The late ZANU PF EU-UK District Chairperson Masimba Tawengwa’s mother has died.
Masimba’s mother died some few days after the burial of her son who succumbed to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
More details to follow….
By Stephen Chuma| As the country is battling Covid-19 crisis and trying to come to terms with an imposed lockdown albeit without consultation, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime continues on its dictatorial path persecuting innocent MDC Alliance members.
This time around the state repressive machinery through it’s Gweru ZRP bunch is targeting Mkoba MDC Alliance Youth Assembly members.
Hiding under the veil of Covid-19 lockdown, the ZRP in Gweru are indiscriminately targeting every known MDC Alliance youth activists in Gweru’s Mkoba suburb for what the police refer to as “questioning”.
This so-called questioning is in reality a subtle act where our youth activists are being moved from one office to another as the police dig up for a preferred political charge.
So far those called up by Gweru’s Law and Order Police unit include our Mkoba Constituency Coordinating Committee Chairman, John Kuka and Branch Chairs, Tonderai Chadoka and Portia Tambalika.
This is not the first time that the state repressive machinery in Midlands province has unjustifiably stepped on our toes.
Only a month ago, the police disrupted and arrested our members during a #One Million Campaign launch in Kwekwe.
It is clear that Mnangagwa is rattled at the prospect of facing one million youth voices demanding answers to the economic rot and corruption unfolding under his watch.
While we condemn the recent new low by the police, the Assembly is not going to stand in akimbo as its members are facing senseless persecution from the state.
We are ready to fight both Covid-19 and dictatorship!
#OneMillionCampaign
YouthVoices4Change
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma_
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Spokesperson_
By Correspondent- A Zimbabwean man is languishing in a Botswana remand prison following his arrest for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old schoolgirl.
Lovemore Chivaka (22) is said to have bedded the juvenile in Semotswane village on an unknown date between October and December 4 last year.
Tonota Police Station commander Oteng Ngada revealed that the child’s parents reported the matter after their daughter returned home late from church.
“When the parents interviewed the girl, they found out that she was in a relationship with the suspect and they reported the matter to the police. That is when the suspect was arrested,” Ngada said.
He pleaded with men “to respect the rights” of children.
Chivaka appeared at Francistown Magistrate Court charged with the girl’s defilement.
The court denied him bail saying he was an illegal immigrant and a flight risk. He was remanded in custody to February 8.
This was after prosecutor Kenneth Edward told the court that investigations were at the initial stage.
He said they were yet to record statements from witnesses and exhibits taken from the complainant were yet to be taken for forensic analysis.
“The accused is an illegal immigrant without a permanent place of abode,” he said.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said employers of essential services providers should ensure their workers have exemption letters which they produce at checkpoints to avoid inconveniences.
This comes after Vice President Constantino who doubles as the minister of Health and Child Care recently reimposed a stricter national lockdown at the backdrop of a spike in coronavirus cases.
Under the new lockdown regulations, movement will be a preserve for essential services providers whom the police say need some identification.
Speaking on Sunday ahead of the lockdown which is scheduled to come into effect this Tuesday, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said police are ready to enforce the tightened lockdown regulations.
He said:
Remember last time on issues to do with essential services, companies were supposed to issue exemption letters and these letters were verified at checkpoints. If what is said by the Government is taken into consideration, officers on checkpoints will have to verify if one is an essential service worker or not.
It means companies or institutions that fall under essential services must also assist by providing the letters so that their workers can produce them at checkpoints to avoid inconveniences.
I want to warn them that they will be arrested if they try to bribe their way when they are not in the essential service sectors.
People should just stick to what has been said by the Government. There is no compromise, there is no going back on what has been said by the Government.
What it entails is that only those providing essential services will be reporting for work and the rest should stay at home and only travel when it’s really necessary.
He said police have started implementing some of the new regulations which came into effect on Saturday adding that over 4000 people have since been arrested for flouting the regulations.
As DMTL we are sorry about all that happened between the 27th December 2020 and the time that DMTL was formed about two years ago.
We would like to admit that as an organization we made a big mistake and miscalculation in thinking that you acted wrongly when you saved the party from extinction.
It has now come to our realisation that while you could have not followed the correct procedures to effect the replacement of Dr. Tsvangirai you now stand exonerated from all your actions since the time the SC directed the MDC to hold it’s EOC which eventually was held on the 27th December 2020. It came out to be a shame election worse that your Gweru Congress of 2019.
The most discouraging thing is that the long awaited EOC came out to be worse than all that you did because it was marred by violence and vote rigging .
As DMTL, we take full responsibility of our wrong action(s) and would like to apologise to you in person, the generality of MDC members and all democracy loving Zimbabweans.
DMTL kindly asks for forgiveness.
As DMTL we acknowledge that MDCA is a darling if the masses and it would be foolhardy and undemocratic for us to continue going against the majority of Zimbabweans who are desperately waiting for change in the country.
From the DMTL Information Desk
Warship Dumba Information and Publicity Secretary
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo vendors have appealed to the government to consider their plight during the newly introduced lockdown measures which they say will subject them to further poverty.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga on Saturday reviewed the country’s COVID-19 lockdown measures that will see formal and non-formal businesses being suspended from Tuesday for a period of month.
Essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets will remain open with only essential staff allowed to go to work while businesses will be operating from 8am to 3pm.
But Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association director Michael Ndiweni told Southern Eye yesterday that they were aggrieved that marketplaces were closed.
“We are, however, aggrieved that market places were placed under outright closure,” he said.
“It was going to be better if licensed traders were allowed to operate with strict COVID-19 protocols compliance, since organisations like ours had made significant strides in providing materials like hand washing sanitisers, masks and hand washing water dispensers in over 22 markets in Bulawayo.”
He added that they hoped the government would immediately announce measures to cater for social protection for vendors and informal traders since their livelihoods would be curtailed for 30 days.
“Our view still stands that some shops can be designated across the borders and be strictly monitored for COVID-19 compliance,” he said.
An outright ban on Informal Cross Border Traders would mean that some people will risk their lives through illegal points, including the crocodile-infested Limpopo River, he added.
Dumisani Nkomo, chief executive of Habakkuk Trust, a human-rights lobby group, said while it was necessary to take action, government should have come up with mitigatory measures than completely ban cross-border trading.
“It is necessary to take action but have other migratory measures other than just closing businesses,” he said.
Nkomo said government should come up with measures to protect vulnerable members of the society.
-newsday
By A Correspondent- Teacher unions have urged the government to suspend the remaining examinations to save lives as cases of COVID-19 continue to skyrocket, necessitating the imposition of stringent lockdown measures at the weekend.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga on Saturday suspended the reopening of schools, but allowed examination classes to go back to school to complete their examinations, as he introduced a raft of new measures that include closure of formal and informal business that are not essential service providers. Chiwenga also introduced a dusk to dawn curfew for the next 30 days to try to arrest the spiralling cases of COVID-19.
Government announced that only pupils writing examinations would be at school today to complete their examinations, while the rest of the learners would open at a date yet to be announced.
But the Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ) and the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) said government should consider completely closing the schools to avoid exposing pupils and teachers to the virus.
PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said the whole examination process should be suspended to save lives.
“We urge the ministry to postpone the writing of exams in light of the quantum leap of COVID-19 cases in the country.
“It is important to prioritise the health and safety of students, teachers and ancillary staff,” Zhou said yesterday.
Earlier on, PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe through the union’s official Twitter account said teachers and learners should only go back to school if government made a commitment to pay invigilation allowances as well as test for COVID-19 before anyone enters the examination room.
“We have only two conditions for invigilating the second phase of exams.
“Zimsec must pay for the invigilation, candidates and teachers must get tested for COVID-19, all of them before exams start,” Majongwe said.
In a statement the Artuz urged its members not to report for duty on Monday 4 January 2021 until COVID-19 is under control.
“The sharp increase in COVID-19 deaths in the last few days is a signal to defer opening of schools and Zimsec public examinations.
“Opening of schools for exam classes under the current situation will be equivalent to first degree murder by the responsible authorities,” the teacher union said in a statement.
“We are witnessing high profile people succumbing to COVID-19, a majority of them were admitted to private elite hospitals with better healthcare equipment as compared to public hospitals.
“This alone shows that teachers, economically disadvantaged students and low-class citizens are more trapped to death once infected.”
Artuz added: “Regardless of the COVID-19, teachers are highly incapacitated to report for duty.”
-newsday
By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo| The recent lockdown statement done by the Vice President and Health Minister Dr Chiwenga. My assumption was that Government of today, Government of Zimbabwe, was supposed reach out to many Inclusive of all stakeholders, considering all the Economic implications of Covid-19 pandemic before arriving on the decision to lockdown the country. If you go through the statement made by Chiwenga you can safely conclude that it was hurriedly made without considering push and pull factors on the economic recovery path. What is the difference between stopping cross border traders, and allowing tourists to do their business? Cross border improves tax remittances, circulation of the USD currency, and movement of good and services etc.
You must put proper Economic Development plans before you arrive on such irrational decisions. We have over 13 million people facing starvation, who survive on vending, and our economy largely depend on vending and informal business, and Advisory council was supposed to be consulted !!!
Government pay attention to this :
1. Covid-19 is here to stay, and it’s a new norm.
2. No need to lockdown the country, rather provide statutory instruments which create a conducive environment to enable Business to function in a normal, whilst you put across measures to safeguard citizens
3. The country is bleeding through corruption in the public sector.
4. Looted funds must be directed towards health sector
5. We need a sound Development Policy in line with implications of Covid-19 pandemic
6. Any measures put in place to have the vaccine around in Zimbabwe?
7. Decisions must involve policymakers, to strengthen capacity and restore market confidence
8. Complement ideas from across Political divide to have a way forward for Zimbabwe
9. Address fundamentals affecting informal sector. Locking the country down without putting mechanisms to address trade barriers and poverty issues is a cause of concern
10. Develop a Strategic Thinking Approach in all Strategic areas of Governance
11. Policing Human Rights must not be partisan and must remain impartial
12. We need a proper Health policy which is well informed on our current trajectory
13. Economy is industry, increase of productivity, and therefore we expect a review of 2020/21 Budget statement
14. Citizen perspective is critical on crucial decisions. We are living in the modern day society (21st century), and inclusivity of ideas is very important
15. Our country does not have enough PPEs, safety clothing, better renumerations for frontline workers and health workers, and this is where we expect a proper Economic Recovery framework to address all these fundamentals
16.Last but not least, you are building a museum along Bulawayo road, is that necessary?
17.Why can’t you erect a five star state of the art hospital to cater for 20 000 people?
18.In Zambia, your counterpart Edgar Lungu is building a state of the art hospital in every district, and it’s now three (3) solid years since you assumed Presidency, we don’t have any building or infrastructure which is named after you, and this needs deep introspection on key priorities.
19. Lack of priorities on key issues affecting our nation
20. We need a reshuffle at cabinet level.
Discard all Presidential Advisors, and bring in a new competent team around you.
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is the Head of Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking – ZIST, and he can be contacted at [email protected]
A 25-year-old Chitungwiza man appeared in court yesterday facing charges of reckless discharging of a firearm and possession of dangerous drugs.
Tanfany Chadomunhu appeared before Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga who remanded him in custody to January 15.
It is alleged that on December 31, 2020, Chadomunhu, who is employed by the President’s Office as a Central Intelligence Officer (CIO) was deployed at number 5 Radnk Clause in Emerald Hill as a night security operative.
Chadomunhu was armed with an AK47 riffle with 14 rounds.
It is alleged that on January 1, 2021, Chadomunhu fired the riffle and Lazarus Mungate, a security operative at the President’s Office deployed on the same premises contacted Last Ngwenya, who is superior to Chadomunhu, advising him of the incident.
The court heard that Ngwenya proceeded to the offices in a bid to ascertain what had transpired and upon arrival at the scene, he realised that the accused had indeed fired 11 rounds.
Ngwenya ordered Bothwell Mutonzi, an immediate superior of the accused person, to search Chadomunhu. He found him in possession of one sachet of dagga and two spent cartridges.
The court heard that Mutonzi inspected the AK47 and discovered that there were only two rounds left in the magazine and one round in the chamber of the fire arm.
A report was made leading to the arrest of the accused.
Lancelot Mutsokoti represented the State.
-Newsday
Friends of local entrepreneur Kuda Musasiwa have appealed for prayers for the Fresh in a Box founder to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Flag founder Pastor Evan Mawarire said Musasiwa is in ICU and in need of prayers to recover from the deadly disease.
“Please help us pray for the recovery of my good friend Kuda Musasiwa as he lies in intensive care unit in Harare today. A wonderful husband to Nomaliso Musasiwa, father, innovative, creative, impressive & incredibly outstanding entrepreneur. Hold on Kuda, you can beat this my bro,” said Mawarire.
The new wave has taken grip on Zimbabwe with cases back to three digits and deaths being reported everyday.
The government has responded by declaring a 30 day total lockdown that is set to commence tomorrow 5 January 2020.
By A Correspondent- New MDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora says the continuing active participation of elements of G40 in the affairs of MDC Alliance is jeopardizing prospects of a united opposition in the country ahead of the 2023 elections.
He particularly singled out Jonathan Moyo whom he said was telling people not to vote for him ahead of congress and is still trying to influence the decision-making within MDC Alliance.
Mwonzora added he was keen to talk to Nelson Chamisa and leaders of other opposition parties. He however wants that relationship to be predicated upon certain values – constitutionalism, rule of law, mutual respect, and non-violence.
Mwonzora says he was bringing a new brand of opposition politics and that members of MDC Alliance had already approached him to rejoin the party.
The World Health Organisation (W.H.O) has applauded government for announcing new lockdown restrictions in the wake of a spike in covid-19 cases in the country.
The covid-19 curve is pointing northwards, with the country recording its highest figure of 490 infections this Saturday, which is almost double the number of 262 cases confirmed the previous day on Friday.
The situation seems to be getting worse by each day, with over 1300 cases and 19 deaths having been recorded since the start of the festive season.
These statistics should give Zimbabweans every reason to worry, considering that gone are the days when the country would average 7 cases a day in around May last year.
Authorities are not taking anything to chance and the World Health Organisation is impressed by the new lockdown regulations announced by government this Saturday.
“The government intervention has come at the right moment. We have witnessed complacency within the people of Zimbabwe with the recent developments during the just ended festive season. This is worrisome indeed. Fighting Covid-19 requires complementary measure from across sectors including individuals who need to play their part in adhering to Covid-19 regulations,” says Dr. Alex Gasasira, W.H.O country representative.
Commenting on the new covid-19 variant that has already been confirmed in neighbouring South Africa, Dr. Gasasira said they are closely monitoring the situation in Zimbabwe.
“It is too early to confirm the existence of the new variant in Zimbabwe until test results confirm. It is however difficult to tell at the moment but the figures themselves may proves the existence of the variant,” he commented.
Government this Saturday tightened lockdown regulations that will see an all-night curfew being enforced, while churches, bars, bottle stores and restaurants will be shut for the next 30 days.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa has with immediate effect scaled down operations following the tightening of COVID-19 lockdown by the neighbouring country.
The Embassy announced it had suspended all consulate appointments stretching from today to March 26 while also slashing by half the number of clients assisted daily from 600 to 300.
Read the statement:
The consulate undertakes to review this position through a similar communication once circumstances change.
The consulate reassured the public that other emergency services such as burial orders, repatriation of human remains and cancellation of passports remained available.
Please note that clients seeking other services such as temporary travel documents, cancellation of passports and authentication of documents do not require prior booking in order to access service.
Further, clearances for the repatriation of human remains for burial in Zimbabwe will continue to be strictly processed via the existing electronic platforms.
This came after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on December 28 moved the country from level one lockdown to level three, after a surge in COVID-19 cases.
South Africa had also detected a new aggressive variant of the coronavirus that was first detected in the United Kingdom.
By A Correspondent- A 25 year old Chitungwiza man appeared in court yesterday facing charges of reckless discharging of a firearm and possession of dangerous drugs.
Tanfany Chadomunhu appeared before Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga who remanded him in custody to January 15.
It is alleged that on December 31, 2020, Chadomunhu, who is employed by the President’s Office as a Central Intelligence Officer (CIO) was deployed at number 5 Radnk Clause in Emerald Hill as a night security operative.
Chadomunhu was armed with an AK47 riffle with 14 rounds.
It is alleged that on January 1, 2021, Chadomunhu fired the riffle and Lazarus Mungate, a security operative at the President’s Office deployed on the same premises contacted Last Ngwenya, who is superior to Chadomunhu, advising him of the incident.
The court heard that Ngwenya proceeded to the offices in a bid to ascertain what had transpired and upon arrival at the scene, he realised that the accused had indeed fired 11 rounds.
Ngwenya ordered Bothwell Mutonzi, an immediate superior of the accused person, to search Chadomunhu. He found him in possession of one sachet of dagga and two spent cartridges.
The court heard that Mutonzi inspected the AK47 and discovered that there were only two rounds left in the magazine and one round in the chamber of the fire arm.
A report was made leading to the arrest of the accused.
Lancelot Mutsokoti represented the State.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe recorded 774 new Covid infections and three deaths on Sunday as the country began a 30-day strict lockdown, shutting down businesses and gatherings and ordering people to stay home.
The country has seen a marked spike in both deaths and cases lately.
POLICE have said employers of essential services should ensure their workers have exemption letters which they produce at checkpoints to avoid inconveniences.
The Government on Saturday imposed stricter lockdown regulations as part of measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections.
Most of the new regulations come into effect tomorrow and for the next 30 days only workers providing esential services are allowed to report for work.
Members of the public are expected to stay at home and only move out when they are going to buy medicines and groceries.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said police are ready to enforce the tightened lockdown regulations.
He said finer details on implementation of the strict lockdown measures will be announced today but employers should also play their part to ensure critical services employees are not prevented from reporting for duty.
“Remember last time on issues to do with essential services, companies were supposed to issue exemption letters and these letters were verified at checkpoints. If what is said by the Government is taken into consideration, officers on checkpoints will have to verify if one is an essential service worker or not.
It means companies or institutions that fall under essential services must also assist by providing the letters so that their workers can produce them at checkpoints to avoid inconveniences,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He warned members of the public against bribing their way at roadblocks.
“I want to warn them that they will be arrested if they try to bribe their way when they are not in the essential service sectors,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police will implement lockdown measures without fear or favour as this is in the public interest.
“People should just stick to what has been said by the Government. There is no compromise, there is no going back on what has been said by the Government.
“What it entails is that only those providing essential services will be reporting for work and the rest should stay at home and only travel when it’s really necessary,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said police have already started enforcing the new regulations which came into effect on Saturday night soon afer announcement by Government
“The country has been on lockdown since March and police have been arresting people for flouting the regulations. If you check arrests for flouting regulations have been ongoing.
“On New Year’s Day we arrested more than 2 300 people and on Saturday we arrested more than 2 000. The arrests will continue as long as people are not complying with the regulations.”
-State Media
By A Correspondent- Zim dancehall producer DJ Fantan and music promoter Dammer have been arrested for organising a Covid-19 super spreader New Year’s Eve party in Mbare.
Fantan – real name Arnold Kamudyariwa and Dammer (Simbarashe Chanachimwe) were picked up yesterday after a huge public outcry over the gathering.
Pictures of the event dominated social media over the weekend.
The two are being held at Matapi Police Station and are set to appear in court today.
-dailynews
By Patrick Guramatunhu- There is no denying that Zimbabwe’s in serious economic and political trouble. The economy is in total meltdown after 40 years of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness that has earned the country the burdensome title of pariah state.
The political trouble is because the country has not only a corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical ruling party, Zanu PF, but an equally corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless opposition. And to crown it all, we have an electorate that has no clue what is going on and hence are given to follow the corrupt and useless leaders blindly like sheep to the slaughter. A recipe for political paralysis; and that is exactly what we have.
“A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership,” said Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s great intellectuals.
For Nelson Chamisa, the leader of MDC A, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party; forget about being educated and moral grounding: he lacks common sense. He really has no clue what is going and and hence keeps repeating the same foolish mistakes over and over again – proof he has no common sense.
“ED (Mnangagwa), you have been working so hard, 24/7, to try and bury Nelson Chamisa. Note this: when you try to bury him, you are only planting him and he will only germinate even more viciously,” boasted Chamisa, in an interview with The Standard.
“ED will never forgive us for drubbing him in 2018. The people’s crime is that they showed him a red card in 2018 only to get relief and extra time through the ConCourt.”
If there is one thing that the July 2018 elections proved beyond all reasonable doubt, for the umpteenth time, it was that Zanu PF would never lose an election in which the regime has the carte blanche powers to rig.
The 2008 Zimbabwe elections were a watershed because that year Zanu PF showed the noun-sphere of its vote rigging capabilities. The party order the recount of the March vote and held up announcing the result for six week whilst it cooked up the figures. Tsvangirai’s 73% vote count, by Mugabe’s own Freudian slip, was whittled down to 47%; enough to force a presidential run-off.
In the run-off, Zanu PF unleashed it party thugs, war veterans backed by the Police, Army, CIO and Prison Service officials to punish the electorate for having rejected Robert Mugabe, the party’s presidential candidate in the early March vote. Millions of Zimbabweans were harassed and forced to go into hiding; hundreds of thousands were severely beaten and/or raped and over 500 were murdered.
“Zanu PF has declared war on the nation!” said Tsvangirai, as he announced his withdrawal from the run-off.
Mugabe went on to win the one-horse race with 84% of the vote.
For the first time ever, SADC and AU, renowned for giving a thumbs up to Zanu PF rigged elections in the past, refused to accept the 2008 elections as free and fair and Zanu PF as the legitimate government.
SADC leaders forced Mugabe and Zanu PF to sign the 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA) in which Zimbabwe was to implement a raft of democratic reforms designed to stop the blatant election cheating and wanton violence and ensure future elections were free, fair and credible.
A Government of National Unity (GNU) comprising Zanu PF and the two MDC factions led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara was tasked to implement the reforms. SA’s President Thabo Mbeki signed the GPA on behalf of SADC which was the guarantor of the agreement.
Mugabe bribed the MDC leaders with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, the forgot about implementing the reforms. Even the constant nagging by the SADC leaders failed to get MDC leaders to implement even one token reform in five years!
SADC leaders made a desperate last minute attempt to get Zimbabwe’s 2013 elections postponed until democratic reforms are implemented.
“In 2013 the Maputo Summit, in June 2013, before the elections, the Maputo Summit was all about having the elections postponed – the SADC summit. I went there,” Dr Ibbo Mandaza latter told Journalist Violet Gonda.
“And after that Summit, Morgan Tsvangirai, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, all of them were called to a separate meeting by the Heads of State of SADC in the absence of Mugabe, that same evening. And they were told; ‘If you go into elections next month, you are going to lose; the elections are done!’.”
As we know, Zanu PF went on to blatantly rig the 2013 elections, as SADC leaders had predicted.
Nelson Chamisa and his MDC A went participate in the 2018 elections too, knowing fully well that with no reforms in place Zanu PF will rig those elections too. ZEC failed to produce something as basic for free and fair elections as a verified voters’ roll, for Pete’s sake. And still Chamisa et al participated in the elections regardless. Why?
The same reason MDC leaders had failed to implement even one democratic reform during the GNU – greed.
The one lesson Mugabe learnt from the GNU was that Zanu PF can continue rigging the elections without risking plebiscite being declared null and void as happened in 2008 as long as the opposition participated in the flawed and illegal elections in numbers. Zanu PF would give away a few gravy train seats; a honey trap the opposition found irresistible.
Chamisa et al participated in the 2018 election out of greed and gave all manner of excuses for doing so knowing the elections will be rigged. “MDC A has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” he boasted.
When the stringent measures failed he has another feeble excuse why; Mnangagwa “only to get relief and extra time through the ConCourt!”
Of course, if we had implemented the democratic reforms fully before the 2018 elections then Mnangagwa would not have got the relief from the ConCourt or from anywhere else. The reforms are designed to end Zanu PF’s corrupting hold over all the state institutions including ZEC, Police, ConCourt, etc.!
“Through the hurdles, attacks and downs of 2020, we remain standing and marching towards a free and new great Zimbabwe. Fighting for freedom is a national duty and a patriotic act. 2021 will be incredible and full of surprises,” Chamisa told The Standard.
Chamisa and his MDC A friends are gearing to participate in the coming 2023 elections with not even one token democratic reform in place. Mnangagwa knows that as long as the opposition participate Zanu PF has every chance of rigging the elections and get away with it as before.
The biggest mistake the people of Zimbabwe made was to risk life and limb electing Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends into power in the hope the party will bring about the democratic changes necessary to end the Zanu PF dictatorship.
The people themselves had no clue what the changes were much less how they were to be implemented and so when MDC leaders sold-out during the GNU; the people failed to comprehend the blatant betrayal.
As long as the Zimbabwe electorate remain a naive and gullible lot given to believe such feeble excuses as “MDC has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging” and be dragging by MDC A into flawed and illegal elections; the opposition will claim to command a national following and thus have credibility. And a credible opposition participating in flawed and illegal elections will give Zanu PF some modicum of legitimacy!
Educate the Zimbabwe electorate so they understand what the democratic reforms are and how Chamisa et al not only sold-out on implementing reforms but, worst of all, how participating in these flawed elections is only helping to perpetuate the curse of rigged elections. An enlightened electorate will desert the corrupt, incompetent and sell-out opposition opportunists in droves!
A discredited opposition can participate in flawed elections but it will never give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy!
So, the most important task before us is to educate the Zimbabwe electorate so that as many as possible understand what the democratic reforms are needed to ensure free, fair and credible elections. It is for the people to then demand that the reforms are implemented before the next elections and to reject the elections as null and void if no reforms are in place. This is a mammoth task but not an impossible.
What good is it to the nation for Chamisa to drag us into yet another flawed elections, boasting he will drub Mnangagwa if ZEC, ConCourt, Police, Army and the other Zanu PF captured state institutions will see to it there is no regime change. This is just foolish grandstanding and posturing that has failed to deliver the changes the nation has been dying for.
After 20 years of MDC blundering from pillar to post and not even one reform to show for it; it is insane to continue following blindly Chamisa and company.
2023 elections must be free, fair and credible; all the reforms must be implemented before the plebiscite.
Chamisa is no more than the boastful dog claiming to put out the forest fire with his punny fart! It will be unforgivable to once again entrust the destiny of this great nation into the hands of such a village idiot!
Below is a part transcript of the interview of MDC-T ‘President’ Senator, Douglas Mwonzora on the 1st January 2021.
MWONZORA: I’m going to take Dr Khupe once she recovers, Eng Mudzuri as the deputy president, and myself we go to the speaker, and we make an announcement after we have seen the Speaker, we can’t preempt it.
QUESTION: So basically you’re in control of the party, it is not like you’re getting instructions from George Charamba or Emerson Mnangagwa ?
MWONZORA: I don’t get instructions from anyone I’m the President of the Movement for Democratic Change Tsvangirai. I don’t get instructions from the president, Mr Mnangagwa, I don’t get instructions from George Charamba.
I am the president of the MDCT and I will act as one.
QUESTION: When are we likely to see a govt of National Unity in which you will be prime minister as per some of the conversations you’re having here?
MWONZORA: No we haven’t discussed that Simba. Nobody has approached me with that proposition.
QUESTION: But in some of the discussions I see here you did mention that you’re going to be Prime Minister, and you will create jobs.
MWONZORA: that’s not correct I never talked to that person.
QUESTION: So this WhatsApp message is fake then? That’s what you’re saying?
MWONZORA: Aaah, it’s incorrect. Yeah its incorrect, I never talked to anybody. Remember there’s no way that I can say I will be prime minister, when I am not a Prime Minister and when nobody has talked to me about it. So I am the leader of the opposition, I am the president of the movement for democratic change. Just like that, I am not the prime minister of Zimbabwe.
QUESTION: Sir, so you didn’t send 10gb data to Nyamasvisva?
MWONZORA: No I did not.
QUESTION: I have got a record here, an Ecocash record,
MWONZORA: No I did not.
QUESTION: In which you said we can do without Chamisa, are going to have a GNU set up.
MWONZORA: Chamisa is not an issue here,
And if Chamisa wants to talk to me he can talk to me, I never talked to Chamisa. Vhamisa is not an issue at all, in this issue, and I’ve not talked to… So I don’t think your record is correct.
QUESTION: But your party will be….
By Mari Matutu | By now a Zimbabwean should be able to track a missing person with ease. Costa Nkomo is missing.
A) Firstly we had MPs of MDC A who had been recalled by MDC T. A govt Gazette was put by ZEC to put in Khupe and others under the party name MDC T yet the constitution demands that MDC A replace the recalled MPs. The Gazette was objected by citizens. These events followed:
B) On 19 September 2020 Morgan Komichi says his party MDC T was the MDC Alliance owner and would contest election as MDC Alliance.
C) On 23 September 2020 a journalist Costa Nkomo held an interview with Morgan Komichi on the claim that their party was MDC T.
D) On 24 Sept I write an article trying to advise Costa Nkomo on issues that he should have asked Morgen Komichi on the matter and Supreme court judgements.
E) On 26 September 2020 President Chamisa addresses the party at its 21st anniversary.
F) 26 September Dr Alex Magaisa writes a BSR on the issue of MDC T wanting to use the name MDC A and put it clear that already ZEC has registered MDC T by the Gazette nominating Khupe in parliament. They cannot change it.
G) 27 September MT house is re occupied by the Youths.
H) 28 September Owen Mudha Moyo declare that MDC A is a terrorist organisation.
I) 2 October 2020 Khupe gets an extension of holding an EOC.
J) 2 October Minister of Health ban by elections and the planned by elections of 5 December are no more.
K) 6 October 2020 a citizen and voter approached High Court trying to block the swearing in of Khupe.
L) 7 October the zanu led regime decided to defy all the laws of the land and swear in Khupe no matter what. No reverse.
M) 8 October Khupe is sworn in as parliament.
N) On 27 December 2020 the Zanu financed Khupe led MDC T held an EOC. Mwonzora is elected president of MDC T. Khupe says he rigged and she will fight that.
O) 29 December 2020 Prof Madhuku advises Khupe to stop complaining because they still have more cases coming depending on the unity of their outfit.
P) 30 December I write an article given a title by publisher “ Madhuku tells Khupe to hide a secrete bomb.”
Q) 1 January 2021 Costa Nkomo who interviewed Komichi on name MDC A and I wrote an article advising him on what to do, goes missing after the second article on the matter.
R) On 2 January 2021 the same Health minister puts a curfew again for 30 days to put things in “order.”
Deno iri chembere yako yashaikwa unoti mvii idzi ndedzani. Huye unoti chembere yako yakadyirwei. Actions and reactions of the regime is predictable. They are looking for the secrete bomb. They suspect Nkomo was given the tips of the secret bomb by Komichi.
Now that they see actually Chamisa is on grip of MDC A using article 9.1.3 of constitution and 2014 resolutions, the regime is stuck.
They are more stuck in that Chamisa is silent when they plan their things, only to see the blunders after their mess. Nkomo is in hands of the goons. Put pressure.
By Patrick Guramatunhu | There is no denying that Zimbabwe’s in serious economic and political trouble. The economy is in total meltdown after 40 years of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness that has earned the country the burdensome title of pariah state.
The political trouble is because the country has not only a corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical ruling party, Zanu PF, but an equally corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless opposition. And to crown it all, we have an electorate that has no clue what is going on and hence are given to follow the corrupt and useless leaders blindly like sheep to the slaughter. A recipe for political paralysis; and that is exactly what we have.
“A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, participatory followership, and an educated, morally grounded leadership,” said Chinua Achebe, one of Africa’s great intellectuals.
For Nelson Chamisa, the leader of MDC A, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party; forget about being educated and moral grounding: he lacks common sense. He really has no clue what is going and and hence keeps repeating the same foolish mistakes over and over again – proof he has no common sense.
“ED (Mnangagwa), you have been working so hard, 24/7, to try and bury Nelson Chamisa. Note this: when you try to bury him, you are only planting him and he will only germinate even more viciously,” boasted Chamisa, in an interview with The Standard.
“ED will never forgive us for drubbing him in 2018. The people’s crime is that they showed him a red card in 2018 only to get relief and extra time through the ConCourt.”
If there is one thing that the July 2018 elections proved beyond all reasonable doubt, for the umpteenth time, it was that Zanu PF would never lose an election in which the regime has the carte blanche powers to rig.
The 2008 Zimbabwe elections were a watershed because that year Zanu PF showed the noun-sphere of its vote rigging capabilities. The party order the recount of the March vote and held up announcing the result for six week whilst it cooked up the figures. Tsvangirai’s 73% vote count, by Mugabe’s own Freudian slip, was whittled down to 47%; enough to force a presidential run-off.
In the run-off, Zanu PF unleashed it party thugs, war veterans backed by the Police, Army, CIO and Prison Service officials to punish the electorate for having rejected Robert Mugabe, the party’s presidential candidate in the early March vote. Millions of Zimbabweans were harassed and forced to go into hiding; hundreds of thousands were severely beaten and/or raped and over 500 were murdered.
“Zanu PF has declared war on the nation!” said Tsvangirai, as he announced his withdrawal from the run-off.
Mugabe went on to win the one-horse race with 84% of the vote.
For the first time ever, SADC and AU, renowned for giving a thumbs up to Zanu PF rigged elections in the past, refused to accept the 2008 elections as free and fair and Zanu PF as the legitimate government.
SADC leaders forced Mugabe and Zanu PF to sign the 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA) in which Zimbabwe was to implement a raft of democratic reforms designed to stop the blatant election cheating and wanton violence and ensure future elections were free, fair and credible.
A Government of National Unity (GNU) comprising Zanu PF and the two MDC factions led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara was tasked to implement the reforms. SA’s President Thabo Mbeki signed the GPA on behalf of SADC which was the guarantor of the agreement.
Mugabe bribed the MDC leaders with the trappings of high office and, with their snouts in the feeding trough, the forgot about implementing the reforms. Even the constant nagging by the SADC leaders failed to get MDC leaders to implement even one token reform in five years!
SADC leaders made a desperate last minute attempt to get Zimbabwe’s 2013 elections postponed until democratic reforms are implemented.
“In 2013 the Maputo Summit, in June 2013, before the elections, the Maputo Summit was all about having the elections postponed – the SADC summit. I went there,” Dr Ibbo Mandaza latter told Journalist Violet Gonda.
“And after that Summit, Morgan Tsvangirai, Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube, all of them were called to a separate meeting by the Heads of State of SADC in the absence of Mugabe, that same evening. And they were told; ‘If you go into elections next month, you are going to lose; the elections are done!’.”
As we know, Zanu PF went on to blatantly rig the 2013 elections, as SADC leaders had predicted.
Nelson Chamisa and his MDC A went participate in the 2018 elections too, knowing fully well that with no reforms in place Zanu PF will rig those elections too. ZEC failed to produce something as basic for free and fair elections as a verified voters’ roll, for Pete’s sake. And still Chamisa et al participated in the elections regardless. Why?
The same reason MDC leaders had failed to implement even one democratic reform during the GNU – greed.
The one lesson Mugabe learnt from the GNU was that Zanu PF can continue rigging the elections without risking plebiscite being declared null and void as happened in 2008 as long as the opposition participated in the flawed and illegal elections in numbers. Zanu PF would give away a few gravy train seats; a honey trap the opposition found irresistible.
Chamisa et al participated in the 2018 election out of greed and gave all manner of excuses for doing so knowing the elections will be rigged. “MDC A has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections!” he boasted.
When the stringent measures failed he has another feeble excuse why; Mnangagwa “only to get relief and extra time through the ConCourt!”
Of course, if we had implemented the democratic reforms fully before the 2018 elections then Mnangagwa would not have got the relief from the ConCourt or from anywhere else. The reforms are designed to end Zanu PF’s corrupting hold over all the state institutions including ZEC, Police, ConCourt, etc.!
“Through the hurdles, attacks and downs of 2020, we remain standing and marching towards a free and new great Zimbabwe. Fighting for freedom is a national duty and a patriotic act. 2021 will be incredible and full of surprises,” Chamisa told The Standard.
Chamisa and his MDC A friends are gearing to participate in the coming 2023 elections with not even one token democratic reform in place. Mnangagwa knows that as long as the opposition participate Zanu PF has every chance of rigging the elections and get away with it as before.
The biggest mistake the people of Zimbabwe made was to risk life and limb electing Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends into power in the hope the party will bring about the democratic changes necessary to end the Zanu PF dictatorship.
The people themselves had no clue what the changes were much less how they were to be implemented and so when MDC leaders sold-out during the GNU; the people failed to comprehend the blatant betrayal.
As long as the Zimbabwe electorate remain a naive and gullible lot given to believe such feeble excuses as “MDC has stringent measures to stop Zanu PF rigging” and be dragging by MDC A into flawed and illegal elections; the opposition will claim to command a national following and thus have credibility. And a credible opposition participating in flawed and illegal elections will give Zanu PF some modicum of legitimacy!
Educate the Zimbabwe electorate so they understand what the democratic reforms are and how Chamisa et al not only sold-out on implementing reforms but, worst of all, how participating in these flawed elections is only helping to perpetuate the curse of rigged elections. An enlightened electorate will desert the corrupt, incompetent and sell-out opposition opportunists in droves!
A discredited opposition can participate in flawed elections but it will never give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy!
So, the most important task before us is to educate the Zimbabwe electorate so that as many as possible understand what the democratic reforms are needed to ensure free, fair and credible elections. It is for the people to then demand that the reforms are implemented before the next elections and to reject the elections as null and void if no reforms are in place. This is a mammoth task but not an impossible.
What good is it to the nation for Chamisa to drag us into yet another flawed elections, boasting he will drub Mnangagwa if ZEC, ConCourt, Police, Army and the other Zanu PF captured state institutions will see to it there is no regime change. This is just foolish grandstanding and posturing that has failed to deliver the changes the nation has been dying for.
After 20 years of MDC blundering from pillar to post and not even one reform to show for it; it is insane to continue following blindly Chamisa and company.
2023 elections must be free, fair and credible; all the reforms must be implemented before the plebiscite.
Chamisa is no more than the boastful dog claiming to put out the forest fire with his punny fart! It will be unforgivable to once again entrust the destiny of this great nation into the hands of such a village idiot! – SOURCE: zimbabwelight.blogspot.com
One of President Nelson Chamisa’s fiercest critics for 4 years, the former Harare Councillor, Warship Dumba has apologised to him. He speaks to ZimEye saying his decision follows the just ended congress on the 26th December which was marred by violence…
INTERVIEW AUDIO LOADING BELOW….
DMTL DISASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM MARAVANYIKA’S CONGRATURATORY LETTER
It has come to us as shock to note that the DMTL National Coordinator has taken it upon himself to congratulate Mr. Douglas Mwonzora for having been declared the new MDCT President after a sham EOC held at the HICC on the 27th December of 2020. The MDC members and the world at large must know that it is the position of DMTL that we have seen no difference between what Mr. Nelson Chamisa and Mr Douglas Mwonzora did. They both grabbed power using violence and chicanery.
Both are guilty of the same offense.
We would like to put it categorically clear to the world that as DMTL, we unambiguously condemn the EOC process and its outcome.
We wouldn’t like to say much about anything at the moment since we have already started our legal challenge of that shameful event where non members of the party were bussed and brought in to vote as delegates of 2014. We wouldn’t like to bless any election where members were beaten with others hospitalized or in the name of one candidate.
In the meantime we are busy compiling evidence that we would like to take to court for litigation.
We cannot say principle is below the Party because lack of Democratic principles by Zanu led to the formation of MDC.If
we accept rigged elections within our party, saying the party must move on then we have no moral standing to slam ZANU for rigging elections.
If Mr. Mwonzora abused Political Parties Finance while Secretary General of the party, what more when he is President?
From DMTL Information Department
Warship Dumba
(Information & Publicity Secretary)
03 January 2021
Security forces and health officials will be on high alert to ensure full compliance with Covid-19 regulations and curtail crowding of people at supermarkets and water points among other areas, Acting President Kembo Mohadi said yesterday.
Speaking at a Press conference as Zimbabwe switches from a Level Two lockdown back to Level Four for 30 days, the Acting President warned those behind the recent spate of fake Covid-19 certificates, that special efforts were being made to hunt them down.
“Our security agencies, health officials and educational institutional heads will continue to enforce stricter standard operation procedures to ensure the safety of all citizens. They will enforce adherence to the regulations within the stipulated times,” he said.
“We exhort governance structures to provide and enforce measures that will curtail crowds and congestion at places such as water points, bus terminuses, grinding mills, supermarkets and shopping complex,” said Acting President Mohadi.
“Further we enjoin business enterprises to be more vigilant in reducing crowds at all points in line with social distancing protocols.”
Under the level four regulations, queuing at bus stops, supermarkets and water points is still permitted, but the queues have to be orderly to allow social distancing to be enforced. In recent months there has been a tendency to have people crowding closely and this will now be stopped.
The temporary reversion back to level four, leaves farming, mining and manufacturing operating as before, under Covid-19 rules, and allows essential services, including supermarkets, food shops and food markets, fuel stations and pharmacies to stay open between 8am and 3pm. But most of the rest of the commercial and informal sectors must be closed from tomorrow. In addition the permissions for church services with a congregation, gatherings for public hearings and gatherings for low-risk sports have been suspended for the 30 days and most other gatherings are limited to two people, effectively banning weddings among others.
Non-essential intercity travel is once again banned, as is cross-border passenger traffic by land although with the previous exceptions of returning residents and embassy staff.
The ban of passenger traffic across land borders is partly a result of a rife forgery industry producing fake Covid-19-free certificates, thus negating the efforts to allow this to be done safely.
“The presentation of unauthentic Covid-19 free certificates by some of our citizens has exposed many unassuming people to the disease. Such dishonesty is criminal and detrimental to the very fabric of society and far removed from Unhu/Ubuntu. This has led to the surge of infections,” said Acting President Mohadi.
Zimbabwe had recorded 1 342 Covid-19 cases and 29 deaths within a week and on January 2 2021, the pandemic accounted for 407 new cases and eight deaths all of which were local infections.
“We appeal to you all fellow Zimbabweans that while scientists all over the world are working on a vaccine, it remains imperative that you and I adhere to the measures as stipulated. The complex nature of the virus, its mutation, remains worrisome for all of us hence the mandatory compliance to the measures we are putting in place as Government,” he said.
The Acting President asked community leaders to show leadership in disseminating information in their various constituencies.
“Whilst the generality of our people are disciplined, we appeal to you religious organisations, traditional leadership, business and corporates, civil leadership, households and individuals to take the fight against the Covid-19 scourge as our own. We urge you once again to vigorously engage the participation of your membership to inculcate appropriate behaviour change and the adherence to acceptable protocols,” he said.
Acting President Mohadi said emphasis on Covid-19 had always been on prevention.
“We are our own saviours and it is our behavioural change that will take us out of danger. It is important that there be a major paradigm shift on behaviour. Let those that are infected now be the last as we all together strive that no one else shall be infected,” said Acting President Mohadi.
He said Government will not allow people’s laxity on the pandemic break its resolve to achieve our national goals. The health and safety of the nation will ensure a productive and fruitful economy,” he said.
Announcing the temporary return to tighter measures, Minister of Health and Child Care Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said the curfew had been extended back to 6pm to 6am.
While a maximum of 30 people can attend a funeral, temporaily suspended permissions and the return to no gathering exceedng two people apart from a handful of exemptions, such as a bus queue or a funeral, meant all other gatherings at weddings, church services, bars, bottle stores, gymnasiums and restaurants were banned for the 30 days. –Herald
A 32- year-old woman from Neshuro, in Mwenezi, south of Masvingo allegedly axed her husband and daughter to death before committing suicide following a row over the upkeep of her in-laws.
Florence Nhotito of Paringira Village in the Makurirofa area of Neshuro on Saturday allegedly killed her husband Simbarashe Butete and daughter Leander (3), in cold blood before hanging herself from a tree, about 3km from her matrimonial homestead.
Stunned villagers found Simbarashe and his daughter Leander’s bodies lying in a pools of blood in their bedroom with an axe stuck in each head.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the murder and suicide cases saying bodies of the trio were taken to Neshuro District Hospital.
Inspector Dhewa said investigations were ongoing to establish the actual circumstances leading to the grisly murders and suicide.
“Police managed to recover both axes that were stuck in the first deceased (Simbarashe) and the second deceased (Leander)’s heads. The suspect, who is now deceased, was found hanging in a tree about 3km from her home and the bodies of the trio are awaiting post-mortem,” said Inspector Dhewa.
According to facts gleaned by the police on Saturday morning, Simbarashe allegedly had a heated dispute with his wife over the upkeep of the former’s parents who stayed about 100 metres from their matrimonial home.
Its is not clear what precipitated the dispute but it erupted in the presence of their eight year-old son. Florence allegedly then asked the son to go and fetch some firewood while she remained behind with the other two deceased.
After a while, Florence allegedly left her home and passed through a neighbour’s house where she told a juvenile girl that she had murdered her hubby and daughter and that she was going to kill herself.
The girl alerted other villagers about the murder. Villagers ganged up and tried to apprehend Florence but she outpaced them and vanished into the bush.
They then went to Simbarashe’s homestead and found his lifeless body and that of his daughter lying in a pool of blood in the house.
Two axes were stuck on the pair’s heads which also had deep axe cuts and the back and on the left and right side. A further search by villagers led to the discovery of Florence’s body hanging on a tree branch on the outskirts of the village.
A report was made to the police who came and took the bodies to the mortuary. -Herald
A Zimbabwean NHS worker who failed to enjoy Christmas having contracted COVID, says her immunity became low as a result of overworking. (this program is sponsored by the TNL Fund) INTERVIEW.
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa is deeply concerned about the high incidence of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe.
President Chamisa urged Zimbabweans to stick to stipulated precautions to avert the spread of the deadly pandemic.
Doctors have revealed that hospitals battling to contain the rising Coronavirus cases.
Below is President Chamisa’s statement:
Extremely concerned at the level at which Covid-19 is now killing our citizens.
Doctors informed me that all Covid-19 hospital units are full.Citizens are now dying without getting access to hospitalization. Be vigilant follow Covid-19 precautions at all times:mask up, wash hands!
We are losing relatives, friends and members of our communities to this deadly pandemic. We cannot afford to be as complacent as we have been in recent months. Our communities are paying the price. We must change our conduct if we are to beat this pandemic.
I call upon responsible offices to apply & encourage precautions.
The virus does not select,therefore selective application of rules is self-defeating.I extend my prayers to all those who are unwell & salute our healthcare warriors for taking the frontline role in this deadly war.
By Charlton Hwende MDC Alliance Secretary General
I have noted a misleading report carried by the State Media on the alleged firing of the MDC Alliance workers.
The correct position as confirmed by our Communication Department is that our Workers are all on yearly contracts that expire on the 31st of December.
We are already in the process of preparing New Contracts for 2021 to regularize their employment.
Our official Party programs will resume on the 9th of January with Branches countrywide meeting to plan on programs of action for their respective Branch and also discussing and resolving on the National Programs that they want the Party to implement in 2021.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has been plunged into mourning following the death of National Secretary for Security and Defence, Emmanuel Chimwanda.
Chimwanda, a former top cop, was fired by Zanu PF for refusing to persecute opposition members.
“The MDC Alliance mourns the passing on of the National Secretary for Security & Defense Emmanuel Chimwanda who was a former ZRP Ass Comm stationed in Masvingo and former Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission during the GNU era. The struggle is poorer.
May his soul rest in peace,” the party said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has been plunged into mourning following the death of National Secretary for Security and Defence, Emmanuel Chimwanda.
Chimwanda, a former top cop, was fired by Zanu PF for refusing to persecute opposition members.
“The MDC Alliance mourns the passing on of the National Secretary for Security & Defense Emmanuel Chimwanda who was a former ZRP Ass Comm stationed in Masvingo and former Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission during the GNU era. The struggle is poorer.
May his soul rest in peace,” the party said in a statement.
COVID-19 FIGHT REQUIRES A UNITY OF PURPOSE AND A PROPER PLAN !!
Mask up, Sanitize, Wash hands and Maintain Social Distancing!!
And don’t forget to Fight Covid-19 prayerfully!!
Excellence, Brilliance and Difference.
President Nelson Chamisa
COVID-19 FIGHT REQUIRES A UNITY OF PURPOSE AND A PROPER PLAN !!
Mask up, Sanitize, Wash hands and Maintain Social Distancing!!
And don’t forget to Fight Covid-19 prayerfully!!
Excellence, Brilliance and Difference.
President Nelson Chamisa
POLICE have confirmed the arrest 2 321 people on New Year’s Day for allegedly violating Covid-19 containment restrictions during the holiday as authorities continue to crackdown on reckless behaviour that promotes the spread of coronavirus infections.
Law enforcement agents are eager to question popular Harare music producer Arnold Kamudyariwa, also known as DJ Fantan, after he organised an unsanctioned musical concert in Mbare on New Year’s Eve, in breach of the regulations.
Yesterday, police arrested 200 teenagers who were having a party in Westgate in open contravention of the Government’s Covid-19 regulations. Upon arrest, some of the teenagers were heavily intoxicated.
A Mutare businessman was arrested after hosting a show headlined by sungura musician Alick Macheso at Watsomba business centre.
In Mbare, 52 people have been arrested after videos and pictures of the event went viral.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police officers deployed to patrol in Mbare were in soup for allowing DJ Fantan’s event to take place.
“We are also aware of the incident of an alleged unsanctioned gathering in Mbare on New Year’s Eve and investigations have been instituted,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“So far, 52 people have been arrested and we are looking for DJ Fantan, who operates a recording studio at Block 14 Matapi Flats and David House Entertainment operators for openly defying the Government’s Covid-19 measures on health, safety and security.
“The police officers who were allegedly on the ground on the day have been directed to shed more light on what transpired.
“In Watsomba, Mutare police have arrested a local businessman who hired musician, Alick Macheso, to perform at a family event at the Growth Point in violation of the national lockdown measures.”
He warned that police would come down hard on members of the public who do not abide by the Covid-19 containment regulations.
Asst Comm Nyathi said on New Year’s Eve, police recorded a number of disturbing murder cases linked to beer-drinking binges.
“On December 31, 2020, at Tshelela Nyoni’s shop, Silalatshani, Filabusi, a 25-year-old man was fatally stabbed with an okapi knife following a misunderstanding.
“Again, on December 31, 2020, a 41-year-old man was stabbed on the chest with a knife after a misunderstanding over a girlfriend at Drummond Shops, Makhado, Beitbridge.-The Sunday Mail
POLICE have confirmed the arrest 2 321 people on New Year’s Day for allegedly violating Covid-19 containment restrictions during the holiday as authorities continue to crackdown on reckless behaviour that promotes the spread of coronavirus infections.
Law enforcement agents are eager to question popular Harare music producer Arnold Kamudyariwa, also known as DJ Fantan, after he organised an unsanctioned musical concert in Mbare on New Year’s Eve, in breach of the regulations.
Yesterday, police arrested 200 teenagers who were having a party in Westgate in open contravention of the Government’s Covid-19 regulations. Upon arrest, some of the teenagers were heavily intoxicated.
A Mutare businessman was arrested after hosting a show headlined by sungura musician Alick Macheso at Watsomba business centre.
In Mbare, 52 people have been arrested after videos and pictures of the event went viral.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police officers deployed to patrol in Mbare were in soup for allowing DJ Fantan’s event to take place.
“We are also aware of the incident of an alleged unsanctioned gathering in Mbare on New Year’s Eve and investigations have been instituted,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“So far, 52 people have been arrested and we are looking for DJ Fantan, who operates a recording studio at Block 14 Matapi Flats and David House Entertainment operators for openly defying the Government’s Covid-19 measures on health, safety and security.
“The police officers who were allegedly on the ground on the day have been directed to shed more light on what transpired.
“In Watsomba, Mutare police have arrested a local businessman who hired musician, Alick Macheso, to perform at a family event at the Growth Point in violation of the national lockdown measures.”
He warned that police would come down hard on members of the public who do not abide by the Covid-19 containment regulations.
Asst Comm Nyathi said on New Year’s Eve, police recorded a number of disturbing murder cases linked to beer-drinking binges.
“On December 31, 2020, at Tshelela Nyoni’s shop, Silalatshani, Filabusi, a 25-year-old man was fatally stabbed with an okapi knife following a misunderstanding.
“Again, on December 31, 2020, a 41-year-old man was stabbed on the chest with a knife after a misunderstanding over a girlfriend at Drummond Shops, Makhado, Beitbridge.-The Sunday Mail
Below is Constantino Chiwenga’s statement:
Fellow Zimbabweans we have seen a surge in Covid 19 cases during this festive season with 1,342 Covid 19 cases and 29 deaths being recorded in a week representing the highest number recorded so far. We have seen the number of Covid 19 cases and deaths almost double in 2 months from 8374 on 1 November to 14084 to date.
The cumulative number of Covid 19 cases in Zimbabwe as of 1 January 2021 is now 14084 cases and 369 deaths.
In view of the surge in covid 19 cases the Government has intensified testing and patient care throughout all the provinces.
In light of the recent surge in Covid 19 cases the following stiff lockdown measures are being put in place with immediate effect:
Below is Constantino Chiwenga’s statement:
Fellow Zimbabweans we have seen a surge in Covid 19 cases during this festive season with 1,342 Covid 19 cases and 29 deaths being recorded in a week representing the highest number recorded so far. We have seen the number of Covid 19 cases and deaths almost double in 2 months from 8374 on 1 November to 14084 to date.
The cumulative number of Covid 19 cases in Zimbabwe as of 1 January 2021 is now 14084 cases and 369 deaths.
In view of the surge in covid 19 cases the Government has intensified testing and patient care throughout all the provinces.
In light of the recent surge in Covid 19 cases the following stiff lockdown measures are being put in place with immediate effect:
Joice Dube /Transform Zimbabwe leader and face of the July 31 Movement, Jacob Ngarivhume has called for the establishment of a National Transitional Authority, in order to rescue the country out of the myriad of problems it is faced with.
Wrote Ngarivhume on social media, ” We need fresh eyes and fresh minds to help stabilize our economy and men with integrity to lead the crucial international re-engagement effort. Our nation needs billions of dollars to stave off hunger and cushion struggling families in the next 12 months.”
Alois GQ Bunjira ] It is with a heavy heart that I learnt of the passing of Mama Java.Great woman who played a motherly role to me my friend Shuto ,especially in our early days of top flight football.We would spend time at their home with Mudhara Java and she would look after us well,cook for us,giving great advice with calming effect,more especially on days when chips were down.She would come watch our matches at Darryn T and always gave fair assessment.Her and Never Gombera’s wife,Mai Caro,were the two extra mothers that God gave me.We continued having a son/mother relationship even long after Mudhara Java was taken from us….
I shall forever appreciate the role she played in my life ,together with her late husband.
May your dear soul rest in power.You will be missed dearly ,moms
We are facing the most trying times of our generation
THE LOCKDOWN COURT CHALLENGE
Hello, my name is Obert Kondongwe, and together with a few other like-minded souls, we are launching a legal challenge against the recent ZIM Govt Covid -19 Lockdown.
We believe that the Govt has acted illegally and disproportionately over the COVID 19 lockdown and we are taking action.
By forcing people to stay at home, and forcing businesses to close, they are, we believe, in contravention of basic Human Rights offered under our Constitution, International Human Rights conventions and the common law.
The lockdown has and will lead to devastating economic impact (massive unemployment, tax increases, closure of businesses, etc) It has, and will lead to far more deaths from suicide, undiagnosed conditions, untreated conditions – indeed far more than would have been potentially saved by the lockdown.
What we wish to achieve in bringing this case, is simply the freedom of individuals – the freedom to visit friends, freedom to earn a living, to socialize, in essence, the freedom of choice. That, of course, includes the freedom to stay inside – should you choose.
This Court action challenges the lawfulness of (Coronavirus) Regulations, through which restrictions have been imposed on every aspect of personal and public life throughout Zimbabwe. It is our contention that the Regulations were, from the date on which they entered into force and various amendments, unlawful on the following grounds that:
1. They are ultra vires the Constitution in several respects as they infringe on fundamental human rights and freedoms;
2. They are over-rigid in considering only their effect on containing the coronavirus and not whether each of them were the least restrictive means of doing so or proportionate to the harms done by the restrictions, Thus, the Government failed to consider the following relevant considerations before deciding whether to impose the Regulations:
(a) the uncertainty of scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the restrictions;
(b) the effect of the restrictions on public health, including deaths, particularly from untreated or undiscovered cancer and heart disease, mental health and the incidence of domestic violence;
(c) the economic effect of the restrictions relative to the economic effect of alternative less restrictive means of limiting its spread;
(d) the medium and long-term consequences of the measures; and
(e) whether, in the light of those considerations, less restrictive measures than those adopted would have been a more proportionate means of obtaining the objective of restricting the spread of the coronavirus without causing disproportionate harms;
3. The restrictions, preventing social gatherings are a disproportionate breach of fundamental rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution and various Conventions on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
4. There are principles of international law developed and adopted for that purpose during public health crises, in circumstances where restrictions are likely to impact upon a nexus of different rights and freedoms. They incorporate well established proportionality principles and must be considered alongside the proportionality of restrictions of individual rights, all of which will also be relevant to the determination of the challenge.
5. Restrictions should, at a minimum, be:
a. carried out in accordance with the law;
b. directed towards a legitimate objective;
c. strictly necessary in a democratic society to achieve the objective;
d. the least intrusive and restrictive available to reach the objective;
e. based on scientific evidence and neither arbitrary nor discriminatory in application; and
f. be of limited duration, respectful of human dignity, and subject to review.
6. In such circumstances, they could only be proportionate if the positive effect of their imposition on the coronavirus (if any) relative to less restrictive measures was not outweighed by the harms they might cause.
7. The impact of the Regulations on rights and freedoms is particularly grave. In particular:
a. They constitute a deprivation of liberty, by which no individual may leave the place where he lives. The only public health qualification to this right permits an individual to be quarantined.
b. The maintenance of relationships with parents, children, and siblings, is deprived.
c. The restrictions on gatherings prevent worshipers from attending or gathering in any places of worship other than for funerals.
d. The interference with the political rights of association and social activities
e. The isolation required by the Regulations being indirectly discriminatory on those with mental illness (in view of the isolation it imposes) on women (given that they are disproportionately affected by the domestic violence that has more than doubled during the ‘lockdown) and on poorer and disabled children (whose education has suffered much more than others).
f. The closure of businesses will decrease their goodwill
g. Many children will be denied the ‘basic minimum of education’,
8. The Court must evaluate the Regulations as follows:
(i) determine the appreciation of the facts upon which the policy was based;
(ii) consider whether that appreciation was rational and continues to be rational on the basis of all the evidence before the government; and
(iii) determine on the basis of that evidence whether the interferences are the least restrictive means of obtaining the objective of containing the virus while not causing disproportionate harms, and thus a proportionate response, based on a rational factual appreciation of the facts at the date of the review.
(iv) Evaluation of comparative evidence is critical to any decision that the restrictions are either the least intrusive and restrictive available to reach the objective of reducing viral spread or are strictly necessary in a democratic society to achieve that objective. It is impossible to make either decision without it; and the apparent failure of the government to do so before imposing the Regulations or failing to terminate them can only undermine the suggestion that they are both proportionate and necessary.
WHAT MUST YOU DO TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COURT CHALLENGE
1. Spread the word so that we get as many subscribers to our petition;
2. Research on the subject and furnish material necessary to mount the challenge; e.g scientific and comparative evidence relating to pandemic preparation, lockdowns, covid 19, scientific material and evidence of the relative merits of alternative measures taken by other jurisdictions that at least demonstrate a real controversy amongst experts in the field about the efficacy and effectiveness of ‘lockdowns’ to reduce viral spread; and contradict the suggestion it is so much more effective than less regressive measures such as to justify the extreme impact it has on the rights and freedoms considered above. The reliability of modelling the spread of a novel virus when so many critical factors are unknown is highly contentious. The European state whose policy has been most at odds with the rest of the continent has been Sweden, which has not introduced a ‘lockdown’, has kept primary schools open and has not closed shops, restaurants or even bars.
3. Medical Expert evidence and others;
4. Legal fees for the Court challenge- we intend to set up a crowd funding scheme;
5. Contribute any other relevant ideas.
6. Join a particular committee. So far we have
a. Legal committee
b. Finance committee
c. Research committee
d. Advisory committee
e. Medical committee
STRATEGIC PLAN GOING FORWARD
1. We want to serve the Minister of Heath and relevant Government bodies with our letter of demand for them to remove the lockdown restriction or at least lessen the restrictions by Wednesday 6 January 2021;
2. Failing which, we want to file our Court claim against the Lockdown by Monday 11 January 2020
We thank you
Chipo Tshango, Zimbabwe has in the past 24 hours recorded 774 new cases of Covid-19 infections and 3 deaths.
The second wave of the pandemic outbreak is proving to be more challenging than the first months ago, which the government was able to timeously contain.
A government statement shows that out of the 774 new cases, the majority of the cases 571 are from Harare alone, while the deaths are recorded by Harare, Manicaland and Mash East.
In yet another intriguing murder case that has stunned the Mwenezi community, a 32- year-old woman from Neshuro allegedly axed her husband and daughter to death before committing suicide following a row over the upkeep of her in-laws.
Florence Nhotito of Paringira Village in the Makurirofa area of Neshuro on Saturday allegedly killed her husband Simbarashe Butete and daughter Leander (3), in cold blood before hanging herself on a tree, about 3km from her matrimonial homestead.
Stunned villagers found Simbarashe and his daughter Leander’s bodies lying in a pool of blood in their bedroom hut with two axes stuck in their heads.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed murder and suicide cases saying bodies of the trio were taken to Neshuro District Hospital.
Inspector Dhewa said investigations were ongoing to establish the actual circumstances leading to the grisly murders and suicide.
“Police managed to recover both axes that were stuck in the first deceased (Simbarashe) and the second deceased (Leander)’s bodies. The suspect, who is now deceased, was found hanging in a tree about 3km from her home and the bodies of the trio are awaiting postmortem,” said Inspector Dhewa.
According to facts gleaned by the police on Saturday morning, Simbarashe allegedly had a heated dispute with his wife over the upkeep of the former’s parents who stayed about 100 metres from their matrimonial home.
Its is not clear what precipitated the dispute but it erupted in the presence of their eight year-old son.
Florence allegedly then asked the son to go and fetch some firewood while she remained behind with the other two deceased.
After a while, Florence allegedly left her home and passed through a neighbour’s house where she told a juvenile girl that she had murdered her hubby and daughter and that she was going to kill herself.
The girl alerted other villagers about what Florence had told her before going to the latter’s mother-in-law’s house to also inform her.
Villagers ganged up and tried to apprehend Florence but she outpaced them and vanished into the bush.
They then went to Simbarashe’s homestead and found his lifeless body and that of his daughter lying in pools of blood on the bed and sofa respectively.
Two axes were stuck on the pair’s heads which also had deep axe cuts and the back and on the left and right side.
A further search by villagers led to the discovery of Florence’s body hanging on a tree branch on the outsksirts of the village.
A report was made to the police who came and took the bodies to the mortuary.-The Herald
State Media reports that the Zimbabwe Embassy in South Africa has re-aligned its operations in line with the new Covid-19 regulations under lockdown level 3.
These were announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week.
In a public notice yesterday, the consul-general to Johannesburg, Mrs Melody Chaurura said they were now limiting the number of clients to be served for the next three months.
“The Consulate has accordingly adopted a raft of measures in adherence to pronounced Covid-19 health protocols and for the safety of our clients and members of staff,” she said.
Mrs Chaurura said under the new order, all appointments for the period between January 2 and March 26 have been suspended with immediate effect.
She said the Consulate has also reduced the number of clients to be assisted per day from 600 to 300 people.
All clients who had confirmed bookings for the period January 2 and March 26 will be informed via their emails on the new appointment dates.
“In order to extend services, to already booked clients, the booking platform has been temporally closed for new bookings.
United States-based Zimbabwean goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva has landed a gloves deal with an American sportswear supplier, EGO Sport.
The 24-year-old former Dynamos shot-stopper is on the ranks of Michigan Stars Football Club in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).
He took to Instagram to announce the deal: “I’m delighted to announce Egosport as my official gloves sponsor.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Egosport for the faith and belief that they have in me by making me part of this amazing brand. I believe our partnership will help both brands grow and take us to another level.”-Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Edinson Cavani has been banned for three games and fined $136,000 (£100,000) for using a racially insensitive word on Instagram.
The 33-year-old Uruguay international made the comment in response to a message of congratulations for his heroics in the 3-2 win at Southampton in November.
Responding to the message, Cavani said: ‘Gracias negrito.’ The Spanish term, which makes reference to race, translates directly as ‘Thanks black’.
The player explained the message, written in his native Spanish language, had a different meaning.
But the English FA has dismissed his defence and hit him with the ban.
He’ll miss games against Aston Villa (PL), Man City (EFL Cup) and Watford (FA Cup).
Cavani must also complete face-to-face education after admitting the charge for a breach of FA Rule E3.-Soccer 24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has been plunged into mourning following the death of National Secretary for Security and Defence, Emmanuel Chimwanda.
Chimwanda, a former top cop, was fired by Zanu PF for refusing to persecute opposition members.
“The MDC Alliance mourns the passing on of the National Secretary for Security & Defense Emmanuel Chimwanda who was a former ZRP Ass Comm stationed in Masvingo and former Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission during the GNU era. The struggle is poorer.
May his soul rest in peace,” the party said in a statement.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has been plunged into mourning following the death of National Secretary for Security and Defence, Emmanuel Chimwanda.
Chimwanda, a former top cop, was fired by Zanu PF for refusing to persecute opposition members.
“The MDC Alliance mourns the passing on of the National Secretary for Security & Defense Emmanuel Chimwanda who was a former ZRP Ass Comm stationed in Masvingo and former Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission during the GNU era. The struggle is poorer.
May his soul rest in peace,” the party said in a statement.
How to Help
Giving first aid to lightning strike victims while waiting for professional medical attention can save their lives. It is safe to touch a lightning strike victim. People struck by lightning DO NOT carry a charge.
Follow these four steps immediately to help save the life of a lightning strike victim:
Call For Help immediately.
Give directions to your location and information about the strike victim(s). It is safe to use a cell phone during a storm.
Assess The Situation
How many victims are there?Where was the victim struck?Is the storm still continuing?
Safety is a priority. Be aware of the continuing lightning danger to both the victim and rescuer. If the area where the victim is located is high risk (e.g., an isolated tree or open field), the victim and rescuer could both be in danger. If necessary, move the victim to a safer location. It is unusual for a victim who survives a strike to have any major broken bones that would cause paralysis or major bleeding complications unless the person suffered a fall or was thrown a long distance. Therefore, it may be safe to move the victim to minimize possible further exposure to lightning.
Respond
Lightning often causes a heart attack. Check to see if the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat. The best place to check for a pulse is the carotid artery which is found on your neck directly below your jaw, as shown in the picture.
Resuscitate
If the victim is not breathing, immediately begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If the victim does not have a pulse, start cardiac compressions as well (CPR). Continue resuscitation efforts until help arrives. If the area is cold and wet, putting a protective layer between the victim and the ground may help decrease hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature).
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Lightning may also cause other injuries such as burns, shock, and sometimes blunt trauma. Treat each of these injuries with basic first aid until help arrives. Do not move victims who are bleeding or appear to have broken bones.
Source-Centre For Disease Control And Prevention
Inserted by
Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has said two hundred teenagers were arrested in Westgate Harare over New Year parties.
The police tweeted recently:
Breaking news The ZRP has arrested 200 teenagers who were having a party at number 344 Mukwa Drive, Westgate, Harare, in open contravention of the Government’s COVID-19 regulations. Some of the teenagers are dead drunk. More details to follow.
The tweet triggered varying responses with some pointing out the police’s double standards after it emerged that there was a New Year eve party in Mbare that was attended by thousands of revellers.
Some said authorities should have prevented it since the event had been advertised through flyers.
Meanwhile, police say about 52 people have been arrested in connection with the event while some of the organisers are reportedly on the run.
Some said authorities should not “pack prisons with people in places without any water or sanitizers. You’ll expose yourself to the virus”, adding that they should work with the Ministry of Health and Child Care for community testing and get people to isolate.
There has been complacency in Zimbabwe despite the surge in coronavirus cases in the Southern African country lately.
By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC’s Senator for Buhera, Christine Rambanepasi, who was also the mother to US-based Zimbabwean preacher Passion Java, has died.
Passion Java’s brother, Artwell, recently confirmed to the media that Senator Rambanepasi-Java had been terminally ill and had been discharged from hospital for home-based care.
Senator Rambanepasi-Java was reportedly suffering from an undisclosed type of cancer which was believed to be at an advanced stage.
Reports suggest that the 65-year-old Senator Christine Java nee Rambanepasi died just after 2 am Sunday morning at the Avenues Clinic.
3 January 2021
By Charlton Hwende| I have noted a misleading report carried by the State Media on the alleged firing of the MDC Alliance workers.
The correct position as confirmed by our Communication Department is that our Workers are all on yearly contracts that expire on the 31st of December.
We are already in the process of preparing New Contracts for 2021 to regularize their employment.
Our official Party programs will resume on the 9th of January with Branches countrywide meeting to plan on programs of action for their respective Branch and also discussing and resolving on the National Programs that they want the Party to implement in 2021.
MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Constantino Chiwenga has issued Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 [CAP. 15:17], the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order, 2021 (No. 9).
We present the SI below:
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Health has, in terms of section 8(1) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations, 2020 (published in Statutory Instrument 77 of 2020) made the following order—
1. This order may be cited as the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order, 2021 (No. 9).
2. The Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (No. 2) Order, 2020, published in Statutory Instrument 200 of 2020 (hereinafter called “the principal order”), is amended in section 5 (“Prohibition of gatherings”) (1) by the deletion of “no gathering of more than one hundred individuals in any public place” and the substitution of “no gathering of more than two individuals in any public place”.
3. Section 25 (“Curfew, limitation of business hours and other measures affecting businesses”) of the principal order is amended by the repeal of subsections (2) and (3) and the substitution of—
“(2) There shall be in force a curfew beginning at 1800 hours and ending at 0600 hours on the following day”.
4. The principal order is amended by the insertion after section 27 of the following sections—
“Partial Reversion to Level IV national lockdown
27A. (1) In this section—
“Level IV national lockdown” means the application of the national lockdown as if (subject to this section) Parts IV and V of the Order, together with section 19C (“Special provisions for liquor licensees”) are not in effect.
(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Order, for a period of thirty days with effect from the 3rd January, 2021, a Level IV national lockdown is in force subject to the following modifications —
(a) for the purpose of section 5 (“Prohibition of gatherings”) (1)(b), the maximum number of individuals who may be gathered at a funeral is thirty (30);
(b) section 5 (“Prohibition of gatherings”) (1)(i) (referring to individuals gathered pursuant to Part V) is suspended for the period of the Level IV national lockdown;
(c) section 5 (“Prohibition of gatherings”) (1)(j) (referring to individuals gathered for the purpose of worship) is suspended for the period of the Level IV national lockdown;
(d) section 5 (“Prohibition of gatherings”) (1)(j) (referring to individuals gathered for the purpose of public hearings) is suspended for the period of the Level IV national lockdown;
(e) section 5 (“Prohibition of gatherings”) (1)(k) (referring to individuals gathered at restaurants and hotels) is suspended for the period of the Level IV national lockdown, unless the individuals in question are hotel residents;
(f) Part IV (“Phased Relaxation of National Lockdown”) shall continue to be in force for the period of the Level IV national lockdown;
(g) Part V (“Level 2 Phased Relaxation of National Lockdown”) is suspended with effect from the 5th January, 2021, which suspension shall continue until the end of the period of the Level IV national lockdown;
(h) for the avoidance of doubt, section 19C (“Special provisions for liquor licensees”) is suspended for the period of the Level IV national lockdown;
(i) business hours for supermarkets and other essential and Part IV services supplying goods and services to customers shall be from 0800 hours to 1500 hours.”.
Supplement to the Zimbabwean Government Gazette Extraordinary dated the 2nd January, 2021. Printed by the Government Printer, Harare.
By Ezra Tshisa Sibanda
Zimbabwe has moved back into lockdown with immediate effect following a spike in Covid-19 cases which now top 14 000-plus. Over 300 deaths have also been recorded.
There is a serious second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Bulawayo which is now the epicentre of this deadly disease.
What we don’t need at the moment is unclear & fake statement purportedly from Mpilo Hospital about number of infected people. The list here contains statistics from March 2020 to 31 December 2020 but the author didn’t specify for reasons known to her. The truth is most of those people recovered long time ago from the disease.
We need clear updates, give us the number of tested people and the true number of people infected with the Covid-19. The only way to beat this disease is to test people for free and don’t wait to test them when they feel unwell. In efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, the GVT should impose stringent restrictions on movement of people, STOP Zupco packing passengers in their buses where there is no social distancing and also close borders.
Test, Track and trace is key to containing COVID-19 and can only be successful by making testing affordable.
The GVT should find efficient ways of tracing and tracking contact once an infection has been verified. The ability to track and trace infections for public health has emerged as one of the single most important interventions in trying to contain the disease and protect people.
By A Correspondent- The remains of the tourist who fell into the 108-meter-deep Victoria Falls chasm who was identified as Roy George Tinashe Dikinya, have been found trapped 100m down the cliff – 8m above water – but are yet to be retrieved.
Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management (Zimparks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said rescue teams were now working to retrieve the body.
Said Farawo:
Meanwhile, Star FM journalist Tilda Moyo posted a picture on social media which is alleged to be of Dikinya before he slipped into the Victoria Falls Danger Zone and disappeared.
Tilda captioned the photo as follows:
This was the last picture of the Tourist who slipped and fell into the Victoria Falls Danger Zone.
See the picture below:
By A Correspondent- Exiled former minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Jonathan Moyo has written to President Emmerson Mnangagwa urging him to cut short his annual leave to address the spike in coronavirus cases.
Moyo made the call at a time when COVID-19 is reportedly pushing local hospitals to the brink. He posted on Twitter:
Dear President Mnangagwa, Sir, you need to scrap your holiday and return to work urgently to save lives and livelihoods. The #coronavirus is sweeping across the country, leaving people helpless; as they see loved ones dying or failing to get treatment, as #Covid-19 cases spike!
Meanwhile, the rate of response from authorities has been painfully slow.
Only yesterday, the Minister of Health and Child Care, Constantino Chiwenga, announced strict measures to stop the spread of the novel virus that has already killed over 370 people in the country.
The reimposition of strict national lockdown regulations came after stakeholders had complained about the government’s decision to reopen the Beitbridge Border to allow returnees from South Africa where it is reported that an aggressive coronavirus variant was detected.
COVID-19 FIGHT REQUIRES A UNITY OF PURPOSE AND A PROPER PLAN !!
Mask up, Sanitize, Wash hands and Maintain Social Distancing!!
And don’t forget to Fight Covid-19 prayerfully!!
Excellence, Brilliance and Difference.
President Nelson Chamisa
1.Sound public policy requires broad consultation of citizens. It must be scientific and for this reason it ought to be evidence-based.The latest lockdown measures lack scientific rigour,rationality &consistency.We suggest consultation with business, labour &Church #MaskUpZim
The application of rules must be fair and non-selective because the virus does not select on the basis of status, class or political affiliation. Rules are effective not only when they apply to others, but when applied to those who make them. #MaskUpZim
3.The latest rules do not deal with the supporting measures to citizens and communities during lockdown.If people must stay at home,support is key.Commanding the closure of the economy without the necessary support,economic reliefs,medical &social measures is suicidal. #MaskUpZim
4. They forget that 80% of our economy is informal which means a lockdown without complementary support system will lose traction. Faced with starvation, people will be forced to breach lockdown rules, posing more risk to themselves and others. #MaskUpZim
5. For this reason, there ought to be an economic and social safety net to support people during lockdown. Simply announcing rules to keep people at home without more is a command style rulership which shows total disregard to people’s interests. #MaskUpZim
6.Another critical omission from the new measures is the failure to address the plight of healthcare staff on the frontline. Healthcare workers without PPE is like sending soldiers to the front without guns and ammunition. It’s cruel and must be addressed as a matter of urgency
7. There is a clear pattern emerging in the way rules are crafted and enforced. The principal target are the poor people while the wealthy are allowed a free pass. Breaches committed in Borrowdale by elites must be met with the same force as breaches in Mbare by ghetto youths.
8. What, for example, is the rationale for closing landports while keeping open airports? It appears elitist as air travel is limited to a few with means while the majority who use road transport are locked in. #MaskUpZim
9. The closure of borders also locks in hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans who work and support families and the country in neighbouring countries. Their remittances are a major source of income but they are now locked in. #MaskUpZim
10.We don’t just have a health crisis here but a governance and leadership crisis.We have provinces even districts and we have hotspots and epicenters.Why not have isolation and targeted lockdowns for hot spots,where we identify red zones than to lock the whole nation. #MaskUpZim
Mask up, Sanitize, Wash hands and Maintain Social Distancing!!
And don’t forget to Fight Covid-19 prayerfully!!
Excellence, Brilliance and Difference.
By A Correspondent- A Mwenezi woman allegedly axed her husband and daughter to death before hanging herself following a dispute over the upkeep of her in-laws.
Florence Nhotito (32) of Paringira Village in the Makurirofa area of Neshuro on Saturday allegedly killed her husband Simbarashe Butete and daughter Leander (3) before taking her own life.
Simbarashe and his daughter Leander’s bodies were found by villagers lying in a pool of blood in their bedroom hut with two axes stuck in their heads while Florence’s body was found hanging from a tree about 3km from her matrimonial homestead.
Reports suggest that on Saturday morning, Simbarashe quarrelled with Florence over the upkeep of his parents who stayed about 100 metres from their matrimonial home.
Following the heated exchange, Florence allegedly asked the couple’s eight-year-old son to go and fetch some firewood while she remained behind with the now deceased.
After a while, Florence allegedly left her home and passed through a neighbour’s house where she told a juvenile girl that she had killed her husband and daughter and was on her way to kill herself.
The girl alerted other villagers about what Florence had told her and they tried to apprehend the latter who outpaced them and disappeared into the bush.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed murder and suicide cases.
He added that the bodies of the trio were taken to Neshuro District Hospital while investigations were ongoing to establish the actual circumstances surrounding the murders and suicide. Inspector Dhewa said:
Police managed to recover both axes that were stuck in the first deceased (Simbarashe) and the second deceased (Leander)’s bodies.
The suspect, who is now deceased, was found hanging in a tree about 3km from her home and the bodies of the trio are awaiting postmortem.-statemedia
ByA Correspondent- The 2020 November Ordinary Level examinations will resume on Tuesday and will be completed on 5 February.
The government said it will use the final O’ Level examinations to assess the safety of schoolchildren from the coronavirus, before announcing the dates for reopening of schools for all Forms and Grades.
Last week the government indefinitely postponed reopening of schools for the First Term, which was due to start on 4 January 2021 (tomorrow).
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Communications and Advocacy Director, Taungana Ndoro, revealed that the government moved away from the initial calendar to ensure more measures were put in place for preparation of schools opening. He said:
The whole logic behind the deferment of schools opening was to decongest classrooms and to give school heads time to come up with alternative infrastructure.
It was impossible to have two classes of the same form but different years at the same school at the same time, for instance, it was impossible to have this year’s Form Fours together with last year’s Form Fours at the same time.
When we opened under Phase one, these were the examination classes, we managed to contain the situation. However, the problem started when the other phases started coming back to school.
And most of the affected were boarding schools so we want to ensure that there is decongestion in schools.
Ndoro added that school heads have been instructed to identify and rehabilitate alternative spaces which can be used as classrooms or dormitories. Ndoro said:
We need to decongest the classes and have additional infrastructure so schools have been instructed to use every space available, be it basketball or tennis courts and be turned into classrooms and halls can be used as dormitories wherever possible.-statemedia
DMTL DISASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM MARAVANYIKA’S CONGRATURATORY LETTER
It has come to us as shock to note that the DMTL National Coordinator has taken it upon himself to congratulate Mr. Douglas Mwonzora for having been declared the new MDCT President after a sham EOC held at the HICC on the 27th December of 2020. The MDC members and the world at large must know that it is the position of DMTL that we have seen no difference between what Mr. Nelson Chamisa and Mr Douglas Mwonzora did. They both grabbed power using violence and chicanery.
Both are guilty of the same offense.
We would like to put it categorically clear to the world that as DMTL, we unambiguously condemn the EOC process and its outcome.
We wouldn’t like to say much about anything at the moment since we have already started our legal challenge of that shameful event where non members of the party were bussed and brought in to vote as delegates of 2014. We wouldn’t like to bless any election where members were beaten with others hospitalized or in the name of one candidate.
In the meantime we are busy compiling evidence that we would like to take to court for litigation.
We cannot say principle is below the Party because lack of Democratic principles by Zanu led to the formation of MDC.If
we accept rigged elections within our party, saying the party must move on then we have no moral standing to slam ZANU for rigging elections.
If Mr. Mwonzora abused Political Parties Finance while Secretary General of the party, what more when he is President?
From DMTL Information Department
Warship Dumba
(Information & Publicity Secretary)
03 January 2021
By A Correspondent- The beleaguered MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa says President Emmerson Mnangagwa will not “bury” him politically and has threatened a “vicious” 2021 comeback despite alleged attempts by his nemesis at decimating his party.
Chamisa conceded that 2020 was a difficult year for the MDC Alliance which he said had to contend with a vindictive Mnangagwa who was bitter with the 2018 presidential election results, hence his determination to destroy the opposition party at all costs.
Mnangagwa has since appeared to warm up to the controversial winner of the MDC-T extraordinary congress, Douglas Mwonzora, whom he has pledged to work with in the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad).
“ED (Mnangagwa), you have been working so hard, 24/7, to try and bury Nelson Chamisa. Note this: when you try to bury him, you are only planting him and he will only germinate even more viciously,” Chamisa said in an interview with The Standard yesterday.
“ED will never forgive us for drubbing him in 2018. The people’s crime is that they showed him a red card in 2018 only to get relief and extra time through the ConCourt.”
Describing the year 2021 as a “turning point”, Chamisa said: “Through the hurdles, attacks and downs of 2020, we remain standing and marching towards a free and new great Zimbabwe. Fighting for freedom is a national duty and a patriotic act. 2021 will be incredible and full of surprises.”
On Zanu-PF’s apparent interest and “excitement” over Mwonzora’s victory, Chamisa said: “A ruling or ruining party must never be allowed to organise, patronise, sponsor, define and determine its alternative. Never!”
Mnangagwa and his party have been congratulating Mwonzora on his election victory, a move the MDC Alliance has viewed as a way to accommodate a weaker opposition while pursuing the bigger picture of decimating Chamisa.
The MDC Alliance suffered several huge setbacks last year including the recalling of over 30 Members of Parliament by the then Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T.
Over 80 councillors were also recalled by Khupe working with Mwonzora, and the MDC Alliance has accused them of being in cahoots with the ruling Zanu-PF party.
Mnangagwa has tried to bring Chamisa into the Polad dialogue platform, but the main opposition leader has snubbed the invitations saying the Polad forum did not present genuine dialogue.
In his congratulatory message to Mwonzora, Mnangagwa said: “A few days ago, the opposition MDC-T party held its elective congress in full compliance with and fulfilment of court judgements. Let me take this opportunity to formally and personally congratulate Mwonzora for prevailing at that congress.
“We took particular note of his declared wish to guide and reshape the politics of opposition towards constructive engagement with the government of the day. This is a very welcome move for our nation which is likely to put politics of rancour behind us thus triggering collaboration, development and the harmony we sorely need for national progress,” Mnangagwa added.
“Both as the ruling Zanu-PF party and as the government, we assure Senator Mwonzora and the MDC-T leadership our collaboration towards the growth and prosperity of our nation.
“We appeal to all those still stuck to yesterday’s politics of destruction and obstruction to learn from this salutary gesture by the MDC-T. To be in opposition need not mean being unduly negative, confrontational, divisive and disloyal to one’s nation and people.”
Last week, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba took to microblogging site Twitter to suggest working together with Mwonzora in Polad.
“Last but not least significant, Mwonzora made mention by name of only two political organisations in Zimbabwe, his MDC-T and Zanu-PF, both of which he placed on even, co-operating plenitude.
“Read together with the notion of responsible opposition, that seems to suggest engagement (with) the ruling party, something Khupe had started. Much rests on how he relates to Polad, although he hinted he believed in unity of opposition,” Charamba said.-standard
According to online sources, current evidence suggests that transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19, occurs primarily between people through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infected secretions such as saliva and respiratory secretions, or through their respiratory droplets, which are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you have symptoms but you cannot get tested, what should you?
Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent the further spread of the virus:
By Charlton Hwende MDC Alliance Secretary General
I have noted a misleading report carried by the State Media on the alleged firing of the MDC Alliance workers.
The correct position as confirmed by our Communication Department is that our Workers are all on yearly contracts that expire on the 31st of December.
We are already in the process of preparing New Contracts for 2021 to regularize their employment.
Our official Party programs will resume on the 9th of January with Branches countrywide meeting to plan on programs of action for their respective Branch and also discussing and resolving on the National Programs that they want the Party to implement in 2021.
By Lynette Sibanda | Zimbabwe’s relationship with China can be traced back as far as 2003 after nation’s stand off with the European Union which resulted in the country facing great economic depression. The idea of bilateral cooperation between states can be traced back from the adoption of the Havana Charter which was a way to restore economic health to the world through cooperation in solving problems relating to international trade. The latter has paved way to a more recent blueprint adopted by the United Nations. The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goal which is aimed at achieving a more sustainable future for all countries by 2030. China and Zimbabwe have maintained cooperation by adopting goal (17) of the agenda 2030 which is aimed at strengthening global partnership for sustainable development.
In a bid to strengthen its economy Zimbabwe has over the years tried to maintain its relations with China hence the introduction of the Look East Policy inorder to strengthen its relations with countries in the East and in this case China. China has stood as an ally to Zimbabwe because of its principle of non interference in the internal affairs of the country. China has continued its support to Zimbabwe in the face of the economic sanctions imposed by the West and this has resulted in China being one of Zimbabwe’s largest trading partners. China is Zimbabwe’s fourth largest trading partner and its largest source of investment. The adoption of the look east policy has strengthened trade and bi-lateral investments between Zimbabwe and China. Zimbabwe is more of a dependent partner to China and this has seen China providing the largest market for its exports and support to its fragile economy. Zimbabwe is well endowed with mineral and natural resources and it is no doubt that China, with its rapidly growing economy has an appetite for these resources. Thus bilateral relationship between Zimbabwe and China is somewhat beneficial on both parties because Zimbabwe is largely dependent on China for economic investment whilst China wants to benefit from Zimbabwe’s vast mineral resources.
Although this bilateral relationship has faced a lot of criticism, the relationship between these two countries has been strengthened by they urge to promote cooperation between themselves. Their conduct in their diplomatic relations has without a doubt led to some form of mutual beneficial relationship. For example, the agricultural sector has over the years benefited from the Chinese aid through the issuing of loans inorder to buy mechanisms for the agricultural sector. With the crippling economic situation in Zimbabwe, the Chinese have been considered as an ally and this has over the years strengthened the relationship between the two countries. The Chinese have also benefited a lot from their bilateral relationship with Zimbabwe and this has somewhat had an impact on the Chinese economy which has been rapidly growing over the years.
With China being one of the leading foreign direct investors of Zimbabwe, the country has been appraised for its continued support to Zimbabwe in the face of the sanctions and the crippling economy.
The relationship between the two states is characterized by a sense of mutuality which has seen both countries being dependent from each other. Zimbabwe has benefited from Chinese loans, grants and investments whilst on the other hand China has benefited from the mineral resources in Zimbabwe. In other words both parties play a crucial role in facilitating the Agenda 2030 goals which is meant to facilitate development and economic growth through cooperation. In this case both countries have benefited from each other through the facilitation of trade and cooperation between them. In other words, China has been a partner if not the only ally whom Zimbabwe has trusted over the years especially with regards to economic development and sustainable growth. .
Lynette Sibanda is a Msc International Trade & Diplomacy at the University of Zimbabwe.
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has described the death of human rights activist Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo as a devastating blow to the nation.
Fuzwayo succumbed to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday.
“Such dreadful times!
Just learnt that the Gwanda based Human rights defender, Bekezela Fuzwayo succumbed to Covid19.
I knew the brother as a great leader and community organizer.Fuzwayo stood for human rights,dignity and justice. Rest in peace our tower.The people shall govern,” President Chamisa said in a statement on Twitter.
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo based community radio initiative Youth-Star FM has expressed concern over the unfairness of the distribution of radio licences recently awarded by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
BAZ made calls for applications for community radio stations.
Youth-Star FM director Philani Ncube said the licensing of community radios was not clear.
“When it comes to licensing, it’s not something independent. You will find that in each and every media initiative licenced, there is a link to a certain political party,” said Ncube.
“We are appealing for transparency when licensing media initiatives and that the Zanu-PF government should stay away from fielding their party people in the media industry.”
-standard
We are receiving information that rapper Desmond “Stunner’ Chideme’s mother has passed away.
The news comes at exactly the same time Prophet Passion Java lost his mother to cancer today.
Harare tabloid newspaper H Metro is quoting Stunner saying;
“She was generally a healthy person all her life and I don’t remember her ever being sick or hospitalized.”
By A Correspondent- Chimanimani residents who had been moved to safe areas ahead of the anticipated devastating effects of Cyclone Chalane have started moving out of evacuation centres with the last batch expected to go back to their homes today.
The move brings relief to the government that was apparently struggling to feed the villagers in the safe havens.
There were fears that Chimanimani would be hit hard by the Tropical Cyclone Chalane which appeared to have taken both the path and characteristics of Cyclone Idai which wreaked havoc in the area in march 2019, leaving a trail of destruction while killing hundreds of people.
The government yesterday confirmed the new development to The Standard.
Heavy rains pounded nyanga with strong winds on Friday night and there were reports of panic among villagers as the rainfall recorded up to 70 millilitres.
Mutare had recorded 42 millilitres while Chimanimani got less than 30 millilitres when the downgraded tropical depression hit Zimbabwe according to the metrological services department.
Manicaland Provincial Development Coordinator and Civil Protection Unit chairperson Edgar Seenza said villagers in Chimanimani urban had already gone back to their respective areas.
“People are starting to move out from the evacuation centres since the tropical depression has passed Zimbabwe. in Chimanimani urban they have since gone back to their respective areas,” he said.
“Those housed at Mutambara High School, mostly Ngangu villagers, are expected to move out of the evacuation centre tomorrow (today),” he said.
“We are also expecting to move people out of St Patricks the same day with those at Mutambara high School.”
Seenza yesterday said he had received a disturbing report of heavy rains in Nyanga.
“I have just been told that last night on Friday, there were heavy rains in Nyanga. The area recorded 70 millilitres of rainfall and there were strong winds,” he said.
“I am yet to receive a report of any destruction, but I will be briefed later. I am urging people in Nyanga not to panic because these are normal rains.”
The tropical depression has since passed Zimbabwe heading towards Botswana.-standard
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa is deeply concerned about the high incidence of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe.
President Chamisa urged Zimbabweans to stick to stipulated precautions to avert the spread of the deadly pandemic.
Doctors have revealed that hospitals battling to contain the rising Coronavirus cases.
Below is President Chamisa’s statement:
Extremely concerned at the level at which Covid-19 is now killing our citizens.
Doctors informed me that all Covid-19 hospital units are full.Citizens are now dying without getting access to hospitalization. Be vigilant follow Covid-19 precautions at all times:mask up, wash hands!
We are losing relatives, friends and members of our communities to this deadly pandemic. We cannot afford to be as complacent as we have been in recent months. Our communities are paying the price. We must change our conduct if we are to beat this pandemic.
I call upon responsible offices to apply & encourage precautions.
The virus does not select,therefore selective application of rules is self-defeating.I extend my prayers to all those who are unwell & salute our healthcare warriors for taking the frontline role in this deadly war.
“Fadza Mutengi weDoro” might be a song, but something worse than it was the conclusion in Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s nation address last night.
As he ended his strict lockdown regime, VP Chiwenga who himself is an alcoholic, said:
The development comes as the well known Lootepreneur, Kuda Tagwirei was filmed partying at a hotel on new years Eve.
FULL SPEECH:
We have seen the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths almost double in 2 months from 8374 on 1 Nov 2020 to 14084 to date, the cumulative number of COVID19 deaths as of 1 Jan 2021 is now 14084 cases, and 396 deaths.
In light of the recent surge in Covid 19 cases the following stiff lockdown measures are being put in place with immediate effect;
1. Gatherings are reduced to not more than 30 people at all funerals. All other gatherings at weddings, churches, bars, bottle stores, gymnasiums, restaurants etc etc are banned for 30 days.
2. The existing COVID 19 preventive health measures will be strictly enforced that is to say, correct wearing of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitization, and temperature checks will be strictly enforced and offenders will be prosecuted.
3. Only essential services are to remain open such as … hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets, with only – essential staff allowed to come to work. These services can only open at 8 am and must close at 3pm and will I be subject to curfew that will start at 6pm and end at 6am.
4. Of the other commercial services only Part 4 lockdown order services such as mining, manufacturing and 2 agriculture will operate as before. Other commercial services specified on Part 5 of the lockdown order that is to say, all formal businesses and registered informal trader’s are suspended from Tuesday 5 January 2071 for 30 days.
5. Inter provincial and inter City transport services are restricted only to essential services and Part 4 commercial services.
6. People must stay at home save for buying food and medicines or transporting sick relatives. Other exceptions are as specified in the lockdown order
7. As for schooling only examination classes are to open now.
8. Cross border traders are stopped forthwith save for commercial and transit cargo related to essential and critical services.
9. Air transportation remains unhindered and will continue as before with arrivals and returning residents being required to present Covid 19 free certificates. As for land access only returning residents and essential service drivers will be admitted subject to presentation of Covid 19 free certificates. These certificates must have been issued at least 48 hours before departure.
10. Just to be clear, restaurants, bottle stores and bars are closed for 30 days except for bars and restaurants serving hotel residents. Also, tourist facilities and national parks will operate as before subject to the usual health precautions.
POLICE have confirmed the arrest 2 321 people on New Year’s Day for allegedly violating Covid-19 containment restrictions during the holiday as authorities continue to crackdown on reckless behaviour that promotes the spread of coronavirus infections.
Law enforcement agents are eager to question popular Harare music producer Arnold Kamudyariwa, also known as DJ Fantan, after he organised an unsanctioned musical concert in Mbare on New Year’s Eve, in breach of the regulations.
Yesterday, police arrested 200 teenagers who were having a party in Westgate in open contravention of the Government’s Covid-19 regulations. Upon arrest, some of the teenagers were heavily intoxicated.
A Mutare businessman was arrested after hosting a show headlined by sungura musician Alick Macheso at Watsomba business centre.
In Mbare, 52 people have been arrested after videos and pictures of the event went viral.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police officers deployed to patrol in Mbare were in soup for allowing DJ Fantan’s event to take place.
“We are also aware of the incident of an alleged unsanctioned gathering in Mbare on New Year’s Eve and investigations have been instituted,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“So far, 52 people have been arrested and we are looking for DJ Fantan, who operates a recording studio at Block 14 Matapi Flats and David House Entertainment operators for openly defying the Government’s Covid-19 measures on health, safety and security.
“The police officers who were allegedly on the ground on the day have been directed to shed more light on what transpired.
“In Watsomba, Mutare police have arrested a local businessman who hired musician, Alick Macheso, to perform at a family event at the Growth Point in violation of the national lockdown measures.”
He warned that police would come down hard on members of the public who do not abide by the Covid-19 containment regulations.
Asst Comm Nyathi said on New Year’s Eve, police recorded a number of disturbing murder cases linked to beer-drinking binges.
“On December 31, 2020, at Tshelela Nyoni’s shop, Silalatshani, Filabusi, a 25-year-old man was fatally stabbed with an okapi knife following a misunderstanding.
“Again, on December 31, 2020, a 41-year-old man was stabbed on the chest with a knife after a misunderstanding over a girlfriend at Drummond Shops, Makhado, Beitbridge.-The Sunday Mail
We have seen the number of Covid-19 cases and deaths almost double in 2 months from 8374 on 1 Nov 2020 to 14084 to date, the cumulative number of COVID19 deaths as of 1 Jan 2021 is now 14084 cases, and 396 deaths.
In light of the recent surge in Covid 19 cases the following stiff lockdown measures are being put in place with immediate effect;
1. Gatherings are reduced to not more than 30 people at all funerals. All other gatherings at weddings, churches, bars, bottle stores, gymnasiums, restaurants etc etc are banned for 30 days.
2. The existing COVID 19 preventive health measures will be strictly enforced that is to say, correct wearing of face masks, social distancing, hand sanitization, and temperature checks will be strictly enforced and offenders will be prosecuted.
3. Only essential services are to remain open such as … hospitals, pharmacies and supermarkets, with only – essential staff allowed to come to work. These services can only open at 8 am and must close at 3pm and will I be subject to curfew that will start at 6pm and end at 6am.
4. Of the other commercial services only Part 4 lockdown order services such as mining, manufacturing and 2 agriculture will operate as before. Other commercial services specified on Part 5 of the lockdown order that is to say, all formal businesses and registered informal trader’s are suspended from Tuesday 5 January 2071 for 30 days.
5. Inter provincial and inter City transport services are restricted only to essential services and Part 4 commercial services.
6. People must stay at home save for buying food and medicines or transporting sick relatives. Other exceptions are as specified in the lockdown order
7. As for schooling only examination classes are to open now.
8. Cross border traders are stopped forthwith save for commercial and transit cargo related to essential and critical services.
9. Air transportation remains unhindered and will continue as before with arrivals and returning residents being required to present Covid 19 free certificates. As for land access only returning residents and essential service drivers will be admitted subject to presentation of Covid 19 free certificates. These certificates must have been issued at least 48 hours before departure.
10. Just to be clear, restaurants, bottle stores and bars are closed for 30 days except for bars and restaurants serving hotel residents. Also, tourist facilities and national parks will operate as before subject to the usual health precautions.
Below is a part transcript of the interview of MDC-T ‘President’ Senator, Douglas Mwonzora on the 1st January 2021.
MWONZORA: I’m going to take Dr Khupe once she recovers, Eng Mudzuri as the deputy president, and myself we go to the speaker, and we make an announcement after we have seen the Speaker, we can’t preempt it.
QUESTION: So basically you’re in control of the party, it is not like you’re getting instructions from George Charamba or Emerson Mnangagwa ?
MWONZORA: I don’t get instructions from anyone I’m the President of the Movement for Democratic Change Tsvangirai. I don’t get instructions from the president, Mr Mnangagwa, I don’t get instructions from George Charamba.
I am the president of the MDCT and I will act as one.
QUESTION: When are we likely to see a govt of National Unity in which you will be prime minister as per some of the conversations you’re having here?
MWONZORA: No we haven’t discussed that Simba. Nobody has approached me with that proposition.
QUESTION: But in some of the discussions I see here you did mention that you’re going to be Prime Minister, and you will create jobs.
MWONZORA: that’s not correct I never talked to that person.
QUESTION: So this WhatsApp message is fake then? That’s what you’re saying?
MWONZORA: Aaah, it’s incorrect. Yeah its incorrect, I never talked to anybody. Remember there’s no way that I can say I will be prime minister, when I am not a Prime Minister and when nobody has talked to me about it. So I am the leader of the opposition, I am the president of the movement for democratic change. Just like that, I am not the prime minister of Zimbabwe.
QUESTION: Sir, so you didn’t send 10gb data to Nyamasvisva?
MWONZORA: No I did not.
QUESTION: I have got a record here, an Ecocash record,
MWONZORA: No I did not.
QUESTION: In which you said we can do without Chamisa, are going to have a GNU set up.
MWONZORA: Chamisa is not an issue here,
And if Chamisa wants to talk to me he can talk to me, I never talked to Chamisa. Vhamisa is not an issue at all, in this issue, and I’ve not talked to… So I don’t think your record is correct.
QUESTION: But your party will be….
By Paddington Japajapa| When Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa the then puppet Rhodesian Government Partner against the Patriotic Front, tried to stop the War of Liberation “Hondo yeChimurenga” by misleading the Masses From further Participating in the War, nobody listened to him because the masses new what they wanted,that was real change.The Patriotic Front Continued with the smooth execution of the War until final Victory was Certain, in April 1980, which brought Independence to Zimbabwe.
A situation reminiscent to the Bishop Abel Muzorewa Ian Smith Partnership is Obtaining and being given Birth to in Zimbabwe,a Marriage between Zanu Pf and its Concourt constructed Partner MDCT now under the Leadership of former Bishop Abel Muzorewa,s UANC Party Member Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora, of the Simboti Toetem.Mwonzora and His Cabal of Mudzuri Khupe and Komichi a Combination of sell outs who have decided to sell the People Struggle so as to get into a Marriage of Convenience with MDCA,s bitterest enemy Zanu Pf, are going to face very strong resistance and rejection by the Zimbabwean Masses during any election in this Country.The MDCT Project a Creation of Zanu Pf through the Concourt is going to face the full Wrath and Furry of the People for hijacking and trying to destroy the People,s Project, which the People struggled to built over the last 20 years.
The People of Zimbabwe who have suffered heavily under the Oppressive Zanu Pf Regime which is not different at all from the same suffering which the masses went through under the brutal and cruel Smith Regime plus Colonisation for 90 years, are very bitter and will never forgive Mwonzora and Cabal for selling out their Project.They always Say revenge is Sour and surely the Masses are going to heavily revenge at the March 2023 General Election.The Masses shall say,we Voted and chose our MPS,Senators and were given PR Members of Parliament by the New 2013 Zimbabwean Constitution, but some Renegades who Betrayed Nelson Chamisa and violated the MDC Founding Father Morgan Richard Tsvangirayi,s Will and Wish, hijacked the People,s Project and sold it to the Enemy, Zanu Pf.From the way President Mnangagwa endorsed and Congratulated Mwonzora for winning the MDCT Leadership it is now very clear that the two are very close buddies.Mwonzora in his Victory Speech on ZBCTV News at 8pm on Thursday, categorically declared that he was going to work with Zanu Pf full time to address the country,s Socio Political and Economic challenges.How can an Opposition Political Party quickly accept and promise to work full time with a ruling Party in Government that has been Mercilessly brutalising illtreating,arresting and imprisoning the Opposition Political Party Members as they wish recently.The way the Zanu Pf Police,CIO and Millitary Machinery has been brutalising the MDCA Members makes one to think twice before accepting an Olive Branch from such Government.The Zanu Pf Government is one of the most Brutal Regime on Earth, worse than the Smith Regime and to quickly embrace it as a Partner in Governance
must not be as easy as a b c or 1 2 3.
I the writer of this article Paddington Japa Japa i am one of the Victims of the Brutality and Cruelity of this Zanu Pf Government,i was sentenced to three years in Jail with one year Suspended for every five years for a Crime which i never Committed.Had it not been for the professionalism and impartiality of some of a few brave High Court Judges,three quarters of innocent MDCA Supporters will by now be rotting in Jail for crimes they never committed.Zanu Pf leadership is after a one Party State System were no one makes them accountable to their misdemeanors.
I want to advise Mwonzora and Cabal that you shall face the real litmas test during the 2023 General Election,Zimbabweans will never forgive you and your Concourt Constructed MDCT Circus for being Sell outs.I bet you if you are going to get 100 000.00 Hundred thousand votes in total through out the Country you will be lucky.
Judas Iscariot sold Jesus Christ for 34 Cents but at the end he hanged Himself on a tree,and the Word of God says Cursed is the One who hangs Himself on a tree,for He has already Judged himself for condemnation into the Abyss, bottom less pit or Hell.
THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE PADDINGTON JAPA JAPA IS AN NC/NEC MEMBER MDCA/PRESIDENT OF CIVIC SOCIETY ORGANISATION CALLED ZCEO/SOCCER ADMINISTRATOR/EVANGELIST WITH A LOCAL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH/POLITICAL ACTIVIST AND AN ACADEMIC Bsc Hons Psychology.
ADDITIONAL LOCKDOWN MEASURES IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF COVID 19 CASES IN ZIMBABWE
• Fellow Zimbabweans we have seen a surge in Covid 19 cases during this festive season with 1,342 Covid 19 cases and 29 deaths being recorded in a week representing the highest number recorded so far. We have seen the number of Covid 19 cases and deaths almost double in 2 months from 8374 on 1 November to 14084 to date. The cumulative number of Covid 19 cases in Zimbabwe as of 1 January 2021 is now 14084 cases and 369 deaths.
• In view of the surge in covid 19 cases the Government has intensified testing and patient care throughout all the provinces.
In light of the recent surge in Covid 19 cases the following stiff lockdown measures are being put in place with immediate effect;
THE movement of travellers at Beitbridge Border Post has improved significantly after authorities from Zimbabwe and South Africa beefed up immigration personnel amid revelations that South Africa has tightened up security to arrest those with fraudulent Covid-19 certificates and those that enter through illegal crossing points.
SA’s Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi told the media yesterday that they were going to be very strict with those trying to enter the neighbouring country using fake Covid-19 certificates.
He said the country had deployed more workers at six busy borders including Beitbridge to speed up the clearance of traffic under strict Covid-19 protocols.
“We are not going to entertain those who use fraudulent documents. Our immigration officers are going to refuse them entry as they are undesirable immigrants,” he said.
He said they were adding more workers to complement the efforts by the military to minimise irregular migration at illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River.
“We are deploying an additional 60 immigration officials to work with the National Defence Forces in curbing issues of border jumping along our borders.
“A helicopter is being dispatched to aid patrols along our border with Zimbabwe,” said the Minister.
Very short moving queues of southbound light motor vehicles could be seen on the Zimbabwean border by the end of the day.
In addition, traffic has been separated into light and heavy vehicles and buses to enhance a speedy flow of operations.
Hand washing basins and foot baths have also been put at all entry points to buildings in the border to minimise the risk of coronavirus infections.
It is also understood that the bulk of Zimbabweans based in South Africa left the country between 28 December and New Year’s Day.
Meanwhile, a total of 74 Zimbabweans were refused entry into South Africa and returned, after finding their way to the neighbouring country illegally.
The department of immigration in Zimbabwe is also conducting an enforcement and compliance operation targeting border jumpers and is intercepting an average of 40 people daily.
-State Media
AT least 102 people died, while 398 others were injured in the 1 546 road accidents that occurred during the festive season mainly due to recklessness and speeding, police have said.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the number of deaths recorded this festive season were lower compared to the previous season.
Asst Comm Nyathi most of the accidents were caused by speeding, inattention, misjudgement — following too close and recklessness on the part of drivers.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police informs the nation that the following road traffic accident statistics were recorded from 15 December 2020 to January 02 2021 compared to 15 December 2019 to January 02 2020 which includes Unity Day, Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s holidays.
Between 15 December 2020 to January 02, 2021, at least 1 546 traffic accidents were recorded of which 67 were fatal while 102 people were killed and 398 injured while during the same period last year 1 406 accidents were recorded of which 74 were fatal. At least 111 people were killed while 503 were injured.
Most of the accidents occurred along highways and towns as a result of speeding, inattention, misjudgement following too close and recklessness on part of drivers,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said most vehicles that were involved in the accidents were exceeding their carrying capacities.
He said some motorists were now attacking police officers enforcing lockdown regulations in trying to evade arrest.
“There were two major fatal accidents. On December 25, six people died after a commuter omnibus collided head-on with a Toyota Hilux at the 75km peg along Mvuma-Gweru Road. In Mutoko 17 people perished on December 27 at the 130 km peg when an Isuzu KB collided head on with a BMW.
“We observed that both public and private vehicles are carrying more than their capacities while some of the vehicles are not roadworthy.
Vehicles with worn out tyres, defective lights, faulty brakes are being driven recklessly without regard for personal safety and that of other road users.
Some unruly elements are even attacking police officers enforcing Covid-19 regulations as witnessed in Harare and Bulawayo. This conduct will not be tolerated and the law will take its course,” he said.
-State Media
Below is the full Twitter Thread by social media personality ‘Majaira Jairosi’ on home remedies for people suffering from COVID-19.
I know most of you do not realise that I am also a Respiratory medicine specialist. Today I want to do a thread about how people could be helped to relieve the symptoms of COVID-19 Virus. Those with questions, I am offering free consultation.
Antibiotics don’t necessarily work especially in viral pneumonia-like the one which COVID-19 virus cause but if a person develops bacterial pneumonia in the presence of viral pneumonia then antibiotics are necessary.
Anti-inflammatory medication like Prednisolone or dexamethasone are proving to be effective in COVID 19 virus. The virus is causing the inflammation of the airways resulting in a person becoming breathless, hence the need to treat people with anti-inflammatory medication.
I prefer giving patients high flow oxygen than intubation because intubation is a hazardous procedure itself. With intubation, most people end up developing what we call ventilation-induced pneumonia on top of COVID 19 virus.
Home Remedies: Kunatira though not scientifically proven some people have found kunatira (nebulisation) using traditional herbs like boiled eucalyptus tree leaves (mashizha emupuranga) helpful. Eucalyptus leaves have anti-inflammatory properties.
I hear people looking for ventilators, yes they are very important for treating hypoxia in people with COVID 19 virus, but oxygen does not treat breathlessness. Bronchodilators do treat breathlessness by opening up airways that is why I’m recommending kunatira.
Kunatira is equivalent to nebulisation just as I would do when bronchodilating a patient using ipratropium or salbutamol nebulisers.
Home remedies: In addition to kunatira (Steaming or nebulisation) eat food with anti-inflammatory properties like berries, avocados, fatty fish, broccoli, Bell peppers and chilli peppers & green tea. Lemon is good but it has antibacterial properties than anti-inflammatory.
When we intubate people, we usually put the patient in prone position to improve oxygenation, so if you have COVID 19 virus I suggest that you take time to sleep on your stomach or on your side for a change. Never lie in supine position/facing upwards.
Struggling with breathlessness: use what we call pursed-lip breathing technique – breathing in through your nose & breathing out through your mouth as if you are whistling. Ndatenda.
-MajairaJairosi
Below is the full Twitter Thread by MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa in response to new lockdown regulations announced by VP Chiwenga, who is also Health Minister, on Saturday.
Sound public policy requires broad consultation of citizens. It must be scientific and for this reason, it ought to be evidence-based. The latest lockdown measures lack scientific rigour, rationality and consistency. We suggest a consultation with business, labour and Church.
The application of rules must be fair and non-selective because the virus does not select on the basis of status, class or political affiliation. Rules are effective not only when they apply to others, but when applied to those who make them.
The latest rules do not deal with the supporting measures to citizens and communities during the lockdown. If people must stay at home, support is key.
Commanding the closure of the economy without the necessary support, economic reliefs, medical and social measures is suicidal.
They forget that 80% of our economy is informal which means a lockdown without complementary support system will lose traction.
Faced with starvation, people will be forced to breach lockdown rules, posing more risk to themselves and others.
For this reason, there ought to be an economic and social safety net to support people during the lockdown. Simply announcing rules to keep people at home without more is a command style rulership which shows a total disregard to people’s interests.
Another critical omission from the new measures is the failure to address the plight of healthcare staff on the frontline.
[Having] healthcare workers without PPE is like sending soldiers to the front without guns and ammunition. It’s cruel and must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
There is a clear pattern emerging in the way rules are crafted and enforced. The principal target is the poor people while the wealthy are allowed a free pass.
Breaches committed in Borrowdale by elites must be met with the same force as breaches in Mbare by ghetto youths.
What, for example, is the rationale for closing land ports while keeping open airports? It appears elitist as air travel is limited to a few with means while the majority who use road transport are locked in.
The closure of borders also locks in hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans who work and support families and the country in neighbouring countries. Their remittances are a major source of income but they are now locked in.
We don’t just have a health crisis here but a governance and leadership crisis. We have provinces even districts and we have hotspots and epicentres.
Why not have isolation and targeted lockdowns for hot spots, where we identify red zones than to lock the whole nation?
Acting President Mohadi says Zimbabweans must “choose between enjoyment and death”.
Addressing a Press conference, he said it is every citizen’s responsibility to prevent Covid-19.
He said, as far as he knows, there are enough “ventilated beds” for the Covid-19 response.
More to follow…
Below is the full Twitter Thread by MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa in response to new lockdown regulations announced by VP Chiwenga, who is also Health Minister, on Saturday.
Sound public policy requires broad consultation of citizens. It must be scientific and for this reason, it ought to be evidence-based. The latest lockdown measures lack scientific rigour, rationality and consistency. We suggest a consultation with business, labour and Church.
The application of rules must be fair and non-selective because the virus does not select on the basis of status, class or political affiliation. Rules are effective not only when they apply to others, but when applied to those who make them.
The latest rules do not deal with the supporting measures to citizens and communities during the lockdown. If people must stay at home, support is key.
Commanding the closure of the economy without the necessary support, economic reliefs, medical and social measures is suicidal.
They forget that 80% of our economy is informal which means a lockdown without complementary support system will lose traction.
Faced with starvation, people will be forced to breach lockdown rules, posing more risk to themselves and others.
For this reason, there ought to be an economic and social safety net to support people during the lockdown. Simply announcing rules to keep people at home without more is a command style rulership which shows a total disregard to people’s interests.
Another critical omission from the new measures is the failure to address the plight of healthcare staff on the frontline.
[Having] healthcare workers without PPE is like sending soldiers to the front without guns and ammunition. It’s cruel and must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
There is a clear pattern emerging in the way rules are crafted and enforced. The principal target is the poor people while the wealthy are allowed a free pass.
Breaches committed in Borrowdale by elites must be met with the same force as breaches in Mbare by ghetto youths.
What, for example, is the rationale for closing land ports while keeping open airports? It appears elitist as air travel is limited to a few with means while the majority who use road transport are locked in.
The closure of borders also locks in hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans who work and support families and the country in neighbouring countries. Their remittances are a major source of income but they are now locked in.
We don’t just have a health crisis here but a governance and leadership crisis. We have provinces even districts and we have hotspots and epicentres.
Why not have isolation and targeted lockdowns for hot spots, where we identify red zones than to lock the whole nation?
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance will roll out a robust campaign to fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
The party has called for vigilance as cases of the deadly pandemic continue to rise in Zimbabwe and across the globe.
“The main organs of the MDC Alliance will have strategic planning meetings early this month to roll out our action plan for 2021.
The urgent need for political reforms, the deepening economic crisis and the policy implications of Covid-19 will be among our priorities,” the party said in a statement.
Leaked government documents reveal the country’s hospitals have been overwhelmed by rising Coronavirus cases.
“The country’s hospitals are struggling to cope with the high incidence of COVID-19 cases,” a government source told ZimEye.com.
By Dorrothy Moyo | The controversial self proclaimed pastor Panganai Java’s mother, Christine Rambanepasi has died.
She was 65.
Impeccable sources close to the preacher told ZimEye, Senator Christine Rambanepasi passed away just after 2am Sunday morning.
She had cancer and was hospitalised at the Avenues Clinic.
The development comes after her son, who calls himself Passion Java, flew to Zimbabwe where not long after his arrival, he announced that his mother has fallen ill.
Born in November 1956, in Buhera, she was an MDC Alliance member, of proportional representation in parliament.
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa is deeply concerned about the high incidence of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe.
President Chamisa urged Zimbabweans to stick to stipulated precautions to avert the spread of the deadly pandemic.
Doctors have revealed that hospitals battling to contain the rising Coronavirus cases.
Below is President Chamisa’s statement:
Extremely concerned at the level at which Covid-19 is now killing our citizens.
Doctors informed me that all Covid-19 hospital units are full.Citizens are now dying without getting access to hospitalization. Be vigilant follow Covid-19 precautions at all times:mask up, wash hands!
We are losing relatives, friends and members of our communities to this deadly pandemic. We cannot afford to be as complacent as we have been in recent months. Our communities are paying the price. We must change our conduct if we are to beat this pandemic.
I call upon responsible offices to apply & encourage precautions.
The virus does not select,therefore selective application of rules is self-defeating.I extend my prayers to all those who are unwell & salute our healthcare warriors for taking the frontline role in this deadly war.
Instead of apprehending Sakunda boss Kuda Tagwirei, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has moved to arrest 2 321 commoners.
Tagwirei appears in a video shoot at a news years party which was reported to be the 1st January 2021.
WATCH- Another #COVID-19 spreader in Harare. Where and who organised this? @nickmangwana @schikanza @MakomboreroH pic.twitter.com/YCgm7aSEUD
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) January 2, 2021
The 2321 were arrested on New Year’s Day for allegedly violating Covid-19 containment restrictions during the holiday as authorities continue to crackdown on reckless behaviour that promotes the spread of coronavirus infections.
Law enforcement agents are eager to question popular Harare music producer Arnold Kamudyariwa, also known as DJ Fantan, after he organised an unsanctioned musical concert in Mbare on New Year’s Eve, in breach of the regulations.
Yesterday, police arrested 200 teenagers who were having a party in Westgate in open contravention of the Government’s Covid-19 regulations. Upon arrest, some of the teenagers were heavily intoxicated.
A Mutare businessman was arrested after hosting a show headlined by sungura musician Alick Macheso at Watsomba business centre.
In Mbare, 52 people have been arrested after videos and pictures of the event went viral.
In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police officers deployed to patrol in Mbare were in soup for allowing DJ Fantan’s event to take place.
“We are also aware of the incident of an alleged unsanctioned gathering in Mbare on New Year’s Eve and investigations have been instituted,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
“So far, 52 people have been arrested and we are looking for DJ Fantan, who operates a recording studio at Block 14 Matapi Flats and David House Entertainment operators for openly defying the Government’s Covid-19 measures on health, safety and security.
“The police officers who were allegedly on the ground on the day have been directed to shed more light on what transpired.
“In Watsomba, Mutare police have arrested a local businessman who hired musician, Alick Macheso, to perform at a family event at the Growth Point in violation of the national lockdown measures.”
He warned that police would come down hard on members of the public who do not abide by the Covid-19 containment regulations.
Asst Comm Nyathi said on New Year’s Eve, police recorded a number of disturbing murder cases linked to beer-drinking binges.
“On December 31, 2020, at Tshelela Nyoni’s shop, Silalatshani, Filabusi, a 25-year-old man was fatally stabbed with an okapi knife following a misunderstanding.
“Again, on December 31, 2020, a 41-year-old man was stabbed on the chest with a knife after a misunderstanding over a girlfriend at Drummond Shops, Makhado, Beitbridge.
“In Filabusi, a 49-year-old man was stabbed with a knife on December 16, 2020, and later succumbed to the injuries on December 30, 2020.”
He had attempted to resolve a dispute between the suspect and other family members, said Asst Comm Nyathi.
In an unrelated incident in Mwenezi on December 29, a six-year-old girl was fatally assaulted by her uncle with a switch after she had lost track of cattle she was herding along with another minor.
“In a bid to conceal the crime, the suspect and his accomplice cut off the girl’s private parts and set the body on fire.
“They were arrested following a tip-off.”
Our Masvingo Bureau chief George Maponga reports that the suspect, Taruziva Sithole (37) of Chomutamba Village 3, allegedly connived with his friend Shackmore Dube (26) of the same village to kill Sithole’s niece, Irene Sithole, before torching her corpse beyond recognition.
Sithole and Dube have since been arrested and appeared in court before Mwenezi Resident magistrate Mr Honest Musiiwa facing murder charges.
The duo was not asked to plead by Mr Musiiwa who on Friday remanded them in custody to January 14 and advised them to seek bail at the High Court.
Prosecutor Mr Lyton Katsidzira told the court that Sithole and Dube connived to kill the former’s niece after the later had been promised a vehicle and lots of money for a juvenile girl’s body parts by an unknown person in South Africa. – state media/additional reporting
Friday January 1st, 2021
The MDC Alliance Students’ Council is disturbed by the prolonged incarceration of one of our own Alan Moyo. Our NEC led by chairperson Prince Gora visited Cde Moyo on Thursday and found him in good spirits but in need of his freedom. Alan is just a student leader whose only crime is believing and fighting for academic freedoms and a better Zimbabwe.
Today is the 25th day of his imprisonment and the state continues to play micky mouse games with Moyo’s freedom in particular Magistrate Judith Taruvinga who deliberately distorted the report of Alan’s bail hearing and left out key information. The record was as a result struck off at the high court and his lawyer now have to go back to the lower court to have the record corrected. All this is being done to deny Alan Moyo freedom which we equally continue to demand. If they do not free him, we will soon be freeing our anger as we have done before.
The ED Mnangagwa led government has failed and its only response to the wailing people of Zimbabwe is the use of force to silence us instead of silencing us through addressing the crisis in the country. Surely the government will never tire in frustrating us but we will also never tire in demanding and fighting for a better Zimbabwe.
_Inserted by cde Flame
Students’ Council Secretary General
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has described 2021 as a “turning point.”
In his New Year message President Chamisa called for unity of purpose in fighting for freedom:
2021 A TURNING POINT!
Through the huddles,attacks and downs of 2020. We remain standing and marching towards a free and New Great Zimbabwe.Fighting for freedom is a national duty and patriotic act.No oppressor is more powerful than the Oppressed who are United.
2021 must be incredible and full of surprises! Let’s make history. Secure Victory this 2021.
Save and serve your great country. Wishing you an action-packed, happy and blessed new year! #Godisinit
Be Excellent, Be Brilliant, Be Different !!!
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has described 2021 as a “turning point.”
In his New Year message President Chamisa called for unity of purpose in fighting for freedom:
2021 A TURNING POINT!
Through the huddles,attacks and downs of 2020. We remain standing and marching towards a free and New Great Zimbabwe.Fighting for freedom is a national duty and patriotic act.No oppressor is more powerful than the Oppressed who are United.
2021 must be incredible and full of surprises! Let’s make history. Secure Victory this 2021.
Save and serve your great country. Wishing you an action-packed, happy and blessed new year! #Godisinit
Be Excellent, Be Brilliant, Be Different !!!
The funeral arrangements for the late former Highlanders midfield ace Richard Choruma have been released.
Choruma died in South Africa last week after a short illness at the age of 42.
It has now been revealed he will be buried on Saturday January the 9th.
His body will arrive at JNM airport on Friday at 12pm then there will be a memorial service the same day at McDonald Hall from 1pm to 4pm.
The church service is on Saturday at St Patrick’s Church then the hearse will proceed via Barbourfields stadium to his final resting place at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
Credit: Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Own Correspondent|There is no doubt that NC Sports Academy is the hub of talent in the country.
Below are results of NC Sports Academy’s recent matches:
N C Sports Academy …1vs Brail 0
Under 16 Tournament….
first around…
N C Sports Academy ..2 vs Boca Dema…2
N C Sports Academy ..2 vs Mountain 1
Semi ….Under …16
However, NC Sports Academy lost 4-5 on penalts to Boca from Dema in the Under 16 final
