Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Hon Joana Mamombe has called for the immediate release of Alan Moyo.
Hon Mamombe said she was determined to fight for freedom despite being harassed by State Security agents.
“I’m humbled and emboldened by the level of support that I received from ALL of you cdes, friends and family during our time in illegal detention.
From Chikurubi Prison, we went straight for a Covid-19 test, results were negative for both myself and Cde Cecillia R Chimbiri.
Thank you so much Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for the legal support.
Struggle continues unabated.
We are not free until Alan Moyo is free, we will not tire!
FreeAlanMoyo,” Hon Mamombe wrote on her official Facebook page.
Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Hon Joana Mamombe has called for the immediate release of Alan Moyo.
Hon Mamombe said she was determined to fight for freedom despite being harassed by State Security agents.
“I’m humbled and emboldened by the level of support that I received from ALL of you cdes, friends and family during our time in illegal detention.
From Chikurubi Prison, we went straight for a Covid-19 test, results were negative for both myself and Cde Cecillia R Chimbiri.
Thank you so much Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for the legal support.
Struggle continues unabated.
We are not free until Alan Moyo is free, we will not tire!
FreeAlanMoyo,” Hon Mamombe wrote on her official Facebook page.
By Cecilia R Chimbiri
When they go low we go high!
They are trying hard to bury us they don’t know we are seeds.
We are never deterred, we remain strong and encouraged.
Comrades, friends and family thank you so much for the solidarity and unwavering support you have shown us during our time of incarceration.
It’s very unfortunate the state is using persecution by prosecution and it’s appalling they are those who think they are above the law on this Zimbabwean soil .
The struggle continues till The Zimbabwe we want happens . Aluta continua
By A Correspondent- Mines minister Winston Chitando has been dragged to court by former Herald newspaper editor Caesar Zvayi and his business partner Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd, a government-owned entity, after kicking the two out of a gold mining claim in Kwekwe.
The minister repossessed Mirage 3 Mine without explanation or notice in June last year – seemingly over arrears – according to the petitioners, and reallocated it to one Jonah Nyevera.
Zvayi’s company, Highway Holdings, is in partnership with Fidelity Printers, the main plaintiff.
In an urgent High Court application citing Chitando in his official capacity, Fidelity general manager Francis Kunaka argues that the seizure was unlawful and should, therefore, be rescinded.
Also cited as second and third respondents are Midlands provincial mining director and Nyevera, respectively.
Kunaka says while the minister was said to have withdrawn their mining rights in June 2020, his company only became aware of the “adverse” development in January 2021, after inquiring about its arrears over the property.
“The decision by the first and second respondents to forfeit the applicant’s mining claim is invalid. It is palpably arbitrary and violates every known procedure intended to ensure fairness, transparency, and justice,” Kunaka said in a founding affidavit filed on behalf of the company.
“On 8 January 2021, the applicant addressed a letter to the first and second respondents seeking to be informed of any arrears in respect of statutory payments over a claim that it owns.
“The applicant has never received a demand for payment of anything from the respondents or notice that failure to make such payments could have adverse consequences. Had such notice been received, the applicant would have promptly acted to secure its interests,” Kunaka argues.
“Had the applicant not sought to put its house in order, it would still be in blissful ignorance of the decisions made against it.”
A letter from the minister to Fidelity dated 11 January 2021 does not give detailed reasons behind the decision to forfeit the mining claim, only making reference to statutory provisions and leaving it to the applicant to surmise the reasons, Kunaka charged.
Minister Chitando has yet to respond.
Fidelity Printers is also seeking an order interdicting and restraining Nyevero from entering the disputed mining premises or disturbing operations.
Kunaka accused the new owner of deploying “hooligans” and “hired criminals” to the mine where they “gave an illegal oral notice of eviction” without a court order.
But in his notice of opposition, Nyevera argued that he was allocated the mine after the expiry of Fidelity Printers’ mining rights and denied ever hiring thugs to evict the company.
“I was issued with special grant after having applied for it sometime in July 2020. I duly paid all the statutory fees required and satisfied all the statutory obligations,” he said.
Nyevera submitted that he and his business partners visited the mining site in peace, only “armed with the relevant mining papers.”
“There was no need for me to threaten anyone, I have legitimate papers to be on the mining site. I followed due process from July 2020 to February 2021 when the special grant was issued,” he countered.
“If anything I should be the one seeking an order to stop the illegal mining operations on the basis that gold is a finite resource which can be depleted.”
The respondent also questioned Fidelity’s right to sue, arguing “the applicant avers that it sold the mining area to Caesar Zvayi. Caesar Zvayi is the one in occupation of the area. After forfeiture, the applicant lost the locas standi to sue in this matter especially on an urgent basis.”
“The applicant cannot sue in the manner it has done. At the very least, Caesar Zvayi could stand a better chance of this scrutiny. I, therefore, urge the court to dismiss the application on this further ground.”
The matter is yet to be heard.
-online
Tinashe Sambiri|Government agents are trailing MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official Arnold Batirai-Dube after raiding his house last week.
Batirai-Dube is also the councillor for ward 24 in Bulawayo.
Batirai-Dube told ZimEye.com on Wednesday he was fearing for his life as he was being trailed by individuals driving unregistered vehicles.
“My life is in danger, State Security agents are tracking my movements. I tried to move to a safe zone but they are monitoring my movements.
They want to abduct me so I am in a state of confusion right now. I spoke about the looting of COVID-19 funds and they want to silence me,” said Batirai-Dube.
By A Correspondent- Four Chinese nationals working under the controversial Zhong Jian mining company sustained severe injuries this week after they were attacked by artisanal gold miners over mining rights dispute.
The incident occurred at Premier Estates, a gold-rich area in Mutasa.
One of the Chinese is reported to have sustained broken ribs while the other one lost a finger as he tried to block his face from a shovel attack.
The irate artisanal miners, popularly known as Makorokoza, are reported to have used an assortment of mining tools including crowbars, picks and shovels to attack the Chinese nationals.
A local environmental rights group Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) confirmed the incident and said the condition of the two other Chinese nationals was unknown.
In a statement, CNRG said the dispute arose when the artisanal miners, working in a tunnel on a gold claim owned by one Zimunya and were approached by the Chinese nationals who wanted the fill the pit using an excavator.
The Chinese are reported to have told the artisanal miners to leave as they had a permit to mine at Premier Estates.
“This angered the artisanal miners who called for a back-up from their colleagues working along Mutare River and attacked the Chinese miners,” CNRG.
The artisanal miners, however, spared the excavator driver who is a Zimbabwean.
Police details were called from Penhalonga but when they arrived, the artisanal miners had fled. However, six people were arrested in connection with the incident before they granted were $3 000 bail each at the local magistrates’ court.
CNRG said it does not condone any form of violence as a solution, but called on the responsible authorities to find an amicable solution to the growing violence and conflicts within the extractive industries, particularly among small scale miners and artisanal miners.
“The incident at Premier indicates the growing tension between Zimbabwean citizens and Chinese nationals who are viewed as operating above the law and with impunity. The government has turned a blind eye on conflicts in the mining sector. The conflicts can be attributed to government’s lack of transparency in granting mine titles,” said CNRG.
It also urged the government to investigate the issue of double allocation mining claims by the mines ministry.
“We called on government to enforce the law and come up with innovative programmes to manage farm-miner conflicts as well as conflicts between artisanal miners and small scale miners. It is evident that multitudes of citizens are turning to artisanal mining for a living and government ought to regularise artisanal mining to avoid escalation of these conflicts with small scale miners,” said CNRG.
The same Chinese mining company, Zhong Jian, was last November at the centre of controversy when it reportedly used an excavator to fill a mine shaft where scores of artisanal miners where working under.
Only two bodies were recovered and the search was abandoned after the company’s general manager Yancey Feng said he wanted evidence there were 10 people missing from the nearby community.
It still remains unclear how many artisanal miners were underground when the shaft collapsed last year.
By A Correspondent- A serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army based at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks and three accomplices were yesterday remanded in custody by Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko for illegal possession of ivory worth US$12 480.
Joseph Mubaiwa (35) of Magama Tongogara Barracks appeared in court together with Quidiance Rundofa, William Manager and Musekiwa Ruzvidzo.
It is alleged that on February 8 this year at around 7:30am, detectives from CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit received information that the four men were in possession of ivory at Dan Bismark Sports Club, Arcadia, driving a Mercedes Benz and were looking for buyers.
Armed with the information, detectives proceeded to the scene where they carried surveillance and observed their car parked in the open space near Dan Bismark Sports Club.
The State alleges the detectives observed Mubaiwa and Rundofa showing Manager and Ruzvidzo four sacks which contained elephant tusks whilst standing outside the vehicle.
The four allegedly went inside the vehicle and showed each other another sack of ivory which was in the rear seat.
The detectives allegedly closed in and blocked the Mercedes Benz.
The accused persons allegedly bolted out of the vehicle and ran in different directions. Detectives fired warning shots in the air but accused persons continued running until Rundofa, Manager and Ruzvidzo were arrested while Mubaiwa managed to escape.
The detectives recovered 10 elephant tusks in the boot, nine in another brown sack and two on the rear seat. Mubaiwa was later located and arrested. The accused persons failed to produce licences for the ivory.
The tusks weighed 73,415kg.-newsday
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
ZRP's warned and cautioned statement on @TembaMliswa pic.twitter.com/BWkhA3SLq3
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 11, 2021
By Patrick Guramatunhu- MDC A is dismissing Douglas Mwonzora’s call for national political dialogue, involving MDC-T, MDC A and Zanu PF as the leading player, as a waste of time.
”Well, you have no dispute with Zanu-PF that requires anything that can be sensibly called national dialogue,” Fadzayi Mahere, MDC A spokesperson counted.
“You’re in constant communication with Zanu-PF as you plot to usurp the will of the people. So what dialogue do you now seek?
“How does a puppet dialogue with its puppet master.”
This is just a nonsensical argument comparable to the garbage we have often heard from former US President Donald Trump’s lawyers!
Mwonzora, Mudzuri and many members now in the Mwonzora led MDC-T factions were in the MDC A camp together with Chamisa, Biti, etc. right up to the March 2020 Supreme Court ruling confirmed an earlier High Court ruling that Chamisa’s seizure of the party’s leadership following Morgan Tsvangirai’s death was illegal.
If the purpose of the national dialogue is to resolve the Mnangagwa legitimacy then Mwonzora and company have as much right to a meaningful say in the matter as Chamisa, Biti and all those who have remained in MDC A. The decision to challenge presidential result and the Constitutional Court ruling declaring Mnangagwa the winner was made by MDC A members way before the March 2020 split.
Besides, the legitimacy question would have never even arisen is MDC leaders, from both MDC A and MDC-T faction divide, had implemented the democratic reforms, especially during the 2008 to 2013 GNU when they had the golden opportunity to do so. And, as if selling out on reforms was not bad enough, they all participating in the flawed and illegal July 2018 elections KNOWING fully well that doing so would give Zanu PF legitimacy!
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” wrote David Coltart, MDC A Treasurer General, in his book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
The MDC A was the coalition Coltart said was missing before the 2013 elections. As we know, they still failed to “do the obvious – withdraw from the 2018 elections”!
Of course, it is political opportunism and grandstanding on the part of Nelson Chamisa to be wittering about Mnangagwa’s “lack of legitimacy” when he knew MDC A’s participation in the flawed election would give Zanu PF legitimacy.
“MDC A has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” boasted Nelson Chamisa, before the 2018 elections.
The world is sick and tired of politicians who participate in flawed election processes, claiming they can win rigged elections, only to complain afterwards of “stolen elections.”
“Senator Mwonzora, for dialogue to work, the parties involved must have genuine political capital,” chipped in Alex Magaisa, Morgan Tsvangirai’s Chief Legal Advisor during the 2008 to 2013 GNU.
“That’s why Lancaster House worked in 1979 while the Smith-Muzorewa show in 1978 flopped. Lancaster was genuine, while the Internal Settlement was Smith’s marionette show.”
Well Morgan Tsvangirai certainly had “political capital” going into the 2008 to 2013 GNU because he had 73% of the popular vote in the March 2008 vote, according to Robert Mugabe’s Freudian slip.
The primary task of the 2008 GNU was to implement the raft of democratic reforms designed to stop the blatant cheating that enabled Zanu PF to whittle down Tsvangirai’s 73% to 47% to force the run-off. And to end the wanton violence to punish the voters for rejecting Mugabe and Zanu PF in the early vote. Mugabe had 84% of the vote in the run-off.
As we know, Tsvangirai and his MDC friends failed to implement even one reform in 5 years of the GNU. Mugabe was able to bribe the MDC leaders, including the Chief Legal Advisor, with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, they completely forgot about the reforms.
Lecturers at ZAOGA owned Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) have stopped conducting online lectures demanding salaries and COVID-19 allowances equivalent to the ones paid State run Universities.
A lecturer who spoke to 263Chat on condition of anonymity said they have stopped conducting lectures owing to poor remuneration and dishonesty from authorities at the institution
“We are fed up with the administration, they are not honouring on their promises. Last year we embarked on a similar strike and we had three meetings that culminated in our salaries being pegged equivalent to our colleagues at State Universities,” said the lecturer.
The lecturer said they have tried everything to have their grievances addressed by the University’s Chancellor and founder Professor Ezekiel Guti and they have been hitting the brick wall.
“We have tried to engage the administration but without any success and we have also written to the Chancellor Prof. Guti but it seems our letters are not reaching him. We feel that someone is blocking our efforts to reach the Chancellor,” he said.
The industrial action has disadvantaged online lectures prompting students to petition the institution’s Registrar. In a petition gleaned by 263Chat, SRC secretary general Takudzwa Mukove pleaded with the ZEGU authorities to reward the striking lecturers.
“Reference is made to the notice of industrial action which was served to you by ZEGU Lectures this year. In my capacity as the undersigned and as a student, we feel the strong chains of incapacitation that your administration has caused to our beloved Lecturers, depriving them of the means and motivation to discharge their duties efficiently.
“You have tied a heavy albatross around their necks and the resultant effect is injurious to student learning. From whence shall we drink, when our fountains of knowledge are drained dry? There is need for expediency in addressing Lecturers’ grievances to ameliorate the status of the institution gradually inclining into disrepute. We are cognisant of your Agreement with Lecturers in 2020 wherein you undertook to equate their salaries with those serving in state universities.
“You had a noble idea of cushioning them from the intense heatwave of the crippling economy exacerbated by daily price skyrocketing. We stand solid and in solidarity to support the Lecturer cause. For Christ’s sake, invoke your Christian values to see to it that he who works should be rewarded accordingly.” read Mukove’s letter.
He added “That is the ration aloof your existence as administrators to attend to genuine issues that threaten the credibility of the institution. We also further and politely advise that if the management remain mum and antagonistic to the cause, like they usually do, resulting in any deprivation of our Academic interests, surely and obviously do expect an organised democratic response from all angles in the soonest time. Acknowledge by acting accordingly with expediency and in good faith.”
Efforts to get a comment from ZEGU Deputy Registrar, Ms Mukosi were unsuccessful as her mobile number was continuously engaged.
-263Chat. additional reporting ZimEye
By A Correspondent- Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the assault of neighborhood watch committee officers in Chikanga, Mutare, after the attack went viral on social media last week.
Stanely Chifamata, 26, and Aaron Samusodza, 27, were taken into custody on Wednesday, police said in a Twitter statement, adding that “the suspects challenged the complainants, resulting in the scuffle which ended up involving members of the public.”
Officers launched a manhunt following the surfacing of a widely-circulated 45-second video that showed several suspects attacking and exchanging blows with the uniformed officers.
While the motive remains unclear, the video starts off with an officer manhandling a suspect in a water trench before another suspect arrives and takes a swing at the law enforcement agent.
A second officer emerges from a swelling crowd and rushes to his colleagues’ rescue, kicking the second suspect who tumbles into the drainage.
The officer quickly gets a backlash with several suspects also shoving him into the water trench.
Meanwhile, the first suspect appears to have subjugated the first officer, hitting him in the head while he sits. But the officer springs up and appears to turn the tables before the video ends.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
ZRP's warned and cautioned statement on @TembaMliswa pic.twitter.com/BWkhA3SLq3
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 11, 2021
ZIMBABWE Rural Teachers’Union (ZRTU) has bemoaned deteriorating working conditions its members were exposed to during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with NewsDay, ZRTU national co-ordinator Wonder Nyapokoto said rural teachers were being forced to work under harsh conditions.
“The rural school is under-resourced. Most children do not pay the little levies asked of them since their parents are indigent,” he said.
“Schools lack textbooks, sufficient syllabi. In short, the rural school operates, even under ‘normal’ circumstances, with grossly inadequate necessary materials.”
Nyapokoto said due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 and the resultant lockdown, the situation had become dire.
“Enter COVID-19. The dire situation becomes untenable. In most rural schools, water is inadequate or 4km away,” he said, adding: “Schools were asked to find masks for learners, but then the money will not be available. What is supplied is far too short of the requirements, hence, the assertion that rural schools are discriminated against.”
Nyapokoto said personal protective equipment was inadequate among other necessities in the fight against COVID-19.
“Water is not readily available. Sanitisers are not enough. Schools get only one thermometer and can’t afford to repair it if it breaks down,” he said.
Progressive Teachers’ Union president Takavafira Zhou said on a broader perspective, the working conditions of teachers from the urban areas to the periphery were dire.
“The working conditions of teachers are bad in all areas but particularly worse in remote areas where parents no longer see the value of education, for example in areas such as Chiredzi, Masvingo and Gokwe, among others,” Zhou said.
“The conditions of the teacher are so arid and rigid that they are demotivated to carry on with their teaching duties. The situation is terrible; the economy is not on a sound footing that teachers can barely pay their utility bills,” he said.
Zhou said there was urgent need for the government to introduce measures to ensure that teachers were cushioned.
“Government should introduce a fund to cover remote schools in terms of operations so that they can operate on the same wave length and standards as others,” he said.
“Government should also give out more incentives to teachers working in remote areas so as to avoid a high turnover where they would be requesting transfers after failing to adjust to the environment.”
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba last week accused rural teachers of causing the high failure rate in the 2020 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Grade Seven results released last week-newsday
By A Correspondent- City of Harare (CoH) has warned cooperatives that built unsanctioned structures on Crowborough Farm that the court-sanctioned removal of unapproved developments commences on 2 April 2021.
In a public notice issued this Wednesday, CoH also advised other organisations that have illegally constructed structures within Harare City’s confines to remove them before they are forcefully pulled down.
Below are the co-operatives with court orders that have to remove their structures:
Crowborough Farm (Paddocks)
Other illegal developments/co-operatives with court orders include:
The above proprietors and any other persons (organizations) who have illegally constructed structures within Harare City’s confines are therefore advised to remove such illegal structures on their own and salvage some valuables or risk the structures being removed by the City.
Watch the video loading below…..(please be patient as it uploads)
By A Correspondent| Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has been taken by the police in the middle of his press conference where he was responding to claims by his ex-girlfriend Suzan Mutami who made sensational allegations that the former Zanu PF central committee member was
Mliswa had brought with him a folder of what he said were evidence exonerating him of all the allegations against him by Suzan Mutami.
Towards the end of the press conference, the police arrived at Mliswa’s house and signalled him out of the place where he was speaking to the media.
Mliswa later told journalists as he was getting into the car that the police had invited him to their station.
“They have invited me the police, I am going to talk to them,” said Mliswa.
The Norton MP Temba Mliswa was today arrested at his press conference in the capital city, Harare. Below were the live scenes…
Businessman Mahommed Mussa has died. He was the owner of Mahommed Mussa Wholesalers and the father of former Warriors Manager Sharif Mussa. The cause of death is unknown at the moment.
More to follow…..
By A Correspondent- Former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Chief of Staff, retired Lieutenant-General Douglas Nyikayaramba who died from Covid-19 (Coronavirus) related complications on 9 February 2021 has been declared a national hero.
The development was revealed by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri when she visited the Nyiayaramba home in Nyabira Thursday morning.
Said Muchinguri:
“Mabasa ake akanaka zvikuru akadadisa nyika. He was a man of unity. We are looking up to the youths to walk this journey so that his aspirations do not die… Your president Cdde Emmeson Mnangagwa and the party has seen it fit that he be declared a national hero.”
Born in 1960, Lieutenant General (Retired) Nyikayaramba joined the liberation struggle in 1977.
He was a former Chief of Staff, Administration at the Zimbabwe National Army. He was known, for openly pledging support to the Zanu-PF political party.
Nyikayaramba was an ally of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, and is the fourth of the coup generals to die from Covid-19 after former Air Force chief Perrance Shiri, coup announcer Sibusiso Moyo and ex-prisons boss Paradzai Zim
General Nyikayaramba was Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique after he was retired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in March
He is survived by his wife Elina and 8 children.
The late Zimbabwean Ambassador to Mozambique, Lieutenant General (Retired) Douglas Nyikayaramba has been declared a national hero.
The late Zimbabwean Ambassador to Mozambique, died this Tuesday.
The Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri made the announcement when she visited the Nyikayaramba home in Nyabira this Wednesday evening.
The family said it is honoured by the recognition that the government has made on the decorated soldier and diplomat.
Lieutenant General (Retired) Nyikayaramba, whose Chimurenga name was Blessing Muhondo, was born in 1960 and joined the liberation struggle in 1977.
At independence, he held several positions in the Zimbabwe National Army until retirement in 2019.
He was then seconded on the diplomatic mission in Mozambique, where he served until the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife, Elina Nyikayaramba and eight children.
-State Media
Watch Norton legislator Temba Mliswa responding to various claims made by his ex-girlfriend Suzan Mutami following their fallout.
Watch video loading below….
By A Correspondent| South Africa is planning to re-open its land borders on January 15 with plans in place to avoid a repeat of the December congestion, the Border Management Agency (BMA) told the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee of the South African parliament on Tuesday.
According to BMA, the measures will include limiting the number of haulage trucks in the exit queue at any given time, deploying additional healthcare workers, and a ticket system for rapid Covid-19 tests.
“We’re going to keep the queue (for trucks) on the N1 at 700 meters,” BMA commissioner Gene Ravele told MPs.
“If the queue becomes more than 700 meters, we will divert trucks to truck stops.”
He said the BMA had engaged trucking associations to ensure compliance.
Additional holding areas provided by the Musina Local Municipality in December will be used to accommodate any overflow from the truck stop nearest to Beitbridge border post.
Schools in Bulawayo were yesterday overwhelmed by parents and guardians seeking Form One places for their children following the release of Grade Seven results last week.
Some of the schools were however, turning away prospective pupils saying Government had not yet given them the green light to enroll Form One pupils.
Government has however, announced that both boarding and day schools can start enrolling Forn One pupils.
The online application for boarding schools was opened on Tuesday and day schools also started enrolling on the same day but have been ordered to strictly observe the Covid-19 health protocols to avoid exposing applicants and staff to the pandemic.
Many parents and guardians were gathered at different day schools in the city yesterday seeking places for their children.
Government is yet to announce the schools opening date after the spike in Covid-19 cases last month forced it to defer the opening of schools that was set for 4 January.
Primary and Secondary Education Ministry’s public relations officer Mr Patrick Zumbo said both boarding and day schools started enrolling Form One pupils on Tuesday.
“The enrolment started yesterday at all the secondary schools. Those seeking boarding places have to apply online while authorities at day schools have been asked to strictly observe health protocols to protect both applicants and staff from Covid-19. All the heads of schools are aware that enrolment is underway and we are happy that the process is going on well. Parents seeking boarding places should apply online and they should be mindful that we have limited boarding places,” said Mr Zumbo.
He said there are only 264 boarding schools in the country which means the places are limited.
Enrolment at a number of day schools was in full swing in the city yesterday except for a few where authorities were saying they were waiting for a go-ahead from Government.
At Mpopoma High School parents and guardians were made to submit photocopies of Grade Seven results slips and copies of ED12 forms with details about the pupils and their parents or guardians.
This was a departure from the past when the school authorities would attend to pupils seeking places and advise on the same day whether or not one got the place.
Parents who spoke to the news crew said the school authorities told them that after submitting their particulars, the pupils will be advised on Monday whether or not they got the place.
Ms Melody Samanyanga from Entumbane suburb said Mpopoma High School was her first choice for her child.
“My hope is that my child will be enrolled at this school which is my first choice for many reasons. The school produces good results, pupils are discplined and its close to Entumbane where we stay.
We have been asked to submit our children’s papers and the authorities said names of successful applicants will be posted on the notice board on Monday next week,” said Ms Samanyanga.
Ms Nomalanga Sibanda, who was accompanying her younger sister, said restricting interaction at schools was good as it reduces exposure to Covid-19.
There were scores of parents/guardians gathered outside St Bernard’s High School in Old Pumula which was also enrolling Form One pupils.
The school authorities said they were giving preference to pupils that did exceptionally well in the Grade Seven public examination.
Those who were enrolled first obtained between five and 12 units.
At one time the school authorites were forced to call the police to maintain order as parents and guardians were causing commotion at the gate.
Some of the parents said they were being frustated by school authorities that were shutting them out at a number of schools.
Ms Pretty Nkomo from Pumula East said she had gone to two schools but had not found any joy.
“I went to Sizane High School and Magwegwe High School before coming here and both schools had said they had not started enrolling. Even here we are just waiting because we don’t know whether my child will be accepted or not.
They are not telling us who qualifes to be enrolled so we are just waiting hoping that our children will get the places,” said Ms Nkomo.
Another parent, Ms Nobukhosi Nyathi said day schools were supposed to also allow pupils to apply for places online given the risk of exposure to Covid-19.
Some parents accused authorities at St Bernard’s High School of demanding proof of employment from parents and guardians but the authorities have since denied the allegation.
St Columba’s High School in Makokoba suburb had not started enrolling Form Ones saying it was waiting for a go-ahead from Government.
A security guard at the school was turning away parents and guardians seeking places.
-State Media
By Guest Correspondent| I just read the report by Daily Maverick, that is purporting to expose cartels in Zimbabwe. The problem with the report is it does not include the obvious and leading cartels in Zimbabwe, such as Old Mutual, Inscor, Cassava, Seedco (Limagrain/Monsanto), Anglo America and Delta.
This immediately begs one to question the efficacy of this report and why a report on cartels in Zimbabwe, would leave out the well known cartels that control meat, food, sugar, cement, ethanol, banking and fuel.
The bias is eerily similar to the Kangaroo Court being referred to in South Africa as the State Capture Commission, which in a country where 93% of the wealth sits in the hands of the white criminals who perpetuated the crime against humanity of apartheid. We are expected to believe that black people who control less than 7% of a shrinking stake of South Africa’s wealth, have somehow become powerful enough to capture the state from the thugs who perpetuated apartheid.
What is even more telling is, the Daily Maverick, which wrote this biased report, is a South African media house that belongs to the Oppenheimers and their Anglo American media empire, that is very notorious for spreading anti-black stereotypes, to maintain white supremacy in South Africa.
It would therefore seem, that this racist rag, has decided to use good old South African style propaganda, to selectively tarnish Zimbabwean companies that are not in it’s orbit of influence.
The only plausible reason for this, is white South Africa is targeting companies that have been assisting Zimbabwe to mitigate sanctions imposed by their kith and kin in the west, to maintain white South African hegemony upon regional economies.
The problem however, is the Daily Maverick can not talk about cartels, when the Oppenheimers and their Anglo American colonial charter company that was enriched by the crime against humanity of colonialism, is the leading cartel in Africa, ahead of Glencore and the seven sisters of oil.
They control over 60% of the South African economy, with huge controlling interests in almost every economic sector from mining, banking, insurance, weapons manufacturing, agriculture, chemicals, media and energy. As result, in South Africa, it’s an open secret that they captured the South African state on behalf of the Rothschild, Rockefeller combine during the time of Cecil Rhodes.
The peace negotiations in South Africa were initiated by the Oppenheimers, who instructed the Broederbond (who they control), to release Mandela once they had satisfied themselves that they ANC would toe the line. An indication that apartheid was underwritten by them.
On his release, Mandela lived in an Oppenheimer mansion and then moved to Dole Stein’s house, which was later turned into a boutique hotel to capitalize on Mandela’s association.
His cabinet was hand picked by the same family, hence, when we see Zuma being persecuted for state capture, it’s hypocrisy of the highest order.
At some point, Anglo America was also the biggest investor in Zimbabwe, controlling over 30% of the Zimbabwean private sector before the economy was transformed.
Then, they had interests in ZISCO Steel, Delta, Bindura Nickel, Barclays Bank, Blue Ribbon, National Foods, Hwange Colliery, Haggi Randi, Mazowe Estates, Spring Master, Border Timbers Hippo Valley, RAL Holdings, Zimbabwe Alloys and many others.
There is currently, growing suspicion that they are the puppet master pulling the strings at Innscor, which fortuitously bought most of Anglos food related businesses.
It was Anglo America and their steel subsidiary Haggi Rand that were central to the collapse of ZISCO Steel, which in 1980 was the biggest Iron and Steel plant in the Southern Hemisphere and the only one in Africa outside South Africa.
The demise of ZISCO began with Anglo as a shareholder in ZISCO, exerting pressure on the government of Zimbabwe and ZISCO’s board, through ZISCO’s Austrian CEO Kurt Kuhn, to push Lancashire Steel to give in to a hostile takeover by Anglo’s subsidiary Haggie Rand.
Lancashire Steel, was a competitor of Haggi Rand in the manufacture of steel wire and rods. The problem however, was Lancaster Steel produced higher quality and cheaper steel products than Haggie Rand, putting pressure on Haggie’s supernormal margins in South Africa.
As a result, Anglo sought to takeover or destroy Lancashire Steel so that they could enjoy a monopoly in Africa.
Anglo, in cahoots with former CEO of Voest Alpine (a supplier of steel manufacturing technology to ZISCO, apartheid South Africa and Angola) Kurt Kuhn, who became CEO of ZISCO after 1980, began to pressure Lancashire Steel to sell to Haggie.
Kurt Kuhn had been the former CEO of RISCO, who drove the company’s growth and sanction busting initiatives. In 1979 he resigned, however, a year later the Zimbabwe government offered him a contract to continue his work.
On his return, he brought staff from Voest Alpine to capacitate ZISCO staff and to undertake an over inflated $200mil recapitalization, financed by the West German government. With this, he used his clout as CEO, to mislead the Zimbabwean government into believing that Lancaster Steel was transfer pricing and should be taken over by Anglo.
The Zimbabwean government, through Minister of Industry Kumbirai Kangai, began to push Lancaster steel to accept the bid from Haggie Rand but they refused.
To induce the sale, the Zimbabwean government gave Haggie Rand bigger subsidies for exports than Lancaster. When ZISCO increased steel and iron prices by 25%, they prohibited Lancashire from passing the cost onto their customers.
In 1984, Kurt Kuhn’s contract came to an end and he used his Swiss based human talent agency, to poach Voest Alpine staff and some ZISCO high fliers to leave ZISCO, leaving the company capacitated.
Jobs were lost at Lancaster Steel, management was purged, until eventually the company was sold to the government and ZISCO. Soon after, Lancashire Steel, now under government control, signed an exclusive off-take contract with Haggi Rand.
With that, in 1985 in the depth of apartheid South Africa’s sanctions on Zimbabwe, the apartheid government imposed a 50% tariff on Lancaster Steel products entering the South African market. This made the once competitive Lancaster Steel products uncompetitive against Haggie’s inferior products, resulting in Lancaster making huge loses that wilted the company.
About the same time, huge investment was poured into capacitating ISCOR, Anglo and the recently denationalized iron and steel industry in South Africa, with the assistance of Voest Alpine. Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, international lending institutions denied Zimbabwe loans to upgrade Zisco, forcing the country to import steel and focus on mineral extraction and agriculture as they began to deindustrialize Zimbabwe.
By late 2000, ZISCO Steel, with outdated machinery, could no longer compete with the efficiencies of ISCOR, Anglo and South African steel companies. This would lead to the collapse of ZISCO, linked industries and the loss of over 50 000 jobs.
Anglo and Kuhn had successfully created an Anglo American monopoly in steel wire and rods and apartheid South Africa’s ISCOR and South African steel companies, had become a steel cartel in Africa. This was right inline with the the western and the apartheid government agenda, of destroying black capacity to manufacture steel in Africa.
In South Africa, the moment the ANC came to power, ISCOR and SASOL (which was developed by Anglo bringing the Fischer Tropsch technology to South Africa), state owned enterprises under apartheid, were immediately privatized and sold to deny the black government, the power to control steel manufacturing and fuel production. This was done to ensure that the black government had no capacity to industrialize and would remain at the mercy of the Oppenheimers, as was done to Zimbabwe.
Over and above the role Anglo played in building South Africa monopoly in iron smelting, Anglo America is a dominant player in gold and platinum mining, refinery and sales.
They own gold and platinum mines, while holding controlling stakes in the British gold and platinum refinery, Johnson Matthey and Germany’s BASF, which bought the US refinery Angelhart Industries, in which the Oppenheimers had substantial shareholding.
Their shareholding in these refineries, earned Anglo America a seat on the cartel that sells and fixes gold and platinum prices globally. This cartel, referred to as the London Fix or the London Bullion Market Association, is overseen by the Bank of England and members such as Goldman Sachs, HSBC, BASF and Standard Chartered Bank.
Today, we hear that the government of Zimbabwe, is selling a stake of its gold refinery to a company in which the former CEO of Implats will play a part. One wonders if Anglo America and the Oppenheimers are not behind this move.
This is the might and monopoly of Anglo America. So for their media house to have their publication write an article on Zimbabwean cartels, without first talking about their overbearing global monopoly, is really an insult on our intelligence.
It also makes us wonder if they are attempting to pull another Lancashire Steel move, to destroy companies that are assisting Zimbabwe to bust sanctions in the same way Swiss Contra AG and SALG were created by Anglo and Rio Tinto to bust sanctions for RISCO and Bindura Nickel for the Rhodesian government.
-Online
By A Correspondent- | MDC Alliance Youth Assembly vice chairperson, Cecilia Chimbiri has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration will never crush the spirit of revolution.
Cecilia was speaking to reporters in Harare after being released from prison on Tuesday.
Cecilia, Hon Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova are victims of relentless State brutality.
Cecilia said:
” We have gone through harrowing moments but our spirits are not crushed.Our message is clear- the struggle goes on…
We are prepared to die fighting for freedom.This battle is not about Cecilia, it is not about Joana, rather it is about the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
The regime is afraid of young people.The whole thing is meant to intimidate young people in politics.
The conditions in the holding cells are pathetic.Inmates are exposed to COVID-19 and no tests are being conducted,” said Cecilia.
Tinashe Sambiri| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using his surrogates to destroy genuine opposition, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
In a strong article published by a leading African publication, President Chamisa accused Mr Mnangagwa of lying to the nation after assuming power in 2017.
Mr Mnangagwa’s new dispensation is killing and tormenting opposition members in spite of promising to uphold democratic principles.
Below is part of President Chamisa’s article:
Here in Zimbabwe, we know all about false and misleading promises. When the current regime took power from Robert Mugabe in November 2017, it made grand promises including a new democratic dispensation, respect for human rights and re-engagement with the international community.
But it went on to do the exact opposite – disputed elections, violating human rights, and subverting democracy. Lately, it has been using surrogates to undermine and shut down the opposition. It has taken money due to the opposition and diverted it to its surrogates. It has facilitated the removal of the opposition’s elected representatives from Parliament and local authorities.
Africa cannot afford further corrosions of democracy in this decade. Government should be by the meaningful consent of the people. That consent is transferred through a transparent, free and fair election process. Consent that is coerced is not legitimate consent because it is not free choice. Election results that are announced when there are serious and glaring irregularities lack legitimacy.
The global community should not keep rubber stamping these illegitimate outcomes in the name of maintaining peace. The consequences of such ratifications are the continuation of exclusionary systems of government in the face of a demographic wave.
We have seen four elections in Africa that were compromised by the behaviour of incumbents and institutions meant to uphold electoral integrity. Unfortunately, those elections were sanitized by the global community even in the face of massive irregularities and patently unfair conditions of campaigning.
The following elections should not have been sanitized in any shape or form by the global community. The Zimbabwe 2018 elections, Mozambique 2019 elections, Tanzania 2020 elections and now most recently the Uganda 2021 elections.
These normalisations from the international community perpetuate a culture of unfair competition and illiberal democracy which is anathema to progress.
Let’s consider the Uganda elections, what the world witnessed throughout 2020 and in the final weeks of the election race was the blatant use of power by Yoweri Museveni to derail his opponent for President Bobi Wine:
• The killing of 55 protestors in November 2020 who were protesting after yet another illegitimate arrest of Bobi Wine on spurious grounds;
• The denial of accreditation to international observers which prevented robust scrutiny of the election. The American delegation of observers withdrew from observing the election noting that the election lacked transparency and credibility while a coalition of hundreds of civil society organizations noted that only 10 out of their 1900 accreditation requests had been granted.
• The deliberate internet and social media blackout which was intended to prevent the free flow of information in monitoring the election.
These tactics are not new to me or my fellow Zimbabweans. We have a government legitimacy problem because of a deeply flawed election in 2018. I have seen the Mugabe regime and now Mnangagwa regime roll out the same tactics all of my adult life. When we began the MDC in 1999, it was to fight this culture of despotism. Two decades later, we are still in the trenches, fighting a vicious regime.
Mugabe is gone, but his successor is just a different face with the same methods. As most Zimbabweans have experienced, to their great disappointment, nothing has changed.
Now the dictators are callously exploiting the COVID pandemic to strengthen repression. They have been clamping down on dissent and criticism. In Uganda, Museveni used the pandemic to prevent his main rival from campaigning effectively. In Zimbabwe, the regime suspended by-elections under the guise of fighting the pandemic, but it carried on with its political activities.
The Mnangagwa regime has been arresting opponents and journalists and throwing them into crowded and squalid jails, exposing them to the novel corona virus.
When our spokesperson at the MDC Alliance, Fadzayi Mahere left prison recently, she tested positive for the virus. By arresting her on the most spurious charges alongside journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and our deputy Chairperson Job Sikhala, the regime had deliberately placed her in harm’s way.
The problem is there is no robust peer review among the old generation of African politicians. Dictators that rig elections and use violence against opponents are given a free pass.
That’s what happened in Zimbabwe in 2018. It happened recently in Tanzania and now in Uganda…
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has dismissed reports that her government doesn’t know which vaccines to buy.
Minister Mutsvangwa said in addition to 200 000 donations from the Chinese Government, Zimbabwe has purchased 600 000 jabs from the same country.
Zimbabwe was now expected to dispatch an aircraft to China on February 13 to collect the vaccines, which were expected in the country two days later.
“The Government of the People’s Republic of China has extended a donation of 200 000 Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses. This vaccine, which has 76 to 86 percent efficacy, has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation and is already being used in several countries,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“This donation and an initial batch of 600 000 doses which the Government has purchased, are expected in the country by February 15, 2021, and the first week of March 2021 respectively. An aircraft will be dispatched to China no later than February 13, 2021, to collect these vaccine doses.
“Russia has donated some of its Sputnik V vaccines, with negotiations ongoing for the procurement of more vaccines. India has also promised to provide vaccines and Zimbabwe is expecting some vaccines through the African Union vaccination programme.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government had noted with concern, efforts by some mischief-makers to cause confusion and panic over Zimbabwe’s vaccination programme.
“His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, when he declared the Covid-19 pandemic a state of disaster, said that Government would be transparent in its response and action plan against the virus.
“Government continues to work with the World Health Organisation and other partners as part of Zimbabwe’s response to this pandemic,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government had placed an order for the vaccine adding that key to the response plan, was science-based evidence on fighting the pandemic.
“Government has already developed a deployment plan, mapping the priority groupings for roll out of the vaccines. No one will be left behind in this fight against Covid-19,” she said.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest diamond producer, Alrosa, has pledged to buy vaccines for Zimbabwe.
The Russian mining behemoth, which accounts for almost a third of the world’s rough diamond production, has a 70 percent stake in Alrosa Zimbabwe with the remaining 30 percent being owned by the Zimbabwean Government through the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company.
Alrosa chief executive officer Mr Sergey Ivanov yesterday told international media that they would buy and donate the Sputnik V vaccines to Zimbabwe and Angola.
“We intend to provide dozens of thousands of vaccines to each of these countries upon their availability for export. Allowing for time needed to produce the vaccine, we expect first shipments to start from the second half of March,” Mr Ivanov told Bloomberg. -Herald/additional reporting
A village head in Mpofu area of Lupane, his wife and domestic worker are battling for life in hospital with severe burns after his grandson allegedly doused a three-roomed house they were sleeping in with petrol before setting it alight in an attempt to kill them.
Four other members who include the couple’s 23-year-old daughter and three grandchildren aged between seven and 10 years escaped unhurt following the incident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.
All household property comprising two beds, three wardrobes, a tv set, sofas, a generator, kitchen unit, decoders, clothes, foodstuffs, cellphone handsets, identity documents and various other items as well as US$1 000 cash was burnt.
The suspect Kholwani Donga who is in police custody after being arrested on Tuesday, reportedly accused his grandfather Mr Robert Donga (75) and grandmother Ms Angela Mpala (52) of being responsible for his father’s death.
Donga claims his grandparents bewitched his father leading to his death last month. Sources close to the happenings told Chronicle that Donga started having problems with his grandparents last week after consulting a tsikamutanda who told him that they bewitched his father.
He allegedly attempted to kill them last week on Thursday when he torched a two-roomed house but there was no one inside.
Donga allegedly made a second attempt on Friday and burnt a kitchen hut. Seeing that his two attempts had missed the targets, Donga allegedly armed himself with petrol around 1AM on Tuesday and doused the three roomed house where Mr Donga, Ms Mpala, their daughter Ms Ayanda Donga and her daughter Bandile aged eight as well as two other grandchildren Buhle and Andile aged 10 and seven were sleeping.
A domestic worker Praymore Sibanda aged 19 who was seriously burnt, was also sleeping in the sitting room.
The family had shifted all the property into the three-roomed house following last week’s fire incidents, unbeknown to them that Donga was not yet done.
Ms Donga said her father and Praymore were severely burnt and were transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital from St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane.
“We were all asleep when I heard a loud bang and my mother screaming and I discovered that the house was on fire,” said Ms Donga in a telephone interview. She said she quickly jumped out through the window and started rescuing others.
“I think he poured petrol in all the rooms. The fire started from the main bedroom where my parents were sleeping. I pulled the three girls out and that is when I saw him (the suspect) and I called him by his name asking why he had chosen to kill his own grandfather. He charged at me and tried to strangle me and he let go when my child screamed.
I rushed inside to rescue my parents and when I tried to pull my father, his skin was peeling off because he had been seriously burnt. My father had sold three beasts and all the money was burnt, nothing was salvaged,” said Ms Donga.
Lupane District Development Coordinator Mrs Ennerty Sithole who chairs the local Civil Protection Unit (CPU) said an appeal for help has been made. “We visited the family as CPU and have made an appeal to various stakeholders and some have started sending donations. The family remained with nothing and desperately needs food, building material, clothes, blankets and assistance with medical bills,” she said. Chief Mabhikwa of Lupane said the community was shocked by the incident.
“There are some reports coming through that the suspect accused his grandparents of witchcraft. This is a painful incident and sad chapter in our community because the family has lost everything while some are battling for life.
“We encourage people to solve disputes amicably without resorting to violence. This is not the right time to be running around because of the Covid-19 pandemic and we are grateful to those that have assisted so far,” he said.
Police could not readily comment on the matter. Donga is expected to appear in court soon. -Chronicle
This was early November 2017, just after Emmerson Mnangagwa had fled Zimbabwe on the 7th Nov.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has purchased 600 000 Covid-19 vaccine doses from China’s Sinopharm, in addition to 200 000 China has donated, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa has revealed.
China last week listed Zimbabwe among the first three African countries that will get free doses of the Chinese vaccine, along with 11 other developing nations.
Mutsvangwa told a post-cabinet media briefing that the country will also take delivery of the first batch of the vaccines it had purchased from China early next month.
“The donation and initial batch purchased are expected in Zimbabwe by 15 February 2021 and the first week of March 2021, respectively,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe had also purchased an unspecified amount of Russia’s Sputnik vaccine, while India, like China, has also offered a donation and an option to purchase commercially.
Zimbabwe has also submitted interest to participate in the African Union COVID-19 vaccines program, the minister added.
The private sector will also support the Zimbabwean government through a formula that allows them to keep 50 percent of what they procure for their employees.
“The administration of the COVID-19 vaccinations in Zimbabwe will be on a voluntary basis,” said the minister.
The Zimbabwean government has said it will prioritize frontline healthcare workers, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in the vaccination program and plans to vaccinate 60 percent of the population to achieve herd immunity.
Zimbabwe has recorded 34,781 COVID-19 cases, including 29,289 recoveries and 1,353 deaths since last March.
Own Correspondent
|A Zaka sex worker is in trouble after her magic power reportedly backfired…
Sources claim the woman turns into a snake each time she attempts to have sex.
Tinevimbo Huchu is accused of snatching Lorraine Makomichi’s husband.
Lorraine is controversial Masvingo Prophet Isaac Makomichi’s half sister.
Tinevimbo reportedly got her charms from Sekuru Ndunge.
She reportedly snatched Lorraine’s husband in 2018.
“Lorraine at one point accused his half brother Isaac Makomichi of being a witch in white clothes.
She then started going to his brother’s church around November last year.
After Makomichi returned to Ghana early January this year, Tinevimbo began to bleed profusely.
Then her boyfriend claimed she was turning into a snake,” a source said.
The source said Makomichi demanded US$ 5000 for negotiations.
Commenting on the matter, Makomichi said :
“The story is not yet confirmed in detail but that lady must pay my sister bcoz she snatched her husband without permission”
Believers say Makomichi is using magic powers to steal from the poor lady.
A couple from Inyathi, Bubi District in Matabeleland North died after eating food suspected to have been laced with poison, police have confirmed.
Through their Twitter account, the police said the couple, from Dromoland, started vomiting after eating some prepared food on February 4.
They were rushed to Inyathi District Hospital where they died upon admission.
The husband has been identified as Nite Sibanda aged 52-year-old but his wife’s identity has been withheld.
The police said they have since launched an investigation into the matter.
“Information on the matter is still vague and we are still investigating the whole matter,” said the police.- Chronicle
A four-year-old boy was hit by a haulage truck and died on the spot after bolting from his mother while they were waiting to cross the Harare-Chirundu highway in Nyamakate, Hurungwe District.
The accident occurred at the 267km peg when Roland Chimunyuko who was coming from Sierra Village with his mother loosed himself from her grip and ran into the road.
Incidentally, a truck headed towards Harare and carrying 32 tonnes of soya beans was approaching and it hit the boy. Roland died on the spot and was found to have sustained head injuries and a broken left leg.
Officer commanding police in Kariba district Superintendent Saul Mhanqwa said investigations are in progress adding that preliminary findings were that of inattention and misjudgement.
“ZRP Kariba Traffic attended the scene and the deceased was ferried to Karoi District Hospital mortuary for post mortem. Next of kin of was advised. The vehicle is yet to be inspected by the VID. Investigations by ZRP Kariba Traffic are still underway,” said Supt Mhanqwa.- The Herald
A male nurse at a private medical centre in Domboshava is under investigation after a patient he attended to died from what has been described as inadequate and wrong treatment.
The patient’s family alleges that the nurse described himself as a doctor and only said he was a nurse after their relative’s death.
Lawrence Zinaka (58) qualified as a nurse some 30 years ago and acquired the nickname “Chiremba” at Enliven Medical Centre in Domboshava, where patients would consult him.
Nurses attend to patients in many high-density surgeries and it’s standard practice at local clinics, with the nurse expected to refer the patient to a qualified doctor for more serious conditions or when there might be complications.
It is legal, but someone who is not a registered medical practitioner cannot describe themselves as one.
On January 5 this year, Zinaka attended to Ms Taurai Meza, a patient with a history of congestive cardiac arrest, who was brought to the surgery by her relatives complaining of chest pains, a dry cough and vomiting, among other symptoms.
The relatives wanted to see a doctor and they were referred to Zinaka who was in the consulting room. The relatives believed that Zinaka was a doctor and allege that they were led to believe this.
Zinaka diagnosed the patient and gave her a prescription. After she took the drugs, Ms Meza’s health deteriorated and she died.
Ms Meza’s relatives have since reported Zinaka to the police for what they allege is impersonating a medical doctor. Investigations are still in progress.
Contacted for comment, Zinaka said the allegations of pretence were false and that he never impersonated a doctor.
“Their relative had a heart condition and they brought her here. When they arrived, they did not ask to see a doctor. As a registered nurse, I saw that the patient needed help and I was there and willing to help.
“All that I did was within my mandate. I prescribed medication because I am allowed to do so. But I never told them or anyone that I was or I am a medical doctor. That is false.
“Most of the people at work call me ‘Chiremba’ and it has come to be my nickname. Maybe the relatives heard them calling Chiremba and thought I was the doctor. But I never introduced myself as a doctor,” he said.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the police received an impersonation report.
Goromonzi district medical officer Dr Steve Karim, who was asked to review the patient management plan in respect of the late Ms Meza, found Zinaka’s treatment wanting.
Considering Ms Meza was known to be a cardiac failure patient, she was supposed to be admitted to a hospital because of the nature of drugs prescribed by Zinaka.
“I was asked by a law officer to review a patient management plan and implications thereof in respect to a private medical facility (Enliven Medical Centre) in my area of jurisdiction.
“The following are my observations, the person was given intravenous fluids, a total of two litres to run at a rate of one litre per hour. This is despite the fact that the patient is a known congestive cardiac failure patient. This intervention has potential to worsen cardiac failure because of fluid overload
“The patient was given frusemide which is a diuretic whose effect is to accelerate fluids loss. This demonstrates clear contradiction with giving intravenous fluids.
“The patient was prescribed two courses of intravenous antibiotics for three days. Patients who are deemed severe enough to warrant intravenous antibiotics should be offered hospital admission. The management plan does not indicate offer for admission.”
Dr Cuthbert Mudimu, who is in charge of the private surgery, said Zinaka had been suspended to allow internal investigations.
“He is allowed to prescribe and can be consulted. He will only call the doctor on issues that he cannot manage, especially major operations.
“For now, the nurse has since been suspended to allow investigations to proceed. I cannot comment on the issue of impersonation. I think the nurse is in a better position to do that.-The Herald
This was early November 2017, just after Emmerson Mnangagwa had fled Zimbabwe on the 7th Nov.
Herald says Nyikayaramba died of 'COVID -19 compilations," what type of disease is that?
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) February 11, 2021
ORIGINAL ARTICLE…
Herald reporter | Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique and Retired Lieutenant-General (Retired) Cde Douglas Nyikayaramba, who succumbed to Covid-19 complications on Tuesday has been declared a national hero.
Ambassador Nyikayaramba, who passed on at St Anne’s Hospital, and was described by President Mnangagwa, in his condolence message, as “a strong revolutionary cadre who continued to serve his country after independence with “utmost loyalty, dedication and commitment” will be buried at a date yet to be advised.
He was 60.
Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is also Zanu-PF national chairperson, was dispatched to the Nyikayaramba family home in Nyambira, Mashonaland West yesterday evening by President Mnangagwa to deliver the special message.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said President Mnangagwa and the party saw it fit to honour Cde Nyikayaramba as a national hero for the contributions he made during the liberation struggle and after independence.
“The party led by the President looked at the illustrious journey he travelled which it feels young people should emulate. It was therefore unanimously felt that he deserved the highest honour, that of national hero, so I have to convey the message that the President saw it befitting to declare him as national hero,” said Minister Muchinguri.
She chronicled the road travelled by Amb Nyikayaramba from the time he left school to join the liberation struggle and the role he played after the liberation struggle. She said Ambassador Nyikayaramba was appointed to represent Zimbabwe in Mozambique because of his knowledge of critical national issues.
“He was a decorated soldier who defended the country’s interests hence the President and the party felt he deserves the highest honour,” said Minister Muchinguri.
She added that there is need for the country to be wary of both traditional threats and non-traditional threats that include neo-colonialism and climate-induced cyclones that have emerged in recent years.
“We now have new threats such as Covid-19 which we need to be wary of. While we are happy that the number of the infections are going down we cannot be complacent,” Minister Muchinguri said.
Family spokesperson Mr Frazer Zvina Nyikayaramba said the family had been honoured by the decision to grant their son the highest honour bestowed on the country’s luminaries.
“We are happy with the honour bestowed on my younger brother. We humbly request that you convey our gratitude to President Mnangagwa,” said Frazer, who is elder brother to the late national hero. He described his brother as a unifier in the family.
On the other hand, the late Lieutenant-General’s (Rtd) son Kelvin described his father as someone who was ever determined to satisfy the needs of every family member. A devout member of the Johane Masowe Apostolic church, Cde Nyikayaramba was described by his fellow church members as a down-to-earth-man.
A member of the church Mebiloshenzi Chipango said Ambassador Nyikayaramba was a humble man who never threw his weight around even as an army general. “He would sit down just like everyone else. You would never know that he had that high rank in the army, “ he said.
The late, Cde Nyikayaramba, whose nom de guerre, during the armed liberation struggle was Blessing Muhondo was born on 09 January 1960 in Mutoko District, Mashonaland East Province in a family of eleven.
He did his primary education at Kowo Primary School before proceeding for secondary education at Nyamuzuwe High School in Mutoko District in 1974. He later wrote O-levels at Malbourough High School. Ambassador Nyikayaramba grew up in a village environment where all the injustices of the colonial regime were manifested and that made him conscious of the political injustices prevalent during those times.
In the face of such injustices which made life unbearable, the late General became an active youth in the Nehanda Sector and was instrumental in organising clothing and cash from students at Nyamuzuwe High School for the comrades who were operating in the area. He later joined the liberation struggle in Nyamuzuwe in 1977, and trained in Mozambique at Tembwe Base Two.
On completion he was appointed Company Political Commissar. He later went for further training in Tanzania. Ambassador Nyikayaramba leaves behind a wife Elina, nine children and nine grandchildren. -Herald
A village head in Mpofu area of Lupane, his wife and domestic worker are battling for life in hospital with severe burns after his grandson allegedly doused a three-roomed house they were sleeping in with petrol before setting it alight in an attempt to kill them.
Four other members who include the couple’s 23-year-old daughter and three grandchildren aged between seven and 10 years escaped unhurt following the incident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.
All household property comprising two beds, three wardrobes, a tv set, sofas, a generator, kitchen unit, decoders, clothes, foodstuffs, cellphone handsets, identity documents and various other items as well as US$1 000 cash was burnt.
The suspect Kholwani Donga who is in police custody after being arrested on Tuesday, reportedly accused his grandfather Mr Robert Donga (75) and grandmother Ms Angela Mpala (52) of being responsible for his father’s death.
Donga claims his grandparents bewitched his father leading to his death last month. Sources close to the happenings told Chronicle that Donga started having problems with his grandparents last week after consulting a tsikamutanda who told him that they bewitched his father.
He allegedly attempted to kill them last week on Thursday when he torched a two-roomed house but there was no one inside.
Donga allegedly made a second attempt on Friday and burnt a kitchen hut. Seeing that his two attempts had missed the targets, Donga allegedly armed himself with petrol around 1AM on Tuesday and doused the three roomed house where Mr Donga, Ms Mpala, their daughter Ms Ayanda Donga and her daughter Bandile aged eight as well as two other grandchildren Buhle and Andile aged 10 and seven were sleeping.
A domestic worker Praymore Sibanda aged 19 who was seriously burnt, was also sleeping in the sitting room.
The family had shifted all the property into the three-roomed house following last week’s fire incidents, unbeknown to them that Donga was not yet done.
Ms Donga said her father and Praymore were severely burnt and were transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital from St Luke’s Hospital in Lupane.
“We were all asleep when I heard a loud bang and my mother screaming and I discovered that the house was on fire,” said Ms Donga in a telephone interview. She said she quickly jumped out through the window and started rescuing others.
“I think he poured petrol in all the rooms. The fire started from the main bedroom where my parents were sleeping. I pulled the three girls out and that is when I saw him (the suspect) and I called him by his name asking why he had chosen to kill his own grandfather. He charged at me and tried to strangle me and he let go when my child screamed.
I rushed inside to rescue my parents and when I tried to pull my father, his skin was peeling off because he had been seriously burnt. My father had sold three beasts and all the money was burnt, nothing was salvaged,” said Ms Donga.
Lupane District Development Coordinator Mrs Ennerty Sithole who chairs the local Civil Protection Unit (CPU) said an appeal for help has been made. “We visited the family as CPU and have made an appeal to various stakeholders and some have started sending donations. The family remained with nothing and desperately needs food, building material, clothes, blankets and assistance with medical bills,” she said. Chief Mabhikwa of Lupane said the community was shocked by the incident.
“There are some reports coming through that the suspect accused his grandparents of witchcraft. This is a painful incident and sad chapter in our community because the family has lost everything while some are battling for life.
“We encourage people to solve disputes amicably without resorting to violence. This is not the right time to be running around because of the Covid-19 pandemic and we are grateful to those that have assisted so far,” he said.
Police could not readily comment on the matter. Donga is expected to appear in court soon. -Chronicle
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has dismissed reports that her government doesn’t know which vaccines to buy.
Minister Mutsvangwa said in addition to 200 000 donations from the Chinese Government, Zimbabwe has purchased 600 000 jabs from the same country.
Zimbabwe was now expected to dispatch an aircraft to China on February 13 to collect the vaccines, which were expected in the country two days later.
“The Government of the People’s Republic of China has extended a donation of 200 000 Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses. This vaccine, which has 76 to 86 percent efficacy, has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation and is already being used in several countries,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“This donation and an initial batch of 600 000 doses which the Government has purchased, are expected in the country by February 15, 2021, and the first week of March 2021 respectively. An aircraft will be dispatched to China no later than February 13, 2021, to collect these vaccine doses.
“Russia has donated some of its Sputnik V vaccines, with negotiations ongoing for the procurement of more vaccines. India has also promised to provide vaccines and Zimbabwe is expecting some vaccines through the African Union vaccination programme.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government had noted with concern, efforts by some mischief-makers to cause confusion and panic over Zimbabwe’s vaccination programme.
“His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, when he declared the Covid-19 pandemic a state of disaster, said that Government would be transparent in its response and action plan against the virus.
“Government continues to work with the World Health Organisation and other partners as part of Zimbabwe’s response to this pandemic,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government had placed an order for the vaccine adding that key to the response plan, was science-based evidence on fighting the pandemic.
“Government has already developed a deployment plan, mapping the priority groupings for roll out of the vaccines. No one will be left behind in this fight against Covid-19,” she said.
Meanwhile, the world’s largest diamond producer, Alrosa, has pledged to buy vaccines for Zimbabwe.
The Russian mining behemoth, which accounts for almost a third of the world’s rough diamond production, has a 70 percent stake in Alrosa Zimbabwe with the remaining 30 percent being owned by the Zimbabwean Government through the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company.
Alrosa chief executive officer Mr Sergey Ivanov yesterday told international media that they would buy and donate the Sputnik V vaccines to Zimbabwe and Angola.
“We intend to provide dozens of thousands of vaccines to each of these countries upon their availability for export. Allowing for time needed to produce the vaccine, we expect first shipments to start from the second half of March,” Mr Ivanov told Bloomberg. -Herald/additional reporting
The ruling ZANU PF party has postponed a politburo meeting that was scheduled for this Wednesday at the party’s national headquarters in Harare.
In a statement, the party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said members will be advised of the new date. He said:
“The Secretary for Administration Cde Dr O.M Mpofu wishes to advise all Politburo members that the meeting that was scheduled for today, 10 February 2021 has been postponed to a later date.
All members will be advised of the new date.
The postponement comes a day after the death of Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Mozambique, Lieutenant General (Retired) Douglas Nyikayaramba.”
In his condolence message on Tuesday, Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed that Nyikayaramba succumbed to COVID-19 related complications at St Annes Hospital in Harare. He said:
“When we got to know that he had been admitted to the hospital, our hopes and expectations were for his speedy recovery and return to station in Mozambique at the end of his vacation here at home.
Regrettably, that was not to be as he succumbed to Covid-19 related complications.”- Pindula News
Following pressure from journo Hopewell Chinono’s lawyers Job Sikhala, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) wants 5 000 prisoners, about a quarter of the 20 000 behind bars, released early to help contain Covid-19 infections by eliminating overcrowding.
Such early release would reduce the prison population below the 17 000 that the existing prisons were designed to hold.
At present in Zimbabwe, because there is no parole system, the only way prisoners can be released before the end of the term set by the courts, minus the standard one third off for good behaviour, is for the President to exercise his constitutional powers to reduce the length of a sentence.
In a letter to the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, ZPCS requested President Mnangagwa to consider exercising his constitutional powers to release some prisoners early.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mrs Virginia Mabhiza confirmed receiving a request from the prison authorities and her ministry was now working on the necessary paperwork for the consideration of the President.
“In terms of the Constitution, it is His Excellency, the President, who can exercise powers to grant a clemency order. We have received a request from ZPCS requesting that at least 5 000 prisoners be granted amnesty.
“We are now seized with the matter and we are preparing the necessary paperwork for the attention of the President and, if he so wishes and after carefully considering the reasons before him, he can grant a clemency order in respect of certain categories of inmates,” said Mrs Mabhiza.
“ZPCS has cited issues related to Covid-19 and general overcrowding of prisons. Once we receive such a request, our role is to do the paperwork and then it will be up to the President.”
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said he was not at work but said when such a request is made, his duty was to take it to Cabinet.
“I have not been on duty for some time, but once such a request is made, my ministry makes the necessary paperwork which I will take to Cabinet. But obviously the Constitution confers powers to the President to grant an amnesty if he feels it is desirable,” said Minister Ziyambi.
In April last year, President Mnangagwa exercised his constitutional powers of mercy to shorten the sentences of a number of categories of prisoners to reduce the prison population to levels that could be accommodated safely.
From the targeted 5 000 inmates, 1 680 were released immediately after meeting the initial criteria although there were far more who, while benefiting from shorter sentences, still had time to serve before their early release.
Only 53 women benefited from the amnesty after it turned out that most of them committed specified offences like murder, robbery, carjacking, sexual offences and public violence.
Women prisoners who had served at least half their effective sentence, juvenile prisoners who had served a third; those sentenced to 36 months or less who had served half of their terms and those over 70 who had also served half their sentences, qualified for release as long as they were not doing time for specified offences.
Offenders excluded from the amnesty included those convicted of murder, treason, rape or any sexual offence, carjacking, robbery, stocktheft and public violence, incitement or attempt to commit these crimes or being an accessory.
Also excluded were prisoners who benefited from a previous amnesty, those jailed by a court martial, which would apply to certain offences by members of the defence forces, and prisoners with a record for escaping from lawful custody.
When prisoners are released early, they are not pardoned. Their convictions still stand along with any portions of their original sentence that was suspended and which will be served if they repeat their crime.
The President uses the lesser power to reduce a sentence,rather than the greater power to pardon the offender. – Herald
A male nurse at a private medical centre in Domboshava is under investigation after a patient he attended to died from what has been described as inadequate and wrong treatment. The patient’s family alleges that the nurse described himself as a doctor and only said he was a nurse after their relative’s death.
Lawrence Zinaka (58) qualified as a nurse some 30 years ago and acquired the nickname “Chiremba” at Enliven Medical Centre in Domboshava, where patients would consult him.
Nurses attend to patients in many high-density surgeries and it’s standard practice at local clinics, with the nurse expected to refer the patient to a qualified doctor for more serious conditions or when there might be complications.
It is legal, but someone who is not a registered medical practitioner cannot describe themselves as one.
On January 5 this year, Zinaka attended to Ms Taurai Meza, a patient with a history of congestive cardiac arrest, who was brought to the surgery by her relatives complaining of chest pains, a dry cough and vomiting, among other symptoms.
The relatives wanted to see a doctor and they were referred to Zinaka who was in the consulting room. The relatives believed that Zinaka was a doctor and allege that they were led to believe this.
Zinaka diagnosed the patient and gave her a prescription. After she took the drugs, Ms Meza’s health deteriorated and she died.
Ms Meza’s relatives have since reported Zinaka to the police for what they allege is impersonating a medical doctor. Investigations are still in progress.
Contacted for comment, Zinaka said the allegations of pretence were false and that he never impersonated a doctor.
“Their relative had a heart condition and they brought her here. When they arrived, they did not ask to see a doctor. As a registered nurse, I saw that the patient needed help and I was there and willing to help.
“All that I did was within my mandate. I prescribed medication because I am allowed to do so. But I never told them or anyone that I was or I am a medical doctor. That is false.
“Most of the people at work call me ‘Chiremba’ and it has come to be my nickname. Maybe the relatives heard them calling Chiremba and thought I was the doctor. But I never introduced myself as a doctor,” he said.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the police received an impersonation report.
Goromonzi district medical officer Dr Steve Karim, who was asked to review the patient management plan in respect of the late Ms Meza, found Zinaka’s treatment wanting.
Considering Ms Meza was known to be a cardiac failure patient, she was supposed to be admitted to a hospital because of the nature of drugs prescribed by Zinaka.
“I was asked by a law officer to review a patient management plan and implications thereof in respect to a private medical facility (Enliven Medical Centre) in my area of jurisdiction.
“The following are my observations, the person was given intravenous fluids, a total of two litres to run at a rate of one litre per hour. This is despite the fact that the patient is a known congestive cardiac failure patient. This intervention has potential to worsen cardiac failure because of fluid overload
“The patient was given frusemide which is a diuretic whose effect is to accelerate fluids loss. This demonstrates clear contradiction with giving intravenous fluids.
“The patient was prescribed two courses of intravenous antibiotics for three days. Patients who are deemed severe enough to warrant intravenous antibiotics should be offered hospital admission. The management plan does not indicate offer for admission.”
Dr Cuthbert Mudimu, who is in charge of the private surgery, said Zinaka had been suspended to allow internal investigations.
“He is allowed to prescribe and can be consulted. He will only call the doctor on issues that he cannot manage, especially major operations.
“For now, the nurse has since been suspended to allow investigations to proceed. I cannot comment on the issue of impersonation. I think the nurse is in a better position to do that.”
Mr Alouis Saizi, a relative to the late Ms Meza, said Zinaka gave them the impression he was a doctor and never introduced himself as a nurse.
“On several occasions his workmates were referring to him as Chiremba and he would respond. They would seek his input and advice every time especially when they were attending to my sister. I also called and referred to him as Chiremba on several occasions and he was responding to that. As relatives, we were convinced that our sister was being attended to by a doctor.
“He also never introduced himself as a nurse. He was not in a uniform. He had his own clothes, with a stethoscope hanging on his neck, the way doctors do,” said Mr Aluois Saizi.
After giving Ms Meza some medicine, Zinaka advised the family to go back home, saying she would recover at home.
“We went back home grudgingly, but along the way I noticed that my sister’s condition was deteriorating drastically. I drove back to the medical centre where I approached Zinaka and asked him to see my sister again because she was no longer able to speak.
“I requested him to refer my sister to a bigger hospital, which he agreed but did not indicate his designation on the referral papers. I quizzed him on that aspect, that is when he revealed that he was a nurse not a doctor.
“By the time we were quarrelling, my sister was already dead. We took Zinaka to the police for impersonation. At the police station, he told the officers that everything he did was instructed by his employer, who is a doctor.
“The police called the doctor who came and denied ever giving any instructions to Zinaka, on that particular day and for that patient,” said Mr Saizi.
He added that after some interrogation with the police, Zinaka later revealed that he did not receive any instructions from the doctor, but wanted only to assist.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Mr Enock Dongo said his organisation does not support any nurse who impersonates a medical doctor and wants the events at the clinic investigated.
“We do not support any nurse who impersonates medical doctors. Nurses should be proud of their profession. They should love it.” -Herald
Tinashe Sambiri| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using his surrogates to destroy genuine opposition, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
In a strong article published by a leading African publication, President Chamisa accused Mr Mnangagwa of lying to the nation after assuming power in 2017.
Mr Mnangagwa’s new dispensation is killing and tormenting opposition members in spite of promising to uphold democratic principles.
Below is part of President Chamisa’s article:
Here in Zimbabwe, we know all about false and misleading promises. When the current regime took power from Robert Mugabe in November 2017, it made grand promises including a new democratic dispensation, respect for human rights and re-engagement with the international community.
But it went on to do the exact opposite – disputed elections, violating human rights, and subverting democracy. Lately, it has been using surrogates to undermine and shut down the opposition. It has taken money due to the opposition and diverted it to its surrogates. It has facilitated the removal of the opposition’s elected representatives from Parliament and local authorities.
Africa cannot afford further corrosions of democracy in this decade. Government should be by the meaningful consent of the people. That consent is transferred through a transparent, free and fair election process. Consent that is coerced is not legitimate consent because it is not free choice. Election results that are announced when there are serious and glaring irregularities lack legitimacy.
The global community should not keep rubber stamping these illegitimate outcomes in the name of maintaining peace. The consequences of such ratifications are the continuation of exclusionary systems of government in the face of a demographic wave.
We have seen four elections in Africa that were compromised by the behaviour of incumbents and institutions meant to uphold electoral integrity. Unfortunately, those elections were sanitized by the global community even in the face of massive irregularities and patently unfair conditions of campaigning.
The following elections should not have been sanitized in any shape or form by the global community. The Zimbabwe 2018 elections, Mozambique 2019 elections, Tanzania 2020 elections and now most recently the Uganda 2021 elections.
These normalisations from the international community perpetuate a culture of unfair competition and illiberal democracy which is anathema to progress.
Let’s consider the Uganda elections, what the world witnessed throughout 2020 and in the final weeks of the election race was the blatant use of power by Yoweri Museveni to derail his opponent for President Bobi Wine:
• The killing of 55 protestors in November 2020 who were protesting after yet another illegitimate arrest of Bobi Wine on spurious grounds;
• The denial of accreditation to international observers which prevented robust scrutiny of the election. The American delegation of observers withdrew from observing the election noting that the election lacked transparency and credibility while a coalition of hundreds of civil society organizations noted that only 10 out of their 1900 accreditation requests had been granted.
• The deliberate internet and social media blackout which was intended to prevent the free flow of information in monitoring the election.
These tactics are not new to me or my fellow Zimbabweans. We have a government legitimacy problem because of a deeply flawed election in 2018. I have seen the Mugabe regime and now Mnangagwa regime roll out the same tactics all of my adult life. When we began the MDC in 1999, it was to fight this culture of despotism. Two decades later, we are still in the trenches, fighting a vicious regime.
Mugabe is gone, but his successor is just a different face with the same methods. As most Zimbabweans have experienced, to their great disappointment, nothing has changed.
Now the dictators are callously exploiting the COVID pandemic to strengthen repression. They have been clamping down on dissent and criticism. In Uganda, Museveni used the pandemic to prevent his main rival from campaigning effectively. In Zimbabwe, the regime suspended by-elections under the guise of fighting the pandemic, but it carried on with its political activities.
The Mnangagwa regime has been arresting opponents and journalists and throwing them into crowded and squalid jails, exposing them to the novel corona virus.
When our spokesperson at the MDC Alliance, Fadzayi Mahere left prison recently, she tested positive for the virus. By arresting her on the most spurious charges alongside journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and our deputy Chairperson Job Sikhala, the regime had deliberately placed her in harm’s way.
The problem is there is no robust peer review among the old generation of African politicians. Dictators that rig elections and use violence against opponents are given a free pass.
That’s what happened in Zimbabwe in 2018. It happened recently in Tanzania and now in Uganda…
Tinashe Sambiri| Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is using his surrogates to destroy genuine opposition, President Nelson Chamisa has said.
In a strong article published by a leading African publication, President Chamisa accused Mr Mnangagwa of lying to the nation after assuming power in 2017.
Mr Mnangagwa’s new dispensation is killing and tormenting opposition members in spite of promising to uphold democratic principles.
Below is part of President Chamisa’s article:
Here in Zimbabwe, we know all about false and misleading promises. When the current regime took power from Robert Mugabe in November 2017, it made grand promises including a new democratic dispensation, respect for human rights and re-engagement with the international community.
But it went on to do the exact opposite – disputed elections, violating human rights, and subverting democracy. Lately, it has been using surrogates to undermine and shut down the opposition. It has taken money due to the opposition and diverted it to its surrogates. It has facilitated the removal of the opposition’s elected representatives from Parliament and local authorities.
Africa cannot afford further corrosions of democracy in this decade. Government should be by the meaningful consent of the people. That consent is transferred through a transparent, free and fair election process. Consent that is coerced is not legitimate consent because it is not free choice. Election results that are announced when there are serious and glaring irregularities lack legitimacy.
The global community should not keep rubber stamping these illegitimate outcomes in the name of maintaining peace. The consequences of such ratifications are the continuation of exclusionary systems of government in the face of a demographic wave.
We have seen four elections in Africa that were compromised by the behaviour of incumbents and institutions meant to uphold electoral integrity. Unfortunately, those elections were sanitized by the global community even in the face of massive irregularities and patently unfair conditions of campaigning.
The following elections should not have been sanitized in any shape or form by the global community. The Zimbabwe 2018 elections, Mozambique 2019 elections, Tanzania 2020 elections and now most recently the Uganda 2021 elections.
These normalisations from the international community perpetuate a culture of unfair competition and illiberal democracy which is anathema to progress.
Let’s consider the Uganda elections, what the world witnessed throughout 2020 and in the final weeks of the election race was the blatant use of power by Yoweri Museveni to derail his opponent for President Bobi Wine:
• The killing of 55 protestors in November 2020 who were protesting after yet another illegitimate arrest of Bobi Wine on spurious grounds;
• The denial of accreditation to international observers which prevented robust scrutiny of the election. The American delegation of observers withdrew from observing the election noting that the election lacked transparency and credibility while a coalition of hundreds of civil society organizations noted that only 10 out of their 1900 accreditation requests had been granted.
• The deliberate internet and social media blackout which was intended to prevent the free flow of information in monitoring the election.
These tactics are not new to me or my fellow Zimbabweans. We have a government legitimacy problem because of a deeply flawed election in 2018. I have seen the Mugabe regime and now Mnangagwa regime roll out the same tactics all of my adult life. When we began the MDC in 1999, it was to fight this culture of despotism. Two decades later, we are still in the trenches, fighting a vicious regime.
Mugabe is gone, but his successor is just a different face with the same methods. As most Zimbabweans have experienced, to their great disappointment, nothing has changed.
Now the dictators are callously exploiting the COVID pandemic to strengthen repression. They have been clamping down on dissent and criticism. In Uganda, Museveni used the pandemic to prevent his main rival from campaigning effectively. In Zimbabwe, the regime suspended by-elections under the guise of fighting the pandemic, but it carried on with its political activities.
The Mnangagwa regime has been arresting opponents and journalists and throwing them into crowded and squalid jails, exposing them to the novel corona virus.
When our spokesperson at the MDC Alliance, Fadzayi Mahere left prison recently, she tested positive for the virus. By arresting her on the most spurious charges alongside journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and our deputy Chairperson Job Sikhala, the regime had deliberately placed her in harm’s way.
The problem is there is no robust peer review among the old generation of African politicians. Dictators that rig elections and use violence against opponents are given a free pass.
That’s what happened in Zimbabwe in 2018. It happened recently in Tanzania and now in Uganda…
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly vice chairperson, Cecilia Chimbiri has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration will never crush the spirit of revolution.
Cecilia was speaking to reporters in Harare after being released from prison on Tuesday.
Cecilia, Hon Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova are victims of relentless State brutality.
Cecilia said:” We have gone through harrowing moments but our spirits are not crushed.Our message is clear- the struggle goes on…
We are prepared to die fighting for freedom.This battle is not about Cecilia, it is not about Joana, rather it is about the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
The regime is afraid of young people.The whole thing is meant to intimidate young people in politics.
The conditions in the holding cells are pathetic.Inmates are exposed to COVID-19 and no tests are being conducted,” said Cecilia.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Masvingo Provincial Youth Assembly official, Simbarashe Mafaune has died.
The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly says the death of the Provincial Secretary for education is a devastating blow to the entire movement.
“MDC Alliance Masvingo Provincial Youth Assembly member Simbarashe Mafaune of ward 7 Mwenezi has passed away in Mwenezana.
May his soul rest in peace. Burial arrangements will be announced in due course. A dark cloud has engulfed MDC Alliance Youth masvingo family,”
Timothy Muswere, the MDC Alliance Provincial Youth Assembly spokesperson said in a statement.
The global cancer landscape is changing, according to WHO experts
, on the eve of World Cancer Day 2021.
Breast cancer has now overtaken lung cancer as the world’s mostly commonly-diagnosed cancer, according to statistics released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in December 2020.
So on World Cancer Day, WHO will host the first of a series of consultations in order to establish a new global breast cancer initiative, which will launch later in 2021. This collaborative effort between WHO, IARC, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other multi-sectoral partners, will reduce deaths from breast cancer by promoting breast health, improving timely cancer detection and ensuring access to quality care.
WHO and the cancer community are responding with renewed urgency to address breast cancer and to respond to the growing cancer burden globally that is straining individuals, communities and health systems.
In the past two decades, the overall number of people diagnosed with cancer nearly doubled, from an estimated 10 million in 2000 to 19.3 million in 2020. Today, one in 5 people worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime. Projections suggest that the number of people being diagnosed with cancer will increase still further in the coming years, and will be nearly 50% higher in 2040 than in 2020.
The number of deaths from cancer has also increased, from 6.2 million in 2000 to 10 million in 2020. More than one out of every six deaths is due to cancer.
While changes in lifestyle, such as unhealthy diets, insufficient physical activity, use of tobacco and harmful use of alcohol, have all contributed to the increasing cancer burden, a significant proportion can also be attributed to increasing longevity, as the risk of developing cancer increases with age. This reinforces the need to invest in both cancer prevention and cancer control, focusing on actionable cancers like breast, cervical and childhood cancers.
Late diagnosis and lack of access to treatment exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problems of late-stage diagnosis and lack of access to treatment. These occur everywhere but particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to having to cope with the disruption of services, people living with cancer are also at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death.
A WHO survey conducted in 2020 indicated that treatment for cancer had been disrupted in more than 40% of countries surveyed during the pandemic. The findings of the survey have been backed up by published studies indicating that delays in diagnosis are common, while interruptions to and abandonment of therapy have increased significantly. Meanwhile, enrolment in clinical trials and research output have declined.
All stakeholders are working to respond. Some governments have been enabling their populations to seek cancer care safely. Health professionals have adapted treatment to meet the needs of their patients, including through the use of telemedicine, and civil society has supported patients by helping them coordinate their appointments and complete their treatment plans.
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day, with its slogan “I can and I will”, is also an opportunity to show WHO’s commitment to other major global cancer programmes, on cervical cancer and childhood cancer.
The adoption of the Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem and its associated goals and targets by the World Health Assembly in 2020 has provided added momentum to cervical cancer efforts. Three targets have been set for 2030: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine; 70% of women screened; and 90% of women identified with cervical cancer receiving treatment.
Cancer is also a leading cause of death for children and adolescents, with an estimated 400 000 children diagnosed with cancer each year. On International Childhood Cancer Day, 15 February, WHO will be releasing a “how-to” guide for policy-makers and programme managers on strengthening childhood cancer programmes; a new assessment tool to facilitate harmonized data collection and to enable expedited, real-time interpretation of collected data on cancer among children; and an online community-of-practice information-sharing hub for childhood cancer.
Breast, cervical and childhood cancers all have a high chance of cure if diagnosed early and treated appropriately. This World Cancer Day, WHO is moving ahead with our partners around the world in efforts both to prevent and control cancer and also to provide support to all people living with cancer, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances.
Credit:WHO
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AN imbiber at a shebeen in Bulawayo allegedly ganged up with a friend and fatally stabbed their drinking mate for allegedly having an adulterous affair with his wife.
Peter Moyo (37) of Cowdray Park suburb had a misunderstanding with Ben Sibanda whom he accused of having an affair with his wife. The dispute degenerated into a fight resulting in Moyo ganging up with Robson Ndlovu who is still at large, and stabbing Sibanda on the head and right collar bone.
Sibanda died on the spot.
Moyo is facing a murder charge in connection with Sibanda’s death.
This emerged when Moyo filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as a respondent.
Moyo, who is a self-actor, said it is Sibanda who confronted him during a beer drink at a shebeen in Cowdray Park and accused him of having an affair with his wife.
“The deceased was intoxicated and started accusing me of having an affair with his wife before he kicked my container of beer. Robson Ndlovu then struck the deceased on the head with a brick and he sustained injuries leading to his death,” he said.
Moyo said he left the scene and travelled to his rural home in Lupane.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda dismissed Moyo’s application, saying the State has a strong prima facie case against the applicant.
“The allegations against the applicant are very serious. There seems to be evidence linking him to the commission of this offence and in view of that, I find that the State has a strong prima facie against applicant,” ruled the judge.
“I am satisfied that it is not in the interests of justice to admit Peter Moyo to bail pending trial. Wherefore, the application must fail and accordingly, it is dismissed.”
In his bail statement, Moyo said he is not a flight risk, arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the offence which would induce him to abscond trial.
He is denying the charge, saying there were no compelling reasons warranting his continued detention.
For the State, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza opposed the application, saying Moyo was likely to abscond given the seriousness of the offence coupled with the fact that his accomplice is still at large.
“After the commission of the offence, the applicant fled from the scene and was arrested the following day at Mbembesi Village in Lupane. Having skipped and jumped before the charges were put to him, there is real risk that upon admission to bail, he will abscond,” he said.
According to court papers, it was stated that on October 29 last year, Moyo, Ndlovu and Sibanda were drinking beer at a shebeen in Cowdray Park when an altercation ensued.
Moyo accused Sibanda of having an affair with his wife and the allegation did not go down well with the deceased resulting in a dispute. The misunderstanding degenerated into a fight during which Ndlovu beat up Sibanda. Moyo pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Sibanda on the head and right collar bone and he died on the spot.
Soon after committing the offence, Moyo and Ndlovu fled from the scene leaving the deceased lying dead in a pool of blood.
Moyo was arrested the following day at his rural home in Mbembesi Village in Lupane following a tip off.- Chronicle
This was early November 2017, just after Emmerson Mnangagwa had fled Zimbabwe on the 7th Nov.
By Farai D Hove | The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority reports that there was a fire at its Hwange power station Wednesday night, ZinEye can reveal.
The parastatal said the fire was so devastating that the nation lost over 140MW of power.
Below was the full text of the public memo:
ZESA HOLDINGS (PVT) LTD
PRESS STATEMENT ON HWANGE POWER STATION FIRE INCIDENT
ZESA Holdings wishes to advise its valued stakeholders that one of the units at Hwange Power Station caught fire around 1700hrs this evening. According to ZESA Holdings Executive Chairman Dr. Sydney Gata, the fire broke out in the Unit 1 boiler as a result of a leak in the diesel supply fuel line and lasted for about forty minutes. There were no casualties arising from the fire.
Although we lost 140MW leading to load shedding between 1730hrs and 2030hrs due to suspension of load on units 2 and 5, we are in the process of firing the two units to restore power supply to the national grid. Normal supply is expected to resume on Thursday the 11tuh of February 2021.
DR. S.Z GATA
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
By A Correspondent- Some informal traders such as tuckshops, vendors and other similar businesses are no longer accepting ZWL$5.00 notes.
A survey conducted by a local publication at Harare’s Mbare Musika on Tuesday revealed that the notes have effectively been demonetised by the traders.
Only the major formal retailers such as OK Supermarkets, Colcom and Farmer’s shops were still accepting the notes.
While it is not clear why informal traders have “demonetised” the ZWL$5.00 notes, the recent spike in black market rates could have made their use inconvenient as one would need about 20 notes to buy US$1.00. ZIMPRICECHECK.COM hypothesises:
We are just speculating at this point. The truth is that most vendors use the money to buy foreign currency once they are done selling their wares.
Money changers are refusing these notes so the vendors cannot dispose of them. To prevent further loses they simply refuse to take them. That’s like the kiss of death.
If sellers won’t take them the public won’t take them either and just like that the note is demonetised.
So why are money changers refusing the note? Well, it could be because with rates having risen again and prices with them, small notes just become a burden.
They are harder to count and transact with leading to errors and time wasted counting and double-counting.
They are also bulky making you a police target as they are harder to hide. So as with coins they just refuse to take them and just like that it’s over for them.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has been slow to act as far as introducing higher denominations is concerned and this has made transacting in cash a cumbersome exercise as one would need to carry around “bricks’.
Early this year, RBZ Monetary Policy Committee member, Eddie Cross, said that $50, $100 and $200 banknotes will be introduced this year to complement the $2, $5, $10 and $20 notes already in circulation.
By A Correspondent- A Madziwa farmer was killed by lightning on Monday after she had sought shelter in a tobacco barn
Moreblessing Kaminga (23) was fatally struck by a bolt of lighting while in the golden leaf barn.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.
“I can confirm a sudden death case in Madziwa where a female adult was fatally struck by a bolt of lightning while seeking shelter during rains in a tobacco barn,” Mundembe said.
Allegations are that the now deceased Kaminga was coming from the fields with her husband Staginet Nyamusara (30) when it started raining.
The couple sought shelter in a tobacco barn which was subsequently struck by lightning killing Kaminga on the spot.
Police warned people to avoid going to the fields during rains and avoid seeking shelter in unorthodox places including tobacco barns
Watch video below:
By A Correspondent- MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora had been reminded that he should desist from discussing Party affairs with the media without authority from the Party.
Chalton Hwende reminded Mwonzora on Twitter.
Said Mwonzora:
“The Party @mdczimbabwe today wrote a letter to Senator Mwonzora reminding him of the need to desist from discussing Party affairs with the media without authority from the Party. Only the Party Spokesperson, the SG and the President are authorized to speak on behalf of MDC.”
By A Correspondent- The Anglican Church’s Diocese of Harare has appealed to congregants to help one of its bishops who lost five family members in a space of few weeks.
In a letter dated February 4, the Bishop of the Harare Diocese, Right Reverend Dr Farai Mutamiri, notified church members that Bishop Jonathan Siyachitema lost his wife Rosemary, the executive director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.
Mutamiri also revealed that Bishop Siyachitema’s daughters, Elizabeth and Rosemary, as well as brother, Reverend Fanuel Siyachitema, and sister, Mrs Judith Bindu, had all succumbed to COVID-19.
He wrote:
As your bishop I am, therefore, appealing to you that, we create a platform at the diocesan level, to pull our little resources together (chema) which we can handover to the family as the diocese of Harare.
This is to try and mitigate the financial challenges that go with the handling of funerals.
May you extend this appeal to guilds and individuals in our churches.
Mutamiri also consoled the Siyachitema family, assuring that they were in the church’s prayers and encouraged them to draw strength from the Word of God.
He said:
As a church, we pray for the Lord Almighty to give him the strength to hold on to his faith even in these dark hours of his life.
May God heal their broken hearts and bring that peace which passes all understanding throughout this sad and sorrowful phase in the family’s life.
May Bishop Jonathan also draw strength from the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 71.
By A Correspondent- A 62 year old man from Bulawayo lost US$11 000 and a pistol from a vehicle he had left parked while he did his shopping at Hillside shopping centre, police have confirmed.
Through their Twitter account, police said the man had left his female employee (28) in his vehicle whilst proceeding to a shop to buy food on 6 February.
Before the man returned to the vehicle, an unknown man approached the vehicle and told the employee that she was wanted in the shop by her employer.
Police said:
She then left the vehicle unlocked and went into the shop. The employer became suspicious on seeing his employee in the shop asking him why he had called her.
He rushed out to the vehicle and discovered that a laptop bag containing cash (USD11 000.00) and a pistol had been stolen.
By A Correspondent- City of Harare (CoH) has advised owners of illegal structures such at tuckshops to remove them before 18 February, or risk having them demolished by bulldozers.
In a notice posted on its social media channels this Wednesday, the Harare City Council (HCC) said it will soon embark on an operation to remove illegal structures, starting with Mbare high-density suburb and the move other areas. CoH said:
Council has noted with concern the re-emergence of illegal vending stalls and tuckshops on public spaces (road verges and open spaces) and on residential stands within Harare’s confines in contravention of section 24 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.
For the avoidance of doubt, tuckshops remain prohibited and any person operating a tuckshop whether within their residential stand, on public open space or road verge is doing so illegally.
Those operating illegal tuckshops are advised to immediately cease the activity, remove the illegal structures being used for tuckshop purposes and restore the land to its intended and designated use.
Removal of illegal tuckshops and vending stalls begins in Mbare on Thursday 18 February 2021 and extend to other suburbs thereafter.
Residents are urged to get all their building stages approved and to commence construction work when their building plans have been approved.
Evidence on the ground shows there are residents taking advantage of the non-visibility of our Development Control and Building Inspectors due to COVID-19 lockdown, to engage in invasion of Council land and construction of illegal houses.
Those structures will be removed and offenders prosecuted.
By A Correspondent- Cabinet yesterday declared the country’s road network a state of disaster as most of the roads have become untrafficable following damage by heavy rains being received across the country.
The declaration would trigger mobilisation and the release of funds to attend to the damaged roads. In light of the heavy rains, Cabinet also warned citizens that the country is at high risk of being hit by floods among other natural disasters.
Presenting the first 2021 post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the poor state of the roads was affecting efficient service delivery countrywide.
“Following a presentation on the state of the country’s roads by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Cabinet noted that due to extensive damages to roads, some areas have been rendered inaccessible. This state of affairs had adversely affected socio-economic activities such as distribution of food, inputs and delivery of important services. Cabinet has resolved that all roads in the country be declared a state of disaster,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“The declaration would facilitate the release of resources for the repair and rehabilitation of all roads that require such works. The restorative works will cover all urban areas as well as the rural trunk roads. It will also pave way for the standardisation of quality roads under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development. The necessary legal procedures to give effect to the declaration is being worked on.”
She said due to the rains anticipated until the end of the rainy season next month, the public should be on high alert.
“People in malaria-prone areas should take necessary precautions, while those in flood-prone areas should relocate to high ground. Government will continue to institute measures to protect its citizens in the advent of natural hazards,” she said.
The minister said the rains have also exposed the irregular and dysfunctional settlements in local authorities which need immediate addressing.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government has set up a special taskforce to arrest land barons and officials who were involved in the illegal parcelling of state, municipal and private land to unsuspecting homeseekers.
Some of the homeseekers were allocated land where there are no services such as sewer, water and electricity which is expected with urban dwellers.
“Land barons were working in cahoots with corrupt State and municipal officers and fleecing unsuspecting home-seekers. Also evident is the widespread contamination of watercourses and water bodies, environmental degradation and the destruction of flora and habitats for fauna, and an emerging threat to public health,” said Minister.
She said Cabinet has created a team to correct the illegal settlement situation in urban centres while arresting culprits.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Some informal traders such as tuckshops, vendors and other similar businesses are no longer accepting ZWL$5.00 notes.
A survey conducted by a local publication at Harare’s Mbare Musika on Tuesday revealed that the notes have effectively been demonetised by the traders.
Only the major formal retailers such as OK Supermarkets, Colcom and Farmer’s shops were still accepting the notes.
While it is not clear why informal traders have “demonetised” the ZWL$5.00 notes, the recent spike in black market rates could have made their use inconvenient as one would need about 20 notes to buy US$1.00. ZIMPRICECHECK.COM hypothesises:
We are just speculating at this point. The truth is that most vendors use the money to buy foreign currency once they are done selling their wares.
Money changers are refusing these notes so the vendors cannot dispose of them. To prevent further loses they simply refuse to take them. That’s like the kiss of death.
If sellers won’t take them the public won’t take them either and just like that the note is demonetised.
So why are money changers refusing the note? Well, it could be because with rates having risen again and prices with them, small notes just become a burden.
They are harder to count and transact with leading to errors and time wasted counting and double-counting.
They are also bulky making you a police target as they are harder to hide. So as with coins they just refuse to take them and just like that it’s over for them.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has been slow to act as far as introducing higher denominations is concerned and this has made transacting in cash a cumbersome exercise as one would need to carry around “bricks’.
Early this year, RBZ Monetary Policy Committee member, Eddie Cross, said that $50, $100 and $200 banknotes will be introduced this year to complement the $2, $5, $10 and $20 notes already in circulation.
AN imbiber at a shebeen in Bulawayo allegedly ganged up with a friend and fatally stabbed their drinking mate for allegedly having an adulterous affair with his wife.
Peter Moyo (37) of Cowdray Park suburb had a misunderstanding with Ben Sibanda whom he accused of having an affair with his wife. The dispute degenerated into a fight resulting in Moyo ganging up with Robson Ndlovu who is still at large, and stabbing Sibanda on the head and right collar bone.
Sibanda died on the spot.
Moyo is facing a murder charge in connection with Sibanda’s death.
This emerged when Moyo filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as a respondent.
Moyo, who is a self-actor, said it is Sibanda who confronted him during a beer drink at a shebeen in Cowdray Park and accused him of having an affair with his wife.
“The deceased was intoxicated and started accusing me of having an affair with his wife before he kicked my container of beer. Robson Ndlovu then struck the deceased on the head with a brick and he sustained injuries leading to his death,” he said.
Moyo said he left the scene and travelled to his rural home in Lupane.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda dismissed Moyo’s application, saying the State has a strong prima facie case against the applicant.
“The allegations against the applicant are very serious. There seems to be evidence linking him to the commission of this offence and in view of that, I find that the State has a strong prima facie against applicant,” ruled the judge.
“I am satisfied that it is not in the interests of justice to admit Peter Moyo to bail pending trial. Wherefore, the application must fail and accordingly, it is dismissed.”
In his bail statement, Moyo said he is not a flight risk, arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the offence which would induce him to abscond trial.
He is denying the charge, saying there were no compelling reasons warranting his continued detention.
For the State, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza opposed the application, saying Moyo was likely to abscond given the seriousness of the offence coupled with the fact that his accomplice is still at large.
“After the commission of the offence, the applicant fled from the scene and was arrested the following day at Mbembesi Village in Lupane. Having skipped and jumped before the charges were put to him, there is real risk that upon admission to bail, he will abscond,” he said.
According to court papers, it was stated that on October 29 last year, Moyo, Ndlovu and Sibanda were drinking beer at a shebeen in Cowdray Park when an altercation ensued.
Moyo accused Sibanda of having an affair with his wife and the allegation did not go down well with the deceased resulting in a dispute. The misunderstanding degenerated into a fight during which Ndlovu beat up Sibanda. Moyo pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Sibanda on the head and right collar bone and he died on the spot.
Soon after committing the offence, Moyo and Ndlovu fled from the scene leaving the deceased lying dead in a pool of blood.
Moyo was arrested the following day at his rural home in Mbembesi Village in Lupane following a tip off.- Chronicle
By A Correspondent- Cabinet yesterday declared the country’s road network a state of disaster as most of the roads have become untrafficable following damage by heavy rains being received across the country.
The declaration would trigger mobilisation and the release of funds to attend to the damaged roads. In light of the heavy rains, Cabinet also warned citizens that the country is at high risk of being hit by floods among other natural disasters.
Presenting the first 2021 post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the poor state of the roads was affecting efficient service delivery countrywide.
“Following a presentation on the state of the country’s roads by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Cabinet noted that due to extensive damages to roads, some areas have been rendered inaccessible. This state of affairs had adversely affected socio-economic activities such as distribution of food, inputs and delivery of important services. Cabinet has resolved that all roads in the country be declared a state of disaster,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“The declaration would facilitate the release of resources for the repair and rehabilitation of all roads that require such works. The restorative works will cover all urban areas as well as the rural trunk roads. It will also pave way for the standardisation of quality roads under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development. The necessary legal procedures to give effect to the declaration is being worked on.”
She said due to the rains anticipated until the end of the rainy season next month, the public should be on high alert.
“People in malaria-prone areas should take necessary precautions, while those in flood-prone areas should relocate to high ground. Government will continue to institute measures to protect its citizens in the advent of natural hazards,” she said.
The minister said the rains have also exposed the irregular and dysfunctional settlements in local authorities which need immediate addressing.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government has set up a special taskforce to arrest land barons and officials who were involved in the illegal parcelling of state, municipal and private land to unsuspecting homeseekers.
Some of the homeseekers were allocated land where there are no services such as sewer, water and electricity which is expected with urban dwellers.
“Land barons were working in cahoots with corrupt State and municipal officers and fleecing unsuspecting home-seekers. Also evident is the widespread contamination of watercourses and water bodies, environmental degradation and the destruction of flora and habitats for fauna, and an emerging threat to public health,” said Minister.
She said Cabinet has created a team to correct the illegal settlement situation in urban centres while arresting culprits.-statemedia
HIGH Court Judge Justice Webster Chinamora on Tuesday 9 February 2021 ended the eight-day detention of Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joana Mamombe and opposition MDC Alliance party youth leader Cecelia Chimbiri, who had been incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) members and charged with undermining police authority.
Hon. Mamombe aged 28 years and Chimbiri aged 32 years, had spent more than one week detained at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after Harare Magistrate Stanford Mambanje on 4 February 2021 denied them bail when they appeared at Harare Magistrates Court.
In denying the duo bail, Magistrate Mambanje ruled that it is not in the interests of justice to release them from prison and that there is little reason to trust that they will not commit offences while on bail.
But on Tuesday 9 February 2021, Justice Chinamora set aside Magistrate Mambanje’s decision after ruling that he had erred and misdirected himself in denying bail to Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri.
Justice Chinamora ordered the duo to pay RTGS$10 000 each as bail money and to report once in a fortnight at Harare Central Police Station until their matter is finalised.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri were arrested by ZRP members on Monday 1 February 2021 in Harare’s central building district and charged with undermining police authority as defined in section 177(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act alternatively with hindering or obstructing a police officer to perform duties during a national lockdown as defined in section 11 of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020.
Prosecutors alleged that Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri undermined police authority by shouting and criticising law enforcement agents who were ferrying some police officers together with accused persons, who had been arrested for yet to be established charges. Prosecutors claim that Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri questioned the wisdom of police
officers in arresting people and putting them in a truck without observing safe distancing at a time when there is a risk of contracting coronavirus.
According to prosecutors, the conduct of the legislator and the MDC-Alliance party youth leader had the effect of engendering feelings of hostility towards police officers and exposing them to contempt and ridicule.
AN imbiber at a shebeen in Bulawayo allegedly ganged up with a friend and fatally stabbed their drinking mate for allegedly having an adulterous affair with his wife.
Peter Moyo (37) of Cowdray Park suburb had a misunderstanding with Ben Sibanda whom he accused of having an affair with his wife. The dispute degenerated into a fight resulting in Moyo ganging up with Robson Ndlovu who is still at large, and stabbing Sibanda on the head and right collar bone.
Sibanda died on the spot.
Moyo is facing a murder charge in connection with Sibanda’s death.
This emerged when Moyo filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as a respondent.
Moyo, who is a self-actor, said it is Sibanda who confronted him during a beer drink at a shebeen in Cowdray Park and accused him of having an affair with his wife.
“The deceased was intoxicated and started accusing me of having an affair with his wife before he kicked my container of beer. Robson Ndlovu then struck the deceased on the head with a brick and he sustained injuries leading to his death,” he said.
Moyo said he left the scene and travelled to his rural home in Lupane.
Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Christopher Dube-Banda dismissed Moyo’s application, saying the State has a strong prima facie case against the applicant.
“The allegations against the applicant are very serious. There seems to be evidence linking him to the commission of this offence and in view of that, I find that the State has a strong prima facie against applicant,” ruled the judge.
“I am satisfied that it is not in the interests of justice to admit Peter Moyo to bail pending trial. Wherefore, the application must fail and accordingly, it is dismissed.”
In his bail statement, Moyo said he is not a flight risk, arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the offence which would induce him to abscond trial.
He is denying the charge, saying there were no compelling reasons warranting his continued detention.
For the State, Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza opposed the application, saying Moyo was likely to abscond given the seriousness of the offence coupled with the fact that his accomplice is still at large.
“After the commission of the offence, the applicant fled from the scene and was arrested the following day at Mbembesi Village in Lupane. Having skipped and jumped before the charges were put to him, there is real risk that upon admission to bail, he will abscond,” he said.
According to court papers, it was stated that on October 29 last year, Moyo, Ndlovu and Sibanda were drinking beer at a shebeen in Cowdray Park when an altercation ensued.
Moyo accused Sibanda of having an affair with his wife and the allegation did not go down well with the deceased resulting in a dispute. The misunderstanding degenerated into a fight during which Ndlovu beat up Sibanda. Moyo pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Sibanda on the head and right collar bone and he died on the spot.
Soon after committing the offence, Moyo and Ndlovu fled from the scene leaving the deceased lying dead in a pool of blood.
Moyo was arrested the following day at his rural home in Mbembesi Village in Lupane following a tip off.- Chronicle
By A Correspondent- Some informal traders such as tuckshops, vendors and other similar businesses are no longer accepting ZWL$5.00 notes.
A survey conducted by a local publication at Harare’s Mbare Musika on Tuesday revealed that the notes have effectively been demonetised by the traders.
Only the major formal retailers such as OK Supermarkets, Colcom and Farmer’s shops were still accepting the notes.
While it is not clear why informal traders have “demonetised” the ZWL$5.00 notes, the recent spike in black market rates could have made their use inconvenient as one would need about 20 notes to buy US$1.00. ZIMPRICECHECK.COM hypothesises:
We are just speculating at this point. The truth is that most vendors use the money to buy foreign currency once they are done selling their wares.
Money changers are refusing these notes so the vendors cannot dispose of them. To prevent further loses they simply refuse to take them. That’s like the kiss of death.
If sellers won’t take them the public won’t take them either and just like that the note is demonetised.
So why are money changers refusing the note? Well, it could be because with rates having risen again and prices with them, small notes just become a burden.
They are harder to count and transact with leading to errors and time wasted counting and double-counting.
They are also bulky making you a police target as they are harder to hide. So as with coins they just refuse to take them and just like that it’s over for them.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has been slow to act as far as introducing higher denominations is concerned and this has made transacting in cash a cumbersome exercise as one would need to carry around “bricks’.
Early this year, RBZ Monetary Policy Committee member, Eddie Cross, said that $50, $100 and $200 banknotes will be introduced this year to complement the $2, $5, $10 and $20 notes already in circulation.
A caller announces he has allegedly caught his wife in bed with a Kuda Tagwirei aide in Chinhoyi….
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…..
VIDEO LOADING BELOW
Help us find this police officer who prayed for the former president just before the dramatic events of 2017. We would like to hire her to pray for the nation once more.
By A Correspondent- Cabinet yesterday declared the country’s road network a state of disaster as most of the roads have become untrafficable following damage by heavy rains being received across the country.
The declaration would trigger mobilisation and the release of funds to attend to the damaged roads. In light of the heavy rains, Cabinet also warned citizens that the country is at high risk of being hit by floods among other natural disasters.
Presenting the first 2021 post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the poor state of the roads was affecting efficient service delivery countrywide.
“Following a presentation on the state of the country’s roads by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, Cabinet noted that due to extensive damages to roads, some areas have been rendered inaccessible. This state of affairs had adversely affected socio-economic activities such as distribution of food, inputs and delivery of important services. Cabinet has resolved that all roads in the country be declared a state of disaster,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“The declaration would facilitate the release of resources for the repair and rehabilitation of all roads that require such works. The restorative works will cover all urban areas as well as the rural trunk roads. It will also pave way for the standardisation of quality roads under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development. The necessary legal procedures to give effect to the declaration is being worked on.”
She said due to the rains anticipated until the end of the rainy season next month, the public should be on high alert.
“People in malaria-prone areas should take necessary precautions, while those in flood-prone areas should relocate to high ground. Government will continue to institute measures to protect its citizens in the advent of natural hazards,” she said.
The minister said the rains have also exposed the irregular and dysfunctional settlements in local authorities which need immediate addressing.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government has set up a special taskforce to arrest land barons and officials who were involved in the illegal parcelling of state, municipal and private land to unsuspecting homeseekers.
Some of the homeseekers were allocated land where there are no services such as sewer, water and electricity which is expected with urban dwellers.
“Land barons were working in cahoots with corrupt State and municipal officers and fleecing unsuspecting home-seekers. Also evident is the widespread contamination of watercourses and water bodies, environmental degradation and the destruction of flora and habitats for fauna, and an emerging threat to public health,” said Minister.
She said Cabinet has created a team to correct the illegal settlement situation in urban centres while arresting culprits.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance youth leader Joana Mamombe has undergone a Covid-19 test following her release from Chikurubi Maximum prison.
Mamombe who was incarcerated for ten days together with another party activist Cecelia Chimbiri, was released from prison Tuesday.
She said:
“I’m humbled and emboldened by the level of support that I received from ALL of you cdes, friends & family during our time in illegal detention. From Chikurubi Prison, we went straight for a Covid-19 test, results were negative
for both myself & cde Cecillia R Chimbiri. Thank you so much Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights for the legal support. Struggle continues unabated
We are not free until Alan Moyo is free, we will not tire! #FreeAlanMoyo“
Said the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights:
HIGH Court Judge Justice Webster Chinamora on Tuesday 9 February 2021 ended the eight-day detention of Harare West constituency legislator Hon. Joana Mamombe and opposition MDC Alliance party youth leader Cecelia Chimbiri, who had been incarcerated at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after they were arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police
(ZRP) members and charged with undermining police authority.
Hon. Mamombe aged 28 years and Chimbiri aged 32 years, had spent more than one week detained at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after Harare Magistrate Stanford Mambanje on 4 February 2021 denied them bail when they appeared at Harare Magistrates Court.
In denying the duo bail, Magistrate Mambanje ruled that it is not in the interests of justice to release them from prison and that there is little reason to trust that they will not commit offences while on bail.
But on Tuesday 9 February 2021, Justice Chinamora set aside Magistrate Mambanje’s decision after ruling that he had erred and misdirected himself in denying bail to Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri.
Justice Chinamora ordered the duo to pay RTGS$10 000 each as bail money and to report once in a fortnight at Harare Central Police Station until their matter is finalised.
Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri were arrested by ZRP members on Monday 1 February 2021 in Harare’s central building district and charged with undermining police authority as defined in section 177(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act alternatively with hindering or obstructing a police officer to perform duties during a national lockdown as defined in section 11 of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020.
Prosecutors alleged that Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri undermined police authority by shouting and criticising law enforcement agents who were ferrying some police officers together with accused persons, who had been arrested for yet to be established charges. Prosecutors claim that Hon. Mamombe and Chimbiri questioned the wisdom of police
officers in arresting people and putting them in a truck without observing safe distancing at a time when there is a risk of contracting coronavirus.
According to prosecutors, the conduct of the legislator and the MDC-Alliance party youth leader had the effect of engendering feelings of hostility towards police officers and exposing them to contempt and ridicule.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance Youth Assembly vice chairperson, Cecilia Chimbiri has said Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration will never crush the spirit of revolution.
Cecilia was speaking to reporters in Harare after being released from prison on Tuesday.
Cecilia, Hon Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova are victims of relentless State brutality.
Cecilia said:” We have gone through harrowing moments but our spirits are not crushed.Our message is clear- the struggle goes on…
We are prepared to die fighting for freedom.This battle is not about Cecilia, it is not about Joana, rather it is about the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
The regime is afraid of young people.The whole thing is meant to intimidate young people in politics.
The conditions in the holding cells are pathetic.Inmates are exposed to COVID-19 and no tests are being conducted,” said Cecilia.
Watch video below:
A caller announces he has allegedly caught his wife in bed with a manager in Chinhoyi….
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…..
