By Correspondent- The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T has recalled a councillor from Lupane, Cllr June Mpofu, of Matshiya Ward 15 under the Kusile Rural District Council.
However, Cllr Mpofu has vowed to challenge his recall saying he cannot be recalled by the opposition party since he belongs to the Welshman Ncube-led MDC faction under the MDC Alliance banner.
Kusile RDC Chief Executive Officer Christopher Chuma wrote a letter to Cllr Mpofu, dated 25 January, informing him that the latter had been expelled from the MDC-T. The letter read in part:
The Minister of Local Government and Public Works has declared Matshiya Ward 15 of Kusile Rural District Council, this is upon receipt of communication from the Movement of Democratic Change (T) (MDCT) advising that Councillor June Mpofu of Matshiya Ward 15 Kusile Rural District Council has been expelled from the party.
… The vacancy is with immediate effect and the council will process any allowances that are due to you at the date of this letter.
Cllr Mpofu told CITE that the recall was instigated by people who were offended because he refused to ‘cross over’ to the Thokozani Khupe faction.
He said:
There is a candidate who lost the election who has been bothering me saying I should join their faction. I don’t intend to leave my party for any reason.
This letter only came when I refused to yield to his request. I will meet up with my party leaders and we will discuss a way forward.
Reports indicate that Mwonzora intends to wield the axe on some legislators and councillors who are loyal to Khupe, a former MDC-T acting president who was verbally and physically abused at the party’s extraordinary congress last month.-CITE
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has advised members of the public to ask for identification from police officers upon arrest to avoid falling victim to imposters.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said when in doubt, people must demand to be taken to the nearest police station or verify with stations’ command.
This comes after a 27-year-old fake police officer “arrested” a 29-year-old man in Bulawayo on Saturday last week and demanded US$1 from his victim.
However, the imposter was apprehended by a mob and handed over to the police. Asst Comm Nyathi said in a statement:
In a case of Impersonation which occurred in Bulawayo on the 23/01/21 at around 1530 hrs, a man (27) approached a victim (29) at corner Fort Street and 10th Avenue.
The suspect identified himself as a policeman and demanded USD $1.00 from him before he was arrested by a mob and handed to the Police.
Members of the public must ask for identification from anyone claiming to be a police officer to avoid being duped.
Members of the public must demand to be taken to the nearest police station or verify with stations’ command, if in doubt.
South Africa has revealed that illegal immigrants will also benefit from the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.
National Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane said this during a virtual meeting between his department and the SA National Editors Forum on Wednesday afternoon.
“We are in SA and we have many millions of undocumented people and [we can’t say they shouldn’t receive the vaccine as they are undocumented]. The demand for the vaccine is going to be exceeded, and we are not going to turnaway undocumented people…” said Mogajane
By A Correspondent- A man from Mhangura was allegedly killed by his cousin for dating a woman significantly older and for stealing some household property.
The now deceased’s remains were found dumped in the bush on Monday with hyenas having devoured part of them.
Closes friends and relatives of the deceased, Cosmos Chitofu, told NewsDay that he was employed by the Tsetse Control Department.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Margaret Chitove didn’t answer calls or respond to questions sent on her mobile phone when the publication sought for a comment.
However, a close relative told NewsDay that Cosmas went missing on January 19 and people believed that he was at work.
He said:
This is a sad moment for our family as a bid to help out a brother turned out nasty after the young brother killed him
Deceased, who was the elder brother, had a misunderstanding with his younger brother Elton. He told Elton to stop dating an over-aged woman.
She has four children from her previous marriage. Elton was also accused of stealing household goods to please his newfound love.
By A Correspondent |The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on government to urgently consider availing Covid-19 stimulus packages to distressed companies and save thousands of jobs in the long turn.
Presenting the workers’ response to the second Covid-19 wave, ZCTU secretary general, Japhet Moyo said government should urgently consider extending financial support to distressed business enterprises.
“Support to businesses also means protection of jobs threatened by direct and indirect disruption of businesses through the 30-day lockdown. Already, some of the companies are suffering from low capacity utilisation with some to as low as between 35 to 40% with the lockdown, further complicating their plight,” he said.
The labour body’s remarks come at a time when Zimbabwe has recorded 31,320 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 1 100 deaths.
In response to increased Covid-19 infections and deaths, the government instituted a new nationwide lockdown on January 5 with a curfew in effect from 6 pm to 6 am.
“A stimulus package for hardest hit sectors such as tourism, agriculture and manufacturing will ease the burden. Since the government already had the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund, this could be reactivated to support companies in distress as has been done in the past,” said Moyo.
He highlighted that access to the fund should be conditional and based on guarantees for job preservation and also to support the informal sector.
“This facility must be broadened to support the informal sector players taking into account their peculiar circumstances.”
President John Magufuli has denounced vaccines saying God will protect people from COVID-19, other people who’ve said this in the recent months have died. Is Magufuli being influenced by controversial Nigerian preacher TB Joshua (who’s gotten more than a hundred people killed before)?
Tanzanian President John Magufuli has said God will protect his nation from COVID-19 while warning his health ministry against rushing to adopt vaccines, suggesting the medical interventions may not be safe or effective.
John Magufuli
In a speech Wednesday in Western Tanzania, Magufuli who is a member of Nigerian preacher TB Joshua’s church expressed doubt about vaccines produced by Western countries.
“If the white man was able to come up with vaccinations, then vaccinations for AIDS would have been brought, tuberculosis would be a thing of the past, vaccines for malaria and cancer would have been found,” said the president.
Magufuli directed the Ministry of Health to adopt a vaccine only after it is certified by Tanzanian experts.
He said Tanzanians must not be used as guinea pigs in vaccine trials.
Little is known about the state of the coronavirus in Tanzania, as the president has declared the country to be “COVID-free” and officials refuse to keep track of coronavirus infections or deaths.
Tanzania has not published nationwide figures since May 8, when it had 509 cases and 21 deaths, according to WHO data.
The president has told officials to promote herbs to remedy COVID-19 symptoms.
Maguflui told those in attendance Wednesday that they should continue to put their trust in God, saying that they have lived for over one year without the virus because our God is able, and Satan will always fail.
“We Tanzanians haven’t locked ourselves in and we don’t expect to lock ourselves down. I don’t expect to announce any lockdown because our God is living and He will continue to protect Tanzanians,” he said.
The United States is currently warning Americans to avoid all travel to the East African country, assigning the country a Level 4 alert, the highest advisory level. – VOA/Reuters.
President John Magufuli has denounced vaccines saying God will protect people from COVID-19, other people who’ve said this in the recent months have died. Is Magufuli being influenced by controversial Nigerian preacher TB Joshua (who’s gotten more than a hundred people killed before)?
Tanzanian President John Magufuli has said God will protect his nation from COVID-19 while warning his health ministry against rushing to adopt vaccines, suggesting the medical interventions may not be safe or effective.
John Magufuli
In a speech Wednesday in Western Tanzania, Magufuli who is a member of Nigerian preacher TB Joshua’s church expressed doubt about vaccines produced by Western countries.
“If the white man was able to come up with vaccinations, then vaccinations for AIDS would have been brought, tuberculosis would be a thing of the past, vaccines for malaria and cancer would have been found,” said the president.
Magufuli directed the Ministry of Health to adopt a vaccine only after it is certified by Tanzanian experts.
He said Tanzanians must not be used as guinea pigs in vaccine trials.
Little is known about the state of the coronavirus in Tanzania, as the president has declared the country to be “COVID-free” and officials refuse to keep track of coronavirus infections or deaths.
Tanzania has not published nationwide figures since May 8, when it had 509 cases and 21 deaths, according to WHO data.
The president has told officials to promote herbs to remedy COVID-19 symptoms.
Maguflui told those in attendance Wednesday that they should continue to put their trust in God, saying that they have lived for over one year without the virus because our God is able, and Satan will always fail.
“We Tanzanians haven’t locked ourselves in and we don’t expect to lock ourselves down. I don’t expect to announce any lockdown because our God is living and He will continue to protect Tanzanians,” he said.
The United States is currently warning Americans to avoid all travel to the East African country, assigning the country a Level 4 alert, the highest advisory level. – VOA/Reuters.
The Zimbabwean Government MUST take Covid-19 seriously! I was dragged out of bed on 8 January by @PoliceZimbabwe when I was in Covid quarantine after having had contact with someone with Covid. I was thrown into a prison which has NO PPE or even gloves for us & mixed with inmates pic.twitter.com/R9FaY8dUzj
South Africa has revealed that illegal immigrants will also benefit from the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.
National Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane said this during a virtual meeting between his department and the SA National Editors Forum on Wednesday afternoon.
“We are in SA and we have many millions of undocumented people and [we can’t say they shouldn’t receive the vaccine as they are undocumented]. The demand for the vaccine is going to be exceeded, and we are not going to turnaway undocumented people…” said Mogajane – Sowetan
Police in Bulawayo are looking for a woman who disappeared when the car she was driving caught fire in Cowdray Park suburb recently. The woman who was driving a Toyota Corolla registration number ACK 5634 disappeared soon after it caught fire on Saturday.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade was called to the scene but by then the vehicle had been reduced to a shell.
The incident occurred just after the Cowdray Park rail level crossing and members of the public tried in vain to put out the fire using sand.
According to a witness who preferred not to be named, when the fire intensified, the woman driver abandoned the car and walked towards Cowdray Park suburb.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednego Ncube confirmed the incident and said police were trying to locate the driver of the car or the owner. He said they were also investigating whether the car was a stolen vehicle or not.
“Anyone who has information regarding the vehicle or the individual who was driving it should contact any nearest police station,” said Insp Ncube. -Chronicle
An alarming number of inmates have tested positive to Covid-19 at Mutimurefu, one of the largest prisons in the country, reliable sources have told The Mirror.
The sources told The Mirror that of the 150 prisoners tested so far, 110 are positive. The prisoners are being tested in batches of 75.
It is understood that 53 inmates tested positive on Wednesday last week while 57 tested positive three days ago (Sunday).
Provincial Covid-19 taskforce spokesperson Rodgers Irimayi confirmed the Wednesday figure and said that he was yet to get the Sunday figure.
Efforts by The Mirror to find out what arrangements is done to separate the affected prisoners from those who are free from the virus were futile. However, all of Zimbabweans’ prisons are overcrowded and this is a big problem in the fight against the pandemic. —Masvingo Mirror
Public hospitals can handle the Covid-19 case-load for free and there is no need for anyone to pay exorbitant fees demanded by private providers for Covid-19 testing and treatment.
Responding to concerns about the costs of private treatment, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said Government hospitals and other public institutions run by local authorities, including in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare were offering free testing and other services.
“Government is offering all services provided by private hospitals,” said the ministry’s spokesperson Mr Donald Mujiri. “Government is offering testing, admission, treatment surgery for Covid-19 patients, and in some cases follow-up.” .
Medical Superintendent at Gweru Provincial Hospital Dr Fabian Mashingaidze said Government institutions are admitting Covid-19 patients for free.
Gweru Provincial Hospital has one of the best Covid-19 patients centres partly-funded by a local private company.
“We are admitting patients for free and we have one of the best Covid-19 centre at the hospital after we received some funding. We also have ventilators at the centre and we have been admitting patients at our new facility,” said Dr Mashingaidze.
Some private hospitals are charging in excess of US$5 000 for admission of Covid-19 patients.On top of the fixed admission fees, the patients are required to pay an additional US$100 or more per day depending on the condition of the patient.
Most people say they prefer home-based care partly because of steep hospitalisation fees. Generally at least 85 percent of patients can be treated at home, with varying levels of hospital care needed for the rest.
“It is a very difficult situation which we are facing because for one to be accepted in a private hospital, you need to have at least US$3 000 cash upfront for non-Intensive Care Unit patients who are exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms and US$5 000 for those seeking ICU admission. The figures are just too high,” said Mr Edmore Nherera, who said he had a relative turned away after failing to fork out US$3 000.
“It is by God’s grace that my relative is recovering at home in isolation, but what about many who fail to raise such amounts. They are dying at home,” he said.
Another person who declined to be named said he was paying US$300 per day at a private hospital for a close relative.
Director for a leading private hospital in Gweru, Dr Josaya Tayi, said the charges were standard and were in tandem with many other private hospitals throughout the country.
“In the Midlands, we are actually the lowest, check with other private hospitals in Bulawayo and Harare and you will find out the money being charged by private hospitals in Midlands is low,” he defended their charges.
Dr Tayi said it was costly to attend to Covid-19 patients with personal protective equipment for an individual health official going for US$80.
“So imagine that figure of US$80 for a single medical staff and with over 10 medical staff at the institution, how much does that translate to? It’s very costly,” he said. -Herald
Four members of the Warriors delegation comprising two technical team members and two players remained quarantined in Yaounde, Cameroon, after testing positive for Covid-19.
The four include the head of delegation and Zifa executive committee member Bryton Malandule.
The rest of the squad arrived back home on Wednesday after a disastrous campaign in the Chan championships in which they lost all their group matches and became the first team to be knocked out of the tournament.
“Zifa confirms that four members of the Chan squad tested positive for Covid-19 and remained quarantined in Cameroon. Meanwhile, other members of the delegation are now in the country. We wish a quick recovery to the affected players and officials,” Zifa tweeted.
While the association did not name the affected members of the delegation, Chronicle Sport understands it is assistant coach Tonderayi Ndiraya, goalkeepers’ coach Zivanai Kawadza, players Qadr Amini and Farawo Matare.
It’s not yet clear how the quartet contracted the virus when the team was in a bubble before and during the tournament.
Fifteen members of the Warriors squad tested positive prior to departure for Cameroon with all but one being later cleared of the virus.
Upon arrival in Cameroon, they were subjected to further tests with none returning positive results.- Chronicle
Mr Douglas Mwonzora is now a “darling” of State publications raising questions about the agenda that informs the reportage.
See article below:
IN what has been described as a new era of collaborative and constructive opposition politics, MDC leader Mr Douglas Mwonzora has called for oneness in the fight against Covid-19.
Mr Mwonzora’s statement follows President Mnangagwa’s call for unity among Zimbabwe in the fight against Covid-19, a pestilence that has affected most families in the country regardless of political affiliation.
President Mnangagwa said the war of liberation was won on the basis of collective effort, adding that the ongoing pandemic would be defeated if all Zimbabweans played their part.
On his part, Mr Mwonzora, who leads the country’s biggest opposition party, urged Zimbabweans to come together in the fight against the global pandemic that has wreaked livelihoods and claimed lives on an unprecedented scale.
In a post on his social media pages, Mwonzora said the Covid-19 pandemic is a crisis that goes beyond political affiliations or personalities.
“We plead with the international community and all stakeholders to assist the Government to make sure that protective clothing is available to all our frontline workers, that protection, in the form of masks as well as sanitisers is made available to poor communities free of charge”.
“This pandemic knows no political affiliation, the fight against Covid-19 should never be politicised, we are all one in the fight against this pandemic. This is time for us as a people to come together and defeat this disease, obviously, this is not the time to score cheap political scores,” said Mr Mwonzora.
Mwonzora’s position signals a major shift in the opposition where some characters have in the past thrived on divisive politics of sabotaging Government to gain political mileage, albeit at the suffering of Zimbabweans.- The Herald
Mr Douglas Mwonzora is now a “darling” of State publications raising questions about the agenda that informs the reportage.
See article below:
IN what has been described as a new era of collaborative and constructive opposition politics, MDC leader Mr Douglas Mwonzora has called for oneness in the fight against Covid-19.
Mr Mwonzora’s statement follows President Mnangagwa’s call for unity among Zimbabwe in the fight against Covid-19, a pestilence that has affected most families in the country regardless of political affiliation.
President Mnangagwa said the war of liberation was won on the basis of collective effort, adding that the ongoing pandemic would be defeated if all Zimbabweans played their part.
On his part, Mr Mwonzora, who leads the country’s biggest opposition party, urged Zimbabweans to come together in the fight against the global pandemic that has wreaked livelihoods and claimed lives on an unprecedented scale.
In a post on his social media pages, Mwonzora said the Covid-19 pandemic is a crisis that goes beyond political affiliations or personalities.
“We plead with the international community and all stakeholders to assist the Government to make sure that protective clothing is available to all our frontline workers, that protection, in the form of masks as well as sanitisers is made available to poor communities free of charge”.
“This pandemic knows no political affiliation, the fight against Covid-19 should never be politicised, we are all one in the fight against this pandemic. This is time for us as a people to come together and defeat this disease, obviously, this is not the time to score cheap political scores,” said Mr Mwonzora.
Mwonzora’s position signals a major shift in the opposition where some characters have in the past thrived on divisive politics of sabotaging Government to gain political mileage, albeit at the suffering of Zimbabweans.- The Herald
A grandpa has vowed to die of sex despite depending on a catheter to relieve himself.
Sekuru Makiwa (78) of Hopley has gone to the extent of risking his life by removing the catheter in order to enjoy sex with his mistress.
For risking his life and engaging in sexual activity with his mistress, Sekuru Makiwa is at odds with his children.
He however, bared all to H-Metro, saying he would rather die having sex. So serious is the issue with him that he threatened to take his life if he is denied conjugal services.
“My wife Annah Takaendesa passed on in 2013. After my wife’s death, my children want me to desist from having sex with my second wife.
“I am now looking for poison so that I drink it and die so that it becomes the end nekuti mwana haangapinde mugumbeze mangu achiti hamungaroore mumwe mukadzi.
I did not divorce my wife, but she died,” he said.
He said besides enjoying conjugal rights, his new wife cares for him.
“I need someone who will care for me, one who will do laundry for me, one who will wipe me if I soil my clothes. Up to when are they (children) going to be cleaning my soiled clothes?” he asked.
He said his mistress was always begging the children to accept her in the family.
“She (his mistress) always asks my only son to ask his sisters in South Africa to accept her first so that she can come back.- H- Metro
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said every citizen has the right to be granted bail.
According to President Chamisa, pretrial detention of political activists is ” persecution by prosecution.”
” It is a constitutional right for every citizen to be granted bail.We’re hopeful that @JobSikhala1 ,Allan will be granted bail. Pre trial detention is persecution by prosecution.#FreeAllanMoyo #FreeJobSikhala.”
He also said COVID-19 awareness messages should be written in local languages:
This is excellent! We shall do more to encourage use of local anguages to communicate to all Zimbabweans. Let this be the national rhythm. A people’s default setting is their own culture and language!!”
He also wrote a message of encouragement to MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere: “It is well! Keep leading and stay strong.. Victory is our next story!”
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said every citizen has the right to be granted bail.
According to President Chamisa, pretrial detention of political activists is ” persecution by prosecution.”
” It is a constitutional right for every citizen to be granted bail.We’re hopeful that @JobSikhala1 ,Allan will be granted bail. Pre trial detention is persecution by prosecution.#FreeAllanMoyo #FreeJobSikhala.”
He also said COVID-19 awareness messages should be written in local languages:
This is excellent! We shall do more to encourage use of local anguages to communicate to all Zimbabweans. Let this be the national rhythm. A people’s default setting is their own culture and language!!”
He also wrote a message of encouragement to MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere: “It is well! Keep leading and stay strong.. Victory is our next story!”
Tinashe Sambiri|The bail application hearing for MDC Alliance vice chairperson, Hon Job Sikhala has been reserved to Monday February 1.
Hon Sikhala will be further remanded at Chikurubi Maximum Prison pending the bail ruling.
“The High Court Judge has reserved judgement on Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala bail application to Monday 01 February 2021. After 20 days of pre-trial incarceration, Hon Sikhala will be further remanded at Chikurubi Maximum Prison awaiting ruling.
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has been granted bail by the High Court ending his 20 day incarceration at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. Bail conditions the same as his first case plus an additional ZWL $20,000. @daddyhope is expected to be released later today,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
Joint release by the World Health Organization, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health
Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health.
Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. And now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health.
Yet, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders receive no treatment for their condition at all. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.
The limited access to quality, affordable mental health care in the world before the pandemic, and particularly in humanitarian emergencies and conflict settings, has been further diminished due to COVID-19 as the pandemic has disrupted health services around the world.
Primary causes have been infection and the risk of infection in long-stay facilities such as care homes and psychiatric institutions; barriers to meeting people face-to-face; mental health staff being infected with the virus; and the closing of mental health facilities to convert them into care facilities for people with COVID-19.
Move for mental health: let’s invest That’s why, for this year’s(2020) World Mental Health Day, WHO, together with partner organizations, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health, is calling for a massive scale-up in investment in mental health.
To encourage public action around the world, a World Mental Health Day campaign, Move for mental health: let’s invest will kick off in September. “World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for the world to come together and begin redressing the historic neglect of mental health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
“We are already seeing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s mental well-being, and this is just the beginning. Unless we make serious commitments to scale up investment in mental health right now, the health, social and economic consequences will be far-reaching.”
During the past few months, the World Health Organization has issued, in collaboration with partners, guidance and advice on mental health for health workers and other frontline workers, managers of health facilities, and people of all ages whose lives have changed considerably as a result of the pandemic.
With the disruption in health services, countries are finding innovative ways to provide mental health care, and initiatives to strengthen psychosocial support have sprung up. Yet, because of the scale of the problem, the vast majority of mental health needs remain unaddressed.
The response is hampered by chronic under-investment in mental health promotion, prevention and care for many years before the pandemic.
Countries spend just 2% of their health budgets on mental health Countries spend on average only 2% of their health budgets on mental health.
Despite some increases in recent years, international development assistance for mental health has never exceeded 1% of all development assistance for health.
This is despite the fact that for every US$ 1 invested in scaled-up treatment for common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, there is a return of US$ 5 in improved health and productivity.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Following the headline of the herald on 27th of January 2021 titled, “ZACC Probes Covid-19 tests scam” and a further social media posting of Yvonne who claim that Lancet is faking COVID-19 results. As an ICT professional COVID-19 testing should be database based and no need for one to provide paper evidence as proof for COVID test.
Lancet is one of the few organised testing institutions in Zimbabwe. The process that they follows included:- 1. You are given a request form which you need to fill in all your your details. 2. The process involves a drive through system where you are sanitised and told to wear your mask at all times and stay in your motor vehicle, you are tested in your own motor vehicle and in cases where one does not have a motor vehicle there is room for client to be tested by a Lancet worker wearing Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to protect both the visitor and the tester.3. A cashier approaches you for payment after you finish fill your requisition form, at every stage every lancet employee identifies himself.4. You are directed to where your PCR or Rapid sample is to be collected within Lancet 5. after collection you are released.6. When a patient leaves the cashier almost their details are saved into computer database the system.7. The test is done in the following TATs : Urgents 4-6 hours, Routine 6-12 hours, Outstations 24-48 hours 8. only urgent will be for Hospitals Patients . clients with COVID-19 symptoms and those with urgent travels provided proof of travel submitted9. when test is complete result processed you are required to bring your ID and receipt for proof of payment.
Surely there has to be way where all results should be in a computerised database (cloud computing) that should be access at every port of enter, exit, hospital, clinic and every health institution and this should prevent the presentation of fake results and presentation of any other results that are not genuine. Regards Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
PRESS RELEASE – 2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR 26 JANUARY, 2021
It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education that a fake social media report claiming that Government will open schools on 15 February 2021 in order to administer non-voluntary Covid-19 vaccine injections on learners and teachers is circulating.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education takes this opportunity to advise its valued learners, parents, guardians, teachers and other stakeholders, that contrary to that fake social media report, the 2021 School Calendar for all primary and secondary schools will be announced in due course, hence schools remain closed until an official announcement is made through the Ministry’s usual official methods of communication.
The Ministry reinforces the wearing of face masks, physical distancing as well as handwashing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all school centres as preparations continue for the safe opening of schools and the accelerated implementation of teaching and learning activities.
The Ministry remains committed to the provision of quality, relevant, equitable, inclusive and wholesome education for all Zimbabweans and any communication will be cascaded through the proper channels and structures.
By A Correspondent- A whizkid from Harare’s private school St Georges College attained 20 points in the recently published Cambridge A-Level examination results, ZTN News reports.
According to the publication, Garikayi Gijima who in 2019 came top in the world for A Level Mathematics scored A* in the following subjects:
Accounting
Mathematics
Computer Science
Further Maths
Speaking to the publication, Gijima said staying focused during the pandemic was challenging. He also said St Georges also had a 100% pass rate and a number of his friends had straight As.
Meanwhile, ZIMSEC is yet to publish Grade 7 form 4 and A-Level examination results. ARTUZ is urging teachers to boycott marking examinations because of the ongoing pandemic.
By Wilbert Mukori- Mnangagwa and Zanu PF do not like anything that threatens the regime’s iron grip on power.
The soaring numbers of corona virus cases and deaths in Zimbabwe have been an eye opener for many Zimbabweans. Until three weeks ago, Zimbabwe continued to boast of having some of the lowest per capita corona virus cases and deaths in the region.
Whilst SA had 1 million corona virus cases 25 000 death at the start of 2021. One would expect Zimbabwe’s figures to be roughly 1/4 those of SA given the heavy human traffic between the two countries. Instead of 250 000 cases and 6 000 deaths Zimbabwe had 13 000 cases and 380 deaths!
The last three weeks have seen the number of corona virus cases and deaths in Zimbabwe soar; the hospitals were being overwhelmed. And yet, officially, Zimbabwe’s corona virus cases and deaths remained very low. It is little wonder that Zimbabweans have started to ask some searching questions and demanding to know what the hell is going on?
Zimbabwe’s official covid-19 cases and deaths and the real figures on the ground simply do not make any sense!
“We must stand together arm in arm holding each and one another like a united people,” Mnangagwa told the nation.
He did not need to say anything more, we all know what he was not saying: “Those questioning the government’s reports and handling of the corona virus pandemic are threatening national unity and they will be punished!”
The social media ruckus on corona virus cases and deaths died down as if one had used a whole tanker to put out a campfire! Zimbabweans have, once again, been cowed into silence. They are doing what they have always done; grit their teeth and suffer in silence and bury their dead along the way.
This time, they will have a hell lot more heart breaking suffering and a hell lot more dead to bury because 40 years of Zanu PF misrule has left Zimbabwe weak and feeble and ill prepared to deal with the corona virus pandemic. And Zanu PF’s blundering incompetence since the pandemic outbreak has only made the situation worse!
The IMF, WB and other financial institutions and nations have refused to grant Zimbabwe debt relief and have cut their financial and material aid to the country for two very good reasons:
Zimbabwe is a rich nation with the overwhelming majority languishing in abject poverty but only because of the country’s 40 years of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness.
Corrupt and mismanagement in Zimbabwe are now so rampant that donors are loathed to help because whatever they donate will either be looted by the country’s corrupt ruling elite or be wasted.
The bottomline is Zimbabwe is a Banana Republic ruled by corrupt and incompetent leaders who think they have the divine right to govern. The country is a pariah state hence the economic mess, with the economy in ruins and millions of our people living into abject poverty; and political paralysis, as both Zanu PF and MDC leaders have proven to be corrupt and incompetent.
Mnangagwa, just like Mugabe before him, is using fear of brute force to subdue the people and stop them demanding competent and accountable government.
Unity does not mean the people giving up their freedoms and rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections and even the right to life.
The corona virus pandemic has brought home the heavy price Zimbabwe is paying for the 40 years of corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF rule, the country was in economic ruins and ill-prepared before the virus outbreak. And, unless people grits their teeth and end this nonsense of tyrannical dictatorship masquerading as unity, the years ahead are going to be the toughest yet the nation has ever seen.
For the last 40 years Zimbabweans have cowed down to Zanu PF’s cowardly threats only to see the regime, emboldened, follow this with shocking acts of brutality.
Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies let it be known that the country’s bush war would continue if the party lost the 1980 elections. And so the people voted to end the war, at least they thought so.
Mugabe had wanted a one-party state in Zimbabwe and in 1983 he seized his chance and launched the Gukurahundi massacre – the war the people had dreaded and against defenceless civilians and launch from the comfort of Army barracks and not the bush!
“Those who give up liberty for a little temporary safety neither deserve liberty nor safety,” said Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s founding fathers.
“We must stand together, a united people. Or dare otherwise and be damned!”
We in Zimbabwe gave up our freedoms and rights for peace and development but after 40 years of this Banana Republic, with over 30 000 innocent civilians murdered in cold blood and over 50% of the population now living in abject poverty; there is no denying it that we were cheated.
Many have not even learned the lesson – in this instance, that holding this Zanu PF regime to democratic account will force the regime to focus on the corona virus challenges or else boot them out of office will save many Zimbabweans from unnecessary covid-19 suffering and deaths!
I am back from 19 days of incarceration at Chikurubi Prison after @PoliceZimbabwe LIED in court that I had tweeted about a child being killed by one of their officers.
My arrest was arbitrary. The charge was anchored by a law that DOESN’T exist. Thank you ALL for the solidarity! pic.twitter.com/oNvsZNTtvK
By A Correspondent- The local currency depreciated by almost a percentage point on Tuesday in an auction which failed to make allotments on all qualified bids. The Zimbabwe dollar was quoted at 82.6756 after depreciating 0.716% from 82.0833 last week while the black-market rates held steady within the 105-115 range as most formal retailers have adopted black market rates in their operations.
N Richards Wholesalers are operating on 112, pharmacies at 110 while Simbisa in stores are at 100 as concerns continue being raised about the crawling peg at the auction.
According to data from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, combined bids were at a record 500 but only 73% of that received allotments. The total value of bids accepted was at US$39.8 million but only 70% or US$28 million was allotted. The main auction had US$26.04 million and allocations while the SMEs received US$1.97 million.
There was a cut-off of bids at 82, which was the lowest accept rate. The lowest bid rate was at 80. The highest bid rate was at $87 recorded at the Main auction. The difference between the highest and lowest bid moved to 6.10% from 8.75% at the last auction. The average weighted rate is now 4.97% lower than the highest bid from 5.65% due to the currency’s appreciation towards the highest bid. The difference between the parallel market rate (of 110) and the average weighted rate is at 28.62%.
Raw Materials continued to be the biggest benefactor as they were allotted US$12.96 mln although this was below last week’s US$15.6 mln. Machinery and Equipment was allotted US$4.6 mln, with Fuel, Gas and Electricity, Consumables, Retail and Distribution, Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals and Services receiving amounts above US$1 mln, with Paper and Packaging getting lower.
Meanwhile, in its weekly Reserve Money update, the Reserve Bank noted that Government deposits with the bank were up by $1.37 billion. This signifies a huge withdrawal of liquidity from banks. Coupled with a net sale of foreign exchange by the Bank, reserve money fell by $1.02 billion to $19.73 billion in the week ending 15 January.
The Zipit buying rate was oscillating around 107-109 while the selling price for traders ranged between 113-117 for large amounts. Mobile money rates were quoted at 103 for both One Money and Ecocash transactions.
Cryptocurrencies are currently on a bear run as Ethereum retreated from its all-time high in the week as it lost 4.91% to $1 284.95. Bitcoin was down 2.40% to $31 750.50 as it continues to shy away from the record $40 000 level. Bitcoin Cash eased 2.89% to $423.41.
By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man last week allegedly assaulted his wife with stones and booted feet in a bushy area over an undisclosed misunderstanding leading to her death.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident.
The accused, Craig Walters (43) allegedly killed his wife Merilyn Walters (38) on January 24. Both lived in Trenance.
“Allegations are that on January 24, Walters was with his wife Merilyn at a bushy area behind Number Two Bulawayo Drive, in Trenance, when they had a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue.
Walters then assaulted his wife with stones, fists and booted feet and left her lying on the ground helpless, before proceeding to his place of residence,” Ncube said.
He said on the same day at night, Walters took his children aged 18 and 14 years to the bushy area and they carried Merilyn home.
Their daughter phoned her uncle to notify him about the critical condition of her mother.
The uncle reported the matter to the police who, upon arrival at the Walters residence, found Merilyn dead.
Ncube said the police, who attended to the scene, discovered that the deceased had injuries all over her body and her clothes were soaked in blood.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- A 78 year old grandpa from Hopley is putting his life in danger by stubbornly continuing to have sex.
Sekuru Makiwa
According to H-Metro, Sekuru Makiwa who suffers from urinary incontinence has refused to heed medical advice for him to stop having sexual relations. In fact, Sekuru Makiwa has gone as far as removing his catheter in order for him to continue having sex with his mistress.
Unsurprisingly, this issue did not go down well with his children who responded by chasing the mistress away. This has led to the septuagenarian threatening to kill himself if he is denied conjugal services.
Narrating his troubles with his children over his sex life, Sekuru Makiwa told H-Metro,
“My wife Annah Takaendesa passed on in 2013. After my wife’s death, my children want me to desist from having sex with my second wife.
“I am now looking for poison so that I drink it and die so that it becomes the end nekuti mwana haangapinde mugumbeze mangu achiti hamungaroore mumwe mukadzi.
“These children chased her away.”
Sekuru Makiwa appealed to his children for them to accept his mistress and welcome her into the family because he needs someone to take care of him.
“I need someone who will care for me, one who will do laundry for me, one who will wipe me if I soil my clothes. Up to when are they (children) going to be cleaning my soiled clothes?” he asked.
Sekuru Makiwa also reminisced of his younger days when he had many lovers.
“Haa ndoraive basa redu iroro. Ndozvataifarira chaizvo. Whenever I was not accepted by any girl, I would firmly inform her that my ancestral spirits did not accept a witch in their clan.
“The next time I would come across the girl, she would readily accept to be in love with me.”
The septuagenarian said that his generation was lucky that at the time they were in their prime, there were not as many venereal diseases.
By A Correspondent- Two security guards from strike company were yesterday jailed 16 months by a Guruve magistrate for stealing herbicides and fertilizers from a farmer who they were providing security services.
Kenton Mupaushe (26) and Donny Matiti pleaded guilty to the charges before magistrate Geraldine Mutsotso.
The court heard that during the period extending from January 2 to 22 the duo was on guard at Plot 1 Stockwell farm in Mvurwi.
The two hatched a plan to steal herbicides and fertilizers from the plot owner Diana Danai Saungweme.
They stole 6 x 50 kilograms of fertilizers and sold 4 to Solomon Marimana, another one to Clever Homani while the remaining one was applied in the guards’ field.
On a separate date, the convicts unlocked a tobacco barn and stole a 20 litre Nato herbicide which they sold to Solomon Marimana.
Working on a tip-off the police intercepted the duo trying to steal some fertilizers using the same modus operandi.
Upon being interviewed by the police they revealed how they stole the inputs and where they sold them.
Some of the loot was recovered and was used as an exhibit in court.
By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement has changed its name to Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement after the setting up of a new department aimed at preparing and implementing a Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan.
The new department is named Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. An update from the ministry this afternoon revealed that President Mnangagwa approved the setting up of the new ministry.
“The department will formulate and implement Fisheries Research and Development Programme, formulate and enforce laws, rules and regulations governing the management of fisheries; among many other functions.
“The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources department will also provide extensive development support services in all aspects of fisheries production, processing and marketing and promoting proper utilisation and conservation of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources,” read the statement.-statemedia
I am thankful for your support that you give me all the time , l am this year's winner of Zimbabwe Achievers Awards Canada/USA 2021 Outstanding Achievement in Sport. I will forever be greatful .This year the awards were held virtually because of Covid 19 , remember always Mask up pic.twitter.com/Sl6CvHc8B1
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s prominent and foremost heart specialist physician Professor James Gita Hakim has died from Covid 19 related complications.
He was a professor of medicine and past chair of the UZ Medical School.
As reports of his death filtered yesterday, there was outpouring of grief as the medical fraternity paid tribute to Dr Hakim.
Mr Samkange, veteran surgeon and director of the UZ Institute of Continuing Health Education (ICHE) described Dr Hakim’s death as a huge blow to the country.
“Today we lost Professor James Gita Hakim. Professor Hakim was an exceptional Physician. He was an exceptional medical doctor, fantastic diagnostician and easily caring for his patients deeply but never hesitating to ask if we could not do better. He was a committed teacher, never thinking that one could do too much for the students; a mentor whose commitment to the development of the trainees will take some passing. He was a natural researcher: unique in that he wanted every colleague to reach their full potential.
He wrote so many papers, was respected and cherished in the region, the continent and the world over. He founded organisations and institutions that developed Medicine, our country and our continent. Though he had to leave his native Sudan at a young age, he never forgot it in his works AND he did a lot more for Zimbabwe than some of us. He will be remembered as a giant, so humble, so towering and yet so down to earth and shattering relevant.
He has left a void thst will be so difficult to feel. Our heartfelt gratitude to his family for sharing him with us; we pray that they are comforted in this very arduous time.”
Said Dr Norman Matara:
“We have lost a great professor of medicine, a teacher, researcher, and above all a humble and good person.
“This is a huge loss for the nation. Go well professor, your contribution to science and medicine will forever be invaluable – broken heart.”
Dr Hakim studied medicine at the University of Makerere in Uganda and specialised in internal medicine in Kenya, UK, Germany, Australia and South Africa.-statemedia
Chelsea have appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new head coach.
Tuchel is replacing Frank Lampard who was sacked on Monday following a string of poor results. He joins the London-based side on 18-month contract.
The German’s appointment comes just a month after his departure at PSG.
In a statement, the Blues said: “Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new Chelsea Head Coach.
“He moves to Stamford Bridge following a two-and-a-half year spell at French champions Paris Saint-Germain, which came to an end last month.
“He will be the first German to manage Chelsea and arrives having guided PSG to four major honours and the Champions League final during his time in the French capital.”
Tuchel has coached also in the Bundesliga, first with Mainz, where he led them into the Europa League, and then a successful period with Borussia Dortmund where he won the German Cup.
His first assignment could be against Wolves in the EPL on Wednesday.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|Vibrant teachers union, ARTUZ has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of being cruel and insensitive to the plight of civil servants.
ARTUZ has urged its members to distance themselves from the marking of exams- citing lack of proper measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
According to ARTUZ teachers are dying after being exposed to COVID-19 while marking Grade 7 exams.
“We are mourning teachers who are dying after contracting COVID19 virus marking Grade 7 exams.
This morning a teacher died at Chinhoyi hospital, he marked at Jameson in Kadoma. Now we are pushing more trs to die? This gvt is cruel! Other departments have reduced to 10%, why teachers?
We appeal to teachers to distance themselves from marking O & A level exams. Its a death trap. Some of our colleagues who marked Gr 7 exams are succumbing to Cov19.
We know teachers are hungry and desperate let’s resist the temptation & live to fight for better salaries.#SaveOurEducationZW,” ARTUZ posted on Twitter.
Own Correspondent| Controversial Masvingo preacher Isaac Makomichi is in a tight spot after a lady called Nyengeterai claimed she caught him having sex with her sister who is a school head.
Nyengeterai claimed Makomichi and her sister failed to pay her US $ 100 as per their agreement so that she would not disclose the secret.
Nyengeterai says she is ready to spill the beans.
“My sister invited Makomichi to our place. I then went to my room and I was suprised to hear Makomichi talking to my sister.
After a while I heard my sister moaning and Makomichi started calling her name.
I then went to the room they were in and found my sister lying unconscious on top of him.
My sister then woke up and apologised. She said she would give me 100 US per month for 2 years.
I kept quite but now she is accusing me of having an affair with her new boyfriend. she is not paying me as per our agreement,” Nyengeterai said.
Makomichi is also being criticised for “distrubuting” love charms to the late Mitchelle Moana Amuli.
Makomichi’s personal assistant said she was unaware of the said incident.
By A Correspondent- The Private sector has reportedly pledged to meet the cost of vaccinating their employees.
The state media reported that sources that attended the meeting between business leaders and president Mnangagwa yesterday said the private sector pledged to purchase twice their vaccination needs.
According to the publication:
As part of a National Comprehensive COVID-19 Response, the Private Sector agreed to embark in a new chapter of a science-driven health sector reform management policy framework. The Private Sector offered to pay for twice its requirements and make available 50% of this to Government for high priority public sector use in this joint effort to tackle the pandemic
This came after the Ministry of Health officials told parliament on Monday the Russia and China have offered Zimbabwe vaccines they have developed. Health officials also said MPs,
Marvelous Nakamba has been linked with another surprise transfer from Aston Villa in the current transfer window.
The Zimbabwean has in the past months been a target of Galatasaray and now, Spanish side Valencia has also expressed interest in the midfielder.
According to El Mercantil Valenciano via Sport Witness, the La Liga strugglers will turn their attention to Nakamba if they fail to sign Lucas Torreira.
Torreira is on loan at Atletico Madrid from Arsenal but has found game time hard to come. He has featured in just nine league matches, starting two and with one goal to his name.
The same has also been happening to Nakamba who only have two league starts at Villa this season.
However, his performance in Villa’s 2-0 over Newcastle United could mean a move away is highly unlikely despite the impending arrival of Morgan Sanson from Olympique Marseille, who is replacing Conor Hourihane who joined Swansea City on loan.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tino Kadewere has reached another peak as he is now the best performing player in the French Ligue 1, according to French outlet L’Equipe’s average match ratings.
The Lyon striker achieved the feat following his two goals in weekend’s 5-0 victory against St Etienne FC.
He had last found the back of the net in the Matchday 17 encounter against Nantes before the Christmas break. The brace was his second at Lyon and now has nine league goals plus three assists this season.
Kadewere has featured in 20 out of 21 matches, featuring for 1304 minutes thus far.
The recognition, meanwhile, comes in the 24-year old’s debut season in the Ligue 1.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said every citizen has the right to be granted bail.
According to President Chamisa, pretrial detention of political activists is ” persecution by prosecution.”
” It is a constitutional right for every citizen to be granted bail.We’re hopeful that @JobSikhala1 ,Allan will be granted bail. Pre trial detention is persecution by prosecution.#FreeAllanMoyo #FreeJobSikhala.”
He also said COVID-19 awareness messages should be written in local languages:
This is excellent! We shall do more to encourage use of local anguages to communicate to all Zimbabweans. Let this be the national rhythm. A people’s default setting is their own culture and language!!”
He also wrote a message of encouragement to MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere: “It is well! Keep leading and stay strong.. Victory is our next story!”
Chelsea have appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new head coach.
Tuchel is replacing Frank Lampard who was sacked on Monday following a string of poor results. He joins the London-based side on 18-month contract.
The German’s appointment comes just a month after his departure at PSG.
In a statement, the Blues said: “Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new Chelsea Head Coach.
“He moves to Stamford Bridge following a two-and-a-half year spell at French champions Paris Saint-Germain, which came to an end last month.
“He will be the first German to manage Chelsea and arrives having guided PSG to four major honours and the Champions League final during his time in the French capital.”
Tuchel has coached also in the Bundesliga, first with Mainz, where he led them into the Europa League, and then a successful period with Borussia Dortmund where he won the German Cup.
His first assignment could be against Wolves in the EPL on Wednesday.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
FC Platinum have announced the re.-signing of Donald Ngoma.
Ngoma has been clubless since being released by Tanzanian side Azam FC in June last year.
Ngoma’s signing comes following the departure Perfect Chikwende for another Tanzanian side Simba SC which recently knocked out FC Platinum in the CAF Champions League
Former Dynamos defender Blessing Moyo has also joined the Zvishavane side.
A statement from the club read:
FC Platinum announces the Club’s reunion with Donald Ngoma who left the team amicably for Young Africans before joining Azam FC where he was until 2020. The striker comes with experience to boost the frontline. Blessing Moyo also joins the Club to add to the defence of the team. The young defender last played for Real Kings NFD South Africa.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The bail application hearing for MDC Alliance vice chairperson, Hon Job Sikhala has been reserved to Monday February 1.
Hon Sikhala will be further remanded at Chikurubi Maximum Prison pending the bail ruling.
“The High Court Judge has reserved judgement on Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala bail application to Monday 01 February 2021. After 20 days of pre-trial incarceration, Hon Sikhala will be further remanded at Chikurubi Maximum Prison awaiting ruling.
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has been granted bail by the High Court ending his 20 day incarceration at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. Bail conditions the same as his first case plus an additional ZWL $20,000. @daddyhope is expected to be released later today,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
By A Correspondent- Presiding at the burial of the three national heroes Wednesday morning, Acting President Constantino Chiwenga on Wednesday expressed despair at the trail of deaths left by the covid-19 adding that only God knows how the disease will end.
Chiwenga, who made his first public appearance after he was rumoured to be unwell presided over the triple burial of foreign minister Sibusiso Moyo, transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza and former prisons chief Paradzai Zimondi at the National Heroes Acre.
He was last week relieved of his acting presidency duties after president Emmerson Mnangagwa cut short his leave to take over the burial of another Zanu Pf heavyweight Ellen Gwaradzimba who also succumbed to the deadly virus at the same venue.
Said Chiwenga:
“One expects that when tragedy strikes, it would gradually abet but this is not the case, it is only God who knows when it will end.
Today marks a tragic day for our country Zimbabwe. I want to express my pain over Covid-19.
The virus has taught us an important lesson that we are all mortals. It does discriminate against the weak and the powerful, the privileged and the deprived, the haves and the have-nots.
It is a ruthless juggernaut that leaves a trail of despair and desperation. But we will eventually conquer it and prevail as a people.”
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has said every citizen has the right to be granted bail.
According to President Chamisa, pretrial detention of political activists is ” persecution by prosecution.”
” It is a constitutional right for every citizen to be granted bail.We’re hopeful that @JobSikhala1 ,Allan will be granted bail. Pre trial detention is persecution by prosecution.#FreeAllanMoyo #FreeJobSikhala.”
He also said COVID-19 awareness messages should be written in local languages:
This is excellent! We shall do more to encourage use of local anguages to communicate to all Zimbabweans. Let this be the national rhythm. A people’s default setting is their own culture and language!!”
He also wrote a message of encouragement to MDC Alliance spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi Mahere: “It is well! Keep leading and stay strong.. Victory is our next story!”
Joint release by the World Health Organization, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health
Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health.
Close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. And now, billions of people around the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is having a further impact on people’s mental health.
Yet, relatively few people around the world have access to quality mental health services. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders receive no treatment for their condition at all. Furthermore, stigma, discrimination, punitive legislation and human rights abuses are still widespread.
The limited access to quality, affordable mental health care in the world before the pandemic, and particularly in humanitarian emergencies and conflict settings, has been further diminished due to COVID-19 as the pandemic has disrupted health services around the world.
Primary causes have been infection and the risk of infection in long-stay facilities such as care homes and psychiatric institutions; barriers to meeting people face-to-face; mental health staff being infected with the virus; and the closing of mental health facilities to convert them into care facilities for people with COVID-19.
Move for mental health: let’s invest That’s why, for this year’s(2020) World Mental Health Day, WHO, together with partner organizations, United for Global Mental Health and the World Federation for Mental Health, is calling for a massive scale-up in investment in mental health.
To encourage public action around the world, a World Mental Health Day campaign, Move for mental health: let’s invest will kick off in September. “World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for the world to come together and begin redressing the historic neglect of mental health,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
“We are already seeing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s mental well-being, and this is just the beginning. Unless we make serious commitments to scale up investment in mental health right now, the health, social and economic consequences will be far-reaching.”
During the past few months, the World Health Organization has issued, in collaboration with partners, guidance and advice on mental health for health workers and other frontline workers, managers of health facilities, and people of all ages whose lives have changed considerably as a result of the pandemic.
With the disruption in health services, countries are finding innovative ways to provide mental health care, and initiatives to strengthen psychosocial support have sprung up. Yet, because of the scale of the problem, the vast majority of mental health needs remain unaddressed.
The response is hampered by chronic under-investment in mental health promotion, prevention and care for many years before the pandemic.
Countries spend just 2% of their health budgets on mental health Countries spend on average only 2% of their health budgets on mental health.
Despite some increases in recent years, international development assistance for mental health has never exceeded 1% of all development assistance for health.
This is despite the fact that for every US$ 1 invested in scaled-up treatment for common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, there is a return of US$ 5 in improved health and productivity.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|Vibrant teachers union, ARTUZ has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of being cruel and insensitive to the plight of civil servants.
ARTUZ has urged its members to distance themselves from the marking of exams- citing lack of proper measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
According to ARTUZ teachers are dying after being exposed to COVID-19 while marking Grade 7 exams.
“We are mourning teachers who are dying after contracting COVID19 virus marking Grade 7 exams.
This morning a teacher died at Chinhoyi hospital, he marked at Jameson in Kadoma. Now we are pushing more trs to die? This gvt is cruel! Other departments have reduced to 10%, why teachers?
We appeal to teachers to distance themselves from marking O & A level exams. Its a death trap. Some of our colleagues who marked Gr 7 exams are succumbing to Cov19.
We know teachers are hungry and desperate let’s resist the temptation & live to fight for better salaries.#SaveOurEducationZW,” ARTUZ posted on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|July 31 Movement facilitator, Jacob Ngarivhume has lashed out at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for deliberately exposing him to Coronavirus.
Since Jacob Ngarivhume’s release from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, he has been reporting at Waterfalls Police Station a punitive three times a week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday).
Ngarivhume described the experience as painful.
The frequenting of the police station is risky not only to Ngarivhume and his family but also to the police officers at Waterfalls Police station who are now exposed to Covid-19.
With the rate at which the disease is spreading and the attendant deaths, the government has reduced civil servants going to work to only 10%.
However in the same environment, Ngarivhume is expected to religiously report as per his bail conditions.
Own Correspondent| Controversial Masvingo preacher Isaac Makomichi is in a tight spot after a lady called Nyengeterai claimed she caught him having sex with her sister who is a school head.
Nyengeterai claimed Makomichi and her sister failed to pay her US $ 100 as per their agreement so that she would not disclose the secret.
Nyengeterai says she is ready to spill the beans.
“My sister invited Makomichi to our place. I then went to my room and I was suprised to hear Makomichi talking to my sister.
After a while I heard my sister moaning and Makomichi started calling her name.
I then went to the room they were in and found my sister lying unconscious on top of him.
My sister then woke up and apologised. She said she would give me 100 US per month for 2 years.
I kept quite but now she is accusing me of having an affair with her new boyfriend. she is not paying me as per our agreement,” Nyengeterai said.
Makomichi is also being criticised for “distrubuting” love charms to the late Mitchelle Moana Amuli.
Makomichi’s personal assistant said she was unaware of the said incident.
Come on @TembaMliswa, for the record, I am not a Karanga but a Manyika from Manicaland. I am not a serial name dropper who always use the name of the President where even it doesn't apply. Secondly, that I was president of the students union is not a secret.
That I was born @ZANUPF_Official member and rejoined it in 2010 is not a secret. I called u a star after you solicited coverage for your Norton donation of goods given by HE to constituencies. You spoke well of HE & I said you are ?. Mutsimba waurikuita pano pamasaisai ndewei
Waka defender HE wega ndiwe chete. Ndiwe wakaita operation restore legacy ka iwe. Musazvitutumadza mkoma. Not every is a Chinese vaunoshungurudza mu Norton umo. Nyara anokunyarawo! i have no business with outsiders. Kana woda kudzoka huya zvakanaka sezvakaita vamwe neni.
High Court has reserved MDC Alliance vice chairperson Job Sikhala bail application Judgement to Monday 1 February at 1415 hours.
Sikhala was arrested and charged with communicating falsehoods after he posted on Twitter that a police officer had killed a child who was strapped on her mother’s back while attempting to hit a commuter omnibus that was loading at an undesignated point.
Earlier in the morning, Sikhala’s colleague Hopewell Chin’ono was granted ZWL$20 000 bail by High Court judge Justice Davison Foroma.
Another co- accused MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere was granted bail at the Harare Magistrates court.
Norton legislator Temba Mliswa and Zanu PF Director of Information Tafadzwa Mugwadi are currently engaged in a Twitter war over their allegiance to Emmerson Mnangagwa with Mliswa accusing the former ZINASU leader of working against the party.
Mliswa started the war when he commented on Mugwadi’s attack on opposition MDC Alliance vice President Tendai Biti over his comments on COVID-19 killing Zanu PF chefs, urging the young politician to be calculative on when to speak or not
It’s tragic to find a young man, whom I have previously defended in the ANC fiasco, doubling down fomenting baseless claims. These are instances where as a politician @TafadzwaMugwadi should know when to speak and when to be quiet. Mbanje ngadziite shoma.
This did not go down well with Mugwadi who hit back saying he never solicited for Mliswa’s defence when he was under attack over comments he made against the South African African National Congress (ANC).
“I have no trajedy of belonging. I have never solicited for defence frm anybody. You have done well to win as an independent by playing 2 political parties one against the other & when it is convenient, u claim to be supporting the other. In this case u want to recover sympathies,” said Mugwadi.
Mliswa then followed up with a thread of posts attacking Mugwadi whom he said was an opposition plant in the ruling, while sharing a message about the Zanu PF Information director’s arrest during his day when he was the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) president.
Any politician of repute& sense should have that intelligence to know when to speak and when not to, so as to avoid finding themselves on the wrong side of history, logic and progress.
These are some of the things which we have said reveal how this current crop& creature isn’t the @ZANUPF_Official that we know. It is infested with people whom we know are very much against @edmnangagwa and in due time we shall be naming and shaming.
Some of us worked for the assumption of power by ED&have the inside knowledge of the true status of many who are now faking to be his allies. This current @ZANUPF_Official is an alien creature far removed from the real party we know and it showed its colours by kicking ED out.
It is the War Veterans who mobilised and worked to have him come back. The rest in that party are just opportunists out for self-aggrandisement but very much against the leadership and administration of @edmnangagwa.
The High Court judge Davison Foroma has granted ZWL$20 000 bail to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who was arrested earlier in January on charges of communicating falsehoods after he posted on social media that police had killed a child while attempting to hit a kombi along Second Street in Harare.
Chin’ono was earlier denied bail by the Harare Magistrates court prompting him to approach the High Court for redress.
Zimbabwe is in desperate need of true independent and pluralism in radio and television broadcasting. The Zbc stations have lost viewership and listenership in recent years as many have turned to Dstv and Studio 7 for credible , informative and entertaining television and radio stations.Zbc has become a specialized ZanuPF propaganda mouthpiece. Advertisers to reach out to majority of citizens will never benefit from flight their product adverts on Zbc as many have turned away from the stations.Many people get their Zimbabwean Breaking News first from foreign broadcasting stations.The preference of foreign radio and television stations does not mean Zimbabweans arent patriotic but its the ZanuPF government which is forcing people on food which they dont want.The greatest mistake ZanuPF government is making is that of developing a generation not interested in their national radio and television stations. Development is associated with an informed people.Zimbabwe is losing millions of dollars as many people are now subscribers of South African Dstv.The same Zimbabweans who struggle to pay in foreign currency DSTV will never voluntarily pay television or radio licences.Zimbabweans if given freedom to listen to news from Studio 7 or Zbc majority will vote the former.This is extend how our radio and television stations have lost all the credibility
??✋???Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good
A 17-year-old Zimbabwean student has been nominated for a US virtual reality (VR) Beta program that aims to support high school students with a proficiency in science subjects and are interested in pursuing a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Rutendo Kahari
Rutendo Kahari, an A’Level student at Speciss College in Bulawayo will join 12 other global learners under the VR Beta programme which will run from January to May 2021.
This programme brings together global learners between the ages of 14 -17, each representing a unique combination of age, gender, race, and geographic location and each possessing a unique interest in biology and biotech.
Schools will not open on February 15 to administer compulsory Covid-19 vaccine injections as claimed by fake and mischievous messages circulating on social media, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said.
The re-opening of schools was postponed indefinitely following a surge in Covid-19 infections after an influx of returning residents, which also led to the resumption of the level four lockdown at the beginning of the month.
In a statement yesterday, the Ministry said schools remained closed as preparations for their safe re-opening and the accelerated implementation of teaching and learning activities continued.
The school calendar will be announced in due course. Dismissing rumours circulating on social media, the Ministry said: “It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education that a fake social media report claiming that Government will open schools on 15 February 2021 in order to administer non-voluntary Covid-19 vaccine injections on learners and teachers is circulating.” – Herald
By A Correspondent | An attempt to block the late Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo’s children from his first wife from attending the coup general’s burial on Wednesday has been unmasked.
ZimEye can reveal Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo’s family have been in frantic efforts of block his UK based kids from burying their father, under the claim that the number of attendants is capped at 20.
SB Moyo has at least 5 kids (including the two from Justice Loice Matanda Moyo).
SB Moyo and his UK based kids
The development comes as there is an ongoing debate on how many children SB Moyo has. His oldest son who is UK based, Bernard was born in 1984. He is 34.
Of that marriage he also has Catherine, who was born in 1987.
SB Moyo first got married in 1983 when he was 21, and the wife was 19.
ZimEye checked with the Zimbabwe embassy at London and found out at least three of SB Moyo’s Kids had applied for clearance to fly to Zimbabwe. It could not be established at the time of writing if they are all travelling. The embassy however gave permission to every one of them to fly to Zimbabwe so that they land in time for the burial on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, SB Moyo’s daughter from his first marriage, Catherine was told that the number of attendants scheduled for the hero’s burial has gone over the 20 marker so her flight into the country would be wasted, a family source close to the Matanda-Moyo’s disclosed to ZimEye.
Last week Emmerson Mnangagwa hosted a large crowd of more than a hundred moaners at the heroes acre as the late Manicaland Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba was laid to rest.
SB Moyo was one of the first officers to be reintegrated into the combined army comprising the Rhodesian, the ZIPRA and ZANLA groupings. He was from ZIPRA. At that time the two got married in 1983 and moved on to live in Greendale, Harare. They later divorced in 1992 and went their separate ways.
SB Moyo then moved on get married to Justice Loice Matanda Moyo with whom he sired two more children.
Aside the relationship with Loice, there is a side report suggesting Moyo has raised another child (a girl seen in the picture above).
Efforts to get a comment from Justice Matanda-Moyo were fruitless at the time of writing as she was still in isolation after contracting COVID-19.
DO YOU KNOW ANOTHER OF SB MOYO’S KIDS? CONTACT ZIMEYE RIGHT NOW
This has been the situation at my house these past days. Aside from the military and police surrounding us, military and police helicopters have been consistently hovering over our residence in breach of our privacy rights. Cowards! #WeAreRemovingADictatorpic.twitter.com/8nr6nDCfeJ
Covid pandemic affects all Zimbabweans-not just politicians. Wishing for the death of political opponents is unAfrican. Ubuntu is being stronger-together. We are all in this together. Let’s continue observing covid regulations, and keep our nation’s leadership in our prayers.
22 Jan 2021.
Dear Zimbabweans
It is unAfrican to celebrate death. Let’s mourn with those who have lost their loved ones.
PRESS RELEASE – 2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR 26 JANUARY, 2021
It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education that a fake social media report claiming that Government will open schools on 15 February 2021 in order to administer non-voluntary Covid-19 vaccine injections on learners and teachers is circulating.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education takes this opportunity to advise its valued learners, parents, guardians, teachers and other stakeholders, that contrary to that fake social media report, the 2021 School Calendar for all primary and secondary schools will be announced in due course, hence schools remain closed until an official announcement is made through the Ministry’s usual official methods of communication.
The Ministry reinforces the wearing of face masks, physical distancing as well as handwashing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all school centres as preparations continue for the safe opening of schools and the accelerated implementation of teaching and learning activities.
The Ministry remains committed to the provision of quality, relevant, equitable, inclusive and wholesome education for all Zimbabweans and any communication will be cascaded through the proper channels and structures.
Tinashe Sambiri|The bail application hearing for MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has been postponed again.
Justice Chitapi postponed Hon Sikhala’s bail application hearing to Wednesday.
Hon Sikhala will remain detained at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
“CourtUpdate MDC Alliance Deputy National Chair Hon. Job Sikhala will remain detained at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison as Justice Chitapi today postponed hearing of his bail appeal to Wednesday FreeAllanMoyo FreeJobSikhala FreeHopewell,” the MDC Alliance said in a statement.
MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa denounced the prolonged detention of Hon Sikhala.
“So Hon Job Sikhala will remain detained at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison. The regime is trying to break his spirit through persecution by prosecution. The only thing #ZANUPF is able to deliver,” Mpambwa tweeted.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly has taken the #OneMillionCampaign to to Twitter in a bid to recruit new members.
The programmes seeks to recruit one million new members before the 2023 elections.
Due to lockdown restrictions, the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly is unable to carry out the exercise physically.
“1 Million Campaign Official @CampaignMillion
As MDC Alliance Youth Assembly ,this is our official twitter handle for #OneMillionCampaign please follow us @CampaignMillion RETWEET TO HELP US REACH MANY YOUNG PEOPLE,” the MDC Alliance Youth Assembly posted on Twitter.
Covid pandemic affects all Zimbabweans-not just politicians. Wishing for the death of political opponents is unAfrican. Ubuntu is being stronger-together. We are all in this together. Let’s continue observing covid regulations, and keep our nation’s leadership in our prayers.
22 Jan 2021.
Dear Zimbabweans
It is unAfrican to celebrate death. Let’s mourn with those who have lost their loved ones.
