https://twitter.com/Amaikita/status/1351461101599395840?s=20

pic.twitter.com/dclwkWhw6T

— Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe (@ChineseZimbabwe) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement saying it is not fair to hold the entire Chinese community over a 25seconds video published below.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1351088348035751938?s=20

We publish below the developments which led to the above video as published by a local publication, Newsday:

Two mine workers at the Fools Investment Mine in Hope Fountain, which is just outside Bulawayo, were last Saturday assaulted by their Chinese employer after they demanded payment of their outstanding wages.

Their employer, Zhong Yi Zhang allegedly owes workers’ wages backdated to July last year.

Some of the affected workers, who spoke to Southern Eye, but refused to be named, said they feared victimisation.

They alleged that Yi Zhang is abusing them.

“These guys are just beating people; yesterday (Saturday) he (Yi Zhang) assaulted two workers.

“We made a police report at Waterford in Bulawayo, and the Chinese rushed to Hillside Police Station in a bid to block any legal action against them,” one of the mine workers said.

“Two people were assaulted, after several workers gathered to demand their salaries which are outstanding from July last year.

“The workers were asking for a written agreement on how they will recover their outstanding money. Those who were assaulted are Constan Masa and Tatenda Mangena,” he said.
As a result of beatings, Mangena is said to have sustained injuries on the arm, while Masa was injured on his private parts.

The workers alleged that the Chinese employer pays them any amount that he deems fit, instead of paying their stipulated wages.

Fools Investment Mine manager Thabani Masuku confirmed the incident, adding that it stemmed from a petition which the workers submitted last Friday.

“They were asking for their money and they had submitted a petition saying their concerns should be looked into by January 31 before they take action on the employer,” Masuku said.

“I took the petition to the director, and he said he will look into it. He later sent away the workers who had gathered.

“The next day (Saturday), he assigned some workers to work, but other employees stopped them from performing the duties, saying they must wait until workers’ grievances are addressed.”

Masuku said the Chinese director then started taking pictures and when the workers asked him why he was doing that a scuffle ensued.

“He attacked the workers with fists and later took a shovel which he used to attack one of the workers and injured him on the arm.

“During the scuffle, a security guard fired a shot and the mine director rushed to the office and brought a gun which he pointed at Masa, before calming down and handing it to the guard,” he said.

In their petition, the workers demanded a timeframe for the supply of personnel protective equipment, since they had none.

They also demanded backdated pay to July 2020.

Other demands included provision of information on pay dates, and that their salaries must be paid in US dollars.

National Union of Mines Quarrying, Iron and Steel Workers of Zimbabwe regional officer Abraham Kavalanjila confirmed the incident.

“We condemn this barbaric act by these employers. The law has to take its course. No one is above the law. We will not allow such behaviour targeted at workers. There must be no racial discrimination, the Labour Act is clear.

“As a union we will work 24 hours a day and seven days a week until this matter is resolved in terms of the law,” Kavalanjila said.

Zhang’s spokesperson Han Le’s phone was not reachable.

Bulawayo Police spokesperson, Inspector Abednicho Ncube referred Southern Eye to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking calls.

By Wilbert Mukori- There is no denying that Zimbabwe is in a serious economic and political mess. Anyone with half a working brain would tell you Zimbabwe’s problems are, above all else, man-made problems and all emanating from bad governance. 

The very fact that the economic and political mess is a man-made problem offers one hope; a man-made problem has a man-made solution. What is the solution?

Well, that is the trillion dollar question.

However, what I do know with certainty is that Zanu PF and MDC leaders are not the solution to our problem. I know that because they are the ones who landed us into this mess and after 40 years of dragging us deeper and deeper into the abyss it is naive to still belief they can get us out of the mess. 

If Zanu PF and MDC leaders are so clever as to lead us out of the mess, then why did they, Zanu PF, drag us into the mess in the first place. And, in the case of MDC, have they failed to do so these last 20 years, 5 of which they were in the 2008 to 2013 GNU. 

Of course, it is insane to repeat the same thing over and over again, for 40  and 20 years and counting, and expect a different result. And yet there are some “experts” egging to repeat the same foolishness once again!

“This is best time for Mnangagwa, Mwonzora and Chamisa to sit down together,” argued Daily News and rolled out their so-called experts. 

“These three are the key political players in that Chamisa is very popular and that Mnangagwa prefers to see Mwonzora as the official opposition leader,” argued University of Zimbabwe political analyst, Eldred Masunungure.

“If the mood of talking to each other like all the sides want to portray is there, that would be the most progressive way to push forward a national agenda that is not partisan.”

The last political dialogue between these political leaders ended with the 2008 to 2013 Government of National Unity (GNU) whose principle task was to implement the democratic reforms. They failed to implement even one reform in five years! 

If is one thing to keep wittering on and on about having the same politicians in yet another GNU but what is there to suggest they will do any better!

“The dialogue has to concern not just political issues, but economic ones as well. It will take a very long time for Zimbabwe to recover sufficient economic stability to act as a platform for multi-sector growth,” advised Stephen Chan, Professor of World Politics at the London School of Oriental and African Studies.

At least the 2008 to 2013 GNU had a clear objective; “to implement the democratic reforms necessary to ensure the blatant cheating and wanton violence of the 2008 elections are not repeated ever again”! Since Mnangagwa insists the July 2018 elections were “free, fair and credible”, it was doubtful if anyone was ever going to get the new GNU to implementing any meaningful political reforms. And Professor Chan, in his infantile wisdom is giving the GNU an excuse for shelving political reforms – focus on the economy.

So Professor Chan, is the new GNU going to follow Zanu PF economic policies, as articulated in the party’s Vision 2030 or is it the MDC’s RELOAD or whatever? If it is Vision 2030, why has Zanu PF failed to implement its policies since it has 2/3 parliamentary majority already and does not need the opposition? 

Even if RELOAD were the right economic policies and the country was to enjoy similar economic recovery as in the 2008 to 2013 GNU, the economic had a 12% growth rate in 2009 from a – ve 6% the previous year; at the end of the GNU Zanu PF got back into power because no meaningful political reforms were implemented. History will repeat itself again! 

The root cause of Zimbabwe’s economic mess and political paralysis is the country’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections. The nation has been stuck with a corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF regime for 40 years and counting because the party rigged elections to stay in power. Not many people understand that reality and even few dare to acknowledge it in their proposed solution.

The 2008 to 2013 GNU’s greatest promise as a solution to end the Zimbabwe economic and political crisis was the acceptance by SADC leaders that the 2008 elections were not free, fair and credible. The GNU was tasked to implement a raft of democratic reforms to ensure future elections are free, fair and credible. 

Sadly, none of the political leaders in both Zanu PF and the two MDC factions in the GNU had the vision nor political will and courage to implement the reforms. And ever since the GNU, MDC leaders have given up the hope of getting the reforms implemented and have participated in flawed and illegal elections knowing fully well that by doing so they would give legitimacy to the vote rigging Zanu PF regime. 

Zanu PF has allowed the opposition to win a few gravy train seats, a bribe MDC leaders have found irresistible. 

By blatantly rigging the July 2018 elections Mnangagwa confirmed that Zimbabwe was still a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote rigging thugs – same as it was under Mugabe. His “Zimbabwe is open for business!” mantra was died in the water because investors are a shrewd and savvy lot, they do not do business in a pariah state.

The two University intellectuals’ rolled out by the Daily News proposed solution is doomed to fail because it is premised on cheap deception. The proposed new GNU of Zanu PF and MDC is nothing but the vote rigging Zanu PF dictatorship with MDC leaders added in as window dressing mannequin. The shrewd and savvy investors will never be fooled by that, they will know the GNU is the same Zanu PF pariah state by another name.

Zanu PF and MDC leaders will never implement the democratic reforms to end the curse of rigged elections and bad governance. Never! They had the best opportunity to do so during the 2008 to 2013 GNU and they wasted it. 

Just because Zanu PF and MDC leaders failed to implement the democratic reforms does not mean the reforms are no longer necessary. They are our only ticket out of this economic and political hell-on-earth we have been stuck in for four decades now!    

Just because Zanu PF and MDC leaders have proven beyond all doubt that they are corrupt and incompetent and will never ever implement the democratic reforms does not mean no one else can do it. Of course, there are hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans who understand what the reforms are about and have the knowledge and vision to have the reforms implemented. 

What has stopped the country appointing the body of visionary leaders to implement the reforms is the ordinary people themselves; they have been very slow in understand that MDC leaders, much less Zanu PF, will never implement the democratic reforms. Even after the MDC leaders failed to implement the reforms during the 2008 to 2013 GNU, the people have continues to follow the party blindly like sheep to the slaughter. 

The people have not searched for the competent leaders to implement the reforms because they believe, even now with all the benefit of hindsight, that MDC leaders will deliver democratic change. And having people like Masunungure and Chan bombarding them with all this nonsense of a new Zanu PF and MDC GNU as a solution has only helped to confuse povo and not enlighten them! 

Of course, it is infuriating that the goal for free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe has been made that much harder to attain by not just the Zanu PF tyrants but by the opposition MDC sell-outs and many others masquerading as intellectuals, independent media, etc. 

After 40 years and counting of rigged elections; we must either implement the reforms to ensure Zimbabwe’s next elections are free, fair and credible. Or the elections must be declared null and void to create the political space for the appointment of the body that will implement the reforms. This is not too much to ask! 

By A Correspondent- A woman who, allegedly assisted her boyfriend to rape her 13 year old daughter, was yesterday granted bail along with her lover by the Bulawayo High Court.

The woman (48) and her lover (36), both of Matopo district in Matabeleland South province, were released on $2 000 bail each by High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa.

He remanded their case to February 18, for trial.

The names of the accused are withheld to protect the identity of the victim.

The court heard that sometime in 2014, the two lovers had a child. They then connived that during the period, the boyfriend would sleep with the 13 year old minor.

The girl would sleep with her mother in the kitchen, but later, the man would sneak into their blankets and rape her.

This is said to have happened several times under her mother’s watch until she fell pregnant.

Allegations are that at times the mother would allegedly also order the girl to go to her boyfriend’s home regularly to sleep with him.

After the girl fell pregnant, her relatives then made a report to the police, which led to the arrest of the two lovers.

Any employer, supervisor or manager who assault workers should be arrested‼️

Employers should pursue non violent but fair disciplinary procedures when not happy with the actions of their employees. pic.twitter.com/dmqbnOSIPY

— ?? ZANU PF PATRIOTS ?? (@zanupf_patriots) January 19, 2021

pic.twitter.com/dclwkWhw6T

— Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe (@ChineseZimbabwe) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement saying it is not fair to hold the entire Chinese community over a 25seconds video published below.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1351088348035751938?s=20

We publish below the developments which led to the above video as published by a local publication, Newsday:

Two mine workers at the Fools Investment Mine in Hope Fountain, which is just outside Bulawayo, were last Saturday assaulted by their Chinese employer after they demanded payment of their outstanding wages.

Their employer, Zhong Yi Zhang allegedly owes workers’ wages backdated to July last year.

Some of the affected workers, who spoke to Southern Eye, but refused to be named, said they feared victimisation.

They alleged that Yi Zhang is abusing them.

“These guys are just beating people; yesterday (Saturday) he (Yi Zhang) assaulted two workers.

“We made a police report at Waterford in Bulawayo, and the Chinese rushed to Hillside Police Station in a bid to block any legal action against them,” one of the mine workers said.

“Two people were assaulted, after several workers gathered to demand their salaries which are outstanding from July last year.

“The workers were asking for a written agreement on how they will recover their outstanding money. Those who were assaulted are Constan Masa and Tatenda Mangena,” he said.

As a result of beatings, Mangena is said to have sustained injuries on the arm, while Masa was injured on his private parts.

The workers alleged that the Chinese employer pays them any amount that he deems fit, instead of paying their stipulated wages.

Fools Investment Mine manager Thabani Masuku confirmed the incident, adding that it stemmed from a petition which the workers submitted last Friday.

“They were asking for their money and they had submitted a petition saying their concerns should be looked into by January 31 before they take action on the employer,” Masuku said.

“I took the petition to the director, and he said he will look into it. He later sent away the workers who had gathered.

“The next day (Saturday), he assigned some workers to work, but other employees stopped them from performing the duties, saying they must wait until workers’ grievances are addressed.”

Masuku said the Chinese director then started taking pictures and when the workers asked him why he was doing that a scuffle ensued.

“He attacked the workers with fists and later took a shovel which he used to attack one of the workers and injured him on the arm.

“During the scuffle, a security guard fired a shot and the mine director rushed to the office and brought a gun which he pointed at Masa, before calming down and handing it to the guard,” he said.

In their petition, the workers demanded a timeframe for the supply of personnel protective equipment, since they had none.

They also demanded backdated pay to July 2020.

Other demands included provision of information on pay dates, and that their salaries must be paid in US dollars.

National Union of Mines Quarrying, Iron and Steel Workers of Zimbabwe regional officer Abraham Kavalanjila confirmed the incident.

“We condemn this barbaric act by these employers. The law has to take its course. No one is above the law. We will not allow such behaviour targeted at workers. There must be no racial discrimination, the Labour Act is clear.

“As a union we will work 24 hours a day and seven days a week until this matter is resolved in terms of the law,” Kavalanjila said.

Zhang’s spokesperson Han Le’s phone was not reachable.

Bulawayo Police spokesperson, Inspector Abednicho Ncube referred Southern Eye to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking calls.

Any employer, supervisor or manager who assault workers should be arrested‼️

Employers should pursue non violent but fair disciplinary procedures when not happy with the actions of their employees. pic.twitter.com/dmqbnOSIPY

— ?? ZANU PF PATRIOTS ?? (@zanupf_patriots) January 19, 2021

pic.twitter.com/dclwkWhw6T

— Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe (@ChineseZimbabwe) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement saying it is not fair to hold the entire Chinese community over a 25seconds video published below.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1351088348035751938?s=20

We publish below the developments which led to the above video as published by a local publication, Newsday:

Two mine workers at the Fools Investment Mine in Hope Fountain, which is just outside Bulawayo, were last Saturday assaulted by their Chinese employer after they demanded payment of their outstanding wages.

Their employer, Zhong Yi Zhang allegedly owes workers’ wages backdated to July last year.

Some of the affected workers, who spoke to Southern Eye, but refused to be named, said they feared victimisation.

They alleged that Yi Zhang is abusing them.

“These guys are just beating people; yesterday (Saturday) he (Yi Zhang) assaulted two workers.

“We made a police report at Waterford in Bulawayo, and the Chinese rushed to Hillside Police Station in a bid to block any legal action against them,” one of the mine workers said.

“Two people were assaulted, after several workers gathered to demand their salaries which are outstanding from July last year.

“The workers were asking for a written agreement on how they will recover their outstanding money. Those who were assaulted are Constan Masa and Tatenda Mangena,” he said.

As a result of beatings, Mangena is said to have sustained injuries on the arm, while Masa was injured on his private parts.

The workers alleged that the Chinese employer pays them any amount that he deems fit, instead of paying their stipulated wages.

Fools Investment Mine manager Thabani Masuku confirmed the incident, adding that it stemmed from a petition which the workers submitted last Friday.

“They were asking for their money and they had submitted a petition saying their concerns should be looked into by January 31 before they take action on the employer,” Masuku said.

“I took the petition to the director, and he said he will look into it. He later sent away the workers who had gathered.

“The next day (Saturday), he assigned some workers to work, but other employees stopped them from performing the duties, saying they must wait until workers’ grievances are addressed.”

Masuku said the Chinese director then started taking pictures and when the workers asked him why he was doing that a scuffle ensued.

“He attacked the workers with fists and later took a shovel which he used to attack one of the workers and injured him on the arm.

“During the scuffle, a security guard fired a shot and the mine director rushed to the office and brought a gun which he pointed at Masa, before calming down and handing it to the guard,” he said.

In their petition, the workers demanded a timeframe for the supply of personnel protective equipment, since they had none.

They also demanded backdated pay to July 2020.

Other demands included provision of information on pay dates, and that their salaries must be paid in US dollars.

National Union of Mines Quarrying, Iron and Steel Workers of Zimbabwe regional officer Abraham Kavalanjila confirmed the incident.

“We condemn this barbaric act by these employers. The law has to take its course. No one is above the law. We will not allow such behaviour targeted at workers. There must be no racial discrimination, the Labour Act is clear.

“As a union we will work 24 hours a day and seven days a week until this matter is resolved in terms of the law,” Kavalanjila said.

Zhang’s spokesperson Han Le’s phone was not reachable.

Bulawayo Police spokesperson, Inspector Abednicho Ncube referred Southern Eye to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking calls.

pic.twitter.com/dclwkWhw6T

— Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe (@ChineseZimbabwe) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement saying it is not fair to hold the entire Chinese community over a 25seconds video published below.

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1351088348035751938?s=20

We publish below the developments which led to the above video as published by a local publication, Newsday:

Two mine workers at the Fools Investment Mine in Hope Fountain, which is just outside Bulawayo, were last Saturday assaulted by their Chinese employer after they demanded payment of their outstanding wages.

Their employer, Zhong Yi Zhang allegedly owes workers’ wages backdated to July last year.

Some of the affected workers, who spoke to Southern Eye, but refused to be named, said they feared victimisation.

They alleged that Yi Zhang is abusing them.

“These guys are just beating people; yesterday (Saturday) he (Yi Zhang) assaulted two workers.

“We made a police report at Waterford in Bulawayo, and the Chinese rushed to Hillside Police Station in a bid to block any legal action against them,” one of the mine workers said.

“Two people were assaulted, after several workers gathered to demand their salaries which are outstanding from July last year.

“The workers were asking for a written agreement on how they will recover their outstanding money. Those who were assaulted are Constan Masa and Tatenda Mangena,” he said.
As a result of beatings, Mangena is said to have sustained injuries on the arm, while Masa was injured on his private parts.

The workers alleged that the Chinese employer pays them any amount that he deems fit, instead of paying their stipulated wages.

Fools Investment Mine manager Thabani Masuku confirmed the incident, adding that it stemmed from a petition which the workers submitted last Friday.

“They were asking for their money and they had submitted a petition saying their concerns should be looked into by January 31 before they take action on the employer,” Masuku said.

“I took the petition to the director, and he said he will look into it. He later sent away the workers who had gathered.

“The next day (Saturday), he assigned some workers to work, but other employees stopped them from performing the duties, saying they must wait until workers’ grievances are addressed.”

Masuku said the Chinese director then started taking pictures and when the workers asked him why he was doing that a scuffle ensued.

“He attacked the workers with fists and later took a shovel which he used to attack one of the workers and injured him on the arm.

“During the scuffle, a security guard fired a shot and the mine director rushed to the office and brought a gun which he pointed at Masa, before calming down and handing it to the guard,” he said.

In their petition, the workers demanded a timeframe for the supply of personnel protective equipment, since they had none.

They also demanded backdated pay to July 2020.

Other demands included provision of information on pay dates, and that their salaries must be paid in US dollars.

National Union of Mines Quarrying, Iron and Steel Workers of Zimbabwe regional officer Abraham Kavalanjila confirmed the incident.

“We condemn this barbaric act by these employers. The law has to take its course. No one is above the law. We will not allow such behaviour targeted at workers. There must be no racial discrimination, the Labour Act is clear.

“As a union we will work 24 hours a day and seven days a week until this matter is resolved in terms of the law,” Kavalanjila said.

Zhang’s spokesperson Han Le’s phone was not reachable.

Bulawayo Police spokesperson, Inspector Abednicho Ncube referred Southern Eye to national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who was not picking calls.

By A Correspondent- Former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Jonathan Moyo says he regrets comments he made during his time as Minister of Information about the disappearance of Itai Dzamara in 2015.

Moyo who is in exile said his comments were informed by a security report that had been presented to Cabinet by then Minister of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi.

Mohadi is reported to have told Cabinet that Dzamara’s disappearance was staged to put pressure on the Zanu-PF government.

Speaking to Q Dube on Magamba TV’s Take Down, Professor Moyo said, “Where is he, I wish I knew where he is, the record will show that when he disappeared in 2015, I was Minister of Information, and in May 2015 in an interview on Hard Talk, I made remarks about him or his whereabouts which were most unfortunate and very regrettable and I expressed my regret while I was still in government in June 2016,” he said.

According to Professor Moyo, Kembo Mohadi as Minister of Home Affairs had given a report in Cabinet on behalf of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Joint Operation Command that the Dzamara issue was meant to pressure the government.

“…their report to us in Cabinet was that Itai had disappeared as an internal job to put pressure on the government and we had to find a way of presenting that view.

“But still when we were in government it became obvious that in fact he had been abducted and had been abducted by the security organs and the question is was it a JOC abduction, or a CIO abduction

“What you and Zimbabweans must know is that there is no crime, serious crime involving a disappearance or murder or abduction that is not resolved in Zimbabwe unless it is done by the security forces.

“The only crimes of that nature that have never been resolved in Zimbabwe have been done by the state and we can count them, right from the days of Gukurahundi, from the Majonga issue, Rashiwe Guzha, Cain Nkala, Jestina Mukoko, all these people up to now.

“What happened to young Tawanda Muchehiwa those crimes that are not resolved of that nature without exception are perpetrated by the state security organs, either one of them or all of them in a joint operation and there is a common pattern about them, the way the abductees go,” he said.

Moyo who is also a critic of the Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime highlighted that his father abducted in the same manner as with the others, before being tortured and killed.

“My own Father was abducted, tortured and murdered when the Gukurahundi 5th Brigade was first deployed, its very first action in January 1983.

“The very action of Gukurahundi were to abduct, torture and murder people in Tsholotsho, its first area of operation was in Tsholotsho, that patten has continued to this day and the people on the ground, the field operatives, the enforcers who were behind those atrocities are the one who are now in charge of the political system and Zimbabweans need to treat these issues with the seriousness they deserve,” he said.

Dzamara who was a critic of the late President Robert Mugabe was reportedly abducted from a barbershop by men believed to be CIOs who were travelling in unmarked twin-cab vehicles.

Despite many campaigns calling for his return, both the regimes of Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa have been reluctant to bring the issue to finality.

-openparly

By A Correspondent- With just two weeks into the tightened lockdown, locals are already showing signs of fatigue if the clash between media personality MisRed and raunchy dancer, Bev Sibanda today is anything to go by.

What seemed like an innocent tweet by MisRed where she insinuated that Bev Sibanda was not the dancer’s real name, ended up getting really messy as Bev did not take this kindly.

“Ah, so Ray isn’t your actual actual name. It’s like the day I found out that Bev Sibanda isn’t her real name. I’m shook,” tweeted MisRed after realising that comedian, Ray Vines name is actually Melusi Chiripowako.

Bev who has been under the radar mainly due to the lockdown clearly did not like MisRed’s sentiments at all and resurfaced to defend herself. In true Bev style, she came out with all her weapons, mudslinging and body shaming MisRed in the process.

“MisRed, zvikumbo zvinenge chimwana chenzou,” responded Bev with an image of her ID which proved that her birth name is indeed Beverly Sibanda.

Due to a lack of entertainment, people were excited by this clash with some like former minister, Fortune Chasi watering the clash by making it comical.

“MisRed, you were not in my corner during that match. Now look I won,” tweeted Chasi.

MisRed who has become a common victim of such clashes on social media seems to have adapted as she apologised to Bev timely for offending her. Thereafter, she proudly posted an image of her thighs and tweeted: “shout out to all the girls with baby elephant sized thighs”.

Following this clash, it has become apparent that locals are hungry for entertainment and personalities may want to start giving them the desired content because after all, that, according to last year’s happenings, is the only way that one can remain relevant during the lockdown. With little or no controversy, one can easily be forgotten.

Media watchdog, MISA Zimbabwe has filed an urgent High Court application for an order compelling key government ministries, Health under acting President Constantino Chiwenga, and Information, to disseminate information on ongoing Covid-19 testing, isolation and treatment programmes.

More to follow…

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

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has implored the people of Zimbabwe to remain patient and optimistic because change is inevitable.

President Chamisa was speaking at the burial of Advocate Thabani Mpofu’s father at weekend.

According to President Chamisa, no mortal being has the power to stop change.

“We are here to pay tribute to our father.We have lost a pillar of strength.

My message to you is simple and direct- God will redeem Zimbabwe.

We should not lose hope, as they say, there is light at end of the tunnel.

No mortal being can stop change.Don’t be afraid of what is surrounding you- even a crocodile should not intimidate you,” said President Chamisa.

“We know that COVID-19 is upon us but let’s have faith in Christ Jesus.We are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has implored the people of Zimbabwe to remain patient and optimistic because change is inevitable.

President Chamisa was speaking at the burial of Advocate Thabani Mpofu’s father at weekend.

According to President Chamisa, no mortal being has the power to stop change.

“We are here to pay tribute to our father.We have lost a pillar of strength.

My message to you is simple and direct- God will redeem Zimbabwe.

We should not lose hope, as they say, there is light at end of the tunnel.

No mortal being can stop change.Don’t be afraid of what is surrounding you- even a crocodile should not intimidate you,” said President Chamisa.

“We know that COVID-19 is upon us but let’s have faith in Christ Jesus.We are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Tinashe Sambiri|Fearless MDC Alliance vice chairperson Hon .Job Sikhala has said the whole system running State affairs is congested with idiots.

Hon. Sikhala made the remarks as he was being dragged to remand prison in leg irons last week.

Speaking to reporters just before being whisked away by the prisons van, Hon Sikhala said:

” Zimbabwe shall be free one day.Freedom is coming.

They think they can break our spirits by arresting us, that will never happen.

Nothing will stop us from fighting for the freedom of the people of Zimbabwe.

The whole system is congested with idiots.We are ready to push for change.

Chibabalest @fortunechasi :
"…But I just have a question for you: when you were talking with Mai Muchinguri, while crying, were you really crying or you were just trying to extract information? @schikanza answers: "… I was doing more than crying… " pic.twitter.com/3ghqw597YM

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 18, 2021

ZANU PF CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBER DEMANDS THAT THE MUCHINGURI INTERVIEW BE DELETED – SHOULD WE DELETE?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 17, 2021

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has implored the people of Zimbabwe to remain patient and optimistic because change is inevitable.

President Chamisa was speaking at the burial of Advocate Thabani Mpofu’s father at weekend.

According to President Chamisa, no mortal being has the power to stop change.

“We are here to pay tribute to our father.We have lost a pillar of strength.

My message to you is simple and direct- God will redeem Zimbabwe.

We should not lose hope, as they say, there is light at end of the tunnel.

No mortal being can stop change.Don’t be afraid of what is surrounding you- even a crocodile should not intimidate you,” said President Chamisa.

“We know that COVID-19 is upon us but let’s have faith in Christ Jesus.We are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

"the problem that we have is when a person is very powerful in politics they don't want to see him, so as they are saying Chinotimba is sick, with COVID, I am here, I am straight, straight here, no COVID no what. I'm the people's Chinos, those who wish me dead will be 1st to go" pic.twitter.com/59joiPyHRv

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 18, 2021

WATCH VIDEO- As car is swept away while trying to cross a flooded river. Where is this? pic.twitter.com/rSkqw53QCt

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 18, 2021

Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has implored the people of Zimbabwe to remain patient and optimistic because change is inevitable.

President Chamisa was speaking at the burial of Advocate Thabani Mpofu’s father at weekend.

According to President Chamisa, no mortal being has the power to stop change.

“We are here to pay tribute to our father.We have lost a pillar of strength.

My message to you is simple and direct- God will redeem Zimbabwe.

We should not lose hope, as they say, there is light at end of the tunnel.

No mortal being can stop change.Don’t be afraid of what is surrounding you- even a crocodile should not intimidate you,” said President Chamisa.

“We know that COVID-19 is upon us but let’s have faith in Christ Jesus.We are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.”

@psczimbabwe & @MoPSEZim promised to recruit teachers on a first qualified, first employed basis. Alas,we have 2015 graduates at home while some 2018 graduates are now in class. @ZACConline shld look into the possibility USD changed hands @nickmangwana @RMajongwe @teachers_young

— PTUZ_Official (@ProgressiveOf) January 18, 2021

Picture- Duo kneel before VP Chiwenga. Where is the social distancing? pic.twitter.com/yaN0RPViYR

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 18, 2021

Minister Oppah Muchinguri was right on the Chinese.

They treat us as second class citizens in our own countries because they are protected by the political elites.

This is neo colonialism and it must end. https://t.co/kacsKhPkKB

— ZCTU – Zimbabwe (@ZctuZimbabwe) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) has increased prices for its services by more than 10 000 percent with a defensive driving instructors’ course shooting to $24 000 from $190.

The new prices were approved by Government and are coming into effect today.

TSCZ urged all drivers to go for defensive driving lessons to reduce road accidents. TSCZ’s major objective is safety education and training which goes beyond humanising driving.

As part of its driver’s improvement programme, TSCZ offers the internationally recognised defensive driving courses.

TSCZ acting director of operations Mr Ernest Muchena confirmed the development yesterday. He said the old prices were not making any economic sense.

Mr Muchena said defensive driving instructors’ course now costs $24 000 up from $190.

“Basic defensive driving course (a) conducted at the venue of the traffic safety council costs $3 040, (b) conducted at the venue chosen by clients (in-house) costs $3 600, (c) including vision test, road test and psychomotor skills costs $3 840,” he said.

Heavy vehicle driver skills improvement programme now costs $12 000, transport management and fleet control course costs $16 000, driving school instructor course costs $17 600, duplicate driving school instructor certificate costs $1 600, assistant driving school instructors course costs $17 600, duplicate assistant driving school instructors certificate costs$1 600.

“Registration of a driving school now costs $20 000, renewal of registration of driving school costs $10 000, registration of cooperating agency costs $24 000, renewal of registration of a cooperating agency costs $20 000, certification of defensive driving course candidates trained by cooperating agency now costs $400, highway code (including two inserts of traffic signs and questionnaire is now sold for $200, miscellaneous fees, for example reissuing of lost certificates and inspection documents costs $400, course curriculum fees (student handbook) costs $800, student driver workbook costs $400, driving school premises logo costs $3 000,” said Mr Muchena.

He said the new fees and prices were approved by Government adding that the old prices had been there for a very long time and were no longer viable.

“As a State-owned enterprise, we applied to Government for the new prices which were approved. It took some time before they were approved and we know that it will take a very long time before they are reviewed,” said Mr Muchena.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Informal traders at the Mbare Magaba Siyaso home industry have reportedly resumed trading in clear defiance of the government’s lockdown regulation, Newsday reports.

The matter came to light during a survey that was conducted by the publication, Vendors that spoke to the publication said they could not stay at home as they starved due to the lockdown and said:

I can’t stay at home while I have nothing to eat. The seven days that I have been at home doing nothing have been tough. It’s better that I play hide and seek with the police and get to put food on the table than face the prospect of watching my family starve – Eliot Magama

Government should have secured funding for the informal traders so that they don’t starve when they are not allowed to conduct their operations. People are dying of COVID-19, but for me, there is no difference. It’s better to die trying, – Onias Mapanga 

The government imposed a 30 days lockdown on 2 January to try and curb spreading COVID-19 a move that was challenged by Zimbabwe Informal Sectors Organisation (ZISO) led by its executive director Promise Mkwananzi. The court reserved judgment on the matter

1/9 Dear Hatred Zenenga Editor, @HeraldZimbabwe Hatred, I refer to your scurrilously defamatory story in the @HeraldZimbabwe today (18 January 2021) in which you allege that I face rape accusations. I take your scandalously false allegations seriously!

2/9 Your story alleges that Mrs Sipho Mazibuko claims in a Facebook post that I “RAPED” her 11 years ago. Her attached Facebook post that I’ve seen alleges that I “SEXUALLY ABUSED” her, which I categorically & emphatically deny. You’ve elevated her “sexual abuse” claims to RAPE!

3/9 On 13 January 2021, your @HeraldZimbabwe published a revealing article about Mrs Sipho Mazibuko and her issues that I am attaching herewith, whose contents speak for themselves, as a background to your scurrilously defamatory story published today.

4/9 I note that you shamelessly think you can get some weight to support your scurrilously defamatory story by citing a tweet posted by a ZanuPF youth league member on my Twitter TL. No one needs a rocket scientist to see what’s going on. I thank you for the unintended insight

5/9 While you cited the ZanuPF youth league member, because he invoked the “RAPE” word, you clumsily avoided referring to a tweet posted on Saturday on my Twitter TL by @FriendsEd (FriendsOfMnangagwa); to vainly cover up @edmnangagwa‘s dirty hands in this!

6/9 FRIENDS OF ED CRAP:

*Moyo sexually abused woman at Kwekwe Assembly Point in 1980

*Moyo had homosexual sex with Alum Mpofu

*Moyo impregnated & killed Jackie Madondo

*Moyo sexually abused Yulith Ndlovu

*Moyo sexually abused his late daughter

*Moyo sexually abused Sipho Mazibuko

7/9 You slyly allege that I “left Zimbabwe hurriedly in 2017”. You desperately want to cover up the fact that Emmerson Mnangagwa, who specialises in criminalising his political opponents, sent 25 soldiers with AK47s & grenades to attack me & my family at our home on 15 Nov 2017!

8/9 And Hatred, you refer to a missing @PoliceZimbabwe report. At no time in my life did any @PoliceZimbabwe officer anywhere in Zimbabwe engage me on these false and outrageous allegations. Also I never had any direct or indirect involvement with Mrs Mazibuko’s psychiatric care!

9/9 I empathise with Sipho Mazibuko’s situation. It’s outrageous for you Hatred & your handlers to exploit it this way. For the record, I never spent a second of my life with Sipho Mazibuko alone. Specifically I was not a minister 11 years ago & I never saw nor spoke to her then!

1/9 Dear Hatred Zenenga
Editor, @HeraldZimbabwe

Hatred, I refer to your scurrilously defamatory story in the @HeraldZimbabwe today (18 January 2021) in which you allege that I face rape accusations. I take your scandalously false allegations seriously!https://t.co/Xxylk3pKMT pic.twitter.com/KPVrb3ILf5

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

2/9 Your story alleges that Mrs Sipho Mazibuko claims in a Facebook post that I "RAPED" her 11 years ago. Her attached Facebook post that I've seen alleges that I "SEXUALLY ABUSED" her, which I categorically & emphatically deny. You've elevated her "sexual abuse" claims to RAPE! pic.twitter.com/RhjZEiFFIu

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

3/9 On 13 January 2021, your @HeraldZimbabwe published a revealing article about Mrs Sipho Mazibuko and her issues that I am attaching herewith, whose contents speak for themselves, as a background to your scurrilously defamatory story published today??!https://t.co/sxXk4Rw8aV pic.twitter.com/X60cX1qSy3

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

4/9 I note that you shamelessly think you can get some weight to support your scurrilously defamatory story by citing a tweet posted by a ZanuPF youth league member on my Twitter TL. No one needs a rocket scientist to see what's going on. I thank you for the unintended insight??! pic.twitter.com/l0KRW4d6wK

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

5/9 While you cited the ZanuPF youth league member, because he invoked the "RAPE" word, you clumsily avoided referring to a tweet posted on Saturday on my Twitter TL by @FriendsEd (FriendsOfMnangagwa); to vainly cover up @edmnangagwa's dirty hands in this!https://t.co/uhzvFWGuu1 pic.twitter.com/6IeaBfv1xg

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

6/9 FRIENDS OF ED CRAP:
*Moyo sexually abused woman at Kwekwe Assembly Point in 1980
*Moyo had homosexual sex with Alum Mpofu
*Moyo impregnated & killed Jackie Madondo
*Moyo sexually abused Yulith Ndlovu
*Moyo sexually abused his late daughter
*Moyo sexually abused Sipho Mazibuko

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

7/9 You slyly allege that I "left Zimbabwe hurriedly in 2017". You desperately want to cover up the fact that Emmerson Mnangagwa, who specialises in criminalising his political opponents, sent 25 soldiers with AK47s & grenades to attack me & my family at our home on 15 Nov 2017! pic.twitter.com/gQ58uBggOW

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

8/9 And Hatred, you refer to a missing @PoliceZimbabwe report. At no time in my life did any @PoliceZimbabwe officer anywhere in Zimbabwe engage me on these false and outrageous allegations. Also I never had any direct or indirect involvement with Mrs Mazibuko's psychiatric care! pic.twitter.com/PoXZgo3O5G

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

9/9 I empathise with Sipho Mazibuko's situation. It's outrageous for you Hatred & your handlers to exploit it this way. For the record, I never spent a second of my life with Sipho Mazibuko alone. Specifically I was not a minister 11 years ago & I never saw nor spoke to her then!

— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) January 18, 2021

MDC Alliance National Spokesperson Adv @advocatemahere has been granted RTGS 10000 bail by magistrate Utahwashe. She was ordered to reside on her given address, report to Avondale police station every Friday and surrender her passport.#ZimbabweanLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/YTMayH5vuP

— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- Beitbridge Magistrate Toindepi Zhou last week kailed a Chipinge man Darlington Mangwayana for 5 years for possessing with the intension to sell 24.5 KGS of marijuana(mbanje).

Mangwayana who manained his innocence till sentencing reportedly denied that the mbanje that was found in Beitbridge in a bus from Chipinge on February 7 2020 was his.

However his defence crumbled when the state brought in witnesses from the crew that ferried him to Beitbridge.

According to the publication:

The crew of the bus he boarded, brought in as State witnesses nailed him further when they produced a duplicate of his ticket and that of the luggage he paid for at Checheche.

The serialised tickets showed the person who boarded at Checheche paid for his luggage, being the two bags of mbanje and the bus, and did not carry any other luggage on that day, neither did it pick any other passenger at that bus stop.

On arrival at Dulivhadzimo bus terminus, Mangwayana had hired a taxi to pick his luggage, but noticed plain clothes police closing in and smelt a rat, ordering the driver off at high speed.

He was tracked down and arrested.

Possession of Mbanje is still illegal in this country. However the government has legalised mbanje farming and only authorised farmers can produce Mbanje.

MDC T stalwart, Mr Patson Murimoga who first challenged Morgan Tsvangirai in 2016, tells ZimEye concerning Police report against @DMwonzora over missing $6million state funds, ref CR2236/12/2020. INTERVIEW LOADING

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza town clerk Tonderai Kasu said the municipality has no imminent plans to demolish illegal settlements following a complaint from the Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest).

This comes after the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on behalf of Chitrest wrote to the municipality seeking clarity regarding proposed demolitions in the town.

A leaked internal memo stated that the municipality would soon demolish 11 000 properties illegally constructed on wetlands, sewer lines and areas reserved for railway lines.

Meanwhile, people that built houses and businesses on wetlands must expect demolitions after the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) ordered them to vacate the land before it institutes prosecutions or demolitions of the buildings once a new law on preservation of wetlands is gazetted.

Some of the places that could be affected by the mass demolitions are Harare and Chitungwiza.

EMA is mandated through the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) section 113 to prosecute anyone found carrying out any activity that is likely to cause degradation of a wetland without authority from the agency.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- Health experts and stakeholders have warned that home remedies were not a cure for COVID-19, but only relieve symptoms and offer the body a fighting chance against the respiratory virus.

This follows a raging debate which, after widely circulated home remedies for the coronavirus, like steam inhalation and of late traditional snuff (bute), were touted as cures for the virus which has killed just over two million people across the world.

Medical practitioners have also raised concerns over patients that present themselves very late for treatment simply because they would have been using home remedies.

On Saturday, Zimbabwe recorded 17 COVID-19 deaths, 772 new infections for a cumulative total of 26 881.

Yesterday, a local medical doctor angrily took to social media platform Twitter to express her disappointment over a patient she said delayed seeking help and lost his life. He hoped that home remedies would cure him.

“I lost a patient who presented themselves late to the hospital because he was trying home remedies. While it is good to try all these remedies, people should visit the hospital if symptoms are getting worse,” she tweeted.

The chief co-ordinator for the COVID-19 taskforce, Agnes Mahomva, said:

“There are known home remedies that have always been used to manage flu-like symptoms and these are mostly safe, but people need to understand that there is no cure yet for COVID-19. Research is still being carried out on some of the remedies, and so it is wise for the populace to only use what has been proven to be safe.”

Mahomva said it was imperative for people to observe the laid-down preventive measures so that the virus did not spread.

“People are still not wearing their masks and they continue to attend gatherings. It is now a question of taking a personal decision to do the right thing and protect families and others as well.”

Mpilo acting chief executive officer Solwayo Ngwenya said there was need for caution.

“There is no cure for the virus. So people can use any home remedies that they normally use for flu illnesses. But they must not use group steaming or inappropriate means when they are sick — of which they must seek medical advice,” Ngwenya said.

Last week, Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga said it was possible that traditional medicines could be used to treat COVID-19.

“Some modern medicines are actually derived from traditional herbs. Yes, it is possible that some traditional medicines can be used to treat COVID-19. However, there is need for scientific researches to be done to ascertain their efficacy,” he said.

Chiwenga said the ministry had operationalised the traditional medicines department, which was preoccupied with research in that area.

Meanwhile, in Eswatini people have been discouraged from using steam inhalation with herbs or flu chemicals as a way to manage COVID-19.

Authorities in the country claimed that such methods were responsible for the super spread of the virus.

“The custom of kufukira (steam inhalation) is strongly discouraged as research provides that it is among the super spreaders of the virus,” the Eswatini government said in a statement.

Recently the African National Congress youth league in Tshwane, South Africa, came under fire for encouraging people to consume alkaline foods and practice steam inhalation to “paralyse” the virus

Fresh in a Box founder Kuda Musasiwa who has been down with COVID-19 is now out of hospital, a family member Chido Musasiwa has said.

Musasiwa tested positive to COVID-19 and went into intensive care unit with his friends and relatives appealing for prayers but it appears he has since recovered and out of danger.

“I am delighted to share that my brother is out of hospital. Its been a difficult time for our family but Kudakwashe Victor Musasiwa is that light at the end of the tunnel. The doctors and nurses were amazing! The power of prayer and faith is never to be doubted,” said Chido.

By A Correspondent- A High Court judge deferred to Friday Thanks Makore’s bail ruling.

Thanks is the alleged brains behind the ritual murder of seven year-old Murewa boy, Tapuwa Makore.

The judgment was initially set for Monday.

Justice Tawanda Chitapi, said his decision will only be ready on the December 18 owing to the influx of matters at the appeals court.

Makore, 56, was seeking bail pending his trial at the magistrate’s court.

According to Makore’s lawyer, the State has no case against his client who should be exonerated from the three other suspects Makore Snr, Tafadzwa Shamba and Maud Hunidzarira.

However, the State alleges that Makore was responsible for plotting the ritual murder before conniving with his little brother Makore Snr and Tafadzwa Shamba and Maud Hunidzarira.

Further allegations are that, Makore offered US$1 500 for the job before allegedly receiving the head and arms of the deceased.

The family of the late Tapiwa Makore who recently demanded DNA results from his collected samples attended the Monday hearing.

Hmetro

"But we now face the real danger that even as vaccines bring hope to some, they become another brick in the wall of inequality between the world’s haves and have-nots"-@DrTedros #EB148 #COVID19 #ACTogether https://t.co/UPRwd0Oeor

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 18, 2021

"It’s right that all governments want to prioritize vaccinating their own #healthworkers & older people first.
But it’s not right that younger, healthier adults in rich countries are vaccinated before health workers & older people in poorer countries"-@DrTedros #EB148#ACTogether

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 18, 2021

By A Correspondent- Several self-confessed hookers are cashing in on truck drivers who will be queuing to enter the Beitbridge Border Post.

Truckers are taking up to two weeks before they proceed with their journey due to strict monitoring of Covid-19 PCR certificates to confirm if they have been tested for Covid-19.

However, the hookers have taken advantage of the situation where they will be milling around the truckers in queues.

“They will be all over here walking along the trucks looking for potential clients.

“Some will be in the guise of selling some food or wares as they will also be trying to hook up.

“With these long queues imagine for more than 10 kilometers, they will not miss,” said Changamire a herbal vendor.

The women will also be cooking for the drivers.

“You know cooking is a challenge with these drivers, so they normally hire these women to cook for them and sometimes wash their clothes.

“So by virtue of that they end up hooking up,” said one Mike.

A truck driver said the life of driving was not easy.

“You know driving is a challenge when the border is delaying like this.

“You can’t be perfect at times and the temptation is high since these women can approach us and if they see that you have some interest that’s when the whole issue begins.

“Imagine spending weeks at border, it’s a bit tricky.”

A regular hooker said, it’s a way of living and as long they are not stealing from anyone it’s not a crime.

“It’s known everywhere that one has to pay for the services rendered.

“We are here for business but we agree first.

“Some of the services can be cooking but we can end up agreeing to sexual services again.

“So kubatsirana from both angles.”

While another said sex can be done anywhere although they are not seen.

“As long we are not seen, we can do it anywhere, even under the tree, or in trucks or at our lodgings.

“We want money and they want services.”

Another lady of the night added:

“Charges depend on the client but normally R300 for the whole night, but there is room for negotiations.

“R100 can cover for a short moment while services like washing and cooking also depend on what you agree,” she said.

Bars will be opened till late hours.

Idhii ndiye anofanira kuita mushe, he shld lead the process of declaring Mudzi a national hero kwete kupa family US$1000 woti endai munoviga mudhara, really? That's how national heroes are treated by a supposed fellow liberation fighter? Tikwanirei! https://t.co/SN9MF8AJ9u

— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) January 18, 2021

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1351088348035751938?s=20

https://twitter.com/WaltJackman/status/1351088957736579074?s=20

By A Correspondent- Traditionalists and herbalists have condemned the use of tobacco snuff or ‘bute’ by some people as a remedy for Covid19.

Most of the people are resorting to bute with belief that it kills the virus, but several traditionalists have condemned it’s use.

Herbalists said moringa and zumbani are better remedies for Covid-19.

Herbalist, Dr Gilbert Chawanda said bute has been used for centuries to consult ancestors and treat various ailments, such as clearing the throat, but the snuff does not treat Covid-19.

“Traditional snuff is mostly used for consulting ancestors and sometimes to clear the throat.

“Yes, it can alleviate the virus for a moment, but we cannot sorely rely on it because we have other better medicines such as zumbani, kirina varicide and mufandichimuka.

“I will not recommend use of snuff as it can end up clogging the lungs; I am using some herbs, kirina varicide, for my patients and the powder is a mixture of various local herbs,” he said.

Another traditional healer, Sekuru Amos Kafera said just like any remedies, bute should be taken with caution as there was no proof that it could treat Covid-19. “Bute has got nicotine and should be taken in small doses because it might cause heart dis – eases or cancer.

“We don’t encourage people to sniff bute all the time because it is addictive due to the nicotine components.

“Even when our ancestors used bute for various ailments, they administered it in small doses. “During the liberation struggle, we used bute to consult the ancestors and we used it in small amounts,” he said.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care is on record saying there is need for scientific research to ascertain the effectiveness of traditional medicines, especially when it comes to the Covid-19 pandemic.

-HMetro

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Examination Council (ZIMSEC) last week paid some invigilators who are invigilating ongoing end of year exams with plates of sadza, Newsday reports.

The payment of their services with Sadza and not cash has resulted in some invigilators snubbing the process and some withdrawing their services according to the publication.

A teacher who spoke to the publication said some teachers in Karoi withdrew their services for fear of contracting COVID-19 and some Primary school headteachers were called to invigilate the exams and were paid by plates of Sadza and not cash after the invigilations:

The team of invigilators that were roped in from primary schools was offered a plate of sadza as payment for the task of invigilating the ‘O’ Level examinations. Zimsec has not bothered to pay us for invigilating duties.

Another teacher from Karoi also said:

While we are not being paid for our invigilating services and are incapacitated, we are also being exposed to COVID-19 and are being tormented by law enforcement agents that are demanding letters to allow us to proceed to schools. We do not have those letters. We have now decided to boycott going to schools to invigilate examinations,

When contacted for comment. PTUZ’s Raymond Majongwe said such reports of the ill-treatment of teachers by ZIMSEC are downgrading teachers’ roles.

-newsday

Modeling instructor Mrs. Sipho Mazibuko has accused former cabinet minister Jonathan Moyo of forcing himself on her while she was pregnant over a decade ago, The Herald reports.

Mazibuko reportedly took to social media and said she made a police report after the incident which she said occurred 11 years ago and said:

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. The police recorded my statement, but nothing was done to investigate my case. Till today my docket died a natural death.

After my police report I was admitted and the same men made sure my admission to hospital was turned into a media curse. I was made a fool.

My case didn’t even see the light of day. The police did nothing to those powerful men. They continued with their lives and I languished in a mental hospital. I had given them their names in my docket, but they had to be protected because they were in Government offices, they were ministers.

Well, I was se_xually 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.

It happened years ago, but it traumatised me. The silence was deafening. It was a loud drumbeat in my mind and I caved in. My mind couldn’t take it anymore.

If anybody wants to know more, they can talk to my lawyers. I am freeing myself of the emotional baggage. Those men are living their full lives. They abuse us and continue as if nothing happened. I will not be silenced. They can threaten me with death but I am no longer scared of them.

Jonathan Moyo is yet to address the allegations.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Three people were swept away after they attempted to cross a flooded Munyati River using a makeshift canoe.

The deceased are Robert Mapfumo (30), Calisto Ruvazhe (32) and Kenneth Paraffin (33) all of Mhondoro.

ZimEye has learnt that their bodies have since been retrieved.

More details to follow…

By A Correspondent- The National University of Science and Technology (Nust) General Master of Business Administration (GMBA) post-graduate students have protested over a 500% hike in dissertation supervision fees.

Nust had given notice to GMBA students that those in the Bulawayo cohort would now be charged $44 280 for dissertations, up from $5 500, while those in the Harare cohort would have to fork out $47 560, up from $5 700.

In December, Nust students staged an online demonstration against failure by the university to release transcripts. They also raised several other concerns concerning administrative issues.

In a letter addressed to the institution and signed by all GMBA students, they said Nust had not taken into account the plight of students in increasing fees by 500%.

“The majority of the students are civil servants and it is common cause that their salaries have largely remained stagnant. The percentage increase, 500%, is grossly unreasonable by any standard, and is tantamount to depriving most of the GMBA cohort students the opportunity to complete the course,” part of the letter read.

“We will be reasonable enough to assume that the institution views the group as its ‘cash cow’, but this level of milking defies economic sense and falls short of all the expected standards of reasonableness.”

The students said the institution should adopt an approach that struck a balance between its objective of raising funds from the GMBA cohort group, and the ability of students to pay the same in Zimbabwe’s difficult economic environment.

“We take a unanimous view that the board should consider amending the fees, and reducing them to levels that are not beyond the reach of average students. We feel that not very much has changed from the previous semester so far as the value of the Zimbabwean dollar is concerned. We hope the institution redeems its economic sense and considers the submissions contained,” read the letter.

In response to the letter, Nust director at the school of business, Gwendoline Nani, said the request by the students to revert to the previous fees was not reasonable.

“Your request that Nust reverts to $5 700 and $5 500 for Harare and Bulawayo cohorts, respectively, with immediate effect, is therefore, declined,” Nani said.

“Based on the aforesaid reasons and that dissertation writing does not fall under tuition fees, it means that the fees charged of $47 560 are justified. That payment plan is reasonable and spread over three months with the initial deposit being 50% of the total payable.”

Nani said the university would only meet the students half way by allowing them to pay the dissertation fees in instalments over three months.

-Newsday

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC MDC Alliance activist, Terrence Manjengwa, who was arrested by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration for denouncing police brutality, has implored the people of Zimbabwe to assume a common stance and free themselves from tyranny.

Manjengwa’s sentiments were echoed by fearless MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa who challenged Mr Mnangagwa to release detained political activists.

Manjengwa wrote on Facebook:
“After languishing in Mnangagwa’s concentration camp for over 2 months in 2020, I came face to face with Mnangagwa’s brutality, It was something that emboldened my resolve to continue fighting.

It’s now time to regroup as young people and confront what is before us. We are our own liberators.”

Speaking on the rampant persecution of political activists by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration, Mpambwa said:

“We are tired of being tossed around by the Zanu PF regime. The detention of our leaders is unacceptable.

Mnangagwa must release all political prisoners with immediate effect. The persecution of Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, Hon Job Sikhala, Alan Moyo and journalist Hopewell Chin’ono is a reflection of the Zanu PF regime’s ruthlessness.”

Philip Chiyangwa says Oppah Muchinguri Interview must be deleted, demands apology.

Watchvideo below:

Said Chiyangwa: “everything that happened, that you collected from Oppah (Muchinguri) is null and void because she wasn’t talking while normal….the article you did, it should be taken down because it’s not newsworthy for Zimbabweans….”

Chiyangwa: "everything that happened that you collected from Oppah is null and void because she wasn't talking while normal….the article you did, it should be taken down because it's not newsworthy for Zimbabweans…." pic.twitter.com/w0yw92LE01

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 18, 2021

ZANU PF CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBER DEMANDS THAT THE MUCHINGURI INTERVIEW BE DELETED – SHOULD WE DELETE?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 17, 2021

https://fb.watch/34DKY-Dn-y/