BLOOMBERG: The U.S. asked Zimbabwe to help put down an Islamist insurgency in neighboring Mozambique that’s destabilizing a region rich in natural gas, people familiar with the matter said.

The request came in a phone call between U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Tibor Nagy and Zimbabwe Foreign Minister Sibusiso Moyo last week, the people said, asking not to be identified because the content of the talks hasn’t been made public. The foreign minister asked that the U.S. first drop targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean officials, the people said.

Mozambique has been struggling to suppress the Islamic State-affiliated group that’s destabilizing a region where nearly $60 billion in investment in natural gas facilities are planned by companies including Total SE and Exxon Mobil Corp.

While Zimbabwe is in a state of economic collapse, its army is battle-hardened with its troops having fought in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as having supported U.S. operations in Angola and Somalia.

Zimbabwe has a long history of involvement in neighboring Mozambique. The guerrilla army affiliated to its ruling party used Mozambique as a base from which to launch attacks on then White-ruled Rhodesia in a 1970s liberation war. Zimbabwean troops intervened to quell a rebellion by militants affiliated to Mozambique’s opposition Renamo party in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mozambique estimates that the insurgency in northeastern Cabo Delgado province has forced about 300,000 people to flee their homes. The militants have repeatedly taken control of the Mocimboa da Praia port this year and a number of villagers have been killed.

Moyo, an army general who played a key part in a coup in which Robert Mugabe was ousted as Zimbabwe’s president in 2017, can’t be seen to be cooperating with the U.S. unless the sanctions are scrapped, the people said.

Moyo told Nagy that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa shares the U.S.’s concerns about the militants and that the two nations share strategic interests elsewhere, but sanctions remain an obstacle, the people said.

“The assistant secretary and the Zimbabwean foreign minister discussed how implementing promised economic and political reforms will restore Zimbabwe’s international reputation, rebuild its economy, and give voice to all Zimbabweans,” a state department spokesman said. “They did not discuss alleviating sanctions in response to counter-terror assistance.”

In Zimbabwe’s state-controlled Herald newspaper, Moyo was quoted as telling Nagy that, “this is the time for the U.S. and Zimbabwe to start looking at the bigger strategic issues” so that the two countries can normalize relations.

-Bloomberg

By A Correspondent- The Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance has denied reports that it is smuggling guns into the country in preparation to violently overthrow President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.

State Security Minister Owen Ncube on Monday claimed that MDC Alliance youths had undergone banditry training outside the country in order to topple Mnangagwa’s government.

Yesterday, MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Clifford Hlatywayo said Ncube’s claims were meant to justify government’s planned crackdown on opposition supporters.

“Those utterances are unfounded and misdirected. MDC Alliance has nothing to do with anything that brings suffering to ordinary people. Why guns, what for?” he asked rhetorically.

“If there is smuggling happening, where? By who? This is desperation of the highest order. Let them confront the crisis in Zimbabwe, not blame the people’s party. It shows that they are clueless and they don’t have anything to offer to the people,” he said.

Hlatywayo added:

“People must not waste their time to listen to that madness. The people of Zimbabwe know that we are the archbishops of peace at our party. MDC Alliance and its members are in fact victims of State-engineered and sponsored violence. Owen Ncube is popularly known as Mudha in the Midlands areas where he is allegedly a leader of Alshabab and MaShurugwi terror groups that terrorise the people. We have nothing to do with guns but we have all to do with the ballot,” he said.

On Saturday, Chamisa launched a preemptive attack on Ncube when he said he was aware of government’s planned crackdown on his party leadership.-Newsday

Paul Nyathi

News just received indicate that the Zimbabwe Council of Churches liaison officer Reverend Samuel Sifeli has died.

Highly placed sources told ZimEye.com that Rev Sifelani died on Tuesday evening near a friend’s place in Sunninghill Suburb of Bulawayo.

The sources indicated that Sifela was crashed into a powerlines pole while trying to jump inside his car which had broken into motion with no one inside it.

The sources indicated that the Reverend had driven into an open ditch on the side of the road. In the process of removing the car from the ditch, the vehicle went loose resulting in the now deceased reverend chasing after it.

As he tried to jump into the car he was squashed by the car onto a powerlines pole killing him on the spot.

Sifela had a few minutes before the freak accident presided over a ZCC meeting in the city in the ongoing Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba.

More details to follow.

By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, MOPSE, has released the phased school calendar for the remainder of the 2020 academic calendar and the start of 2021.

In a notice issued on Tuesday by the MOPSE permanent secretary Tumisang Thabela, Phase One for the Phased School Term commenced on Monday, 28 September 2020. This is strictly for ZIMSEC examination classes, that is, Grade 7, Form 4 and Form 6.

Phase Two is for Grade 6; Form 3 and 5. It starts on 26 October 2020.

This means that Phase One will run for 60 days, Phase Two for 40 days, and Phase Three for 30 days.

The Phased Term ends on Friday, 18 December 2020 and pupils will be going on vacation for only 17 days.

First Term 2021 begins on Monday 4 January 2021.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe this Wednesday for a two-day State visit.

President Chakwera, who won the Malawi election run-off in June this year, is making his inaugural visit to Zimbabwe with senior officials from his Government already in the country to bolster ties between the two countries.

“President Chakwera will be meeting with his brother, his Zimbabwean counterpart President Mnangagwa.

Activities will include a brief meeting with the Malawi nationals living in Zimbabwe and laying of wreaths at the Zimbabwe National Heroes Acre,” said Ambassador Kumwenda.

She said a high-powered 26-member delegation led by Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka, is already in Zimbabwe to exchange notes with their counterparts ahead of President Chakwera’s visit.

Zimbabwe and Malawi share a long history of ties dating back to the pre-colonial era.

President Chakwera is on a regional tour following his election and was in Zambia last week ahead of his visit in Zimbabwe.

Engagements are likely to centre on possible areas of cooperation and strengthening of the cordial relations that exist between the two countries.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo met Minister Mkaka at his office in Harare on Sunday, setting the stage for President Mnangagwa and his Malawian counterpart, President Chakwera’s expected engagement.

The two ministers discussed various issues that included economic cooperation and the transit of citizens during the Covid-19-induced restrictions to contain the pandemic.

Dr Moyo said: “As a practice within the region, any Head of State emerging out of a successful election normally pays courtesy calls on his colleagues in the region.

“We rekindled a lot of history between Zimbabwe and Malawi. We used to be the same people during the era of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

“This scenario concretises the symbiotic relationship which exists between the two countries,” said Minister Moyo.

“We discussed various forms of cooperation between the two countries, particularly on the economic front and on the political front. We appreciated each other for how we handled the Covid-19 transiting citizens between our countries.”

It is the desire of the two countries to re-establish a joint permanent commission within the environment of the new normal brought by Covid-19.

Minister Mkaka said they reflected on the long relationship between the two countries and how they could assist each other going forward.

“It has been a great meeting between my counterpart and I, bordering on strengthening the relationship between Malawi and Zimbabwe.

“We have a long relationship that dates back even before we were colonised. We have a lot in common and we have more reason to work together. If we work together, we are going to improve the lives of our people,” said Minister Mkaka.

During his visit to Zimbabwe, President Chakwera is expected to meet SADC ambassadors among other engagements. The two countries share common values, history, and culture and language and along with Zambia, they were once one country under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.-statemedia

Major bus termini, depots and popular hiking spots in Bulawayo were yesterday a hive of activity as transport operators resumed inter-city routes amid jostling by travellers as they boarded buses.

The resumption of inter-city travel has also ignited excitement and optimism among the generality of the people, particularly traders whose source of livelihood revolved around buying and selling their wares from different cities in the country.

A popular hiking spot along Harare Road was characterised by chaotic scenes as touts shoved each other, wrestling for passengers.

The principle of social distancing was totally ignored as commuters jostled to board vehicles. Bus crews shrieked in dismay as they competed for passengers with pirate transporters.

Last week, Cabinet gave transport operators plying intercity routes the greenlight to start operating as the country continues to gradually re-open the economy.

Inter-city travel was suspended when the national lockdown started on March 31 to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections. However, on September 15 Cabinet approved proposals for the return of long-distance buses but under strict Covid-19 preventative guidelines informed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Transporters who wish to ferry passengers for inter-city travel are required to register with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to ensure that they strictly comply with standard operating procedures for their sector which are compliant to the WHO guidelines and all Covid-19 regulations.

A Chronicle news crew yesterday visited Renkini and Entumbane bus termini and selected bus depots in the city and observed that people boarding buses were not maintaining social distancing.

A tout who operates along Harare Road said they operated under the law of the jungle.

“Nothing is regulated here, you eat what you kill, which is why you see us hustling like ants. I earn my money depending on the number of passengers I would have assisted to get transport. That is why you find that each time there will be chaos at such hiking spots,” said a tout who declined to be named.

However, upon boarding buses, passengers were being sanitised and their temperatures checked in line with the stipulated Covid-19 health guidelines.

Renkini Bus Terminus bustled with activity as travellers jostled to board transport to their destinations. Vendors were selling wares to people waiting to board buses. A bus conductor employed by Blue Circle Bus Company, Mr Washington Chiminya said since the resumption of inter-city travel there has been a steady increase in demand for services.

“We resumed services a few days ago after registering with the Vehicle Inspection Depot (VID) as well as complying with the standard operating procedures, which require checking temperature, sanitising our passengers and disinfecting our buses,” he said.

Chronicle also caught up with Imbizo Tours Bus Company owner Mr Imbizo Mpala at Entumbane Country Bus Terminus. Mr Mpala whose buses ply rural routes, said he resumed services yesterday after successfully registering his buses with VID.

He said although business was still low, he was hopeful that it would pick up as people readjusted to the new development.

“We resumed our services today and it is quite refreshing to note that we are already getting inquiries from our traditional customers who relied on us for travel. Business is still very low but, I am hopeful that in the next few days, it will be back to normal business as a majority of people are not yet aware that we are back,” he said.

Imbizo Tours buses ply the Bulawayo-Lupane and Bulawayo-Binga routes.

Extra City Bus Company’s Bulawayo depot manager Mr Jeremiah Chihuri said they were adhering to the standard operating procedures, which include disinfecting premises and buses.

“We are getting people boarding our buses. We make sure that whenever you come to our premises, we sanitise your hands and check your temperature,” he said.

“I think everyone is now appreciating the situation and aware of Covid-19. We also make sure that we disinfect our premises and buses each time they arrive at the depot to curb the spread of Covid-19.”

Mr Chihuri said staff members were tested for Covid-19 prior to resumption of operations in line with the standard operating procedures in the transport sector.

Extra-City Bus Company plies the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and Bulawayo-Harare routes. A single trip to either Harare or Victoria Falls costs US$13 or the equivalent in local currency.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said Government opened up the transport sector for intercity travel to facilitate easy access to resort areas.

“We have opened the inter-city to allow for those areas that are interlinked that have been opened for instance tourism. It has been opened so there is need to link tourists who travel by bus to be able to go to places like Victoria Falls and other areas,” he said.

Minister Matiza said transport operators intending to resumed inter-city services should satisfy the guidelines set by Government.

“I’m happy that many have complied and our roads are being plied by those who did comply,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Gweru, passengers pushed each other to board intercity buses near the Gweru Theatre in total disregard to Covid-19 regulations.

-State Media

Paul Nyathi

Former MDC Spokesperson Obert Gutu says that neither of the warring MDC factions between Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T and MDC Alliance led by advocate Nelson Chamisa should be put near the levers of power as they are disposed to turn the peaceful political landscape into a war zone.

Gutu, described his former allies as a “group of foolish flies that are following a corpse into the grave”.

“This is a race to the bottom. All the various MDC factions that are currently involved in this blood-letting and self-cannibalisation are losers because there are no winners in a race to the bottom. In fact, there’s absolutely no method to this madness. The MDC as a viable and strong opposition political party is now history.

“It’s dead and buried. Trust me. Maybe from the ashes of the MDC will emerge various political parties, but the chances of a reconciliation of all these various antagonistic factions are virtually zero,” said Mr Gutu.

Gutu blasted the Chamisa side claiming that failure by the Chamisa faction to have its way often leads to violence adding that the opposition party has within its ranks activists who can be described as terrorists.

“The culture of intolerance and violence has ultimately led to the complete disintegration of the MDC. The ghost of violence and vile intolerance has been festering within the MDC for a very long time. Anyone who harbours a different view from the violent so-called Vanguards and their scheming handlers is branded a traitor and a sell-out who must be beaten up if not killed.

“In reality, the Vanguards are an indiscipline, intolerant, drunken and extremely violent militia routinely unleashed by some top leaders within the MDC Alliance faction to cause anarchy and mayhem.

“The Vanguards are, in every respect, akin to a terrorist organisation. The judiciary is unfairly accused of being captured each time that they hand over judgments that are unfavourable to the Vanguards and their handlers. When the judiciary hands out judgments favourable to these people, their silence is deafening. These thugs can’t be trusted with State power lest Zimbabwe will quickly degenerate into a violent war zone,” said Mr Gutu.

Just checking on those who said it was stupid & unconstitutional for me to be reinstated as part of 2014 structures because I’m currently beyond stipulated age for youths ?

So now it’s ok because it’s being done by those we like? #Principles #Values #Virtue pic.twitter.com/XOCbEGVDFv

— Shakespeare Mukoyi (@ShakespeareMuk1) September 29, 2020

FORMER Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) commissioner-general Gershem Pasi was yesterday freed by a Harare magistrate who granted his application for refusal for further remand because the State still could not give him a trial date two years after his arrest.

If the State wishes to bring Pasi to trial now, it must summon him. He cannot be arrested again on the same charge and circumstances. Removal from remand is not an acquittal, since a trial can still take place, but bail conditions and travel restrictions fall away.

Pasi, who was facing criminal abuse of office charges, was removed from remand after magistrate Mrs Esthere Chivasa noted that he has been religiously attending court for the past 22 months with the State failing to give him a trial date.

In her ruling, Mrs Chivasa noted that the State was failing to complete investigations saying there was a team which was set to travel to China as part of investigations, but has not done so since his arrest.

Pasi will only return to court by way of summons.

“Twenty-tw0 months is a very long time and the accused has been religiously attending court. Every postponement should have an explanation and I am satisfied with the explanation which was always being given by the State,’’ she said.

Mrs Chivasa said the State’s failure to travel to China for further investigations could not be blamed on the Covid-19 induced lockdown, as the matter was before the court before then.

She said the public would lose confidence in the justice delivery system if the State arrests people and fails to prosecute them within reasonable periods.

The State, led by Mr George Manokore, asked for further postponement of the matter saying there was a team waiting to travel to Hong Kong for further investigations.

Allegations against Pasi were that in January 2014, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda led a high-powered ministerial delegation of senior Government officials to China.

The purpose of the visit was to affirm input capabilities in the information technologies domain in implementing prioritised e-Government projects. Pasi was part of the delegation as they wanted to implement e-taxation at Zimra.

During the visit, various Government departments had an opportunity to interact with Inspur personnel who demonstrated these capabilities.

An action plan for the implementation of the agreed programme was also signed and Pasi began his engagement with Inspur Zimbabwe for the Information Management Systems (IMS) design and development.

The ICT department being headed by Tyiyapo Velempini was involved in designing the system together with engineers from Inspur Global. In June 2014, Zimra and Inspur agreed on specifications and Pasi allegedly failed to get quotations from Inspur Zimbabwe.

He instead took the system design to Righlux Services, a company distributing Inspur products despite permission for a direct engagement. On July 1, 2014, Righlux Services supplied a $32 649 939.97 quotation which it purported to be from Inspur Group of China.

— State Media

Paul Nyathi

The ruling ZANU PF party is all smiles in Gwanda as it is set to take back the town’s Mayorship position on a silver platter following squabbles in the opposition MDC.

The party is set to win the tricky poll to be held this Thursday unless the opposition parties quickly find each other within the next twenty four hours.

ZANU PF is facing easy competition from the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe and the MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa who have both indicated intentions to field candidates.

From the situation on the ground the MDC Alliance has three councillors in Gwanda after the recall of mayor Jastone Mazhale by Khupe’s MDC-T early this month. Two Councillors have expressed allegiance to MDC-T while Zanu PF has four councillors.

Ntanto Ndlela, the MDC Alliance Matabeleland South provincial spokesperson however expressed confidence that somehow there will be a slip up in the MDC-T faction councillors who will give the Nelson Chamisa victory.

“We have agreed on a candidate as a party that our councillors will vote for, but for strategic reasons, we have decided not to reveal his or her identity until the right time.”

Sources say the party has seconded the only female councillor in the town, Nappy Moyo, as their candidate. MDC-T is most likely to field Ward 5 councillor Gilbert Dube for mayor, keeping Ward 6 councillor Ponalo Maphala as deputy mayor while ZANU PF seeks to put back former mayor Knowledge Ndlovu.

MDC Alliance had six councillors in the Matabeleland South provincial capital prior to the recall of Jaston Mazhale as mayor.

Paul Nyathi

Teacher unions in Zimbabwe have indicated that most of their members have not reported for duty since Monday when schools reopened due to some contentious issues with their employer, the goverment.

The schools were shut down in March due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Government had set September 14 and Sept. 28 as the opening dates for British-run Cambridge and locally run Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examination classes respectively.

It also set Dec. 1, 2020, as the date for commencement of ZIMSEC public examinations.

Private Schools offering Cambridge examinations, commenced classes smoothly last week.

In a joint statement last week, the teacher unions requested for an urgent meeting with government to resolve contentious issues before schools reopen but the effort failed.

The teacher unions demanded restoration of their salaries to US$520 per month, payment of a COVID-19 allowance and more time for teachers and learners to cover syllabi before examinations, among other demands.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure revealed that schools in Matabeleland North, Mashonaland East and Matabeleland South were most affected with urban schools reportedly experiencing better attendance by both teachers and learners.

“It is official; no learning is taking place nationwide on day two of schools opening,” Masaraure said.

“Teachers are severely incapacitated and continue to withdraw their labour. Learners are ill equipped for the learning season.”

Masaure added, “Members of ARTUZ took heed of the call for the job action on the second day of schools opening.

“We also congratulate sister unions who are continuously mobilising their members for action. Our efforts are not in vain. The workers will be free.”

The union leader urged government to urgently resolve the salary dispute through payment of US$520 minimum monthly wages as was being demanded by the educators.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou also said more of their members were not reporting for duty.

“Most teachers who reported for duty yesterday did not do so today (Tuesday).

“Several pupils did not go to school today after realising the futility of reporting to school where there are no teachers.

“Teachers’ anger has also been exacerbated by reports that the government is preparing to give soldiers double the Cost of Living Adjustment that would be given to teachers.

“Teachers are increasingly being embittered by the government’s intransigent and irresponsible approach.

“They are more and more determined to forge on with an incapacitation struggle in order to demand a living wage pegged at US$520-US$550. It’s game on and there will be no surrender until final victory,” Zhou said.

State Media

MALAWIAN President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to arrive in the country today for a two-day State visit.

President Chakwera, who won the Malawi election run-off in June this year, is making his inaugural visit to Zimbabwe with senior officials from his Government already in the country to bolster ties between the two countries.

In an interview yesterday, Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Annie Yauka Kumwenda said President Chakwera was expected to arrive in the country on an official visit this afternoon.

“President Chakwera will be meeting with his brother, his Zimbabwean counterpart President Mnangagwa. Activities will include a brief meeting with the Malawi nationals living in Zimbabwe and laying of wreaths at the Zimbabwe National Heroes Acre,” said Ambassador Kumwenda.

She said a high-powered 26-member delegation led by Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka, is already in Zimbabwe to exchange notes with their counterparts ahead of President Chakwera’s visit.

Zimbabwe and Malawi share a long history of ties dating back to the pre-colonial era.

President Chakwera is on a regional tour following his election and was in Zambia last week ahead of his visit here.

The Malawian President is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Mnangagwa.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo met Minister Mkakaat at his office in Harare on Sunday, setting the stage for President Mnangagwa and his Malawian counterpart, President Chakwera’s expected engagement.

The two ministers discussed various issues that included economic cooperation and the transit of citizens during the Covid-19-induced restrictions to contain the pandemic.

Dr Moyo said: “As a practice within the region, any Head of State emerging out of a successful election normally pays courtesy calls on his colleagues in the region.

“We rekindled a lot of history between Zimbabwe and Malawi. We used to be the same people during the era of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

“This scenario concretiss the symbiotic relationship which exists between the two countries,” said Minister Moyo.

“We discussed various forms of cooperation between the two countries, particularly on the economic front and on the political front. We appreciated each other for the manner in which we handled the Covid-19 transiting citizens between our countries.”

It is the desire of the two countries to re-establish a joint permanent commission within the environment of the new normal brought by Covid-19.

Minister Mkaka said they reflected on the long relationship between the two countries and how they could assist each other going forward.

“It has been a great meeting between my counterpart and I, bordering on strengthening the relationship between Malawi and Zimbabwe.

“We have a long relationship that dates back even before we were colonised. We have a lot in common and we have more reason to work together. If we work together, we are going to improve the lives of our people,” said Minister Mkaka.

During his visit in Zimbabwe, President Chakwera is expected to meet SADC ambassadors among other engagements. The two countries share common values, history, and culture and language and along with Zambia, they were once one country under the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Paul Nyathi

The Harare Magistrate Court has ordered the MDC Alliance to vacate Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, which was taken over by youths belonging to the Nelson Chamisa led party.

In an application filed by MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora this Monday, MDC Alliance members including its leader, Nelson Chamisa, Paul Gorekore, Happymore Chidziva and Denford Ngadziore were cited as respondents.

After the hearing, the court ordered the MDC Alliance to hand over the premises to the MDC-T leadership and release security personnel being held hostage by the new occupants.

State Media

Government has put around 10 000 qualified, but unemployed, teachers on standby to replace those that are holding the State to ransom by engaging in an industrial action.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Ambassador Cain Mathema, told The Herald last night that measures had been put in place to employ the bulk of qualified, but jobless, teachers.

Most teachers did not report for duty when examination classes resumed on Monday, citing incapacitation and lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) at schools.

This prompted the Government to come up with emergency measures to ensure learning was not disrupted.

Ambassador Mathema said the Government would not allow a situation where pupils who had lost precious time during the Covid-19 lockdown, continued to be disenfranchised.

“Negotiations between Government and its workers are ongoing and we hope that they will soon find common ground to improve the lives of civil servants.

“Some teachers might want to hold the Government to ransom by not reporting for duty waiting for the completion of these negotiations. What we are saying is that learners have not been going to school since March and the Government will not allow a situation where they continue to be disadvantaged.

“We have at least 10 000 teachers who are unemployed and if the crunch comes, we will be left with no option but to quickly employ some of those teachers. Schooling has to go on and we will employ if there is need to,” said Ambassador Mathema.

Government recently availed a total of $600 million for disbursement to needy schools to improve sanitation and enable them to reopen safely without risking a spike in Covid-19 infections.

It also ordered those who did not meet the prescribed standards not to re-open.

Ambassador Mathema said the June public examinations were held successfully, and to date after this week’s re-opening, no student had tested positive for Covid-19, a sign of adequate adherence to the prescribed protocols.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare last night, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa announced the establishment of Sentinel Surveillance Centres to protect teachers and learners.

“Following the decision to allow for the phased re-opening of schools, Cabinet noted that the dissemination of Covid-19 standard operating procedures has laid the foundation for the establishment of Sentinel Surveillance Centres.

“The centres will assist in monitoring adherence to Covid-19 protocols and promote a safe learning environment. Every school has been linked to a specific health team. This strategy will ensure active rapid response at local level,” she said.

Designated temporary isolation holding bays had been set up at each school for individuals requiring further health attention after screening.

“There is mandatory logging and thermal screening at every school entry and exit point in order to enhance contact tracing and surveillance.

“Schools that are unable to provide water are being advised that they cannot re-open before the situation is rectified,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Meanwhile, the schools calendar will not be changed and a crash programme for schools might be put in place for students to catch up and proceed to the next level.

State Media

THE herdsman, Tafadzwa Shamba, who was recently arrested over the ritual murder of Tapiwa Makore (7) at Makore Village in Murehwa yesterday told detectives he killed the boy by cutting off the head with a knife in the dead of the night, while the boy’s uncle was holding a torch.

He was taken by detectives to Makore Village in Murehwa yesterday for an inspection in loco.

Shamba said after the murder, he carried a black plastic bag containing the head and the dismembered body while his employer, who is the boy’s uncle, Tapiwa Makore (Senior), carried another bag containing the arms and legs.

Makore has since also been arrested and he appeared in court yesterday where he was remanded in custody on murder charges.

Clad in prison garb, Shamba, who was visibly jittery, led the police to the garden where he kidnapped the boy allegedly under the instructions of the boy’s uncle.

From there, Shamba led the team of detectives to the uncle’s homestead where he said he fed the boy, drugged him with kachasu and locked him up in a room for hours.

“I went to the kitchen hut and brought the boy sadza and dried fish. I washed his hands before giving him the food. After eating, I went to Mrs Katsande’s homestead where I bought five litres of illicit brew (kachasu).

“I drank the beer to gather courage. I also put a bit of sugar into the brew and offered it to the boy who took it until he got drunk and slept. I then locked him up in the room before going back to Mrs Katsande’s homestead for more beer,” he said.

While at the Katsande homestead, village watchmen broke the news of the missing boy. Makore (Snr) joined the boy’s father Mr Munyaradzi Makore on the search party, but at midnight they had to halt.

Shamba said he met the boy’s uncle around midnight and took the boy to a nearby mountain where they killed him.

“Around midnight, we opened the door and I carried the boy, who was still in deep slumber to a mountain in the village.

“Mr Makore carried the knives and the plastic bags. While here (in the mountain), I pressed the boy to the ground and cut off his head with a sharp knife, while his uncle was holding a torch for lighting.

“I also cut off the hands and legs, but we packed the parts in different plastic bags. I carried the one with the torso and the head while Mr Makore carried another one containing the legs and hands,” he said.

At the scene, investigators saw human waste, believed to have been excreted by the boy during the murder.

Shamba told detectives that he cleaned the scene of the blood and set the grass on fire to destroy evidence.

He said while walking to Makore’s homestead, he felt the load was becoming heavier before dumped the torso near Mr Summer Murwira’s homestead.

“The bag was now heavier and dogs were barking. I had to quickly drop the torso and proceeded with the head,” he said.

While at Makore’s homestead, Shamba said he was instructed to put the head in one of the rooms, which he did.

The following day, Shamba said he dumped the arms and legs at a nearby grave as police investigations were intensifying.

Villagers, eager to follow the proceedings, could be seen watching from a distance.

Police are still hunting for a third man, described as a witchdoctor, to whom the head was allegedly delivered.

Transform Zimbabwe leader, Jacob Ngarivhume speaks on the pathetic situation in Zimbabwe’s prisons…

In the footage below Ngarivhume salutes Catholic Bishops for supporting him when he was in prison..

Watch video below :

Farai Dziva|The British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melanie Robinson has described the persecution of MDC Alliance Youth Assembly member, Hon Joana Mamombe as worrisome.

In a tweet, Ambassador Robinson urged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to respect fundamental human rights.

“Saddened by the treatment of opposition MP Joana Mamombe in #Zimbabwe.

Hard to see this as her being treated with fairness and dignity.

Calling for her rights and the rights of all those detained here to be fully upheld,” Ambassador Robinson posted on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has dismissed claims by State Security Minister, Owen Ncube, that the popular opposition party is plotting to remove Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa from power through unconstitutional means.

Hon Biti described the claims as Mr Mnangagwa’s old antics.

“The regime is preparing for clamp down.

It has an itch that needs scratching.These are old Mnangagwa tactics. In the 80 s they planted arms on ZAPU farms.

They are at it again.The Alliance believes in peaceful constitutional change.Stop this psychotic nonsense.#ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” argued Hon Biti.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has dismissed claims by State Security Minister, Owen Ncube, that the popular opposition party is plotting to remove Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa from power through unconstitutional means.

Hon Biti described the claims as Mr Mnangagwa’s old antics.

“The regime is preparing for clamp down.

It has an itch that needs scratching.These are old Mnangagwa tactics. In the 80 s they planted arms on ZAPU farms.

They are at it again.The Alliance believes in peaceful constitutional change.Stop this psychotic nonsense.#ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” argued Hon Biti.

Farai Dziva| The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly( United Kingdom and America Provinces) have donated mealie-meal to socially disadvantaged people in Masvingo Urban Constituency.

MDC Alliance national Youth Assembly organising secretary and ward four Masvingo Urban Councillor, Godfrey Kurauone distributed 100 bags of mealie-meal, sourced from the UK and America Youth Assembly Provinces on Tuesday.

The remaining 20 bags out of the total of 120- will be distributed later this week.

Councillor Kurauone told ZimEye.com the programme has been unrolled as part of efforts to help hundreds of citizens affected by the prolonged lockdown phase.

“This is a goodwill gesture meant to assist hundreds of citizens who were affected by the lockdown phase. The affected people did not receive anything from the government during the difficult phase,” said Councillor Kurauone.

Farai Dziva| The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly( United Kingdom and America Provinces) have donated mealie-meal to socially disadvantaged people in Masvingo Urban Constituency.

MDC Alliance national Youth Assembly organising secretary and ward four Masvingo Urban Councillor, Godfrey Kurauone distributed 100 bags of mealie-meal, sourced from the UK and America Youth Assembly Provinces on Tuesday.

The remaining 20 bags out of the total of 120- will be distributed later this week.

Councillor Kurauone told ZimEye.com the programme has been unrolled as part of efforts to help hundreds of citizens affected by the prolonged lockdown phase.

“This is a goodwill gesture meant to assist hundreds of citizens who were affected by the lockdown phase. The affected people did not receive anything from the government during the difficult phase,” said Councillor Kurauone.

A Harare woman appeared in court facing allegations of hiring thugs to assault her two “rivals” resulting in the death of one of them, days after the incident, while the other is nursing injuries in hospital.

Rebecca Masawi appeared before Harare magistrate, Mrs Barbra Mateko, charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery.

She was being jointly charged with Zvikomborero Zvikoni, Liberty Guruve and Tendai Dhai, who she allegedly hired to attack the two women.

Zvikoni, Guruve and Dhai are said to have kidnapped the two at midnight on July 31 this year, brutally assaulted and dumped them at Lake Chivero.

Names of the victims were not revealed in court as police are still investigating matter.-The Herald

Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) c
Coronavirus update 28 September 2020:

New cases: 4
Locals – 4
Returnees – 0
Deaths: 1
Recoveries: 6
PCR Tests Done: 504
National Recovery Rate: 78%
Active Cases: 1 476
Total Cumulative Cases: 7 816
Total Recoveries: 6 112
Total Deaths: 228

Paul Nyathi

Zanu PF legislator for Gokwe-Nembudziya, Justice Mayor Wadyajena has with immediate effect resigned from his Midlands provincial youth league position citing age.

The flamboyant politician confirmed on Twitter that he is now over the targeted age of being in the youth league.

“Effective immediately, I resign from my position as Secretary for Administration, ZANU-PF Youth League, Midlands Province. I’ll certainly miss my Comrades there but there’s always a time to say goodbye and this is it! Being over 35, I’m not a youth any longer!,” said Wadyajena.

Paul Nyathi

The Zimbabwean Government has declared a new Covid-19 find raising scheme to finance testing laboratories.

The goverment says that travelers coming into the country with Covid-19 symptoms will pay US$60 for testing whether they have a Covid-19 free certificate or not.

Addressing journalists during the 34th post Cabinet briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa said funds realized from the testing will go towards replenishing of laboratory commodities.

“As a measure to guarantee the safety of travelers, Cabinet further resolved that in line with Statutory Instrument 216(5) Section 8, which requires travelers showing COVID-19 symptoms, whether or not they have a covid-19-free certificate to be tested, a nominal fee of US$60 be levied on travelers tested at ports of entry,” said Mutsvangwa “and that the proceeds be used to replenish laboratory commodities.”

State Media

Investigators at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) are rushing to arrest suspects without gathering enough evidence against them for a quick trial, a Harare magistrate said yesterday.

Magistrate Trynois Utahwashe said as a result there was slow progress in trying accused persons as investigations into most matters were still pending, so the trial could not open.

He said he sees no reason why Zacc officers had to rush to arrest people without gathering enough evidence.

Mr Utahwashe raised the issue of gathering evidence before arrest when the State led by Mr George Manokore indicated that investigations into former NetOne chief executive officer Lazarus Muchenje and seven others were still in progress. The eight are facing charges of criminal abuse of office or alternatively contravening the Postal and Telecommunications (International Telecommunications Rates) involving over US$1 million.

Muchenje is jointly charged with the NetOne interconnection and roaming manager Tawanda Sibanda, acting chief finance officer Tinashe Severa, chief technology officer Darlington Gutu, chief operating officer Spencer Manguwa, acting head of legal Tanyaradzwa Chingombe, former board member Paradzayi and Chakona Shamaine Kedenhe.

Mr Utahwashe said the State must push Zacc officers to speed up their investigations and furnish accused people with trial dates within a shortest possible period.

“I am disappointed at the way these investigating officers, especially at ZACC handle their business. They should not pin their hopes on the courts, who continue remanding the accused persons while they carry out their investigations,” he said.

He said he will not allow another postponement in the trial of Muchenje and his accomplices if the State fails to furnish them with a trial date on October 29.

Mr George Manokore, prosecuting, said he liaised with investigators at Zacc but was yet to be upraised on progress on investigations.

He made an undertaking to make a follow up to make sure that investigations were complete so that the accused can be tried in court.

Paul Nyathi

Zanu PF will tomorrow conduct primary elections to choose its parliamentary candidate in Chivi South to fill a vacancy left following the expulsion of Killer Zivhu, who was legislator for the area.

Zivhu was fired from Zanu PF for abusing social media and treacherous behaviour and automatically lost his parliamentary seat which he won on a ruling party ticket in 2018.

The primaries come at a time when Zivhu has been making a passionate plea for readmission into the ruling party.

He has personally requested to be enrolled for reorientation as a student at the Zanu PF’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology.

Zivhu was fired on charges of misconduct after he wrote on his Twitter handle that for Zimbabwe’s challenges to end there was a need to push for dialogue between the first lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, and MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile.

A cast of nine candidates will slug it out in the primaries which will be an acid test in light of the prevailing Covid-19-induced lockdown.

Former Chivi South legislator Mafios Vutete is eyeing a return and will be joined by Munyaradzi Zizhou, Rikios Hlambelo, Dennis Masomere, Peter Matuka, Enock Shindi, Naledi Maunganidze, Samson Mutsamba and Abson Madususe in the fight to represent the ruling party.

Zanu PF National Political Commissar Victor Matemadanda on Monday said it was all systems go for the primaries with Covid-19 precautionary measures put in place.

“We have set Covid-19 protective materials such as masks to cater for those who might not have them and we also have delivered sanitisers and our people will be practicing social distancing while waiting to vote with spacing of between one and two meters apart,” he said.

Matemadanda said large gatherings will not be allowed with party members expected to leave the polling centre soon after casting their ballots.

State Media

President Mnangagwa is tomorrow expected to launch a farm mechanisation facility from Belarus worth US$58 million at the Agricultural Engineering department in Harare.

This comes after Government launched another similar facility from a US company, John Deere in June this year to the tune of US$50 million that is also meant to boost agricultural production among new farmers.

In a statement, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry, said the meeting is expected to start at 8 am and will be attended by high-ranking Belarusian delegation headed by officials from the Minister of Industry, chairman of the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus, president and CEO of the Trade and Development Bank (TDB Group, former PTA Bank), the COMESA Trade and Development Bank (Eastern and Southern Africa).

The deal is as a result of tight cooperation between Belarus and Zimbabwe. In 2018 both Zimbabwean and Belarussian governments officials agreed for the later to supply Zimbabwe with machinery and equipment for agriculture and timber industry.

The total amount of machinery and equipment to be supplied in the framework of the project is more than 800 units.

These include among others: 60 self-propelled grain harvesters, 210 precision seed drills, 474 tractors of different power capacities, fifth wheel trucks with semitrailers for transportation of heavy equipment and four dump trucks.

Also in the list of the equipment are; fifth wheel trucks with semitrailers for transportation of heavy equipment, six semitrailers with hydraulic manipulator for transportation of construction machinery, 10 drop side trucks, firefighting equipment critical in forest business, cities and other communities and emergency rescue operations.

The equipment also includes; 30 motor cycles and complete set of spare parts for every type of machinery and equipment delivered.

The implementation of the project includes the organisation of all-inclusive service center in Harare for providing service and warranty support for the machinery and equipment.

“It is equipped with necessary working area and premises, tools, repair-garage and diagnostic equipment as well as mobile service vehicles for turn-out of repair team to the regions. Local specialists will be engaged for work at the service station.

“Special attention is given to organising training classes for Zimbabweans (for each farmer) on the basis of the service center that is covered by the project. Moreover, training in Belarus will be organised for Zimbabwean technical specialists duration of at least two months. The training includes practical classes in every manufacturing plant,” said the ministry.

“The implementation of the project also involves all-in approach that includes not only full responsibility regarding warranty and service support, provision of spare parts, training of local specialists, but also providing advanced technologies, comprehensive decisions and solutions in agriculture for every agricultural period from cultivation, seeding, irrigation, planting to crop harvesting.”

Paul Nyathi

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has dismissed claims by State Security minister Owen ‘Mudha’ Ncube that his party is smuggling guns into the country to topple President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government with the help of mostly former ZANUPF members known as the G40 faction.

Ncube on Monday made extremely sensational claims that the opposition party is planning a war against goverment with the help of some Western countries.

Writing on his social media accounts, Chamisa said the MDC Alliance does not carry any guns but comes against Mnangagwa with Jesus Christ.

Wrote Chamisa:
“We must silence the guns in Africa. In the 2018 elections we got 2.6 m ballots (votes) not 2.6m bullets. We carry ideas not guns. We bring ideas not weapons. Guns are not our language. Peace is our language. Our language is ideas, disruptive technologies and thought leadership to transform our beautiful Zimbabwe! We carry no swords, only words against dictatorship and bad governance in Zimbabwe. Hatina bakatwa uya nemuseve tinofamba naJesu!”

By A Correspondent- The case of the director Commissioner of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Chrispen Charumbira has taken a new twist with reports suggesting that thirteen senior and junior police officers are interfering with investigations

Charumbira was arrested on Wednesday last week by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) and detained at Rhodesville Police Station in Harare on allegations of accepting protection money from drug and gold dealers to stop criminal investigations.

The state media reports that investigations are now underway to verify reports made to the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (Sacu) by some of the witnesses that some officers from different CID departments were interfering with investigations on the case.

The state media further reports Charumbira met with the officers for the purposes of strategising or arranging to destroy evidence in other cases that are still under investigation.-statemedia

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti has dismissed claims by State Security Minister, Owen Ncube, that the popular opposition party is plotting to remove Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa from power through unconstitutional means.

Hon Biti described the claims as Mr Mnangagwa’s old antics.

“The regime is preparing for a

clamp down.

It has an itch that needs scratching.These are old Mnangagwa tactics. In the 80 s they planted arms on ZAPU farms.

They are at it again.The Alliance believes in peaceful constitutional change.Stop this psychotic nonsense.#ZimbabweanLivesMatter,” argued Hon Biti.

Farai Dziva| The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly( United Kingdom and America Provinces) have donated mealie-meal to socially disadvantaged people in Masvingo Urban Constituency.

MDC Alliance national Youth Assembly organising secretary and ward four Masvingo Urban Councillor, Godfrey Kurauone distributed 100 bags of mealie-meal, sourced from the UK and America Youth Assembly Provinces on Tuesday.

The remaining 20 bags out of the total of 120- will be distributed later this week.

Councillor Kurauone told ZimEye.com the programme has been unrolled as part of efforts to help hundreds of citizens affected by the prolonged lockdown phase.

“This is a goodwill gesture meant to assist hundreds of citizens who were affected by the lockdown phase. The affected people did not receive anything from the government during the difficult phase,” said Councillor Kurauone.

By A Correspondent- School heads who turned away pupils when schools reopened on Monday said they did not want to risk the health of learners as they had no thermometers, sanitisers or face masks.

Several school heads told the Chronicle on condition of anonymity that they were still waiting for personal protective equipment (PPEs) from Government and extra teachers to take other classes. One of the school heads said:

We can’t put these pupils in danger. We don’t have enough thermometers, sanitisers, masks and the idea of attending two classes since one class is divided into two is not going on well with teachers.

So, the pupils have been turned away as we wait for the Ministry to provide the PPE and extra teachers to take other classes.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director of communications and advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, said they were yet to receive a detailed report following the reopening of schools on Monday.

Ndoro however, said the provincial education directors and district education officers were on the ground assessing the situation.

He admitted that there could have been cases where pupils were turned away for various reasons but said the ministry was working on the issues.-statemedia

Watch the live video loading below…..

watch the live video loading below…..

watch the live video loading below…

Mwonzora affiliated youths have tried to repossess Harvest House from the MDC T 2014 Youth wing leaders. Their efforts have failed as they have been repealed just now. Click on https://t.co/RMz9FsvEJW for the full text of this story and more #Zimbabwe #MDC #MDCAlliance21yrs pic.twitter.com/RGcVKaCWEw

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 29, 2020

BREAKING: MWONZORA https://t.co/wcmidMKNvQ

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 29, 2020

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s top ally and Gokwe Nembudziya legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena has resigned from his position as Zanu PF Midlands Provincial Youth League Secretary for Administration saying he is now past 35 years hence not a youth any longer.

Posting on Twitter as breaking news, Wadyajena said his resignation is with immediate effect.

“Effective immediately, I resign from my position as Secretary for Administration, ZANU-PF Youth League, Midlands Province. I’ll certainly miss my Comrades there but there’s always a time to say goodbye and this is it! Being over 35, I’m not a youth any longer,” said Wadyajena.

Wadyajena has never shied from publicly associating with Mnangagwa even before the 2017 military coup as he often mocked former first lady Grace Mugabe during rallies in Gokwe.

Watch the live video loading below…..(please be patient as it uploads)

Watch the live video loading below….(please be patient as it uploads)

Zimbabwe’s security and stability is currently under siege from a number of threats being fomented by internal and external actors.

The objective of this attack is to effect an unconstitutional change of Government following the outcome of the 2018 Harmonised Elections which was not favourable to the MDC-Alliance and its foreign backers.

As State security arms of Government, we would like to assure citizens that we are watching the environment very closely and that we shall fulfil our mandate of ensuring peace, stability and development in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe experienced a down-turn in Its economic success from the late 1990s when the ZANU PF Government stood resolute in its thrust to address the long outstanding Land Question.

Addressing the Land Question through the Fast Track Land Reform Programme at the beginning of the 21s, Century, drew battle lines between the ZANU PF Government, on one hand, and a host of Western-sponsored opposition forces, including the MDC, some civil society organisations (CSOs), labour and student unions as well as some professional bodies, on the other.

The latter group has always alleged that all elections that the opposition lost were stolen and has shamelessly fabricated human rights abuses in order to justify regime change.

The methods used by State Security agents in Zimbabwe are within the confines of the law. In the West, the Logan Act and the Patriot Act allow the use of methods which, if adopted by our Security Services, would be condemned as acts of repression.

As Security Services, we know and appreciate that they will never see anything in good light until the Land Reform is reversed and the opposition comes to power.

No country in the world and no sane people would tolerate elements who openly mobilise to close their country’s borders, particularly when the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening lives and the economy. In any country, such people would be treated as traitors.

At international law, a blockade is tantamount to a declaration of war. Government and State Security agents, in particular, have a duty to take appropriate measures to protect the flow and integrity of commerce across our borders.

There have been calls for dialogue by regime change elements within and outside the country. These calls completely ignore the ongoing Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) to which all parties were invited.

There is nothing wrong In accommodating people and views that are not on the table. There is, nevertheless, the mischievous agenda to ignore the Y principles of democracy by attempting to push ZANU PF to abandon the mandate it won from the people in the 2018 harmonised elections.

Anyone aspiring to lead the country should wait until they get that mandate from the people In the 2023 harmonised elections. Anyone wishing to help move the country forward before then, should join POLAD.

We are watching attempts to drive Zimbabwe into chaos. Some rogue elements among us, are conniving with some hostile Western governments to smuggle guns and set up so-called Democratic Resistance Committees that are, for all intents and purposes, violent militia groups.

These plans are key components of “Operation Light House”, the brainchild of one Western power, that seeks to destroy the democratic foundations of Zimbabwe, make the country ungovernable and justify foreign intervention. As the State Security sector, we shall take concrete action to deal with such threats.

While Government is moving on with its reform agenda, we note the need for the MOC-Alliance to reform itself into a normal opposition political party that embraces outcomes of democratic processes and has the patience to wait for another opportunity to prove to voters that it deserves their trust. The world over, opposition parties in democratic dispensations have a constructive role to play in between elections.

They do not push for agendas to violently take over power, destroy public infrastructure and sabotage the livelihoods of citizens.

We want to re-assure citizens that the State Security Sector is alive to the machinations of the MDC Alliance, hostile CSOs and their Western handlers. Our gallant Security men and women will stand firm in defence of national interests and sovereignty in order to allow Government to focus on delivering its Vision 2030.

Correspondent

Government is setting up measures to tighten the rules on how a certificate which doctors need in order to get work abroad is issued as medical professionals flee the country’s collapsing economy.

The so-called “Certificate of Good Standing” issued by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe may now need prior approval by the state, the Zimbabwe Senior Hospital Doctors Association said.

Professional bodies rely on the document as proof of clearance that doctors seeking work and study placement in a foreign country, among other things, have no outstanding disciplinary issues regarding patient care.

“The CGS is never issued by a government anywhere in the world,” the doctors association said in a Twitter posting.

Zimbabwe’s two-decade economic collapse is touching new lows with inflation at more than 750% and the country’s currency collapsing. Shortages of food and fuel are common and a quarter of the population, including many of the country’s doctors and teachers, have left to seek work in South Africa, the U.K. and other countries.

“This has a bearing, as the government determines who goes out of the country,” Aaron Musara, the secretary-general of the doctors association, said in an interview on Monday.

“The government is trying to retain staff at a time when they are failing to keep them” happy in their work,” he said.

Jasper Chimedza, Zimbabwe’s permanent secretary for health, didn’t respond to calls seeking comment.

The southern African nation’s health sector has not been spared from the wider economic meltdown. It’s frequently been hard-hit by strikes lasting several months over low wages and shortages at public hospitals of everything from medicines to personal protective equipment needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Doctors earn salaries starting at Z$9,000 ($110) per month. The council, which has 3,371 registered doctors in the country, didn’t immediately respond to emailed queries.

Government has ruled out the holding of by elections this year due to coronavirus restrictions.

This comes as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has set December 5 as a possible date for local authorities and national assembly by elections.

Parliamentary and Legal Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said it’s not possible to have by elections this year. He said he did not know where ZEC got the December 5 dates from because the President is the one who proclaims the dates.

However, speaking at a meeting organised by the Election Resource Centre recently, ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba said that the nomination court is set for October 23.

State Media

THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) yesterday held interviews to select five judges for the Constitutional Court (Concourt) bench in compliance with the 2013 Constitution, which requires the separation of judicial personnel manning the apex court and the Supreme Court.

Eight candidates participated in the interviews held at a city hotel and was streamed live on ZBC TV to fill the five posts.

Although there were 12 candidates shortlisted, four of them could not take part because they either withdrew or did not confirm their attendance, while one who is said to be abroad could not travel for the interviews due to Covid-19.

Of the eight candidates who took part in the interviews, five are currently acting judges of the Constitutional Court, one Supreme Court judge, one High Court judge and a lawyer from police legal department.

Supreme Court judge, Justice Chinembiri Bhunu was the first to face the interviewing panel led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

The judge gave a good account of himself when answering all the first four sets of questions to test the judges understanding of the Constitution and the apex court functions.

However, the judge could not explain why he had several judgments and cases uncompleted when he was still a High Court judge.

One of the cases is a murder trial, which had been outstanding for 15 years after being postponed indefinitely.

His explanation was that the accused person died in prison and had postponed the case to allow the State to file death certificate, which has not been done to date.

The Chief Justice sought to know why Justice Bhunu could not manage the case since it was before him and ensure that it had been disposed of.

“That case is not an outstanding case. The accused could have died in prison,” he said.

But the Chief Justice responded by saying that the death of an accused in prison did not mean the death of the case.

He said a judge cannot place his responsibility on other players in the justice delivery system.

Second to be interviewed was Justice Paddington Garwe.

The judge who had garnered enough layers of experience as a career judicial officer having risen through the ranks from the magistrates’ court, High Court, Supreme Court and now acting judge of the Constitution Court said he did not anticipate any challenges in the execution of his duties if he were to become a Concourt judge. He boasted a clean record.

Justice Ben Hlatshwayo acquitted himself well. However, just like Justice Bhunu, the judge also had several outstanding cases which he tried to explain the reasons for the delay.

He said in some of the cases there were no issues between the parties involved.

He also cited other reasons that prevented him from disposing of the matter. He was able to articulate the question on judicial accountability.

The judge also said he has acquired vast experience on Constitutional matters given the fact that he was a consultant during the COPAC, which gave birth to the new Constitution.

He also participated in the 1999 constitution making process which resulted in the rejection of the draft document the following year. This, he said was an advantage to him if he is appointed to the Constitutional Court bench.

Justice Rita Makarau faired well as she managed to answer all the questions without much strain.

Justice Anne-Mary Gowora, Mr Smart Mirirai, Justice Bharat Patel and Justice Happias Zhou were also interviewed yesterday.

The interviewing panel included Chief Justice Malaba, Deputy Chief Justice Elizabeth Gwaunza, Judge President George Chiweshe and Attorney-General Advocate Prince Machaya, among others.

The Supreme Court and Constitutional Court benches were split in May this year in compliance to the 2013 constitution.

Of the 12 shortlisted candidates, Justice Donald Stevenson Corke is out of the country and was unable to attend the interview while Justice Charles Hungwe voluntarily pulled out of the race.

Justice Bartlet did not confirm his attendance.

Zimlive

Cracks started appearing in the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T on Monday after police ended their siege, at least temporarily, on the opposition party’s disputed headquarters in Harare.

MDC-T organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe said demands made by youths from the MDC-T and MDC Alliance after they seized the building on Sunday night were “not unreasonable.”

About 60 youths from the two feuding parties issued a joint statement on Monday demanding unity among leaders and an end to unilateral actions, hours after they barricaded themselves inside Harvest House.

Armed police started massing outside the building at 3AM on Monday, and tried to negotiate with the youths to come out without success. Police were eventually withdrawn at dusk.

At least nine MDC Alliance youths were arrested outside the building.

MDC-T chairman Morgen Komichi was the only senior official from either party allowed into the building where he held talks with the youths and then left.

The party’s secretary general Douglas Mwonzora arrived moments later but was denied entry. He claimed the building had been taken over by the MDC Alliance on the orders of its leader Nelson Chamisa, telling reporters: “We are going to take our property back, and we are going to take it today. It’s a question of time.”

Mwonzora claimed MDC Alliance youths “overpowered” their security guards and were holding 12 people hostage, which the youths denied.

The MDC-T seized the building from the MDC Alliance in June with the help of the police and army after a controversial Supreme Court ruling in March. The court said the MDC-T should return to its 2014 structures when it last held a congress, which would make Khupe the leader.

Paul Gorekore, the MDC-T’s youth chairman for Harare province, showed police and reporters a letter signed by Mwonzora giving him authority of securing the building. Mwonzora claimed the letter had expired.

He said he had assembled youths from the 2014 structures – from the MDC-T and MDC Alliance – who were now in charge of the building.

Gorekore spoke to reporters from behind burglar bars which had been fortified with chains and new locks. Some MDC-T activists tried to drown him out, accusing him of “selling out the struggle”.

“We, the young people of the Movement for Democratic Change in Harare province united together to finish the people’s democratic revolution. As the first line of defence of the party, the vanguards of democracy and the custodians of the party and its future we have assumed all security duties of the Party HQ,” Gorekore said.

He said they had “noted the attempt to surrender the democratic project into the hands of the enemy”, adding that the MDC-T “has been infiltrated by sell-outs with an agenda to derail our freedom.”

“This act of bravery was necessitated by the need to protect our beloved movement and the Zimbabwean people’s fight for better lives. Individuals have been making decisions without the mandate of the Zimbabwean voters, districts, provinces, the party’s National Executive and National Council organs which have not sat since the Supreme Court judgment,” Gorekore added.

Long day … Police officers resting under a truck on Monday during Harvest House siege
MDC-T organising secretary Bhebhe, in a statement, sided with the rebellious youths as he accused his colleagues of making decisions unilaterally.

“We note the position taken by the Harare province youth of the MDC-T in its collective sense. We also note their concerns, in particular the interest that Zanu PF has shown with the intention of dividing and derailing the movement,” Bhebhe said.

“In particular, they have expressed concern about what appears as unilateral conduct and decision making of some senior leaders without involving the organs of the party such as the National Executive Committee and to some extent the National Council. Such decisions involve the recalls (of MDC Alliance councillors and MPs) without the authority of the National Executive Committee as well as the preparation of the EOC without reporting to the National Executive Committee as per the party constitution.”

Bhebhe said the calls by the youths for a united party and a meeting of the NEC which has not met since the March 31 court judgment “are not unreasonable demands.”

“I would like to call upon the acting president Thokozani Khupe, the acting chairman and secretary general to take necessary steps to convene the 2014 National Executive Committee and National Council as composed in the 2014 Congress,” Bhebhe said.

Bhebhe said the MDC-T’s youths from Harare province were “conducting our party business peacefully and are protected by the party constitution.”

Media Statement

The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) joins the world in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) which is annually celebrated on the 28th of September.

This year, the IDUAI comes at a time when the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), has commenced the commendable process of licensing community radio stations.

Additionally, starting on the 12th of October 2020 until the 21st of October 2020, BAZ will be holding public inquiries for free to air national commercial television broadcasting service license applications.

These two developments come against the background of the Zimbabwean Government also continuing with the process of establishing Information centers in remote areas to allow citizens access to the internet, albeit with challenges related to electricity and internet access.

The introduction of new players in the broadcasting scene will go a long way in promoting access to information by Zimbabweans including marginalised and underrepresented communities.

ZACRAS therefore commends the visible efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe to introduce new players in the broadcasting sector.

While we commend Government for the work that it is doing, we continue to call upon Government, through BAZ, to ensure that the licensing process for community radios and national commercial television stations is non-partisan, fair and seeks to diversify and pluralize the broadcasting sector in its entirety including content focus and ownership structure.

As the community radio licensing process is underway, ZACRAS is concerned by reports coming from some of prospective licensees relating to interference bordering on harassment from selected individuals domiciled within their communities.

Where possible, ZACRAS has engaged the Ministry of Information Officials so as to alert them about these developments.

In light of changes in technology coupled with the establishment of information centers, we further implore all concerned stakeholders to strive to ensure that the internet is accessible to all including ensuring the enactment of affordable access costs. This will in turn enable marginalized and underrepresented communities to have wider access to information platforms including digital platforms.

The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) was declared by the United Nations and is important towards the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 16.10 which calls for ensuring public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms.

The 2020 celebrations are being held under the theme: ‘Access to Information, Saving Lives, Building Trust and Building Hope’.

State Media

ABOUT 1,8 million male condoms and 88 000 female condoms have been distributed countrywide since the Covid-19 outbreak which has affected access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) services for many women and girls.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe needs about 173 million condoms a year as these are at the heart of HIV prevention.

Condom use is one of the seven tried and tested HIV prevention methods recommended and so far, the use of condoms is the only method that provides dual protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.

Its consistent and correct use can reduce the risk of HIV and some STIs by up to 99 percent.

In a statement to mark World Contraception Day commemorated globally on September 26 annually, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said it had to partner with the World Food Program (WFP) to distribute food and condoms to hard-to-reach areas.

Launched in 2007, the day was set aside to help raise awareness on contraception to enable young people and women of reproductive age make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.

Despite having one of the highest contraception prevalence rates in Africa, many Zimbabwean women and girls were affected by Covid-19 which led to travel restrictions thereby making contraceptives inaccessible.

Zimbabwe’s Contraceptive Prevalence rate (CPR) which is the proportion of women aged 15-49 using family planning is 67 percent, an improvement from 59 percent in 2010.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care partnered with UNFPA and conducted a Rapid Assessment of Covid-19 Response in the context of Maternal and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Zimbabwe recently.

The assessment showed that the Covid-19 outbreak has affected women and young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services, including access to family planning.

UNFPA country representative Dr Esther Muia said partnering with the WFP to distribute condoms has been a great innovation that has brought sexual and reproductive health services closer to communities.

“We have reprogrammed our work to facilitate and ensure women and girls have access to contraception during the pandemic. One of the ways we have done this is entering into a partnership with our UN counterpart, World Food Programme (WFP) together with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, where we are distributing male and female condoms and sharing sexual reproductive health information at the WFP’s food distribution points throughout the country,” said Dr Muia.

“To date 1,8 million male condoms and 88 000 female condoms have been moved from Natpharm to WFP for onward distribution to communities.”

According to UNFPA, WFP has over 1 500 food distribution points, covering 311 157 households in 60 districts countrywide.

“With contraceptives, women have fewer risky births, healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries and they tend to have lower risks of death and have improved overall health. These improvements produce economic benefits, greater investments in schooling, greater productivity, greater labour force participation and, eventually, increased income, savings, investment and asset accumulation,” said Dr Muia.

In addition to challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic, UNFPA says there remains an unmet need among women and girls of reproductive age, especially in rural areas, where the majority of the population live. “Unmet need for family planning among married couples is 10 percent in urban areas and 11 percent in rural areas while unmet need for young people is 12.6 percent nationally. More efforts are required to address this unmet need,” she said.

WFP country director Mr Francesca Erdelmann said the two organisations will also continue supplying food to maternity waiting homes where pregnant women are housed towards their delivery date at a health facility for close monitoring.

“Food distribution points are deep in the communities and in close proximity and reach to the general population, making them easier and more convenient for communities to access essential and life-saving SRHR service,” said Mr Erdelmann.

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council executive director Dr Munyaradzi Murwira urged all SRHR stakeholders to help women access the needed contraceptives during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in celebrating and commemorating the World Contraception Day. We call upon everyone and all the stakeholders to raise the awareness about contraception and to enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health,” said Dr Murwira.

State Media

GOVERNMENT has insisted that commuter omnibus operators in urban centres have to operate under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) ambit as it brings sanity to the transport sector.

Last week, Cabinet gave commuter operators plying intercity routes the greenlight to start operating.

The nod gave hope to those plying urban routes that they could be back on the road soon.

However, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo clarified during last Wednesday’s National Assembly’s Question and Answer session that the door is still shut for urban kombi operators.

Minister Moyo said Government was remodelling the urban transport sector to make it more organised and operators who want to have their vehicles on the road should register their vehicles under the Zupco scheme.

“It is indeed Government policy to rationalise the urban transport system and the choice of Zupco is not to create a monopoly at the exclusion of other operators.

“That is why every operator has been given an opportunity with their vehicles, buses or commuter omnibus to register with Zupco so that we can make sure that the routes are well marked and we can rationalise everywhere in the urban centres.

“When it comes to the inter-city which is the responsibility of the Minister of Transport, he can answer that part of it. We are clear what we want to achieve is a rationalised urban transport system in this country,” said Minister Moyo.

Some kombi crews had become known for their notoriety and disrespect of clients.

Speaking on the same subject, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said Government opened up the transport sector for intercity travel to facilitate easy access to resort areas.

“We have opened the inter-city to allow for those areas that are interlinked that have been opened for instance tourism. It has been opened so there is need to link tourists who travel by bus to be able to go to places like Victoria Falls and other areas. So those have been opened and opened to operators who satisfy the guidelines set by our taskforce. I’m happy that many have complied and our roads are being plied by those who did comply,” said Minister Matiza.

He said taxi operators have also been given the green light to start operating.

“Metered transport especially the taxis, we have also allowed to start operating subject to the guidelines that have been put in place. In fact, we have gone further to allow Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and Driving Schools to allow the testing of taxi drivers as well. The whole chain has been taken care of in terms of metered vehicles,” he said.

The Minister commended the police for ensuring compliance on the roads.-

State Media

OUTGOING Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner-General Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi has urged prison officers to shun corruption, saying the scourge was worse than coronavirus.

Maj-Gen (Rtd) Zimondi said this during his farewell visit to Bindura Prison yesterday. He is currently on leave pending his retirement at the end of next month after being at the helm of ZPCS for 22 years.

Major-Gen (Rtd) Zimondi, who was accompanied by his successor Comm-Gen Moses Chihobvu, said corruption is a serious pandemic that destroys a person, organisation and a nation.

“Prison officers are tasked to look after some people who were involved in corrupt activities. We cannot be seen engaging in corruption because we would have failed in our duties,” he said.

“The President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa talks about zero tolerance to corruption and we have to follow what our leader says. Mechanisms were put in place to ensure that corruption is dealt with but we continue to read about corruption issues.

“I am emphasising to prison officers that you should be the last people to be accused of corruption. Please desist from corruption. A disciplined officer will never engage in corrupt activities.”

He urged the officers and prisoners to work hard and not to rely on hand outs.

“A donor is the most oppressive person because he/she doesn’t want you to work for yourself. We never relied on donors during the liberation struggle but on our own efforts and we survived. I urge prison officers and inmates to continue upgrading yourselves academically. Before you rehabilitate someone, rehabilitate yourself first. Unity and teamwork is the secret to success,” he said.

Looking back on his tenure, Maj-Gen (Rtd) Zimondi said one of the reforms achieved by the ZPCS was changing the punitive correctional system inherited from the colonial era to the current rehabilitative system.

He thanked President Mnangagwa, various ministries and the nation for supporting him during his tenure, which resulted in the ZPCS being recognised as an important stakeholder in the security of the nation. He also paid a courtesy call to Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Monica Mavhunga, who described him as a hard-working and compassionate person.

“He leaves behind a legacy of patriotism and we appreciate his great leadership under which the ZPCS transformed from an institution that focused on a punitive system to a rehabilitative one,” she said.

“He is a dedicated farmer in the province and we are excited that he will now contribute to the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP). After losing Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Perrance Shiri, we still have a father figure in Cde Zimondi.

Turning to Com-Gen Chihobvu, Minister Mavhunga said: “Our Bindura Prison is in bad shape. Its improvement must be top priority. I recommend that you consider children of war veterans who meet your criteria during your recruitment.”

Paul Nyathi

The United Kingdom ambassador to Zimbabwe, Melaine Robinson has expressed concern on the Zimbabwean goverment persecution of MDC Alliance MP Joanna Mamombe.

A Harare magistrate last week confined Mamombe, to prison pending a mental evaluation.

Bianca Makwande ordered Mamombe, who was abducted and sexually abused by suspected state security agents early this year, to be evaluated by two state doctors.

Mamombe was initially arrested when she did not appear in court last week after she was admitted to a local hospital complaining of some health issues. The warrant for her arrest was canceled when her doctor submitted evidence that she was unwell. Prosecutor Michael Reza then sought an order from the court for her mental evaluation.

Robinson condemned the treatment on Mamombe in her Twitter page:

Saddened by the treatment of opposition MP Joana Mamombe in #Zimbabwe. Hard to see this as her being treated with fairness and dignity. Calling for her rights and the rights of all those detained here to be fully upheld.

— Melanie Robinson (@HMAMelanieR) September 28, 2020

Paul Nyathi

Zimbabwe’s State Security Minister, Owen Ncube has all but declared that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe and identified the opposition MDC Alliance as one of the factors affecting the country’s security and stability.

The government has been denying that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe though always quick to point out that there are “enemies of the state,” and or “terrorists,” who needed to be flushed out.

The state later descended heavily on these so called rogue elements wantonly arresting people critical of government and some being abducted, tortured and left fire dead.

We present the State Security Minister’s statement in full below:

Zimbabwe’s security and stability is currently under siege from a number of threats being fomented by internal and external actors. The objective of this attack is to effect an unconstitutional change of Government following the outcome of the 2018 Harmonised Elections which was not favourable to the MDC-Alliance and its foreign backers. As State security arms of Government, we would like to assure citizens that we are watching the environment very closely and that we shall fulfil our mandate of ensuring peace, stability and development in Zimbabwe.

We want to re-assure citizens that the State Security Sector is alive to the machinations of the MDC Alliance, hostile CSOs and their Western handlers. Our gallant Security men and women will stand firm in defence of national interests and sovereignty in order to allow Government to focus on delivering its Vision 2030.