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.

By A Correspondent| MDC Alliance deputy chairperson, Job Sikhala has been freed on ZWL$25 000 bail.

He has been held since January 9 following his arrest on charges of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the state after he tweeted about a circulating video showing a baby allegedly ‘killed’ by a police officer’s truncheon.

By A Correspondent | The MDC Alliance Trio, Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri have been arrested again.

The announcement was made by the Zimbabwe Lawyers For Human Rights head Roselyn Hanzi who in a tweet said charges or allegations are still unclear.

Analyst Brian Kagoro commented by posing the question: Is this just a way of exposing young female activists to the risk of contracting COVID-19 for the most nebulous of reasons?

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY- REFRESH THIS PAGE FOR THE UPDATES

Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has maintained its demands for dialogue with Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF.

The MDC Alliance insists the legitimacy crisis is the major impediment to dialogue with Zanu PF.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Monday morning, MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson, Clifford Hlatywayo said:

“There are no talks or whatsoever with ZANU PF. We have been clear on the conditions for a credible dialogue.

There is need for an independent and credible mediator at a neutral venue with the right participants.

MDCA is committed to all the efforts that are genuine and meant to deal with the real crisis in Zimbabwe which is the legitimacy crisis.”

By A Correspondent- Afro-fusion singer Diana Samkange has temporarily hung her guitar to focus on farming where she specialises in the production of herbs.

Since the government enforced the lockdown in March last year to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, musicians have not been able to stage shows as all public gatherings including music concerts are banned.

For Samkange, the inactivity in the music sector has pushed her to the land where she now spends time in the bush gathering herbs such as Zumbani.

She told the Daily News:

The situation in the arts sector is deplorable. Musicians are suffering as the majority of them survived solely on concerts and royalties.

As for me, I have diverted my attention and focus on farming and herb business.

Since last year, I have recorded good business with clients buying Zumbani and other herbs to protect themselves against the virus.

The demand for Zumbani is too high. I am now spending most of my time in the jungle gathering traditional medicines for me to meet the demand.

By A Correspondent- Two unidentified men drowned in Mazowe river while taking pictures.

The duo, aged 22 and 21 died in Glendale, Mashonaland Central province after they encroached the edges of the flooded Mazowe River while taking pictures from their mobile phones.

They reportedly both slipped and drowned.

Mazowe assistant district development coordinator Willard Masimba confirmed the incident and urged people no to go to close to flooded rivers.

The incident happened a few hours after Bindura District development coordinator Richard Chipfuwa had issued a flood warning to communities in the Bindura, Mazowe area after two dams, Candy and Iron Duke, burst their walls resulting in the flooding of Mazowe River.

A Glendale resident Brian Jonga said Candy and Iron Duke dams burst their walls at around 7 am Sunday morning.

More details follow.

By A Correspondent- A shortage of undertakers, some of whom have been stricken by Covid-19, has resulted in Harare City Council failing to provide graves to bereaved families at Warren Hills cemetery.

The local authority has 40 undertakers with each expected to dig at least two graves per day, but the numbers have decreased as some of the undertakers are not reporting for duty.

Currently, council is charging $2 300 for a grave at Warren Hill cemetery.

Ward 15 councillor, Tichavona Mhetu attributed the challenges to under-staffing, but acting council spokesperson Mr Innocent Ruwende said they were overwhelmed with an increase in burials.

“We are not understaffed, but overwhelmed by the increase in numbers of people being buried at Warren Hills. Before Covid-19, we used to have 18 burials per day and we had a team of 40 undertakers, each digging two graves per day and they would change shifts.

“Now we are having more than 20 burials a day and this has affected our manpower as some of the undertakers are not coming to work due to Covid-19 and they are in isolation. We still have enough space for burials and we have also engaged funeral parlours that will be assisting us with undertakers,” he said.

Clr Mhetu had expressed concern about the situation at Warren Hills cemetery saying that there were a number of factors affecting operations at the cemetery chief among them being the shortage of undertakers.

“Council seems to be understaffed because if you notice before Covid-19 people would buy a grave and get it tomorrow, but the situation is no longer possible now because those people working at Warren Hills are few.

“The application process to get a grave is still being done under the normal process and that is no longer sustainable.

“If you want to buy a grave you will be allocated one on the same day, but the availability of the grave now becomes a problem because of the demand due to Covid-19.

“The undertakers are few and they are now allocating one undertaker to dig a grave when they are supposed to be two per grave,” he said.

He added that the council owned graves are in a sorry state compared to privately owned cemeteries which are well maintained.

On PPEs, Mr Ruwende said staff working on grave sites have PPEs and as council they have made sure that they are well protected and safe before conducting any burial.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- South Africa, which will take delivery of its first batch of Covid-19 vaccines from India on Monday, has sparked controversy after declaring it will exclude millions of undocumented immigrants from its immunization program.

The discriminatory policy was announced by health minister Zweli Mkhize on Saturday, contradicting the country’s treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane who told news editors days earlier that the government will not “turn away undocumented people.”

“All you need when you go [to a vaccination center] is to show that you have got an ID, you are a South African registered voter,” Mkhize told SABC, appearing to even sideline foreign nationals with legal status.

“For those who are undocumented, we are not able to deal with that because at the moment we would like to be able to deal with people based on the South African registration. So at this point, we have no plan to deal with those that are not documented.”

South Africa is home to millions of migrants from all over the continent and beyond, who have sought refuge for economic and political reasons.

Mkhize’s remarks attracted immediate backlash from both locals and foreigners with one South African lawyer declaring the plan unconstitutional.

“The suggestion by minister of health, Zweli Mkhize, that vaccine rollout be limited to citizens is unconstitutional. The constitution guarantees the right to health to everyone in South Africa,” tweeted Advocate Jason Brickhill, a constitutional lawyer.

“It also makes no public health sense – the virus does not check people’s papers!”

Groups representing foreigners in South Africa also denounced the vaccination strategy saying excluding other groups will only complicate the already formidable war against the coronavirus pandemic.

Others called the policy irrational and xenophobic.

“What Mkhize is saying is that only South African citizens will get the vaccine; that means all foreigners here legally or illegally will not be vaccinated. It makes no sense,” Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda, chairman of the African Diaspora Forum told the Voice of America’s Studio 7.

To date, South Africa has recorded more than 1.4 million Covid-19 infections and 44,000 deaths.

To achieve herd immunity, government aims to inoculate two-thirds of its population or 40 million people.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday receive the country’s first order of 1 million AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine doses from India which will be used to inoculate healthcare workers over the next three or so months.

South African press reported Sunday that the country – the worst hit on the continent – has secured an additional 20 million doses from Pfizer plus millions of vaccines from other drug manufacturers.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Zimbabwean contemporary musician, Jah Prayzah born Mukudzei Mukombe has mourned his uncle Tendai Savanhu who succumbed to COVID-19 on Sunday.

Savanhu was brother to Jah Prayzh’s mother, Shirely Savanhu. In his eulogy, the Military Touch boss described Tendai Savanhu as a unifier.

He said:

Ndaivati Mhofu Mdara, sekuru vangu Vhuramai Seke Mutema. Zvirimumoyo nendangariro dzangu hazvibudimo kuti ndimi maiva muyenzaniso werudo nekubatanidza hama. Hwedu hukama hweropa hwainge husahwira tikava tsika nditsike hushamwari wasekuru nemzukuru. Nhasi ndapererwa Seke. Zororai murugare MHOFU MDARA

By A Correspondent- 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.

By A Correspondent- Two Beitbridge policemen sustained injuries after they were allegedly assaulted by the recently deployed army commandos.

Detective Sergeant Albert Gonye and Detective Constable Kurai Marongere of the Criminal Investigations Department were tracking suspects believed to be stealing from haulage trucks when they were attacked and detained by a group of soldiers.

The officer commanding Beitbridge Police District, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo, however, denied that such an incident occurred.

But NewsDay is in possession of a letter written by the two detectives’ lawyers, which demanded to know the reasons for the pair’s assault and detention.

Lawyer Jabulani Mzinyathi of Garikai and Company law firm, in a letter copied to Nyongo district area prosecutor, and the officer in charge of Beitbridge police, demanded to know why the two police officers were detained without charge.

Gonye and Marongere were allegedly held for 13 hours at Beitbridge Police Station without charge.

Mzinyathi said Gonye sustained injuries when he was pushed against some objects.

He said the commandos, led by an army major and a captain, assaulted and disarmed the cops before deflating the tyres of their vehicles.

It is alleged that the two policemen were freed after Gonye demanded that he need to be treated for his injuries.

“Their arrest and subsequent detention was unlawful because there was no charge brought against them,” Mzinyathi said in the letter.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- High Court judge Justice Clement Phiri has died from COVID-19 related complications.

Justice Phiri died on Sunday night at his home in Marondera. He had tested positive for COVID-19 days earlier.

His family also tested positive for coronavirus recently had recovered.

Justice Phiri had part of his foot amputated last year but had recovered and was now preparing to get a shoe for the remaining part.

He was appointed to the High Court bench in September 2015 along with four other judges; Justice Jester Helena Charewa, Justice Tawanda Chitapi, Justice Davison Moses Foroma, Justice Nyaradzo Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa and Justice Edith Kuda Mushore.

Before his appointment as a judge, Justice Phiri worked as a senior lawyer in private practice.

More: The Herald

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza Municipality has urged residents whose homes were built in low-lying areas to evacuate as soon as possible.

The call comes after heavy rains pounded the area on Friday leading to the flooding of several homes in suburbs such as Seke Unit N Extension near ZAOGA, Seke Unit A Extension along Duri River, Seke Unit M, and the Pagomba area in Zengeza 4, as well as Manyame.

Chitungwiza acting town clerk Tonderai Kasu said:

On this basis as the municipality, we hereby strongly warn and urge those living in low-lying areas as well as those that built houses on wetlands, on riverbanks, on waterways and in streams to immediately evacuate now and without delay.

Meanwhile, Chitungwiza residents have accused land barons working with politicians of allocating residential stands in wetlands and on riverbanks.

Chitungwiza Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Arthur Taderera claimed that local politicians’ wont to illegally parcel out stands during election periods is the root cause of the problem.

He said:

Some of the stands were supposed to be allocated by council, but the houses are not in the council database and they were built on wetlands, and have no drainage systems.

–newsday

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) says it is investigating some errant pharmacies and health facilities that receive foreign currency allotted on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe auction facility to import drugs to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms but then sell the medicines at exorbitant prices in foreign currency.

ZACC spokesperson, Commissioner John Makamure said they have received numerous complaints from members of the public about the practice.

He said:

Medical supplies are one of those items that have been given priority in the allocation of foreign currency by the RBZ so the importers can bid at the auctions.

We have received complaints that some unscrupulous pharmacies were accessing the hard currency to procure COVID-19 drugs.

The drugs would be on shelves briefly. They would then de-shelve them and divert them onto the black market.

The government recently approved the use of Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug for “investigational” COVID-19 treatment.

This followed intense lobbying from some primary care physicians who argue that the fusion of Ivermectin and nanosilver was effective for palliative care for Covid patient.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimstat spokesperson, Mercy Chidemo said they have so far made significant progress in census mapping since they were granted essential service status.

Said Chidemo:

Currently, the Census mapping is ongoing and we have managed to map 45 per cent of the wards in Zimbabwe.

The census questionnaire and enumerator manual were adopted and approved by stakeholders.

We are now finalising the development of the data collection system.

We are doing our best to ensure the attainment of a successful and credible census.

Chidemo added that Zimstat has computerised data collection and processing and this will ensure the availability of oof census results in six months after data collection, rather than 12 months.

She said:

We have computerised data collection and processing. We will be using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing. Census results will be available six months after data collection.

Prior to this data collection was paper-based hence census results were being published as late as 24 months after data collection.

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance has challenged Zanu PF bigwigs to bring back the COVID-19 funds they looted.

The people of Zimbabwe are now trapped between the pandemic and poverty, according to the MDC Alliance.

Watch video below:

Tinashe Sambiri| The MDC Alliance has challenged Zanu PF bigwigs to bring back the COVID-19 funds they looted.

The people of Zimbabwe are now trapped between the pandemic and poverty, according to the MDC Alliance.

Watch video below:

By A Correspondent- A plane carrying South Africa’s first batch of COVID-19 vaccines has left India and is expected to arrive in the country on Monday.

The development was announced by Sbu Ndebele, South Africa’s High Commissioner to India.

Ndebele said:

The shipment left Mumbai this morning, via Dubai and will arrive at OR Tambo International Airport tomorrow morning.

It is the most safely, highly guarded commodity and I can assure that there will be no danger of it being tampered.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, says one million doses will be arriving from the Serum Institute of India

By A Correspondent- The former head of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services (ZBC)’s Radio One, now classic 263, Patrick Nyamhunga died.

Speaking on Nyamhunga’s death, veteran ZBC reporter, Reuben Barwe said local media has lost a patriot and hardworking man.

He said as one of the pioneers of programs on Zimbabwean history, culture and heritage, Patrick Nyavhunga modernised the media in independent Zimbabwe.

Details on the cause and place of death are still sketchy.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean and Prince Edward School old boy, Marvin Mapunde (aka Zuda) is one of the first reported Old boys (Old Hararians) to have received the first dose of the COVID-19 AstraZaneca Vaccine.

Writing on his Facebook profile, he made the announcement on Friday 29 January 2021.  Mr Mapunde is based in the U.K. which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and has a death toll of over 105 000 COVID-19 related fatalities.

Mr Mapunde was a popular prefect at the prestigious Prince Edward, boys only, Harare High School which was ranked 6th best high school in Africa in 2003, and amongst the top 10 schools in Africa in 2010 and is still to this day government-run.  He had honours at Provincial level in rugby where he represented Mashonaland.  The school got its name after a visit by Edward VIII in 1925 who was Prince of Wales at the time.

Zuda, as he was affectionately known by his friends excelled in Biology, Arts and Weightlifting.  He was one of the few who had the privilege to walk on the world-famous Jubilee Turf.

Kind messages of congratulations were sent to Mr Mapunde by a number of people, including some from, Mr James William Von Broembsen, Mr Terrence Karamba and Mr Farai Msika who are all Old Hararians.

The vaccine that Mr Mapunde received is the AstraZeneca vaccine that is mostly manufactured in the U.K. and has caused political quagmires between the U.K. and the European Union (E.U.)

When asked how he was by another Old Hararian Mr Marvin Suerga, Mr Mapunde replied, “So far so good brother.  Thanks for checking up on me?.”

In the Global fight against the pandemic and the apathy felt by many towards being vaccinated, one can only but admire the firm foundations and leadership shown by Mr Mapunde.  Just as in the Prince Edward High School song which in part says, “as we lay aside the pen and abandon bat and ball, May we quit ourselves like men, answering our countries call.”

Mr Mapunde has surely answered his country’s call and received the vaccine much sooner than most, thus showing all who graced the Avenue of the Jakarandas, the quadrangle, the assembly and the strict military dress code, the vaccine is safe and on the whole the right thing to do, in order to save oneself, the human race and the country as we all know it is to take the vaccine.

If you went to school in Zimbabwe and would like to let others know that the vaccine is safe, regardless of where you are in life, please share this and write your name and the school you went to below, so that others may see that the vaccine really does work and was not made to kill us, but to help us.

By Guest columnist Thabo Makuyana

By A Correspondent- A 30 year old man from Mvuma died after being beaten with a log several times on the head after being found with a married woman.

Chronicle reports that the incident happened last Wednesday at Central Estate, Mvuma at around 9 PM when Simangaliso Honde returned to his homestead unannounced and allegedly found his wife in the company of the now-deceased Munyaradzi Mugwagwa in the kitchen.

The incident was confirmed by Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko who said investigations were underway.

Mahoko said:

Police in Mvuma are investigating a murder case where a 30-year- old male adult died while admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital after he was assaulted with a log in the head after being caught with another man’s wife in the kitchen at Central Estate in Mvuma.

Insp Mahoko said it is alleged that when Honde returned and found the duo in the kitchen, a misunderstanding arose between him and the deceased.

Honde allegedly went out of the kitchen, took a thick wooden stick intending to assault Mugwagwa who fled towards a nearby bushy area.

Honde pursued him, caught up and struck him several times on the head until he started bleeding excessively.

The accused then took Mugwagwa to his homestead before calling one Darlington Hlomayi who took the deceased to Mvuma District Hospital.

Mugwagwa was further transferred to Gweru Provincial Hospital where he died on January 27.

Insp Mahoko appealed to members of the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands as this usually leads to unnecessary loss of life and property

By A Correspondent- The UAE president has consoled president Emmerson Mnangagwa following the death of his sister, a number of his cabinet ministers and the ambassador of Zimbabwe to UAE due to the Covid-19.

Reported the Khaleej Times:

The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent a cable of condolences to Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, expressing sympathy over the death of his sister, a number of his ministers and the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the UAE, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have sent similar cables to the President of Zimbabwe.

Masimba Holdings Limited who were contracted to rehabilitate the Skyline to Chimanimani road have said they executed their duties diligently. This comes after the road collapsed killing a motorist recently.

We present Masimba Holdings Limited’s statement in full below.

THE SKYLINE TO CHIMANIMANI ROAD COLLAPSE

The Chimanimani area has been experiencing heavy rains since the beginning of the rainy season. In the early hours of 30 January 2021, a small river changed its course upstream after an existing culvert was blocked by debris. This resulted in water undermining the road just before the culvert, causing a section of the Wengezi Chimanimani road to collapse at the 69km peg. A ditch that is an estimated 3m deep and 3m wide, and impassable to traffic, was created. Preliminary investigations indicate that the collapse may also have been aggravated by an underground stream.

It is with sadness that we also inform you that a motorist travelling in the early hours of the morning of 30 January 2021, unaware of the state of the road, drove into the ditch and regrettably passed away. Our condolences go out to the family.

Masimba Holdings Limited carried out extensive rehabilitation works on the Skyline Chimanimani road following damages caused by Cyclone Idai in 2019. The scope of the contracted works on the affected section was confined to resealing.

Meanwhile, we have mobilised equipment to open a detour to allow vehicles to pass while we carry out repair works as per the Department of Roads engineering designs issued on 30 January 2021.

For further information, please contact:
Pearl Mutiti
[email protected]

Directors: G Sebborn (Chairman) *C Malunga (CEO) MM Di Nicola *A Makamure MW McCulloch PT Zhanda (Jnr.)
*Executive

Last year, a 14-year-old Zimbabwean whizkid, Taida Mapara, made headlines after scoring 15 points in the June ZIMSEC examinations and enrolling for a medicine degree at Malawi Medical School. Dandaro Online interviewed Taida who was a student at Hillbright Science College.

Below are excerpts from the interview.

Dandaro: Who is Taida and where does she live?
Taida is a girl who was able to achieve great things that not many people can, by the grace of God. She grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe and moved to Ghana in 2016. She is currently staying in Zimbabwe.

Dandaro: You came into prominence towards last year when you were featured in the press as a 14-year old, child prodigy who passed her A Levels and had been accepted by a university to study medicine. Was this always your goal?
Taida: It was my goal to get into medical school, I have always wanted to become a doctor. It wasn’t my goal to become well known, I was surprised when I saw my name trending.

Dandaro: Have you actually started your degree programme? If so, where are you studying and how are you finding your course?
Taida: Because of the pandemic I haven’t started. I am hoping to start in February 2021 (next month).

Dandaro: Tai, you are so young, most kids your age are still grappling with the basics of the Periodic Table, Pythagoras Theorem, etc. How are you able to relate to your age mates given that you are so far ahead, academically?
Taida: Even though I am ahead academically, we share similar interests and learn from each other in different aspects of life. There is more to life than academics. Academically, I may be ahead, but when it comes to other things, we are the same.

Dandaro: Friends, do you have any given that you are so busy ?? If so, are most of your friends within your age group or older mates from uni?
Taida: Like most people, I am busy. I still need to study. I know medicine is not an easy programme. The road will be bumpy, so I need to work hard. I have friends from different age groups, some older than me, some the same age and others younger than me. I get to learn from my older friends, and I get to be an example to my younger friends.

Dandaro: What do you do for fun?
Taida: For fun, I like to dance with my friends, listen to music and draw.

Dandaro: We learnt from last year’s press release that you have younger siblings who happen to be twins. What’s your relationship like with them, do they understand the depths of your achievements?
Taida: My siblings see me for who I am. To them I am their older sister no matter what.

Dandaro: We understand that you want to be a cardiologist. What is it that draws you to this particular field and how do you think you will be able to make a difference?
Taida: Watching doctors on TV motivated me. Whenever I saw them, I would always say to myself, “I want to be like them”. Cardiology is the speciality that interests me the most. Who knows, this may change with time but I love it!

Dandaro: Do you intend to work in Zimbabwe or do you prefer taking your talents elsewhere in the future?
Taida: I intend to work in Zimbabwe because it is my home and I would love to make it a better country.

Dandaro: You lived in Ghana for a couple of years. What can you tell us about your experience there?
Taida: Ghana is a beautiful country with a lot of culture. The people there are very kind and loving. The food is amazing too.

Dandaro: Is the Ghanaian academic curricula similar to ours? Any improvements we can make on our side based on your experience there?
Taida: They are similar, I didn’t have a hard time adapting during my stay there.

Dandaro: Going back to the socialising topic. Not trying to scare you ? but there is a fear that child geniuses risk missing basic things like rhaka-rhaka, nhodo, discos, etc. Is this something that bothers you?
Taida: Not really because to my family and friends, I am no different to children my age, I take part in a lot of activities with them.

Dandaro: How have your parents been helping you navigate your amazing journey?
Taida: They are always by my side guiding me and helping me. They give me advice and motivate me. I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.

Dandaro: Who is your hero and why?
Taida: My parents are my heroes because they motivate me. I want to be like them when I grow up. They are very loving and caring people. They are very kind and people love being around them. They are great role models.

Dandaro: How did you grow the interest to exert yourself in academics, do you think it’s your natural aptitude or were there other factors?
Taida: I just really like stationery and writing notes, so studying was fun for me. I did have hard times here and there but I stayed strong and never gave up.

Dandaro: In the event that Taida completes her studies, what’s next and what are her long-term objectives?
Taida: I want to work, own a house and a car. I want to also further my studies, and maybe do some travelling.

Dandaro: Do you have any ideas or words of encouragement to share with young people out there?
Taida: Never give up, failure is the stepping stone to success.

Dandaro: Tell us one thing you really like about Zimbabwe.
Taida: I love the languages. Although I cannot speak all of them I love hearing people speak in their different languages and dialects.

Dandaro: What is your favourite traditional dish?
Taida: Rice rinedovi, muriwo nenyama

Dandaro: Any parting words?
Taida: Hope I have motivated people out there to work hard and make their dreams a reality.

By A Correspondent- The recent spate of deaths of top government officials, including ministers who succumbed to Covid-19, have left President Emmerson Mnangagwa in a predicament.

Well-placed sources yesterday said Mnangagwa was in a quandary on whom to pick to replace the two key cabinet ministers. The president has exhausted his free-choice selection quota provided for by the Constitution and any more appointments ought to come from within Parliament.

Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo and Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza died a fortnight ago due to Covid-19 complications. Acting President Constantino Chiwenga presided over their burial at the National Heroes’ Acre last week in a historic triple burial that included former Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service commissioner-general Paradzai Zimondi.

A week before, Mnangagwa had presided over the burials of Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba and liberation war icon Moton Malianga at the national shrine. The two also succumbed to the novel coronavirus.

It is the replacement of Moyo and Matiza that could give Mnangagwa headaches when he returns to work this week at the end of his one-month-long annual leave.

Jostling for the two positions has reportedly already started within his ruling Zanu-PF, with some names being thrown around in a deliberate attempt to influence Mnangagwa’s decisions.

Interestingly though, none of the names being thrown around are constituency MPs and, therefore, may not be constitutionally eligible for consideration.

Mnangagwa has exhausted appointing his five non-constituency MPs as mandated by the Constitution, restricting his choice only to the existing pool of legislators. The two positions that he needs to fill require keen technocrats and/or experienced and exceptionally driven political brains that may not be easy to find from among his current MPs.

Section 104 (3) of the Constitution on appointment of ministers and Cabinet reads: “Ministers and deputy ministers are appointed from among Senators or Members of the National Assembly, but up to five, chosen for their professional skills and competence, may be appointed outside Parliament.”

Mnangagwa already has the five nonconstituency ministers namely: Higher Education minister Amon Murwira, Local Government minister July Moyo, Sports minister Kirsty Coventry, Lands minister Anxious Masuka and Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.

United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean lawyer Alex Magaisa said the death of the two ministers has put Mnangagwa in a precarious situation on his choice of replacements as he is restricted by the Constitution.

“His choices are extremely limited,” Magaisa said.

“He has to appoint from the current pool of elected representatives. Alternatively, he will have to sack some of those non-MPs if he wants to appoint new outsiders.

“He has only two options. The first one: he can only appoint from the current pool of elected MPs which means that his choices are very limited. But if he wants to bring in someone from outside Parliament, which opens the second option, that means he has to sack some of the current ministers who are not in Parliament. That will open up space so that he can appoint someone from outside Parliament. So that’s the only two options that he has.”

Some of the names of people being thrown in as Moyo’s replacement at Foreign Affairs include former Zimbabwe ambassador to China, Chris Mutsvangwa.

Zimbabwe’s current ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations in New York, Frederick Shava, is also been rooted for the position due to his reported closeness to western countries which Mnangagwa is desperate to re-engage. He once represented Zimbabwe in China.

International trade expert Stuart Comberbach’s name is also featuring among the list that also includes Murwira.

Comberbach is a special advisor in the ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some Zanu-PF members are reportedly making underground manoeuvres to replace Matiza. Observers believe the Foreign Affairs ministry is key to Mnangagwa, who is on a re-engagement drive.

University of Zimbabwe law lecturer Lovemore Madhuku said Mnangagwa had only one option, which was, however, limited in terms of choice.

He said his party could nominate replacements for Moyo and Gwaradzimba, who were both senators, and proceed to appoint them into ministers if he wants to take from outside. He, however, had no option on Matiza, who was a sitting MP.

But, Madhuku said, the replacements should come from the respective provinces, and that limited Mnangagwa’s choice.

“He may delay the appointments; allow the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to expedite processes and get the party to nominate replacements for Moyo and Gwaradzimba and appoint them as ministers,” Madhuku said.

But outside of this option, Madhuku said: “Mnangagwa has no way out, there is no room to manoeuvre, and he has to appoint from Parliament. He has to get them from Parliament. Five non-constituency ministers is the maximum the President can choose; he can’t do anything.”

On questions on competency among Zanu-PF legislators, Madhuku said: “Competency in Zanu-PF is the same; you cannot expect to get a very competent person from Zanu-PF.

“Mnangagwa will have to live with those who are there. The people cannot expect competency out of Zanu when they voted for a Zanu-PF President and also Zanu-PF has the majority in Parliament; the people should live with the incompetency that is there. It should not even be debated. Mnangagwa should choose from his mediocre MPs.”-standard

By A Correspondent- City of Masvingo has responded to reports that one of their employees in the engineering department mishandled its tank and pipe cleaning exercise leading to the recent pumping of near-sludge water to households.

In a public notice dated January 28, 2021, the city promised that it was addressing the source of the problem, but stopped short of disclosing finer details.

“The City of Masvingo regrets the supply of discoloured tap water which is brownish in colour. We are in the process of addressing the source of the problem and we trust we will be through by Sunday morning the 31st of January 2021.

“Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the city communicated.-TellZim

By A Correspondent- One of the trucks that was involved in a pile-up accident in Zambia in August last year resulting in more than six people being burnt beyond recognition belongs to Ephias Munodawafa, the current chief Murinye of Masvingo.

According to Zambian police public relations officer Esther Mwaata Katongo, the driver and the truck were unknown.

However, investigations have revealed the truck belongs to chief Murinye, who is the director of Zikrag investments and E&J Munodawafa (Pvt) Limited which specialises in haulage trucks.

The trucks were alleged to be unroadworthy and operating without certificates of fitness (COFs) resulting in Remigio Tafiranyika Dhima, who was a driver of a Nissan uD truck registration number ACZ 2450, getting involved in the accident where he was burnt beyond recognition.

Dhima is reported to have been involved in an accident on August 16, 2020 along the Chirundu-Kafue road at Kapiringozi hills with three other trucks.

One of the trucks, a Volvo truck registration number ACQ 2702, was being driven by another Zimbabwean, prince James of clear choice Logistics, and was on a breakdown. The third was another Zimbabwean male identified as Danmore Magoshe, of Srauss Logistics, driving a FAW truck registration number AEU 6414 and believed to have been carrying jet 1 fuel.

In chats before the tragic accident, Dhima, who was travelling from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and carrying silicon manganese, was constantly complaining about his brakes and the vehicle’s condition.

The accident occurred when Dhima, who was descending a hill, lost control of the vehicle due to brake failure before hitting a FAW truck which was suspected to be carrying jet1 fuel and later went and hit a stationary Volvo truck which had a breakdown. All motor vehicles were completely burnt.

Investigations unearthed three originals cFos issued at VID Eastlea for E&J Munodawafa dated May 23, 2019 expiring on May 31, 2020 for his trailers.

All the three coFs were not cut and thus not attached on the trucks raising eyebrows about how the vehicles were operating for a whole year without COFs.

Contacted for comment, assistant manager at VID Eastlea, Caroline Tshuma, said she was not allowed to talk to the media.w

Sources revealed that according to Tongaat Hullets regulations, no haulage truck is supposed to load without a coF. it remains a mystery how Murinye’s company was allowed to load at the sugar company without coFs amid allegations of bribery having been taking place.

On September 20, 2020, the chief allegedly transferred $10 000 to Tsalani Hwizimani (Tongaat logistics manager) while Taurai Mushonga, the dispatcher controller, allegedly received $8 000 and several others employees also allegedly got some credit from his BancABc account, Heritage branch in Harare.

When reached for comment, the traditional chief placed all the blame on his former manager whom he accused of being the architect of all these misdeeds. He said the manager (a lady) was out to soil his name while also accusing this reporter of having an affair with her.

“If I have become so powerful to the extent of running trucks without coFs for a whole year, then I should congratulate myself for even being more powerful than the president himself. Go back to bed and ask her again why those coFs were not on the trucks.

“Sorry, I’m so used to being attacked by journalists especially those who are inclined to opposition politics in Zimbabwe. Go write all that which will make your heart feel good. You behave as if you write on behalf of God,” said Murinye.

When further quizzed on the money he deposited into the accounts of Tongaat employees, he said there was nothing wrong with it.

“It’s nothing new that we have donated to Zimbabwe sugar sales (ZSS) employees and other structures. it’s not a secret, at times we buy them food just like most companies do.

“There’s nothing to bribe for because we already have a contract. We usually give them Christmas presents. This time we gave them early because I would be having serious financial commitments in December.”

Hwizimani confirmed receiving money from chief Murinye, but said it was a debt the traditional chief was repaying.

“He was paying what he owed me. sorry, i am not allowed to comment on something in my line of duty,” he said.

Mushonga could neither confirm nor deny the allegations, but said whatever you hear from Murinye is the correct version.

Tongaat corporate affairs manager Adelide Chikunguru could not be reached for comment as her phone went unanswered.

-standard

By A Correspondent- Popular actor Blessing Chimhowa who plays Mbudziyadhura in the Gringo series broadcast on ZBCTV – was rushed to a local clinic in Gweru in the early hours of Wednesday after developing abdominal complications and discharged later on the day.

Mbudziyadhura’s longtime friend and manager Paradzai “Sekuru Para” Makosa confirmed the news to Standard Style on Friday, adding that the family made an appeal for financial support on Wednesday.

“He became ill suddenly on Tuesday afternoon and became worse overnight.

He was then rushed to a nearby clinic in the early hours of Wednesday. His health stabilised and he was later discharged without further referrals,” Makosa said.

“Upon receiving the message we panicked seeing that we are in the middle of this Covid-19 pandemic. Mbudziyadhura has long-term complications with abdominal injuries sustained from a car accident that nearly claimed his life in 2007.”

Makosa said the family was still looking for funds to cover Mbudziyadhura’s medical expenses.

“Well-wishers can still chip in because at the moment he is grounded. He needs to go for checkups,” he said.

“Hard times have befallen a lot of people in this country, and Mbudziyadhura has not been spared.

“He lost his full-time job at Hifa [Harare International Festival of the Arts] and subsequently medical benefits among many other packages. After losing his job and benefits, Chimhowa purchased a piece of land in Hozheri, Gweru, and he is planning to become a full-time farmer if his health improves.”

Mbudziyadhura acted in Gringo drama series on ZBCTV, Gringo Mari Iripi?, Gringo Troublemaker One and Two, and featured in Yellow Card. He has also featured on stage plays that include Fat Cats where he played a West African conman.

Sekuru Para disclosed plans to work on a Gringo series when Mbudziyadhura recovers and the intention to improve his visibility on social media.

“Currently, we are trying to create content for his new YouTube channel as well as grow an online community through Facebook and Instagram,” Makosa said.

“There is also a possibility of working on a new Gringo movie fronted by Sekuru Banda.

“Gringo’s son [Taurai] and Mbudziyadhura will pair to keep alive the legacy of the late comedian. All this was halted by Covid-19. The acting profession stood still since the pandemic’s outbreak.-standard

By A Correspondent- A public health official has said the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients will be done in controlled environments to avoid indiscriminate prescription and dispensing of the medicine.

Chief Coordinator of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Agnes Mahomva, was speaking on Friday following the approval by the government of the use of the drug for “investigational” COVID-19 treatment.

Healthcare workers had lobbied for the use of the anti-parasitic drug saying the fusion of Ivermectin and nanosilver was effective in caring for patients.

Dr Mahomva asserted that the used of Ivermectin, that is the kind for humans, to treat COVID-19, will be closely monitored to protect patients from unethical and unsafe doses as well as counterfeit products, including veterinary Ivermectin.

She said:

Let me take this opportunity to remind you all, including our doctors, that all medicines, whether they are new or old, routine or investigational, must be registered with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) before they can be used or prescribed.

At the beginning of the month, MCAZ in its circular 5 of 2021 advised medical doctors and other healthcare workers against the use of unapproved veterinary Ivermectin for prevention of COVID-19 in humans.

In a more recent communication, MCAZ provided detailed guidance indicating that investigational medicines for COVID-19 such as Ivermectin, that is the kind for humans, are to be used under controlled and structured environments with specific settings and strict monitoring to avoid wanton and indiscriminate prescription and dispensing of such medicines.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Police in Buhera recently nabbed five suspected cattle rustlers who had stolen 19 herds of cattle from Makonya Village under Chief Nyashanu.

The five suspects appeared before Murambinda Magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai on allegations of stock theft on Wednesday and were all remanded in custody.

The state alleges that on the night of January 11 and 12 2021, Samson Mashingaidze, Trust Tabarira and Stanford Zivengwa stole 12 cattle from John Makonya’s pen, four from Netsai Gadzira and three from Muswe Majoni.

Makonya and Gadzira are both from Makonya Village while Majoni resides near Manhuru Township, under Chief Nyashanu.

The suspects intended to sell the beasts at Sari Abattoir in Harare and share the proceeds.

After rounding up the beasts, the group drove the cattle to Mashingaidze’s home where Jani Mumanyi and Blessing Mutumani were waiting with a vehicle to take them to Harare.

However, the suspects received a tip-off that police were coming for them and they ran away before loading the cattle in the truck.

Three of the suspects drove the cattle to a field near Manhuru Township where they left them tied to a tree.

Police recovered all the 19 cattle valued at $470 000.

-Masvingo-Mirror