A University of Zimbabwe Senior Lecturer and Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Rosemary Moyana has succumbed to COVID-19.
“Good morning beloved Brethren. It is with my very pained and saddened heart to announce to you the passing on of Professor Rosemary Moyana. May her dear Soul Rest in Everlasting Peace,” reads a message shared on her church group.
Professor Moyana specialized in African Literature in English, European & English Literature, African American and Caribbean Literature––prose, poetry and drama; gender studies; children’s literature; theories of literature and literary criticism.
The Ugandan authorities must immediately lift the police and military siege of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi’s home and release him and his wife Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi. This is an arbitrary detention, said Amnesty International as the post-election blockade entered its 7th day.
Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, was declared runner-up by the Electoral Commission in last week’s presidential election, with 34.8% of the vote, behind President Yoweri Museveni, who it said got 58.6%. Bobi Wine and his National Unity Platform (NUP) party have alleged fraud.
“Robert Kyagulanyi and his wife, Barbara Kyagulanyi, are being held under house arrest without being presented before a judge and for a non-cognizable offence. This is also having an impact on his ability to challenge the presidential election results, in what appears to be a ploy to prevent the NUP from going to court in time,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.
“It is neither a crime to stand for president nor to want to challenge the election results in court. This continued confinement is politically motivated and a blatant violation of their human rights. It must be lifted immediately and without any conditions.”
Security personnel are also preventing people from accessing Robert Kyagulanyi despite him having reported that his family has run out of basic needs, including food. On 18 January, the security personnel stationed outside his house prevented the US Ambassador Natalie Brown from visiting Kyagulanyi’s residence, where she had gone to check on his health and safety, according to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Uganda on 18 January.
On the same day, security forces also raided the headquarters of the NUP party.
This is not the first time the Ugandan government has used arrests and detention to undermine opposition leaders’ plans to legally challenge presidential election results. During the 2016 election, the leading opposition presidential candidate at the time, Kizza Besigye, was barricaded in his home without charge the day after polls closed. He was later transferred to a police station when he rejected the presidential election results declaring President Museveni’s re-election and suggested that he would challenge them in court.
Then, as now, the authorities termed their actions “preventive arrest”. Police Spokesman Fred Enanga has been quoted in the media as saying Robert Kyagulanyi was placed under “preventive arrest” as he “planned to disrupt public order”, but he did not specify what crime was being planned. More than a week now after he was placed in house arrest, the authorities have yet to present any charges against him.
“The Ugandan government must immediately end the arbitrary detention of Robert Kyagulanyi and his wife. They must also cease and desist from the abusive practice of arbitrarily detaining opposition leaders without charge, which has become routine, especially during elections,” said Deprose Muchena.
According to the Presidential Elections Act, aggrieved presidential candidates must lodge their petitions in the Supreme Court registry within 10 days of the declaration of the election results. This means Robert Kyagulanyi and the NUP party have until 26 January to file an election petition.
Campaigning for the 2021 elections was marred by killings, arrests, beatings and disappearances, as well as harassment and intimidation of journalists and a five-day internet shutdown, among other human rights violations. At least 54 people were killed on 18 and 19 November, most of them shot dead by police and other members of the security forces after protests broke out following the arrest of Robert Kyagulanyi in the eastern Luuka district.
Many organizers and supporters of Robert Kyagulanyi’s party were arrested during and after election day and a number of them remain behind bars, some even after they were granted court bail.
By Patrick Guramatunhu- ”It is with a heavy heart that I announce Foreign Minister Dr S B Moyo has died,” announce Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Zimbabwe has lost a devoted public servant and a true hero, and I have lost a friend. He fought his entire life so that Zimbabwe could be free. May he rest in peace.”
Minister Moyo died of corona virus.
Judging from the official corona virus data, Zimbabwe has done exceptional well in containing and controlling the virus. However, the reality on the ground tells a totally different story.
Zimbabwe has under reported the corona virus situation for the sake of cheap brownie points. One way of keeping the corona virus figures down was by not testing as rigorously as World Health Organisation recommended and common sense dictated.
Zimbabwe has carried out few tests per capita than most other countries in the region, notably South Africa given the heavy human traffic across the common boarder.
The price of failing to test is many infected individuals would should otherwise be in isolation remain in the community spreading the virus far and wide. And the country is now paying the price for it!
The number of corona virus cases and deaths have soared way above the official figures. The country’s feeble health care service is already overwhelmed; the country is running out of oxygen let alone the fancy equipment like ventilators, PPE, etc.
Whilst the wealth nations have started to roll out a massive vaccination programme; Zimbabwe will have to wait for a year or so for donated vaccine. The corona virus storm has just broken and no one knows how long this wave will last!
Zimbabweans are dying of the corona virus the Zanu PF government has tried hard to deny was spreading!
“His (the late S B Moyo) meticulous planning and execution of pertinent events saved the nation from chaos and bloodshed. He would go on to tackle the pariah status of the nation on his appointment as Foreign Minister,” rejoined Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, singing Moyo’s praise.
“This is a terrible and painful loss of a great patriot! He was central to the peaceful transfer of power through the 2017 November restoration of the revolution.”
This is all rubbish and she and the rest of her Zanu PF colleagues know it!
No one of substance was ever fooled into believing the nonsense about the November military coup being “a military assisted transition!” It was a military coup, plain and simple.
The reason why most people did not even bother to denounce the coup is because they were sick and tired of Mugabe and were pleased to see the back of him. They were, however, not exactly bowled over by the new regime because they knew the same junta that toppled Mugabe was the one that had kept the dictator in power all the last 37 years.
Yes Minister Moyo make a big song and dance about how he would re-engage the international community and end Zimbabwe’s isolation. He became Mnangagwa’s principle cheerleader of the “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra.
Within months of the coup, the mantra was dead in the water and so too was the re-engagement. The blatant vote rigging in the July 2018 elections left no one in any doubt that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state ruled by (the same) corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs.
Investors are a very shrewd and savvy lot, they do not do business with pariah states, hence the reason the much hoped for economic recovery has never materialised.
History will remember the late S B Moyo as the man who tried to sell the world the lie that the November 2017 military coup was “military assisted transition” – just some idiotic nonsense. The real surprise is he clearly believed the nonsense and so did many of his Zanu PF comrades.
“The lizard that jumped from a high Iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no-one else did,” said Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s truly illustrious sons.
In this case, Zanu PF bigwigs are queuing to praise S B Moyo for jumping from a high Iroko tree, a tree only they can see!
By A Correspondent| Popular Harare based traditional healer, Sekuru Banda has added his voice on the topical discussion around the use of herbs and snuff to fight COVID-19, urging people to reduce uptake of the widely recommended concoctions to avoid negative effects.
In an interview with ZimEye, Sekuru Banda said as much as people are encouraged to take zumbani leaves to boost immunity, they should take it in small quantities and even skipping days.
On snuff, Sekuru Banda said it should not be taken for preventative purposes but only as cure, saying it has nicotine which makes it addictive if continuously taken.
“Snuff has nicotine and people should only take it when they are not feeling well because continuously taking it may cause serious health problems like heart disease, pancreatic cancer and can also block nasal passage.
“This is on top of it being addictive such that if you take it everyday you end up wanting to have it always. But you are not feeling well, you can take snuff because it cures a lot of ailments, it also clears the chest especially to those with COVID-19,” said Sekuru Banda.
He also spoke on steam inhalation which he said should not be an everyday routine.
“People should not over-do steam inhalation especially when they do it as a preventative measure, because the body may become resistant to it,” added Zuma.
There has been a lot of debate about use of indigenous knowledge system in curing COVID-19 which has resulted in people taking Lippia javanica commonly known as zumbani which is consumed in form of tea.
Snuff which is a product of tobacco has also been thrown into the ring as another remedy for COVID-19 with proponents of the drug saying it causes sneezing which clears the nasal chest especially to those struggling with breathing.
COVID-19 continues to claims tens of lives in Zimbabwe everyday.
Government recently announced that vaccines will only be available later into the year leaving people without a choice but to continue with home remedies.
By A Correspondent- The deputy headmaster of Chemhanza High School in Hwedza has been arrested over allegations of brutally assaulting 23 pupils.
Tthe police have confirmed the development.
Over the past few days, images of bruised young teenage girls circulated on social media bringing up widespread indignation and condemnation from concerned parents and individuals.
52-year-old Tarirai Mararike was arrested after 23 pupils filed a police report regarding the alleged assault, he is expected to appear in court this week.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest saying:
Police have picked a suspect in connection with the assault of learners at Chemhanza High School.
Twenty-three pupils who are alleged to have been assaulted made a police report and by yesterday (Tuesday) police had picked up the school’s deputy head.
Asst Comm Nyathi said on the 16th of January the school matron ordered one of the girls to go to Marimbike’s office where she was reportedly beaten up.
Reports are that she was beaten on her back and a science laboratory pipe was used.
The pupil told her mother about it, and the mother made a police report.
On January 18, 22 other pupils made a police report against the suspect. We are currently investigating the incident, he said
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has since condemned the illegal and inhuman assault on the teenage girls.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is concerned about the assault of pupils at Chemhanza High School allegedly by school authorities and strongly condemns such inhumane disciplinary measures on our learners in a complete violation of Section 68A (5) of the Education Act as per Education Amendment Act of 2020, said Mr Taungana Ndoro the Ministry’s spokesperson.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the 23 girls were beaten up for making noise during examination time while another version suggests that the girls were caught behaving mischievously.
By A Correspondent- Commuters from Robert Sinyoka in Bulawayo were yesterday left stranded in the CBD after ZUPCO withdrew its buses citing bad roads.
Robert Sinyoka and Mazwi village are peri-urban settlements a few kilometres outside Bulawayo, just after Pumula South.
Zimbabwe Passengers Association general secretary Paul Makiwa said Zupco was supposed to give commuters notice before withdrawing their buses.
Meanwhile, the MDC Alliance has condemned the recently government approved 100% Zupco bus fare increase as anti-poor.
The opposition party said the move was clear testimony that the government continued to turn a blind eye on the plight of the poor majority, especially in COVID-19 times.
In a statement, Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya, who is the party’s national secretary for transport and logistics, said powerful corrupt business moguls were using the government as a conduit to further their business interests while the poor continued to suffer.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has cut his annual leave short to preside over the joint burial for liberation warfighters, Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba and Morton Dizzy Paul Malianga.
Gwaradzimba, the former Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution succumbed to COVID-19 while Malianga, (91) who was a Zanu PF Central Committee member died after a prolonged battle with an undisclosed ailment.
The Acting Minister of Information, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said a few mourners, including close family members, service chiefs, senior Government and Zanu PF officials are expected to be in attendance in line with Covid-19 control measures.
The Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Aaron Nhepera, Wednesday said all arrangements for the burial scheduled for today at the National Heroes Acre were now in place.
He added:
The interment of the late national hero and national heroine will be held in strict compliance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The double burial will be the third-ever following the double burials of national heroines Victoria Chitepo and Vivian Mwashita in 2016 and George Rutanhire and Maud Muzenda in 2017.
Nhepera also sid formalities like body viewing at Stodart Hall are forgone in keeping with social distancing regulations.
Dr Gwaradzimba ended the liberation war as a fighting detachment commander in the South Eastern parts of the country.
By A Correspondent- The late socialite and businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure’s Botswana empire is crumbling after the neighbouring country’s Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) ordered the closure of his Quick Gases (Pty) Ltd trading as Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
According to Botswana’s leading daily, Mmegi, the action by the authority is a result of a wrangle over control of Ginimbi’s assets that has since spilled into the courts.
A fierce fight is raging between the Kadungure family appointed executor, Ms Patricia Darangwa and Mr Leo Chiweshe, whom Ginimbi had appointed to manage the Botswana operations through power of attorney.
It is understood that the dispute has started taking a toll on the company’s employees and clients.
The clients are stuck as they are reportedly failing to refill gas cylinders distributed by Ginimbi’s company at other dealerships and BERA last Friday advised the public to take back the Quick Gases cylinders to the company’s facility in Pilane where they would exchange them for more user friendly cylinders.
BERA spokesman, Mr Tshepang Monare, said they had many reports of people failing to refill their gas cylinders belonging to Quick Gases.
He said they had established that the chaos was a result of the ongoing court case.
“We had to step in and make sure they assist customers while awaiting a permanent solution,” he told Botswana media.
Indications are that the Kadungures appointed Ms Darangwa to handle the flamboyant businessman’s estate following his demise in a horrific car crash last November.
Three of his friends were burnt to death when Ginimbi’s Rolls Royce Wraith collided with a Honda Fit as he drove to his Domboshava mansion.
At the centre of the (court) battle is Quick Gases (Pty) Ltd and Matiflex Oils (Pty) Ltd, which Kadungure was running in Botswana.
It is reported that Mr Chiweshe refused to meet and handover the control of the business empire to Ginimbi’s family and their appointed executor.
Ms Darangwa, with the family’s backing, is seeking to get Mr Chiweshe’s power of attorney nullified with the two companies being declared as not having directors following Ginimbi’s death.
In addition, the executor wants the court to confirm the appointment of Ms Juliet Kadungure and Nomatter Zinyengere as financial and operations directors of the said companies.
She wants Mr Chiweshe to give an account of the affairs of the companies and that he be interdicted and restrained from interfering with the executor’s duties, considering that the power of attorney he was acting on became invalid when Ginimbi died.
The late businessman and socialite was laid to rest at his Domboshava home after leading a short, but lavish lifestyle.-statemedia
Joe Biden is the first US President, a real Zim Chimurenga Hero, who personally sponsored ZIDERA sanctions to stop this criminal Mnangagwa; he also crushed apartheid SA | WILL ED HAVE AN ESCAPE THIS TIME?,
Here is Joe Biden in the late 70s, an all weather Revolutionary, who helped Zimbabwean blacks attain independence, assisted South African blacks to shake off apartheid, and in 2001 personally sponsored the ZIDERA Act so to stop this criminal @edmnangagwa. https://t.co/xKA7eea9Ydpic.twitter.com/wnB8Qwgvan
By Patrick Guramatunhu | ”It is with a heavy heart that I announce Foreign Minister Dr S B Moyo has died,” announce Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“Zimbabwe has lost a devoted public servant and a true hero, and I have lost a friend. He fought his entire life so that Zimbabwe could be free. May he rest in peace.”
Minister Moyo died of corona virus.
Judging from the official corona virus data, Zimbabwe has done exceptional well in containing and controlling the virus. However, the reality on the ground tells a totally different story.
Zimbabwe has under reported the corona virus situation for the sake of cheap brownie points. One way of keeping the corona virus figures down was by not testing as rigorously as World Health Organisation recommended and common sense dictated.
Zimbabwe has carried out few tests per capita than most other countries in the region, notably South Africa given the heavy human traffic across the common boarder.
The price of failing to test is many infected individuals would should otherwise be in isolation remain in the community spreading the virus far and wide. And the country is now paying the price for it!
The number of corona virus cases and deaths have soared way above the official figures. The country’s feeble health care service is already overwhelmed; the country is running out of oxygen let alone the fancy equipment like ventilators, PPE, etc.
Whilst the wealth nations have started to roll out a massive vaccination programme; Zimbabwe will have to wait for a year or so for donated vaccine. The corona virus storm has just broken and no one knows how long this wave will last!
Zimbabweans are dying of the corona virus the Zanu PF government has tried hard to deny was spreading!
“His (the late S B Moyo) meticulous planning and execution of pertinent events saved the nation from chaos and bloodshed. He would go on to tackle the pariah status of the nation on his appointment as Foreign Minister,” rejoined Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, singing Moyo’s praise.
“This is a terrible and painful loss of a great patriot! He was central to the peaceful transfer of power through the 2017 November restoration of the revolution.”
This is all rubbish and she and the rest of her Zanu PF colleagues know it!
No one of substance was ever fooled into believing the nonsense about the November military coup being “a military assisted transition!” It was a military coup, plain and simple.
The reason why most people did not even bother to denounce the coup is because they were sick and tired of Mugabe and were pleased to see the back of him. They were, however, not exactly bowled over by the new regime because they knew the same junta that toppled Mugabe was the one that had kept the dictator in power all the last 37 years.
Yes Minister Moyo make a big song and dance about how he would re-engage the international community and end Zimbabwe’s isolation. He became Mnangagwa’s principle cheerleader of the “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra.
Within months of the coup, the mantra was dead in the water and so too was the re-engagement. The blatant vote rigging in the July 2018 elections left no one in any doubt that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state ruled by (the same) corrupt, incompetent, vote rigging and murderous thugs.
Investors are a very shrewd and savvy lot, they do not do business with pariah states, hence the reason the much hoped for economic recovery has never materialised.
History will remember the late S B Moyo as the man who tried to sell the world the lie that the November 2017 military coup was “military assisted transition” – just some idiotic nonsense. The real surprise is he clearly believed the nonsense and so did many of his Zanu PF comrades.
“The lizard that jumped from a high Iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no-one else did,” said Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s truly illustrious sons.
In this case, Zanu PF bigwigs are queuing to praise S B Moyo for jumping from a high Iroko tree, a tree only they can see! – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
By Denford Madekufamba and Dr. Masimba Mavaza | There are times the situation calls for measures which are tough but protecting the public and making work places safe. The world has embraced a world order which would have been pervasive in normal circumstances. In most work places there are new rules pinned on notice boards and our emails become recipient to some of the strange rules to be brought up by COVID 19. It is said the tough situations will always call for tough solutions.
Many absurd work place rules have been brought up. It is common to see a new bold sign saying “NO COUGHING”. In one office there was a strange warning “ NEVER MIND THE SMILE COVER YOUR FACE” It used to be embarrassing to fart in public now it can be an offence just to cough.
In some work places you can be fired for not covering your face with an appropriate face mask. Banks never used to allow people with masks near their doors now the signs are clear “No MASK NO ENTRY “.
The current Coronavirus pandemic has led to people changing the manner we do things. All is done to protect each other from each other and make the work place safe. The workplace environment is no longer what it used to be before the advent of the pandemic. What was called anti social behaviour is now called social distancing, such are the fruits of fighting a pandemic of such a proportion. Employers, and employees alike, have had to adjust to a new work environment. For example, wearing masks at work and employers requiring mandatory COVID-19 tests in some workplaces. This raises the question of the legality of an employer forcing an employee to take a COVID-19 test.
Employers, as the owners of the workplace have a common law right to order the workplace. This means that the employer may put in place measures for the protection of employees, for as long as those measures do not violate the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01], the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act, 2013 or other laws applicable to the workplace. There is a paucity of jurisprudence or cases on this matter, locally and internationally.
However, given how easily and quickly this pandemic is spreading, it is most likely that if and when cases or challenges are made to COVID-19 testing, if the measures have been put in place for a legitimate health or business purpose, a presiding officer is likely to find that such measures are necessary. As they say, prevention is better than cure. Testing and isolating those who test positive would in no small way aid the effort to stop the rapid and uncontrolled spread of this pandemic. Employees have a right to privacy. The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act guarantees everyone the right to privacy, section 57 thereof. The right to privacy includes employees not being bound to disclose their health condition to their employer or the employer wanting to know their health status.
People also have protection against personal searches. As COVID-19 can be intrusive on the body, forcing employees to be tested could potentially violate this provision. This right is not absolute, though. In the interest of public health, for greater good, it may be pierced. An employee’s right to privacy is balanced against the employer’s obligation to provide a safe workplace. Section 86 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act puts constraints on fundamental personal rights because such rights have to be “exercised reasonably and with due regard for the rights and freedoms of other persons”. Public health considerations are permitted by this section to trump personal fundamental rights and freedoms.
The state also expects employers to enforce any health measures put in place by the government. So, for example, the wearing of masks in the workplace can be enforced by the employer on this basis. Employers, to the extent possible, have an obligation to reduce or stop the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. One way of doing this would be to force employees to take COVID-19 tests. As this would be an employer initiative, in its fulfillment of the duty to provide a safe workplace, the employer would have to pay for such tests. Section 65 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act provides employees with “the right to fair and safe labour practices and standards”. Accordingly, for as long as it can be shown that mandatory COVI-19 testing fulfills “the need to ensure that the enjoyment of rights and freedoms by any person does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others” and that there are no other “less restrictive means of achieving the purpose” other than interfering with employee rights and freedoms, mandatory COVID-19 challenges are likely to be dismissed by the courts.
Based on section 104(4) of the Labour Act, employees have a right to refuse to perform work that is unsafe. Employees can resort to a strike or picketing to enforce that right and “in order to avoid any occupational hazard which is reasonably feared to pose an immediate threat to the health or safety of the per-sons concerned”. A workplace with COVID-19 cases can be deemed to be unsafe to work. This would be one more justification why an employer may carry out mandatory COVID-19 testing. Section 6 of the Labour Act also obligates employers to protect the health or safety of employees. If the workplace has a registered trade union, it would be best for the employer to discuss the matter of mandatory employee testing with the worker’s committee. The Labour Act, section 25A, states that works councils should “promote the general and common interest, including the health, safety and welfare of both the establishment and its workers.”
Mandatory testing may collide with employee’s right to be treated with dignity as section 51 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.20) Act says “Every person has inherent dignity in their private and public life, and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.” Consequently, testing should be done in a respectful way. This may include, not doing mass testing at the workplace, without affording employees privacy.
There is a recent arbitration decision from Ontario, Canada, that might provide guidance on the issue of mandatory COVID-19 testing by employers. In Garda Security Screening Inc. v. IAM, District 140, an employee grieved the termination of their contract of employment for violation of the employer’s COVID-19 guidelines, adopted for the employer’s workplace. Among other things, an employee was required to isolate while waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. The employee tested positive for COVID-19. It was found that they had attended work while waiting for the COVID-19 test results. Although the employee claimed that they were not aware of the self-isolation requirement, evidence showed that the employee had been aware of the requirement to self-isolate but ignored this requirement. The arbitrator upheld the firing of the employee because the requirement was clear and that the employee showed no remorse at all for their actions which endangered the health of the other employees and the public at large. The arbitrator also highlighted the fact that COVID-19 is no joking matter as it may cause death. As such, dismissal of the employee was fitting.
With the experience gained while dealing with this pandemic, it may be advisable for employers to negotiate the inclusion of mandatory testing with respect to public health concerns or easily communicable and dangerous diseases in collective agreements. That said, the employer could go it alone by creating and putting in place policies that are consistent with keeping the workplace safe. Workplace policies, in general, are likely to be upheld, when challenged, if they are clear and unambiguous. Additionally, an employer would bear the burden of showing that the policy in question was brought to the attention of the employees before its implementation. In other words, prior notification of the policy would be required. It would also be necessary to prove that employees were made aware of the disciplinary consequences of breaching the policy. Above all, the policy would have to be reasonable. While that would certainly help, the employer does not have to wait until there is a case of COVID-19 at the workplace, before putting in place COVID-19 testing measures.
We all need to act responsibly and always remember that good health comes at an expense. The fruits of a healthy nation are protected by the sacrificing some luxuries. Breaching some luxurious rights may save a life most probably yours.
Earlier today I spoke to Fadzayi Mahere who briefed me of the unsanitary conditions in our jails & her own positive COVID19 test after her unjust detention.
Her situation exemplifies the despicable tactics being used by the regime to weaponise this pandemic against opponents.
The unjust and prolonged detention of vocal citizens such as Job Sikhala, Hopewell Chin’ono and student Allan Moyo exposes them to unnecessary risk and further reveals the malicious intent of this regime in jailing opponents through unconstitutional provisions and repressive laws.
The true tragedy of such actions is the failure of the regime to recognize that COVID-19 has no political affiliation. It continues to affect countless citizens across the country without discretion and only sincere, well-informed and sensible leadership will help slow the spread.
Now is not the time for cheap politicking and irresponsible actions but rather an opportunity to ensure that the spotlight being cast on our public health institutions and prisons results in deliberate corrective action.
I implore all citizens to make it their duty to protect themselves and each other by adhering to guidelines as we work together to fight COVID-19. Every COVID 19 statistic is a human life.
DETAILS have emerged that Tanzanian football champions Simba SC want Warriors and Highlanders defender Peter Muduhwa to join them on a free four-month loan.
The loan deal will see Muduhwa playing in the Caf Champions League.
Chronicle Sport has it on good authority that the Tanzanian club has enlisted the services of football agent George Deda, who handled Prince Dube’s move to Azam, to negotiate on their behalf.
“Simba want Muduhwa to join them on a free loan and should he impress during the Caf Champions League games, they intend to sign him in a permanent deal. The player will be well catered for during his stay. With the Zimbabwean league inactive, it will be a good deal for the player,” said the source.
Simba are looking at reinforcing their squad for the money-spinning Caf Champions League mini-league stage and were impressed by Muduhwa’s performance against Cameroon in the opening Chan match that Zimbabwe lost 1-0.
Simba also swooped on FC Platinum striker Perfect Chikwende last Friday and have been assessing clubless Zimbabwean defender Kelvin Moyo, who left South African Premiership side Chippa United last year.
Simba knocked out Zimbabwe champions FC Platinum from the Caf Champions League and have been grouped with continental champions Al Ahly of Egypt, DR Congo’s AS Vita and Sudanese giants Al Merrikh in the mini-league phase.-Chronicle
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday expressed shock and grief following the death of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo (SB), describing him as a distinguished scholar whose patience and dignified diplomacy saw the country expanding friendships and registering significant diplomatic gains across the globe.
Dr Moyo (59) succumbed to Covid-19 yesterday morning at a local hospital.
He became popular because of the role he played during Operation Restore Legacy.
Dr Moyo read the November 15, 2017 speech that heralded the new political dispensation in Zimbabwe. He became a household name for displaying unparalleled bravery.
In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa said Dr Moyo will be remembered by generations to come for his dedication to his country.
“The death early this morning of our Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Major-General (Rtd) Dr SB Moyo, after Covid-19 related complications has come to all of us as a great shock. On behalf of the ruling party, Zanu-PF, Government, my family, on my own and that of our entire nation, I wish to express my sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the Moyo family,” he said.
“My heart goes out especially to his wife, Justice Matanda-Moyo, and to the children on their saddest loss. In condoling with them, I urge them to derive solace and comfort from the distinguished role Dr Moyo played in the service of his people and the nation, for which he shall be remembered and honoured across generations.”
President Mnangagwa said the late Dr Moyo whom he appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2017, was determined in executing the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policy through which the country sought to mend relations with the Western countries that imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.- Chronicle
The later former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s mother-in-law, Gogo Martha Nyakudya Karimatsenga has died.
Gogo Karimatsenga died on Saturday 16 January 2021, 10 days after celebrating her 71st birthday.
Apostle Locadia Karimatsenga, Tsvangirai’s former wife, announced her mother’s death in a Facebook post this Wednesday. She said:
My beloved mother has ascended to glory and to be with our Lord. I am so grateful for the priceless years we had with her. She fought a good fight and ran a good race.
The true definition of a Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman and because of that, my family and I have gained an angel in heaven who will be watching over us.
Although it is very painful to have lost her we will not weep but praise The Lord for showing us his power, glory and love through her life and entire existence.
Her flesh has died but she lives on in spirit because she was a child of God. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”. John 11:25 NKJV.
Rest in Glory Mama, praise be to God.
Tsvangirai married Karimatsenga in a traditional ceremony after he had allegedly impregnated her although she later had a miscarriage.
The marriage was consummated in 2012 after Tsvangirai’s wife, Susan, died in a car crash after he had become Prime Minister.
Karimatsenga was however dumped after 12 days of being customarily married to Tsvangirai.
She approached the courts and contested Tsvangirai’s marriage to Elizabeth Macheka which caused the cancellation of the marriage license less than 24-hours before the wedding, causing a legal battle between Karimatsenga and the Tsvangirais.- Pindula News
Earlier today I spoke to Fadzayi Mahere who briefed me of the unsanitary conditions in our jails & her own positive COVID19 test after her unjust detention.
Her situation exemplifies the despicable tactics being used by the regime to weaponise this pandemic against opponents.
The unjust and prolonged detention of vocal citizens such as Job Sikhala, Hopewell Chin’ono and student Allan Moyo exposes them to unnecessary risk and further reveals the malicious intent of this regime in jailing opponents through unconstitutional provisions and repressive laws.
The true tragedy of such actions is the failure of the regime to recognize that COVID-19 has no political affiliation. It continues to affect countless citizens across the country without discretion and only sincere, well-informed and sensible leadership will help slow the spread.
Now is not the time for cheap politicking and irresponsible actions but rather an opportunity to ensure that the spotlight being cast on our public health institutions and prisons results in deliberate corrective action.
I implore all citizens to make it their duty to protect themselves and each other by adhering to guidelines as we work together to fight COVID-19. Every COVID 19 statistic is a human life.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of exposing jailed party members to the deadly Coronavirus.
MDC Alliance National Spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere confirmed on Wednesday morning she tested positive for Coronavirus.
In a statement on Twitter, the MDC Alliance Students Council said:
“Our national spokesperson @advocatemahere tested positive for covid-19. The state is behind all this. We all know the plan of @zanupf_patriots to expose our leaders to the virus. We pray for her quick recovery and for those who are still incarcerated.
freepoliticalprisoners.”
Earlier MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti said:
“By incarcerating political activists, the regime is planning to eliminate its perceived opponents and every other inmate…”
MDC Alliance official, Blessing Simpson Madzima wrote on Facebook:
“Get well soon Fadzai Mahere. This regime is deliberately arresting and incarcerating opponents to expose them to Covid-19 and death. We now need to rise above politics and seek global intervention to save lives. You will get through and live.”
“Stay strong people’s spokes Fadzayi Mahere . Sending healing mercies to you as we continue to fight for a better Zimbabwe for all.
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially announced the death of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister SB Moyo.
SB Moyo succumbed to Coronavirus on Wednesday morning.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce Foreign Minister Dr SB Moyo has died.
Zimbabwe has lost a devoted public servant and a true hero, and I have lost a friend. He fought his entire life so that Zimbabwe could be free.
May he rest in peace,” Mr Mnangagwa said in a statement.
“Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo (SB) has died.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Acting Minister Jenfan Muswere has confirmed the death but could not give further details,” ZBC News online reported.
We note with sadness the passing on of Dr S.B.Moyo and Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba.
We extend our condolences to both the Moyo and Gwarazimba families and the nation of Zimbabwe. Our sympathies are also with Cdes Mukudzei Midzi & Morton Malianga’s families,both cdes are liberation war heroes who sacrificed everything to free our beloved country.
POLICE Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has directed police in Bulawayo to look for veteran modelling instructor Ms Sipho Ncube-Mazibuko as part of investigations following her rape allegations against self-exiled G40 kingpin Professor Jonathan Moyo.
Ms Ncube-Mazibuko posted on her Facebook page last Friday claiming that Prof Moyo raped her 11 years ago while she was pregnant.
She said efforts to report Prof Moyo, whom she said was powerful at the time, were ignored.
At the time, self-exiled former Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri was still at the helm of the police services.
Prof Moyo, believed to be in Kenya, fled the country in November 2017 during Operation Restore Legacy. He is wanted by the police after absconding court where he is facing charges of allegedly diverting US$244 575 from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef).
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said although Ms Ncube-Mazibuko has not yet formally made a police report, the officer commanding police in Bulawayo, Commissioner Patton Mbangwa, has been instructed to handle the matter.
“The officer commanding Bulawayo is trying to get in touch with Ms Ncube-Mazibuko so that we can verify her statement on Facebook and conduct inquiries. She has not made a formal report, but I can confirm that the officer commanding police in Bulawayo is looking for her,” he said.
Ms Ncube-Mazibuko said “some powerful men” do not care whether one is married or not or whether one consents or not.
“Well, I was sexually abused by Professor Jonathan Moyo and was too scared to even report or tell anyone until that fateful day 11 years ago when I went and told the police at Bulawayo Central Police Station what he had done to me,” she said.
Ms Ncube-Mazibuko wrote on her Facebook page: “Well, I have decided to empty my closet and speak out about a man who sexually abused me when I was pregnant and went on to silence me because he was very powerful and untouchable.”
“I went to the police to open a docket against these evil men who had tormented my mind with sexual and emotional abuse.”
She said police recorded her statement but nothing was done to investigate my case.- The Herald
To say the Warriors cannot afford to lose their CHAN 2021 Group A match against Burkina Faso today is a big understatement.
Zdvravko Logarusic’s troops play the Stallions, who are equally desperate for a win to save their campaign, at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium with a ‘no margin for error’ situation on the back of their minds, having lost to Cameroon in the opener last week.
Should they lose to Burkina Faso, the Warriors will stay in Yaoundé only to fulfill the last match against Mali, which will consequently be a dead rubber.
They need to collect maximum points to keep alive their chance of progressing to the next round of the biannual tournament.
Logarusic faces an uphill task for that to happen though; the Croat is trying to motivate an injury and illness-hit Warriors squad.
Five players have been ruled out of the must-win clash through illness and injury respectively, leaving Logarusic with only 15 infield players to pick from.
He might make some changes though, with Denver Mukamba and King Nadolo tipped to start as the Warriors look for creativity in the middle of the park.
The average Zimbabwean Christian marriage rarely reaches 10 years before problems start and the couples decide to keep affair struggles private | FALSE or TRUE?
By A Correspondent- A Masvingo woman was killed while her husband, a businessman, is battling for life in hospital after they were thrown into a 20-metre deep disused mine shaft by four armed robbers who had kidnapped them from their house in Target Kopje suburb last Thursday.
The suspects, who are still at large, allegedly robbed businessman Obvious Nhokovedzo (44) and his wife Rutendo Ndeya (35) of $500 000 cash, US$80, R800 and $15 000 in EcoCash. Nhokovedzo also lost his Nissan Caravan vehicle and cellphones.
When police arrived to rescue them from the shaft, about 4km south of Masvingo city, Ndeya was already dead while Nhokovedzo was battling severe injuries.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said investigations were underway to account for suspects.
“Ndeya was pulled out of the 20-metre deep shaft lifeless and pronounced dead on arrival at Masvingo Provincial Hospital where the body is in the mortuary awaiting a post mortem. Her husband sustained severe injuries and is hospitalised,” said Inspector Dhewa.
“We are still hunting for the suspects who are unknown and still at large. Investigations are continuing.”
According to police, Nhokovedzo arrived home at around 4pm on Thursady from Zaka where he had reportedly gone to see his friends. When he got inside his house, he found the four suspects waiting for him having already blindfolded Ndeya who also had her hands and feet tied.
The unidentified suspects then overpowered Nhokovedzo before blindfolding and tying his hands and feet.
The couple was dragged into one of the rooms at the house where the suspects took away cash, bank cards and cellphones. It is alleged that the suspects then took the couple to their Nissan Caravan which was parked outside and one of them drove the vehicle while the other three sat at the back guarding the couple.
The suspects drove for about 4km along the Masvingo-Beitbridge highway and turned right. They drove for about 400 metres before stopping at a disused mine shaft.
They allegedly first threw Ndeya into the shaft before doing the same to Nhokovedzo. After that, the suspects drove the victims’ vehicle to a yet unknown place.
A passerby heard cries for help by Nhokovedzo around midday the following day and alerted police in Rujeko who attended the scene but Ndeya was already lifeless.
Apart from the cash, the suspects got away with bank cards and mobile phones, one of them with an Econet line which had $15 000 Ecocash balance.
Meanwhile police are investigating a case in which a man was killed while his wife sustained serious injuries after they were attacked by four men who were armed with machetes along Mzingwane River in Matabeleland South province over the weekend.
According to police, the man died on the spot while his wife is battling for her life in hospital. No arrests have been made and investigations are still in progress. The couple was on its way home from a nearby gold panning site when they were attacked by the four unknown men.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident saying: “Police in Matabeleland South are investigating circumstances surrounding the murder of a man and attempted murder of his wife in the evening of January 16.
“The victims were on their way home from a nearby panning site when they were attacked with machetes by four suspects at Mzingwane River.”
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of exposing jailed party members to the deadly Coronavirus.
MDC Alliance National Spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere confirmed on Wednesday morning she tested positive for Coronavirus.
In a statement on Twitter, the MDC Alliance Students Council said:
“Our national spokesperson @advocatemahere tested positive for covid-19. The state is behind all this. We all know the plan of @zanupf_patriots to expose our leaders to the virus. We pray for her quick recovery and for those who are still incarcerated.
freepoliticalprisoners.”
Earlier MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti said:
“By incarcerating political activists, the regime is planning to eliminate its perceived opponents and every other inmate…”
MDC Alliance official, Blessing Simpson Madzima wrote on Facebook:
“Get well soon Fadzai Mahere. This regime is deliberately arresting and incarcerating opponents to expose them to Covid-19 and death. We now need to rise above politics and seek global intervention to save lives. You will get through and live.”
“Stay strong people’s spokes Fadzayi Mahere . Sending healing mercies to you as we continue to fight for a better Zimbabwe for all.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Students Council has accused Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration of exposing jailed party members to the deadly Coronavirus.
MDC Alliance National Spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere confirmed on Wednesday morning she tested positive for Coronavirus.
In a statement on Twitter, the MDC Alliance Students Council said:
“Our national spokesperson @advocatemahere tested positive for covid-19. The state is behind all this. We all know the plan of @zanupf_patriots to expose our leaders to the virus. We pray for her quick recovery and for those who are still incarcerated.
freepoliticalprisoners.”
Earlier MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti said:
“By incarcerating political activists, the regime is planning to eliminate its perceived opponents and every other inmate…”
MDC Alliance official, Blessing Simpson Madzima wrote on Facebook:
“Get well soon Fadzai Mahere. This regime is deliberately arresting and incarcerating opponents to expose them to Covid-19 and death. We now need to rise above politics and seek global intervention to save lives. You will get through and live.”
“Stay strong people’s spokes Fadzayi Mahere . Sending healing mercies to you as we continue to fight for a better Zimbabwe for all.
Defending South African premiership Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly identified Zimbabwean left back Divine Lunga as a transfer target for this January.
The 25-year-old Warriors defender is currently on the ranks of Durban side Golden Arrows, where he is a regular but reports suggest that he is a transfer target for Masandawana.
Kick Off Magazine claim that talks between Sundowns and Abafana Bes’thende started last year and if they are completed, the former Chicken Inn star might be on the move.
A contributing factor to Sundowns’ interest in Lunga might be the presence of co-coach Steve Komphela, who came from Arrows and is a huge fan of the Bulawayo-born defender.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs dismissed TTM 3-0 in a DStv Premiership match.
Gavin Hunt’s men were struggling a couple of weeks back with only one victory in the 2020/21 campaign but three wins on the trot have brought them back on track.
It appears as if they haven’t missed Khama Billiat either; having won all games after the diminutive Zimbabwean winger limped off in the 0-2 defeat to Maritzburg United.
On the back of 2-1 victory over Cape Town City, Amakhosi got the better of TTM thanks to goals by Nkosingiphile Nhlakanipho Ngcobo, Lebogang Manyama and Happy Mashiane.
They are now 7th on the table with 16 points from 12 games.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
To say the Warriors cannot afford to lose their CHAN 2021 Group A match against Burkina Faso today is a big understatement.
Zdvravko Logarusic’s troops play the Stallions, who are equally desperate for a win to save their campaign, at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium with a ‘no margin for error’ situation on the back of their minds, having lost to Cameroon in the opener last week.
Should they lose to Burkina Faso, the Warriors will stay in Yaoundé only to fulfill the last match against Mali, which will consequently be a dead rubber.
They need to collect maximum points to keep alive their chance of progressing to the next round of the biannual tournament.
Logarusic faces an uphill task for that to happen though; the Croat is trying to motivate an injury and illness-hit Warriors squad.
Five players have been ruled out of the must-win clash through illness and injury respectively, leaving Logarusic with only 15 infield players to pick from.
He might make some changes though, with Denver Mukamba and King Nadolo tipped to start as the Warriors look for creativity in the middle of the park.
Marvelous Nakamba might have gotten plenty messages from Zimbabwean celebrities alike, such as Trevor Dongo, Freeman, and Etherton Beenie for his 27th birthday yesterday but the elephant in the room is that the soft-spoken midfielder’s future at Premier League side Aston Villa is at a cross-roads, yet again.
Once again and probably not for the last time, the Warriors star’s future at Villa Park is shrouded in uncertainty.
He has played a peripheral in the 2020/21 season and rarely features for Dean Smith’s side, especially in the league, with Douglas Luiz cementing his place in defensive midfield department.
To make things worse for Nakamba, Villa are reportedly pursuing, and close to signing highly-rated France and Marseille midfielder Morgan Sanson.
“Aston Villa have made an inquiry for Marseille’s former France Under-21 midfield man Morgan Sanson, who is available for around £15m,” reported BBC yesterday.
“The 26-year-old has been with Marseille since January 2017 and has been linked with a succession of Premier League clubs, including West Ham.
Villa have now begun talks with the French side and a deal could progress in this month’s transfer window. Marseille are prepared to sell in order to fund their own January signings.”
Galatasaray’s interest in the Zimbabwean is well- documented.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
By Taruberekera Masara- Primary and secondary education Minister Cain Mathema has to find a way of reopening schools to alleviate a disaster that is awaiting Zimbabwe’s school going children.
A generation is fastly being lost and it is compelling to issue a call for the government to prioritize school reopening and make classrooms as safe as possible.
While the urgency of arresting the Covid 19 crisis is primary, averting the irreversible harm to children’s education and well being is equally important.
It is imperative for the government to find a way of averting this brewing disaster. Schools must be opened.
Assertions by government run newspaper the Herald that current intervention measures by the government to school children and their education will be enough to help kids keep track are highly shocking.
Education has severely been disrupted, as schools struggle to cope with repeated closures and re-openings, and the transitioning.Even the options of digital and online schooling have never been handy enough.
These emergency measures have severely disadvantaged kids.
The only alternative is to open schools.
According to the World Bank, around 1.6 billion school children were affected by these closures at their peak (World Bank 2020).
“While the economic costs of closing businesses arise immediately and are thus very salient, closed schools and childcare centres have negative economic effects on the human capital accumulation of children that only arise in the long run”
“Education is a crucial determinant of future wages, and schools are an important driver of intergenerational mobility (Kotera and Seshadri 2017, Lee and Seshadri 2019)” they wrote.
It is increasingly becoming a reality that at the end of the lockdown restrictions we will have fifth or sixth graders whose reading levels will be that of a third grader or even worse. While we gloat in trying to arrest the disease through lockdowns,alternatives to serve the situations must be rolled out effectively and efficiently.
There is no room for excuse,its about a generation that can be lost,its about the future of our nation.
UNESCO warned that “Covid-19 school closures around the world will hit girls hardest”. Statistics on the ground in Zimbabwe points to a possibility that there will be “ drop-out rates which will disproportionately affect adolescent girls, further entrench gender gaps in education, and lead to increased risk of sexual exploitation, early pregnancy and early and forced marriage.”
Already country wide findings collated a tally of over400 school girls in Manicaland province who dropped out of school some with pregnancies.In Kwekwe three junior councillors eloped.
These are some of the so many cases whose cause could be largely school closures. According to World Vision, teenage pregnancy spiked during the Covid-19 lockdown, they added that the crisis is now is threatening to bar 1 million girls across sub-Saharan Africa from returning to school.
In their research study titled “Covid-19 Aftershock: Access Denied”, the organisation notes the pandemic caused “additional and unanticipated disruption”.
“School closures during crises can result in girls spending more time with men and boys than they would were they in school, leading to greater likelihood of engagement in risky sexual behaviour and increased risk of sexual violence exploitation.”
The adverse effects are exponentially wide Robert Jenkins UNICEF’s chief of education said:
“The closures not only interrupted educational progress; they also curtailed normal social interaction and limited access to essential services families relied on, including school nutrition and health programs, information on disease prevention, and access to clean water and sanitation.”
By and large the children are at loss. Deferment of opening schools have far reaching implications. There is need for rethink,remodelling and restructuring. Quickly.
It may be difficult to get children back to school following long-term school closures. Maintaining learning and links to schools during closures are crucial. Arguments have been that even during the time schools are closed radio and television education programs are being aired. While it is very positive to what extent are they effectively and efficiently beneficial. Are the services available for all. If an urban setting like Kwekwe does not have reception for radio and television what about remote areas like Chivi,Mbire,Guyu to mention a few. Who do we fool? Children need those four walls and a teacher in front of them.
The benefits of school closures should be balanced against the strong adverse effects. We should think ahead.
UNICEF made it clear that the needless closure of schools has no overarching goal. “What we have learned about schooling during the time of COVID is clear: the benefits of keeping schools open, far outweigh the costs of closing them, and nationwide closures of schools should be avoided at all costs”,
“Evidence shows that schools are not the main drivers of this pandemic. Yet we are seeing an alarming trend whereby governments are once again closing down schools as a first recourse rather than a last resort”
“In some cases, this is being done nationwide, rather than community by community, and children are continuing to suffer the devastating impacts on their learning, mental and physical well-being and safety”said Jenkins.
Teacher trade unions must also spare a thought for children beyond their advocacy for own members. We are losing a generation. Feedback on [email protected]
By Nomusa Garikai- Today, 20 January 2020, at exactly one minute past high noon Eastern Standard Time the whole of America will heave a huge sigh of relief. The four years of chaos, arrogance and down right lawlessness under Donald Trump rule are finally over.
On 19 November 1863 USA President Abraham Lincoln called upon all his fellow Americans to honour the many soldiers who had died in the civil war notably in the Gettysburg battle so that America’s democratic system government, “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Four years of Trump had tested America’s democracy like never before since the end of the civil war!
One of the central tenet of a health and functioning democracy is the respect of the rule of law. The one thing that mark Trump out as different is contempt of the law. He considering playing by the rules as a weakness.
The events leading to his impeachment showed just how much Trump wanted to win the 2020 presidential elections and used his position as US President to pressure the Ukrainian leaders to dig up some dirty on his political challenger. The Senate did not convict him but only because the Republican, Trump’s party, had the majority in the House.
When the results of the 3rd November 2020 presidential elections started coming in and it was clear Trump was losing, he denounce the election as a fraud. He was given ample opportunity to present the evidence to support his allegations in the courts and one after another his challenges were dismissed for lack of evidence.
Trump was recorded arguing a Georgia State Official to find him the 11 000 votes or so he needed to win that State!
Trump crossed the double red-lines when he ordered his supporters to storm Capitol Hill to stop the Senators from confirming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President Elect. Trump supporters caused mayhem and five people died and several were injured in the violence.
The sole purpose of storming Capitol Hill was to reverse the people’s democratic wish of the 3 rd November vote, the ultimate expression of “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The mob failed to reverse the people’s vote.
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” With these words President Joe Biden will become the 46th President of USA.
America’s government of the people, by the people and for the people lives on!
Tinashe Sambiri|Former Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu has postulated that Douglas Mwonzora is too weak to challenge Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa in the 2023 Presidential election.
In his assertion, Zivhu notes that President Nelson Chamisa is the only man who can take on Mr Mnangagwa in the 2023 polls.
Although Zivhu was quick to point out that he would not stop supporting Mr Mnangagwa, he could not hide his admiration for President Chamisa.
“Bobi Wine all young people in Africa are behind you except those who are always used like free condoms in public toilets, who don’t believe young leadership can change Africa..
Get it right guys I don’t belong to any political party at the moment, 2023 my support goes to ED as the President .But we also need a strong opposition leader and Chamisa is the right candidate not Monzora.
I speak my mind don’t force me to speak yours, mavonero anosiyana I don’t have an Leader wokufadza because i don’t belong to any political party . Ndinotaura like any Zimbabwean anzwa nenhamo uye wangotarisira kuti Mwari vapindire mhuri dzedu dzirarame,” argued Zivhu.
By Gareth Carter- There is disquiet amongst exporters over the decision by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to increase foreign currency retention thresholds from 30% to 40%.
On January 8, the MPC came up with measures which were meant to enhance the administrative arrangements of the foreign exchange auction trading system, introduced in June last year.
As part of the measures, the surrender requirement on export receipts was reviewed from 30% to 40%, which means that exporters are now required to sell 40% of their export receipts to the RBZ at the prevailing foreign exchange auction rate.
The MPC then sought to ease the pain on exporters by removing the 60-day retention period on export receipts in a bid to give them flexibility on the utilization of their export receipts.
As such, exporters may now retain net export receipts in their Foreign Currency Accounts (FCAs) for an indefinite period.
But exporters have refused to be hoodwinked, saying the give-and-take approach taken by the Central Bank has left them in a far worse situation than before.
The said the development couldn’t have come at a worse time.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in lockdowns, globally, has placed exporters, especially miners, in the jaws of death. To survive, miners actually need incentives as opposed to the stick.
While industry players don’t want to sound ungrateful for the abolition of the 60-day liquidation period for forex in our FCA, they said it is not healthy for the industry to be given less with one hand while more is taken from them with the other hand.
In an environment where the country is operating a dual economy – dominated by the informal sector –government policy mush seek to achieve equity between the two economies. In this case, foreign currency rates on the auction system have been outpaced by those on the alternative market, where the United States dollar (US$) is fetching well in excess of 120 Zimbabwe dollars (ZW$).
What that essentially means is that exporters are surrendering 40% of their foreign currency earnings to the RBZ at the ruling US$1 to ZW$82 against ZW$120 which they could have fetched on the parallel market. The difference between the two represents value which they foregoing for 40% of their export earnings.
The challenge for exporters then arises at many levels.
To start with, the foreign currency (60%) which they are retaining is not sufficient to cater for their import requirements. As a result, many of them are deferring capital projects. For miners, this affects geophysical exploration for minerals to extend the lifespan of their mines as well as the replacement of antiquated equipment, which puts lives in danger.
At the same time, the ZW$ being debited into their accounts for the surrendered 40% portion are a far cry of what is needed to support their local cash-flow needs, which are currently racing against inflation. Mind you, most mining consumables are payable in US$, not to mention taxes.
This places mining companies at a huge disadvantage when compared with their peers in stable economies whom retain 100 percent of what they earn.
It therefore doesn’t come as a surprise that Zimbabwe’s miners have missed on global rallies or boom in mineral prices, largely as a result of skewed policies.
Unfortunately, the latest development comes at a time when international markets are so unpredictable in terms of prices, with some metals, among them, chrome – plunging by as much as 35% at some point.
With the Covid-19 pandemic wreaking havoc in international markets, the 30% retention threshold should have been scrapped or, at least, be maintained to give miners some breathing space during this difficult period. Sadly, the MPC had other ideas.
It is being hoped that the RBZ may bend backwards, more so, given that Zimbabwe has not been able to avail a rescue package to enable its exporters to pull through during this difficult period.
Because mining involves huge capital outlays and long-term planning, the frequent policy changes are certainly not helpful as they contribute to the climate of uncertainties that have, for years, been dogging the country’s economy.
Gareth Carter is an economist and researcher on mining matters. He is contactable at [email protected]
By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo- No ways about it, we definitely need President Emmerson Mnangagwa around to make two serious resolutions around leadership, organization and Institutions.
We are way beyond politics, slogans, and bootlicking, we need each other. The rate at which people are dying, no time for cheap politics, bootlicking, blame game, slogans, this is the time to come together and bring solutions on the table.
My two cents advice worth taking, Mr President :
1. You must unite the nation, and Political leadership is expected to shelve cheap politics
2. Leaders, Organizations and Institutions must be your key priority areas
3. Government Institutions are literally dead, and we expect you to provide Strategic leadership. We have ZESA, NASSA, NET ONE and many others.
4. Why don’t you consider privatization of Strategic State companies?
5. The current cabinet is comprised of deadwood in some of the critical ministries. There is need for review, perhaps after wider consultation with citizen’s perspective
6. Institutional Framework is key on our judiciary, Parliament and Public Service Commission.
7. Do we still need two Vice President (s)? Considering the drama on state functions? One would be far much better to cut and redirect expenditure
8. Confrontational politics must come to an end. We need to seperate politics and Development.
9. We need a sound National Development Agenda and Policy for our country 10. SONE is now ripe for a clear tone or direction of our country 11. You must not keep the nation guessing on a proper Economic Recovery framework (plan), on the implications of Covid-19 pandemic
12. Food Security. Consider the value chain on pfumvudza project. It must reflect a business model approach 13. We need a proper Business Model approach on how to govern our country
14. Investment Policy must be reviewed.
15. We have only one TV station why? In this modern day society? Allow other private players to participate in the mainstream economy
16. The current crop of politicians around you represents the ” Old guard”, perhaps you may need fresh ideas around you.
17. Instead of a museum, why don’t you consider a State of the Art hospital around Warren Pk, or Heroes Acre area? You can channel those resources for a beautiful state of the art hospital
18. Kindly consider two approaches ; (a) Independent Advisory Board (b) Covid-19 Economic taskforce comprising of technocrats, Business Community, Researchers, politicians across political divide and corporate world leaders etc
19. Government must be a Solution oriented pivotal centre, for Strategy
20. Legacy is an important aspect of life when one is in ” office”
21. Our nation must not survive on handouts, but rather ” empowerment schemes” for citizens 22. As citizens, we stand guided by leadership, we expect answers on critical questions
23. Conflicting Statements from Ministers regarding Covid-19 pandemic, is a clear sign of policy inconsistency and old guard approach
24. Liberalizing the economy is vital for our situation 25. More attention is needed on productivity than politics. Money is not grown on trees, therefore we expect resources to be channeled towards industry for employment creation, tourism, mining, Agriculture, Infrastructure development etc. People want jobs not handouts.
Government must creat a conducive environment to enable Economic players and business to operate smoothly !!!
ZIST will be running a leadership and development online course , for more enquiries contact 0778387003
By A Correspondent| The late minister of foreign affairs and trade Sibusiso Moyo attended controversial businessman’s Kuda Tagwirei’s end of year mega party and four days later tested positive for Covid- 19, it has emerged.
Moyo, who is known for his role as the 2017 coup announcer on the national broadcaster ZBC-TV succumbed to Coronavirus today at a private hospital in Harare.
Moyo was very close to Tagwirei and was part of the well to do Zimbabweans who mixed and mingled at a mega party which has turned out to be a super spreader of Coronavirus.
The former army boss was confirmed dead this morning with President Emmerson Mnangagwa saying he lost a close friend.
Moyo is the latest top government official to succumb to the dreaded disease following the weekend death of Manicaland provincial affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba.
Perrance Shiri, another of the top military commanders who organized the 2017 coup, also died from Covid-19 last year. He was agriculture minister at the time.
Zimbabwe has seen Covid-19 cases spike everyday with 52 people succumbing to the disease in the last 24 hours.
The Emergency Committee will be reconvened within three months, at the discretion of the Director-General.
The Director-General thanked the Committee for its work.
Advice to the WHO Secretariat:
SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Continue to work with partners to develop standardized definitions and nomenclature of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, based on their genetic sequence, that avoids stigmatization and is geographically and politically neutral. Provide clear information to State Parties on what constitutes a variant of concern.
Continue to increase worldwide capacities for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing and genetic sequencing, in line with WHO guidance, and encourage rapid sharing of sequences and meta-data to strengthen monitoring of virus evolution and to increase global understanding of variants and their effects on vaccine, therapeutics and diagnostic efficacy. Strengthen the SARS-CoV-2 risk monitoring framework for variants by accelerating collaboration and harmonizing research to answer critical unknowns about specific mutations and variants, through relevant networks and expert groups such as WHO SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution Working Group and the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics. COVID-19 Vaccines
Accelerate research on critical unknowns about COVID-19 vaccination efficacy on transmission, duration of protection against severe disease and asymptomatic infection, duration of immunity (following infection or vaccination), long-term protection after using different vaccination intervals, protection after a single dose, and vaccination regimes, in line with the SAGE and the Research and Development Blueprint recommendations.
Promote global solidarity and equitable vaccine access by encouraging States Parties and manufacturers to donate resources and provide support to the COVAX Facility. Promote technology transfer to low- and middle- income countries with the potential capacity to accelerate global production of COVID-19 vaccines. Support State Parties, including fragile states, in preparing for COVID-19 vaccine introduction by developing a national deployment and vaccination plan, in line with WHO guidance, that addresses barriers to COVID-19 vaccine readiness. Such planning should include prioritization of populations, regulatory authorization, supply and logistics preparation, indemnification and liability, health workforce planning, and access for humanitarian and vulnerable population. Health Measures in Relation to International Traffic
Lead development of risk-based international standards and guidance for reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission related to international travel (by air, land, and sea) based on current science and good practices that include clear recommendations for testing approaches and quarantine duration as appropriate. The guidance should additionally include advice on adapting those measure to specific risk settings, including movements of migrants, temporary workers, travellers and conveyance operators. Rapidly develop and disseminate the WHO policy position on the legal, ethical, scientific, and technological considerations related to requirements for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travelers, in accordance with relevant IHR provisions. Coordinate with relevant stakeholders the development of standards for digital documentation of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures ,that can be implemented on interoperable digital platforms. This should include vaccination status in preparation for widespread vaccine access. Encourage States Parties to implement coordinated, time-limited, risk-based, and evidence-based approaches for health measures in relation to international travel.
Evidence-Based Response Strategies
Continue to rapidly provide and regularly update evidence-based advice; guidance; tools; and resources, including regular dissemination of resources to combat misinformation for COVID-19, to enhance evidence-based COVID-19 preparedness and response strategies and implementation of such strategies.
Surveillance
Continue to actively support countries to further strengthen their SARS-CoV-2 surveillance systems, including strategic use of genetic sequencing, by leveraging existing systems such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and relevant networks for systematic sharing of data and specimens.
Strengthening Health Systems
Provide strategic insight on how State Parties can sustain the public health infrastructure, capacities, and functions developed for COVID-19 response to support strengthened health systems and universal health coverage in the long-term…
Credit:WHO
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Tinashe Sambiri|Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume has hinted that he may not participate in the 2023 Presidential election.
Ngarivhume believes participating in the Presidential election will weaken the opposition.He also believes President Nelson Chamisa is a mature leader who deserves the support of all opposition members.
“Some people are asking me to revive Transform Zimbabwe- the political party I lead. But I believe now is the time for a new kind of mature politics. @nelsonchamisa leads the largest opposition party. By virtue of that he deserves our support.
My hope is that the MDC-A’s leadership may begin to engage the people of Zimbabwe and guide the process for reforms working with regional and international partners to take head-on the abuses in our country,” Ngarivhume wrote on Twitter.
By Jane Mlambo| Opposition leaders and political commentators have expressed concern over the continued abuse of the judiciary to lock up without trial, critical voices against government especially during this COVID-19 period, saying it is only exposing people to the pandemic.
Commenting on revelations by MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere that she had tested positive to COVID-19, Harare North legislator Rusty Markham questioned if government will continue holding on to incarcerated duo of Hopewell Chin’ono and Job Sikhala.
“I note that Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has tested positive, we note that Jacob Mafume was not well in prison. So will government hold Hopewell Chin’ono and Alan moyo in remand till they fall ill?”
Political commentator Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya said pre-trial detentions only served to expose people to COVID-19,
“ZANU PF must stop its pre-trial incarcerations against opposition activists and other citizens. These pre-trial detentions expose people to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
MDC Alliance vice President Tendai Biti had no kind words for the President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration charging that they must take responsibility for Mahere’s situation.
“The regime must take full responsibility of Advocate Mahere s situation . It must take full responsibility of every Zimbabwean who has succumbed to Covid 19 . Misgovernance , cluelessness & recklessness are crimes against humanity,” said Biti.
Mahere spend seven days in detention before she was granted bail on Monday this week while Sikhala, Chin’ono and a ZINASU leader Allan Moyo remain locked up waiting for bail appeal at the High Court.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance National Spokesperson, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere has tested positive for Coronavirus.
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Advocate Mahere confirmed she tested positive for Coronavirus.
See her statement below:
Despite having been in an “isolation cell” and the “quarantine section” at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, I have tested positive for COVID-19, following seven days of pre-trial incarceration.
While I currently only have a cough and fever, I have chosen to share my results to draw attention to the deplorable state of our prison conditions and the very real threat faced by inmates at these facilities. I believe that in my own life, all experiences good and bad have been willed by God to teach me something deeper about humanity.
My present focus is a return to good health but my heart breaks for the many inmates who remain at the prisons. In this moment, I pray that my experiences spur us into action for those who society has tucked away in silence and mostly forgotten.
Their lives matter. I call on those with the authority to change things to look at the state of our prisons and respond accordingly.
COVID-19 is affecting us all. Now is the time to show leadership, pragmatism and humanity. As for those who continue to use lawfare as a tool to silence opposition voices, thank you for bringing to the light what has been forgotten in the dark. We must demand accountability for every Zimbabwean life under the supposed care of the State.
I ask that we not only pray for Zimbabwe but take responsibility for each other by wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands and avoiding gatherings. Most importantly let’s be kind to one another at a period when so many are going through so much. The consequences of poor leadership are evident but we the people should never tire of being exemplary in our conduct.
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially announced the death of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister SB Moyo.
SB Moyo succumbed to Coronavirus on Wednesday morning.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce Foreign Minister Dr SB Moyo has died.
Zimbabwe has lost a devoted public servant and a true hero, and I have lost a friend. He fought his entire life so that Zimbabwe could be free.
May he rest in peace,” Mr Mnangagwa said in a statement.
“Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Moyo (SB) has died.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Acting Minister Jenfan Muswere has confirmed the death but could not give further details,” ZBC News online reported.
Earlier today I spoke to Fadzayi Mahere who briefed me of the unsanitary conditions in our jails & her own positive COVID19 test after her unjust detention.
Her situation exemplifies the despicable tactics being used by the regime to weaponise this pandemic against opponents.
The unjust and prolonged detention of vocal citizens such as Job Sikhala, Hopewell Chin’ono and student Allan Moyo exposes them to unnecessary risk and further reveals the malicious intent of this regime in jailing opponents through unconstitutional provisions and repressive laws.
The true tragedy of such actions is the failure of the regime to recognize that COVID-19 has no political affiliation. It continues to affect countless citizens across the country without discretion and only sincere, well-informed and sensible leadership will help slow the spread.
Now is not the time for cheap politicking and irresponsible actions but rather an opportunity to ensure that the spotlight being cast on our public health institutions and prisons results in deliberate corrective action.
I implore all citizens to make it their duty to protect themselves and each other by adhering to guidelines as we work together to fight COVID-19. Every COVID 19 statistic is a human life.
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?
Where is Kuda Tagwirei? STORY ON ZIMEYE: Contacted by ZimEye, Tagwjrei’s aide Hon Tino Machakaire said,
“it’s not true, no, he is okay” he said….
Asked concerning reports of Tagwirei being hospitalised, he said, “aah I don’t know what Wadyajena's) agenda is, but maybe…
A top aide close to businessman, Kuda Tagwirei has dismissed reports circulating claiming the man has succumbed to COVID-19.
Kuda Tagwirei
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.
By Nomusa Garikai – “Ours must always be a story of hope. Of citizens who, knowing how ruthless & repressive this regime is, chose courage over inaction,” wrote Advocate Fadzai Mahere, MDC Alliance spokesperson.
Well those were very moving and courageous words especially in the light of what she had just gone through.
Fadzai Mahere was arrested and incarcerated last week for ‘publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state’. She had posting a video showing a baby supposedly killed by a policeman’s baton stick while strapped to its mother’s back.
She was writing about her “seven interminable nights of incarceration”.
“I was thrown into the all familiar lice-infested police cell with a drop toilet. The proverbial puddle of urine from last time and all the times before greeted me,” she narrated.
“Rather, it slapped my face. I was barefoot, having signed my shoes in upon entry as per procedure. There was no sanitizer, no facility to flush the loo, no sink and tap, no toilet paper and no sanitary bin. The blankets smelt of old urine. I shared the cell with 6 other ladies, most of whom were detained for breaching lockdown regulations.”
Zimbabwe’s prison service conditions are one of the worst in the world especially these days with the corona virus pandemic. Being send to prison in Zimbabwe is playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun!
What is so desperately annoying about Zimbabwe is our situation is a man-made problem. It is a Zanu PF man-made problem, in the first instance; 40 years and counting of Zanu PF gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness has left the country in economic ruins and social and political chaos. In the second instance, more significantly for the nation going forward, this is a MDC man-made problem too.
Zanu PF thugs are ruthless all the other things named above but that is only the half of it; the other half is the regime’s breathtaking incompetence. The regime’s blundering incompetence has created many opportunities to end the party’s rule and the best opportunities, by a long country mile, were during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. And it was none other than the MDC leaders who wasted these chances.
To be fair to Advocate Mahere, she was not one of the MDC leaders who sold out during the GNU by failing to implement even one democratic reform.
The MDC leaders have since the GNU debacle continued participating in flawed and illegal elections wasting even more opportunities to force Zanu PF to implement reforms and thus end the curse of rigged elections. And it is not as if the MDC and the rest in the opposition camp did not know that by participating in these flawed elections they gave the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy. They knew that, as David Coltart MDC A Treasurer 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 in his book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
The main factions of the MDC came together before the July 2018 elections to form the MDC A and the coalition still participated in the elections knowing fully well that Zanu PF was going to rig those elections for exactly the same reason they participated in the 2013 elections – greed.
Fadzai Mahere participated in the 2018 elections as an independent parliamentary candidate. She too knew Zanu PF was going to rig the elections and still she participated for the same reason as the rest of the opposition – greed.
Zanu PF learnt during the 2008 to 2013 GNU that MDC leaders are corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent, Zanu PF leaders are incompetent but MDC leaders take the biscuit. Zanu PF bribed MDC leaders to do nothing about implementing the reforms and, going forward, Zanu PF was able to exercise all its vote rigging powers and get away with it by making sure the opposition won a few gravy train seats, the bribe to keep them participating in flawed elections.
Fadzai Mahere has since joined the MDC A and the party is gearing to participate in the 2023 elections with no reforms in place. And so the nation is being dragged into yet another utterly meaningless election process whose outcome is already a predetermined Zanu PF victory, it is inconceivable for Zanu PF to lose an election it has a licence to rig. By participating Advocate Mahere and her MDC A colleagues will give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy.
“Ours must always be a story of hope. Of citizens who, knowing how ruthless & repressive this regime is, chose courage over inaction!”
We are just going round and round in circles here; how can that be a story of hope!
In participating in these flawed and illegal elections MDC leaders are not choosing courage over inaction, rubbish, they are once again choosing the few gravy train seats over the implementing the democratic reforms; free, fair and credible elections and everyone getting out of the hell-hole Zanu PF landed us in.
“I will never stop imagining that Zimbabwe will one day be free!” concluded Fadzai Mahere.
Yeah, Zimbabweans have heard that one before! All the hardships you are facing in Zimbabwe’s prison dungeons is so that Zimbabwe can be free. Mnangagwa and his cronies have never tired of reminding the nation of the many hardships and sacrifices they made in fight the country’s independence. It was all for the sake of freedom, liberty and justice for all.
Of course, Zimbabweans are NOT free today! Not everyone fighting for freedoms subscribes to the cause; mercenaries fight for personal gain.
Long before Zimbabwe attained her independence it was already clear that Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies were fighting for absolute power. They made no secret the wanted independent Zimbabwe to be a one-party state and thus ditching the long cherish “One man! One vote!” rallying call!
MDC leaders have failed to implement even one meaningful reform after 20 years on the political stage because they too, just like Zanu PF leaders, have taken their eyes off the freedom and liberty for all ball in pursuit of gravy train benefits.
Instead of implementing the democratic reforms designed to dismantle the Zanu PF dictatorship MDC A is replicating itself into yet another arrogant party of thugs in Zanu PF’s own image. MDC A is selling out and we, the people, are expected to see this as heroic courage!
By A Correspondent- The Meteorological Services Department has urged farmers to plant early maturing crops amid indications that the rainy season would end in March.
Bulawayo provincial meteorological officer Chiposi Ngulube told Southern Eye that farmers should not risk planting crops that would take long to mature.
“Farmers should not take a risk, they should start planting early maturing crops if they wish to continue farming and we are likely to announce the end of the rainy season towards the end of March,” Ngulube said.
He said the country was expecting more rainfall activity in February.
Ngulube said they were monitoring Cyclone Eloise brewing in the Indian Ocean, which was projected to hit Mozambique, and bring large amounts of rain into the Beitbridge/Limpopo area.
Agritex provincial agronomist Davison Masendeke also said it a bit late for most of the crops to be planted except those that take 90 days to mature.
By Jane Mlambo| 31 July Movement convenor Jacob Ngarivhume has disbanded his Transform Zimbabwe party choosing to join hands with MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa.
Posting on Twitter last night, Ngarivhume said he now believes in a new kind of mature politics while endorsing Chamisa as the leader of the largest opposition party in the country.
“Some people are asking me to revive Transform Zimbabwe- the political party I lead. But I believe now is the the for a new kind of mature politics. Nelson Chamisa leads the largest opposition party. By virtue of that he deserves our support,” said Ngarivhume.
He urged Chamisa and the MDC Alliance leadership to begin engaging the people of Zimbabwe and guide towards reform process.
“My hope is that the MDC-A’s leadership may begin to engage the people of Zimbabwe and guide the process for reforms working with regional and international partners to take head-on the abuses in our country.
“The MDC-A is the voice of the people on the international stage and it’s time the world heard from us,” added Ngarivhume.
By A Correspondent- Former Masvingo Central MP Jeffreyson Chitando (MDC) yesterday castigated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration, alleging that it was running out of people who deserve to be conferred with hero status and as a result was granting the status to undeserving people.
Chitando said Mnangagwa’s administration was belittling the country’s real freedom fighters by conferring liberation hero status to people that were born after the country attained independence in 1980.
He said this in reference to the liberation hero status which was conferred on the late 38-year-old Mashonaland Central Zanu-PF provincial youth leader, Lens “Ruwizhi” Farando, who died last week, and the national hero status conferred on the late Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Ellen Gwaradzimba.
Ruwizhi (38) and Gwaradzimba (60) succumbed to COVID-19 last week. Gwaradzimba will the buried at the National Heroes Acre on a date yet to be announced.
Chitando said the late minister’s obituary, which was continuously aired by the national broadcaster ZBC-TV, was very misleading as it stated that she was born in 1960 and attended school in “Hippo Valley in Bikita”, before she fought in the liberation struggle in 1975 to 1976.
He said Gwaradzimba’s profile showed that she joined the liberation struggle at the tender age of 15, and that at 17 she was promoted to commander level in the provincial structure in 1977.
Chitando scoffed at the obituary, saying it had glaring errors in that whoever penned it showed that they did not know that Hippo Valley was not in Bikita, which makes people question its authenticity.
“The biggest problem is not about Zanu-PF trying to rewrite history to suit its interests, but that Zanu-PF is running out of true heroes and heroines. If the process of conferring hero status remains in the hands of a political party like Zanu-PF, it means that we will see a lot of distortion of the liberation war history. They will continue to panel beat it to suit their evil interests,” Chitando said.
“Is Hippo Valley in Bikita? It’s a big no. The fact that the author of the obituary does not know that Hippo Valley is not in Bikita raises eyebrows. It means that people can only believe the rest of the story at their own peril. Since 2017, the new dispensation has reduced the selection of heroes and heroines to child’s play. Those deserving to be at the Heroes’ Acre were denied that status because of hatred and factionalism,” he said.
Chitando went on to question the claim that the late Gwaradzimba was promoted to commander at the age of 17 in 1977.
But Zanu-PF party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo said there were laid-down procedures that were followed in conferring one with a hero or heroine, adding that provinces made recommendations before the President conferred hero status.
“There is no law that says those who were born after independence should not be accorded hero statuses. These are just trivial issues that are being raised by idle minds. If someone has served his or her country distinctly, then he or she deserves to be accorded that status,” he said.
“It’s not distortion of history, but it is correctly chronicling the events as they happened.”
By Jane Mlambo| It appears government has relaxed COVID-19 lockdown restrictions without making a formal announcement, in a move that benefits informal traders who continue to enjoy brisk business in the absence of formal businesses.
Early this month, Health minister Constantino Chiwenga announced an adjusted Level 4 lockdown and dawn to dusk curfew to curb the spread of the pandemic following a surge in numbers.
While Harare streets are now full of life with vendors and illegal commuters back at work, formal businesses who are not part of essential services remain closed and will only resume operations once a new pronouncement is made by the government.
In Harare, some police check points have stopped demanding letters and are now just checking for valid vehicle licenses while City of Harare has recalled its vehicle parking unit back to work- perhaps to take advantage of increased traffic in the CBD.
Most motorists were caught off-guard as City Parking did not announce its return to business with marshals deployed all over the city around 10am today (Wednesday).
This is despite the police issuing a strong warning that the country is still on lockdown while threatening to impound vehicles moving after the 6pm curfew.
The increased activity and relaxation in enforcement of lockdown restrictions is happening despite a surge in the number of deaths being recorded daily with the past two days registering over 100 deaths.
Are we out of the woods to warrant relaxation of lockdown restrictions?
By A Correspondent- Disgruntled Ethiopian Airways passengers yesterday expressed disappointment over what they said was poor service delivery by the National Handling Services (NHS), which closed airport check-in bays early, resulting in travellers missing their international flights.
This followed an incident on Monday when several passengers complained at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after they were denied entry to their flights, allegedly by NHS which ordered its workers to shut down check-in services early.
One of the affected passengers, Moud Jennifer Chimboza, told NewsDay that on Monday, 20 passengers missed flights after they were denied check-in entry by NHS, which closed the Ethiopian Airways check-in point an hour earlier than the closing time.
“Check-in is supposed to be two hours before a flight, but NHS decided to close their check-in points an hour earlier, resulting in us missing our flight,” Chimboza said. She said resultantly, several passengers that missed flights were forced to do another COVID-19 test and to re-book flights.
COVID-19 tests are only valid for 72 hours.
But NHS station manager Ignatious Katsambe dismissed the claims, saying some passengers were failing to comply with airport regulations, which required travellers to check-in three hours before their scheduled flights.
“We are in a pandemic situation and different countries have requirements for their travellers which they need to adhere to. Some of the passengers fail to comply by these regulations because they are full of ‘I know’ since they live in Europe. However, airports have regulations that need to be followed,” Katsambe said.
He said there were some “habitual late comers” at airports who always want check-in bays opened for them simply because they would be dealing with an African airport.
Udzai kamfana kekushaya aka kuti i can give him money to use for the next 5 years asiyane nenyemba dzetuma jokes dzaanoita idzi ??? pic.twitter.com/IGfOk06O86
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe recorded an unprecedented record high 60 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours on Monday, a situation that has forced health experts to conclude that this could just be a tip of an iceberg, considering that collation of data on the pandemic has not been very efficient.
Around 773 deaths have been recorded in the country since the first case of the deadly respiratory virus was confirmed last year.
Health experts yesterday told NewsDay that the latest rise in the number of people succumbing to the virus could be heralding the beginning of catastrophe ahead, as the country struggles with a health sector which is in comatose, and people that have continued to defy COVID-19 lockdown regulations, as well as safety precautions.
In its COVID-19 situational report update, the Health Ministry said on Monday that the country recorded 689 new cases of the virus, out of a total 27 892 infections.
The 689 new cases were all said to be local infections, and health analysts said that revealed that people in the country should not continue to underestimate the effects of the second wave of COVID-19.
“All 689 are local cases with 339 of them being from Harare. The cumulative cases curve is spiking. The national case fatality rate now stands at 2,8 % as at January 18, 2021. Harare reported the highest number of cases today, 339. A total of 60 COVID-19 deaths were reported today, and 37 of the deaths occurred at institutional level, with 23 being recorded at community level,” the ministry’s update read.
It further said that on Monday, all provinces in the country reported COVID-19 cases.
Health expert and Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Solwayo Ngwenya said the COVID-19 statistics of Monday were a reflection of how the virus continued to spread deep into communities.
He said if serious precautions were not taken to prevent the further spread of the virus, people would end up dying in large numbers.
“Unfortunately, this is actually the beginning of a terrible catastrophe that is going to happen. We have relaxed too much and we have under estimated the virus. We have now allowed the virus to penetrate deep into communities, and it is now widespread and is all over the place,” Ngwenya said.
“Relatives, who accompany sick people to hospitals and those that continue to hold funeral vigils, are most likely to spread the virus. The deaths start to multiply from there onwards. The attitudes and the behaviour of the population are very appalling,” he said.
Ngwenya said COVID-19 was a new virus, adding that at the moment nobody had a defence against it, which meant that there was a need to prevent its spread.
“The key point is prevention, and that is why I take my time to explain it in newspapers,” he said.
Another medical expert, Johannes Marisa, who is interim president of the Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association, said the number of COVID-19 deaths could be more than the published figures, considering that data collection was not as efficient as expected.
“We need to put a margin of error. Remember complacency, ignorance and denialism is contributing to these deaths. We need to clamp down on these factors. Denialism is leading to late presentation to hospitals, with patients seeking treatment when they already have complications,” he said.
“We, therefore, need robust testing, more health education, correct information dissemination and social media has been awash with negative perceptions about public hospitals, which sometimes isn’t true.”
Itai Rusike, the executive director of the Community Working Group on Health, said vaccinating a significant proportion of the population was the only realistic way to arrest the spread of the pandemic.
“The people of Zimbabwe will now need to show great vigilance and social solidarity if we are to slow the rate of infection and ensure that our health facilities do not continue to be overwhelmed. The long-term effects of COVID-19 still remain to be seen,” Rusike said.
He said the collective insecurity generated by the pandemic requires a decisive public health response.
Rusike said on the other hand, the pandemic offered an important opportunity to demonstrate that alternative, people centred, democratic and collective responses were possible and essential, not just to prevent and contain infection, but to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
He said there was need to build back a stronger, more compassionate and equity-driven form of public health system in the country.
Chief co-ordinator of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Agnes Mahomva, said they were still looking into the issue of numbers.
“We have a large number of cases and the number of infections is increasing. We are actually looking at it, and we will come back to you with information when we have properly arranged our figures,” she said.
By A Correspondent- Police yesterday warned violators of the 6PM to 6AM curfew, saying that they will be out in full force to ensure full compliance with lockdown regulations.
Both defiant motorists and pedestrians risk being arrested and having their vehicles impounded.
The curfew was put in place by Government on January 2 as part of a 30-day level four lockdown in order to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Under new lockdown measures, church services have been banned, funeral gatherings have been limited to 30 people, bars and bottle stores shut down, restaurants closed while intercity and interprovincial movement has been limited to those classified as essential service providers.
Members of the public are expected to shop within a 5 kilometre radius from their homes while essential services employees will be allowed to pass through checkpoints after producing exemption letters.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said those who are found on the wrong side of the law will be swiftly dealt with.
“The curfew order runs from 6PM to 6AM the next day. Therefore, movements, whether on foot or motorised are not allowed during this period and anyone found walking or driving will be arrested, with vehicles being impounded. Those travelling between cities should plan their journeys so that they do not breach the curfew order,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi He said as police they noted with concern defiance by some members of the public in terms of compliance with lockdown regulations.
“On Sunday, 17th January 2021 and Monday, 18th January 2021, there was chaos along Harare Bulawayo Road, as long queues stretching from the Norton tollgate up to Whitehouse area, Harare were seen. Some motorists were even confrontational to the police despite the fact that most of them were non-compliant with the curfew order,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said by Monday over 2 000 people had been arrested for violating the national lockdown regulations such as failure to wear a mask.
“On Monday 18 January 2021, a total of 2 336 people were arrested throughout the country for various offences related to contraventions of the national lockdown regulations. Of these, 890 were for contravening Section 4(1) (a) of Statutory instrument 83/20 that is unnecessary movement during national lockdown except those exempted and failure to wear face masks,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
This brings the total cumulative arrests to 341 251 since March 30 last year.
Asst Comm Nyathi urged members of the public to take heed of safety, health and security measures meant to protect lives during this Covid-19 situation.
By A Correspondent- Harare cleric and businessman Shingi Munyeza has surrendered his post as Faith Ministries pastor after he was forced to publicly admit to adultery by his daughter.
Munyeza admitted in a short statement he had failed his wife and church.
“Recently I allowed myself into a situation where I fell morally. I failed my wife and family. I failed the church that I am part of. I therefore seek your forgiveness. I am stepping down to introspect and be restored. I covet your prayers and support,” read the message by the cleric.
What sparked his misfortune was an earlier Facebook post during the day by Munyeza congratulating self and wife on the occasion of the couple’s 26th anniversary.
But this was not taken in its real sense by Munyeza’s daughter, Nomsa, who then confronted her father in a cheeky Facebook reply over the latter’s adulterous relationship.
Nomsa told her father it was improper for him to shower her mother with anniversary messages when he was cheating on the same woman.
The daughter demanded that he deletes the message.
Munyeza posted that he had resigned from his position at church.
However, it was not very clear if he resigned on his own accord or was forced to after reportedly admitting to sleeping with an unnamed congregant.
What then followed was a social media buzzing with unsubstantiated claims the cleric had a chain of sex scandals with various women.
I am humbled. You will be forgiven, some have done ugly things that what you did. We know some people have murdered & have remained murderers, they've been brutal & ruthless & they've remained as such. At least you're shameful. Crooks do it without shame & respect of human life.
Not a single person born of woman is infallible, we see many men ' s infidelity baggage at their funerals , you have offloaded yours in your lifetime, cheer up. I have forever appreciated @HillaryClinton & Chelsea when the stakes were high on Bill !
By Jane Mlambo| Respected cleric and General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) Reverend Kenneth Mtata has discouraged people from making medical judgements based on religious declarations.
This follows remarks by United Family International church leader Apostle Emmanuel Makandiwa against the COVID-19 vaccines.
In one of his preachings, Makandiwa claimed that previous vaccines administered on Africans had distorted their DNA.
He also claimed that the DNA of Africans had been tampered in the search for the Covid-19 vaccine.
But Rev Mtata felt Makandiwa’s message was off the rail while discouraging reliance on religious declarations for medical judgments.
“No religious declarations or political manifestos can be the basis for making medical judgements. The bifurcation of discourses must be respected,” said Mtata.
Makandiwa’s remarks have divided opinion in the country with some of the opinion that government should take steps to censure those who make reckless statements about a pandemic that has already claimed hundreds of lives locally and millions globally.
What a loss Min SB Moyo. Having worked with him This was one person I felt was going to be a perfect successor to @edmnangagwa , cause of his work ethic and love for this country. My condolences to my dear friend and daughter to the late Elna Kundis. Sad day for our nation… pic.twitter.com/z8r42l07y8
What a day to wake up to SB Moyo gone !!!!! I hope the government officials will change their ways of ignoring social distancing measures.Stop cabinet meetings ,stop any governmental gatherings
3. Next time you see a doctor, nurse, teacher, civil servant etc on strike – ALL they want are better conditions, facilities to improve the quality of our lives & save such lives. Skilled rebharazi and all frontline workers keep up @drjaytee87@LynneStactia@MamoyoT#MaskUpZimpic.twitter.com/8YhZKJJqcZ
There is a diference between PPEs running out and not having them. The truth is better functioning facilities and systems prevents more deaths. This is no politics, this is no conspiracy theory, this is not scientific BUT just common sense #MaskUpZim#ZimbabweYadzoka
zanu pf ngaisachazvitutumadza. It's high time it has to borrow man power from the MDC to run the government. Payave pashata. Many in the leadrship of zanu are nt well helth wise. Some are advanced in age. Some are advanced in ignorance, age and depreciation of health.
God is fighting for Zimbabwe ?? imagine a death of a politician being celebrated by your citizens. African politicians must know that leaving office early is the only way for people to continue loving you, problem is overstaying. Africa has got much young people who can do better
By Jane Mlambo| MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has tested positive to COVID-19 following her week long detention at Chikurubi Maximum prison.
Mahere confirmed the news on her Facebook account saying she tested positive to the deadly coronavirus despite having been put in isolation cells at Chikurubi maximum prison during her detention period.
“Despite having been in an “isolation cell” and the “quarantine section” at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, I have tested positive for COVID-19, following seven days of pre-trial incarceration,” she said.
Mahere bemoaned the deplorable prison conditions while calling on those with authority to look into the state of Zimbabwe prisons.
“They don’t even have the most basic need – running water. This is before we look at soap, sanitizer, clean masks and proper facilities to enable social distancing. Their lives matter. I call on those with the authority to change things to look at the state of our prisons and respond accordingly. COVID-19 is affecting us all. Now is the time to show leadership, pragmatism and humanity,” added Mahere.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 continues to claim lives with over hundred people dying in the past two days.
Today the nation woke up to the news of the death of Foreign Affairs minister SB Moyo who becomes the third minister to succumb to the global pandemic.
Despite having been in an “isolation cell” and the “quarantine section” at Chikurubi Maximum Prison, I have tested positive for COVID-19, following seven days of pre-trial incarceration.
While I currently only have a cough and fever, I have chosen to share my results to draw attention to the deplorable state of our prison conditions and the very real threat faced by inmates at these facilities. I believe that in my own life, all experiences good and bad have been willed by God to teach me something deeper about humanity.
My present focus is a return to good health but my heart breaks for the many inmates who remain at the prisons. In this moment, I pray that my experiences spur us into action for those who society has tucked away in silence and mostly forgotten.
Their lives matter. I call on those with the authority to change things to look at the state of our prisons and respond accordingly.
COVID-19 is affecting us all. Now is the time to show leadership, pragmatism and humanity. As for those who continue to use lawfare as a tool to silence opposition voices, thank you for bringing to the light what has been forgotten in the dark. We must demand accountability for every Zimbabwean life under the supposed care of the State.
I ask that we not only pray for Zimbabwe but take responsibility for each other by wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands and avoiding gatherings. Most importantly let’s be kind to one another at a period when so many are going through so much. The consequences of poor leadership are evident but we the people should never tire of being exemplary in our conduct.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Sibusiso Busi Moyo was Wednesday morning reported dead after contracting COVID-19.
Calls to the coup announcer were failing completely at the time when his relatives were neither picking calls.
The country has been thrown into mourning. Foreign Affairs minister @MinisterSBMoyo is reported to have passed on. Highly placed sources say the Coup announcer who has been unwell for a long time tested positive to #COVID19 two days ago. #StayAtHome #StaySafe, HSTV reported.
Moyo had underlying health condition which involved struggle with a kidney ailment for two years.
He was famous for announcing the coup that toppled Robert Mugabe from power under the lines: The President, of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde R.G. Mugabe and his family are safe and sound and their security is guaranteed.
We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice. As soon as we have accomplished our mission we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.
Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo has become the latest high profile government figure to succumb to Covid-19, according to ZimEye sources.
Moyo became the face of the November 2017 coup after he appeared on national broadcaster ZBC TV to announce the removal of the late former President Robert Mugabe.
The shooter face revealed.. Zhang Xueun, 41, was on 22 June 2919 charged with attempted murder over the shooting at Reeden Mine, 26km out of Gweru along Matobo road.
Simba Chikanza and ZimEye what happened with that Chinese guy who shot a Zimbabwean last year?
Today ZimEye follows up on court case concerning gun attack by Chinese Businessman on 21 June 2020 against two Zimbabwean employees, which @ChineseZimbabwe claimed involved only one employee. @ZctuZimbabwe expected to make statement pic.twitter.com/iP8GcTb0Qx
Is he still on remand or he is free already? ZANU PF Party has given more power to the Chinese to do whatever they want with Zimbabweans. Tirimusango Wenje and his varakashi team will defend every inhumanity to please their masters. They would rather see a black man being abused than to call a spade a spade.
We need a new generation with an individual mindset. Not a programmed political mindset which is always being controlled by party leaders
“Ours must always be a story of hope. Of citizens who, knowing how ruthless & repressive this regime is, chose courage over inaction.”
As I was about to part ways with my phone to enter police detention, I sent Cee Musandu, my communications director, this message.
She had asked me what she should say. We have been the best of friends since 2016 when we joined #ThisFlag, a citizens’ movement that challenged the poverty, injustice and corruption prevailing under then President Robert Mugabe. The idea was to inspire an engaged citizenry that held the Government to account.
Many amazing and awful things had happened over the last four years but nothing had prepared us for the week that was to come.
It started on the Sunday morning. Two plainclothes police officers in an unmarked vehicle knocked on our gate and asked to see me. When asked what the issue was, they said it was in connection with tweets I had posted protesting police brutality. I had gone to the shops to buy some meds and supplies for the continued lockdown. They left.
As soon as I received the news, my heart sank. Courage does not mean you aren’t afraid. It means you act in spite of your fear. Hopewell Chin’ono and Job Sikhala had been arrested by the Police days earlier on similar charges. “Go seek refuge at a friend’s house,” my little brother suggested. I explained to him that you never run away from the Police. I quickly went back home, assuming that they’d come back. I telephoned David Drury, my old boss, mentor and trusted lawyer of choice.
He advised me to stay put and wait for their return. I waited for what seemed like an eternity. Upon nightfall, Mr Drury said that because the police had not come back, we would have to attend upon Harare Central Police Station first thing in the morning.
At 9am on Monday morning, we were at the Police Station. We waited for an hour before being attended to. They would not immediately confirm or deny whether or why they wanted me pursuant to their visit the day before. Eventually, they confirmed that I was under arrest for my tweets. By 10.50am, I had signed my warned and cautioned statement. The docket was complete.
We figured we would immediately go to court as we were in good time. To our surprise, the detective inspector came in with a detention order and told us to hurry up as we were “behind time.” She had been ordered to hurry up and take me to the cells. Mr Drury appealed with them to take us to court to avoid unnecessary and potentially unlawful pre-trial detention. (This was the first of many appeals he would make to police, prison and court officers in the ensuing seven days.) The officer refused and offered no explanation or reasons to explain why I had to be jailed if the matter was ripe for court.
I was thrown into the all familiar lice-infested police cell with a drop toilet. The proverbial puddle of urine from last time and all the times before greeted me.
Rather, it slapped my face. I was barefoot, having signed my shoes in upon entry as per procedure. There was no sanitizer, no facility to flush the loo, no sink and tap, no toilet paper and no sanitary bin. The blankets smelt of old urine. I shared the cell with 6 other ladies, most of whom were detained for breaching lockdown regulations. And there was Lisa, an alleged armed robber with whom I would make further contact in days to come. We talked, sighed and laughed then fell asleep on their concrete beds and covered ourselves in stained blankets that smelt of a mix of urine, human and dirt.
The next day, I was bundled into the back of a small police truck escorted by nine police officers who breathed on each other and breathed on me. Some wore masks and some wore them incorrectly.
An application was made to challenge my placement on remand on the ground that the Constitutional Court had declared the sections under which I was charged void and on the ground that the initial remand form was insufficient. The Magistrate postponed the handing down of his ruling to Friday. It was Tuesday. I was to be detained at Chikurubi Prison in the meantime.
As I walked up the prison truck in the rain, I slipped and fell. I quickly got back up because, since I was a child, my mother had taught me to get up immediately after a fall, dust myself up and move on. Mr Drury got into the truck to check if I was OK. He brought with him my bucket of supplies – assembled in haste by my siblings. It had all the good stuff – chocolate, candy, nuts, reading material and toiletries most of which I would soon learn were forbidden “inside”.
When we arrived, they told us to eat. Dinner was old sadza and watery beans. I politely declined – partly because I was in no state to eat but mostly because of the rule of caution that I had dished out to many a client when I was on the lawyering end of such an ordeal. The events of the previous two days had frozen my legal brain as I watched constitutional rights bludgeoned and the Supreme Law rendered a lifeless museum piece. I resolved that the only way to make it through this ordeal was to embrace it, follow all orders including the illegal ones and then just make the most of it. “Behave with beauty and dignity at all times,” is the best advice I received that week. We knelt before the prison wardens whom we called “Mbuya”. They took our details then stripped us of all clothing and our bras then handed us our green prison garb. I had a whole prison number – 38/21. My reading material (a YOU magazine and a Newsday newspaper) were taken away for “censoring.” I never got the newspaper back.
We were placed in an isolation cell with no window. Covid positive inmates were housed in the cell next to us. We shared a “toilet” outside lock up time. We were locked in our cell and a 5l container with the top cut off was placed in the corner of the room for us to relieve ourselves that night. The next morning, we were moved to another section. It was a mix of remand prisoners and convicted inmates. Convicted inmates wore yellow. The concrete floor was our mattress. We had to make our beds out of old, dirty, torn, smelly blankets stamped “Parirenyatwa Hospital.” Breakfast was watery porridge and a smidgen of peanut butter with some sugar which inmates had to eat with their fingers because spoons are forbidden.
We went round the room sharing the charges that had brought us in. Curious, I saved my story till last. Murder, murder, murder, murder, armed robbery, theft, armed robbery, lockdown, curfew, lockdown then “tweeting.” They laughed. So did I. One of the inmates in our section was Chipo* who, four years earlier, had axed a man to death in Gutu and started “eating his brain.” She would walk into our cell and pick an inmate up then place her down again. She would rummage through the bin for food, chase rats “to eat” and sometimes snatch people’s food. It was evident to an untrained medical eye that she had no mental capacity to commit a crime.
We were ordered to go and weed the garden. No distinction was drawn between those who were “in with labour”, those on remand and a person in my position who was challenging the very placement on remand. I chose happiness and took it as an opportunity to get some much-needed exercise. When the hoe was passed to me, they said “Fadzie, scrape don’t dig. This is weeding.”
I made many friends because humanity is wired towards positivity. People in distress tend to make the most of tough situations united by our basic human instincts that want dignity, freedom, community and progress. I helped many fill out their bail application forms and dished out legal advice on available defences to many who requested it. I encouraged those who had done bad things to live right as soon as they got out. Story after story made me reflect on my own personal circumstances and feel grateful for God’s many mercies.
Mr Drury, Emma Drury, my fellow advocates from Chambers, Harrison Nkomo, Rose Hanzi and Tino from ZLHR all came to visit me. I lived for those visits. Sometimes, I’d stand lifeless at the window of my cell staring at the gate in anticipation that someone would show up. Mr Drury showed up everyday – a lawyer of immense distinction, integrity and honour who had taught me the ABC’s of court litigation, legal drafting and client management as we fought several land and human rights cases over a decade ago when I was a junior lawyer at Gollop and Blank was now plying his trade on me. I was confused as to how it had got to this but at the same time, reassured that I was in extremely capable hands. I nearly shed a tear when he pledged his own title deeds as he moved my bail application. “Your worship, I know her and can vouch for her. I’m prepared to put my head on the block because I know she won’t abscond.”
“Please tell my mom to stop crying,” I repeatedly said to everyone who visited. My parents, brothers and sisters are gladiators. Family is life.
Every day at lock-up time, I sat at my window and watched the skyline change from blue to a beautiful golden-peachy hue. The quiet beauty of the setting sun descending below the horizon was a peaceful reminder that the whole thing would eventually end. At least I hoped. I had mentally prepared for this to go on for weeks.
After seven interminable nights of incarceration, the court granted bail. I stepped out of the prison truck and knelt before the prison wardens one last time, crying internal tears of joy that the sun had finally set on this ordeal. I also remain hopeful that one day, the sun will set on injustice and repression. Until then, I will always choose courage over inaction.
I will never stop imagining that Zimbabwe will one day be free.
THE twists and turns in the January transfer business at English Premiership football club Aston Villa could leave Zimbabwe international midfielder Marvelous Nakamba on the brink.
Nakamba, who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday, has once again come under the spotlight following the talk about the possible arrival of Frenchman Morgan Sanson at the Birmingham side before the close of the January transfer window.
There has been concerns back home for Nakamba who has been deprived of game-time after falling down the pecking order at Villa this season.
As a result, the midfielder has played peripheral roles in the current campaign. Nakamba has featured just four times in the English Premier League, and even that has totalled 103 minutes of football with the season approaching the half-way mark.
News that Villa are one of the clubs interested in signing the £22,5 million Marseille midfielder Sanson could leave Nakamba further down the pecking order with slim chances of him getting involved this season.
Already, Aston Villa appear to have a surplus of midfielders with Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Nakamba, Conor Hourihane, Ross Barkley and Henri Lansbury all lining-up for selection.
But McGinn and Brazilian Douglas Luiz have been the preferred partnership for manager Dean Smith and the duo has been impressive in central midfield.
It’s hard to imagine where Sanson would fit into Villa’s midfield, as Luiz, McGinn and Barkley, who is on loan from Chelsea, have been superb this season.
Nakamba has been on the periphery and fellow midfielder Hourihane has been linked with a move away this January. Barkley, though, has been out injured with a hamstring injury since November.
Still, there is likely to be a big shake-up should Sanson get roped in.
According to reports from England, Sanson, a creative midfield player who can play box-to-box or in a holding role if needed, would be quite the coup for Villa if they can pull off a deal.
The general feeling among the Villans is that Sanson is too good for the Villa bench.
“In my opinion if he signs he is replacing someone so either Barkley isn’t coming or Luiz is off to (Manchester) City. I hope I’m wrong but can’t see us spending £20m for him to be a bench player unless we are looking into serious rotation next season,” said one Villa fan on Twitter.
According to football publication, Football Whispers, Sanson is more of an upgrade on Nakamba.
“A versatile midfielder, Sanson has often played as one of Marseille’s two holding players, alongside the likes of Strootman and Luiz Gustavo in a 4-2-3-1 (formation).
“He has, however, performed other roles. He has partnered Maxime Lopez in a 4-4-2, often sitting deep with the more creatively inclined 21-year-old influencing play higher up the pitch.
“His role during 2018/19 was defensive compared to 2017/18, his first full term after arriving from Montpellier in January 2017, in which he often operated in a more advanced midfield role supporting the striker.- The Herald
POLICE Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has directed police in Bulawayo to look for veteran modelling instructor Ms Sipho Ncube-Mazibuko as part of investigations following her rape allegations against self-exiled G40 kingpin Professor Jonathan Moyo.
Ms Ncube-Mazibuko posted on her Facebook page last Friday claiming that Prof Moyo raped her 11 years ago while she was pregnant.
She said efforts to report Prof Moyo, whom she said was powerful at the time, were ignored.
At the time, self-exiled former Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri was still at the helm of the police services.
Prof Moyo, believed to be in Kenya, fled the country in November 2017 during Operation Restore Legacy. He is wanted by the police after absconding court where he is facing charges of allegedly diverting US$244 575 from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef).
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said although Ms Ncube-Mazibuko has not yet formally made a police report, the officer commanding police in Bulawayo, Commissioner Patton Mbangwa, has been instructed to handle the matter.
“The officer commanding Bulawayo is trying to get in touch with Ms Ncube-Mazibuko so that we can verify her statement on Facebook and conduct inquiries. She has not made a formal report, but I can confirm that the officer commanding police in Bulawayo is looking for her,” he said.
Ms Ncube-Mazibuko said “some powerful men” do not care whether one is married or not or whether one consents or not.
“Well, I was sexually abused by Professor Jonathan Moyo and was too scared to even report or tell anyone until that fateful day 11 years ago when I went and told the police at Bulawayo Central Police Station what he had done to me,” she said.
Ms Ncube-Mazibuko wrote on her Facebook page: “Well, I have decided to empty my closet and speak out about a man who sexually abused me when I was pregnant and went on to silence me because he was very powerful and untouchable.”
“I went to the police to open a docket against these evil men who had tormented my mind with sexual and emotional abuse.”
She said police recorded her statement but nothing was done to investigate my case.- The Herald
The European Union (EU) and the United States of America have both expressed concern over the Zimbabwean government’s failure to probe the disproportionate use of force by security personnel against civilians in January 2009.
In a statement posted on its Twitter handle, the EU in Zimbabwe demanded an end to impunity and the prosecution of human rights violators. It said:
Two years on, investigations are lacking and impunity continues to prevail on human rights violations perpetrated in #Zimbabwe in January 2019. #NoZIMpunity.
In a related development, the U.S. Embassy in Harare queried why Zimbabwe has not yet prosecuted and convicted the security forces accused of rape, torture, and killing civilians in January 2019. It said in a tweet:
Two years. When will Zimbabwe investigate, prosecute, and convict government security forces accused of rape, torture, and killing civilians in Jan 2019? Two years is too long to seek justice/answers/accountability.
Zimbabwe descended into anarchy characterised by the looting of businesses and barricading of roads in January 2019 after the government unilaterally hiked the price of fuel by over 150 per cent.
In response to the fuel riots, the government blocked the internet for several days and unleashed security forces on civilians resulting in the death of over 20 people and serious injuries to hundreds.
There were also allegations of some rogue members of the security services moving from door-to-door raping women who were too terrified to report the abuse for fear of victimisation.
The Zimbabwean government denied the reports insisting that “terrorists” and a “third force” were responsible for the violence.- Pindula News
MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa yesterday warned Emmerson Mnangagwa against “stoking political fires” through arbitrary arrests of his opponents and silencing of divergent voices.
Chamisa told NewsDay in an interview yesterday that the Zimbabwean government’s arbitrary arrests and torture of opposition activists and other citizens who hold divergent views were likely to escalate ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections, if they were not nipped in the bud.
He also called on the African Union regional bodies to act swiftly in condemning dictatorship on the African continent, as well as use of the military in settling political contestation disputes like what happened in Uganda during last week’s elections, where veteran leader President Yoweri Museveni was announced as winner of an election mired by intimidation and arrests of opposition leaders.
Museveni was announced winner, with the army camped at his rival Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine)’s residence.
On the arrests of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, the MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala and party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and others, Chamisa said it was clear that the Mnangagwa administration was using “the law as a tool for oppression in Zimbabwe”.
He said that intimidation of opposition leaders and divergent voices was the same template that was used by African dictators.
“It is the same template used by dictators. It represents a major attack on alternative voices. It shows that our country is sliding back into the Rhodesian settler regime era, where politics of repression, torture, and arbitrary arrests were the order of the day. It is a signifier of shrinking democratic space,” the main opposition leader said.
He said the country was sliding back into anarchy and tyranny taking advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown period.
“We are sliding back into anarchy and tyranny. Whereas we have COVID-19, we have a pandemic of authoritarianism. We have a disease of despotism and dictatorship, escalation of persecution by prosecution.”
He added: “It is an attempt to poison the nation and stoke fires of hostility. Instead of my opposite number Mnangagwa being a father figure, he is choosing to behave like the last born in the family, starting fires and mischief when we need a head of State and sober mind.
“We don’t need to be pyromaniacs. He is in the habit of starting fires and a government leader must not start fires but extinguish them. This is advice I am giving to my opposite number Mnangagwa for free. He who starts fires often gets burnt by those fires. This is genuine elderly advice.
“Stop harassing citizens. It’s always wise not to make the mistake of growing old without growing up. Zimbabwe needs maturity and magnanimity, as well as tolerance in politics.”
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo was not picking calls yesterday for a comment. But Zanu PF is on record distancing itself from the abuse of State machinery for political gain.
On the issue of the just-ended Ugandan elections, Chamisa said it spelt doom for Africa, adding that regional bodies must stand against such “gigantic fraud.”
“It is ominous and spells doom for the African continent. A disputed election places a danger on our continent’s march to democracy and progressive governance.”
“There is a disturbing new wave of dictators, wherein the incumbent abuses State institutions to perpetuate their grip on political power.
“No sitting President must abuse State institutions for personal purposes. Nobody must abuse key people institutions like the army, the police or courts to redeem their fortunes in a political office.
“Apart from COVID-19, we now have the authoritarian pandemic of dictatorship and disputed elections. We have seen election disputes in Africa. We have shining examples in South Africa and recently Malawi. Brutal killings and elimination of competitors in the name of politics has no place in the new Africa that we seek to build.”
He said no life should be lost on account of politics and elections.
“Oppression must come to an end. Oppression will end when the oppressed stand up and the oppressor is forced to sit down and bow out. This has been the most unfair, violent election campaign in recent times with the butchering of innocent citizens almost on an industrial scale.
“The expression of the will of the people cannot be altered by an army like what we saw in Uganda. That is unacceptable. The persecution of Bobi Wine is an attack on the fresh face of Africa and an attack on the largest constituency on the continent, the young people who must stand up and dominate Africa,” he said.
Chamisa said the African Union and African bodies must condemn and disregard such gigantic fraud of the people’s will. He said the AU should stand up to condemn and not endorse Museveni’s tomfoolery.-NewsDay
A CHINESE national who was recorded on video allegedly assaulting his two employees and then setting a dog after one of them following a wage dispute appeared in court yesterday.
Zhong Zhongyi (60)
Zhong Zhongyi (60), a director of Fools Investments in Hope Fountain, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Shepherd Mjanja facing assault charges. He was remanded out of custody to February 24 on $3 000 bail.
Zhong allegedly assaulted the two complainants, Mr Tatenda Mangena and Mr Costan Mhasa, following a misunderstanding over unpaid salaries.
In his bail application, Zhong argued that he was not a flight risk and would not abscond if released on bail.
The State, which was represented by Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo, did not oppose his application, arguing that there were no compelling reasons warranting his continued detention.
He was ordered to report once every Friday at Nkulumane Police Station as part of the bail conditions.
Zhong was also ordered to continue residing at his given address and not to interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.
Prosecuting, Mr Dlodlo said on January 16 at around 8AM at Fools Investment premises in Hope Fountain, the accused had a misunderstanding with his workers over unpaid salaries. The dispute degenerated into a scuffle during which Zhong indiscriminately punched Mr Mhasa all over the body.
After he was restrained, the accused person then suddenly followed the complainants armed with a shovel. He then allegedly hit Mr Mhasa once on the left arm before turning the heat on Mr Mangena.
“After assaulting Mhasa, the accused also turned on Mangena and struck him twice with a shovel on his left arm before they fled from the scene,” said Mr Dlodlo. A police report was made leading to the arrest of the accused person. -Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that there is no legal basis for detaining journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Hon. Job Sikhala.
Commenting on the elections in Uganda Hon Biti said Museveni has “outdone himself in stealing elections.”
“Kaguta Museveni has outdone himself this time around. The deranged autocrat rigged so brazenly that his fellow rigsters ,including Biya , Lungu,Conte ,Afwerki,Obiang, Ondimba , Magafuli ,Rwambiwa , Nguesso, Eyadema , Deby & Ouattara have been too embarrassed to congratulate him.”
“With Fadzi’s release we now demand the release of Hopewell Chin’ono a,Job Sikhala and young Alan Moyo.
They are innocent and the illegitimate fascist regime has no legitimate grounds for detaining the same #FreeJobSikhala #FreeHopewell,” added Hon Biti.
He added:” The people of Zimbabwe are now afraid of the courts due to lack of consistency and partisan conduct.”
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that there is no legal basis for detaining journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Hon. Job Sikhala.
Commenting on the elections in Uganda Hon Biti said Museveni has “outdone himself in stealing elections.”
“Kaguta Museveni has outdone himself this time around. The deranged autocrat rigged so brazenly that his fellow rigsters ,including Biya , Lungu,Conte ,Afwerki,Obiang, Ondimba , Magafuli ,Rwambiwa , Nguesso, Eyadema , Deby & Ouattara have been too embarrassed to congratulate him.”
“With Fadzi’s release we now demand the release of Hopewell Chin’ono a,Job Sikhala and young Alan Moyo.
They are innocent and the illegitimate fascist regime has no legitimate grounds for detaining the same #FreeJobSikhala #FreeHopewell,” added Hon Biti.
He added:” The people of Zimbabwe are now afraid of the courts due to lack of consistency and partisan conduct.”
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that there is no legal basis for detaining journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Hon. Job Sikhala.
Commenting on the elections in Uganda Hon Biti said Museveni has “outdone himself in stealing elections.”
“Kaguta Museveni has outdone himself this time around. The deranged autocrat rigged so brazenly that his fellow rigsters ,including Biya , Lungu,Conte ,Afwerki,Obiang, Ondimba , Magafuli ,Rwambiwa , Nguesso, Eyadema , Deby & Ouattara have been too embarrassed to congratulate him.”
“With Fadzi’s release we now demand the release of Hopewell Chin’ono a,Job Sikhala and young Alan Moyo.
They are innocent and the illegitimate fascist regime has no legitimate grounds for detaining the same #FreeJobSikhala #FreeHopewell,” added Hon Biti.
A humongous crocodile caused panic at Chiredzi District Hospital on Monday morning after it was spotted in a storm drain at the health facility.
Acting Chiredzi District Hospital medical superintendent Dr David Tarumbwa confirmed the incident but said the reptile did not attack anyone from the time it was spotted at around 4 AM until it was captured and translocated by a team from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority(Zimparks). He said:
It was just a crocodile that was seen within the hospital area around 4 am but it did not attack anyone. No one was injured.
The situation was managed very well and the crocodile was taken by Zimparks and deposited in Chiredzi River.
We thank God that the situation was managed bit a crocodile is dangerous even to a beast(cow) what more to a human being.
I think there’s a need to improve security at institutions like hospitals because there is a lot of movement caused by heavy rains that have been falling.
The development was substantiated by Chiredzi District Administrator and Civil Protection Unit chair Lovemore Chisema.
Chisema refuted claims that huge reptile might be the work of juju, saying it could have strayed from a canal because of rising water levels. He said:
Yes, we woke up this morning(Monday) to a scare over a crocodile that was in a storm drain at Chiredzi Hospital but it didn’t attack anyone until it was removed from the place by a team from Zimparks.
The good thing is that authorities at the hospital managed to make sure the crocodile remained at the same place(storm drain) until it was removed by guys from parks who tool it to Chiredzi River about 16km from the hospital.
Heavy rains have been falling here for days and these animals(crocodiles) even also get confused sometimes so maybe it just strayed from a canal because of rising water levels. I don’t think there is more to it.-The Herald
INJURIES and illness have hit the Warriors camp ahead of tomorrow’s must-win game against Burkina Faso in the ongoing African Nations Championships (Chan) tournament, with five players set to be ruled out, leaving coach Zdravko Logarušić with just 15 infield players to pick from.
Smarting from their 1-0 defeat to hosts Cameroon in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday that left their chances of progressing hanging by a thread, the Zimbabwe coach has got a huge crisis in his camp to deal with.
Richard Hachiro and Ronald Chitiyo,who started the match against the Indomitable Lions, have been ruled out of tomorrow’s match after picking injuries during the game.
Hachiro is struggling with a knee injury, while Chitiyo was substituted later in the game due to an Achilles problem.
Three other players Andrew Mbeba, Qadr Amini and Thomas Chideu will also miss the match due to illness.
The trio were also unavailable for the first game.
This effectively leaves Logarušić with only 15 players at his disposal to choose from a team to face the Stallions, who are equally desperate to win the match after losing 1-0 to Mali in their first Group A match.
“This is a crisis we are faced with,” team manager Wellington Mupandare said yesterday.
“It’s a difficult situation for the coaches now because they don’t have a big pool to choose their squad from for this important match. We have a problem of fitness in the squad because of the problems that we all know, and this development can only complicate things.”
Logarušić had hoped to “refresh” his team for the Burkina Faso clash, but the unavailability of some of his stars will certainly muddle those plans.
This Chan continues to be a nightmarish experience for the Croat, who was forced to pick inactive players for the tournament after last season’s local Premier League failed to start due to COVID-19.
The players had not kicked a ball in a competitive game in over a year.
Then as the team was beginning to intensify their preparations, a bout of the deadly virus hit their camp, affecting nine players and six officials, resulting in discontinuation of training.
Cameroon and Mali top Group A with three points, and the two clash in another match tomorrow with the winner almost assured of a place in the quarter-finals.-NewsDay
“Ours must always be a story of hope. Of citizens who, knowing how ruthless & repressive this regime is, chose courage over inaction.”
As I was about to part ways with my phone to enter police detention, I sent Cee Musandu, my communications director, this message.
She had asked me what she should say. We have been the best of friends since 2016 when we joined #ThisFlag, a citizens’ movement that challenged the poverty, injustice and corruption prevailing under then President Robert Mugabe. The idea was to inspire an engaged citizenry that held the Government to account.
Many amazing and awful things had happened over the last four years but nothing had prepared us for the week that was to come.
It started on the Sunday morning. Two plainclothes police officers in an unmarked vehicle knocked on our gate and asked to see me. When asked what the issue was, they said it was in connection with tweets I had posted protesting police brutality. I had gone to the shops to buy some meds and supplies for the continued lockdown. They left.
As soon as I received the news, my heart sank. Courage does not mean you aren’t afraid. It means you act in spite of your fear. Hopewell Chin’ono and Job Sikhala had been arrested by the Police days earlier on similar charges. “Go seek refuge at a friend’s house,” my little brother suggested. I explained to him that you never run away from the Police. I quickly went back home, assuming that they’d come back. I telephoned David Drury, my old boss, mentor and trusted lawyer of choice.
He advised me to stay put and wait for their return. I waited for what seemed like an eternity. Upon nightfall, Mr Drury said that because the police had not come back, we would have to attend upon Harare Central Police Station first thing in the morning.
At 9am on Monday morning, we were at the Police Station. We waited for an hour before being attended to. They would not immediately confirm or deny whether or why they wanted me pursuant to their visit the day before. Eventually, they confirmed that I was under arrest for my tweets. By 10.50am, I had signed my warned and cautioned statement. The docket was complete.
We figured we would immediately go to court as we were in good time. To our surprise, the detective inspector came in with a detention order and told us to hurry up as we were “behind time.” She had been ordered to hurry up and take me to the cells. Mr Drury appealed with them to take us to court to avoid unnecessary and potentially unlawful pre-trial detention. (This was the first of many appeals he would make to police, prison and court officers in the ensuing seven days.) The officer refused and offered no explanation or reasons to explain why I had to be jailed if the matter was ripe for court.
I was thrown into the all familiar lice-infested police cell with a drop toilet. The proverbial puddle of urine from last time and all the times before greeted me.
Rather, it slapped my face. I was barefoot, having signed my shoes in upon entry as per procedure. There was no sanitizer, no facility to flush the loo, no sink and tap, no toilet paper and no sanitary bin. The blankets smelt of old urine. I shared the cell with 6 other ladies, most of whom were detained for breaching lockdown regulations. And there was Lisa, an alleged armed robber with whom I would make further contact in days to come. We talked, sighed and laughed then fell asleep on their concrete beds and covered ourselves in stained blankets that smelt of a mix of urine, human and dirt.
The next day, I was bundled into the back of a small police truck escorted by nine police officers who breathed on each other and breathed on me. Some wore masks and some wore them incorrectly.
An application was made to challenge my placement on remand on the ground that the Constitutional Court had declared the sections under which I was charged void and on the ground that the initial remand form was insufficient. The Magistrate postponed the handing down of his ruling to Friday. It was Tuesday. I was to be detained at Chikurubi Prison in the meantime.
As I walked up the prison truck in the rain, I slipped and fell. I quickly got back up because, since I was a child, my mother had taught me to get up immediately after a fall, dust myself up and move on. Mr Drury got into the truck to check if I was OK. He brought with him my bucket of supplies – assembled in haste by my siblings. It had all the good stuff – chocolate, candy, nuts, reading material and toiletries most of which I would soon learn were forbidden “inside”.
When we arrived, they told us to eat. Dinner was old sadza and watery beans. I politely declined – partly because I was in no state to eat but mostly because of the rule of caution that I had dished out to many a client when I was on the lawyering end of such an ordeal. The events of the previous two days had frozen my legal brain as I watched constitutional rights bludgeoned and the Supreme Law rendered a lifeless museum piece. I resolved that the only way to make it through this ordeal was to embrace it, follow all orders including the illegal ones and then just make the most of it. “Behave with beauty and dignity at all times,” is the best advice I received that week. We knelt before the prison wardens whom we called “Mbuya”. They took our details then stripped us of all clothing and our bras then handed us our green prison garb. I had a whole prison number – 38/21. My reading material (a YOU magazine and a Newsday newspaper) were taken away for “censoring.” I never got the newspaper back.
We were placed in an isolation cell with no window. Covid positive inmates were housed in the cell next to us. We shared a “toilet” outside lock up time. We were locked in our cell and a 5l container with the top cut off was placed in the corner of the room for us to relieve ourselves that night. The next morning, we were moved to another section. It was a mix of remand prisoners and convicted inmates. Convicted inmates wore yellow. The concrete floor was our mattress. We had to make our beds out of old, dirty, torn, smelly blankets stamped “Parirenyatwa Hospital.” Breakfast was watery porridge and a smidgen of peanut butter with some sugar which inmates had to eat with their fingers because spoons are forbidden.
We went round the room sharing the charges that had brought us in. Curious, I saved my story till last. Murder, murder, murder, murder, armed robbery, theft, armed robbery, lockdown, curfew, lockdown then “tweeting.” They laughed. So did I. One of the inmates in our section was Chipo* who, four years earlier, had axed a man to death in Gutu and started “eating his brain.” She would walk into our cell and pick an inmate up then place her down again. She would rummage through the bin for food, chase rats “to eat” and sometimes snatch people’s food. It was evident to an untrained medical eye that she had no mental capacity to commit a crime.
We were ordered to go and weed the garden. No distinction was drawn between those who were “in with labour”, those on remand and a person in my position who was challenging the very placement on remand. I chose happiness and took it as an opportunity to get some much-needed exercise. When the hoe was passed to me, they said “Fadzie, scrape don’t dig. This is weeding.”
I made many friends because humanity is wired towards positivity. People in distress tend to make the most of tough situations united by our basic human instincts that want dignity, freedom, community and progress. I helped many fill out their bail application forms and dished out legal advice on available defences to many who requested it. I encouraged those who had done bad things to live right as soon as they got out. Story after story made me reflect on my own personal circumstances and feel grateful for God’s many mercies.
Mr Drury, Emma Drury, my fellow advocates from Chambers, Harrison Nkomo, Rose Hanzi and Tino from ZLHR all came to visit me. I lived for those visits. Sometimes, I’d stand lifeless at the window of my cell staring at the gate in anticipation that someone would show up. Mr Drury showed up everyday – a lawyer of immense distinction, integrity and honour who had taught me the ABC’s of court litigation, legal drafting and client management as we fought several land and human rights cases over a decade ago when I was a junior lawyer at Gollop and Blank was now plying his trade on me. I was confused as to how it had got to this but at the same time, reassured that I was in extremely capable hands. I nearly shed a tear when he pledged his own title deeds as he moved my bail application. “Your worship, I know her and can vouch for her. I’m prepared to put my head on the block because I know she won’t abscond.”
“Please tell my mom to stop crying,” I repeatedly said to everyone who visited. My parents, brothers and sisters are gladiators. Family is life.
Every day at lock-up time, I sat at my window and watched the skyline change from blue to a beautiful golden-peachy hue. The quiet beauty of the setting sun descending below the horizon was a peaceful reminder that the whole thing would eventually end. At least I hoped. I had mentally prepared for this to go on for weeks.
After seven interminable nights of incarceration, the court granted bail. I stepped out of the prison truck and knelt before the prison wardens one last time, crying internal tears of joy that the sun had finally set on this ordeal. I also remain hopeful that one day, the sun will set on injustice and repression. Until then, I will always choose courage over inaction.
I will never stop imagining that Zimbabwe will one day be free.
Warriors skipper Ian Nekati has rallied his teammates and urged them to put 100% effort to collect maximum points when they play Burkina Faso tomorrow.
Zdravko Logarusic’s charges lost their first Group A clash against hosts Cameroon 0-1 last Saturday and desperately need a win in the second match to brighten their chances of progressing to the next round of the rescheduled bianual football spectacle, reserved exclusively for locally-based players.
The Chicken Inn right back has urged his teammates to go for the kill in search of three points.
“We are going to be positive and tichawedzera attack yedu because we need goals kuti tiende mberi,” he told local broadcaster ZBC TV.
“Sa captain ndakagara nevakomana and told them how important the game is, and munhu wese anofanirwa kuisa 100%.”-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Ronald Koeman has defended Lionel Messi after the Barcelona captain received a red card in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final to Athletic Bilbao.
The 33-year old was expelled in last minute of regulation time following a VAR intervention when he struck Asier Villalibre in an off-the-ball incident as frustration got the better of him. The red card was his first in his senior Barca career.
The team went on to lose the match 3-2 after extra time.
Speaking after the match, Koeman said: “I can understand what Messi did.
“I don’t know how many times they fouled him, and it’s normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.”
Given the red card was shown for violent conduct, Messi is likely to face a four-game ban across La Liga and the Copa del Rey.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Zimbabweans had gotten used to seeing the name Tino Kadewere on the scoresheet for Olympique Lyon so much so that some thinks its abnormal for him to play three games without finding the back of the net.
It’s perhaps a case of a man being a victim of his own brilliance or fans believing in him too much to argue that three games is too much football played for him to not score. Whichever the case is, the lanky striker is on ”rough patch” according some.
Yesterday’s 0-1 loss to Meltz, which he started and lasted until the 76th minute, was the third consecutive game he has not found the back of the net for Rudi Garcia’s side.
Understandably for the Zimbabwean football-loving public, since the Highfield bred star opened his Lyon account in the 3-2 win over Strasbourg on the 18th of October last year, he has not played for 270 minutes without scoring, as is the case now but equally factual is the fact that in that same period, his striker partner, Cameroonian Karl Toko Ekambi, with whom he has formed a lethal attack together with captain Memphis Depay, has not scored either.
Of the the trio, only Depay has scored in the last three games; the Dutch whiz with three strikes to his name- a brace against Lens and one against Rennes.
The bright side is that few initially believed the Warriors star can command a regular place in the star-studded Lyon attack but he has defied those odds to do so hence any sane person can bet his last cent that he can recover his goal scoring touch.
Worryingly for him though, the departure of Mousa Dembele to Atletico Madrid might have been something everyone affiliated to Kadewere wanted, but it also resulted in Algerian striker Islam Slamini joining the club.
Competition will obviously be the order of the day as Slimani seeks to revive his career, which is why it is important for Tino to pull up his socks.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that there is no legal basis for detaining journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Hon. Job Sikhala.
Commenting on the elections in Uganda Hon Biti said Museveni has “outdone himself in stealing elections.”
“Kaguta Museveni has outdone himself this time around. The deranged autocrat rigged so brazenly that his fellow rigsters ,including Biya , Lungu,Conte ,Afwerki,Obiang, Ondimba , Magafuli ,Rwambiwa , Nguesso, Eyadema , Deby & Ouattara have been too embarrassed to congratulate him.”
“With Fadzi’s release we now demand the release of Hopewell Chin’ono a,Job Sikhala and young Alan Moyo.
They are innocent and the illegitimate fascist regime has no legitimate grounds for detaining the same #FreeJobSikhala #FreeHopewell,” added Hon Biti.
Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic is targeting maximum points against Burkina Faso on Wednesday.
The Warriors suffered a 1-0 loss to Cameroon in their opening match of the African Championship (CHAN) and are currently on the bottom of Group A.
Logarusic is now looking to pick his first points against the Stallions.
“The Burkina Faso game is different altogether,” he said. “We know for certain that even a draw may not be enough at the end judging from where we want to be at the end of the tournament.
“We will adjust obviously. Burkina Faso are not Cameroon. We are all playing away from home and we will punch hard. We need a result and I have told the boys to go at them right from the start.”
Kick-off is at 9 pm Zimbabwean time.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance vice president, Hon Tendai Biti has pointed out that there is no legal basis for detaining journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and Hon. Job Sikhala.
Commenting on the elections in Uganda Hon Biti said Museveni has “outdone himself in stealing elections.”
“Kaguta Museveni has outdone himself this time around. The deranged autocrat rigged so brazenly that his fellow rigsters ,including Biya , Lungu,Conte ,Afwerki,Obiang, Ondimba , Magafuli ,Rwambiwa , Nguesso, Eyadema , Deby & Ouattara have been too embarrassed to congratulate him.”
“With Fadzi’s release we now demand the release of Hopewell Chin’ono a,Job Sikhala and young Alan Moyo.
They are innocent and the illegitimate fascist regime has no legitimate grounds for detaining the same #FreeJobSikhala #FreeHopewell,” added Hon Biti.
Own Correspondent| A prominent Masvingo vendor, Mbuya Gamuchirai has sensationally claimed she recently reconciled with her lover who abandoned her at 16.
Mbuya Gamuchirai is known for selling groceries and second hand clothes.
Said Mbuya Gamuchirai: “I’m so happy after witnessing the unbelievable miracle.
Some people might say prophet Isaac Makomichi is a witch but my story is different.
I got pregnant when I was 16 and the father of the child abandoned me.
Since that time,I have been trying to get married but I failed.
I visited Prophet Isaac Makomichi and he gave me some oil. After using the oil for two weeks I began to see positive results.Now I am relieved because I reconciled with my man.
I thank the God of Prophet Isaac Makomichi.”
Church leaders insist Makomichi’s spiritual power is not from God.
The Emergency Committee will be reconvened within three months, at the discretion of the Director-General.
The Director-General thanked the Committee for its work.
Advice to the WHO Secretariat:
SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Continue to work with partners to develop standardized definitions and nomenclature of SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, based on their genetic sequence, that avoids stigmatization and is geographically and politically neutral. Provide clear information to State Parties on what constitutes a variant of concern.
Continue to increase worldwide capacities for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing and genetic sequencing, in line with WHO guidance, and encourage rapid sharing of sequences and meta-data to strengthen monitoring of virus evolution and to increase global understanding of variants and their effects on vaccine, therapeutics and diagnostic efficacy. Strengthen the SARS-CoV-2 risk monitoring framework for variants by accelerating collaboration and harmonizing research to answer critical unknowns about specific mutations and variants, through relevant networks and expert groups such as WHO SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution Working Group and the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics. COVID-19 Vaccines
Accelerate research on critical unknowns about COVID-19 vaccination efficacy on transmission, duration of protection against severe disease and asymptomatic infection, duration of immunity (following infection or vaccination), long-term protection after using different vaccination intervals, protection after a single dose, and vaccination regimes, in line with the SAGE and the Research and Development Blueprint recommendations. Promote global solidarity and equitable vaccine access by encouraging States Parties and manufacturers to donate resources and provide support to the COVAX Facility. Promote technology transfer to low- and middle- income countries with the potential capacity to accelerate global production of COVID-19 vaccines. Support State Parties, including fragile states, in preparing for COVID-19 vaccine introduction by developing a national deployment and vaccination plan, in line with WHO guidance, that addresses barriers to COVID-19 vaccine readiness. Such planning should include prioritization of populations, regulatory authorization, supply and logistics preparation, indemnification and liability, health workforce planning, and access for humanitarian and vulnerable population. Health Measures in Relation to International Traffic
Lead development of risk-based international standards and guidance for reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission related to international travel (by air, land, and sea) based on current science and good practices that include clear recommendations for testing approaches and quarantine duration as appropriate. The guidance should additionally include advice on adapting those measure to specific risk settings, including movements of migrants, temporary workers, travellers and conveyance operators. Rapidly develop and disseminate the WHO policy position on the legal, ethical, scientific, and technological considerations related to requirements for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travelers, in accordance with relevant IHR provisions. Coordinate with relevant stakeholders the development of standards for digital documentation of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures ,that can be implemented on interoperable digital platforms. This should include vaccination status in preparation for widespread vaccine access. Encourage States Parties to implement coordinated, time-limited, risk-based, and evidence-based approaches for health measures in relation to international travel.
Evidence-Based Response Strategies
Continue to rapidly provide and regularly update evidence-based advice; guidance; tools; and resources, including regular dissemination of resources to combat misinformation for COVID-19, to enhance evidence-based COVID-19 preparedness and response strategies and implementation of such strategies.
Surveillance
Continue to actively support countries to further strengthen their SARS-CoV-2 surveillance systems, including strategic use of genetic sequencing, by leveraging existing systems such as the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and relevant networks for systematic sharing of data and specimens.
Strengthening Health Systems
Provide strategic insight on how State Parties can sustain the public health infrastructure, capacities, and functions developed for COVID-19 response to support strengthened health systems and universal health coverage in the long-term…
Credit:WHO
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