More than 500,000 new coronavirus cases were reported worldwide on Tuesday in a new record, according to a tally from health authorities compiled by AFP.
In total, 516,898 new infections and 7,723 deaths were announced, according to the tally compiled on Wednesday.
This spike in worldwide cases can only partially be explained by an increase in testing since the first wave of the epidemic in March and April.
Europe has once again become the new epicentre of the disease which is spreading rapidly on the continent.
Over the past seven days, there has been an average of more than 220,000 new daily infections, a 44 percent rise from the previous week.
The region is nearing a daily average of 2,000 deaths just as governments rush to impose infection-control measures to try and contain this second wave.
During the first peak of the pandemic in April, more than 4,000 daily deaths were reported.
The United States is also facing a rise in cases.
For the first time, it registered more than 500,000 infections over the past seven days, compared to 370,000 the previous week.
Among the 500,000 cases recorded globally Tuesday, more than half were registered in the 10 worst-hit countries in the world: the United States, India, Brazil, Russia, France, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, the United Kingdom and Mexico.
THREE machete gang members have been arrested while their accomplice is at large after they attacked miners at Geelong Mine in Gwanda and fled with R13 200, US$10, two grammes of gold and cell phones.
Tinashe Mudenda (22), Kinos Notice (25), Shonai Dube (20) all from Binga were not asked to plead when they appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi facing a robbery charge. They were remanded in custody to November 11.
Prosecuting, Miss Ethel Mahachi said the trio and their accomplice only known as Abednico attacked two miners at around 2AM on Monday while armed with machetes, a wooden log and a sjambok.
Miss Mahachi said they tied their victims hands and ran away. One of the miners managed to free himself and rushed to alert other miners who pursued the accused persons and apprehended them along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road.
“On 26 October at around 2AM the three accused persons in the company of a fourth accomplice only known as Abednico went to Geelong 20 Mine while armed with machetes, wooden log and a sjambok and attacked Mr Simbarashe Mudzingwa while he was sleeping in his makeshift tent. They assaulted him with the machetes and sjambok while demanding cash and they took R1 200 and two cellphones. They tied his hands before fleeing the scene,” she said.
“They proceeded to Mr Emmanual Chisari’s tent where they threatened and assaulted him. They stole R12 000, US$10, two grammes of gold, two cell phones, tied his hands and fled from the scene. Mr Chisari and Mr Mudzingwa managed to free themselves and they alerted other miners who teamed up and pursued the accused persons. The local miners apprehended the accused persons while they were walking along the Bulawayo- Beitbridge Road while trying to flee.”
MINISTER of Energy Zhemu Soda who is also Muzarabani North legislator is allegedly abusing president Emmerson Mnangagwa’s name ahead of the looming District coordinating committee (DCC) elections where he is eying the chairmanship of Muzarabani district. Soda is allegedly blocking any member who is aspiring to be a chairperson by saying Mnangagwa ordered him not to be contested.
Christopher Chitindi is also eying the same post and rift has widened in Muzarabani among Zanu PF party members.
Party members who spoke to NewsDay claimed Soda is desperate to have a post as he is just a card holder.
“Soda took advantage of his appointment by the president as Minister and is causing terror by forcing members to like him or risk being expelled from the party on factional grounds, said the source.
“Chitindi is also having non of those as he is being supported by aspiring provincial chairperson James Makamba.”
Contacted for comment Soda tried to downplay the story saying people are jealous of his appointment.
“People are just jealous of my appointment and cooking stories there was a fake letter on social media written by misguided members in our district just to soil my name,”Soda said.
A political analyst Givemore Chivhamba said Mnangagwa should have people with electorate not just appointments if he is to win the 2023 elections.
“This DCC is going to weaken Zanu PF more because those who are claiming to be Mnangagwa’s people are not people’s favourites and if Mnangagwa wants a sweep over in 2023 he should put people with more votes not those who just say l came from his do not contest me,” Chivhamba said.
Meanwhile, other districts like Mazowe and Rushinga are having serious fights since speculation is high that G40 cabals are still wielding power in these districts.
MDC Alliance Vice Chairman Job Sikhala says that prison authorities at Harare Prison on Wednesday denied him access to visit incarcerated fellow MDC Alliance activist Terrence Manjengwa.
Manjengwa was arrested in August after conducting a protest demanding the release of Sikhala,.
The activist has spent over two months jail without trial, matching a 20 year pre-trial record by PF ZAPU leaders who were arrested by former President Robert Mugabe’s regime during the Gukurahundi era in the 80s.
He is currently detained at Harare Remand Prison after being charged with criminal nuisance. He was denied bail by the magistrates court and is waiting for bail ruling at the High Court.
According to Sikhala, the prison authorities classified Manjengwa as a dangerous prisoner who would not be allowed visitors.
Sikhala tweeted as follows:
Dear Zimbabweans, today I went to Harare Remand prison to see Terrence Manjengwa and the prison authorities through the Acting Commissioner General Chikobvu denied me authority to see him. I had a 30 minutes meeting with the said Commissioner General but said Terrence is a threat
A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for drugging and raping his friend.
Mbusowenkosi Ncube of Spitzkop Medium Suburb had pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mkandla.
He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and four years were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Ncube had appeared together with Silenkosi Ndlovu (18) also of Spitzkop Medium Suburb but Ndlovu was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Prosecuting, Mr Khumbulani Nyoni said Ncube and Ndlovu raped the 14-year-old girl on June 28 after she had accompanied Ndlovu to his place of residence.
“On 28 June at around 2PM Ndlovu met the complainant who is his friend and asked her to accompany him to his house so that he could give her a birthday present. She agreed and when they got to his home Ndlovu gave her a 500ml bottle of 7UP drink which is suspected to have been drugged and she blacked out. Ndlovu was later joined by Ncube and they took advantage and raped the complainant before releasing her to go to home,” he said.
“When the complainant got home her mother suspected that she was drunk. She questioned her daughter who narrated what had happened while at Ndlovu’s home. The complainant went to hospital for an examination and it was discovered that she had some fresh bruises on her private parts. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Ncube and Ndlovu’s arrest.”
In his defence, Ndlovu through his lawyer Mr Themba Khumalo of Mlweli Ndlovu and Partners said on the day in question he arrived home at around 5PM and found the complainant sleeping in his room with the door locked from the inside. He said the complainant told him that her mother had chased her away as she had arrived home as she was drunk.
“My client didn’t enter the room where the complainant was sleeping. He had this conversation with the complainant through the window as she had locked herself inside. He didn’t any point come in contact with the complainant or rape her. If the complainant was involved in any sexual activities it surely happened wherever the complainant went after leaving his place of residence,” he said.
In his defense, Ncube also through his lawyer Mr Khumalo said on the day in question the complainant called him using her friend’s phone and asked him to organise some beer for her which she was going to collect in the afternoon. Mr Themba Khumalo said his client never gave the complainant a 500ml 7up drink .
“My client bought two 375ml star canes and a mirinda orange drink. The complainant arrived at his room on her own and started drinking alcohol which was diluted with the orange drink. He then took some of the alcohol and accompanied his friends leaving the complainant behind drinking alcohol and listening to music. My client will state that there was never a time when the complainant blacked out in his presence. He returned from accompanying his friends and told the complainant to go home and she left. He was surprised when the complainant’s brothers later came in the evening looking for her,” he said.
Henrietta Rushwaya will remain in custody until October 30 when magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna is expected to rule on the State’s application to withdraw its bail consent against her in the matter in which she is alleged to have attempted to smuggle gold to Dubai through the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday.
The State had yesterday consented to granting Rushwaya $90 000 bail coupled with other conditions. In its application, the State said Rushwaya will not suffer any prejudice as the court had not made any decision regarding granting her bail.
“This is an organised plan to commit crime in the manner in which the execution of the offence was carried out.
“When the accused person approached the exit point, the closed circuit television (CCTV) that mans that area were switched off and her clearance took four minutes from the time she arrived at the airport.
“The net of the syndicate is actually wider hence upon taking note of that, we have enlarged the scope of the investigation and we expect more suspects to be brought to court tomorrow.
“There is also evidence that was availed to the effect that the accused tried to bribe two officers who had discovered the offence,” said Mr Darudzo Ziyaduma for the State.
He said other personnel involved in assisting in the smuggling of gold included a member of the Central Intelligence Organisation and another masquerading as a member of the same organisation.
“The net is wider than earlier thought. Hence the decision to withdraw the consent. Additionally, the source where the gold was obtained and its intended destinations are now part of investigations,” said Mr Ziyaduma.
Rushwaya’s lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero opposed to the application.
“There is a directive by the court which is outstanding directed to the State to furnish the court reasons why they made concession to the bail. That order had not been complied with by the State.
“The State did not furnish the court with reasons why the State had conceded to bail yesterday.
“That is the starting point. The State should have started by saying why it had consented to bail and that is what they had been directed by the court. Instead of complying by the court order, the State is now making a fresh order. In other words, the State is approaching the court with dirty hands. The State is clearly in contempt of court to give reasons why they consented. The State must purge its contempt first,” said.
The country’s top judges have written a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa complaining about the corrupt behaviour of Chief Justice Luke Malaba and a State Vice President.
We publish below the leaked letter in full.
High Court and Supreme Courts of Zimbabwe Harare
26 October 2020
Your Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe HARARE
Dear Sir,
Re: Untenable working conditions within the judiciary
We address you, Sir, with fear and trepidation given the current fear which exists within the judiciary.
What is repeated in the public domain and on social media about the capture of the judiciary is no longer fiction or perception, it is in fact reality. It is an open secret that right across the judicial structures, the Chief Justice now rules without fetter. Where magistrates used to be . subject to administrative supervision by their superiors, it is now an open secret that the Chief Justice now routinely interferes with magistrates and their decisions through the Chief Magistrates’ office. The promotion without interviews of senior personnel within the Judicial Service Commission means that complaints fall on deaf ears as the senior unqualified personnel are there to protect their jobs and all the hefty perks that go with their jobs. At the Superior Courts, it is an open secret that judges no longer enjoy any respect and that administrative staff now spy on judges and report to the various Registrars who in turn make reports to the JSC Secretariat for onward reporting to the Chief Justice. As judges, we no longer trust our support staff from whom we now have to hide our draft judgments for fear of being directed to change these.
In the criminal justice system, prosecutors have become the new judicial officers as they wield enormous power and regularly misrepresent the conduct of magistrates and judges in open court as and when they report to the illegal structures that receive reports on court cases. Any attempts to protect the interest of accused persons and other litigants are promptly reported to the Chief Justice’s office who thereafter directs Heads of the various courts/divisions to investigate these. Judges are therefore now so afraid of their own jobs that they consciously and subconsciously make decisions that they onsider “safe”, even if these do not accord with the law. Where certain , decisions are made which are unpopular with the Chief Justice, parties are directed to appeal with guarantees of success on appeal, With the recent protest by judges to subject their decisions to scrutiny by the heads of court/divisions, there is an ongoing witch-hunt on which judges instigated the writing of the letter of protest. Judges in the Association representing judges’ interests have been targeted with the result that very few of us are now willing to be voted into the Association or to speak on behalf of judges. Asa result of this fear, judges’ conditions of rservice have not been reviewed as regularly as is necessary given the current economic environment.
Yet JSC Secretariat staff are pampered. Judges continue to be given worthless RTGS fuel coupons and their drivers have to burn more fuel searching for the few garages which still redeem RTGS fuel coupons. Newly qualified young lawyers now earn more than judges, making it impossible to properly dispense justice as we are constantly worrying about day to day family Issues such as where one’s meal will be coming from on adjournment and how one will look after the family in line with what is expected of judges.
Your Excellency, these issues do not only affect magistrates and High Court judges. It is an open secret that no Supreme Court judgment can be delivered without the Chief Justice’s approval. It is also an open secret and a source of much disquiet that all draft judgments in the Supreme Court are circulated amongst all the judges including those who did not hear argument on the matter. Judges who did not hear argument on a particular case can influence the result without having even read the record.
During the circulation, the Chief Justice can tell the judges to change their judgments. So who did not hear an appeal can in fact emerge with a decision which is wholly against what the appeal judges would have determined. There is also what the Chief Justice calls “judgment by consensus”, a euphemism for discouraging dissenting judgements. Where the Chief Justice is approached by a “favoured” dissenter, the dissenting judgement can be converted into the main judgment on instructions from the Chief Justice. On rare occasions where the majority stand their ground, the dissenter is forced to support the majority judgement. The Chief Justice basically has the final say on the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judgements that are released.
There are also many direct conflict of interest issues that we see every day within the judiciary. For instance, the Chief Justice is happy to sit in the ConCourt In judgement of cases he was involved in at Supreme Court Level. The Supreme and Constitutional Courts are therefore the Chief Justice’s courts where no judge dare disagrees with him for fear of victimisation.
There are also the obvious failures where like Is not treated with like. A complaint against Justice Mabhikwa has been allowed to fester and It Is an open secret that the Chief Justice sent a personal emissary to him on how to respond. This is particularly worrying as the alleged misconduct allegations against Honourable Justice Mabhikwa are similar to alleged misconduct allegations against the Chief Justice when he was a Magistrate. He concealed the misconduct allegations against him when he was interviewed for the position of Chief Justice and there can be no doubt that he is sympathetic towards Justice Mabhikwa as he is himself believed to be the guilty of similar conduct.
Then of course there is the Judicial Service Commission itself which is regarded as the Chief Justice’s personal playground and fiefdom. It is an open secret that most of the decisions paraded as JSC decisions are in fact the Chief Justice’s personal decisions which he instructs the Secretary of the JSC to communicate as Commissioners’ decisions. Regrettably, It appears that Commissioners, in the main, do not challenge these decisions. There are also some clear conflict of interest issues that are allowed to pass without comment by Commissioners. For instance, the Chief Justice rents out one of his houses to the JSC. It is not clear whether or not this obvious conflict of Interest was disclosed to Commissioners and whether they nevertheless allowed the transaction after ensuring that the JSC best interests were protected.
Then there are many other issues which may be characterized as outrightly corrupt such as abandoning the hiring of services from Rooneys in favour of hiring these from a company belonging to one of the Vice Presidents and his estranged wife at a cost far higher than that charged by Rooneys. There are also many other transactions that have raised eyebrows including the purchase of the chief Justice’s residence Iwhere the owner received much less than the amount requisitioned from government. The renovation and furnishing of court rooms by relatives of senior JSC personnel across the country remains a topical issue which Commissioners do not appear to be addressing.
The provision of other services by relatives of other JSC personnel including by a firm of lawyers where the CJ’s daughter is a partner raises many conflict of interest issues as charges by the law firm are not likely to be subjected to scrutiny. And given the wide powers that the CJ has arrogated to himself, there is the ethical Issue of whether this law firm can ever lose a case in the superior courts as the CJ determines who hears which case. The deliberately uninvestigated acts of nepotism and sexual harassment, allegations against senior personnel within the JSC hierarchy remain a cause for concern and compromise justice delivery as some female magistrates’ progression within the magistracy is thwarted by these predators. ii
Then there is the general lack of judicial decorum by the Chief Justice who address judges as they are errant school boys and girls. This is exhibited at workshops and symposia attended by judge sand sometimes senior lawyers, at public gatherings such as the JSC interviews where the office of judge Is not given the public respect it deserves and of course at the Supreme Court where judges are humiliated in front of others by being made to “clap for performers” and where perceived “non-performers” are dressed down in front of their colleagues. Being a Supreme Court Justice is the pinnacle of one’s judicial career and it is extremely huilliating to be dressed down by the Chief Justice in front of colleagues when an issue could have easily be raised with individual judges in the privacy of the CJ’s Chambers.
Your Excellency, these are serious issues being raised against the Chief Justice and they deserve thorough investigation by an independent tribunal. For obvious reasons, as judges, we cannot append our names to this complaint due to the pervasive fear that currently exists within the judiciary. We are certain that this letter on its own will elicit tranny against suspected collaborators. As an investigation would help in clearing the air either way, we beg you, Sir, to investigate all of these issues. As some of the issues raised herein deserve investigation by ZACC, we are copying this letter to the Chairperson of that institution.
Your long suffering judges.
cc. Chairperson, ZACC (Honourable Justice Matanda-moyo)
; The Attorney General of Zimbabwe (Advocate Machaya)
A two- tonne truck was reduced to a shell after it caught fire at a service station in Zvishavane on Monday night.
The driver Mr John Mhike sustained minor burns and was discharged from hospital after receiving medical attention.
The truck caught fire at Tafa Service Station near Zvishavane District Hospital. Zvishavane chief fire officer, Mr Rerai Muchera said the fire team reacted swiftly and managed to put out the blaze before it could spread to other parts of the service station. He said they were still working with the police to establish the cause of the fire.
“We managed to avert a potential disaster at a service station last night. We responded to a call that a truck, which was refuelling at the garage had caught fire and we rushed to the scene.
“When we got there motorists that were at the garage were in a panic while the truck was engulfed in flames. We managed to put out the fire before it could spread around the garage but the truck was reduced to a shell,” he said.
Mr Machera said luckily there was no fuel at the garage when the incident occurred. He said the motorists were buying fuel from dealers who were selling fuel from containers.
“The other information is that we got was that these fuel dealers were now competing for clients who come and park at the garage intending to re-fuel so we are not sure what triggered the fire but the garage owner is saying there was no fuel in the underground tanks. He told us that there were some dealers who were now using his garage as their base and selling their fuel at below the pump price.
Motorists frequent the garage in search of cheaper petrol so there has been a danger that a fire outbreak would occur so we are deploying municipal police to clear the fuel dealers at the garage,” said Mr Muchera.
Former Zimbabwe Warriors striker Cuthbert Malajila has joined a new club in South Africa.
The 35-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns striker was unveiled by Glad Africa Championship side Royal AM FC yesterday together with former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Kabelo Mahlasela.
Royal AM FC is owned by businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane, who has appointed her 19-year-old son Andile Mpisane as club chairman.
Malajila joins the Durban-based side after having parted ways with Black Leopards in January.-Soccer 24
Football fans’ wish to watch a show down between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has hit a snag after the latter tested positive again for Covid-19, which means he will not take part.
Juventus host Barcelona in Turin tonight and the build up for the clash has been dominated by the uncertainty over Ronaldo’s availability.
He (Ronaldo) tested positive again for the novel virus last night, a setback which has ruled him out the clash.
New signing Alvaro Morata is now expected to lead the Old Lady’s attack, against a wounded Barcelona defeated by arch-rivals Real Madrid in last weekend’s Elclasico.-Soccer 24
Zimbabwe international Tino Kadewere says he will do his best to propel the Warriors to victory over Algeria if given the chance.
The 24-year-old Olympique Lyon striker is one of the players expected to be in the Warriors’ attack against the defending African champions in two blockbuster AFCON qualifiers slated for November 12 and 16 respectively.
“I am looking forward to being part of the squad. This is a big game for us but mostly the nation, it would be good to get some good results against Algeria,” Kadewere told lifestyle tabloid H-Metro.
“So if given the chance, I will for sure try and do my best to make the nation proud,” he added.
The lanky striker, who has opened his account in the 2020/21 French top-flight, started in last Sunday’s game against Monaco but was replaced late in the second half.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi West, Farai Musikavanhu has openly declared that MDC Alliance members should not be given food aid.
Musikavanhu made the remarks at a meeting in ward 18 Chiredzi West.
“Hon Musikavanhu MP Chiredzi West addressing Ward 18….
Politicisation of food aid wil nt be tolerated.Pple w disability are being denied food aid bcoz of political affiliation.
This shld stp.Thnks 2 @ForumMasvingofor petitioning,” MDC Alliance councillor Gilbert Mutubuki wrote on Twitter.
“Zanu PF Members of Parliament do not hide their politicization of food aid. 8,6 million Zimbabweans are food insecure yet MP Musikavanhu of Zanu PF openly declares that MDC members will not access any food relief.
The weaponization of food for political ends must stop,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
By A Correspondent- Henrietta Rushwaya was today remanded in custody to Friday for ruling on the state’s application to withdraw consent to bail.
The development comes as the Zimbabwe Miners Federation president who is charged with smuggling involving US$333 000 worth of gold today appeared at Harare magistrates court after she was on Tuesday remanded in custody for bail ruling.
Magistrate Ngoni Nduna yesterday said he wanted to consider the conditions agreed by the State and her defence team where the two parties consented that she was s uitable candiate for bail.
However, today,the tables turned for Rushwaya after the state made a u-turn regards consent to bail.
.The State led by Mr Charles Muchemwa had consented that Rushwaya be granted $90 000 bail.
The state had also agreed that Rushwaya be ordered to report twice a week at CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit, Harare and not to interfere with investigations and witnesses.
The State had agreed that Rushwaya be ordered to surrender title deeds to her lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero’s No. 709 Crowhill Estate, Borrowdale in Harare.
Mr Dzvetero had also agreed to the proposed bail conditions and demanded that trial kicks off when they return to court on November 13.
“The accused wishes to clear her name and have the trial commence. I am advised that the State completed its investigations and we hope that on the next remand date, November 13, trial commences,” said Mr Dzvetero.
In the latest development, the state argued that the gravity of the crime was clear indication that this was organised crime.
“CCTVs at the airport was switched off and clearance for the accused took 4 minutes. This is evidence that the net is actually wider.”
3- State says: "The onus to demonstrate that there are compelling reasons in denying the accused person bail lies with the state. We intent to take up that onus in justifying why she must not be granted bail." #HenriettaRushwaya@MakomboreroHpic.twitter.com/zi71PIjj4x
4. State cites its reasons: "This is a classic example of organised crime, in the manner in which the execution of the offence was carried out." #HenriettaRushwaya
5. State says the airport CCTVs were switched off and her clearance took 4 minutes. The net of the syndicate is actually wider. There is evidence that the accused person tried to bribe the two officers who discovered the offence #HenriettaRushwaya
Here are seven steps you can take to navigate this wave of information and decide who and what to trust:
Assess the source
Who shared the information with you and where did they get it from? Even if it is friends or family, you still need to vet their source. To check for fake social media accounts, look at how long profiles have been active, their number of followers and their most recent posts. For websites, check the “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages to look for background information and legitimate contact details.
When it comes to images or videos, make it a habit to verify their authenticity.
For images, you can use reverse image search tools provided by Google and TinEye. For videos, you can use Amnesty International’s YouTube DatViewer, which extracts thumbnails that you can enter into reverse image search tools.
Other clues that a source may be unreliable or inaccurate include unprofessional visual design, poor spelling and grammar, or excessive use of all caps or exclamation points.
Go beyond headlines
Headlines may be intentionally sensational or provocative to get high numbers of clicks. Read more than just the headline of an article – go further and look at the entire story. Search more widely than social media for information – look at print sources such as newspapers and magazines, and digital sources such as podcasts and online news sites. Diversifying your sources allows you to get a better picture of what is or is not trustworthy.
Identify the author
Search the author’s name online to see if they are real or credible.
Check the date
When you come across information, ask yourself these questions: Is this a recent story? Is it up to date and relevant to current events? Has a headline, image or statistic been used out of context?
Examine the supporting evidence
Credible stories back up their claims with facts – for example, quotes from experts or links to statistics or studies. Verify that experts are reliable and that links actually support the story
Check your biases
We all have biases, and these factor into how we view what’s happening around us. Evaluate your own biases and why you may have been drawn to a particular headline or story. What is your interpretation of it? Why did you react to it that way? Does it challenge your assumptions or tell you what you want to hear? What did you learn about yourself from your interpretation or reaction?
Turn to fact-checkers
When in doubt, consult trusted fact-checking organizations, such as the International Fact-Checking Network and global news outlets focused on debunking misinformation, including the Associated Press and Reuters.
Information, misinformation and disinformation
Information is what we call things that are accurate to the best of our current knowledge. For instance, COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019 and is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the difficulties with any new pathogen, like this coronavirus, is that information changes over time as we learn more about the science.
Misinformation, on the other hand, is false information.
Importantly, it is false information that was not created with the intention of hurting others. Misinformation is often started by someone who genuinely wants to understand a topic and cares about keeping other people safe and well. It is then shared by others who feel the same.
Everyone believes they are sharing good information – but unfortunately, they are not. And depending on what is being shared, the misinformation can turn out to be quite harmful.
At the other end of the spectrum is disinformation. Unlike misinformation, this is false information created with the intention of profiting from it or causing harm. That harm could be to a person, a group of people, an organization or even a country. Disinformation generally serves some agenda and can be dangerous. During this pandemic, we are seeing it used to try to erode our trust in each other and in our government and public institutions.
How to navigate misinformation and disinformation
It helps to think of misinformation and disinformation spreading in the same way as viruses. One person might share fake news with their friends and family, and then a handful of them share it with more of their friends and family, and before you know it, potentially harmful or dangerous information is taking over everyone’s newsfeed.
But just as we can protect against COVID-19 with hand washing, physical distancing and masks, we can slow down the spread of misinformation and disinformation by practising some information hygiene. Before sharing something, ask yourself these questions:
How does this make me feel?
Why am I sharing this?
How do I know if it’s true?
Where did it come from?
Whose agenda might I be supporting by sharing it?
If you know something is false, or if it makes you angry, don’t share it to debunk it or make fun of it. That just spreads the misinformation or disinformation further. Learn more about how you can report misinformation online.
Good places to go for reliable information are the websites of your national Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization. Remember, though: information will change as we learn more about the virus.
What WHO is doing
WHO has developed guidance to help individuals, community leaders, governments and the private sector understand some key actions they can take to manage the COVID-19 infodemic.
For instance, WHO has been working closely with more than 50 digital companies and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, Pinterest, Google, Viber, WhatsApp and YouTube, to ensure that science-based health messages from the organization or other official sources appear first when people search for information related to COVID-19. WHO has also partnered with the Government of the United Kingdom on a digital campaign to raise awareness of misinformation around COVID-19 and encourage individuals to report false or misleading content online. In addition, WHO is creating tools to amplify public health messages – including its WHO Health Alert chatbot, available on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber – to provide the latest news and information on how individuals can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
Farai Dziva|The arrest of Henrietta Rushwaya for attempting to smuggle 6 kilograms of gold out of the country, has exposed Zanu PF’s lies about the cause of the economic crisis in the country.
This was pointed out by the MDC Alliance in a statement on Rushwaya’s arrest:
27 OCTOBER 2020
itsnotsanctions,its #smuggling that generated abject poverty in Zimbabwe, Mdc Alliance Namibia postulates.
The dramatic arrest of Henrietta Rushwaya , a Zanupf member and President of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation 24 hours after the unsuccessful Anti-sanctions Day is an act by factional fighters to prove that its not sanctions but senseless and barefaced corruption manifesting in smuggling the national cake to Dubai for their personal enrichment that has destroyed our economy.
‘Where do sanctions come in when one person grabs the gold worth US$366 000 per trip?’, asked Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Spokesperson.
During an executive meeting undertaken by Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch, the leadership emphasised that there was no space for primitive symphathy on targeted sanctions in our struggle for socio-economic transformation.
Moreso, we would like to make it categorically clear that sanctions must remain as long as Zanupf does not halt abducting progressive citizens, jailing objective journalists for unearthing corruption ,daylight looting of public humanitarian funds meant for our starved hospitals , poor schools and eroded roads. We are resolutely arguing that Zanupf should respect the rule of law and comply with the 2013 constitution.
They must be reminded that they are the unbearable sanction on the people of Zimbabwe who resoundingly voted for the change that delivers in July 2018, giving the political mountain (MDCA) 2.6 million votes.
We resolved to fight corruption as one of the targeted Big Fights in the national democratic revolution led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
The 53 year old , who is currently under arrest dismally failed to supply gold export approvals when she was confronted by tipped- off detectives from Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU).
These are mere highlights pointing to the deep corruption rampant in Zanupf and other appointed government officials. Mdc Alliance Namibia is in tandem with other pro democracy organisations who subscribe to the view that its stinking corruption and gross misgovernance that push away prospective investors and abandons diligent teachers , doctors , nurses and other public services striving, scratching their heads for a single nutritious meal with dear families.
As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are quite cognisant that sanctions are a direct response to gross human rights abuses.
They don’t target ordinary citizens thats why the United Kingdom,the U.S and the European Union continue to offer humanitarian aid in cash or in kind to alleviate the citizenry from Zanupf induced poverty.
British Ambassador to Zimbabwe said, “In 2020-21 we are providing 176 million US$ aid combating poverty, fighting #COVID-19, standing up for human rights and the rule of law”.
The corruption blight in Zanupf has taken our country back than the purported sanctions.
Instead of embracing ZIDERA ,they are undertaking celebrative galas in a futile attempt to shun targeted sanctions, Zanupf is an absolute joke.
The only sanctions that we comprehend are those imposed by the perpetrators of politically motivated arrests and abductions of dissenting voices.
Furthermore, Henrietta Rushwaya left her role as ZIFA CEO in complete disgrace in 2010 after she was strongly implicated in a match fixing saga popularly known as the Asiagate. Rushwaya and several ZIFA officials were accused of fixing international matches involving Zimbabwe national team between 2007 and 2009 while working with the convicted Singaporean match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal. They sold the country for self-aggrandisement, it becomes a mammoth task to believe that targeted sanctions are responsible for economic meltdown created by the clueless Zanupf regime. Our teachers are paid a slave wage of about US$ 20/30 a month , when they demand a living wage, they are told to Shut up!
Accused of being regime change agents. The greedy Zanupf politicians and their cronies are stealing US$100 million per month or more. These thieves must just go! before we even talk about sanctions because they are real sanctions.
In a nutshell, we demand that the Zanupf government should complete comprehensive political, economic and electoral reforms to set the stage for credible , free and fair elections in 2023. As part of our big fights,the return to Legitimacy and Democracy is key, we are already reclaiming our stolen victory in 2018. No 2023 without 2018, disputed elections must be a thing of the past.
We advocate for an independent Zec and an even political field.
Events of the last few months in our education sector have further plunged Zimbabwe into deep challenges.
COVID-19 struck during the first quarter of the year and schools were closed for almost seven months. As parents, we endured the burden of serving the academic and social needs of our children from home. Indeed, it was a terrible experience for the parents. I personally had to assist my two kids who are in form four by teaching them three subjects that I could. But surely, I could not give them the attention they deserved as 2020 examination candidates. While I am good at the three subjects, it just required qualified teachers to do so in a more systematic way.
It was also at this moment that I realized the critical role played by our teachers in socially and academically shaping our children when they spend those many months with them in class and in boarding schools. As parents, we can just shape them to a certain level. Our teachers are key in the growth of our children. Yet, our teachers are not getting the much-needed solidarity at this critical moment. They deserve our support variously. They deserve the same treatment as their counterparts in the civil service. They deserve the attention of the Government because they are not demanding too much but simply the basics.
When the Government finally announced the dates for the opening of the schools through a phased approach, our teachers could not fulfill their mandate as the custodians of our education system. They indicated that they were and are still in a situation where they can not fulfill the task.
For the first time in the history of Zimbabwe since independence, we saw a collective and united action from our teachers from traditionally antagonistic teacher unions. Traditionally, the teachers’ unions acted in a seemingly partisan manner when it comes to the welfare of the teachers. The unions normally aligned themselves with the existing political infrastructures in the country. However, this time around, we heard a collective legitimate voice that represented the apparent plight of our teachers.
It was not a voice of disrespect to authorities, but of reason. The teachers simply showed and are still showing that they are eager to fulfill their mandate but they do not have that much needed capacity to do so. Indeed, our teachers love their job and are passionate about their profession. Our teachers are simply incapacitated! They need to be enabled to do their job!
It is clear that the teachers are not well financially remunerated. Yet, other civil servants are well taken care of by the same employer. This is the main area of concern. Kusiyaniswakwevanavemunhu .
Our teachers are now being looked down upon because of poor salaries. They have lost a sense of belonging in the family of civil servants. The traditional respect and prestige they enjoyed during the previous regime are gone. At least the previous regime had a teaching experience hence it had a sense of feeling for the teachers unlike the current one which has strong military background, some people are tempted to think that way. The teaching profession in Zimbabwe has gone done the scale of respectability. There is generally poor attitude on the part of authorities towards our teachers, or is it towards the profession itself. We need to collectively rescue this critical profession.
We should do this for the sake of our children’s future. One can not and should not be regarded as being political by supporting a genuine case of our teachers. By the way, it is now a case of our own children more than being a case of our teachers. Our children are now exposed to all forms of unbearable experiences.
I read about it, I followed it on social media and indeed, I went and saw it with my own eyes over the weekend at one of the schools. I nearly cried when I saw the children behaving like the sheep without the Shepard. As a parent, I tried my best to motivate them to continuously study in preparation for the examinations whose dates and feasibility remain unknown.
At least I felt semi satisfied knowing that I did what a concerned parent could have done under the circumstances. Our children are our future, but we are slowing losing that future to the dogs.
The challenge of our teachers is not that they are too demanding. NO! Our teachers at the moment can not afford anything that we may regard as “basics” in life.
They cannot afford transport to and from work, they can not afford basic lunch while at school, not even fees for their own children.
Surely, we are challenged as a nation to raise the status of this critical profession.
Our teachers have become shadows of themselves when their counterparts in the civil service are being well paid by the same employer.
The low status accorded to our teachers and the apparent lack of interest on the part of the authorities leave us with many questions than answers as to the grand plan of our Government in this regard. The situation of our teachers now calls for all of us who are concerned about the future of our children to act.
This is the moment for the institutions such as the Church, Business, Independent Commissions and civil society to intervene since the core of humanity is under threat. It is now about saving humanity more than just offering solidarity to our teachers. Without quality education, we can as well forget about any meaningful development in our life time.
The Government should concretely show that it is making efforts to address the matter rather than just remaining unmoved as if everything is okay.
Everything is not just okay in the education sector. From the interaction I make with friends and relatives in the sector, it is clear that our teachers are aware that the Government is struggling to make ends meet.
However, they are worried (very worried indeed) that their counterparts are receiving better treating from the same employer who seem not interested in the plight of the teachers. We have already lost a full education calendar year to COVID-19 and now our children have to sit for their examinations. Let us save this generation of learners by taking the teachers’ issue seriously.
What will become of our children in this messy? I really feel for my own kids. They had all the zeal to reach greater academic heights when they first enrolled in school.
What will they say about this regime? What will they say about me as their parent? Will they pin me down and accuse me of having done nothing to correct the ills that would have affected their future?
Surely, I will have torrid time to explain to them that the situation was just beyond my individual control. What will they say about the current crop of teachers? I am happy that my kids have already realized that their teachers are in a dire situation-the kids really appreciate that their teachers are incapacitated. Hence, they will surely forgive the teachers for their tainted future. We hope that this impasse will be broken soon, just for the sake of our children.
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi West, Farai Musikavanhu has openly declared that MDC Alliance members should not be given food aid.
Musikavanhu made the remarks at a meeting in ward 18 Chiredzi West.
“Hon Musikavanhu MP Chiredzi West addressing Ward 18….
Politicisation of food aid wil nt be tolerated.Pple w disability are being denied food aid bcoz of political affiliation.
This shld stp.Thnks 2 @ForumMasvingofor petitioning,” MDC Alliance councillor Gilbert Mutubuki wrote on Twitter.
“Zanu PF Members of Parliament do not hide their politicization of food aid. 8,6 million Zimbabweans are food insecure yet MP Musikavanhu of Zanu PF openly declares that MDC members will not access any food relief.
The weaponization of food for political ends must stop,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
Here are seven steps you can take to navigate this wave of information and decide who and what to trust:
Assess the source
Who shared the information with you and where did they get it from? Even if it is friends or family, you still need to vet their source. To check for fake social media accounts, look at how long profiles have been active, their number of followers and their most recent posts. For websites, check the “About Us” and “Contact Us” pages to look for background information and legitimate contact details.
When it comes to images or videos, make it a habit to verify their authenticity.
For images, you can use reverse image search tools provided by Google and TinEye. For videos, you can use Amnesty International’s YouTube DatViewer, which extracts thumbnails that you can enter into reverse image search tools.
Other clues that a source may be unreliable or inaccurate include unprofessional visual design, poor spelling and grammar, or excessive use of all caps or exclamation points.
Go beyond headlines
Headlines may be intentionally sensational or provocative to get high numbers of clicks. Read more than just the headline of an article – go further and look at the entire story. Search more widely than social media for information – look at print sources such as newspapers and magazines, and digital sources such as podcasts and online news sites. Diversifying your sources allows you to get a better picture of what is or is not trustworthy.
Identify the author
Search the author’s name online to see if they are real or credible.
Check the date
When you come across information, ask yourself these questions: Is this a recent story? Is it up to date and relevant to current events? Has a headline, image or statistic been used out of context?
Examine the supporting evidence
Credible stories back up their claims with facts – for example, quotes from experts or links to statistics or studies. Verify that experts are reliable and that links actually support the story
Check your biases
We all have biases, and these factor into how we view what’s happening around us. Evaluate your own biases and why you may have been drawn to a particular headline or story. What is your interpretation of it? Why did you react to it that way? Does it challenge your assumptions or tell you what you want to hear? What did you learn about yourself from your interpretation or reaction?
Turn to fact-checkers
When in doubt, consult trusted fact-checking organizations, such as the International Fact-Checking Network and global news outlets focused on debunking misinformation, including the Associated Press and Reuters.
Information, misinformation and disinformation
Information is what we call things that are accurate to the best of our current knowledge. For instance, COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019 and is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. One of the difficulties with any new pathogen, like this coronavirus, is that information changes over time as we learn more about the science.
Misinformation, on the other hand, is false information.
Importantly, it is false information that was not created with the intention of hurting others. Misinformation is often started by someone who genuinely wants to understand a topic and cares about keeping other people safe and well. It is then shared by others who feel the same.
Everyone believes they are sharing good information – but unfortunately, they are not. And depending on what is being shared, the misinformation can turn out to be quite harmful.
At the other end of the spectrum is disinformation. Unlike misinformation, this is false information created with the intention of profiting from it or causing harm. That harm could be to a person, a group of people, an organization or even a country. Disinformation generally serves some agenda and can be dangerous. During this pandemic, we are seeing it used to try to erode our trust in each other and in our government and public institutions.
How to navigate misinformation and disinformation
It helps to think of misinformation and disinformation spreading in the same way as viruses. One person might share fake news with their friends and family, and then a handful of them share it with more of their friends and family, and before you know it, potentially harmful or dangerous information is taking over everyone’s newsfeed.
But just as we can protect against COVID-19 with hand washing, physical distancing and masks, we can slow down the spread of misinformation and disinformation by practising some information hygiene. Before sharing something, ask yourself these questions:
How does this make me feel?
Why am I sharing this?
How do I know if it’s true?
Where did it come from?
Whose agenda might I be supporting by sharing it?
If you know something is false, or if it makes you angry, don’t share it to debunk it or make fun of it. That just spreads the misinformation or disinformation further. Learn more about how you can report misinformation online.
Good places to go for reliable information are the websites of your national Ministry of Health or the World Health Organization. Remember, though: information will change as we learn more about the virus.
What WHO is doing
WHO has developed guidance to help individuals, community leaders, governments and the private sector understand some key actions they can take to manage the COVID-19 infodemic.
For instance, WHO has been working closely with more than 50 digital companies and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitch, Snapchat, Pinterest, Google, Viber, WhatsApp and YouTube, to ensure that science-based health messages from the organization or other official sources appear first when people search for information related to COVID-19. WHO has also partnered with the Government of the United Kingdom on a digital campaign to raise awareness of misinformation around COVID-19 and encourage individuals to report false or misleading content online. In addition, WHO is creating tools to amplify public health messages – including its WHO Health Alert chatbot, available on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber – to provide the latest news and information on how individuals can protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Source: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information follow /like our Facebook page :Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
itsnotsanctions,its #smuggling that generated abject poverty in Zimbabwe, Mdc Alliance Namibia postulates.
The dramatic arrest of Henrietta Rushwaya , a Zanupf member and President of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation 24 hours after the unsuccessful Anti-sanctions Day is an act by factional fighters to prove that its not sanctions but senseless and barefaced corruption manifesting in smuggling the national cake to Dubai for their personal enrichment that has destroyed our economy.
‘Where do sanctions come in when one person grabs the gold worth US$366 000 per trip?’, asked Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Spokesperson.
During an executive meeting undertaken by Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch, the leadership emphasised that there was no space for primitive symphathy on targeted sanctions in our struggle for socio-economic transformation.
Moreso, we would like to make it categorically clear that sanctions must remain as long as Zanupf does not halt abducting progressive citizens, jailing objective journalists for unearthing corruption ,daylight looting of public humanitarian funds meant for our starved hospitals , poor schools and eroded roads. We are resolutely arguing that Zanupf should respect the rule of law and comply with the 2013 constitution.
They must be reminded that they are the unbearable sanction on the people of Zimbabwe who resoundingly voted for the change that delivers in July 2018, giving the political mountain (MDCA) 2.6 million votes.
We resolved to fight corruption as one of the targeted Big Fights in the national democratic revolution led by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
The 53 year old , who is currently under arrest dismally failed to supply gold export approvals when she was confronted by tipped- off detectives from Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU).
These are mere highlights pointing to the deep corruption rampant in Zanupf and other appointed government officials. Mdc Alliance Namibia is in tandem with other pro democracy organisations who subscribe to the view that its stinking corruption and gross misgovernance that push away prospective investors and abandons diligent teachers , doctors , nurses and other public services striving, scratching their heads for a single nutritious meal with dear families.
As Mdc Alliance Namibia, we are quite cognisant that sanctions are a direct response to gross human rights abuses.
They don’t target ordinary citizens thats why the United Kingdom,the U.S and the European Union continue to offer humanitarian aid in cash or in kind to alleviate the citizenry from Zanupf induced poverty.
British Ambassador to Zimbabwe said, “In 2020-21 we are providing 176 million US$ aid combating poverty, fighting #COVID-19, standing up for human rights and the rule of law”.
The corruption blight in Zanupf has taken our country back than the purported sanctions.
Instead of embracing ZIDERA ,they are undertaking celebrative galas in a futile attempt to shun targeted sanctions, Zanupf is an absolute joke.
The only sanctions that we comprehend are those imposed by the perpetrators of politically motivated arrests and abductions of dissenting voices.
Furthermore, Henrietta Rushwaya left her role as ZIFA CEO in complete disgrace in 2010 after she was strongly implicated in a match fixing saga popularly known as the Asiagate. Rushwaya and several ZIFA officials were accused of fixing international matches involving Zimbabwe national team between 2007 and 2009 while working with the convicted Singaporean match fixer Wilson Raj Perumal. They sold the country for self-aggrandisement, it becomes a mammoth task to believe that targeted sanctions are responsible for economic meltdown created by the clueless Zanupf regime. Our teachers are paid a slave wage of about US$ 20/30 a month , when they demand a living wage, they are told to Shut up!
Accused of being regime change agents. The greedy Zanupf politicians and their cronies are stealing US$100 million per month or more. These thieves must just go! before we even talk about sanctions because they are real sanctions.
In a nutshell, we demand that the Zanupf government should complete comprehensive political, economic and electoral reforms to set the stage for credible , free and fair elections in 2023. As part of our big fights,the return to Legitimacy and Democracy is key, we are already reclaiming our stolen victory in 2018. No 2023 without 2018, disputed elections must be a thing of the past. We advocate for an independent Zec and an even political field.
Madam Speaker, I would like to challenge leaders; that as leaders, let us be transformative leaders, leaders who are going to move away from advancing their own personal interests and move forward for the common good.
Let us all work towards the common good and the common good is a better life for every Zimbabwean.
I would like to say this Madam Speaker, as the Leader of the Opposition I am going to be dialoguing with the President for a better life for everyone – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]
– and Madam Speaker, I know that there are people who have the notion that whoever dialogues with the President is selling out and like I said earlier on I am going to be dialoguing for a better life for all – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order!
HON. DR. KHUPE: Madam Speaker, I would like to say this because it is important. If those who think that dialoguing with the President is selling-out and I said I am going to be dialoguing for a better life, then let me be a sell-out, but I will deliver a better life to everyone at the end of the day – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]
– Madam Speaker, like I said, ‘united we stand and divided we fall’. Let us unite as a country and move forward together for the good of every Zimbabwean.
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi West, Farai Musikavanhu has openly declared that MDC Alliance members should not be given food aid.
Musikavanhu made the remarks at a meeting in ward 18 Chiredzi West.
“Hon Musikavanhu MP Chiredzi West addressing Ward 18….
Politicisation of food aid wil nt be tolerated.Pple w disability are being denied food aid bcoz of political affiliation.
This shld stp.Thnks 2 @ForumMasvingofor petitioning,” MDC Alliance councillor Gilbert Mutubuki wrote on Twitter.
“Zanu PF Members of Parliament do not hide their politicization of food aid. 8,6 million Zimbabweans are food insecure yet MP Musikavanhu of Zanu PF openly declares that MDC members will not access any food relief.
The weaponization of food for political ends must stop,” MDC Alliance said in a statement.
CHIVI – Police have been accused of assaulting a mentally challenged man from Chivi who then allegedly died with his hand and leg chained to a metal base inside a cell at Madamombe Police Station.
Relatives of the deceased complained to The Mirror that they found Dereck Hlomai dead on October 15, 2020 when they took some food and a certificate to prove to the officers that the man was mentally challenged.
National Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi referred questions to provincial spokesperson, Chief Inspector Charity Mazula who is however, not responding to the media.
A grieving Mercy Hlomai said she found her brother dead when she took some food and a certificate of illness to the Police Station.
Christopher Kufakunesu, a cousin to the deceased accused cops of murdering his relative.
Headman Madamombe also confirmed the case and said the body had since been taken to Bulawayo for postmortem.
Tapiwa Murena, a lawyer with Zimbabwe Lawyers’ for Human Rights, said that Police were callous in handcuffing Hlomai to a metal base when he was not a flight risk.
“I went to Madamombe Police Station on the October, 15 to bring my brother some food and a certificate to show the Police that the man was mentally challenged. It was when I got in the cell that I found that he died handcuffed to a metal base.
“The body was taken from Madamombe Police base to Masvingo General Hospital on October, 16, 2020 before being transferred to UBH in Bulawayo for post mortem,” said Mercy.
Sources said Hlomai was arrested at Madamombe Business Centre at around 10pm on October 14, 2020 on suspicion of stealing Mdzibo’s pot. He was allegedly assaulted by a security guard and a Police officer whose names are given.
On October 15 Mercy brought the deceased food and found him already dead with a hand and leg chained.
Kufakunesu also complained about costs which he said they were too harsh on them.
“The state is being inconsiderate as we are responsible for all the costs whilst our relative died in hands of the Police,” Kufakunesu said.
Kufakunesu also complained against Police for not giving the family a report on how Hlomai died as they claim that they do not know the whereabouts of Chimudende.
By A Correspondent- Court installed MDC T leader Thoozani Khupe has said just like the Israelites who toiled 40 years to reach the promised land, Zimbabweans were now in that era where there must be milk and honey.
Khupe said this while reacting to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s SONAin parliament Tuesday.
She said:
“Madam Speaker, I believe in God, I believe in Jesus, I believe in the word and I believe in biblical issues. Zimbabwe turned 40 years this year and I would like to equate it with the Bible where the Israelites wondered in the desert for 40 years without food and water.
They were going to the promised land where there was milk and honey. For me, I think this is it. Zimbabwe turned 40 years this year and this is it.
I strongly believe that Zimbabwe is going to change and it is going to change for a better life for everyone because we have turned 40 years.
We need to unite as a country for us to work together as a country and make sure that we push the development agenda so that everyone has a better life.”
3- State says: "The onus to demonstrate that there are compelling reasons in denying the accused person bail lies with the state. We intent to take up that onus in justifying why she must not be granted bail." #HenriettaRushwaya@MakomboreroHpic.twitter.com/zi71PIjj4x
4. State cites its reasons: "This is a classic example of organised crime, in the manner in which the execution of the offence was carried out." #HenriettaRushwaya
5. State says the airport CCTVs were switched off and her clearance took 4 minutes. The net of the syndicate is actually wider. There is evidence that the accused person tried to bribe the two officers who discovered the offence #HenriettaRushwaya
State says there is no prejudice to the accused person as the court had not made its ruling.
The onus to demonstrate that there are compelling reasons in denying the accused person bail lies with the state. We intend to take up that onus in justifying why she must not be granted bail.
Reasons: this is a classic example of organised crime, in the manner in which the execution of the offence was carried out.
State says the airport CCTVs were switched off and her clearance took 4 minutes.
The net of the syndicate is actually wider.
There is evidence that the accused person tried to bribe the two officers who discovered the offence.
There were other personnel involved in the accused person smuggling of gold, one from the CIO and another masquerading as a member of the CIO.
Rushwaya lawyer now responding:
Rushwaya lawyer says state has failed to comply with a court order to give reasons for its consent, “that should have been the starting point.” The state ought to have started by justifying why it consented as directed by the court.
Sikhala: we do not belong to mdct we belong to MDC Alliance.
Khupe: ya keep lying to yourself ulimenemene. Ulimenemene Sikhala iMDC Alliance is not a political party. Everyone knows that. iHigh Court vele.
Sikhala: Aaah, iwe Thokozani, mapolitical parties are not created in the High Court. The MDC Alliance is the people’s party do you understand? Do you hear?
Khupe: Whatever Sikhala.
Whatever Sikhala and you and your boss iRule of Law igailithandi, know that you are illegal.
UKhamisa can keep his 2.6 million votes, mina I will keep my rule of law or the rule of law will keep me.
Sikhala: aah iwe Khupe, look at my face look at me straight in the eye. Do I look like I am playing games here?
I did tell you that I am giving you 3 seconds did I not?
Khupe: Aah, whose 3 seconds? Whose 3 seconds?
3 seconds is what you do in your bedroom wena siphukuphuku, man. Shut up!
Sikhala: haah damn it Khupe, you don’t tell me to shut up.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson appears perennially bitter with the British government, and yet he has been under their sponsorship for education.
ZANU PF spokesperson, Patrick Chinamasa, last week said Zimbabweans must use their eloquence to support the country that sent them to school.
…You have very educated Zimbabweans, the majority of them educated by zanu-pf since independence, and then use the education to spite their country, they use their eloquence to undermine the economy of their country -Patrick Chinamasa at @ZANUPF_Official press conference 21 Oct pic.twitter.com/tXEqggcXfl
George Charamba was listed as one of the beneficiaries of a lucrative dish out from British public funds, called chevening scholarship.
An announcement read out by the sitting ambassador Melanie Robinson Wednesday listed George and Chris Charamba as two of the many recipients of chevening generosity. VIDEO BELOW
George Charamba
Do you need some inspiration to finish your @CheveningFCDO application?
By A Correspondent- MDC T interim president Thokozani Khupe told parliament that she is a proud leader of opposition whose core mandate is to represent the over 14 million Zimbabweans including those who voted her into power.
In the 2018 elections, Khupe garnered a paltry 45 573 votes against rivals Nelson Chamisa’s over 2, 1million and Emmerson Mnangagwa’s 2, 4million.
Said Khupe, while acknowledging and reacting to Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State Of The Nation Address (SONA) before parliament Tuesday:
“Madam Speaker, I rise to add my voice to the State of Nation Address which was presented by His Excellency on Thursday last week.
First of all, I would like to thank the Lord Almighty for affording me yet another opportunity to come to this august House as a Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – [HON. MADAM SPEAKER: Congratulations!] – [Hon. Chikwinya having walked out] – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]
Madam Speaker, today I stand in front of this august House as a proud Leader of MDC-T and Leader of the Opposition in this Parliament. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all MDC-T members for the unconditional love they have given to me to this date.
May the Lord Almighty bless them all. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay my condolences to all those who lost their beloved ones as a result of COVID-19. COVID-19 is real. It is an invisible enemy which strikes without you realising.
It is therefore important that we adhere to the lockdown protocols and restrictions and they will save our lives.
I would like to begin by talking about the role of the opposition. Our role is to question Government and hold them to account for their actions to the public.
Our role is to represent the alternative government and therefore we are responsible for challenging Government policies and proffering solutions.
Our role is to be the eyes and the ears of what the people are saying out there concerning their needs and aspirations and then come to this august House to raise those issues so that remedies and solutions are found and everyone has a better life.
My question Madam Speaker is have we been doing this? – [HON. MEMBERS: No!] – If we have not, then we have been letting the people of Zimbabwe down. I would like to assure Zimbabweans that going forward, we will make sure as MDC-T that we perform our representative, legislative and oversight roles to the best of our ability and knowledge.
I would also like to state categorically that our purpose as MDC-T is not just about power and positions. Our purpose is about advancing the interests of the 14,6 million Zimbabweans so that they have a better life.
The sad reality is that for others, it is just about power and positions: for the reason that I did not get the power and position that I wanted, Parliament must not operate; because I did not get the power and position that I wanted, Zimbabwe must come to a standstill, because I did not get the power and position that I wanted the country must be burnt down – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
Madam Speaker, we are here to advance the interests of the 14,6 million Zimbabweans. We are here to represent them. Once elections have come and gone, it is important that we unite as a country, nation or people and advance the development across so that Zimbabwe becomes a developed country–[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
Madam Speaker, let me move on. The President spoke about issues to do with development and I would like to define what development is. Development is the ability of a country to satisfy the needs of the people using its own resources.
What are the basic needs that I am talking about? The basic needs are food, shelter, health, education, clean water and sanitation, energy, jobs and so forth. These are the basic needs which are required by the 14, 6 million Zimbabweans.
In order for one to have these basic needs, the definition says it is the ability of the Government, using its own resources, to satisfy the needs of the people.
Where is the Government supposed to get these resources in order to satisfy the needs of the people? Government is supposed to get the resources largely from our mineral resources. Zimbabwe is a very rich country.
We are endowed with enormous resources. Zimbabwe has got 60 minerals resources. We have got gold, platinum, diamond, nickel, methane gas and many more. Last time we heard that $15 billion from diamonds disappeared – [HON. T. MLISWA: Vakaba.] –
This is the money which Government was supposed to use to satisfy the needs of the people. There is gold everywhere in Zimbabwe but unfortunately – [HON. T. MLISWA: Inaudible interjection.] – There are gold leakages…”
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance Kwekwe legislator Hon Settlement Chikwinya on Tuesday dared the Zanu Pf led government over its lies that sanctions are behind Zimbabwe’s economic woes arguing that corruption affected the country’s economic perfomance more.
Said Chikwinya:
“I rise on a point of privilege in that on the 25th of October, Zimbabwe commemorates what it calls Anti Sanctions Day. These are conditions that are being labeled as making life difficult for the majority of Zimbabweans.
As a Member of Parliament, various persuasions have been given especially by the Government and the ruling party.
From an opposition perspective, I think it is now time that we lay bare the facts of what is affecting our economic performance.
Therefore, I challenge Members of the ruling party to come with a motion to deal with what is affecting the economic performance of our country armed with evidence of sanctions and us armed with evidence of corruption. I thank you.2
Mr President, your Excellence Sir, i write this letter to you seeking your urgent intervention on these serious cases of economic sabotage and destruction. Yes sanctions do hurt our economy but corruption and smuggling are destroying our economy.
We don’t have control on those who imposed these illegal sanctions on us so there is no need to waste precious time, energy and resources fighting a losing battle.
Instead focus on those who are destroying our economy. Mr President you know these economic destroyers as you wine and dine with them.
No wonder they are even so daring to carry out their shenanigans openly that even a blind person can see it.
It is not surprising that a President of Miner’s Federation was finally arrested trying to smuggle gold. Only God knows how many times she has successfully smuggled out gold.
You know it Mr President that Zimbabwe is losing in excess of 30 tons of gold annually through smuggling.
I once reported to the ministry of Mines on how gold was being sourced from custom milling plants and smuggled out of Zimbabwe.
The response i got from the ministry was very disheartening showing that even those in the ministry, police, zimra are also involved in the smuggling racket. These people must be arrested and given very harsh sentences.
The culprits must work in prison farms feeding the whole nation.
Zimbabwe has more than enough resources to bust the sanctions but because of corruption and smuggling our economy is in the ICU. Only you Mr President can stop this mess by being bold and tough.
You don’t have to smile at those sabotaging the economy, they must not be your friends Mr President because they are our enemies. We are suffering because of these people. You have done enough talking Mr President now its time to act.
We demand action Mr President. You are the people’s President Sir so protect your people.
By A Correspondent- Prophet T Freddy has filed urgent application at the High Court stopping Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Colonel Richard Mapanda from invading his mine in Mazoe and threatening to kill his workers.
Colonel Mapanda last week invaded the mine with a loaded gun threatening to shoot anyone who comes back on the pit head.
Through his lawyer Jivas Mudimu of Mudimu law chambers Prophet T Freddy said he was the director of Lazania Gold Mine that had the license and certificates to carry mining activities.
“Applicant is a Mining company which is in the business of mining prospect for gold on an area of approximately 100 hectares situated within RA 1566 in the Mining District of Mashonaland central under special grant is attached hereto as “Annexure “A”,” wrote Prophet T Freddy in his founding affidavit.
He said his company had gone through all required processes for registration and for Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate and no objection was raised concerning the land in question which is under his name.
Despite all this effort which Applicant did which was at the knowledge of the 1st Respondent, he never objected, now that the applicant started operations, the 1st respondent is now disrupting the operations of the mine using force and threats. The Applicant’s efforts to stop the 1st respondent has proved to be abortive with fears that more confrontational approach will lead to violence” read the affidavit.
“The Likelihood that the 1st respondent would unleash terror on the Applicant’s members is not an imagined one since he came with a gun, and promised to shoot anyone who comes back to the mine,”
He said it is his belief that there is no basis upon which the Respondent’s conduct is justified hence leaving him with no choice than to approach the court for an urgent relief since all activities at the mine had been halted following the incident.
Provincial Mining director Mashonaland East Province has been cited as the second respondent.
By A Correspondent- MDC youths aligned to secretary general Douglas Mwonzora yesterday kicked out their colleagues who were occupying Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House led by Harare province chairperson Paul Gorekore.
Last night, there was heavy police presence at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House
Gorekore took over control of the building in September in his quest to unite the party’s leadership including Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa.
Gorekore confirmed his group’s eviction saying they were forced to leave their belongings inside.
He added that they were assaulted with iron bars and said that the youths did not have an eviction order.
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson appears perennially bitter with the British government, and yet he has been under their sponsorship.
George Charamba was listed as one of the beneficiaries of a lucrative dish out from British public funds, called chevening scholarship.
An announcement read out by the sitting ambassador Melanie Robinson Wednesday listed George and Chris Charamba as two of the many recipients of chevening generosity. VIDEO BELOW
George Charamba
Do you need some inspiration to finish your @CheveningFCDO application?
ZANU PF member says sanctions are people who increase fuel prices, Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Sakunda Fuel Co'Owner announces, with effect from midnight tonight, the fuel pump price of USD3,11 per ltr diesel, & USD3,31 petrol will come into effect… pic.twitter.com/BMbe9VV4xQ
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli on the campaign trail
Tanzania has been blocking social media applications ahead of Wednesday’s (Oct. 28) election, days after the state issued a directive restricting text messaging within the country. This builds on earlier legislation outlawing international press from covering developments in the country without local media partnerships.
The presidential and parliamentary election in Tanzania tomorrow is likely to be tense, given the allegations of human rights abuses and killings leveled by opposition politicians against incumbent president John Magufuli’s government. A few hours ahead of the vote, as many as 42 opposition activists had been arrested in the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar. It comes amid claims security forces had killed nine people as protests broke out over voting procedures which opposition parties claim could be used to manipulate results of the poll in incumbent Magufuli’s favor.
This added to an already volatile and explosive pre-election environment that the opposition and some human rights watchers are expecting to worsen in the post-election period. These tensions, as well as other rights violations have been on the radar of the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner which on Tuesday noted the “shrinking of democratic space in the country, with worrying reports of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests, and physical attacks against political opponents, journalists, women human rights defenders, and other activists”.
Against this backdrop, the most influential and affordable communications platforms in Tanzania have now either been blocked or restricted, independent monitors,d and watchers of such platforms confirmed on Tuesday. Access Now and Netblocks confirmed the blockade of Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
The throttling of social media platforms added to a Saturday directive by the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority under which it ordered telecom companies in the country to suspend bulk SMS and bulk voice communications as well as individual text messages with keywords around Wednesday’s election until Nov. 11.
All these measures have largely been seen as stifling critical media portrayal of Tanzania’s “Bulldozer” president, who came to power with a populist promise to wipe out corruption and a can-do energy admired by Africans in other countries in his first year. But that early goodwill quickly fizzled out as Magufuli quickly showed an authoritarian streak combined with eccentricities and is now alleged to have okay human rights violations against rivals and other and dictator-like tendencies.
But given Magufuli’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has an entrenched leadership of Tanzanian party politics it is widely expected he’ll win re-election. The 60-year old does faced notable competition for the top job from Chadema Party’s Tundu Lissu who only returned to Tanzania in July, having fled the country three years ago following claims of an assassination attempt.
Lissu is just but one of nearly a dozen other contenders but has largely been at the receiving end of Magufuli’s state repression. His campaign was suspended earlier this month because he had supposedly used “seditious” language.
Polls have opened in Tanzania’s general election, following nationwide reports of restricted internet access plus the arrest of an opposition leader in the semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar.
Voters have until 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) to cast their ballot.
Results are expected to be announced within one week.
President John Magufuli, whose Chama Cha Mapenduzi (CCM) party has ruled Tanzania since independence in 1961, is seeking a second term in office.
His main challenger is Tundu Lissu of the biggest opposition party, Chadema, who survived an assassination attempt three years ago. He returned from Belgium in July where he had undergone rounds of treatment for gunshot wounds.
In all, 15 candidates are running for president – including former foreign minister Bernard Membe, an ex-colleague-turned-critic of Mr Magufuli who defected from the ruling party and now leads ACT Wazalendo.
Both Magufuli and Lissu have drawn huge crowds during their campaigns.
However Lissu’s campaign was suspended for seven days after being accused of sedition by the electoral commission. He had reportedly said that Magufuli was planning to rig the elections, but the commission said there were no such attempts.
Under Tanzania’s electoral rules, the winning candidate requires a simple majority to become president.
Some 29.1 million people are registered to vote in Wednesday’s general election – six million more than than the previous polls in 2015.
They include residents of Zanzibar who vote for the islands’ leaders – including the election of a Zanzibari president – as well as in Tanzania’s national election.
Zanzibar has a history of contested polls, including in 2015 when they were annulled for not being free and fair. The opposition boycotted the re-run and the ruling CCM party’s candidate was declared the winner.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko will today appear at Harare Magistrates Court for his trial which is set to be held on camera.
We publish below pictures as he arrived at court.
Phelekezela Mphokoformer VP Phelekezela MphokoPhelekezela MphokoPhelekezela MphokoPhelekezela Mphoko at court
By A Correspondent- Three police officers from Mutare have been arrested for allegedly stealing 79 of the 143 smuggled clothing bales they had intercepted.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the arrest of the trio. “The police can confirm the arrest of detective Assistant Inspector R. Arovishi, Detective Sergeant K. Mushwete and Detective C. Chidakwa for criminal abuse of duty as public officers under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they were working closely with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.
According to police, the trio intercepted a truck with 143 bales at around 1am on October 19.
The accused are said to have connived with Edward Muhamba to steal part of the contraband and they stored 79 bales at the latter’s garage in the eastern border city.
The remaining 67 were surrendered to police and the three accused officers got US$2 000 from Muhamba.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the offence came to light after the police officers failed to honour some of the terms of the agreement with Muhamba who then made a police report.
The 79 bales were recovered at Muhamba’s garage leading to the arrest of the trio.-The Herald
The MDC Alliance has blast ZANU PF over utterances by their Buhera West MP Joseph Chinotimba claiming that the striking teachers were on the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance payroll and on a mission to make the country ungovernable.
“I rise on a point of privilege on the issue of schoolchildren. I wanted to ask tomorrow (today), but this has become a concern to us. In my opinion, teachers are no longer on strike, but are on an opposition mission,” Chinotimba said.
“Teachers, in my opinion, are on the payroll of the opposition. Our children are not going to school. If they go to school, they are not learning anything.”
Teachers downed tools in September when schools reopened for examination classes, demanding a US$520 salary which they used to earn during the United States dollar era, but government has ruled out paying US dollar-based salaries.
In reaction, the MDC Alliance told the ruling party to stop dragging them into issues of their failed governance.
Tweeted the opposition party:
This is not true. Zanu PF must take responsibility for it's bad governance instead of looking for an excuse or person to blame each time it's held to account. The crisis in the education sector is urgent. Pay teachers a living wage so that learners can receive a decent education. pic.twitter.com/0gBshEzqqY
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 28, 2020
BULAWAYO is recording a spike in diarrhoea cases in the middle of a deepening water crisis where most suburbs are receiving water for about 12 hours in a week.
Mzilikazi, Magwegwe and Luveve clinics are recording the highest number of cases, although sporadic incidents are received in various council-run health care centres across the city.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) said tests are being conducted to ascertain what could be causing the diarrhoea outbreak. The council however blamed poor hygiene for the disease outbreak. The water situation has increased unhygienic practices such as open defecation as residents seek alternative ways of conserving water in their homes.
Experts have warned the practices could increase chances of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. In June, Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb recorded more than 2 000 diarrhoea cases, leading to the death of 13 people.
Human waste was blamed for contaminating water causing the typhoid and dysentery outbreak and in a number of suburbs effluent can be seen on the streets and at people’s houses. Responding to Chronicle’s questions, BCC senior public relations Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said since September the city has recorded nearly 400 cases in three hot spots.
“Most clinics are recording an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases, however, Mzilikazi, Magwegwe and Luveve have higher figures compared to the rest.
“The figures below are for the three clinics starting at the time of the latest outbreak in Mzilikazi from 21 September 2020 to 13 October 2020. Magwegwe has recorded 89 cases, Luveve Clinic has recorded 55 cases and Mzilikazi Clinic has recorded 245 cases to date. However, the highest number was recorded in Luveve during the June to August period where over 2 000 cases were seen at the clinic and in the community,” said Mrs Mpofu.
In Mzilikazi and surrounding suburbs, children under the age of five are the hardest hit by diarrhoea.
She said unhygienic practices were the major causes of diarrhoea and council had taken measures to attend to the problem.
“Diarrhoea is generally caused by poor hygiene and non washing of hands. Regular hand washing addresses causative agents such as food, flies, fluids (drinks) and fingers,” she said.
“The city has a team dedicated to epidemic preparedness and response (EPR) responding to diarrhoeal conditions. Ailments related to diarrhoea are also treated for free at council clinics.”
Bulawayo is experiencing the worst ever water crisis to affect the city in modern history. To manage the water, the council has been implementing water conservation strategies which started with 48 hour water shedding exercise.
The council has been tightening the water shedding programme and is now implementing the Provisional Water Restoration Strategy Schedule where only a few suburbs are provided with water for almost 12 hours per week.
“Under the Provisional Water Restoration Strategy Schedule, council supplies residents with what is available at any given day from the service reservoirs. The schedule is also meant to ensure that the reservoirs do not collapse as any collapse of the reservoirs will leave the city without water for weeks,” said Mrs Mpofu.
“This is because we have limited quantities coming into the city from the supply dams and we also do not have any reserves in the raw water reservoir to provide a buffer should there be any challenges faced.”
Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor has praised the hospitality and security in Pakistan, saying it has been “unbelievable”.
Taylor is part of the Zimbabwe team that have come to Pakistan to play a limited overs series.
Revealing that it has been 12 years since he last travelled to Pakistan, Taylor admitted that he is excited to be back.
“Currently in a fantastic hotel in Islamabad. The Pakistan Cricket Board have been unbelievable with their hospitality, security and extremely welcoming. Been 12 years since I last toured Pakistan Really looking forward to the series,” he said on Twitter.
Pakistan’s series against Zimbabwe will consist of three ODIs and three T20 Internationals, with all the matches taking place in Rawalpindi.
The ODIs will be played from October 30 to November 3, while the T20 Internationals will run from November 7 to 10.
BUHERA West MP Joseph Chinotimba (Zanu PF) yesterday accused teachers of fronting for the opposition MDC Alliance through their endless industrial action, which he said had destroyed the education sector.
Chinotimba raised the issue as a matter of privilege in Parliament with the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Tsitsi Gezi.
He also alleged that the striking teachers were on the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance payroll and on a mission to make the country ungovernable.
“I rise on a point of privilege on the issue of schoolchildren. I wanted to ask tomorrow (today), but this has become a concern to us. In my opinion, teachers are no longer on strike, but are on an opposition mission,” Chinotimba said.
“Teachers, in my opinion, are on the payroll of the opposition. Our children are not going to school. If they go to school, they are not learning anything.”
The Zanu PF legislator claimed that government had done its best to address teachers’
grievances, but it seemed they wanted to continue with the strike action.
Teachers downed tools in September when schools reopened for examination classes, demanding a US$520 salary which they used to earn during the United States dollar era, but government has ruled out paying US dollar-based salaries.
The strike has left students unattended, with some reportedly engaging in drug abuse and sexy orgies.
“The teachers are being paid by one of the biggest opposition parties in Zimbabwe to make this nation ungovernable. It is better for the teachers to stay home,” Chinotimba
said.
Gezi ruled that Chinotimba should raise his issue in today’s question-and-answer session when Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema will be available to respond to the question.
Norton MP Themba Mliswa (Independent) then demanded that Chinotimba withdraws his accusations against teachers, saying the accusations would send wrong messages to the public about Parliament.
“If his statement that teachers are paid by the opposition is recorded in the Hansard, it will be a problem. It is wrong for this Parliament to be seen to be accusing teachers. My teachers in Norton are not paid by the opposition,” Mliswa said.
SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda yesterday said apathy had hit most public hearings conducted by parliamentary committees amid indications that the public generally thinks their views will not be incorporated into Bills.
Addressing journalists and civic society organisations during an outreach programme in Chinhoyi yesterday, Mudenda said some of the suggestions made by the public were incorporated into the 2019 and 2020 national budgets by Treasury.
“I am acutely aware that the disconcerting apathy towards public hearings in general and public hearings on the national budget in particular is partly a result of the unfortunate misconception that your input is ignored and does not find its way into either the Finance Bill or the National Budget purse,” he said.
“Nothing can be further from the truth. For instance, informed by the public consultations, Parliament made 239 recommendations to the Ministry of Finance in the 2020 budget covering a broad spectrum of issues. Out of the 239 recommendations, 115 were incorporated in the 2020 national budget, representing 48%.”
The Speaker said in 2019 a total of 77 out of 139 recommendations were taken on board, which translates to 55,4%, while in 2018, a total of 59 out of 102 recommendations were adopted representing 57.8%.
Mudenda urged journalists and civic groups to critique Bills passed in Parliament and send their views to the relevant committees.
He said Zimbabweans should embrace the doctrine of constitutional patriotism which compels every citizen to put the Constitution above all else to achieve the rule of law and observing the Bill of Rights which guarantees equality before the law.
“Thus it is clear that Zimbabwe is a unitary, democratic and sovereign republic, founded inter alia on the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, good governance and respect of the people of Zimbabwe from whom the authority to govern is derived,” Mudenda said.
“The obligations imposed by this Constitution are binding on every person, natural, juristic, including the State and all Executive, Legislative and Judicial institutions and agencies of government at every level, and must be fulfilled by them.”
The Speaker of the National Assembly said Zimbabweans could not hope to influence the work of Parliament or to hold their Members of Parliament to account when they were unfamiliar with the work of Parliament.
“Informing citizens about the role of Parliament and parliamentarians individually and collectively is not just the concern of the media, but also Parliament itself must facilitate the interface with civil society organisations as enjoined by section 141 of the Constitution,” he said.
DISTRIBUTION of Covid-19 cases among the 25 most affected suburbs in Bulawayo shows that the virus is most prevalent in western suburbs but the city centre remains the hardest hit.
The country has 264 active Covid-19 cases, with the bulk, 123 of them in Bulawayo.
A total of 52 people succumbed to the global pandemic in the province and 18 of the deaths were recorded in the last two weeks.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, five more deaths were reported on Monday in Zimbabwe and three of the people died in Bulawayo.
On Sunday one death was recorded in Bulawayo, the only Covid-19 related death in the country on that day.
Last week on Wednesday, three deaths were recorded in Zimbabwe, all from Bulawayo and the province also accounted for 18 of the 28 new cases recorded on that day.
According to the weekly council log sheet, of the top 25 affected suburbs, Entumbane and Nkulumane recorded the highest number of deaths.
The two suburbs account for three deaths each followed by the city centre, Mpopoma and Emhlangeni which each recorded two Covid-19 deaths.
Of the total active Covid-19 cases in Bulawayo, 27 are within the city centre, seven in Mpopoma and three in Entumbane.
Cowdray Park, Magwegwe, Njube, Bradfield and Emakhandeni suburbs were also listed as part of the top 10 Covid-19 hotspots in Bulawayo with two active cases recorded in each of the suburbs.
Other affected suburbs include Ilanda which recorded one death, Barbourfields, Emganwini, Lobengula, Mzilikazi, Nketa, Hillside and Montrose which all have one of Bulawayo’s active cases.
According to council, Mahatshula, Trenance, Nguboyenja, North End, Luveve, Thorngrove and Pumula suburbs are also part of the 25 hotspots with single active Covid-19 cases.
In response to questions, director of health services Dr Edwin Sibanda said there is general relaxation when it comes to following health guidelines.
“The apparent upsurge in the numbers of Bulawayo Covid-19 cases is twofold and is a result of rapid response teams following up contacts of positive cases and testing them according to protocol. There has been a relaxation in terms of observing prevention measures, gatherings have started such as parties’ and funeral wakes among others and this is likely to lead to many new cases,” said Dr Sibanda.
Acting Mpilo Central Hospital chief executive officer Professor Solwayo Ngwenya said the three deaths recorded in Zimbabwe on Monday were from the health institution.
He said some of the people were dying while awaiting results which shows that Covid-19 has spread in the community.
“We are seeing people being brought in dead while some die in hospital awaiting tests and this is quite a worrying trend. My biggest fear is many people could be infected in the community and unaware and this is an indication that Covid-19 is spreading at home yet people are so relaxed,” said Prof Ngwenya.
According to him Covid-19 has a potential to wipe thousands just like the Spanish Flu of 1918 which killed many when people thought it had been eradicated.
“If you look at current statistics or even in the past week or two, we seemed not to have any Covid-19 in the city, and this is what usually happens with a virus. It spreads when people are relaxed and then suddenly affects a large number of people,” said Prof Ngwenya.
“In fact, Bulawayo has had this sudden rise and soon it will be an epicentre of the virus if we are not careful. This is not surprising because the new cases and deaths are slowly going up.
“We need to change our behaviour in terms of frequenting closed spaces as they often lead to the transmission of the deadly virus. People must remember that Covid-19 can be transmitted even through the sharing of drinks and food hence the need for extreme caution to be taken all the time.”
According to Prof Ngwenya, people should adhere to the set guidelines and avoid crowding for whatever reason so that they do not find themselves in need of medication.
“The first lockdown in March really helped in flattening the curve but because we now have ‘veterans’ who think they have survived the first wave, we may see more cases and deaths than before,” he said.
File picture of a ZUPCO Bus involved in a accident
A 42-year-old Beitbridge man was killed, while three others were seriously injured in a road accident involving three light vehicles and a Zupco bus on Sunday evening.
The incident occurred at the 25km peg along the Beitbridge to Masvingo road near Tshapfuche area, after the first toll gate.
Police have identified the deceased as Francis Chipfuwa of Dulivhadzimu suburb, whose body has since been conveyed to Beitbridge District Hospital’s mortuary.
Three others (from Beitbridge) who were injured are being treated at the same hospital and are reported to be in a stable condition.
Acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South, Sergeant Stanford Mguni yesterday said that further investigations into the matter were underway.
He said according to preliminary information three vehicles, an Isuzu KB250, a Toyota Hiace and a Nissan Caravan were travelling towards Beitbridge, and the bus was travelling to Chipinge when tragedy struck.
“The now deceased was driving a Toyota Hiace which was towing the Nissan Caravan using a rope and were travelling southwards (towards Beitbridge) when an Isuzu KB250 which was travelling behind rammed behind the Nissan Caravan.
“As a result, the rope gave in and the Toyota Hiace swerved to the right and it collided with the Zupco bus which was travelling in the opposite direction. Chipfuwa died instantly during the collision,” said Sgt Mguni.
He said all the light vehicles had two people each and that all the three passengers were injured.
Sgt Mguni said none was injured from the 15 people who were travelling in the bus.
A few months ago, six people, among them two minors, were burnt to death when a Ford Bantum they were travelling in veered off the road, hit a tree and caught fire a few kilometres from the same spot (along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road).
The vehicle was travelling from South Africa heading for Chitungwiza when tragedy struck soon after leaving Beitbridge Border Post.
Late Patson Dzamara demonstrating at the independence celebrations in front of foreign dignitaries
Cabinet yesterday approved the draft of a proposed law that punishes Zimbabweans outside and inside the country who campaign for the continued imposition of sanctions with intent to harm the nation.
Strict conditions and definitions are incorporated in the proposals, basically requiring proof of intent to harm Zimbabwe and its people and so avoiding conflict with Constitutional rights.
According to the proposed law which will soon be tabled before Parliament, planned and timed protests deliberately meant to coincide with major international or regional events or visits by foreign dignitaries in order to tarnish the country’s image will also be criminalised.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at State House Cabinet considered and approved proposals to amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
“Cabinet noted that the current law does not criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments. Such communication or negotiation has a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
According to the Constitution, the country’s foreign policy must be based on the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe, respect for international law, peaceful co-existence with other nations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.
The Vienna Convention that governs diplomatic relations recognises only states as legitimate in foreign relations and negotiations, thus leaving private people and groups with no business in foreign relations and negotiations between countries.
“The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain, cooperate or connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests. The individuals or groups involve themselves in issues of foreign relations without verifying facts or engaging domestic authorities,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“Such wilful misinformation of foreign governments will therefore make the individuals or groups liable for prosecution. Other actions that will become punishable include planned and timed protests deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional events or visits. There are also various unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions that are concocted to tarnish the image of the Government, and amendments will criminalise such conduct.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Attorney General, Advocate Prince Machaya said the proposed law was consistent with both the Constitution and international law.
“One of the requirements to be proven is that there was self-gain and connivance. The criteria on how to determine a hostile Government and other issues will be contained in the legislation. Another requirement is that the outcome is to inflict suffering for the people of Zimbabwe and that there was damage to the foreign interest of the country. Those will be the elements,” said Adv Machaya.
“The legislation will be clear so that citizens conduct themselves accordingly.”
The proposed law comes as Zimbabwe commemorated the Sadc-initiated Anti-Sanctions Day last Sunday, which was also endorsed by the African Union which was unanimous in calling for the removal of the embargo.
Opposition party activists and their supporters in civic organisations have in the past, come under fire for travelling to different Western capitals calling for the continued imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe as a way of trying to effect illegal regime change.
President Mnangagwa last week signed into law the Attorney-General’s Office Amendment Act and the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act to bring the two laws in line with the Constitution.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda announced in last Friday’s Government Gazette.
The AG Office’s Amendment Act now provides for the appointment by the President of Deputy Attorneys-General and the AG will now chair the AG’s Office Board.
Ministries and other Government departments are now barred from employing lawyers to render legal services related to the AG’s Office without the approval of the AG while lawyers already employed by ministries are now deemed to be on secondment from the AG’s Office.
The NPA Amendment Act will provide for the appointment of Deputy Prosecutors-General to assist the Prosecutor- General and restructure the NPA Board.
A new position of Secretary to the authority has also been created by the new law.
The new structure of the NPA Board will see the PG and his or her deputy cease to be chairperson and deputy chairperson of the board.
The new Board now consists of the Prosecutor-General, a person who has been or is qualified to be a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, appointed by the Justice Minister after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission appointed by the Chairperson of the CSC.
Five members will be appointed by the Justice Minister of these five two shall be persons employed in the ministries responsible for justice and finance.
The President will also appoint from the membership of the board a chairperson and deputy chairperson, who shall be of different genders.
The secretary to the authority shall be the secretary to the board of the NPA.
Cabinet yesterday approved the draft of a proposed law that punishes Zimbabweans outside and inside the country who campaign for the continued imposition of sanctions with intent to harm the nation.
Strict conditions and definitions are incorporated in the proposals, basically requiring proof of intent to harm Zimbabwe and its people and so avoiding conflict with Constitutional rights.
According to the proposed law which will soon be tabled before Parliament, planned and timed protests deliberately meant to coincide with major international or regional events or visits by foreign dignitaries in order to tarnish the country’s image will also be criminalised.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at State House Cabinet considered and approved proposals to amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
“Cabinet noted that the current law does not criminalise the unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments. Such communication or negotiation has a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
According to the Constitution, the country’s foreign policy must be based on the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe, respect for international law, peaceful co-existence with other nations and the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.
The Vienna Convention that governs diplomatic relations recognises only states as legitimate in foreign relations and negotiations, thus leaving private people and groups with no business in foreign relations and negotiations between countries.
“The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain, cooperate or connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests. The individuals or groups involve themselves in issues of foreign relations without verifying facts or engaging domestic authorities,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“Such wilful misinformation of foreign governments will therefore make the individuals or groups liable for prosecution. Other actions that will become punishable include planned and timed protests deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional events or visits. There are also various unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions that are concocted to tarnish the image of the Government, and amendments will criminalise such conduct.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Attorney General, Advocate Prince Machaya said the proposed law was consistent with both the Constitution and international law.
“One of the requirements to be proven is that there was self-gain and connivance. The criteria on how to determine a hostile Government and other issues will be contained in the legislation. Another requirement is that the outcome is to inflict suffering for the people of Zimbabwe and that there was damage to the foreign interest of the country. Those will be the elements,” said Adv Machaya.
“The legislation will be clear so that citizens conduct themselves accordingly.”
The proposed law comes as Zimbabwe commemorated the Sadc-initiated Anti-Sanctions Day last Sunday, which was also endorsed by the African Union which was unanimous in calling for the removal of the embargo.
Opposition party activists and their supporters in civic organisations have in the past, come under fire for travelling to different Western capitals calling for the continued imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe as a way of trying to effect illegal regime change.
The call for the illegal sanctions is premised on the hope that citizens will experience hardships and turn against the Government.
The United Nations, Sadc and the AU have all called for the unconditional removal of sanctions which have denied the country access to finance from multilateral agencies.
Zimbabwe was slapped with illegal economic sanctions by the US and European Union nearly two decades ago after it embarked on the fast-track land reform that sought to address land ownership imbalances.
The illegal sanctions have suffocated the economy as Zimbabwe cannot access lines of credit from global financial institutions.
The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has been on an engagement and re-engagement drive aimed at ending the country’s isolation and the efforts are beginning to pay dividends.
The Zimbabwe dollar moved marginally by less than a third of a Zimbabwean cent, against the US dollar at yesterday’s Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) foreign currency auction, trading 0,004 percent higher at 81,3531 compared to last week’s 81,3499.
Although both the lowest bid and the highest bid moved upwards, the lowest bid to $80 and the highest to $89, it is obvious that almost all bidders are now within a cent or two of the previous rate. October has seen hyper-stability on the auctions with weekly movements well below a hundredth of a percent.
“I think we will continue to see stability,” said economist Eddie Cross, “because that reflects the fundamentals.”
Key to the fundamentals indicated by Mr Cross has been Government’s deliberate efforts at expenditure containment.
Through the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), which is coming to an end this year, the authorities have managed to reverse both the country’s fiscal and current account deficits.
Data from Treasury shows that fiscal deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) declined from -10,5 percent in 2017 to a surplus in 2019, and so far this year a balanced budget.
And the current account improved from a deficit of US$1,4 billion in 2018 to a surplus of US$311,2 million in 2019, with indications that Zimbabwe is continuing to export more than it imports.
Economic analyst Persistence Gwanyanya concurs: “Of course sustenance of this stability is dependent upon the determination by both RBZ and Treasury to contain money supply growth, which is the major driver of currency stability so far.
“Importantly, containing money supply growth hinges upon fiscal discipline by Treasury. It is actually fiscal indiscipline that got us into hyperinflation around 2008, which is why the new crop of economic managers have declared war against this economic adversary,” he said.
“All indicators on the ground suggest that Treasury is determined to continue with tight fiscal policy stance, which is encouraging. In fact, the market is actually feeling the heat from this fiscal stance to achieve surpluses as a way of rebalancing the country’s fiscal position.”
Yesterday’s auction saw the highest number of bidders, with total bidders on the main platform rising to 274 from last week’s 238. All 238 valid bids, that is those where bidders managed to get their paperwork in order, were successful.
Although the top bid on the main auction rose to $89 from $87,1 last week, the lowest accepted bid also rose to $80 (from $79 previously). But with the de facto range for almost all bids now having to be within a band of a few cents to produce such minute changes, these extremes have little effect. On the SMEs auction, the highest bid remained at $86, although the lowest successful bid rose to $79,9 from $79 last week.
Total bids on the SMEs board remained at 146. Total foreign currency allocation was marginally lower at US$27,8 million from US$28, 7 million although all valid bids were allotted, so the small drop was from reduced demand rather than reduced supply. The main auction accounted for US$26,1 million and SMEs took up US$1,67 million.
Yesterday, the raw materials segment accounted for the bulk of the allotments with US$10,45 million on the main auction and US$445 902 on the SMEs board.
Machinery and equipment came in second with US$4,3 million on the main and US$237 171 on the SMEs. And consumables came in third on the main auction at US$2,7 million. On the SMEs section, consumables took up US$454 901.
Although companies are accessing foreign currency from the auction system, a significant number of firms are still “double-dipping” by pegging the prices of their goods or services on the black market, resulting in pricing distortions in the market.
“Some shops are pricing their products higher in local currency by using the parallel market determined exchange rate, thus forcing buyers to opt to pay in US dollars instead of local currency.
“The implied parallel market rates are also not uniform among the different suppliers of goods,” noted the Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU) in its Economic Barometer Report for September 2020.
Three police officers from Mutare have been arrested for allegedly stealing 79 of the 143 smuggled clothing bales they had intercepted.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the arrest of the trio. “The police can confirm the arrest of detective Assistant Inspector R. Arovishi, Detective Sergeant K. Mushwete and Detective C. Chidakwa for criminal abuse of duty as public officers under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they were working closely with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.
According to police, the trio intercepted a truck with 143 bales at around 1am on October 19.
The accused are said to have connived with Edward Muhamba to steal part of the contraband and they stored 79 bales at the latter’s garage in the eastern border city.
The remaining 67 were surrendered to police and the three accused officers got US$2 000 from Muhamba.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the offence came to light after the police officers failed to honour some of the terms of the agreement with Muhamba who then made a police report.
The 79 bales were recovered at Muhamba’s garage leading to the arrest of the trio.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya, who is facing charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold worth US$333 000 out of the country, was yesterday remanded in custody with a Harare magistrate ruling on her bail application today.
The State and defence have agreed on bail conditions, but Magistrate Ngoni Nduna said yesterday in the remand hearing that he wanted to consider the submissions first.
The State led by Mr Charles Muchemwa had proposed that Rushwaya be granted $90 000 bail, be ordered to report twice a week at CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit, Harare, and not to interfere with investigations and witnesses.
The State had also consented to Rushwaya surrendering the title deeds of the Borrowdale property of her defence lawyer, Mr Tapson Dzvetero, at No. 709 Crowhill Estate as surety. This would mean the lawyer was willing to ensure Rushwaya would appear in court when required.
Mr Dzvetero yesterday told the court that the defence would be ready for trial on Rushwaya’s next remand date, as she was eager to clear her name.
“The accused wishes to clear her name and wants the trial to commence. I am advised that the State completed its investigations and we hope that on the next remand date, the trial commences,” said Mr Dzvetero.
Charges against Rushwaya’s arose on Monday morning when she went to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to catch a flight to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
She went through check-in procedures and her passport was stamped for departure. At the exit screening point on the VIP route she was asked to place her luggage through the X-ray machine by an official, who discovered a dense colour in her grey hard case.
Detectives from CID were then summoned and a physical check was carried out in the presence of other authorities. It was then allegedly discovered that she had 6 095,66 grams of gold in the form of four gold bars.
Rushwaya was asked to produce documents authorising her to take the gold out of the country and she allegedly failed to do so.
Curfew hours have been relaxed from 8pm to 10pm for the convenience of travellers, while Government has resolved to open the country’s borders in phases beginning with private passenger vehicles and pedestrians from December 1, 2020, while assessments are undertaken regarding public transport.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said border posts that fall into the first phase are Beitbridge, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Forbes.
“The borders will open first to private passenger vehicles and pedestrian traffic as from December 1, 2020, while further assessment is being undertaken with regard to preparations for handling public passenger transport.
“Cabinet wishes to inform the public that border operating hours are being fixed between 0600 and 1800 hours until further assessment of the situation. Curfew hours are being extended beyond the current 2000 hours to 2200 hours for the convenience of those who are cleared late at ports of entry,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
The extension of curfew hours takes effect after gazetting.
This development comes after the Department of Immigration recently advised Government to consider reopening land borders for passenger traffic in phases, particularly at Beitbridge Border Post where 500 000 people crossed per month in both directions before the national lockdown began on March 30.
Between 13 000 and 15 000 people are passing through Beitbridge Border Post each day from SADC countries, a situation that needs examination to guarantee safe movement of travellers and within health protocols against the spread of Covid-19.
Last month, Zimbabwe reopened airports to tourism-related travel, but passenger traffic by road and rail remained restricted until the latest announcement.
Only returning residents, commercial cargo, diplomats on Government business and human remains for burial were being allowed entry through the country’s land borders.
Minister Mutsvangwa acknowledged the continued assistance the country was receiving from partners to contain Covid-19 and implored citizens not to be complacent as the contagion was still to be vanquished.
“On this very positive note, the Government of Japan is supporting Zimbabwe in equipping four central and eight provincial hospitals with state-of the-art medical equipment comprising bedside intensive Care Unit monitors, an ultrasound scope, operation and examination equipment, a portable X-ray system, bedside Coronary Care Unit monitors, emergency ventilators, electrocardiographs, an anaesthesia workstation, and artificial resuscitators,” she said.
The equipment from Japan would soon be distributed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Other provincial hospitals that are set to benefit are Bindura, Chinhoyi, Gwanda, Gweru, Kadoma, Marondera, Masvingo and Mutare.
Three police officers from Mutare have been arrested for allegedly stealing 79 of the 143 smuggled clothing bales they had intercepted.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi last night confirmed the arrest of the trio. “The police can confirm the arrest of detective Assistant Inspector R. Arovishi, Detective Sergeant K. Mushwete and Detective C. Chidakwa for criminal abuse of duty as public officers under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said they were working closely with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.
According to police, the trio intercepted a truck with 143 bales at around 1am on October 19.
The accused are said to have connived with Edward Muhamba to steal part of the contraband and they stored 79 bales at the latter’s garage in the eastern border city.
The remaining 67 were surrendered to police and the three accused officers got US$2 000 from Muhamba.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the offence came to light after the police officers failed to honour some of the terms of the agreement with Muhamba who then made a police report.
The 79 bales were recovered at Muhamba’s garage leading to the arrest of the trio.-The Herald
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has tested positive for coronavirus.
The 50-year-old is experiencing mild symptoms and has begun self-isolating, world football’s governing body confirmed on Tuesday.
“Fifa president Gianni Infantino has received confirmation today that he has tested positive for coronavirus,” a statement said.
“The Fifa president, who has reported mild symptoms, has immediately placed himself in self-isolation and will remain in quarantine at least for 10 days.
“All people who came into contact with the Fifa president during the last few days have been informed accordingly and they are being requested to take the necessary steps.
“Fifa sincerely wishes president Infantino a speedy recovery.”
Infantino is in his second term as Fifa president, having won re-election in June last year.
The former Uefa general secretary first took office in February 2016.
Infantino has spoken recently of his determination to make sure the 2022 World Cup in Qatar takes place with fans attending, despite the coronavirus pandemic forcing domestic competitions to continue to restrict the number of supporters going to stadiums or banning them entirely.
“I cannot imagine the Qatar 2022 World Cup without fans because playing a competition the size of the World Cup without spectators is almost no point in having, causing us big issues, and there is no doubt that the next World Cup will definitely be held in Qatar,” he said.
“We have sufficient time in order to contain the coronavirus pandemic, and the global community will have done this by winter 2022.
“At the present time the crisis threatens football and for the first time since World War II, football competitions around the world have been stopped. The situation has been very difficult, especially for those countries that depend on the income of fans attending.”
Infantino also spoke last week about the reported European Premier League, which would potentially replace the Champions League with a new league tournament for Europe’s biggest clubs.
The Fifa president refused to be drawn on whether he supported the proposal.
“As Fifa president, I’m interested in the Club World Cup, not the Super League,” Infantino told reporters in Switzerland.
“For me, it’s not about Bayern Munich against Liverpool, but Bayern against Boca Juniors.” — Goal
FIVE more people have succumbed to Covid-19 in Zimbabwe and 27 positive cases have been recorded.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, three of the latest deaths were recorded in Bulawayo province which has the highest number of active cases at 123.
Zimbabwe has 264 active cases.
The country has recorded 242 deaths so far.
“We recorded 27 new cases and five deaths reported in the last 24 hours and the seven-day rolling average for new cases rises to 21 today from 18 yesterday,” read a statement from the Ministry.
“All 27 are local cases and three of the deaths were reported in Bulawayo, one in Manicaland and the fifth one in Masvingo province. No new recoveries reported and the national recovery rate stands at 94 percent while active cases go up to 264.”
The Ministry said as of Monday, Zimbabwe had recorded 8 303 cases, 7 797 recoveries and 242 deaths.-Chronicle
The MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has castigated SADC for remaining mum while the human rights, economic and political situation in Zimbabwe implodes.
The development came to light on social media when the SADC secretariate Stergomena Tax on 25 October the Zimbabwe Anti Sanctions day tweeted a solidarity message with Zimbabwe and said:
Sadc reiterates the call for unconditional lifting of sanctions so as to enable Zimbabwe to improve the livelihoods of her citizens and for unhindered development
MDC Alliance secretary for international affairs Gladys Hlatywayo responded to Dr Tax and said:
Since August 2018, more than 50 Zimbabweans have been killed, 105 were abducted including the three MDC young women who were se_xually abused by State agents. We never heard the voice of Sadc on these human rights violations. Why is it so Your Excellency?
Dr Tax did not respond to Hlatywayo. SADC has remained quiet while other entities including the African Union, South Africa, the United Nations have agreed that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe.
SADC only surfaced when the ruling party Zanu PF and the government increased their anti-sanctions campaigns and showed solidarity with them despite evidently being quite on other issues bedeviling the Southern African nation.-NewsDay
The Zanu PF Harare province has completed primary elections and is now geared for by-elections following the recall of seven MDC-T legislators and 22 councillors.
The party’s provincial interim chairman, Godwills Masimirembwa confirmed the development saying the names of those who won the primary elections were forwarded to the national commiserate department.
“From the 10th to the 18th of October, we conducted primary elections in respect of the constituencies where MDC-T has recalled nine legislators, and 22 councillors. The referred constituencies being St Mary, Highfield West, Highfield East, Glenorah, Kuwadzana, Kuwadzana East, Mufakose, Harare Central, Epworth and of cause 22 wards in Harare Metropolitan province,” said Masimirembwa.
Masimirembwa said the polls were held peacefully. “The turn up for the primary elections was quite pleasing. The primaries were held in a peaceful and transparent environment, no violence and no mishaps.
“Generally, we are very happy with how the primary elections were held,” he said. He was not at liberty to disclose the names of those who successfully won the primary elections.
“As the norm with our internal process in Zanu PF, the results have been forwarded to the national commissariat department, once they have received the final approval we will then release those results.
“The primaries went on very well and we are raring to go as and when the by-elections will be conducted. The primary elections came at a time when the restructuring programme of cells was in progress,” he said.
The province is currently working on cell verification exercised and branches to strengthen party structures.
“What we are continuing with now is to complete the restructuring exercise and then proceed with branch elections and district elections.
“We expect to complete the restructuring process of the province by the end of November this year,” he said.
The Harare provincial structures were dissolved by the Politburo after reports of factionalism and divisions rocked the restructuring process. -Herald
The state owned main newspaper reports saying Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has dished out presidential inputs to over 1,1 million households.
The report says in part: ‘more than 1,1 million households across the country have received inputs under the Climate-Proofed Presidential Inputs Programme popularly known as Pfumvudza.’
The report paints a picture that proposes that the distribution has already happened, but while in the same vein saying that it is still to be done.
A part of it reads: The inputs are being distributed to farmers by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
Each household will be supported with a standard input package comprising 5kg seed for maize, 1x50kg bag basal dressing, 1x50kg top dressing and traditional grain seeds for both oil seeds and cereals per household.
The standard input package is enough to cultivate three Pfumvudza plots, each plot measuring 16mx39m, two plots for cereals (maize and traditional grains) and a third one for oil seeds such as soyabeans in high rainfall potential areas and sunflower in the low rainfall potential.
Farmers in the drier parts of the country will be supported with other climate smart crops such as cow pea, groundnuts and roundnuts. GMB chief executive, Mr Rockie Mutenha yesterday confirmed that inputs distribution was at an advanced stage.
“We have distributed inputs to 1 197 787 households across the country. We received funds to transport inputs from the GMB depots to wards for easy access by farmers.
“This has accelerated delivery of inputs to farmers and to date we have distributed 6 000 tonnes of seed, 37 500 tonnes of basal fertiliser and 10 000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate,” he said.
“The rains are upon us and we are encouraging all transporters within the districts to assist in the movement of inputs,” he said.
Pfumvudza which is the flagship of the Agriculture Recovery Plan is aimed at increasing food output per unit area through the adoption of conservation agriculture and adoption of good agronomic practices such as mulching, population density management, crop rotations, fertilisation regime management and pest and weed management.
The programme received a major boost in terms of extension services through enhanced mobility for the agricultural extension officers with the support of 5 000 motor cycles from President Mnangagwa.
Over three million farmers have so far been trained on Pfumvudza with the majority being women. Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Anxious Masuka recently said Pfumvudza had received overwhelming response from farmers as an alternative technique to boost productivity.
“We are clearly on target. Distribution of inputs is underway. “We are excited that farmers have embraced this alternative technique and certainly with predicted good rains we are going to have a better season,” he said.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president Mr Shadreck Makombe applauded Government for distributing inputs to farmers early.
“There has been a remarkable improvement in the movement of inputs to farmers this year. We are taking it up from winter cropping season where all wheat inputs were in place.
“We have started on good pedestal. Those distributing inputs on the ground should move with speed since some roads are not accessible during the rainy season,” he said.
Mr Makombe urged farmers in marginal areas to continue growing traditional grains even when good rains are expected. -Herald
MDC ALLIANCE Senator Hon Muzoda involved in a car accident near Shavanhohwe Bridge along Nyamapanda road.
He was rushed to Musami Hospital for treatment.
This comes in less than 24 hours after another MDC A MP for Marondera West Caston Matewu’s car burst two tyres while he was driving from Harare to Marondera yesterday.
A Marondera resident urged the MDCA leaders to tighten their security as there are possible assassination attempts from their political enemies.
We tried to get hold of Hon Muzoda but his phone went unanswered. Zimbabwe let’s pray for our leaders.-MDC Alliance
Naizvozvo nhasi ndiri kunotsvaga mkomana uyu and make sure medical checks are done kuti paonekwe kana asina kukuvara and also all proceeds from the show will go to him as compensation.-Jah Master
Takataura naye after show and I apologised for my behavior handiziye ndakapindwa nei.
Ndiregereiwo mundipewo zuva rimwe kana maviri ekugadzirisa mhosva yangu iyi.
Ndinotenda vese vari kunditsiura uyezve vese vari kuisa ma message mu inbox ikodzero yenyu nekuti zvandakaita izvi zvinhu zvisingatarisirwe uye hazvina hunhu.
Ndichazodzoka pano ne update kuti inenge yava papi nyaya iyi.
Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is deliberately lying to the entire nation as part of a calculated ploy to atone for his glaring blunders, President Chamisa has said.
Mr Mnangagwa claims the country cannot borrow from the World Bank because of sanctions.
According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa is bad borrower and the World Bank cannot support his administration financially.
“Mnangagwa tells supporters that they can’t borrow from the World Bank because of sactions.
Verdict: False. Mnangagwa cannot borrow because he is a bad borrower.
Their debt servicing record is very bad. They borrow and they don’t pay back.
First, they withdraw for themselves from the national account. The account gets depleted, and they raid people’s foreign currency deposits. The deposits get depleted and they now borrow from outside not to finance development but to fund their lavish lifestyles. To finance the construction of their huge mansions, purchase of fancy luxurious cars and purchase of women and opposition money mongers.
Nothing is reserved for Zimbabwe. That’s why the healthcare is in a mess. With such kind of corruption, I guarantee Zimbabwe can’t change as long the devil is in power.
A new government, totally free of Zanu pf, is the solution,” said President Chamisa in a strong statement.
Farai Dziva|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is deliberately lying to the entire nation as part of a calculated ploy to atone for his glaring blunders, President Chamisa has said.
Mr Mnangagwa claims the country cannot borrow from the World Bank because of sanctions.
According to President Chamisa, Mr Mnangagwa is bad borrower and the World Bank cannot support his administration financially.
“Mnangagwa tells supporters that they can’t borrow from the World Bank because of sactions.
Verdict: False. Mnangagwa cannot borrow because he is a bad borrower.
Their debt servicing record is very bad. They borrow and they don’t pay back.
First, they withdraw for themselves from the national account. The account gets depleted, and they raid people’s foreign currency deposits. The deposits get depleted and they now borrow from outside not to finance development but to fund their lavish lifestyles. To finance the construction of their huge mansions, purchase of fancy luxurious cars and purchase of women and opposition money mongers.
Nothing is reserved for Zimbabwe. That’s why the healthcare is in a mess. With such kind of corruption, I guarantee Zimbabwe can’t change as long the devil is in power.
A new government, totally free of Zanu pf, is the solution,” said President Chamisa in a strong statement.
Farai Dziva|A 75-year-old man has been arrested for stealing bicycles and barbed wire from his neighbours.
See below full story published by Chronicle:
A 75-YEAR-OLD Colleen Bawn man has been fined $1 500 for stealing two bicycles from his neighbour and barbed wire from a nearby farm.
Hassan Phiri was convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi.
He was ordered to have paid the $1 500 fine by October 30 or risk being jailed for two months in case of default. In addition, he was sentenced to five months imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Prosecuting, Mr Noel Mandebvu said Phiri stole two bicycles from his neighbours as well as barbed wire from Bromley Farm in Collen Bawn in May.
“On 13 May at around 9PM Mr Foster Hlongwane retired to bed and left his bicycle parked by the verandah. On the following day at around 5AM his wife got up to sweep the yard and she noticed that the bicycle was missing and informed her husband. Mr Hlongwane tried to check the footprints of the accused person but couldn’t find any,” he said.
“Later during that month Mr Hlongwane heard that the police had found some bicycles at the accused person’s homestead while they were investigating another case of theft of a bicycle. On 31 May at around 10AM Mr Hlongwane then proceeded to the accused person’s homestead with the police to identify his bicycle and he found it. The bicycle is worth US$100.”
Mr Mandebvu said under the second count on May 28 at around 8PM the complainant Mr Mbuso Moyo went to visit his relatives who live close to Phiri and left his bicycle unsecured in the yard. He said at around 10PM the complainant decided to go back to his home and discovered that his bicycle was missing from where he had left it.
Mr Mandebvu said the following day at around 6AM the complainant with the assistance of neighbourhood watch committee members and some villagers tracked the bicycle tyre marks which led to them to Phiri’s homestead where they found the missing bicycle in the accused person’s field. He said the matter was reported to the police resulting in the arrest of the accused person. The value of the stolen bicycle is R2 000.
“Sometime during the period between the year 2018 and 29 May 2020 Phiri proceeded to Bromley Farm in Colleen Bawn and stole three rolls of barbed wire which had been used to fence the farm and took it to his homestead. On 29 May at around 6AM police who were investigating a case of theft of a bicycle arrived at Phiri’s homestead and found three rolls of barbed wire.
“Police carried out investigations which later revealed that Phiri had stolen the barbed wire from Bromley Farm leading to his arrest. The value of the stolen barbed wire is R1 000,” he said.
GOALKEEPER Washington Arubi’s career-recouping move to newly formed TTM FC in South African top-flight league has given him hope that he can still reclaim his place in the national team.
Retirement is not in his scheme of things, at least for now. Just as the national team is focusing on resuming the all important Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a date against highly rated African champions Algeria, 34-year-old Aubi is focusing on resuscitating his career at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila Football Club.
For a period spanning more than a decade, that is since 2004 up to 2016, Arubi was regularly part of the nation’s flagship football outfit.
Getting the vice-captain’s armband upon his arrival at TTM instantly boosted Arubi’s confidence ahead of the start of the season.
The soft spoken Sakubva-born player endured two seasons of very little game time at the Kaitano Tembo-coached SuperSport United. The star was temporarily left homeless after Matsatsantsa decided against renewing his contract.
By his own admission, life at The Swanky Boys was not rosy.
Now his latest move has brought hope of resuscitating his career and enjoying more game time. Speaking from his new base, Arubi said he feels that he has unfinished business with the Warriors.-Manica Post
JOHANNESBURG – The bail application for self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, his wife, Mary, and their co-accused has been postponed to Friday by the Pretoria Magistrates Court.
The Bushiris and their three co-accused were arrested last week and face charges, including fraud and money laundering involving R102 million.
The Bushiris and their co-accused will spend another four nights in the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
This after their case was rolled over to allow accused number one to explain to the court why he should be granted bail.
Lawyer for accused number two earlier said that the State had no case against his client, saying that it would be in the interests of justice to release her since she had a child who she was breastfeeding.
Earlier yesterday, Advocate Anneline van den Heever tried to persuade the magistrate to postpone the matter until today but the magistrate raised a number of concerns, saying that the court roll was full and she could only hear the matter on Friday.
“As with today, we are more than willing to come and sit and wait our turn. I would suggest, your worship, that it would be in the interest of justice with regard to the facts that the matter be rolled over until tomorrow.”
She also said that she was concerned about a large group of people outside the court building where social distancing was not being adhered to.-EyeWitnessNews.
By Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala| I was shocked when my sister Gladys Hlatshwayo phoned me when I was driving from the Parliament car park rushing to go and read in preparation of my final Master of Laws degree Exams coming next week about what Khalipani Phugeni is alleged to have said about me. I did not hear what he said about me because he is one guy I never ever listened to on all his various interviews he had in the past. What I am told is that he claimed that I have joined them. It must be on record that for many many years I never met this Khalipani Phugeni since he stopped attending MDC T meetings which I was a National Executive member as the Secretary for Recruitment and Mobilisation during the period of the late President Morgan Tsvangirai. He abruptly stopped to attend MDC meetings after the appointment of VaMudzuri and VaChamisa as Vice Presidents of the party. I coincidentally bumped into him at Holiday Inn Hotel soon after 2018 elections where he told me that he had come for the launch of POLAD. He was seated on top of his bag right on the entrance to the Hotel. I greeted him and had a few minutes chat where he told me that he is in Harare from SA for the launch of POLAD. I wonder what gave him the audacity to speak on my behalf as if I am dead. Even Fadzai Mahere has never dared speaking on my behalf on issues of my personal thinking. This man is astonishingly brave. But he must be told before hand that respect is very important. Don’t talk about other people who have never talked about you without their consent. It is not only dangerous but boarders on contempt of others.
What he must know is that I am rooted from the people. Millions from Zambezi to Limpopo, from Forbes Boarder to Victoria Falls and beyond our borders have strong belief in my fight for the emancipation of the Zimbabwean masses. Every politics must be rooted from the people. It must be people centered not personal interest. What I know is that, several approaches were made by many people from Phugeni’s side for me to go and become their President. Several times I told them I am not inspired by positions in a struggle. Relevance to a struggle is not shaped by someone’s position in the society but by the character of an individual. Positions are sources of false importance and I am a Che Guevara who just want Zimbabwe to be free from the evils of the ZANU PF regime. In addition they have got several choices and options in VaMudzuri, VaKomichi, Mama Khupe naVaMwonzora. My loyalty is to the people of Zimbabwe and my focus is on leading a revolution to liberate our country.I am a freedom fight and a revolutionary. To amplify my position, I have got few questions for Mr. Khalipani Phugeni,
1) Are we of the same ideological inclination that we all believe that Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF are the evil sources of all the suffering the people of Zimbabwe are going through?
2) If so why then have I never heard you in one trance or sentence attacking the misgovernance which Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF have perpetrated in our country?
3) Is the current bloodletting in our party our own making or caused by Emmerson Mnangagwa? So why are you inviting me to a Mnangagwa sideshow?
4) When are you going to pronounce the truth that all our problems originate from the doorsteps of Emmerson Mnangagwa and ZANU PF?
5) If you genuinely love me so much, I was recently in prison incarcerated for no crime at all but expression of the suffering of the masses, have you ever posed and decided to issue a statement either condemning my persecution or a mere statement of solidarity or just phoning my family to empathize with me?
6) What is your take on our persecution together with Hopewell Chin’ono and Jacob Ngarivhume over the 31st July National lockdown? Have you pronounced yourself on that?
7) Do you agree with me that people are the ultimate source of power for any government in the world?
8) If so why don’t you join me in mobilising citizens in the expression of their anger against the misgovernance in our country?
9) What is your take over issues of abductions, torture and human rights abuses that are intensified in our country at the moment? Why are you not pronouncing yourself on this critical and crucial subject of the moment?
10) Do you believe that these fights will only prolong the suffering of the masses of Zimbabwe? If so do you see the importance of unity of purpose to deal with the ZANU PF evil!? Are you speaking the language of unity or polarization? I urge you to look yourself in the glass and reflect to all questions I asked you.
Ndapedza hangu.
Freeedom is coming.
MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman and 31 July Movement Spokesperson.
ZIMBABWE dollar maintained its stability against the US dollar at the weekly auction floor after a marginal shift to trade at 81,35 from 81,34 last week.
According to the RBZ data released after Tuesday’s auction, the weekly movement of the official rate continues to be within the range of at least one percent. The highest bidder on the main auction was at $89 while the lowest bid remained at $80.
On the SMEs auction the highest offered was at $86 while the lowest accepted bid was at $70. University of Zimbabwe Business School Director, Dr Nyasha Kaseke says the continued stability of the local dollar will also depend on favourable fiscal and monetary policy measures.
“It is all about how the fundamentals in place are fine tuned in the context of stability,” he said.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president, Mr Denford Mutashu said the stable exchange rate has seen a slowdown in prices.
“The gradual trend is therefore for everyone to see in the form of stable pricing models,” he said. Large scale firms were the biggest beneficiaries of this week’s auction after accounting for over 27 million United States dollars while smaller businesses received a total of one comma seven million United States dollars.
Nelson Chamisa’s Lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has dared Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi who he said was in a relationship with underfire Zimbabwe Mines boss Henrietta Rushwaya to ”bring it on”.
Last night Mpofu took to Twitter and revealed that Rushwaya was Hodzi’s live-in lover:
Henrietta is PG Kumbirai Hodzi’s live-in girlfriend. Did the PG not know anything about this smuggling? Why again was Gula-Ndebele dismissed? Hasn’t the question of Hodzi’s fitness to remain in office arisen? Is he going to properly prosecute his lady-love?
Hodzi who is denying the allegations filed criminal charges against Thabani Mpofu and Hopewell Chin’ono who also shared Mpofu’s tweet on his social media platforms.
Hodzi reportedly reported Chin’ono and Mpofu to the Police according to Prosecutor Michael Reza who said:
I can confirm that the Prosecutor General has filed criminal complaints against Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Hopewell Chin’ono for their utterances against him.
Mpofu took to Twitter to confirm that he is ready for Hodzi and dared him to ‘bring it on’:
It has been brought to my attention that PG Hodzi has in criminal abuse of office laid charges against me. Bring it on Hodzi. I’m going to completely eviscerate him. He must explain himself before a tribunal and not try and cow me into silence. Let the games begin.
Leave @daddyhope out of this. I made the allegations. Why is Reza, my Prosecutor, already getting involved in the matter? This corrupt abuse of power must be confronted head on.
CABINET has approved changes to the criminal law to to allow the criminalisation and prosecution of “unauthorised communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments”.
The development was confirmed by information publicity and broadcasting services minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, at Tuesday’s post-cabinet media briefing.
“… the Vienna Convention on diplomatic Relations (1961) only recognises States as legitimate players in foreign relations and negotiations,” said the minister.
“Private players thus have no business in foreign relations and negotiations between countries.”
At the weekend, Zimbabwe and the region marked the second SADC Day against sanctions imposed by the West to punish Harare for its land reforms.
Now in place for two decades, the crippling sanctions were imposed at the active instigation of local opposition parties and anti-Zimbabwe civil society groups.
“The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain cooperate or continue to connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Wilful misinformation of foreign governments will also be liable to prosecution under the changes, including the staging of protests “deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional visits.”
The minister added; “There are also various unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions that are concocted to tarnish the image of government, and (the) amendments will criminalise such conduct.”
Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya, who was late Tuesday afternoon remanded in custody after being charged with smuggling involving US$333 000 worth of gold is ready to submit for the court to give her a quick trial.
Her lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero had in an out of court determination with the state agreed to proposed bail conditions and demanded that trial kicks off when they return to court on November 13.
“The accused wishes to clear her name and have the trial commences. I am advised that the State completed its investigations and we hope that on the next remand date, November 13, trial commences,” said Mr Dzvetero.
Magistrate Ngoni Nduna postponed the hearing to Wednesday to hear the defence bail request and consider the conditions agreed by the State and her defence team.
The State led by Mr Charles Muchemwa had consented that Rushwaya be granted $90 000 bail. Had also agreed that Rushwaya be ordered to report twice a week at CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit, Harare and not to interfere with investigations and witnesses.
The State had agreed that Rushwaya be ordered to surrender title deeds to her lawyer Mr Tapson Dzvetero’s No. 709 Crowhill Estate, Borrowdale in Harare.
In the following video recorded by HSTV, MDC T led by Thokozani Khupe ‘s spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni took the time to address a lot of issues which include the court-sanctioned congress, the takeover of Harvest House by MDC T youths and he also said the votes garnered by Nelson Chamisa in 2018 belong to them.
MDC Alliance MPs allegiant to Nelson Chamisa on Tuesday braved axing from parliament when they walked out on MDC-T interim leader Thokozani Khupe as she made her maiden speech in parliament.
Khupe, recently seconded herself into parliament as a proportional representative MP for Bulawayo replacing MDC National Chairperson Thabitha Khumalo who she recalled following a supreme court ruling which made her interim leader of the opposition party.
As the MDC Alliance MPs walked out Khupe was cheered by Zanu PF MPs throughout her speech.
The defiant MPs left as soon a as Parliament deputy speaker Tsitsi Gezi recognised Khupe during a debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last Thursday.
As they left the legislative chamber, some MPs from both benches all clapped for Khupe who was hailed by some who shouted, “Seva”.
MDC Alliance legislators last Thursday also boycotted President Mnangagwa’s speech as they have done so since the 2018 disputed elections claiming Chamisa was robbed of his victory by the incumbent.
Award winning journalist Hopewell Chinono had hinted that Henrietta Rushwaya would not pay a US$5000 bail to unnamed officials at Harare’s RGM Airport which led to her arrest.
Chinono made the revelation in a Tweet on Tuesday which exposed police double standards in handling suspects. According to Chinono, Rushwaya was treated like a rockstar when she was taken to court compared to how they were treated on their arrest couple of months ago.
Henrietta Rushwaya who was arrested bcoz she didn’t pay a US$5000 bribe was treated like a rock star when she arrived at court.
Those of us who exposed corruption were put in handcuffs and leg irons.
This is not the first time she has smuggled gold. She is related to Mnangagwa. pic.twitter.com/ei9V1KRf9D
FIVE more people have succumbed to Covid-19 in Zimbabwe and 27 positive cases have been recorded.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, three of the latest deaths were recorded in Bulawayo province which has the highest number of active cases at 123.
Zimbabwe has 264 active cases.
The country has recorded 242 deaths so far.
“We recorded 27 new cases and five deaths reported in the last 24 hours and the seven-day rolling average for new cases rises to 21 today from 18 yesterday,” read a statement from the Ministry.
“All 27 are local cases and three of the deaths were reported in Bulawayo, one in Manicaland and the fifth one in Masvingo province. No new recoveries reported and the national recovery rate stands at 94 percent while active cases go up to 264.”
The Ministry said as of Monday, Zimbabwe had recorded 8 303 cases, 7 797 recoveries and 242 deaths.
Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya has been remanded in custody.
The state is not opposing the granting of bail.
State Prosecutor Charles Muchemwa messed up the case which was clearly predetermined after he begged Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna to grant Rushwaya bail before her lawyers submitted the bail request.
Nduna had to remind Muchemwa of the need to follow procedure and allow Rushwaya’s lawyer Tapson Dzvetero to make a formal bail application before the court.
“You can’t just bring your consent for me to rubberstamp. So bail application has to be done before me to give basis of the consent,” said Nduna to Muchemwa.
Dzvetero then asked for time to apply for bail, but Nduna said it was too late before postponing the matter to Wednesday.
The state had consented to Rushwaya being granted ZWL$90 000, residing at the given address and surrendering her passport to the police among other conditions.
A determination on the bail hearing will now be made tomorrow.
She is accused of attempting to smuggle out of Zimbabwe 6kg of gold.
By A Correspondent| Popular Harare prophet, T Freddy has filed urgent High Court application to stop Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) boss, Colonel Richard Mapanda from invading his mine in Mazowe.
According to Prophet T Freddy, Colonel Mapanda last week invaded the mine with a loaded gun threatening to shoot anyone who comes back on the pit head.
Through his lawyer Jivas Mudimu of Mudimu law chambers, Prophet T Freddy who is the director of Lazania Gold Mine said holds the license and certificates to carry mining activities at the mine in question.
“Applicant is a Mining company which is in the business of mining prospect for gold on an area of approximately 100 hectares situated within RA 1566 in the Mining District of Mashonaland central under special grant is attached hereto as “Annexure “A”,” wrote Prophet T Freddy in his founding affidavit.
He said his company had gone through all required processes for registration and for Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate and no objection was raised concerning the land in question which is under his name.
“Despite all this effort which Applicant did which was at the knowledge of the 1st Respondent, he never objected, now that the applicant started its operation the 1st respondent is now disrupting the operations of the mine using force and threats. The Applicant efforts to stop the 1st respondent has proved to be abortive with fears that more confrontational approach will lead to violence” reads the affidavit.
“The Likelihood that the 1st respondent would unleash terror on the Applicant’s members is not imagined one since he came with a gun, and promised to shot anyone who comes back to the mine,” said Freddy.
pictures taken during the scuffle
He said it is his belief that there is no basis upon which the Respondent conduct is premised and that left him with no choice than to approach the court for an urgent relief.
Prophet T Freddy said he treated the matter as urgent since the respondent chased away all workers threatening to kill them if they disobey his orders hence the operation of the mine has stopped.
Provincial Mining director Mashonaland East Province has been cited as the second respondent.
The cabinet of Zimbabwe has approved a bill that among others criminalises conversations with foreign governments. Below was the announcement roll by information minister Monica Mutsvangwa:
According to the Constitution, the foreign policy of Zimbabwe must be based on the promotion & protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe; respect for international law; peaceful co-existence with other nations & the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.
It was noted that the current law does not criminalise the unauthorized communication or negotiation by private citizens with foreign governments.Such communication or negotiation has a direct or indirect implication on Zimbabwe’s foreign relations and policy.
Other actions that will become punishable include planned and timed protests deliberately designed to coincide with major international, continental or regional events or visits. Unsubstantiated claims of torture and abductions will also be criminalised.
The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups who, for self-gain co-operate or connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests.
Cabinet considered and approved the amendments to the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9 :23]
PARLIAMENT has played a critical role in unearthing corruption and white-collar crime by high profile public figures leading to some of them serving time in jail.
This was revealed by the Speaker of the National assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda during an interactive meeting with the media and Civic society organisations in Chinhoyi this Tuesday.
Responding to a question from a representative of a civic society organisation on the role parliament is playing in fighting corruption, Advocate Mudenda revealed that a number of high-profile cases were exposed by parliamentary committees leading to the arrest and conviction of public figures.
He singled out the NSSA report by the public service commission as well as the committee on energy whose reports revealed some corrupt activities at the Pension Fund and the energy ministry resulting in high-profile figures, including former ministers being arraigned before the courts.
“The problem with white collar crimes is that they tend to be intricate. But now some high profile public figures have been convicted. Some are serving sentence. Apart from the Auditor-General, we have some Parliamentary committees that came up with reports that reveal corruption like for example the NSSA reports the committee on public service came up with a report indicating there is something wrong in NSSA causing the conduct of a forensic audit which then came up with a report indicating the depth of corruption and the matter is in the courts now.
“The committee on energy for example also came up with recommendations that revealed some corruption in the ministry and the then minister is currently serving sentence in jail. The committee on local government revealed some corruption activities in the Midlands and the former minister of state was fingered, brought to court and is now serving sentence in jail,” he said.
A representative of the Southern African parliamentary support trust, Mr Israel Chilimanzi said the Zimbabwean parliament is open and accessible.
“There are numerous examples that show that our parliament is open and accessible. What the speaker is doing by conducting the speaker*s forum in our view is to demystify the institution. But not only demystifying it but also he is giving a practical application of the Constitution,” he said.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has been moving across the country interfacing with communities, articulating the role of parliament and how citizens should be involved in the law-making process.
By A Correspondent| Rising hip-hop star King 98 has hit the ground running preparing for his coming album that will be released in March next year.
The promising album is being recorded with several producers that include COG and award winning Nigerian producer Speroach.
Clearing his way for an album, the young musician will be releasing a single on November 13 with a video.
King 98 in orange hat helps Producer in white to cut cake
His determination of success has seen him recording sixteen songs in the past three weeks with Speroach who has left the country today (Tuesday) after days of recording with the young musician.
A fusion of local and international producers will make the album rich and good for the African market.
Already local producers have already endorsed the young musician saying he has already done enough in raising the hip hop bar.
King 98 said he will be releasing a single titled “I bet” with a video on November 13.
“I have been working, recording songs and one of the singles is already done with a video on it. I will be releasing it on November 13,” he said.
For three weeks he has been with Speroach, he said it was a great experience.
Speroach who has worked with a number of international acclaimed musicians such as Davido, echoed the same sentiments in an interview on Monday.
“King 98 is determined for success, imagine recording sixteen songs within three weeks is not easy. I am impressed by his determination,” he said.
He said working with King 98 will do best in pushing his music on the African market.
“King 98 is good I tell you, and I have told him that we should do all beats so that he penetrate on the African continent,” the producer added.
Speroach who turned 31 on Monday night got a surprise when the young musician hosted birthday celebrations for him.
“This makes me feel at home and I am falling in love with Zimbabwe. I want to thank King 98 for this gesture,” he said.
He promised to do his best in producing the young musician.
By Jane Mlambo| In what clearly puts question marks on the treatment of criminals aligned to the ruling Zanu PF and the state, prosecutor Charles Muchemwa literally begged Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna to grant Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Henrietta Rushwaya after agreeing with her lawyers outside the court room.
It took Nduna to remind Muchemwa of the need to follow procedure and allow Rushwaya’s lawyer Tapson Dzvetero to make a formal bail application before the court.
“You can’t just bring your consent for me to rubberstamp. So bail application has to be done before me to give basis of the consent,” said Nduna to Muchemwa.
Dzvetero then asked for time to apply for bail, but Nduna said it was too late before postponing the matter to Wednesday.
The state had consented to Rushwaya being granted ZWL$90 000, residing at the given address and surrendering her passport to the police among other conditions.
FORMER Health Minister Obadiah Moyo’s bid to have his bail reporting conditions scrapped flopped after a Harare magistrate dismissed his application.
Regional magistrate Mr Trynos Utahwashe dismissed Moyo’s application saying his it was among a number of similar applications made by prominent people ‘seeking preferential treatment’ from the court.
Mr Utahwashe said such applications by prominent people should be discouraged as the courts do not discriminate against accused persons who appear before them.
In his ruling, Mr Utahwashe said such applications are usually made when there are no changed circumstances in their cases.
Moyo had applied for variation of his bail reporting conditions saying they were costly and making it difficult for him to plan for business that needs time beyond two days.
He was ordered to report to police thrice a week.
State had opposed to his application saying he consented to the conditions and should have contested them when he was initially granted bail.
Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi has filed criminal charges against pro-MDC Alliance political activists Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Hopewell Chin’ono for alleging that he lives with former ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya.
Acting Public Prosecutor for the the Eastern Region Michael Reza confirmed to The Herald that the PG has reported the duo to the police.
“I can confirm that the Prosecutor General has filed criminal complaints against Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Hopewell Chin’ono for their utterances against him,” he said.
Prosecutor General Kumbirai Hodzi has filed criminal charges against pro-MDC Alliance political activists Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Hopewell Chin’ono for alleging that he lives with former ZIFA chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya.
Acting Public Prosecutor for the the Eastern Region Michael Reza confirmed to The Herald that the PG has reported the duo to the police.
“I can confirm that the Prosecutor General has filed criminal complaints against Advocate Thabani Mpofu and Mr Hopewell Chin’ono for their utterances against him,” he said.
