing of positive samples from the area. Residents of South Gloucestershire should visit the council’s website for more information on testing. The most important actions are identifying cases and their contacts and supporting these individuals to isolate effectively.
Further investigation is underway regarding the third case in England. The individual did not complete their test registration card so follow-up details are not available. We are therefore asking for anyone who undertook a test on 12 or 13 February and hasn’t received their result or has an uncompleted test registration card, to call 119 in England or 0300 303 2713 in Scotland for assistance as soon as possible.
The P.1 variant has been designated ‘of concern’ as it shares some important mutations with the variant first identified in South Africa (B.1.351), such as E484K and N501Y. It is possible that this variant may respond less well to current vaccines, but more work is needed to understand this.
Dr Susan Hopkins, PHE strategic response director for COVID-19 and NHS Test and Trace Medical Advisor, said:
We have identified these cases thanks to the UK’s advanced sequencing capabilities which means we are finding more variants and mutations than many other countries and are therefore able to take action quickly.
The important thing to remember is that COVID-19, no matter what variant it is, spreads in the same way. That means the measures to stop it spreading do not change. Stay at home and if you do need to go out for essential reasons, cover your nose and mouth, wash your hands thoroughly and keep your distance.
We ask that individuals come forward for testing through the symptomatic and asymptomatic test sites across the countries in order to continue to drive down cases in the community.
Background
Three cases of the variant have also been identified in Scotland but these are not linked to these 3 cases in England.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has released a comprehensive list of names of opposition members who were brutally murdered by Zanu PF between 2008 and 2013.
The list of honour has been released as part of efforts by the popular movement to pay homage to the heroes and heroines of the struggle for democracy.
See statement below : The regime has blood on its hands – we shall not forget the 2008 massacre of our cadres
We shall never forget, our bothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children and friends killed!
List of names of people killed by Zanu PF in 2008: 12 April 2008
1). Tapiwa Mubwanda (57) of Hurungwe was stabbed to death by Zanu PF supporters.he died leaving behind a wife and three children. Jawet Kazangarare and Private Peter Madamombe were identified as the murderers
15 April 2008
2). Murunde Tembo of Mudzi was attacked by Zanu PF supporters at his home in Vombofi village. They broke his legs and he died on his way to hospital.
17 April 2008
3). Tatenda Chibika died after Zanu PF supporter; Richard Makoni shot him at Chibeta Business Centre in Mutoko.
4). Moses Bashitwayo of Wedza died after receiving heavy assaults from Zanu PF supporters.
5). Zanu PF activists being led by Bvuka Chimbanzwa assaulted Solomon Bote of ward 22 in Musikavanhu in Makoni South to death.
6). Brighton Mabwera jnr, five years old from Manyika Viilage, Uzumba was burnt to death after the house he was sleeping in was set ablaze by Zanu PF activists in the middle of the night. His parents are strong supporters of the MDC.
24 April 2008
7). Zvidzai Mapurisa was murdered by suspected Zanu PF thugs who descended at his homestead in Village 21 in Gunikuni area in Masvingo south at around 1am.they are alleged to have taken him away and assaulted him severely with sticks and sjamboks, accusing him of mobilizing people to vote against Zanu PF.
25 April 2008
. Tabitha Marume of Makoni West in Manicaland was shot and killed by soldiers at Chiwetu Rest Camp.
9). Zanu PF militia in Mbire beat Tenos Manyimo to death.
10). Bigboy Zhuwawo of Mbire in Mashonaland Central died on Sunday when Zanu PF militia for being an MDC supporter seriously attacked him.
11). Zanu PF supporters beat Chrispen Chiutsi of Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central.
28 April 2008
12). In Poshayi Village, Shurugwi, Midlands province, Clemence Dube was murdered by Zanu PF supporters.He was the MDC polling agent for Ward 12 polling station during the 29 March elections. His body has since been ferried to Bulawayo for a post mortem. Dube is survived by a wife and two young children.
27 April 2008
13). In Kotwa, Mudzi, Gilbert Nyagupe, a well known activist from Nyagupe village was axed to death by Zanu PF youth militia and one of the assailants was identified as Jessie Nhau.
29 April
14). Catherine Makwenjere of Mwenezi died at Morgenster Hospital in Masvingo after Zanu PF supporters had assaulted her for voting and supporting the MDC.
5 May 2008
Zanu PF supporters and men in army uniform led by Major Cairo Mhandu and Major Maravadza in Chiweshe communal lands in Mashonaland Central province beat the following to death 15). Tapiwa Meda 16). Joseph Madzuramhende 17). Alex Chiriseri 18). David Tachiwa Mapuranga 19). Arthur Matombo 20). Patson Mudzuramhende 21). Jeff Jemedze
8 May 2008
22). Nelson Emmanuel of Harare south died at the Avenues Clinic after he had been assaulted by Zanu PF youths on 4th of May 2008.
23). Tonderai Zireni (3 years old) was burnt to death after Zanu PF youths set alight the house he was sleeping in Zimunya, Mutare.
24). Isaac Danda of Gokwe Nembudziya was stabbed to death by Zanu PF youths who were being led by Major Moyo.
10 May 2008
25). Musafare Mudimu of Manyika village in Uzumba was assaulted to death by Zanu PF youths.
26). Karombe Benson Chipungu of Manyika village in Uzumba, Mashonaland East was beaten to death by Zanu PF youths for being an MDC member.
27). R Gomwe, 75, was struck by an axe leading to his death in Gokwe Nembudziya by Zanu PF youths led by Major Moyo. It is also alleged that the youths also looted his property and burnt his house.
28). Ruth Mushayahembe of Chimbwanda village in Uzumba was assaulted to death by Zanu PF youths and her husband is reported to be in critical condition in Murewa Hospital.
29). Elias Madzivanzira a headman in ward 8 in Shamva North, Mashonaland Central was killed using an axe by war vets known as Muroyiwa and Joshua of Bata farm.
11 May 2008
30). Sam Kahari, from Chidembo village in Shamva North was dragged out of bed at his home while asleep by Zanu PF youths and purported war veterans who then assaulted him leading to his death that same night.
31). Remember Kayembe, 23, of Mazowe was abducted by Zanu PF supporters who poisoned him leading to his death.
13 May 2008
Zanu PF supporters murdered four MDC supporters at Chaparira village in Mt Darwin East. They are; 32). Abiya Nyakudya who is the headman for the area, 33). Bright Mafuriro, 34). Fischer Chirese and 35). Sairiro Kamufuto and 36). Chaparira also a headman
14 May 2008
37). Beta Chokururama, a member of the MDC national youth was found dead in Chikwaka village, Mashonaland East. State security agents had abducted him on Tuesday 13 May at Juru Growth Point.
14 May 2008
38). Ken Nyevhe was found dead in Goromonzi district after he had been abducted at Juru Growth point on Tuesday 13 May. His body had gunshot and stab wounds.
39). Godfrey Kauzani was found dead with gunshot and stab wounds after he had been abducted at Juru Growth Point on Tuesday 13 May.
17 May 2008
40). Edson Zaya, the MDC treasurer for Ward 9 in Shamva North was murdered by Zanu PF supporters in broad daylight at Chidembo business centre.
18 May 2008
41). Choukuse Nyoka Mubango, the MDC ward 27 chairman in Buhera West, Manicaland was axed to death by Zanu PF supporters at his hime in full view of his wife and five children. A truck used by Zanu PF’s losing MP, Joseph Chinotimba was used in the attack.
21 May 2008
42). The body of Tonderai Ndira, 32, MDC;s national secretary for security was discovered in a mortuary at Parirenyatwa Hospital. State security agents at his Mabvuku home had abducted Ndira on 13 May. His body was in a composing state and his private parts were missing. Indications show that Ndira was murdered in Goromonzi.
43). Tafirenyika Kapfudza, a headman for Sanzu village in Uzumba was murdered by Zanu PF militia Douglas Mutesa and Costan Musariri.
44). Zanu PF militia in Mutawatawa beat Rosemary Maramba, who was six months pregnant, to death. Her body was found dumped at Nhakiwa village.
23 May 2008
45). Manyuke Nyamukada, 40, of Manyika village in Uzumba passed on at Michael Gelfand hospital in Harare after he had been brutally assaulted by Zanu PF supporters two weeks earlier. His homestead was razed to the ground and property and livestock looted.
24 May 2008
46). The body of Shepherd Jani, the MDC provincial treasurer for Masonaland East was discovered in Goromonzi. He had been kidnapped at gunpoint at the MDC Murehwa district office on 22 May 2008.
47). Taurai Matanda was shot dead by a ZNA major, Svosve Mupindu at Murambinda in Buhera, Manicaland. On that day, the soldiers had gone on a rampage beating people.
27 May 2008
48). Kidwell Zvavamwe, 35, of Ward 28, Shamva South died after being assaulted by Zanu PF thugs at his home a week earlier. Zvavamwe was assaulted in front of his wife, Lucia Mukaru and three children and sustained life-threatening injuries.
3 June 2008
49). Washington Nyamwa, 50). Chrison Mbano, and 51). Edson Ngwerume, were on Tuesday 3 June 2008 killed after Zanu PF supporters in a truck came to MDC offices at Jerere growth point and torched the offices. Four other MDC supporters who were present during the attack were still missing a week after the attack.
5 June 2008
51). Zanu PF supporters locked Dadirai Chipiro, 45, of Chikowero village, Mhondoro Ngezi, into her hut before they set it alight. Before this brutal act, the thugs had slashed off both Chipiro’s legs and hands. Chipiro was the MDC district chairperson. A vehicle belonging to Bright Matongo, the MP of Mhondoro Ngezi was used in the attack.
5 June 2008
52). Six year-old, Nyasha Mashoko, was burnt in his parents’ home at Zengeza Waterworks, Harare South by a group of Zanu PF supporters at around 8 pm. His mother, Pamela Pasvanai, sustained 88 percent burns following the arson and was admitted at Harare Hospital. Mashoko’s father, Brian Mamhove, was the MDC council candidate for Ward 1, Harare South. Nyasha was a grade one pupil at Zengeza Main Primary.
6 June 2008
53). Pamela Pasvanai, 21, died after she sustained serious burns following an attack at her home by Zanu PF supporters. Pasvani was eight months pregnant. She and her son Nyasha Mashoko were locked inside their Zengeza Waterworks house by the Zanu PF thugs. Pasvanai’s husband, Brian Mamhove, was the MDC council candidate for Ward 1, Harare South.
8 June 2008
53). Sofia Chingozho, 65, died in hospital after she had been assaulted by Zanu PF supporters at a funeral in Buhera North.
9 June 2008
55). Dumisani Hapazari, Chiredzi Zesa area manager was found dead in Chikombedzi on Monday morning after two CIO operatives had abducted him from his workplace last Wednesday.
11 June 2008
56). Mabika Mudzinga and 57). Leonard Mhete of Chigumisirwa village in Bikita East, Masvingo were murdered by Zanu PF hooligans as they tried to defend attacks from these group and their homesteads.
58). Tiziro Moyo, a teacher, 59). Stanford Mapuranga, and 60). Mirai Zvidzai from Maranda in Mwenezi were murdered by a group of Zanu PF supporters during the night.
61). Chengerai Kahari, of Chireka village, Bindura South is shot dead at 7. pm by armed Zanu PF militia who had mistakenly taken him for his brother who is an MDC councillor in the area.
12 June 2008
62). Rodrick Mukova, of Chimbudzi village in Mwenezi died from injuries he sustained following an attack from Zanu PF thugs.
13 June 2008
63). Kennias Artwell Bvekerwa, of Ward 7 in Chipinge, Manicaland province was severely attacked by Zanu PF militia led by one Chikumba leading to his death at Mapfumise Secondary School in the Clearwater area.
Just In- @edmnangagwa eases #Lockdown Curfew (10pm -5.30am), Letters NO longer required, Supermarkets to close at 7pm, Industry to open in adherence to Covid-19 measures, Schools,universities prepare to re-open, Inter-city travel resumes, Funeral gatherings remain 30 & Social 50 pic.twitter.com/tFoiyNX80b
By Honest Makanyire|Many people are wondering whether various forms of diabetes have a direct impact on those infected by the deadly Coronavirus.
Diabetes
Above all a controlled diet will certainly regulate the level of sugar in one’s body.
Below experts explore crucial health matters :
No matter what’s going on in the world, maintaining a healthy, whole foods–focused diet is important for blood sugar management.
If you’ve been keeping up with federal guidance on who’s at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, you know that people with diabetes are among the affected groups.
People older than 60, along with those who have underlying health conditions such as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and cancer are also at a higher risk for serious illness from the novel coronavirus, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, non-Hispanic Black Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, all of whom have higher rates of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes than white Americans, per the National Diabetes Statistics Report, are also at higher risk for serious COVID-19 disease, including complications and death, as has been widely reported.
Yet it’s still unclear whether diabetes can leave a person at an elevated risk of getting infected in the first place, notes the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This is apparently true despite research, including a review published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, showing that the immune systems of people with persistent hyperglycemia (higher than normal blood glucose, or sugar) are impaired.
Scientific Research Linking Diabetes and COVID-19 Complications People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both three to four times more likely to develop serious COVID-19 disease and be hospitalized than those who don’t have diabetes, according to a study published online in December 2020 in Diabetes Care. A small preliminary study published in the March 2020 issue of Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews provides more insight into what’s affecting the severity. It looked at 174 people in Wuhan, China, and concluded that people with COVID-19 and diabetes but without other comorbidities were at a higher risk for severe pneumonia and the inflammation that contributes to an accelerated progression of COVID-19 and a worse prognosis.
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 if You Have Lupus From Nose to Toes, the List of COVID-19 Symptoms Keeps Growing Another study, which was published in April 2020 the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, analyzed 1,122 people at 88 hospitals in 11 U.S. states, and drew a link between diabetes and a fourfold increased risk of dying from COVID-19. Glytec, a provider of insulin software management, funded the research.
A study published online in May 2020 in Cell Metabolism supports these findings. For this cohort study, researchers analyzed the health data of 7,337 people in Wuhan with and without type 2 diabetes. They observed an association between having diabetes and an increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
Those with stable blood sugar levels had a better prognosis than those with diabetes whose blood sugar control was poor. In fact, the survival rate for those with good blood sugar control was nearly 99 percent, compared with an 11 percent death rate among those whose control was considered poor. Participants’ blood sugar levels were measured using postprandial and fasting blood glucose tests. The authors defined poor blood sugar control as tending to exceed 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and well-controlled blood sugar as ranging from 70 to 180 mg/dL
Diabetes Complications Can Increase Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19 Still, having complications related to diabetes, along with increasing age, may matter more than blood sugar control, suggested a study published in April 2020 in Diabetologia, which analyzed 1,317 people admitted to 53 French hospitals during a three-week period in March 2020. Study authors concluded that 10 percent of people with diabetes admitted to a hospital died within 10 days, and that men were more likely to die than women. The main contributing factors to death were having complications including neuropathy and heart disease, having a high body mass index (BMI) —indicating obesity — and being older. Patients between ages 65 and 74 were three times more likely to die than individuals younger than 55.
People with type 2 diabetes are definitely at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death, but those with type 1 or gestational diabetes may also be at higher risk, according to recent guidance by the CDC. In the French study, 3 percent of admitted patients had type 1 diabetes, while 89 percent had type 2 diabetes. The remainder of diabetes patients had other types of the disease.
Black people who have type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 may be especially vulnerable to worse outcomes because they are more likely to present with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that causes the blood to become acidic and that can be life-threatening in its own right. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in December 2020 found that 55 percent of Black clinic patients and 33 percent of Hispanic patients presented with DKA, compared with only 13 percent of white patients. “The shared risk of COVID-19 and DKA in type 1 diabetes worsens the short-term and long-term prognosis for Black and Hispanic patients,” said the study authors, also noting that “previous studies have demonstrated an increased risk of DKA among minority populations with type 1 diabetes.”
Understanding COVID-19 and Its Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases including the common cold, but also more severe illnesses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS); and COVID-19, which first became known at the end of 2019 during an outbreak in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei province and has since developed into a global pandemic.
According to the WHO, common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Fever Tiredness Dry cough Aches and pains Nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Skin rashes Pain in the muscles or joints Discolored fingers or toes Diarrhea Some infected people have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the virus.
The CDC describes the emergency warning signs for COVID-19 in adults as:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion or inability to wake up or stay awake Bluish lips or face Inability to rouse or stay awake If you are experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or call ahead to the hospital and let them know you are seeking care for COVID-19 or may have it, the CDC advises.
If you are interested in getting a test and want to know how to proceed, contact your local or state health department. The CDC lists state and territorial departments, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials has a directory you can use to find your local department.
For most people, the disease is mild, and many don’t develop symptoms at all. A South Korean study published in August 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at young people, the vast majority of whom were healthy, and found that 30 percent of those infected with the virus causing COVID-19 never developed symptoms at all. COVID-19 symptoms are mild for most others, although 10–15 percent of infected people do become seriously ill, and 5 percent become critically ill, according to WHO. Mortality estimates vary, but a New York–based study published in October 2020 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine found that 7.6 percent of hospitalizations resulted in death in August, down from 25.6 percent in March, when infection began to spread in the United States.
It’s important to note that the risk of death from COVID-19 is far greater than from influenza (flu), a disease it is frequently compared with. More than 340,000 people died of COVID-19 in the United States in 2020, according to CDC data. In contrast, the nation loses between 12,000 and 61,000 people per year to influenza, reports the CDC.
Source: Everyday Health
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|Former Zanu PF MP for Chivi South Constituency, Killer Zivhu has accused the Emmerson Mnangagwa led administration of gross incompetence.
Zivhu also subtly blamed the Zanu PF administration for violating human rights.
“During Rhodesia time the problem was not the economy but utsinye, kubatirira , ruvengo pamwe nevhu.
Now Zimbabwe time the major problem is now the economy, corruption, elections, human rights zvichingoinda zvakawanda .
Are we not proving that whites are better than us?” Zivhu wrote on Twitter.
However, political observers are sceptical of Zivhu’s sincerity arguing the big politician is speaking out of bitterness.
Over 200 unreleased songs belonging to the late Zimdancehall icon Soul Jah Love have gone missing, his family has announced.
The music is contained in a laptop and memory card which both mysteriously went missing soon after the chanter breathed his last on the 16th of February this year.
Jah Love’s brother Solomon told ZTN that they suspect that the laptop and memory card are presently in the hands of a prominent music producer. “Look our approach is that we want to resolve matters amicably but we have our strong suspicions,” he said.
“There is a prominent music producer we believe has these items and we are giving him a chance to do the right thing. A family member has been tasked with pursuing dialogue with the said producer but if that fails we have no option but to report the matter to the police.
“We don’t want to wash our dirty linen in public hence our desire to pursue dialogue ahead of drama.” Solomon said they owe it to his late brother and legion of fans to keep the Conquering Family founder’s memory alive.
“Those songs are his property; they belong to his estate along with the several properties he left. In fact, the songs he left behind could be more than 200 because here was a guy who could just compose a song in a matter of minutes.
“He was a genius, a Dambudzo Marechera type of guy, and we have to make sure that we keep his legacy going and the first port of call it making sure that his discography and royalties are looked after well,” he said.
Soul Jah Love, who was declared a Liberation Hero, succumbed to diabetic complications and was buried in Harare.
By Honest Makanyire |Masvingo Province has been hit again by a new wave of cattle deaths that has left many farmers with empty pens.
The local farmers who spoke to Community Tolerance and Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) expressed concern over the lack of commitment by Government’s Veterinary Services Department -towards the prevention of the persisting theileriosis, a tick-borne disease.
Theileriosis which is caused by uncontrolled ticks killed hundreds of cattle in Chatsworth and other parts of Gutu last year. The disease hit many districts of Masvingo Province in January 2021.
The famers say the government’s veterinary service department, which is responsible for the provision of animal and zoonotic diseases surveillance, animal health risk management, and animal health and protection has failed its mandate. The department is failing to frequently provide adequate dipping chemicals to dip tanks despite continuous outbreak of tick-borne disease. During the rainy season cattle are supposed to be dipped at least once every week so as to break the cycle of ticks. “As famers we call upon the Government and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement to ensure the supply of quality dipping chemicals, livestock dosses and vaccinations to the Veterinary Service Departments and closely monitor the distribution of these chemicals to avoid corruption and diversion of use. The dipping chemicals which are rarely supplied to our local dip tanks do not remove all ticks, therefore we doubt the quality of such chemicals.” said one farmer.
Farmers are buying their own cattle dipping equipment, chemicals and vaccination despite paying cattle tax to the government to enjoy veterinary service. Long queues are seen at Veterinary and other shops which provides livestock health education and chemicals in Masvingo town with farmers from different districts even with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that prohibits the movement of people. Exemption letters written by Chiefs and other traditional leaders are not being considered by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at checkpoints. Therefore, some small holder and peasant farmers from rural areas are reportedly failing to access town to purchase cattle vaccinations due to lockdown restrictions.
“COTRAD encourages the famers and the dip tank committees to engage the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and Veterinary Department when having such concerns.”, said Kupfuwa Ishmael, COTRAD official. The Veterinary Service Department is responsible of promoting bio-security, animal health and welfare for the benefit of the livestock industry through implementing risk management measures for prescribed animal diseases and pests control, and building and maintaining physical veterinary infrastructure such as dips, animal handling facilities.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to jeopardize the crucial COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by threatening citizens.
Mr Mnangagwa said those who do not take the vaccine will (at some point) not be allowed to board ZUPCO Buses.He also said those who do not take the vaccine will find it difficult to secure employment.
Below is the MDC Alliance Weekly Health Update:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert.
6th Edition
28 February 2022.
Welcome to yet another edition of the Weekly Health Alerts produced by MDC Alliance Health portfolio in conjunction with the Communications department.
This week we are looking at the lockdown and the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 Lockdown-Whither to Zimbabwe?
WE have been on level 4 lockdown in this second covid-19 wave since January the 5th, initially for four weeks, but extended twice by two weeks at a time, to March 2021. With the strict lockdown comes many socio-economic challenges, which the government has up until now been unable to mitigate. Business is at a standstill, the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, especially with the current requirement that to reopen your small business you need covid-19 certificates for your workforce, at own expense.
The restrictions on informal traders has plunged many families into abject poverty and outright starvation in some cases, with no bailout from government.
We cannot be in perpetual lockdown, especially in a country where there are no social safety nets, but the decision to lift the lockdown must be based on data and science, not on political considerations.
Weaponisation of the lockdown is a tragedy, and many in Zimbabwe feel the lockdown is being used as a political weapon.
As President Chamisa said before, the government should be working with local authorities and health care departments to come out with a more scientific targeted approach based on numbers and hotspots.
Constant surveillance through testing and isolation throughout the country is necessary. Let’s remember the WHO’s admonition: “You can’t replace the lockdown with nothing”. Measures must be put in place to ensure a smooth transition to normalcy with adequate control measures. We need a well-informed and committed population, with persistent long-term behavior change as part of our new normal. Covid-19 safe behaviours must be observed at all times.
Vaccines bring with them a new hope of permanent relief, but only if we get it right, and we establish and maintain the highest levels of transparency regarding the vaccine attributes of efficacy, safety & cost, and procurement decisions. Arrogance on the part of government will derail the program. Every citizen has a right to be heard, and all concerns must be addressed with empathy, knowing that we are all born equal under the law of Zimbabwe, and in the eyes of God Almighty. Dissemination of correct information is key to the acceptance of any particular vaccine by the people, in our case the Sinopharm vaccine, at least for now. The current low uptake is due to lack of information, which buttresses all the conspiracy theories.
Coercion and intimidation will work against the program. The government must make it abundantly clear that taking the vaccine is a completely voluntary exercise, and informed consent is necessary for administration of the jab. As the people watch the early recipients of the vaccine, and as real time data on safety and efficacy is rolled out by the government, more people will volunteer to take the vaccine.
The recent command and control intimidatory diatribe we heard from high offices threatening to limit liberties to use Zupco buses and to bar people from getting employment if not vaccinated are both extremely unfortunate and mortally retrogressive to the program.
But is the vaccination program adequate on its own to ensure the safe lifting of lockdown measures? The answer for now is no, until we have vaccinated enough people to protect the whole population. There is no magical figure to achieve herd immunity, but if 60-80% of the population is vaccinated, we will enjoy reasonable protection as a nation. This is a medium to long-term aspiration, considering that all we have now is 200000 donated doses of Sinopharm vaccine, which will cover 100000 people out of the projected minimum target of ten million recipients. There is hard work and difficult decisions ahead of us. We implore the government to collect quality data that will inform future steps.
What shall we do now to be able to lift the lockdown without courting a third wave backlash? The WHO suggests six conditions that must be met before lifting the lockdown:
Disease transmission must be under control. We have seen a reduction in the number of new cases and of deaths over the past month. We are not there yet, but we are making progress. On this score alone, controlled relaxation of lockdown measures is feasible.
Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”. This condition is the weakest link in our fight against covid-19. Government has never been able to supply enough testing kits to meet demand, and we continue to grope in the dark.
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes. In our case, its super-spreader events like ZUPCO buses, funerals, parties, shebeens, prisons and Zanu pf rallies. There is need to liberalise the transport sector to reduce unnecessary congestion. I do not consider church services to have super spreader potential if all things are done in an orderly manner and necessary precautions are taken, including social distancing, temperature checks, controlled numbers and masking up.
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures. We must at this stage take heed of what the teachers’ unions are saying about re-opening schools. To quote PTUZ, “…opening of schools is not an event, but a process that must be preceded by broad planning and engagement of teacher unions, parents, prioritization of health and safety of teachers, pupils, and ancillary staff”.
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”. We need to manage our boarders and test all immigrants, with a view to isolating for an appropriate period those found positive. Remember, our nasty second wave was due to relaxation of the borders, failure to quarantine and test all immigrants, failure to follow up new comers in the community, and the presence of illegal crossing points. These must be remedied as a necessary precondition to lifting lockdown measures.
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
A new culture must emerge. Social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, masking up, limiting size of gatherings, banning cultural practices like to eat at funerals, frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, must become the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Health workers must continue to wear PPE as before until the epidemic is over. Investment in covid-19 clinical management infrastructure and PPE must continue. Health worker continuing professional education must intensify. The law must be applied evenly across the political divide, religious affiliation, race, colour & creed.
Lifting the lockdown situation has become a necessity to save the people from suffering and starvation, and a sector-by-sector consideration must be done, with the necessary stakeholder consultation and a targeted geographical approach. New and much cheaper vaccines like the J&J that has been used in South Africa must be procured and introduced in Zimbabwe. Measures as outlined above must be taken to ensure we do not gravitate into an even nastier third wave.
Now is the time to move to alleviate the people’s suffering, while keeping the epidemic under control.
May I extend thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee members for their input into our articles.
I remain
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Child welfare MDC Alliance
By A Correspondent- Emmanuel Makandiwa’s sermon in which he said “we don’t like Jesus’s instruction” has sparked controversy with some calling him a non-believer.
He was teaching on “love your enemies” from Matthew 5: 44. Jesus had instructed his audience to pray for those who persecuted them.
Reads the verse:
Matt 5: 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Responding to the verse, Emmanuel Makandiwa said:
Pray for them, those that are despising us and those that are persecuting us we pray for them? Do you like that? We don’t like that. You see, the reason why we don’t like it it’s against something within us. That goes to show how then power gets unlocked if we are to obey that because it’s not our idea. If we liked that, that would make that our idea, there is no act of obedience, there is no submission to scripture. It has to be something that you don’t enjoy doing and by doing it, it becomes an act of obedience to an external instruction. Something is telling you what to do and that something is not yourself, that something is God.
[Raise funds to help Steve fight lung and Bone-marrow cancer ]
Barely a month ago, our company Zororo-Phumulani, an affiliate of Doves Zimbabwe, received media reports that a first-year University of Zimbabwe student, Steve John Mutapiri (21), was appealing for financial assistance to have a cancerous tumor that has troubled him for 4 years removed from his shoulder. Zororo-Phumulani heeded the call and visited Steve at his brother`s home in Louis Trichardt ,in the province of Limpopo, South Africa.
https://youtu.be/nFfBUNiT5Y4
On realising the gravity of the situation, Zororo-Phumulani pledged R100 000.00 towards Steve John Mutapiri`s medical fees. The company also pledged to provide him with a laptop to help with his online studies during his stay in hospital.
On the 10th of February 2021, Steve John Mutapiri was admitted at Mediclinic Hospital in Limpopo for a surgical operation of the tumored shoulder. Zororo-Phumulani, together with friends who contributed R23 000.00 through Go Fund Me platforms took care of the bills for the initial medical tests, as well as the initial SURGICAL operations.
According to the doctors, the battle is far from being won for Steve, as he has yet to undergo lung surgical operations to clear tumors, and thereafter he will receive chemotherapy treatment sessions to eradicate the malignant cells in his bone marrow. The fees for these procedures are so steep that the R100 000.00 we gave to the family, and other donations that came in through Go Fund and Back a buddy have since been used up.
Zororo-Phumulani keeps true to the wisdom of Anne Frank; “No one has ever become poor by giving,” thus we have taken the lead in providing assistance. We especially believe that “The greatest happiness in the world is in helping the people you don’t know and seeing them happy.” Today, as CEO and on behalf of Zororo-Phumulani, I am making a plea to the business community, organisations and individuals to join hands and help pull resources together for this humanitarian cause. Alone we are like one drop, but united, we are like a mighty ocean.
The task at hand is indeed insurmountable for the family, but together with them we pin our hopes on the strength in numbers.Once we stand together, we can surmount seemingly insurmountable challenges of the day. There’s no problem too big for a people committed to each other’s welfare.
Zororo-Phumulani has experienced the quintessential joy of giving, and we continue working to assist Steve to the best of our ability. We invite you to join us in helping Steve recover his health, complete his education and fulfill his purpose in life.
In behalf of Zororo-Phumulani, I’d like to thank all those who have helped in cash or kind. Friends across the world who have helped Steve through the Go Fund me platform and the Back a buddy platform , may the Almighty bless you abundantly.
In the coming few weeks, Zororo-Phumulani will be hosting its annual laptop donation program. The 2021 Laptop donation edition comes at a time when students across the globe are really in need of laptops because of the Covid -19 lockdowns. Steve John Mutapiri automatically becomes one of the many students that will receive a laptop from this program. As we have done in the past 5 years, students who passed their matric exams for 2020 and have been admitted in various tertiary institutions will benefit from this program which seeks to empower our youths.
We strongly believe that the future lies with the youth hence it is our duty to empower every one of them.
The fervent prayers of Zororo-Phumulani are with Steve and his family and we strongly believe that the much needed resources will come in from institutions and individuals for our brother to receive treatment.
To Steve,who is not here today I say, hang in there brother, we are all looking forward to your speedy recovery.
Former cabinet minister Walter Mzembi has announced that he is going on a Zwitterfast, a fasting period where he will not be posting anything Zimbabwean on Twitter to allow himself an uninterrupted period to talk to God about the country.
Posting on Twitter, Mzembi who is currently in self imposed exile following the November 2017 military coup that deposed former long time ruler, Robert Mugabe, said his Zwitterfast will last for one week.
“I am announcing Zwitterfast for a week , meaning no tweeting anything Zimbabwean , will be talking only to God about Zimbabwe, so Help me God,” said Mzembi.
Responding to Mzembi, one social media user, accused the former tourism minister had failed the country during her time in government.
“I dont judge you Mr Mzembi, but you had the chance to change the course of Zim when you were part of the destruction. God didnt matter then?,” said Dewah.
“This is what most of the ex-Zanu PF people are doing before rejoining Zanu PF. They reappear only to announce that they have rejoined Zanu PF- Kutamba zvangu kani Mzembi, usatsamwe,” another user Majaira Jairosi said.
By James Gwati-Overzealous police offices in Gweru have arrested a state media journalist.
Herald Midlands Bureau Chief, Freedom Mupanedemo, was Monday morning briefly detained at Gweru Central Police Station for what the police termed “Contravening lockdown regulations”.
Mupanedemo, was arrested despite him showing the police officers both his Zimbabwe Media Commission accreditation card and Zimpapers ID.
The police also ignored government pronouncement which qualifies journalists in the essential service category and are exempted from the COVID-19 induced government lockdown regulations and went on to lock up the scribe in their filthy Gweru Central police cells.
They locked the journalist up for about an hour and only to release him after the intervention of ZRP national police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- “Since the dubious 31 March 2020 SC (Supreme Court) judgment on the MDC’s leadership, Mnangagwa has used cronies, recalls, arrests, abductions, torture and defections to destroy the MDC-A,” commented Professor Jonathan Moyo.
“By design or default, Chamisa has said and done nothing. That silence is today his strategic advantage!”
This is just nonsense!
If the Supreme Court judgement was dubious, as Moyo claims, then what is the strategic advantage of saying and doing nothing about it whilst the consequences of the said judgement wreck havoc to Chamisa, those around him and the nation at large, which has had no opposition party to hold the rogue Zanu PF regime to account!
One does not allow a hyaena into one’s home stead so it can feast on one’s domestic animals and even kill and eat humans! What has been happening in Zimbabwe these last 12 months is a great national tragedy with the economy sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss, made worse by the corona virus outbreak; all because Zanu PF has been allowed to do as it pleased. We not only have one hyaena but a clan! We are to believe that having a clan of hyaenas running riot in the village is strategic!
Since when are blatant betrayal, the Supreme Court judgement was Chamisa’s own fault, and failure been classified as wise and strategic.
Professor Moyo’s is a man whose strategic thinking helped Mugabe stay in power. But we also know that he has no morals as he did not care that he was helping a corrupt and murderous tyrant in power. We know Moyo as one who would sell his own mother for a price and boast he had a mother to sell.
Chamisa is saying and doing nothing about the Supreme Court judgement because there is nothing he can say or do. The consequences of the judgement are tragic to the him, MDC A and most important of all the nation.
Professor Jonathan Moyo has spend the last two and half years, ever since the November 2017 military coup, holed up in his fox-hole in Kenya. The forced sabbatical is taking a toll on his brain, it is ossifying. He cannot distinguish betrayal, defeat and blundering despair and confuse it for gic silence!
By A Correspondent- A Harare man was on Saturday arraigned before a magistrate facing a fraud charge involving US$4 million after he allegedly manufactured fake documents to change the ownership of an industrial stand belonging to Shomet Industrial Holdings.
Washington Frera (40) appeared before magistrate Barbara Mateko and was remanded in custody to today over allegations that he changed ownership of the stand, which measured 25,1499 hectares.
The State alleges that between January and March 2018, Frera and his accomplices, who are still at large, signed a backdated agreement of sale of an immovable property, Lot 358 of Prospect, Waterfalls.
He is alleged to have misrepresented to the seller, Scholastic Muringai, to act upon a fake agreement of sale with the buyer, Maride Investment Trust, in order to cause the transfer of title from Shomet Industrial Holdings to Maride Investment Trust without presentation of the original title deeds.
However, the issuance of the title deeds was reversed by High Court judge Justice Jesta Helena Charewa on February 21 this year.
Frera is also being charged with perjury after he misrepresented to the High Court that he lost title deeds to the land when in actual fact the title deeds were not in the name of Shomet.
Meanwhile, a 16-year old Epworth “prophetess” has appeared in court on a murder charge after she allegedly killed a toddler during a “healing” session.
The “prophetess”, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, was accompanied by her mother when she appeared before Harare magistrate Vongai Muchuchuti-Guwuriro.
It is alleged that on February 25, the “prophetess” gave the toddler a mixture of milk, cooking oil, salt and lemon to drink during the “healing session”. The toddler lost consciousness and died.
The “prophetess” was released into the custody of her mother and remanded to April 9 pending indictment to the High Court for trial.-Newsday
It is pathetic for Mnangagwa’s desperate regime to use its spooks to get Fungai Kwaramba at the miserable Herald, the regime’s propaganda mouthpiece, to seek relevance by abusing his neighborhood with me here in Chitungwiza.
It is an outrageous lie that I confirmed his false and stupid claim that I was removed from any MDC-A WhatsApp group by anyone. It’s total hogwash.
For the record, Fungai Kwaramba phoned me late afternoon yesterday using a Whatsapp call and accused me of having dumped him as he was thirsty for beer. I told him that I long stopped drinking alcohol two years ago and that I spend most of my weekends at home with my family. He then asked me why I and others had allegedly been removed from some WhatsApp groups. I told him that I was not aware of any such removal and that in any event I had no time to answer his stupid question because I am in more than 1000 WhatsApp groups; and it did not make sense for him to ask me about my alleged removal from one WhatsApp group, that I was not even aware of. I further explained to him that I actually don’t read messages on many of the WhatsApp groups to which I belong.
Throughout my conversation with him, Fungai Kwaramba pretended to be at his home, chilling out but broke and looking for money from me to buy beer. There was not even a slight hint that he was calling me from Herald House or that he was interviewing me for a news story as a journalist.
For the record, I want to make two points very clear. Firstly, I was not removed from any WhatsApp group and the stories flying around are being created by Mnangagwa’s CIO, their enablers, MDC Alliance haters and enemies of the people who are bent on using intrigue and subterfuge to destroy the movement of the people.
Secondly, the infighting alleged in the Herald story at the behest of Mnangagwa’s CIO is a figment of their desperate imagination. There is no such rift in our ranks that will come their way for their barbaric feasting at State House, like was seen the other day. They must forget it.
These imaginary stories about infighting in the MDC-A are meant to make some of us to lose our focus on the elephant in the room; while demotivating the generality of the people and their resolve to reclaim their freedom from the jaws of Mnangagwa’s dictatorship.
The people are not fools. They know only too well that Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed the nation. His rule is a depiction of Satanism in motion. His only hope now is to brew conflict among ourselves in the MDC Alliance; a conflict which he will never get, even in his wildest dreams. Our focus is on making sure that Mnangagwa’s regime of cruelty comes to an end.
I don’t get moved by those who cross to the devil’s home. The business of the day is to obliterate Mnangagwa’s regime, to stop the suffering of the people. Our hearts and souls are committed to the cause of the people’s project to liberate Zimbabwe. We are one as a team; and our unquestionable faith in the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the leadership elected at our Gweru Congress is solid like a rock. We know who our enemy is, and the enemy shall fall.
The Herald may cook a million meals of pathetic and desperate lies; the enemy can engineer desperate defections, but all that will serve to strengthen and embolden us to stand tall and press on with the agenda of the people.
Let it be known, some of us have taken the oath from our mother’s wombs that our daily business is to fight evil. ZANU PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa are today’s evil, and we shall fight that evil until it collapses. Don’t be misled by rifts that exist in the mind of our enemies. While the lunatics enjoy themselves in their self deception about the non existent rifts; one thing whose writing is on the wall is that their days are numbered. They better stop playing games, wake up and smell the coffee.
I thank you. God Bless Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala 1 March 2021
By A Correspondent- The government has gazetted Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021 which approves the eviction of over 1 000 families from the Sengwe Communal lands in Chiredzi paving way for the multi-million dollar lucerne grass project by Dendairy company.
The SI titled Statutory Instrument 50 of 2021 Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Chiredzi) Notice was issued by the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in terms of the Communal Land Act [Chapter 20: 04]. Reads the SI:
Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Chiredzi) Notice, 2021 THE Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development and in terms of section 10 of the Communal Land Act [Chapter 20:041. hereby makes the following notice:-
This notice may be cited as the Communal Land (Setting Aside of Land) (Chiredzi) Notice, 2021.
The area of land described hereunder in terms of the Schedule shall be set aside with effect from the date of publication of this notice for the purpose of lurcene production.
Any person occupying or using the land specified in the Schedule, otherwise than by virtue of a right held in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:051, is ordered to depart permanently with all of his or her property from the said land by the date of publication of this notice, unless he or she acquires rights of use or occupation to the said land in terms of section (9)(1) of the Communal Land Act [Chapter 20:041.
SCHEDULE
DESCRIPTION OF AREA
An area of land approximately 12 940 hectares in extent, in the administrative district of Chiredzi as shown by the inner edge of the black line on plan M.O.E. XXXX which can be inspected, free of charge. at the following offices:
Secretary for Local Government, Urban and Rural Development, Makombe Building, Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare.
It is pathetic for Mnangagwa’s desperate regime to use its spooks to get Fungai Kwaramba at the miserable Herald, the regime’s propaganda mouthpiece, to seek relevance by abusing his neighborhood with me here in Chitungwiza.
It is an outrageous lie that I confirmed his false and stupid claim that I was removed from any MDC-A WhatsApp group by anyone. It’s total hogwash.
For the record, Fungai Kwaramba phoned me late afternoon yesterday using a Whatsapp call and accused me of having dumped him as he was thirsty for beer. I told him that I long stopped drinking alcohol two years ago and that I spend most of my weekends at home with my family. He then asked me why I and others had allegedly been removed from some WhatsApp groups. I told him that I was not aware of any such removal and that in any event I had no time to answer his stupid question because I am in more than 1000 WhatsApp groups; and it did not make sense for him to ask me about my alleged removal from one WhatsApp group, that I was not even aware of. I further explained to him that I actually don’t read messages on many of the WhatsApp groups to which I belong.
Throughout my conversation with him, Fungai Kwaramba pretended to be at his home, chilling out but broke and looking for money from me to buy beer. There was not even a slight hint that he was calling me from Herald House or that he was interviewing me for a news story as a journalist.
For the record, I want to make two points very clear. Firstly, I was not removed from any WhatsApp group and the stories flying around are being created by Mnangagwa’s CIO, their enablers, MDC Alliance haters and enemies of the people who are bent on using intrigue and subterfuge to destroy the movement of the people.
Secondly, the infighting alleged in the Herald story at the behest of Mnangagwa’s CIO is a figment of their desperate imagination. There is no such rift in our ranks that will come their way for their barbaric feasting at State House, like was seen the other day. They must forget it.
These imaginary stories about infighting in the MDC-A are meant to make some of us to lose our focus on the elephant in the room; while demotivating the generality of the people and their resolve to reclaim their freedom from the jaws of Mnangagwa’s dictatorship.
The people are not fools. They know only too well that Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed the nation. His rule is a depiction of Satanism in motion. His only hope now is to brew conflict among ourselves in the MDC Alliance; a conflict which he will never get, even in his wildest dreams. Our focus is on making sure that Mnangagwa’s regime of cruelty comes to an end.
I don’t get moved by those who cross to the devil’s home. The business of the day is to obliterate Mnangagwa’s regime, to stop the suffering of the people. Our hearts and souls are committed to the cause of the people’s project to liberate Zimbabwe. We are one as a team; and our unquestionable faith in the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the leadership elected at our Gweru Congress is solid like a rock. We know who our enemy is, and the enemy shall fall.
The Herald may cook a million meals of pathetic and desperate lies; the enemy can engineer desperate defections, but all that will serve to strengthen and embolden us to stand tall and press on with the agenda of the people.
Let it be known, some of us have taken the oath from our mother’s wombs that our daily business is to fight evil. ZANU PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa are today’s evil, and we shall fight that evil until it collapses. Don’t be misled by rifts that exist in the mind of our enemies. While the lunatics enjoy themselves in their self deception about the non existent rifts; one thing whose writing is on the wall is that their days are numbered. They better stop playing games, wake up and smell the coffee.
I thank you. God Bless Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala 1 March 2021
By A Correspondent- Three people have escaped death by a close shave after their car was involved in a head-on collision.
Kwekwe bound Opel Corsa vehicle carrying three people was burnt to a shell after it caught fire on impact when its driver encroached onto an oncoming lane resulting in a head-on collision.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the accident to the state media which occurred just outside Kwekwe along the Gweru-Kwekwe highway on Saturday morning.
Two people including the driver who was in the Corsa escaped unhurt while the driver of the other vehicle, a Nissan hardbody was also unscratched.
.@secreta13816739 from @lawsocietyofzim makes submissions on proposed amendments on the judiciary, says promotion of judges should continue as in current Const….CSOs engaging Min Ziyambi Ziyambi on ??Const Amendment No.2
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of ZESA Holdings, has notified Chitungwiza residents of planned power supply interruption starting Tuesday 2 March.
Read the notice:NOTICE TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to advise its valued customers that there would be a power supply interruption on Tuesday 02 March 2021 from 0900 — 1400 hrs for the purpose of carrying out critical emergency works.
During this period, electricity will not be available in the following areas: Chitungwiza: Council sewerage plant, Surface Wilmar, Unit J Gwckwete homestead, and Unit J opposite Surface Wilmar.
Customers are advised to treat all circuits as live during this period as power may be restored without notice.
By Job Sikhala| It is pathetic for Mnangagwa’s desperate regime to use its spooks to get Fungai Kwaramba at the miserable Herald, the regime’s propaganda mouthpiece, to seek relevance by abusing his neighborhood with me here in Chitungwiza.
It is an outrageous lie that I confirmed his false and stupid claim that I was removed from any MDC-A WhatsApp group by anyone. It’s total hogwash.
For the record, Fungai Kwaramba phoned me late afternoon yesterday using a Whatsapp call and accused me of having dumped him as he was thirsty for beer. I told him that I long stopped drinking alcohol two years ago and that I spend most of my weekends at home with my family. He then asked me why I and others had allegedly been removed from some WhatsApp groups. I told him that I was not aware of any such removal and that in any event I had no time to answer his stupid question because I am in more than 1000 WhatsApp groups; and it did not make sense for him to ask me about my alleged removal from one WhatsApp group, that I was not even aware of. I further explained to him that I actually don’t read messages on many of the WhatsApp groups to which I belong.
Throughout my conversation with him, Fungai Kwaramba pretended to be at his home, chilling out but broke and looking for money from me to buy beer. There was not even a slight hint that he was calling me from Herald House or that he was interviewing me for a news story as a journalist.
For the record, I want to make two points very clear. Firstly, I was not removed from any WhatsApp group and the stories flying around are being created by Mnangagwa’s CIO, their enablers, MDC Alliance haters and enemies of the people who are bent on using intrigue and subterfuge to destroy the movement of the peoe. us.
Secondly, the infighting alleged in the Herald story at the best of Mnangagwa’s CIO is a figment of their desperate imagination. There is no such rift in our ranks that will come their way for their barbaric feasting at State House, like was seen the other day. They must forget it.
These imaginary stories about infighting in the MDC-A are meant to make some of us to lose our focus on the elephant in the room; while demotivating the generality of the people and their resolve to reclaim their freedom from the jaws of Mnangagwa’s dictatorship.
The people are not fools. They know only too well that Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed the nation. His rule is a depiction of Satanism in motion. His only hope now is to brew conflict among ourselves in the MDC Alliance; a conflict which he will never get, even in his wildest dreams. Our focus is on making sure that Mnangagwa’s regime of cruelty comes to an end.
I don’t get moved by those who cross to the devil’s home. The business of the day is to obliterate Mnangagwa’s regime, to stop the suffering of the people. Our hearts and souls are committed to the cause of the people’s project to liberate Zimbabwe. We are one as a team; and our unquestionable faith in the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa and the leadership elected at our Gweru Congress is solid like a rock. We know who our enemy is, and the enemy shall fall.
The Herald may cook a million meals of pathetic and desperate lies; the enemy can engineer desperate defections, but all that will serve to strengthen and embolden us to stand tall and press on with the agenda of the people.
Let it be known, some of us have taken the oath from our mother’s wombs that our daily business is to fight evil. ZANU PF and Emmerson Mnangagwa are today’s evil, and we shall fight that evil until it collapses. Don’t be misled by rifts that exist in the mind of our enemies. While the lunatics enjoy themselves in their self deception about the non existent rifts; one thing whose writing is on the wall is that their days are numbered. They better stop playing games, wake up and smell the coffee.
I thank you. God Bless Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala 1 March 2021
By Dorrothy Moyo | Norton MP Temba Mliswa’s ex girlfriend, Susan Mutami at the weekend forced a-Sunday-mystery down people’s throats when she tweeted for the second time since the day she was stopped from flying out of Zimbabwe.
Mutami has spent a whole week in Zimbabwe after she was blocked from flying back to Australia and told she will be a state witness in a terrorism case against her boyfriend.
The holder of two fake degrees who says she studied counter terrorism, and is also a nurse, last week bolted out of a ZimEye interview after being asked to reveal the universities which issued her certificates.
The case the state has put her as a witness relates to the White City bombing which happened on 23 June 2018 which killed two people on the spot and left Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Marry, nursing swelling boils on their bodies. At a time when the country has waited 2 years without clear details on who was behind it, Mutami earlier this month accused her 3 month-period boyfriend of possessing secret details on the incident.
She also accused Mliswa of attempted murder, saying he has planned to kill Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, as well as presidential hopeful, Local Govt minister July Moyo.
Today, Mutami launched a tweet accusing an unnamed man of killing an unnamed man at a garage in Hurungwe. She went further to say the killer is now spending time making endless trips to Ghana so to heal the curse arising from that murder. Coincidentally, her boyfriend Mliswa who is from Hurungwe (his former Constituency) has been making several trips to Ghana.
WHO IS SUSAN MUTAMI CALLING A HURUNGWE (MLISWA CONSTITUENCY) GARAGE MURDERER?
Twimbos can you please educate me about Ngozi ini handinyatsoziva zvechivanhu. So In 2018 pane munhu akauraya mumwe mukomana in Hurungwe pa garage, since last year he’s been going to the family achida kuiripa but varikuramba.
Vakati iwe unoripa ngozi yemunhu wawakati hauna kuuraya here saka iri kumutambudza, akanzi achafa mafiro akaita mwana wavo and haafi akagara nemukadzi muhupenyu hwake since munhu akaurayiwa aive mujaya asati akamboroora. Anzwa nekuenda kuma prophet ku Ghana.
My question is does this affect the children vemhondi iyi and how can one protect vana vake. Ndinotenda kune vachabatsira.
Lawyers for remanded director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Portia Manangazira, have filed an application at the High Court seeking the release of their client on bail.
Manangazira was last week remanded in custody pending trial on charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
She is being accused of paying facilitation fees to undeserving ministry staff, flouting tender rules when she bought US$280 529 of goods and services and allegedly diverted diesel coupons for 3 290 litres to private vehicles.
Mr Harrison Nkomo of Mhishi, Nkomo Legal Practitioners, said they were appealing against the decision of the remand court, claiming several misdirections on the part of the lower court.
“We have appealed and we await set down in the High Court,” he said.
In denying Manangazira bail, deputy chief magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande ruled that she was likely to interfere with investigations and witnesses, including her parents, who were part of the 28 family members she hired as community health workers to undertake the Covid-19 awareness programmes across the country.
Ms Makwande said Manangazira was still employed at the Ministry of Health and Child Care where there were some witnesses hence the court feared that was likely to jeopardise investigations.
The State also said Manangazira was a flight risk and remanded her in custody to March 8.
Africa Centre for Disease Control, through a non-governmental organisation — African Field Epidemiology Network — availed US$796 675 to fund training of 800 community health workers.
It is alleged that between July 16, 2020 and January 21 this year, Manangazira authorised the procurement of goods and services worth US$280 529 without going to tender. -Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to jeopardize the crucial COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by threatening citizens.
Mr Mnangagwa said those who do not take the vaccine will (at some point) not be allowed to board ZUPCO Buses.He also said those who do not take the vaccine will find it difficult to secure employment.
Below is the MDC Alliance Weekly Health Update:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert.
6th Edition
28 February 2022.
Welcome to yet another edition of the Weekly Health Alerts produced by MDC Alliance Health portfolio in conjunction with the Communications department.
This week we are looking at the lockdown and the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 Lockdown-Whither to Zimbabwe?
WE have been on level 4 lockdown in this second covid-19 wave since January the 5th, initially for four weeks, but extended twice by two weeks at a time, to March 2021. With the strict lockdown comes many socio-economic challenges, which the government has up until now been unable to mitigate. Business is at a standstill, the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, especially with the current requirement that to reopen your small business you need covid-19 certificates for your workforce, at own expense.
The restrictions on informal traders has plunged many families into abject poverty and outright starvation in some cases, with no bailout from government.
We cannot be in perpetual lockdown, especially in a country where there are no social safety nets, but the decision to lift the lockdown must be based on data and science, not on political considerations.
Weaponisation of the lockdown is a tragedy, and many in Zimbabwe feel the lockdown is being used as a political weapon.
As President Chamisa said before, the government should be working with local authorities and health care departments to come out with a more scientific targeted approach based on numbers and hotspots.
Constant surveillance through testing and isolation throughout the country is necessary. Let’s remember the WHO’s admonition: “You can’t replace the lockdown with nothing”. Measures must be put in place to ensure a smooth transition to normalcy with adequate control measures. We need a well-informed and committed population, with persistent long-term behavior change as part of our new normal. Covid-19 safe behaviours must be observed at all times.
Vaccines bring with them a new hope of permanent relief, but only if we get it right, and we establish and maintain the highest levels of transparency regarding the vaccine attributes of efficacy, safety & cost, and procurement decisions. Arrogance on the part of government will derail the program. Every citizen has a right to be heard, and all concerns must be addressed with empathy, knowing that we are all born equal under the law of Zimbabwe, and in the eyes of God Almighty. Dissemination of correct information is key to the acceptance of any particular vaccine by the people, in our case the Sinopharm vaccine, at least for now. The current low uptake is due to lack of information, which buttresses all the conspiracy theories.
Coercion and intimidation will work against the program. The government must make it abundantly clear that taking the vaccine is a completely voluntary exercise, and informed consent is necessary for administration of the jab. As the people watch the early recipients of the vaccine, and as real time data on safety and efficacy is rolled out by the government, more people will volunteer to take the vaccine.
The recent command and control intimidatory diatribe we heard from high offices threatening to limit liberties to use Zupco buses and to bar people from getting employment if not vaccinated are both extremely unfortunate and mortally retrogressive to the program.
But is the vaccination program adequate on its own to ensure the safe lifting of lockdown measures? The answer for now is no, until we have vaccinated enough people to protect the whole population. There is no magical figure to achieve herd immunity, but if 60-80% of the population is vaccinated, we will enjoy reasonable protection as a nation. This is a medium to long-term aspiration, considering that all we have now is 200000 donated doses of Sinopharm vaccine, which will cover 100000 people out of the projected minimum target of ten million recipients. There is hard work and difficult decisions ahead of us. We implore the government to collect quality data that will inform future steps.
What shall we do now to be able to lift the lockdown without courting a third wave backlash? The WHO suggests six conditions that must be met before lifting the lockdown:
Disease transmission must be under control. We have seen a reduction in the number of new cases and of deaths over the past month. We are not there yet, but we are making progress. On this score alone, controlled relaxation of lockdown measures is feasible.
Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”. This condition is the weakest link in our fight against covid-19. Government has never been able to supply enough testing kits to meet demand, and we continue to grope in the dark.
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes. In our case, its super-spreader events like ZUPCO buses, funerals, parties, shebeens, prisons and Zanu pf rallies. There is need to liberalise the transport sector to reduce unnecessary congestion. I do not consider church services to have super spreader potential if all things are done in an orderly manner and necessary precautions are taken, including social distancing, temperature checks, controlled numbers and masking up.
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures. We must at this stage take heed of what the teachers’ unions are saying about re-opening schools. To quote PTUZ, “…opening of schools is not an event, but a process that must be preceded by broad planning and engagement of teacher unions, parents, prioritization of health and safety of teachers, pupils, and ancillary staff”.
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”. We need to manage our boarders and test all immigrants, with a view to isolating for an appropriate period those found positive. Remember, our nasty second wave was due to relaxation of the borders, failure to quarantine and test all immigrants, failure to follow up new comers in the community, and the presence of illegal crossing points. These must be remedied as a necessary precondition to lifting lockdown measures.
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
A new culture must emerge. Social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, masking up, limiting size of gatherings, banning cultural practices like to eat at funerals, frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, must become the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Health workers must continue to wear PPE as before until the epidemic is over. Investment in covid-19 clinical management infrastructure and PPE must continue. Health worker continuing professional education must intensify. The law must be applied evenly across the political divide, religious affiliation, race, colour & creed.
Lifting the lockdown situation has become a necessity to save the people from suffering and starvation, and a sector-by-sector consideration must be done, with the necessary stakeholder consultation and a targeted geographical approach. New and much cheaper vaccines like the J&J that has been used in South Africa must be procured and introduced in Zimbabwe. Measures as outlined above must be taken to ensure we do not gravitate into an even nastier third wave.
Now is the time to move to alleviate the people’s suffering, while keeping the epidemic under control.
May I extend thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee members for their input into our articles.
I remain
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Child welfare MDC Alliance
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to jeopardize the crucial COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by threatening citizens.
Mr Mnangagwa said those who do not take the vaccine will (at some point) not be allowed to board ZUPCO Buses.He also said those who do not take the vaccine will find it difficult to secure employment.
Below is the MDC Alliance Weekly Health Update:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert.
6th Edition
28 February 2022.
Welcome to yet another edition of the Weekly Health Alerts produced by MDC Alliance Health portfolio in conjunction with the Communications department.
This week we are looking at the lockdown and the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 Lockdown-Whither to Zimbabwe?
WE have been on level 4 lockdown in this second covid-19 wave since January the 5th, initially for four weeks, but extended twice by two weeks at a time, to March 2021. With the strict lockdown comes many socio-economic challenges, which the government has up until now been unable to mitigate. Business is at a standstill, the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, especially with the current requirement that to reopen your small business you need covid-19 certificates for your workforce, at own expense.
The restrictions on informal traders has plunged many families into abject poverty and outright starvation in some cases, with no bailout from government.
We cannot be in perpetual lockdown, especially in a country where there are no social safety nets, but the decision to lift the lockdown must be based on data and science, not on political considerations.
Weaponisation of the lockdown is a tragedy, and many in Zimbabwe feel the lockdown is being used as a political weapon.
As President Chamisa said before, the government should be working with local authorities and health care departments to come out with a more scientific targeted approach based on numbers and hotspots.
Constant surveillance through testing and isolation throughout the country is necessary. Let’s remember the WHO’s admonition: “You can’t replace the lockdown with nothing”. Measures must be put in place to ensure a smooth transition to normalcy with adequate control measures. We need a well-informed and committed population, with persistent long-term behavior change as part of our new normal. Covid-19 safe behaviours must be observed at all times.
Vaccines bring with them a new hope of permanent relief, but only if we get it right, and we establish and maintain the highest levels of transparency regarding the vaccine attributes of efficacy, safety & cost, and procurement decisions. Arrogance on the part of government will derail the program. Every citizen has a right to be heard, and all concerns must be addressed with empathy, knowing that we are all born equal under the law of Zimbabwe, and in the eyes of God Almighty. Dissemination of correct information is key to the acceptance of any particular vaccine by the people, in our case the Sinopharm vaccine, at least for now. The current low uptake is due to lack of information, which buttresses all the conspiracy theories.
Coercion and intimidation will work against the program. The government must make it abundantly clear that taking the vaccine is a completely voluntary exercise, and informed consent is necessary for administration of the jab. As the people watch the early recipients of the vaccine, and as real time data on safety and efficacy is rolled out by the government, more people will volunteer to take the vaccine.
The recent command and control intimidatory diatribe we heard from high offices threatening to limit liberties to use Zupco buses and to bar people from getting employment if not vaccinated are both extremely unfortunate and mortally retrogressive to the program.
But is the vaccination program adequate on its own to ensure the safe lifting of lockdown measures? The answer for now is no, until we have vaccinated enough people to protect the whole population. There is no magical figure to achieve herd immunity, but if 60-80% of the population is vaccinated, we will enjoy reasonable protection as a nation. This is a medium to long-term aspiration, considering that all we have now is 200000 donated doses of Sinopharm vaccine, which will cover 100000 people out of the projected minimum target of ten million recipients. There is hard work and difficult decisions ahead of us. We implore the government to collect quality data that will inform future steps.
What shall we do now to be able to lift the lockdown without courting a third wave backlash? The WHO suggests six conditions that must be met before lifting the lockdown:
Disease transmission must be under control. We have seen a reduction in the number of new cases and of deaths over the past month. We are not there yet, but we are making progress. On this score alone, controlled relaxation of lockdown measures is feasible.
Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”. This condition is the weakest link in our fight against covid-19. Government has never been able to supply enough testing kits to meet demand, and we continue to grope in the dark.
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes. In our case, its super-spreader events like ZUPCO buses, funerals, parties, shebeens, prisons and Zanu pf rallies. There is need to liberalise the transport sector to reduce unnecessary congestion. I do not consider church services to have super spreader potential if all things are done in an orderly manner and necessary precautions are taken, including social distancing, temperature checks, controlled numbers and masking up.
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures. We must at this stage take heed of what the teachers’ unions are saying about re-opening schools. To quote PTUZ, “…opening of schools is not an event, but a process that must be preceded by broad planning and engagement of teacher unions, parents, prioritization of health and safety of teachers, pupils, and ancillary staff”.
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”. We need to manage our boarders and test all immigrants, with a view to isolating for an appropriate period those found positive. Remember, our nasty second wave was due to relaxation of the borders, failure to quarantine and test all immigrants, failure to follow up new comers in the community, and the presence of illegal crossing points. These must be remedied as a necessary precondition to lifting lockdown measures.
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
A new culture must emerge. Social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, masking up, limiting size of gatherings, banning cultural practices like to eat at funerals, frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, must become the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Health workers must continue to wear PPE as before until the epidemic is over. Investment in covid-19 clinical management infrastructure and PPE must continue. Health worker continuing professional education must intensify. The law must be applied evenly across the political divide, religious affiliation, race, colour & creed.
Lifting the lockdown situation has become a necessity to save the people from suffering and starvation, and a sector-by-sector consideration must be done, with the necessary stakeholder consultation and a targeted geographical approach. New and much cheaper vaccines like the J&J that has been used in South Africa must be procured and introduced in Zimbabwe. Measures as outlined above must be taken to ensure we do not gravitate into an even nastier third wave.
Now is the time to move to alleviate the people’s suffering, while keeping the epidemic under control.
May I extend thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee members for their input into our articles.
I remain
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Child welfare MDC Alliance
No matter what’s going on in the world, maintaining a healthy, whole foods–focused diet is important for blood sugar management.
If you’ve been keeping up with federal guidance on who’s at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, you know that people with diabetes are among the affected groups.
People older than 60, along with those who have underlying health conditions such as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and cancer are also at a higher risk for serious illness from the novel coronavirus, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, non-Hispanic Black Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, all of whom have higher rates of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes than white Americans, per the National Diabetes Statistics Report, are also at higher risk for serious COVID-19 disease, including complications and death, as has been widely reported.
Yet it’s still unclear whether diabetes can leave a person at an elevated risk of getting infected in the first place, notes the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This is apparently true despite research, including a review published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, showing that the immune systems of people with persistent hyperglycemia (higher than normal blood glucose, or sugar) are impaired.
Scientific Research Linking Diabetes and COVID-19 Complications People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both three to four times more likely to develop serious COVID-19 disease and be hospitalized than those who don’t have diabetes, according to a study published online in December 2020 in Diabetes Care. A small preliminary study published in the March 2020 issue of Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews provides more insight into what’s affecting the severity. It looked at 174 people in Wuhan, China, and concluded that people with COVID-19 and diabetes but without other comorbidities were at a higher risk for severe pneumonia and the inflammation that contributes to an accelerated progression of COVID-19 and a worse prognosis.
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 if You Have Lupus From Nose to Toes, the List of COVID-19 Symptoms Keeps Growing Another study, which was published in April 2020 the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, analyzed 1,122 people at 88 hospitals in 11 U.S. states, and drew a link between diabetes and a fourfold increased risk of dying from COVID-19. Glytec, a provider of insulin software management, funded the research.
A study published online in May 2020 in Cell Metabolism supports these findings. For this cohort study, researchers analyzed the health data of 7,337 people in Wuhan with and without type 2 diabetes. They observed an association between having diabetes and an increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
Those with stable blood sugar levels had a better prognosis than those with diabetes whose blood sugar control was poor. In fact, the survival rate for those with good blood sugar control was nearly 99 percent, compared with an 11 percent death rate among those whose control was considered poor. Participants’ blood sugar levels were measured using postprandial and fasting blood glucose tests. The authors defined poor blood sugar control as tending to exceed 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and well-controlled blood sugar as ranging from 70 to 180 mg/dL
Diabetes Complications Can Increase Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19 Still, having complications related to diabetes, along with increasing age, may matter more than blood sugar control, suggested a study published in April 2020 in Diabetologia, which analyzed 1,317 people admitted to 53 French hospitals during a three-week period in March 2020. Study authors concluded that 10 percent of people with diabetes admitted to a hospital died within 10 days, and that men were more likely to die than women. The main contributing factors to death were having complications including neuropathy and heart disease, having a high body mass index (BMI) —indicating obesity — and being older. Patients between ages 65 and 74 were three times more likely to die than individuals younger than 55.
People with type 2 diabetes are definitely at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death, but those with type 1 or gestational diabetes may also be at higher risk, according to recent guidance by the CDC. In the French study, 3 percent of admitted patients had type 1 diabetes, while 89 percent had type 2 diabetes. The remainder of diabetes patients had other types of the disease.
Black people who have type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 may be especially vulnerable to worse outcomes because they are more likely to present with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that causes the blood to become acidic and that can be life-threatening in its own right. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in December 2020 found that 55 percent of Black clinic patients and 33 percent of Hispanic patients presented with DKA, compared with only 13 percent of white patients. “The shared risk of COVID-19 and DKA in type 1 diabetes worsens the short-term and long-term prognosis for Black and Hispanic patients,” said the study authors, also noting that “previous studies have demonstrated an increased risk of DKA among minority populations with type 1 diabetes.”
Understanding COVID-19 and Its Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases including the common cold, but also more severe illnesses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS); and COVID-19, which first became known at the end of 2019 during an outbreak in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei province and has since developed into a global pandemic.
According to the WHO, common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Fever Tiredness Dry cough Aches and pains Nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Skin rashes Pain in the muscles or joints Discolored fingers or toes Diarrhea Some infected people have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the virus.
The CDC describes the emergency warning signs for COVID-19 in adults as:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion or inability to wake up or stay awake Bluish lips or face Inability to rouse or stay awake If you are experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or call ahead to the hospital and let them know you are seeking care for COVID-19 or may have it, the CDC advises.
If you are interested in getting a test and want to know how to proceed, contact your local or state health department. The CDC lists state and territorial departments, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials has a directory you can use to find your local department.
For most people, the disease is mild, and many don’t develop symptoms at all. A South Korean study published in August 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at young people, the vast majority of whom were healthy, and found that 30 percent of those infected with the virus causing COVID-19 never developed symptoms at all. COVID-19 symptoms are mild for most others, although 10–15 percent of infected people do become seriously ill, and 5 percent become critically ill, according to WHO. Mortality estimates vary, but a New York–based study published in October 2020 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine found that 7.6 percent of hospitalizations resulted in death in August, down from 25.6 percent in March, when infection began to spread in the United States.
It’s important to note that the risk of death from COVID-19 is far greater than from influenza (flu), a disease it is frequently compared with. More than 340,000 people died of COVID-19 in the United States in 2020, according to CDC data. In contrast, the nation loses between 12,000 and 61,000 people per year to influenza, reports the CDC.
Source: Everyday Health
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Tinashe Sambiri|A Masvingo- based Non Governmental Organization, MACRAD Trust has challenged the proposed eviction of Chiredzi villagers by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is planning to evict Shangaan families from their ancestral land.
Below is MACRAD’s position paper on government’s proposed eviction of Chiredzi villagers:
MACRAD position paper on government’s proposed eviction of Shangaan families in Chiredzi District.
Introduction Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD) embarked on a fact finding mission regarding government’s proposed eviction of thousands of Shangaan people to pave way for lucerne grass farming in Chiredzi District.
Focus group discussions were conducted with some of the community leaders within the affected district. In this position paper, MACRAD commence by giving a brief summary background of the issue at hand and goes on to outline the agricultural, religious and cultural set up within the affected area. The paper looks into relevant domestic and international legislation and concludes with some recommendations.
Summary background
On April 30, 2020, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing (Honourable July Moyo) who was acting on behalf of the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural settlement (Honourable Perence Shiri) convened a meeting in Chiredzi, a district in South-eastern Zimbabwe.
Present at the meeting was Chief Sengwe, Member of Parliament for Chiredzi South Constituency, Chiredzi District Administrator, Chiredzi District Education Officer, Chiredzi Rural District councilors. Headman Chilonga, Headman Masiwamele, the minister’s delegation and a few other stakeholders.
At the meeting, the Minister indicated that the government had identified about 6000ha of development land in Chiredzi. He added that a private company, Dendairy had an interest in growing lucerne grass in the identified area. The identified area covers part of Chiredzi East and Chiredzi South Constituencies.
The Minister hinted that that the growing of lucerne grass would boost livestock production in Chiredzi and at the same time earn the country vast amounts of foreign currency.
The minister told ZBC journalists who were present that the agenda of the meeting was to look into how the government and the private company were to engage the local community over the project.
It was also highlighted that the Government intends to evict hundreds of Xangani (Shangaan) families residing within the identified land to pave way for lucerne grass farming.
Dendairy, the purported investor is a private local milk processor based in Kwekwe. The company produces full cream milk, long life milk, powdered milk, ice cream and yoghurts among other dairy products. It exports some of its products to Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
Lucerne, also known as alfalfa is a deep rooted perennial legume primarily used as dairy cows forage. It is usually harvested as hay and can also be made into silage.
Agriculture
Chiredzi District lies in the South eastern part of Zimbabwe (and it boarders Mozambique and South Africa. It is in ecological region V and it receives minimal and uncertain rainfall. There are rich red soils and most crops can only be sustained through irrigation. It is on this background that the district has over decades been the sugar basket of Zimbabwe.
The Shangaan people mostly grow sorghum grains (xibedlani, xitishi and mutode) and millet grains (mahuvu and mpowo). They also cultivate some maize xifake, sweet reeds (matimba) sweet potatoes (muhlate), cotton, pumpkins mandunghu, groundnuts (timanga).
Small and large scale farmers in the district mostly rely on sorghum because it is a drought resistant crop. Over the past years Delta Corporation Limited, a local beverages and brewery company has been capacitating the Shangani people in growing sorghum through a scheme referred to as Beverages Sorghum Contract Farming Scheme (BSCFS).
Through the BSCFS, Delta contracts farmers and supply seeds and sometimes fertilizers. In return communities sell the sorghum to the Company and earn a living with the proceeds. Delta uses the crop to brew sorghum beer; the legendary Chibuku-Scud, Super and Eagle larger brands. Chibuku is no doubt the market leader in Zimbabwe’s traditional beer.
The Shangani tribe inherited their name from their then King Soshangane. They are agriculturalists and pastoralists. The main domestic animals reared are cattle, goat and sheep. Zebu and Senga breeds of cattle are mainly kept. Other farmers also have Brahman Red Sindhi and other crossbreeds. Almost every households own goats. Goats are more adaptive to the semi-arid climate conditions.
The south eastern lowveld is dominated by mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) Cattle, goats and sheep mainly rely on dry mopane leaves for browsing during the dry season. It has been scientifically proven that the mopane leaves are highly nutritious.
Livestock is a symbol of wealth within the Shangaan people. Communities use livestock for food, payment of lobola, school fees payments and also to financing their medical and other daily needs and expenses. Culture and Religion
The Shangani people boasts of a unique and vibrant social culture which they are proud to preserve. They are proud of their hunter/gatherer culture which recognises the importance of respecting the environment. They depend on sustainably utilizing the natural resources within their communities.
A number of traditional and cultural ceremonies are still being conducted by the Shangaan people. During these ceremonies high-spirited dances such as Chinyambele Muchongoyo, Chokoto, Marula, and Chigubu are performed. Musical wind and string instruments such as Chizembe and Chitende are used. During the dances, men would be wearing grass, cowrie shell, armbands adorned with animal hides and porcupine quill headdresses.
The Shangani people perform rainmaking ceremonies at several sacred sites. Traditional beer is brewed and a black chicken is used to ask for the rains from ancestors. This is normally done at Chikhovo hill, Mapume hill and at the Dzinzela baobab tree. Other key tombs such as that of Mungoni, Hahlani and Kangale are also rainmaking sites.
Male initiation to adulthood ceremonies known as Ngomeni are still being conducted by the Shangaan people. Circumcision has been done during these ceremonies since time immemorial. Before the actual circumcision, young boys are isolated from their villages. They are normally taken to the sacred Chitiyo hill or at Chikulungu stream. No unauthorised persons are allowed at these sites. The boys are taught about manhood after which they are then circumcised. They receive further lessons before graduating into manhood.
Girls are also initiated into womanhood through a ceremony known as Khomba. Elders in Chilonga say female genital mutilation is no-longer part of Khomba but it used to be. Girls are isolated from their families for a month. They and they are taught about womanhood, cultural and traditional dancing and other cultural practices. After the Khomba ceremony the young women wear red caps with pins. Khomba is a sacred ceremony which is normally done annually between the month of July and August. The ceremonies are conducted at sacred sites along streams which includes Chigwejiva and Chipinda.
There is a traditional method of catching fish which the locals call Saila. It is organised by the Chief. The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) allows the people to do Saila fishing. In 2011, ZimParks even assisted the Shangaan people with food and fuel to facilitate Saila fishing.
The Shangaan elders have vast experience in indigenous knowledge systems. They have unique understandings, skills and philosophies which have been developed over decades. These skills enables the Shangani people to sustainably interact with their natural surroundings.
They indigenous Shangaan people have developed exceptional traditional ways of weather forecasting that help them to fore-plan their activities some days in advance.
There are unique herbs and shrubs known by the Shangani elders. These herbs have medicinal properties for both the people and their livestock. The Zhombwe, a plant which produces a pumpkin like tuber is one such example. The tuber has medicinal properties used to cure cattle. They use a one pumpkin tuber to feed three cattle, a ratio developed by their forefathers. Other plants such as Chikalambutani are known to be highly poisonous.
There are several Shangani traditional healers recognised by the Zimbabwe National traditional healers Association (ZINATHA). The traditional healers have sacred sites where they perform rituals and ceremonies. The traditional healers obtain medicinal and spiritual resources from the forests and water bodies within their jurisdiction.
Christianity is one of the main religion within the Shangani community. There are a number of shrines within the communities. Some hills such as Chipfungwana, Chitiyo and Makwambe are sacred and members of apostolic sects such as Zion and Jeke Mission usually gather together in this mountains and pray for rains.
The Shangaan people believe that praying and fasting in sacred hills such as Chipfungwana is an effective solution to ravaging pests such as tsetse flies, army worm and locust swarms.
There are several other sacred hills, pools and ponds. Chigwejiva- Sala is one example of a site regard as highly sacred and spiritual. The Chigwejiva- Sala pool never runs dry even during years of the worst droughts. It is strictly visited for spiritual purposes or for watering cattle. The elders are allowed to bath in the waters but without soap.
Dances such as Kelekele are performed at Chigwejila-sala. Abortion is condemnable and young women who abort are spiritually exposed at Chigwejiva-Sala.
Communities’ concerns
The majority, if not all the Shangani people in South-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe are aggrieved by government’s intended evictions. Some village heads under Headman Chilonga argued that this is not the first time the Shangaan tribe has been displaced.
The villagers argue that they were left homeless in the 1960s after the colonial government forcibly evicted them from their ancestral, part of which is the now Gonarezhou National Park. They say they were further evicted without any compensation to pave way for sugarcane farming.
The community argue that the Smith regime forced them to settle in the peripherals areas of the national park. Village head Mungoni recalls that he was 14 years old , the Smith regime relocated his family to the Chitanga area in Mwenezi, a place which was then Tsetse fly infested.
War veteran argues that it is the loggerheads with the colonial government that sparked the Chimurenga war which latter gave birth to an independent Zimbabwe. The villagers argue that the Land Reform Programme in the 2000s allowed the Shangaan people to regain some of their remaining ancestral land. They feel the government is now betraying them by grabbing the little that has been left for them.
The Shangaan community feel that tribalism is at play. The majority hold the view that the Shangaan speaking people are being discriminated by the Shona speaking people who dominate top government positions.
They argue that the government should identify alternative land for what they say is not a bona fide investor. They suggest that Dendairy be allocated land in Shona communities. They say there are large pieces of dormant fertile land in Mashonaland. One angry village head said the proposed displacements can cause an uprising and fuel an ethnic conflict in the country.
Villagers claim that they have developed symbiotic relations with their environment and further displacements will greatly affect them.
The Shangaan people claim that their ancestors were buried in the land which the government now wants to give away to a private investor. They say some of the graves have strong spiritual connections to the living. Headman Mungoni showed MACRAD one sacred grave where rain making rituals are annually performed. Several other Shangaan people share the same experience.
The Shangaan people have fears that if ever they will be evicted, their ancestral graves, sacred mountains, streams, pools and other cultural, religious and spiritual sites will not be preserved and protected if they are to be evicted. They also have fears that they will not have free access to these sacred sites.
One village head elaborates that the last time they were displaced and resettled to pave way for Sugarcane farming, they spent about 4 years without rains and he blames the displacements for the drought. The rationale being that the Shangaan elders no longer had access to their sacred places of worship and places of performing cultural ceremonies.
The communities argue that they were never consulted. They argue that sometime early this year they only saw some white touring their land driving Toyota Landcruizer vehicles and appeared to be surveying. They further aired out that in January 2020, they were made to gather and make declarations of their assets by some people whom they say had vehicles without number plates. They say they felt intimidated by these people who claimed to have been sent by the president.
Some village heads who opined that, if at all the government wants the community to benefit from lucerne grass farming , it should direct Dendairy to contract the communities so that they can themselves practice Lucerne farming. They say they are prepared to be taught by AREX officers and even Dendairy experts on how to farm lucerne.
The village heads argue that they have over the years been working very well with Delta Corporation Limited through BSCFS project. One village head who is also a farmer says him and other locals have been each producing up to 60 tonnes of sorghum per season. He says he personally owns two tractors and other hand farming equipment’s courtesy of Delta Corporation.
The complainants also fear that they may never be adequately compensated by the government or by Dendairy. They persistently cited Tugwi-Mukosi dame project and the Chisumbanje ethanol plant project as practical examples of non-payment of compensation.
The other concern raised by Shangaan communities is the fact that there is uncertainty on where they will be relocated to if they are to be evicted. They are not aware as to whether there are or would be schools, clinics, hospitals roads or other infrastructure at the places where they will relocated to, if they are to be evicted. They are worried about the proximity of the intended resettlement sites with their sacred religious and cultural shrines and sites. They do not even know if at all there will be able to access these sites. Legislative framework
Zimbabwean law is founded on in the value of the supremacy of the Constitution. It follows therefore that any decision that the government may make must be in all fours with the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment(No 20) Act 2013 (hereafter the Constitution)..
The nation’s diverse cultural, religious and traditional is one of the key values and principles, on the respect of which Zimbabwe is founded. As has been elaborated above, the Shangani people have a vibrant cultural, religious background. Equally relevant is section 3 of the Constitution which states that the principles of good governance, which binds the government includes the recognition of the rights of ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic and religious groups.
The national objectives set out in Chapter 2 of Constitution are an important yardstick upon which upon which the government can be held accountable in terms of compliance with its human rights obligations towards the people.
National development is one of the country’s objectives. It is no doubt that the proposed lucerne grass farming is a national development programme. Section 13(2) of the Constitution provides that whenever the government put national development programmes in place (like Lucerne production in this case), such measures must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them. It therefore goes without saying that the Shangaan people who are to be evicted must actively be involved in the lucerne project plans and project.
The constitution further imposes an obligation upon the state to ensure that local communities benefit from the resources in their areas. This means that the government must ensure the Shangaani people benefit from the land and other resources in the south –eastern lovield of Zimbabwe.
Another important national objective with a direct bearing on the Shangani people is the Preservation of traditional knowledge systems. Section 33 of the Constitution mandates the state to take measures to preserve, protect and promote indigenous knowledge systems, including knowledge of the medicinal and other properties of animal and plant life possessed by local communities and people, As has been elaborated above there is a vibrant traditional knowledge system within the Shangaan community that ought to be preserved protected and promoted.
Section 16 of the Constitution further imposes an obligation upon the government to promote , preserve cultural values and practices which enhances the dignity , well-being and equality in Zimbabwe.
The government’s proposed decision to displace the thousands of indigenous Shangani people to pave way for lucerne production by Dandairy may infringe fundamental rights and freedoms set out in the Constitution,
There is a likelihood that regional and international law will be violated through the intended evictions. There is potential violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the United Nations International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) all of which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
Section 60 of the Constitution protects the right to freedom of conscience, which includes freedom of thought, opinion, religion or belief; and. The same right is protected in article 18 of the UDHR, article 18 of the ICCPR and article 8 of ACHPR. It is a fact that evicting the Shangani people from the their land will disconnect them from their religious and sacred spiritual sites within their land.
The Constitution also recognise culture rights in section 63. Correspondingly, article 27 of UDHR states that “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” Article 27 ICCPR and article 17 ACHPR also protects cultural rights. As elaborated above, the cultural lives of the Shangaan people is depended upon sacred mountains, streams, pools other unique cultural sites within their ancestral land.
Section 71 of the Constitution recognises property rights. It states that every person has the right, in any part of Zimbabwe, to acquire, hold, occupy, use, transfer, hypothecate, lease or dispose of all forms of property. The Constitution however provides that. Section 71(3) provides no person may be compulsorily. A person cannot be deprived of their property except where the following conditions are satisfied.
“(a) the deprivation is in terms of a law of general application; (b) the deprivation is necessary for any of the following reasons— (i) in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or town and country planning; or (ii) in order to develop or use that or any other property for a purpose beneficial to the community; (c) the law requires the acquiring authority— (i) to give reasonable notice of the intention to acquire the property to everyone whose interest or right in the property would be affected by the acquisition; (ii) to pay fair and adequate compensation for the acquisition before acquiring the property or within a reasonable time after the acquisition…”
Article 17 ICCPR also provides that everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others and that No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. Similarly, Article 14 ACHPR states that the right to property may only be encroached upon in the interest of public need or in the general interest of the community and in accordance with the provisions of appropriate laws.
That the thousands of people who are set to be evicted had constructed homes on the land is indubitable. Almost every household owns, cattle sheep, goats. It is not clear how the communities would be able to move and transport their livestock if they are to be evicted. Livestock is property and evicting the people boarders will likely violate the enjoyment of property rights
The right to agricultural land is protected in section 72 of the Constitution. The section also provides that the state can compulsorily acquire land is the agricultural land, or any right or interest in such land, is required for a public purpose including settlement for agricultural or other purposes. Section 72 also provides that compensation for improvements effected on land before acquisition is payable.
It is a fact that the Shangaan people have been in peaceful and undisturbed possession of agricultural land. They have been exercising rights to agricultural land for decades. There is a high likelihood that these rights will be violated if they are evicted and if no sustainable measures are put in place to protect and safeguard their rights.
Recommendation
The Government should properly give notice of the proposed acquisition of land by making a publication in the Government Gazette identifying the land in terms of Section 72(2) of the Constitution. 2.
The MDC movement was born to emancipate people from the failed regime of ZANU PF.
The struggle was not to fill the pockets of the greedy few but to ensure that Zimbabwe goes back to democracy, rule of law, fighting corruption, ensure good working conditions for the employees, back to constitutionalism, fighting one party state, fighting state capture, ensure free and fair elections and so forth.
In Bindura we don’t forget the ruthless Border Gezi, Elliot Manyika, Masawi, the Mujambajechas and the rest evil crew of ZANU PF.
They killed our cadres in the likes of Trymore Midzi and several others. We have cadres who were with us in the trenches and we salute them.
One of the pioneers of the movement who never sold out and never left the struggle is Elliot Pfebve and his brother was killed in cold blood. These are the types of leaders who formed the MDC movement not for positions but for the total freedom of all the Zimbabweans.
The Gweru Congress ushered in New Leadership and the whole structure is intact. The diaspora structure is intact and all the external provinces support the struggle. The current leadership will take us far under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa.
Those who want to leave because of party positions you are free to leave. But my advise is that kusina amai hakuendwe. Together we will make a difference. The struggle is ours.
The MDC movement was born to emancipate people from the failed regime of ZANU PF.
The struggle was not to fill the pockets of the greedy few but to ensure that Zimbabwe goes back to democracy, rule of law, fighting corruption, ensure good working conditions for the employees, back to constitutionalism, fighting one party state, fighting state capture, ensure free and fair elections and so forth.
In Bindura we don’t forget the ruthless Border Gezi, Elliot Manyika, Masawi, the Mujambajechas and the rest evil crew of ZANU PF.
They killed our cadres in the likes of Trymore Midzi and several others. We have cadres who were with us in the trenches and we salute them.
One of the pioneers of the movement who never sold out and never left the struggle is Elliot Pfebve and his brother was killed in cold blood. These are the types of leaders who formed the MDC movement not for positions but for the total freedom of all the Zimbabweans.
The Gweru Congress ushered in New Leadership and the whole structure is intact. The diaspora structure is intact and all the external provinces support the struggle. The current leadership will take us far under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa.
Those who want to leave because of party positions you are free to leave. But my advise is that kusina amai hakuendwe. Together we will make a difference. The struggle is ours.
Lawyers for remanded director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Portia Manangazira, have filed an application at the High Court seeking the release of their client on bail.
Manangazira was last week remanded in custody pending trial on charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
She is being accused of paying facilitation fees to undeserving ministry staff, flouting tender rules when she bought US$280 529 of goods and services and allegedly diverted diesel coupons for 3 290 litres to private vehicles.
Mr Harrison Nkomo of Mhishi, Nkomo Legal Practitioners, said they were appealing against the decision of the remand court, claiming several misdirections on the part of the lower court.
“We have appealed and we await set down in the High Court,” he said.
In denying Manangazira bail, deputy chief magistrate Ms Bianca Makwande ruled that she was likely to interfere with investigations and witnesses, including her parents, who were part of the 28 family members she hired as community health workers to undertake the Covid-19 awareness programmes across the country.
Ms Makwande said Manangazira was still employed at the Ministry of Health and Child Care where there were some witnesses hence the court feared that was likely to jeopardise investigations.
The State also said Manangazira was a flight risk and remanded her in custody to March 8.
Africa Centre for Disease Control, through a non-governmental organisation — African Field Epidemiology Network — availed US$796 675 to fund training of 800 community health workers.
It is alleged that between July 16, 2020 and January 21 this year, Manangazira authorised the procurement of goods and services worth US$280 529 without going to tender. -Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has denounced the persecution of human rights activist Makomborero Haruvizishe by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration.
Writing on Twitter, Hon Biti called for the immediate release of Makomborero Haruvizishe.
“Makomborero Haruzivishe is a national treasure.A quite humble intelligent articulate and brave compatriot.
He has been brutalized by the regime throughout his life including multiple expulsions from University.He is not a criminal. Please do the right thing&let him go home #FreeMako.”
On the deepening economic crisis Hon Biti wrote:
“Zimbabwe has an unsustainable debt level that is putting huge premium on development Resolving debt crisis key in unlocking development funds in #IFIs. At least Chinamasa had his ill fated Lima Plan. Post coup regime has no desire or plan to tackle debt.Lacks any will for reforms.
Article IV Report was an effective write off for Zim.A pariah regime incapable of reform. Besides illegitimacy & toxic politics it is regime s inextricable symbiosis with corruption & capture that has killed any prospect of another #SMP & engagement with #IFIs.”
Chief Nematombo in Hurungwe, Mr Lovemore Karengesha has died. He was 67.
Chief Nematombo
Chief Nematombo, who was the 17th chief in the Nematombo chieftainship died on Thursday evening after a short illness. Hurungwe District Development Coordinator Mr Andrew Tizora confirmed the death. “We received the news of his death today (yesterday). We are yet to establish the actual cause of his death,” said Mr Tizora.
Born on June 2, 1954, Chief Nematombo is survived by his wife and six children. Burial arrangements are still being finalised in terms of the Nematombo tradition and burial rites of chiefs. His death comes hardly a month after the death of chiefs Nyamweda and Mashayamombe in Mashonaland West province. – Herald
A 40-year-old woman from Mvuma has been fined $200 000 or six months in prison for illegally opening a bottle store during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
Plaxedes Chivera, a court heard, in January opened her bottle store and served seating patrons inside the bottle store thereby flouting lockdown regulations. When she saw police officers on patrol, she opened the doors and asked her patrons to leave.
Chivera was convicted by Mvuma magistrate Ms Constance Mutandwa of flouting lockdown regulations by opening the bottle store. She was fined $200 000 or in default six months imprisonment.
Ms Mutandwa said Chivera had committed a serious offence by flouting lockdown regulations hence the need to pass a deterrent sentence.
She said businesses should take seriously the issue of observing lockdown regulations as this is meant to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Chivera who was a self-actor during her trial, has since engaged Gweru lawyer, Mr Esau Mandipa of Mutatu and Mandipa Legal Practice to appeal against her sentence.
Chivera is arguing that the sentence passed is too harsh and excessive given the economic hardships that everyone is facing due to the lockdown.
Prosecutor Ms Helen Khosa told the court that Chivera is employed at Touchstone bottle store in Mvuma.
The court heard that on January 14 around 7pm, Chivera opened her bottle store and allowed patrons to sit inside while selling them beer.
She had locked her patrons inside the bottle store. The court heard that when Chivera saw police officers on patrol, she unlocked the door and asked her patrons to leave.
Police officers managed to arrest two of the patrons, Tinashe Bote and Portia Tafirei in the bottle store.
Bote and Tafirei were charged with drinking beer at a public place and making unnecessary movements during the lockdown and paid admission of guilt fines of $500 each. -Herald
NEVER BE IN POLITICS TO GAIN WEALTH,POWER AND MONEY, ZCEO PRESIDENT P.JAPA JAPA WARNS POLITICIANS!!!!!
The President of Zimbabwe Centre For Equal Opportunities (ZCEO) a Civic Society Organisation, Mr Paddington Japa Japa has warned any would be or current Politicians not to be in Politics with a desire for Higher Political Positions,making Quick Money or taking Politics as Business Enterprise.
The Word of God in 1 Timothy 6 vs 10 says,For the Love of Money is the root of all evil,Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the Truth,Faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.The book of Ecclesiastes 7 vs 12 says,For Wisdom is a defence and Money is also a defence,it answers all the Problems that we encounter in our life.At the same time the Love of it (Money) is the root of all evil.If there is any would be or current Politician who is in the game to gain too much Power,make quick Money,or taking Politics as a Business, i warn you as a Brethren to desist from that habit.The moment one gets into Politics with the intention of getting rich quickly,gaining too much power and rising randomly through the political ladder, one will not last longer.This is the main reason why we see many aspiring Politicians who might have the potential of being Good leaders ending up failing and falling by the wayside, in their Political Journey.
Examples of Politicians who fell by they wayside in Zimbabwe are Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa,Morris Nyathi a sellout and those who are bound to fall in the near future being,Thokozane Khupe,Douglas Mwonzora,Morgen Komichi,Elias Mudzuri and the other so called 22 fake Opposition “Presidents” who form the POLAD Bunch.Thokozane Khupe is openly heard on a Video shortly before the 31 July 2018 General Election saying these words at a meeting of her Party executive committee,we are in Politics to make Money. Khupe Mwonzora,komichi and Mudzuri sold out the People’s Struggle and election victory in 2018 to Zanu Pf.The Cabal was lured by the Love of Money,desire to rise quickly to higher political echelons,and their insatiable Appetite to get rich quickly.Muzorewa did the same, he supped with the Devil Ian Douglas Smith,tried to cause stoppage of the War of liberation be midway, but without success.The Patriotic Front leadership did not buy into the foolish and stupid idea,they executed the war to its end until final Victory was achieved. Morris Nyathi a sellout did the same, he pretended as if he had joined the war of liberation as a trainee Cdre, but once he had obtained sufficient liberation war secrets he disappeared, sold out to the Rhodesian Front under Ian Smith,it was all because of the Love of Money.Thousands of Liberation war Cdres, Civillians,refugees and Mozambican instructors were massacred at Tembwe,Nyadzonia and Chimoio by the Rhodesian Forces under General Peter Walls,it was all because of the love of Money. Judas Iscariot sold out Jesus Christ the Son of the living God for 34 cents,and Jesus was crucifed by the Roman Empire at the Cross,it was all because of the Love of Money. Recently just a few days ago two former MDCA Standing Committee Members namely Blessing Chebundo and Lillian Timveous Committed the same Judas Iscariot Act,sold out, one them joining MDCT first then later both joined Zanu Pf.Their move was Condemned by all democratic forces around the world.The MDCA Deputy Chairman Job “Wiwa” Sikhala said,”It is better to point a gun and shoot yourself in the head rather than joining Zanu Pf, considering all the evil things which the Zanu Pf Government has done to destroy the Opposition MDCA.”
In her statement of resignation Timveous acted like a Hyena which when hungry eats its own Children, but before eating them the hyena first of all accusses the Children of smelling like goats.Timveous tries to tear into MDCA Secretary General Charlton Hwende as someone who is destroying the Party from within but all she said is taken with a pinch of salt,everything is quickly rubbished as the usual waffling of a disgruntled political failure, who thought that Opposition Politics is like taking a stroll in the Park.Timveous thought as Deputy Treasurer General she was going to make quick Money at MDCA get out quickly and use the proceeds from her loot as Cash injection into her collapsing Business.From the MDCA internal sources Timveous is accussed of formely fermenting divisions in the Party structures by forming a Shadowy Group called “WOMEN FOR CHAMISA”an illegal structure within the Party Structures.Her intention was to use this group to campaign for her to become the MDCA Vice President, but that did not happen as planned, she was defeated hands down by Madam VP Kore Karenyi at the Gweru 2018 Congress.Timveous is also accussed of trying to Capture the MDCA Presidium, including President Nelson Chamisa himself by hosting Presidential Dinners with the help of her Shadowy illegal Women for Chamisa Cabal.
All the group members have now crossed the floor with her to join Zanu Pf, a sign that they had ulterior motives from the day the group was formed.Five days ago we heard Timveous and her colleague Blessing Chebundo barking from State House denouncing the same Party that groomed them to where they are today and for them to be recognised as Politicians by Society.The two were paraded at State House like Presidential Guest, something which is usual reserved for dignitaries from foreign Governments only.Zimbabweans who have suffered at the hands of the Brutal Mnangagwa,s Zanu Pf Regime will never forgive sell outs like Timveous,Chebundo,Matutu,Mwonzora,Khupe,Mudzuri and Komichi, for selling out the People,s Struggle and the 2018 election victory, due to the love of Money,Power and Higher Political Positions.If Zanu Pf Government thinks they have made a big Catch, by acquiring these two Poilitical rejects from MDCA who found the going getting tougher in their quest for higher Positions,Authority and Money then we advise the Regime that MDCA has got millions of talent within its ranks.Stop fishing from the fish pond Zanu Pf, you shall spend a lot of Money luring MDCA Members who are in the Structures but that is not going to destroy the People,s Project.It is like hair, once the barber shaves off the overgrown ones there is immediate natural replacement.
May i warn all Current and would be Politicians that never be in Politics for Money,Gaining too much Power or random attainment of Higher Positions .You must patiently wait for your turn and opportunity to come, when time is ripe.FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE PADDINGTON JAPA JAPA IS THE PRESIDENT OF ZCEO A CIVIC SOCIETY ORGANISATION,NEC AND NC MEMBER MDCA,SOCCER ADMINSTRATOR,EVANGELIST AND TEACHER OF GOD,S WORD,HOLDER OF A BSC HONOURS PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE.
A MAN from Binga could not stomach the shame of being caught by his wife while committing bestiality with a cow and later committed suicide while the hapless wife watched in horror.
So traumatised was the man’s wife after her husband left her in the blankets early in morning, only to quench his sex desires with a cow. As if that was not enough, the woman will forever live with the picture of her man hanging himself right in front of her eyes. In a bid to convince him to reconsider taking his life, she reportedly told him that she will keep the “secret”, but all that fell on deaf ears.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident, describing it as a sudden death case.
“I can confirm a sudden death report involving a Binga man Joseph Tshuma from Kamwindi Village in Lusulu who hanged himself on 16 February 2021 after being caught by his wife, Senzeni Sibanda, committing bestiality with a cow. Since no foul play was suspected, a post-mortem was waived by Binga magistrate,” she said.
However, villagers in Kamwindi are still in shock. According to villagers, on the day, the 61-year-old Tshuma left his wife in bed at around 6am pretending to be going to check on his cattle in the kraal near the homestead.
While at the kraal, the man allegedly tied one of the cows on a pole and committed bestiality. Instinctively, his wife also decided to follow him ostensibly to check on one of the bulls which was sick the previous day. Villagers said when she got to the kraal, she almost collapsed after seeing her husband sexually abusing the animal.
“When Tshuma saw his wife, he just froze and could not even master the energy to say a word. The wife, unsure of how her husband will react, rushed back to the house in disbelief,” said a villager who refused to named.
It is said Tshuma out of shame, removed the rope that he was tying the cow with and shouted to his wife that he was going to hang himself. When she heard the threat, the wife rushed back to the kraal and started pleading with her husband not to kill himself, promising him that she will keep the incident a secret.
However, it is said Tshuma had already tied the rope around his neck and fastened it to a tree branch near the kraal. Upon realising that her husband would not budge, she started shouting for help from neighbours. However, before neighbours could arrive, Tshuma hung himself while his wife watched in disbelief.
It is said she tried to climb the tree with the hope of cutting the rope but failed and all she could do was to watch the last moments of her husband. When villagers later arrived, Tshuma was already lifeless, a source close to the family said.-The Sunday News
This can aptly describe a man from Dete in Hwange who has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating his 17-year-old daughter.
Police confirmed the arrest of the 38-year-old father (name withheld to protect identity of the victim) who took advantage of the absence of his wife to rape his daughter without protection. Three weeks later, fearing that her daughter might be pregnant from his callous act, he bought pills which he wanted the teenager to drink and terminate the pregnancy.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda said the man was arrested last week.
“I can confirm that we have arrested a 38-year-old male from Dete who allegedly raped and impregnated his 17-year-old daughter. Circumstances are that on an unknown date but in October last year the complainant and her sibling aged nine were sitting together with the accused person. They decided to retire to bed with the accused also going to sleep in his room. During the course of the night the complainant woke up when she felt something on top of her,” said Insp Banda.
She said the girl, feeling sexually abused as well, pushed the person on top of her away before switching on her torch and to her shock, she noticed her father tiptoeing out of the room. On the following day she asked her father why he had raped her, but he denied the charge. However, three weeks later, the accused gave the complainant three pills to drink “to avoid pregnancy” and she did as instructed.
“In November 2020 the complainant told her mother about the rape and everything that had transpired while she was away. However, the matter only came to light on 8 February 2021 through an anonymous tip-off from a member of the community.
Investigations were carried out leading to the location of the complainant who revealed the offence resulting in the accused’s arrest. The complainant is now pregnant,” said Inspector Banda.- The Sunday News
By Dorrothy Moyo | Norton MP Temba Mliswa’s ex girlfriend, Susan Mutami at the weekend forced a-Sunday-mystery down people’s throats when she tweeted for the second time since the day she was stopped from flying out of Zimbabwe.
Mutami has spent a whole week in Zimbabwe after she was blocked from flying back to Australia and told she will be a state witness in a terrorism case against her boyfriend.
The holder of two fake degrees who says she studied counter terrorism, and is also a nurse, last week bolted out of a ZimEye interview after being asked to reveal the universities which issued her certificates.
The case the state has put her as a witness relates to the White City bombing which happened on 23 June 2018 which killed two people on the spot and left Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Marry, nursing swelling boils on their bodies. At a time when the country has waited 2 years without clear details on who was behind it, Mutami earlier this month accused her 3 month-period boyfriend of possessing secret details on the incident.
She also accused Mliswa of attempted murder, saying he has planned to kill Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, as well as presidential hopeful, Local Govt minister July Moyo.
Today, Mutami launched a tweet accusing an unnamed man of killing an unnamed man at a garage in Hurungwe. She went further to say the killer is now spending time making endless trips to Ghana so to heal the curse arising from that murder. Coincidentally, her boyfriend Mliswa who is from Hurungwe (his former Constituency) has been making several trips to Ghana.
WHO IS SUSAN MUTAMI CALLING A HURUNGWE (MLISWA CONSTITUENCY) GARAGE MURDERER?
Twimbos can you please educate me about Ngozi ini handinyatsoziva zvechivanhu. So In 2018 pane munhu akauraya mumwe mukomana in Hurungwe pa garage, since last year he’s been going to the family achida kuiripa but varikuramba.
Vakati iwe unoripa ngozi yemunhu wawakati hauna kuuraya here saka iri kumutambudza, akanzi achafa mafiro akaita mwana wavo and haafi akagara nemukadzi muhupenyu hwake since munhu akaurayiwa aive mujaya asati akamboroora. Anzwa nekuenda kuma prophet ku Ghana.
My question is does this affect the children vemhondi iyi and how can one protect vana vake. Ndinotenda kune vachabatsira.
Warriors star Marvelous Nakamba was once on top of his game as Aston Villa edged Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.
The 27-year old returned to the Claret and Blue starting eleven and produced a midfield masterclass to help his side to a crucial victory.
He made an incredible six interceptions, won five duels, was fouled two times, commited no fouls himself, an impressive display for someone covering a backline, fully deserved of man of the match.
Anwar El Ghazi’s 7th goal of the season was the difference between the two sides.
For the sixth consecutive game in which Nakamba has started, Aston Villa did not a conceed a goal.
In giving him an 8 out of 10 match rating, club writer Ashley Preece described the soft- spoken Zimbabwean midfielder as “an octopus”.
“One of Smith’s changes as the Zimbabwean came in for Douglas. The African plugged gaps incredibly well throughout as Leeds struggled to get past him on the counter. Nakamba was like an octopus, legs just kept appearing from everywhere as he won back possession, much to the annoyance of Bielsa’s men. Top work,” wrote Preece.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Former Dynamos and Warriors coach Sunday ‘Mhofu’ Chidzambwa believes the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League has lost its weight on the continent and is no longer one of the best.
Mhofu’s sentiments followed after FC Platinum failed to reach the group stages of Champions League after defeat to Simba SC of Tanzania in the first round.
The Platinum Boys and other teams who have represented the country the tournament in recent years have failed to replicate Dynamos’ achievement of reaching the finals in 1998.
The league itself has also struggled to attract foreign players like what was happening before the turn of the new millennium.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, Mhofu said: “In my opinion, I feel our clubs are struggling simply because our league is not as strong as it used to be.
“Unlike in the past when the local league attracted players from outside the country, the latest trends in player movement in search of greener pastures outside the country’s borders has also had a negative impact on club competitiveness in the African Safari.
The retired coach also explained that the departure of top talent in the country to South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania has further weakened the league.
“Our league used to be strong and competitive as the club executives and technical teams recruited the best players both locally and beyond our borders to build strong teams. You would see that only a few players were playing outside the country and as such it makes your league competitive, hence the club became competitive in the continental competitions.
“Now most of our good players are being offered opportunities outside the country and as a result, it is weakening our teams,” added Chidzambwa.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to jeopardize the crucial COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by threatening citizens.
Mr Mnangagwa said those who do not take the vaccine will (at some point) not be allowed to board ZUPCO Buses.He also said those who do not take the vaccine will find it difficult to secure employment.
Below is the MDC Alliance Weekly Health Update:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert.
6th Edition
28 February 2022.
Welcome to yet another edition of the Weekly Health Alerts produced by MDC Alliance Health portfolio in conjunction with the Communications department.
This week we are looking at the lockdown and the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 Lockdown-Whither to Zimbabwe?
WE have been on level 4 lockdown in this second covid-19 wave since January the 5th, initially for four weeks, but extended twice by two weeks at a time, to March 2021. With the strict lockdown comes many socio-economic challenges, which the government has up until now been unable to mitigate. Business is at a standstill, the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, especially with the current requirement that to reopen your small business you need covid-19 certificates for your workforce, at own expense.
The restrictions on informal traders has plunged many families into abject poverty and outright starvation in some cases, with no bailout from government.
We cannot be in perpetual lockdown, especially in a country where there are no social safety nets, but the decision to lift the lockdown must be based on data and science, not on political considerations.
Weaponisation of the lockdown is a tragedy, and many in Zimbabwe feel the lockdown is being used as a political weapon.
As President Chamisa said before, the government should be working with local authorities and health care departments to come out with a more scientific targeted approach based on numbers and hotspots.
Constant surveillance through testing and isolation throughout the country is necessary. Let’s remember the WHO’s admonition: “You can’t replace the lockdown with nothing”. Measures must be put in place to ensure a smooth transition to normalcy with adequate control measures. We need a well-informed and committed population, with persistent long-term behavior change as part of our new normal. Covid-19 safe behaviours must be observed at all times.
Vaccines bring with them a new hope of permanent relief, but only if we get it right, and we establish and maintain the highest levels of transparency regarding the vaccine attributes of efficacy, safety & cost, and procurement decisions. Arrogance on the part of government will derail the program. Every citizen has a right to be heard, and all concerns must be addressed with empathy, knowing that we are all born equal under the law of Zimbabwe, and in the eyes of God Almighty. Dissemination of correct information is key to the acceptance of any particular vaccine by the people, in our case the Sinopharm vaccine, at least for now. The current low uptake is due to lack of information, which buttresses all the conspiracy theories.
Coercion and intimidation will work against the program. The government must make it abundantly clear that taking the vaccine is a completely voluntary exercise, and informed consent is necessary for administration of the jab. As the people watch the early recipients of the vaccine, and as real time data on safety and efficacy is rolled out by the government, more people will volunteer to take the vaccine.
The recent command and control intimidatory diatribe we heard from high offices threatening to limit liberties to use Zupco buses and to bar people from getting employment if not vaccinated are both extremely unfortunate and mortally retrogressive to the program.
But is the vaccination program adequate on its own to ensure the safe lifting of lockdown measures? The answer for now is no, until we have vaccinated enough people to protect the whole population. There is no magical figure to achieve herd immunity, but if 60-80% of the population is vaccinated, we will enjoy reasonable protection as a nation. This is a medium to long-term aspiration, considering that all we have now is 200000 donated doses of Sinopharm vaccine, which will cover 100000 people out of the projected minimum target of ten million recipients. There is hard work and difficult decisions ahead of us. We implore the government to collect quality data that will inform future steps.
What shall we do now to be able to lift the lockdown without courting a third wave backlash? The WHO suggests six conditions that must be met before lifting the lockdown:
Disease transmission must be under control. We have seen a reduction in the number of new cases and of deaths over the past month. We are not there yet, but we are making progress. On this score alone, controlled relaxation of lockdown measures is feasible.
Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”. This condition is the weakest link in our fight against covid-19. Government has never been able to supply enough testing kits to meet demand, and we continue to grope in the dark.
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes. In our case, its super-spreader events like ZUPCO buses, funerals, parties, shebeens, prisons and Zanu pf rallies. There is need to liberalise the transport sector to reduce unnecessary congestion. I do not consider church services to have super spreader potential if all things are done in an orderly manner and necessary precautions are taken, including social distancing, temperature checks, controlled numbers and masking up.
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures. We must at this stage take heed of what the teachers’ unions are saying about re-opening schools. To quote PTUZ, “…opening of schools is not an event, but a process that must be preceded by broad planning and engagement of teacher unions, parents, prioritization of health and safety of teachers, pupils, and ancillary staff”.
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”. We need to manage our boarders and test all immigrants, with a view to isolating for an appropriate period those found positive. Remember, our nasty second wave was due to relaxation of the borders, failure to quarantine and test all immigrants, failure to follow up new comers in the community, and the presence of illegal crossing points. These must be remedied as a necessary precondition to lifting lockdown measures.
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
A new culture must emerge. Social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, masking up, limiting size of gatherings, banning cultural practices like to eat at funerals, frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, must become the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Health workers must continue to wear PPE as before until the epidemic is over. Investment in covid-19 clinical management infrastructure and PPE must continue. Health worker continuing professional education must intensify. The law must be applied evenly across the political divide, religious affiliation, race, colour & creed.
Lifting the lockdown situation has become a necessity to save the people from suffering and starvation, and a sector-by-sector consideration must be done, with the necessary stakeholder consultation and a targeted geographical approach. New and much cheaper vaccines like the J&J that has been used in South Africa must be procured and introduced in Zimbabwe. Measures as outlined above must be taken to ensure we do not gravitate into an even nastier third wave.
Now is the time to move to alleviate the people’s suffering, while keeping the epidemic under control.
May I extend thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee members for their input into our articles.
I remain
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Child welfare MDC Alliance
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is likely to jeopardize the crucial COVID-19 Vaccination Programme by threatening citizens.
Mr Mnangagwa said those who do not take the vaccine will (at some point) not be allowed to board ZUPCO Buses.He also said those who do not take the vaccine will find it difficult to secure employment.
Below is the MDC Alliance Weekly Health Update:
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alert.
6th Edition
28 February 2022.
Welcome to yet another edition of the Weekly Health Alerts produced by MDC Alliance Health portfolio in conjunction with the Communications department.
This week we are looking at the lockdown and the way forward for Zimbabwe.
Covid-19 Lockdown-Whither to Zimbabwe?
WE have been on level 4 lockdown in this second covid-19 wave since January the 5th, initially for four weeks, but extended twice by two weeks at a time, to March 2021. With the strict lockdown comes many socio-economic challenges, which the government has up until now been unable to mitigate. Business is at a standstill, the cost of doing business has skyrocketed, especially with the current requirement that to reopen your small business you need covid-19 certificates for your workforce, at own expense.
The restrictions on informal traders has plunged many families into abject poverty and outright starvation in some cases, with no bailout from government.
We cannot be in perpetual lockdown, especially in a country where there are no social safety nets, but the decision to lift the lockdown must be based on data and science, not on political considerations.
Weaponisation of the lockdown is a tragedy, and many in Zimbabwe feel the lockdown is being used as a political weapon.
As President Chamisa said before, the government should be working with local authorities and health care departments to come out with a more scientific targeted approach based on numbers and hotspots.
Constant surveillance through testing and isolation throughout the country is necessary. Let’s remember the WHO’s admonition: “You can’t replace the lockdown with nothing”. Measures must be put in place to ensure a smooth transition to normalcy with adequate control measures. We need a well-informed and committed population, with persistent long-term behavior change as part of our new normal. Covid-19 safe behaviours must be observed at all times.
Vaccines bring with them a new hope of permanent relief, but only if we get it right, and we establish and maintain the highest levels of transparency regarding the vaccine attributes of efficacy, safety & cost, and procurement decisions. Arrogance on the part of government will derail the program. Every citizen has a right to be heard, and all concerns must be addressed with empathy, knowing that we are all born equal under the law of Zimbabwe, and in the eyes of God Almighty. Dissemination of correct information is key to the acceptance of any particular vaccine by the people, in our case the Sinopharm vaccine, at least for now. The current low uptake is due to lack of information, which buttresses all the conspiracy theories.
Coercion and intimidation will work against the program. The government must make it abundantly clear that taking the vaccine is a completely voluntary exercise, and informed consent is necessary for administration of the jab. As the people watch the early recipients of the vaccine, and as real time data on safety and efficacy is rolled out by the government, more people will volunteer to take the vaccine.
The recent command and control intimidatory diatribe we heard from high offices threatening to limit liberties to use Zupco buses and to bar people from getting employment if not vaccinated are both extremely unfortunate and mortally retrogressive to the program.
But is the vaccination program adequate on its own to ensure the safe lifting of lockdown measures? The answer for now is no, until we have vaccinated enough people to protect the whole population. There is no magical figure to achieve herd immunity, but if 60-80% of the population is vaccinated, we will enjoy reasonable protection as a nation. This is a medium to long-term aspiration, considering that all we have now is 200000 donated doses of Sinopharm vaccine, which will cover 100000 people out of the projected minimum target of ten million recipients. There is hard work and difficult decisions ahead of us. We implore the government to collect quality data that will inform future steps.
What shall we do now to be able to lift the lockdown without courting a third wave backlash? The WHO suggests six conditions that must be met before lifting the lockdown:
Disease transmission must be under control. We have seen a reduction in the number of new cases and of deaths over the past month. We are not there yet, but we are making progress. On this score alone, controlled relaxation of lockdown measures is feasible.
Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”. This condition is the weakest link in our fight against covid-19. Government has never been able to supply enough testing kits to meet demand, and we continue to grope in the dark.
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes. In our case, its super-spreader events like ZUPCO buses, funerals, parties, shebeens, prisons and Zanu pf rallies. There is need to liberalise the transport sector to reduce unnecessary congestion. I do not consider church services to have super spreader potential if all things are done in an orderly manner and necessary precautions are taken, including social distancing, temperature checks, controlled numbers and masking up.
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures. We must at this stage take heed of what the teachers’ unions are saying about re-opening schools. To quote PTUZ, “…opening of schools is not an event, but a process that must be preceded by broad planning and engagement of teacher unions, parents, prioritization of health and safety of teachers, pupils, and ancillary staff”.
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”. We need to manage our boarders and test all immigrants, with a view to isolating for an appropriate period those found positive. Remember, our nasty second wave was due to relaxation of the borders, failure to quarantine and test all immigrants, failure to follow up new comers in the community, and the presence of illegal crossing points. These must be remedied as a necessary precondition to lifting lockdown measures.
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
A new culture must emerge. Social distancing, not shaking hands or hugging, masking up, limiting size of gatherings, banning cultural practices like to eat at funerals, frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of sanitisers, must become the new normal for the foreseeable future.
Health workers must continue to wear PPE as before until the epidemic is over. Investment in covid-19 clinical management infrastructure and PPE must continue. Health worker continuing professional education must intensify. The law must be applied evenly across the political divide, religious affiliation, race, colour & creed.
Lifting the lockdown situation has become a necessity to save the people from suffering and starvation, and a sector-by-sector consideration must be done, with the necessary stakeholder consultation and a targeted geographical approach. New and much cheaper vaccines like the J&J that has been used in South Africa must be procured and introduced in Zimbabwe. Measures as outlined above must be taken to ensure we do not gravitate into an even nastier third wave.
Now is the time to move to alleviate the people’s suffering, while keeping the epidemic under control.
May I extend thanks to the MDC-Alliance Health Portfolio Committee members for their input into our articles.
I remain
Dr Henry Madzorera Secretary for Health and Child welfare MDC Alliance
No matter what’s going on in the world, maintaining a healthy, whole foods–focused diet is important for blood sugar management.
If you’ve been keeping up with federal guidance on who’s at a higher risk for complications from COVID-19, you know that people with diabetes are among the affected groups.
People older than 60, along with those who have underlying health conditions such as respiratory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and cancer are also at a higher risk for serious illness from the novel coronavirus, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, non-Hispanic Black Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans, all of whom have higher rates of both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes than white Americans, per the National Diabetes Statistics Report, are also at higher risk for serious COVID-19 disease, including complications and death, as has been widely reported.
Yet it’s still unclear whether diabetes can leave a person at an elevated risk of getting infected in the first place, notes the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This is apparently true despite research, including a review published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, showing that the immune systems of people with persistent hyperglycemia (higher than normal blood glucose, or sugar) are impaired.
Scientific Research Linking Diabetes and COVID-19 Complications People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both three to four times more likely to develop serious COVID-19 disease and be hospitalized than those who don’t have diabetes, according to a study published online in December 2020 in Diabetes Care. A small preliminary study published in the March 2020 issue of Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews provides more insight into what’s affecting the severity. It looked at 174 people in Wuhan, China, and concluded that people with COVID-19 and diabetes but without other comorbidities were at a higher risk for severe pneumonia and the inflammation that contributes to an accelerated progression of COVID-19 and a worse prognosis.
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 if You Have Lupus From Nose to Toes, the List of COVID-19 Symptoms Keeps Growing Another study, which was published in April 2020 the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, analyzed 1,122 people at 88 hospitals in 11 U.S. states, and drew a link between diabetes and a fourfold increased risk of dying from COVID-19. Glytec, a provider of insulin software management, funded the research.
A study published online in May 2020 in Cell Metabolism supports these findings. For this cohort study, researchers analyzed the health data of 7,337 people in Wuhan with and without type 2 diabetes. They observed an association between having diabetes and an increased risk of dying from COVID-19.
Those with stable blood sugar levels had a better prognosis than those with diabetes whose blood sugar control was poor. In fact, the survival rate for those with good blood sugar control was nearly 99 percent, compared with an 11 percent death rate among those whose control was considered poor. Participants’ blood sugar levels were measured using postprandial and fasting blood glucose tests. The authors defined poor blood sugar control as tending to exceed 180 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), and well-controlled blood sugar as ranging from 70 to 180 mg/dL
Diabetes Complications Can Increase Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19 Still, having complications related to diabetes, along with increasing age, may matter more than blood sugar control, suggested a study published in April 2020 in Diabetologia, which analyzed 1,317 people admitted to 53 French hospitals during a three-week period in March 2020. Study authors concluded that 10 percent of people with diabetes admitted to a hospital died within 10 days, and that men were more likely to die than women. The main contributing factors to death were having complications including neuropathy and heart disease, having a high body mass index (BMI) —indicating obesity — and being older. Patients between ages 65 and 74 were three times more likely to die than individuals younger than 55.
People with type 2 diabetes are definitely at higher risk of COVID-19 complications and death, but those with type 1 or gestational diabetes may also be at higher risk, according to recent guidance by the CDC. In the French study, 3 percent of admitted patients had type 1 diabetes, while 89 percent had type 2 diabetes. The remainder of diabetes patients had other types of the disease.
Black people who have type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 may be especially vulnerable to worse outcomes because they are more likely to present with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that causes the blood to become acidic and that can be life-threatening in its own right. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in December 2020 found that 55 percent of Black clinic patients and 33 percent of Hispanic patients presented with DKA, compared with only 13 percent of white patients. “The shared risk of COVID-19 and DKA in type 1 diabetes worsens the short-term and long-term prognosis for Black and Hispanic patients,” said the study authors, also noting that “previous studies have demonstrated an increased risk of DKA among minority populations with type 1 diabetes.”
Understanding COVID-19 and Its Symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases including the common cold, but also more severe illnesses, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS); severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS); and COVID-19, which first became known at the end of 2019 during an outbreak in the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei province and has since developed into a global pandemic.
According to the WHO, common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
Fever Tiredness Dry cough Aches and pains Nasal congestion Runny nose Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Skin rashes Pain in the muscles or joints Discolored fingers or toes Diarrhea Some infected people have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread the virus.
The CDC describes the emergency warning signs for COVID-19 in adults as:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion or inability to wake up or stay awake Bluish lips or face Inability to rouse or stay awake If you are experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or call ahead to the hospital and let them know you are seeking care for COVID-19 or may have it, the CDC advises.
If you are interested in getting a test and want to know how to proceed, contact your local or state health department. The CDC lists state and territorial departments, and the National Association of County and City Health Officials has a directory you can use to find your local department.
For most people, the disease is mild, and many don’t develop symptoms at all. A South Korean study published in August 2020 in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at young people, the vast majority of whom were healthy, and found that 30 percent of those infected with the virus causing COVID-19 never developed symptoms at all. COVID-19 symptoms are mild for most others, although 10–15 percent of infected people do become seriously ill, and 5 percent become critically ill, according to WHO. Mortality estimates vary, but a New York–based study published in October 2020 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine found that 7.6 percent of hospitalizations resulted in death in August, down from 25.6 percent in March, when infection began to spread in the United States.
It’s important to note that the risk of death from COVID-19 is far greater than from influenza (flu), a disease it is frequently compared with. More than 340,000 people died of COVID-19 in the United States in 2020, according to CDC data. In contrast, the nation loses between 12,000 and 61,000 people per year to influenza, reports the CDC.
Source: Everyday Health
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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The MDC movement was born to emancipate people from the failed regime of ZANU PF.
The struggle was not to fill the pockets of the greedy few but to ensure that Zimbabwe goes back to democracy, rule of law, fighting corruption, ensure good working conditions for the employees, back to constitutionalism, fighting one party state, fighting state capture, ensure free and fair elections and so forth.
In Bindura we don’t forget the ruthless Border Gezi, Elliot Manyika, Masawi, the Mujambajechas and the rest evil crew of ZANU PF.
They killed our cadres in the likes of Trymore Midzi and several others. We have cadres who were with us in the trenches and we salute them.
One of the pioneers of the movement who never sold out and never left the struggle is Elliot Pfebve and his brother was killed in cold blood. These are the types of leaders who formed the MDC movement not for positions but for the total freedom of all the Zimbabweans.
The Gweru Congress ushered in New Leadership and the whole structure is intact. The diaspora structure is intact and all the external provinces support the struggle. The current leadership will take us far under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa.
Those who want to leave because of party positions you are free to leave. But my advise is that kusina amai hakuendwe. Together we will make a difference. The struggle is ours.
Tinashe Sambiri|A Masvingo- based Non Governmental Organization, MACRAD Trust has challenged the proposed eviction of Chiredzi villagers by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Mr Mnangagwa’s administration is planning to evict Shangaan families from their ancestral land.
Below is MACRAD’s position paper on government’s proposed eviction of Chiredzi villagers:
MACRAD position paper on government’s proposed eviction of Shangaan families in Chiredzi District.
Introduction Masvingo Centre for Research Advocacy and Community Development (MACRAD) embarked on a fact finding mission regarding government’s proposed eviction of thousands of Shangaan people to pave way for lucerne grass farming in Chiredzi District.
Focus group discussions were conducted with some of the community leaders within the affected district. In this position paper, MACRAD commence by giving a brief summary background of the issue at hand and goes on to outline the agricultural, religious and cultural set up within the affected area. The paper looks into relevant domestic and international legislation and concludes with some recommendations.
Summary background
On April 30, 2020, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing (Honourable July Moyo) who was acting on behalf of the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural settlement (Honourable Perence Shiri) convened a meeting in Chiredzi, a district in South-eastern Zimbabwe.
Present at the meeting was Chief Sengwe, Member of Parliament for Chiredzi South Constituency, Chiredzi District Administrator, Chiredzi District Education Officer, Chiredzi Rural District councilors. Headman Chilonga, Headman Masiwamele, the minister’s delegation and a few other stakeholders.
At the meeting, the Minister indicated that the government had identified about 6000ha of development land in Chiredzi. He added that a private company, Dendairy had an interest in growing lucerne grass in the identified area. The identified area covers part of Chiredzi East and Chiredzi South Constituencies.
The Minister hinted that that the growing of lucerne grass would boost livestock production in Chiredzi and at the same time earn the country vast amounts of foreign currency.
The minister told ZBC journalists who were present that the agenda of the meeting was to look into how the government and the private company were to engage the local community over the project.
It was also highlighted that the Government intends to evict hundreds of Xangani (Shangaan) families residing within the identified land to pave way for lucerne grass farming.
Dendairy, the purported investor is a private local milk processor based in Kwekwe. The company produces full cream milk, long life milk, powdered milk, ice cream and yoghurts among other dairy products. It exports some of its products to Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
Lucerne, also known as alfalfa is a deep rooted perennial legume primarily used as dairy cows forage. It is usually harvested as hay and can also be made into silage.
Agriculture
Chiredzi District lies in the South eastern part of Zimbabwe (and it boarders Mozambique and South Africa. It is in ecological region V and it receives minimal and uncertain rainfall. There are rich red soils and most crops can only be sustained through irrigation. It is on this background that the district has over decades been the sugar basket of Zimbabwe.
The Shangaan people mostly grow sorghum grains (xibedlani, xitishi and mutode) and millet grains (mahuvu and mpowo). They also cultivate some maize xifake, sweet reeds (matimba) sweet potatoes (muhlate), cotton, pumpkins mandunghu, groundnuts (timanga).
Small and large scale farmers in the district mostly rely on sorghum because it is a drought resistant crop. Over the past years Delta Corporation Limited, a local beverages and brewery company has been capacitating the Shangani people in growing sorghum through a scheme referred to as Beverages Sorghum Contract Farming Scheme (BSCFS).
Through the BSCFS, Delta contracts farmers and supply seeds and sometimes fertilizers. In return communities sell the sorghum to the Company and earn a living with the proceeds. Delta uses the crop to brew sorghum beer; the legendary Chibuku-Scud, Super and Eagle larger brands. Chibuku is no doubt the market leader in Zimbabwe’s traditional beer.
The Shangani tribe inherited their name from their then King Soshangane. They are agriculturalists and pastoralists. The main domestic animals reared are cattle, goat and sheep. Zebu and Senga breeds of cattle are mainly kept. Other farmers also have Brahman Red Sindhi and other crossbreeds. Almost every households own goats. Goats are more adaptive to the semi-arid climate conditions.
The south eastern lowveld is dominated by mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) Cattle, goats and sheep mainly rely on dry mopane leaves for browsing during the dry season. It has been scientifically proven that the mopane leaves are highly nutritious.
Livestock is a symbol of wealth within the Shangaan people. Communities use livestock for food, payment of lobola, school fees payments and also to financing their medical and other daily needs and expenses. Culture and Religion
The Shangani people boasts of a unique and vibrant social culture which they are proud to preserve. They are proud of their hunter/gatherer culture which recognises the importance of respecting the environment. They depend on sustainably utilizing the natural resources within their communities.
A number of traditional and cultural ceremonies are still being conducted by the Shangaan people. During these ceremonies high-spirited dances such as Chinyambele Muchongoyo, Chokoto, Marula, and Chigubu are performed. Musical wind and string instruments such as Chizembe and Chitende are used. During the dances, men would be wearing grass, cowrie shell, armbands adorned with animal hides and porcupine quill headdresses.
The Shangani people perform rainmaking ceremonies at several sacred sites. Traditional beer is brewed and a black chicken is used to ask for the rains from ancestors. This is normally done at Chikhovo hill, Mapume hill and at the Dzinzela baobab tree. Other key tombs such as that of Mungoni, Hahlani and Kangale are also rainmaking sites.
Male initiation to adulthood ceremonies known as Ngomeni are still being conducted by the Shangaan people. Circumcision has been done during these ceremonies since time immemorial. Before the actual circumcision, young boys are isolated from their villages. They are normally taken to the sacred Chitiyo hill or at Chikulungu stream. No unauthorised persons are allowed at these sites. The boys are taught about manhood after which they are then circumcised. They receive further lessons before graduating into manhood.
Girls are also initiated into womanhood through a ceremony known as Khomba. Elders in Chilonga say female genital mutilation is no-longer part of Khomba but it used to be. Girls are isolated from their families for a month. They and they are taught about womanhood, cultural and traditional dancing and other cultural practices. After the Khomba ceremony the young women wear red caps with pins. Khomba is a sacred ceremony which is normally done annually between the month of July and August. The ceremonies are conducted at sacred sites along streams which includes Chigwejiva and Chipinda.
There is a traditional method of catching fish which the locals call Saila. It is organised by the Chief. The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) allows the people to do Saila fishing. In 2011, ZimParks even assisted the Shangaan people with food and fuel to facilitate Saila fishing.
The Shangaan elders have vast experience in indigenous knowledge systems. They have unique understandings, skills and philosophies which have been developed over decades. These skills enables the Shangani people to sustainably interact with their natural surroundings.
They indigenous Shangaan people have developed exceptional traditional ways of weather forecasting that help them to fore-plan their activities some days in advance.
There are unique herbs and shrubs known by the Shangani elders. These herbs have medicinal properties for both the people and their livestock. The Zhombwe, a plant which produces a pumpkin like tuber is one such example. The tuber has medicinal properties used to cure cattle. They use a one pumpkin tuber to feed three cattle, a ratio developed by their forefathers. Other plants such as Chikalambutani are known to be highly poisonous.
There are several Shangani traditional healers recognised by the Zimbabwe National traditional healers Association (ZINATHA). The traditional healers have sacred sites where they perform rituals and ceremonies. The traditional healers obtain medicinal and spiritual resources from the forests and water bodies within their jurisdiction.
Christianity is one of the main religion within the Shangani community. There are a number of shrines within the communities. Some hills such as Chipfungwana, Chitiyo and Makwambe are sacred and members of apostolic sects such as Zion and Jeke Mission usually gather together in this mountains and pray for rains.
The Shangaan people believe that praying and fasting in sacred hills such as Chipfungwana is an effective solution to ravaging pests such as tsetse flies, army worm and locust swarms.
There are several other sacred hills, pools and ponds. Chigwejiva- Sala is one example of a site regard as highly sacred and spiritual. The Chigwejiva- Sala pool never runs dry even during years of the worst droughts. It is strictly visited for spiritual purposes or for watering cattle. The elders are allowed to bath in the waters but without soap.
Dances such as Kelekele are performed at Chigwejila-sala. Abortion is condemnable and young women who abort are spiritually exposed at Chigwejiva-Sala.
Communities’ concerns
The majority, if not all the Shangani people in South-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe are aggrieved by government’s intended evictions. Some village heads under Headman Chilonga argued that this is not the first time the Shangaan tribe has been displaced.
The villagers argue that they were left homeless in the 1960s after the colonial government forcibly evicted them from their ancestral, part of which is the now Gonarezhou National Park. They say they were further evicted without any compensation to pave way for sugarcane farming.
The community argue that the Smith regime forced them to settle in the peripherals areas of the national park. Village head Mungoni recalls that he was 14 years old , the Smith regime relocated his family to the Chitanga area in Mwenezi, a place which was then Tsetse fly infested.
War veteran argues that it is the loggerheads with the colonial government that sparked the Chimurenga war which latter gave birth to an independent Zimbabwe. The villagers argue that the Land Reform Programme in the 2000s allowed the Shangaan people to regain some of their remaining ancestral land. They feel the government is now betraying them by grabbing the little that has been left for them.
The Shangaan community feel that tribalism is at play. The majority hold the view that the Shangaan speaking people are being discriminated by the Shona speaking people who dominate top government positions.
They argue that the government should identify alternative land for what they say is not a bona fide investor. They suggest that Dendairy be allocated land in Shona communities. They say there are large pieces of dormant fertile land in Mashonaland. One angry village head said the proposed displacements can cause an uprising and fuel an ethnic conflict in the country.
Villagers claim that they have developed symbiotic relations with their environment and further displacements will greatly affect them.
The Shangaan people claim that their ancestors were buried in the land which the government now wants to give away to a private investor. They say some of the graves have strong spiritual connections to the living. Headman Mungoni showed MACRAD one sacred grave where rain making rituals are annually performed. Several other Shangaan people share the same experience.
The Shangaan people have fears that if ever they will be evicted, their ancestral graves, sacred mountains, streams, pools and other cultural, religious and spiritual sites will not be preserved and protected if they are to be evicted. They also have fears that they will not have free access to these sacred sites.
One village head elaborates that the last time they were displaced and resettled to pave way for Sugarcane farming, they spent about 4 years without rains and he blames the displacements for the drought. The rationale being that the Shangaan elders no longer had access to their sacred places of worship and places of performing cultural ceremonies.
The communities argue that they were never consulted. They argue that sometime early this year they only saw some white touring their land driving Toyota Landcruizer vehicles and appeared to be surveying. They further aired out that in January 2020, they were made to gather and make declarations of their assets by some people whom they say had vehicles without number plates. They say they felt intimidated by these people who claimed to have been sent by the president.
Some village heads who opined that, if at all the government wants the community to benefit from lucerne grass farming , it should direct Dendairy to contract the communities so that they can themselves practice Lucerne farming. They say they are prepared to be taught by AREX officers and even Dendairy experts on how to farm lucerne.
The village heads argue that they have over the years been working very well with Delta Corporation Limited through BSCFS project. One village head who is also a farmer says him and other locals have been each producing up to 60 tonnes of sorghum per season. He says he personally owns two tractors and other hand farming equipment’s courtesy of Delta Corporation.
The complainants also fear that they may never be adequately compensated by the government or by Dendairy. They persistently cited Tugwi-Mukosi dame project and the Chisumbanje ethanol plant project as practical examples of non-payment of compensation.
The other concern raised by Shangaan communities is the fact that there is uncertainty on where they will be relocated to if they are to be evicted. They are not aware as to whether there are or would be schools, clinics, hospitals roads or other infrastructure at the places where they will relocated to, if they are to be evicted. They are worried about the proximity of the intended resettlement sites with their sacred religious and cultural shrines and sites. They do not even know if at all there will be able to access these sites. Legislative framework
Zimbabwean law is founded on in the value of the supremacy of the Constitution. It follows therefore that any decision that the government may make must be in all fours with the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment(No 20) Act 2013 (hereafter the Constitution)..
The nation’s diverse cultural, religious and traditional is one of the key values and principles, on the respect of which Zimbabwe is founded. As has been elaborated above, the Shangani people have a vibrant cultural, religious background. Equally relevant is section 3 of the Constitution which states that the principles of good governance, which binds the government includes the recognition of the rights of ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic and religious groups.
The national objectives set out in Chapter 2 of Constitution are an important yardstick upon which upon which the government can be held accountable in terms of compliance with its human rights obligations towards the people.
National development is one of the country’s objectives. It is no doubt that the proposed lucerne grass farming is a national development programme. Section 13(2) of the Constitution provides that whenever the government put national development programmes in place (like Lucerne production in this case), such measures must involve the people in the formulation and implementation of development plans and programmes that affect them. It therefore goes without saying that the Shangaan people who are to be evicted must actively be involved in the lucerne project plans and project.
The constitution further imposes an obligation upon the state to ensure that local communities benefit from the resources in their areas. This means that the government must ensure the Shangaani people benefit from the land and other resources in the south –eastern lovield of Zimbabwe.
Another important national objective with a direct bearing on the Shangani people is the Preservation of traditional knowledge systems. Section 33 of the Constitution mandates the state to take measures to preserve, protect and promote indigenous knowledge systems, including knowledge of the medicinal and other properties of animal and plant life possessed by local communities and people, As has been elaborated above there is a vibrant traditional knowledge system within the Shangaan community that ought to be preserved protected and promoted.
Section 16 of the Constitution further imposes an obligation upon the government to promote , preserve cultural values and practices which enhances the dignity , well-being and equality in Zimbabwe.
The government’s proposed decision to displace the thousands of indigenous Shangani people to pave way for lucerne production by Dandairy may infringe fundamental rights and freedoms set out in the Constitution,
There is a likelihood that regional and international law will be violated through the intended evictions. There is potential violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the United Nations International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) all of which Zimbabwe is a signatory.
Section 60 of the Constitution protects the right to freedom of conscience, which includes freedom of thought, opinion, religion or belief; and. The same right is protected in article 18 of the UDHR, article 18 of the ICCPR and article 8 of ACHPR. It is a fact that evicting the Shangani people from the their land will disconnect them from their religious and sacred spiritual sites within their land.
The Constitution also recognise culture rights in section 63. Correspondingly, article 27 of UDHR states that “Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.” Article 27 ICCPR and article 17 ACHPR also protects cultural rights. As elaborated above, the cultural lives of the Shangaan people is depended upon sacred mountains, streams, pools other unique cultural sites within their ancestral land.
Section 71 of the Constitution recognises property rights. It states that every person has the right, in any part of Zimbabwe, to acquire, hold, occupy, use, transfer, hypothecate, lease or dispose of all forms of property. The Constitution however provides that. Section 71(3) provides no person may be compulsorily. A person cannot be deprived of their property except where the following conditions are satisfied.
“(a) the deprivation is in terms of a law of general application; (b) the deprivation is necessary for any of the following reasons— (i) in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or town and country planning; or (ii) in order to develop or use that or any other property for a purpose beneficial to the community; (c) the law requires the acquiring authority— (i) to give reasonable notice of the intention to acquire the property to everyone whose interest or right in the property would be affected by the acquisition; (ii) to pay fair and adequate compensation for the acquisition before acquiring the property or within a reasonable time after the acquisition…”
Article 17 ICCPR also provides that everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others and that No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. Similarly, Article 14 ACHPR states that the right to property may only be encroached upon in the interest of public need or in the general interest of the community and in accordance with the provisions of appropriate laws.
That the thousands of people who are set to be evicted had constructed homes on the land is indubitable. Almost every household owns, cattle sheep, goats. It is not clear how the communities would be able to move and transport their livestock if they are to be evicted. Livestock is property and evicting the people boarders will likely violate the enjoyment of property rights
The right to agricultural land is protected in section 72 of the Constitution. The section also provides that the state can compulsorily acquire land is the agricultural land, or any right or interest in such land, is required for a public purpose including settlement for agricultural or other purposes. Section 72 also provides that compensation for improvements effected on land before acquisition is payable.
It is a fact that the Shangaan people have been in peaceful and undisturbed possession of agricultural land. They have been exercising rights to agricultural land for decades. There is a high likelihood that these rights will be violated if they are evicted and if no sustainable measures are put in place to protect and safeguard their rights.
Recommendation
The Government should properly give notice of the proposed acquisition of land by making a publication in the Government Gazette identifying the land in terms of Section 72(2) of the Constitution. 2.
On World NGO Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon all members of the public to celebrate the contributions of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) towards the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy and inclusive development across the globe.
World NGO Day is commemorated every year on the 27th of February, and it aims to pay tribute to the NGOs, HRDs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) which perform the vital, but often unnoticed, work of defending human rights, promoting democracy and providing social assistance to the most vulnerable members of society.
The day is also an opportunity for states to reflect on the steps that they should take in order to create an enabling and welcoming environment for NGOs. The people who work in NGOs and CSOs are often exposed to great personal risk because of the systematic harassment they experience at the hands of authorities all around the world.
World NGO Day therefore seeks to celebrate the bravery of these people and call for an end to their persecution everywhere.
NGOs and CSOs enjoy special recognition from international bodies such as the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). NGOs can obtain consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and this status will grant NGOs access to ECOSOC, its many subsidiary bodies, the various human rights mechanisms of the United Nations and special events organized by the President of the General Assembly. The AU has a Civil Society Division that has a mandate of ensuring that the contributions of civil society permeate all aspects of AU principles, policies and programmes.
NGOs that have consultative status with ECOSOC can be accredited to participate in the sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC) as observers. This observer status grants NGOs access to the HRC secretariat, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Observer status also allows NGOs to attend and observe proceedings of the HRC, submit written statements, make oral submissions and participate in debates and panel meetings. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights also grants observer status to NGOs. The Commission relies on NGOs to draw attention to violations of its Charter by state parties, bring communications on behalf of individuals and increase awareness about the Commission’s activities.
NGOs protect and promote democracy, provide humanitarian assistance, provide social services, raise awareness about important societal issues and provide technical expertise that promotes sustainable development.
NGOs play an indispensable role in the promotion and survival of democracy worldwide. They play the crucial function of fighting the abuse of power by states. They expose the violation of human rights by state actors and take legal action in order to obtain redress for the victims of the human rights violations.
The legal action taken by NGOs also serves to fight state impunity and pressure governments to desist from the violation of human rights. ZLHR, for example, works on anti-impunity cases that are meant to hold state actors accountable for human rights violations.
The anti-impunity cases that ZLHR works on have the dual purpose of obtaining relief for the victims of state-sanctioned violence and of influencing the authorities to desist from violent practices that lead to expensive lawsuits. NGOs also promote democracy by spreading knowledge about human rights and constitutional rights within communities.
The advocacy work and litigation work by NGOs serves to ensure that governments remain accountable to their electorates. NGOs also provide human resources, medicines and food to victims of natural disasters across the globe.
Apart from humanitarian assistance, they also provide resources and special services to persons living with disabilities, the elderly, vulnerable women and children. NGOs also provide technical expertise that can be used by governments to develop programmes that will promote development or address pressing societal issues.
In the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NGOs have played an instrumental role in the design and implementation of responses to the pandemic. In addition, they have been involved in providing direct health services to communities as well as providing social assistance to the most vulnerable members of society.
NGOs have documented human rights violations as many states have used the COVID-19 pandemic as a convenient excuse for cracking down on human rights and democracy.
NGOs face threats to their existence despite the vital contributions they make to society.
States are using laws to restrict the space of operation of NGOs.
In Zimbabwe, members of NGOs and CSOs are often victims of systematic harassment by authorities in the form of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, criminalisation of civil society work and character assassination. In addition, the rights to assembly and association are being restricted by Zimbabwean authorities, which has the effect of hampering the activities of NGOs and CSOs.
ZLHR therefore calls upon the Zimbabwean authorities to cease all actions that serve to restrict the operational space and work of NGOs. In addition, ZLHR condemns the systematic prosecution, harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders (HRDs) and members of the NGO sector by the Zimbabwean authorities.
Nude pictures circulating accusing VP Constantino Chiwenga are not at all his, they are 4 years old on the internet and below is the person's facial, ZimEye FACT CHECKERS have found. pic.twitter.com/uioBqMoIVM
By A Correspondent- In Chitungwiza, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights rescued five juveniles and eight adult residents, who were detained for about five hours at Town Centre Police Station, where they were charged with committing public violence.
The juveniles and the adult residence were arrested Friday afternoon after law enforcement agents alleged that they were part of a group of people who allegedly attacked police officers who wanted to arrest a bar and restaurant owner for breaching national lockdown regulations.
In their defence, the juveniles, who are represented by Freddy Masarirevu of ZLHR, said they were just picked up by police officers who knocked and conducted a door to door search for all male persons while others said they were arrested while fetching water at a community borehole.
The juveniles, who were later released following Masarirevu’s intervention are expected to appeared at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court on Saturday 27 February 2021.
On Friday, ZimEye exclusively revealed that police officers ran for dear life after they were attacked in Unit H by mapostori.
Below is the story:
Unit H shops
Police officers in Chitungwiza on Friday ran for dear life after they were beaten up by Mapostori in Unit H, Seke.
The police officers who, according to residents, are in the habit of demanding bribes from citizens and small business owners operating during the Lockdown were attacked and they took to their heels.
Unit H shops
Said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity:
“They came as usual and they threw teargas inside one of the bars at Unit H shopping centre after they failed to get a bribe. They wanted to arrest one of the man whom they accused of violating lockdown regulations by selling beer through the window.
The man ran away and they followed him “mumusha”, the name given to the area where mapostori reside. This did not go down well with mapostori who feel their area is holy and such acts were a violation of their privacy.
Mapostori came out in their usual numbers and started beating up the police officers who took to their heels. They were attacked left right and centre and they ran like a leopard chasing the wind.
They called for reinforcement and came back with anti riot police officers. These were also attacked by stones and it took a while for them to disperse the angry and agitated crowds that had gathered siding with mapostori.
After realising that they were fighting a losing battle, the anti riot police details went away and came back later targeting individuals from the area. They went around the homes breaking down doors and windows where they suspected that there was someone inside. They arrested people including minors and over 60 people were taken to Town Centre police post accused of assaulting police officers.
Parents whose children had been picked up were also arrested when they followed their minors wanting to inquire why they had been arrested.”
Added one parent:
“They arrested my small boys whom they picked up for no reason but simply because they were rounding up everyone in the area. They did not charge them but said i must pay a fine. I ended up bribing them to release my boys because i did not have the $50 000 fine for each of my four boys.”
Efforts to get a comment from police spokesperson Paul Nyathi was work in progress by the time of writing.
Refresh this page for latest details on this story.
The leaked audio below reveals Timveous was recruited for the purpose of luring other MDC members, in the clip, in which she is being recruited by another agent.
Lilian Timveos
VIDEO LOADING BELOW….
Lilian Timveos To Replace Perrance Shiri And Border Gezi, Will It End Well?
By Farai D Hove | It’s game over now – A leaked audio between the MDC renegade Lilian Timveos and Tapiwa Mashakada ‘s girlfriend Memory Mbondiya reveals that Emmerson Mnangagwa has discovered that constitution-criminal, Douglas Mwonzora, is worthless.
Douglas Mwonzora
Mnangagwa had until February 2021 been hoping to use Mwonzora to sway away MDC Alliance leaders from his opponent in the 2018 polls, Nelson Chamisa. But all hopes have fallen away after Mwonzora was discussed in military Joint Operations Command (JOC) meetings as having no consequence or value in the move to dislodge Chamisa. The development now leaves Mwonzora on the wayside alongside his spongebob, Thokozani Khupe whose leadership career has also come to a sudden end.
Since 1982, every politician who has served as Mnangagwa’s agent from the days of the Gukurahundi-machinator, Enos Nkala, has been dumped in the end. Many have been assassinated and these include a string of men and women used for recruitment assignments since 1981, from William Ndangana, Maurice Nyagumbo, Mover Mahachi, Border Gezi and in recent months, the late Perrance Shiri.
The leaked audio below reveals Timveous was recruited for the purpose of luring other MDC members, in the clip, in which she is being recruited by another agent.
The involvement of JOC leader Oppah Muchinguri first exposed in WhatsApp charts early last year, was confirmed in photoshoots during the week of Timveos standing with her at State House during a botched initiation ceremony as Muchinguri presented Timveous and Blessing Chebundo to Emmerson Mnangagwa.
There are now frantic efforts to recruit members so to appease the failed experiment, as ZANU PF on the other side in a change of plan, moves to try to cancel 2023 elections.
The audio was first exposed by ZimEye on the 8th February and the transcript is reproduced below-
MBONDIYA AUDIO AUTHORITATIVELY EXPOSES MWONZORA FOR PLOTTING TO CANCEL 2023 ELECTIONS https://t.co/f2n0BIdRrr
So if people like Lilian Timveous come through, she will go straight for Amos Chibaya’s Mukoba constituency. She will be the MP for Mukoba with immediate effect.
So you need to move with speed and guess what, Hwende of all people went to negotiate with Mwonzora to say, “yes you took my seat, please make sure I do not lose my car.”
Lily let me tell you, people are so cunning I am telling you. So the issue of the car you should know that they are some hard cores who will pretend like they are staying with Nelson Chamisa, but negotiate with Mwonzora in silence. we will make an exception with these to say one two three four people have come back to MDC T, so on the issue of their cars you should let them off, so the lawyers should out everything on hold, the issue of harassing people concerning cars so it is something that you don’t have to worry. so you should now take effort to come and negotiate but as it stands I tell you already that they will not be an election at all.
Do you think that if we get 2023 even MDC T, is ready for an election? There is nothing like that, so, the situation is terrible my bhururu-friend. So we had a fruitful meeting. I think things are taking shape you just need to take a decision at the end of the day, to take a bold decision like: this is what I’m going to do, it’s about me and my family because every other person is looking out for themselves, because they are selfish people and the are negotiating behind-the-scenes you are left behind the scenes, so make a move my sister.
Listen well Lily, don’t relent at all, don’t fail to talk to Douglas Mwonzora because he said the most important thing people should not worry about positions in the party because we shall go to the ordinary Congress for now what we need to do is to secure a position in Parliament or in the Senate or in the government.
Once you have secured a position you will have even funds to enable you to campaign for the next stage of posts. But where we want to take the party forward is we want loads of positions that people can scramble for to win, rather than going to an election because we know if one person of such and such a faction, if they win the whole slate, isn’t it you know what happens at congress?
The whole slate of that person is the one that enters. So sometimes it is not worth it so the most important thing is to secure your slate first and then you will fight for your position later. Which position? The one at the party level, but as of now, we are looking at national interests. Do you see now? Politics at the national level rather than at a party level so that is where we are. | FULL STORY ON WWW.ZIMEYE.COM
Masvingo Province has been hit again by a new wave of cattle deaths that has left many farmers with empty pens. The local farmers who spoke to Community Tolerance and Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) expressed concern over the lack of commitment by Government’s Veterinary Services Department -towards the prevention of the persisting theileriosis, a tick-borne disease. Theileriosis which is caused by uncontrolled ticks killed hundreds of cattle in Chatsworth and other parts of Gutu last year. The disease hit many districts of Masvingo Province in January 2021.
The famers say the government’s veterinary service department, which is responsible for the provision of animal and zoonotic diseases surveillance, animal health risk management, and animal health and protection has failed its mandate. The department is failing to frequently provide adequate dipping chemicals to dip tanks despite continuous outbreak of tick-borne disease. During the rainy season cattle are supposed to be dipped at least once every week so as to break the cycle of ticks. “As famers we call upon the Government and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement to ensure the supply of quality dipping chemicals, livestock dosses and vaccinations to the Veterinary Service Departments and closely monitor the distribution of these chemicals to avoid corruption and diversion of use. The dipping chemicals which are rarely supplied to our local dip tanks do not remove all ticks, therefore we doubt the quality of such chemicals.” said one farmer.
Farmers are buying their own cattle dipping equipment, chemicals and vaccination despite paying cattle tax to the government to enjoy veterinary service. Long queues are seen at Veterinary and other shops which provides livestock health education and chemicals in Masvingo town with farmers from different districts even with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions that prohibits the movement of people. Exemption letters written by Chiefs and other traditional leaders are not being considered by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) at checkpoints. Therefore, some small holder and peasant farmers from rural areas are reportedly failing to access town to purchase cattle vaccinations due to lockdown restrictions.
“COTRAD encourages the famers and the dip tank committees to engage the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and Veterinary Department when having such concerns.”, said Kupfuwa Ishmael, COTRAD official. The Veterinary Service Department is responsible of promoting bio-security, animal health and welfare for the benefit of the livestock industry through implementing risk management measures for prescribed animal diseases and pests control, and building and maintaining physical veterinary infrastructure such as dips, animal handling facilities.-COTRAD
ZIMBABWEAN authorities on Friday 26 February 2021 arrested student leaders, juveniles and a journalist in a fresh crackdown on human rights defenders.
First to be arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members, were three students namely Richard Paradzayi, Paidamoyo Masaraure and Leam Kanengoni, who were apprehended at Harare Magistrates Court on allegations of unnecessary movement. Paradzayi, Masaraure and Kanengoni, who are represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), were detained at Harare Central Police Station.
ZRP members also arrested Kumbirai Mafunda, a freelance journalist inside Harare Magistrates Court, where he was covering the appearance in court of pro-democracy campaigner Makomborero Haruzivishe and accused him of practising journalism without accreditation from Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC).
The five police officers who arrested Mafunda and detained him together with Paradzayi, Masaraure and Kanengoni at a police post located at Harare Magistrates Court, refused to accept representations by the freelance journalist and his lawyers Obey Shava, Kossam Ncube and Jeremiah Bamu to the effect that law enforcement officers and other stakeholders should accept ZMC accreditation cards issued to media practitioners in 2019 and 2020 as the media regulatory body failed to undertake its national accreditation outreach programme in 2020 owing to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
Mafunda, who was taken to Harare Central Police, was only released without charges preferred against him after his lawyers, who also included Tinomuda Shoko and Idirashe Chikomba, made representations to Chief Superintendent Oscar Mugomeri, the ZRP Officer Commanding Harare Central District regarding the status of accreditation of journalists and who ordered the release of the freelance journalist.
ZRP members also arrested Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leaders who include Tafadzwa Ngadziore and Tapiwa Chiriga among others. The ZINASU leaders are represented by Chinopfukutwa and Bamu.
Earlier on Thursday 25 February 2021, ZRP members arrested Edmond Chimwene at Harare Magistrates Court and detained him at Harare Central Police for allegedly staging a one-man demonstration at Harare Magistrates Court, where he wore a t-shirt inscribed with words such as “Marxist for Life”, “Justice for All”, “Peace” and “Freedom”. Chimwene is represented by Bamu and Chinopfukutwa of ZLHR.
In Chitungwiza, ZRP members arrested five juveniles and eight adult residents, who were detained for about five hours at Town Centre Police Station, where they were charged with committing public violence after law enforcement agents alleged that they were part of a group of people who allegedly attacked police officers who wanted to arrest a bar and restaurant owner for breaching national lockdown regulations.
In their defence, the juveniles, who are represented by Freddy Masarirevu of ZLHR, said they were just picked up by police officers who knocked and conducted a door to door search for all male persons while others said they were arrested while fetching water at a community borehole.
The juveniles, who were later released following Masarirevu’s intervention are expected to appear at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court on Saturday 27 February 2021.
By Dorrothy Moyo | Norton MP Temba Mliswa’s ex girlfriend, Susan Mutami at the weekend forced a-Sunday-mystery down people’s throats when she tweeted for the second time since the day she was stopped from flying out of Zimbabwe.
Mutami has spent a whole week in Zimbabwe after she was blocked from flying back to Australia and told she will be a state witness in a terrorism case against her boyfriend.
The holder of two fake degrees who says she studied counter terrorism, and is also a nurse, last week bolted out of a ZimEye interview after being asked to reveal the universities which issued her certificates.
The case the state has put her as a witness relates to the White City bombing which happened on 23 June 2018 which killed two people on the spot and left Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Marry, nursing swelling boils on their bodies. At a time when the country has waited 2 years without clear details on who was behind it, Mutami earlier this month accused her 3 month-period boyfriend of possessing secret details on the incident.
She also accused Mliswa of attempted murder, saying he has planned to kill Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, as well as presidential hopeful, Local Govt minister July Moyo.
Today, Mutami launched a tweet accusing an unnamed man of killing an unnamed man at a garage in Hurungwe. She went further to say the killer is now spending time making endless trips to Ghana so to heal the curse arising from that murder. Coincidentally, her boyfriend Mliswa who is from Hurungwe (his former Constituency) has been making several trips to Ghana.
WHO IS SUSAN MUTAMI CALLING A HURUNGWE (MLISWA CONSTITUENCY) GARAGE MURDERER?
Twimbos can you please educate me about Ngozi ini handinyatsoziva zvechivanhu. So In 2018 pane munhu akauraya mumwe mukomana in Hurungwe pa garage, since last year he’s been going to the family achida kuiripa but varikuramba.
Vakati iwe unoripa ngozi yemunhu wawakati hauna kuuraya here saka iri kumutambudza, akanzi achafa mafiro akaita mwana wavo and haafi akagara nemukadzi muhupenyu hwake since munhu akaurayiwa aive mujaya asati akamboroora. Anzwa nekuenda kuma prophet ku Ghana.
My question is does this affect the children vemhondi iyi and how can one protect vana vake. Ndinotenda kune vachabatsira.
By Prince Njagu- As the Zimbabwean economy continues to take crumble. More and more young Zimbabweans are taking a stand against mal-governance and plunder of resources by politicians.
Jail time is the price that all young people have to pay for standing up against any form of injustice in Zimbabwe.
It all started with the arrest of MDC Alliance Harare West MP Joanna Mamombe and other MDC Alliance youth leaders in 2020. Which was followed by the arrest of prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and then an endless list of other activists.
“Arrests and abductions have become the norm in Zimbabwe. Anyone who has a different opinion to that of the ruling ZANU PF government; they are put in jail and denied bail,” said activist Sandra Bvungidzire.
Human rights activist Makomborero Haruvizishe, was violently arrested by security details in Harare for his courageous stand against the corrupt ZANU PF led government.
The arrest of Makomborero is being viewed by many as an attempt to silence the young people of Zimbabwe. Any action which opposes ZANU PF is a jail punishable offence and people of Zimbabwe live in fear of being persecuted.
Unlawful detention and imprisonment has become the ultimate price which Zimbabweans pay for disagreeing with the ZANU PF authoritarian rule.
Unlawful abductions and detentions have become the new normal in Zimbabwe. Anyone whose actions are deemed to be a threat to the status quo is used as an example to intimidate the others.
The courageous act shown by Makomborero resembles the current mindset of most young Zimbabweans who are now tired of the repressive ZANU PF rule.
These arrests are meant to intimidate the masses; but recent events point to more young Zimbabweans becoming more resilient and standing against the authoritarian regime.
“Nations are shaped defined and determined by the agency and electricity of their young people. Vibrant youth leadership is the oxygen that determines the destiny of nations. The young Makomborero defines courage,” said MDC-A leader Nelson Chamisa on his Twitter account.
The arrests have only worsened and so has the bravery of Zimbabweans.
The ZANU PF government has been accused of pulling the strings within the judicial system and making sure that anyone who is arrested for voicing against the “ruling elite” is detained; denied bail and made to rot in jail.
“We are worried that this weaponisation of law by the police and growing persecution of activists has a pernicious and gnawing effect on our ‘nascent’ democracy,” said Harare West MP Joana Mamombe whilst addressing protesters who went to attend flash protests at the Harare High Court on Thursday.
By A Correspondent- Mwarazi bridge links Headlands with Chendambuya, Nyanga, Mayo, Chinyudze, Rusape, and Maparudzi areas was Friday swept away leaving residents desperate.
The community has been relying on the Mwarazi bridge to access health facilities, schools, and agricultural markets mainly the Grain Marketing Board Depots.
Residents called for a speedy rehabilitation of the Mwarazi bridge as the disaster has forced them to use a detour which many said posed danger to life in the event of another heavy rain.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, his deputy Mike Madiro, Minister of State for Manicaland Matsikinyeri, and other senior Government officials toured the site and expressed the need for quick action.
Minister Mhona said there was a need for quick action to ensure the Mwarazi bridge is repaired early and people continue with their economic activities.
A number of bridges, roads, and other infrastructure were destroyed during the current rain season.
COVID-19, car accidents, are among many avoidable dangers people yoke themselves with when they violate lockdown measures.
In the below video, UK based academic, Dr Admore Tshuma comments over the police raid on the Bulawayo Arts Awards at the end of November last year, which they did just as the same force allowed ministers to booze into the night while violating all COVID measures during Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa’s birthday party.
Mutsvangwa’s own brother, Daniel Parirenyatwa, was infected with COVID-19 at her party.
He says the socialite, Genius Kadungure could have been saved by the cops if they had applied the same policing measures. Ginimbi who perished in a car accident in Domboshawa road. AUDIO LOADING BELOW
MINISTERS ALL NIGHT BOOZE AS ZRP DISRUPTS BULAWYAO ARTS AWARDS | GUEST – DR ADMORE TSHUMA https://t.co/dwp4d2bahu
Chitungwiza Municipality has sternly warned members of the public against building structures in areas where it shares boundaries with Manyame Rural District Council.
In a statement this Sunday, the Municipality said people should not buy stands from some unscrupulous elements in the mistaken belief that such transactions shall be entertained or that such illegal developments shall be regularised by Council. The notice read:
Council notes with deep concern the increased attempts by some individuals to illegally occupy and develop stands within Chitungwiza Municipality on the pretext that their illegal structures will be regularised.
Members of the public are hereby advised as follows:
Any occupation and development thereof of a stand without the express authority of Council is illegal and will be treated as such.
The administration of land wholly rests with Council. No Housing Co-operative(s), individual or group has anything to do with land administration in the said areas. Please be warned that Council does not operate through agents.
Allocation of stands to be offered to beneficiaries is only done after one has met the offer conditions. Upon meeting the conditions, one is then allowed to sign a lease agreement and then shown the stand only by Council officials.
Permission to develop allocated stands by beneficiaries can only be granted after one has an approved building plan and every construction stage has to be inspected by Council.
NB: Please note that Council shall take appropriate action on all illegal structures within its area of jurisdiction and the illegal occupants risk losing their hard-earned investments and shall be prosecuted.
By A Correspondent- A 38 year old man from Dete in Hwange has been arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating his 17 year old daughter.
The man (name withheld to protect the identity of the victim) sexually abused his teenage daughter while his wife was away.
Three weeks after the rape incident, the man gave his daughter three pills to drink “to avoid pregnancy” and she did as instructed.
Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the man’s arrest last week.
Said Insp Banda:
I can confirm that we have arrested a 38-year-old male from Dete who allegedly raped and impregnated his 17-year-old daughter.
Circumstances are that on an unknown date but in October last year the complainant and her sibling aged nine were sitting together with the accused person.
They decided to retire to bed with the accused also going to sleep in his room. During the course of the night, the complainant woke up when she felt something on top of her.
Insp Banda said the girl, feeling sexually abused as well, pushed the person on top of her away before switching on her torch.
She was shocked to see her father tiptoeing out of the room and when she asked him the following day why he had raped her, the father denied the charge.
Added Insp Banda: In November 2020 the complainant told her mother about the rape and everything that had transpired while she was away.
However, the matter only came to light on 8 February 2021 through an anonymous tip-off from a member of the community.
Investigations were carried out leading to the location of the complainant who revealed the offence resulting in the accused’s arrest. The complainant is now pregnant.
Zimbabwean-born telecoms magnate Strive Masiyiwa was ranked the 11th richest black billionaire by Forbes as of 24 February 2021.
Masiyiwa made it to the list of the world’s top 15 billionaires which includes bi/multiracial individuals with Black ancestry.
According to Visual Capitalist, using Forbes real-time billionaire list to highlight the most financially successful Black people, Alinko Dangote of Nigeria (net worth $11.5 billion) is the richest black person on earth while Masiyiwa (net worth ($1.4 billion) is ranked 11th.
By Ashleigh Jinjika Since 2000, Zimbabwe has faced serious challenges and threats to its peace and security as a result of deepening economic and political crisis. In the wake of the Zimbabwe Crisis, the last two decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold (ASGM) mining activities.
This development has also seen the rise of marauding machete wielding gangs (loosely referred to as mashurugwi) who have descended on the mining sector and society at large. Resultantly, the mining sector has become a no-go area for the weaker sex (women) since the masculine (men) now dominate the artisanal and small mining sector in Zimbabwe. Women and girls suffer higher incidences of this violence because of their subordinate status in the society. In recent months, the gangs have terrorised communities with government seemingly doing nothing besides half-hearted statements that the culprits will be arrested. The lack of government intervention to address this national security issue has fuelled or resulted in Zimbabwe to enter into a new crisis whereby the natural resources which are meant to benefit everyone now benefit one gender. Men due to their masculinity in nature dominate the mining sector at the expense of women.
The mining environment itself is also often dangerous for women, as there are instances of sexual harassment and pressure to engage in sex work. Sexual harassment violates a woman’s integrity and oftentimes leaves victims emotionally scarred all their lives. Additionally, there are often high levels of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in mining communities.
Mining sites also often lack sanitation, health services, and regular access to clean water, if accessible at all, are often far away. Each day, violence stops a girl or woman from taking a job, compromising their future and the economic and social development of their communities. Therefore, the government has to respond to the violence taking place to ensure the environment will fair for both men and women such that they all benefit from natural resources to eradicate poverty.
KAE Chaps is currently riding on the crest of a wave with the success of his pulsating single “Juzi”, which has won the hearts of many since its release early this month.
The single was inspired by a real-life heartbreaking experience.
Born Kudakwashe Chapepa, the aspiring singer has spent the past six years battling for recognition in the cut-throat music industry.
And “Juzi” appears to have worked the magic for the Rugare-bred artiste who yearns to one day perform in the O2 Arena (a multi-purpose indoor ground in Greenwich Peninsula, Southeast London, popular for hosting concerts from the world’s top stars and elite sporting events for up to 20 000 fans).
The dream may not be far-fetched for the 24-year-old singer as another real life inspired single “No Man Curse” that he released on Wednesday is already causing waves on the market.
We publish below excerpts from the interview
Q: You were virtually unknown until you dropped “Juzi” on February 9, 2020. How has the track transformed your music career?
A: Since its release, a lot of things have changed. The attention has escalated. Corporates are jumping in with endorsements which is amazing. Also, several artistes that I respect a lot in the industry now want to work with me.
Q: Fans are still warming up to “Juzi” and you have released yet another promising single “No Man Curse”. Is it another real-life story?
A: Yes, “No Man Curse” was highly inspired by my personal experiences and what I see other people going through in life.
I used to work for a now-defunct popular satellite dish installing company. I was one day, November 20, 2017 to be precise, stabbed by criminals coming from work around 6.30pm.
The horrible incident affected me a lot. I fell into depression. I felt I was giving it my all, but not getting positive results as misfortune trailed me.
Q: How are you handling the pressure from fans, friends, and of course the media on your phone?
A: It is overwhelming at times, but I am really enjoying talking and responding to the messages. To be honest, I am surprised.
It is everything that I have always wanted, however, I did not expect it to happen so suddenly. At times the journey is much longer before you get a breakthrough.
Q: What kind of question(s) are you often being asked by fans or the media?
A: ‘Wanga wanyatsoitwasei’ (What exactly happened) for you to compose the song “Juzi”? and ‘What are you going to do with the juzi?’
Q: Are you not offended by fellow artistes who are doing answer songs to your track?
A: No, I feel humbled actually. The music culture is all about that. If people reply to or make covers of your song, it means you have done a good production and people love it.
Q: The future is looking bright for you. What is the next move from here, perhaps a new album?
A: More singles for now.
Q: In “Juzi” you really sound heartbroken, how was your Valentine’s Day like?
A: I was home chilling on my own the entire day.
Q: What is your family and friends’ take on this “new found” fame?
A: They are all proud because they know and understand the work and sacrifice it took for us to be here.
I am grateful for the support I have received from my uncles and siblings over the years. They have played a big role in moulding who I am today.
Q: Still on that, can you briefly tell us about your family?
A: I am an orphan. My mum and dad are late. I am a second born in a family of three. I have an elder sister and a young brother.
I come from a family that is extremely gifted arts-wise. However, I happen to be the first one to have seriously pursued music.
Q: Who do you credit for creating Kae Chaps?
A: A lot of people. From my uncle, brothers to friends. But I thank God and the drive has been supreme.
Q: What is your biggest dream?
A: To fill up the 02 Arena.
Q: Did Soul Jah Love’s death affect you in any way?
A: Yes, it did big time. I was a big fan, besides like every artiste, I was hoping to one day work with him. R.I.P Sauro.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- On 3 March 2016 President Mugabe admitted that the nation had lost $15 billion worth of diamonds because of the looting and plunder in Marange and Chiadzwa.
“This kind of plunder must immediately make Zimbabweans pass a vote of no confidence in Mugabe and his government,” commented Ken Yamamoto, a Japanese researcher, at the time.
“If this theft does not cause Zimbabweans to demand that he resign, then nothing else will. In that case, going forward, Zimbabweans must just be left to their own devices and the donors currently feeding the population must just take their efforts to other countries. The country cannot be helped. And no more of this nonsense that Zimbabweans are the most literate people in Africa.”
Zimbabweans never demanded that Mugabe and his regime must resign. Mugabe, for his part, never arrested even one of the diamond swindlers and never recovered even one dollar of the US15 billion.
Mnangagwa, who succeeded Mugabe following the November 2017 military coup, vowed “zero tolerance on corruption” and thus tacitly acknowledging that corruption was indeed still rampant. It is now over three years since the coup and he too has yet to arrest one swindler and recover one swindled dollar.
Indeed, the looting in Marange and Chiadzwa did not stop with Mugabe’s admission; it continued. Patrick Chinamasa, then Minister of Finance, told in 2017 parliament that government was receiving 1/6 of the expected revenue from the diamond mining.
The diamond looters had mining concessions that allowed them to keep their operations and earnings a secret. The late Edward Chindori Chininga revealed in a 2012 parliamentary report that the miners were not keeping any record of the quality and quantity of diamonds, to whom the diamonds were sold and for how much, who were the partners and how the spoils were shared out, etc. The mining concessions were a licence to loot and the GNU cabinet had issued these concession; this was all above board. This was institutionalised looting. Period!
Since Mnangagwa took over similar licences to loot have been issued in other areas including gold and platinum mining, sourcing and distribution of fuel, in agriculture and even in the sourcing of corona virus materials.
Fast forward to the present.
“We don’t need anyone’s money as we can do it on our own. Sometimes it’s just the mindset and belief to achieve that,” Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Dr John Mangudya told Business Times a few days ago.
“Like what oil is to Nigeria, gold is to Zimbabwe. The precious mineral alone has the potential to turn around the country’s fortunes.”
It is estimated that US$1.2 billion worth of gold is smuggled out of the country every year.
Just to put the looted diamonds and gold into perspective; the cost of long delayed Batoka Gorge Hydropower Project is US$ 3 billion. Think of the project as a second Kariba Dam and thus adding another 666 MW to the national grid. The money from these two minerals alone in a year would have paid for Batoka Gorge years ago and saved the nation billions of dollars in power imports and the all too common load shedding.
Zimbabwe is in a dire economic situation. The country’s agricultural sector, the driving engine of the economy, collapsed following the farm seizures and took the rest of the economy down with it. Unemployment has soared to dizzying heights of 90% and most basic services such as education and health care have collapsed after decades of being starved of funds.
50%, at least, of the Zimbabwe population now live in abject poverty, i.e. they cannot afford one decent meal a day much less other basic necessities of life such as education for their children and health care.
Corona virus has hit the wealthy nations hard but it was crashed the poor nation. The wealthy nations are coughing blood and the impoverished nations are burying their dead and will be doing this for years to come!
Most developed nations will have vaccinated enough of the people to achieve head-immunity by end of this year. Middle income nations, including SA and one or two Sub-Sahara African countries, are expected to reach head-immunity by the end of next year, 2022. Poor countries like Zimbabwe will not reach head immunity until 2023!
The task of economic recovery will only start in earnest after the corona virus threat has been dealt with. And so the delay in achieving head immunity will only make the task that much harder and take that much longer.
Like I said, poor nations will be burying their dead for many, many more moons to come!
Give the grime reality Zimbabweans are facing one would have thought that the RBZ Governor’s admission, reiterating Mugabe’s 2016 admission, that Zimbabwe is a wealthy nation if only it would end the criminal waste of her natural resources; would finally galvanise Zimbabweans to demand that Zanu PF resign. Sadly, no such demands have been made. Governor Mangudya’s admission was just water off a duck’s back.
However Ken Yamamoto’s prediction that “Zimbabweans must just be left to their own devices and the donors currently feeding the population must just take their efforts to other countries,” has largely come true. Most donors have walked away from helping Zimbabwe.
“Massive problems remain, our public health and education systems are a mess. Salaries are too low to retain key staff and standards have declined. The only solution to these problems is more money and here we face numerous problems,” wrote Mr Eddie Cross, a former MDC leaders and, until a week ago was on the RBZ Monetary Policy Committee together with Dr Mangudya.
“We have to grow our economy – we have laid the foundations for growth in the past two years but remain isolated politically and diplomatically and the financial sanctions on us under ZIDERA (the US system) limits our ability to tap into the global financial system and to borrow on lines of credit for our private sector. A growing economy needs much more money than a shrinking one. This was not an issue before, now it is critical.”
Of course, Mr Cross is aware of the rampant corruption in Zimbabwe and is one of those naive and gullible individuals who expect the country to thrive regardless of the regime’s insatiable greed and criminal waste of resources.
“Even though the international Community has committed itself to the provision of health care to the poor and the principle of universal education for children, we receive virtually nothing from international agencies or the so called “Development Partners.” In fact, the IMF even denied us aid to deal with the Covid-19 crisis,” continued Mr Cross. Confirming Ken Yamamoto’s prediction of donors walking out.
It is very hard, indeed near impossible, to help those who would not lift a finger to help themselves!
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has begun compiling a database of professional women who wish to be considered for appointment as executives or board members at State-owned enterprises (SOEs).
The Database for Women Professionals and Executives seeks to facilitate the inclusion of more women into senior management positions in parastatals.
A ZGC survey in 2019 concluded that most executive positions at public entities were occupied by men.
The survey showed that 79 percent of parastatal chief executives were men.
In a statement last week, the ZGC said: “The database will be used to identify women for possible appointments to State enterprise boards and in different leadership, professional and executive positions which may arise in Zimbabwe and globally where Zimbabwean women are eligible to take part.”
ZGC chief executive officer Mrs Virginia Muwanigwa said the database will offer appointing authorities a pool of qualified and experienced women for consideration.
“We have been complaining about unequal representation at high levels in public entities, so we are being proactive through providing relevant information to the appointing authorities,” said Mrs Muwanigwa.
“The database will help with readily accessible profiles of women professionals as and when needed.”
Two years ago, the commission threatened legal action at the Constitutional Court against public entities and institutions failing to enforce gender parity in appointing senior executives.
According to Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau board chairperson, Ms Moira Ngaru, the database was long overdue.
“The database will show that we have capable women,” she said.
“There is need to continually work to change societal attitudes towards women leadership and begin to consider women and men equally.
“In addition, we need to ensure that supportive policies that provide for gender parity are implemented and that the selection of board members be a gender-sensitive process.”
She said the database must be kept alive and be continually updated to allow for young and upcoming women leaders to be acknowledged.
Women organisations are also being encouraged to nurture women leadership through training, mentorship and networking, including continuously lobbying for women appointments.
Women Space Trust director Ms Audrey Charamba believes that with the database in place, the marginalisation of women professionals could soon become a thing of the past.
“The initiative by ZGC is very good and commendable because it does contribute meaningfully to the objective of parity.
“I think it will contribute meaningfully because when the world asks where the women are, then that element is taken care of.
“We applaud every effort because it is the dew droplets that will contribute to filling a whole bucket.”
The Public Entities Corporate Governance Act provides for the promotion of gender equality when making senior appointments at public enterprise.-statemedia
