By A Correspondent- A social soccer player from Nsingo village under Chief Masendu in Plumtree allegedly struck a rival team with an axe after a misunderstanding over the results which he claimed had been tampered with.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident on Monday.

Mangena said the accused, Mongisi Ncube (28), whose team name was not named, allegedly axed Fedelis Dube (22) after their two teams drew 2-all during a social soccer match last Saturday.

Dube was taken to Plumtree District Hospital for treatment.

“On January 30, two social teams were playing soccer at Nsingo playing field when their teams were level on scores. Dube’s team claimed that they had won the game.

“A misunderstanding then ensued, resulting in Ncube picking an axe and striking Dube on the chest,” Mangena said.

The matter was then reported to the police, which led to Ncube’s arrest. Mangena said Ncube would be charged with attempted murder.-newsday

By A Corresponndent- Health professionals have accused government of allegedly concealing COVID-19 statistics in the country to give the impression that the virulent disease was under control at a time it has ballooned out of control, with nurses and doctors having been turned into “super spreaders”of the deadly virus.

Dozens of doctors and nurses recently reportedly tested positive to the COVID-19 virus, while others have since succumbed to the respiratory disease.

The country is currently grappling with the soaring numbers of COVID-19 infections that have risen to 33 548 and 1 234 deaths as of Monday.

The Zimbabwe Senior Doctors Association, in a statement yesterday, said the pandemic had become a vicious robber to the medical fraternity where it has killed several frontline workers.

“COVID-19 has been a vicious robber to the medical fraternity in Zimbabwe this year. We mourn our specialist surgeon brother Tendai Mutwira barely a week after losing Professor James Hakim,” the senior doctors said.

Bulawayo-based medical doctor, Cherifa Sururu also succumbed to COVID-19, while there were reports that 66 members of staff at Chinhoyi General Hospital tested positive to the virus this week.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo said it was heart-breaking that the government continued to ignore a High Court order compelling it to provide health professionals with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessities to prevent them from contracting the virus during the course of their duties.

“We don’t have statistics of how many nurses nationally have been infected and affected by COVID-19. They (government) don’t want to give us that (statistics),” Dongo said.

“When we talk of COVID-19, everyone with a problem converges at a hospital. The same health workers exposed to COVID-19 use Zupco buses on their way home, they use the same supermarkets with the rest of the people, and they go home to interact with tenants and family.

“You find that health workers are now the super spreaders of COVID-19, and without addressing the issue of protecting health workers through reducing the hours spent at hospitals and giving them proper PPEs, we are not going to succeed in controlling COVID-19,” he said.

Dongo said most hospitals and clinics had closed because they were struggling to cope with pressure.

“This has all been caused by the defiance of the High Court order by the (Health and Child Care) secretary (Jasper Chimedza) to decongest hospitals.”

He warned that the few health centres operating would soon result in the majority of their workforce being in quarantine.

“The moment you protect the health workers, you will be protect-ing the nation because their numbers to different locations, using public trans-port and spreading COVID-19. Those are simple things that a normal per-son should look into.”

Teclar Barangwe, member of the Medical Workers’ Union said private health institutions were also neglect-ing their workers, adding that one of the private clinics in the country recently lost a nurse to the pandemic on Sunday.

“We lost one of our nurses on Sun-day and the majority of workers are testing positive to COVID-19. Employers are refusing to pay COVID-19 allowances. The majority of centres are now taking COVID-19 patients, but are refusing to pay workers’ allowances. The issue of medication for workers who test positive is also an issue of concern. The employers are not taking care of them,” she said.

In a statement on COVID-19 yesterday which was issued by Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, government claimed that the surge in COVID-19 cases was now under control, but did not mention anything about the health workers.

Mutsvangwa warned those that continued to flout COVID-19 regulations, saying to date 21 647 people had been arrested.

Meanwhile, China has pledged to assist the troubled Zimbabwean government with COVID-19 vaccines together with 12 other developing countries.

“Zimbabwe will be one of the first 13 countries to receive vaccine aid from China very soon,” Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Guo Shaochun said on his official Twitter handle.

The Asian giant’s Foreign Affairs minis-try spokesperson Wang Wenbin also issued a statement saying Zimbabwe and other developing countries that include Belarus, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone will get the vaccines to combat the coronavirus.

“Firstly, apart from Pakistan, China is also providing vaccine aid to Brunei, Nepal, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Pakistan, Belarus, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, al-together 13 developing countries,” the Chinese Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson said.

It was not clear when China would avail the vaccine to Zimbabwe. Reports also reveal that Zimbabweans based in South Africa will benefit from the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which will be rolled out soon in the neighbouring country.

This was revealed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night, while addressing the nation.

South Africa has secured over 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, which will be rolled out in phases.

“We aim to make the vaccine available to all adults in SA, regardless of their citizenship or residence status. We will be putting in place measures to deal with the challenge of undocumented migrants so that, as with all other people, we can properly record and track their vaccination history,” Ramaphosa said.

Executive director of the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) Itai Rusike said he was concerned that the 2021 National Budget did not allocate additional resources to fight COVID-19 in the country.

“This will impact negatively on the government’s capacity to deliver proper and decent healthcare, and in turn, an extensive national vaccination programme. We also need better human resourcing if we are to adequately respond to this pandemic,” Rusike said.

While some Zimbabweans have expressed doubt about accepting the COVID-19 vaccines, the director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, John Nkengasong for African Union encouraged Africans to accept the vaccines.

“There is need to strengthen capacity (vaccine manufacturing) as part of our health security apparatus on the continent. There are three things that you need to guarantee your health security in terms of emerging disease; the ability to manufacture vaccines, the ability to produce diagnosis and the ability to manufacture drugs. If you miss any of the three, you are struck with the ability to fight effectively any pandemic,” he said during a CDC weekly Press briefing.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Four Bindura security guards at Pote farm who allegedly killed a farm worker who had stepped on maize plants while picking potatoes at the farm were arraigned before a Bindura court, Tuesday..

The guards Wellington Katakura (41), Gift Kafukutu (26), Athony Pin (20) and Benjamin Kaseke (48) were not asked to plead to the charge by magistrate Samantha Dhlamini.

They were remanded in custody to March 9 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

The state alleged that on December 24, the security guards together with their accomplice Clement Zandonda, who is still at large arrested Tinashe Muchesa (30) for stepping on a maize crop while picking potatoes in Field 4.

They started assaulting him using open hands, booted feet and switches all over the body and Muchesa sustained severe bruises on some body parts and a depressed forehead.

The accused persons seized Muchesa’s belongings and shared them amongst themselves before force-marching Muchesa out of the crime scene and left him at a nearby road unable to walk.

Muchesa subsequently succumbed to the injuries sustained.

By A Correspondent- 69 hospitalized COVID-19 cases are severe and 10 of them are in ICU. This was contained in a daily update that was published by the Ministry of Health that also stated that a total of 148 people are hospitalized due to the infamous virus.

The ministry gave the following statistics and stated that 2 hospitals in Bulawayo did not report:

As of 1 February 2021 @2021, there were 148 hospitalised cases, 79 mild to moderate, 59 severe and 10 in ICU Units, NB. Mater Dei and Thorngrove Hospitals did not report.

The data also showed that Harare still remains the epicenter of the virus, after recording 11 out of 20 deaths for the day. 107 out of 260 new cases recorded on 2 February also came from the capital. 127 of the 211 recoveries were recorded in Harare and the highest number of tests were conducted in the Capital City.

Meanwhile, China said Zimbabwe is among 14 third world countries that will receive the vaccine produced by the Asian giant first.

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

CLARIFICATION ON INVESTMENTS IN THE MINING SECTOR

1. It has come to Government’s notice that the amendment to the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act [Chapter 14:33] (IEE Act) contained in the Finance (No 2) Act, 2020 (section 36) may have caused some misconception to some investors and other stakeholders in the Mining Sector.
2. Government announced the policy position to remove the requirement for 51% of the shareholding of businesses involved in the extraction of Platinum and Diamonds to be owned through a designated entity. That requirement has been removed through the amendment to the IEE Act, in section 3(1).
3. There are no minerals the extraction of which require a business extracting same to have 51% of its shareholding being owned by a designated entity. This is consistent with Government’s position that there is no mineral, the extraction of which, Government considers requires mandatory shareholding participation through a designated entity.
4. The provision in Section 36 of the Finance (No 2) Act, 2020, to the effect that the Minister responsible for the IEE Act, may, in consultation with the Ministers responsible for Mines and Finance prescribe a mineral, the extraction of which would be subject to 51% shareholding by a designated entity, has been interpreted by some to represent a departure from Government’s stated position to open the mining sector to investment without the requirement for 51% of the shareholding being held by a designated entity.
5. To enhance certainty in relation to investments in the Mining Sector, and consistent with Government policy, this insertion will be deleted.
6. These amendments are designed to buttress the Mantra “Zimbabwe is Open for Business”

02 February 2021

By A Correspondent- Prominent lawyer and senior partner at Coghlan Welsh and Guest, Mr Wellington Magaya, has been elected President of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ).  He will be deputised by Ms Rumbidzai Matambo.

The two were elected at the society’s first council meeting of the year on February 1, 2021, that followed the election of councillors at the 2020 Annual General Meeting in December.  

The new LSZ president takes over from Mr Thandaza Masiye-Moyo, who stepped down after serving his full two-year term.  

Mr Masiye-Moyo said he was leaving the society in very capable hands and was confident the profession’s future was guaranteed.  

In his acceptance speech, Mr Magaya said he was humbled by the trust fellow members of LSZ bestowed on him.

He will serve a two-year term to December 2022.  

Key amongst the responsibilities Mr Magaya targeted to deal with was maintaining the integrity of the profession.  He said he took over leadership of LSZ at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the world and the law profession has not been spared.  

Mr Magaya said LSZ under his stewardship will strive to improve efficiencies at policy and operational level.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Veteran nationalist Cephas Mangwana, who passed away on January 31 after battling a heart ailment has been declared a provincial hero.

This comes after Masvingo Province had requested the revolutionary party to grant hero status to the late Mangwana, who was among the pioneering nationalists in the country.

In a letter to Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu, Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Ezra Chadzamira said Mangwana served his country patriotically without fear or hesitation.  

“He is a veteran nationalist who is also fondly remembered for exhibiting unwavering and constituent dedication to nationalist politics, the liberation struggle and the nation.

“Mangwana was instrumental in coordinating political activities in Highfields mobilising and recruiting African youths to join the NDP rank and file. He served that post diligently until the banning of the NDP. ZAPU was formed in 1961 and he automatically became an active member participating in redefining the political approach from that of addressing workers’ grievances to advocating for majority rule” read the letter of request in part.  

The late Mangwana was arrested for his political activities as the Ian Smith regime sought to clampdown on political activities in the country that was heating up in the early 1960s.

After release on bail, Zapu organised for him to skip the country and join fellow comrades who were fighting the liberation struggle at the rear.  “He was smuggled out of the country disguised as a parcel into Zambia en-route to Tanzania.

In Tanzania, he met Hebert Chitepo and other leaders who got charmed by his commitment and impressed by his intellect. It was in Tanzania that he met His Excellency President Mnangagwa who had returned from training in Egypt.

Mangwana was nominated together with the late Kombo Moyana (former first Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor) to go to the United States of America for further studies. He dutifully ascended to the call to acquire knowledge that would later help immensely in the execution of the struggle.”

During his time in exile, Mangwana helped to bring visibility of the Zimbabwean struggle for independence through addressing various fora in a quest to mobilise resources.  

He also became the point person for many Zanu leaders visiting Ethiopia, facilitating the transit of comrades going for military training to other destinations such as Romania and Yugoslavia. He also provided hospitality to comrades undergoing training in aviation, telecommunications and other trades.

The late Mangwana was born on 17 September 1940 in Mangwana Village, Chivi District in Masvingo Province. He did Sub A to Standard 3 at Mangwana Primary School and Standard 4 to Standard 6.  

In 1957, young Cephas went to Highfields in Harare, then Salisbury, in search for employment. He got a job at an organisation called the Textile Union of Rhodesia. During those days, African politics in Rhodesia was manifest through the emergence of trade unionism.  

This is where Cephas Mangwana’s destiny with politics converged. The nature of his job got him actively involved in politics.

He represented the rights of undermined African workers in the expanding racially oppressive textile industry. Whilst serving as a workers’ advocate, the National Democratic Party (NDP) was formed.

Mangwana became one of its first members landing an influential post by becoming its Youth League Vice Chairman deputising the late Enos Chikore.

After independence, the late veteran nationalist left his lucrative job at the United Nations in Ethiopia to join the civil service until retirement in 2003, he is survived by wife Patricia, four children and grandchildren.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Two Harare men who allegedly manufactured fake COVID-19 certificates appeared in court yesterday and were remanded in custody by Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko. They are facing fraud and forgery charges.

The accused Grant Mangwiro (36) and Kufakunaani Mufundikwa (age not given) were trapped by detectives who posed as potential clients.

Allegations are that on January 29 this year, detectives received information that the duo was issuing fake COVID-19 certificates at Afgate House at the corner of Simon Muzenda Street and George Silinduka Avenue, Harare.

The detectives used one of their colleagues to pose as a client and approached the duo who charged him US$30 to process the certificates and they told the undercover detective that they had forgotten the date stamps in Chitungwiza and would bring it later.

It is alleged that the undercover detective gave the two accused persons US$20 and promised to pay the balance on collection. The accused persons allegedly agreed and printed the negative results on a fake COVID-19 certificate.

The parties agreed to meet at the Mbudzi Roundabout to complete the transaction after the certificate had been stamped.

It is alleged that at around 3pm, the accused persons handed over the signed fake COVID-19 certificate which they claimed had originated from Genau Laboratory
along Baines Avenue, leading to their arrest.

The accused led the detectives to the recovery of fake date stamps purportedly sourced from Klosad Laboratories, Genau Laboratory, Lancet Laboratory, Multitech Diagnostic Services, Zimbabwe Republic Police Public Relations Office, Zimbabwean Embassy in Windhoek, Steward Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Registrar of Companies and Mutare Polytechnic.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- An outbreak of blackleg disease has hit Silobela, with cattle farmers in the area suspecting that it could have been triggered by wet conditions caused by incessant rains in the country.

Silobela district veterinary officer Marvis Namarare confirmed that the disease had affected the whole district due to the rains.

“Farmers must team up and buy the vaccine to control the disease, it is a winter disease that thrives in humid conditions and must be controlled before the outbreak spreads,” Namarare said.

Donsa ward 29 councillor, Willard Moyo told Southern Eye that the disease was killing their cattle in large numbers.

He said farmers were now unable to buy vaccines to contain the outbreak due to the economic hardships affecting the country, which have been worsened by the COVID-19-induced lockdown.

“Our cattle have started succumbing to the blackleg disease in large numbers. Farmers do not have money to buy the vaccine as it is supposed to be bought only in large quantities,” Moyo said.

“This is a challenge because their children in the diaspora, who used to support them, are also on lockdown.’

He said they were facing transport challenges to travel to Kwekwe to buy important items such as vaccines due to lack of clearance letters from the police.

“Silobela Police Station is about 40km away, and there is a roadblock before you get to the police station,” he said.

“The police at the roadblock will demand a clearance letter, and yet it is difficult to get to the police station.”

Moyo said due to such challenges, farmers in Silobela had resorted to traditional methods of pouring hot water on the affected cattle in a bid to cure the disease.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Just after 6.30AM on October 27 last year, Lyle Smith’s rented BMW, with the driver’s door open, was found idling in the driveway of his Khumalo home in Bulawayo.

There was no trace of the 26-year-old father of two. His frantic family called his phone and it was not going through. None of his associates offered any useful leads.

The family had every reason to be concerned. Lyle, they were aware, had been involved in gold deals as a buyer for a powerful cartel from Kwekwe, managing a float of nearly US$120,000 every week.

Not only that, he had become involved in moving large sums of money for a large white-controlled consortium, sometimes across borders. Weeks earlier, a transaction of US$100,000 had gone wrong. He said he was conned. He was summoned to Harare and badly beaten, and then let go.

He told at least one person, after his return, that he believed that he had been swindled by people connected to the consortium, which owns a Harare-based financial services company.

The family launched appeals on social media and flooded WhatsApp groups, pleading for Lyle’s safe return. In the information gap, they heard wild stories. One said he was being held by Military Intelligence in Harare as an informant about the illicit gold trade.

Others claimed he had been abducted by a shadowy group in South Africa, aggrieved over a second transaction of around US$100,000 which had also gone bad. He apparently got the amount in Zimbabwe, and was supposed to deposit a similar amount in South Africa, but he never produced proof of deposit.

For months, the trail went cold.

Then, last week, Bulawayo tabloid B-Metro carried a story that took Lyle’s family by surprise. The good news: Lyle is alive. The bad news? He is in a jail in Tanzania – some 2,500km away from home.

And there was another bombshell. A Bulawayo businessman Juan Pirre Du Plessis has told local police that Lyle disappeared with his US$335,000.

Du Plessis, the B-Metro reported, has told police that he approached Lyle with a plan to start a mining venture. Lyle, according to a source quoted by the paper, advised him it would require US$335,000 to buy equipment, set-up and secure government approvals.

The discussions allegedly started in July, and Du Plessis handed over the money on October 19 – nine days before Lyle’s BMW is found, with him missing.

Bulawayo police spokesman Inspector Abednico Ncube told B-Metro: “I can confirm that we are investigating a case of fraud where a 51-year-old man was defrauded of US$335,000 by his friend which he had given him to buy him mining equipment.

“The suspect Lyle Smith is still at large.”

ZimLive spoke to two of Lyle’s associates, who said they were not totally convinced of Du Plessis’ story.

“Did he give Lyle money? Perhaps. Was it for a mining venture? I doubt that very much. Lyle was in the business of buying gold for cartels, and illegal money transfers. Go figure,” an associate who declined to be named said.

Lyle’s family has also heard from nearly half-a-dozen other people who all say they are also owed money, among them the deputy industry minister Raj Modi. Other names include Nathan Hall, John Ross Dicks and Dalny Davids.

“They are either claiming they lost the money to Lyle in mining deals or say it’s for maize-meal. Of course we know it’s all illegal gold deals,” another associate of Lyle said, asking not to be named.

Added together, the sums Lyle allegedly owes are north of US$800,000.

Modi declined a request for an interview for this story.

Sources told ZimLive that Du Plessis, with the help of the South African creditors, tracked down Lyle and got him arrested. Lyle is reported to have been found with US$20,000 at the time of his arrest.

Du Plessis returned home last week as Tanzanian authorities are set to begin a deportation process which could take months, with flights between the two countries limited due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Lyle’s friends fear an attempt will be made to deport him through South Africa, with the risk that he could be intercepted in Johannesburg by individuals he owes, or who want to shut him up for good.

Du Plessis declined to comment, while Lyle’s mum Molly Smith and his stepfather Gavin Mayers turned down interview requests citing the sensitivity around their son’s matter.-ZimLive

By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa officially returned to work yesterday to a hectic schedule that included making far-reaching decisions on the Covid-19 vaccine and its roll-out plan, his spokesperson Mr George Charamba said.

The President who has been at work, albeit unofficially, has assured the nation that no resource will be spared in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, a global pestilence that has forced governments across the globe, including Zimbabwe, to impose national lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus.

In order to save lives, President Mnangagwa extended the current lockdown by two weeks with statistics showing that infections are falling as the general public adheres to social-distancing, wearing face masks and also staying at home.

As of January 31, Zimbabwe had recorded a cumulative 33 388 Covid-19 cases, 26 044 recoveries and 1 217 deaths, with the country’s recovery rate standing at 78 percent.

To tackle the pandemic, Zimbabwe has a ready US$100 million war chest to procure Covid-19 vaccine doses to inoculate at least 60 percent of the country’s population, a position which would see the nation achieving herd immunity.

While private players are presently drawing plans for procuring vaccines for employees in the private sector, Government has drawn funding for the procurement of about 20 million jabs from last year’s budget surplus, redirection of this year’s budgeted resources and support from the donor community.

The vaccines will be secured through an African Union-led initiative that has so far procured over 270 million vaccines for the continent, which will be allocated according to a country’s population size.

In an interview Mr Charamba, who is also the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, said Covid-19 featured prominently in the President’s diary yesterday.

“The President is officially back at work, of course he was always at work though it was unofficially. It is a very hectic start that includes taking far-reaching decisions on the Covid-19 vaccine and coming up with a roll-out plan,” said Mr Charamba.

In a statement recently, the President said Government is engaging countries which have developed vaccines, and “help and relief are on the way”.

“Our experts who have been assessing different vaccines, are very close to finalising the course to recommend to our nation. A course which brings in relief, and which we will roll out across the length and breadth of our nation, so we do not lose more lives than has become inevitable.”

The President said only vaccines that would have been proven safe and effective would be introduced in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa is preparing for the African Union Summit, the annual meeting of states and Governments that will this year be held virtually owing to the Covid-19 scourge.

“The President also dealt with matters to do with foreign affairs, bearing in mind that it is his department directly, key decisions include, decisions on the forthcoming African Union (AU) Summit that will be held virtually at the weekend,” said Mr Charamba.

The President also dealt with issues around illegal settlements in urban areas, a consequence of the illegal and often corrupt parcelling of residential stands to desperate home-seekers by councils and land barons.

“There was also matters to do with the need to deal with the chaotic settlements in urban areas, as you notice it’s a clearly growing problem,” said Mr Charamba.

Due to the current wet spell, houses in Chitungwiza, parts of Harare, Gweru and Mutare and other cities were flooded, exposing the local authorities for parcelling stands on wetlands.

Government has vowed to clean-up the urban councils’ mess by building decent houses that have water, roads and sewage reticulation facilities.-statemedia

Tinashe Sambiri|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has intensified efforts to silence perceived political opponents.

While there was relief on Monday after Hon Job Sikhala was released from prison, the conditions accompanying the fearless politician’s bail are tight.

Political analysts say the regime is desperate to muzzle dissenting voices.

“Justice Chitapi granted @JobSikhala1 bail on conditions that he is to pay ZWL$25 000 bail, he is to reside at his home, to report at St Mary’s Police Station once a week every Friday between 6am and 18:00hrs and shall not interfere with witnesses or evidence,” the MDC Alliance said in a statement on Monday.

A 44-year-old Bulawayo man died before admission to Mpilo Central Hospital after he was assaulted over amacimbi by two men in Old Pumula suburb.

The late Mr Khumbula Homes Zulu suffered a swollen mouth and internal injuries after he was attacked by two men identified only as Tho and Rey whose ages are not known.

Mr Zulu was allegedly beaten for refusing to share his mopane worms with the two accused persons.

He developed breathing complications after the assault and died two days later when his mother had taken him to the hospital.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident yesterday.

He urged people who may have information that could lead to the arrest of the two accused persons to contact any nearest police station.

“Police are investigating a suspected case of murder which occurred in Old Pumula on the 25th of January 2021.

“The deceased is Khumbula Homes Zulu, a male adult aged 44 years who resides in Old Pumula.

“The accused persons are Rey and Tho both of number 5313 Old Pumula, Bulawayo,” said Insp Ncube.

He said Zulu left home going to Old Pumula shops to buy amacimbi.

After buying, he was approached by the accused persons who asked for some.

“A misunderstanding arose after he refused to share his amacimbi that led to a fist fight and after that Zulu went away to drink alcohol.

At around 6pm Zulu visited his friend Freedom Dube and narrated his fist fight story complaining of hunger and having difficulties in breathing,” he said.

“On January 26, 2021 at around 8AM, Mr Dube woke him up and discovered that he was still having difficulties in breathing.

“He told Zulu’s mother but she dismissed it saying he usually experiences such.”

Insp Ncube said Zulu’s condition continued to deteriorate until Mr Dube took him to his home at around 8pm.

“On 27 January 2021 at 2AM, Zulu’s mother summoned an ambulance which ferried him to Mpilo Central Hospital where he later died before admission. CID homicide attended the scene,” said Insp Ncube.−Chronicle

1/ All I can say about this very entertaining&sensational article about me is that Susan is a project who couldn’t continue paying rent at my apartment in Avondale and so left. She unfortunately has the habit of name dropping to achieve her ends.

2/ Next time she should advise her handlers to strategise better and punch harder as the gay slur was a weak blow which couldn’t be further from the truth. I can only warn any other would-be victims against her; beware!!

3/ I could say and show more, but I’ll leave it at that as one day people will know who she is……

4/ @elias_mambo @ZimMorning_Post this one sided account is unbecoming of someone I had held in greater stead; the epitome of poor journalism. What is the motive, what is the agenda, whose payroll are you on? Very sad. Anyway, it’s water under the bridge, we move on…

Tinashe Sambiri|A Zimbabwean clergyman has described Advocate Nelson Chamisa as a man ordained by God to lead the nation.

In his birthday message to President Chamisa, the clergyman said:

Happy Birthday
President Nelson Chamisa

Quotable Quote @ Pastor Nixon Founder Joyous Celebration Church Ministries lnternational:

God ordained
President of Zimbabwe wishing you more fruitful , successful, prosperous years , You will live and will not die a premature death – Happy birthday President…

I speak Grace of all times , be covered be protected in Jesus mighty Name
! Shalom…

President Chamisa has turned 43.

Tinashe Sambiri|A Zimbabwean clergyman has described Advocate Nelson Chamisa as a man ordained by God to lead the nation.

In his birthday message to President Chamisa, the clergyman said:

Happy Birthday
President Nelson Chamisa

Quotable Quote @ Pastor Nixon Founder Joyous Celebration Church Ministries lnternational:

God ordained
President of Zimbabwe wishing you more fruitful , successful, prosperous years , You will live and will not die a premature death – Happy birthday President…

I speak Grace of all times , be covered be protected in Jesus mighty Name
! Shalom…

President Chamisa has turned 43.

No soldiers assaulted villagers in the Humbani area of Mberengwa West following a break-in at the homestead of Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo last month and no soldiers were involved in the investigations or were even in the area, the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has said, as they avoided credible LIVE reports by ZimEye from places such as Gokwe where ZANU PF Women’s League leader has threatened to approach State House over.

https://t.co/nNvJjiZkhe@nickmangwana check this on @ZimEye, it is alleged soldiers were beating people in Gokwe and some have been injured.

What is the official position

— Peter Gift Mutasa (@MutasaPeter) February 2, 2021

In a statement, Director Army Public Relations Colonel Alphios Makotore said the army did not have any soldiers deployed in Mberengwa and did not investigate cases of theft and burglary, which is a police function.

“The false article was published by NewZimbabwe.com whose reporters never sought to verify the facts from the army authorities or the police, but quoted some anonymous sources for their story,” he said.

“The fact of the matter is that the army does not have any of its soldiers deployed in Mberengwa. The army does not in any way investigate cases of theft and burglary.

“The burglary and theft at the Minister’s homestead happened some two weeks ago and the Zimbabwe Republic Police reacted accordingly. Investigations are still underway to apprehend the culprits.”

Col Makotore said the anonymous “local residents” who supposedly spoke to NewZimbabwe.com were simply suspects who wanted to divert the attention of police detectives from the case and in the process they were soiling the good name of the ZNA.

“As for the Beitbridge news story which was published by NewsDay on February 1, 2021, wherein it is alleged that Army Commandos beat up police, the NewsDay newspaper story is also a complete fabrication based on the reporter’s own imagination,” he said.

“Members of the Army and Zimbabwe Republic Police are carrying out joint operations together with personnel from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Immigration Department.”

As clearly pointed out by the Officer Commanding Beitbridge Police District, no such incident ever occurred.

“Equally so, the Army has not received any reports pertaining to such an incident,” said Col Makotore. “The Army would like to warn members of the public, especially some of those criminal elements who ply their illegal activities in and around Beitbridge, that the law will soon catch up with them.

“The security forces are well aware of some malcontents who are trying to besmirch the operation in particular and the good image of the security forces, in general. Their futile and criminal machinations to discredit the operation will not succeed.” – State Media/ Herald

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere is steadily recovering from COVID-19, President Nelson Chamisa has said.

President Chamisa also said vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala and Alan Moyo should be granted bail as a matter of urgency.

“I’ve just had a quick chat with our spokesperson
@advocatemahere
. She advises me she is steadily recovering.

God is good. May we continue to pray for her during this difficult period.We also stand with Allan and our VC
@JobSikhala1
whom we expect to be granted bail with urgency,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Watch the live video loading below……

Watch the live video loading below……

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has dispelled as false reports which have been published in the media regarding the involvement of soldiers in assaulting Mberengwa villagers.

In a statement, Zimbabwe National Army Director Public Relations Colonel Alphios Makotore said NewZimbabwe.com and NewsDay lied as soldiers are not in any way involved in investigations regarding theft and burglary

“Zimbabwe National Army would like to dispel allegations that its members severely assaulted villagers in Humbani area, Mberengwa West, following a break-in at the homestead of local government Minister July Moyo last month.

“The false article was published by NewZimbabwe.com whose reporters never sought to verify the facts from the Army authorities or the Police but quoted anonymous sources for their story. The fact of the matter is that the Army does not have any of its soldiers deployed in Mberengwa. The army does not in any way investigate cases of theft and burglary,” he said.

The burglary and theft at the Minister’s homestead happened some two weeks ago and the Zimbabwe Republic Police reacted accordingly. Investigations are still underway to apprehend the culprits.

He said the so-called sources are suspects who want to divert attention of investigators by soiling the good name of the Zimbabwe National Army.

“As for the Beitbridge news story which was published by NewsDay on 01 February 2021, wherein it is alleged that Army commandos beat up police, the NewsDay newspaper story is also complete fabrication based on the reporter’s own imagination.

“Members of the Army and Zimbabwe Republic Police are carrying out joint operations together with personnel from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the immigration department.

“The army would like to warn members of the public, especially some of those criminal elements who ply their illegal activities in and around Beitbridge that the law will soon catch up with them. The security forces authorities are well aware of some malcontents who are trying to besmirch the operation in particular and the good image of the security forces, in general. Their futile and criminal machinations to discredit the operation will not succeed,” he said.

-zbc

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By A Correspondent- The police Sub Aqua Unit has called off a search for two men who were swept away in a flooded Umzingwane River in an attempt to save a drowning cow for an R800 reward on Saturday.

The police with assistance of community members in Makhakavhule area, about 15km west of Beitbridge town decided to call it a day after searches yielded nothing for three days.

The team combed through a 9km stretch that included the confluence of the uMzingwane and Limpopo Rivers.

Khathutshelo Mudau and Busani Ndou believed to be around 30 years had entered the flooded river in a vain attempt to get R800 for saving a drowning cow.

Two people managed to swim to the banks of the river after the mishap.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson, Inspector Loveness Mangena said investigations were ongoing.

“A search between the place of occurrence and the confluence of the uMzingwane   and Limpopo Rivers has yielded nothing. Further investigations are underway and we want to advise people, motorists included to avoid crossing flooded rivers. This will help to minimise the unnecessary loss of human lives,” she said.

When tragedy struck the four men had been promised an R800 reward by a woman who wanted them to rescue her cow which was drowning in the flooded river.

The now-deceased, along with the two survivors, were reportedly coming from a village party known as a stokvel when they heard about the reward.

They took an inflatable boat into the river.

Unfortunately, the boat capsized soon after they got into the violent tide.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Anti-Corruption Hawks on Tuesday arrested Dr Fredrick Mabamba, Chitungwiza land baron of United Westand Housing Cooperative.

Mabamba was arrested on allegations related to illegal allocating residential stands all over Chitungwiza.

Police sources told The Herald that Mabamba was apprehended at his Town Centre offices following a witch-hunting visit by a high powered Government delegation that toured Chitungwiza and Budiriro 5B last weekend.

Last year Mabamba caused a stir after trying to block Chitungwiza Municipality from constructing its Civic Centre on State land claiming the land belonged to him.

This is happening when many families have been affected by ongoing demolitions of structures built on illegally acquired land while some have lost properties after the recent rains caused running water to flood their houses.

The eventualities triggered blameshifting with the ruling ZANU PF blaming MDC dominated urban councils of razing down structures with the opposition party blaming the ruling party of the same.

Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently warned that going forward, the issue of illegal allocation of residential stands will be severely dealt with.

The issue has been a perennial one with land baron year-in, year-out, duping unsuspecting and desperate home seekers.-statemedia

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By A Correspondent- Shingai Rukwata Ndoro, a COVID-19 survivor has said herbals such as Zumbani / Umsuzwane/Lippia Javanica which many Zimbabweans have been using as a remedy for COVID-19 do not work.

Zumbani and other traditional herbs became popular recently as some said it can treat coronavirus.

Below is Shingai’s statement.

Today it’s my 6th day at home recuperating very well after a discharge from hospital following staring death in the eye and escaping from it.

I survived Covid-19 and here is my story for awareness.

On the night of December 22, 2020, I had a fever and a sore throat.

The following day in the morning,  I had a test for Covid-19 and it was confirmed that I was positive.

Since I had mild symptoms consisting of a mild cough, the doctor whom I consulted prescribed the necessary medication but this doctor failed to tell me a simple message: “If this cough persists beyond four days, please seek medical attention.” (I later contacted him about this and he has been very contrite about what he did not do.)

The lack of this information or advice for me was to be near fatal for me.

I did lots of home remedies of steaming, zumbani, garlic, etc trying to heal. I can tell you that those things don’t work. But they aren’t harmful but will give you a false sense of security when your situation is fast deteriorating.

I had a cough and a headache for 11 days until a friend visited me at home where I was isolating. He asked me to buy a pulse oximeter and it was noticed that my oxygen saturation wasn’t enough. Panic!

I was attended to by another private doctor at home and then put on an oxygen concentrator at home for two days (December 30-31) with no meaningful change. It was him who made the prudent decision that I’d better be hospitalised. The following day on New Year’s Day I was hospitalised in Harare at a private facility. I was taken first into the High Dependency Unit, and then Intensive Care Unit as the situation got worse.

I was put on life support for the severest stage of this disease and I was being treated of its worst form: Covid-19 pneumonia while I had an underlying condition as a Type 2 diabetic. You can imagine the double trouble. My lungs were now in their worst! My oxygen saturation was not improving.

In all this, as a patient you are by yourself with the medical team. No visitors allowed.

For a total of 32 days I was fighting this disease and for 22 days I was hospitalised.

Although I have since lost 12kg that some of you who know me physically may fail to easily recognise me, my life was not lost. It was too close to death!

I can’t thank my friend, the private doctor and the medical team enough. It was very tough for me, but I’m thrilled to be alive.

To you all my family members, relatives and friends, your messages to me while I was in hospital gave me hope, courage and strength to live and fight the disease.

The will to live or that positive urge to stay alive is a wonder! I SURVIVED the worst of Covid-19!!!

By A Correspondent- A police assistant inspector and a constable spent the whole last night marooned after Munyati River burst its banks upstream.

The two, who were manning Musena Police Base which is located downstream managed to evacuate themselves after the water levels had subsided in the early hours of today.

The two duty officers, Assistant Inspector Manyanye and Constable Marangira reportedly made distress calls prompting response from the District Civil Protection Unit and villagers from the surrounding areas whose combined efforts could not immediately save the situation.

District Development Coordinator Mr Vafias Hlabati confirmed the flooding at the Police base but said the two police officers managed to evacuate themselves to safety after water levels subsided.

“The two police officers are now safe and I have been in a meeting with the officer in charge who told me the water levels have subsided.

“We have also been contemplating relocating the police base to safer place but will also be consulting with other stake holders,” he said.

By A Correspondent- Insiza South legislator Spare Sithole (Zanu-PF) has been accused by villagers of holding a public meeting during the COVID-19 lockdown period.

Sithole, whose constituency is in Matabeleland South province, allegedly held the meeting at Zhampale Primary School on January 27 in total disregard of the COVID-19 regulations that outlawed public gatherings.

Chief Sibasa, born Bekezela Sibanda, accused the MP, businesspeople and “rogue youths” of defying regulations to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

“The regulations state that there must be no public gatherings, but Sithole conducted a meeting in ward 11, gathered people. He used the headman and councillor to co-ordinate the meeting,” Chief Sibasa said.

“The MP is the one who should enforce the law. My fear is that COVID-19 might spread fast in this area. This is likely to cause people to disrespect traditional leaders when we try to enforce lockdown regulations,” he said.

Sibasa said he was alerted by headmen who attended the meeting.

“They said how do you allow us to conduct meetings at this time of COVID-19. I told them that I did not know anything about the MP’s meeting. I was not invited to the meeting.”

Headman Malindi Siwela confirmed that a meeting was called by the MP on January 27, where 19 village heads attended.

He said he advised the MP to stop conducting such meetings to avoid spreading the virus.

“When these MPs came to us from the city, we thought that maybe their meetings are authorised. I tried to stop the meeting, but as you know, these politicians have their
own way of doing things,” Siwela said.

Sithole claimed that his meeting was given the nod by the police and that it was meant to assist villagers on issues to do with collection of farming inputs, after reports that some beneficiaries did not get theirs.

“Those who say I conduct public gatherings are the ones stealing from villagers. I went to the place after some villagers complained that some villagers were stealing their inputs during distribution,” he said.

The legislator said some villagers were fraudulently registered as if they collected their inputs when they did not.

“I went to the place with the police who recorded statements. My mission was to assist the people,” he said, adding that those hurt by his actions were involved in the theft.-newsday

By A Correspondent- State prosecutors did not oppose bail in the case of a top cop in Matabeleland North, Commissioner Erasmus Makodza who was arrested yesterday for allowing his girlfriend to run private businesses on a police farm since 2019 without paying a cent into police funds.

The top cop was granted bail on Tuesday by regional Magistrate Stanford Mambanje after the State said it would not oppose bail.

The development comes as Allan Moyo, a University of Zimbabwe (UZ) student who was arrested early last December remains in prison over 50 days later charged with incitement to commit public violence. Moyo, on July 3, allegedly incited some commuters at Copacabana bus terminus in Harare by telling them the time to stage a revolt against Mnangagwa’s administration was conducive because the president had failed the people of Zimbabwe.

However, the now officer commanding Matabeleland North, Makodza, was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on charges of criminal abuse of office for allegedly concealing from the police a personal transaction involving the force when he was in his previous post as officer commanding Mashonaland East.

The State accuses Makodza of purporting to be representing the police in the deal structured with his girlfriend whom he had a four-year-old child, Mawonei Chapfudza, entering into a joint venture agreement for Lendy Farm in Marondera in 2019 and imposed her as a private investor.

It also alleges that Chapfudza used her relationship with Makodza as a launch pad to use the police farm for her personal business without remitting anything in terms of that agreement.

Magistrate Mambanje granted Makodza bail on condition that he deposits Z$10 000 to the Clerk of Court, reside at a given address, not interfere with witnesses and report once a month to police.

Makodza was represented by his lawyer Tapiwa Makanza. He will come back to court on the 2nd of March.

ZAAC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure said it is alleged that Makodza during his stint as officer commanding Mashonaland East hatched a plan to corruptly benefit from businesses on the farm when he imposed Chapfudza as a private investor at the farm in the areas of horticulture, piggery and poultry among others.

“Our preliminary investigations have shown that this joint venture was never fully implemented as envisaged in the agreement as Chapfudza ended up doing her work at the farm with the full blessing and concurrence with the accused person.

“She was using police resources to do her projects without remitting the requisite 10 percent to police as was in terms of that agreement,” said Comm Makamure.

“We want to warn people occupying high offices that the law will treat you the same like any other person. As Zacc we will invoke the law without fear or favour,” he said.-NehandaRadio/ZimEye

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean medical doctor and consultant surgeon, Dr Tendai Mutwira has succumbed to Covid-19.

Dr Tendai Mutwira’s death comes less than a week after a prominent Bulawayo-based medical doctor, Dr Cherifa Sururu had also succumbed to COVID-19.

Posting on his Facebook page, journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono said:

I am saddened to report that another medical doctor and consultant surgeon has died from Covid-19.Dr Tendai Mutwira who was based at Harare Hospital is the 6th doctor to die from Covid in the last 30 days.

This more than ever shows the effects of LOOTING and Corruption which is denying healthcare workers proper and sufficient PPE leaving them exposed to the pandemic including their families!!!

All because of greedy politicians and their surrogates who have been feasting on public funds meant to help tame the infections!May the Doc’s soul Rest In Peace! I am sorry we let you and your colleagues down Doc!!! #DemLoot

This is also happening when health caregivers in public health institutions have been lamenting over potential exposure to the deadly virus.

Health workers say they do not have adequate personal protective equipment (PPEs) which include gloves and masks, a situation which enhances their proximity to danger.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is experiencing a resurgence of the coronavirus which has since killed many people including a handful of senior government officials.

By A Correspondent- MDC-T national chairperson Morgen Komichi yesterday warned that Zanu-PF would cruise to victory during the 2023 harmonised elections if the country’s opposition parties remained divided.

Komichi, one of the candidates that lost the MDC-T presidency to Douglas Mwonzora at the party’s extraordinary congress last December, said the current disunity in the opposition camp would give Zanu-PF victory on a silver platter.

“The current institution of opposition political parties is disintegrated,” he said on his Twitter account.

“They pose no threat at all to Zanu-PF come 2023. Either group, there is no one with the capacity to dislodge Zanu-PF if this division continues. It is like the enemy is no longer Zanu-PF.”

Komichi said divisions within the MDC formations would only help Zanu-PF to win in 2023, adding that the resolution to the country’s economic woes could only be possible through a united opposition.

“Remember, before the MDC Alliance was formed, we were getting around 1,2 million votes and the number doubled because of the unity by all forces. People must unite and there is no need for fighting.”

Ironically, Komichi and Mwonzora left the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance in a huff and joined the then Thokozani Khupe-led outfit, after the Supreme Court ruled that the appointment by the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai of two vice-presidents – Elias Mudzuri and Chamisa – in 2016 was illegal.

Mwonzora and Khupe have since recalled over 30 MPs linked to Chamisa, as well as more than 80 councillors countrywide.

The MDC Alliance immediately dismissed Komichi’s assertions labelling them “cheap politicking” coming from a man whose party had already”coalesced”with Zanu-PF to destroy MDC Alliance.

MDC Alliance national deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo said: “They are already in a unity arrangement with Zanu-PF and that is why they were helped to attempt to destroy the MDC Alliance by taking our properties, recalling our councillors and MPs among other actions.”

Meanwhile, Jacob Ngarivhume of Transform Zimbabwe has already warmed up to uniting with the MDC Alliance.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) yesterday recovered about 40 boxes of Covid-19 testing kits worth more than US$12 000 whose origin was traced to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo, as the anti graft body intensifies investigations into abuse of Personal Protective Equipment.

Investigations are now zeroing in on Mpilo Hospital, with a view to arrest officials from that hospital who might be implicated in the scam.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure confirmed the recovery and vowed that the Commission will leave no stone unturned in its fight against corruption.

“On 18 January 2021, we received information alleging that suspected stolen Standard Q Covid-19 test kits were being sold on the black market in Harare,” he said.

“A follow up was then made which led to the recovery of 40 boxes of Standard Q Covid-19 test kits at Bard House offices opposite Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe with a street value of USD12 500.

“Investigations established that the kits were a donation from Unicef to the Government of Zimbabwe through National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm).

“The recovered consignment was traced back to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo where they were stolen from. Investigations are in progress with a view to arrest officials from Mpilo Hospital.”

Comm Makamure warned people involved in abuse of PPEs, saying the long arm of the law will inevitably catch up with them.

“These people are obviously working against the Government of Zimbabwe in its resolve to fight the Covid-19 pandemic so that ordinary citizens can live a normal and disease free life,” he said.

“Some people are seeing the Covid-19 disease and attendant measures being taken to combat it as a way to make money.

“They think it is an opportunity for rich pickings and line their pockets at the expense of the health of ordinary persons. This must stop. As Zacc, we will not fold our arms, but we will use every effort to weed them out. So, we would like to send a strong warning to unscrupulous and would be offenders.”

Comm Makamure has said ZACC has opened investigations on pharmacies that were diverting Covid-19 drugs on the black market despite the fact that they would have accessed the foreign currency to import them on the central bank facilitated auction rate.

The antigraft body said preliminary investigations have also indicated that some pharmacies were insisting on payment in foreign currency.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Police in Midlands have arrested two Harare men driving around the country with fake Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe identity cards, swindling businesses after accusing them of using the wrong foreign exchange rate.

The two were arrested at the weekend in Shurugwi when a highly-suspicious supermarket owner called in the police.

A search of their car allegedly found in addition to the fake Reserve Bank identity cards they were using in the supermarket, more fake identity cards in different names for the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

Maxwell Madiwaya (46) of Kuwadzana 6 and Mike Chidziyo (42) of Hopley were found with RBZ tags bearing their names and a fake RBZ fine book. They were travelling in a new Mazda BT50 twin cab vehicle and police said their fake receipt books showed they had swindled hundreds of businesses in several towns and cities.

They were wearing identical suits and neck ties which they were apparently using as uniforms. Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emanuel Mahoko yesterday said the two were arrested on Saturday.

“The two were arrested after they approached management at Vital Supermarket in Shurugwi and demanded to see their receipts and how they were using the forex exchange rate,” he said.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Pastors have urged government to categorise churches as essential services so that they can operate.

A pastor from Glory Temples Ministries in Masvingo, Ntobeko Mhlanga, told NewsDay that churches were essential service providers as their mandate was to assist people spiritually and emotionally, as well as to save lives during times of distress.

“There is need for churches to petition the government so that we can be considered as essential services in order to assist people in trauma, distress and depression caused by fear and the effects of COVID-19 and the economic difficulties which are at alarming levels,” Mhlanga said.

“Churches are also essential services by their nature because they save lives,” he said.

Mhlanga said amid a contagious disease outbreak and deaths that have left most people heartbroken, there was need for spiritual healing.

Another pastor from the Apostolic Faith Mission in Mutare, Edmore Sibanda, said some pastors were being denied permission to pass through roadblocks despite that they woulwd be travelling to provide counselling services to their church members.

Sibanda said churches could not be considered as COVID-19 super spreaders in the same category as bars and restaurants.

Gatherings such as weddings, churches, at bars, bottle stores, gymnasiums and eating out at restaurants were banned during the COVID-19 lockdown period which will end in mid-February.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The late former president Robert Mugabe’s daughter Bona has posted a picture of herself and husband Simba Chikore on facebook.

On the picture is another couple clad in their wedding gear.

Bona captioned the picture “Love month”.

By A Correspondent- Seven years ago, a team of paediatric surgeons separated a set of Siamese twins in a historic operation that lasted more than 8 hours.

The operation to separate the thoracopagus conjoined twins, Tapiwanashe and Kupakwashe, took place at the Harare Children’s Hospital in 2014 and involved 50 medical personnel who were led by MR Bothwell Mbuwayesango.

The two-month-old male twins were joined at the chest and abdomen including the liver. The most delicate part of the operation was on the liver, which had to be cut into two to ensure both boys were left with a portion each. According to the Sunday Mail, MR Mbuwayesango’s fear was the possibility of the boys losing a lot of blood, which would have resulted in death.

However, due to the tenacity, grit, skill and teamwork, the medical team which comprised of surgeons, anaesthetists, paediatricians, neonatologists and nurses working with minimal resources pulled off the remarkable feat which has been described as “the stuff of dreams” and a “miracle surgery”.

Tapiwanashe and Kupakwashe are now two healthy seven-year-old boys. One of the doctors who operated on the twins remarked,

“We’ve come full circle now. Can you believe those conjoined twins are now handsome little boys with very different personalities but thriving and happy!”

We applaud the health personnel who carried out the delicate surgery and we wish Kupakwashe and Tapiwanashe all the best in their lives.

Press Statement
2 February 2021

ON World Wetlands Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) calls upon policymakers, local and central government to take concerted and coordinated efforts to develop and implement action plans to stop the ongoing degradation of wetlands and protect, preserve and restore them.

World Wetlands Day, which is commemorated every year on 2 February, aims to raise global awareness on the vital importance of wetlands for human beings, flora and fauna and our planet as a whole.

World Wetlands Day is also an occasion to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands, the “Ramsar Convention” on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The Ramsar Convention seeks to protect and preserve wetlands. Zimbabwe is a party to this Convention and in terms of which has designated 7 ‘Ramsar sites’ of wetlands of
international importance.

In 2021, World Wetlands Day is being commemorated under theme
“Wetlands and Water”, which highlights the need to protect and restore
wetlands since they are a significant source of freshwater, at a time
when the world is facing a growing shortage of freshwater.

This day is an opportunity for people around the world, including Zimbabwe, to reflect on how water and wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence which is important to life and the health of the planet and highlight the detrimental effects of the destruction of wetlands on the quality of life for humans, other forms of life and the environment.

Wetlands are critical in the water cycle, providing freshwater for many people around the world. Wetlands absorb water throughout the rainy season, preventing flooding and runoff carrying pollutants causing siltation of water sources. The wetlands store the water,
replenish ground aquifers, and slowly release this water in the dry season into streams and river systems around cities until it finds its way into the major water sources supplying the cities. Without wetlands, these water sources would quickly run dry in winter months
and poor rainy seasons, causing major water shortages. Wetlands also act as natural filters for pollutants and provide safe drinking water as a result. The water found in wetlands supports agriculture and aquaculture, thereby providing income and sustenance for millions of people across the globe.

In Zimbabwe, the loss of wetlands has been mainly caused by human interference and mismanagement. In particular, the drainage of wetlands to pave way for human settlements, industrial activity and agriculture has caused wetlands to disappear rapidly.

Across the country, some local authorities and the so-called land barons ignore the need to protect wetlands by approving housing developments on wetlands despite the existence of many domestic and international laws against such conduct. This has been disastrous for
some residents, as their houses have been flooded and destroyed with some local authorities having the temerity of blaming residents for constructing houses on wetlands rather than providing progressive solutions.

For several years, ZLHR and its partners have consistently challenged such conduct by local authorities, non state actors and other government departments and ministries in the courts.  Many notable successes have been recorded in our bid to preserve and protect
wetlands.

The protection and restoration of wetlands guarantees the right to water. Section 77 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that everyone has the right to safe, clean and potable water.  Section 74 provides for an environment that is not harmful.

Government must develop sustainable strategies for the protection and restoration of wetlands. This is a human rights issue that requires a human rights-based solution.

To protect and restore wetlands and secure the availability of freshwater for present and future generations, ZLHR urges local and central government to;

o       Stop destroying and start restoring wetlands;

o       Commit to the maintenance of the ecological character of wetlands that are considered to be Wetlands of International Importance or Ramsar Sites;

o       Increase awareness about the importance of conserving wetlands through educational campaigns and media coverage;

o       Immediately stop approving housing developments on wetlands;

o       Establish an Environmental Tribunal to investigate violations of environmental laws and impose punitive action;

o       Introduce a new Bill in Parliament governing wetlands and covering the problem of private individuals holding title deeds over wetlands;

o       Treat wetlands solely as a water resource and legislative provisions protecting water resources;

o       Domesticate the provisions of the Ramsar Convention and Convention on Biodiversity and incorporate them into Zimbabwe’s municipal law so as to uphold the obligations under international law to maintain Wetlands of International Importance.

ENDS

By A Correspondent- Prosecutors from the army, air force and police have 18 days to vacate the civilian courts, a development which will ensure that a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling of 2019 that barred them from operating at civilian courts is fully implemented.

On February 20, 2019, the ConCourt, sitting as a full bench, unanimously banned the use of State security agents as public prosecutors in civilian courts.

The ConCourt said their secondment to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was a serious violation of the Constitution.

The ruling, which becomes effective on February 20 this year, came following an application filed by the Zimbabwe Law Officers’ Association and former public prosecutor Derek Charamba, in which the parties sought an order compelling Prosecutor-General (PG) Kumbirai Hodzi and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to stop engaging police and army personnel as public prosecutors.

The ConCourt gave them until February 20 to vacate the civilian courts.

In January 2015, the late former Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, who then headed the nine-member ConCourt bench, reserved judgment in the matter after submissions were made by the PG’s representative Sharon Fero and applicants’ lawyer, Advocate Tawanda Zhuwarara.

But on February 20 last year, ConCourt judge Justice Antoinette Guvava delivered the unanimous judgment and read out the operative part which ordered the PG to disengage the services of security officers from the NPA over two years.

“The engagement by the first respondent (NPA) of the serving members of the security services to prosecutorial duties is in contravention of section 208 (4) of the Constitution … It is, hereby, ordered that: the first respondent (NPA) is directed to disengage all members of the security services within 24 months from the date of this order,” Justice Guvava said.

During the hearing, Justice Chidyausiku took the PG’s Office to task, demanding an explanation on why NPA wanted its job to be done by police officers and soldiers still in service.

“Why do you want the police to do your job? We in the Judiciary do not want to have police officers as magistrates,” Justice Chidyausiku said then.

“Give us one good reason why we should have police prosecutors as opposed to civilian prosecutors … In principle, I do not see the reason why the PG would want his job done by the police,” he said.

In response, Fero said the practice of engaging security forces as public prosecutors had been in existence since time immemorial, adding that the main reason was the unattractive conditions of service offered by NPA.

Fero also said there were no provisions in the Constitution that precluded security forces from being engaged as prosecutors.

But in his submissions on behalf of the applicants, Zhuwarara said the use of security forces to perform prosecutorial duties in civilian courts was in violation of section 208(4) of the Constitution.

He said that engagement of the police and army officers to prosecute in civilian courts was a misnomer, adding that the practice could not be condoned, tolerated or excused in a democratic society.

“The mechanics of birthing a public prosecutor are different from those put in place to bring about a police officer or an army officer … They (police and army prosecutors) are part of the security system and cannot be engaged in civilian institutions since they are bound by specific rules of discipline,” he said.

Charamba yesterday said they would wait for the PG to comply with the order, failure of which they would take him to task.

“We will go back to court if they defy, our papers are ready. We are giving them time to comply with the order. The NPA was given two years which is ample time to recruit and the prosecutors to wind up their cases,” Charamba said.

-Newsday

Chinese ambassador to Harare Guo Shaochun says Zimbabwe will be one of the first countries to receive the Chinese Covid-19 vaccine in a bid to stop the current pandemic surge.

“Zimbabwe will be one of the first 14 countries to receive vaccine aid from China very soon,” he said.

More to follow..

By A Correspondent- An abusive Bulawayo kombi driver is on the run after allegedly brutally stabbing his girlfriend to death for threatening to end their relationship.

Melinkosi Moyo from Lobengula West allegedly followed Prudence Ndlovu (24) from the same suburb to a relative’s home in Nkulumane suburb where he stabbed her repeatedly before fleeing the scene on Sunday midnight.

According to The Chronicle, Ndlovu, a third-year student at Bulawayo Polytechnic, was allegedly having relationship problems with Moyo whom she had been dating for about two years.

Her sister Future Ndlovu said :

“They were in a relationship for almost two years but of late my sister was not happy. She was in an abusive relationship which she wanted to end. So, on Saturday, before she was killed, she had visited one of our cousins in Nkulumane suburb.

“It seems Moyo was not happy with the decision that my sister was taking. She was always telling me that he was abusive and she wanted to call off the relationship. It seems on Saturday she told him that the relationship was over.

“Moyo would not accept that and constantly called her. He even followed her to Nkulumane suburb at 11PM,” said Ms Ndlovu.

She said Moyo called her sister and asked her to meet him outside so that they could talk.

“It seems they spent about 30 minutes talking and thereafter my cousin heard her scream. When she went to check out what had happened she found her lying on the ground bleeding. She had stab wounds on the neck, above her left breast and in the back,” she said.

“She was stabbed on Sunday at about 12AM. An ambulance was called but officials responded saying they only had one ambulance which was ferrying a patient to Mpilo Central Hospital. The ambulance only arrived at the scene at 3AM and she had died. We are told that she was in serious pain as she cried for help but couldn’t get it. For about 30 minutes, we are told that she would request that she be given water to drink as she pleaded for help saying she was dying. But the person she was with is also young so she could not render any help,” said Ms Ndlovu.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said murder investigations were on course.

“We are investigating a suspected murder case where 24-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her boyfriend. It is worrying that members of the public are violating lockdown regulations to commit crime. Government imposed a 6PM to 6AM curfew and this crime was committed in the middle of the night when everyone was supposed to be home. We are also worried over domestic violence cases being perpetuated during Level Four national lockdown,” said Insp Ncube.

He appealed to members of the public who might have information that could lead to Moyo’s arrest to come forward.

By A Correspondent | Just as he was now recovering from COVID -19, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has been readmitted into hospital.

Hon. Ziyambi who doubles as Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson during parliamentary discussions, had at the time gone to get his blood pressure checked at a nearby hospital when he was told it has shot up, a family source said.

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