By A Correspondent | ZANU PF Secretary For Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa was yesterday confronted over his baseless claims of a death story he alleged to ZBC news was published in ZimEye and below was the drama.
By A Correspondent | ZANU PF Secretary For Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa was yesterday confronted over his baseless claims of a death story he alleged to ZBC news was published by ZimEye.
Below was the drama. …
The walls are closing in. Finally, tweeted Sakunda company, boss Kuda Tagwirei’s top nemesis, Justice Mayor Wadyajena on Sunday morning.
He did not disclose the identity of the person or the event he speaks of. WHATS HAIO
By A Correspondent | Where is Kuda Tagwirei, at home, or at the prestigious hospital he personally funded and is now reportedly under the clinical care of?
A top aide close to businessman, Kuda Tagwirei in Wednesday dismissed reports circulating claiming the man has succumbed to COVID-19.
These also follow Gokwe Nembudziya MP Justice Wadyajena who has announced a death message suggesting Tagwirei has passed on.
Wadyajena who accuses Tagwirei of conducting a super-spreader party at the new year, once alleged that Tagwirei at one time fled the country with his family to the United Kingdom after his fuel company, Sakunda Holdings’ accounts were frozen by the RBZ.
He said of Tagwirei in October 2019″ he fled with his 3 kids in the middle of school term on 1 way tickets to UK.”
This time, the youthful Midlands MP has painted a picture of a dying Tagwirei on social media.
But contacted by ZimEye, Tagwjrei’s aide Hon Tino Machakaire said the allegations are not true.
“It’s not true, no, he is okay” he said.
Asked further, he added saying, ” no he is ok, he is alright, he is fine.”
Asked about reports of Tagwirei being hospitalised, he said, “aah I don’t know what his agenda is, but maybe he is dealing with speculation,” he told ZimEye.
At the time of writing calls to the businessman were failing, amid continuous ringtones and then sudden hang ups. ZimEye will keep are viewers and listeners updated of events as they unravel.
“It is a paranoid government…..that knows that it is killing innocent citizens”: Chief Svosve.
Watch the live video loading below…..(please be patient as it uploads)
By A Correspondent- Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Larry Mavima who survived the pandemic shares his experience and how he managed to overcome it. He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in November last year and he gives his account below.
Symptoms
When I contracted the virus initially, I started feeling weak, I had a fever, I was having dry coughs, loss of appetite and getting very tired. I would start off in the morning feeling tired and I would then feel like I needed to take a nap. I then knew something was not right and after three or so days I started having shortness of breath.
Low risk perception
I did not realise that it might be Covid-19. I just assumed that I was working too much until after about three or four days my family also noticed that I was not the normal me. They asked me to go see a doctor, we always see a doctor. I started procrastinating telling myself that I will be alright the next day. My family was however, adamant and managed to convince me to go and see the doctor. That is when I noticed that I was having difficulties in walking. It was very difficult to get to the car and walking to the doctor’s rooms.
Diagnosis and treatment
The doctor started examining me, asking me questions and he said “you seem to have shortness of breath” and I didn’t realise it. He also observed that my oxygen saturation was a bit low and checked my sugar levels and noticed it was high. I am diabetic so I was at risk because I am also hypertensive. He then asked me to take a Covid-19 test. We (me and my wife) then went to a private laboratory and we got tested and we were told to wait until the next day for the results.
The following the day the doctor called and informed us that that the results were out. We went back to the doctor and I was still feeling weak and tired and it was in the morning. I still had fever. The doctor said “your sugar levels are high. You were not managing it properly.” He informed me that I also had tested positive to Covid-19 and x-rays were showing that there was an infection in the lungs which was pneumonia.
The doctor then prescribed some antibiotics, betamethasone tablets, asked me to use a glucometer, oximeter and to continue checking my blood pressure constantly. He asked me to give him a daily update. I was told to steam two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. My house was disinfected and fortunately my son and my wife both tested negative. They were told to maintain social distance, mask up always and constantly disinfect. After 21 days I then went back to the doctor and we had another test and I came out negative.
Fighting the pandemic psychologically
It is not a good feeling to be told that you have Covid-19 and when you are told to stop interacting with others. Most people find it difficult to isolate at home. After a few days of isolation people start breaching the isolation regulations. I would wake up, sit in the garden and do some light exercises just to make sure I don’t strain my lungs.
Anything which was needed to be done at the office the staff would bring the papers to my gate and drop them there and I would also return them the same way. I minimised the interaction with people. This is difficult for a politician and a minister because you are used to interacting with many people making decisions.
For the two weeks I was at home, I would only talk to people over the phone. Some would ask to see me oblivious of the risk of contracting the disease. One needs to have a positive attitude if they test positive to Covid-19. You just need to keep a positive mind, maintain social distance, masking up and not go anywhere.
I would say to all those people whether high profile or not they should listen to what the Government is saying. Do not delay to get treatment and do not procrastinate because you also risk the life of other people around you. At the moment without the vaccine the real deal is to mask up.
The biggest weakness with Zimbabweans is that they are reluctant to mask up. We need to constantly sanitise because we handle a lot of papers. In the second wave high profile people are succumbing to Covid-19 and there are many others out there dying who are not known. This thing is not political, it is real, it was not brought by any political party.
While we wait for the vaccine these are the things that we can do to prevent ourselves from being infected. All I can say is as politicians let us continue to spread the message. Let’s talk about it. Our people have this misguided belief that they have to interact face to face, that issues can’t be resolved wholesomely through the phone or on email.
These are dangerous times, we need zoom meetings (using digital platforms). All those making fun of these Covid-19 related deaths have lost ubuntu/hunhu. Just because your family has not been affected, it does not mean Covid-19 is not there.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The Permanent Secretary of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, has said there are theories suggesting that some professional doctors are deliberately killing political players.
He made the remarks on Twitter after one of his followers had alleged that some doctors were violating their professional ethics.
One Big Energy had said:
Some of your doctors are acting like mini Josef Mengele,s no ethics.. can you ensure you deal with the issue, saw some lawyer today asking about code of conduct, how do we trust buggers who threaten to withdraw oxygen based on party one supports? Show my tweet to the General he will sort it!
In response, Mangwana said he had made a follow-up on the matter to discover that there were theories which suggest that some doctors were killing some politicians.
He said:
I followed that. This is what’s leading to the unfortunate conspiracy theory that there are certain political players being eliminated in hospitals by political activists hiding behind medical qualifications.
While some dismissed Mangwana’s claims as mere hallucinations, some said it was possible hence the need to take action.
When Prof. Mlambo (@MlamboProf) expressed disbelief over the allegations, Mangwana said the “purported doctors brought it up. Not me. Others connected the dots, I amplified.”
Mlambo insisted that since Mangwana was the government Spokesperson’s he must not “amplify gossip or conspiracy theories. You communicate government’s position on issues.”
Mangwana responded:Didn’t those doctors give clear indicators? If you were a political player from a certain political party would you agree to be admitted to a hospital where those doctors work. They should be found and made to account and everyone who share their warped thinking.
Mlambo weighed in saying Mangwana was making “very serious allegations, with far-reaching consequences. I hope you have the proof PS!”
Mangwana said he had “tweets from certain “doctors” that’s the entry point. They should explain themselves. Thanks for giving this legs. I am sure before the end of the day we will hear something from the @PoliceZimbabwe.”
Mlambo said:
The @SeniorDoctors and @ZadhrDoctors should be involved. This issue has the potential to put the entire health sector into jeopardy.
Mangwana’s remarks come amid reports that some political elites including Vice President Constantino Chiwenga prefer getting medical attention abroad as they fear their political opponents might shorten their lives.
Unverified reports also suggest that the ruling ZANU PF has been using medical doctors to kill politicians from the opposition.
Zimbabweans condemn arrest of Hon Biti: video
Mamelodi Sundowns drop points against determined Birds:
The Acting Clerk of Parliament, Ms Helen B Dingani is aware that there are some malicious social media messages alleging the death of the Deputy President of the Senate, Hon. Lt. General (Rtd) M. R. Nyambuya.
Parliament of Zimbabwe would like to inform the nation that Hon. Lt. General (Rtd) Nyambuya is well, alive and in good health. Ms Dingani personally spoke to him this morning.
Parliament of Zimbabwe would like to urge the public to desist from circulating unsubstantiated information as this causes unnecessary anxiety to families of those concerned and the nation at large.
Let Us Make Our Parliamentary Democracy Work.
Acting Clerk Of Parliament
By Ngoni Danzwa
They never talked about Ubuntu when Tonderai Ndira was abducted in front of his wife and children by state agents and he was tortured to death!
Today they tell us to mourn with them, they must go to hell! Tonderai’s body had a gunshot in the heart, with multiple stab wounds, his eyes gouged, his tongue cut out and his neck, skull, jaw and knucles broken.
They never talked about Ubuntu when this happened!
His crime was that he was an MDC member.
By Paul Nyathi | Top Covidiot and party animal, Nick Mangwana has said the ongoing mass deaths of ZANU PF leaders cannot be blamed on COVID, adding that they are being assassinated.
Emmerson Mnangagwa has over the year been risking the lives of not only millions of citizens but his own health, and just 3 days ago the frail 80 year old stood a metre away from two COVID corpses in a large crowd at the heroes acre.
He appointed to head the COVID Taskforce Zimbabwe’s most incompetent politician, Oppah Muchinguri who says COVID is God’s punishment against western countries; she has been allowed to continue leading the institution for a whole year resulting in scores of ZANU PF leaders falling like flies, just the ZANU PF leadership holds mass birthday parties and rallies, literally spreading the disease across the nation;
And now on Sunday morning, the government spokesman who is a British NHS trained nurse-turned ‘party animal’, frequently attending these lavish functions, announces that the leaders are being assassinated by political activists.
IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH?
Mangwana wrote the below in his Twitter portal:
By A Correspondent| Opposition MDC Alliance vice president Tendai Biti was briefly detained by police in Karoi on Saturday over a new Parliament car that had no number plates.
Biti had visited Temba Mliswa’s farm where he had a transaction involving cattle.
Biti appears to have touched a raw nerve after panning the establishment for fumbling its coronavirus response following multiple deaths of current and former government officials this week.
Police have demanded that all vehicles on the roads should have number plates since they are now readily available, and police teams have been heavily deployed on the roads targeting unregistered vehicles.
The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) has joined the drive to eliminate vehicles without registration numbers through denying such vehicles passage at tollgates.
The crackdown on unregistered vehicles comes in the wake of a spate of armed robberies countrywide, with some criminals using unmarked vehicles to evade police.
Police commanders in all provinces were recently directed to ensure that only vehicles with number plates were allowed to pass through roadblocks and security check points.
At Southerton Police Station police were manning roadblocks and impounding such vehicles.
Most of the impounded vehicles were unregistered small cars such as the Honda Fit and police said they will only release the cars once the owners produce receipts from the Central Vehicle Registry proving that they have paid for number plates and were waiting to collect them.
Because of the acute shortage of number plates, Government in February last year allowed importers of vehicles who had been unable to register to obtain temporary identification cards for indefinite use.
However, with temporary number plates normally having a 14-day lifespan, there had been a huge increase in unregistered vehicles as the shortage persisted owing to foreign currency constraints.
Although the number plates are now readily available, their cost remains on the high side. Police have launched a blitz under which unregistered vehicles are being impounded and barred from passing through tollgates, as a way of enforcing compliance with regulations.
According to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act, vehicles should be registered and always display their registration marks and numbers.
FIVE 14-year-old Zimunya teenagers who allegedly murdered a fellow learner over a girlfriend are up for murder.
The teenagers who have since been released under the custody of their parents appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Ms Nyasha Kuture recently and were not asked to plead.
They were remanded to January 25 on condition that they report to their nearest police station every Friday and not to interfere with State witnesses. They were also ordered to continue residing at their given addresses.
The court heard that sometime in November 2020, the late Rufaro Makono who was a Form Two learner at Gwese Secondary School, Zimunya escorted a form one female pupil from the same school to her home.
It was alleged that Rufaro was proposing love to the girl. They parted ways at Nyagumbe River in Mutukwa Village.
Prosecuting, Mr Chris Munyuku, said: “On his way back home, the deceased, however, met a group of teenagers who confronted and accused him of dating the female learner. Sensing danger, Makono started running and the five gave chase.”
One of the teenagers is alleged to have picked a stone and threw it on Rufaro. He fell down and the teenagers took turns to assault him. Rufaro suffered a swollen head and bloody eyes.
When Rufaro got home, he did not tell his parents about the assault even when his condition deteriorated.
On November 29, Makono met a classmate, Munashe Mujaji and confided in him about the assault.
Rufaro later died at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital on December 4 and was buried three days later.
After the burial, information filtered that Rufaro had died as a result of the head injuries he sustained from the assault, prompting the police to exhume his body on December 11.
A post mortem conducted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare revealed Rufaro’s cause of death as severe head trauma.-Manica Post
By A Correspondent | ZANU PF Secretary For Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa was yesterday confronted over his baseless claims of a death story he alleged to ZBC news was published in ZimEye and below was the drama.
Three people died after being swept away by flooded rivers following heavy rains and strong winds that battered parts of Chipinge District on Friday evening, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has confirmed.
Cyclone Eloise made a landfall in Mozambique on Friday before drifting towards eastern Zimbabwe and dumping a deluge over parts of the Eastern Highlands.
Chipinge District CPU chairperson, Mr William Mashava, said authorities were monitoring the situation.
“The first victim was found upstream of Bangazaan (Budzi) Dam. His body was discovered by children who were fishing. We are looking for his relatives after locals failed to identify him. The second victim was swept away along Chiriga River when he was returning from drinking beer with friends at night. Another victim was an elderly woman coming from a funeral in Musirizwi communal lands and attempted to cross a flooded river.”
The cyclone has reportedly caused extensive damage in some areas, according to CPU. By yesterday afternoon, 15 houses had been damaged in Gumiro Village, Mapungwana area in Ward 14. A science laboratory block was damaged at Mt Selinda High School, while toilets at Green Valley Primary School were destroyed.
There was also a mudslide between Chipinge and Tanganda, with large boulders blocking some roads.
There are fears dams such as Watershed, Bangazzan and Mutakura, which were already full before the heavy rains, could spill and cause flooding.
“Some houses collapsed in Ward 14 and our teams are making frantic efforts to reach the area to assess the situation on the ground. We are facing challenges because most of the areas are inaccessible,” he said.
Several evacuation centres have been set up in Chipinge to accommodate those affected by the cyclone.
-State Media
By A Correspondent| Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a fresh warning to people who are violating the current dusk to dawn curfew saying those providing essential services should go home straight after knocking off at 1500hours.
In a statement today, ZRP National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that only those providing essential services would be allowed passage at roadblocks during curfew hours.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that only people offering essential services will be allowed passage at police roadblocks and other checkpoints after 1800 hours. Those knocking off duty at 1500 hours should ensure that they go home straight after work.
“Members of the public are implored to plan their movements carefully so that they are not inconvenienced during the curfew period,” said Nyathi.
This comes as the authorities have arrested 347 264 people for violating lockdown regulations since 30 March when the government first announced a national lockdown.
Despite the country currently being under a hard lockdown with only essential service workers allowed free movement, indiscipline among Zimbabweans has been rampant with informal traders.
Police said most of the transgressions are happening in residential areas where bars and shebeens continue to serve patrons.
Meanwhile, just on Wednesday, police arrested at least 3 102 people across the country for various offences related to violating the lockdown regulations. Of those arrested, 1 294 were accused of unnecessary movement while 1 178 were nabbed for not wearing face masks.
Dear Editor
As farmers in Muzarabani district we are being sabotaged by Agritex officers who are working in cahoots with councillors in looting Command Agricultural scheme inputs.
The inputs are not reaching the farmers as the officers and councillors are getting 20 bags of compound fertilizers each at the expense of farmers.
These fertilizers are being sold and many of us are not getting the inputs.
May the responsible authority please put checks and balances to these inputs.
We have been waiting patiently at GMB Centenary at times we are told to go to Mvurwi or Concession but our names keep on being referred back to Centenary where the extension officers and councillors loot the inputs.
Failure to get these inputs in time results in the hunger of the nation.
HE is just 16 years old and is very much unassuming, yet he exhibits both leadership and intelligence attributes.
The 2020 child president Mukudzeishe Madzivire raised the Christian Brothers College (CBC) flag high when he attained 10 As at Ordinary level Cambridge examinations last year. Mukudzeishe, who is now doing form five at CBC could not hide his excitement.
“When l collected my results on Tuesday 19 January, I was quite surprised and a bit overwhelmed and l did not expect to get the results that l got, and l think there is never anyone who expected to get such results so I was very happy,” said Mukudzeishe.
Mukudzeishe, who is doing Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and English at Advanced level wishes to further pursue his studies at tertiary level and study either public health or medicine. At O level, he wrote Business Studies, Accounting, Geography, History, Literature in English, Computer Science, English, Mathematics, Biology and Physical Science.
“I’m very interested in the social, economic and political factors that contribute to the provision of healthcare and the Covid-19 pandemic has opened my eyes to the reality of modern healthcare as being a social service whose provision is impeded by rampant inequalities. I’d like to work in fields related to that or perhaps on the field as a medical practitioner,” he added.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic effects, Mukudzeishe is the acting child president as a new presidium has not been elected. He entered the junior parliament as a junior president in June 2019 and his term ended in June 2020.
Mukudzeishe said being in the junior parliament was a life changing experience for him that presented many opportunities.
“I got the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds, different communities, and for the betterment of the welfare of Zimbabwe I worked in various programmes.”
Among other programmes Mukudzeishe said they managed to successfully carry out the ‘We Write 2020’, a short story writing competition, a pad drive where they donated female hygiene products to primary and secondary students from disadvantaged communities, and the 4-H Zimbabwe Foundation debate jam in Bulawayo where 12 schools took part to discuss topics such as the new curriculum, command agriculture, climate change, issues affecting children at schools.
Mukudzeishe is a writer, pianist, poet, model and vocalist. So far, he has published two books titled Inscriptions and By the Still Waters.
His father, Mr Resmond Madzivire said; “I’m so much impressed but still in shock as well. Mukudzeishe did not get much time to do his school work last year as he was travelling a lot to fulfill his child presidential duties, as he even travelled as far as the UK in February last year. Reality hasn’t dawned on me yet but I’m one of the happiest parents right now,” said Mr Madzivire.
Another CBC student, Jewel Chenai Damunesa, also scored ten As in the 2020 Cambridge examinations. He sat for Geography, History, Literature in English, Computer Science, English, French, IsiZulu, Mathematics, Biology and Physical science. He has also proceeded to A level at the same school.
The CBC headmaster, Mr Kizito Muhomba, congratulated the 2020 O’ level and A’ level students and the teachers for producing good results.
-State Media
By A Correspondent | ZANU PF Secretary For Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa was yesterday confronted over his baseless claims of a death story he alleged to ZBC news was published in ZimEye and below was the drama.
Klosad Clinical Diagnostics Lab, whose staff members were last week exposed by this publication for issuing fake Covid-19 certificates, has been shut down to pave way for full investigations.
The laboratory which is owned by expelled Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo was suspended from operating for an indefinite period to allow the Ministry of Health and Childcare and the Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists Council of Zimbabwe (MLCSCZ) to complete investigations into the lab’s operations.
The Sunday Mail understands that, in addition to the fake certificates scam, authorities are keen to probe allegations that Klosad was operating without proper registration and qualified staff while its Covid-19 certificates were being authorised by fictitious staff members.
MLCSCZ registrar Ms Agnes Chigora confirmed that the lab had been shut down for “further investigations”.
“Council has recommended suspension of services until finalisation of the ongoing investigations,” she said.
An official privy to the developments revealed that authorities were conducting additional investigations into the rot at Klosad.
“For example, this Nyakuedzwa who was approving the certificates is not even among the employees and is stationed at Chitungwiza General Hospital,” said the source.
“His name was only there on the paper but other people were doing the signing for him.
“The staff on the ground was not adequately trained and they were working without proper supervision.
“The Anesu Nyamugama who was arrested is not even registered as an employee of the lab and some of the names of the people who are said to have signed those papers were not on duty.
“So there are suggestions that the level of corruption at Klosad was high and it could have involved quite a number of people.”
Nyamugama was arrested last week facing fraud charges.
Allegations are that from January 8 to 12, Nyamugama issued two fake negative Covid-19 certificates to The Sunday Mail reporters Harmony Agere and Emmanuel Kafe, thus misrepresenting that they had gone through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
-State Media
By Paul Nyathi | Emmerson Mnangagwa has over the year been risking the lives of not only millions of citizens but his own health, and just 3 days ago the frail 80 year old stood a metre away from two COVID corpses in a large crowd at the heroes acre.
He appointed to head the COVID Taskforce Zimbabwe’s most incompetent politician, Oppah Muchinguri who says COVID is punishment on western countries; she has been allowed to continue leading the institution for a whole year resulting in scores of ZANU PF leaders falling like flies, just the ZANU PF leadership holds mass birthday parties and rallies, literally spreading the disease across the nation;
And now on Sunday morning, the government spokesman who is a British NHS trained nurse-turned ‘party animal’, frequently attending these lavish functions, announces that the leaders are being assassinated by political activists.
IS HE TELLING THE TRUTH?
Mangwana wrote the below in his Twitter portal:
By A Correspondent| Marvelous Nakamba featured for Aston Villa for the first time in over a month in the Birmingham side’s 2-0 win over Newcastle and played a blinder.
The 27-year old, who has been reduced to a peripheral role this season, had last featured for the claret and blue on the 17th of December, when he was introduced with seconds remaining in the Burnley game.
Villa coach Dean Smith today opted for a twin defensive midfield formula, with Nakamba partnering David Luiz in the middle of the park. The Zimbabwean midfielder played the game of his life!
He completed 35 out of 35 successful passes in the first half at a 100 percent rate and earned praise from the club’s fans on social media.
Ultimately, the soft-spoken midfielder made 56 accurate passes (98%).
Smith’s men saw off their opponents through first half goals from Ollie Watkins and Betrand Traore.
THREE people died after being swept away by flooded rivers following heavy rains and strong winds that battered parts of Chipinge District on Friday evening, the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has confirmed.
Cyclone Eloise made a landfall in Mozambique on Friday before drifting towards eastern Zimbabwe and dumping a deluge over parts of the Eastern Highlands.
Chipinge District CPU chairperson, Mr William Mashava, said authorities were monitoring the situation.
“The first victim was found upstream of Bangazaan (Budzi) Dam. His body was discovered by children who were fishing. We are looking for his relatives after locals failed to identify him. The second victim was swept away along Chiriga River when he was returning from drinking beer with friends at night. Another victim was an elderly woman coming from a funeral in Musirizwi communal lands and attempted to cross a flooded river.”
The cyclone has reportedly caused extensive damage in some areas, according to CPU. By yesterday afternoon, 15 houses had been damaged in Gumiro Village, Mapungwana area in Ward 14. A science laboratory block was damaged at Mt Selinda High School, while toilets at Green Valley Primary School were destroyed.
There was also a mudslide between Chipinge and Tanganda, with large boulders blocking some roads.
There are fears dams such as Watershed, Bangazzan and Mutakura, which were already full before the heavy rains, could spill and cause flooding.
“Some houses collapsed in Ward 14 and our teams are making frantic efforts to reach the area to assess the situation on the ground. We are facing challenges because most of the areas are inaccessible,” he said.
Several evacuation centres have been set up in Chipinge to accommodate those affected by the cyclone.
-State Media
By A Correspondent- The late former prisons boss Paradzayi Zimondi and the late Minister of Transport Joel Biggie Matiza who succumbed to COVID-19 on Friday have been declared national heroes, ZBC News reports.
The development was reportedly communicated by Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri who told the deceased’s families that the 2 have been conferred with a hero status according to ZBC which stated that:
The late transport minister, Cde JB Matiza and former prisons boss Major General Paradzai Zimondi declared national heroes. Defence Minister and @ZANUPF_Officialnational chair Cde Oppah Muchinguri delivered the declarations to the families.
Matiza, Zimondi, and former Education Minister Aeneas Chigwedere succumbed to COVID-19 2 days after Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo succumbed to the virus too.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The love of beer landed two Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officials and their three accomplices in trouble.
Fidelis Munetsi (45) and Chengeta Chengeta (45) both from VID Bindura together with Jusa Saradini (44),Bernard Mupamba(40) and Ethel Chigiji (19) were slapped with $50 000 each by provincial magistrate Tinashe Ndokera last week for defying lockdown regulations.
Prosecutor Thembinkosi Mananga told the court that the five were drinking beer inside a local bar when police officers pounced on them.
They were arrested and dragged to court.
FIVE 14-year-old Zimunya teenagers who allegedly murdered a fellow learner over a girlfriend are up for murder.
The teenagers who have since been released under the custody of their parents appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Ms Nyasha Kuture recently and were not asked to plead.
They were remanded to January 25 on condition that they report to their nearest police station every Friday and not to interfere with State witnesses. They were also ordered to continue residing at their given addresses.
The court heard that sometime in November 2020, the late Rufaro Makono who was a Form Two learner at Gwese Secondary School, Zimunya escorted a form one female pupil from the same school to her home.
It was alleged that Rufaro was proposing love to the girl. They parted ways at Nyagumbe River in Mutukwa Village.
Prosecuting, Mr Chris Munyuku, said: “On his way back home, the deceased, however, met a group of teenagers who confronted and accused him of dating the female learner. Sensing danger, Makono started running and the five gave chase.”
One of the teenagers is alleged to have picked a stone and threw it on Rufaro. He fell down and the teenagers took turns to assault him. Rufaro suffered a swollen head and bloody eyes.
When Rufaro got home, he did not tell his parents about the assault even when his condition deteriorated.
On November 29, Makono met a classmate, Munashe Mujaji and confided in him about the assault.
Rufaro later died at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital on December 4 and was buried three days later.
After the burial, information filtered that Rufaro had died as a result of the head injuries he sustained from the assault, prompting the police to exhume his body on December 11.
A post mortem conducted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare revealed Rufaro’s cause of death as severe head trauma.-Manica Post
A Beitbridge magistrate on Thursday jailed for an effective four months two cross-border transporter operators commonly known as Omalayitsha who were arrested while facilitating the illegal migration of seven foreigners from Zimbabwe to South Africa.
Among the immigrants where two Somalis and five Ethiopians who had entered the country illegally and were in transit to the neighbouring country.
Mandlenkosi Mubaiwa (33) and Melusi Msebele (33) all of Bulawayo were convicted for contravening a section of the Immigration Act and violating the National lockdown regulations when they appeared before Mss Varaidzo Gabi.
They were left with an effective four months to serve after three of the seven months jail term were conditionally set aside for five years.
The seven foreigners were also taken to court, where they were warned and cautioned and are now being detained at the local prison pending deportation to their respective countries.
The duo, who were travelling from Bulawayo and heading to South Africa via Beitbridge Border Post in a Toyota Quantum picked up the seven foreigners in Gwanda on Monday evening at around 8 PM.
They were intercepted by police at a roadblock at the 317 KM peg along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road near Bangale shops.
During interrogations, it was discovered that the Somalis and Ethiopians had no valid travel documents and had engaged the duo to facilitate their border jumping into South Africa. They were all arrested.
Police named the foreigners as; Mahamed Huseen (20) and Kamal Hasan (20) both Somalians and the Ethiopians: Tamrat Doleso (20), Marekos Shugute Badoho (20), Mehew Merekias (22) Elamu Evbalo (22), and Tadere Tadiwar (24).
The Department of Immigration with the assistance of other security agents, have been intercepting Ethiopians, Somalians, Congolese, Eritreans, and citizens of countries north of the Zambezi River during their great trek to the south of the Limpopo.
-State Media
The newly-minted Zanu PF Mwenezi District Coordinating Committee(DCC) vice chair Luckson Chikomo has died due to Covid-19- related complications.
Chikomo, a sugar cane farmer at Mupapa Estates near Chingwizi passed on at Colini Saunders Hospital on Thursday.
Mwenezi West parliamentarian and Zanu PF Secretary for Finance in the Women’s League, Priscilla Zindari confirmed his death.
“He (Chikomo) passed on in hospital in Triangle. He was diabetic and while admitted, he tested positive for Covid-19,” she said.
Zidhari described Chikomo’s death as a big loss to the ruling party in Mwenezi and Masvingo as a whole.
This was also corroborated by Zanu PF Masvingo Vice chair Robson Mavhenyengwa who said the ruling party had been robbed of a hard-working and dedicated servant.
Chikomo was elected into the revived DCCs in Mwenezi last year where he deputised Gift Mazhambe,who was voted chair.
-State Media
Zimbabweans condemn arrest of Hon Biti: video
THE Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ) on Friday warned over the illegal practice of one Jacqueline Carey Stone, who is allegedly treating COVID-19 patients using unregistered medicines.
In a statement, the MDPCZ said the public should be wary of Stone’s practice, as she does not have a valid license to practice as a medical professional in the country.
“The premises at which she is treating COVID-19 patients have not been registered for purposes of medical practice and thus posing a health risk to the public.
“She is putting the lives of the public at risk by treating the patients with unregistered medicines including medicines for animal use,” the MDPCZ said.
It added that Stone is conducting clinical trials without the full approval of the Research Council of Zimbabwe, and is also working with unregistered persons to dispense and counsel patients.
“MDPCZ will not allow any registered medical practitioner to offer unsafe treatment to the public of Zimbabwe,” said the body that regulates the practice of medicine and dentistry in the country.
Zimbabwe is in the grip of a resurging COVID-19 pandemic. The death toll has risen phenomenally since the beginning of this month and now stands at 917 out of the 30,047 COVID-19 infections that have been recorded in the country since last March.
-Xinhua
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has commended the bravery of political activists and human rights defenders who are being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime.
In q statement on Friday, President Chamisa described the persecution of Hon. Job Sikhala, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, Hopewell Chin’ono and Alan Moyo as unacceptable and unconstitutional.
“As I reflect on the struggle for freedom…
I think of Hopewell, I think of Hon Job Sikhala, I think of Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, I think of Alan, I think of Bob Wine and those across our continent who have chosen to be brave and be the light. FREEDOM MATTERS. OUR LIVES DO MATTER.
FreeHopewell
FreeJobSikhala
FreeAlanMoyo
FreeBobiWine,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.
At about 09:25 hours today we received a distress call from BitiTendai advising us that he had been arrested by police in Karoi. He was not informed of any charge. He was eventually released without any charges against him.
BitiTendai has since advised us that he has been receiving death threats. This follows a heated telephone conversation with a person identifying himself as Gakanjwe quizzing BitiTendai about tweeting on government’s failure to deal with #COVID19
At about 16:00 hours we received another distress call that some unidentified people 2 men & a woman were affixing cardboard boxes with threatening messages. This follows a press statement on #COVID19 situation by ZANU PF in which BitiTendai was mentioned.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Hon Joana Mamombe has condemned the prolonged detention of Alan Moyo.
Hon Mamombe described Alan Moyo as a fearless comrade.
“Alan Moyo (23), one of the most fearless comrades in the fight for academic freedom. He was arrested on 7 December 2020. The detention of cde Alan Moyo at Chikuribi Remand Prison without being granted bail is a gross violation of his Constitutional rights.
Together with the #ZINASU President, cde Takudzwa Ngadziore and Ward 16 Clr Denford Ngadziore managed to secure some food stuffs for him. Due to the lockdown and COVID-19 we were unable to see him but good thing, they accepted the food.
Cde Alan, you are a fighter.
We continue to call for his freedom,” Hon Mamombe said in a statement.
MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa, also called for the immediate release of of Alan Moyo and all jailed political activists.
“The prolonged detention of Cde Alan Moyo is unconstitutional and unacceptable. We call for his immediate and unconditional release.
The regime is taking advantage of the lockdown to terrorize political activists.
Our message to Zanu PF is clear- release our comrades, they are not criminals,” said Mpambwa.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Hon Joana Mamombe has condemned the prolonged detention of Alan Moyo.
Hon Mamombe described Alan Moyo as a fearless comrade.
“Alan Moyo (23), one of the most fearless comrades in the fight for academic freedom. He was arrested on 7 December 2020. The detention of cde Alan Moyo at Chikuribi Remand Prison without being granted bail is a gross violation of his Constitutional rights.
Together with the #ZINASU President, cde Takudzwa Ngadziore and Ward 16 Clr Denford Ngadziore managed to secure some food stuffs for him. Due to the lockdown and COVID-19 we were unable to see him but good thing, they accepted the food.
Cde Alan, you are a fighter.
We continue to call for his freedom,” Hon Mamombe said in a statement.
MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa, also called for the immediate release of of Alan Moyo and all jailed political activists.
“The prolonged detention of Cde Alan Moyo is unconstitutional and unacceptable. We call for his immediate and unconditional release.
The regime is taking advantage of the lockdown to terrorize political activists.
Our message to Zanu PF is clear- release our comrades, they are not criminals,” said Mpambwa.
MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alerts
23 January 2021
In the face of this menacing covid19 pandemic, which has claimed hundreds of lives and infected tens of thousands in Zimbabwe, the MDC-Alliance lead by the People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, through its Health Department in conjunction with the Communications desk, will be dialoguing with you fellow citizens through its “weekly Health Alerts with Dr Henry Madzorera”.
We are launching this today by examining the Super Spreader events for Covid19 in our country.
Let’s prevent the spread of COVID-19. A healthy nation is a productive nation. Together we win Zimbabwe for change.
Reigning in Super Spreader Events (SSE’s) of covid-19 in Zimbabwe.
The average number of people a covid-19 patient infects is between two and three. In a super spreader event (SSE), one person can infect a much larger number than this. Let us look at three important variables that determine the spread of covid-19:
Covid-19 spreads more easily indoors, especially when the room is overcrowded and social distancing is not possible to attain. One person in such a crowded room can infect dozens others. In one study cited by the CDC (Centres for Disease Control), the odds of catching covid-19 in such a confined space were 18.7 times higher than in open air venues.
Pertinent examples of such SSE venues include church meeting places, our prison cells, funeral venues especially for the women who spend the whole night singing in a confined space with the body of the deceased. Our transportation systems, especially the often overl0aded ZUPCO buses, the kombis and the mushikashikas, are fertile venues for spread of the virus and qualify as SSE’s. We have of late seen large gatherings at party congresses and church conferences being held indoors even as our epidemic was escalating exponentially. These are potentially dangerous SSE’s. Whenever you meet in an enclosed space with people you do not ordinarily live with, even if they are as few as one dozen, you are potentially exposed to a SSE!
Ventilation:
Being in a room or auditorium with poor ventilation, with other people, is equal to exposure to a potential SSE. You need only one infected person to get the whole room engulfed with covid-19 particles, because corona virus particles emitted by that one infected individual tend to continue to float in that atmosphere for a very long time. Outdoors, the particles tend to be blown away by the wind, reducing infection rates.
In terms of ventilation, I cannot think of any more vicious super spreader than our prison cells.
How much time you spend in that room continuously has a bearing on your chances of catching covid-19. It therefore helps a lot if you go out to catch a breath of fresh air every few minutes. While that is possible in social gatherings, it may not be possible if you are incarcerated in a prison cell.
Vocalisation:
Talking, singing, shouting, are the order of the day in pubs, church gatherings, funerals, and parties. The louder you talk or sing, the more aerosol you pump out and the further it flies. When there is background noise like music, as in a pub or shebeen, and especially when most of the patrons have effective concentrations of alcohol in their brains, all restraint is cast off and aerosols can travel several metres at a time. If everybody wore a mask in this situation the velocity and distance travelled by this aerosol will be greatly curtailed.
What should government do about SSE’s?
It is government’s sole responsibility to get rid of all SSE’s in Zimbabwe, if we are to save the country from becoming a mass grave.
Government should take it upon itself to eliminate all super spreader events from Zimbabwe, and should make this task an urgent priority. Covid-19 is no respecter of persons.
Inserted by:
MDC Alliance
Communications Department
Own Correspondent|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi has torched social media storm and widespread debate after claiming God will save Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Cabinet Ministers from the deadly Coronavirus.
In a press statement released on Saturday morning, Makomichi claimed God will stand with ZANU PF leaders and “prophesied” that the Lord will save Mnangagwa and top government officials from the deadly pandemic.
“The ZANU PF party must not lose hope, God is doing something to put the Covid 19 situation under control.
I will also have to visit the ZANU PF HQ for prayers. I will ask God to protect all top Zanu PF leaders or else there will be more deaths.
The nation must unite in the fight against the pandemic.
I’m also asking the President to allow me to visit the State House for prayers.
I am seeing a dark cloud and only God can remove that cloud..
ZANU PF leaders must not lose hope I will repeat- they must seek God’s mercy or else it will end in tears”
Social media users have dismissed Makomichi’s prophecy, arguing he is merely seeking to please Mnangagwa.
Senior Zanu PF Official Simon-Khaya on Saturday morning implored the nation to pray for Divine intervention.
Mrs Auxillia Mnangagwa has recently called for a prayer and fasting programme as COVID-19 continues to ravage the nation.
By A Correspondent- A Zanu PF councillor from Mberengwa has appeared in court facing several charges of theft, assault and malicious damage to property.
Trevors Mlambo (51), councillor for Ward 36 Neta, Mberengwa, is accused of mobilising some youths to commit the crimes.
The five complainants in the case are Leonard Shumba of Budy Mine, Nobuhle Moyo, Beauty Moyo, Stanford Moyo and Rejoice Sibanda of Hamandishe Village, chief Bvute, Mberengwa.
Mlambo and his co-accused appeared before Mberengwa Magistrate Evia Matura on 5 January 2021 and were remanded to 9 February 2021.
The councillor’s co-accused are Zivanai Hamandishe (55), Morrison Zivanai (53), Shelton Moyo (28), Tinodaishe Shoko (28), John Zuvarigere (47), Norman Zvotiona (34), Tichaona Wabatagore (37), Elijah Ndava (26), and Ralph Black (39).
Prosecutor Faith Mwale told the court that on 28 December 2020, the gang assaulted and threatened Sibanengi Moyo’s wife, Rejoice Sibanda, after they couldn’t find him at his home.
They accused Moyo of stealing goods from a certain shop at Beauty Business Centre and having assaulted his wife, they promised to come back and burn down the houses.
The gang is also accused of assaulting Beauty Moyo and robbing her of her itel cellphone and a US$50 note. Beauty was responding to reports that the gang had set her brother’s mine (Budy Mine) on fire when she was attacked.
The gang also allegedly set all plastic tents and clothes at Budy Mine on fire and damaged some mining equipment valued at US$1 810.
The gang is also accused of destroying a one-roomed bedroom and a tent belonging to Nobuhle Moyo.
They also allegedly destroyed Stanford Moyo’s two round huts and one-roomed bedroom by setting them on fire resulting in the loss of property worth US$3 731.
-MasvingoMirror
Video loading below…
By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean lesbian who alleged that she was forced to flee from the country after facing death threats from her own family has been denied refugee status in Ireland.
An International Protection Officer (IPO) had in April 2019 recommended the woman be refused refugee status or subsidiary protection on grounds her claims lacked credibility.
According to Pink News, before making a recommendation on her asylum claim, the IPO asked her questions about her sexuality and found that she was not aware of any LGBT+ support groups in either Ireland or Zimbabwe.
The woman claimed that she had been married off twice as a child at the ages of nine and 13.
She further claimed that she had entered into lesbian relationships in Zimbabwe and threats from family members after she was discovered engaging in lesbian acts had forced her to flee.
After the IPO had rejected her claims, the woman brought judicial review proceedings aimed at overturning the IPO recommendation.
However, in a judgment on Friday, Justice Tara Burns refused to overturn the IPO’s recommendation.
The judge rejected arguments that the IPO had failed to determine a “core element” of the woman’s claim, namely that she was a lesbian, and that she was entitled to a decision by the IPO on that.
-IrishTimes
By A Correspondent- Police in Kwekwe reportedly shot a 23-year-old woman from Mbizo 14 in the leg around midnight on 8 January this year.
The police team was searching for the woman’s brother who was wanted on assault charges.
The victim has been identified as Deon Jayne Craig and the bullet is still lodged in her right foot.
Craig`s sister, Glemis Moyo told CITE that she was shot when a police officer fired warning shots in the air.
Moyo said:
She was shot by the police on 8 January around 2300hours. They wanted to arrest my brother so when they came home and knocked on the door. When we inquired who it was, they identified themselves as police officers.
When we opened the door, they inquired about Maxwell’s whereabouts and we showed them his room. They knocked on his door and there was no response.
Moyo said she called Maxwell’s wife to come out with the child after the police officers had said they wanted to throw a tear gas canister inside the room to force him to come out.
She added that at that time Deon went to the toilet a few metres from the house and then a police officer who was in Maxwell’s room called for a gun from his colleagues.
After fetching the gun, the police officer fired a warning shot into the air and the second shot reportedly hit Deon while on her way from the toilet.
Moyo added that the police officer who shot her sister, later on, filed a case against her sister and Maxwell’s brother Mernard, accusing them of trying to stop them from arresting Maxwell.
They are both out after being granted ZWL$6 000 bail and are expected in court on 25 February.
Deon said she was taken to Gweru Hospital for treatment and the doctors are yet to remove the bullet lodged on her right foot.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko told CITE that he was not aware of the incident
Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the publication that they will conduct further investigations to find out what happened.
Prince Dube has vowed to continue with his scoring form at Azam after recovering from an operation.
The Zimbabwean striker spent six weeks on the sidelines with a hand injury and returned to action last week when he played in a friendly match against Mlandege FC in Zanzibar which they won 2-0.
He was involved in both goals scored by his Tanzanian side in the game.
Speaking to Sokalabongo, as cited by Goal, Dube said: “I promised I would return to the field feeling better and I am happy to see that I have already managed to be involved in the two goals we scored against Mlandege [in the friendly] despite the fact that we lost the next game against KMKM.
“I believe I will get back to my scoring pace as it was at the beginning of this season, so as I promised I will be back on the field better I will do it and make sure I help my team to do well by scoring as many goals as possible.”
Dube scored six goals and made four assists in the league, and was also voted the Tanzania Mainland Premier League Player of the Month for September before the injury.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Warriors captain Ian Nekati has admitted the national side failed to implement basics in their game against Burkina Faso on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe lost 3-1 to crash out of the 2021 CHAN tournament. The team had lost their opening Group A game to hosts Cameroon and needed a straight victory to keep the chances of progressing to the next round alive.
“Everyone knows where we were coming from, so it’s a lesson that there are no shortcuts in football,” Nekati told H-Metro from Yaoundé.
“The expectations were high, and we know the fans wanted the best out us because we’re carrying the nation’s hopes.
“We lacked some football basics due to lack of match fitness and a lot of factors, but I would say we learnt a lot as a group.
“We also suffered a setback after that Covid-19 outbreak in camp.
“But get me right, this is not an excuse. I know we could have done better.”
Zimbabwe will face Mali in their final Group A game on Sunday. Kick-off is at 9 pm- Soccer 24
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has commended the bravery of political activists and human rights defenders who are being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime.
In q statement on Friday, President Chamisa described the persecution of Hon. Job Sikhala, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, Hopewell Chin’ono and Alan Moyo as unacceptable and unconstitutional.
“As I reflect on the struggle for freedom…
I think of Hopewell, I think of Hon Job Sikhala, I think of Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, I think of Alan, I think of Bob Wine and those across our continent who have chosen to be brave and be the light. FREEDOM MATTERS. OUR LIVES DO MATTER.
FreeHopewell
FreeJobSikhala
FreeAlanMoyo
FreeBobiWine,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance Youth Assembly official, Hon Joana Mamombe has condemned the prolonged detention of Alan Moyo.
Hon Mamombe described Alan Moyo as a fearless comrade.
“Alan Moyo (23), one of the most fearless comrades in the fight for academic freedom. He was arrested on 7 December 2020. The detention of cde Alan Moyo at Chikuribi Remand Prison without being granted bail is a gross violation of his Constitutional rights.
Together with the #ZINASU President, cde Takudzwa Ngadziore and Ward 16 Clr Denford Ngadziore managed to secure some food stuffs for him. Due to the lockdown and COVID-19 we were unable to see him but good thing, they accepted the food.
Cde Alan, you are a fighter.
We continue to call for his freedom,” Hon Mamombe said in a statement.
MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa, also called for the immediate release of of Alan Moyo and all jailed political activists.
“The prolonged detention of Cde Alan Moyo is unconstitutional and unacceptable. We call for his immediate and unconditional release.
The regime is taking advantage of the lockdown to terrorize political activists.
Our message to Zanu PF is clear- release our comrades, they are not criminals,” said Mpambwa.
At about 09:25 hours today we received a distress call from BitiTendai advising us that he had been arrested by police in Karoi. He was not informed of any charge. He was eventually released without any charges against him.
BitiTendai has since advised us that he has been receiving death threats. This follows a heated telephone conversation with a person identifying himself as Gakanjwe quizzing BitiTendai about tweeting on government’s failure to deal with #COVID19
At about 16:00 hours we received another distress call that some unidentified people 2 men & a woman were affixing cardboard boxes with threatening messages. This follows a press statement on #COVID19 situation by ZANU PF in which BitiTendai was mentioned.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
First published in 2020 …
It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions.
“Affected areas” are considered those countries, provinces, territories or cities experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19, in contrast to areas reporting only imported cases.
General recommendations for all travellers include:
Wash your hands frequently
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose
Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
Stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick
Follow proper food hygiene practices
Travellers returning from affected areas should:
Self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and follow national protocols of receiving countries. Some countries may require returning travellers to enter quarantine.
If symptoms occur, such as fever, or cough or difficulty breathing, travellers are advised to contact local health care providers, preferably by phone, and inform them of their symptoms and their travel history.
Credit: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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MDC Alliance Weekly Health Alerts
23 January 2021
In the face of this menacing covid19 pandemic, which has claimed hundreds of lives and infected tens of thousands in Zimbabwe, the MDC-Alliance lead by the People’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, through its Health Department in conjunction with the Communications desk, will be dialoguing with you fellow citizens through its “weekly Health Alerts with Dr Henry Madzorera”.
We are launching this today by examining the Super Spreader events for Covid19 in our country.
Let’s prevent the spread of COVID-19. A healthy nation is a productive nation. Together we win Zimbabwe for change.
Reigning in Super Spreader Events (SSE’s) of covid-19 in Zimbabwe.
The average number of people a covid-19 patient infects is between two and three. In a super spreader event (SSE), one person can infect a much larger number than this. Let us look at three important variables that determine the spread of covid-19:
Covid-19 spreads more easily indoors, especially when the room is overcrowded and social distancing is not possible to attain. One person in such a crowded room can infect dozens others. In one study cited by the CDC (Centres for Disease Control), the odds of catching covid-19 in such a confined space were 18.7 times higher than in open air venues.
Pertinent examples of such SSE venues include church meeting places, our prison cells, funeral venues especially for the women who spend the whole night singing in a confined space with the body of the deceased. Our transportation systems, especially the often overl0aded ZUPCO buses, the kombis and the mushikashikas, are fertile venues for spread of the virus and qualify as SSE’s. We have of late seen large gatherings at party congresses and church conferences being held indoors even as our epidemic was escalating exponentially. These are potentially dangerous SSE’s. Whenever you meet in an enclosed space with people you do not ordinarily live with, even if they are as few as one dozen, you are potentially exposed to a SSE!
Ventilation:
Being in a room or auditorium with poor ventilation, with other people, is equal to exposure to a potential SSE. You need only one infected person to get the whole room engulfed with covid-19 particles, because corona virus particles emitted by that one infected individual tend to continue to float in that atmosphere for a very long time. Outdoors, the particles tend to be blown away by the wind, reducing infection rates.
In terms of ventilation, I cannot think of any more vicious super spreader than our prison cells.
How much time you spend in that room continuously has a bearing on your chances of catching covid-19. It therefore helps a lot if you go out to catch a breath of fresh air every few minutes. While that is possible in social gatherings, it may not be possible if you are incarcerated in a prison cell.
Vocalisation:
Talking, singing, shouting, are the order of the day in pubs, church gatherings, funerals, and parties. The louder you talk or sing, the more aerosol you pump out and the further it flies. When there is background noise like music, as in a pub or shebeen, and especially when most of the patrons have effective concentrations of alcohol in their brains, all restraint is cast off and aerosols can travel several metres at a time. If everybody wore a mask in this situation the velocity and distance travelled by this aerosol will be greatly curtailed.
What should government do about SSE’s?
It is government’s sole responsibility to get rid of all SSE’s in Zimbabwe, if we are to save the country from becoming a mass grave.
Government should take it upon itself to eliminate all super spreader events from Zimbabwe, and should make this task an urgent priority. Covid-19 is no respecter of persons.
Inserted by:
MDC Alliance
Communications Department
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has commended the bravery of political activists and human rights defenders who are being persecuted by the Zanu PF regime.
In q statement on Friday, President Chamisa described the persecution of Hon. Job Sikhala, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, Hopewell Chin’ono and Alan Moyo as unacceptable and unconstitutional.
“As I reflect on the struggle for freedom…
I think of Hopewell, I think of Hon Job Sikhala, I think of Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, I think of Alan, I think of Bob Wine and those across our continent who have chosen to be brave and be the light. FREEDOM MATTERS. OUR LIVES DO MATTER.
“Life is precious.The virus must fall. We salute our Doctors and Nurses, the brave soldiers who fight day and night to save lives.Focused leadership,strategy and prayer will see us through.
This is a call to ACTION. It’s a national fight. Together we WIN. Always for a better Zimbabwe. Blessed Sabbath to u!
ZANU PF councilor for Ward 36 Neta, Mberengwa Trevors Mlambo (51) has appeared in court facing several charges of theft, assault and malicious damage to property.
Mlambo is accused of mobilizing some youth whom he then allegedly went around with committing the crimes.
Mlambo who appeared before Mberengwa Magistrate Evia Matura on January 5, 2020 is being represented by Tinamate Midzi from Midzi and Tafa Law Chambers. They were remanded to February 9, 2021.
Five different people have come forward to lay charges against Mlambo.
His co-accused are Zivanai Hamandishe (55), Morrison Zivanai (53), Shelton Moyo (28), Tinodaishe Shoko (28), John Zuvarigere (47), Norman Zvotiona (34), Tichaona Wabatagore (37), Elijah Ndava (26), and Ralph Black (39).
The five complainants in the case are Leonard Shumba of Budy Mine, Nobuhle Moyo, Beauty Moyo, Stanford Moyo and Rejoice Sibanda of Hamandishe Village, chief Bvute, Mberengwa.
It is the State case that on December 28, 2020 at around 12pm Sibanda was at home when Mlambo and the gang suddenly arrived carrying knobkerries and axes. They asked for her husband Sibanengi Moyo who was not there and told her that he was a thief. They accused Moyo of stealing goods from a certain shop at Beauty Business Centre. They demanded that she pay for the stolen and when she failed they allegedly assaulted her and left after threatening to come back and burn down the houses.
At around 6pm Beauty Moyo received information that her brother’s mine (Budy Mine) had been set on fire by the accused. She left home and headed for the mine and on the way she met the accused who surrounded her and allegedly assaulted her. The gang allegedly took away her itel cellphone which had a US$50-00 note on the back cover by force and went away.
The gang also allegedly set all plastic tents and clothes at Budy Mine on fire and damaged some mining equipment. This incident was witnessed by Leonard Shumba, a security guard at the mine and the damaged property is valued at US$1 810.
The gang is also accused of destroying a one roomed bedroom and a tent belonging to Nobuhle Moyo.
They also allegedly destroyed Stanford Moyo’s two round huts and one roomed bedroom by setting them on fire. Property worthy US$3 731-00 was lost.
Faith Mwale represented the State.
By A Correspondent- Police have arrested a Plumtree businesswoman and her two accomplices for allegedly beating a suspected burglar to death.
Sinanzeni Mpala (38) who operates a shop in Madlambuzi under Chief Gambo in Bulilima District allegedly connived with Praisemore Vundla (22) and Thabo Sibanda (20) and fatally assaulted Vusumuzi Ndlovu (18) whom they accused of unlawful entry and theft.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the incident, which occurred Wednesday shortly after 10AM. She said the suspects have been arrested for murder and will appear in court soon.
“I can confirm that we arrested three suspects in connection with a murder case, which occurred at Mahluleli Ndlovu’s homestead under Chief Gambo area. The suspects ganged up and fatally assaulted Vusumuzi Ndlovu on allegations of theft,” said Insp Mangena.
She said Mpala sent her 11-year-old son to collect metal sheets at her shop at Garamutata Business Centre in Madlambuzi. Upon arrival, the child discovered the shop had been broken into with Vusumuzi inside.
“Mpala’s son then rushed back home and informed her mother about the incident. Mpala then teamed up with Vundla and Sibanda they hunted down the deceased and found him at a local farm with his 68-year-old grandfather,” said Insp Mangena.
The suspects informed the now-deceased’s grandfather about the purpose of their visit and he advised them to take his grandson to police.
“However, along the way, the suspects diverted from the route to the police station and took the deceased to their homestead,” said Insp Mangena.
Upon arrival at Mpala’s homestead, the trio took turns to indiscriminately attack Vusumuzi all over the body using logs and fists until he lost consciousness.
“When they realised that the deceased was now breathing with difficulty, they released him and he staggered for about 50 metres before he collapsed and died,” said the police spokesperson.
A police report was made leading to the arrest of the three suspects. The body was taken to Plumtree District Hospital for a postmortem.
-statemedia
By A Correspondent- Behind the new normal, ladies of the night were much sought-after at various drinking spots in the mining town of Gwanda.
Calling on sex workers’ services was the order of the day for some men after imbibing alcoholic beverages. This for them was a routine way of relieving stress.
For the sex workers, serving an average of five men was considered as a bad day in office. Sex workers have two modes of operation, short time and night service. Short time like its name suggests, is usually for a few minutes while the night has unlimited service.
Following the closure of bars due to the latest lockdown regulations, sex workers are now in a fix as their venues where they hooked clients are no longer operational.
Sex workers who plied their trade at Njanji in Spitzkop, Cry Mantengwane in Phakama and Limelight in the town centre have improvised and decided to join many businesses that are now being operated from home.
This has not been difficult for them as they have a set clientele base (mostly small scale miners popularly known as ogweja). Fortunately for them, ogweja were cleared to operate during the lockdown as mines were allowed to continue operating.
Ogweja are regarded as the financial muscle in Gwanda because when they spend money, they do it in a big way.
In Phakama, just a street behind the main road leading to the town centre, it was a hive of activity on a daily basis as sex workers were doing their work from deep in the night. They were charging between US$3 and US$5 for short time while the whole night was pegged between US$20 and US$30/rand equivalent.
The local currency is not favoured by the ladies of the night and if you do not want to be embarrassed, you would rather not attempt pulling it out as a form of payment lest they mock you. One of the sex workers said business is going on as they now offer what they have termed “mobile sex”.
“Last year was very hard for us due to the lockdown and this year is promising to be like that as we started the year again with bars being closed. Due to this, we’ve seen it fit to also work from home.
“For me this hasn’t been difficult because I’ve contacts for most of my clients so all I had to do was share the new location (address),” she said. She added that she is also getting new clients who she is attracting from her neighbourhood as she is marketing herself from her home gate.
“If it’s not a busy day, I go outside my yard and stand by the gate to wait for potential clients who’ll be passing by.”
However, this new mode of operating has not been received well by the community. The community feels the prostitutes have become a menace as they have turned neighbourhoods into brothels.
A Phakama resident, Nokuthula Maseko, who stays close to where some sex workers are operating from bemoaned their operations saying they are not good for the community as the ladies are bad influence to young kids.
“We have young children here who at times pick up used condoms. Some won’t even be knowing what they are and play with them thinking they are balloons. There is growing concern that kids may contract viruses while playing with the used condoms. Also, what will they (children) learn from such actions if they’re happening under their nose?” quizzed Maseko.
She urged police to swoop on the ladies and arrest them.
“We urge the police to take these matters of influx of shebeens and commercial sex workers in neighbourhoods as matters that need to be urgently addressed,” she said.
Commenting on the issue, Ward 8 councillor Ntuthuko Ndebele said he, at one point, tried to reason with the sex workers.
“I remember we once met as the local leadership, with the sex workers association at Senondo Primary last year and the core agenda was to make them change their way of living.
“We pleaded with them to respect the community on the onset and their dressing,” said Clr Ndebele.
He added that he reported the community’s complaints to relevant authorities but he clearly hit a brick wall as nothing seems to be happening as the number of sex workers is actually increasing.
“I’ve reported this matter to the relevant authorities, but nothing is being done. The girls even sell beer and run shebeens and call their friends from as far as Zvishavane to come join them. “On weekends it’s all systems go as they don’t sleep entertaining ogweja who’ll be coming from the bush. I’ve reported this a lot of times but nothing is being done. The number of sex workers is actually increasing.”
Clr Ndebele said some sex workers once threatened him for taking action against their activities.
“At one time, I reported a shebeen queen and nothing was done, but the lady went the extra mile and threatened me and my family at my home. We have a platform as residents where we discuss issues concerning our community and the rife prostitution is one that residents have bemoaned for long,” he said.
chronicle
By A Correspondent| Controversial social media personality and businessman Acie Lumumba says the majority of local universities are churning out useless graduates who are not fit for purpose.
The businessman, whose full name is William Gerald Mutumanje, said he has hired over 100 local graduates for different positions in his companies whose performances left a lot to be desired.
Lumumba further asserted that the best local graduates come from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) while those from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) need retraining.
He mocked graduates from the Midlands State University (MSU) saying that it seems as if they are taught to smoke Shisha pipes and bedroom matters.
After hiring 100+ graduates across multiple positions I can authoritatively say Zimbabwe produces useless graduates.
Useless not as an attack, but as a concern, there is close to nothing you can use them for. NUST has the best crop, UZ you have to retrain, MSU mbodza dzega dzega!
MSU kunongodzidziswa chifodya cheshisha chiya ne zvemumagumbeze chete kuya. Dai yaitaura mibhedha iye Man gesturing ok. Lol
While some of Lumumba’s followers on Twitter concurred with his sentiments, others disagreed and questioned his own academic credentials and the criteria he uses when recruiting, with others going as far as accusing him of running backyard businesses.
By A Correspondent| Legendary South African Jazz musician and anti apartheid activist Ntate Jonas Gwangwa has passed away on the same day Hugh Masekela and Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi.
Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi died on the 23rd of January.
Jonas Gwangwa has been unwell for some time and in 2019, he received medical attention at a military hospital in Tswane.
The celebrated activist, musician, songwriter and producer Jonas Gwangwa died at the age of 81.
Gwangwa used his music to communicate what was happening in South Africa during the struggle against apartheid.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed his condolences to Gwangwa’s family, friends and colleagues in a tweet.
“A giant of our revolutionary cultural movement and our democratic creative industries has been called to rest; the trombone that boomed with boldness and bravery, and equally warmed our hearts with mellow melody has lost its life force.”
By A Correspondent- The love of beer landed two Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) officials and their three accomplices in trouble.
Fidelis Munetsi (45) and Chengeta Chengeta (45) both from VID Bindura together with Jusa Saradini (44),Bernard Mupamba(40) and Ethel Chigiji (19) were slapped with $50 000 each by provincial magistrate Tinashe Ndokera last week for defying lockdown regulations.
Prosecutor Thembinkosi Mananga told the court that the five were drinking beer inside a local bar when police officers pounced on them.
They were arrested and dragged to court.
FA Cup holders Arsenal have been knocked out at Southampton and an ex-Spurs star has proved to be their undoing.
Kyle Walker-Peters gave the Saints the lead after his cross was deflected in off Gabriel.
And Mikel Arteta’s men rarely threatened to get back into the game in what proved to be a dour affair and comfortable win for the South Coast side.
Arsenal were not helped by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missing this game after needing to return home because of a “personal matter”.
The Sun Football
Following his resumption of duty yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has addressed the nation on the prevailing situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch his State of The Nation Address aired on the state broadcaster ZBC
Own Correspondent|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi has torched social media storm and widespread debate after claiming God will save Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Cabinet Ministers from the deadly Coronavirus.
In a press statement released on Saturday morning, Makomichi claimed God will stand with ZANU PF leaders and “prophesied” that the Lord will save Mnangagwa and top government officials from the deadly pandemic.
“The ZANU PF party must not lose hope, God is doing something to put the Covid 19 situation under control.
I will also have to visit the ZANU PF HQ for prayers. I will ask God to protect all top Zanu PF leaders or else there will be more deaths.
The nation must unite in the fight against the pandemic.
I’m also asking the President to allow me to visit the State House for prayers.
I am seeing a dark cloud and only God can remove that cloud..
ZANU PF leaders must not lose hope I will repeat- they must seek God’s mercy or else it will end in tears”
Social media users have dismissed Makomichi’s prophecy, arguing he is merely seeking to please Mnangagwa.
Senior Zanu PF Official Simon-Khaya on Saturday morning implored the nation to pray for Divine intervention.
Mrs Auxillia Mnangagwa has recently called for a prayer and fasting programme as COVID-19 continues to ravage the nation.
By A Correspondent- Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who is the Harare East legislator (MDC Alliance), says the country’s key political leaders should learn lessons from their inability to travel abroad for treatment for COVID-19.
Biti said President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ministers are now facing the consequences of running down the country’s health system, yet the effects of the pandemic could have been partially averted if they had prioritised the country’s health delivery system.
Biti said:
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, his ministers and their cronies are marooned locally, they can’t go to South Africa, Singapore and China, but they have destroyed hospitals; now facing the consequences.
They should have invested in health, but they didn’t, hence people are dying.
Some of these fatalities would have been avoided if we had a functioning healthcare system, hospitals, doctors, nurses, drugs and equipment.
We don’t have all the basics; the system is a shell. That’s why people are dying like this. We could have partially avoided this situation.
COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of three cabinet ministers, that is, Perrance Shiri (Agriculture), Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Transport).
Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba and military commander, Brigadier-General Collin Moyo (Retired) also succumbed to the respiratory disease this month.
By A Correspondent- First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has implored Zimbabwean youths to follow the COVID-19 lockdown measures and stay at home to avoid bringing the coronavirus to their parents and grandparents.
In a statement issued this Saturday marking the end of the three-day prayer and fasting period, Mnangagwa called upon the youths to be “disciplined” and to practice other measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
She said:
I want to deliver a special message to our youth. It is common knowledge that you carry the greatest energy to hustle and fend for the families.
But you have seen your brother, your sister, your parent and grandparent, family friend succumbing to the deadly coronavirus.
We can only reduce infection by being disciplined and heeding the call to stay at home as much as we should compel ourselves to practice the other measures that keep us safe with utmost determination.
Mnangagwa said although the three-day fasting and praying period has come and gone, it is imperative to continue praying and being watchful.
She said discipline, vigilance, determination and unity will help the nation defeat the coronavirus pandemic
By A Correspondent- Controversial social media personality and businessman Acie Lumumba says the majority of local universities are churning out useless graduates who are not fit for purpose.
The businessman, whose full name is William Gerald Lumumba Mutumanje, said he has hired over 100 local graduates for different positions in his companies whose performances left a lot to be desired.
Lumumba further asserted that the best local graduates come from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) while those from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) need retraining.
He mocked graduates from the Midlands State University (MSU) saying that it seems as if they are taught to smoke Shisha pipes and bedroom matters.
After hiring 100+ graduates across multiple positions I can authoritatively say Zimbabwe produces useless graduates.
Useless not as an attack, but as a concern, there is close to nothing you can use them for. NUST has the best crop, UZ you have to retrain, MSU mbodza dzega dzega!
MSU kunongodzidziswa chifodya cheshisha chiya ne zvemumagumbeze chete kuya. Dai yaitaura mibhedha iye Man gesturing ok. Lol
While some of Lumumba’s followers on Twitter concurred with his sentiments, others disagreed and questioned his own academic credentials and the criteria he uses when recruiting, with others going as far as accusing him of running backyard businesses.
By A Correspondent- The Meteorological Service Department (MSD) said that Tropical Storm Eloise had strengthened into a cyclone by Friday night but its trajectory in the country remained the same.
The cyclone’s cloud band radius is estimated at around 500km and rains in excess of 50mm within 24 hours are expected.
In a statement last night, MSD head of forecast James Ngoma said the tropical system intensified upon reaching the Mozambican Channel on Thursday.
Tropical Cyclone Eloise is expected to bring continuous heavy and destructive rain in Matabeleland South, Masvingo and Manicaland tomorrow.
Said Ngoma:
As we get into this (last) evening we are expecting light rainfalls to begin over the eastern highlands and spread to the rest of the country as we get into the weekend.
However, in terms of heavier downpours, we are projecting to experience them in the southern parts of Manicaland and in Masvingo Province as well as parts of Matabeleland South.
That is where we are expecting rains in excess of 50mm within 24 hours. Therefore, we are advising the general public to be aware of these heavy downpours.
Ngoma advised members of the public to take precautionary measures such as desisting from crossing flooded rivers, securing rooftops and to avoid driving at night.
He said:
We also warn members of the public that even if the rains do not occur in their areas it could occur upstream therefore, the public is still advised not to cross flooded rivers and also there is a potential of strong winds and we advise that rooftops can be blown off and we advise that members of the public should try and secure rooftops as much as possible. Also, there might be trees that may fall, so it’s advisable not to be driving during this period.
Tropical Cyclone Eloise is expected to affect Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
-statemedia
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
By Patrick Guramatunhu- “Should we have empathy for those we hate?” asked Taruberekera Masara in Bulawayo 24 article.
“Yes we have a moral obligation to. It was a heartwarming experience to read MDC Alliance communique on the demise of the political leaders from their nemesis.
“The eulogy reminded many that there’s still empathy in our so broken country. This was albeit against a backdrop of callousness, the lack of empathy, lack of sympathy, lack of emotion, the lack of humanity that was highlighted by many people on various social media platforms.”
Why are you surprised at MDC A’s “heartwarming” message of condolence over the death of a Zanu PF bigwigs and the indifference of the ordinary Zimbabweans on the matter? You are surprised because you have no clue what is going on in Zimbabwe.
Ordinary Zimbabweans are aware of the country’s ruling elite’s indifference to povo’s long sufferings and deaths. Right now the country is drowning in this corona virus pandemic which Zanu PF has made worse by under reporting the cases and deaths to bury its blundering incompetence.
The corona virus has hit the poor very, very hard because they live in crowded homes where it is not practical to exercise social distancing and many have no access to clean running water with which to wash their hands regularly. Except for just a few cases, the ruling elite; cocooned in their five star homes, five star health care services, five star everything; have largely escaped unscathed.
It is condescending to expect the poor to cover themselves in ashes and weep buckets of tears over the death of the few ruling elite, when the poor have no tears left to shed over so many of their own who are dying like flies everyday!
The MDC leaders are not one with povo any close relation they had was cut during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. MDC leaders went into the GNU as the people’s champions fighting for democratic change, as the party’s name implied. They failed to implement even one democratic change because they suffered a their Soul to Damascus transformative moment.
Robert Mugabe saw to it that Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends were given the ministerial limos, generous salaries and allowances, a US$ 4 million mansion for Tsvangirai; everything to make the MDC leaders feel they were fulled paid up members of Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.
Of course, MDC leaders knew the democratic reforms were designed to take away the ruling elite’s many privileges and, most important of all, to make them accountable to the people. MDC leaders abandoned all intentions of implementing the reforms and loose their newly acquired privileges and creature comforts.
“Mazivanhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC leaders have learned to enjoy the gravy train lifestyle offered to the ruling elite, they will never rock the boat!) boasted Zanu PF cronies when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing any reforms.
Zanu PF has learnt from the GNU years that the party can keep its keep its tyrannical dictatorial powers including those to rig elections as long as it gives away a few gravy train seats to entice the MDC to participate in elections to give the results legitimacy. This is the cosy relationship that has existed between Zanu PF and MDC since the end of the GNU in 2013.
It is the ordinary people who have come out of the GNU the loser because not only has MDC leaders failed to implement any democratic reforms but no plans to do so in the future. Sadly the overwhelming majority of Zimbabweans do not realised MDC leaders sold-out big time and continue to follow them blindly like sheep to the slaughter.
”We note with sadness the passing on of Dr SB Moyo and Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba. We extend our condolences to both the Moyo and Gwaradzimba families. Our sympathies are also with Cdes Mukudzei Mudzi, Moton Malianga’s families, both Cdes sacrificed everything to free our beloved country,” said MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa.
There is no denying that the nation owes a debt of gratitude to all those who played a role in the fight for Zimbabwe’s independence, especially those suffered prison term and/or fought the bush war.
But there is no deny that not everyone who risked all for independence believed in the cause, they are many who were mercenaries and they have since demanded their “a pound of flesh” reward and more, much, much more!
Even with the country now facing an existential threat with economy in total meltdown and over 50% of our people living in heart breaking abject poverty; it is totally unacceptable that Zanu PF ruling elite should be allowed to deny the people their freedoms and rights in pursuit of their pound of flesh reward!
It is one thing for Nelson Chamisa and his MDC friends to be blind to reality Zimbabwe is being ruled and ruined by corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs whose greed for power and looted wealth know no bounds. After all the MDC leaders are now Zanu PF thugs’ acolytes and are enjoying the spoils of power.
The ordinary Zimbabweans have to fight these ruling elite mercenaries, have to demand democratic reforms to gain their long lost freedoms and rights including the right to free and fair elections and even the right to life itself!
After 40 years of rigged elections, gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and ruthless oppression; no ordinary Zimbabwean in his or her right mind would still call these Zanu PF thugs a hero much less mourn for them!
How can anyone with half a brain have empathy for those who have made one’s life hell-on-earth to gratify their insatiable greed for power and wealth!
By Patrick Guramatunhu- The fight amount opposition politicians for headlines is hotting up!
“MDC Alliance’s outspoken Vice Chairman and MP, Job Sikhala that despite all adversities in jail and even if it means dying in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison – “a concentration camp” – he will never give up fighting for people’s freedom,” reported Bulawayo 24.
The report was accompanied by a handwritten declaration presumably pen by Sikhala himself in his prison cell.
Job Sikhala must stop confusing fighting for headlines to place himself in pole position for the few gravy train seats opposition politicians will be fighting for come the 2023 elections; with fighting for the people’s freedom. The two objectives are not even complimentary, they are diametrically opposed!
Job Sikhala is in prison awaiting bailout hearing. He was arrested for “publishing falsehood”. He published a story of a Police Offer who fatally struck a baby with a baton.
Even if the story was true, it would only be one more story of the brutality of this Zanu PF regime. It would be stretching one’s imagination how the story, in itself, in “a fight for people’s freedom”!
Ever since Zimbabwe’s independence, in 1980, Zanu PF has ridden roughshod over the people, denying them their basic freedoms and human rights including the right to a meaningful vote and even the right to life. Fighting for freedom has meant implementing the democratic reforms to restore the individual freedoms and rights.
MDC leaders; including Tendai Biti, David Coltart and Nelson Chamisa now in the MDC A with Sikhala; had the golden opportunity to implement the reforms and thus end the Zanu PF dictatorship during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. They sold-out and failed to implement even one democratic reform in five years.
To add salt to the nation’s open wound, MDC leaders have participated in flawed and illegal election knowing that doing so would give legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF as David Coltart has readily admitted.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the (2013) elections,” wrote Senator Coltart.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
Three of the main MDC factions plus three other opposition parties did come together to form the MDC Alliance before the 2018 elections. The party went on to participate in the elections for the same reason as before – greed.
Zanu PF has offered a few gravy train seats to entice the opposition to participate in elections regardless how flawed and illegal the process happened to be. As long as Zanu PF is assured of opposition participation, the party will resist all pressure to implement reforms and hold free, fair and credible elections.
MDC A and the rest in the opposition camp have found Zanu PF’s bait irresistible hence the reason there were 23 presidential candidates, 130 political parties, to say nothing of the independent candidates, contested for the 210 parliamentary seats.
Job Sikhala and Tendai Biti are some of the lucky opposition politicians to win the few gravy train seats on offer. The competition for these few seats in hotting up and anything to keep one’s name in the public eye will not be amiss.
There is everything to suggest Sikhala will be participating in the 2023 elections with no reforms in place. He has never demanded reform. The arrest over the alleged killing of baby by the Police Officer has put Sikhala’s name back on the front pages and public eye and pole position in the 2023 elections.
Fadzai Mahere, MDC A spokesperson, has just been release on bail from Chikurumbi Prison. She too was arrested and incarcerated for a week on the same charge as Sikhala – publishing falsehoods.
Advocate Mahere too participated in the 2018 elections as an independent candidate but lost. She is certainly going to try her luck again in 2023.
The living conditions in Zimbabwe’s prisons are terrible, “concentration camp”, as Sikhala aptly up it. In these corona virus days, a jail term is, for many, a certain death sentence.
Ms Mahere has since tested positive of corona virus, the grime reminder of the life and death reality of prison in Zimbabwe.
“Even if I die in the concentration camp called Chikurumbi Maximum Prison, dear Zimbabweans remember me,” pleaded MP Job Sikhala.
“Remember me that it is because of our freedom, happiness and liberty that has been robbed from one generation to another, that I met that fate!”
Your brave stand on this occasion and on numerous others in the past have certainly put you in pole position to, once again, win the few gravy train seats Zanu PF gives away as bait to the opposition. If you should die, God forbid, it will be for the sake of getting pole position in the rat race for the scraps Zanu PF is offering to bribe the opposition.
Even you cannot deny that by participating in the 2018 elections you, Comrade Job Sikhala, and your fellow MDC A gave the vote rigging Zanu PF regime legitimacy and earned the coveted gravy train seats for yourselves. The ordinary Zimbabweans gained nothing and, instead, forfeited yet another chance to get the reforms implemented.
No Comrade Sikhala, Zimbabweans would have been enjoying their freedom for decades now if you lot were risking all for freedom! If you die, you would have died fighting for pole position in the 2023 gravy train rat race
By A Correspondent- Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affair, Ziyambi Ziyambi is currently battling for his life in the ICU of a Harare hospital amid a Covid-19 explosion that has paralysed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Cabinet.
This comes as the country is still to come to terms with the demise of three Cabinet ministers – two deaths being recorded inside a week.
Transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza died aged 61, on January 22, two days after Foreign Affairs Minister Sibusiso Moyo, 61, succumbed to Covid-19 early on Wednesday.
Covid-19, this month, also claimed the lives of Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba and military commander, Brigadier-General Collin Moyo (Retired), who were buried at the national shrine.
Former Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri died last year due Covid-19 related complications.
Inside sources told Zim Morning Post that Ziyambi had been hospitalised after catching the respiratory infection.
“These ministers held private parties over the festive season with family and friends – some were carrying the South African variant. Having been infected, they went on to interact with colleagues oblivious of the impending implosion,” a government insider who requested anonymity said.
“We are at the peak of 28-day window period since Christmas. Naturally, the people whom they came into contact with including ministers are not only shocked but are living in fear.”
As at 22 January 2021, Zimbabwe had 30 523 confirmed cases, including 21 080 recoveries and 962 deaths.
Zimbabwe’s casualties in Cabinet, which have not only cost precious life but have derailed set deliverable in ministries, leave President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s with a excruciating headache of how to move forward.
The departed cabinet ministers in question are Perrance Shiri (Agriculture), Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs) and Joel Biggie Matiza (Transport), were some of Mnangagwa’s work horses, in a cabinet that has a significant number of ministers who have proved to be deadwood.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa this week ordered Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to take a rest after the former army general appeared overwhelmed due to overworking and losing relatives to COVID-19.
This was revealed by Presidential spokesperson George Charamba while explaining why the Acting President was conspicuous by his absence at the burial of the late Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba and liberation icon Morton Malianga at the National Heroes’ Acre on Thursday.
Charamba said Chiwenga, who is also Health minister and his colleague Vice-President Kembo Mohadi were not battling COVID-19, but resting with Mohadi at his Beitbridge farm and likely to resume official duties soon.
“As for Vice-President Chiwenga, I can only say just as well rumours don’t kill. If they did, the man would long have joined his ancestors,” Charamba said.
“Beyond taking over as Acting President while the President is on his traditional annual leave, which this year has proved more of technical fixture than a real break, the Vice-President has been working well into the early hours of most of the days, both in his Office and at home.”
He said Chiwenga’s overworking has been made worse by the demise of a few of his relatives and associates.
“Made worse by a few of his relatives and associates who have succumbed to COVID-19, alongside many other Zimbabweans A few days ago, he looked worse for wear and the President ordered him to take some deserved rest,” Charamba added.
The rest, however, came two days before he had assumed the role of Acting President, taking over from Mohadi.
“He would have wanted to be with the President at yesterday’s sorrowful burial event, in fact insisted to do so. The President restated his order and the Vice-President had to watch proceedings from home. He will resume work shortly…,” Charamba added.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said the ruling party was working tirelessly to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and blasted opposition MDC Alliance vice-president Tendai Biti for blaming them for the pandemic. He said a wartime approach needed to be taken in the fight against COVID-19.
“A wartime approach needs to be applied in battling this deadly pandemic. That is indeed the way to go,” he said.
-newsday
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued another warning for the umpteenth time against members of the public who violate the curfew order saying those who do so will be arrested.
In a statement this Friday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said only members of the essential services will be allowed to pass through security checkpoints after 6 PM.
Asst Insp Nyathi advised those knocking off duty at 3 PM to go straight home to ensure that they are at home by 6 PM.
He said:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that only members of the essential services will be allowed passage at police roadblocks and other checkpoints after 1800 hours.
Those knocking off duty at 1500 hours should ensure that they go home straight after work. Members of the public are implored to plan their movements carefully so that they are not inconvenienced during the curfew period.
Nyathi said on Wednesday a total of 3 102 people were arrested throughout the country for various offences related to contraventions of the national lockdown regulations.
He added:
Of these, one thousand two hundred and ninety-four [1 294] were for Contravening Section 4(1)(a) of Statutory Instrument 83/20 Unnecessary movement during national lockdown except those exempted’, and one thousand one hundred and seventy-eight (1 178] for failure to wear face masks.
This brings the total cumulative arrests to 347 264 since 30th March 2020.
-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) says it does condone criminal activities by some rogue and undisciplined members of the force who are engaging in brazen armed robberies across the country.
In a statement this Friday, ZNA director of public relations Colonel Alphios Makotore said those members of the armed forces who are bringing the name of the organisation into disrepute through engaging in criminal enterprises will be investigated and dealt with.
He said:
In view of the recent cases of criminal activities by members of the force, the ZNA would like to put it on record for the umpteenth time that as an organisation, it does not in any way condone such behaviour nor any forms of criminality committed by any of its members purporting to be on official duty.
Anyone found to be on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country. Incidents of armed robberies which were reported at Gwebi River Bridge lay-bye along Harare-Chinhoyi Road on January 6 and in Mutawatawa, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe on January 19 will be thoroughly investigated and the culprits will be brought to book.
-statemedia
Liverpool vs Burnley highlights:
The latest 100 percent fare increase on ZUPCO buses approved by government is a testimony that our government continues to turn blind attention to the plight of the poor majority especially in these complex Covid19 times.
Early January the Government through SI 10/
2021 locked down the informal sector largely comprised of vendors in an effort to reduce the spread of Covid19.
While the lockdown measures were necessary, the specific targeting of the sectors that provide a living for the poor left many vulnerable.
The government continues in its quest to bury the poor while alive by putting in place more anti poor policies such as the recent doubling of all ZUPCO fares.
The continued monopoly of ZUPCO on public transport systems provides fertile ground for corrupt practices between well known Business moguls who are connected to the echelons of power and have a tendency of supplying government with ZUPCO buses bought at some questionable prices.
The same business moguls literally control the fuel supply system and they first forced government to increase fuel prices unjustifiably and now the increase in ZUPCO fares is a result of the domino effect of fuel price increase.
It is sad that during such pandemic times when business has been adversely affected, government investment vehicles operating in the mining fields in minerals like Diamonds, Gold and Platinum should be releasing relief funds to caution the suffering masses but again the identified business moguls have taken over control of these government portfolios and as expected the money is not finding its way to benefiting the public.
Such insentive and uncaring behaviour from a government must be resisted by the consumers and a call for opening up of the transport sector to allow for participation of all registered vehicles must grow louder.
A competitive free market in the transport system is the only way to allow market determined fares to be established.
The MDC Alliance takes sad note to observe that Uniformed Civil Servants are now resorting to putting on their uniforms even when off duty in an attempt to avoid paying ZUPCO fares. This goes to show that the fares are just out of reach of the ordinary.
HON SETTLEMENT CHIKWINYA (MP)
National Secretary for Transport and Logistics
By Rutendo Bereza Matinyarare | The COVID deaths of high ranking Zimbabwean officials who come from our security cluster is really concerning. It signals a lack of leadership, organization and preparation; weak systems and non-existent defense protocols for the new forms of warfare that the world faces.
The reason I say this is, everyone knows that COVID started outside Africa with many science experts warning that it was a biological attack and that it was expected to take a toll on African countries.
With these insights, one would have expected Zimbabwe (which is led by security technocrats who already know that that nation is under an economic attack [sanctions] by the same western nations….Our leaders would then have been expected to take serious precautions and to implement a robust counter strategy against this national security threat.
The aggravating factors are that from inception, it was known that all nations had to proactively contain this foreign biological agent [COVID19] by controlling predictable avenues it could enter our nations, such as:
• As obvious precautions, restrictions should have been put on foreign travelers coming into the country,
• testing and quarantining of all foreigners already at the port of entry, essential service personnel, asylum seekers, returning residents and any captured infiltrators should have been strictly adhered to,
• boarder patrols should have been ramped up to contain illegal entry by returning residents and infiltrators,
• the monitoring of our air space should have also been doubled up to war time status.
A very plausible threat was always going to be positive COVID19 carriers coming into the country with false or faulty test results from high risk countries that are spreading the disease or high threat nations that have a record of advancing biological warfare in Africa and of course, those that are hostile to the country.
• To mitigate this risk, our government should have shut down the country to stop an influx of returning residents returning home with tests done in the flagged high risk and high threat countries.
• The country should have conducted its own tests on people coming from these high risk/high threat countries and if it didn’t have the capacity, it should have discouraged inbound travel, quarantined or refused entry to anyone coming from these countries, until it could verify through its own systems, the status of those returning.
Just like false negative results in carriers can spread the disease, test swabs have also been flagged as potential carriers of the disease, that are designed to infect large numbers of people during testing,
• for this reason, all test swabs should have been treated as a threat and risk management precautions taken until the suspicion has been eliminated.
• In these times of biological warfare, nations can’t trust other nations, therefore, by now Zimbabwe should be regulating the importation, decontamination and random batch testing of all test swabs.
• It is also prudent for the country to be using its own NonGMO cotton to manufacture its own test swabs.
• With countries like the US, UK, EU and their NGOs being renowned for using biological warfare to spread imperialism in the past, and some of them having declared Zimbabwe an enemy state. Such nations and their institutions should have been flagged as potential threats to the country. As a result:
• restrictions should have been put on their staffs’ movement and contact with Zimbabwean nationals, including our senior officials, until we eliminate the possibility that this disease was intentionally created and disseminated as a form of biological warfare.
• Intelligence teams should have been deployed to all embassies and NGOs, to monitor and tract the movements of their staff and personnel.
• skys over the US, EU and UK embassies as high threat countries, should be monitored continuously to ensure that they are not flying unmanned aerial vehicles over our citizens and spreading any agents.
Where infections have occurred already due to a lax implementation of the above mitigation measures, the spread should have been managed by rigorous quarantine, tracking, sanitation, hand washing, social distancing, steaming, mask wearing, dietary improvement, limitation of cross boarder movement and the use of already available traditional homeopathic and allopathic remedies.
The fact that a disease suspected to be a foreign biological agent, has entered the country and infected the heart of the nation’s elite and high ranking officials who are supposedly insulated from the masses, illustrates:
• a serious failure of disease isolation,
• a serious failure of national security and threat management,
• a serious failure of VIP protection.
• a lack of defensive containment strategy for national threats,
• ill-discipline on the part of the high ranking officials and the elite who have gotten infected by a foreign biological agent disproportionately to countries where the disease is coming from, when means to mitigate infection exist,
• and finally, maybe it’s time that we consider that there might be other means by which this disease is spreading.
There is a lack of national threat and national security consciousness among our security chiefs and politicians, something that we witnessed with their unwillingness to launch an aggressive campaign to fight against sanctions for 20yrs. Now those same sanctions have weakened our defensive capacity to tackle this national security threat.
Our security chiefs have an outdated conception of what constitutes national security threats in the modern era and the linkages of these modern threats to the overall security of the nation.
As a consequence they have failed to appreciate the threat of sentiment, disinformation, economic attacks, food (chemicals, GMOs), AI, cyber warfare and biological agents on military objectives. As a result our military ignores these threats and focuses myopically on traditional militaristic threats only, allowing the gradual weakening of our nation’s integrity and security by these modern weapons.
We need a paradigm shift in national security strategy in Zimbabwe if we are going to survive the weakening of our nation and continent by these new weapons of war. Below is a diagram of how the US Department Of Defense sees national defense.
Rutendo Bereza Matinyarare.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon Job Sikhala has declared that Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa cannot stop the liberation of the suffering people of Zimbabwe from oppression and persecution.
Below is Hon Sikhala’s letter:
Letter by Vice Chairman Job Wiwa Sikhala from prison:
No matter the adversities, the liberation of our people from oppression and persecution cannot be postponed any further.
My persecution is a reflection of the suffering our people have been going through one generation after the other.
In this instance, I am in complete shock because of the reasons for my persecutions. There is no crime I committed. The plot and the plan of the dictatorship is to break me down. I will never be broken down because the demand for a free and just society is a calling.
Even if I die in the concentration camp called Chikurubi Maximum Prison, dear Zimbabweans remember me. Remember that it is because of our freedom, happiness and liberty that has been robbed from one generation to another. I promise I will never be silenced until we all enjoy our nationhood.
The Children Of War Veterans organisation has claimed that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was last night airlifted to China. They posted this on their Facebook portal. The report comes as Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba announced saying the VP was a few days ago ordered to go home and rest because he was looking “worse for wear “
Patrick Chinamasa is alive, contrary to reports that he succumbed to Coronavirus…
Watch video below:
Former Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner-General, Major-General Paradzai Zimondi (Retired) has died.
He died last night due to Covid-19-related complications at the age of 74.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Aplonia Munzverengwi, confirmed the death to The Herald last night.
“Yes I can confirm that he has died. He died this evening (last night). It’s really sad,” she said.
“We are devastated as Mashonaland East province because in the last four consecutive days, we have lost the GMB manager, the provincial information officer Mukonde who will be buried in Mashonaland West tomorrow (today), former Minister Aeneas Chigwedere then Minister Matiza and now, vaZimondi.
“I am at a loss for words. This is saddening.”
General Zimondi retired as ZPCS Comm-Gen in November last year after 22 years of service, which began in 1998 when he was 51.
Maj-Gen Zimondi was born on 4 March 1947.
He joined the Zimbabwe Prison Services as a Deputy Commissioner in 1997 and in July of the same year, undertook a study of British, Danish and Swedish prison systems.
In 1998, he was appointed Acting Commissioner following the retirement of Mr Langton Chigwida the previous year.
Mr Chigwida had been at the helm of the prison service since 1984.- The Herald
The Children Of War Veteran organisation has claimed that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was last night airlifted to China. They posted this on their Facebook portal. The report comes as Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba announced saying the VP was a few days ago ordered to to home and rest because he was looking “worse for wear ”
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
