By A Correspondent- A Sakubva man reportedly se_xually abused his own daughter (12) and concealed his crime by marrying her off to a polygamous self-proclaimed prophet in Temberere Village which is under Chief Zimunya.
The matter came to light when the young girl fled the prophet’s home and was rescued by a good samaritan.
According to the publication:
On an unknown date last year, the accused person asked his three children to join him in his bedroom for the night.
They all slept on the same bed and during the night, the girl’s father raped her. After committing the crime, he threatened to kill his daughter if she ever divulged the matter to anyone.
Days later, the man took his daughter to 35-year-old Lukas Hondo, a self-proclaimed prophet of Temberere Village under Chief Zimunya and married her off.
The prophet’s second wife prepared a room for the young girl and the ‘man of cloth’ came in to rape her. This went on for days until the complainant fled and seek refuge in a nearby bush.
Starvation forced the young girl to approach a Good Samaritan to seek assistance. The matter was subsequently reported to the police.
The case was confirmed by Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda who said the matter is before the courts.
Manicaland’s districts Makoni, Buhera, Mutasa, and Chipinge are riddled with cases of child marriages according to Manicaland Provincial Development Coordinator, Mr. Edgars Seenza.
By A Correspondent- The torrential rains that have been received in the country over the last few weeks have reportedly swept away bridges in Joseph Chinotimba ‘s Buhera South Constituency.
This has reportedly cut off the constituency from the rest of the country and villagers are forced to travel for over 20 km in some instances to find transport to go to Murambinda or Birchenough Bridge.
This was revealed by the Chinotimba himself when he spoke to the publication and said:
This year has been an unusual one for us in Buhera South. We were among the first areas in the country to receive rains in November. Some areas have recorded very high rainfall which is not associated with dry areas like Buhera South.
Most roads are impassable as bridges were swept away. The most affected bridges are Nyadi and Defe. Almost all small bridges on roads that link Muzokomba and Mabhoko, Mutiusinazita and Chapanduka as well as Bhegedhe and Chabata were swept away. Villagers are having nightmares in getting transport.
The situation is so dire, especially when people want to access health care services or attend funerals. In short, movement of people and goods is now difficult. I implore the Minister of Transport and Infastructural Development, Engineer Joel Matiza, to drive to Buhera to get first hand information on the prevailing situation there. He should not fly, but use the roads. The Murambinda-Birchenough Road has been on the cards for years, with little movement on the ground.
Buhera is also battling severe drought and animal diseases that has made families lose their cattle at an alarming rate. This was also revealed by the Chinotimba when he said:
Our major economic activities in Buhera are cattle ranching and groundnuts production. However, due to perennial droughts and outbreaks of diseases, our herd is being reduced every year. We applaud Government for doing its part in vaccinating the animals, but the situation is dire in some areas.
Some farmers are losing an entire herd. Because of limited resources, not all farmers are able to buy supplementary feed for their cattle and they end up watching them dying.
We also want to encourage farmers to de-stock and use the resources they will obtain from selling some of the animals to vaccinate the remaining herd.
By A Correspondent- The National Joint Operations Command (JOC) met in Beitbridge yesterday and committed to beefing up borderline security to control rampant smuggling of goods and irregular migration which peaks during the festive season.
The meeting was attended by JOC members, who included State Security minister Owen Ncube, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe, Commander of Defence Forces Phillip Valerio Sibanda, Commissioner General of Police Godwin Matanga and Air Chief Marshal Elson Moyo.
Also in attendance were several directors from the Central Intelligence Organisation and dozens of senior civil servants who also came face to face with a massive traffic gridlock that has paralysed Africa’s busiest inland port of entry.
Kazembe promised to immediately engage his South African counterpart Aaron Motsoaledi over the traffic jam.
“I will call him before we leave Beitbridge. We met recently and I will take images of this and forward to him,” he said.
Truck drivers are spending up to three days before crossing into South Africa because of disorderly COVID-19 screening by South Africa lumping travellers and truckers in one queue.
Speaking to journalists soon after their briefing at a hotel in the border town, Ncube said their visit to Beitbridge was to appreciate the situation and find solutions.
“We want to increase security between us and South Africa. We have to stop smuggling of petrol (fuels), electrical gadgets, explosives and cigarettes among other things,” Ncube said ahead of their visit to River Ranch illegal crossing point..
“We want to seal all the porous points and routes between our two countries. We are going to improve security.”
Zimbabwe is losing billions of potential revenue in duties to smuggling enabled ironically by security personnel deployed along the country’s borders.
This year, after the COVID-19 lockdown, Customs and Excuse officials at Beitbridge intercepted smuggled goods worth over a billion dollars which had been smuggled across the river.
At the official crossing point large volumes of fuel have been intercepted after being smuggled into the country.
At the illegal crossing points the ministers found nothing after information of their arrival leaked.
JOC members held several small on site meetings and saw signs of activity at the points which looked like picnic sites with beer bottles, empty condom papers, signs of small fires all over showing a hive of activity.
During their meetings, closed to the press, some officials were heard complaining that the visits were too much and unproductive.
“We came here this year, next year and yet the problem continues. Let’s arrest those who fail to arrest the problem we have. Ngatisungane (let’s arrest each other),” one official said.
“We cannot continue giving lip service.”
Zimbabwe, which has the potential to become of the richest African nations, is widely believed to be let down by corruption cascading from top to bottom.
Civil servants were also believed to be half-hearted in their work owing to poor remuneration.
The JOC has been travelling around the country and arrived in Beitbridge after a tour of Manicaland which took them to Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Some Zimbabwean economists have, however, said Zimbabwe was wrongly focusing on imports yet losing billions to under-declaration of exports.
Recently, a Zimbabwean former football administrator Henrietta Rushwaya attempted smuggling gold worth US$333 000 outside the country although she says it was in the wrong bag.
By A Correspondent- Daring thieves allegedly pounced on Mvurwi police station and stole mobile phones through windows.
This happened at three separate houses in the police camp.
According to police officers who spoke to Bulawayo24.com the thieves stole and went away unnoticed.
“Three senior cops’ houses were visited by thieves who used the same modus operandi to steal charging phones through windows and went away unnoticed,” said the police officers close to Investigations.
Meanwhile, the station’s canteen was recently robbed of its bond notes at night.
By A Correspondent- City Council finance director Tendai Kwenda yesterday appeared in court on criminal abuse of office charges after he allegedly used council funds to purchase his personal vehicle.
It is alleged that Kwenda transferred US$75 000 from the council beer levy account into his account and purchased a personal Jeep Cherokee motor vehicle without council approval.
Kwenda was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Ngoni Nduna, but was remanded in custody to December 24. His lawyer Joel Mambara said he would not apply for bail at the magistrates’ court, but at the High Court.
Kwenda was arrested a week after he was released at the court on the same charges by magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, who said the charges were “meaningless and incomplete.”
His co-accused when he was first arrested Cainos Chingombe, council human capital director, was also re-arrested early this week and was in custody for using council funds to purchase personal vehicles.
The State alleges that Kwenda did not follow the council procurement procedures that stipulate that council procurement exceeding $10 000 should be purchased through a tender process.
He purchased the vehicle for $97 500 and topped up $27 500 from his personal funds.
He insured the vehicle and demanded the money from council, which was reimbursed. The accused was then involved in an accident with the Jeep and made an insurance claim from Old Mutual, and bought a Land Cruiser that he registered in is name.
The beer levy funds he used to purchase his personal vehicle with were not part of the general revenue of the local authority, but was to be used to fund the welfare of the community on provision of services such as health, water sanitation and others. Panganai Chiutsi appeared for the State.
Masvingo residents Friday poured a bucketful of raw sewer at the council offices’ reception accusing the local government authority of inaction over the faulty sewage system.
About 20 protesters operating under the Masvingo Residents Forum demanded an explanation on why the city’s main sewer line upgrade project initiated a decade ago is yet to be completed.
Millions of United States dollars have so far been injected into the project since its inception.
The delays in completing the project have resulted in sewer bursts in the town with residents also accusing the MDC Alliance dominated local authority of taking days to attend to the complaints.
Brighton Ramusi, who chairs the lobby group, said all they were not fighting the local authority but were demanding was transparency and accountability in its operations.
He said:
We are asking for accountability, for proof that it is indeed not misuse of funds and resources that has gotten us to the extremely bad situation that we find ourselves in as a city.
There is growing belief that council management is misusing funds and resources resulting in the worsening of poor service delivery.
This is not a fight against council; it’s an ask for what it is due only.
Two of the Forum’s members, Tamutswa Chikonyora and Margaret Chidhimba were arrested after handing a petition to the city father.
By A Correspondent- Two Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officers and a policeman allegedly teamed up with a civilian accomplice to rob a mine after having assaulted workers in a shaft and making good their escape with gold ore.
The quartet, Collen Mukozho (31) Ngonidzashe Chinaganaga (27) (both soldiers), Douglas Ushe (36), a police officer and their alleged accomplice Wellington Nerupiri (28) appeared before Bindura magistrate Memory Chifamba on Thursday charged with armed robbery.
They were remanded to December 17 on $1500 each.
The State led by Prosecutor Edward Katsvairo, alleges that on October 5 the suspects went to El Shadayi Mine in Mazowe driving two cars, a Toyota Wish, registration number AFF 2894 and a Nissan Caravan registration number AFF 7099, which they parked in the bush and walked to the mine.
Upon arrival, they saw the mine workers sleeping and assaulted them and those who tried to resist were pushed into the mine shaft.
The quartet demanded gold ore from the miners which collected and packed it in sacks.
The sped off in their cars.
Mine workers regrouped and gave chase.
The Caravan’s rear tire burst and the miners tried to apprehend the suspects, who were armed with unknown weapons.
The miners filed a police report.
Police officers acted swiftly and arrested the suspects.
By A Correspondent- A man from Dekezi area in Filabusi under Chief Sibasa went berserk beheading one of his three wives after he found her having sex with a local herdman.
Zama Mafu, allegedly beheaded his wife with an axe on Wednesday after finding her engaging in sex with one of the local herdman from the area.
According to a close family member who narrated the tragic event on condition of anonymity, Mafu was greatly distressed after finding one of his wives intimate with a herdman.
“This did not go well with Mafu because he failed to control his temper and murdered his wife with an axe,” a family source said.
“Mafu was practicing polygamy and he built one of his homesteads in Dekezi a place commonly known as Nyoni. I really do not know what prompted him to do such a horrific act in our area. He was always sober-minded and rational,” one of his friends who identified himself as Xolani said.
It is alleged that after Mafu beheaded his wife with an axe, he committed suicide by drinking cattle dip. He died upon admission at Filabusi Hospital.
“After beheading his wife, he committed suicide by drinking cattle dip and died upon admission at Filabusi Hospital,” a close family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
Efforts to get a comment from Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele were fruitless as he was not picking calls.
Tinashe Sambiri|The writing is on the wall for Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa and his cronies following the formation of a government in exile.
The government in exile comprises concerned Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
According to information gathered by ZimEye.com, the government in exile will set up offices in the United Kingdom.
It is understood the government in exile will confront Mr Mnangagwa over gross violation of human resources, looting of State Resources and flagrant disregard of Constitutional principles.
By A Correspondent- An illegal gold panner was found dead while his colleague is missing after they parked their vehicles on the banks of Mazowe River in-PFungwe before they were swept away by floods.
Police in Mutawatawa managed to retrieve the body of Norman Nyamunda (42) while Keith Tigere (23) is still missing despite efforts by the sub-aqua-unit to locate him.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza could not be reached for a comment as he is reportedly attending a meeting in Harare.
According to a memo seen by this paper, it is reported that on December 4, at around midnight, Tigere and Nyamunda were asleep in their vehicles parked along the banks of Mazowe River in Zengeza area, under Chief Chitsungo when incessant rains hit the area.
It is reported that the duo were awakened by the flooding river, before Tigere tried to drive his vehicle a Toyota Noah away from the banks but was swept away.
Nyamunda reportedly tried to rescue his vehicle and a water pump before he was swept by the floods as well.
The matter was reported at ZRP Mutawatawa who retrieved the body of Nyamunda about 100m away from the scene while his Toyota Corolla was found downstream.
On December 7, the ZRP Sub Aqua unit began a search for the missing Tigere and managed to discover his vehicle buried under the sand while his body was nowhere to be found.
Some well-wishers tried to pull out the Toyota Noah vehicle using an excavator but was dismantled in the process to due to sand inside.
WHO today launches a year-long global campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – “Commit to Quit.” The new WHO Quit Challenge on WhatsApp and publication “More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco” are being released today to mark the start of the campaign.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit. The campaign will support at least 100 million people as they try to give up tobacco through communities of quitters.
“Commit to Quit” will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies; increasing access to cessation services; raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics, and empowering tobacco users to make successful quit attempts through “quit & win” initiatives.
WHO, together with partners, will create and build-up digital communities where people can find the social support they need to quit. The focus will be on high burden countries* where the majority of the world’s tobacco users live.
WHO welcomes new contributions from partners, including private sector companies that have offered support, including Allen Carr’s Easyway, Amazon Web Services, Cipla, Facebook and WhatsApp, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Praekelt, and Soul Machines.
Quitting tobacco is challenging, especially with the added social and economic stresses that have come as a result of the pandemic. Worldwide around 780 million people say they want to quit, but only 30% of them have access to the tools that can help them do so. Together with partners, WHO will provide people with the tools and resources they need to make a successful quit attempt.
“Smoking kills 8 million people a year, but if users need more motivation to kick the habit, the pandemic provides the right incentive,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO released a scientific brief earlier this year showing that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19.
Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Moreover, people living with these conditions are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
Both global and regional cessation tools will be rolled out as part of the campaign. WHO’s 24/7 digital health worker to help people quit tobacco is available in English and will soon be released to support people in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
“Millions of people worldwide want to quit tobacco – we must seize this opportunity and invest in services to help them be successful, while we urge everyone to divest from the tobacco industry and their interests,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion.
To create environments conducive to quitting tobacco, WHO has worked with partners and countries around the globe to implement tobacco control measures that effectively reduce the demand for tobacco.
WHO calls on all governments to ensure their citizens have access to brief advice, toll-free quit lines, mobile and digital cessation services, nicotine replacement therapies and other tools that are proven to help people quit. Strong cessation services improve health, save lives and save money.
Source:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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“The $1,744 billion allocated in the 2021 National Budget by Treasury to allow the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to conduct the delimitation exercise ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections, has been describe as grossly inadequate,” reported Zimeye.
“However, legislators (Parliament’s portfolio committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs) have called for more budgetary support for the exercise, which requires about $8,6 billion.”
This government has not implemented even one democratic reform since the rigged 2018 elections and there is nothing to suggest it has any intention of doing so in the future. With no reforms, the 2023 elections will be marred by the same flaws, irregularities and illegalities noted in the 2018 elections and, before that, the 2013 elections. This is just another expensive but utterly meaningless rituals!
Last January the MP for Chiredzi South constituency revealed that the best performing schools in the grade 7, form 2, “O” and “A” level examination posted 3% pass rate and the great majority had 0%. Most rural schools had very similar results.
Zimbabwe’s education standards did not fall to this over one or two years; this has taken decades – a reflection of decades of under invest. And yet year after year parents have send their children to school knowing fully well the children will learn very little, as the school results showed!
The 2020 corona virus pandemic has disrupted education the world over, including Zimbabwe. Whilst the rest of the world has made a concerted effort to make sure students made up for lost time, our attempts to do the same have largely come to naught.
As soon as the schools and colleges reopened leaners found there were no teachers. The teachers went on strike; taking up from where they left off before the corona virus shut down. They are demanding a living wage and not the US$50 or so per month when the PDL is pegged at US$650.
This government is squandering $1.7 billion (US$ 17 million); the same again in 2022 and ten times that, at least, in 2023; preparing for the 2023 elections. This is just a criminal waste of money; we already know the elections will be rigged!
I would rather government pay the teachers a living wage than waste the money on yet another mockery elections.
Tinashe Sambiri|The writing is on the wall for Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa and his cronies following the formation of a government in exile.
The government in exile comprises concerned Zimbabweans in the diaspora.
According to information gathered by ZimEye.com, the government in exile will set up offices in the United Kingdom.
It is understood the government in exile will confront Mr Mnangagwa over gross violation of human resources, looting of State Resources and flagrant disregard of Constitutional principles.
Tinashe Sambiri|A school head is on the run after killing a villager over a heated political argument in Mwenezi on Saturday morning.
Although details are still sketchy, sources told ZimEye.com, the head of Batanai Khomanani school stabbed the said villager five times and vanished.
“The school head arrived at a place local villagers were drinking beer.There was a political argument and the school head interjected.
The villager, who is one of the known parents of children at Batanai Khomanani School urged the school head to stay out of Zanu PF politics as he was a civil servant.
This angered the school head who produced a knife and stabbed the parent five times before running away,” said a source.
Sources say the school head is a Zanu PF activist.
By Harare Residents Trust| An 80-year-old citizen, Mary Usher and living with blindness, has had some serious challenges. Tenants have taken advantage of her advanced age and refused to pay rentals.
Through the help of the Cranborne Residents Committee, two of the tenants have been successfully ejected from her house, but one stubborn tenant remains. All legal processes were taken, and now the Messenger of Court has demanded US$340 or ZW$20 584 in order to execute the eviction of the remaining tenant.
Her only daughter is in Cape Town, SA and cannot come at this time due to COVID-19. Mbuya Usher largely survives on rentals paid by her tenants, if she is lucky to have paying tenants.
It is most unfortunate that we have people who exploit the elderly to live off her without paying anything for staying in her house.
Our expectation is that senior citizens of Mbuya Usher’s age should be assisted without making them pay huge amounts of money in order to execute justice. The residents’ leadership are therefore knocking on the doors of government offices to request them to waive the requirement to pay the Messenger of Court in order to execute a court order to evict a troublesome tenant.
For further details please get in touch with Frank Dembetembe, 0772335904 (Chairman), Wilson Namusi, 0773773525 (Secretary) and VaMatore, 0718 075 172, a member of the Committee. Their Committee wants justice for their senior citizens. They are urging young couples out there not to be irresponsible when staying at elderly people’s homes. What is your take on stubborn tenants who refuse to pay their monthly rentals, and leave when they are given notice to vacate someone’s property? They want free accommodation.
By A Correspondent| Daring thieves allegedly pounced on Mvurwi police station and stole mobile phones through windows.
This happened at three separate houses in the police camp.
According to police officers who spoke to Bulawayo24.com the thieves stole and went away unnoticed.
“Three senior cops’ houses were visited by thieves who used the same modus operandi to steal charging phones through windows and went away unnoticed,” said the police officers close to Investigations.
Meanwhile, the station’s canteen was recently robbed of its bond notes at night.
WITH her departure at the age of 103 her family feels like they have lost their shelter and cornerstone.
Gogo Maida Moyo a mother of four, grandmother of 35, great grandmother of 54 and great great grandmother of 25 died on November 23 due to old age and shall always be remembered for her great works. She was buried at her rural home in Siganda area in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province.
She was born on June 23, 1917.
Her family says her departure has left a huge gap in the family as she was a mother figure to all.
Her grandson Mr Thembalami Mpofu who stayed with her till the time of her death said Gogo Moyo was a woman of integrity whose principles were deeply rooted in the word of the Lord. He said she always emphasised the importance of self-discipline and respect for elders.
Mr Mpofu said Gogo Moyo was the glue which kept the family together and she also emphasised the importance of creating and maintaining strong family bonds.
“My grandmother’s death has really left a huge gap in our lives. It was a great pleasure to have someone of her age and level of wisdom live among us. We really felt this warmth and comfort in her presence. Now that she is gone we feel that our shelter that had been protecting us over all these years has been removed.
“My grandmother played a huge parental role in our lives. A number of families under her lineage no longer have mothers and fathers and she had assumed that parental role to many of us. Everyone loved my grandmother because of the kind of woman she was. She always preached the gospel of being disciplined and respect for elders.
She was a devoted Christian and she derived her life principles from the word of God. She constantly reminded us of the importance of walking in the Lord’s ways. She also emphasised that we had to pass these teachings to our children and great grandchildren who would also pass it onto their children,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said he recalls that towards her final days, Gogo Moyo loved singing Christian hymns. He said although she had lost her sight his grandmother never lost her charisma and positive outlook on life.
Mr Mpofu said Gogo’s Moyo’s lengthy life was a true indication that she took good care of her health. He said it was now rare to have someone live up to that age.
He said while her burial was held under strict Covid-19 regulations people from all walks of life turned out in numbers to bid farewell to Gogo Moyo and to celebrate her life.
Her great grandchild, Mr Bethel Noko said there was never a dull moment with Gogo Moyo. He said there were a number of life lessons which he got from his great grandmother which he would always cherish and apply in his life.
“My great grandmother preached the importance of unity within the family. She taught us to value each other always regardless of socio-economic status. In our family we value and cherish family gatherings and visitations as a result of her teachings. Despite her old age we made sure that she attended each and every gathering and it was always a great pleasure to have her around.
“My grand grandmother always emphasised the importance of being content with who you are although she also urged use to aim higher. She always spelt it out that she didn’t envy anyone or anyone’s possessions as she was content with what she had and what she had achieved.
She liked to use the word ‘fethu’ when addressing someone which she derived from the word ‘bafowethu’, which shows that she never viewed anyone as a stranger,” he said.
Mr Noko said he recalls that during her last days his great grandmother loved goodies. He said she enjoyed eating sweets, cakes, chips, yoghurt and other delicious dishes. He said due to her old age Gogo Moyo was experiencing a number of illnesses such as hypertension, constipation and also suffered a mild stroke in July because of the cold weather but doctors always marvelled at how strong she was and her good state of health despite her old age.
Mr Noko said in the greater part of her life Gogo Moyo hardly complained of any ailments as she took very good care of herself and her health.
Gogo Moyo was married to Hloko Moyo who passed away in 1993. She stayed in Siganda area and then moved to Ntabazinduna area in 2011 where she stayed with her daughter.
In 2018 she moved to Cowdray Park suburb, Bulawayo, after her daughter had passed away where she was staying with her grandchildren until the time of her death.
BULAWAYO MDC councillor Arnold Batirai Dube was found guilty of distributing fliers at a polling station during the 2018 general elections in violation of the Electoral Act.
Dube also faced a charge of forging the signature of MDC local government secretary Sesel Zvidzai to present himself as the party’s sole candidate at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC’s) nomination court.
His case has been dragging since 2018 after suffering several false starts. He appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya on Thursday, who found him guilty of the charges. Dube had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In his ruling Tashaya said evidence presented by State witnesses was overwhelming hence retained a verdict of guilty as charged.
The matter was postponed to December 21 for sentencing.
The court heard that Dube intended to mislead ward 24 voters by distributing letters which stated that the incumbent councillor Gedion Mangena had been expelled from the party leaving him as the sole candidate standing for the party.
He faced charges of violating Section 188 (a) (b) as read with Section 137(1)(a) of the criminal Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9:23 Conspiracy to commit a crime of forgery or alternatively Section 136(a)(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Re-form Act) Chapter 9:23 “Fraud”.
The second charge relates to his arrest after he was reported to the police by members of the public who had allegedly seen him distributing fliers near a Salvation Army church polling station situated at Nkulumane suburb of a polling station in violation of Section 147(1) (d) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13.
“…He unlawfully distributed letters which falsely asserted that he was the sole candidate for the MDC Alliance and that there was no one allowed to use the MDC Alliance logo as MDC Candidate and further lied that Mangena was expelled from the party,” the State alleged.
The offence was discovered by alert members of the public who went on to inform ZEC and ZRR Investigations led to the arrest of the accused person as well as the recovery of 80 pamphlets which the accused person had distributed.
By A Correspondent| In a tragic incident that has left the whole community shell-shocked, three Buhera villagers including mother and baby, drowned while attempting to cross a flooded river on Wednesday.
Manicaland police spokesperson inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident to NewsDay yesterday saying the three drowned in Chief Nyashanu’s area.
He said Lucia Dune of Mazakwata village who had her nine year old baby on her back drowned in Murambwe river on December 5 while another villager William Mundwa (47) drowned in the same river the following day.
Kakohwa said Dune was coming from Chisora village on December 5, where she had gone to buy some mango fruits in the company of two male juveniles.
Dune who had a baby strapped on her back attempted to cross the flooded river in the morning and was swept away.
The two other were villagers Dune had called for assistance.
Dune’s body was retrieved the following day while the baby is yet to be found.
“Dune was coming from Chisora village on December 5 where she had gone to buy mango fruits in the company of two male juveniles. Dune, who had a baby strapped on her back, attempted to cross the river but they were swept away. The other two villagers she was with called out for assistance but it was too late as the two had already drowned. Dune’s body was found in the river the next day and the body of the baby is yet to be found,” Kakohwa said.
Kakohwa also said Mundwa drowned while assisting fellow villager’s to cross the river and had just successfully helped one villager to cross when the raging waters swept him off.
Kakohwa urged people to desist from crossing flooded rivers or to play near water bodies.
Battle for Sinoia… Our youth assembly is guarding the provincial party offices in Chinhoyi jealously. The unelectable rebels led by the unelectable slow, tired Khupe-Mwonzora-Komichi & sleepy Mudzuri have planned a violent takeover of our office @MakomboreroH@maDube_@ZimEyepic.twitter.com/gARoJozRR0
Expect demolitions of illegal structures, arrests of illegal vendors, land barons, sand and water poachers, money changers, closure of unregistered businesses and closing of unlicensed shops in Harare. Lawlessness is being clamped on.
By A Correspondent| A 28 year old Harare man yesterday appeared before magistrate Estere Chivasa on allegations of robbing and raping seven women.
The alleged serial rapist, Coaster Kabvuratsiye was not asked to plead when he appeared before Chivasa on 14 counts of rape and robbery.
Prosecutor Panganai Chiutsi told the court that sometime between April 2019 and February 2020, Kabvuratsiye disguised himself as a middleman for jobseekers and would rape the unsuspecting victims.
On all the incidences, he would lie to the victims that he had found a job for them and was taking them to their employer.
Rather, he would lead them to a maize field in Tynwald South in Harare where he would rape them before robbing them of their valuables.
On other incidents, he would rape the victims together with his accomplices who are still at large.
Kabvuratsiye was arrested on February 8, 2020 when the police tracked him using one of the victims’ mobile phone.
He was remanded to December 23, 2020 for trial.-newsday
By A Correspondent- It seems that all is not well within the family of the late comedian and entertainer Lazarus Boora, popularly known as Gringo, who died a few weeks back. The late comedian’s family is reported to be fighting over the property that he left behind.
Gringo died without leaving a will after he succumbed to stomach cancer last month. This has unfortunately resulted in his family members fighting over the property that he left behind.
The “Gringo the Troublemaker” star was survived by a wife and seven children. By the time that he died, Gringo had divorced three other women and was on his fourth marriage.
Gringo’s widow, the wife he was staying with at the time of his death, Netsai Meki revealed that she is being tormented by relatives, who include the comedian’s firstborn son Taurai over the properties.
According to Meki, the relatives are eying the Isuzu KB 250 car which Gringo was using at the time of his death. She also revealed that other relatives are eying the mobile phone which Gringo was using because it has his EcoCash line.
Well-wishers have been showing their support and sending money to the family through the line.
In an emotional interview with The Herald, Meki said:
“To be frank with you, the dispute started the day after my husband died.
“…I had no one to talk to, some of the well-wishers who used to guide and assist us were told to bug off. They said everything should pass through Taurai. I am willing to go the legal route to settle the scores.”
Speaking on her history with Gringo, Meki said:
“I met Gringo in 2006 and by then he had divorced his other wives
“He told me that he divorced his first wife in 2003. He paid lobola to my family in 2007.
“We did not hurriedly have children because I wanted to see if he was loyal and true to his word. By that time he had issues with his other wives, so I wanted him to fix that first.
“We had our firstborn Lazarus Takudzwa in 2012. We had another baby in 2013, but he died. In 2016, we had a baby girl named Tabeth and the last born Tanyaradzwa who was born last year.”
Addressing the issue of Gringo’s vehicles, Meki refuted claims that the comedian had several vehicles.
“So, the other family members think I am after his property. I met Gringo and he had nothing, we struggled together. He bought his own car, a Mazda 626, which he gladly gave to his son Taurai while he was still alive. Now I hear Taurai wants to sell the car because he wants Gringo’s Isuzu KB 250.
“The family members, including Taurai, think Gringo had several cars. The Isuzu KB 250 they want does not belong to him. The car is in his boss’ name. He acquired it at work and had negotiations with his former boss at AB Petroleum, where he worked then, as they could not pay him monthly.
“So, he was given half his salary and was the car to use for hiring services to get his money back…But I am not letting that car go to Taurai because that is what I want to use for his children. They need school fees and food.”
On the issue of the mobile phone, Gringo’s widow said:
“Every day I am just reminded about the mobile phone as they want me to surrender it.
“They always ask how much was in the EcoCash account since that is where most well-wishers were sending some money.
“About the mobile phone in question, he said it should be given to his son Takudzwa Lazarus since he has the same name with him,”
When contacted for comment, Taurai claimed that he was in good books with his stepmother and expressed shock at the allegations raised against him regarding the claims he is making on the inheritance of Gringo’s estate. “I am in good books with my mainini.
“I am shocked she is saying I am demanding a lot and causing havoc in the family. That is all I can say.”
Gringo’s memorial service will be held today, Saturday 12 December and the inheritance issues are expected to be resolved at the event.-statemedia
DEMOLITIONS: Mnangagwa on video literally issuing orders that everything must be killed at Harvest House, so MDC is both blamed and frustrated https://t.co/zQZC3HfWEu
By A Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo have arrested a local man for allegedly beating up and pointing a pistol at his wife following a domestic dispute.
According to court documents, Leonard Ndlovu, whose age was not immediately disclosed, allegedly assaulted his wife, pushed her down a flight of stairs in the couple’s matrimonial home, before pointing the gun at her.
It is alleged that Ndlovu, on November 24, 2020, arrived home at midnight.
He was immediately involved in an argument with his wife, Thabisile.
The State claims that Ndlovu took his wife’s cell phones, assaulted her all over her body with a broom, locked all house doors and pointed a gun threatening to kill her.
“Ndlovu arrived home and took Thabisile’s cell phones and when she asked why he was acting in such a manner, Ndlovu assaulted her using a sweeping broom all over the body and also pushed her down the staircase,” the state alleges.
“He locked all the house doors and pointed a pistol, threatening to kill her. Thabisile made a police report and was referred to hospital for medical attention.”
Ndlovu is expected to appear in court on the 13th of January next year facing domestic violence charges.
The incident comes at a time the country and the rest of the world are commemorating 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) chief correspondent Reuben Barwe has been elected unopposed as secretary for information and publicity in the Zanu-PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections for Makoni district.
The veteran broadcaster is one of the many practicing professionals who took part in the ruling party elections that were marred by reports of rigging and ballot stuffing.
Barwe, 67, joined ZBC in 1987 as a junior reporter and rose through the ranks to become the main man at the state-owned broadcaster.
Barwe was among six journalists once placed on travel sanctions by the European Union for aiding and abetting human rights abuses, but the sanctions were later lifted.
The others were the late Judith Makwanya and Happison Muchechetere (ZBC) and Zimbabwe Newspapers journalists Pikirayi Deketeke, Caesar Zvayi and Munyaradzi Huni.
Muchechetere has since left ZBC and is now the chief executive officer of the newly-licenced Dzimbabwe TV, while Huni and Zvayi are also no longer with Zimpapers.
The Zanu-PF district elections also saw active civil servants participating in the poll.
Acting ZBC CEO Helliate Rushwaya and the ZBC’s head of news Alson Mfiri both declined to comment.
Barwe told ZimLive he does not want to comment and terminated the call abruptly.
The ZBC is accused of Zanu-PF bias, and Barwe’s foray into politics will sharpen criticism of the monopoly state broadcaster.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said it was an “absolute joke” that a ZBC reporter can hold a political party office and keep his job.
“This violates s61(4)(b) of the Constitution which requires Zanu BC (sic) to be impartial. The political capture of state media must stop,” Mahere commented on Twitter. Victory … Reuben Barwe is the new Zanu-PF district secretary for information in Makoni
Harare magistrate Milton Serima faces disciplinary action by the Judicial Service Commission for standing for election in Mt Darwin.
In Gweru, prosecutor Namatirai Chipere was forced to resign after she ran for legal affairs secretary in the DCCs.
The constitution prohibits judges and prosecutors from participating in partisan political activities.
Zanu-PF held the DCC elections last weekend as part of restructuring ahead of the 2023 general elections.
By A Correspondent- The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement, Dr Anxious Masuka has said the government is creating opportunities for graduates but it would be to them to utilise or ignore those opportunities.
He made the remarks in response to a solo protest by an unemployed agriculture graduate Dickson Kubvakacha the founder and chairperson of the Coalition of Agricultural Graduates of Zimbabwe (COAGZ).
A picture of Kubvakacha selling sweets on a crowded dusty street in Mbare went viral on social media platforms prompting Masuka to comment dismissing the demonstration as a disappointing attention-seeking gesture.
He said:
I want to think that this is a joke and that the comrade in question (Kubvakacha) will immediately remove his social media page.
Last year, I personally addressed COAGZ and Kubvakacha was present where I outlined the procedure for one to apply for land.
The minister said the government provides graduates with opportunities to be taken up by those willing to do so.
I also highlighted numerous opportunities that any agricultural graduate has in the agricultural space.
It cannot, then, be the Zimbabwean government’s responsibility to spoon-feed the individual.
We create opportunities, and it is up to the individual to take advantage of those opportunities or not.
This is extremely disappointing, to say the least.
This comes as thousands of graduates which local universities churn out every year are unemployed at the work of company closures and absence of support or capital to start own income-generating initiatives.
The government has often urged graduates to be innovative adding that not every graduate will have to be employed.
Scores of graduates are unemployed while some are underemployed (the International Labor Organisation says everyone employed to do what he/she is overqualified to do in underemployed) or are in the informal sector trying everything to bring food to the table.
The Zimbabwean economy has been on the downward trend for over to decades now and there is no prospect for recovery.-newsday
Tinashe Sambiri|A school head is on the run after killing a villager over a heated political argument in Mwenezi on Saturday morning.
Although details are still sketchy, sources told ZimEye.com, the head of Batanai Khomanani school stabbed the said villager five times and vanished.
“The school head arrived at a place local villagers were drinking beer.There was a political argument and the school head interjected.
The villager, who is one of the known parents of children at Batanai Khomanani School urged the school head to stay out of Zanu PF politics as he was a civil servant.
This angered the school head who produced a knife and stabbed the parent five times before running away,” said a source.
Sources say the school head is a Zanu PF activist.
A Parliamentary committee wants a disaster management system in place to deal with the sort of accidents that have hit small-scale miners and claimed several lives in recent weeks.
Presenting the 2021 budget analysis report to the National Assembly this week, chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development Cde Edmond Mkaratigwa said the 2021 National Budget did not provide funding for disaster management.
“The committee notes with concern the rising cases of accidents in the mining sector,” he said. “The situation is worsened by the absence of a disaster management system by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development that reacts to disasters; the current disaster management structure only covers formal miners and excludes the small-scale miners who are largely informal. This is despite the fact that they are currently mining about 50 percent of the country’s gold.
“The 2021 budget did not provide any allocation towards the mining sector disaster management.”
In September, five miners were trapped when a shaft collapsed at Task Mine Syndicate in Chegutu with two bodies eventually retrieved last month.
The bodies of at least 10 other miners remain unrecovered in another shaft at Ran Mine in Bindura, with one volunteer dying during recovery operations.
Efforts to retrieve bodies have been halted due to the exceptionally high risks, especially with the recent rains, couple with no chance of rescuing anyone alive.
Cde Mkaratigwa said the committee noted with concern the failure by Treasury to release funds for the capacitation of small-scale miners.
“The Committee noted that in the 2020 budget, Treasury allocated $64 million towards the capacitation of the small-scale miners through the mining industry loan fund,” he said.
“However, it is disappointing to note that in 2020, Treasury did not disburse any funding for this budget item. To make matters worse, the 2021 budget allocated only $274 million towards capitalisation of the Mining Industry Loan Fund against a ministry’s bid of $556 million.
“The amount allocated represents a funding gap of 50,7 percent. The small-scale and artisanal mining sector has of late become one of the pillars of the economy of Zimbabwe, contributing significantly to national exports and, therefore, should be adequately supported to enable them to transform from being informal to formal enterprises.”
The committee was concerned over the leak of minerals in the mining sector and raised concern over the failure by Treasury to adequately provide funds to buy vehicles for monitoring and evaluation. Budget for the acquisition of the motor vehicles was $174 million against a requirement of $350 million. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was allocated $1,399 billion in the budget against a bid of $4 billion.
Cde Mkaratigwa said such underfunding will negatively affect the surveillance activities of the ministry.
“There is need, for example, for Government to continuously monitor production output levels and operational issues at mining sites instead of relying on information from the mining companies,” he said.
“Depending on mining companies to declare production figures is not sustainable and this could lead to distorted information on production levels.”
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was allocated $1,399 billion in the budget against a bid of $4 billion.
Top Government officials yesterday received awards for their contribution to the development of the nation in the eighth edition of the Zimbabwe Business Awards (ZBA).
The awards, run by the Zimbabwe Business Awards Council, are a celebration of excellence, inspiration and success that recognise business people and leaders across industry and commerce.
The awards were held under the theme: “Young people and Women, a reflection of the new business normal while embracing a corrupt free economy and practising good corporate governance”.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi received a special tribute award, named the Zimbabwe National Honorary Business and Community Leadership Excellence Award of the Decade.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Minister Monica Mutsvangwa received the Zimbabwe National Women’s Media Gender, Business and Communication Leadership Excellence Award, while Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri received the Zimbabwe Top Business Leadership Excellence for Peace, Humanity and Community Development of the Year Award.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri commended Mr Enrico Maverick for organising the awards.
“I am humbly honoured to receive the award.
“I owe it all to my dear comrades that I struggled with through a very odious journey which started at the humble age of 16 in Mozambique when women fought side-by-side with men,” she said.
She paid tribute to those who suffered during the liberation struggle to liberate the nation.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri praised President Mnangagwa for coming up with legislation to liberate and empower women economically.
Minister Mutsvangwa dedicated her award to women and young people who were working hard to feed their families and contributing towards the well-being of the nation.
“Today, I am proud to be standing among giants who have walked this path before me and who have shown with their achievements that there is no limit to what women and young people can accomplish if they believe in themselves.
“Allow me to humbly thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, President Dr E.D Mnangagwa for believing in women and giving us an opportunity to share in the leadership of the country as a sizeable number hold portfolios in his Cabinet.”
She urged young women and girls to pursue their dreams despite their backgrounds and said they would make it if they persevered.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa receives her award from Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri while her husband Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa looks on at the Zimbabwe Business Awards ceremony in Harare last night. — Pictures: Kudakwashe Hunda
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister Muchinguri Kashiri, VP Mohadi said the theme was particularly relevant when Zimbabwe was courting both foreign and local investors for business in the country under the theme that Zimbabwe is Open to Business.
“Indeed, a culture of good corporate governance and zero tolerance to corruption in both private and public sectors is crucial for sustainable economic development.
“As Government we have shown commitment through the ongoing initiatives to improve the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe by modernising our laws and aligning them so as to call upon the private sector to complement Government efforts in the fight against corruption and poor corporate governance. We all have collective responsibility to promote the Zimbabwe brand and make the country a safe destination for investment.
“As Government, we have legislated anti-corruption laws in Zimbabwe and established an anti-corruption commission which is testimony of the commitment to fight the vice.”
Some of the people who received awards include Dr Solomon Guramatunhu, musician Gemma Griffiths and several companies including the RBZ and Zimbabwe defence University.
After suffering a humiliating defeat yestrdy for the Chinhoyi Mayoral seat, the unelectable Khupe-Mwonzora-Komichi rebels have this morning pitched up at our Chinhoyi offices to "take them" We are ever ready for the BATTLE OF SINOIA. more to follow @MakomboreroH@maDube_@ZimEye
A group of residents from Masvingo under the Masvingo Residents Forum on Friday did the unthinkable and dumped a bucket full of human waste at the council offices as a protest over failure by their council in managing the city’s sewage system.
The protesters, numbering about 20 demanded an explanation on why the city’s main sewer line upgrade has not been completed despite the project being initiated a decade ago.
The project has so far gobbled millions of dollars in scarce foreign currency since inception.
As a result of the unfinished project, sewer bursts have become the order of the day in the city’s residential areas.
The local authority is also accused of takeing days to attend to the complaints, with residents made to put up with raw sewage flowing freely in their homes.
Brighton Ramusi who led the group said;
“We are asking for accountability, for proof that it is indeed not misuse of funds and resources that has gotten us to the extremely bad situation that we find ourselves in as a city.
“There is growing belief that council management is misusing funds and resources resulting in the worsening of poor service delivery.
“This is not a fight against council; it’s an ask for what it is due only,” Ramusi said.
Two of the Forum’s members, Tamutswa Chikonyora and Margaret Chidhimba got arrested after handing a petition to the city fathers.
Below is a picture of Morgan Komichi Addressing precisely five people in what according to sources was meant to have been a campaign rally in Mbudzi.
Komichi wants to be elected as MDC-T President and subsequently contest the national presidential elections against the likes of people’s favourite Nelson Chamisa and ZANU PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa who have been amassing millions of votes.
Critics have questioned why such politicians shouldn’t just fizzle away and stop confusing the electorate.
The $1,744 billion allocated in the 2021 National Budget by Treasury to allow the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to conduct the delimitation exercise ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections, has been describe as grossly inadequate.
However, legislators have called for more budgetary support for the exercise, which requires about $8,6 billion.
The concerns were raised by Parliament’s portfolio committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs while presenting its post-Budget analysis in the National Assembly on Thursday.
It was noted that Parliament passed the Census and Statistics Act so that there will be an early population census, allowing a new delimitation of constituencies by ZEC before the 2023 harmonised elections.
The Act brings the census forward from 2022 to before July next year, to give ZEC time to delimit all 210 constituency boundaries for the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections using up-to-date census data as required by the Constitution.
ZEC will delimitate the 210 constituency seats for 2023 polls in a manner that reflects the present population distribution premised on latest census data.
The committee, represented by Musikavanhu legislator, Joshua Murire (Zanu PF), said there was need for more budgetary support for ZEC to conduct delimitation to complete the exercise within the envisaged period.
“The current appropriation of $1,744 billion is as good as seed money for the delimitation exercise that needs to be undertaken. The Government has tabled the amendment of the Census and Statistics Act so that the next census is conducted by 31 July 2022, and every ten years thereafter,” said Murire.
“This has been necessitated by the need for ZEC to carry out and conclude delimitation six months before the 2023 elections, as stipulated by law. Thus, $8,6 billion is required for the delimitation exercise to go ahead smoothly.
“ZEC has made a clarion call to the effect that if $8,6 billion is availed, they will be able to meet all their expenditure requirements.”
It was noted that in terms of the new economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1, ZEC should contribute towards sector outcomes that include enhanced service delivery, enhanced transparency and accountability, improved social cohesion and improved human rights.
“Guided by these sector outcomes, the Commission’s strategies/interventions for 2021-2023 are; delimitation preliminaries which include polling area standardisation, stakeholder consultative planning meetings, trainings, and pilot geo-coding, conduct of by-elections, purchase or construct office buildings and warehouses in all provinces and continue with stakeholder engagement,” noted the committee.
It was noted that ZEC submitted a bid of $12,4 billion and Treasury allocated $2,3 billion, leaving a negative variance of 81 percent.
“The funding requirements of ZEC are a function of the electoral cycle and will vary hugely between election and non-election. As 2023 approaches, the need for the adequate financing of ZEC is beyond any reasonable doubt. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission highlighted key concerns, in particular, those aspects that make administration of elections feasible,” said the committee.
A dispute is likely to ensue between Phakalane Estate and the family of the late Zimbabwean socialite and businessman, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure, over a million pula property at Phakalane Golf Estate in Gaborone, The Botswana Gazette has established.
Sources say Phakalane Estate has approached the Master of the High Court to seek advice on an undeveloped plot that Ginimbi purchased a few years ago. It is understood that the contract included building covenants, which are restrictive legal tools that govern use of property and prohibit certain uses.
Phakalane Estate’s building covenants bind property buyers to develop their properties within two years of purchase. Failure to do so triggers certain charges and the property reverting to the land owner if the charges are not met. Although the actual purchase date of Ginimbi’s plot is unclear, the plot is not developed but the two-year period is said to have elapsed.
Upon being approached, management of Phakalane Estate said they were not at liberty to comment and directed this publication to a person appointed to administer Ginimbi’s estate by the Master of the High Court in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, The Botswana Gazette is made to understand that Phakalane Estate has experienced difficulties trying to reach Ginimbi’s family, hence the company’s decision to seek advice from the High Court. Reports from Zimbabwe say Ginimbi died intestate and so there is no registered will to determine how his estate is to be distributed.
Brighton Pabwe of Venturas and Samukange, who were Ginimbi’s long time legal representatives, told Zimbabwean media last month: “We are not aware of any will that was prepared by the late Kadungure. That document does not exist.” Ginimbi was the owner of Pioneer Gases, a company with offices in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Phakalane mansion
Regarding foreign reports that Ginimbi owned a multi-million pula mansion at Phakalane Golf Estate, authoritative sources say the mansion belongs to close friend of Ginimbi’s and fellow Zimbabwean businessman, Victor Jireme, who is a Prohibited Immigrant in Botswana but still owns several businesses and properties in the country.
By A Correspondent| Emmerson Mnangagwa has reprimanded the newly established Newshawks after they tweeted that he used the Tonga language during his visit to Victoria Falls.
Newshawks accused Mnangagwa of not using two official languages which is shona and ndebele.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaking in a different language – which is not Shona or Ndebele, the two main indigenous mediums of communication – during his Victoria Falls freedom of the city event. Mnangagwa grew up in Zambia and speaks Zambian languages as well,” tweeted Newshawks.
But Mnangagwa responded saying he was clearly using Tonga, an official language in Zimbabwe.
“I’m speaking Tonga – an official language of Zimbabwe and commonly spoken in Vic Falls. We should all be proud of the diversity of Zimbabwe’s languages.
Veteran musician and promoter Clive Malunga yesterday challenged the government to run institutions based on non-partisanship after his Jenaguru Arts Centre built 25 years ago in the capital was on Thursday demolished by Harare City Council.
In an interview, Malunga said the government has to put mechanisms that protect the arts industry.
“We are not in Gaza or Palestine where Israelites destroy people’s things and we are not at war with each other. So, the government should make sure these institutions are not run based on partisanship where people look at where you come from or who you support. There is unfairness in all this,” he said.
“Zimbabwe unlike other countries has vast land and if they wanted to give someone that land they should have just given them another piece rather than destroying our centre. The government should put in place mechanisms that protect the arts industry and if we had that in place we would not have these mishaps.”
But acting council spokesperson Innocent Ruwende claimed Malunga had encroached onto private land.
“The only issue here is that he (Malunga) encroached on land which is meant for other things that is why the buildings were demolished. It doesn’t matter if he has letters, but if he doesn’t have the offer letter it means the land is not his,” he said.
Malunga, however, vowed to stay put at the centre, although it will no longer accommodate students. “We still have the arts centre, but it is now small to cater for all the students, like we have traditional dance groups that we have been teaching from various parts of the country and now we are unable to help them achieve their goals because we now have a small place,” he said.
“People in power should make sure institutions are fair because the blame will always go to the ruling party Zanu PF and MDC (but) the forums should not be used at national entities. Anyone who wants to do this should go and do it at their parties. People should not label others or me as a sell-out because I am not a sell-out.”
Malunga said the centre was demolished without giving him an opportunity for negotiations.
“I have a letter which I wrote to the city council pleading with them to develop it so that I start my Jenaguru project. It’s now 25 years since its inception in 1995,” he said.
“I have written them letters and applied to buy the land, but they just placed me on a waiting list, in which I was ready to follow all normal procedures to acquire the place, but they told me at first that the place was meant for a technical college and to my surprise they are saying someone has bought it.”
Malunga said he had explored several avenues that include travelling abroad to source funds in order to develop the centre, adding that he had high hopes that the place will go a long way in uplifting untapped talent.
“The place has been playing a crucial role in ensuring that people realise their talents, while at the same time we were sending people to other countries to pursue their dreams,” he said.
“Notwithstanding all that they just sent me three letters demanding that I vacate that place and it means all dreams have been shuttered.”
In a letter in our possession dated January 10, 1997, Malunga applied to the council’s Valuation and Estates Division for additional land to build an open air theatre citing that their 1 800 square meters was not able to accommodate the arts centre structure and an open air theatre.
“We are applying for an additional land of about 2000 square meters to build an Open Air Theatre adjacent to the arts centre structure. This idea has been brought about by a donor who has pledged $200 000 for the construction of the Theatre, where performances will start before completion of the arts centre’s auditorium,” read part of the letter.
The Sport, Recreation and Culture ministry on January 14 1997 wrote to the Harare City Council, supporting the Jenaguru’s application for land.
“In response to your memo, the ministry to indicate their support for a larger portion of land in light of the magnitude of the Jenaguru project and the finance anticipated, I write to endorse the enlargement of land as by the leaders. It is true an open air theatre will further enhance the cultural activities of the centre and by so doing it will widen the participation of many more artistes and audiences. We, therefore, recommend that the Harare City Council considers this application for additional land more favourably,” a letter signed by ministry deputy secretary for culture one MD Nkiwane read.
In a case that has left a Nyanga family at sixes and sevens, it is alleged that the avenging spirit of a businessman who was robbed and murdered by his five neighbours 36 years ago is demanding five virgins and 75 beasts as appeasement.
lt is said Costa Kafikira’s spirit is accusing his then neighbours in Tombo Village under Chief Saunyama — Willard Sakupwanya, Charles Fombe, Tsakadzai Mautsi, Tambuzwa Matseketsa and a Benyu of poisoning his alcohol, robbing and murdering him before dumping his body near Gairezi River.
Four of the alleged murderers are now late, save for Fombe.
Kafikira’s family says they stand guided by the laws of the land and will not accept human beings as appeasement for his loss of life.
They, however, will accept the 75 beasts.
Said Kafikira’s nephew, Paul Dzinduwa, in an interview with The Weekender: “The spirit is demanding a virgin and 15 beasts from each of the perpetrators’ families, thereby making it five girls and 75 beasts. We, however, stand guided by the laws of the land when it comes to compensation or appeasement of avenging spirits. We know that the appeasement of avenging spirits with girls, women or any human being was outlawed. All we pray for is justice to prevail so that our uncle rests in peace. We need justice.”
It is said the avenging spirit is manifesting on Matseketsa’s daughter-in-law — Riona — who now dresses and speaks like the late Kafikira.
All this was revealed when the Matseketsa family recently approached the Kafikiras to chart the way forward.
Riona was clad in a pair or grey trousers, a red shirt and a tie. Kafikira’s relatives said the outfit resembles the clothes that Kafikira was last seen wearing.
“When my uncle left home the day he was last seen, he was dressed in the clothes Riona came wearing,” said Dzinduwa.
Kafikira was murdered in 1984 and his remains were discovered by herd boys three years later near Gairezi River.
His family identified him by his metal identity card and the family heirloom belt that was found near his skeleton.
“We searched for him for years and could not find him. What hurts most is that the killers were part of the search team back then. They would mislead us knowing very well where they had dumped my uncle’s remains,” said Dzinduwa.
The Matseketsas claimed that their family members are dying in unclear circumstances, while some are battling for their lives.
A Nyanga traditional healer, Sekuru Shingirai Mukotsanjera, advised them to appease Kafikira’s avenging spirit.
“Four family members have already died and the avenging spirit keeps telling us that more woes will befall the family. It is said my late father was one of Kafikira’s assailants and we cannot deny or accept the claim since he is now late. But if it is true, we are wallowing in poverty because of my father’s transgression.
“We need to appease the avenging spirit and be at peace with the Kafikiras,” narrated the late Matseketsa’s son, only identified as Matseketsa.
Kafirika’s eldest son, Nicholas Kafikira, said he was deprived of his father’s love and care by the killers as his father was murdered while he was still in his youth.
The matter is yet to be brought before Chief Saunyama’s court.
Kafikira said his family will take the matter to the chief’s court when the remaining four families approach them.-Manica Post
NGEZI Platinum Stars midfielder Denver Mukamba has been drafted into the provisional Warriors squad after he dazzled for the Mhondoro team in a practice match against the national team yesterday.
The former Warriors captain, who appears to be born-again from his truant behaviour, had been omitted from coach Zdravko Logarusic’s squad that was named last week.
But he has been given the chance to prove his mettle in the team which will be heading to the Chan finals in Cameroon next month.
Logarusic confirmed he had drafted the 2012 Soccer Star of the Year in the team after he saw “some moves” which showed he has the potential.
The Croat tactician said there was still room for some players who had been omitted from the initial team to come and fill the slots created because FC Platinum players cannot join camp at the moment.
“I have decided to include Denver (Mukamba) in the provisional squad. It’s not because he impressed me, no, but he has some moves which are decent and it’s now up to him to convince me that he can play,” said Logarusic.
“Another reason is that we have called some players from FC Platinum but I have decided that they stay with FC Platinum so that they continue training as a club in their bid to find a way past Simba in the second (CAF Champions League) preliminary round coming in the next few weeks.
“FC Platinum are representing Zimbabwe and we should all rally behind them and on my part I decided that the players I have called in the national team stay with the team and train together under coach Norman (Mapeza).
“If FC Platinum do well, it’s Zimbabwean football which will be in good repute so for the time being I know FC Platinum have a big chance to win their matches against Simba and I have decided that all the players I have called in the national team from that club remain with the club.
“That has created some slots in the squad and if I feel someone has potential then I will draft them in the team until those slots are filled up.
“At the end of the day, it’s about potential and it’s up to every player to prove their worth.
“We will play several clubs in the country in practice matches and if there are players who show potential then I will draft them in the team and let them prove themselves.”
The Warriors play CAPS United today and Loga said if there are any players who show their potential, he will as well draft them in the provisional team.
The Warriors started their camp early this week as they begin preparing for the Chan finals.
There was no Premiership football played in the country this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and ZIFA have decided to allow Loga some time with the squad.
The team will briefly adjourn camp during the Christmas Holidays and is expected to regroup before New Year.
Loga will trim the squad to 23 before the team travel to Cameroon for the Chan jamboree, exclusively reserved for players playing in their respective leagues, that run between January 16 and February 7, 2021.
Zimbabwe are in Group A together with hosts Cameroon who they play first on January 16 as well as Burkina Faso and Mali.
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi has sensationally claimed women should use menstrual blood as love charm to tame their husbands.
Makomichi’s remarks have sparked widespread criticism with church leaders and women’s groups accusing the controversial cleric of using “muti” to hoodwink his followers.
Makomichi shocked all and sundry when he ordered women to use their menstrual blood “to charm their husbands.”
The outspoken preacher has been under fire for “distributing” love charm to the late Mitchelle Moana Amuli.
Writing his Facebook page called “Sir Isaac Makomichi Love Potions” the preacher claimed: “Ropa rekumazuva evakadzi can be used semupfuhwira,munhu waunodanana naye unomuisira mumvura yekugeza,kuti adzikame uye kufumura mupfuhwira yaakadyiswa nevamwe vakadzi.
But inini handikurudzire munhu kuti azviite.Asi kana anyanyonetsa murume ndibate titaure.”
Sources say Makomichi demanded half of Marry Mubaiwa’s wealth to reunite her with Constantino Chiwenga in less than 24hrs.
A man identified as Nobert said Makomichi must leave Masvingo as he was destroying marriages.
“This man is an agent of the devil. He wants our women to charm us so that they can control us. He must delete his page or else we will beat him up…
Asked for a comment, Makomichi said he was determined to stop men from abandoning their respected familes.
NEWS REVIEW: CHIWENGA TO BRING COVID VACCINE FROM CHINA | WILL MNANGAGWA ESCAPE THIS TIME? | GUILTY BUDIRIRO LAND BARON FREED WITHOUT GOING TO TRIAL | ALL EYES ON NICK MANGWANA OVER THE BUDIRIRO DEMOLITIONS |
By Harare Residents Trust| An 80-year-old citizen, Mary Usher and living with blindness, has had some serious challenges. Tenants have taken advantage of her advanced age and refused to pay rentals. Through the help of the Cranborne Residents Committee, two of the tenants have been successfully ejected from her house, but one stubborn tenant remains. All legal processes were taken, and now the Messenger of Court has demanded US$340 or ZW$20 584 in order to execute the eviction of the remaining tenant. Her only daughter is in Cape Town, SA and cannot come at this time due to COVID-19. Mbuya Usher largely survives on rentals paid by her tenants, if she is lucky to have paying tenants.
It is most unfortunate that we have people who exploit the elderly to live off her without paying anything for staying in her house.
Our expectation is that senior citizens of Mbuya Usher’s age should be assisted without making them pay huge amounts of money in order to execute justice. The residents’ leadership are therefore knocking on the doors of government offices to request them to waive the requirement to pay the Messenger of Court in order to execute a court order to evict a troublesome tenant.
For further details please get in touch with Frank Dembetembe, 0772335904 (Chairman), Wilson Namusi, 0773773525 (Secretary) and VaMatore, 0718 075 172, a member of the Committee. Their Committee wants justice for their senior citizens. They are urging young couples out there not to be irresponsible when staying at elderly people’s homes. What is your take on stubborn tenants who refuse to pay their monthly rentals, and leave when they are given notice to vacate someone’s property? They want free accommodation.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joel Biggie Matiza, has through Statutory Instrument 296 of 2020 reviewed Vehicle Registration and Licensing regulations. Reads the SI:
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development has, in terms of section 52 of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act [Chapter 13:14], made the following
regulations:—
These regulations may be cited as the Vehicle Registration and Licensing (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 21).
The Third Schedule to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing, 1999, published in Statutory Instrument 427 of 1999, as amended by Vehicle Registration and Licensing (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 (No. 19), published in Statutory Instrument 171 of 2019, is repealed and substituted by the following—
Change of Ownership for Motor Vehicle (Buying new plates) 5 800,00 Change of Ownership for Motor vehicle (Retaining existing plates) 1 500,00. Change of Ownership for motorcycle/trailer (Buying new plates) 6 000,00. Change of Ownership for motorcycle/trailer (Retaining existing plates) 1 500,00. Replacement cost for Lost PSV Motor Vehicle Number Plate 6 000,00 Replacement of lost Motor Vehicle Number Plate 6 000,00. Replacement of lost PSV Trailer/Motor 5 300,00. Duplicate Third Plate 1 750,00 Garage Plate 4 800,00 Garage Licence (50% to be remitted to government) 6 000,00 Temporary Identity Cards (T.I.C) 2 500,00 Abnormal Load Plate (AVR) 5 000,00 Change of address for motor vehicle is ordinarily kept at night 300,00 Change of vehicle particulars 300,00 Cancellation of registration 300,00 Advice of sale of motor vehicle 300,00 Authorisation of Change of Ownership 4 000,00 Duplicate Registration Book 750,00 Search fees 415,00 Vehicle licensing booklet 4 000,00”.
Interviewer – Good afternoon our viewers in Zimbabwe and around the world. We bring you this slide where we speak to one of the vendors who was arrested together with the late Hilton Tamangani to narrate what really transpired on the day when they were arrested.
Interviewee: I am (inaudible)… two years old. Inini ndinoita zvekutengesa nekuchinja mari pacorner Kwame Nkrumah naAngwa pane QV Phamarcy. It happened like that eeh musiwe Saturday, which is the 12th of October, we were doing our business as usual eeh inini nemamwe mayoungsters andinoita sei vandinoshanda navo. It’s like a full truck yema (inaudible) … yakabva ne-road yekuna eeh na Angwa. I think sevanhu vanenge vachingotengesa ndobva taita sei tatanga kutiza. Patange takutiza eeh ndobvataona another bigger truck inenge aya anonzi mangongongo aya, inenge ine about 60 or so, ndirikungofembera because I am not very sure … bva taona kuti panapa … tatoita sei tatokombwa. Tenge tisina option yekutiza napo because mapurisa vakazara ne the other side. Saka the only nzvimbo yatakagona kutiza napo ndeye basement because usually … panouya mapurisa mazhinji tinopinda chii-basement. And mu-basement imomo havaiti sei havasotiwana. Little did we know kuti panemunhu anenge atotengesa kuti tinopinda chii mu-basement. Then tadaro paya paya tahwanda mu basement muya muya matinopinda aaah vasvika muyamuya bvavatanga kurova ma-teargas. Unongoziva basement panhu pakavharika nemateargas vamwe varimunemamwe marooms vachingokosora …. Police [vakati] “you guys marova mapurisa … about three”. Tarova mapurisa? Zvaitikira kupi izvozvo? Ndekupi kwatarova mapurisa? And that day we were celebrating birthday raHilton, 29, so musi iwowo. And it is a well known fact kuti isusu tiri ma-supporters echii? eMDC. Saka patinenge tichiita zvinhu zvedu topfeka chii regalia. Saka that regalia I think ndochakanyanya kuattracta chii … vakazobata iye Hilton neumwe mupfanha anonzi David Tekere aaaah vakavabata paye paye haaa pakarohwa munhu. Inini ndakange ndakahwanda muneimwe room ndakange ndine other three guys but ndaingonzwa kuchema kwaiita munhu akuita sei, arikurohwa. Akarohwa! Almost 30minutes, uchinzwa munhu achiita sei, achirohwa! Ende whilst achirohwa paya paya paneroom yakabatwa vanaHilton yanga ine ma-helmets e-police anga akawanda … munhu wese. But ma-helmets aya manje, they belonged kune umwe mukomana aripa-building iyoyo. Akange amatenga ku-auction, that is 2016, for recycling unoziva … that is the reason yaakaita sei, yaakapa. Saka ivo vakenge vakuti ‘muriku organiser kupandukira hurumende. Already you have ma-helmets aya’ nechii ndoo most reason yavanyanya kuita sei kutirova zvakanyanya. [Then] vabata varova vana Hilton paya paya vazoita intensify their search vachibvavazo batawo vamwe munema rooms metenge tisiri. The first thing yavaita vasati vatanga kukurova vaitanga kusearcha votora mari. Some other guys lost about USD400, ini I lost about ini hangu ndange ndisina mari yakawanda ndenge ndine USD66, R254, ZWL $720 ma-bond but vamwe vapfanha vandanga ndinavo vange vanemari dzakaita sei dzange dzakawanda. Haa vatitora payapaya ndobva vatipfugamisa mumukoto aah bvavatanga kutirova zvakare nemambhoma. Ndopandakazonyanyanya kukwara because truck yavakatirongedza yaiva diki apa tanga takarongedzwa apa ne weight yake he was a big guy. Apa wese aiuya aitanga arova iye because ndiye aiwa pamusoro and he was crying like ‘vakomana mandiuraya. Mhosva yandaita ndeyei ko kani? Munondiurayira kuchinja mari here? Inga mari yacho matora wani? What else do you want from me guys? I am already dead. Musana wangu waita sei? Watyoka!’ Because kunezvimwe zvimambhoma zve-police zviye zvakamira zvakadai unoziva zvavanobata vakadai? Vachitenderedza vachirova pa-spinal. Saka I believe kuti akatyoka spinal ….
From there tasvika ku-Central vakatirova zvakare zvakasimba including mashefu anga akapfeka hat dze black hanzi ‘hee moita basa rekurova police, muchiti munotonga nyika inoyi. Nyika ino inevaridzi vayo,’ and some stuff kusvika vaneta ‘mofunga munotora nyika ino’. Ndopavakazotiisa muma cells next day. On sunday ndopavakatiitisa ma interviews paye vachida kuti pavhurwe case vakashaya kuti vovhura case ipi kusvika vazoita settle for assault. Saka vakambotanga vati eeeh we are suspecting you ne murder nekuti panemupurisa akambotsikwa nemota nekuti tawana helmet yechii yemupurisa uya iri pama helmets ange awanikwa paya paya. But the truth is helmet iyoyo vakatora umwe mpfanha anonzi zvikanzi Kevy come here, come here tora helmet iripapo undikandire vakati titambidze helmet iyo ndikati ‘mpfanha iwewe ukuisa ma fingerprints pa helmet yemunhu akafa’. From there vakomana vangavakakuvara vakachema vakasvika so we demanded medical attention and that was on Sunday denied medical till ma lawyers edu auya akasiya apa order akauya akati tipihwe medical attention but still we were denied. Then ava manheru eSunday vakauya zvakare vakatitora hanzi ‘takuenda kuchipatara’. Vakatiendesa paCentral paye paunosvika uchireporter ndobva taiswa pasi pema-tables pakatora two hours. Then after dzakuma 12 one kuHarare Hospital? Ivo vaiti hanzi tirikuenda vakutiendesa asi havana vakati ‘these guys are dangerous. So we can’t take them vasina ma leg irons’ saka ‘so we can not take them vasina chii they are trained’ whatever zvavaitaura hanzi ‘vanozotikanganisa kuti tivaendese saka ngavadzokere’.
That was on Sunday, then Monday, that is when we went to court, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday taingoenda ku-court taibva ku court that was around 7 taizosvika kuHarare Central Prison kuma 7pm. Wednesday, Thursday, eeh musi weFriday ndopatisina kuenda ku police pandakaona mukomana … azvimba muviri wese manje, azvimba body yese kubva kutsoka kusvika uku right side yake yese iyi yakange yaoma that was Thursday night because pane pamwe paakarohwa nebhodhoro range raka cracker.
I: Bhodhoro?
Interviewee: … bhodhoro! Kugoti uku musoro wake wawaclotta blood, zvekuti kana asimudze gumbo tatakuita wekujegera. Saka umwe prison officer akazonyatsoona akati ‘haa mpfanha akakwara uyu hazvichaite’ and then they had to negotiate his way kuti aende chii anoona ma nurses but fortunately takawana ma nurses anonzwisisa akamugadza pa wheelchair achitoti ‘akomana hameno mangwana toonana here nezvandiri kunzwa ini. Haa ndiri pa-tight’. Maziso ake aive eye red ndikamupa two… Wakubuda waitaura naye akakutarisa so you could see kuti hapasisina hupenyu. … That was on Friday makuseni bvaaswera aripo pachipatara chepajeri Harare Central Prison. Then the next morning sad news ndopatakanzi mumwe wenyu akashaya. And vamwe vese vaiva vakatyoka they were denied medical attention. Only ini ndakatozorapwa musi watapuhwa bail that was on Monday. Ndopandakazoenda kunoiswa plaster nekuonekwa ma internal injuries nekuti vakuti ndine ropa raka clotter mukati. Saka ndikupihwa mapiritsi ekuti akline. That’s the horror we went through. That was hectic especially mapurisa acho awe akawanda haa pakarohwa vanhu about 60 of them. Initially we were 12. Another one wechi 12 wacho is a lawyer ndakangomuona akamira pa gate akarohwa zvakasimba. Ndakanganwa zita rake but ndoziva kumuona. Pakazouya vanhu veku law firm kwavo manheru emusiwe Saturday that’s when they released him. And then the other one wechi 13 anonzi Tawanda akatokwanisa kutiza ku escaper akatsemuka musoro and ruoko but akakwanisa kuescaper akaenda.
TRANSLATION
Interviewer – Good afternoon our viewers in Zimbabwe and around the world. We bring you this slide where we speak to one of the vendors who was arrested together with the late Hilton Tamangani to narrate what really transpired on the day when they were arrested.
I sell goods and trade in forex at the corner of Kwame Nkrumah and Angwa Street where you have the QV Pharmacy. It so happened that on Saturday, 12th of October, while some youngsters, in actual fact my business colleagues, and I were going about our business as usual.
It’s like a full truck came from the direction of Angwa Street to which we, as as vendors usually do, began to flee. While running we saw another bigger police truck with about 60 or so I guess. We realised we had been surrounded. We had no escape route because police sealed the other side and usually when police raid in large numbers we hide in the basement. There police have always failed to find us except that this time around someone had sold out our hideout.
So while in the basement hideout, police got in there and started throwing teargas. As you know, the basement is an enclosed place and with the teargas people in other rooms kept coughing. … the police [said] ‘you guys beat up police officers … about three’. We assaulted police officers? Where on earth did that happen? Where did we assault police officers? And that day, we were celebrating Hilton’s birthday – that was his 29th. And it is a well known fact that we are MDC supporters. So when we go about our business we wear our party regalia. So it is that regalia which I think drew the attention … they caught Hilton and another guy called David Tekere aaaah they caught them and severely beat them. I was hiding in another room with three other guys but I heard from his cries that he was being beaten. He was beaten! For almost 30minutes, the cries reported a sustained beating! And whilst he was being beaten there is a room where Hilton and his colleagues were caught, which had many police helmets … everybody. But now these helmets, belonged to another guy who is based at the same building. This guy had bought the helmets at an auction, that is 2016, for recycling you know … that is the reason he gave. So the cops were now saying ‘you are organising a uprising against the government. Already you have these helmets’ and that is the prime pretext they used to beat us so badly. [Then] they caught and beat up Hilton and his colleagues, intensified their search and caught others who were hiding in other rooms that we had not been in. The first thing they did before beating you up is to search and seize money. Some other guys lost about USD400, I lost about (as someone without lots of money) I had USD66, R254, ZWL $720 (bond) but other guys I was with had huge amounts of money. So they took us and made us kneel in the alley then they started to beat us up again with button sticks and would start by beating him [Hilton] up. That is when I got severely injured because the truck they piled us in was small yet with his weight he was a big guy. All who came started by beating him up because he was at the top of the stack and he cried saying ‘guys you have killed me. What crime have I really committed? You kill me for dealing in forex? Yet you have taken all my money? What else do you want from me guys? I am already dead. What has become of my spine? It’s broken!’ Because there is a type of button stick used by police, the one that is like this, which they hold like this and spin as they hit the spine. So I believe that he broke his spine ….
From there when we arrived at Central [Police Station] they and their black-hat police chefs severely beat us again and taunted us saying ‘hee you make it your job to beat up police officers, and brag that you will rule this country. This country has its owners,’ they taunted us until they were tired and continued to say ‘you think you will win this country?’ Then they put us in the cells the next day. On Sunday they conducted interviews with a view to filing a criminal case against us, and kept fumbling until they settled for an assault charge. So at first they said ‘we are suspecting you committed murder’ because there is a case of a police officer who was run over by a car and so they said that ‘we have found the helmet of the deceased policemen amongst the other helmets that had been discovered earlier on’. But the truth is that in the case of the helmet-murder case they took one guy called Kevy and trapped him saying ‘come here, come here, take that helmet over there and throw it to me’. They said ‘give us that helmet’ before I weighed in saying “my boy you are putting your fingerprints on the helmet of the deceased.’ From there the guys who were injured cried on arrival and so we demanded medical attention and that was on Sunday when our lawyers left behind an order that we get medical attention but still we were denied. Then on Sunday evening they [police] came and took us again and said ‘we are going to the hospital’. They took us to Central, there where complainants stand when they report their cases then we were put under the tables for two hours. Then at or about 12 noon to 1 p.m. Harare Hospital? They told us that they were taking us to hospital but they did not save to say ‘these guys are dangerous. So we can’t take them without leg irons’ therefore ‘so we can not take them because they are trained’ whatever they were saying they added ‘they will create trouble for us if we take them so they must go back’.
That was on Sunday, then Monday, that is when we went to court, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday we kept going to court and would leave court around 7 p.m. and would arrive at Harare Central Prison at or about 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Thursday and eeh on Friday were the days we did not go to the police whereupon I saw Hilton really swollen all over from the toes to his right side which was now badly affected and stiff … that was Thursday night because he had also earlier on been assaulted using a cracked bottle.
Interviewer: bottle?
Interviewee: … bottle! Besides a blood clot to the head, we had to support him when he tried to lift up his leg. So one prison officer who clearly saw what was happening remarked ‘haa this young man is injured we can’t ignore this anymore’ and then they had to negotiate his way so that he is attended to by the nurses but fortunately we got served by very understanding nurses who put him on a wheelchair while he remarked ‘guys with the way I am feeling I do not know if we will see each other tomorrow. I am in pain’. His eyes were red and I gave him two … as you exited the clinic you spoke to him and once he looked at you you could see that there was no more life in him. … That was on Friday morning and so he spent the whole day at Harare Central Prison clinic. Then the next morning sad news we were told that your mate had died. And the other inmates who had broken limbs were denied medical attention. Save for me, I was treated on the Monday we were granted bail. That is when I went to get a plaster and got checked for internal injuries because they said I have blood that clotted right inside me. So I am being given pills to clean the clot. That’s the horror we went through. That was hectic especially considering that there were many policemen about 60 of them who severely beat up the people. Initially we were 12. The 12th guy, a lawyer I saw standing at the gate, was also severely beaten up. I have forgotten his name but can recognise him when I see him. People from his law firm came on Saturday evening and that’s when they released him. And then the thirteenth guy is called Tawanda who actually managed to escape despite an injury to the head and hand.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is seeking medical attention in China, is expected to meet Chinese authorities and pharmaceutical companies during his stay there in a bid to secure a Sino Covid-19 vaccine and medical supplies.
As of yesterday, Zimbabwe had 11 007 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 9 147 recoveries and 304 deaths. Over 1.5 million people have died of Covid-19 globally.
Government has urged people to continue exercising caution and comply with Covid-19 protective and preventative guidelines, protocols and measures as well as other restrictions in order to arrest the surge in the pandemic cases.
Chiwenga is also in China for medical treatment. He is undergoing a medical review by doctors who performed two delicate operations on him to clear part of his oesophagus in July last year.
The Vice-President’s oesophagus, a muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach, was blocked amid suspicion he could have been poisoned by his political enemies.
Owing to the blockage, Chiwenga was unable to eat, resulting in him becoming emaciated due to illness and lack of food. However, when he returned late last year he looked healthy and fit.
“The Vice-President is certainly in China for check-up, but he is okay. Obviously after a medical procedure of this delicate nature it is important to monitor the patient through regular check-ups. That’s why he is in China,” a senior government official said.
Another official said Chiwenga, who doubles as minister of Health and Child Care, is also lobbying Chinese companies and government officials for the Covid-19 vaccine and medical supplies as well as sundries to help boost the health sector in Zimbabwe.
“There will also be talks around Zimbabwe accessing China’s Covid-19 vaccine, but to do that Zimbabwe must first register,” the Health ministry official said.
Chinese authorities have pledged to support Zimbabwe with regards to acquiring their Covid-19 vaccines.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has registered the Chinese vaccine by state-owned pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm.
The UAE said a Chinese coronavirus vaccine tested in the emirates has 86% efficacy, in a statement that provided few details, but marked the first public release of information on the performance of the shot.
The UAE beginning in September conducted a trial of the Sinopharm vaccine involving 31 000 volunteers from 125 nations. Volunteers aged between 18 and 60 years old received two doses of the vaccine over 28 days.
The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for emergency use in a few countries and the company is still conducting late-stage clinical trials in 10 countries. Morocco is gearing up for an ambitious Covid-19 vaccination programme, aiming to vaccinate 80% of its adults in an operation starting this month that is relying initially on the Sinopharm vaccine.
Sinopharm says its shot relies on a tested technology, using a killed virus to deliver the vaccine, similar to how polio vaccines are made. Leading Western competitors, such as the shot made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, use newer, but less-proven technology to target the coronavirus’s spike protein using RNA.
Russia also has its own vaccine. There are several vaccines being developed in China, some of which are already being administered.
According to the researchers, the Sinovac Biotech vaccine led to a quick immune response during trials with around 700 people.
With the pandemic reported to be almost entirely under control within China, late-stage trials of the four Chinese vaccines are being conducted in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Indonesia and Brazil.
By Jane Mlambo| Investigative journalist Hopewell has saved the leading daily newspaper, The Newsday after its Twitter account with more than 500 000 followers was reported for suspicious activities and subsequently restricted.
Chin’ono who has gained international recognition as a leading voice against corruption and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe used his influence to beg Twitter to reconsider its decision on Newsday’s account as well as another belonging to one Yvonne Maphosa.
“Last night I wrote to @twitter regarding the suspension of twitter accounts of critical voices in Zimbabwe of @TamukaKagoro77, @NewsDayZimbabwe & @Mamoxn
“I would like to thank Twitter for quickly responding & reactivating these accounts,” said Chin’ono.
Twitter wrote back to Chin’ono telling him that they had reactivated the accounts.
He was also given the greenlight to flag any impacted accounts in future, something that will come as a blow to the people who had begun a campaign to report all pro-democratic voices for restriction.
In the past, the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services as well as Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana had countless problems with Twitter after their accounts were restricted due to claims that they were responsible for spreading fake news.
The man who accurately predicted his own death, and who for years running, would fly his private jet into Harare, spoke out in a sermon saying: “…the world cannot heal itself, but whatever you can avoid you can never change, so you must become the answer to your own prayer. Stop asking God to send someone to heal your country.
“Do you know how long people have been praying for their governments and their countries are still collapsing?
“You cannot expect righteousness from an unrighteous person. I mean that is so simple but it went right all over your head. You know the person is a demon, you say, ‘help us Lord, I pray for my Government.’
“How can you pray for a demon to be good? The Bible does say, when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice, not when the demon who you pray to be righteous is in power, pray to be righteous, no. He says, when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice.
“The same verse, says, when the wicked rule, the people groan, I wonder how many countries are groaning, the poor, the oppressed, the widows, the children, the young people, are groaning, people losing their houses, and their sanity, losing their jobs and their business, and losing their health and cant even get medical attention because they ai’nt got no money, they are groaning.
“He says that’s because the wicked are in power.”
Zimbabweans in diaspora have sat down to set up a government in exile, and a building has so far been secured in London.
The group behind this initiative represents the citizens who number a whopping 7 million: 5 million in South Africa, 600,000 in UK, and the rest in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Why this has been done? – One of the conveners tells ZimEye, “These people have said they will not allow a criminal, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa to control their destiny.
“They are not under the man’s tiny territory of terror, and of these 7 million, 85% will never return to Zimbabwe for the next quarter of a century, and 60% will be buried outside Zimbabwe, so why should this group allow itself to be subjected to abuses every day?”
They then emphasise- ” we have run businesses that are doing well, we have started NGOs, and even churches that are thriving – what stops us running a simple institution called a government? And do we need an army? Not at all, all we need is us, following examples of previous exilegovernments that were successful in changing their people’s lives such as Poland in the 1940s, and others.”
Another convener, Mr Stanford Biti, speaking on ZimEye says of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s new Patriotic Act law, “there’s an legal government in Zimbabwe, which is forcing people to be patriotic, which is impossible you cannot force a person who is in exile… you cannot force someone who fled Zimbabwe because of your persecution to be patriotic; It’s impossible”
There's an legal government in Zim, which is forcing people to be patriotic, which is impossible you cannot force a person who is in exile… you cannot force someone who fled Zimbabwe because of your persecution to be patriotic. It's impossible.- @BitiStanford@Chiefsvosve1pic.twitter.com/rUbRAcXh5v
The last 80 years has several examples, Poland is one of them – it was run by an exile govt which paved way for freedom in the 1940s, and in our time, we have seen the likes of the Libyan Council running the country from the diaspora in 2011, even striking international deals on behalf of the nation’s masses, parallel to an ongoing dictatorship. JOIN THE PROGRAM TONIGHT AS WE INTERVIEW THE CONVENERS.
All eyes are on government spokesman Nick Mangwana after the mastermind of the BUDIRIRO 4 house demolishing and leader of Tembwe Housing Cooperative Caleb Kadye, himself a bigwig in the ruling Zanu PF party, who was arrested on Tuesday has been set free without trial.
Expect demolitions of illegal structures, arrests of illegal vendors, land barons, sand and water poachers, money changers, closure of unregistered businesses and closing of unlicensed shops in Harare. Lawlessness is being clamped on.
Mangwana is notorious for knowing well in advance the demolishings 3 weeks before. On the 13th November 2020, he publicly announced that some properties would be destroyed, while not disclosing the location.
“Police officers arrested Kadye, the chairperson of Tembwe Housing Cooperative, on December 8, 2020,” read a police statement on Tuesday.
“Kadye, together with two other members of the housing cooperative, Frank Sithole and Talent Machaba, were charged with malicious damage to property,” the statement added.
It is alleged that the trio resisted the execution of a judgement by the Harare City Council and the Sheriff of the High Court to demolish hundreds of houses under the Tembwe Housing Cooperative in Budiriro. The trio allegedly pelted a police truck with stones and damaged the windscreen.
Darlington Marange of Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum appeared before the courts on behalf of the trio. Darlington Marange insisted that the trio be released as they had been unlawfully over detained at Budiriro Police Station.
Meanwhile the Forum has since established that the Harare City Council demolished houses belonging to the Tembwe Housing Cooperative members on the basis of a court order which targeted a different housing cooperative. As a result, at least 140 houses were destroyed exposing children, the elderly and people with disabilities to the elements.
By Tarisai Chirigo| A suspected pedophile in Mvurwi is troubling the farming town as his dirty deeds are going unpunished ,Zim Eye reports.
The alleged pedophile (name supplied) is son to a late Zanu PF Mashonaland Central stawart and is said to have over the last few years been abusing young girls with a string of cases having been reported to the police but is still walking scot free.
This publication spoke to a number of community leaders in Mvurwi who expressed dismay at how the law enforcement agencies seem to be protecting the young man who is well-known for flaunting wealth to lure the poor teenagers.
“As a mother it is painful that I have seen the young man getting away with obvious cases of sexual abuses of minors with some of the victims later giving conflicted statements leaving the magistrate with no option but to acquit the guy.
“Obviously he should be bribing the law enforcement agents,” narrated one woman who requested anonymity. Another resident who confided to this publication,said it is apparent that the pedophile could be exposing the young women to infections because of his penchant for drugs.
“The guy is always sloshed and meaning he is likely to be careless and could be exposing these young girls to STIs ,”he said.
However , what is apparent in that town is that the suspected pedophile is feared by many residents and efforts to get the name of the suspect hit a brick wall despite that he has an ill record of bedding minors.
“Hmmm I won’t divulge the name ,what I told you that his father was a former Zanu PF Mashonaland Central chair is suffice I don’t want to get in trouble ‘anopisa munhu wacho’, said the source after being asked to reveal the identity.
Recentlly, delegates at the commemoration of 16 days of activism against GBV held in the town, accused the police of taking bribes from the pedophile to which its representatives responded by denying vehemently only promising to look into the cases again .
Henrietta Rushwaya will spend another weekend in remand prison after the High Court reserved ruling on her appeal for bail pending trial on charges of attempting to smuggle gold to Dubai after four gold bars weighing 6kg were found in her hand luggage.
DO YOU HONESTLY THINK RUSHWAYA IS IN JAIL RIGHT NOW?
Justice Benjaimin Chikowere reserved judgment indefinitely to study the submissions presented by the State and the defence lawyers in the appeal by Rushwaya and co-accused Steven Tserayi against the remand court’s decision to deny them bail.
“After hearing submissions by counsel for all the accused, I need sufficient time to consider the matter. Therefore, judgment is reserved,” said Justice Chikowero.
Arguing for State, Mr Austin Muzivi urged the court to dismiss the appeal by Rushwaya and Tserayi, saying it was unfounded and lacked merit. He maintained that the remand court had accepted that there was connivance and all the suspects acted as a syndicate.
“The court had to rule in favour of one side. And that side was the State’s side,” he said. Mr Muzivi also argued that Rushwaya’s licence did not allow her to possess gold from Fidelity Printers, the designated State buyer of all gold.
“She must take the gold to Fidelity instead. Judging by the purity of 99 percent it is clear the gold was coming from Fidelity,” said Mr Muzivi, urging the court not to interfere with the lower court’s ruling, which he argued was proper under the circumstances.
In response, Rushwaya’s lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero insisted that the court grossly misdirected itself by its failure to apply the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
“It was a gross misdirection by the court to give differential treatment to the accused persons without giving proper reasons for such,” he said. “The concession by the State that she has a valid permit to possess gold is evidence of a weak State case in the charge of possession.”
Mr Admire Rubaya, who is acting for Tserayi, also argued along his written submissions seeking to convince the court to allow the appeal.
Rushwaya was preparing to board a plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in October, when she was arrested after she was taken through the VIP route by some of her co-accused and was caught with the gold in her hand luggage during a search. She has maintained that she was carrying the wrong bag.
Since then, she has been in custody battling to get bail. After being denied bail at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, Rushwaya appealed to the High Court.
Rushwaya is being jointly charged with a Pakistani national Ali Mohammed, who is out of custody on $100 000 bail. Tserayi and his colleague Raphios Mufandauya, and one of Rushwaya’s subordinates at the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation, Gift Karanda, are also facing the same charges.
All, except Mohammed, were denied bail in the remand court. -Herald
Henrietta Rushwaya will spend another weekend in remand prison after the High Court reserved ruling on her appeal for bail pending trial on charges of attempting to smuggle gold to Dubai after four gold bars weighing 6kg were found in her hand luggage.
DO YOU HONESTLY THINK RUSHWAYA IS IN JAIL RIGHT NOW?
Justice Benjaimin Chikowere reserved judgment indefinitely to study the submissions presented by the State and the defence lawyers in the appeal by Rushwaya and co-accused Steven Tserayi against the remand court’s decision to deny them bail.
“After hearing submissions by counsel for all the accused, I need sufficient time to consider the matter. Therefore, judgment is reserved,” said Justice Chikowero.
Arguing for State, Mr Austin Muzivi urged the court to dismiss the appeal by Rushwaya and Tserayi, saying it was unfounded and lacked merit. He maintained that the remand court had accepted that there was connivance and all the suspects acted as a syndicate.
“The court had to rule in favour of one side. And that side was the State’s side,” he said. Mr Muzivi also argued that Rushwaya’s licence did not allow her to possess gold from Fidelity Printers, the designated State buyer of all gold.
“She must take the gold to Fidelity instead. Judging by the purity of 99 percent it is clear the gold was coming from Fidelity,” said Mr Muzivi, urging the court not to interfere with the lower court’s ruling, which he argued was proper under the circumstances.
In response, Rushwaya’s lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero insisted that the court grossly misdirected itself by its failure to apply the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
“It was a gross misdirection by the court to give differential treatment to the accused persons without giving proper reasons for such,” he said. “The concession by the State that she has a valid permit to possess gold is evidence of a weak State case in the charge of possession.”
Mr Admire Rubaya, who is acting for Tserayi, also argued along his written submissions seeking to convince the court to allow the appeal.
Rushwaya was preparing to board a plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in October, when she was arrested after she was taken through the VIP route by some of her co-accused and was caught with the gold in her hand luggage during a search. She has maintained that she was carrying the wrong bag.
Since then, she has been in custody battling to get bail. After being denied bail at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, Rushwaya appealed to the High Court.
Rushwaya is being jointly charged with a Pakistani national Ali Mohammed, who is out of custody on $100 000 bail. Tserayi and his colleague Raphios Mufandauya, and one of Rushwaya’s subordinates at the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation, Gift Karanda, are also facing the same charges.
All, except Mohammed, were denied bail in the remand court. -Herald
A 40-year-old man from Mvurwi fatally assaulted his ex-wife’s grandmother (71) with a log after accusing her of bewitching his son and later committed suicide by drowning himself…
A few days after the grandmother, Faveri Faides of Bradjule Farm, died of her injuries, Previous Mereki of Dahwe Farm in Mvurwi tied a 20kg rock around his waist and threw himself into Rhimbic Dam…
Mashonaland police spokesperson Inspector Fidelis Mundembe said that at around 9am on 30 November, Mereki accused Mrs Faides of bewitching his 8-year-old son, Innocent. The boy had fallen unconscious while visiting his grandmother.
Following up, Mereki accused Mrs Faides of bewitching the boy, dragged her into her kitchen, pulled a log from the fireplace and hit her all over the body.
Mrs Faides screamed for help and a neighbour, James Bishop, rushed to assist her. She was already unconscious and was bleeding from the mouth and ears. Mr Bishop informed Mrs Faides’ daughter and the police were informed the next day.
On December 2, Mrs Faides was admitted at Mvuri Hospital, but her condition started to deteriorate.
Mereki himself was arrested on December 3, three days after the assault, and appeared at Guruve Magistrate Court on assault charges.
He was remanded out of custody pending Mrs Faides’ recovery. But she died the next day, on December 4.
Insp Mundembe said Mereki then informed his young brother Cassam Chiposi of Montenis Farm in Mvurwi that he was contemplating suicide. He disappeared and on December 7, his body was discovered by Agrippa Nomatter of Bradjule Farm.
Nomatter first saw a jacket and a bicycle pump on the shores of the dam and saw the body floating in water.
ZRP Mvurwi attended the scene and retrieved the body. No visible injuries were noted, said Insp Mundembe and the 20kg stone was tied to Mereki’s waist. -Herald
Five people have been arrested after being found with a Toyota Hilux single cab believed to have been stolen in South Africa.
The suspects, who are assisting police with investigations, were intercepted along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road last week after the vehicle had run out of fuel.
Lock runs out on 5 “criminals”
Police discovered that the vehicle had been stolen in South Africa and smuggled into the country without documentation.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) has been engaged national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi saying: “We are investigating a case in which a white
Toyota Hilux single cab was stolen in South Africa on December 3, 2020 and driven to Zimbabwe. “Police managed to arrest five suspects at Mazunga area, 255km along Bulawayo- Beitbridge Road, after the vehicle had run out of fuel. Investigations are in progress.”
This is not the first time that vehicles have been stolen in South Africa and smuggled into the country.
South Africa’s organised crime busting unit, the Hawks, recently arrested nine people, including five police officers and one immigration officer at Beitbridge Border Post, on charges of corruption, fraud and smuggling of stolen vehicles from that country into Zimbabwe during a crime intelligence driven operation code named “Mirror”.
The group had been put under surveillance for two years. Over 40 people were also arrested in 12 months while smuggling stolen vehicles into Zimbabwe from South Africa through illegal crossing points along the Limpopo River.
Smuggling of vehicles between Zimbabwe and South Africa’s border is rife, amid reports that most of the cars would be destined for Tanzania and Malawi. Some of the vehicles also find their way on to the local market. -Herald
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the heartless demolition of citizens’ homes in Budiriro, Harare is a reflection of the destructive nature of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Speaking after visiting the victims of the demolitions on Thursday, President Chamisa described the Zanu PF government’s carefree attitude towards the plight of suffering citizens as puzzling and unacceptable.
“We have just witnessed the worst form of violation of human rights.
Children have been left in the open despite the heavy rains.
This is totally unacceptable.This is a clear reflection of the Zanu PF administration’s destructive nature.
We view the demolition citizens’ homes as a heartless act.There should be mechanisms in place to ensure the safety of the affected families.
In actual fact you do not pull down buildings before looking at the consequences,” said President Chamisa.
According to Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume efforts are being made to seek donations to help the affected families.
“There are plans to set up temporary structures for the affected families.We are therefore appealing for donations to help the victims.We are also looking at long term solutions to their predicament,” said Mayor Mafume.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the heartless demolition of citizens’ homes in Budiriro, Harare is a reflection of the destructive nature of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Speaking after visiting the victims of the demolitions on Thursday, President Chamisa described the Zanu PF government’s carefree attitude towards the plight of suffering citizens as puzzling and unacceptable.
“We have just witnessed the worst form of violation of human rights.
Children have been left in the open despite the heavy rains.
This is totally unacceptable.This is a clear reflection of the Zanu PF administration’s destructive nature.
We view the demolition citizens’ homes as a heartless act.There should be mechanisms in place to ensure the safety of the affected families.
In actual fact you do not pull down buildings before looking at the consequences,” said President Chamisa.
According to Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume efforts are being made to seek donations to help the affected families.
“There are plans to set up temporary structures for the affected families.We are therefore appealing for donations to help the victims.We are also looking at long term solutions to their predicament,” said Mayor Mafume.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly will this weekend take the #One Million Campaign to Mashonaland West Province.
The One Million Youth Voices Rally will be held at Mamina Growth, Mhondoro Ngezi Constituency, on Sunday.
The #One Million Campaign seeks to magnify the MDC Alliance’s support base in the rural areas.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma told ZimEye.com on Friday, the party was determined to fortify its support base in both rural and urban areas.
“We are raring to go and we are ready for the big event,” said Chuma.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Namibia has said Local Government Minister July Moyo is solely responsible for the demolition of citizens’ homes in Budiriro, Harare.
See full statement below:
10 DECEMBER 2020
MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT JULY MOYO IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEARTLESS DEMOLITIONS OF HARARE HOUSES, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA ECHOES.
Mdc Alliance Namibia condemns the heartless demolitions being presided by clueless Zanupf regime through the central government without finding an alternative shelter for the people in this rainy season.
These actions against the citizenry are ill-timed, evil and diabolic.
We want to make it clear that our Mayors and Councillors are completely against this satanic act meant to blackmail our diligent local government officials.
This has been barely proven by the incarceration of our Mayors in the likes of former His Worship Harare Mayor , Herbert Gomba and the incumbent Jacob Mafume on spurious charges while the archibishops of corruption are walking. These Zanupf shenanigans are concocted to create a false impression that the national democratic revolutionaries are the ones of who are corrupt.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is convinced that this is a Zanupf ploy to decampaign our local government prospective candidates in the by-elections and the impending 2023 harmonised elections since they realised the potential of the political behemoth’s (Mdc Alliance) grip on local councils.
This is the highest level insanity and political ineptitude of a rogue regime which has dismally failed to put the economy on a sounder footing. We are cognisant of their sadist efforts to politically assassinate the impressive reputation of our Mayors and Councillors.
Social democrats in Namibia demand the restoration of the executive powers of mayors in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans must blame the central government because our local council is centrally controlled by the Local government Minister, July Moyo and his cronies who act under strict Zanupf directives.
We are strongly against this centralisation of power by the central government. We demand devolution of power as stipulated in the 2013 national constitution of Zimbabwe.
Moreover, we reemphasize that the right to decent shelter is a provision enshrined in the supreme law of the country. Desperate Zanupf government must respect the sanctity of life of their fellow Countrymen.
How can they expose innocent citizens to these horrific conditions in a catastrophic rainy season ? We want to seriously conscientise town and city dwellers to strategize a way out of this madness. Lets demand justice to the victims of these diabolic demolitions. Zimbabwe is not a Zanupf private property, it belongs to us all. It’s now imperative to all social democrats across the globe to resist this Zanupf gross misgovernance and moronic behaviour.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has criticised the government for making nurses apologise for the industrial action they embarked on over poor salaries and working conditions.
ZINA president, Enock Dongo issued a statement saying the government violated both Zimbabwean and intentional laws to satisfy their interests. He said:
As ZINA we have been left dismayed by the attitude shown by the government of Zimbabwe towards nurses. The attitude is not only in contempt of court but it is also grossly unjust, with the conduct being to coerce nurses into submission to unlawful directives.
It is an undeniable fact that the Zimbabwe Nurses Association took government to court twice in the last month. On both occasions, the High Court ruled that nurses were correct and were entitled as a matter of right to continue with the flexible working hour system. Both judgments are a matter of public record under case numbers HC6507/20 and HC7099/20. Having seen that the courts have declared them wrong, it has now become evidently clear that the government sees itself as if it is above the law. This is the only conclusion to be derived from the actions of a government that ignores two clear court orders.
This happened at Harare hospital on Monday the 7th of November 2020 and currently, nurses at United Bulawayo Hospital are being asked to write apology letters. All this is being done because government can simply ignore a court order if it wants.
State media on their part, instead of reporting the true outcome of the court cases, have been referring to nurses as “defiant” whilst calling ZINA “misleading”.
All this has no factual or legal basis and amounts to misleading the nation on the true state of affairs regards the dispute between nurses and government. What they omit to state is that before taking government to court and even after both judgments came out, we have written to government to meet so that we can resolve this issue amicably but on all occassions we have not even received the courtesy of a response.
Dongo said the government should be the one apologising to the nurses for acting in a manner which the court said was incorrect.
He added that the employer should pay nurses their salaries as ordered by the court “rather than put its own conditions on things.” – Health Times
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi has sensationally claimed women should use menstrual blood as love charm to tame their husbands.
Makomichi’s remarks have sparked widespread criticism with church leaders and women’s groups accusing the controversial cleric of using “muti” to hoodwink his followers.
Makomichi shocked all and sundry when he ordered women to use their menstrual blood “to charm their husbands.”
The outspoken preacher has been under fire for “distributing” love charm to the late Mitchelle Moana Amuli.
Writing his Facebook page called “Sir Isaac Makomichi Love Potions” the preacher claimed: “Ropa rekumazuva evakadzi can be used semupfuhwira,munhu waunodanana naye unomuisira mumvura yekugeza,kuti adzikame uye kufumura mupfuhwira yaakadyiswa nevamwe vakadzi.
But inini handikurudzire munhu kuti azviite.Asi kana anyanyonetsa murume ndibate titaure.”
Sources say Makomichi demanded half of Marry Mubaiwa’s wealth to reunite her with Constantino Chiwenga in less than 24hrs.
A man identified as Nobert said Makomichi must leave Masvingo as he was destroying marriages.
“This man is an agent of the devil. He wants our women to charm us so that they can control us. He must delete his page or else we will beat him up…
Asked for a comment, Makomichi said he was determined to stop men from abandoning their respected familes.
A TEENAGE girl who was doing Form Four at Magwegwe High School committed suicide by taking poison after her mother rebuked her for playing with boys fearing that she would fall pregnant.
A family member who spoke to B-Metro on condition of anonymity as she was not cleared to talk to the media said Penny Mlauzi got worried after she observed unbecoming behaviour from her daughter Nokuzola Lakisha Mkhwananzi (17).
The source went on to say Mlauzi scolded her warning her to stop indulging in sex.
“She got worried after seeing Lakisha playing with different boys in the area.
As a responsible parent she had to step in, strongly warning her to stop playing with boys and indulging in sex as that would result in her falling pregnant. She told her to concentrate on her school work,” said the source.
But it seems the teenage girl did not take kindly to wise counsel from her mother. The source went on to say on 2 December at around 5 am Mlauzi who, is an airtime vendor, left for her vending business.
“She left her with the housemaid aged 19 and went to sell her airtime at Magwegwe terminus. Later on at around 8 am their maid went to bath and left Nokuzola alone. She went to her bedroom where it is believed she gulped 100ml of insecticide. An empty bottle of the insecticide was found in her wardrobe,” said the source.
The maid, the source said, found her lying on the floor frothing from the mouth and unable to speak. She informed a neighbour who called an ambulance but she breathed her last in her hands.
“While she was still conducting first aid on her she breathed her last and the ambulance crew pronounced her dead upon arrival,” said the source.
Her mother reported the matter to the police.
A source close to investigations said the late Nokuzola’s friend revealed that Nokuzola had fallen pregnant. However, she reportedly did not want her mother to know.
“Her friend said the late had tested pregnant and warned her friends that if they disclosed the pregnancy to anyone or her parents she would commit suicide and on countless occasions she had threatened to commit suicide,” said the source.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed: “We urge youths to refrain from engaging in sex but concentrate on preparing for their future. They should shun friends who don’t share the same vision with them. The road to your destiny begins now,” he said.-B-Metro
A 55-YEAR-OLD Filabusi man went berserk and allegedly axed his wife (34) to death before committing suicide by drinking a pesticide.
Mr Zama Mafu of Sidingimpilo Village under Chief Maduna had a week ago reportedly walked in on his wife, Simelokhuhle Dube, in the couple’s matrimonial bed with one of his neighbours, leading to an altercation.
The couple appeared to have made up, but Mafu allegedly became violent on Tuesday night.
It could not be established if the latest outburst was connected to Dube’s alleged infidelity.
Mafu allegedly viciously axed his wife twice on the head and she is suspected to have died instantly.
Neighbours found her body in a pool of blood in a bush on Wednesday at around 6AM, about 300m from the couple’s homestead.
Neighbours said Mafu could have killed his wife on Tuesday at around 8PM and immediately drank a poisonous dipping chemical.
When police attended the crime scene on Wednesday, they found him home in a critical state and rushed him to Filabusi District Hospital where he died on the same day.
He was not able to explain the motive behind the brutal murder, as he could not speak.
Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena yesterday decried the violent killing and suicide.
She urged members of the public to be civil when handling domestic disputes.
She said people should learn to engage third parties for counselling and advice whenever they face challenges to avoid intimate partner violence.
Inspector Mangena said Dube’s body was discovered by a villager who was walking to his fields.
“We are investigating a murder case where a 55-year-old Filabusi man axed his wife on December 8 about 300 metres from their homestead.
“When the body was discovered, police were notified and attended the scene and found the woman lying in a pool of blood,” said Insp Mangena.
“Police also observed that Simelokhule Dube had two deep cuts on her head and the axe used in committing the crime was recovered next to her body.”
Insp Mangena said police tracked footprints near the body to Mafu’s homestead.
“We managed to arrest him although we learnt that he had already taken poison in an attempt to take his life. He was already critical and was rushed to Filabusi District Hospital where he died,” she added.
Sources close to the family said the couple led a happy and peaceful life until Dube allegedly cheated and was caught red handed with their neighbour.
Family members were engaged to solve the dispute days ago and the couple resolved to forgive each other before the gory killing.
The incident comes after the country joined the world in commemorating 16 days of Activism Against Gender based Violence which ended yesterday.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect.”-Chronicle
Today marks the 72nd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the global roadmap for protecting the social, economic, political and cultural rights of every individual.
2020 has been a difficult year for the world, and for Zimbabwe. The devastating impacts of COVID-19 pandemic have been felt by every country.
That is why the theme for this year is: “Recover Better: Stand Up for Human Rights.
It focuses on the need to build back better by using human rights and the Universal Declaration for Human Rights as the roadmap for the recovery efforts.
Although COVID-19 is a public health issue, the measures designed to halt the spread often have adversely impacted the whole spectrum of human rights – civil, political, economic and social rights.
And very often, it is the people who are already vulnerable that are most affected. The pandemic has also eroded the hard-won achievements on gender equality.
The negative impact of the pandemic range from the heightened risk of gender-based violence; unmet needs for sexual and reproductive health rights to loss of jobs, livelihoods, access to education and increased burden of unpaid care work.
For example, we know that due to school closures, 4.6 million learners in Zimbabwe could not enjoy their right to education. Service delivery has been impacted and many – especially in the informal economy – have found it hard to make ends meet.
The UN has worked with the Government and partners to address not only the immediate public health challenges, but also to support innovative ways to mitigate against the secondary impacts of the pandemic.
Support provided includes access to learning through online and radio lessons, support to delivery of health services, water and sanitation, food, nutrition and psychosocial and protection services.
The UN has also supported partners to ensure access to services for women and girls affected by gender-based violence and for women to access safe market spaces to continue their livelihoods.
The pandemic is a human tragedy, but at the same time it presents us with an opportunity we cannot miss – an opportunity to make human societies more equal as envisioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To build back better and more inclusively.
Efforts to address and recover from the impact of COVID-19 will be sustainable only if they simultaneously address inequalities through advancing universal social protection, including universal health coverage, and protect the environment for current and future generations.
That is why, going forward, as the UN Secretary-General said, people and their rights must be front and centre of the response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUSPENDED Zimbabwe Miners Federation leader Henrietta Rushwaya, locked up for reportedly attempting to smuggle 6kgs of gold out of Zimbabwe, said the magistrate adopted a wrong procedure in denying her bail.
Rushwaya, who has been in custody since October 26 after she was busted at the Robert Mugabe International Airport with the gold in her luggage intending to fly to Dubai, said this in her bail application at the High Court yesterday.
She is jointly charged with Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives Steven Tserayi and Raphios Mufandauya, one Gift Karanda and businessman Ali Mohamad, who has since been released on $100 000 bail. High Court judge Justice Benjamin Chikowero yesterday ordered that Rushwaya and her accomplices’ bail appeal be consolidated before the case proceeds tomorrow.
The matter was deferred after Rushwaya’s lawyer, Tapson Dzvetero, noticed that the record of proceedings that was compiled at the magistrates’ courts was incomplete as it did not have her licence for gold dealing, which is material in the bail appeal.
“In the procedure adopted, the court a quo acted on the wrong principles of law and allowed irrelevant submissions. The court a quo made mistakes and failed to take into account relevant matters,” Dzvetero said.
“Concessions initially made for her release on bail as at October 27 meant that there were no compelling reasons why the appellant had to be denied bail. “It is trite that it is the State’s onus to give compelling reasons, but the State addressed the court and the magistrate did not seek any clarification and the same applied with the defence.”
In the bail appeal, Rushwaya is arguing that Nduna erred by making a finding that she has connections outside Zimbabwe and could flee, without any evidence.
She said Nduna was wrong to assume that she would interfere with witnesses and should not have reopened the bail hearing after initially being advised by the State that her release was not being objected to.
“The learned magistrate a quo misdirected himself in concluding that the applicant has connections outside which might act as an inducement to abscond when no such evidence was placed before the court,” she said.
“The State did not provide evidence that the applicant had connections outside the country that would provide refuge in case she absconded and the onus rested on the State to prove that allegation.”
The government’s decision to ban the sale of cigarettes during the country’s Covid-19 lockdown has been declared unconstitutional.
The Western Cape High Court on Friday ruled that regulation 45 of the Disaster Management Act — under which the cigarette prohibition was put in place — “cannot and does not withstand constitutional scrutiny”.
The court also ruled that the regulation was not necessary, and did not further the objectives of the legislation.
The ruling was in favour of British American Tobacco, and others, in their case against Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the national coronavirus command council.
The court ruled that each party should pay their own costs because the prohibition on the ban had already been lifted, and because the government was dealing with something completely new and, therefore, had to act swiftly even as science and knowledge were developing.
The court heard argument in the case over two days, on August 5 and 6, and judgment was reserved.
“Two weeks after reservation of the judgment, the ban on the sale of tobacco and related products was lifted. The effect of the ban, prima facie, renders the issues raised during the hearing moot, and a verdict incompetent,” the judgment reads.
However, due to a number for factors, the court nonetheless decided that it was “in the interests of justice to determine the merits of the case in spite of mootness”.
These factors included that:
the matter was fully argued over two days: the issues raised are “complex and vitally important, more so in the light of the continued state of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown”; the scientific research into the link between Covid-19 and smoking “is continuing”; the state of disaster has not yet been lifted and there is “a possibility of the infringement complained of in the current matter being repeated in the future”; and the matter is important “not only to the parties before court, but also to the public”. Once it weighed up the arguments, the court found that the respondents — Dlamini-Zuma, Ramaphosa and the national coronavirus command council — “have not shown that regulation 45 reduced or acted to reduce the strain on the health care system”.
“Therefore, the respondents have not shown that regulation 45 was necessary nor that it fulfilled and/or furthered the objectives” of the National Disaster Management Act.
Because of this, the court rules, the regulation was ultra vires, which means essentially that government acted beyond its powers.
VICE-PRESIDENT and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga has agreed to reinstate dozens of ministry directors he unilaterally fired two months ago, making a dramatic U-turn after mounting pressure and the threat of a costly lawsuit, it has emerged.
Chiwenga, who flew to China for medical attention last week despite having, ironically, earlier banned such trips, sent 27 ministry directors on forced leave in October claiming to be undertaking a systemic restructuring exercise.
The exercise became the subject of intense controversy, after it emerged the government was forking out millions of dollars since their suspension in July to simultaneously remunerate both the suspended and acting officials.
The restructuring exercise climaxed when the directors were sent on forced leave to pave way for investigations into the abuse of funds when former Health minister Obadiah Moyo was still at the helm.
Moyo is standing trial on allegations of awarding a company called drax International a Us$60 million tender for the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the fight against Covid-19.
At the same time, seven senior officials at the national drug supplier Natpharm were fired.
Health services Board (HSB) communications manager Tryfine Dzukutu confirmed that some of the directors were already back at work, saying two of them were reinstated last week.
But sources close to the restructuring exercise, which is ostensibly being rolled out to “achieve greater efficiency as envisaged in the National Health Strategy” told the Zimbabwe Independent that the number of recalled staffers was high, as fears of attracting legal action mount. A source in the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the manner in which the restructuring exercise was being done, in particular putting staffers on indefinite paid leave, presented grave legal ramifications, if they are challenged in the courts. The source revealed that the exercise was also gobbling substantial amounts of money.
In the correspondence undersigned by HSB chairperson Paulinas Sikhosana, seen by this newspaper, dated July 10 advising the workers to go on indefinite paid leave, the institution did not give any specific charges or reasons for the move.
In written responses to questions sent by the Independent, Dzukutu said: “The recalled members are two deputy directors recalled from indefinite leave namely (a pharmacy and lab scientist) to facilitate service delivery within the ministry. These two members were recalled on December 2, 2020 in their existing capacities.”
However, Dzukutu could not explain the nature of advice HSB had received from the Attorney General nor the reasons why the officials had been placed on indefinite leave saying it was an “in-house and confidential issue.”
She said the restructuring was merely meant to improve efficiency.
A “new ministry structure”, Dzukutu said, was one of the intended objectives of the ongoing restructuring exercise.
“The new approved ministry structure has not been implemented as yet, so their (reinstated staffers) positions will only be determined after its implementation,” she said.
As reported by this newspaper in October, the staffers sent on paid leave include director and deputy director laboratory services, director and deputy director pharmacy services, director procurement and administration services, deputy director administration and logistics and chief scientist Microbiology Laboratory. The human resources director, deputy human resources director, chief engineer and hospital management services directors were also placed on paid leave.
Operations directors and procurement officers at the country’s central hospitals were also sent on paid leave. In the aftermath of sending the top officials on indefinite leave, the ministry, which is mired in a web of scandals relating to the management of Covid-19 funds, subsequently elevated new staffers to assume those positions in an acting capacity, but enjoying improved perks.
Though investigations by the Independent showed that the restructuring exercise was bleeding the fiscus millions of dollars as the government paid double salaries to the workers placed on indefinite leave and those elevated to act in their position, Dzukutu said the process had transformed the ministry into a transparent structure.
A salary schedule within the ministry seen by this newspaper in October showed that the monthly net salary of a medical director stood at ZW$25 000 (US305) while that of a non-medical director varied between ZW$16 000 (US$195) and ZW$18 000 (US$220).They both receive a weekly 40 litres fuel allocation and the US$75 Covid monthly allowance.
She said: “The objectives of the restructuring exercise that were achieved by sending some members on indefinite leave include, to structure the ministry into an efficient, transparent, effective and tightly integrated health agency of the Republic of Zimbabwe; (and) to configure the ministry into a nationally integrated health agency that is disciplined, efficient, transparent and effective.”
Though sources told this newspaper this week that some of the workers who had been on indefinite leave had since been retired, Dzukutu said “for cadres earmarked for early retirement, the process has not been finalised.”
Health and Child Care public relations manager Donald Mujiri did not respond to questions on the cost of the restructuring exercise and the specific reasons why the workers sent on indefinite leave in July were recalled to work this month.
Wild celebrations in court after the magistrate pronounced not guilty verdict
11 December 2020
Wezhira Munya
Chiredzi- MDC Alliance party members were found not guilty today by Chiredzi magistrate.
Human rights lawyer Martin Mureri who represented the 12 MDC Alliance party members said, “Today, the Chiredzi Magistrate found the accused persons not guilty. “
There were wild celebrations inside Chiredzi Magistrate court after Chiredzi Magistrate pronounced not guilty verdict.
The following were are arrested on false charges by Chiredzi based law and order security officials.
MDC Alliance national women assembly acting chairlady honourable Mugidho , provincial youth secretary for local governance Councillor Ropa Makumire, district chairperson Mr James Kampota, Alexander Simbi Lucky Mpungu Simon Mupapuri Itai Melania Makara Tendai Dhangu Simbarashe Baloyi Victor Bhoko Zinasu leader Ndalega were facing two charges: inciting public violence and that of unsanctioned gathering during lockdown.
MDC Alliance National women assembly acting chairlady Mrs Mugidho said, “I am happy that l am free. God has been faithful and fought our battles. We want to thank our lawyer Martin Mureri who meticulously represented us.”
These two offences were allegedly done on on 31 July 2020.
MDC Alliance leader Mai Chikwiriro who attended the court session said, “We are happy that our leaders were found innocent. MDC Alliance leaders has been persecuted by Zanu PF using lawfare. “
The 12 MDC Alliance party members were arrested on 31 July 2020 and spent two nights in prison.
Dadaya High School in Zvishavane, Midlands Province is the latest school in Zimbabwe to be hit by the coronavirus after 32 learners tested positive for the novel virus.
The development led to the closure of the learning institution as a way to keep the students safe. Authorities say they are collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to contain the situation.
This comes as calls for the government to seal off schools are increasing after a handful of schools have recorded coronavirus cases.
The government is however determined to see the current academic year through saying they will order the closure of schools if the situation further deteriorates.
Teachers unions have said the government is putting the lives of both the learners and teachers in danger.
The President of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, Dr Takavafira Zhou recently insinuated that the government was waiting to see the virus running havoc in schools for them to order the closure.
Schools were reopened in phases from the 28th of September after they were prematurely closed in March after the country had recorded its first coronavirus case.
Some stakeholders were against the reopening of schools saying the schools were not prepared to keep teachers and learners safe.
The government maintained all measures necessary to curb the transmission of the coronavirus were in place.
LOCAL Government minister July Moyo and Harare Metropolitan Provincial minister Oliver Chidawu have been implicated in the ongoing City of Harare corruption scandal, after they allegedly tried to unprocedurally secure the release of the local authority’s human capital director Cainos Chingombe.
Chingombe is facing corruption allegations at the Harare Magistrates Court, in a case in which he allegedly transferred Us$130 000 meant for the provision of water, sanitation, education and recreational services into his personal bank account.
He allegedly bought a top-of-the-range car with the money. He appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Tuesday, charged with criminal abuse of office and was remanded in custody to December 21.
Chingombe was initially released from remand on December 4 and tasted freedom for barely 24 hours, before he was arrested again on December 5.
Government and council sources allege that during his brief release, Moyo and Chidawu made strenuous efforts to get the charges against Chingombe dropped, including issuing verbal instructions to officials from the special Anti-Corruption Unit (sacu) housed in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office, which was investigating him.
Sacu is also understood to be considering pressing charges of attempting to defeat the course of justice against the two ministers, according to sources.
In addition to that, municipal sources said Moyo and Chidawu also allegedly facilitated the clandestine reinstatement of Chingombe, who was serving a suspension along with City of Harare’s finance director Tendai Kwenda and other council executives on separate abuse of office allegations, in a matter that has reportedly caught the attention of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).
Sources allege that Chingombe was reinstated to his position in October at the behest of Moyo and Chidawu, reportedly working with the chairperson of the council’s human resources committee and Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume, who is himself also facing corruption charges.
The Zimbabwe Independent was informed that the two ministers allegedly last week frantically tried to block the arrest of Chingombe by giving verbal instructions to Sacu chairperson Thabani mpofu saying chingombe’s reinstatement was a political decision made “by the powers that be”.
Information obtained from city of Harare officials indicates that Chingombe, following his unprocedural reinstatement, is now being primed to take over as Harare town clerk with the incumbent Hosiah Chisango facing corruption allegations.
A well-placed source alleged this week that following the initial arrest of Chingombe, Moyo and Chidawu tried to have him released, but mpofu refused to buckle to political pressure insisting he was in possession of evidence allegedly linking the director to massive looting that has been playing out at the beleaguered municipality.
“The two ministers played a critical role in the comeback of the human capital director in close collaboration with the council committee on human resources and the mayor. This was seen as a political move to consolidate power in the city of Harare. There are strong indications that chingombe was now having meetings with minister Moyo as he was now tipped to take over as acting town clerk,” an official source alleged.
Allegations are that Mafume, chairing a full council meeting and having received instructions from the two ministers, enabled the re-appointment of Chingombe despite the existence of a tribunal report that implicated Chingombe in allegations of milking the city council of millions.
There are also allegations that when the team from Sacu arrested councillors who were to move a motion on the reinstatement of Chingombe, Chidawu also called Mpofu pleading for the release of the councillors. The appointment of Chingombe went ahead despite reservations raised by a section of councillors on the existing disciplinary issues against Chingombe, sources further revealed.
“The re-appointment of Chingombe had the backing of Mafume who chaired the full council meeting which readmitted him in October. This appointment was despite the existence of some disciplinary issues around Chingombe,” the source said.
A tribunal report dated may 24, 2018 containing allegations against Chingombe has since been submitted to Sacu and Zacc. Chingombe was at the time arrested on allegations of double dipping, awarding monstrous retrenchment packages and awarding top executives unjustified allowances.
The tribunal report also implicates former acting town clerk Josephine Ncube.
The tribunal according to the report noted that, the former finance director, one Mandizvidza was funding the executive payroll on verbal communication of the amount due which varied every month from Chingombe’s.
Such funding was made without any request for documentary justification by Chingombe for the amount transferred. Information is that after transferring the amount to the executive payroll account, the finance director was allegedly barred from verifying or inspecting the net amount transferred to each employee’s account.
The executive payroll and executive salaries during Chingombe’s time as human capital director were neither audited nor reconciled and approval of the amounts transferred to individuals rested with Chingombe or Ncube.
efforts to get comments from July Moyo were fruitless as his two cell phone numbers were unreachable while text messages were not responded to.
Chidawu denied playing a role in the reinstatement of Chingombe.
“I don’t know about that. I was not involved in any way,” he claimed. He also denied trying to facilitate the withdrawal of charges against Chingombe saying: “I didn’t do any such thing.”
Mpofu said he could not comment on the issue since it was now before the courts.
Mafume said: “The issue is that we acted on a recommendation by the human resources committee and I then chaired the full council meeting which unanimously approved of his reinstatement. As the law requires, we then submitted it to the ministry which did not object to our decision.”
The mastermind of the BUDIRIRO 4 house demolishing and leader of Tembwe Housing Cooperative Caleb Kadye, himself a bigwig in the ruling Zanu PF party, who was arrested on Tuesday has been set free without trial.
“Police officers arrested Kadye, the chairperson of Tembwe Housing Cooperative, on December 8, 2020,” read a police statement on Tuesday.
“Kadye, together with two other members of the housing cooperative, Frank Sithole and Talent Machaba, were charged with malicious damage to property,” the statement added.
It is alleged that the trio resisted the execution of a judgement by the Harare City Council and the Sheriff of the High Court to demolish hundreds of houses under the Tembwe Housing Cooperative in Budiriro. The trio allegedly pelted a police truck with stones and damaged the windscreen.
Darlington Marange of Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum appeared before the courts on behalf of the trio. Darlington Marange insisted that the trio be released as they had been unlawfully over detained at Budiriro Police Station.
Meanwhile the Forum has since established that the Harare City Council demolished houses belonging to the Tembwe Housing Cooperative members on the basis of a court order which targeted a different housing cooperative. As a result, at least 140 houses were destroyed exposing children, the elderly and people with disabilities to the elements.
HERBALISTS and traditional healers expressed their dissatisfaction about the way Government is handling the integration of its members into the national delivery system.
Chief among the herbalists’ bone of contention is the process that herbalists must go through for their herbs to be clinically tested and certified.
The herbalists say the US$1 500 which is required from herbalists for them to have their herbs tested and certified is beyond the reach of many.
Mavis Mwarowangezvo, a traditional healer and herbalist, said Government is not sincere in its approach to issues related to herbalists.
“Honestly speaking, where does a poor person like me get US$1 500 just to have a herb which has been in use since time immemorial tested? In my view, the fees are part of deliberate efforts to lock out people like us from practising commercially,” Mwarowangezvo said.
Mwarengezvo also urged authorities to treat foreign herbs the same way they are treating the local ones.
Mwarewangezvo said foreign herbs are being sold commercially without the required clearance.
“I am not against foreign herbs. What we are saying is that, just like local herbs, they must be regulated, tested and monitored when they are sold commercially. This must be done for the safety of the general public,” Mwarewangezvo said.
Sekuru Friday Chisanyu, the president of the Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association (ZINPA) weighed in, adding that some of the laws protects foreign herbs at the expense of the local ones.
He added that local herbs are often stigmatised, resulting in Zimbabweans preferring foreign herbs ahead of the locally produced ones.
“When a local herbalist sells his products on the streets, the authorities do not take any action. However, when that same herbalist went on to open a traditional pharmacy, then issues to do with clearance and regularisation suddenly crops up. In my view, the laws protect foreign herbs,” Sekuru Chisanyu said.
Over the years, there has been an influx of foreign herbs, mostly from India and China, among other countries.
Government has, however, been at the forefront in the recognition and development of traditional medicine.
Recently, local doctors embarked on clinical tests to ascertain the effectiveness of a powder made from local herbs, against Covid-19.
The powder, called Bhanan’ana, was discovered by prominent herbalist Dr Kenneth Chivizhe.
Dr Chivizhe is conducting the tests with the assistance of Dr Tichaona Sithole under the supervision of the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe.
Sekuru Chisanyu applauded this development, saying Government has at last revisited its system.
“Government has always recognised our work. What was lacking was the physical, financial and technical support to facilitate research and development. Government has realised that it cannot implement the traditional medicine policy without actually engaging the traditional healers,” Sekuru Chisanyu said.
GOVERNMENT has no plans at all to stop coal mining and instead plans to make the venture one of its main drivers of the economy, Mines Minister Winston Chitando has said.
Chitando was speaking at Tuesday’s post-cabinet media briefing in Harare.
According to the End Coal organisation, coal is the single biggest contributor to environmental pollution and contributes 46 percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.
It also accounts for 72 percent of global Green House Gases from the electricity sector, one of the major causes of positive climate forcing or global warming.
However, the minister said the country’s carbon emissions were insignificant for government to consider alternative sources of energy.
“There are plans to have a huge increase in thermal power, and coke oven being established,” said Chitando.
“The plan is to extract our coal; it is for coal to take a key role in the development of our economy.
“If you look at the total carbon emissions of Zimbabwe and you look at what other countries are emitting, we are only emitting a small fraction.
“Even after implementing all our coal projects, we will be emitting a very small insignificant level of carbon emissions.”
Coal mining has been affected by a number of factors in the past decade that include calls for cleaner forms of energy such as solar power, wind farming and where capacity permits nuclear.
Efforts to setup solar farms in the country have been affected by corruption.
Currently, production at Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) is at 100 000 tonnes per month with projections of up to 200 000 tonnes per month next year, according to Chitando.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joel Biggie Matiza, has through Statutory Instrument 296 of 2020 reviewed Vehicle Registration and Licensing regulations. Reads the SI:
IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development has, in terms of section 52 of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act [Chapter 13:14], made the following
regulations:—
These regulations may be cited as the Vehicle Registration and Licensing (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 21).
The Third Schedule to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing, 1999, published in Statutory Instrument 427 of 1999, as amended by Vehicle Registration and Licensing (Amendment) Regulations, 2019 (No. 19), published in Statutory Instrument 171 of 2019, is repealed and substituted by the following—
Change of Ownership for Motor Vehicle (Buying new plates) 5 800,00 Change of Ownership for Motor vehicle (Retaining existing plates) 1 500,00. Change of Ownership for motorcycle/trailer (Buying new plates) 6 000,00. Change of Ownership for motorcycle/trailer (Retaining existing plates) 1 500,00. Replacement cost for Lost PSV Motor Vehicle Number Plate 6 000,00 Replacement of lost Motor Vehicle Number Plate 6 000,00. Replacement of lost PSV Trailer/Motor 5 300,00. Duplicate Third Plate 1 750,00 Garage Plate 4 800,00 Garage Licence (50% to be remitted to government) 6 000,00 Temporary Identity Cards (T.I.C) 2 500,00 Abnormal Load Plate (AVR) 5 000,00 Change of address for motor vehicle is ordinarily kept at night 300,00 Change of vehicle particulars 300,00 Cancellation of registration 300,00 Advice of sale of motor vehicle 300,00 Authorisation of Change of Ownership 4 000,00 Duplicate Registration Book 750,00 Search fees 415,00 Vehicle licensing booklet 4 000,00”.
Dar es Salaam. — Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Wednesday said he will replace the would-be deputy Minister for Minerals, Mr Francis Ndulane, shortly after failing to accurately read the content of his oath of office during a swearing in function.
President Magufuli announced the decision at the Dodoma State House after swearing in 21 ministers and 22 deputies, excluding Mr Ndulane who couldn’t make it even after attempting three times.
President Magufuli said he would ask authorities to investigate whether the Member of Parliament had forged his academic certificates.
Earlier, the Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leader had warned new Cabinet members against taking selfies when launching government projects.
Chief Secretary John Kijazi who presided over the event directed Mr Ndulane to go back, get seated and relax in the drama that left everybody puzzled including President Magufuli.
Addressing the public later, Dr Magufuli said Mr Ndulane would be replaced with another appointment.
“I can see the Prime Minister looking at me carefully because together with him (Ndulane) they are the only MPs from Lindi in the cabinet,” he said.
He added, “We will look for someone who could properly read the documents entering his office and unveil whether there are forgeries.”
The Head of State congratulated the Kilwa North MP as he would continue serving as citizens’ representative, noting that however, his master’s degree in Science (Finance) will be investigated.
Earlier, deputy minister for Finance and Planning Mwanaidi Ali Khamis was forced to read her oath three times before making it after making errors of replacing the Swahili words for the Cabinet with the Revolutionary Council.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has issued a stern warning to beneficiaries of the open to abuse goverment Pfumvudza Agriculture Inputs Programme never to tamper around with the inputs distributed by goverment.
A 26-year-old man who stays at Cranborne Police Camp in Harare will soon be summoned to court to answer to allegations of requesting to caress and suck his workmate’s manhood while they were bathing.
Todd Manyeruke, upon being summoned, is expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with indecent assault.
It is the State’s case that sometime in March this year, at around midday Manyeruke and another man (name withheld) were bathing in a common bathroom at Cranborne officers’ mess.
The State alleges that it was when Manyeruke looked at the man and he continued starring at him. Irked by the way he was looking at him, the man asked him why he was staring at him.
Manyeruke reportedly told him that he had a good manhood before asking to fondle and suck it. Unpleased with Manyeruke conduct, the man lodged a complaint with the police.
A docket was then compiled and handed to the National Prosecuting Authority to consider on whether to prosecute Manyeruke or not.
Reuben Barwe with the ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa
ZBC chief correspondent Reuben Barwe has been elected secretary for Information and Publicity in Makoni following Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections.
ZBC is a state broadcaster which has also come under fire for alleged biased partisan reporting prompting some to call for in-depth media reforms.
Recently, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said it had initiated disciplinary measures against Harare Civil Magistrates Court’s Milton Serima for unconstitutionally standing for election in the Zanu PF DCC in Mt Darwin.
Barwe’s victory comes when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has said it was investigating magistrate Milton Serima after it emerged that he was contesting in ZANU PF’s District Coordinating Committee elections in Mt Darwin.
Another public office holder, Gweru prosecutor, Namatirai Chipere, subsequently resigned after reports which suggested that he started campaigning for a spot in the Zanu PF DCCs.
The Zimbabwean constitution prohibits the participation of public office holders in political affairs.
Gweru prosecutor Namatirai Chipere, was also found to have strayed after he started campaigning for a spot in the Zanu PF DCCs. He subsequently resigned.
The Constitution prohibits judicial service officials from taking part in political activities.
Zanu PF held DCC elections as part of its restructuring exercise which it hopes will enhance coordination of the party activities ahead of 2023 elections.
Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri said the party would investigate “the complaints.”
“The elections were affected by a few administrative and logistical challenges and the party has taken note of those challenges and we are putting in place corrective measures so that we do not experience this in the future. The situation was also compounded by incessant rains which damaged roads and made some polling stations inaccessible,” she said.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere condemned the move by Barwe to contest ZANU PF elections.
The state broadcaster @ZBCNewsonline is an absolute joke!
Its chief correspondent Reuben Barwe has won the Zanu PF DCC election in Makoni. This violates s61(4)(b) of the Constitution which requires Zanu BC to be impartial.
We have always known that Reuben Barwe was an active member of ZANUPF, but contrary to ethical journalism, @ZBCNewsonline doesn’t hold its professionals to an ethical standard. Now that the worst kept secret is official, will he do the right thing &resign?https://t.co/uI3OM5oD6tpic.twitter.com/eoPmRzqqJs
Some senior members of the ruling ZANU PF have accused eliminated Generation 40 (G40) and Gamatox factions of causing chaos during the recently held party district coordinating committee (DCC) elections.
Meanwhile, liberation war icon and one of the remaining Zanu PF founders, Rugare Gumbo, upon president Emmerson Mnangagwa to disband the DCCs which he says will fuel growing factional and tribal wars.
Zanu PF secretary for security in the politburo, Lovemore Matuke, told the Daily News on Thursday that the remnants of G-40 and Gamatox continue to attempt to weave their way back into Zanu PF. He said:
They (alleged G40 and Gamatox remnants) want to come back to Zanu PF because it’s cold out there. People struggle to survive outside Zanu PF.
G40 was allegedly being led by the former first lady, Grace Mugabe while some of the kingpins include exiled ministers, Jonathan Moyo, Patrick Zhuwao and Walter Mzembi.
The Gamatox faction was reportedly being led by the former Vice President, Joice Mujuru and it became defunct with her ouster from the ruling party in 2015.
Speaking to the Daily News, ZANU PF political commissar, Victor Matemadanda who is also the deputy minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs said:
If someone was G40, it doesn’t mean that he is not going to come back to the party … for now, I am busy with DCC elections and can’t comment further.
Both G40 and Gamatox fought against Mnangagwa’s Lacoste faction which eventually won.
Other Zanu PF insiders who spoke to the Daily News yesterday said ruling party bigwigs were worried about the resurgence of the two factions.
TheY claimed that the G40 and Gamatox factions wanted to bounce back into Zanu PF and rekindle their yester-year fights with Mnangagwa from within.
Ngezi Platinum midfielder Denver Mukamba has returned to the Warriors fold after he was added into the provisional squad for CHAN tournament.
Mukamba, who last featured for the national team a couple of years ago, was drafted in after coach Zdravko Logarusic spotted him during a practice match against Ngezi played at Ellis Robins School in Harare on Thursday.
The 2012 Soccer Star of the Year is now expected to join other 34 players currently in camp.
The preparations will run until the 20th of December when the team goes for a festive break before resuming on the 28th.
The competition will be held in Cameroon from 16 January to 7 February and Zimbabwe face the hosts in the opening match. -Soccer 24
Brazilian striker Robinho’s appeal against a nine-year sentence for rape was dismissed by an Italian court on Thursday.
The football star was charged along with his friend for gang-raping a 22-year old Albanian woman in a Milan nightclub in 2013. He was playing for AC Milan at the time of the attack and was tried in absentia in November 2017.
Robinho launched an appeal at the Milan Court of Appeal, but the judges upheld the conviction. He has a right to appeal again the sentence within 90 days.
The legal matter has affected the 36-year-old’s career as he was forced to pull out of a return to Santos amid pressure from the club’s sponsors.
Robinho started his career at the Brazilian side in 2002 before moving to Europe where played for Real Madrid, Manchester City, Milan, Atletico Mineiro and Istanbul Basaksehir.
He also had a stint in China with Guangzhou Evergrande and has 100 Brazil caps and 28 goals for his country.-Soccer 24
SuperSport United have appointed a new assistant – Thabo September – to head coach Kaitano Tembo.
September, a club legend as a player, will take the role of a second assistant in the first team and will also work as the first assistant to the DStv Diski Challenge side.
Speaking on the new appointment, Tembo said: “Thabo has been a loyal servant of the club both on and off the field. He has always set an example through dedication, discipline and professionalism.
“He has joined the first team as second assistant coach and works as well with our reserve team. This will help us bridge the gap between the first team and the reserve team in terms of having an identical philosophy from a playing and development point of view.
“Our objective is to prepare our young players for first team football and Thabo will play a crucial role in that regard.”
September’s first game on the bench is on next Tuesday against Kaizer Chiefs.-Soccer 24
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa, has pointed out that the heartless demolition of citizens’ homes in Budiriro, Harare is a reflection of the destructive nature of Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
Speaking after visiting the victims of the demolitions on Thursday, President Chamisa described the Zanu PF government’s carefree attitude towards the plight of suffering citizens as puzzling and unacceptable.
“We have just witnessed the worst form of violation of human rights.
Children have been left in the open despite the heavy rains.
This is totally unacceptable.This is a clear reflection of the Zanu PF administration’s destructive nature.
We view the demolition citizens’ homes as a heartless act.There should be mechanisms in place to ensure the safety of the affected families.
In actual fact you do not pull down buildings before looking at the consequences,” said President Chamisa.
According to Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume efforts are being made to seek donations to help the affected families.
“There are plans to set up temporary structures for the affected families.We are therefore appealing for donations to help the victims.We are also looking at long term solutions to their predicament,” said Mayor Mafume.
Zimbabwe international Marvelous Nakamba will bankroll the education of Prince Edward pupil Kudakwashe Mutikiri up to tertiary level.
The Aston Villa midfielder, through his Marvelous Nakamba Foundation, a non-profit organization which helps underprivileged children and youths, will sponsor the education of Mutikiri, who won the Junior Sports Person of the year, education costs up to tertiary level.
The foundation also gave the Young Warriors starlet the Aston Villa shirt which Nakamba won during the 7-2 drubbing of defending champions Liverpool early this season.
Mutikiri was presented with the prizes at the the inaugural Youth For Youth Mentorship program organised by 4H in conjunction with Ministry of Youth last night.-Soccer 24
WHO today launches a year-long global campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – “Commit to Quit.” The new WHO Quit Challenge on WhatsApp and publication “More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco” are being released today to mark the start of the campaign.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit. The campaign will support at least 100 million people as they try to give up tobacco through communities of quitters.
“Commit to Quit” will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies; increasing access to cessation services; raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics, and empowering tobacco users to make successful quit attempts through “quit & win” initiatives.
WHO, together with partners, will create and build-up digital communities where people can find the social support they need to quit. The focus will be on high burden countries* where the majority of the world’s tobacco users live.
WHO welcomes new contributions from partners, including private sector companies that have offered support, including Allen Carr’s Easyway, Amazon Web Services, Cipla, Facebook and WhatsApp, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Praekelt, and Soul Machines.
Quitting tobacco is challenging, especially with the added social and economic stresses that have come as a result of the pandemic. Worldwide around 780 million people say they want to quit, but only 30% of them have access to the tools that can help them do so. Together with partners, WHO will provide people with the tools and resources they need to make a successful quit attempt.
“Smoking kills 8 million people a year, but if users need more motivation to kick the habit, the pandemic provides the right incentive,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO released a scientific brief earlier this year showing that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19.
Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Moreover, people living with these conditions are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
Both global and regional cessation tools will be rolled out as part of the campaign. WHO’s 24/7 digital health worker to help people quit tobacco is available in English and will soon be released to support people in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
“Millions of people worldwide want to quit tobacco – we must seize this opportunity and invest in services to help them be successful, while we urge everyone to divest from the tobacco industry and their interests,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion.
To create environments conducive to quitting tobacco, WHO has worked with partners and countries around the globe to implement tobacco control measures that effectively reduce the demand for tobacco.
WHO calls on all governments to ensure their citizens have access to brief advice, toll-free quit lines, mobile and digital cessation services, nicotine replacement therapies and other tools that are proven to help people quit. Strong cessation services improve health, save lives and save money.
Source:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has criticised the government for making nurses apologise for the industrial action they embarked on over poor salaries and working conditions.
ZINA president, Enock Dongo issued a statement saying the government violated both Zimbabwean and intentional laws to satisfy their interests. He said:
As ZINA we have been left dismayed by the attitude shown by the government of Zimbabwe towards nurses. The attitude is not only in contempt of court but it is also grossly unjust, with the conduct being to coerce nurses into submission to unlawful directives.
It is an undeniable fact that the Zimbabwe Nurses Association took government to court twice in the last month. On both occasions, the High Court ruled that nurses were correct and were entitled as a matter of right to continue with the flexible working hour system. Both judgments are a matter of public record under case numbers HC6507/20 and HC7099/20. Having seen that the courts have declared them wrong, it has now become evidently clear that the government sees itself as if it is above the law. This is the only conclusion to be derived from the actions of a government that ignores two clear court orders.
This happened at Harare hospital on Monday the 7th of November 2020 and currently, nurses at United Bulawayo Hospital are being asked to write apology letters. All this is being done because government can simply ignore a court order if it wants.
State media on their part, instead of reporting the true outcome of the court cases, have been referring to nurses as “defiant” whilst calling ZINA “misleading”.
All this has no factual or legal basis and amounts to misleading the nation on the true state of affairs regards the dispute between nurses and government. What they omit to state is that before taking government to court and even after both judgments came out, we have written to government to meet so that we can resolve this issue amicably but on all occassions we have not even received the courtesy of a response.
Dongo said the government should be the one apologising to the nurses for acting in a manner which the court said was incorrect.
He added that the employer should pay nurses their salaries as ordered by the court “rather than put its own conditions on things.” – Health Times
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance Namibia has said Local Government Minister July Moyo is solely responsible for the demolition of citizens’ homes in Budiriro, Harare.
See full statement below:
10 DECEMBER 2020
MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT JULY MOYO IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEARTLESS DEMOLITIONS OF HARARE HOUSES, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA ECHOES.
Mdc Alliance Namibia condemns the heartless demolitions being presided by clueless Zanupf regime through the central government without finding an alternative shelter for the people in this rainy season.
These actions against the citizenry are ill-timed, evil and diabolic.
We want to make it clear that our Mayors and Councillors are completely against this satanic act meant to blackmail our diligent local government officials.
This has been barely proven by the incarceration of our Mayors in the likes of former His Worship Harare Mayor , Herbert Gomba and the incumbent Jacob Mafume on spurious charges while the archibishops of corruption are walking. These Zanupf shenanigans are concocted to create a false impression that the national democratic revolutionaries are the ones of who are corrupt.
Mdc Alliance Namibia is convinced that this is a Zanupf ploy to decampaign our local government prospective candidates in the by-elections and the impending 2023 harmonised elections since they realised the potential of the political behemoth’s (Mdc Alliance) grip on local councils.
This is the highest level insanity and political ineptitude of a rogue regime which has dismally failed to put the economy on a sounder footing. We are cognisant of their sadist efforts to politically assassinate the impressive reputation of our Mayors and Councillors.
Social democrats in Namibia demand the restoration of the executive powers of mayors in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans must blame the central government because our local council is centrally controlled by the Local government Minister, July Moyo and his cronies who act under strict Zanupf directives.
We are strongly against this centralisation of power by the central government. We demand devolution of power as stipulated in the 2013 national constitution of Zimbabwe.
Moreover, we reemphasize that the right to decent shelter is a provision enshrined in the supreme law of the country. Desperate Zanupf government must respect the sanctity of life of their fellow Countrymen.
How can they expose innocent citizens to these horrific conditions in a catastrophic rainy season ? We want to seriously conscientise town and city dwellers to strategize a way out of this madness. Lets demand justice to the victims of these diabolic demolitions. Zimbabwe is not a Zanupf private property, it belongs to us all. It’s now imperative to all social democrats across the globe to resist this Zanupf gross misgovernance and moronic behaviour.
WHO today launches a year-long global campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – “Commit to Quit.” The new WHO Quit Challenge on WhatsApp and publication “More than 100 reasons to quit tobacco” are being released today to mark the start of the campaign.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to millions of tobacco users saying they want to quit. The campaign will support at least 100 million people as they try to give up tobacco through communities of quitters.
“Commit to Quit” will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies; increasing access to cessation services; raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics, and empowering tobacco users to make successful quit attempts through “quit & win” initiatives.
WHO, together with partners, will create and build-up digital communities where people can find the social support they need to quit. The focus will be on high burden countries* where the majority of the world’s tobacco users live.
WHO welcomes new contributions from partners, including private sector companies that have offered support, including Allen Carr’s Easyway, Amazon Web Services, Cipla, Facebook and WhatsApp, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Praekelt, and Soul Machines.
Quitting tobacco is challenging, especially with the added social and economic stresses that have come as a result of the pandemic. Worldwide around 780 million people say they want to quit, but only 30% of them have access to the tools that can help them do so. Together with partners, WHO will provide people with the tools and resources they need to make a successful quit attempt.
“Smoking kills 8 million people a year, but if users need more motivation to kick the habit, the pandemic provides the right incentive,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO released a scientific brief earlier this year showing that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death from COVID-19.
Tobacco is also a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. Moreover, people living with these conditions are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
Both global and regional cessation tools will be rolled out as part of the campaign. WHO’s 24/7 digital health worker to help people quit tobacco is available in English and will soon be released to support people in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish.
“Millions of people worldwide want to quit tobacco – we must seize this opportunity and invest in services to help them be successful, while we urge everyone to divest from the tobacco industry and their interests,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion.
To create environments conducive to quitting tobacco, WHO has worked with partners and countries around the globe to implement tobacco control measures that effectively reduce the demand for tobacco.
WHO calls on all governments to ensure their citizens have access to brief advice, toll-free quit lines, mobile and digital cessation services, nicotine replacement therapies and other tools that are proven to help people quit. Strong cessation services improve health, save lives and save money.
Source:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly will this weekend take the #One Million Campaign to Mashonaland West Province.
The One Million Youth Voices Rally will be held at Mamina Growth, Mhondoro Ngezi Constituency, on Sunday.
The #One Million Campaign seeks to magnify the MDC Alliance’s support base in the rural areas.
MDC Alliance Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma told ZimEye.com on Friday, the party was determined to fortify its support base in both rural and urban areas.
“We are raring to go and we are ready for the big event,” said Chuma.
Police officers have been blamed for perpetrating Gender Based Violence (GBV) as they lack proper training on how to handle GBV cases in order to provide timely services to victims.
Speaking during the commemoration of 16 days of activism against gender based violence at the National Gallery in Bulawayo on Friday, Prisca Dube said the ability to deal with GBV issues should be a pre-requisite for all members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The commemorations were organised by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR).
Dube said victims find it hard to get redress because many justice systems and legal frameworks were poorly equipped for prosecuting GBV. Furthermore, some police officers were not trained in handling GBV issues, so victims felt let down when they didn’t get help after reporting.
“All police officers should be trained on managing cases of GBV. I know of a case where one woman was sexually abused and when she went to report, the officer-in-charge said he could not attend to the victim because he was responsible for stocktheft cases. This makes the victim vulnerable to more abuse,” said Dube.
Women Association of Survivors director Kudakwashe Kunze said it was very hard to deal with sexual harassment because it was institutionalised, and women had suffered for a long time.
“Women are being coerced into sex, while many fear reporting perpetrators as some police are said to be part of the abusive chain.
“We have cases of girls who get raped and in some instances when they report the issue the police officers offer their assistance in exchange for sex. It’s really sad because women really don’t know where to go and report.
“The only way is for government to actively deal with all forms of sexual harassment in all sectors,” said Kunze.-statemedia
Tinashe Sambiri|Controversial Masvingo preacher, Isaac Makomichi has sensationally claimed women should use menstrual blood as love charm to tame their husbands.
Makomichi’s remarks have sparked widespread criticism with church leaders and women’s groups accusing the controversial cleric of using “muti” to hoodwink his followers.
Makomichi shocked all and sundry when he ordered women to use their menstrual blood “to charm their husbands.”
The outspoken preacher has been under fire for “distributing” love charm to the late Mitchelle Moana Amuli.
Writing his Facebook page called “Sir Isaac Makomichi Love Potions” the preacher claimed: “Ropa rekumazuva evakadzi can be used semupfuhwira,munhu waunodanana naye unomuisira mumvura yekugeza,kuti adzikame uye kufumura mupfuhwira yaakadyiswa nevamwe vakadzi.
But inini handikurudzire munhu kuti azviite.Asi kana anyanyonetsa murume ndibate titaure.”
Sources say Makomichi demanded half of Marry Mubaiwa’s wealth to reunite her with Constantino Chiwenga in less than 24hrs.
A man identified as Nobert said Makomichi must leave Masvingo as he was destroying marriages.
“This man is an agent of the devil. He wants our women to charm us so that they can control us. He must delete his page or else we will beat him up…
Asked for a comment, Makomichi said he was determined to stop men from abandoning their respected familes.
The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) says it is now accepting US dollars and prepaid vouchers to ease congestion at tollgates during the festive season.
Speaking at a media briefing in Harare this Thursday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Hon Joel Biggie Matiza, said the move was a short term measure.
Motorists have been using the local currency, and electronic money – bank cards and mobile money.
