ON October 7, The Herald reported that President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had raked Zimbabwe “among countries that instituted better mitigatory measures against the deadly disease (coronavirus)”.
According to the report: “Zimbabwe has been ranked number 102 by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The rankings were crafted in such a manner that countries in the single digit category did not do well in fighting the pandemic while those with double digits did better and those with three digits did well.”
The newspaper quotes Mnangagwa, addressing business leaders who were donating towards Ekusileni Hospital, as saying: “Those with single digits didn’t do well. Those with double digits were better than those with single digits but Zimbabwe goes to the three digits. We are number 102.”
The Herald further quotes Mnangagwa saying that the “US was on number 1, Brazil 2, Russia 3, India 4, Britain 5 and South Africa 7” on this claimed ranking.
No evidence of WHO ranking
ZimFact could not find any evidence of such a ranking by the WHO.
The WHO publishes a live dashboard of global coronavirus cases. The dashboard provides an up-to-date tally of coronavirus cases around the world, based on data from governments. It also shows the most affected countries by number of confirmed cases.
As at October 11, the US had the highest number of cases with over 7 583 748 cases, followed by India with just over 7 million cases. Other countries listed among the 12 most affected are Brazil, Russia, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, Peru, Mexico, South Africa, France and the United Kingdom.
The WHO does not, however, rank how countries have handled the pandemic, as claimed by Mnangagwa.
Conclusion Mnangagwa’s claim that Zimbabwe has been ranked among the countries that have responded better to COVID-19 is false. There is no evidence of any such ranking by the WHO.
By A Correspondent- Three people were struck to death by lightning in Gokwe North since the onset of the rains amid fears that the development is witchcraft related.
The incidents took place in Chireya, Nemangwe and Mawere, sending the community in panic mode amid allegations that some unscrupulous members of the society are selling the rain magic to deal with perceived enemies.
Chief Nemangwe says the place is prone to lightning-related deaths but this season the situation has gone from bad to worse with a spirit appeasement exercise on the cards.
“Well, the aspect of lightning-related deaths is not new to Gokwe. However, this latest development has left us in a real catch 22 situations. We normally experience such in the middle of the rainy season not on the onset as we witnessed now. I have since summoned other traditional leaders so we have a Bira to appease the ancestors which are to be held on the 14th of this month at my homestead. Witchcraft can’t be ruled out under the circumstances,” he said.
Gokwe District Coordinating Chairperson, Mrs Netsai Mushauri, who is also head of the district’s Civil Protection Department confirmed the deaths and warned members of the community to adhere to safety standards during heavy rains.
“We have since received the news about the sad deaths involving the villagers. We, however, warn citizens against staying outdoors when it is raining. We usually experience cases of people being swept away by flooded rivers. People should be patient and wait for the water levels to subsidise before they cross such rivers to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives,” she said.
Among some precautions to minimise chances of being struck by lightning, people are urged to avoid touching water and electronic equipment when it is raining.-statemedia
Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) under Minister Constantino Chiwenga who is also the country’s Vice President has disclosed an unbelievable coronavirus situation in the country as of 12 October 2020.
The Ministry reports that 1 112 people recovered from the killer Covid-19 disease in just twenty four hours without revealing how the people recovered.
At this rate, the country is bound to have the world’s best Covid-19 control record.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly said that the country will be relaxing Covid-19 restrictions as the recovery rate increases. We might then be posed to be getting our masks off soon.
Below are the figures produced by the Ministry:
New cases: 10 Deaths: 0 Recoveries: 1112 PCR Tests Done: 481 National Recovery Rate: 95.1% from 81% Active Cases: 164 Total Cumulative Cases: 8021 Total Recoveries: 7627 Total Deaths: 230
By A Correspondent- A Tynwald man appeared in court yesterday for reportedly strangling his wife and breaking her legs before dumping her lifeless body in a ditch in 2018.
Alpha Ganya, 30, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga charged with murder. Allegations are that on October 30, 2018 at around 11pm, Ganya and the now deceased Winnet Kamota left Club Lashers Sanganai Inn going to Plot Number 100 Tynwald North where Kamota’s mother stayed.
On their way, the court heard that Ganya asked for US$500, which he had given Kamota for safe keeping, and she refused with the money.
When the couple approached Melbourne Primary School, Ganya strangled his wife and hit her on the head and broke her legs with a brick.
He reportedly further assaulted her several times on her body using the brick until she became lifeless and then dumped her body in a ditch wrapped in a scarf. The body was discovered the next day by passers-by and a police report was made.
Ganya ran out of luck when the police received information that he had returned from hiding and was in Cold Comfort where he was arrested.
Ganya was remanded in custody to October 26 and was referred to the High Court for bail application. Sabastian Mutizirwa appeared for the State.-statemedia
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has made an astonishing call on war veterans and ZANU PF structures to compile a list of all Non Governmental Organisations perceived to be working against the government.
Mnangagwa made the call while addressing chairpersons of Zanu PF provincial women, youths and war veterans at the party headquarters in Harare on Monday.
Mnangagwa assured his followers of his earlier threats to deregister Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating outside their mandates.
“There are lots of registered NGOs in the country and through the Home Affairs and Social Welfare Ministries, we are going to look at the mandate of each NGO,” he said.
“So, the Minister of Home Affairs and Social Welfare, they will depend on you war veterans, youths and women party chairpersons to give them list of NGOs operating in your areas and their mandate because you are the ones on the ground.
“So, if we discover that it is operating outside its mandate. it will be deregistered.”
Mnangagwa has repeatedly said that his government will deregister civil society organisations which stray from their mandates to dabble in national politics.
He has also issued similar threats to western embassies accredited to the country warning them stop meddling in his country’s internal affairs by working with the NGOs.
The Zanu PF led government has not had the best of relations with both civil society and western embassies which have maintained close scrutiny on the excesses of the under-fire administration.
A man in the United States has caught Covid twice, with the second infection becoming far more dangerous than the first, doctors report.
The 25-year-old needed hospital treatment after his lungs could not get enough oxygen into his body.
Reinfections remain rare and he has now recovered.
But the study in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, raises questions about how much immunity can be built up to the virus.
The man from Nevada had no known health problems or immune defects that would make him particularly vulnerable to Covid.
Scientists say the patient caught coronavirus twice, rather than the original infection becoming dormant and then bouncing back. A comparison of the genetic codes of the virus taken during each bout of symptoms showed they were too distinct to be caused by the same infection.
“Our findings signal that a previous infection may not necessarily protect against future infection,” said Dr Mark Pandori, from the University of Nevada.
“The possibility of reinfections could have significant implications for our understanding of Covid-19 immunity.”
He said even people who have recovered should continue to follow guidelines around social distancing, face masks and hand washing.
It had been assumed that a second round of Covid would be milder, as the body would have learned to fight the virus the first time around.
It is still unclear why the Nevada patient become more severely ill the second time. One idea is he may have been exposed to a bigger initial dose of the virus.
It also remains possible that the initial immune response made the second infection worse. This has been documented with diseases like dengue fever, where antibodies made in response to one strain of dengue virus cause problems if infected by another strain.
Prof Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, said the study was “very concerning” because of the small gap between the two infections, and the severity of the second.
“Given the fact that to date over 37 million people have had the infection, we would have expected to have heard of many more incidents if such very early reinfections with severe illness were common.
“It is too early to say for certain what the implications of these findings are for any immunisation programme. But these findings reinforce the point that we still do not know enough about the immune response to this infection.”
The Chinese city of Qingdao is testing its entire population of nine million people for Covid-19 over a period of five days.
The mass testing comes after the discovery of a dozen cases linked to a hospital treating coronavirus patients arriving from abroad.
In May, China tested the entire city of Wuhan – home to 11 million people and the epicentre of the global pandemic.
The country has largely brought the virus under control.
That is in stark contrast to other parts of the world, where there are still high case numbers and lockdown restrictions of varying severity.
In a statement posted to Chinese social media site Weibo, Qingdao’s Municipal Health Commission said six new cases and six asymptomatic cases had been discovered.
All the cases were linked to the same hospital, said the state-run Global Times.
The Chinese authorities now have a strategy of mass testing even when a new coronavirus cluster appears to be relatively minor, correspondents say.
The National Health Commission said on Monday that “the whole city will be tested within five days”.
Some 114,862 people – including medical staff and newly hospitalised patients in the city’s hospitals – had already tested negative, Qingdao’s health commission said.
Videos circulating online showed residents lining up late on Sunday to get tested, said the Global Times, adding that some of these test points were open from 07:00 to 23:00.
The new cases come a week after China’s Golden Week holiday – which saw millions travel across the country.
A Global Times report quoting the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism said the coastal city had received 4.47 million passenger trips over this period.
The nearby city of Jinan, in the same province as Qingdao, called for anyone who had visited the city since 23 September to get tested, according to a report by The Paper.
Earlier last month, Qingdao announced that two port workers who handled imported seafood had tested positive. They were not known to have infected anyone else.
Daily coronavirus infections have fallen drastically in China, and for the most part the country appears to have recovered from the worst.
China currently has 91,305 virus cases and the death toll stands at 4,746, according to WHO data.
China said 11 million people in the city had been tested in 10 days earlier this year.
The BBC’s Reality Check estimated the figure was closer to 9 million, but still a significant number of people.
Hundreds of testing centres were opened, with thousands of staff involved.
They also mobilised teams to test disabled people, the elderly and those vulnerable in their own homes.
One of the ways they sped up the process was to use batch- or pool-testing.
In this process, a batch of between five and 10 samples was tested. Only if a sample tested positive would the team go back to carry out individual tests to see who was positive within the batch.
The COVID-19 virus can survive on banknotes for 28 days, and thrives in colder temperatures.
New research conducted by he Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) suggests it can actually survive on banknotes and glass and steel surfaces for 28 days in cooler climates.
As temperatures climb, the livability rate of the virus declines, which is a positive factor for Australia’s fight against the virus heading into summer.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, lasts up to 10 days longer than influenza on certain surfaces, the findings show.
The revelation comes as several businesses have introduced cashless payment options to stem the spread of the virus.
There are nine Woolworths Metro stores in Sydney and Melbourne that are participating in a trial forcing people to pay using contactless cards.
The Rosebery store in Sydney and Yarraville and Caulfield North supermarkets in Melbourne will join the trial on October 12.
RBA’s most recent Consumer Payments Survey showed cash use fell to 27 per cent of all transactions.
‘As more and more customers choose to pay with cards, we’re trialling all electronic payments in a small selection of Metro stores which currently see very few cash transactions,’ a Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
Dr Debbie Eagles, Deputy Director at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, revealed the results of the analysis will contribute to the nation’s COVID-19 response.
‘Our results show that SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious on surfaces for long periods of time, reinforcing the need for good practices such as regular handwashing and cleaning surfaces,’ Dr Eagles said.
The Rosebery store in Sydney and Yarraville and Caulfield North supermarkets in Melbourne will join the trial on October 12.
RBA’s most recent Consumer Payments Survey showed cash use fell to 27 per cent of all transactions.
‘As more and more customers choose to pay with cards, we’re trialling all electronic payments in a small selection of Metro stores which currently see very few cash transactions,’ a Woolworths spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
Dr Debbie Eagles, Deputy Director at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, revealed the results of the analysis will contribute to the nation’s COVID-19 response.
‘Our results show that SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious on surfaces for long periods of time, reinforcing the need for good practices such as regular handwashing and cleaning surfaces,’ Dr Eagles said.
Mupedzanhamo flea market needs to be upgraded to a small business hub and will remain closed until space barons are excluded.
Harare City Council has been given three weeks by the Government to come up with a solid plan for Mupedzanhamo that will in future curb the issue of space barons.
Touring Harare markets, including Mupedzanhamo and Siyaso yesterday, Harare provincial development coordinator Mr Tafadzwa Muguti said it was high time Harare takes its urban renewal plan seriously.
“The purpose of the visit is a follow up on President Mnangagwa’s visit in Mbare areas. As Government we are deeply concerned with the disorder in Mbare,” he said.
“We don’t want to see people operating here, it should remain closed and not being a battleground for space barons. First phase of urban renewal should see Mupedzanhamo being a centre for cultural heritage.
“Mupedzanhamo has a lot of challenges: Both Zanu PF and MDC officials clashing for space. It remains closed until there is a solid plan. We cannot build policies on mediocrity.”
Mr Muguti said the local authority should create a Mupedzanhamo smart business hub.
“Let it be a place where formalised small and medium enterprises conduct their businesses, not a ground for selling bales that have been banned,” he said.
“The economic development we want is that let us revive industries. So far I don’t see smart cities by promoting sale of bales.”
Mr Muguti also blasted the council for having run down the city.
“Harare is no longer the Sunshine City. It used to be adorable back in the yesteryears. But we are turning it into a banana republic where people are selling products at traffic section lights,” he said.
“The council has turned a blind eye to the enforcement of law and order in the town. We are taking a lot for granted. It is sad that some council officials are conniving with space barons to run down the city.”
During the visit it was observed that council was losing potential revenue at its markets as people were not paying rates.
Mnangagwa casting his vote at the 2018 elections under ZEC guidelines
ZANU PF leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa, yesterday warned senior officials against the use of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) voters’ roll in conducting primary and DCC elections.
Mnangagwa convened a special meeting with provincial executive members, comprising youths, women and war veterans’ wings, where he warned leaders against manipulating the party constitution by imposing preferred candidates through vote buying and the use of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) voters’ roll in conducting the elections.
In an interview with State Media after the closed door meeting at the party headquarters in Harare, Zanu PF secretary for Administration, Dr Obert Mpofu, said Mnangagwa urged provincial executive members to follow laid down party procedures at all times.
“It was a very important meeting, which was summoned by President Mnangagwa where he called all provincial chairpersons and their wings comprising the youth, women and the war veterans’ wings,” said Dr Mpofu.
“He also strongly spoke about the internal party procedures and regulations as they relate to elections, and that this cannot be equated to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) process, which is meant for all political parties. He said at no point should the party use ZEC regulations on an internal selection process, but should use the party’s constitution, party regulations as they are reviewed by the party from time to time,” said Dr Mpofu.
Apart from sticking to consitutionalism, Mnangagwa spoke against rigging through vote buying a method which his party uses very well at every national election.
“We have a situation where people just emerge during elections, flogging and showing money to would-be voters or to the electorate to influence them to vote for a certain candidate of their choice or to those with money. That is unacceptable. It’s a dismissible offence,” Dr Mpofu said.
The party is currently conducting DCC elections in the remaining eight provinces after the process was undertaken successfully in Harare and Bulawayo provinces.
Two more suspected armed robbers alleged to be members of the “Abdul gang” appeared in court yesterday.
Carrington Marasha (30) and Douglas Mutenda (age not given) are facing six charges of armed robbery.
They were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga.
The two are being jointly charged with their accomplices; Mussa Taj Abdul (47), Charles Lundu (47), Rudolf Kanhanga alias Tapiwa Munatsi (29), Tapiwa Mangoma alias Tapa (27), Innocent Jairosi (32), Prince Makodza (31), Liberty Mupamhanga (29) and Godfrey Mupamhanga (27).
Mrs Taruvinga remanded them in custody to October 26.
Marasha and Mutenda were advised to apply for bail at the High Court..
The court heard that on July 24, the gang attacked 40 Longford Street in Queensdale, Harare, after arriving in separate vehicles.
They manhandled a family member threatening him, broke into bedroom where the householder had barricaded himself, wife and children, assaulted the householder and allegedly stole US$1 473 from the wife’s handbag, five cell phones, handbags, eye glasses, power banks, face masks and other valuables, with a combined value of US$7 516.
On the second charge, it is alleged that on July 25, the accused, who were in the company of their nine co-accused who are still at large, armed themselves with a shotgun, pistol, hammer and iron bars and went to the Trauma Centre at 1 Borrowdale Lane where they attacked the two security guards firing shots as they fled.
They tracked down one guard and beat him with a hammer, assaulted another guard and the receptionist with an iron bar, searched the reception area and stole a ZTE cellphone from the security guards, before allegedly breaking the door to an office where they threatened a manager and stole her cell phone.
Irvine’s commercial director Anele Zunga presenting the company’s donation.
An average Zimbabwean can only afford to eat a single egg in an entire year instead of at least one per week due to economic hardships.
The country’s largest eggs producer, Irvine’s commercial director Anele Zunga revealed the sad scenario while making a donation of 3 000 eggs and 100kgs of chicken to Kudakwashe Children’s Home in Harare on Friday at a World Egg Day celebrations.
“We are the biggest producer of eggs in Zimbabwe, on an annual basis, we produce 250 million eggs, that is just about 17 eggs for every Zimbabwean.
“Ideally, you should be eating at least an egg every week but you would find there are families and children who actually cannot afford to eat eggs every week and they taste an egg once a year,” said Zunga.
“The ideal situation will be if every Zimbabweans could afford eggs because they have essential nutritional benefits.
“We chose this home because as a business, we believe in supporting the communities that we operate in. We are very motivated when we see such good work that Auntie Rachel and her team are doing.”
Kudakwashe Children’s Home, located to the South West of Chitungwiza, in the middle of Southlea Park, feeds an average 1 000 disadvantaged people.
It is home to 27 children of whom 17 are physically challenged.
A 24-year-old artisanal miner died on the spot after being brutally speared, axed and hacked with machetes multiple times, in a suspected gang war in Kwekwe last Friday.
Police have arrested six artisanal miners including three teenagers of school going age following the gruesome murder of Edson Jephias of Redcliff town.
Gold turf wars at surrounding mines are believed to be behind the bloody clash.
The police have launched a manhunt for seven other suspects who fled from the scene after the horrific killing.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed receiving the report but referred this publication to the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi for more details.
“Yes, I can confirm that we have arrested six accused people in connection with this murder and seven are still at large. We are appealing to members of the public who might have information that might lead to the arrest of the seven accused persons to approach their nearby police station so that we arrest them,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi was not available for comment.
Jephias, police sources said, was allegedly drinking beer in Kwekwe at a local bar with 14 members of his gang when one Tatenda arrived in his brother’s vehicle and reported that the car had been stoned by members of a rival gang known as the Grigambas which the accused persons belong to.
Jephias and his crew allegedly teamed up and went to seek revenge against the Grigambas resulting in the two gangs fighting with dangerous weapons.
The source said Jephias died after being stabbed with spears, cut up with machetes and axed leading during the fight.
“Arrested were Cabinet Kamurai (17), Cephas Mansami (16), brothers Tafadzwa (26) and Obey Nhenga (27), Tobias Ncube (21) and Imidza Wasarira (16) all from Gokwe South,” said the source.
“The police have launched a manhunt for the other seven members of the Grigambas gang who fled from the scene.”
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Seven police officers, who threw teargas cannisters into a bus full of passengers at the Harare Exhibition Park yesterday afternoon, now have to account for their actions with one officer identified as having thrown a cannister already under arrest.
Passengers aboard a Rimbi Tours coach had to jump out through the windows with some falling hard on the tarmac. Some were injured as they fell while others will need to be checked for possible internal injuries.
Police had stopped the bus to question and possibly arrest the driver on allegations that he had no driver’s licence and had quarrelled with passengers.
Tear smoke is usually used to disperse violent or potentially violent groups in the open air, the objective being to make the group break up and those involved run away. It is not usually used in confined spaces or where those affected are basically innocent bystanders. In this case the police wanted to question just one person, the purported driver.
Police say they had information that the person in the driver’s seat had no Class One licence before asking him to open his window. When the driver resisted, a police officer then threw tear smoke cannisters into the bus.
It is not yet clear if the police officer had been instructed by superiors to do so.
In a video clip that went viral on social media yesterday, a group of seven police officers was seen blocking the yellow Rimbi Tours bus that was enveloped in smoke. The area is a major bus stop for passengers wanting to catch a bus for the western areas.
A police branded Datsun Go vehicle was seen parked behind the bus while a Mazda B18 single cab truck was blocking the bus in the front.
The seven officers were seen pushing and shoving passengers while men and women were jumping out of the bus through windows.
Police officers in the Datsun Go just drove off when large numbers of people intervened. People could be heard grumbling while others were shouting at the police in protest.
“Munourayisa vanhu mhani. Teargasi ndereyi pakadai (You will kill the people. Why are you using teargas under the circumstances).”
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the use of tear gas saying one officer who was seen throwing a tearsmoke cannister had been arrested.
“I can confirm the arrest of one officer for deploying tear smoke on passengers seated in a Rimbi Tours bus this afternoon at Harare Showgrounds. Investigations are ongoing and more are likely to be arrested, depending on their roles in the commission of the offence,” he said.
“We will leave no stone unturned and even the commanders of that team must explain their cases. No one is above the law,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the officers will be charged, both under the Police Act, and in terms of the Criminal law.
But the purported driver’s alleged offence will not be overlooked in a separate investigation. “We have instructed the command in Harare province to take action against the officers,” he said.
However, Asst Comm Nyathi said the bus crew should explain why the bus was being driven by someone without the required licence. “We understand someone who is not licenced to drive was driving the bus and full scale investigations will cover the police officers and the bus crew,” he said.
Rimbi Tours director Mr Decent Rimbi could not explain why his bus was possibly being driven by someone without a Class One licence.
He however, condemned the police officers’ heavy-handedness saying they could have used other and safer means of arresting the driver.
“We got information that police officers asked the driver to open his window and he resisted. The person who was driving the bus is a Class Two driver. After the resistance, we had police then deciding to use tear smoke.
“I feel the police were too harsh on the driver to an extent of harming innocent passengers. Some passengers have asthma or other problems that are affected by teargas, hence the action taken was unwarranted.
“From my understanding, traffic offences do not warrant such actions. If the driver does not have relevant papers, he is arrested and barred from driving.
“If the problem lies with the bus’ paperwork or fitness, it can simply be impounded. Tear smoke was not appropriate under the given circumstances,” said Mr Rimbi.
Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Association secretary Mr Oliver Chibage condemned the actions of the police.
He however, urged bus operators to comply with police orders and the law.
“As an association, we condemn the act because tear smoke cannot be used on people who are not violent, worse still those confined in a bus.
“We work with the police and if a misunderstanding arises, it must be settled in a civil way,” he said.
Mr Chibage urged operators to comply with the law and to respect traffic officers on the road.
High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere will be facing a tribunal after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) recommended to President Mnangagwa to set one up to look into her suitability to hold office.
Justice Ndewere is facing allegations of misconduct and conduct inconsistent with being a judicial officer.
Sikhala is facing charges of inciting public violence. He had been in remand prison for weeks after he was denied bail at the magistrates’ court.
In her ruling, Ndewere attacked the police for using social media in their investigations instead of establishing their own independent probe.
She said Sikhala’s conduct was never that of a fugitive running from the law, but he was fleeing from unidentified men who were following him after police claimed he was fleeing arrest following a flimsy press statement issued by the police.
She blasted the police for using a vague press statement instead of calling Sikhala’s lawyer.
A day after giving her judgement, commentator Alex Magaisa said he feared for Ndewere.
Magaisa wrote on Twitter:
1. We’ve have been very hard on the judiciary in recent months. But as I wrote in a recent #BSR individual judges are under pressure from the system. Don’t underestimate the courage of the judge who gave Job Sikhala bail on Tuesday. I wouldn’t be surprised if she suffers for it.
2. When you do things against the system’s wishes, the system finds something to hit you with. Sooner or later you will hear they are investigating Justice Erica Ndewere for this and that. I do not have the power to see the future; I merely interpret the future from experience.
Her suspension from the bench over the yet to be disclosed misconduct will be automatic by operation of law once the tribunal is put in place.
Highly placed sources though indicate that Justice Ndewere could be in trouble for failing to provide her seniors with the Sikhala bail judgement before delivering it in court.
If the tribunal clears her, she returns to the bench; if the tribunal makes other findings and recommendations she could well lose her post. The tribunal is not a criminal court, but can report that certain conduct is not consistent with holding judicial office.
This brings to two the number of judges that have allegedly conducted themselves in a manner that constitutes judicial misconduct, and which calls for a tribunal hearing.
Supreme Court judge Justice Bere is on suspension pending the outcome of the tribunal that probed him and is now compiling its report to the President.
Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Virginia Mabhiza yesterday confirmed that JSC had referred the matter to President Mnangagwa, the appointing authority, for a judicial tribunal in terms of the Constitution.
“The JSC has referred to the President a recommendation to set up a tribunal to inquire into the question of removal from office of Justice Erica Ndewere, a High Court judge,” she said without giving details of the allegations levelled against the judge.
“A tribunal will be constituted very soon and in terms of the Constitution, the judge will be suspended once the tribunal has been set up.”
THE Gokwe North Community is living in fear after three people were struck to death by lightning since the onset of the rains.
A dark cloud is hovering around Gokwe North following the sad incidents with villagers now on each others’ throats, amid witchcraft accusations.
The incidents took place in Chireya, Nemangwe and Mawere, sending the community in panic mode amid allegations that some unscrupulous members of the society are selling the rain magic to deal with perceived enemies.
Chief Nemangwe says the place is prone to lightning-related deaths but this season the situation has gone from bad to worse with a spirit appeasement exercise on the cards.
“Well, the aspect of lightning-related deaths is not new to Gokwe. However, this latest development has left us in a real catch 22 situations. We normally experience such in the middle of the rainy season not on the onset as we witnessed now. I have since summoned other traditional leaders so we have a Bira to appease the ancestors which are to be held on the 14th of this month at my homestead. Witchcraft can’t be ruled out under the circumstances,” he said.
Gokwe District Coordinating Chairperson, Mrs Netsai Mushauri, who is also head of the district’s Civil Protection Department confirmed the deaths and warned members of the community to adhere to safety standards during heavy rains.
“We have since received the news about the sad deaths involving the villagers. We, however, warn citizens against staying outdoors when it is raining. We usually experience cases of people being swept away by flooded rivers. People should be patient and wait for the water levels to subsidise before they cross such rivers to avoid the unnecessary loss of lives,” she said.
Among some precautions to minimise chances of being struck by lightning, people are urged to avoid touching water and electronic equipment when it is raining.
During a press conference in Harare last week, Zanu PF spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa made sensational claims that the opposition will not rule this country because according to him, the opposition undermines the gains that came through the liberation struggle.
Addressing the media, a tough-talking Chinamasa said:
Zimbabwe is a liberated country. It did not come through democracy, there was no vote to say Zimbabwe now wants to become independent.
It was fought for. Those who oppose its liberation should never dream of ruling this country, those who oppose the independence of this country and those who oppose the land redistribution programme should never dream of ruling this country with their masters.Those who oppose the redistribution of the land… have no right to rule this country because by opposing it, they became sell-outs.
Right now, they talk about human rights. During the colonial period, there were no human rights to talk about.
“The colonial masters only started to talk about human rights, democracy in 1980 when they were handing over power. Right now, they are talking about freedom of expression.
That is a digression, it’s important, but it’s a digression. The important narrative is how Zimbabweans get empowered until you do that, you spend the next 200 years exercising freedom of expression without eating. Those who go to America to ask for sanctions have no rights to rule this country.
Zanu Pf Political commissar Victor Matemadanda said something similar to what Chinamasa said in 2018 when he said elections will never remove Zanu PF from power because he said if they don’t work Zanu PF will use other means.
Chinamasa in July at a press conference attacked the American ambassador and called him a thug right before he threatened to expel him from Zimbabwe.
During the same month, he also urged Zanu PF supporters to defend themselves from people who were planning to protest the government’s maladministration and corruption.-Daily News
ZIMBABWE international forward, Prince Dube, turned out for his Tanzanian side, Azam FC, yesterday – just a day after the Warriors’ friendly international against the Flames in Blantyre on Sunday.
The in-form striker pulled out of that match, saying he was injured, but was back in action just 24 hours after the Warriors’ battle in Malawi.
Dube scored twice, including converting a penalty, in a friendly against Fountain Gate FC.
Azam, who powered to a comfortable 4-0 victory, fielded their three Zimbabwean players – Dube, Bruce Kangwa and Never Tigere.
The Tanzanian club, who have won all their first five league matches of the season, with Dube at the heart of their success story, were preparing for their league game against Mwadui on Thursday.
Dube was one of the regular members of the Warriors who pulled out of the friendly match in Malawi for various reasons.
His Warriors’ teammate, Kuda Mahachi, withdrew from the match, against the Flames, after testing positive for Covid-19.
This meant he was unable to travel from his base, in South Africa, to join his teammates in Harare ahead of the trip to the Malawi commercial capital.
SuperSport United chief executive, Stan Matthews, revealed yesterday that three of his players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Matthews said Mahachi had wanted his status to remain confidential but he ended up revealing his identity after his name appeared in this newspaper yesterday.
“Yes, it’s true, but he asked for confidentiality,’’ Matthews told Kick.Off.com.-The Herald
IN a spine-chilling incident that left people in Village 4 under Chief Svosve in Hwedza shocked, a man axed his wife and two children to death after she allegedly told him, he was not the biological father of the kids.
Innocent Chakabuda, allegedly struck his wife twice on the back of her head before turning it on his two children following a heated domestic dispute sparked by suspicions of infidelity.
As if that was not enough, Chakabuda, downed pesticide in an attempt to take his own life after allegedly axing his wife Junior Dzonga, their children; Vongai and Anenyasha Chakabuda.
The incident occurred on September 8, 2019.
On the day in question, Chakabuda had a misunderstanding with his wife on the suspicion that she was having an extra-marital affair.
It was when his wife told him that he was not the biological father of their two children.
Irked by his wife’s words, he went on to grab an axe, struck her twice on the back of her head before turning it on their children, whom he also attacked twice each on the back of their heads.
Chakabuda was then arrested.
Yesterday, Chakabuda appeared at the High Court charged with three counts of murder.
Chakabuda, through his lawyer Mr Phanuel Mazhande of Mazhande Legal Practice, denied the charges when he appeared before Justice Erica Ndewere.
In his defence prepared by Mr Mazhande, Chakabuda challenged admission of his warned and cautioned statement saying he gave it after being coerced.
Mr Mazhande raised issues on Chakabuda’s sanity and applied that he be examined by two Government medical doctors before trial commences.
Justice Ndewere granted the application and ordered that Chakabuda returns to court on October 26 for trial.-The Herald
A SUSPECT who was allegedly part of a gang that killed a man in Mpopoma in a fight over a girlfriend has been arrested at a hideout in his rural home in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province Rabson Tshuma (27) a self-employed carpenter at Manwele in Mzilikazi suburb, who was in the company of accomplices who are still at large, allegedly stabbed Bhekumuzi Nkomo (28) to death at an illegal house party at a shebeen in Mpopoma suburb.
Nkomo was stabbed with a knife in the chest and shoulder and he died on the spot.
Tshuma was not asked to plead when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Miss Nomagugu Maphosa charged with murder. He was remanded in custody to 15 October and was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
The State’s case as presented by the prosecutor Mr Carrington Dhliwayo is that: “On the night of 4 October 2020, at 54/1693 in Mpopoma suburb the accused person who was in the company of his accomplices who are on the run were drinking beer at a shebeen where the now deceased was also a patron.”
The court heard that an altercation ensued between the accused persons and the deceased over one of the accused persons’ girlfriends. The scuffle degenerated into a fist fight and the accused person produced a knife and stabbed Nkomo once in the chest and once on the shoulder.
The accused and his accomplices, who are still on the run, fled from the seen. A post mortem was conducted and it was ascertained that the cause of death was haemorrhagic shock, chest (viscera) bleeding and chest stabbing.-Chronicle
ZANU PF First Secretary and Emmerson President, Mnangagwa, yesterday warned senior officials against breaching party rules and regulations when conducting District Coordinating Committee (DCC) and primary elections.
The President convened a special meeting with provincial executive members, comprising youths, women and war veterans’ wings, where he warned leaders against manipulating the party constitution by imposing preferred candidates through vote buying and the use of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) voters’ roll in conducting primary and DCC elections.
The stern warning comes at a time when the revolutionary party is investigating cadres who caused chaos in the Kwekwe Central constituency during primary elections on October 3, where prospective party candidates, Kandros Mugabe was battling it out with 26-year-old Cde Energy Dhala Ncube, in primary polls ahead of a by-election.
The primary elections were suspended indefinitely.
In an interview after the closed door meeting at the ruling party headquarters in Harare, Zanu PF secretary for Administration, Dr Obert Mpofu, said the President urged provincial executive members to follow laid down party procedures at all times.
The meeting, Dr Mpofu said, was called by President Mnangagwa to give direction to the party, especially the provincial leadership, on the appropriate mode of behaviour when conducting internal elections.
Dr Mpofu said the President directed all party leaders to be fully conversant with the party’s constitution as it relates to the election of party leaders.
“It was a very important meeting, which was summoned by President Mnangagwa where he called all provincial chairpersons and their wings comprising the youth, women and the war veterans’ wings,” said Dr Mpofu.
At the meeting, President Mnangagwa condemned the imposition of candidates, saying the electorate should choose their preferred representatives.
“He also strongly spoke about the internal party procedures and regulations as they relate to elections, and that this cannot be equated to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) process, which is meant for all political parties.
He said at no point should the party use ZEC regulations on an internal selection process, but should use the party’s constitution, party regulations as they are reviewed by the party from time to time,” said Dr Mpofu.-The Herald
Farai Dziva|Teachers have rejected donations from fired Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu.
In a joint statement, teachers unions described the donations as an insult to the noble profession.
Below is part of the joint statement released :
We are worried that His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers.
Teachers are not for charity, but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.
We are shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandisement.
The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats.
Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.
‘HON JOANA MAMOMBE IS OUR HEROINE AND SOURCE OF INSPIRATION’, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA POSTULATES.
Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch resolved to dedicate their dual anniversary commemorations to the Mdc Alliance trio, Hon Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova not forgetting our outstanding National Spokesperson Advocate Fadzai Mahere and other progressive voices in the national democratic revolution.
In our celebrations of the 1st anniversary as Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch as well as the 21st anniversary of the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance party led by none other than President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, we resolved to honour and respect the above mentioned leaders for their varlour, nerve and mettle to confront Zanupf thugocrats demanding a people’s government, justice , equality, an end to senseless and barefaced corruption. Their politics of resistance inspires us as a district and we urge all social democrats to embrace participatory democracy.
In honour of our departed heroines and heroes, we saluted the late Icon of Democracy President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, Susan Tsvangirai, Gibson Sibanda, Joshua Bakacheza, Talent Mabika, Tichaona Chiminya, Itai Dzamara, Patson Dzamara, Rebecca Mafukeni, Miriam Mushayi, Anna Mpofu, Lavender Chiwaya, Gwenhure only to mention but a few.
We did not forget living heroes and heroines who are stirring the freedom train in the names of President Nelson Chamisa, Job Wiwa Sikhala, Godfrey Kurauone, Tafadzwa Ngadziore, Tawanda Muchehiwa, Terrence Manjengwa, Last Maengahama, Madzorere and many others who are victims of arbitrary arrests and abductions, torture and Zanupf satanism.
Mdc Alliance Namibia shall remain guided by those who exploit all their organs to demand constitutional democracy in the Motherland. May the blood and sweat of the butchered social democrats continue to inspire revolutionaries of our age. May their dear souls rest in power.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch said , Hon Mamombe, leading the Mdc Alliance trio and our Spokesperson are our undoubted heroines in the struggle for socio-economic transformation.
This followed the recent demonstration staged by the trio demanding justice and freedom of the ardent Zinasu President , Takudzwa Ngadziore, who was abducted, tortured and arbitrarily arrested after putting political pressure to Impala car rental to divulge information pertaining Zanupf thugocrats who are obvious perpetrators of politically motivated arrests and abductions.
Their revolutionary zeal to confront the beast in the eye immediately after being abducted, tortured, raped and sexually harassed is just an unmatched commitment and dedication to defeat thugocracy in Zimbabwe.
It obviously boggled the minds of hesitant social democrats who did not suppose that the’ Mdc Alliance Trio’ especially Joana, barely a day after her release from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, she proceeded to demonstrate, demanding the release of Takudzwa Ngadziore.
Instead of being broken due to incessant state-sponsored incarceration, Joana and her team remained resolute in fighting against peaceful slavery.
In his anniversary solidarity speech, Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Spokesperson, Robson Ruhanya echoes these revolutionary sentiments, “while other abled-bodied men and women are still waiting for the signal from the President , Joana , Netsai , Cecilia and Mahere are democratic enough to display their bravo in the face of a heavily armed, captured army and police salivating to rape, torture and abduct. This is the pragmatic nature of leadership we expect especially from the youths who have the moral obligation to save this sinking titanic. We salute you women of varlour and nerve”.
Moreso,Mdc Alliance Namibia identifies Joana as a paragon of virtue in our struggle for constitutional democracy. After she was unjustifiably arrested for psychosocial problems, she was not broken or discouraged, this is what we are celebrating as a district.
With more Joanas, Mdc Alliance Namibia has a conviction that change will be imminent. The Spokesperson further said that there are no other signals than the courage to demand justice, equality and an end to senseless and barefaced corruption perpetrated by a rogue desperate regime led by the incompetent illegitimate Zanupf President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the same event, the Chairlady of the organic Rundu branch ,Tracy Zvitarise , challenged all women and men in social democracy to emulate the flashes of brilliance in embracing dangerous freedom against Zanupf shenanigans. All genuine revolutionaries must pent-up their outrage forcing Zanupf government to halt a wholesale abuse of universal basic freedoms of the girl child specifically sexual abuses exposed to those who openly challenge politics of self-enrichment.
She further echoed that the futile attempt by Zanupf rapists to break Joana Mamombe’s revolutionary spirit must be resisted with equal measure.
Furthermore, Misheck Bunga, the Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Youth Commander urged the youths to take responsibility for their future. He demanded the immediate release of abducted and jailed Zinasu President Takudzwa Ngadziore, concurrently, warning the autocratic regime to ensure justice for the abducted and tortured youthful Tawanda Muchehiwa. The vibrant commander ordered state enablers Impala to either disclose information from the tracker and the names of Satanists who hired the car used to abduct and torture Tawanda Muchehiwa or shut down the company. Zanupf must not continue to persecute and torment innocent citizens who are scratching their heads for a single nutritious meal per day due to Zanupf’s dismal failure to revamp the pathetic economy.
The Secretary General, Simbarashe Ndoda described Joana , Cecilia , Netsai, Fadzai Mahere , Job Wiwa Sikhala, Godfrey Kurauone and all prisoners of conscience as cadres who epitomise our fight for a people’s government. He made it point blank that Zanupf-sponsored abductions, torture and sexual abuse of social democrats should not deter us from demanding justice and fight against corruption.
The Secretary General openly encouraged everyone present to demonstrate his or her comprehension of the ideology of social democracy by actively fighting against Zanupf’s incompetent governance.
In a nutshell, the district Chairperson of MDC Alliance Namibia Elisha Chambara graced the colourful event in absentia with a solidarity message to Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch. He congratulated and eulogised the organic leadership and membership for their visibility and participatory democracy since its inception on the 10th of August 2019.
The Chairperson hailed Rundu branch for participating in both internal and external party programs exhibited through financial assistance and revolutionary solidarity. He singled out the participation of Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch on the 31st July Movement protests against looting and corruption at Zimbabwe embassy in Windhoek on the day in question.
He further encouraged the outstanding branch to continue as inspiring other external branches as part of mobilisation.
A Warriors player based in South Africa who cannot be named for professional reasons tested positive for COVID-19 and this afternoon’s game had to proceed without him.
The player who was called for national duty on 7 October went through the routine testing and he tuned out positive for the novel coronavirus and had to go into self-isolation and was automatically excluded for the Malawi friendly that was played in Blantyre this afternoon.
The lab results that confirmed the player’s positive seen by the publication reads in part:
A positive test result for Covid-19 indicates that RNA from Sars-CoV-2 was detected in the sample. The patient is considered to be infected and is presumed to be contagious. Individuals diagonised with Covid-19 not requiring hospitalisation must self isolate. After a 10-day period of home isolation, asymptomatic people are regarded as no longer infectious.
Provided a person’s fever has resolved and their symptoms have improved, those with mild disease may de-isolate 14 days after symptoms onset, while those with severe disease may de-isolate 14 days after achieving clinical stability. A follow-up test is not required as remnant RNA can be detected for up to six weeks after clinical recovery
The Warriors played Malawi this afternoon after their headlining chaotic preparations and the game ended in a goalless draw. -Chronicle
…
A daring car thief who stole a Mercedes Benz from a Borrowdale house loaded with groceries in the boot, made his arrest rather easy when at the last moment he added an iPhone 7 to his loot.
Daniel Mutedza (34) possibly did not know that iPhones are easy to track. Police tracked and recovered the phone and the Benz when they arrested the suspect in Budiriro, National police spokesman Asst Comm Paul Nyathi said yesterday. Mutedza will appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, a Harare motorist was robbed of his Toyota Wish last Tuesday at around 2am while driving along Arcturus Road to Mabvuku after offering a lift to three armed robbers.
The trio robbed him of his unregistered silver Toyota Wish and dumped him near Jamaica Inn in Goromonzi.
Police have also applauded members of the public for giving information that led to the arrest of three suspects for unlawful entry into premises in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, last week. The three were found in possession of various electrical gadgets which they stole in Njube and Cowdray Park.
In Harare police have arrested Gabelah Chabayanzara (21) and recovered property worth US$1 304 and US$867 in cash which had been stolen at Weldon Hostel in the city. – Herald
A 17-year-old Nkulumane suburb boy was found hanging from the roof of his father’s bedroom after he had gone missing for four days.
Kholo Jamela was reportedly under investigation after allegedly defrauding some members of the public.
He was living with older siblings who did not enter their father’s bedroom during Kholo’s absence as he is said to be admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.
The family was left in shock on Saturday morning when, after searching for Kholo everywhere, they found him hanging from the roof.
According to a mental wellness organisation – Create Zim, Zimbabwe has the 13th highest suicide rate in the world amid reports that cases have been on the rise, making suicide the 14th leading cause of death in the country.
Suicide cases are increasing in Bulawayo especially among youths and police have called on people to consider counselling instead of resorting to suicide.
Mental wellness among men has become a public health concern considering the rising cases of depression and suicide in the country.
A man’s masculinity is seen as closely tied to physical and emotional strength and invincibility which often hinders them from reaching out when in need of counselling. Chronicle visited the Jamela family yesterday but they refused to comment only saying Kholo will be buried today.
One of his uncles who identified himself as Mr Sibanda said the family would deliberate on whether to comment to the Press on the matter but were yesterday busy with burial arrangements.
Neighbours said the boy who was a pupil at Mandwandwe High School committed suicide using a rope.
Mr Khaliphile Nyoni said the boy was last seen leaving his home and his siblings assumed that he was missing. “We are still in shock. This boy leaves us with heavy hearts and we cannot understand what really pushed him to end his life. Reports are that he was recently involved in fraud on EcoCash and police were looking for him which could have scared him into ending his life,” said Mr Nyoni.
He said the boy came from a respectable family and leaves many broken hearts in the community.
“His father has been unwell and is admitted to a hospital which explains why he hanged himself in his bedroom knowing that no one would easily open it since his father was away. We hope the family will heal and that our children will remember that no amount of problems should push them to end life,” he said.
Another neighbour who chose anonymity said the boy did not leave a suicide note to at least help the family trace where his sorrows emanated from.
“We live in difficult times where people resort to suicide when faced with challenges. Kholo’s death should be a painful reminder that nothing is worth taking your life for. We feel for our neighbours who had to witness him hanging lifelessly from their father’s bedroom,” said the neighbour.
Acting Bulawayo spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the boy hanged himself in his bedroom, not in his father’s.
She said Kholo was last seen on October 7 by his brother after they had a conversation about builders.
“On October 7, 2020 at around 9AM, the informant last had a conversation with the deceased about builders who were supposed to construct the durawall at their place of residence. The informant is brother to the deceased and they were staying together,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
“Four days later on October 10, 2020 at around 1000 hours, Kholo’s brother knocked at his bedroom but there was no response. He discovered that it was locked from inside and used a screwdriver to open the door.” -Chronicle
A 17-YEAR-OLD Nkulumane suburb boy was found hanging from the roof of his father’s bedroom after he had gone missing for four days.
Kholo Jamela was reportedly under investigation after allegedly defrauding some members of the public.
He was living with older siblings who did not enter their father’s bedroom during Kholo’s absence as he is said to be admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital.
The family was left in shock on Saturday morning when, after searching for Kholo everywhere, they found him hanging from the roof.
According to a mental wellness organisation – Create Zim, Zimbabwe has the 13th highest suicide rate in the world amid reports that cases have been on the rise, making suicide the 14th leading cause of death in the country.
Suicide cases are increasing in Bulawayo especially among youths and police have called on people to consider counselling instead of resorting to suicide.
Mental wellness among men has become a public health concern considering the rising cases of depression and suicide in the country.
A man’s masculinity is seen as closely tied to physical and emotional strength and invincibility which often hinders them from reaching out when in need of counselling. Chronicle visited the Jamela family yesterday but they refused to comment only saying Kholo will be buried today.
One of his uncles who identified himself as Mr Sibanda said the family would deliberate on whether to comment to the Press on the matter but were yesterday busy with burial arrangements.
Neighbours said the boy who was a pupil at Mandwandwe High School committed suicide using a rope.
Mr Khaliphile Nyoni said the boy was last seen leaving his home and his siblings assumed that he was missing. “We are still in shock. This boy leaves us with heavy hearts and we cannot understand what really pushed him to end his life. Reports are that he was recently involved in fraud on EcoCash and police were looking for him which could have scared him into ending his life,” said Mr Nyoni.
He said the boy came from a respectable family and leaves many broken hearts in the community.
“His father has been unwell and is admitted to a hospital which explains why he hanged himself in his bedroom knowing that no one would easily open it since his father was away. We hope the family will heal and that our children will remember that no amount of problems should push them to end life,” he said.
Another neighbour who chose anonymity said the boy did not leave a suicide note to at least help the family trace where his sorrows emanated from.
“We live in difficult times where people resort to suicide when faced with challenges. Kholo’s death should be a painful reminder that nothing is worth taking your life for. We feel for our neighbours who had to witness him hanging lifelessly from their father’s bedroom,” said the neighbour.
Acting Bulawayo spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the boy hanged himself in his bedroom, not in his father’s.
She said Kholo was last seen on October 7 by his brother after they had a conversation about builders.
“On October 7, 2020 at around 9AM, the informant last had a conversation with the deceased about builders who were supposed to construct the durawall at their place of residence. The informant is brother to the deceased and they were staying together,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
“Four days later on October 10, 2020 at around 1000 hours, Kholo’s brother knocked at his bedroom but there was no response. He discovered that it was locked from inside and used a screwdriver to open the door.” Chronicle
The family of an elderly Mangwe couple that was murdered in cold blood and their bodies burnt beyond recognition last month is offering R10 000 to anyone who may assist police in solving the crime.
Nicholas Nleya (83) and his wife Margaret (78) of Mzaza Village in Mangwe District were killed at their rural home.
The family concluded that it was a premediated killing as nothing valuable except their lives was taken from their immaculate rural home. Remnants of a petrol bomb and dynamite were found at the crime scene.
The elderly couple was buried in a single grave at Empandeni Mission Cemetery in an emotional burial in the same month. More than a month since the callous murder, the assailants have not been arrested, leaving the family with more questions than answers. The family is wondering who targeted their parents and why.
A poster with the late Mr and Mrs Nleya’s photos is being circulated on various social media platforms, encouraging anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to come forward.
“R10 000 reward offered for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those who murdered Mr and Mrs Nleya of Mzaza village, Mangwe District. Information received will be kept confidential. Please contact Detective Inspector T. Zimunhu on +263712915378 or the family on +263772851429. Both numbers are on WhatsApp,” reads the poster.
Speaking on behalf of the family, one of the deceased’s children Ms Bernadette Nleya said life has become traumatic for them as they remain with unaswered questions on why their parents were killed.
She said the R10 000 reward is their way of encouraging those who might have information that may lead to the solving of the case to come forward.
“We want those criminals apprehended and charged. We don’t believe that someone can commit such crime and disappear into thin air. We believe someone somewhere is bound to have heard or seen something. They may be afraid of coming forward, afraid for their lives thinking that, if I come out, I might be doing it for nothing. That is why we are offering a reward. We know a lot of people are afraid that in case they come forward, they will spend their time visiting police stations and courts and they would not want to disrupt their lives for nothing,” she said.
“We have all the trust in the policing and justice system in Zimbabwe and with the assistance from the public the perpetrators will be brought to book.” Ms Nleya said solving the crime will bring them closure.
“It (the murder) is affecting the family because we really need to know what really transpired and why it happened. That would give us closure as a family. As it stands we have a lot of unanswered questions on who could have done this and why. We know that knowing what happened will not bring them (our parents) back but it will give us closure. At the moment we are guessing, we are trying to recreate what could have happened. Even when you wake up at night you’ll ask yourself what could have happened,” said Ms Nleya.
She said the reward that the family is offering should not be abused by opportunists who may even derail investigations. “By putting up a reward, we are looking for serious people who might have information that can aid investigations. We don’t want to end up being overwhelmed with information that may not lead us anywhere, wasting resources, following up on leads that may not get us anywhere. We want those who really know what happened so that this crime can be solved. We don’t want chancers,” she said.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he can only comment about the developments relating to the case today. – Chronicle
The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has activated the disaster response structures to deal with rain-related catastrophes as the rainy season begins while Cabinet will today deliberate on a disaster management plan to guide the country in addressing calamities.
Normal to above normal rainfall is expected in the 2020/21 rainy season with the Meteorological Services Department warning of heavy rains in excess of up 50 millimetres within 24 hours in some parts of the country since Sunday.
MSD observed the rains will be coupled with violent thunderstorms and localised downpours especially in Matabeleland districts of Beitbridge, Gwanda, Mangwe Bulilima, Matobo, Tsholotsho, Bubi and Umguza among other areas.
Heavy rains have in the past resulted in property destruction with CPU saying infrastructure damage caused by rains could run into billions of dollars and rehabilitation projects backlog to the early 2000s.
In the 2016/17 rainy season, when the country last received significant rains, more than 100 people died while hundreds of families were displaced and public infrastructure including dams and roads was damaged.
It was worse last year when Cyclone Idai hit Manicaland province killing more than 300 people, displacing thousands.
The district is yet to recover from the extensive rains, although Government, private sector and developmental partners chipped in to assist victims.
CPU director Nathan Nkomo said structures that were used in the management of Covid-19 across the country have been activated to also attend to possible calamities caused by the rains.
Mr Nkomo said the CPU was expecting fatalities and property destruction as a result of heavy rains as MSD has already projected.
He said since the start of the rainy season, two people have died after being struck by lightning in Gokwe, Midlands province.
“Remember the drought disaster was running together with the Covid-19 pandemic. The same structures which are dealing with the drought and the Covid-19 pandemic are the same structures which we have activated now, ready for the normal to above normal rainfalls as predicted by the MSD. This is the time to manage the two together,” he said.
“A lot of people will be left homeless, a lot of people will be displaced but all those issues will be dealt with within the auspices of Covid-19. That is why when we did our planning recently, we wanted people to understand the context in which any calamities may befall our environment as a result of heavy rain falls and the response to be done within Covid-19 context.”
Mr Nkomo said Cabinet is today expected to deliberate on the department’s contingency plan which will guide the nation as it prepares for the rain caused disasters.
“More important from that contingency draft, I’m calling it a contingency draft because it has to sail through a Cabinet system before it becomes official. It is one of the items that are expected to be deliberated I’m sure on Tuesday (today)” said Mr Nkomo.
“Part of the components of the draft speaks about a robust early warning system. An early warning system which speaks to climatological risks which we must also deal with. So, whenever we will be handling issues to do with floods during the rainy season, we will also be cognisant of the existence of the current Covid-19 pandemic.”
He said the emergency plan should address concerns that the public have previously raised against the CPU, blaming it for not being prepared to address disasters.
Mr Nkomo said heavy rains are likely to increase waterborne disease affecting both humans and animals. He said communities have to be seriously involved in the new disaster plan.
“Once Cabinet approves the plan, we will roll out the plan to our communities. Remember the constitution talks about three tiers of Government but we strongly feel there is the fourth tier which is the community and the community is led by its leaders who are the chiefs and village heads.
“We are going to harness that critical mass of 25 096 village heads in this country for two purposes. One for information dissemination and secondly even managing the disasters remember those guys will be the first to respond to any case,” he said.
Mr Nkomo said disaster response teams such as the military and police sub aqua unit should be ready to save the marooned or those affected by floods.
He said even adjacent districts development coordinators have also been told to plan together to avoid a situation where an officer who was supposed to help victims was also marooned in Midlands last year. –Chronicle
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.
He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.
Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.
Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.
In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”
He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.
Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”
The Generals should now be United,to correct their Coup mistake.They took up arms to fight a ZPF factional https://t.co/vMMPcZfq04 ZPF takes up arms against the decorated Generals.They should remove their imposed commander in chief,and allow civilians to choose own leader. https://t.co/mIg8maDtwV
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has implored Zimbabweans to remain steadfast in their quest for freedom from tyranny.
President Chamisa made the remarks at the funeral of MDC Alliance MP Hon Anna Myambo in Chitungwiza on Friday.
He took a swipe at Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa for using guns to silence dissenting voices.
Said President Chamisa: Mnangagwa is using guns to suppress the will of the people.Mnangagwa has guns and we have the people.
Don’t be intimidated, Mnangagwa cannot arrest the whole nation.
In Zimbabwe everyone is prison, Mnangagwa himself is in prison.”
He added:”(Thokozani) Khupe is playing with a snake.Wait and see you cannot play with a wild beast one day it will kill.Can you harness a snake’s eggs? It’s too risky – sadly that is what Khupe is doing.
Hon Myambo was a dedicated party cadre.This thing(recall) affected her.”
MEDICAL Doctors who were on strike have apologised for their misconduct with the government pardoning and allowing them to go back to their workstations. It was indeed a rare moment when doctors in training who have been on an industrial action countrywide met Vice President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also in charge of the health and child care portfolio. Accompanied by the Chairperson in the Department of Health Professions Education at the university of Zimbabwe, like prodigal sons, the doctors admitted their misconduct and expressed remorse for their actions. In a heart to heart talk, the vice president reminded the doctors that their professional mandate adding that they must value the sanctity of life in whatever action they decide to take. Dr Chiwenga assured the doctors that government is committed to ensuring that health care workers are adequately remunerated. Deputy minister of health and child care Dr John Mangwiro thanked the vice president for his understanding and giving the doctors in training a second chance to pursue their studies. Members of the health services board were also in attendance. Last year some doctors were dismissed from public health service for violating multiple labour provisions, leaving the Government with no option but to institute disciplinary action. In August last year the Government through the Bipartite Negotiating Panel offered to review all health workers’ basic salaries by 50 to 76 percent on a sliding scale. All health workers, junior doctors included were in agreement and signed the collective bargaining agreement on the understanding that negotiations centred on reviewing allowances would continue. Government also made a commitment to look into the provision of transport for health workers and further review the cost of living adjustment in the fourth quarter of the year. However, some doctors backtracked and disowned the agreement.
FORMER Zimbabwe Warriors coach Norman Mapeza has described his surprise exit from Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC (TTM) as a “professional decision” after spending only a few days at the Limpopo-based Premiership newcomers.
The 48-year-old said on Monday that he decided to cut his few days stay with TTM short after realising that he would not have enough time to fine-tune the team to the standard and level of his liking.
“I’m back at home now‚” Mapeza said from his home in Harare without providing granular details on why he left.
“(It was) just a professional decision. I thought I couldn’t build a team under three weeks which was going to compete to my liking. (There is) nothing much to it.”
Mapeza‚ who resigned as Chippa United coach in March after just five months in the job‚ confirmed that he never signed a contract with TTM nor did he take charge of any training session.
He said he was in Thohoyandou‚ where the club is based‚ to view facilities and meet the playing staff and management before a contract could be signed.
“I was just doing assessment and watched two training games. (My stay with TTM) was just for assessment my brother‚” added the former Ajax Cape Town player.
Mapeza has been out of a job since he left Chippa United shortly before the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
“They was no football because of Covid-19‚” said Mapeza when asked what he has been up to since leaving South Africa.
Asked what he made of the facilities at TTM and the environment‚ Mapeza said “very good”.
TTM CEO Sello Chokoe’s phone was on voicemail when contacted for clarity.
TTM will kick off their season with an MTN8 clash against holders SuperSport United in Thohoyandou on Saturday (3pm).
Members of the Welshman Ncube’s MDC which was incorporated into the MDC Alliance in the run up to the 2018 elections under the Alliance agreement are up in arms with the Nelson Chamisa led side to the Alliance over the Kuwadzana constituency by election candidate.
The Ncube led side went up in arms declaring that the seat was reserved for them as per a 2018 agreement.
The feuding led to former party spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi withdrawing from contesting the primary elections declared by the Alliance.
In a letter to the MDC Alliance secretary general, Chalton Hwende, Chihwayi, expressed his disappointment in being forced into a contest with other MDC Alliance partners.
“I am strongly disturbed by the violation of a valid MDC Alliance agreement that expires in 2023, which gave the seat to the MDC led by Prof Welshman Ncube.
“As such, I expected the MDC to elect or choose one of its own to finish the term of office left by the late Hon. Miriam Mushayi,” Chihwayi said.
“I did not see the rationale of participating in a primary election with members of the then MDC-T in the MDC Alliance. I am a full member of the MDC Alliance by virtue of being a member of the MDC,” Chihwayi alluded.
He further said members of the then MDC-T should withdraw from the primary elections as a way of showing respect to the terms and conditions of the 2018 agreement.
The late Mushayi was a member of the MDC led by Welshman Ncube.
Recalled ZANU PF Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu has donated canoes to teachers at an undisclosed school for them to use to catch fish at Tokwi Mukosi Dam.
In the video below, Zivhu says he is donating the canoes to the teachers to catch fish at the Tugwi Mukosi dam and they can either eat the fish or sell them to sustain themselves.
Last week Zivhu also donated mealie meal and relish to some teachers.
Successful applicants for the six free to air national commercial television licences will be issued with licences to operate by the end of November.
This was revealed during the ongoing public inquiry via Zoom, for the provision of Free-to-air National Commercial Television Broadcasting Services, by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. The public inquiry is done in this manner to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
The public inquiry commenced today, Monday October 12 and will end on Wednesday October 21.
BAZ Twitter page said: The Chair of Free-to-Air National Commercial Television Licensing Public Inquiry Commission Mr. Charles Sibanda revealed that successful applicants will be issued with licences by end of November 2020.”
He was speaking during the slot for Acacia Media where they laid out their case as to why the station should be considered.
Apart from Acacia Media there are other 13 applicants for the television channels, namely, AB Communications (Pvt) Ltd t/a Flex TV, Blackbury Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd t/a Blackbury TV, Conduit Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Conduit TV Station, Continental Television (Pvt) Ltd, Channel Dzimbahwe (Pvt) Ltd t/a Channel D, Fairtalk Communications (Pvt) Ltd t/a Keyona TV, Heart & Soul Broadcasting Services (Pvt) Ltd t/a HStv, Jester Media Services (Pvt) Ltd t/a 3KTV, Just in Time TV (Pvt) Ltd t/a JIT TV, Medianet Productions (Pvt) Ltd t/a Sunrise TV, Meditation Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Zim news Channel, Rusununguko Media (Pvt) Ltd t/a NRTV and Zimpapers (1980) Limited t/a ZTN.
Taxpayers forked out more than R100 000 for what has now been dubbed a ’joyride’ to Zimbabwe for ANC officials.
On Monday, the DA questioned whether the amount of R105 545 was accurate as it excluded other expenses.
Last month, the trip made headlines after it was found that ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule and Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu had piggybacked on a ride to Zimbabwe. Initially, only Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had been given permission to travel to Zim using the state’s Air Force jet.
The DA’s Kobus Marais said they were of the view that the trip has been grossly under-calculated.
“The R86 000 per hour confirmed by the Minister of Defence to President Cyril Ramaphosa excluded the costs related to landing rights and parking of the Falcon 900 for nearly 24 hours, the costs related to onboard food and drinks as well as the costs related to pilots and onboard staff. In addition, the official passenger list indicated the Minister plus six members of the ANC’s NEC were on board, which correlates with the seven people she indicated in her letter to her Zimbabwean counterpart on 7 September 2020 when she requested a visit to Harare,” Marais said.
The DA has written to National Treasury to ascertain whether Finance Minister Tito Mboweni was consulted prior to going on the trip.
Marais said the Defence Act is clear, Section 80(3)(a)(i) states that, the Minister of Defence must first consult the Minister of Finance before allowing conveyance of any person who is not an officer or employee of the State on board a SAAF aircraft.
“However, there is no reference in any of the two reports submitted by Minister Mapisa-Nqakula to President Cyril Ramaphosa of any consultation with the Finance Minister. If, as we suspect, Minister Mboweni was not consulted, then the use of the SAAF jet by the ANC delegation results in irregular, wasteful and unauthorised expenses,” he said.
He said they want to know what steps Treasury will take against Minister Mapisa-Nqakula and the ANC’s blatant and unauthorised abuse of State resources.
“Additionally, as far as the costs are concerned, the DA wants to know if Treasury was consulted by Minister Mapisa-Nqakula to determine a reasonable amount the ANC must pay back for abusing State resources,” he said.
PARLIAMENT is requesting information regarding beneficiaries of the Government guaranteed scheme for winter cropping season as well as the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement’s piggery scheme for this year.
In a letter written by Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr John Basera, parliament through the parliamentary portfolio committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement chaired by Gokwe Nembudziya legislator Justice Mayor Wadyajena is requesting names of beneficiaries under the CBZ facility.
“The above-mentioned committee is currently inquiring in to the financing of agricultural activities. The committee invited you to appear before it several times to brief the committee on the state of preparedness and financing of 2020 winter cropping season and you did not come citing several reasons.
“On the 30th of June, 2020, you appeared before the committee and the committee requested you to submit a comprehensive list of beneficiaries guaranteed by government under the CBZ facility (Command Agriculture) for the current winter cropping season. During the same meeting and subsequent follow ups by the committee clerk, you clearly mentioned that you will never provide that information to the committee,” reads part of the letter.
Clerk of Parliament also warned Dr Basera on the consequences to be faced for failure to avail the rested information.
“To this end the committee is requesting you to submit the following information without fail. Failure to submit the requested information will result in the preferment of charges of contempt of parliament: Comprehensive list of beneficiaries of the Command Agriculture Scheme guaranteed by Government through the CBZ facility for the current winter cropping season and their contact details; Comprehensive list of farmers or individuals who benefitted under the Ministry ‘s Piggery Project in 2020,” reads part of the letter.
Contacted for comment on the issues raised by Parliament, Dr Basera did not answer his mobile phone.
Government has partnered with local banks for the funding of the winter cropping season which has been described as successful considering the number of hectares cultivated under wheat this year compared to previous years.
This year through the help of financial institutions, the country planted 41 000 hectares of wheat compared to 29 000 hectares of the crop last year.
Barbaric acts by thugs disguised as members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police who recklessly tear gassed a bus carrying passengers including the elderly and the minors must never go unchallenged.
The inhumane act by some rogue police elements which occured today in Harare at Showgrounds must never go unpunished.
It is very clear that the police force is now a danger to the public as exhibited by their recent acts of brutality.
This is not the first time that the police have exhibited animalistic behavior on innocent citizens.
Just a year ago, the same police force gruesomely hit a vendor Hilton Tamangani with iron bars and fists at a basement at QV Pharmacy in Angwa street. Tamangani later succumbed to sustained injuries at Harare Remand Prison.
Earlier this year, the same police force was at it again when they released the trio of MDC Alliance female youth leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova into the custody of abductors after the police spokesperson Paul Nyathi had initially indicated that the trio were in police custody.
Few months later, the same unrepentant police force bashed a sprawling MDC Alliance Deputy Youth Spokesperson, Womberai Nhende at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai house. Up to now Nhende is walking wounded as a result of police brutality.
As if that was not enough, the same police force today summoned some foolish intelligence or lack of it and threw tear gas right into a bus carrying passengers.
Of importance to note for citizens is that the bus was not carrying MDC Alliance supporters but citizens from diverse backgrounds and political inclinations.
What this means is that no one is safe from this bunch of rogue police officers that behaves worse than the colonial black watchers (mabhurakwacha).
As citizens, we are no longer safe from this monster regime.
Resistance is now a must for every citizen because injustice is everywhere.
Surely if we can not be moved by today’s horrible police behavior, then something is wrong with us as a people.
In a normal society Police Commissioner General, Godwin Matanga is supposed to resign with immediate effect. Anything other than that is pure nonsense!
StopPoliceBrutality
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
SA has much to answer for the sorry state Zimbabwe is in. Back in 2002, so much was riding on the Movement for Democratic Change( MDC) led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai being able to beat Robert Mugabe at the polls.
Tsvangirai said the night before the result was announced he was visited by the SA observer mission leaders, Brigalia Bam and Sam Motsuenyane, who told him he had won. So it came as a big shock when the wily Mugabe was announced as winner — and the election was declared free and fair. Patricia de Lille was part of the SA parliamentary observer mission and later said when she left the Sheraton Hotel in Harare each morning she saw many of her fellow MPs sitting in the foyer. They were usually sitting in the same comfortable chairs when she returned at the end of the day. In short, they failed to do their duty.
Justices Sisi Khampepe and Dikgang Moseneke conducted the SA judicial review, which concluded that the poll was not free and fair. But government refused to allow public access to the report until 2014 and only released it after the Mail & Guardian repeatedly appealed to the courts. By then another couple of elections had come and gone with increased levels of brutality, the decimation of the farming community and millions of Zimbabweans fleeing their country for the perceived greener pastures of SA. Tsvangirai was arrested and imprisoned on trumped up charges of treason and would certainly have gone to the gallows had it not been for the heroic efforts of the late George Bizos to secure his acquittal. Subsequent elections in 2008, 2013 and 2018 were marked with the same degree of brutality.
After the 2008 poll, which was particularly bloody and SA and Sadc observer missions yet again declared free and fair, Tsvangirai was forced into forming a government of national unity with Zanu-PF. Like Joshua Nkomo, who was forced into a unity government with Mugabe in 1987 to stop the genocide of the Matabele, Tsvangirai thought it the only way to stop the bloodshed and the downward spiral of the of the economy. While the unity government existed peace prevailed and the economy recovered to a degree, thanks to the fiscal management of Tendai Biti, who dollarised the economy. For a short time Zimbabwe flourished as a third world country with a first world currency.
The 2013 poll saw the end of the unity government as the MDC prepared to contest the election. Tsvangirai’s campaign saw him traversing Zimbabwe in his red bus, with “Morgan is More” emblazoned on the side. He did not lose the election in terms of popularity with the electorate, but lost it due to a grossly inflated voters roll that contained the names of tens of thousands of people who had died or emigrated. Tsvangirai beat Mugabe at the initial polls winning 47.9% against Mugabe’s 43.2%, forcing a runoff. But he withdrew from the second campaign following an exceptionally bloody campaign by Zanu-PF forces that targeted MDC voters.
Eventually, in August 2017, not long before his untimely death, Tsvangirai decided it was time to unite all opposition parties under a new properly registered and constituted party, the MDC Alliance. He would lead it and Nelson Chamisa would be his deputy. MDC-T would continue as a stand-alone party and Thokozani Khupe, appointed in 2014, would remain as its deputy.
Tsvangirai felt he was allowed to appoint new deputy presidents as at the 2014 MDC Congress a motion was moved and passed that the party president would be allowed to appoint other officers as he saw fit. The secretary-general of the party at the time was Douglas Mwonzoro, who failed, possibly deliberately, to do his duty by recording the minutes of congress, which it turns out has been to his advantage as he now sits firmly in the Khupe camp. This recently came back to bite Chamisa and the MDC Alliance.
The subsequent disputed 2018 poll clearly demonstrated that Zanu-PF was up to its old tricks again. Khupe only garnered a little more than 45,000 votes, while Chamisa, according to votes recorded by photographing signed off results papers at individual polling stations and collated at the alliance headquarters, got more than two-million, more than enough to become president of Zimbabwe and form a new democratic government. But the official results posted by the electoral commission told a different story. Chamisa won 44.3%, Mnangagwa 50.8% and Khupe, now installed as the official leader of the opposition, just 3.42%.
But Khupe is hungry for power and has done everything she can to nullify the validity of Chamisa’s presidency of the MDC Alliance in court. What people do not realise is that Khupe was elected vice-president of the MDC T in 2014 for a period of only five years. This expired in July, a fact the Harare High Court ignored when it handed down its judgment at the end of August nullifying Chamisa’s presidency of the MDC Alliance, which Khupe has now hijacked as her own. Khupe has been in cahoots with Zanu-PF for some time.
Backing this assertion up, and reminiscent of Bell Pottinger’s white monopoly capital campaign funded by the Guptas, is the fact that Zanu-PF pays a Washington PR company, Mercury, $1.5m a year to promote Khupe as the leader of the official opposition. The reality is that Zanu-PF is trying to put lipstick on the pig, aiming for a de facto one-party state under the guise of democracy.
What is encouraging is that Khupe has little support, despite hijacking the MDC Alliance as her own, is busy firing MPs and city councillors and has been captured in a Twitter video saying she is in politics because “It’s all about getting money. We are doing this for the money”.
Chamisa will bounce back. He has a loyal following among democracy hungry Zimbabweans that transcends tribal affiliations He will rebrand and rebuild an inclusive party that will most certainly win an election provided it is free and fair.
It is time for Cyril Ramaphosa to act, not only as the president of SA, Zimbabwe’s most important neighbour, but as the current president of the AU. He needs to know that Zimbabwe is in greater peril that it ever has been before, and that the adverse impact it has been having on SA will escalate. He needs to get independent negotiators who will listen to all parties about the situation in Zimbabwe. When Lindiwe Zulu visited Zimbabwe recently with ANC hangers-on, she was reportedly told by Zanu-PF not to speak to Chamisa, despite his efforts to arrange a meeting. This has to stop. We now need an honest broker.
• Hudleston is a Zimbabwe-born journalist and author of The Face of Courage, a 2006 biography on Morgan Tsvangirai.
GOVERNMENT is impressed with implementation of COVID-19 mandatory health protocols at the country’s airports following the resumption of domestic and international flights.
This comes as Zimbabwe opened its airspace two weeks ago to allow free movement of goods and human traffic after months of a COVID-19 induced national lockdown.
The resumption of flights does not however mean laxity, as government remains on high alert to ensure the consolidation of strides achieved in containing the virus.
It is against this background that the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, was at Robert Gabriel Mugabe international airport this Monday to assess the implementation of government directives in respect of COVID-19 mandatory health Protocols.
According to the Director of Airports, Mr Tawanda Gusha, Covid-19 containment measures put in place have so far been encouraging without any incidences.
“ Since flights resumed we have had 30 per cent load factor and the numbers have been increasing each passing day as we try to contain the pandemic, he said.
After an assessment tour of the country’s biggest airport, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa was left satisfied that the responsible authorities have put in place all the necessary precautionary measures to ensure a safe environment.
“I am here on a tour of the airport and I have assessed the situation here and I am happy to report that travellers are showing confidence with protocols with regards to preventive and control measures taking place here in line with World Health Organisation and government regulations,” said the Minister.
Demonstration of ease of doing business is also being exhibited at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport health centre where three laboratories have a testing turnaround time of not more than two and half hours.
By A Correspondent| The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has announced that the seven police officers who fired tear cannisters inside a loaded bus at Showground today have been arrested and will be charged.
This was revealed on Twitter after the video of the incident went viral on social media this afternoon.
“Govt has been made aware of an incident at Harare Showgrounds where a team of 7 officers have been arrested for deploying tear smoke in an occupied bus. They will face charges. The crew of the bus has also been arrested as the bus in question was being driven by a tout,” the ministry said.
Government says seven police officers have been arrested following a shocking incident that occurred at the Harare Showgrounds pickup point in which Zimbabwe Republic Police officers threw teargas in an occupied bus.
This was tweeted by the Ministry Of Information, Publicity and broadcasting services late Monday afternoon.
Govt has been made aware of an incident at Harare Showgrounds where a team of 7 officers have been arrested for deploying tear smoke in an occupied bus. They will face charges. The crew of the bus has also been arrested as the bus in question was being driven by a tout.
— Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) October 12, 2020
Former Zanu PF Mashonaland Central youth chairperson Godfrey Tsenengamu will spend another night in custody after Harare regional magistrate Mr Ngoni Nduna said he was yet to complete his bail ruling.
Mr Nduna said he should be done by tomorrow morning.
Tsenengamu initially appeared in court on Saturday on incitement to commit public violence with an alternative charge of incitement to participate in a public gathering with intend to commit public
violence.
Tsenengamu was among 14 political activists, including MDC-Alliance deputy chair Job Sikhala and Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president Obert Masaraure, who were on the police wanted list for inciting public violence.
Azam FC striker Prince Dube says his main target this season is to help the team win silverware not for him to get the Golden Boot.
The Zimbabwean is leading the scoring chart with five goals after six games in the 2020/21 Tanzanian Premier League. He has two braces in his tally plus another two assists to his name.
“On the claims, I want to win the Golden Boot, I want to say that it is not in my mind, I don’t think I have ever thought about it, my main intentions now is to help Azam achieve the targets set for the season,” Dube told Sokaletu as cited by Goal.
“I am scoring the goals to help the team, I am not thinking about anything else, I want to score as many goals as I can so that the team can achieve what they want to achieve.
“I am not looking at the goals I score, I am looking at what the goals will help with the team at the end of the season, but if the goals come with the Golden Boot then that is fine, I don’t have a problem, but it is not my primary target for now.”
Dube, meanwhile, was not part of the team that won 3-1 against Mafunzo on Saturday due to a hamstring issue.
Fellow countryman Never Tigere featured in the game, netting a late goal that sealed Azam’s victory.-Soccer 24
Malawi head coach Meke Mwase was not impressed with his team’s lack of precision in front of the goal in the 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
The Flames had a couple of good chances but failed to bury them. Chimwemwe Idana wasted a glorious opportunity in the 39th minute when he blasted over in front of an open goal.
Gabadhinho Mhango followed up a few moments later and blew his shot over with only the keeper to beat.
Richard Mbuli and Mician Mhone also had good chances in the second half, but they failed to convert them.
Speaking during the post-match interview, Mwase said: “We had chances that we should have scored, but we missed.
“We have to work hard to rectify the problems we encountered in the last two games.
“We are coming from a loss (against Zambia), and now we have drawn, things will get better, and it won’t be easy playing away from home, but we will try our level best to work out on our problems before facing Burkina Faso (in the Afcon Qualifiers).”-Soccer 24
HIGH Court Judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa has stopped the primitive ill-treatment of a widow, Manesi Ncube by interdicting a local traditional leader and a Councillor from evicting her from homestead in Mpoyi village in Plumtree.
Ncube was in August 2020 ordered to leave her village following allegations by some community members that she neglected her sick child and left her to die in her homestead.
Aggrieved by the irrational decision, Ncube approached Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for legal assistance and this led Shepherd Chamunorwa of ZLHR to file an urgent chamber application at Bulawayo High Court seeking an order to interdict Headmen Madlambuzi known as Fidzani Ndlovu and Witness Ncube, the Councillor for Ward 12 in Hingwe, Plumtree in Matabeleland South province, from evicting her.
During the court hearing, it emerged that Ncube’s daughter, who had passed away, was actually an adult person, who was married to a man who also resides in the same village. The man decided to take Ncube’s daughter back to her mother when she became seriously ill.
At some time, Ncube being a widow and having other minor children to look after, decided to travel to Botswana in search of employment to fend for her children.
While she was in Botswana, her adult, married daughter passed away. On her return home to bury her daughter, Ncube discovered that she had been buried and the community had taken a resolution that she was irresponsible and should be evicted from the village.
A traditional court was convened at the beginning of August 2020, and it was decided by the community leadership that she must vacate by 31 August 2020.
As the court proceedings were underway, it was discovered that Ward 12 Councillor Ncube assisted by other villagers had destroyed one of Ncube’s houses at her homestead.
However, the destruction and eviction has since been stopped by Justice Kabasa, who interdicted Ndlovu and Ncube from evicting the widow and also ordered them to restore her to her homestead.
Ndlovu and Ncube were also barred from harming the widow or her children physically or destroying or demolishing her homestead.
Chamunorwa has also assisted Ncube to report the destruction of her property at the local police station and is currently awaiting the outcome of investigations by Zimbabwe Republic Police members.-ZLHR
Steve Komphela is reportedly set to become a member of the Mamelodi Sundowns technical team ahead of the start of the 2020/21 DStv Premiership.
Social media was on Sunday awash with reports that the eloquent tactician handed in his resignation at Golden Arrows, with an appointment at Masandawana imminent.
After Pitso Mosimane left for Egyptian giants Al Ahly, the Sundowns hierarchy appointed Rhulani Mokwena and Manqoba Mngqithi as co-head coaches so Komphela is expected to be roped in as an assistant coach in what could a star-studded technical department.
In fact, South African publication Soccer Laduma claims that Komphela was even spotted in Gauteng on Sunday, as reports of his move to Sundowns gain momentum.-Soccer 24
By A Correspondent| While the world had slowed down due to Coronavirus, it’s business as usual for Swedish exponent Luckson Chikutu popularly known as Manluckerz who has lined up several concert to satiate the thirst of his fun starved fans.
Manluckerz was the toast of the night when he performed at Klubb Mariama Stockholm, Sweden over the weekend.Manluckerz is also billed to perform on 28 November at Hijazz Klubb Botanika Uppsala and 12 December at Hotel Helsten Stockholm as the musician usher his fans into festive season.
With his trademark pristine yet smokey voice, Manluckerz is not only catering for his Swedish based fans as he is growing his virtual audience through the use of his social media handles.
“We realised that we have been starving our fans because of Coronavirus but thanks to the digital era now we can perform virtually, however, there is no substitute for physical interaction with fans and I am happy to perform in front of people here in Sweden,” said the silky singer.
Manluckerz together with Zim Traditional Unity band is known for his stage interaction with the fans.
“I feel good after our work. The guys played it well, good eye contact and team work, especially on stage management. We managed to share what were in our heart and am now released,” he said.
The rainbow band is made up of Martin Larsson- Sweden, Joseph Semafumu-Uganda, Mia Törngren-Sweden, Celso Paco-Mozambique, Göran Larsson-Sweden, Ben Joe-Senegal, Isaac Mutasa-Zimbabwe, Jesina Chikutu- Zimbabwe-Sweden, Carlos Amado from Sao Tome and Principe and Vumbi Dekula from Congo.
Warriors star Alec Mudimu believes yesterday’s draw with Malawi is a step in the right direction.
The Moldova-based defender partnered Teenage Hadebe in central defence after flying from his base straight to Blantyre.
Zdvravko Logarušić’s men played out a goalless draw with the Flames, but Mudimu insists positives can be taken from the result.
“Not the result we wanted, ofcourse we wanted to win the game but given the circumstances I’m happy with the teams performance, and it’s a good stepping stone going forward.
Plenty of positives to take from the game aswell. Good clea sheet away from home also,” he wrote on Twitter.-Soccer 24
HIGH Court Judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa has stopped the primitive ill-treatment of a widow, Manesi Ncube by interdicting a local traditional leader and a Councillor from evicting her from homestead in Mpoyi village in Plumtree.
Ncube was in August 2020 ordered to leave her village following allegations by some community members that she neglected her sick child and left her to die in her homestead.
Aggrieved by the irrational decision, Ncube approached Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) for legal assistance and this led Shepherd Chamunorwa of ZLHR to file an urgent chamber application at Bulawayo High Court seeking an order to interdict Headmen Madlambuzi known as Fidzani Ndlovu and Witness Ncube, the Councillor for Ward 12 in Hingwe, Plumtree in Matabeleland South province, from evicting her.
During the court hearing, it emerged that Ncube’s daughter, who had passed away, was actually an adult person, who was married to a man who also resides in the same village. The man decided to take Ncube’s daughter back to her mother when she became seriously ill.
At some time, Ncube being a widow and having other minor children to look after, decided to travel to Botswana in search of employment to fend for her children.
While she was in Botswana, her adult, married daughter passed away. On her return home to bury her daughter, Ncube discovered that she had been buried and the community had taken a resolution that she was irresponsible and should be evicted from the village.
A traditional court was convened at the beginning of August 2020, and it was decided by the community leadership that she must vacate by 31 August 2020.
As the court proceedings were underway, it was discovered that Ward 12 Councillor Ncube assisted by other villagers had destroyed one of Ncube’s houses at her homestead.
However, the destruction and eviction has since been stopped by Justice Kabasa, who interdicted Ndlovu and Ncube from evicting the widow and also ordered them to restore her to her homestead.
Ndlovu and Ncube were also barred from harming the widow or her children physically or destroying or demolishing her homestead.
Chamunorwa has also assisted Ncube to report the destruction of her property at the local police station and is currently awaiting the outcome of investigations by Zimbabwe Republic Police members.
By A Correspondent- A Harare magistrate has ordered the imprisonment of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage minister Kazembe Kazembe for 60 days for contempt of court.
Kazembe failed to compensate a Gweru student, Simon Mandoza, for $199 500 for injuries suffered following a savage assault by police officers in 2018.
Magistrate Tilda Mazhande gave the minister a two-week ultimatum to pay or he would have to serve 60 days in prison.
Mandoza’s lawyers Fiona Iliff and Obey Shava, from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, then applied and obtained an order for Kazembe’s incarceration which was granted by the court.
“It is ordered that in default, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Kazembe Kazembe be and are hereby declared to be in contempt of court in that they have wilfully disregarded the order of this honourable court issued on 20 November 2019 by magistrate Mazhande,” reads the order.
“The fourth respondent (Kazembe) be sentenced to 60 days imprisonment, the whole of which is suspended for 14 days on condition that in his official position as the Minister of Home Affairs, he causes payment of the judgment debt of $199 500 together with interest at the prescribed rate from the date of summons to the date of full payment.”
The order said should Kazembe fail to comply, he shall immediately be committed to prison to serve the sentence imposed by Mazhande.
The police arrested Mandoza on September 20, 2018 while he was standing outside a fast-food outlet in Harare’s central business district (CBD) waiting for his brother to pick him up.
He was not aware that the police were carrying out an operation against informal traders in the CBD at that time.
As a result, Mandoza was slapped by a police officer and forced to get into the back of a police vehicle.
While they were in the vehicle, the same police officer beat Mandoza with his truncheon on the shoulder and at the back of his head, while he threatened to further assault him.
He was finally taken to Harare Central Police Station, where he was released without any charge preferred against him.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- Citizens here have expressed shock at a video which is showing police details throwing a teargas canister inside a bus full of passengers some of whom included children.
In the video, several passengers fell out of the bus through the windows risking being crashed by oncoming traffic while escaping from the teargas smoke.
A man commenting on the development in the video also alleged that a female police officer threw the teargas canister inside the Rimbi bus which was ferrying passengers.
It could however not be immediately established when and what time the incident occured but suggestions are that the incident occurred at a pick up point near Harare Show Grounds.
Watch the live video loading below… (please be patient as it uploads)
Farai Dziva|The MDC Alliance(Namibia) has commended Hon Joana Mamombe’s refusal to be cowed into submission by Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s cornered administration.
In a statement, MDC Alliance (Namibia) urged the people of Zimbabwe to emulate Joana, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri and Godfrey Kurauone’s bravery.
Read full statement below :
12 OCTOBER 2020
‘HON JOANA MAMOMBE IS OUR HEROINE AND SOURCE OF INSPIRATION’, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA POSTULATES.
Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch resolved to dedicate their dual anniversary commemorations to the Mdc Alliance trio, Hon Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova not forgetting our outstanding National Spokesperson Advocate Fadzai Mahere and other progressive voices in the national democratic revolution.
In our celebrations of the 1st anniversary as Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch as well as the 21st anniversary of the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance party led by none other than President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, we resolved to honour and respect the above mentioned leaders for their varlour, nerve and mettle to confront Zanupf thugocrats demanding a people’s government, justice , equality, an end to senseless and barefaced corruption. Their politics of resistance inspires us as a district and we urge all social democrats to embrace participatory democracy.
In honour of our departed heroines and heroes, we saluted the late Icon of Democracy President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, Susan Tsvangirai, Gibson Sibanda, Joshua Bakacheza, Talent Mabika, Tichaona Chiminya, Itai Dzamara, Patson Dzamara, Rebecca Mafukeni, Miriam Mushayi, Anna Mpofu, Lavender Chiwaya, Gwenhure only to mention but a few.
We did not forget living heroes and heroines who are stirring the freedom train in the names of President Nelson Chamisa, Job Wiwa Sikhala, Godfrey Kurauone, Tafadzwa Ngadziore, Tawanda Muchehiwa, Terrence Manjengwa, Last Maengahama, Madzorere and many others who are victims of arbitrary arrests and abductions, torture and Zanupf satanism.
Mdc Alliance Namibia shall remain guided by those who exploit all their organs to demand constitutional democracy in the Motherland. May the blood and sweat of the butchered social democrats continue to inspire revolutionaries of our age. May their dear souls rest in power.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch said , Hon Mamombe, leading the Mdc Alliance trio and our Spokesperson are our undoubted heroines in the struggle for socio-economic transformation.
This followed the recent demonstration staged by the trio demanding justice and freedom of the ardent Zinasu President , Takudzwa Ngadziore, who was abducted, tortured and arbitrarily arrested after putting political pressure to Impala car rental to divulge information pertaining Zanupf thugocrats who are obvious perpetrators of politically motivated arrests and abductions.
Their revolutionary zeal to confront the beast in the eye immediately after being abducted, tortured, raped and sexually harassed is just an unmatched commitment and dedication to defeat thugocracy in Zimbabwe.
It obviously boggled the minds of hesitant social democrats who did not suppose that the’ Mdc Alliance Trio’ especially Joana, barely a day after her release from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, she proceeded to demonstrate, demanding the release of Takudzwa Ngadziore.
Instead of being broken due to incessant state-sponsored incarceration, Joana and her team remained resolute in fighting against peaceful slavery.
In his anniversary solidarity speech, Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Spokesperson, Robson Ruhanya echoes these revolutionary sentiments, “while other abled-bodied men and women are still waiting for the signal from the President , Joana , Netsai , Cecilia and Mahere are democratic enough to display their bravo in the face of a heavily armed, captured army and police salivating to rape, torture and abduct. This is the pragmatic nature of leadership we expect especially from the youths who have the moral obligation to save this sinking titanic. We salute you women of varlour and nerve”.
Moreso,Mdc Alliance Namibia identifies Joana as a paragon of virtue in our struggle for constitutional democracy. After she was unjustifiably arrested for psychosocial problems, she was not broken or discouraged, this is what we are celebrating as a district.
With more Joanas, Mdc Alliance Namibia has a conviction that change will be imminent. The Spokesperson further said that there are no other signals than the courage to demand justice, equality and an end to senseless and barefaced corruption perpetrated by a rogue desperate regime led by the incompetent illegitimate Zanupf President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the same event, the Chairlady of the organic Rundu branch ,Tracy Zvitarise , challenged all women and men in social democracy to emulate the flashes of brilliance in embracing dangerous freedom against Zanupf shenanigans. All genuine revolutionaries must pent-up their outrage forcing Zanupf government to halt a wholesale abuse of universal basic freedoms of the girl child specifically sexual abuses exposed to those who openly challenge politics of self-enrichment.
She further echoed that the futile attempt by Zanupf rapists to break Joana Mamombe’s revolutionary spirit must be resisted with equal measure.
Furthermore, Misheck Bunga, the Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Youth Commander urged the youths to take responsibility for their future. He demanded the immediate release of abducted and jailed Zinasu President Takudzwa Ngadziore, concurrently, warning the autocratic regime to ensure justice for the abducted and tortured youthful Tawanda Muchehiwa. The vibrant commander ordered state enablers Impala to either disclose information from the tracker and the names of Satanists who hired the car used to abduct and torture Tawanda Muchehiwa or shut down the company. Zanupf must not continue to persecute and torment innocent citizens who are scratching their heads for a single nutritious meal per day due to Zanupf’s dismal failure to revamp the pathetic economy.
The Secretary General, Simbarashe Ndoda described Joana , Cecilia , Netsai, Fadzai Mahere , Job Wiwa Sikhala, Godfrey Kurauone and all prisoners of conscience as cadres who epitomise our fight for a people’s government. He made it point blank that Zanupf-sponsored abductions, torture and sexual abuse of social democrats should not deter us from demanding justice and fight against corruption.
The Secretary General openly encouraged everyone present to demonstrate his or her comprehension of the ideology of social democracy by actively fighting against Zanupf’s incompetent governance.
In a nutshell, the district Chairperson of MDC Alliance Namibia Elisha Chambara graced the colourful event in absentia with a solidarity message to Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch. He congratulated and eulogised the organic leadership and membership for their visibility and participatory democracy since its inception on the 10th of August 2019.
The Chairperson hailed Rundu branch for participating in both internal and external party programs exhibited through financial assistance and revolutionary solidarity. He singled out the participation of Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch on the 31st July Movement protests against looting and corruption at Zimbabwe embassy in Windhoek on the day in question.
He further encouraged the outstanding branch to continue as inspiring other external branches as part of mobilisation.
Farai Dziva|Popular opposition movement, MDC Alliance, has challenged Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to address teachers grievances as a matter of urgency.
Last week Mr Mnangagwa threatened to dismiss all striking teachers.However, teachers have remained unmoved by Mr Mnangagwa’s threats.
In a brief statement on Monday, MDC Alliance condemned the “tactical” harassment of teachers by Mr Mnangagwa’s administration:
“The MDC Alliance stands in solidarity with teachers who are demanding better working conditions and fair remuneration.
US$35 is indeed a slave wage and an insult to our teachers who deserve dignity and respect.
We join them in their fight for better livelihoods. #ZimbabweanLivesMatter. ..
By A Correspondent- Teachers’ representative groups on Sunday jointly expressed concern over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s remarks with regards to teachers’ salaries and condition of service.
The president had assured the nation that the “government will never be held to ransom by teachers” who were failing to report for duty in a bid to push government “to do what they want.”
Teachers responded in a joint statement saying they were not deterred by threats since “incapacitation is greater than any threat.”
Read the statement in part:
We are worried that His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers. Teachers are not for charity, but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.
We are shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandisement. The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats. Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.
Salary negotiations between the government and teachers did not yield expected results as teachers viewed offers by the government as insignificant in light of the soaring inflation.
The government recently reviewed the cost of living adjustment by 40 percent but teachers still refused to return to work.
Workers are on average earning an equivalent of US$35 which is below the poverty datum line.
Meanwhile, learners are reportedly engaging in mischievous acts as there few teachers (29%) in schools to be monitoring them.-Newsday
Farai Dziva|Teachers have rejected donations from fired Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu.
In a joint statement, teachers unions described the donations as an insult to the noble profession.
Below is part of the joint statement released :
We are worried that His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers.
Teachers are not for charity, but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.
We are shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandisement.
The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats.
Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.
Almost 2 million babies are stillborn every year – or 1 every 16 seconds – according to the first ever joint stillbirth estimates released by UNICEF, WHO, the World Bank Group and the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The vast majority of stillbirths, 84 per cent, occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries, according to the new report, A Neglected Tragedy: The Global Burden of Stillbirths. In 2019, 3 in 4 stillbirths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa or Southern Asia. A stillbirth is defined in the report as a baby born with no signs of life at 28 weeks of pregancy or more.
“Losing a child at birth or during pregnancy is a devastating tragedy for a family, one that is often endured quietly, yet all too frequently, around the world,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “Every 16 seconds, a mother somewhere will suffer the unspeakable tragedy of stillbirth. Beyond the loss of life, the psychological and financial costs for women, families and societies are severe and long lasting. For many of these mothers, it simply didn’t have to be this way. A majority of stillbirths could have been prevented with high quality monitoring, proper antenatal care and a skilled birth attendant.”
The report warns that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen the global number of stillbirths. A 50 per cent reduction in health services due to the pandemic could cause nearly 200 000 additional stillbirths over a 12-month period in 117 low- and middle-income countries. This corresponds to an increase in the number of stillbirths by 11.1 per cent.
According to modeling done for the report by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 13 countries could see a 20 per cent increase or more in the number of stillbirths over a 12-month period.
Most stillbirths are due to poor quality of care during pregnancy and birth. Lack of investments in antenatal and intrapartum services and in strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce are key challenges, the report says.
Over 40 per cent of stillbirths occur during labour—a loss that could be avoided with access to a trained health worker at childbirth and timely emergency obstetric care. Around half of stillbirths in sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia occur during labour, compared to 6 per cent in Europe, Northern America, Australia and New Zealand.
Even before the pandemic caused critical disruptions in health services, few women in low- and middle-income countries received timely and high-quality care to prevent stillbirths. Half of the 117 countries analyzed in the report have coverage that ranges from a low of less than 2 per cent to a high of only 50 per cent for 8 important maternal health interventions such as C-section, malaria prevention, management of hypertension in pregnancy and syphilis detection and treatment. Coverage for assisted vaginal delivery – a critical intervention for preventing stillbirths during labour – is estimated to reach less than half of pregnant women who need it.
As a result, despite advances in health services to prevent or treat causes of child death, progress in lowering the stillbirth rate has been slow. From 2000 to 2019, the annual rate of reduction in the stillbirth rate was just 2.3 per cent, compared to a 2.9 per cent reduction in neonatal mortality, and 4.3 per cent in mortality among children aged 1–59 months. Progress, however, is possible with sound policy, programmes and investment.
“Welcoming a baby into the world should be a time of great joy, but every day thousands of parents experience unbearable sadness because their babies are still born,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The tragedy of stillbirth shows how vital it is to reinforce and maintain essential health services, and how critical it is to increase investment in nurses and midwives.”
The report also notes that stillbirth is not only a challenge for poor countries. In 2019, 39 high-income countries had a higher number of stillbirths than neonatal deaths and 15 countries had a higher number of stillbirths than infant deaths. A mother’s level of education is one of the greatest drivers of inequity in high-income countries.
In both low- and high-income settings, stillbirth rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Socioeconomic status is also linked to greater incidence of stillbirth.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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‘HON JOANA MAMOMBE IS OUR HEROINE AND SOURCE OF INSPIRATION’, MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA POSTULATES.
Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch resolved to dedicate their dual anniversary commemorations to the Mdc Alliance trio, Hon Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova not forgetting our outstanding National Spokesperson Advocate Fadzai Mahere and other progressive voices in the national democratic revolution.
In our celebrations of the 1st anniversary as Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch as well as the 21st anniversary of the political dynamo, Mdc Alliance party led by none other than President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, we resolved to honour and respect the above mentioned leaders for their varlour, nerve and mettle to confront Zanupf thugocrats demanding a people’s government, justice , equality, an end to senseless and barefaced corruption. Their politics of resistance inspires us as a district and we urge all social democrats to embrace participatory democracy.
In honour of our departed heroines and heroes, we saluted the late Icon of Democracy President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, Susan Tsvangirai, Gibson Sibanda, Joshua Bakacheza, Talent Mabika, Tichaona Chiminya, Itai Dzamara, Patson Dzamara, Rebecca Mafukeni, Miriam Mushayi, Anna Mpofu, Lavender Chiwaya, Gwenhure only to mention but a few.
We did not forget living heroes and heroines who are stirring the freedom train in the names of President Nelson Chamisa, Job Wiwa Sikhala, Godfrey Kurauone, Tafadzwa Ngadziore, Tawanda Muchehiwa, Terrence Manjengwa, Last Maengahama, Madzorere and many others who are victims of arbitrary arrests and abductions, torture and Zanupf satanism.
Mdc Alliance Namibia shall remain guided by those who exploit all their organs to demand constitutional democracy in the Motherland. May the blood and sweat of the butchered social democrats continue to inspire revolutionaries of our age. May their dear souls rest in power.
Moreover, Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch said , Hon Mamombe, leading the Mdc Alliance trio and our Spokesperson are our undoubted heroines in the struggle for socio-economic transformation.
This followed the recent demonstration staged by the trio demanding justice and freedom of the ardent Zinasu President , Takudzwa Ngadziore, who was abducted, tortured and arbitrarily arrested after putting political pressure to Impala car rental to divulge information pertaining Zanupf thugocrats who are obvious perpetrators of politically motivated arrests and abductions.
Their revolutionary zeal to confront the beast in the eye immediately after being abducted, tortured, raped and sexually harassed is just an unmatched commitment and dedication to defeat thugocracy in Zimbabwe.
It obviously boggled the minds of hesitant social democrats who did not suppose that the’ Mdc Alliance Trio’ especially Joana, barely a day after her release from Chikurubi Maximum Prison, she proceeded to demonstrate, demanding the release of Takudzwa Ngadziore.
Instead of being broken due to incessant state-sponsored incarceration, Joana and her team remained resolute in fighting against peaceful slavery.
In his anniversary solidarity speech, Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Spokesperson, Robson Ruhanya echoes these revolutionary sentiments, “while other abled-bodied men and women are still waiting for the signal from the President , Joana , Netsai , Cecilia and Mahere are democratic enough to display their bravo in the face of a heavily armed, captured army and police salivating to rape, torture and abduct. This is the pragmatic nature of leadership we expect especially from the youths who have the moral obligation to save this sinking titanic. We salute you women of varlour and nerve”.
Moreso,Mdc Alliance Namibia identifies Joana as a paragon of virtue in our struggle for constitutional democracy. After she was unjustifiably arrested for psychosocial problems, she was not broken or discouraged, this is what we are celebrating as a district.
With more Joanas, Mdc Alliance Namibia has a conviction that change will be imminent. The Spokesperson further said that there are no other signals than the courage to demand justice, equality and an end to senseless and barefaced corruption perpetrated by a rogue desperate regime led by the incompetent illegitimate Zanupf President, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the same event, the Chairlady of the organic Rundu branch ,Tracy Zvitarise , challenged all women and men in social democracy to emulate the flashes of brilliance in embracing dangerous freedom against Zanupf shenanigans. All genuine revolutionaries must pent-up their outrage forcing Zanupf government to halt a wholesale abuse of universal basic freedoms of the girl child specifically sexual abuses exposed to those who openly challenge politics of self-enrichment.
She further echoed that the futile attempt by Zanupf rapists to break Joana Mamombe’s revolutionary spirit must be resisted with equal measure.
Furthermore, Misheck Bunga, the Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch Youth Commander urged the youths to take responsibility for their future. He demanded the immediate release of abducted and jailed Zinasu President Takudzwa Ngadziore, concurrently, warning the autocratic regime to ensure justice for the abducted and tortured youthful Tawanda Muchehiwa. The vibrant commander ordered state enablers Impala to either disclose information from the tracker and the names of Satanists who hired the car used to abduct and torture Tawanda Muchehiwa or shut down the company. Zanupf must not continue to persecute and torment innocent citizens who are scratching their heads for a single nutritious meal per day due to Zanupf’s dismal failure to revamp the pathetic economy.
The Secretary General, Simbarashe Ndoda described Joana , Cecilia , Netsai, Fadzai Mahere , Job Wiwa Sikhala, Godfrey Kurauone and all prisoners of conscience as cadres who epitomise our fight for a people’s government. He made it point blank that Zanupf-sponsored abductions, torture and sexual abuse of social democrats should not deter us from demanding justice and fight against corruption.
The Secretary General openly encouraged everyone present to demonstrate his or her comprehension of the ideology of social democracy by actively fighting against Zanupf’s incompetent governance.
In a nutshell, the district Chairperson of MDC Alliance Namibia Elisha Chambara graced the colourful event in absentia with a solidarity message to Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu branch. He congratulated and eulogised the organic leadership and membership for their visibility and participatory democracy since its inception on the 10th of August 2019.
The Chairperson hailed Rundu branch for participating in both internal and external party programs exhibited through financial assistance and revolutionary solidarity. He singled out the participation of Mdc Alliance Namibia Rundu Branch on the 31st July Movement protests against looting and corruption at Zimbabwe embassy in Windhoek on the day in question.
He further encouraged the outstanding branch to continue as inspiring other external branches as part of mobilisation.
Farai Dziva|Teachers have rejected donations from fired Zanu PF MP Killer Zivhu.
In a joint statement, teachers unions described the donations as an insult to the noble profession.
Below is part of the joint statement released :
We are worried that His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa, made remarks threatening teachers on industrial action before seeking engagement and remaining indifferent to the plight of the teachers.
Teachers are not for charity, but professionals who are only crying for dignified treatment, reasonable salaries and befitting conditions of service.
We are shocked by some acts of ‘benevolence’ in the form of food handouts by some misguided elements who want to hijack the teachers’ incapacitation for personal aggrandisement.
The nation should know that teachers in all public schools are not at work because the government has failed them and will not succumb to any threats.
Where there are incidents of teaching taking place, it is just cosmetic.
A Warriors player based in South Africa who cannot be named for professional reasons tested positive for COVID-19 and this afternoon’s game had to proceed without him.
The player who was called for national duty on 7 October went through the routine testing and he tuned out positive for the novel coronavirus and had to go into self-isolation and was automatically excluded for the Malawi friendly that was played in Blantyre this afternoon.
The lab results that confirmed the player’s positive seen by the publication reads in part:
A positive test result for Covid-19 indicates that RNA from Sars-CoV-2 was detected in the sample. The patient is considered to be infected and is presumed to be contagious. Individuals diagonised with Covid-19 not requiring hospitalisation must self isolate. After a 10-day period of home isolation, asymptomatic people are regarded as no longer infectious.
Provided a person’s fever has resolved and their symptoms have improved, those with mild disease may de-isolate 14 days after symptoms onset, while those with severe disease may de-isolate 14 days after achieving clinical stability. A follow-up test is not required as remnant RNA can be detected for up to six weeks after clinical recovery
The Warriors played Malawi this afternoon after their headlining chaotic preparations and the game ended in a goalless draw. -Chronicle
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean national Blessing Bveni will appear in the Cape Town high court this morning when he is set to start his defence.
Bveni is accused of murdering two people in the Table Mountain National Park and attacking 10 others during a spate of violent attacks in the park in early 2018.
He is also accused of using a fake Zimbabwean passport to gain temporary asylum in SA.
Fifty-year-old pilot Doug Notten was stabbed to death by a “kind-eyed” killer on February 20 2018 while he was walking on a mountain path near Fish Hoek. His wife, Julia, who was with him at the time, escaped unharmed.
“When he approached us, I thought he was a good-looking man. He had beautiful, kind eyes. But when he pulled out a knife, his eyes turned into slits and his whole face turned to anger and he just started stabbing Doug, repeatedly,” said Julia.
A few weeks later in March 2018, cyclist Ian McPherson was stabbed to death a few hundred metres from where Notten was killed. McPherson’s new mountain bike was stolen in the incident.
A SANParks master tracker arrived on the scene and tracked the stolen bicycle’s tyre tracks over the sand dunes, leading past an infrared camera of a residential complex. The black and white image revealed what police say was the culprit pushing a bicycle minutes after McPherson was attacked. The man was wearing a V-neck shirt.
McPherson’s bicycle and cellphone were tracked down to Masiphumelele, a nearby informal settlement, and when police interrogated the vendors who were selling the items, they said they bought the items from a Zimbabwean named Blessing. Police tracked down Blessing to a home in Philippi East where they arrested him.
Watch the video for a full recap of how the police and prosecution believe Bveni pounced on his victims.
By A Correspondent- Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi has dismissed as fake and shocking reports which suggested that he was operating a plant that brews an illicit brand called “The Commander In Chief.”
Modi claimed that all his alcoholic beverages are approved by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) adding the reports are inspired by a motive to undo his “good name.” He said:
I was shocked to wake up to news that I manufacture and sell an illicit beer called Commander In Chief.
I have no idea what inspired that story because it is not only false but malicious. This is a figment of someone’s imagination. I don’t make alcohol which is not approved by the Standard Association of Zimbabwe.
I challenge whoever came up with those allegations to prove that I manufacture such a product. Where do I manufacture it? Does it even exist? I doubt because I have not come across it.
Modi said he legally manufactures three alcoholic products namely Modivine Brandy, Everest Can Spirit and Divine Vodka. challenging those who have complaints about their quality to come forward.
By A Correspondent- With the rising cost of electricity, there has been increased interest in splitting electricity meters by landlords and tenants.
A split meter allows each family within a property to split their electricity consumption. This way, they only pay for the electricity that they use an no one else’s. it also works for businesses in solving a situation where several companies within a premises are sharing a single meter.
Representing a company that retails and installs prepaid electricity meters, *Power Split Meters,* Mr. Herbet Chibhememe said they have seen an increase in demand for the solution as more people become aware of its benefits. “People are now realising that this issue of sharing electricity consumption is not sustainable. Electricity is now quite expensive and people are opting to just get split meters so that they just pay for what they use as a family or business.
Even those that are tenants are getting these meters because even when they decide to move to a new place, they can take their electricity split meter with them.
It just makes sense when you think about. Those that use less electricity should pay less and high spenders should pay more. Having a situation where everyone pays the same is unfair.”
Mr. Chibhememe said that their company has been helping customers move to prepaid meters for close to 5 years now.
He explained:
“Some are only getting to know about us now but we’ve been providing this solution for almost 5 years now. Electricity is now expensive – people are actively looking for a solution to manage these costs better. Even for families that are sharing a single house, they can buy a split meter and separate their consumption”
Power Split Meters can be contacted on WhatsApp number +263 777 556 864 or +263 779 136 276
By A Correspondent- Eight armed robbers raided the Bulawayo High Court yesterday and gained entry into the court’s criminal registry after attacking and disarming police officers manning the premises.
The incident occurred at about 4AM and the suspects were reportedly armed with pistols.
They left two police officers injured as they forced their way into the court building and finally the criminal registry.
One of the officers is admitted to a Bulawayo hospital while the other one did not sustain serious injuries but the robbers tied his hands and legs before they left.
The robbers are said to have used a grinder as they tried to break the registry safe. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery.
“We are investigating an armed robbery case which occurred at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday morning at 4AM. It is said about eight suspects went to the court and attacked two officers who were on duty and these suspects were armed with pistols.
“After attacking them, they blindfolded one of the officers. They then tried to force open the court’s main safe to the criminal registry’s office using a key. After failing, they tried again to use a grinder and, in the process, it is alleged that they were making phone calls,” said Nyathi.
He said after failing in their attempts, they tied the hands and legs of one of the police officers.
The officer who sustained some serious injuries was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment.
“They attacked him using their weapons. He is being treated at a hospital in Bulawayo, but we cannot reveal where he is receiving treatment,” he said.
Nyathi said police suspect the robbers had inside information.
“These guys had inside information and we want to establish the motive behind the robbery and the attack on the officers. We are therefore leaving no stone unturned in our quest to get to the bottom of this case and apprehend the suspects. The law will definitely take its course,” said Nyathi.
Judicial Service Commission (JSC) spokesperson Ms Rumbidzai Takawira said the Commission had deployed a team from Harare to assess the situation on the ground.
“We have a team that is going there to ascertain what really transpired and we can only have information tomorrow (today),” said Ms Takawira.
A legal expert who declined to be named said an exhibit safe room can contain files or prosecution documents for suspects appearing before the courts.-statemedia
By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.
There was a heavy exchange of gunfire in the wee hours of Sunday as security details at Rugeje’s home engaged in a fierce two-hour gun battle with unknown assailants.
He spoke after armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.
Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”
He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”
He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,
“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”
Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.
His phone was hung up soon afterwards.
The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.
His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.
Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.
Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.
The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.
Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)
Rugeje, considered a Chiwenga loyalist, was retired from the army by Mnangagwa.
He was however roundly criticised for pursuing a factional agenda in the party’s chaotic primary elections to select legislative and municipal representatives ahead of the July 30, 2018 general elections.
He was, however, unceremoniously booted out by Mnangagwa soon after the elections and replaced by Gokwe Central MP Victor Matemadanda.
Mnangagwa has, since the 2018 election, been purging army generals believed to be aligned to Chiwenga.
By A Correspondent- Former Harare mayor Herbert Gomba turned up in court last Wednesday clad in a T-Shirt and jeans, earning a warning from Harare regional magistrate, Mr Trynois Utahwashe, that he would be committed to remand prison if he returned to court informally dressed.
Gomba told the court that he only learnt of his court appearance when he had come to verify with the Clerk of Court following “confusion over when he was supposed to appear in court.”
By Wilbert Mukori- Democracy is the greatest gift the Greeks gave to mankind. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people,” as US President Abraham Lincoln defined democracy in his famous Gettysburg speech in 1863.
The Greeks realised, all those 2 500 years ago, that democracy will only work if the people are educated and are allowed to think for themselves freely. They embraced freedom of expression so whole heartedly they named their battle ships Freedom and Freedom of Expression.
Democracy has failed to take root in Zimbabwe for many reasons, one of which is that those brandishing the banner of democracy and claiming to champion it cause have been undermining democracy. Instead of educating the populous they have misinformed and confused them.
“This time last year, Excelgate was about to be published, in the expectation, inter alia, that the MDC Alliance, in particular, would capitalise on the revelations therein, to both fuel their legal challenge against the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the disputed 2018 presidential election; and mount a concerted political campaign that would include the exposure to the Zimbabwean population in general and, in particular, the millions whose votes were stolen of an electoral system so rotten that it has reduced elections in Zimbabwe to a mockery of democracy,” wrote Dr Ibbo Mandaza.
“Such a legal and political campaign might have at least contained or even pre-empted the impunity with which the Zanu-PF/State has now staged the most blatant assault on the electorate, the voter and democracy itself.
Namely, the recall of democratically elected parliamentarians, to be replaced undemocratically, illegally and unconstitutionally by appointment to Parliament of persons who had performed dismally in the 2018 elections. Add to that the cynical act of declaring a loser as the “Leader of the Opposition” in Parliament.
The Khupe Coup! A tragicomedy that includes the summary cancellation of by-elections in which the voters hoped, albeit naively given the history of elections in Zimbabwe, to re-affirm the choice they had made in 2018, and thereby have their recalled legislators returned to Parliament in December 2020.”
What a mouthful! Spit it out and thoroughly rinse your mouth because it is worse than nonsense.
I confess that I have not read Excelgate but from the extracts and synopsis it is clear the book deals with the irregularities in the counting of the votes in the July 2018 elections, the compilation of the results in the V11 at Polling Station, V23A and B at counting centres and the Excel Spreed sheet at ZEC command centre.
Excelgate did not mention at 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora were denied the vote (more than 2.3 million votes Mnangagwa claimed to win), ZEC had failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, etc., etc.
The July 2018 elections were a mockery of democracy because it denied millions of voters their right to vote, failed to produce a verified voters’ roll, etc. Even is the counting of the votes had gone ahead without a single mistake, deliberate or otherwise, the elections would still be condemned.
The July 2018 elections should have never gone ahead without first implementing the democratic reforms to ensure all those eligible to vote are given the opportunity to do so, ZEC produces a verified voters’ roll, etc.
The truth is Dr Ibbo Mandaza does not know what constitutes free, fair and credible elections. So is given to condemning an election process today and praising the same process to the high heaven tomorrow depending on result, who is the winner, and not the process.
When Tendai Biti and a few others broke away from MDC in 2014, Morgan Tsvangirai recalled the lot. Dr Khupe has used the same constitutional provision to recall MPs and councillors and we are now told this “undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional”. Was the recall democratic, legal and constitutional in 2014?
“A tragicomedy that includes the summary cancellation of by-elections!” The real tragedy, and it is no laughing matter, is the voters are being encourage to believe the cancelled by-elections was an attack on democracy when there is no democracy.
Zanu PF blatantly rigged the July 2018 elections to secure a 2/3 parliamentary majority and the presidency. The party has allowed the opposition to win a few gravy train seats, bait to entice them to participate in the elections regardless how flawed and illegal the process got.
All opposition candidates, including those from Khupe’s faction, Chamisa factions and the multitude of other parties and independent candidates, who participated in the July 2018 elections are sell-outs. They knew, by participating, they were undermining the fight for free, fair and credible elections.
Mnangagwa and Zanu PF know as long as they are able to attract the opposition to participate in the flawed elections they will derive some legitimacy and will not need to implement any reforms.
Zanu PF has not implemented even one meaningful democratic reform since the July 2018 election. Mnangagwa promised to allow the 3 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora to vote next time but has done nothing about it. Come 2023, the situation will not have changed much and, mark my words, Zanu PF will blatantly rig those elections.
The December 2020 by-elections will be conducted under exactly the same flawed and illegal conditions as the July 2018 elections. Right on clue, our cheer leaders of democracy are hoping mad that by-elections are being cancelled. No doubt the same cheer leaders and the populous will go berserk if the 2023 elections were to be delayed to allow meaningful reforms to be implemented.
In short, the foolish hysteria in defence of recalled MDC A sell-outs and cancelled by-elections, by the demagogues and ignoramus masquerading as champions of democracy, is helping to perpetuate the Zanu PF dictatorship by portraying the status quo as the epoch of democracy. There should be no elections, national or by-elections, in Zimbabwe until all the reforms are implemented to ensure the elections are free, fair and credible.
We must not give up the moral high ground; the demand for free, fair and credible elections; for the sake of fighting the by-election skirmish. The 2023 elections, the decisive battle, must be free, fair and credible or else be declared null and void and to be absolutely certain of that we must have and held the moral high ground at all times.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Chairperson, Rashid Mahiya has today visited incarcerated ZINASU President Takudzwa Ngadziore at Chikurubi maximum prison.
Ngadziore has been in detention since his arrest on 18 September while addressing the press 101 metres away from Impala Car Rental.
He is being charged with inciting public violence and is waiting for the High Court to make a determination on his bail appeal.
By Jane Mlambo| Former local government minister Savior Kasukuwere has urged government to fix the economy first instead of trying to extradite him from self-imposed exile in South Africa.
Responding to a news article published by The Herald which reported that government was beginning processes to extradite Kasukuwere, the former Zanu PF National Commissar said the state should be fixated with fixing the ecomy.
“Zimbabwe: Mnangagwa Pushes Extradition of South Africa-Based G40 Members. Politics! Fix the economy chief,” said Kasukuwere.
Kasukuwere, Walter Mzembi, Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao are some of the G40 members who are in exile following the November 2017 military coup that removed former President Robert Mugabe.
By A Correspondent- At least five Zanu-PF candidates will contest the party’s primary elections to be held soon to fill the Marondera East constituency seat that was left vacant following the death of Patrick Chidhakwa.
Chidhakwa died in South Africa last month due to heart complications and was buried at his rural home in Gokwe.
Some party officials in the constituency have begun campaigning by distributing fliers and posters on social media platforms.
Some of the aspiring candidates include youthful leader Richmond Chikore, agronomist Tatenda Watambwa, Ngonidzashe Mandaza and Paradzai Bhasikoro.
NewsDay is reliably informed that some party members are pushing for former Marondera Central MP Lawrence Katsiru to represent them.
Katsiru owns a farm in the constituency.
Chidhakwa’s predecessor and ex-top police officer Jeremiah Chiwetu is also reportedly eying a comeback.
Zanu-PF provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru said the date for primary elections was still to be set and that they were waiting for a directive from higher offices.
“The date for the primary elections is yet to be set and we are waiting for a directive from our superiors. It is a process. Some have already fowarded their CVs and the chairman (Joel Biggie Matiza) will guide us accordingly on the vetting process,” he said.
Chidhakwa snatched the seat from Chiwetu in the primary elections before winning in the 2018 elections.
The MDC-Alliance in Marondera district has also started a similar process with aspiring candidates still forwarding their CVs.
Both Zanu-PF and the MDC Alliance have been conducting primary elections despite Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also Health minister, suspending by-elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.-Newsday
Eight armed robbers raided the Bulawayo High Court yesterday and gained entry into the court’s criminal registry after attacking and disarming police officers manning the premises.
The incident occurred at about 4AM and the suspects were reportedly armed with pistols.
They left two police officers injured as they forced their way into the court building and finally the criminal registry.
One of the officers is admitted to a Bulawayo hospital while the other one did not sustain serious injuries but the robbers tied his hands and legs before they left.
The robbers are said to have used a grinder as they tried to break the registry safe.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the robbery.
“We are investigating an armed robbery case which occurred at the Bulawayo High Court yesterday morning at 4AM. It is said about eight suspects went to the court and attacked two officers who were on duty and these suspects were armed with pistols.
“After attacking them, they blindfolded one of the officers. They then tried to force open the court’s main safe to the criminal registry’s office using a key. After failing, they tried again to use a grinder and, in the process, it is alleged that they were making phone calls,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
He said after failing in their attempts, they tied the hands and legs of one of the police officers.
The officer who sustained some serious injuries was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment.
“They attacked him using their weapons. He is being treated at a hospital in Bulawayo, but we cannot reveal where he is receiving treatment,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said police suspect the robbers had inside information.
“These guys had inside information and we want to establish the motive behind the robbery and the attack on the officers. We are therefore leaving no stone unturned in our quest to get to the bottom of this case and apprehend the suspects. The law will definitely take its course,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Judicial Service Commission (JSC) spokesperson Ms Rumbidzai Takawira said the Commission had deployed a team from Harare to assess the situation on the ground.
“We have a team that is going there to ascertain what really transpired and we can only have information tomorrow (today),” said Ms Takawira.
A legal expert who declined to be named said an exhibit safe room can contain files or prosecution documents for suspects appearing before the courts.
The expert said even valuables that are confiscated when arresting suspects can be stored in the court’s registry.
“A crime registry can store exhibits which include weapons used by criminals in committing crimes. The exhibits are very vital in the prosecution process and probably these robbers wanted to steal these exhibits or destroy important documents,” said the expert.
In May this year a gang of robbers who were armed with an FN rifle pounced on the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) depot in Bulawayo and threatened to shoot security guards manning the premises if they dared raise an alarm.
They later tied the guards’ hands using a rope.
The robbers got away with a consignment of 148 boxes of Broncleer, a cough mixture which was banned over abuse as a euphoric drug, whose street value is US$20 000.
Rtr Lt Englebert Rugeje former ZANU PF political commissar
By A Correspondent | The most powerful post coup military politician, only next to the Presidium, former ZANU PF National Commissar, Gen Engelbert Eugeje has spoken for the first time following a gun attack at his Mt Pleasant house on Sunday morning.
He spoke after armed intruders were “repelled” by soldiers and one intruder was shot dead, when they tried to attack his house.
Speaking exclusively to ZimEye Gen Rugeje said, “I wasn’t there.”
He was asked if he knows what happened as well as details of possible injuries, and he said, “get the details from ZRP who attended the scene I wasn’t there.”
He was also asked if he has a clue of who is behind this and what their agenda is, and to this he replied with a long sigh and then said,
“I don’t have a clue when I was not there,”
Asked on his well being, how he feels, Gen Rugeje became non committal with responses.
His phone was hung up soon afterwards.
The development comes as Rugeje, who occupied the party’s most influential position, was rumoured to be next in line for disappearance or a car accident as has happened to many before him.
His immediate predecessor Saviour Kasukuwere fled Zimbabwe after his house was pounced on by skilled snipers.
Since independence 1980, every other political commissar has suffered either an assassination, or a humiliating ouster. The list of victims includes:
Mayor Urimbo,
Maurice Nyagumbo,
Movern Mahachi,
Border Gezi,
Elliot Manyika,
Webster Shamu,
In 2018, Rugeje hinted on a political sabbatical arguing that “people should not be mistaken that jobs are found at ZANU PF HQ”.
Rugeje took over from Saviour Kasukwere who was fired from Zanu Pf in 2017 for being linked to a faction which was coalescing around former first lady Grace Mugabe. The expulsion of the G40 faction resulted in some fissures ahead of the polls with some members of the party forming a new outfit called the National Patriotic Front which was also supported by former president Robert Mugabe.
The former army general was appointed by Mnangagwa at the party’s extra-ordinary congress in Harare before he presided over a chaotic primary election where he received brickbats from senior party members like Christopher Mutsvangwa for causing divisions in the party.
Watch the video loading below…….(please be patient as it uploads)
Rugeje, considered a Chiwenga loyalist, was retired from the army by Mnangagwa.
He was however roundly criticised for pursuing a factional agenda in the party’s chaotic primary elections to select legislative and municipal representatives ahead of the July 30, 2018 general elections.
He was, however, unceremoniously booted out by Mnangagwa soon after the elections and replaced by Gokwe Central MP Victor Matemadanda.
Mnangagwa has, since the 2018 election, been purging army generals believed to be aligned to Chiwenga.
The skies were overcast the whole day yesterday as if to give people a break from the scorching sun witnessed the previous day.
It was the day of King Mambo’s royal wedding at his homestead in Mawabeni in Umzingwane District. The king was installed last year during a ceremony attended by 80 chiefs drawn from across the country.
Yesterday, people braved the chilly weather and put their best attire for the wedding. Many walked, some cycled while others drove to reach the homestead where two giant white tents were pitched to accommodate guests.
The ceremony started at around 2:40PM. By then enough food had been saved and there was still a lot that remained.
King Mambo born Mike Moyo who is also referred to as Ilitshe Aligiqiki, was ushered to his royal chair set up in the traditional Marquette which resembled a traditional hut decorated with yokes, hoes and shovels.
He was wearing a traditional vest associated with Zulu maskandi artists, a short which matched and brown shoes. Ululations accompanied his entrance as he was accompanied by three chiefs.
That he was happy was clear as he smiled to the crowds lifting his hand as if to bless the multitudes.
His bride, Queen Ndlovukazi, born Priscilla Percy Ndlovu, who is the king’s second wife was ushered inside the homestead accompanied by traditional dancers.
She was wearing a traditional dress with brown colours.
Once she took her place beside the King, the festivities started and various traditional groups and poets took turns to entertain the crowd.
The highlight of the ceremony was when the king and queen took the Jerusalem Challenge dance accompanied by Victory Siyanqoba dance group and they did justice showing that they had thoroughly rehearsed.
“I am over the moon for marrying my second wife uMandlovu. In our Lozwi/Rozvi culture, Kings don’t stop marrying. So, we might be here next year for another wedding,” declared the King in an interview with the media during a short break.
Asked if the queen will accept more wives, King Mambo said: “Once you are married to a king; they are educated about our culture so that they know what they are getting themselves into.”
King Mambo challenged men not to resort to “omakhwapheni” to help fight diseases like HIV.
“I want to encourage all men in the country to stop small houses. If you need another wife our culture allows us to do so. Let us do things that are lawful in our culture as African people. This helps us fight diseases like HIV,” he said.
King Mambo said he is worried about high divorce statistics in the country and said people must observe their culture.
“Families must have family courts to educate and bring peace to partners who are having marital problems to avoid the high numbers of divorce cases we are witnessing. During my ancestor Mambo’s time, women were respected and elders played an important role in building families,”he said.
Umzingwane MP Cde Levy Mayihlome hailed the move by the King and said there is a need for the country to open debate on the monarchy.
“There is no conflict in having a monarchy in a democratic country led by an executive President. Our constitution says we are a unitary state without a monarch but in other countries like South Africa they have many kings not just one.
“The monarchy is in charge of culture and tradition in that set up and it won’t affect a constitutional democracy. I do not see any conflict there. I believe we must have an open dialogue as a country about having monarchs. Our cultures are different. We have many languages and different cultures which must be respected so that we have unity in diversity as a people,” he said.
Chief Malisa of Silobela also said there is need for the country`s constitution to be revisited to address the monarchy debate.
“We want unity, peace and development in the country and it is kings who assist in bringing harmony because kings are apolitical. We know that our constitution at the moment has no room for a king but our ancestors have given us a king.
“The Government is encouraging us to revive our cultures and going forward we need to talk about it. We know that in the past Mambo ruled with Mzilikazi, those are some of the issues we need to talk about,” said Chief Malisa.
Chief Makoni of Rusape in Manicaland said there is need for the country to restore its past traditional set up.
“We want our culture to go back to where it was so that we benefit from the richness of this country. We are here to rebuild Zimbabwe and restore our legacy and once we do that, I believe Zimbabwe will be a prosperous nation,” he said.
In no time King Mambo and queen Ndlovu had changed into royal attires and the festivities continued. The dance floor was lit with people dancing in celebration.
By A Correspondent- The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) refused to cooperate with the government of Zimbabwe in its bid to have Robert Mugabe-era cabinet Ministers arrested and extradited.
Walter Mzembi and former ZANU PF political commissar, Saviour Kasukuwere are facing various criminal charges back home.
According to ZimLive, the Zimbabwean government’s request was dismissed by Interpol after it sought for the arrest and extradition of Kasukuwere.
In a letter to Harare authorities, seen by the publication, Interpol said all requests for placement of an individual on a red notice are forwarded to its Notices and Diffusions Task Force to ensure that they comply with the organisation’s constitution and rules, in particular, Article 3. The Clause makes it clear that:
… it is strictly forbidden for the organisation to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military or racial character.
Following the government’s request to have Kasukuwere apprehended in May, the organisation wrote that it considered: … the status of the person, the nature of the offence, the general context of the case and the implications for the neutrality of the organisation.
… Given the above and taking into account the neutrality of the organisation, it is considered that the request may engage the organisation in matters, which would bring into question its neutrality according to article 3 of Interpol’s constitution.
As a result, the General Secretariat is not in a position to publish the red notice against Mr Kasukuwere and the information concerning the individual will be deleted from Interpol’s databases.
Besides Mzembi and Kasukuwere, some high profile individuals who served in the Mugabe administration and are now out of the country include Jonathan Moyo, Godfrey Gandawa, Walter Chidhakwa, Mandi Chimene and Patrick Zhuwao, the former police chief Augustine Chihuri and former intelligence chief Happyton Bonyongwe.
They are all considered to have been aligned to the G40 faction which was weakened following former President Mugabe’s “resignation”.
By A Correspondent| Chitungwiza Municipality on Sunday 11 October 2020 resolved to stop the demolition of some residents’ houses after Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) threatened to sue the local authority for violating people’s fundamental rights.
In a letter written on behalf of Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST) by Paidamoyo Saurombe and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of ZLHR to the Chamber Secretary at Chitungwiza Municipality, the residents association protested against the local authority’s issuance of a purported Demolition Order on Thursday 8 October 2020, where it identified some places in St Mary’s, Zengeza, Seke and Nyatsime suburbs ordering people occupying houses in these areas to depart from the land, remove property from the land, demolish any structures erected, remove all the rubble from the land and restore the land to its original site by Monday 12 October 2020.
Saurombe and Chinopfukutwa stated that the issuance of a purported Demolition Order by Chitungwiza Municipality is a violation of residents’ basic rights protected under section 74 of the Constitution and which provides that no persons may be evicted from their home or have their home demolished without an order of court made after considering all the relevant circumstances.
Saurombe and Chinopfukutwa gave Chitungwiza Municipality an ultimatum lasting up to 9:AM on Monday 12 October 2020 for the local authority to furnish them with a court order authorising the eviction of people and demolition of their houses or else the human rights lawyers would pursue legal remedies to protect the rights of the residents.
But in response to the letter written by CHITREST, Chitungwiza Municipality on Sunday 11 October 2020 said it had resolved to suspend the demolition exercise hence the demolitions will no longer be effected as per its Demolition Order which it had issued on 8 October 2020.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwean government has once again engaged South Africa in a bid to repatriate exiled former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
The former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister faces four counts of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
The National Prosecuting Authority has since prepared indictment papers and the former ZANU PF political commissar will be tried as soon as he is brought home. Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa, in an affidavit commissioned by chief law officer Mr Chris Mutangadura said:
This request is not being pursued for political reasons or any ulterior purpose. Zimbabwe guarantees that Saviour Kasukuwere will receive a fair trial in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe. The Republic of Zimbabwe also undertakes to render assistance to the Republic of South Africa in any criminal matter,
It is alleged that during his tenure as the local government minister, Kasukuwere corruptly parcelled out over 220 hectares of land in Harare and Masvingo to the sister of former First Lady Grace Mugabe, Shuvai Gumbochuma.
He did so at the expense of eight entities who had been awarded the land by his predecessor Ignatious Chombo.
He is also being accused of having corruptly awarded a tender to a company called Brainworks Capital when he was still the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
Last year, the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) rejected Zimbabwe’s request to extradite Kasukuwere on grounds that the case would have implications on the organosation’s neutrality.
Kasukuwere and some view the charges against him as politically motivated.-statemedia
By A Correspondent- The Thokozani Khupe Cancer Foundation has joined the rest of the world in the campaign to increase awareness of Breast Cancer.
Posting on Twitter, MDC-T interim leader, Dr Thokozani Khupe who is the founder of the Foundation urged both men and women to be screened on a regular basis.
She posted:
We are calling on every woman and man to do regular self-examination to help detect any abnormalities. Early detection saves lives.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, although incidence rates vary widely across the world.
By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has claimed that over 400 girls from four districts in Manicaland have dropped out of school altogether owing to pregnancy, marriage, financial challenges and illness.
Manicaland provincial education director (PED) Mr Edward Shumba, told The Herald the figure is expected to rise as Mutare, Chimanimani and Nyanga districts are still compiling statistics following the resumption of lessons for examination classes on September 28. He said:
We have so far received statistics from Buhera, Chipinge, Mutasa and Makoni. The other three districts are yet to send the statistics, but we expect the figures to increase.
There are 96 female learners in Buhera who dropped out for marriage and five males. We also have one O’ level student who fell pregnant. Other reasons given for the dropping out are financial challenges, illness with some joining the job market.
Mr Shumba said Buhera district had registered 47 grade seven dropouts, of which 35 were girls and 12 were boys. At O’Level, 90 girls and 49 boys dropped out while one A’ level girl dropped out in the district.
In Chipinge 46 females are said to have been married while Makoni recorded 65 pregnancies and 64 marriages and Mutasa had 40 marriages.
This comes when the government recently amended the Education Act to allow pregnant learners to attend classes in all schools, which would ordinarily mean most of these children are allowed to go back to class.
The MDC Alliance will on Tuesday issue out a statement on its much talked about financial audit.
The routine audit came after some sectors of the media claimed that huge amounts of money were not accounted for in the opposition party.
The Treasurer General of the party, David Coltart quickly dismissed the rumour that the financial audit was a witch-hunt exercise.
The claims were that party president and secretary-general, in that order, Nelson Chamisa and Chalton Hwende diverted party funds into personal use.
Coltart however said that the audit was only meant to enhance accountability and transparency in the party.
“As I have made clear to a variety of journalists in the last few weeks since this false story first emerged I am not aware of any money which has been misappropriated from MDC coffers by any official or party leader,” said Coltart.
“The attempts by some to portray the audit as some kind of investigation into alleged impropriety are misleading and utterly false,” he added.
The audit was agreed to last year and is a routine audit. I should also point out that this is the first time the MDC has conducted an audit of this nature and it is the first time any political party in Zimbabwe has ever subjected itself to an audit.
The MDC Alliance will host a Press Conference tomorrow, Tuesday 13 October 2020 at Tendai Biti Law Chambers on the subject of the party's Financial Audit.
NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly (NCA) president Lovemore Madhuku has challenged political parties and ordinary citizens to call for the removal of a clause in the Constitution providing for the recall of members of Parliament (MPs), saying the recalls affect democratic participation and policy development. This comes as the MDC has recalled over 30 MPs and 45 councillors following a Supreme Court ruling in April this year which declared Thokozani Khupe the rightful interim leader of the party.
Speaking during an online discussion held recently on the implications of the recalls on policy and service delivery, Madhuku said there was need for the removal of the clause, which provides for the recall of MPs and councillors in order to avoid chaos within political parties at the expense of ordinary citizens.
“The recalls that have happened now are not different from the recalls that happened in the past, there is just a dispute in terms of which party these MPs belong to.
Parliament believes these MPs belong to MDC-T. “It may be wrong or it may be right but that is a matter which is before the courts. I don’t think that the clause should remain.
Fadzai Mahere “It should be removed from the Constitution. The NCA doesn’t support that. “If Zimbabweans still support that clause it means that they would want a situation where the MPs can be removed,” Madhuku said.
According to Madhuku, Section 129 subsection 1, paragraph K of the Constitution provides for the recall of MPs and councillors if they cease to be a member of the political party they were elected under — which is what is currently being used to recall MDC Alliance members who denounced their membership of the MDC-T party. Speaking at the same event, MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said the recalls were political and meant to destroy the MDC Alliance as the country’s “strongest opposition party”.
“The recalls confirm that Zimbabwe is a nation in crisis. We see a dramatisation of the crisis in Zimbabwe and the coordinated attempt to return Zimbabwe to a one-party state.
“The capture of State institutions throughout this recall process is completely brazen. “The question on the mind of every Zimbabwean is how can MPs be recalled by a political party that did not install them in Parliament? … This is an attempt to destroy the stronger opposition.
“An opposition with mass popular support that says no on certain terms … that speaks out against the economic and health crises,” Mahere said.
Zanu PF director of information Tafadzwa Mugwadi said it was time for the MDC factions to man up and address their problems without blaming outsiders.
“There is no way that I see Zanu PF involved in what is going on between the two MDC political parties. We are always very clear as Zanu PF that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe. In fact, the crisis is in the MDC and MDC Alliance and other MDCs out there.
“You are failing as a political party. You are failing to organise yourselves and now there is a legitimacy crisis within the MDC.
“We don’t bother ourselves with what happens within the MDC or Harvest House. “What is on our table is to ensure that we transform our manifesto of 2018 into reality to ensure that we achieve Vision 2030, to ensure we stabilise the currency and to bring sanity in the mobile money sector, to prepare for the next farming season through farming modernisation and mechanisation,” Mugwadi said.
Meanwhile, MDC secretarygeneral Douglas Mwonzora said the recall of MPs and councillors from Parliament was based on the need to eliminate those who had denounced the party, those who were corrupt and those who engaged in acts of violence.
“We did not recall people because they did not pledge allegiance to us. “I’m sure you are talking about the affidavits that MPs were made to sign.
“They were not made to sign those affidavits by us. “They were made to sign them by the party that Nelson Chamisa heads.
“These were created by their lawyers, including Tendai Biti and Charlton Hwende where they specifically said they no longer belonged to the MDC and some of the MPS who were recalled in court documents specifically said that they were no longer members of our party.
“Once they pledged that they were no longer members of the MDC-T they were bound by word and deed and so the recalls were made,” Mwonzora said.
…
