Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa has described the situation at Beitbridge Border Post as pathetic.
Thousands of people are desperate to cross into South Africa-running away from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s brutality.In the process, they risk contracting the deadly Coronavirus.
Mpambwa urged Zimbabweans to unite in fighting for total freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
“All these people are running away from their beloved country.
Surely there is a crisis in Zimbabwe. However, there could be a better way out of it, let’s unite and fight against the crisis .
We need brave people like Makomborero Haruzivishe , Takudzwa Ngadziore to mention but just a few -not forgetting the #trio . We need the spirit of patriotism.
Unfortunately #zanu has managed to cow citizens into submission.
Fellow citizens, let’s remember that peace comes through sacrifice. Even the former revolutionary party members know it,” argued Mpambwa.
Hours after his FC Platinum were beaten by Tanzanian side Simba SC in a controversy-marred CAF Champions League Second Round clash, Norman Mapeza’s father succumbed to Covid-19.
Michael Mapeza died at a private clinic in Harare this morning after being hospitalized due to symptoms of the novel virus.
He was 81.
A source at the club confirmed the sad development.
When we began this journey 22 years ago, I was a young college student alongside my contemporaries. I was part of a generation of college students that joined veteran trade unionists, powerful women in the women’s movement, war veterans, civic and church leaders, among others, who believed that the way Zimbabwe was being governed needed serious transformation.
We believed that the system over which ZANU PF presided was only serving a minority of elites who occupied vantage positions within and around the state, while most Zimbabweans were condemned to suffering. It was plain that the future was bleak unless progressive Zimbabweans intervened to change the course. That is why we championed the message of change.
Looking back those days seem like a long time ago. A new generation has emerged since that time. Babies born in 1999 are now adults. They have lived their formative years in very difficult circumstances. Times were different back in 1999, but I remember the energy and passion of every cadre as if it were yesterday. The idea that was sown in our hearts and minds has no expiry date.
To be sure, the journey has been gruelling. But I was never under any illusion that it would be easy. We have lost thousands of cadres along the way, including our founding father, Morgan Tsvangirai who departed in February 2018. I was privileged to have a special relationship with him and from him, I learned a lot under his leadership and guidance. The most painful losses have been those suffered at the hands of the state, through violence. We cannot betray the memory of these dearly departed cadres.
We must honour their dreams and aspirations for a better Zimbabwe, otherwise, they would have died in vain. This is why I have never veered from the course that was set in 1999.I look back and realize that I have spent more than half of my life chasing the vision that was designed and shaped by those courageous men and women who gathered in 1999 to form the Movement for Democratic Change. The greatness of the idea has not diminished with time, no. It has been strengthened.
Those men and women understood that the fundamental weaknesses at the heart of government needed not only new leaders but also a fresh set of ideas and ways of doing things. We remain committed to that vision.
One of the things that please me a lot is seeing a younger generation coming up and carrying the torch in politics. This is how strong institutions grow and I want to pay special tribute to the young people of Zimbabwe whose political consciousness is growing. The journey has had seminal moments, some positive, and others negative. Both types have been important learning experiences. Some of these challenges have been read as representing existential threats to the organization, but we overcame them. We survived the loss of our founding father by going on to amass the largest electoral votes in the history of the opposition and had we not been cheated; we would have prevailed.
It is a testament to the strength of the idea, the abiding loyalty of the people to the cause, and the abundance of their political wisdom that the party has withstood severe tests. Even when we have been written off by our doubters, we have shown our mettle and surprised them, disappointing rivals along the way.
Many of you have seen what has happened in the past year. Our rivals have used multiple tricks in the dictators’ handbook, in a calculated and relentless effort to undermine our party. Using apparatuses of the state, and under the cover of what has been described as lawfare, they have robbed us of our legislators, councillors, and funds that were due to us under the law. In a direct subversion of democracy, they have even catapulted into Parliament undeserving individuals whom you as voters rejected in the last election. The assault upon democracy has been vicious, but we are undaunted.
As a party, we know that the purpose of these strategies is not just to undermine us, but it is also intended to obliterate us from the political landscape. ZANU PF has never been comfortable with strong opposition. They aim to build an opposition that they control. This is the sole purpose of the project that they have moulded with our erstwhile colleagues. These were deliberate acts of provocation, designed to lure us into conduct that would justify violent repression during the pandemic. We have remained calm and resolute, not because we are unable to respond, but because we know the game they are playing. We also remain true to our founding principle: we are committed to achieving change through peaceful and non-violent means.
We have remained composed because we are confident that progressive fellow Zimbabweans are solidly behind us. We know this because of all the love, support, and encouragement that they have shown us during these testing times. We trust the gift of discernment that is given to Zimbabweans, which enables them to distinguish between right and wrong.
They can tell when a bully is abusing power and they know how to punish this abusive behaviour, which punishment will be exacted through the ballot box.
Significantly, Zimbabweans can tell the difference between genuine opposition that is challenging repression and enablers who are aiding and abetting repression. This is not the first time that the people of Zimbabwe have encountered this situation. During the last days of colonialism, the Smith regime tried to hoodwink people by promoting people like Bishop Abel Muzorewa, ahead of the true nationalists who were fighting repression. Smith preferred the likes of Muzorewa because they were lackeys who would do his bidding while Muzorewa and others were eager to join the gravy train to serve their interests. However, the people of Zimbabwe saw through this elaborate ruse and rejected it.
This may have happened over 40 years ago, but history has an uncanny habit of repeating itself. Zimbabweans can tell who is genuine and who is not, by the way, the ZANU PF regime treats them. They can distinguish between the true and fake opposition by the way the repressive regime deals with them. ZANU PF’s preference for its surrogate at the expense of the MDC Alliance is an obvious giveaway. They will gang up against us, throwing brickbats at us from their unholy alliance. We are not moved, and we remain resolute and focused.We are even more emboldened.
We are stronger and more resilient. I shall be communicating with Zimbabweans more regularly this year, sharing our agenda and programs. There is so much to do and a lot of energy and commitment to do it. Unfortunately, we are in the middle of a deadly second wave of the COVID19 pandemic. Common sense behoves us to treat the pandemic with an extraordinary sense of vigilance and in this regard, to do everything necessary to keep it at bay. This means we have had to suspend most of our programs. It can’t be business as usual. The lives of all Zimbabweans matter.
Let us continue to pray that things get better for us and the rest of the world. We want to work with everyone to ensure that we get the vaccines and other support that we need to safeguard our communities. I know that the lockdown is extremely hard for many people. Ours is now largely an informal economy and when people are stopped from working, they have no means of earning income. If it were up to us, we would have offered more creative ways to support people during this difficult time.
We would also have done more to support our frontline workers in the healthcare sector who are in harm’s way as they carry out an important national duty. The billions that are lost through corruption and patronage can go a long way to support our healthcare sector which was already in bad shape long before the pandemic. Our people are paying the price of high level incompetence over the years.
I wish to conclude by reassuring you that your party, the MDC Alliance, remains solid, undaunted, and emboldened. I would like to thank you for your continued support and encouragement even as we have been attacked from all directions by the regime and its enablers. These enablers will present themselves as the opposition’s opposition. You know that they are not genuinely the alternative. You know that they have relied on the abuse of state institutions to steal from us – your MPs, councillors, money, and party property – and in doing so, they have undermined trust in politics.
But you also know that there are some things that the repressive state and its surrogates can neither command nor steal: your loyalty and support. They cannot force you to support what you disagree with. They cannot command you to divert your loyalties. I am personally humbled by the knowledge that you have trusted us with these precious gifts, and I re-emphasize my commitment to honour and respect them. Do not be perturbed by the fog they have created because it will soon clear.
We will win Zimbabwe for change. We shall overcome!God bless you. God bless Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwean striker Tino Kadewere’s Olympique Lyon are back the the summit of the Ligue 1 table after their 3-2 victory over Lens last night.
The French top-flight was on a break during the holidays but resumed yesterday.
Kadewere, who turned 25 on Tuesday, set up captain and strike partner Memphis Depay for Les Gones’s first of the night.
The Dutchman went on to complete his brace from the penalty spot while the other was an own goal as Lyon extended their unbeaten run to 15 games, the longest in any of Europe’s top five leagues currently.
They are now three points ahead of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain at the top of the table.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has given the country’s senior men’s national soccer team, the Warriors, the go-ahead to participate in this year’s edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
All sporting activities in the country are currently banned owing to the 30-day national lockdown enforced by government to curb the spread of a second wave of Covid-19 cases.
The Commission has however given ZIFA the greenlight for the team to take part in the continental showpiece reserved for locally-based players, which roars into life on the 16th of January with a clash between the Warriors and the hosts Cameroon.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association advises the nation that our application to proceed with participation at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been approved by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
This follows the government’s recent suspension of all sporting activities in a national effort to reduce the spread of covid-19. The team is still in camp, self-isolating, after recording 15 positive tests for Covid-19,” reads a by statement by the association’s spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
“Players and officials who tested positive on 28 December 2020 will be tested again on 10th January 2021. We wish all those who tested positive a swift recovery. The delegation departs for Cameroon on 13 January 2021.
ZIFA appeals to all stakeholders to remain vigilant in the face of a renewed Covid-19 threat. Please observe all healthy and safety guidelines to keep everyone safe.We wish our Warriors all the best and we hope they will prevail in Cameroon.
The Association would like to acknowledge and thank the SRC for swift processing of our request to keep our preparations for the important assignment on track.”- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The chaos at Beitbridge Border Post is a manifestation of the longstanding governance crisis in Zimbabwe, the MDC Alliance has said.
The MDC Alliance has cited the legitimacy crisis in the country as the main reason for the economic quagmire.The MDC Alliance insists Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa stole the 2018 Presidential plebiscite.
Mr Mnangagwa
Read statement below:
BEITBRIDGE BORDER CRISIS :A MANIFESTATION OF LONGSTANDING GOVERNANCE CRISIS
The forced migration crisis at Beitbridge border post is a manifestation of a longstanding crisis of governance in Zimbabwe. While people move from country to country throughout the world, the Zimbabwe-South Africa migration is driven largely by chronic unemployment and increasing poverty in Zimbabwe which is directly connected to the failure of political governance.
This crisis of governance emanates from flawed electoral processes that have resulted in performance illegitimacy and sheer incompetence by a regime that is pre-occupied with corruption and elite accumulation.
Zimbabweans would not have to flood the border as they did returning home for the festive season or returning to South Africa afterwards if the economy was offering them more opportunities.
This is why the huge transnational flows of people between South Africa are made up almost exclusively of Zimbabweans.
This one-way traffic is a reminder that the problem is on our side of the border and unless this is resolved, it will escalate in thec oming years.
Our founding leader, Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, famously said that Zimbabwe is not just a foreign policy issue for South Africa. It is a domestic challenge.
The regime in Harare has so far resisted any help to resolve the political crisis.
Resultantly, South Africa has had to take the pressure off our citizens who are fleeing state-engineered poverty.
The situation at Beitbridge border is compounded by the fact that we are in the middle of a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crowds gathered there seeking passage to South Africa make a mockery of the rules against public gathering, social distancing and cleanliness.
There are legitimate fears that such gatherings are super-spreaders of the virus which is a hazard to communities both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
We implore authorities to take urgent steps to resolve the crisis at the border post.
However, as we have stated, to focus only on the situation at Beitbridge would be to merely deal with symptoms of a bigger problem.That bigger problem is the crisis of governance underwritten by a political process that is contaminated by illegitimacy. It is very important to attend to the bigger problem otherwise the situation at Beitbridge will be repeated and it will be worse the next time around.
Fadzayi Mahere National Spokesperson +263774751446 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe [email protected]
FC PLATINUM experienced a nightmarish outing in Tanzania yesterday after they were told five key players had tested positive for COVID-19 moments before the decisive CAF Champions League encounter that was marred by disgraceful officiating in favour of hosts, Simba Sports Club.
The match, dubbed “War in Dar” by the hosts, turned out to be a real confrontation on and off the pitch as Simba SC were accused of employing dirty tactics to get the result they needed at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar-es-salaam to progress to the group stage of the competition at the expense of the Zimbabweans.
FC Platinum carried a 1-0 advantage going into the clash following their victory at the National Sports Stadium in Harare two weeks ago. They had hoped to protect their lead and progress to the group stage for the third time in a row.
But they experienced the worst of African football before succumbing to goals from veteran defender Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, John Bocco and Zambian Clatous Chama.
The Zimbabweans played the game under protest after players, who included goalkeeper and skipper Petros Mhari, Lawrence Mhlanga, Silas Songani, Ransome Pavari and Congolese forward Eli Ilunga, were told they had returned positive Covid-19 results about two hours before kickoff.
Three officials, who included team manager Joseph Mususa, goalkeepers’ trainer Tembo Chuma and medic Jeskia Chavurura, were also reported to have tested positive for Covid-19.
The hosts however, held on to the results of the Covid-19 tests that were conducted on Monday until the eleventh hour. There were queries whether the results had not been tampered with following similar complaints by Nigerian outfit, Plateau United, who encountered the same predicament against Simba SC in the preliminary round.
The Nigerians have since taken up the matter with CAF after finding out that the affected players were negative when they retested them at a private hospital.
FC Platinum, who tested their players before leaving Harare, had travelled with a squad of 23 but they were left with 16 players available for selection as two others were carrying injuries..
Mapeza had to redo his line-up as four of the players who reportedly returned positive results had been drafted in the starting eleven.
Apparently, the FC Platinum players could not handle the trauma and from their body language it appeared they had lost the match long before the kickoff.
The Zimbabweans were not psychologically equipped and they lacked the composure and toughness expected at this level of the competition.
They carried their frustrations into the game and the disputed penalty they conceded worsened the already bad situation.
FC Platinum players were unsettled and they made unnecessary mistakes, which contributed to their own downfall.
The Zimbabweans were fortunate to finish the game with all the players on the field. They squandered most of their energy and time remonstrating with the referee instead of concentrating on the game, which was within reach if they had managed to bury the two scoring chances that Ralph Kawondera spurned in the second half when Simba were still leading 1-0.-The Herald
Consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions.
However, increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns.
People are now consuming more foods high in energy, fats, free sugars and salt/sodium, and many people do not eat enough fruit, vegetables and other dietary fibre such as whole grains.
The exact make-up of a diversified, balanced and healthy diet will vary depending on individual characteristics (e.g. age, gender, lifestyle and degree of physical activity), cultural context, locally available foods and dietary customs.
However, the basic principles of what constitutes a healthy diet remain the same.
For adults A healthy diet includes the following: Fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils and beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice).
At least 400 g (i.e. five portions) of fruit and vegetables per day (2) , excluding potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and other starchy roots.
Less than 10% of total energy intake from free sugars (2, 7) , which is equivalent to 50 g (or about 12 level teaspoons) for a person of healthy body weight consuming about 2000 calories per day, but ideally is less than 5% of total energy intake for additional health benefits (7) . Free sugars are all sugars added to foods or drinks by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.
Less than 30% of total energy intake from fats (1, 2, 3) . Unsaturated fats (found in fish, avocado and nuts, and in sunflower, soybean, canola and olive oils) are preferable to saturated fats (found in fatty meat, butter, palm and coconut oil, cream, cheese, ghee and lard) and trans- fats of all kinds, including both industrially-produced trans- fats (found in baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods, such as frozen pizza, pies, cookies, biscuits, wafers, and cooking oils and spreads) and ruminant trans- fats (found in meat and dairy foods from ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, goats and camels).
It is suggested that the intake of saturated fats be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake and trans- fats to less than 1% of total energy intake (5) . In particular, industrially-produced trans -fats are not part of a healthy diet and should be avoided (4, 6) . Less than 5 g of salt (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day (8). Salt should be iodized.
For infants and young children In the first 2 years of a child’s life, optimal nutrition fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development. It also reduces the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing NCDs later in life.
Advice on a healthy diet for infants and children is similar to that for adults, but the following elements are also important: Infants should be breastfed exclusively during the first 6 months of life. Infants should be breastfed continuously until 2 years of age and beyond.
From 6 months of age, breast milk should be complemented with a variety of adequate, safe and nutrient-dense foods. Salt and sugars should not be added to complementary foods.
Practical advice on maintaining a healthy diet Fruit and vegetables Eating at least 400 g, or five portions, of fruit and vegetables per day reduces the risk of NCDs (2) and helps to ensure an adequate daily intake of dietary fibre.
Fruit and vegetable intake can be improved by: always including vegetables in meals; eating fresh fruit and raw vegetables as snacks; eating fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season; and eating a variety of fruit and vegetables.
Fats Reducing the amount of total fat intake to less than 30% of total energy intake helps to prevent unhealthy weight gain in the adult population (1, 2, 3) .
Also, the risk of developing NCDs is lowered by: reducing saturated fats to less than 10% of total energy intake; reducing trans -fats to less than 1% of total energy intake; and replacing both saturated fats and trans- fats with unsaturated fats (2, 3) – in particular, with polyunsaturated fats.
Fat intake, especially saturated fat and industrially-produced trans- fat intake, can be reduced by: steaming or boiling instead of frying when cooking; replacing butter, lard and ghee with oils rich in polyunsaturated fats, such as soybean, canola (rapeseed), corn, safflower and sunflower oils; eating reduced-fat dairy foods and lean meats, or trimming visible fat from meat; and limiting the consumption of baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods (e.g. doughnuts, cakes, pies, cookies, biscuits and wafers) that contain industrially-produced trans- fats.
Salt, sodium and potassium Most people consume too much sodium through salt (corresponding to consuming an average of 9–12 g of salt per day) and not enough potassium (less than 3.5 g). High sodium intake and insufficient potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke (8, 11) .
Reducing salt intake to the recommended level of less than 5 g per day could prevent 1.7 million deaths each year (12) .
People are often unaware of the amount of salt they consume. In many countries, most salt comes from processed foods (e.g. ready meals; processed meats such as bacon, ham and salami; cheese; and salty snacks) or from foods consumed frequently in large amounts (e.g. bread). Salt is also added to foods during cooking (e.g. bouillon, stock cubes, soy sauce and fish sauce) or at the point of consumption (e.g. table salt).
Salt intake can be reduced by: limiting the amount of salt and high-sodium condiments (e.g. soy sauce, fish sauce and bouillon) when cooking and preparing foods; not having salt or high-sodium sauces on the table; limiting the consumption of salty snacks; and choosing products with lower sodium content.
Some food manufacturers are reformulating recipes to reduce the sodium content of their products, and people should be encouraged to check nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in a product before purchasing or consuming it.
Potassium can mitigate the negative effects of elevated sodium consumption on blood pressure. Intake of potassium can be increased by consuming fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sugars
In both adults and children, the intake of free sugars should be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake (2, 7) . A reduction to less than 5% of total energy intake would provide additional health benefits (7) . Consuming free sugars increases the risk of dental caries (tooth decay).
Excess calories from foods and drinks high in free sugars also contribute to unhealthy weight gain, which can lead to overweight and obesity. Recent evidence also shows that free sugars influence blood pressure and serum lipids, and suggests that a reduction in free sugars intake reduces risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (13) . Sugars intake can be reduced by:
limiting the consumption of foods and drinks containing high amounts of sugars, such as sugary snacks, candies and sugar-sweetened beverages (i.e. all types of beverages containing free sugars – these include carbonated or non‐carbonated soft drinks, fruit or vegetable juices and drinks, liquid and powder concentrates, flavoured water, energy and sports drinks, ready‐to‐drink tea, ready‐to‐drink coffee and flavoured milk drinks); and eating fresh fruit and raw vegetables as snacks instead of sugary snacks.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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By Masimba Mavaza | Transport mogul, Regis Munhenzva, the president of the Zimbabwe Long-Distance Bus Operators Association, has died.
Family spokesperson and a nephew of the late Munhenzva, Lloyd, confirmed to ZIM24/7 that his uncle died at Avenues Clinic in Harare around 1pm today (Thursday).
Sudden death… Regis Munhenzva
“He contracted Covid-19 a few days ago and to make matters worse he was asthmatic. He was admitted at Avenues and immediately placed on ventilator but it did not help”
The late Regis’ young brother Itai is also said to be in isolation due to Covid-19.
Zimbabwe is currently being overrun by this COVID 19. Speaking to the ZIM24/7 Dr Mapara from Zimbabwe urged the government to start being transparent about this COVID. The national COVID task force must be visible now not only having meetings in hotels; they must give briefings to the nation everyday. It is awareness which will win this war.
Many people who contacted this publication lambasted the opposition for encouraging people to defy the lockdown. They urged the government to be stricter in enforcing the COVID restrictions.
Just yesterday a Zimbabwean Choral singer and an Elder in the Seventh Day Adventist Church Elder Mufaro Mberi died at St Aines of Covid, His Brother Comrade McDavid Mberi confirmed the dearth, he will be buried on Friday and relatives are not encouraged to attend in line with the COVID restrictions.
Many people have died in the last 24 hours and very few have been captured in the statics.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa has described the situation at Beitbridge Border Post as pathetic.
Thousands of people are desperate to cross into South Africa-running away from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s brutality.In the process, they risk contracting the deadly Coronavirus.
Mpambwa urged Zimbabweans to unite in fighting for total freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
“All these people are running away from their beloved country.
Surely there is a crisis in Zimbabwe. However, there could be a better way out of it, let’s unite and fight against the crisis .
We need brave people like Makomborero Haruzivishe , Takudzwa Ngadziore to mention but just a few -not forgetting the #trio . We need the spirit of patriotism.
Unfortunately #zanu has managed to cow citizens into submission.
Fellow citizens, let’s remember that peace comes through sacrifice. Even the former revolutionary party members know it,” argued Mpambwa.
THE LATE ASSISTANT COMMISSION EREMMANUEL CHIMWANDA: A TRIBUTE
The MDC Alliance mourns the passing of astute police service professional, Assistant Commissioner Emmanuel Chimwanda.
Chimwanda joined the Zimbabwe Republic Police in 1980 as a patrol officer, rising through the ranks to the post of Assistant Commissioner.
As a police officer, Chimwanda will be remembered for his commitment to professionalism, upholding the rule of law and his stand against partisan lawenforcement.
At a time that most police officers turned a blind eye to state-sponsored political violence, Chimwanda stood on principle and courageously effected the arrest of the late notorious war veterans’ leader, Chenjerai Hunzvi.
Hunzvi had led Zanu- PF supporters and war veterans on a violent rampage targeting opposition supporters in Bikita during the 2000 elections, in which the MDC, contesting for the first time since formation a year ago, whittled down ZanuPF’s parliamentary dominance.
Chimwanda’s action did not go down well with the authorities who recalled him from Masvingo and placed him in the Commissioner’s Pool at Police General Headquarters.
Chimwanda left the police force insisting he would rather leave with his principles intact than take orders to allow some violent Zanu PF supporters to brutalise fellow citizens with impunity.
“You can take your uniform and I will retain my professionalism,”he said upon tendering his resignation.
He later served as a Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
At the time of his death, Chimwanda was the MDC Alliance shadow Secretary for Defence and Security and a member of the National Executive Council.He held a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Chimwanda leaves behind a legacy of service to Zimbabwe. He was a beacon of the constitutional imperatives that the Police Service must be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to the civilian authority.
He will be laid to rest on 7January 2021 in Gutu.
May his soul rest in peace.
Fadzayi Mahere National Spokesperson +263774751446 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe [email protected]
The late Assistant Commissioner Emmanuel Chimwanda
Tinashe Sambiri|The chaos at Beitbridge Border Post is a manifestation of the longstanding governance crisis in Zimbabwe, the MDC Alliance has said.
The MDC Alliance has cited the legitimacy crisis in the country as the main reason for the economic quagmire.
Read statement below:
BEITBRIDGE BORDER CRISIS :A MANIFESTATION OF LONGSTANDING GOVERNANCE CRISIS
The forced migration crisis at Beitbridge border post is a manifestation of a longstanding crisis of governance in Zimbabwe. While people move from country to country throughout the world, the Zimbabwe-South Africa migration is driven largely by chronic unemployment and increasing poverty in Zimbabwe which is directly connected to the failure of political governance.
This crisis of governance emanates from flawed electoral processes that have resulted in performance illegitimacy and sheer incompetence by a regime that is pre-occupied with corruption and elite accumulation.
Zimbabweans would not have to flood the border as they did returning home for the festive season or returning to South Africa afterwards if the economy was offering them more opportunities.
This is why the huge transnational flows of people between South Africa are made up almost exclusively of Zimbabweans.
This one-way traffic is a reminder that the problem is on our side of the border and unless this is resolved, it will escalate in thec oming years.
Our founding leader, Dr Morgan Tsvangirai, famously said that Zimbabwe is not just a foreign policy issue for South Africa. It is a domestic challenge.
The regime in Harare has so far resisted any help to resolve the political crisis.
Resultantly, South Africa has had to take the pressure off our citizens who are fleeing state-engineered poverty.
The situation at Beitbridge border is compounded by the fact that we are in the middle of a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crowds gathered there seeking passage to South Africa make a mockery of the rules against public gathering, social distancing and cleanliness.
There are legitimate fears that such gatherings are super-spreaders of the virus which is a hazard to communities both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
We implore authorities to take urgent steps to resolve the crisis at the border post.
However, as we have stated, to focus only on the situation at Beitbridge would be to merely deal with symptoms of a bigger problem.That bigger problem is the crisis of governance underwritten by a political process that is contaminated by illegitimacy. It is very important to attend to the bigger problem otherwise the situation at Beitbridge will be repeated and it will be worse the next time around.
Fadzayi Mahere National Spokesperson +263774751446 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe [email protected]
Consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions.
However, increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns.
People are now consuming more foods high in energy, fats, free sugars and salt/sodium, and many people do not eat enough fruit, vegetables and other dietary fibre such as whole grains.
The exact make-up of a diversified, balanced and healthy diet will vary depending on individual characteristics (e.g. age, gender, lifestyle and degree of physical activity), cultural context, locally available foods and dietary customs.
However, the basic principles of what constitutes a healthy diet remain the same.
For adults A healthy diet includes the following: Fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils and beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice).
At least 400 g (i.e. five portions) of fruit and vegetables per day (2) , excluding potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and other starchy roots.
Less than 10% of total energy intake from free sugars (2, 7) , which is equivalent to 50 g (or about 12 level teaspoons) for a person of healthy body weight consuming about 2000 calories per day, but ideally is less than 5% of total energy intake for additional health benefits (7) . Free sugars are all sugars added to foods or drinks by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates.
Less than 30% of total energy intake from fats (1, 2, 3) . Unsaturated fats (found in fish, avocado and nuts, and in sunflower, soybean, canola and olive oils) are preferable to saturated fats (found in fatty meat, butter, palm and coconut oil, cream, cheese, ghee and lard) and trans- fats of all kinds, including both industrially-produced trans- fats (found in baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods, such as frozen pizza, pies, cookies, biscuits, wafers, and cooking oils and spreads) and ruminant trans- fats (found in meat and dairy foods from ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, goats and camels).
It is suggested that the intake of saturated fats be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake and trans- fats to less than 1% of total energy intake (5) . In particular, industrially-produced trans -fats are not part of a healthy diet and should be avoided (4, 6) . Less than 5 g of salt (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day (8). Salt should be iodized.
For infants and young children In the first 2 years of a child’s life, optimal nutrition fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development. It also reduces the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing NCDs later in life.
Advice on a healthy diet for infants and children is similar to that for adults, but the following elements are also important: Infants should be breastfed exclusively during the first 6 months of life. Infants should be breastfed continuously until 2 years of age and beyond.
From 6 months of age, breast milk should be complemented with a variety of adequate, safe and nutrient-dense foods. Salt and sugars should not be added to complementary foods.
Practical advice on maintaining a healthy diet Fruit and vegetables Eating at least 400 g, or five portions, of fruit and vegetables per day reduces the risk of NCDs (2) and helps to ensure an adequate daily intake of dietary fibre.
Fruit and vegetable intake can be improved by: always including vegetables in meals; eating fresh fruit and raw vegetables as snacks; eating fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season; and eating a variety of fruit and vegetables.
Fats Reducing the amount of total fat intake to less than 30% of total energy intake helps to prevent unhealthy weight gain in the adult population (1, 2, 3) .
Also, the risk of developing NCDs is lowered by: reducing saturated fats to less than 10% of total energy intake; reducing trans -fats to less than 1% of total energy intake; and replacing both saturated fats and trans- fats with unsaturated fats (2, 3) – in particular, with polyunsaturated fats.
Fat intake, especially saturated fat and industrially-produced trans- fat intake, can be reduced by: steaming or boiling instead of frying when cooking; replacing butter, lard and ghee with oils rich in polyunsaturated fats, such as soybean, canola (rapeseed), corn, safflower and sunflower oils; eating reduced-fat dairy foods and lean meats, or trimming visible fat from meat; and limiting the consumption of baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods (e.g. doughnuts, cakes, pies, cookies, biscuits and wafers) that contain industrially-produced trans- fats.
Salt, sodium and potassium Most people consume too much sodium through salt (corresponding to consuming an average of 9–12 g of salt per day) and not enough potassium (less than 3.5 g). High sodium intake and insufficient potassium intake contribute to high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke (8, 11) .
Reducing salt intake to the recommended level of less than 5 g per day could prevent 1.7 million deaths each year (12) .
People are often unaware of the amount of salt they consume. In many countries, most salt comes from processed foods (e.g. ready meals; processed meats such as bacon, ham and salami; cheese; and salty snacks) or from foods consumed frequently in large amounts (e.g. bread). Salt is also added to foods during cooking (e.g. bouillon, stock cubes, soy sauce and fish sauce) or at the point of consumption (e.g. table salt).
Salt intake can be reduced by: limiting the amount of salt and high-sodium condiments (e.g. soy sauce, fish sauce and bouillon) when cooking and preparing foods; not having salt or high-sodium sauces on the table; limiting the consumption of salty snacks; and choosing products with lower sodium content.
Some food manufacturers are reformulating recipes to reduce the sodium content of their products, and people should be encouraged to check nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in a product before purchasing or consuming it.
Potassium can mitigate the negative effects of elevated sodium consumption on blood pressure. Intake of potassium can be increased by consuming fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sugars
In both adults and children, the intake of free sugars should be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake (2, 7) . A reduction to less than 5% of total energy intake would provide additional health benefits (7) . Consuming free sugars increases the risk of dental caries (tooth decay).
Excess calories from foods and drinks high in free sugars also contribute to unhealthy weight gain, which can lead to overweight and obesity. Recent evidence also shows that free sugars influence blood pressure and serum lipids, and suggests that a reduction in free sugars intake reduces risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (13) . Sugars intake can be reduced by:
limiting the consumption of foods and drinks containing high amounts of sugars, such as sugary snacks, candies and sugar-sweetened beverages (i.e. all types of beverages containing free sugars – these include carbonated or non‐carbonated soft drinks, fruit or vegetable juices and drinks, liquid and powder concentrates, flavoured water, energy and sports drinks, ready‐to‐drink tea, ready‐to‐drink coffee and flavoured milk drinks); and eating fresh fruit and raw vegetables as snacks instead of sugary snacks.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Students Council Secretary General, Rujeko Hither Mpambwa has described the situation at Beitbridge Border Post as pathetic.
Thousands of people are desperate to cross into South Africa-running away from Emmerson Mnangagwa’s brutality.In the process, they risk contracting the deadly Coronavirus.
Mpambwa urged Zimbabweans to unite in fighting for total freedom from Zanu PF oppression.
“All these people are running away from their beloved country.
Surely there is a crisis in Zimbabwe. However, there could be a better way out of it, let’s unite and fight against the crisis .
We need brave people like Makomborero Haruzivishe , Takudzwa Ngadziore to mention but just a few -not forgetting the #trio . We need the spirit of patriotism.
Unfortunately #zanu has managed to cow citizens into submission.
Fellow citizens, let’s remember that peace comes through sacrifice. Even the former revolutionary party members know it,” argued Mpambwa.
THE LATE ASSISTANT COMMISSION EREMMANUEL CHIMWANDA: A TRIBUTE
The MDC Alliance mourns the passing of astute police service professional, Assistant Commissioner Emmanuel Chimwanda.
Chimwanda joined the Zimbabwe Republic Police in 1980 as a patrol officer, rising through the ranks to the post of Assistant Commissioner.
As a police officer, Chimwanda will be remembered for his commitment to professionalism, upholding the rule of law and his stand against partisan lawenforcement.
At a time that most police officers turned a blind eye to state-sponsored political violence, Chimwanda stood on principle and courageously effected the arrest of the late notorious war veterans’ leader, Chenjerai Hunzvi.
Hunzvi had led Zanu- PF supporters and war veterans on a violent rampage targeting opposition supporters in Bikita during the 2000 elections, in which the MDC, contesting for the first time since formation a year ago, whittled down ZanuPF’s parliamentary dominance.
Chimwanda’s action did not go down well with the authorities who recalled him from Masvingo and placed him in the Commissioner’s Pool at Police General Headquarters.
Chimwanda left the police force insisting he would rather leave with his principles intact than take orders to allow some violent Zanu PF supporters to brutalise fellow citizens with impunity.
“You can take your uniform and I will retain my professionalism,”he said upon tendering his resignation.
He later served as a Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
At the time of his death, Chimwanda was the MDC Alliance shadow Secretary for Defence and Security and a member of the National Executive Council.He held a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Chimwanda leaves behind a legacy of service to Zimbabwe. He was a beacon of the constitutional imperatives that the Police Service must be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional and subordinate to the civilian authority.
He will be laid to rest on 7January 2021 in Gutu.
May his soul rest in peace.
Fadzayi Mahere National Spokesperson +263774751446 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe [email protected]
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Harare businessman, Wicknell Chivayo’s mother has died.
Chivayo described his mother’s death as devastating.
Chivayo tweeted:
Dear MUM. I still can’t believe you are gone. A fighter since Day1 and a survivor till the very end.
You were my life’s best friend and always put my needs before yours.GO WELL MUMNY I PROMISE I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU PROUD MUMMY ,IN EVERY WAY…RIP MUM. I LOVE YOU FOREVER ???
By A Correspondent- A Mwenezi woman was left shattered and heartbroken after her ex-husband produced nine birth certificates of his other children from different marriages during a maintenance court hearing.
During maintenance hearings, spouses especial men often come up with all sort of stories so that they avoid paying more money for maintenance.
One such example is Harare Businessman Philip Chiyangwa who sensationally claimed in court that he fathered 50 children whom he pays maintenance for.
Unlike Philip Chiyangwa who could not prove before the court that he actually fathered 50 children, Mathew Gwenhure produced the ‘V11s’ before the court.
Mathew Gwenhure a teacher at Budirirai School in Mwenezi produced nine birth certificates for the other children he fathered in a bid to justify a ZWL$1000 maintenance offer for his three kids.
Dorcas Mapindu who approached the Magistrates court seeking a better maintenance offer of ZWL$6 000 from Mathew was left in shock and she broke down in tears before Resident Magistrate Honesty Musiiwa.
Dorcas knew that her ex-husband had five other children from two previous marriages but when she learned that Gwenhure had married another woman and had four children she was heartbroken beyond words.
She no choice but to settle for the paltry ZWL$1000 maintenance fee for her three children that Gwenhure had offered as there was no other way to convince the court to give in to her demand.
Gwenhure told the court that he could not afford the ZWL$6000 Dorcas wanted since he earned ZWL$12000 and had three wives.
By A Correspondent- In a tragic and miraculous incident that occurred in the mining town of Shurugwi, a 21-year old woman was blown to pieces when mining explosives that were in her house detonated while her newborn baby survived.
21-year-old Alice Makasi of house number 1768 Magakooshla and her 3-week old baby was preparing to sleep when the explosives went off, killing her instantly and destroying a part of the house.
According to a neighbor, Ms. Martha Nyoni who was with Alice moments before the explosion said the incident happened just after 9 PM.
She (Alice) was at my house and there were three of us. We then bade each other farewell at around 9 pm when Martha said she wanted to go and feed her baby.
A few moments after she left, I heard some screams for help followed by a huge explosion, Ms Nyoni said.
When she went out she saw smoke coming out of Alice’s house and immediately called out for help.
The neighbors who responded to Ms. Nyoni’s call for help arrived at the scene only to find rubbles and blown up pieces of Makasi.
One of the neighbours saw Makasi’s ruptured head on the ground outside the house. Some went into the house and saw blood all over the walls and some of Makasi’s body parts scattered all over. Part of the house’s walls had also been destroyed, she said.
Mrs. Primrose Sandi a witness and first responder said when they were at the scene they heard a baby crying through the rubbles and managed to retrieve the baby alive.
We then retrieved the baby alive and went to the police to make a report. It was then discovered that there were some mining explosives which were being kept in the house and had reacted resulting in the explosion, she said.
Police in Shurugwi confirmed that they had arrested Alice Makasi’s husband, Blessed Ndlovu (35), an artisanal miner, for storing explosives in the house.
Blessed Ndlovu, who was away when the incident occurred, is now assisting the police with investigations. He is being charged for keeping explosives in an unsafe environment.
The suspect said he had been using them in his artisanal mining activities in the Falcon area, said a police officer close to the investigation.-statemedia
Human rights lawyers have filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking an order compelling government to declare them essential service providers to facilitate their ease passage at security checkpoints during the national lockdown period.
Government recently announced a 30-day national lockdown which started on Tuesday, but left out lawyers on the list of essential service providers.
In their application, the Young Lawyer Association of Zimbabwe (YLAZ) led by Obey Shava and represented the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights argued that section 27A(g) introduced by Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 restricts law firms or those offering legal services from performing their duties during the lockdown period.
The lawyers are seeking an order to stop police from demanding exemption letters from them.
They said the requirement was unlawful and unconstitutional as it infringed on the legal practitioners’ constitutional right to freedom of movement and the right to and freedom of profession, trade or occupation
This, they said, was in conflict with the Practice Direction 1 of 2021 issued by Chief Justice Luke Malaba on how courts are to operate during lockdown, which allowed lawyers to operate, but police were barring their free movement to and from work.
The lawyers cited Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in his capacity as Health minister, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister Kazembe Kazembe and Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi as respondents.
“The ZRP statements of January 4, 2021 and its enforcement be and are hereby declared unconstitutional and a contravention of the rights of applicants, litigants, arrested and accused persons in sections 50, 64, 66 ,69 and 70 of the Constitution and are consequently set aside,” read the application.
“The services by lawyers are an integral part and an essential component in the national economy ecosystem, the justice delivery system including law and order. It’s critical in a democratic society. That is why lawyers are officers of the court.”
Travellers’ woes at Beitbridge Border Post continue mounting amid reports that South African authorities were rejecting COVID-19 test certificates issued by other countries including Zimbabwe, preferring to carry out their own tests.
The crisis entered its sixth day yesterday with all foreigners seeking to enter that country subjected to tests at the entry point.
“This is done at the gate before you even get to the immigration desk. This is where people are delayed. It takes about 15 minutes for the results to be out and once you are through that process, everything is fast,” a truck driver, Marvin Banda said.
It was, however, difficult to establish how many people could be tested at once although that country said it had deployed more officials to Beitbridge where a humanitarian crisis is looming due to the swelling number of foreigners seeking to cross into South Africa.
South Africa’s Home Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi has been widely criticised even in his country for his heavy-handed approach that has seen many travellers stuck at Beitbridge despite having adequate documentation.
Economic Freedom Fighters MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi recently told TimesLive, an online publication, that the human congestion in Beitbridge could cause a disaster greater than the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let our people in. They are part of us. They live here and have been living here for centuries,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police yesterday dispatched three busloads of police officers to Beitbridge to help enforce the new COVID-19 restrictions.
Beitbridge residents have largely been ignoring the regulations and continuing to gather at nightclubs against the new lockdown restrictions.-Newsday
By Josiah Mucharowana in Pretoria| There is a war in Beitbridge!
Not for land nor political ideology. It’s a spirited attempt by Zimbabweans to be allowed into South Africa by the book or crook, away from the madding crowd of Harare.
Ah sorry! I am not being alarmist or formenting panic and despondency, but surely something is amiss over yonder in the capital.
We hear it’s now a village. Water taps are dry for weeks on end with women and children spending more time fist-fighting at boreholes than at home. Electricity has become somewhat erratic to nonexistent. Pot-holed urban roads are nurturing rally drivers to turn newly knighted Lewis Hamilton green with envy.
Yes, Beitbridge, I mean that stretch of the infamous Limpopo river flooded and bursting at the seems at this time of the year because of heavy rains pounding the SADC region is replete with ghastly tales of extortion, violence and broken dreams to Utopia in this case South Africa for many Zimbabweans.
It is the proverbial Rubicorn at which fellow compatriots come out with a conviction to face parts unknown in the diaspora or death from either poverty, political abductions, unrelenting and virulent coronavirus in dilapidated healthcare facilities on homeland.
Beitbridge at anytime of the day all year round has a forbidding air about it so thick one can almost touch it. From time immemorial, there have been gruesome stories of murder, rape and robbery cases from the darkest pits of hell.
Weatherwise, it is scotched earth most of the year and everything there is for a buck from smelly decontaminated water to drink to a simple bath in a bucket.
I have been there and seen it all. ‘Papers’ or no papers, Beitbridge is not for the faint-hearted. I had no real money in my pockets on my virgin trip to Egoli many moons ago. I was a bundle of nerves clutching a worn out jacket in my hand emblazoned Liverpool at the back. Like a cat armed with a curious twinkle in my eye, upon arrival in Jo’burg, I had hoped to find the streets paved with gold. Alas, I had no idea whatsoever what it means to be in another country, on your own. Imagine the shock of it to find thousands of fellow countrymen sleeping under the moon and stars at the (in)famous Methodist Church at the heartbeat of Jozi administered by the charismatic Paul Veryn.
On the hard cold streets of the city of gold, unrelated man and women developed a bond of survival that only men of war at battlefronts can understand why. Bread, beans and blankets were shared with gusto regardless of tribe as long as you were Zimbabwean.
Then, Mugabe and Co were breathing fire and brimstone at imaginary enemies of the West. Sanctions! Remove Sanctions! Mugabe pounded podiums in the tall towers of America and elsewhere. China became a wily buddy and home became a hell hole. Millions started the unending journey of being economic refugees to date.
Back home, I had left family cats sleeping at the fireplace, nothing cooked there.
This world is not our mother folks, we gotta be as mean as a bitch or as kind as a Jesuit priest when the situation demands.
Interestingly just before Christmas, South Africa let loose it’s guard opening the gates to immigrants going out under the guise of relaxing Covid-19 protocols when about 5 deaths of people were reported due to prolonged periods stuck in the snaking ques to the border.
Deep in their hearts, South African leaders knew the joy of going away would be shortlived for many Zimbabweans as January beckoned. A helicopter and police speedboats have been dispensed to plug in loopholes in the porous borderline as thousands throng Beitbridge in an uninspiring comeback.
Reportedly 500 hundred undocumented foreigners around the border and Limpopo are caught each passing day and that’s a massive number for an overstretched police force to deal with. It is costly on the South African national fiscus.
Zimbabwe has retaliated with an almost complete lockdown for 30 days restricting human movement except essential workers and the sale of alcohol.
It is sad for border jumpers caught between a rock and a hard place.
The mass movement of people trying to reach South Africa by hook or crook is an indelible stain on the conscience of the Zimbabwean leadership. Of course migration has become a world phenomenon as it is said the universe has become a ‘global village’ and no nation is an island unto itself.
The same, however cannot hold water for the Zim-South Africa human traffic.
It is trouble, serious trouble that has been left to ferment and brew to a dangerous poison that could befuddle the entire region.
Surely Zimbabwe cannot export its warm bodies and problems to other countries ceaselessly with no solution in sight.
What we are witnessing at Beitbridge is admission of guilty by Harare authorities. They have failed the people.They have thrown the mandate book out through the window. It is a dog eat dog country now in which politics is not to serve the masses but self enrichment.
Given half a chance in leadership, I would quit, walk off into the sunset just like in western blockbuster movies. I would go home and grow maize and beans. I would sod off from national life quietly and give others a chance.
However, it’s only a peasant’ s dream. With the caliber of people at helm, it will not work. Simple! Who piggybacks a ‘crocodile’. They aren’t friendly. We cannot at all blame God for creating a crocodile but thank Him for not giving it wings. We would certainly perish. It’s diaspora or death for many.
Josiah Mucharowana is a media graduate and writes in his personal capacity. Feedback; joemasvokisi @gmail.com, +27 84 587 4121
A 57 year old man was arrested in Musina, Limpopo, after he was caught in possession of more than R165 000 in a cooler bag, which he allegedly failed to declare at the border.
The foreign national was arrested on Tuesday when police officers were on routine patrol along the N1 North road, between the Beitbridge border post and Musina.
“It is reported that the suspect was walking with other pedestrians when he was spotted by the police while carrying a portable blue cooler bag,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi said.
“Police searched him and discovered a large amount of cash packed inside the cooler bag [and] he failed to explain its origin.
He was arrested immediately.
Seabi said preliminary investigations at the scene revealed that the man was in the country illegally and that he did not declare the money at the border post.
The man is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.-News24
It was clearly an armed insurrection: protesters had weapons. – 2 pipe bombs and a cooler of Molotov cocktails were found…
– At least 4 people dead and 52 arrested as Washington mayor declares a 15-day state of emergency after the invasion of Congress by pro-Trump protesters. https://t.co/Zi1UCwvcRCpic.twitter.com/hRFQFNggGs
By Leonard Koni| Politics is a clumsy game. As we approach 2021 there are going to be interesting moments.
The whole thing is now in the public eyes. The writing is on the wall.
People must be wary of this new political virus in the form of Douglas Mwonzora who has now become a full blown Zanu PF official masquerading as an opposition cadre.
He proudly said he is going to work professionally with the ruling party.
MDC -Alliance must mobilise very hard for them to stand a chance in the future elections. Zanu PF is doing whatever it can and pouring resources to MDC-T led by incoming President Douglas Mwonzora as witnessed by a fleet of Zupco buses which were used to ferry delegates who attending the extra ordinary congress at the Rainbow Towers.
It is determined to uproot MDC-Alliance once and for all through it’s combination of militaristic, brutality approach and brazenly stealing or rigging elections, the outcome of which would be Zanu PF winning with majority and few MPs allocated to its proxies especially Douglas Mwonzora.
This is being done to mislead the global world that there is an opposition in Zimbabwe.
They tried to experiment this through the introduction of POLAD but did not work. With the captured institutions like Z R Police , the Army, Judiciary, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ,MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa must revitalise and energise his party because he is just left with small breathing spaces as the rest is being choked by gasses emanating from the revolutionary party. He must tread carefully and navigate his space so as to manoeuvre smoothly.
To be honest MDC- Alliance must take the bull by its horns and come out of its comfort zones as Mwonzora is now ganging up with Zanu PF to completely decimate the people’s struggle. Nelson Chamisa must avoid sinking come next election.
This is sounding so pessimistic but that is the inevitable reality.
It seems President Emmerson Mnangagwa is now determined to establish either a Mammur Gaddafi sought of political system or a Chinese political model where there would be one party state, which is more authoritarian than democratic.
The concept of democracy does not exist in Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vocabulary. He is afraid of an opposition party and cannot stand in such an environment. That is why he always resort to using force to confront a problem.
This idea of trying to submerge the opposition is not new in his political career. Its a tried and tested theory. Actually he tried to decimate the opposition through forming of POLAD which is still struggling to stand the pressure due to lack of policy implementation.
This is a golden opportunity for MDC- Alliance to spread the word and conscientize the masses, mobilise very hard and penetrate the rural areas. 2021 must be vicious and should not leave no any stone unturned.
Douglas Mwonzora and his MDC-T double standards have been exposed through the court rulings, takeover of buildings money, councilors and members of parliament.
Real MDC-Alliance supporters will put him to where he belongs. The vanguard supporters cannot be fooled by his political grandstanding.
Its not about serving the suffering majority but serving his interests. Mwonzora has decided to pave his way to join the league of looters who have suffocated our economy.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has concluded that the long standing stalemate between Zanu PF and MDC -Alliance is the reason for all ills affecting Zimbabwe, so for him if Zimbabwe is to succeed MDC-Alliance should be killed. That is their mission and agenda. The ball is now in the people’s court.
“Following the issuance of the latest Government of Zimbabwe’s public safety measures on the adjustments to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown effective from the 5th of January 2020, the ZANU PF Women’s League would like to applaud the decision, amid the negative impact of the pandemic.
These measures come at a time when the nation has experienced a huge spike of both new Covid-19 cases and deaths, especially during and just after the 2020 festive season. It is a national objective, prescribed by the country’s Constitution in Section 29 (3), which states that “the state must take all preventive measures within the limits of the resources available to it, including education and public awareness programs against the spread of disease.”
Resultantly, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s government saw it fit to adjust and tighten the previously existing lockdown measures, as well as advance the testing and patient care across the country’s provinces. It is important to note that, these adjustments are in compliance with the set World Health Organization (WHO) standards, in an effort to curb and combat the impact and spread of the novel coronavirus.
“The ZANU PF Women’s League acknowledges that Zimbabwean women from across the board have honourably held themselves in previous tighter lockdowns. As we applaud and salute them, The Women’s League urges women to remain united, resolute and steadfast, as it is clear that mothers are natural care-givers and fully appreciate, more than anyone else, the consequences of not observing and adhering to the laid down lockdown regulations.
“It would be prudent to remind each other that the available recommendations, despite the associated impediments, are vital measures and practices to curb the continuous spread of the coronavirus and they include the strict and correct wearing of face masks, practising social distancing, frequent hand washing with soap and running water as well as sanitization.
“The Women’s League also urges the nation to shun and ignore adversive calls by some detractors who are bent on causing mayhem in our country, especially through the use of social media to spread misleading fake news.
“COVID-19 is real. It is, therefore, our duty as patriotic and responsible citizens to protect our nation, each other, and all of us, as the coronavirus knows no colour, gender, social status or political affiliation, among other real or perceived divisions. Let us all heed to the call by our Government to unite in the fight against this “invisible” enemy which has become more visible than not. Let us all continue to pray to God and cry for mercy that He heals our land and deliver us from this global affliction.”
Cde Hon. Mabel Memory Chinomona
NATIONAL SECRETARY FOR WOMEN AFFAIRS – ZANU PF PARTY
Newly-appointed MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube yesterday said former party acting president Thokozani Khupe could not reject the post of vice-president offered her by Douglas Mwonzora, the new party leader.
Mwonzora was declared new party leader at a controversial extraordinary congress that was marred by violence.
Khupe rejected the outcome and vowed to challenge it at the courts.
Yesterday, Dube said the congress was done and dusted and there was no going back on the outcome.
“The congress is done and dusted. We also got an opinion from our respected lawyer Lovemore Madhuku and there is no going back on the outcome of the congress.
People have been offered positions and of course some are yet to announce their acceptance of the posts,” Dube said.
“As for Madam Khupe, when we went to congress she was acting president and had been party VP as of the 2014 structures. So it was obvious that when she loses the presidency, she reverts to the vice-president position, that is what happened and she has to accept it,” he
said, adding that some of the appointments were as a result of the ratification of the opposition party’s national executive and national councils.
US President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol Building, forcing the evacuation of lawmakers who had gathered to certify Joe Biden's election win.
The protesters' violent occupation of the complex lasted for nearly four hours. pic.twitter.com/PZnt5ijJlO
By A Correspondent- Social media personality Wicknell Chivayo has posted a heartrending message of his social media announcing the death of his mother.
Chivhayo paid homage to his mother for moulding him into the person that he is today.
He said:
Dear MUM,
It hasn’t sunk in, I can’t believe you are gone. A fighter since Day 1 and a survivor till the very end. You were my life’s best friend and always put my needs before yours. I’m in a complete state of denial. I wish I had never woken up to see this dawn.
You pushed me to be the best I could be. Even when life was heaving down on you giving up on me was never an option. You always motivated and supported me at all times. Courage, happiness, smiles and hugs are just a few things that you never had in short supply.
Mummy I don’t deserve to be the one to give you a final goodbye. Not all is lost, I know you’ll be watching. So I’m picking up the pieces and starting today I’m going to live a life worthy of having had an amazing Mum like you.
I’M GOING TO MAKE YOU PROUD MUMMY,IN EVERY WAY… MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN ETERNAL
By Dorrothy Moyo | VaBhasikiti mavakupinda mubhasikiti ripi zvino? – Former Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has announced he has ditched his boss, Nelson Chamisa for Douglas Mwonzora.
When President Chamisa met ex G40 members Former provincial commissars for Harare Shadreck Mashayombe, Jeppy Jaboon, Masvingo and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti .They have joined MDC Alliance. Former minister Walter Mzembi and the other team to join before the week ends, according to party sources.
Writing on his Twitter portal on Thursday, Bhasikiti said Mwonzora now runs MDC Alliance and MDC T.
He wrote saying (unedited print),” Like it or not it is true.All those MPs&Senators currently in Parliament under MDC-A are an open witness. MAY YOU KNOW ALL YOU MEN&WOMEN NOW,AM NO LOGGER A MEMBER OF MDCA.
80.#MOMENT OF TRUTH NOW;Hypocrisy should END NOW.MDCT&MDCA are one thing now under Douglas https://t.co/zsJSjcofl0 it or not it is true.All those MPs&Senators currently in Parliament under MDCA are an open witness.MAY YOU KNOW ALL YOU MEN&WOMEN NOW,AM NO LOGGER A MEMBER OF MDCA.
By A Correspondent- ZRP has revealed that it arrested 2 people who were issuing fake COVID-19 certificates to inter-country travellers.
The development was communicated by the police in a Tweet that said the duo was arrested a day before yesterday for their crime:
Members of the public are urged to take the Covid-19 pandemic seriously and follow proper procedures in obtaining screening certificates as shortcuts may put their lives and those of others at risk.
On 04/01/21 Police in Harare arrested 2 suspects who were issuing fake Covd-19 certificates to inter-country travellers. Investigations are in progress. #notocrime
This comes amid reports that similar incidences occurred in Nigeria during the festive season. Intercountry travellers need a COVID-19 free certificate to go to other African countries.
COVID-19 testing ranges between 55 and 90 at different medical facilities and laboratories across the country which is beyond the reach of some holidaymakers, returning residents, and visitors hence the decision by those people to cut corners
By A Correspondent- At least five workers at Proton, a Marondera-based bakery are reported to have tested positive for the coronavirus following a recent test exercise.
Reports suggest that a handful of workers, who include very senior and middle-level managers were already sick when they were tested.
A source who emphasised anonymity said general workers usually get tested when they get sick. Added the source:
What is surprising is that whoever tests positive will just be sent home and business moves on as usual. Moreover, social distance is not maintained at the workplace and in staff buses and offices.
Security guards physically search workers at entry points when they come in and when they go home risking the spread of the virus.
General workers are not happy as the organisation is not paying them Covid-19 allowance. They have tried to negotiate with the employer on several occasions but nothing materialised.
It is reported that managers pay themselves hefty allowances amounting to ZWL$37 000 while a Grade 1 worker is said to be getting plus or minus ZWL$9000.
We got in touch with Mr Elvis Ncube, an official at Proton Bakers, to verify the reports and he requested that questions be emailed adding that he will respond by the end of the day Wednesday.
He said:
Can we do it this way, I can give you my email address, you can send me your questions, I can respond in writing… You will definitely get a response by end of day.
When we made follow-ups on Wednesday and Thursday, there was no response and his phone rang unanswered.
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Chamisa sits in his office feeling highly encouraged by the events in America. Should he offer Trump a message of solidarity? Amidst all the hypocrisy and pretence of democracy and being a democratic police officer of the world, America is still bitterly divided country — laid bare by the election and President Trump’s ugly reactions. Zimbabwe can show that its mob management system is far advanced than theirs.
The world has been entertained to the most barbaric violent show of how to lose elections the American way.
Thousands invaded America’s pride of democracy the Capitol disrupting the Senate sitting and running smock showing anarchy right from the holy seat of civilisation and democracy. The last time the Capitol was invaded was in 1814 by the British.
In that vein, can we try to extract some positive election news? Of course, the best news is that America can not be a preacher of democracy peace and love. Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. President Trump is a failed leader responsible for tens of thousands of unnecessary COVID-19 deaths, who has degraded his office and trampled on democratic norms. Nothing better illustrates his autocratic instincts than his attempts to stop the inauguration and peaceful transition of power. Two months after the elections Trump still label the election a Fraud. It is therefore normal that Zimbabwe, together with other democratic and progressive countries from around the world, must stop the rise of dictatorship in America. There has been unprecedented scenes of barbarism in America, this circus and tragic-comedy that is unfolding in the United States of America resembles a dogs breakfast.
It is highly ironical that the world’s biggest policeman on good governance, human rights, rule of law, accountability, transparency and democracy is currently battling with those very basic concepts of civilisation.
The most surprising is the deafening silence of the Parrot Fadzai Mahere and the loud mouths Biti and Job Sikhala.
Basic concepts, which the Zimbabwean government has been accused of by America since independence. We are made to understand that US dictator and megalomaniac Donald Trump has rallied his thugs to attack the Capitol. They entered the building killing one person and forcing senators into hiding.
This strikes serious similarities with the behaviour of MDC in Zimbabwe. We can not observe America without setting our eyes on the branches of violence created by America. We look no further than our own back yard. We have an opposition who March to the Sheraton hotel where election command centre is operating from with one aim of overrunning it. This is cut from the American’s Trump behaviour to rally thugs to the Capitol with one aim of disrupting an election process. The similarities are striking, Trump’s Vice President dumps trump and endorses Biden so did Khupe who endorses ED.
At the same time Trump refused to make clear indications on when he will leave office after being soundly trounced in the recent elections by his opponent, Joe Biden. On the other hand Chamisa pulls a legitimacy card against ED to this day. Chamisa’s father Donald trump refuses to acknowledge that he has lost. None of us has expected to see such scenes in our life time
People have now realised that President Trump is plotting a coup to prevent Joe Biden from taking office. This was exactly what Chamisa tried to pull in Zimbabwe but the truth always prevails so ZANU PF continues to show the world how democracy builds patience.
But America has shown its true colours and plunges Western Democracy into disarray.
Those fears have arisen, of course, as Trump insists he won, and floods his fans with lies about massive voter fraud. Meantime, he ordered his supporters to March to the Capitol building which they did and over run. Trump is commanding an attack on American’s democracy. What he is doing is almost as ugly (although hardly unexpected). He appears bent on undermining American’s national security during the transition, in pursuit of last-minute revenge and domestic civil war.
“In a transition period there is already going to be turbulence, and leaders should try to provide stability so enemies don’t take advantage.”
Yet the president is stoking turbulence prior to Biden’s inauguration in so many ways that shows the world that America does not qualify to lecture the world on democracy.
Most petty is Trump’s refusal to allow Biden security briefings — a practice adhered to by past presidents of both parties. This is no minor matter, as new presidents have to be ready the moment they take office.
Dictators should not be allowed to thrive by clinging to power as they continue to plunder the rich mineral resources that the USA is well endowed with.
SB Moyo must summons US ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols to explain the unacceptable barbarism that is emanating from Washington DC. America owes Zimbabwe an apology and must remove all the sanctions forth with.
The United Nations should immediately slap crippling and comprehensive targeted economic sanctions as they have done on others. Should America get its own poison , should the people slap Trump with additional mechanisms to effect regime change? Is this how democracy work. Would we demand that American economy must scream until the dictator leaves office. “Trump has ordered people on the streets so that he can find a reason to invoke the Insurrection Act, but there are no riots, so what for?”
“Among other hallmarks during his misrule in the last four years, the US dictator has pursued nepotism as a tool to economically empower his relatives and his family business enterprise. The dictator gave his daughter a plum and cushy job in the White House while at the same time employing his son-in-law as an advisor.” If this was to happen in Zimbabwe we all know what Fadzai Mahere will be telling the world. One writer Mr Kombo said “Africa cannot and should not stand by while the USA violates all tenets of democracy as that could spread like a wild fire across the world”
Dictators should not be allowed to thrive by clinging to power as they continue to plunder the rich mineral resources that the USA is well endowed with. That is what the world should be saying now. It is, therefore, time that Foreign and international affairs minister SB Moyo summoned US ambassador to Zimbabwe Brian Nichols to explain the unacceptable barbarism that is emanating from Washington DC. After SB Moyo summons the US ambassador for a candid lesson in democracy, other African foreign affairs ministers should follow suit before advising their presidents to convene an urgent and extraordinary African Union (AU) summit with the USA as the only agenda item. Is this not what they always do on Zimbabwe.
They should immediately slap crippling and comprehensive economic sanctions that will include asset freezes and travel restrictions. If the US regime is not willing to reform, the AU should make it very clear that additional mechanisms to effect regime change such as an invasion will be actively pursued. We need to make the American economy scream until the dictator leaves office. “Trump has struggled time and again to get the Pentagon to do his bidding,” says John Gans, former chief Pentagon speechwriter and author of White House Warriors, a history of the National Security Council. “These [four men] are the foot soldiers of Trump’s war on government, his war on what he calls the ‘deep state.’ They are willing to bend and break the rules.”
“I’m most worried about the effect on U.S. public opinion,” says Harvard’s Daniel Ziblatt, coauthor of How Democracies Die. “Sixty percent of Republicans think the election is not legitimate, so [they will think] Biden is not a legitimate president. Does this not sound a bell of similarities with Zimbabwe’s opposition? “Yes, I know that Trump won’t go quietly, and will keep stoking fear and rage among the nearly half of U.S. voters who backed him. And I realise that a split government with a likely Democratic president and a GOP Senate majority is a formula for continued paralysis in getting things done. Moreover, America’s adversaries such as China and Russia are poised to take advantage if the country continues to be riven by divisions and violence.” Commented one journalist.
Trump will no longer have his bully pulpit to spread lies and conspiracy theories. Yes, he will still tweet, and may even start his own Trump TV since Fox is not sycophantic enough. Yet Trump’s tweets, which had to be followed closely when they represented presidential policy statements, won’t command similar attention when he is an ex-president. Responsible media can ignore them. And if the president continues to rant about a stolen election, even some of his followers may tire of his tirades.
Moreover, as president, Joe Biden will be particularly suited to reach out to an exhausted country with his message that he is governing as president of the United States, not as the president of blue or red states.
The hypocrisy of the Western democracy has been exposed. The so called centre for democracy and its simple has been defiled by itself.
Shame on America and shame of forced democracy.
This should be a lesson to those who strive to destroy other countries in the name of democracy.
By Hope Chizuzu| MICHAEL Mapeza (81) father to FC Platinum coach whose side was robbed in Dar es Salaam yesterday has died in a private Harare hospital this morning.
His son Norman, told The Page from Dar where is already battling to secure a flight back home that his father succumbed to COVID-19.
“He was taken to hospital on Monday complaining of all symptoms of Covid_19. He was yesterday (Wednesday) reported to have improved and feeling better and was even asking for some fruits. We all thought he was recovering only to be phoned this morning by my nephew that the old man is no more.
“It is really bad, but what can we do. Such is life, we just have to move on. I am now trying to see if I can secure a flight back home today or tomorrow morning.
“As we speak, only my sister and the husband are the only people at home. Kento (Kennedy) is in the US, my other brother is in UK, the other one is SA as is the sister. It is tough,” Mapeza told The Page.
Thank you for your legal opinion on the MDC-T Extra-Ordinary Congress which has been made public both on social and official media. Your observation that Dr. Khupe could not stop an election process where she was a candidate herself makes perfect sense.
Dr. Khupe should certainly have presented her arguments to the independent electoral body that was conducting the election to view the shambolic and violent process. Obviously, she was overcome by emotion and couldn’t follow due process.
However, there are arguments that have been raised regarding quorum issues as the Congress did not meet the MDC Constitutionally required quorum. I have pointed out in an earlier opinion piece where the Congress does not make a quorum, the results of any of the Congress activities will only be validated by an Extra-Ordinary Congress.
This view is supported by legal guru Mr. Obert Gutu who is quoted in The Herald saying “…in terms of the constitution if the numbers of the delegates do not meet the quorum it doesn’t mean that the result is nullified but that another congress should be held to validate or invalidate the outcome”.
That said, and given that according to the MDC T’s own official position, 3000 delegates were supposed to attend the Congress, the Extra Ordinary Congress of 27 December was certainly inquorate, hence the results should await validation or invalidation by an Extra Ordinary Congress.
As the legal representative of the MDC-T, Professor, it is your responsibility to ensure that all the rules are followed to the book, otherwise, you also risk tarnishing your own professional and public reputation by endorsing an illegitimate outcome. The Presidency of Senator Mwonzora only becomes legitimate if it is endorsed by an Extra-Ordinary Congress.
One point Mr. Gutu may have missed is that the Supreme Court ruling nullified everything that had happened, so every MDC-T 2014 should be allowed to participate in the Congress, and if they do not participate, that accounts for the quorum, and if there is no quorum, Dr. Tsvangirai cannot be replaced as presented by the Supreme Court. Whether the Supreme Court will allow for an extension for the Extra-Ordinary Congress to be held is a matter that you,
Professor Madhuku, may want to present to the Supreme Court as the legal representative of the MDC-T, but my take is that the period given by the Supreme Court was given with full knowledge of the MDC constitution, so the Supreme Court judges who made that decision very well that within that time frame, an Extra-Ordinary Congress should be held, and another Extra-Ordinary Congress should be held to validate the result if the first was inquorate.
Besides the issues around quorum, there are also some serious issues of alleged money laundering by Senator Mwonzora around the same Congress which should not be ignored as the country fights corruption. Den Moyo, MDC-T Chairman for the USA is on record saying he accompanied Dr. Khupe, Chief Ndlovu, and Senator Komichi to the bank to check bank statements and they confirmed $6 million had been withdrawn without the knowledge of the other leaders, and that money was given to Dr. Tapiwa Mashakada.
Yet Senator Mwonzora wants to make people believe that Chief Ndlovu was missing in action when money had to be withdrawn. This is a matter of serious concern to us as taxpayers. This money was allegedly deposited into a Bell Petroleum Account number 15104045502014.
Insiders say that Senator Mwonzora was very quick to move and make appointments to try and pacify Dr. Khupe, Senator Khomichi and others, telling them if this result is nullified, you may lose your positions in parliament and Senate, so every effort is being made to sweep things under the carpet and move on for the sake of avoiding another split. There is also an allegation that some ruling Zanu PF officials who sponsored Senator Mwonzora’s campaign are the ones trying to block his investigation over the alleged money laundering charges.
What matters to the taxpayer who sponsor political parties through the Political Parties Finance Act is that their money meant for specific institutions is being deposited into private company accounts, and this is what the auditors appointed to look into the accounts should look at.
The call for an audit is also said by insiders to be an attempt to show that every cent was eventually used, but as I said, what matters more is why taxpayers’ money is being used in a manner that does not look transparent.
And for Principled Senator Komichi who apologised to the country for doing things that were unconstitutional in the MDC, the country expects you to speak about these things. Did you, as claimed by Mr. Den Moyo, go to the bank with Dr. Khupe, Chief Ndlovu and Den Moyo and discover withdrawals that had been made without the consent of the leadership?
How would you explain claims by Senator Mwonzora that Chief Ndlovu had absconded from duty and left for South Africa, and money had been withdrawn to ensure the Congress took place. I would want to believe that Chief Ndlovu only left for South Africa after money had already been withdrawn from the account, was it to be his responsibility to grab the money back from Dr. Mashakada who the money was given to as alleged by Mr. Den Moyo in his interview with Gambakwe?
Be principled Senator Komichi, by accepting a sham process, you are regressing from your position you announced after the Supreme Court ruling that you have realised your mistakes and will not repeat them.
And for the President, Comrade Emmerson Mnangagwa to quickly endorse Senator Mwonzora’s election victory instead of getting allegations of money laundering by Senator Mwonzora is mind-boggling. Here is a President who has declared zero tolerance on corruption, but is fast as lightning to endorse an alleged criminal?
Perhaps it’s not his fault, he may not have been not privy to some of those happenings, but this allegation of Mwonzora’s scandalous financial dealings was published in The Herald of 29 December 2020, and one assumes the President takes a quick look at relevant media stories, and before congratulating Mwonzora and endorsing him, he should have checked the facts first. Is President Mnangagwa sleeping on the job?
Your Public response to this very thorny issue will be essential to clear the air, Professor Madhuku.
Dear MUM. I still can't believe you are gone. A fighter since Day1 and a survivor till the very end. You were my life's best friend and always put my needs before yours.GO WELL MUMNY I PROMISE I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU PROUD MUMMY ,IN EVERY WAY…RIP MUM. I LOVE YOU FOREVER ??? pic.twitter.com/PFkVFlj33v
https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1347085932088979456?s=20nurses at Sally Mugabe hospital
2/3 The nurses are currently sitting outside the maternity wing and are refusing to enter the maternity ward until they are given PPEs. They have only been given face masks
3/3 The sit in protest comes after a matron who was on duty last Sunday succumbed to #covid-19 this morning. Visit our page https://t.co/RMz9FsvEJW for the full story
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating circumstances which led to a cash-in-transit vehicle robbery of USD2.5 million & ZWL $40 000 at Gwebi Bridge lay-bye yesterday 6 January 2021 at 1400 hrs.
The police issued an appeal to anyone who may have information on the suspects to report the matter to the nearest police station.
“The ZRP is investigating circumstances which led to a cash-in-transit m/veh robbery of USD2.5 million & ZWL $40 000 at Gwebi Bridge lay-bye on 6/1/21 at 1400 hrs. Anyone with information on the four suspects to contact any nearest Police Station. #notoarmedrobbery,” the police said on Twitter.
80.#MOMENT OF TRUTH NOW;Hypocrisy should END NOW.MDCT&MDCA are one thing now under Douglas https://t.co/zsJSjcofl0 it or not it is true.All those MPs&Senators currently in Parliament under MDCA are an open witness.MAY YOU KNOW ALL YOU MEN&WOMEN NOW,AM NO LOGGER A MEMBER OF MDCA.
Thank you for your legal opinion on the MDC-T Extra-Ordinary Congress which has been made public both on social and official media. Your observation that Dr. Khupe could not stop an election process where she was a candidate herself makes perfect sense. Dr. Khupe should certainly have presented her arguments to the independent electoral body that was conducting the election to view the shambolic and violent process. Obviously, she was overcome by emotion and couldn’t follow due process.
However, there are arguments that have been raised regarding quorum issues as the Congress did not meet the MDC Constitutionally required quorum. I have pointed out in an earlier opinion piece where the Congress does not make a quorum, the results of any of the Congress activities will only be validated by an Extra-Ordinary Congress, a view that is supported by legal guru Mr. Obert Gutu who is quoted in The Herald saying “…in terms of the constitution if the numbers of the delegates do not meet the quorum it doesn’t mean that the result is nullified but that another congress should be held to validate or invalidate the outcome”.
That said, and given that according to the MDC T’s own official position, 3000 delegates were supposed to attend the Congress, the Extra Ordinary Congress of 27 December was certainly inquorate, hence the results should await validation or invalidation by an Extra Ordinary Congress. As the legal representative of the MDC-T, Professor, it is your responsibility to ensure that all the rules are followed to the book, otherwise, you also risk tarnishing your own professional and public reputation by endorsing an illegitimate outcome. The Presidency of Senator Mwonzora only becomes legitimate if it is endorsed by an Extra-Ordinary Congress.
One point Mr. Gutu may have missed is that the Supreme Court ruling nullified everything that had happened, so every MDC-T 2014 should be allowed to participate in the Congress, and if they do not participate, that accounts for the quorum, and if there is no quorum, Dr. Tsvangirai cannot be replaced as presented by the Supreme Court. Whether the Supreme Court will allow for an extension for the Extra-Ordinary Congress to be held is a matter that you, Professor Madhuku, may want to present to the Supreme Court as the legal representative of the MDC-T, but my take is that the period given by the Supreme Court was given with full knowledge of the MDC constitution, so the Supreme Court judges who made that decision very well that within that time frame, an Extra-Ordinary Congress should be held, and another Extra-Ordinary Congress should be held to validate the result if the first was inquorate.
Besides the issues around quorum, there are also some serious issues of alleged money laundering by Senator Mwonzora around the same Congress which should not be ignored as the country fights corruption. Den Moyo, MDC-T Chairman for the USA is on record saying he accompanied Dr. Khupe, Chief Ndlovu, and Senator Komichi to the bank to check bank statements and they confirmed $6 million had been withdrawn without the knowledge of the other leaders, and that money was given to Dr. Tapiwa Mashakada. Yet Senator Mwonzora wants to make people believe that Chief Ndlovu was missing in action when money had to be withdrawn. This is a matter of serious concern to us as taxpayers. This money was allegedly deposited into a Bell Petroleum Account number 15104045502014.
Insiders say that Senator Mwonzora was very quick to move and make appointments to try and pacify Dr. Khupe, Senator Khomichi and others, telling them if this result is nullified, you may lose your positions in parliament and Senate, so every effort is being made to sweep things under the carpet and move on for the sake of avoiding another split. There is also an allegation that some ruling Zanu PF officials who sponsored Senator Mwonzora’s campaign are the ones trying to block his investigation over the alleged money laundering charges. What matters to the taxpayer who sponsor political parties through the Political Parties Finance Act is that their money meant for specific institutions is being deposited into private company accounts, and this is what the auditors appointed to look into the accounts should look at. The call for an audit is also said by insiders to be an attempt to show that every cent was eventually used, but as I said, what matters more is why taxpayers’ money is being used in a manner that does not look transparent.
And for Principled Senator Komichi who apologised to the country for doing things that were unconstitutional in the MDC, the country expects you to speak about these things. Did you, as claimed by Mr. Den Moyo, go to the bank with Dr. Khupe, Chief Ndlovu and Den Moyo and discover withdrawals that had been made without the consent of the leadership? How would you explain claims by Senator Mwonzora that Chief Ndlovu had absconded from duty and left for South Africa, and money had been withdrawn to ensure the Congress took place. I would want to believe that Chief Ndlovu only left for South Africa after money had already been withdrawn from the account, was it to be his responsibility to grab the money back from Dr. Mashakada who the money was given to as alleged by Mr. Den Moyo in his interview with Gambakwe? Be principled Senator Komichi, by accepting a sham process, you are regressing from your position you announced after the Supreme Court ruling that you have realised your mistakes and will not repeat them.
And for the President, Comrade Emmerson Mnangagwa to quickly endorse Senator Mwonzora’s election victory instead of getting allegations of money laundering by Senator Mwonzora is mind-boggling. Here is a President who has declared zero tolerance on corruption, but is fast as lightning to endorse an alleged criminal? Perhaps it’s not his fault, he may not have been not privy to some of those happenings, but this allegation of Mwonzora’s scandalous financial dealings was published in The Herald of 29 December 2020, and one assumes the President takes a quick look at relevant media stories, and before congratulating Mwonzora and endorsing him, he should have checked the facts first. Is President Mnangagwa sleeping on the job?
Your Public response to this very thorny issue will be essential to clear the air, Professor Madhuku.
Mwonzora’s alleged scandalous handling of tax payer funded money was well publicised for President Mnangagwa to have taken note Mwonzora wins MDC T presidency amid controversy
Mwonzora wins MDC T presidency amid controversy SKELETONS are now tumbling in the MDC-T party amid allegations that Mr Douglas Mwonzora, the runaway winner in
By A Correspondent- Veteran Zimbabwe golf administrator and Alpha Media Holdings golf columnist Tavenganiswa Mabikacheche, who was best known for his tireless efforts to spread the game of golf to marginalised communities around the country, has died. He was 68.
Mabikacheche, who previously served as the Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) president and president of the Manicaland Golf Union, passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning, to become the latest local sports personality to succumb to the deadly coronavirus.
An accomplished golf referee, administrator and development coach, Mabikacheche was also well known for his informative articles about the sport of golf during his time as a columnist for NewsDay and its sister paper The Standard a few years ago.
However, it is due to his work in golf development that he is best remembered for as he played a pivotal role in trying to spread golf around the country, a sport which has always been considered elite, to the masses.-newsday
By A Correspondent| After serving in an acting position for one year, Arthur Johnson Manase has been appointed as the National Social Security Chief Executive Officer.
Manase’s appointment is with effect from 1 January 2021, the NSSA statement has revealed.
The authority said Manase’s appointment was duly done in terms of Section 25 of the NSSA Act (Chapter 17:04) and Section 17 (2) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act (Chapter 10:31).He also served as executive dean at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) from January 2001 to November 2003 before moving to Air Zimbabwe where he served as a legal counsel/head secretarial and corporate affairs.
Presently, he is enrolled for Ph.D. studies with the UZ; he holds a Master of Laws from Cambridge University, Bachelor of Laws and a First Class Bachelor of Law (Honours) all from UZ.
NSSA is a statutory body established in terms of the NSSA Act of 1989 to provide social security, which is run as a pay-as-you-go pension scheme.
Zimbabwe recorded a high number of COVID-19 positive cases further justifying the government move to impose a 30 day lockdown.
After recording 34 deaths on Tuesday, Zimbabwe followed up with 13 cases from the 610 reported yesterday.
This takes the cumulative total to 17804 cases and 431 deaths.
Harare, which has slowly become the epicenter of the pandemic recorded 165 cases with the rest distributed in the remaining provinces except Matebeleland South.
Below is the full table with all the numbers from tests conducted yesterday.
By A Correspondent- Teacher unions yesterday claimed that about 50 headmasters and several teachers tested positive to COVID-19 when schools reopened on Monday for examination classes.
Zimbabwe went on a strict lockdown on Tuesday to control the spread of COVID-19, but schools reopened to examination classes.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said over 50 school heads across the country were infected while the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu also confirmed reports of the virus hitting school heads, learners and teachers.
The unions blamed the government for failure to put in place adequate measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“As of yesterday, more than 50 school heads across the country tested positive to COVID-19, while several other teachers and pupils are vulnerable. The ministry has not come up with a robust approach to COVID-19, thereby leaving teachers and pupils vulnerable,” Zhou said.
“Indeed, 2020 must best be remembered as a wasted year in terms of starvation wages educators received and the failure to prioritise the health and safety of teachers and pupils. But if anything, 2021 may be worse.”
He added that given the crisis, it was advisable that teachers stay at home in “prioritisation of the health and safety of teachers and pupils”.
“We, hereby, advise teachers to stay at home and save their lives. There is no life after death and those that require the services of teachers must also invest in their welfare, health and safety. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
Ndlovu confirmed the soaring cases of teachers testing positive for COVID-19, saying it was ill-advised to open schools when the country was recording a surge in new infections.
Health experts have said they foresee an extension of the 30-day lockdown imposed by Government over the weekend if people deviate from recommended guidelines meant to stop the spread of Covid-19.
This comes as police in Bulawayo continue with the enforcement of Covid-19 regulations, a development that saw a shebeen being raided in Magwegwe suburb as part of efforts to stop illegal activities that contribute to the spread of the virus.
Police also arrested 600 people in the city for defying lockdown regulations.
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.
Yesterday, Government announced that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce will no longer be the sole authority responsible for issuance of travel exemption letters for essential service workers who will be working during the tightened Level Four lockdown period.
Under the revised regulations, companies are now required to give their employees individual letters which must be accompanied by the exemption letter from the respective parent ministry to enable them to travel to and from work.
The letter should state the employee’s name, identity particulars, the points of commute so that they only travel for work, company line of business/products. The document should also state how that is covered by the Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, working hours, and shifts where necessary.
The letter should be signed by the company’s chief executive officer or managing director.
All this is being done to contain the spread of the virus.
After managing to flatten the Covid-19 curve, there has been a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country linked to festive season activities.
The Government said last night that 610 new cases and 13 deaths had been recorded in the last 24 hours. On Tuesday, a record 34 people died from Covid-19 in 24 hours countrywide as the country recorded 1 365 cases, the highest figure since the outbreak of the virus last year.
Experts said yesterday that if the trend continues, a lockdown extension is imminent. They said with the public not taking ownership of the stipulated prevention measures, Government might be forced to extend it beyond the 30 days announced on Saturday.
Acting Bulawayo provincial medical director Dr Welcome Mlilo said the spike in Covid-19 cases was not a surprise considering that the country is in the virus incubation period after the festive season.
“I don’t think we have started paying for December. The virus incubation period is 14 days, so we have to add 14 days from the time people started partying. If people started partying on December 20, we will have to add 14 days to the manifestation of the virus. If people started partying on January 1, we will also add 14 days. So, within that timeframe we are going to see our biggest numbers,” said Dr Mlilo.
“Hence, the goal of the national lockdown is simply to interrupt the spread of the virus. Every Zimbabwean at an individual level has a role in the national covid-19 response. It’s all our individual duty to conduct ourselves, by how we live amongst the community, to take deliberate well-known actions that interrupt the transmission of the virus. Once this objective is met, rational reasoning says the lockdown will no longer be necessary.”
Acting Mpilo Central Hospital chief executive officer Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said the worst is yet to come considering how communities openly violated lockdown regulations during the festive season.
“These record numbers are quite shocking and they are in line with what we have been warning against if the population didn’t follow procedures and allow the virus to spread. The figures are going to escalate and this is just a beginning of a very tearful season as the virus is going to kill more people than we are seeing.
“The record numbers are of people who are in communities meaning the virus is deep in communities and probably infected more people who have not been tested. The festive season was just a terrible thing happening together with Covid-19. The worst is yet to come especially when people don’t respect the virus,” said Prof Ngwenya.
He said the public’s attitudes and behaviour will determine what is going to happen next.
“If the peoples’ attitude and behaviour pour fuel in this raging fire of the Covid-19, I foresee the restrictive measures being extended even further than this where only a very few people will be allowed to move out. If the people behave very well the viral spread will slow down and then it will allow us to resume some of the activities again,” said Prof Ngwenya.
‘So, it is extremely, extremely critical for members of the public to adhere to the measures that Government has outlined that are recommended by the World Health Organisation.”
He said it was time for the world to implement uniformed lockdown measures which could extinguish the virus.
Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) director Mr Itai Rusike concurred with Prof Ngwenya, saying the Covid-19 fight should not be seen as Government’s responsibility only.
Mr Rusike said communities should embrace the lockdown measures as they are there to protect them, despite causing discomfort.
“The response to the Covid-19 pandemic is not the responsibility of the health care system alone.
“Public information, community ownership and adherence to the lockdown restriction measures will help reduce the impact of Covd-19 on our health institutions that may be overwhelmed by the number of sick people in need of hospitalisation,” he said.
As part of efforts to enforce lockdown measures, police in Bulawayo yesterday raided a house which was used as a shebeen in New Magwegwe suburb and confiscated a large consignment of clear and opaque beer and arrested nearly 600 suspects during an ongoing blitz targeting people violating lockdown regulations.
During the raid, police arrested a 21-year-old man who was involved in the illegal liquor retail business while his brother is on the run.
Countrywide, police arrested a total of 2 664 suspects for flouting lockdown regulations.
Chronicle news crew yesterday visited the shebeen and it was deserted following the crackdown carried out in the early morning hours. Neighbours alerted the police of the illegal activities and they reacted swiftly and raided the house and arrested Bukhosi Gumbo. They recovered 82 crates of Indlovu opaque beer, 84 crates of Chibuku beer and 17 quarts of clear beer.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said Gumbo would appear in court for violating lockdown regulations and operating without a liquor licence.
“We have intensified our operation targeting people who violate lockdown regulations. We arrested Bukhosi Gumbo after receiving a tip off from a neighbour informing us about the illegal activities in his neighbourhood,” he said.
“We raided the house and recovered several crates of beer stashed in the house which was used as a shebeen. We arrested 566 people for violating lockdown regulation and we also would like to warn people against engaging in any form of illegal activities during the lockdown period.”
The confiscated beer was taken to Magwegwe Police Station.
Gumbo’s neighbour, Mr Aleck Ndlovu said the shebeen has become a nuisance in the area.
“We could hardly sleep because of the noise coming from the shebeen. In fact, as neighbours we had tried to engage the owners to desist from their illegal activities but they persistently defied until some people in the neighbourhood decided to inform the police,” he said.
“At times cars belonging to patrons would block the road at night. We ended up barricading the road using stones after one of my neighbours’ precast wall was damaged when one of the patrons got drunk and smashed his car.”
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said yesterday, 2 664 suspects had been arrested, 1 304 were nabbed for not wearing face masks while 262 did not have exemption letters allowing them to access various city centres. A total of 104 people were arrested for liquor related offences.
“People should prioritise their safety and health by staying at home so that as a country we can be able to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. We arrested 391 people for unnecessary movements, 1 304 were arrested for not wearing face masks and 235 for violating sections of the Traffic Act,” he said.
“We are urging business people and institutions to adhere to the health guidelines as outlined by Government in terms of Covid National Lockdown Level 4 restrictions. We have people trying to access city centres yet they don’t have exemption letters and not even part of the essential service. The law will take its course.”
By A Correspondent- Harare City Council yesterday said it was overwhelmed by the soaring number of COVID-19 cases, which has turned it into the epicentre of the pandemic.
Acting mayor Stewart Mutizwa said the city’s health delivery system was overwhelmed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spiral out of control.
“As I speak, our great city has become the country’s coronavirus epicentre as figures continue to spiral beyond our control and that of an already overwhelmed health delivery system,” Mutizwa said.
“We had hoped that maybe a new year would bring in better expectations against the coronavirus and many of us had relaxed and were no longer practising any preventative measures.”
Harare has been recording over 700 cases daily in the past weeks, with many people appealing for oxygen and ventilators on social media as both private and public health
facilities are failing to cope with the surge.
The country went on a more strict lockdown starting on Tuesday as Information secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana warned at the weekend that Zimbabwe would soon be overwhelmed by the virus.
The country as of yesterday had recorded 17 194 cases and 418 deaths, with Tuesday alone recording 34 fatalities and 1 365 new infections. Of the Tuesday infections, 777 were from Harare which also recorded 10 deaths.-newsday
By A Correspondent- Mfundo Mlilo and the Zimbabwe informal traders association have filed an urgent application at court challenging the rationality of a 30-day long lockdown announced by Vice President who doubles up as the Minister of Health, Dr Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga.
The application cited the Ministry Of Health as the respondent and as part of the application, the remedy sought is to shorten the lockdown period based on scientific evidence on the incubation period of COVID-19. In absence of robust social safety measures.
The lawyers argue that most Zimbabweans are living from hand to mouth, so there is a need to strike a balance on the different human rights given the indivisibility, inter-relatedness, inalienability nature of human rights.
By A Correspondent- Heavy rains have spawned a humanitarian crisis in Chivi where homes and infrastructure such as bridges have been destroyed across the district over the past week.
Chivi is one of the districts that has been at the receiving end of incessant rains over the past two weeks culminating in the destruction of houses in its northern and southern parts.
Almost 12 homesteads had several houses destroyed in Gororo communal lands and Nyahombe in the southern fringes of the district prompting the local Civil Protection Committee (CPC) to press an alert button.
Several houses were also destroyed in the Vuranda area of Madamombe in Chivi North where villagers also lost food stocks after they were submerged in flood waters.
District Development Coordinator and CPU chair Mr Innocent Matingwina said affected families would soon start getting food rations.
“We have activated our disaster teams here after heavy rains destroyed houses at several homesteads including washing away food stocks so we have engaged the Social Welfare Department to provide food relief to those affected,” said Mr Matingwina.
“Those that were already on the Department of Social Welfare food assistance scheme before disaster struck will get double rations. I am happy that we have scores of tents that we received from CPU which we intend to give to those in needy after being left completely homeless.”
He said communities in Nyahombe and Shindi in southern Chivi had been cut-off and were finding it hard to move from point A to point B after at least three bridges were swept away by flood waters. The destruction means its now a nightmare to get transport in those areas.
“We have engaged DDF via the Minister of State and Provincial Affairs and Devolution’s offices to make sure the damaged bridges are urgently rehabilitated so that lives of people in those areas are not seriously affected.”
Besides Chivi, the incessant rains have also left a trail of destruction in other low-lying districts such as Mwenezi and Chiredzi.
Government and its partners have been providing flood victims with food and shelter.-statemedia
The government of Malawi is reportedly seeking the arrest of Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary as they plan of extraditing the couple to South Africa to face trial on a number of charges leveled against them, The Nyasa Times reports.
According to Malawian media, a Lilongwe Magistrate Viva Nyimba ruled against the government’s application and said the couple should not be arrested since they need to appear in court if they are summoned.
Radio station Capital FM Malawi reported that Nyimba ruled that no warrant of arrest should be executed against the couple since they need to appear in court upon being summoned.
Nyimba ordered that the formal hearing of the extradition should start on March 8. The State is expected to have disclosed all remaining documents to the defence on January 18.
The Bushiris surrendered themselves to Malawian Police in November and Nyimba released them unconditionally a few days later saying there was no formal extradition request from South Africa.
Last month South Africa sent the formal extradition request to Malawi and the state was today seeking the arrest of the couple before Nyimba ruled in the couple’s favor.
Bushiri and his wife are facing fraud and money laundering charges and Bushiri alone is facing 3 rape charges.
By A Correspondent- Amid reports that hospitals in Zimbabwe are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients the Information, Publicity And Broadcasting Services Permanent secretary Ndavaningi Nick Mangwana has said just 15% of active COVID-19 will need hospitalization while the rest will be managing it from home.
Using microblogging site Twitter Mangwana said:
A very small percentage of Covid19 patients need use of inpatient services. An even smaller percentage end up needing ICU beds. Most are cared for at home. In Byo for example we have total capacity to admit 196 patients, we admitted 22, remaining with capacity to admit 174 more
Evidence show that, 85% of patients will not need hospitalisation, they will self manage and recover at home. 10% will need minimal management at a medical facility, whilst only 5% will require intensive care.
When asked if the information he provided was factual Managwan said these were the figures he received from the Ministry of health:
These are the actual figures I have been given by @MoHCCZim doc. I am combining both the public sector beds and the private sector. Even where staffing affects the “functional beds” we remain with capacity. I am happy to engage you om figures. Which is fact and which is fiction?
This came barely a week after Mangwana said people should be careful and adhere to COVID-19 restrictions because Zimbabwe’s hospitals were overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.
Zimbabwe yesterday recorded over 1300 positive COVID-19 cases and 34 COVID-19 deaths.
Tinashe Sambiri|The level of police barbarism has reached a shocking level-especially in the ancient of Masvingo.
In Masvingo city, overzealous cops assaulted residents indiscriminately on Wednesday morning – under the guise of enforcing lockdown restrictions.
Residents who spoke to ZimEye.com said their relatives sustained serious injuries after being bashed by the cops.
“My brother sustained a broken arm after being assaulted by a police officer as he tried to explain that he wanted to buy medicine for his child. The cops would have none of it,” said one resident.
An MDC Alliance official who spoke on condition of anonymity said:
“The level of police barbarism is shocking.Two cops tried to trip me to the ground but I resisted.They also attempted to hit me with a baton stick but I told them there was no reason for me to run away.
I saw people being bashed by the ruthless cops.People are now trapped between the pandemic and police barbarism.,” said the official.
Khama Billiat assisted the winning goal in Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-0 away victory in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday.
The solitary goal was netted by Leonardo Castro who pounced on a left-sided cross from Billiat to slot into the back of the net.
The victory saw the Soweto giants progress to the group stages on a 1-0 aggregate victory.
Meanwhile, Willard Katsande was a notable absentee from the Chiefs squad on the day. The Zimbabwean was left out for the trip, and no reason was explained by the club.
Bit according to Soccer Laduma, Katsande is believed to have tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
SWALLOWS FC continue to prove that anything Mamelodi Sundowns can do, they too can do after moving level on 21 points with the defending champions atop the 2020-21 DStv Premiership standings.
Both Swallows and Sundowns won league titles in similar dramatic fashion last season.
The Birds pipped Ajax Cape Town on goal difference to clinch the GladAfrica Championship crown and promotion back to South Africa’s top-flight, while Sundowns surpassed Kaizer Chiefs at the eleventh hour to retain their league trophy.
After wins for Sundowns and Maritzburg United over Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic in the first two games of 2021, Swallows were amongst six teams in action on Tuesday.
The Soweto club continued from where they left off last year by beating Cape Town City 3-2 at Dobsonville Stadium. Goals from Ruzaigh Gamildien (two) and Junaid Sait steered Swallows to a third straight win, in a thrilling clash in which Mduduzi Mdantsane also netted a brace while both teams ended the game with 10 men.
There were supposed to be eight teams in action on Tuesday but the scheduled match between Lamontville Golden Arrows and Black Leopards had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.
Elsewhere, Stellenbosch FC moved up to seventh spot on the league standings with a 2-0 win over Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila at Danie Craven Stadium.
Goals from Marc van Heerden and Phathutshedzo Nange guided the hosts to victory after Thabo Rakhale had missed a penalty for Vhadau Vha Damani, who dropped down to 12th as a result of the defeat.
At Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, TS Galaxy fought back from two goals down to hold Baroka FC to a 2-2 draw.
Bakgaga looked on course for all three points after goals from Ananias Gebhardt and Gerald Phiri Jr put them in total control, but the Rockets salvaged a point thanks to strikes from Shaune Mogaila and Mxolisi Machupu.
Chippa United scored a late equaliser to hold SuperSport United to a 2-2 draw at Lucas Moripe Stadium in yesterday’s solitary fixture.-Chronicle
Two people landed themselves in trouble after they were arrested for printing and selling fake Covid-19 certificates to travellers at Road Port Bus Terminus in Harare.
Arrested suspects
Takesure Kanyai (35) and Taridzo Isynol Chimhavi (26) were arrested on January 4 while in possession of the fake certificates.
They allegedly manufacture the certificates at Peacock Salon along Jason Moyo Avenue.
Kanyai and Chimhavi were yesterday taken to Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with forgery.
The duo was not asked to plead to the charges when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko, who remanded them in custody to today for bail application.
Prosecutor Mr Owen Safuli had it that on January 4 at around 10am, detectives received information to the effect Kanyai and Chimhavi were printing Covid-19 certificates at Peacock Salon in Harare’s city centre.
Detectives made a follow-up and nabbed Kanyai, who was in possession of four fake certificates bearing the names of Shepherd Mudzviti, Moses Sibanda, Chado Edward and Langton Jeche. The certificates indicated that one Dr Moyo from Parktown Hospital had issued them. Kanyai allegedly told the police that she was printing the certificates at the salon, where she led the detectives.
It is said that Kanyai printed more certificates for Nowell Chibaya, which she purported to have originated from Melio Health and for Patience Chimudzeka that she said was from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
Kanyai also allegedly printed another certificate for Tapiwa Shumba, which was purportedly issued by PathCare Molecular Pathology.
Upon being interviewed, Kanyai admitted to be the owner of the computer being used for printing the certificates.
She also told the detectives that the certificates belonged to Chimhavi, who was also found with other copies of the certificates in his cellphone.
The State said that investigations by police revealed the certificates were fake and not issued by the said health facilities.
Kanyai and Chimhavi are expected back in court today for bail application.- Herald
Chiredzi medical doctor, Dr William Phiri, who allegedly killed two of his children at his house in Mkwasine Estates before trying to commit suicide on Sunday, was formally remanded in custody on double murder charges at the Chiredzi Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Phiri (56), of UB12 Mkwasine, was also facing two charges of attempted murder for allegedly trying to kill his two other children, Ropafadzo (6) and Themba (4), who are battling for their lives in hospital.
Chiredzi magistrate Mr Simbarashe Gundani on Tuesday presided over the formal remand process in Chiredzi District Hospital, where Phiri is admitted, and is in a stable condition, as he recovers from self-inflicted stab wounds in his chest when he allegedly tried to commit suicide.
Phiri was not asked to plead, and was remanded in custody to February 9. Mr Gundani informed Phiri that any application for bail had to be before the High Court. Mr Ronald Kwangware appeared for the state. Phiri is now reportedly able to talk.
He allegedly killed his two youngest children, Princess (3) and Victor (7 months), who were found dead with stab wounds inflicted by a knife after rescuers forced open the house he had locked himself in with all his children.
Phiri allegedly tried to torch his house before he tried to shoot himself with a pistol, but failed to take his life after it jammed. The pistol was recovered from a sugarcane field near his house, where he was found wandering naked by the public and police on Sunday after the children were injured and killed. The pistol is presently at CID Forensics, undergoing examination.
Doctors yesterday said the condition of the two older children, who are being treated for stab wounds, remained critical yesterday. Ropafadzo, who is admitted at Chiredzi General Hospital, was still unable to talk.
At Masvingo General Hospital, where Themba was admitted in the company of his mother, acting medical superintendent Dr Noel Zulu said the boy had been transferred to Harare.
“We have transferred him to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare today (yesterday) and his condition is stable but critical,” said Dr Zulu.- The Herald
Former Radio 3 (Power FM) reggae presenter Dennis Wilson has died.
He was 66.
Wilson died yesterday at his home in Alexandra Park, Harare, after a short illness.
Wilson’s family friend Master Pablo Nakappa confirmed the news and said it was shocking.
“Dennis was a good friend. We got a call yesterday in the morning (around 9am) from his maid that he had collapsed and died at home.
“The past two weeks he was not well as he was complaining of body pains. He went for Covid-19 testing and the results came back negative. We are actually shocked by his death and we are now waiting for the post-mortem to verify the actual cause of death,” he said.
Nakkapa said Wilson was living alone for several years, while his family was based in the United Kingdom.
“He lived by himself. He is of Jamaican origin and some of his family members are in the UK. I met him four years ago when he joined the Transit Crew as a vocalist and we became very good friends.
“It is a sad loss to us because we were busy preparing to record an album together. We have done a lot of shows together,” he said.
Wilson is remembered for introducing reggae music in Zimbabwe and was well connected with some of the popular international reggae artistes whom he invited to this country.
He was a force to reckon with and during his days on radio, “Push Comes to Shove” by Freddie McGregor became his signature tune.
Meanwhile, condolences continue to pour in for the reggae icon.
Former colleague at the then Radio 3 station, Tendai Chakanyuka said she was devastated by the news.
She said the industry had lost an icon, teacher and great advisor in terms of understanding and appreciation of the reggae music genre.
“I am drained as I can’t deal with this anymore. Imagine each time you open social media there is news of death. Wilson was a great man. I met him in 1997 when I joined Radio 3. He made me appreciate reggae music and he could understand the genre so much that he could take his time to teach you about it,” she said.
Chakanyuka said despite the age difference, he was a respectable man.
“He could mingle like we were of the same age. We communicated frequently. I last saw him before the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Chakanyuka recalled how in 2016 when she was now the station manager for Radio 3, Wilson wanted to return to radio, but the move did not go through.
“I had no problem with that, but due to some logistical problems he could not return to radio as he wanted, but was very supportive.
“He was a regular at Chez Zandi Bistro and Wine Bar (Zandi’s),” she said.
Music producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Clive “Mono” Mukundu, who played with Wilson at Transit Crew during one of its shows, described him as a talented and cheerful man.
“It has come as a shock to hear of the passing of such a legend. I first heard of Wilson in the mid 1980s when he started presenting the reggae programme on radio since I have always been an avid reggae music fan.
“The first time I saw him in person was at a Transit Crew show in 2018, where he was now a vocalist. I played with him each time I made a cameo appearance at the Transit Crew shows. He was very passionate about reggae music and the music industry in general,” said Mukundu.
ZBC Classic 263 manager and reggae producer-presenter, Terrence Mapurisana said Zimbabwe had lost an iconic figure who inspired many in the world of reggae radio presentation.
“To me Wilson was a brother I worked with for many years on the then Radio 3 and Classic263, then SFM.
“He was unquestionably one of the most charismatic and inspirational reggae DJs and producers in Jamaica, UK and Zimbabwe.
“Wilson drove reggae music forward across decades and will be sorely missed,” he said.
Mapurisana said Wilson was comfortable to work behind the studio microphone.- The Herald
Former Radio 3 (Power FM) reggae presenter Dennis Wilson has died.
He was 66.
Wilson died yesterday at his home in Alexandra Park, Harare, after a short illness.
Wilson’s family friend Master Pablo Nakappa confirmed the news and said it was shocking.
“Dennis was a good friend. We got a call yesterday in the morning (around 9am) from his maid that he had collapsed and died at home.
“The past two weeks he was not well as he was complaining of body pains. He went for Covid-19 testing and the results came back negative. We are actually shocked by his death and we are now waiting for the post-mortem to verify the actual cause of death,” he said.
Nakkapa said Wilson was living alone for several years, while his family was based in the United Kingdom.
“He lived by himself. He is of Jamaican origin and some of his family members are in the UK. I met him four years ago when he joined the Transit Crew as a vocalist and we became very good friends.
“It is a sad loss to us because we were busy preparing to record an album together. We have done a lot of shows together,” he said.
Wilson is remembered for introducing reggae music in Zimbabwe and was well connected with some of the popular international reggae artistes whom he invited to this country.
He was a force to reckon with and during his days on radio, “Push Comes to Shove” by Freddie McGregor became his signature tune.
Meanwhile, condolences continue to pour in for the reggae icon.
Former colleague at the then Radio 3 station, Tendai Chakanyuka said she was devastated by the news.
She said the industry had lost an icon, teacher and great advisor in terms of understanding and appreciation of the reggae music genre.
“I am drained as I can’t deal with this anymore. Imagine each time you open social media there is news of death. Wilson was a great man. I met him in 1997 when I joined Radio 3. He made me appreciate reggae music and he could understand the genre so much that he could take his time to teach you about it,” she said.
Chakanyuka said despite the age difference, he was a respectable man.
“He could mingle like we were of the same age. We communicated frequently. I last saw him before the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Chakanyuka recalled how in 2016 when she was now the station manager for Radio 3, Wilson wanted to return to radio, but the move did not go through.
“I had no problem with that, but due to some logistical problems he could not return to radio as he wanted, but was very supportive.
“He was a regular at Chez Zandi Bistro and Wine Bar (Zandi’s),” she said.
Music producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Clive “Mono” Mukundu, who played with Wilson at Transit Crew during one of its shows, described him as a talented and cheerful man.
“It has come as a shock to hear of the passing of such a legend. I first heard of Wilson in the mid 1980s when he started presenting the reggae programme on radio since I have always been an avid reggae music fan.
“The first time I saw him in person was at a Transit Crew show in 2018, where he was now a vocalist. I played with him each time I made a cameo appearance at the Transit Crew shows. He was very passionate about reggae music and the music industry in general,” said Mukundu.
ZBC Classic 263 manager and reggae producer-presenter, Terrence Mapurisana said Zimbabwe had lost an iconic figure who inspired many in the world of reggae radio presentation.
“To me Wilson was a brother I worked with for many years on the then Radio 3 and Classic263, then SFM.
“He was unquestionably one of the most charismatic and inspirational reggae DJs and producers in Jamaica, UK and Zimbabwe.
“Wilson drove reggae music forward across decades and will be sorely missed,” he said.
Mapurisana said Wilson was comfortable to work behind the studio microphone.- The Herald
FC PLATINUM experienced a nightmarish outing in Tanzania yesterday after they were told five key players had tested positive for COVID-19 moments before the decisive CAF Champions League encounter that was marred by disgraceful officiating in favour of hosts, Simba Sports Club.
The match, dubbed “War in Dar” by the hosts, turned out to be a real confrontation on and off the pitch as Simba SC were accused of employing dirty tactics to get the result they needed at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar-es-salaam to progress to the group stage of the competition at the expense of the Zimbabweans.
FC Platinum carried a 1-0 advantage going into the clash following their victory at the National Sports Stadium in Harare two weeks ago. They had hoped to protect their lead and progress to the group stage for the third time in a row.
But they experienced the worst of African football before succumbing to goals from veteran defender Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, John Bocco and Zambian Clatous Chama.
The Zimbabweans played the game under protest after players, who included goalkeeper and skipper Petros Mhari, Lawrence Mhlanga, Silas Songani, Ransome Pavari and Congolese forward Eli Ilunga, were told they had returned positive Covid-19 results about two hours before kickoff.
Three officials, who included team manager Joseph Mususa, goalkeepers’ trainer Tembo Chuma and medic Jeskia Chavurura, were also reported to have tested positive for Covid-19.
The hosts however, held on to the results of the Covid-19 tests that were conducted on Monday until the eleventh hour. There were queries whether the results had not been tampered with following similar complaints by Nigerian outfit, Plateau United, who encountered the same predicament against Simba SC in the preliminary round.
The Nigerians have since taken up the matter with CAF after finding out that the affected players were negative when they retested them at a private hospital.
FC Platinum, who tested their players before leaving Harare, had travelled with a squad of 23 but they were left with 16 players available for selection as two others were carrying injuries..
Mapeza had to redo his line-up as four of the players who reportedly returned positive results had been drafted in the starting eleven.
Apparently, the FC Platinum players could not handle the trauma and from their body language it appeared they had lost the match long before the kickoff.
The Zimbabweans were not psychologically equipped and they lacked the composure and toughness expected at this level of the competition.
They carried their frustrations into the game and the disputed penalty they conceded worsened the already bad situation.
FC Platinum players were unsettled and they made unnecessary mistakes, which contributed to their own downfall.
The Zimbabweans were fortunate to finish the game with all the players on the field. They squandered most of their energy and time remonstrating with the referee instead of concentrating on the game, which was within reach if they had managed to bury the two scoring chances that Ralph Kawondera spurned in the second half when Simba were still leading 1-0.-The Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has urged Zimbabweans to remain on high alert as the deadly COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the nation.
34 deaths were recorded in Zimbabwe in the last 24 hours and government sources have revealed hospitals are struggling to cope with the high incidence of COVID-19 cases.
Addressing mourners at the burial of Senator Christine Java Rambanepasi on Tuesday, President Chamisa said:
“The virus is upon us, let us remain vigilant as a nation.Remember nobody is safe, it can be you…
Let us all follow the laid down basic safety measures,” said President Chamisa.
He also described the late Senator Rambanepasi as an iconic woman who illuminated the nation with good works.
“I will not say much about the political side of her life.However let it be known that she was a dedicated cadre.”
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has urged Zimbabweans to remain on high alert as the deadly COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the nation.
34 deaths were recorded in Zimbabwe in the last 24 hours and government sources have revealed hospitals are struggling to cope with the high incidence of COVID-19 cases.
Addressing mourners at the burial of Senator Christine Java Rambanepasi on Tuesday, President Chamisa said:
“The virus is upon us, let us remain vigilant as a nation.Remember nobody is safe, it can be you…
Let us all follow the laid down basic safety measures,” said President Chamisa.
He also described the late Senator Rambanepasi as an iconic woman who illuminated the nation with good works.
“I will not say much about the political side of her life.However let it be known that she was a dedicated cadre.”
President Chamisa at the burial of Senator Christine Java Rambanepasi
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA DISTRICT MOURNS WITH THE BEREAVED RUHANYA FAMILY.
Mdc Alliance Namibia district expresses its solidarity with the Ruhanya family after losing a pillar , unifier and source of progress.
The district comprehends the pain that the bereaved is undergoing at this particular juncture.The late Mrs Esnita Mugomba, was described as a mother figure who contributed to the Ruhanya and the country at large since she managed to produce great minds. Mdc Alliance Namibia sends this condolence message in honour of the great job exhibited through the revolutionary commitment and dedication in the sons and daughters she mothered.
Mdc Alliance Namibia shall continue remembering you as a significant figure in the national development because you manufactured teachers, doctors, lecturers, politicians and political analysts who are instrumental in unearthing senseless and barefaced in the country. May your dear soul rest in eternal peace Mai Glory, Mbuya VaZibwowa or Mai VaSekai as she was called in the community of Zibwowa, Zaka District in Masvingo Province.
You fought a good fight by giving us social democrats who always sacrifice to fight for socio-economic transformation in the national democratic revolution.
Go well, go well Mama, God shall overtake your assignment of guiding and strengthening your surviving sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters. You blessed Zimbabwe through your organic and pragmatic seed. We salute you as Mdc Alliance Namibia, let God comfort your family to eternity.
Rest in peace our Mother Zororai murugare Mai Thank you for making us see the bright sun Thank you for raising great leadership May your rest in power
Tinashe Sambiri|The level of police barbarism has reached a shocking level-especially in the ancient of Masvingo.
In Masvingo city, overzealous cops assaulted residents indiscriminately on Wednesday morning – under the guise of enforcing lockdown restrictions.
Residents who spoke to ZimEye.com said their relatives sustained serious injuries after being bashed by the cops.
“My brother sustained a broken arm after being assaulted by a police officer as he tried to explain that he wanted to buy medicine for his child. The cops would have none of it,” said one resident.
An MDC Alliance official who spoke on condition of anonymity said:
“The level of police barbarism is shocking.Two cops tried to trip me to the ground but I resisted.They also attempted to hit me with a baton stick but I told them there was no reason for me to run away.
I saw people being bashed by the ruthless cops.People are now trapped between the pandemic and police barbarism.,” said the official.
Government has suspended face-to-face meetings in the public service to ensure the safety of its employees and trimmed its workforce to 30 percent as the fight against Covid-19 intensifies.
This comes as 34 people died yesterday, while 1 365 cases were recorded. Harare recorded 777 of the new cases.
This was announced by the Acting Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere during an update on the Level Four lockdown that began yesterday.
The lockdown was announced by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care on Saturday with Acting President Kembo Mohadi giving policy direction on the implementation of the lockdown on Sunday.
Dr Muswere said the Public Service Commission (PSC) had streamlined to 30 percent, with the essential service workforce expected to be physically at work across all ministries and Government departments.
“Face-to-face meetings have been suspended. Meanwhile, strict Covid-19 protocols on PSC buses will be enforced. Knock-off time for Government employees shall be 3pm,” he said.
The minister reiterated that only essential services would be allowed to operate during the lockdown as stipulated by law, including closing at 3pm.
He said other commercial operations and services specified in Part 5 of the lockdown order, that is to say all formal businesses and registered informal traders, had been suspended as from yesterday.
“Regarding law and order, our security forces are on high alert and vigilant to arrest offenders.
“In particular, the Task Force noted the suspension of Matapi police officers for negligently allowing a super spreader event to proceed under their watch as well as the arrest of organisers of the big, illegal event that took place in Mbare on New Year’s Eve,” Dr Muswere said.
In an earlier interview, PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe said the trimming of the workforce was aimed at minimising the risk of infection within the public service.
“We have directed that only 30 percent of the public service be at their respective workplaces as a way of decongesting the workplaces.
“Others will work from home and some on call and might be told to report for duty if those at work are overwhelmed or need to rest,” said Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe.
Those coming to work would be given safety nets to fall back on in the event they contracted or succumbed to Covid-19 complications.
Ambassador Wutawunashe said some benefits set out last year still stood, like giving those who fell sick, up to up to six months of sick leave on full-pay as well as paying all medical bills for front-line health staff.
Generally, civil servants are entitled to 90 days’ sick-leave on full salary if they are incapacitated by ill-health.-The Herald
Prominent Gweru based businessman Mr Phillemon Mubata has died.
Popularly known as Spoks, the Chronicle learnt that the businessman (54) who had interests in the mining sector and was also the owner of Central Region Soccer League team Real BVM FC succumbed to Covid-19 at his home in Nashville suburb in Gweru on Sunday.
He once played football up to division one for the now defunct Power Cells FC in Gweru.
Family spokesperson Mrs Jenifer Sibanda confirmed his death.
“Mr Mubata passed on around 2AM on Monday. He passed on while admitted to a local private hospital in Gweru and we are sad to announce that it was Covid-19. We are hurt, he was a jolly good man and he has left a vacuum which will be difficult to fill,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said Mr Mubata’s four children tested Covid-19 negative.
“Mourners are gathered at his house in Nashville. Only 30 mourners are allowed at the house in line with the new Covid-19 regulations announced by the Government. We are practicing social distancing and people are constantly being sanitised because we are aware that Covid-19 is real,” said Mrs Sibanda.
Mr Mubata ran a mine in Shurugwi.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi said the mining sector had lost a champion of artisanal miner’s rights.
He said Mr Mubata is a past ZMF committee member and technical director.
“He was a fighter for mining rights. He is one of the miners who started from scratch before going to own a mill and a mine. He was in ZMF committees as technical advisor. His works speak for themselves as they are visible on the ground. As ZMF we moan with his family and the whole industry. We lost someone who transformed the mining sector which contributes to the GDP,” said Mr Mangisi.-Chronicle
Prominent Gweru based businessman Mr Phillemon Mubata has died.
Popularly known as Spoks, the Chronicle learnt that the businessman (54) who had interests in the mining sector and was also the owner of Central Region Soccer League team Real BVM FC succumbed to Covid-19 at his home in Nashville suburb in Gweru on Sunday.
He once played football up to division one for the now defunct Power Cells FC in Gweru.
Family spokesperson Mrs Jenifer Sibanda confirmed his death.
“Mr Mubata passed on around 2AM on Monday. He passed on while admitted to a local private hospital in Gweru and we are sad to announce that it was Covid-19. We are hurt, he was a jolly good man and he has left a vacuum which will be difficult to fill,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said Mr Mubata’s four children tested Covid-19 negative.
“Mourners are gathered at his house in Nashville. Only 30 mourners are allowed at the house in line with the new Covid-19 regulations announced by the Government. We are practicing social distancing and people are constantly being sanitised because we are aware that Covid-19 is real,” said Mrs Sibanda.
Mr Mubata ran a mine in Shurugwi.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi said the mining sector had lost a champion of artisanal miner’s rights.
He said Mr Mubata is a past ZMF committee member and technical director.
“He was a fighter for mining rights. He is one of the miners who started from scratch before going to own a mill and a mine. He was in ZMF committees as technical advisor. His works speak for themselves as they are visible on the ground. As ZMF we moan with his family and the whole industry. We lost someone who transformed the mining sector which contributes to the GDP,” said Mr Mangisi.-Chronicle
Chido Mbewu / Information, Publicity And Broadcasting Services Permanent secretary Ndavaningi Nick Mangwana, announced today, seemingly allaying public fears over spiraling Covid-19 infections that only a small percentage of patients will need hospital beds.
There has been a sense of panic by citizens over the past few days, as the country recorded higher cases of Covid-19, with fears that the government’s struggling health system will not be able to provide essentials such as Hospital beds and ventilators.
Evidence show that, 85% of patients will not need hospitalisation, they will self manage and recover at home. 10% will need minimal management at a medical facility, whilst only 5% will require intensive care.
Wrote Mangwana, “A very small percentage of Covid19 patients need use of inpatient services. An even smaller percentage end up needing ICU beds. Most are cared for at home. In Byo for example we have total capacity to admit 196 patients, we admitted 22, remaining with capacity to admit 174 more.”
“Evidence show that, 85% of patients will not need hospitalisation, they will self manage and recover at home. 10% will need minimal management at a medical facility, whilst only 5% will require intensive care.”
For the first time in six years, Democrats will control the U.S. Senate — just barely.
Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, respectively, in Georgia’s high-stakes runoff elections this week.
Democrats will control 50 votes in the 100-member Senate (two independents caucus with the party). When Democrat Kamala Harris takes office on Jan. 20 as vice president, she will be the tie-breaking vote as the Senate’s presiding officer.
Georgia’s Senate races ended in runoffs after no candidate topped 50% of the vote in multicandidate races held in November. Signifying what was at stake, the Georgia Senate campaigns shattered spending records as the two most expensive races in U.S. history ― combined, more than $830 million was spent on them. Overall, 9 out of the 10 most expensive Senate races in the nation’s history took place this election cycle.
The Democratic wins in the state are a major boost for what President-elect Joe Biden’s administration can potentially accomplish in its first two years.
For one, Democratic control of the Senate will ease the confirmation process for Biden’s Cabinet picks and allow Democrats to control the process of what legislation gets a vote.
The chamber also has enormous power in shaping the nation’s judiciary. Democrats have watched in dismay as the now-outgoing Senate majority leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has won confirmation of scores of conservative nominees to federal district and appellate courts ― as well as three justices to the nine-member Supreme Court — and blocked a host of legislation from ever getting voted on.
Democrats can also immediately start work on undoing some of the Trump administration’s most recent policies, like cutting workplace safety inspections, rolling back polluting emissions controls and promoting junk health insurance plans.
Democrats have already highlighted a packed agenda they would like to push through Congress — legislation addressing health care, climate change, infrastructure and police reform, as well as other items.
Their first order of business, however, likely will be a bid to pass another COVID-19 relief package. Biden and Democrats have promised to push for $2,000 in direct payments to Americans who meet certain economic criteria — a proposal McConnell systematically blocked as the last Congress ended in favor of checks totaling only $600.
It was Democrats’ closing message to Georgians: a vow to pass immediate relief as the pandemic rages on in the United States.
“Their election will put an end to the block in Washington on the $2,000 stimulus check,” Biden said at a rally in Atlanta.
That said, Democrats’ path to retaking the Senate wasn’t an easy one, and they now hold the smallest margin of power possible.
A potential dilemma facing the new Democratic leadership of the Senate will be the future of the filibuster, a Senate procedural rule that requires 60 votes to pass significant legislation. The use of the filibuster has been weakened over time ― it no longer comes into play for Cabinet appointments and judicial appointments ― but many Democrats would like to shelve it completely. Others, though, have hesitated to embrace that view.
With such a thin hold on power, that means Democrats will still have to overcome major opposition from their Republican colleagues in order to fully enact their agenda.
And Republicans know Democrats’ majority is on shaking ground. Democrats lost control of the Senate in 2014, after Republicans ousted Democratic incumbents in North Carolina, Arkansas and Colorado, and swept open seats in West Virginia, South Dakota and Montana.
In 2018, even as the GOP ceded its House majority to Democrats, Republicans picked up seats in North Dakota, Indiana and Missouri.
It helped Democrats that the 2020 Senate map put Republicans on the defensive. The GOP had to defend upward of 10 competitive seats, while Democrats were only in real danger of losing two incumbents. The sheer number of high-profile candidates stretched Republican’s resources thin.
Democrats also had a strong class of candidates, including popular former governors in Colorado and Montana, as well as famed former astronaut Mark Kelly in Arizona.
Still, hopes among Democrats that they would pick up several seats were thwarted, even as Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in the presidential race. In the November vote, Democrats were left especially disappointed that they failed to defeat Republican Sens. Susan Collins in Maine and Thom Tillis in North Carolina.
Biden’s team sees their wins in Georgia as a new path forward for Democrats in building a new majority. The party will have several opportunities to expand their hold on the Senate, but, for now, they’ll have to wait until 2022. – Huffpost
Chido Mabwe/ Veteran journalist and women’s rights activist Grace Kwinjeh has reminded MDC supporters that current MDC-Alliance spokesperson, Fadzai Mahere, is not a founder member of the party.
This was in response to a heated debate in which Alliance members disputed a video by Tapiwa Mashakada in which he named among others MDC-T President Doglous Mwonzora as a founder.
Responded Kwinjeh, “Arguments about authenticity based on being founders of the struggle or movement can be self defeating in the long run, what happens to the people who joined different phases from ZanuPF, time Joice Mujuru was fired, to the post coup ones?”
Chido Mabwe /Exiled former Zanu PF politician, Jonathan Moyo, has in the past week been pleading with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to end his leave, in order to deal with the prevailing Covid-19 cases which are peaking each day.
Mnangagwa took his annual leave from 1 January 2021 to the 2nd of February 2021, handing over executive authority to his two Vice Presidents.
With @MoHCCZim reporting a steep rise in #Covid-19 infections & deaths & with @nickmangwana confirming that the spike has "overwhelmed & overrun" the Govt; it's incomprehensible that the Emperor is holidaying while Rome is burning. President Mnangagwa needs to scrap his holiday! pic.twitter.com/QGmKdR4DzG
Said President Donald Trump just before chaos began, “after this we’re gonna walk down to the Capitol Hill…. and we’re not going to be cheering so much for some of them”
By Nicole Lyn Pesce After Vice President Pence was rushed out of the Senate chamber, the Capitol was locked down as protesters breached the building.
BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building — fighting federal police who are overrun
This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Thousands, police can’t stop them pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN
As Congress met to count the Electoral College votes and confirm President-elect Joe Biden as the nation’s next leader on Wednesday, Trump supporters protesting the election results stormed the Capitol building, forcing Vice President Mike Pence to be ushered out of the Senate chamber.
Hundreds of Trump supporters pushed through metal barricades at the back of the Capitol building about 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Washington Post reported, running past security guards and breaking fences while chanting “USA! USA!”
These were followed by images of protesters inside the Capitol building, and outside the Senate chamber. The debate between Senators was stopped mid-speech, and both the Senate and the House went into recess.
The Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday ruled against the arrest of self-appointed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary, Malawi media reported.
The State made a fresh application seeking a warrant of arrest for the couple, this was after the State withdrew the appeal of the November 20 ruling which was challenging Magistrate Viva Nyimba’s ruling to have the Bushiris attend court by way of summons and not arrest.
Radio station Capital FM Malawi reported that Nyimba ruled that no warrant of arrest should be executed against the couple since they need to appear in court upon being summoned.
Nyimba ordered that the formal hearing of the extradition should start on March 8. The State was expected to disclosed all remaining documents to the defence on January 18.
The charismatics preacher and his wife are wanted in South Africa on fraud and money laundering charges related to an investment scheme valued at about US$7million.
The couple were arrested in South Africa but, after being granted bail fled to Malawi claiming they were not safe in South Africa.
As part of their bail they were only allowed to travel within Gauteng and North West until the case was finalised. The couple own a hotel in Rustenburg in North West.
They handed themselves to the police in Malawi after a warrant of arrest was issued by Interpol.
Nyimba released them unconditionally stating that their arrest was unlawful because there was no formal request from South Africa.
The State wanted the couple to be kept in custody for 30 days while waiting for South Africa to made a formal request for the couple to be returned to stand trial.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Malawi Steven Kayuni, filed an application in the Lilongwe High Court to appeal Nyimba’s ruling, but, withdrew the application after South Africa formally requested the extradition of the couple.
Kayuni told the court on Wednesday that a request from South Africa had been formally served on Malawi and it included charges of theft, fraud, forgery, failing to comply with bail conditions in South Africa.
By A Correspondent- A security guard at Salgro investment in Rushinga, Mashonaland Central province died yesterday after he was seriously injured by an excavator which uprooted a mango tree he was on.
Manyanga Trust (24) succumbed to injuries sustained from the accident.
Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm a fatal accident that occurred in Rushinga where a security guard died after a mango tree he was on was uprooted by an excavator, investigations are in progress,”Mundembe said.
Witnesses said the excavator operator Farai Chiwanda (29) from Shurugwi did not notice that the now deceased security guard was on the tree when he uprooted it.
Chiwanda decided to uproot the tree without noticing that the security guard was on the tree making his observations of the site,” Munashe Svosve said.
“He uprooted the tree and after that Manyanga was seriously injured in the process as his legs were partially amputated.”
“He was rushed to Chimhanda where he died upon arrival,” he added.
Police warned people to be very careful especially when working in mines and farms.
“We are urging people to be very vigilant especially those that work with heavy machinery those in mining and farming, life is precious so negligence is strongly condemned.” Mundembe said.
By A Correspondent- Dismembered body parts of a local tourist who slipped and fell into a gorge at the Victoria Falls Rain Forest on New Year’s Day have been retrieved following a six-hour operation.
The process, which was temporarily stopped due to rains, started at around 10am and finished around 4pm.
What was supposed to be a memorable holiday in the country’s tourism capital ended in tragedy when Mr Roy Dikinya slipped and fell 108 metres into the gorge.
Mr Dikinya slipped at a Danger Point while taking selfies with his smart phone.
The smart phone was also recovered from the gorge but with a damaged LCD.
After struggling to recover the body parts which were trapped at the foot of the gorge, the rescue team yesterday managed to execute one of the most difficult and dangerous rescue missions ever witnessed in the resort town.
Three daring kayakers led by filmmaker Mr Tom Vary managed to paddle to the exact spot where Mr Dikinya’s body parts were initially discovered.
Other rescue team members had mounted zip lines as they worked as a unit.
All Covid 19 regulations breakers must be jailed like Fantan. Zimbabwe law mustn't be selective. Mustvangwa and Tagwirei must also be punished pic.twitter.com/EYSH3ih9ly
Well thats great nick. THANK YOU. Wht about the organizers of a mass spreader tht tagwirei was involved in. When are they also going to be brought to book or its juc punishment for the poor fantan n friends ?n the rich r safe???Peace✌✌
But citizens must just lodge a report of your gig with Monica Mutsvangwa and that one of Tagwirei since precedence was already set . Kana mazobvawo pa power muchatongwa karma will always remember that
The ghetto youths must rise up and defeat Zanu PF and its courts. It's not a crime to be poor. At Dreams, Tagwirei's and other affluent places they had parties. Wake up ghetto youths!
Mangoma depot yava kupolice depot… Keep your head high guys, take the opportunity to groom mamwe mayouth there. This only says something about our justice system. Torai Kuda Tagwirei video tinaro achiita zvaita fantan https://t.co/80XWU1BMhU
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), has said that vehicle licensing will go on despite a strict lockdown amid a surge in covid 19 cases in the country.
Dismissing information that has been circulating lately on social media alleging the process had been suspended due to the lockdown, Zinara Spokesperson, Mr Tendai Mugabe said: “We do not have the powers to suspend vehicle licensing. The process will go on as usual.”
He urged motorists to utilize the online platforms to register their vehicles to avoid physical contact.
“We are however encouraging motorists to utilise online vehicle registration platforms to reduce the number of people that visit registration offices to protect both the motorists and the workers from the global pandemic.
The development comes at a time when most motorists seek to renew their vehicle licenses as most of them would have expired at the end of the year.
The Government recently suspended face to face meetings in the public service to ensure safety of its employees and trimmed its workforce to 30 percent as the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic intensifies.-statemedia
My prayers and thoughts go out to Fantan, Levels and the entire Chillspot family. These young men have been very influential in the music industry.
They have helped identify various talents, Enzo Ishall, Uncle Epaton, Herman to name just a few. The work they do at Chillspot is going a long way in creating employment for the ghetto youths and alleviating poverty among the ghetto youth.
I am glad that the law took its course and rightfully. However, my wish would have been for a lenient sentencing given that they admitted to their crime.
The influence they have will go a long way in creating awareness among the ghetto youths on the reality that is COVID-19. My wish would have been for them to serve community service by giving back to the community in the form of awareness campaigns, using the power of music to educate the public.
I fear that if they are locked up for long, it will undo the good they are doing for the ghetto youths. However, justice has been served and we can not dispute it. Let this serve as a caution for future law breakers.
Tinashe Sambiri |The MDC Alliance(Namibia) has described the level of police callousness in the ancient city of Masvingo as shocking.
Overzealous details from Rujeko and Chikato Police Stations-respectively- took turns to bash hapless residents on Wednesday morning.
One cop also attempted trip an MDC Alliance official near Benjamin Burombo Building.
“An overzealous officer attempted to knock me to the ground but I resisted,” said the official.
Also see statement below:
06 JANUARY 2021
MASVINGO RESIDENTS TRAPPED BETWEEN THE CATASTROPHIC PANDEMIC AND THE CALLOUSNESS OF THE CAPTURED POLICE, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA CONDEMNS POLICE BRUTALITY IN MASVINGO.
Mdc Alliance Namibia absolutely condemns the callousness displayed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police belonging to Rujeko and Chikato Police Stations this morning.
It is quite astonishing that the purported central element of a democratic society is the one that is unleashing violence on the innocent citizenry who are struggling to make ends meet due to the negative impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
An objective police force must be subject to the rule of law. We reiterate that the police should be publicly accountable for the maintenance of peace and harmony in our societies.
In addition to that, social democrats in Namibia believe that for a country to grow industrially, the police must control crime and contribute to public order. This is in antithesis with the role to mediate and arbitrate disputes , regulating traffic and helping in times of emergencies. The police must desist from manipulating their legal mandate to use force and deprive citizens of their freedom to express themselves including just allowing them to produce their permits. This attempt to create an undemocratic society in Zimbabwe must be resisted with equal measure.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia demands an end to the merging of policing crime and politics. Police powers must be executed as per the dictates of the rule of law and not according to whims of a selfish politician or the police agent. State power should be used in a restrained fashion bearing in mind that the role of the police is to protect the citizenry not vice-versa. It is imperative for the police force to realise that law enforcement requires a delicate balancing act considering the democratic rights of the citizens enshrined in the supreme law of the country.
Furthermore, the wild behaviour of the Police Force in Masvingo today resembles a captured police that has already declared citizens the enemies of the state. It reflects the non-democratic police behaviour mentored by the totalitarian Zanupf government. This overzealous police must protect democratic liberties while maintaining effectiveness against crime, hubbub and pandemonium since they are trained to see themselves as exemplars of moral behaviour as law enforcers. By beating up and injuring dozens in Masvingo today, the police demonstrated that they are political animals who should remove their Zanupf political jackets and begin to serve the country without fear or favour.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia demands that the police in Zimbabwe divorce themselves from abusing the police power to exploit force and engage in summary punishment and use of covert surveillance supporting a dictatorial regime and its rotten and diabolic practises. Citizens must constitutionally resist this kind of thugocracy.
Tinashe Sambiri |The MDC Alliance(Namibia) has described the level of police callousness in the ancient city of Masvingo as shocking.
Overzealous details from Rujeko and Chikato Police Stations-respectively- took turns to bash hapless residents on Wednesday morning.
One cop also attempted trip an MDC Alliance official near Benjamin Burombo Building.
“An overzealous officer attempted to knock me to the ground but I resisted,” said the official.
Also see statement below:
06 JANUARY 2021
MASVINGO RESIDENTS TRAPPED BETWEEN THE CATASTROPHIC PANDEMIC AND THE CALLOUSNESS OF THE CAPTURED POLICE, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA CONDEMNS POLICE BRUTALITY IN MASVINGO.
Mdc Alliance Namibia absolutely condemns the callousness displayed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police belonging to Rujeko and Chikato Police Stations this morning.
It is quite astonishing that the purported central element of a democratic society is the one that is unleashing violence on the innocent citizenry who are struggling to make ends meet due to the negative impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
An objective police force must be subject to the rule of law. We reiterate that the police should be publicly accountable for the maintenance of peace and harmony in our societies.
In addition to that, social democrats in Namibia believe that for a country to grow industrially, the police must control crime and contribute to public order. This is in antithesis with the role to mediate and arbitrate disputes , regulating traffic and helping in times of emergencies. The police must desist from manipulating their legal mandate to use force and deprive citizens of their freedom to express themselves including just allowing them to produce their permits. This attempt to create an undemocratic society in Zimbabwe must be resisted with equal measure.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia demands an end to the merging of policing crime and politics. Police powers must be executed as per the dictates of the rule of law and not according to whims of a selfish politician or the police agent. State power should be used in a restrained fashion bearing in mind that the role of the police is to protect the citizenry not vice-versa. It is imperative for the police force to realise that law enforcement requires a delicate balancing act considering the democratic rights of the citizens enshrined in the supreme law of the country.
Furthermore, the wild behaviour of the Police Force in Masvingo today resembles a captured police that has already declared citizens the enemies of the state. It reflects the non-democratic police behaviour mentored by the totalitarian Zanupf government. This overzealous police must protect democratic liberties while maintaining effectiveness against crime, hubbub and pandemonium since they are trained to see themselves as exemplars of moral behaviour as law enforcers. By beating up and injuring dozens in Masvingo today, the police demonstrated that they are political animals who should remove their Zanupf political jackets and begin to serve the country without fear or favour.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia demands that the police in Zimbabwe divorce themselves from abusing the police power to exploit force and engage in summary punishment and use of covert surveillance supporting a dictatorial regime and its rotten and diabolic practises. Citizens must constitutionally resist this kind of thugocracy.
Khama Billiat assisted the winning goal in Kaizer Chiefs’ 1-0 away victory in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday.
The solitary goal was netted by Leonardo Castro who pounced on a left-sided cross from Billiat to slot into the back of the net.
The victory saw the Soweto giants progress to the group stages on a 1-0 aggregate victory.
Meanwhile, Willard Katsande was a notable absentee from the Chiefs squad on the day. The Zimbabwean was left out for the trip, and no reason was explained by the club.
Bit according to Soccer Laduma, Katsande is believed to have tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
https://t.co/RJBtiByg47 Urgent Application has been filed challenging rationality of a 30-day long Lockdown. As part of remedysought is to shorten Lockdown period based on scientific evidence on incubation period of #COVID19. In absence of robust social safety measures.. pic.twitter.com/FU9x1yl4ij
They just happened to find 50,000 ballots late last night. The USA is embarrassed by fools. Our Election Process is worse than that of third world countries!
Spanish giants Real Madrid’s quest to tie down inspirational captain Sergio Ramos to a new contract has reportedly hit a snag with the center-back even said to have openly revealed he might leave for Paris Saint-Germain should the club fail to grant him his wishes.
The 34-year-old Spain national team skipper’s contract at Los Blancos expires at the end of the current season and he wants a two-year extension but Spanish media is awash with reports that the Florentino Perez-led board wants to offer him only a year extension instead.
Spanish radio EL Chiringuito reports that Ramos met Perez last week and boldly told him that he is going to listen to offers from other clubs should Madrid insist on offering a one year extension with the same salary.
The meeting yielded no result, both parties failed to reach an agreement with Ramos insisting he will not only decline the offer but might consider a move to PSG, who have reportedly approached him.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
By Josiah Mucharowana- There is a war in Beitbridge!
Not for land nor political ideology. It’s a spirited attempt by Zimbabweans to be allowed into South Africa by the book or crook, away from the madding crowd of Harare.
Ah sorry! I am not being alarmist or formenting panic and despondency, but surely something is amiss over yonder in the capital.
We hear it’s now a village. Water taps are dry for weeks on end with women and children spending more time fist-fighting at boreholes than at home. Electricity has become somewhat erratic to nonexistent. Pot-holed urban roads are nurturing rally drivers to turn newly knighted Lewis Hamilton green with envy.
Yes, Beitbridge, I mean that stretch of the infamous Limpopo river flooded and bursting at the seems at this time of the year because of heavy rains pounding the SADC region is replete with ghastly tales of extortion, violence and broken dreams to Utopia in this case South Africa for many Zimbabweans.
It is the proverbial Rubicorn at which fellow compatriots come out with a conviction to face parts unknown in the diaspora or death from either poverty, political abductions, unrelenting and virulent coronavirus in dilapidated healthcare facilities on homeland.
Beitbridge at anytime of the day all year round has a forbidding air about it so thick one can almost touch it. From time immemorial, there have been gruesome stories of murder, rape and robbery cases from the darkest pits of hell.
Weatherwise, it is scotched earth most of the year and everything there is for a buck from smelly decontaminated water to drink to a simple bath in a bucket.
I have been there and seen it all. ‘Papers’ or no papers, Beitbridge is not for the faint-hearted. I had no real money in my pockets on my virgin trip to Egoli many moons ago. I was a bundle of nerves clutching a worn out jacket in my hand emblazoned Liverpool at the back.
Like a cat armed with a curious twinkle in my eye, upon arrival in Jo’burg, I had hoped to find the streets paved with gold. Alas, I had no idea whatsoever what it means to be in another country, on your own.
Imagine the shock of it to find thousands of fellow countrymen sleeping under the moon and stars at the (in)famous Methodist Church at the heartbeat of Jozi administered by the charismatic Paul Veryn.
On the hard cold streets of the city of gold, unrelated man and women developed a bond of survival that only men of war at battlefronts can understand why. Bread, beans and blankets were shared with gusto regardless of tribe as long as you were Zimbabwean.
Then, Mugabe and Co were breathing fire and brimstone at imaginary enemies of the West. Sanctions! Remove Sanctions! Mugabe pounded podiums in the tall towers of America and elsewhere. China became a wily buddy and home became a hell hole. Millions started the unending journey of being economic refugees to date.
Back home, I had left family cats sleeping at the fireplace, nothing cooked there. This world is not our mother folks, we gotta be as mean as a bitch or as kind as a Jesuit priest when the situation demands.
Interestingly just before Christmas, South Africa let loose it’s guard opening the gates to immigrants going out under the guise of relaxing Covid-19 protocols when about 5 deaths of people were reported due to prolonged periods stuck in the snaking queues to the border.
Deep in their hearts, South African leaders knew the joy of going away would be shortlived for many Zimbabweans as January beckoned. A helicopter and police speedboats have been dispensed to plug in loopholes in the porous borderline as thousands throng Beitbridge in an uninspiring comeback.
Reportedly 500 hundred undocumented foreigners around the border and Limpopo are caught each passing day and that’s a massive number for an overstretched police force to deal with. It is costly on the South African national fiscus.
Zimbabwe has retaliated with an almost complete lockdown for 30 days restricting human movement except essentail workers and the sale of alcohol.
It is sad for border jumpers caught between a rock and a hard place.
The mass movement of people trying to reach South Africa by hook or crook is an indelible stain on the conscience of the Zimbabwean leadership. Of course migration has become a world phenomenon as it is said the universe has become a ‘global village’ and no nation is an island unto itself.
The same, however cannot hold water for the Zim- South Africa human traffic. It is trouble, serious trouble that has been left to ferment and brew to a dangerous poison that could befuddle the entire region.
Surely Zimbabwe cannot export its warm bodies and problems to other countries ceaselessly with no solution in sight.
What we are witnessing at Beitbridge is admission of guilty by Harare authorities. They have failed the people. They have thrown the mandate book out through the window. It is a dog eat dog country now in which politics is not to serve the masses but self enrichment. Given half a chance in leadership, I would quit, walk off into the sunset just like in western blockbuster movies. I would go home and grow maize and beans. I would sod off from national life quietly and give others a chance.
However, it’s only a peasant’ s dream. With the calibre of people at helm, it will not work. Simple! Who piggybacks a ‘crocodile’. They aren’t friendly. We cannot at all blame God for creating a crocodile but thank Him for not giving it wings. We would certainly perish. It’s diaspora or death for many.
Josiah Mucharowana is a media graduate and writes in his personal capacity.
By A Correspondent- A doctor who spoke to Aljazeera on the condition of anonymity has said the situation at The Parirenyatwa COVID-19 unit is bad as there are no volunteers to work in the unit.
According to the source working in the unit is voluntary and key staff members are not volunteering due to lack of equipment and medication.
The doctor said they are working with three ICU beds, three ventilators, and four high flow nasal cannula machines:
That is what we are currently making use of.
The COVID-19 unit currently has about 60 patients. He said a shortage of key staff such as nurses at the hospital was hampering the fight against the disease.
Working in the COVID-19 unit is voluntary but no one is volunteering – especially ICU nurses and intensivists [anaesthetists].
Six patients died in the ward the other night and then four but its mostly because there is no medication and equipment.
This was also echoed by Human Rights Activist Sithabile Dewah who said when she wanted her relative to be admitted at Parirenyatwa, there were no nurses:
But there was no urgency on their part. I think they have just seen too much death to care. Government is not being honest and transparent in terms of its plans and response to the pandemic. Many people are dying at home. Many are just taking home remedies
The secretary of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, Norman Matara told Aljazeera that apart from Parirenyatwa, hospital bed capacity in public hospitals is very low:
The problem is very few institutions are admitting COVID-19 patients because bed capacity is very low in public hospitals. This means that patients requiring these services will die at home. The few private facilities admitting patients are charging an arm and a leg
Zimbabwe yesterday recorded over 1300 positive cases and 34 COVID-19 deaths.
1.Mayor @JMafume continues to be victimised by the State. Despite his matter being remanded yesterday to 9 Feb in line with the Chief Justice's P/Directive, he has been summoned to appear in court tomorrow as the Prosecution seeks to accelerate its application to revoke his bail. pic.twitter.com/7V6vOtwM83
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) January 6, 2021
