Addressing thousands of mourners at the funeral wake of his mother last week, opposition leader Nelson Chamisa said his mother engaged in vending to raise money for him to go to school.
He told mourners:
“Handina kungonyuka kusvika ndisvike pandiri nhasi (my mother toiled for me to become what I am today). It was because of the hard work and tireless efforts of my mother, Mai Neri. She used to sell chickens and vegetables for me to go to school,” a teary Chamisa said.
“She was hardworking and industrious. It is unfortunate that she died before we attained a new Zimbabwe. I want to thank all parents who are toiling to send their children to school.”
An unidentified friend of her mother, who she used to do the vending errands with, corroborated the claims, saying they would walk long distances to sell their wares in nearby farms.
“I partnered his mother back in the day where we used to go to nearby farms selling our stuff. She had an entrepreneurial spirit. This man you see (Chamisa), that you call your president, is a product of humble beginnings,” she testified before the crowd.
MDC Alliance vice-president Lynette Karenyi-Kore said Chamisa’s mother would continue to advise him even when he had entered the country’s political fray.
“I used to come here and interact with his mother,” Karenyi-Kore said.
“She was very generous and you would not leave this homestead without a parcel, be it pumpkins, free range chickens or sweet potatoes. She would advise our president.
“Whenever he was arrested, persecuted, beaten or tortured, she would refuse to eat, feeling for her son. I am sure she was so pained by the recent political developments and was stressed.”
Chamisa was born in Gutu and attended the nearby Vumba Primary School, before enrolling at the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ)-run boarding school, Alheit Chingombe 2 High School.
He then did his “A” Levels at Victoria High School in Masvingo, before going to the Harare Polytechnic College, where he started student activism, and later studied law at the University of Zimbabwe when he was Information and Communication Technology minister in the then coalition government between Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC-M from 2009 to 2013.
After the disbandment of the shaky coalition government, his star continued to shine after the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai appointed him co vice-president of the party with Elias Mudzuri.
When Tsvangirai died, he assumed the presidency of the biggest opposition party and managed to give Zanu-PF’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa a good run for his money in the 2018 elections after polling more than two million votes in an election too close to call.
He claims the elections were rigged by Mnangagwa, a sticking point in the country’s democratic landscape up to now
By A Correspondent- Local sungura musician, Peter Moyo, on Saturday customarily married his longtime lover Caroline Rutendo Makamache.
Moyo, the son of music icon, Tongai Moyo Dewa Moyo travelled to Bulawayo where he paid lobola to Makamache’s family.
Sources privy to the story told Zim Morning Post that contrary to rumours that Makamache provided the lobola funds, Peter had been raising funds for this event through an agricultural enterprise. Sources said:
Peter has been saving proceeds from his farming business. He has chickens in Mbizo and a vibrant horticulture farming business in Sesombe.
Music has not been yielding any financial results because of the lockdown so he was concentrating on farming.
Meanwhile, Caroline is based in the United States and will be married in absentia.
The couple at made headlines previously after Makamache had bought a surprise gift of a BMW for Peter.
The government on Friday gave MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe $7,4 million, insisting that she is the legitimate leader of the main opposition in Parliament despite ongoing court disputes about her status, it has emerged.
Watch ZimEye.com live discussion on the money Khupe has been enriched with.
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Popular media personality Ezra Tshisa Sibanda recently revealed that Zimbabweans based in South Africa are involved in illicit smuggling of bodies of their loved ones back to Zimbabwe for burial back home.
According to Sibanda, soldiers guarding the Limpopo River boundary with South Africa were being bribed to let the bodies and hosts of other smuggled goods through the busy illegal crossing points.
Several ZimEye.com readers however thought that the act was impossible as the formal border process was clearing bodies without hurdles.
However, it has since emerged that the process to bring in bodies through the border is not as easy as perceived leaving some to smuggle the bodies through illegal crossing points.
Under the new orders, all bodies being brought repatriated to Zimbabwe for burial are being treated as contagious except in cases where the cause of death is a road accident, murder or other body injuries.
In addition, all remains now require the clearance of the Ministry of Health and Child Care prior to their transportation to Zimbabwe under the usual procedures.
Relatives accompanying the remains are now being subjected to mandatory quarantine at any port of entry upon arrival in the country before proceeding to the various destinations.
Following reports of the smuggling, Beitbridge police have arrested 35 people carrying an assortment of goods worth thousands of dollars, which they had smuggled into the country through an illegal crossing point located less than a kilometre from the main port of entry.
No reports of bodies being brought through were however made by the police.
The suspects who have since been charged with smuggling, were carrying electrical gadgets including fridges, 275 litres of petrol, groceries and drums. The value of the goods is yet to be ascertained.
The police officer commanding Beitbridge, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo confirmed the arrests to State Media.
“I can confirm that we arrested 35 people on Monday evening at the spill way near the Old Limpopo River.
“These were carrying an assortment of goods they had smuggled from South Africa. The goods have been taken to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority for value and import duty calculations,” he said.
The official said deployments had been made to ensure that criminal activities were dealt with accordingly along the river.
Zimbabwean and South African security has since the start of the lockdown in April been intensifying patrols to minimise the illegal movement of both people and goods.
This is also done to reduce the rate of the spread of Covid-19 in the two neighbouring countries.
The South Africans are intercepting mainly cigarettes, while Zimbabwean authorities are arresting people with an assortment groceries and electrical gadgets.
Presently the border is closed to non-essential human traffic and the development has led to an upsurge in smuggling and border jumping.
Last week, security officials in Beitbridge intercepted six people who had smuggled goods worth R1, 3 million and attracting an estimated import duty of $4 million.
The suspects had declared that they were shipping maize meal and diapers but it turned out they were transporting groceries from South Africa to Harare.
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s (ZIMRA) regional manager for Beitbridge, Mr Innocent Chikuni recently told the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube that they had intercepted 21 commercial trucks smuggling into the country an assortment goods worth millions of dollars.
“Working with other stakeholders we have been able to seize goods from 56 offenders and impounded 22 motor vehicles between April and May at undesignated entry points along the Limpopo River,” said Mr Chikuni.
“In addition, smuggling activities through the border post are surging because of the increased traffic. Between March and May we recorded 81 seizures including 21 commercial trucks & trailers.
“We are now looking at increased automation of most processes and concentration of staff to control of high-risk cargo to minimise smuggling through the main port of entry. On the river front, we believe that if we deploy more human and material resources to man or patrol the undesignated entry points, we can make head way. However, accommodation shortages are our greatest undoing as we wish to have more hands on the ground.”
Our President, Denis Juru has been diagnosed COVID-19 positive. His condition is stable.
He is advising all members and general public to exercise extreme caution on Coronavirus.
Please you are advised to avoid unnecessary movements, exercise social distancing, wear face mask in public always and self isolation if you develop any of COVID-19 symptoms.
Coronavirus is real let’s fight it by staying home.
Together we will win it…
International Cross Border Traders Association. Information desk
By Mkhululi Zulu- Zimbabweans are stunned by the venomous threats of violence vomited through the press by the two high ranking Zanu PF leaders Chinamasa and Matematanda against organisers of a yet to happen demonstration by the opposition.
What baffles the mind is that these men seem to try so hard to even control the thinking and feelings of Zimbabweans. So far, there is only some talk of a need to demonstrate against corruption and already there are guns blazing everywhere.
Matematanda, obviously suffering from an absolute political emptiness talks of being a war veteran. Many in his own party have publicly said he was just a taxi man in Zambia during the struggle.
He was never what the masses saw here the real ‘vanamukoma” ‘obhudi” against the Rhodesians. People who now have no political relevance are always fast to dash to the past. When it comes to the current socio-economic realities, these bankrupt political personalities like Matematanda fall into some deep political quandary. Hence they resort to primitive and babyish insult against individuals.
Not to be outdone, lest he loses whatever relevance he still has in his party, Chinamasa, despite his age and his legal exposure, utters what no sane lawyer can ever say. “Our cadres are ready to take up on anybody who attacks them”. Who has said that their cadres will be attacked?
It is just a march to protest about lies,state sponsored looting of national resources to benefit those who are now abusing all the systems of governess, that is, the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. It is a march against some barbaric violence that the government does not want to clearly account for through thorough and transparent investigations.
They want to march against wanton arrests, endless physical and mental persecution. The people cannot forever live in perpetual fear without resisting even in the most harmless way such as simply expression a desire to demonstrate against their plight.
The two ZanuPF giants must vigorously address the shortage of mealie-meal, a situation that has seen desperate hungry people exposing themselves to the deadly covid-19 virus as they scramble for whatever mealie-meal is there whenever it is found.
There is a lot of suffering that Chinamasa`s cadres would do well to confront in solving the financial issues. The Zimbabwe dollar tumbles as if there is a war. If Chinamasa had any sense of shame, he would divert his energy in mobilising the party cadres to deal with that as their children are also disgraceful economic refugees in other countries like Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Zapu understands these utterances and the actions by ZanuPF. The driving force is desperate regime preservation. They want to protect the loot that they have amassed at all cost. Meanwhile everyone should see this Zanu PF ogre that is now in the open.
By referring to the past events where the army murdered people mostly those who had nothing to do with the marchers, Chinamasa confirms the fallacy that his Principal has preposterously endeavoured to project. Indeed, all the pretence about a so called new order has been blasted open.
This can no longer be left to the starving, and toiling masses of Zimbabwe alone to solve. There is nothing that an old woman can do against a heavily armed and well fed soldier. Chinamasa boasts of what these soldiers did in the near past and calls them their “cadres”.
There is no record of violent clashes between members of different political parties. Soldiers in their full uniform have been deployed to shoot at demonstrators and at anyone who happens to be nearby. This is a clear message from Chinamasa.
By A Correspondent- The government on Friday gave MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe $7 492 500 million which she says she is entitled to under the Political Parties Finance Act.
The development was confirmed by the minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi who said the money was deposited into the MDC-T account controlled by Khupe and her allies. He told the Standard:
Why is there an outrage? I paid what was gazetted and those who were not paid are not entitled to anything.
Those who were supposed to be paid were paid; those who were not supposed to be paid were not paid, full stop.
The PPF Act states that the money is meant to block political parties and candidates from seeking foreign funding or donations.
It also states that it is given to each political party whose candidates received at least five per centum of the total number of votes cast in the most recent general election.
MDC Alliance Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende says the move was illegal since Khupe contested under the MDC-T ticket in 2018 but Khupe says her reinstatement, “as the legitimate leader of the MDC Alliance legislators,” meant that she is the one supposed to receive the money.
By A Correspondent- The government on Friday gave MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe $7 492 500 million which she says she is entitled to under the Political Parties Finance Act.
The development was confirmed by the minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi who said the money was deposited into the MDC-T account controlled by Khupe and her allies. He told the Standard:
Why is there an outrage? I paid what was gazetted and those who were not paid are not entitled to anything.
Those who were supposed to be paid were paid; those who were not supposed to be paid were not paid, full stop.
The PPF Act states that the money is meant to block political parties and candidates from seeking foreign funding or donations.
It also states that it is given to each political party whose candidates received at least five per centum of the total number of votes cast in the most recent general election.
MDC Alliance Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende says the move was illegal since Khupe contested under the MDC-T ticket in 2018 but Khupe says her reinstatement, “as the legitimate leader of the MDC Alliance legislators,” meant that she is the one supposed to receive the money.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a robbery case in which a 29-year-old gold dealer from Bulawayo lost US$80 000.
The victim told the police that the incident took place on Friday evening outside a hotel in the Central Business District where he had parked his Toyota Allex.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident adding that investigations were underway to establish what really transpired. He said:
We are investigating a case in which a 29-year-old man from Bulawayo alleges that he was robbed while he was parked on a street somewhere in town.
According to the man, he was parked when a group of men forced themselves into his car and attacked him. They then bundled him into the back of the car as they made off with some US$80 000 that was in his car.
The victim alleges that the suspects did not steal anything else, including the car, but they made off with the money.
Nyathi reiterated his call for members of the public to be vigilant and avoid keeping large amounts of money either at home or in their vehicles, as it increased their risk of being raided by criminals.
By A Correspondent- The Health Services Board (HSB) has reportedly fired all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in government hospitals in a ‘restructuring exercise’.
HSB Board Chair Paulinos Sikhosana told Health Times that the restructuring was meant to bring sanity in all public health institutions. Said Sikhosana:
There is a restructuring going to improve efficiency effectiveness and integrity, so that’s the only statement that I can tell you.
Zimbabwe’s public health system is in a bind, the health minister Obadiah Moyo was fired recently for allegedly awarding tenders for medicines and consumables worth US$60 million to a company which had failed due diligence.
Nurses have been on an indefinite strike demanding better remuneration while the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 is increasing daily with cases nearing 1 000.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira has said polytechnics and vocational training centres were reopening for final year students on Monday (tomorrow).
Murwira added that preparations for the return of students and resumption of on-campus studies were satisfactory.
He said:
We are satisfied with the preparations made by various institutions so far. We met with them and on Monday (tomorrow) colleges will open.
Studies were suspended in March nationwide as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some stakeholders, particularly teachers’ unions have been against the idea of reopening learning institutions saying they had not put in place the mechanisms needed to protect both learners and teachers from the virus.
Some of the learning institutions were being used as quarantine centres and the government says they have been fumigated ahead of school resumption.
The government has also prohibited churches from conducting services in schools in anticipation of reopening schools on the 28th of this month “only for June 2020 examinations and other levels would resume school when the health situation permits.”
Newly elected Republican Vice President of Malawi Saulos Chilima’s motorcade was involved in a road accident on today near Phalula Balaka as he was travelling from Blantyre to Lilongwe.
Chilima’s spokesman confirmed the accident and said the Vice President is believed to be fine.
He said the last vehicle in the convoy had a head on collision with a Toyota Vitz coming from the opposite direction.Two out of the four people in the Toyota died on the spot while the other two were rushed to the hospital.
The Covid-19 crisis continues to deepen as infection rates rose at a rapid pace this week, with Gauteng overtaking the Western Cape as SA’s epicentre of the killer disease. By Friday night, the national infection rate passed the quarter-of-a-million mark, with 250,687 confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported by health minister Zweli Mkhize. Gauteng now accounts for more than 34% of confirmed coronavirus cases at 87,033, followed by the Western Cape with 76,067 and the Eastern Cape accounting for 46,284 cases.
[Live stream will appear here later on Sunday evening, depending on what time the scheduled start time is confirmed. We will bring you any updates as soon as we have them.]
MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has distanced her party from the July 31 anti-corruption protests being mooted by other opposition parties which she has described as untimely given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In an interview with the Daily News on Sunday, Khupe said the protests being planned by opposition and pro-democracy organisations would be “stupid to risk people’s lives just to make a political statement”.
“The fight against coronavirus (Covid-19) is a collective responsibility and we cannot reverse the gains we have made so far as a nation in combating its spread for political expediency.
“What is there to demonstrate for? Against who? We are not going to be part to that because for us as a party, people’s lives are more important than scoring cheap political goals. It will be stupid for any political party to do that,” said Khupe through her spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni.
Khupe’s disapproval of the planned demonstration comes after MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa endorsed the proposed July 31 protest which is being spearheaded by Transform Zimbabwe (T.Z) leader, Jacob Ngarivhume.
“We are seeing other people starting their own initiatives. We want to tell you that we will support any democratic initiative that can result in freedom for the people. We will join those initiatives. Even those who are in government and want to work towards freedom, we will support them even the civil servants,” said the MDC Alliance leader during a recent e-rally.
FILE PHOTO: Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa
The ruling party will not stand idle as opposition activists promote anarchy but will respond appropriately to any threats to the country’s peace, ZANU PF acting spokesman Patrick Chinamasa has said.
On Friday, President Mnangagwa, who is the ruling party’s First Secretary, also warned Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that are dabbling in politics that they risk being de-registered.
Political activists and those aligned to the opposition have been fanning anti-Government sentiment, particularly on social media platforms, calling for protests.
Briefing journalists after the 341st Ordinary Session of the Zanu PF Politburo in Harare on Friday, Chinamasa said the ruling party will not allow a repeat of the August 1, 2018 and January 2019 violence that was designed to destabilise the country.
The revolutionary party, he said, would not brook threats against a constitutionally-elected Government.
“We have noted statements from some social media platforms to plan and organise violent protests and overthrow a constitutionally-elected Government.
“Let me say to (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa and those who are calling for demonstrations on July 31 that what happened protesting on August 1, 2018 and January 2019 will not happen again. We want to send this warning loud and clear to Chamisa that whatever you are threatening on July 31, we say, come to the front and face the risk.”
He added: “Those who are plotting anarchy should know that ZANU PF is not sleeping. This time we are ready and we will not allow a repeat of what happened before.”
He said the Politburo had received a report on plans by the opposition to organise violent demonstrations.
“Those doing so must stand warned and the law will not hesitate to deal with those. Our democracy and rule of law is very clear on how a Government is constituted. The meeting advised those planning to sneak themselves into Government violently through the back-door to desist from such devious agendas because they will have themselves to blame.”
Foreign missions
In his address, President Mnangagwa warned foreign embassies overstepping their mandate through clandestinely lending support to the opposition.
“Civil society organisations must stick to the functions and roles for which they were registered. Those who deviate from their mandates will attract de-registration,” the President said.
“Some of our guests of the State, our foreign embassies, are reminded that Zimbabwe is an independent and sovereign nation. They are once again dissuaded from interfering in our internal affairs and should stop forthwith funding of the destabilisation activities.”
Government, President Mnangagwa said, was alert to labour movements that were hiding behind workers’ grievances to drive political agendas.
“I urge those who purport to represent workers to do just that. It is a one-way traffic lane. Political ambitions and views belong to another lane. Choose the lane you walk on. Those in politics must seek the mandate of the people every five years, through the ballot box. That is the constitutional way, that is the rule of law way, that is the democratic way,” he said.
Economy
Cde Chinamasa, who is also ZANU PF’s secretary for finance, said Government, through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce led by Dr Sekai Nzenza, would leverage on the recently unveiled $18 billion stimulus package to support enterprises grappling with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“She (Dr Nzenza) reported that her ministry is doing an impact assessment to determine how many companies and industries have been affected, with 17 percent of enterprises having closed temporarily. The ministry is taking advantage of the stimulus package provided by the President.”
The ruling party is confident that the recently introduced Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe foreign currency auction system will stabilise the economy.
“We believe that overtime, we will get to a point where there will be an equilibrium in terms of the stability of the exchange rate. Eventually we believe that this will lead to a stability in prices.”
Party members are presently being rallied to play an active role in contributing to productive programmes such as the Pfumvudza initiative in agriculture.
“Politburo also commended programmes such as Pfumvudza for productivity by people with minimal resources, such as communal farmers.
“We are very happy that this programme is working well. We have stimulated our structures to participate fully in this programme. Awareness is being raised by our structures such as the Women’s League and the Youth League.”
The party also noted the rampant cases of corruption happening in the local councils, especially those controlled by the opposition.
ZIMBABWE is in danger of witnessing a spike in Covid-19 cases after 14 returnees from South Africa who tested positive to the virus escaped from Beitbridge quarantine and isolation centre on Friday.
Police have immediately launched a manhunt for the escapees after they sneaked out of National Social Security Authority (Nssa) Hotel in Beitbridge soon after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests confirmed that they were Covid-19 positive.
Four of the escapees have since been arrested and put back into quarantine, officials said yesterday. Chairperson of the Beitbridge Covid-19 Task Force, Mrs Sikhangaziwe Mafu-Moyo said police were pursuing the other escapees, who are a danger to society as they can infect people they interact with.
“The police are busy on the ground pursuing them through their given addresses and contacts. We believe they will catch up with them soon and we advise people to notify either the police or health workers should they locate these people who have tested positive for Covid-19,” she said.
According to Mrs Mafu-Moyo, those who escaped from the quarantine centre are Mercy Ndou (32) of Chaswingo, Beitbridge, Tumelo Nyathi (24), from Chief Staudze area in Beitbridge, Patience Mudau (26) of Chaswingo, Beitbridge, Innocent Sibanda (20) of Chipise, Beitbridge, Venson Siwela (33) of Magwegwe in Bulawayo, Brenda Magayisa (31) of Dulivhadzimu, Beitbridge and David Mubvumbi (23) of Gokwe.
The other escapees were identified as Tapiwa Moyo (29) of Mberengwa, Godfrey Moyo (26) of Beitbridge Town, Wiseman Ngwenya (31) of Beitbridge Town, Morgen Moyo (23) of Madaulo, Beitbridge, Alex Mbedzi (35) of Chipise, Beitbridge, Thatho Mazibeli (20) of Masera, Beitbridge and Calvin Bete (25) of Chivhu.
Some of the escapees are part of those who were deported for violating immigration laws in the neighbouring country and were intercepted in different towns in Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.
So far 1 089 people have been deported from South Africa and 3 456 have returned on their own since the start of the lockdown.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said so far 225 people have escaped from quarantine centres across the country and 29 have been arrested. Police officer commanding Beitbridge, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo told Parliamentarians from the joint committees on Local Government, Peace and Security recently that there was a need to install barbed wire at the Nssa Hotel to minimise cases of people escaping.
“We have deployed manpower within and outside the quarantine but you will note that when that facility was built it was meant to be a hotel and now its use has changed and hence we should upgrade the security.
“The other challenge we are having with those that escape from quarantine is that they give false names and addresses upon arrival. We have tried to pursue several people but more often we hit brick walls,” said Chief Supt Nyongo. On Friday President Mnangagwa hinted that Government was considering reviewing the lockdown regulations due to the massive increase in Covid-19 positive cases. By Friday, the country had recorded 942 Covid-19 positive cases, 320 recoveries, 609 active cases and 13 deaths since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March. There were 16 new cases reported on Friday.
Addressing the Zanu-PF Ordinary Session of the Politburo meeting, the President said while the strategies that had been implemented by the country to date to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic were bearing fruit, there was a need to review the lockdown restrictions owing to the recent spike in infections.
Posting on his Twitter account last Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana said with the number of new cases in Bulawayo and Harare, there was need to consider tighening lockdown regulations in the two cities. Bulawayo had on Friday recorded 162 cases with Harare having recorded 288 cases.
“Harare has the vast majority of positive Covid-19 cases. Yesterday (Tuesday), Bulawayo recorded 30 of the 53 positive cases. If there is any scaling up of containment measures, a more surgical approach is better. It means full-scale lockdown should only apply to Harare and Bulawayo,” wrote Mr Mangwana.
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Dr Solwayo Ngwenya who has been vocal on the need for people to change their attitude relating to the pandemic, said what the Government and the general public should realise was that the country was yet to experience its worst wave of the pandemic. He said between August and September health experts were predicting that the country would experience a surge in infections and deaths due to Covid-19 hence the need for a change in approach by the Government.
“As health experts we are extremely worried with what is happening especially the behaviour of the public, people have totally disregarded social distancing measures, they are behaving as if there is no coronavirus. They wear masks incorrectly covering the mouth and leaving nose out, which is the major outlet which the virus goes through.
“We are further seeing the worrying trend of people actually dying from this pandemic, people are dying at home and diagnosed from the mortuary which means this thing is unknown and is already within our community. What is approaching with this winter is what is already happening in South Africa, there is going to be a massive surge in cases if nothing is done,” said Dr Ngwenya.
He said police must up their monitoring exercise on lockdown.
“We appreciate the Presidential thinking on reviewing the lockdown measures but while this lockdown has to be tightened the President has to consult widely on how he can keep the economy also functional. The truth is that everyone now knows of this virus but for most they have not yet had a first-hand account hence their resistance, so in the time being while the President consults on this pending review the police should now come in with a heavy hand in monitoring the public’s adherence to lockdown regulations.
But at the end of the day as health experts we would prefer a full blown lockdown for everyone except key workers, which I am confident is coming,” said Dr Ngwenya.
A 29-year-old gold dealer from Bulawayo was left counting his losses on Friday after robbers allegedly waylaid him and made off with US$80 000 that was stashed in his car’s glove compartment.
The incident happened in the evening outside a hotel in the Central Business District where the man had parked his car, a Toyota Allex. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, although he said the circumstances around the robbery were still under investigation.
“We are investigating a case in which a 29-year-old man from Bulawayo alleges that he was robbed while he was parked on a street somewhere in town. According to the man, he was parked when a group of men forced themselves into his car and attacked him. They then bundled him into the back of the car as they made off with some US$80 000 that was in his car. The victim alleges that the suspects did not steal anything else, including the car, but they made off with the money,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi urged members of the public to be vigilant and avoid keeping large amounts of money either at home or in their vehicles, as it increased their risk of being raided by criminals. Nonetheless, sources privy to the incident said after the man parked his car along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street, a man armed with a gun approached the car and broke a window on the driver’s side.
“With a gun still pointed at the victim’s face, two more men appeared from behind, forcefully throwing him into the back seat of the car. One of the aggressors then went straight for the glove compartment of the car where the victim had stashed the US$80 000.”
The source said one of the robbers was all along holding the victim by the throat in the back seat. The robbers then allegedly drove off to Matsheumhlope, where they dumped the victim and his car. Friday’s robbery comes in the wake of the car-jacking of a 44-year-old woman from Newton West suburb by armed robbers on Friday morning. The incident, which occurred at about 9.30am along Cecil Drive towards Matopos Road, saw the woman lose a Nissan Sylphy Bluebird, US$400 and a cellphone.
The announcement of newly-elected President Lazarus Chakwera’s first cabinet was met with outrage. Many Malawians were surprised at the ministerial appointments of a rich couple, the son of a former president and two siblings.
This is not the new broom they were expecting from Chakwera, who came to power after a tumultuous period in Malawian history that saw the nullification of the 2019 poll, months of sustained anti-government street protests and, eventually, a landslide victory for the opposition coalition led by Chakwera in last month’s presidential election re-run.
After braving teargas and intimidation to vanquish an increasingly dictatorial regime, the expectations of the new government are sky high. In his inspiring inaugural address, Chakwera promised change.
His large cabinet — there are 31 ministerial posts — has been met with accusations that he is resorting to favouritism and nepotism.
But Chakwera had a stern message for his cabinet, warning them that they had five months in which to prove to Malawians that change has come.
Among the appointments that appear to have rattled the public are the new deputy minister for lands, Abida Mia, who is married to the vice-president of the president’s party, Sidik Mia, who is now also the transport minister; the new minister of industry, Roy Kachale, who is the son of former president Joyce Banda; and the new ministers of health and labour, Khumbize Chiponda and Ken Kandodo Banda, who are siblings and are related to Malawi’s founding president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
Critics have also noted various conflicts of interest: the new minister of mining comes from a family that owns mines; the new minister of information owns a major broadcasting network (and is the sister-in-law of the new deputy agriculture minister).
On Thursday, a prominent civil society grouping, the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, visited Chakwera to spell out their concerns.
“The cabinet was long awaited, and it’s fair to say the reaction has been mostly negative,” said Boniface Dulani, the lead researcher at the Institute of Public Opinion and Research in Zomba.
Dulani said that most reaction has focused not on the qualifications of the appointees, but rather the relationships between them. “In my view, focus ought to be on whether the appointees are qualified or not to deliver on the government vision and to the extent possible, people’s expectations. This discussion is yet to start, sadly, as we get worked up on who is related to who in the cabinet.”
Danwood Chirwa, a law professor at Cape Town University, is another critic of the new cabinet. “The composition of the cabinet reflects backroom deals founded on pay for play, corruption and nepotism,” he said. “The entire cabinet stinks of incest, and the smell is quite frankly unbearable. It has been set up so that some families loot not just one ministry but two or more ministries.”
On Friday, the president gave a speech to respond to the concerns, saying that all appointments were made on merit alone.
“I want to assure all Malawians that in making any appointments, I will never consider what family or region one comes from nor whom one is married to. I believe that a just society is not only one in which familial, regional and marital ties do not qualify you for service, but also one in which those ties do not disqualify you for service. The only thing that counts is merit.”
He assured the country that this time would be different. Speaking directly to his new cabinet ministers, he said: “I want you to hear me and to hear me clearly …You each have five months to produce results that will give Malawians confidence that change has come. Should you prove the sceptics right by being lazy, abusive, wasteful, arrogant, extravagant, divisive and corrupt, I will not hesitate to have you replaced.”
HUNDREDS of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries followers recently besieged their leader Prophet Walter Magaya’s offices in Cape Town, South Africa, demanding refunds following a botched stands deal.
The followers said they wanted their money back since nothing had materialised three years after paying deposits.
Prophet Magaya has offered to refund local “partners” using an exchange rate of 1:1, despite having taken deposits in US dollars since 2016. The preacher has offered the same amount in Zimbabwe dollars.
Through Planet Africa, the investment arm of Prophet Magaya’s church, the followers were asked to pay varying deposits into a housing scheme.
In a grey agreement of sale, the investors (who are named as partners in the agreement) were informed that the stands’ sizes and prices were to vary and would be determined after the sub-division of the land.
The deposits ranged between US$1 000 and US$4 000, with the “partners” obliged to pay monthly subscriptions towards the scheme.
With a three-year tenure, the scheme was meant to provide the first batch of stands early this year but nothing has been delivered.
Speaking through his spokesman Admire Mango, Prophet Magaya said they were aware of the situation and would deliver as per promise once coronavirus pandemic eases.
“The lockdowns, not only in Zimbabwe but across the world, have affected all spheres of life. Once business returns to normal, we will continue with the housing project,” said Mango.
The housing project, with stands to be availed in Harare and Bulawayo, saw Zimbabweans investing in the scheme. Besides Cape Town, other Zimbabweans who invested in the project are in Australia, where a sizeable number are resident.
The housing scandal comes exactly a year after Prophet Magaya was accused of sexual misconduct. The PHD leader has failed to clear his name of the allegations levelled against him by his female congregants.
On July 7 last year, Sarah Maruta and Charity Dlodlo, in different no-holds barred confessions, alleged sexual impropriety on the part of the prophet. Their confessions were to open a can of worms as several other women made similar confessions.
This prompted the Gender Commission of Zimbabwe, a constitutional body, to issue a Government Gazette on August 23, 2019, inviting Prophet Magaya’s victims to come forward as part of its investigations to unravel how widespread the allegations were.
“The Government Gazette was also in line with our mandate to safeguard gender equality as enshrined in the Constitution,” explained Mr Tinashe Mazani, the legal officer for the Gender Commission in an interview on Friday.
However, a month after the gazette, Prophet Magaya was to approach the High Court (HC7347/19) seeking an interdict as he felt the Gender Commission did not have the jurisdiction and competence to carry out the investigations.
He contended that if there were any allegations of rape, it was the role of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to investigate, not the Commission. And if the allegations were of an adultery nature, it was not in the place of the Commission, either, to investigate.
Since the Commission had invited victims to approach it, “who were coming in, in their numbers”, Prophet Magaya then filed an urgent chamber application (HC7473/19) on September 6, which was heard on September 16 and judgement delivered on October 22.
The High Court decision was in favour of the Gender Commission continuing with its investigations. Prophet Magaya was to file a Supreme Court appeal (SC592/19) on October 30, which was heard on March 10 this year. The court reserved judgment on the hearing.
“So as the Gender Commission, we are waiting on the Supreme Court judgement as well as the initial High Court application, both which we believe will be landmark rulings as they will define the mandate, operations and scope of independent commissions, not just the Gender Commission,” said Mr Mazani.
Mr Mazani confirmed to this paper that they had compiled a number of cases by victims but could not be drawn into revealing the number as well as identities “as this will jeopardise our investigations, should they resume if the courts allow us to”.
“We also want to add that investigations into sexual misconduct, if any, are not only directed at Prophet Magaya as we also have on our files complaints against other men-of-cloth. This is not a one-man crusade but from the information that we have, it is a trend within most churches.
“Our argument is basically simple, that sexual allegations bring disharmony in households, that such allegations are different from, say fraud allegations. No man would be comfortable with his wife attending a church where such allegations are rife, which then becomes a nexus for gender inequality,” explained Mr Mazani.
By Godfrey Tsenengamu| 3 armed men pounced on my kids in Bindura at 12am today while they were asleep and terrorised them for 1 hour pretending to be from CID homicide looking for me. Whoever is doing this leave out my family and deal with me directly, you know where you can find me. I am not a fugitive.
The bid to completely take over the MDC Alliance offices by Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T moved to the Midlands province on Saturday when Redcliff councillor, Nyasha Benza led 15 other activists aligned to Khupe to grab party offices in the City.
MDC Alliance youth deputy chair for Midlands Thembinkosi Mulahleki narrated the incident to weekend media.
“Fifteen people, amongst them, councillor Nyasha Benza from Redcliff stormed this building and disrupted our meeting,” Mulahleki told journalists in Kwekwe, while flanked by provincial youth chairperson Sekai Marashe.
“They told us that we were supposed to vacate the premises before the group verbally assaulted us and threatened to unleash security forces on us if we don’t vacate the premises.
“Evictions are done legally.”
The MDC Alliance youth activists vowed they will not surrender the premises without a fight.
“We are the custodians of this building,” Mulahleki said.
“There is no legal document for eviction which they produced, there is no eviction order to support that they are the real owners of these premises.
“Under normal circumstances, it is the duty of the deputy sheriff who will be in a position of a court order.
“To our surprise, they forced their way.”
The youths vowed unwavering support for their embattled leader.
“We are very clear in our support for Advocate Pastor Nelson Chamisa.
“As a party, we will remain focused, we will defend our party legally and politically, we will put everything within our means to make sure everything we do is done properly and legally.
“We are going to defend our building up until we see real reasons that state that they are the real owners of the building,” he said.
A recent Supreme Court ruling placed party stewardship in the hands of Khupe who however does not enjoy as much internal support as her rival, Chamisa.
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OVER 11 000 Zimbabweans living in foreign lands have returned home since the COVID-19-induced lockdown, with thousands more still en-route and due to arrive over the next few weeks, official data shows.
Stung largely by job losses and untenable living conditions, many were retracing their footsteps back home.
Among the expected returnees, are over 1 000 Zimbabweans studying in the United States of America, who could be affected after the Donald Trump administration asked foreign students in the US, whose colleges have shifted to online teaching, to shift to schools that have in-person classes or leave the country.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a statement saying that non-immigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in that country. Zimbabwe is also expecting 300 of its citizens from China, mostly students who have completed their programmes.
About 100 of those students were expected to come with an Air Zimbabwe plane that was already in China by last week.
From South Africa, thousands await Government-assisted repatriation, with 300 Zimbabweans recently released from South African prisons being part of that delegation.
This group is currently detained at South Africa’s largest immigrant holding facility — Lindela Repatriation Centre — while Governments of the two countries arrange for their deportation.
The Sunday Mail has gathered that among the group were criminals convicted of serious crimes, including rape, armed robbery and murder.
They have all been slapped with five-year bans from South Africa.
The influx is raising serious concern about the possible importation of Covid-19 cases from hotspots such as the USA and South Africa.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo told The Sunday Mail that Government had requested South African authorities to delay the deportation of the criminals while arrangements were made on activating protocols to receive them safely.
He said the decision to deport the prisoners came after some inmates in South African prisons tested positive for Covid-19.
“We have more than 300 Zimbabweans who were released from various prisons in South Africa,” said Dr Moyo.
“South Africa called us to say we are releasing your people, but, however, some had completed their sentences in the various prisons.
“We negotiated with them so that they can at least keep them at the detention centre while we work on necessary arrangements and have them deported.”
He said the Registrar-General was now verifying the nationality of the released criminals before they are allowed into Zimbabwe.
Once verification is confirmed, the prisoners will be deported through Beitbridge Border Post.
He said Government is considering staggering the deportation to make sure quarantine centres are not overwhelmed.
“Our quarantine centres in Beitbridge are under a lot of pressure considering that we have huge numbers coming in through that port of entry.
“We are, therefore, considering having them deported in smaller groups or having them quarantined in their various provinces.”
The released prisoners, he added, have ceased to be the responsibility of the South African Department of Correctional Service and are now reliant on well-wishers for food.
“These people are dependent on well-wishers for food, toiletries and other needs, which makes their situation a sensitive one. Well-wishers, most of whom are Zimbabweans, are helping to ensure they have food and other stuff that they need.”
Official data obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that 11 074 returnees had trooped back as of Tuesday last week. Hundreds more were expected to arrive from China during the week. South Africa has accounted for most of the returnees, with 5 043 having returned from the neighbouring country, while a further 3 628 came in from Botswana.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister Mr David Musabayana said most of the returnees had been affected by adverse economic conditions in their adopted homes.
“In terms of total returnees, as at the 7th of July, we had 11 074, of those males are 6 073 and females are 5 001,” he said.
“The country that has given the most in terms of returnees is South Africa, which has given 5 043 returnees, followed by Botswana with 3 628 and Namibia with 357. From Mozambique, we have had 487 returnees and from Zambia we had 248.
“Outside of Africa, from the United States of America we have had 263 returnees and a further 241 from Miami, while only 174 have returned from the United Kingdom. From China we have had 580 returnees.”
He said all the returnees had gone through mandatory quarantine at designated centres throughout the country.
“Most of these people were working for different organisations using work permits and because of the lockdowns most organisations were closed and they were pushed out of work. So, most of them saw it fit to come back home. Some are saying they had their contracts cancelled and could not afford to continue paying rentals and other living expenses,” he said.
“Others have returned just because they felt it was time to come back home. Some were running away from epicentres and felt they would be safer at home.”
He revealed that Zimbabweans with permanent residence permits from South Africa but were caught up in the lockdown before they could return to their foreign bases had begun requesting facilitation for their safe passage back to their adopted homes.
“We have some Zimbabweans with permanent residence permits who were trapped here are and are now asking to return back to work, and we have since begun negotiating with South African authorities to allow them to go back.”
Government, he said, was creating a database of all Zimbabwean citizens who died from Covid-19 in foreign lands in order to ascertain the true impact it has had on the Zimbabwean Diaspora.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo says that schools will be opening as scheduled on the 28th of July to take away school children from being sexually abused with very little regard to the increasing Covid-19 cases in the country.
“For now, nothing has changed. Schools are reopening on July 28. However, we will be guided by President Mnangagwa and the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” Deputy Minister Moyo said.
“There is need for the opening of schools as we have been witnessing a surge in child labour and sexual abuse.
Moyo said teachers were undergoing training on health protocols that are expected when lessons resume. Most schools are working on acquiring essential Covid-19 personal protective equipment such as thermometers, sanitisers and face masks.
Deputy Minister Moyo said the opening of learning institutions amid the Covid-19 pandemic signalled a ‘new normal’.
“However, schools, which are providing face masks, sanitisers and controlled environments, are (ironically) deemed unsafe by some sections of society.
Teachers unions have been calling on Government to postpone re-opening schools and defer national examinations.
Meanwhile, final year students at polytechnics and vocational training centres resume studies tomorrow, with the Government satisfied with measures put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Studies were discontinued on March 24 as a pre-emptive intervention to prevent infections.
The Government turned most of the learning institutions into quarantine centres for locals returning from other countries. Authorities have since fumigated the centres.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said all preparatory work was now complete.
“We are satisfied with the preparations made by various institutions so far. We met with them and on Monday (tomorrow) colleges will open,” he said.
Universities reopened last month.
President Mnangagwa last week hinted that Government could scale up coronavirus preventive and containment measures.
There has been intense debate on the opening of schools worldwide.
South Africa recently reopened schools, but teacher trade unions are calling for their closure due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. Kenya last week announced that all schools would remain closed until January.
It also cancelled final year exams that are usually taken in October and November.
By Mkhululi Zulu Zapu Presidential Spokesperson| Zimbabweans are stunned by the venomous threats of violence vomited through the press by the two high ranking ZanuPF leaders Chinamasa and Matematanda against organisers of a yet to happen demonstration by the opposition.
What baffles the mind is that these men seem to try so hard to even control the thinking and feelings of Zimbabweans. So far, there is only some talk of a need to demonstrate against corruption and already there are guns blazing everywhere.
Matematanda, obviously suffering from an absolute political emptiness talks of being a war veteran. Many in his own party have publicly said he was just a taxi man in Zambia during the struggle. He was never what the masses saw here the real ‘vanamukoma” ‘obhudi” against the Rhodesians. People who now have no political relevance are always fast to dash to the past. When it comes to the current socio-economic realities, these bankrupt political personalities like Matematanda fall into some deep political quandary.
Hence they resort to primitive and babyish insult against individuals.
Not to be outdone, lest he loses whatever relevance he still has in his party, Chinamasa, despite his age and his legal exposure, utters what no sane lawyer can ever say. “Our cadres are ready to take up on anybody who attacks them”. Who has said that their cadres will be attacked? It is just a march to protest about lies,state sponsored looting of national resources to benefit those who are now abusing all the systems of governess, that is, the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. It is a march against some barbaric violence that the government does not want to clearly account for through thorough and transparent investigations.
They want to march against wanton arrests, endless physical and mental persecution. The people cannot forever live in perpetual fear without resisting even in the most harmless way such as simply expression a desire to demonstrate against their plight.
The two ZanuPF giants must vigorously address the shortage of mealie-meal, a situation that has seen desperate hungry people exposing themselves to the deadly covid-19 virus as they scramble for whatever mealie-meal is there whenever it is found. There is a lot of suffering that Chinamasa`s cadres would do well to confront in solving the financial issues. The Zimbabwe dollar tumbles as if there is a war. If Chinamasa had any sense of shame, he would divert his energy in mobilising the party cadres to deal with that as their children are also disgraceful economic refugees in other countries like Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Zapu understands these utterances and the actions by ZanuPF. The driving force is desperate regime preservation. They want to protect the loot that they have amassed at all cost. Meanwhile everyone should see this Zanu PF ogre that is now in the open.
By referring to the past events where the army murdered people mostly those who had nothing to do with the marchers, Chinamasa confirms the fallacy that his Principal has preposterously endeavoured to project. Indeed, all the pretence about a so called new order has been blasted open.
This can no longer be left to the starving, and toiling masses of Zimbabwe alone to solve. There is nothing that an old woman can do against a heavily armed and well fed soldier. Chinamasa boasts of what these soldiers did in the near past and calls them their “cadres”.
There is no record of violent clashes between members of different political parties. Soldiers in their full uniform have been deployed to shoot at demonstrators and at anyone who happens to be nearby. This is a clear message from Chinamasa.
Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 situation is getting more scary by each passing day. On Saturday, the country recorded 40 new cases bringing the total number of officially known cases to 982.
What complicates the situation further is the sudden increase in the number of deaths that has shot up to 18 with five deaths confirmed on Saturday.
The local cases include 10 health care workers from Mpilo hospital in Bulawayo and 3 other health workers from a quarantine facility in Matabeleland South.
5 of the local cases are contacts of known confirmed cases, while investigations are underway to establish the source of infection for the remaining 25.
The number of fatalities rose to 18 after five new deaths, 3 at a community level and 2 at a facility level, were recorded in Harare and Bulawayo provinces.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care reports that the deaths were detected during a routine post mortem exercise as part of the ministry’s coronavirus surveillance.
Reads the statement in part:
“Today we regret to report 5 deaths, 3 at the community level, and 2 at facility level. These deaths occurred in Harare and Bulawayo province and were detected during routine post mortem as part of our COVID-19 surveillance.”
The ministry added that it was awaiting full post mortem reports of the direct causes of death.
ZANU PF acting secretary for information, Patrick Chinamasa says the ruling party is ready to contest in the by elections in constituencies where MDC Alliance MPs were recalled by the MDC-T.
In a ZANU PF press conference on Friday, Chinamasa said the entire MDC can never need taken serious by voters because of its continuous splitting.
Simba Java, the brother to controversial socialite Passion Java has accused his brothers of being hypocrites who lie in front of cameras that they assisted him when they did not.
In an interview with ZimEye, Simba Java said he is not a womaniser as said by his brothers though he admitted to having babies out of wedlock.
I lost my sister early this morning. Am gutted,was at her hse on Wednes, we spent more than 5hrs together, she cooked lunch for us on the day & she wasn't complaining of anything. Was just phoned Fri that she complained of a headache on her way to work (American Embassy Hre)
— mawarire mbizvo jealousy (@mawarirej) July 12, 2020
THE following is a list of 14 positive coronavirus people who disappeared from Beitbridge Quarantine centre:
1. Name: Mercy Ndou 32 F Arrival date 02/07/2020 from Limpopo police station Date of admission: 02/07/2020 Absconded 10/07/2020 Passport# Nil Address: HH-Lukas Ndou, VH- Emmah Sibanda, Vil- Chaswingo, CH- Matibe, Beitbridge Next of Kin: Dorica Mudau( +263774477421) PCR Test done: Initial 03/07/2020, Rsults received 04/07 SARS COVID-19 Positive. Travel history: Limpopo since March 2020
2. Tumelo Nyathi 24 F Arrival date 02/07/2020 from Mussina Disappeared: 10/07/2020 Passport # Nil Address: HH- Jason Nyathi, Village head:Casper Mudau, Chief: Staudze, District – Beitbridge Next of kin Jason Nyathi, contact # Nil PCR Test done: Initial 03/07/2020, Results rrceived 03/07 COVID-19 positive Travel History: Limpopo
3. Patience Mudau 26 F Arrival Date: 02/07/2020 from Johanesburg Date of admission: 0200/07/2020 Disappeared 10/07/2020 Passport/ ID # Nil Phone # nil Address: HH-Lukas Ndou, VH- Emmah Sibanda, Vil- Chaswingo, Chief- Matibe, Beitbridge. Next of Kin: Vigilant Mudau (+263 774703027) PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020, Results received 04/07 COVID-19 positive Travel history: Johanesburg
4. Innocent Sibanda 20 M (contact + 263 717152007) Arrival Date: 03/07/2020 Mussina Date of admission: 04/07/2020 Disappearance date: 10/07/2020 Passport/ID # Nil Address: HH- Dowelani Dube, VH- Vhulayani, Vil Chipise, Ch: Matibe, Beit bridge. Next of Kin: Alex Mbedzi (+27 780020622) PCR Test done: Initial: 03/07/2020 Results Received 04/07 COVID -19 positive Travel history: Mussina
5. Venson Siwela 33 M Arrival Date: 03/07/2020 from Thohoyandou Date of admission: 04/07/2020 Disappearance date: 10/07/2020 Passport # Nil Phone # nil Address: 1541/2 Magwegwe North, Bulawayo. Next of kin: Clement Gumbo ( +263 772336505) PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020 Rsults received 04/07 COVID- 19 positive Trsvel history: Thohoyandou
6. Brenda Magayisa 31 F Arrival Date: 03/07/2020 Thohoyandou Date of admission: 03/07/2020 Absconded 10/07/2020 Passport# Nil Phone # nil Address: 2147 Mashavire Beitbridge Next of Kin: Mambondiyani Mikel (+263 772742236) PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020 Results received 04/07 COVID -19 positive Travel history: Thohoyandou
7. David Mubvumbi 23 M(contact +263 787590759) Arrival Date: 02/07/2020 from Polokwane Date of admission: 03/07/2020 Absconded: 10/07/2020 Passport # Nil Phone # nil Address: HH- Elisha Mubvumbi VH- Tongwe, Chief- Njelele. Gokwe Next of kin Elisa Mumvimi (+263 779416559) PCR Test done: Initial 02/07/2020 Results received 03/07 COVID-19 positive Travel history: Polokwane.
8. Tapiwa Moyo 29 M Arrival Date: 02/07/2020 from Limpopo Date of admission: 04/07/2020 Absconded: 10/07/2020 Passport/ID # Nil Phone # nil Address: HH- Tinash Moyo, VH- Ndembe Shumba, Chief: Mposi Hamandishe. Mberengwa Next of kin Tinashe Moyo(contact # nil) PCR Tests done Initial 03/07/2020 Results received 04/07 COVID-19 positive Travel history: Limpopo
9. Godfrey Moyo 26 M Arrival Date:02/07/2020 Limpopo Date of admission: 02/07/2020 Absconded: 10/07/2020 Passport/ID# Nil Phone # +263 717313028 Address: 2042 Dulibadzimu T/ship, Beitbridge Next of kin Shumirai Makobwe (wife) +263 77742132 PCR Tests done: Initial 02/07/2020 Results received 03/07 COVID-19 positive Travel history: Limpopo
10. Wiseman Ngwenya 31 M Arrival Date: 03/07/2020 from Limpopo Date of admission: 03/07/2020 Absconded: 10/07/2020 Passport/ID# Nil Phone # nil Address: HH- Elizabeth Ngwenya, VH -Boy/ Doyitoyi Vil Madaulo, Chief Matibe Beitbridge Next of kin: Richard Ngwenya PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020 Results received 04/07 COVID -19 positive Travel history: Limpopo since 04/06/2020
11. Morgen Moyo 23 M Arrival Date: 03/07/2020 from Limpopo Date of admission: 03/07/2020 Absconded: 10/07/2020 Passport/ID # Nil Phone# nil Address: HH- Vhengani Moyo, VH-Boy, Vil Madaulo, Chief: Matibe Beitbridge Next of kin Richard Ngwenya( contact nil) PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020 Results received 04/07 COVID-19 positive. Travel history: Limpopo prison since 4/06/2020
12. Alex Mbedzi 35 M Arrival date: 03/07/2020 from Thohoyandou Date of admission: 04/07/2020 Absconded 10/07/2020 Passport/ID # Nil Phone # nil Address: HH- Thowelani Dube, Vh- Vhulahani Dube, Vil- Chipise. Beitbridge Next of kin Thowelani Dube (contact +263 717152007) PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020 Recsults received 04/07 COVID-19 positive Travel history: Thohoyandou & Limpopo prisons (R.S.A) since 24/05/2020.
13. Thatho Mazibeli 20 F Arrival Date: 02/07/2020 Limpopo province Date of admission: 02/07/2020 Absconded: 10/07/2020 Passport/ID# Nil Phone# nil Address: HH- Musawenkosi Mazibeli, VH- Casper Mudau, Vil 2 Masera, Chief- Staudze Beitbridge Next of kin Musawenkosi Dube PCR Tests done: Initial 03/07/2020 Results received 04/07 COVID-19 positive Travel history: Limpopo (R.S.A) since January 2020
14. Calvin Bete 25 M Arrival Date: 02/07/2020 Date of admission: 02/07/2020 Absconded 10/07/2020 Passport/ID # Nil Phone # nil Address: HH- Togara Bete, VH- Mashonganyika, Chief- Chivese. School- Chikomba Pry, Chivu, Mash East. Next of kin Allen Bete (brother contact +263 773260848) PCR Tests done: Initial 02/07/2020 Results received 03/07 COVID -19 positive Travel history: Limpopo prison
NINE families escaped an inferno that razed down their homes at the Zimbabwe Republic Police camp in Norton this Friday night, destroying property worth thousands of goods.
The families are lucky to have survived the merciless fire that destroyed their belongings.
The affected families are now counting losses but even as they put a brave face, their voice betrays the trauma that they still feel after the incident.
Hours after the inferno, the smoke from what used to be these families’ belongings serves as a nasty reminder of their near encounter with death.
Norton legislator, Honourable Temba Mliswa has since donated food and sourced temporary accommodation for the affected families.
“This is a moment that requires us to respond to, and so we have mobilised food aid for all the family members and also sourced for accommodation to temporarily house them while we look for other alternatives to accommodate these families.”
The Zimbabwe Republic police expressed its gratitude.
“We want to thank the local MP for this intervention which comes together with the other assistance that we are doing as the ZRP to respond to the plight of our members after this unfortunate incident,”said Officer Commanding Mashonaland West Province Commissioner Priscilla Makotose.
Commissioner Makotose said the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
Daniel Farke says he has no regrets about how Norwich went about the season after they were relegated from the Premier League.
A 4-0 defeat against West Ham confirmed Norwich’s return to the Championship with three games still to go.
Despite relegation, Farke said the club’s future is bright. “Our situation as a club is quite comfortable because we don’t have any financial pressure at all,” said the German.
Norwich’s seventh successive league defeat – after Michail Antonio scored all four of West Ham’s goals – left Farke’s side anchored at the foot of the table, 13 points from safety with only three games to play.
Farke was appointed Norwich boss in May 2017, soon after the Canaries had finished eighth in the Championship table.
They finished 14th in his first campaign before winning the Championship in 2018-19.
“I’m really disappointed. We wanted to beat the odds again but when the dust settles the outcome is more or less what was expected,” said Farke.
“When I came here we needed to develop young players and sell them to keep the club going. We were able to do this and we sold James Maddison.
“Then the second season no-one expected anything but we were able to stage a miracle.
“We won the Championship title with a special brand of football. We were not able to add a third miracle in a row against all odds.”-BBC
“I think I made a mistake. I thought this was a hoax, but it’s not.”
Those were the final words of a 30-year-old patient who died at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio this week after attending a so-called “COVID party,” according to the hospital.
Dr. Jane Appleby, chief medical officer for Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital, said in a recorded statement that the unidentified patient told nurses about the party, which she said is hosted by someone diagnosed with coronavirus.
“The thought is people get together to see if the virus is real and if anyone gets infected,” Appleby said.
Appleby said she shared the story not to scare people, but to make sure they understand that the virus can affect anyone.
Bexar County, where San Antonio is located, currently has 18,602 confirmed cases, with an increase of 923 on Friday, according to the Department of Health.
The age range with the most cases were in people aged 20 to 29, making up 24%, and 30 to 39, making up 20%, according to the department.
Appleby said her hospital is seeing more cases in people in their 20s and 30s.
She said while some can be treated and discharged, others become seriously ill.
Appleby warned that the virus “doesn’t discriminate” and encouraged the public to wear a mask and stay home as much as possible.
GRAIN millers have tabled a proposal to increase the price of subsidised roller meal from $70 to between US$2,50 and US$3,50 per 10 kilogramme to cushion themselves from operational challenges.
The millers have all along complained that the subsidy by the Government on roller meal was crippling their business as in some cases they were paid months after delivering the mealie-meal. They also complained that by the time they are paid the money would have lost value due to the deprecation of the local dollar against major foreign currencies.
The Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) which represents a majority of maize-meal businesses, on Friday said they will be forced to peg the price of mealie-meal at between US$2,50 and $3,0 or equivalent of the local currency at prevailing inter-bank rate in the coming weeks.
In a statement after holding a crucial meeting with Government and other stakeholders in Bulawayo, where the organisation sought to bring to the fore its challenges in addressing the perennial shortage of mealie-meal and finding an amicable way to provide affordable mealie-meal, GMAZ said the price of $70 was now unsustainable.
During the closed-door meeting, the millers sat down with the Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and that of Industry and Commerce to argue their case.
GMAZ chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said millers were failing to access foreign currency to purchase grain, which is the main reason they are forced to up prices. Zimbabwe needs 1,8 million tonnes of grain annually and the country is relying on imported grain for maize-meal and flour products following the devastating drought that hit the country.
“We are proposing that a 10kg bag of maize meal should cost between US$2,50 and US$3,50,” said Mr Musarara.
According to Mr Musarara, the price will be converted to the local currency using the official bank rate which currently stands at 1: 65, meaning retailers will sell the cheapest brand of a 10kg pack at about ZWL$165. The proposed price is set to be the benchmark to help millers sustain their enterprises and also adequately supply the country.
“Currently a 10kg of the subsidised mealie-meal costs about US$1. That amount is cheap considering what the rest of the region is charging for the same product,” said Mr Musarara.
He said maize imports require foreign currency to which millers are failing to access.
“Our argument is that currently, we are using foreign currency to import maize. We can even pay the farmers at the prevailing bank rate. In that way, we will be empowering the farmers as they will be able to import their own inputs.”
Mr Musarara said on relaying their concerns at the meeting, they asked Government to pay the maize subsidy in advance to avert inflation on the value chain. He said if their proposals are met, millers will be able to meet national demand in a space of 10 days.
Following other structural challenges that came about with the onset of Covid-19 restrictions, the supply of mealie-meal to retailers had been smooth sailing in the months of April and May. GMAZ had put in place a zonal distribution plan that made it easy for consumers to access the basic commodity. Of late, there has been an acute shortage of mealie-meal, with the product being sold on the street market at prices beyond the reach of many. Most dealers are selling a 10kg bag for as much as US$5.
Farai Dziva|Government has reportedly fired hospital CEOs in a desperate attempt to bring sanity to the health sector.
However, health experts have warned that the move is unlikely to resolve the deepening crisis in the troubled sector.
Below is an article that was published by Health Times :
The Health Services Board (HSB) has reportedly fired all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in government hospitals in a ‘restructuring exercise’.
HSB Board Chair Paulinos Sikhosana told Health Times that the restructuring was meant to bring sanity in all public health institutions.
Said Sikhosana: There is a restructuring going to improve efficiency effectiveness and integrity, so that’s the only statement that I can tell you.
Zimbabwe’s public health system is in a bind, the health minister Obadiah Moyo was fired recently for allegedly awarding tenders for medicines and consumables worth US$60 million to a company which had failed due diligence.
Nurses have been on an indefinite strike demanding better remuneration while the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 is increasing daily with cases nearing 1 000.
Former officer-in charge of Gweru CID, Detective inspector, Leonard Gwandu, was on Thursday jailed for an effective two years after being convicted of criminal abuse of office after he released a stolen vehicle.
Gwandu released a vehicle stolen in South Africa that was being held by the police as an exhibit in December last year, without following procedures.
He pleaded guilty. Gweru regional magistrate Mrs Phathekile Msipa initially sentenced him to three years before suspending one year on condition of good behaviour.
For the State, Mrs Namatirai Chipere proved that on December 14 last year, Gwandu released a Toyota Hillux truck, which had been confiscated from local businessman Mr Shepherd Tundiya despite the fact that the car was being kept as an exhibit and should eventually be handed over to the South African police.
Tundiya was arrested in connection with the stolen vehicle that he had bought, and had been acquitted. But there was no order to release the car in question. — Herald
THE director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Tuesday the coronavirus outbreak is “accelerating, and we have clearly not reached the peak of the pandemic”.
“More than six months in, the case for national unity and global solidarity is undeniable,” he said at a WHO briefing. “We cannot afford any divisions.”
Tedros stressed that while global deaths have levelled off, many countries are actually seeing cases and deaths rise.
Dr Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said there are several possible explanations for a global death decline.
One explanation, he said, could simply be that there is a lag, and we may see deaths rise again.
Ryan warned, however, that what is imminently concerning is a daily increase in cases.
“That is not purely a result of testing,” he said.
According to Tedros, a team of WHO experts will be travelling to China this week to advance research working to understand how the novel coronavirus first reached humans.
Ryan said understanding how the virus got from the animal kingdom to humans is an “extremely important” step in managing risk going forward- The Sunday Mail
Own Correspondent| Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has accused opposition MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, of planning the 31 July protests.
Chinamasa warned that Advocate Chamisa could face the music together with his followers.
Addressing journalists after the Zanu PF politburo meeting, Chinamasa said as a party they would not allow a repeat of the 1 August 2018 and 14 January 2019 situation where protesters targeted government and private property for destruction.
He accused Chamisa of being a coward who should this time ‘come in front and face the music’ instead of being absent from the place of action.
“We have also noted that social media platforms are being used to organize violent demonstrations aimed at overthrowing our constitutionally constituted government.
Those doing so must stand warned and the law will not hesitate to deal with them,” said Chinamasa.
Chinamasa repeats @nelsonchamisa three times linking the MDC President to Tsenengamu's 31July Demo. ZANU PF threatens Chamisa with 1 Aug style military crackdown pic.twitter.com/kYEJEFU5Re
A man who had been arrested for unlawful entry and was on the police wanted list since April yesterday set on fire four blankets at Hillside Police Station in Bulawayo in a suspected case of arson.
Police said the man who was violent, torched the blankets while he was handcuffed. Police, however, managed to put out the fire before more blankets and material at the station could be burnt. Bulawayo police provincial spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident, adding that the suspect had been on the police wanted list for unlawful entry and had been on the run since April. He said the suspect (29) was violent when he was brought to the station by his uncle yesterday morning.
“He had been wanted for unlawful entry and his uncle brought him in this morning (yesterday) but in the process of detaining he became violent and it was felt he was dangerous and had to be restrained with handcuffs. The officers felt the suspect could not be locked within the cells but was allowed to remain within the perimeter fence of the cells,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the man was later referred to Ingutsheni Central Hospital as he was suspected to be mentally ill. He said they believed he defaulted on taking his medication for mental illness and that could be the reason why his relatives handed him over to the police.
“His relatives confirmed he is a mental patient and we felt it proper to take him to Ingutsheni,” said Insp Ncube.
A source at the station said the suspect had threatened to commit suicide before burning the blankets. When a Sunday News crew arrived at Hillside Police Station the suspect was in the charge office after being restrained and went into an incomprehensible monologue claiming it was the police who wanted to burn him inside the cell. The crew also observed several blankets lying inside the perimeter fence of the cells. -Sunday News
Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu has claimed members of the ruling party will join the July 31 protests.
According to Tsenengamu, the majority of Zanu PF members are willing to participate in the protests against corruption.
Tsenengamu, quoted by Daily News said:
The whole nation is in agreement against what the looters are doing.
They will be surprised that on July 31, the majority of Zanu PF members are going to be part of the protest against corruption. We are talking with some senior Zanu PF members.
Some are even … telling us that they are tired of corruption … we are working with them. Wait and see how many people are going to come out from Zanu PF who will be supporting this protest. There are many.
This is not about factions, it’s about people who are victims of corruption.
Our President, Denis Juru has been diagnosed COVID-19 positive. His condition is stable.
He is advising all members and general public to exercise extreme caution on Coronavirus.
Please you are advised to avoid unnecessary movements, exercise social distancing, wear face mask in public always and self isolation if you develop any of COVID-19 symptoms.
Coronavirus is real let’s fight it by staying home.
Together we will win it…
International Cross Border Traders Association.
Information desk
THE Covid-19 death toll has jumped to 13 following the death of three people in Harare on Thursday and one person from Matabeleland North yesterday as confirmed cases climbed to 942.
Harare leads in the national Covid-19 death toll with six people having succumbed to the virus.
On Thursday, 41 new Covid-19 cases were recorded, 36 of them local transmissions while 16 more were recorded on Friday.
The three new deaths at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Hospitals were posthumously confirmed.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care daily report of July 9, said from the 51 cases recorded in Bulawayo on Wednesday, 21 of them were health workers and 18 of them work at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH).
“To date the total number of confirmed cases is 942 including 320 recovered, 609 active cases, and 13 deaths since the onset of the outbreak on March 20 2020,” reads the report.
UBH acting chief executive officer Dr Narcissus Dzvanga said in light of escalating Covid-19 cases, members of the public should adhere to laid down prevention measures including wearing of masks.
He said the country is expected to start recording increased cases due to the winter season. “People should take due caution.
I’m one advocate for wearing a mask at all times not just in public places. Hand hygiene plays a big role in the control of this virus. It’s a winter virus and this is the time for it to raise its ugly head.
It’s worrying that it is affecting our staff but this is where we are supposed to find it. It was going to be more deadly if we are to find such numbers in the community.
But if it is in a treatment centre, this is one of the occupational risks that are there and we have to rise and ensure that there is appropriate PPEs,” he said-Chronicle
By A Correspondent- A concerned citizen, using the Twitter handle, @sbusisoStephen, says the Zimbabwean government is not serious at all in dealing with COVID-19, the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus.
Khumalo narrates an incident which resulted in his wife, who works at a private surgery, contracting the virus and possibly passing it on to dozens of people who visited the surgery and also on the bus as she uses public transport from home to work and vice versa.
He wrote:
My wife works at a private surgery in Zimbabwe.
On the 28 of June, a sick person was admitted at their surgery the patient spent 1 night in surgery. The day shift workers who were direct contact to the patient are 4 including my wife.
On that day my wife used public transport to go home because of fuel shortages and other workers also used public transport (overloaded ZUPCO buses).
On 29 June that is the following day the patient became very sick and they suspect COVID-19.
The taskforce team came and took the patient. The surgery continued it’s business, as usual, treating other patients. All workers who were in direct contact with the patient continued their duties (they came to work with ZUPCO went home with ZUPCO).
On 30 June the report came that the patient who was taken by the COVID-19 taskforce has passed away (MHSRP) and he was COVID-19 positive. The taskforce ordered the surgery to be closed and disinfected.
The workers were not told of what’s happening and the following day they work up went to work using ZUPCO, only to find closed surgery and the task force waiting for them to give the names of people visited the surgery, after the infected person.
The taskforce asked all workers to go for self-quarantine and be tested after 7 days. The taskforce did not provide transport therefore the workers use ZUPCO busses.
My wife was self-quarantining for 7days. On day 7, the task force came and tested her. On day 9 the results came and she tested positive for COVID 19.
The reality is that the government is not serious about fighting COVID-19.
By Nomusa Garikai- “We have noted social media platforms to plan and organise violent protests and overthrow a constitutionally elected government,” said Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa following the Zanu PF politburo meeting.
“Let me say to (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa and those who are calling for demonstrations on July 31, what happened (protesting) on August 1, 2018 will not happen again, what happened on January 16, 2019 will not happen again.
“We want to send this warning loud and clear to Chamisa that whatever you’re threatening on July 31, we say, come to the front and face the risk.”
There are three points to be noted here:
1) Zanu PF can claim to be “the constitutionally elected government” from the roof top of every house and hut in the land that will not change the reality on the ground – the party blatantly rigged the July 2018 elections. ZEC failed to produce something as basic as a verified voters’ roll, a common sense and legal requirement. The July 2018 elections were no more legal than the November 2017 military coup that preceded it and that too was declared “legal, justified and constitutional.
2) MDC and the rest of the opposition participated in the 2018 elections regardless of all the warning not to and evidence the elections will be rigged because Zanu PF was giving away a few gravy-train seats. So, it was the enthusiastic participation of the opposition that gave the flawed elections the modicum of credibility and by extension the otherwise illegitimate Zanu PF regime the modicum of legitimacy.
After all if Zimbabweans, or be it the greed and corrupt opposition, have no objections to having elections without even a verified voters’ roll; throwing the door wide open to many voters being denied the vote, to multiple voting, etc.; there is little outsiders can do about it. The country is once again paying dearly for the folly of having a corrupt, incompetent and sell-out opposition.
When MDC leaders failed to implement even one democratic reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU the party lost all political credibility and we, the people of Zimbabwe, should have deserted the party in droves. We did not and now the party is the one giving legitimacy to the vote rigging and illegitimate Zanu PF!
3) 40 years of gross mismanagement, rampant corruption and rank lawlessness have reduced Zimbabwe into a Banana Republic whose economy is in ruins and up to 34% of the people now live in abject poverty. The corona virus outbreak is dragging the nation into even greater economic despair and humanitarian crisis. The economic and humanitarian situation is socially and morally unsustainable. The country is crying for meaningful political and economic change and an end to all the madness that has brought up all this mess.
Change is nature and it is very naïve of this Zanu PF regime to think it can stop change. By blatantly rigging the elections Zanu PF delayed change but more significantly it has blocked peaceful change and left the country in this precarious situation where violence is the only way to bring about change. The need for change is now so urgent that no amount of violence by Zanu PF will stop change. Indeed, the brutality by the regime will only add to the bottled anger and frustration against the regime and thus justify the violence to end the Zanu PF dictators
“We shall never quiver or capitulate in the face of these machinations. Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party, a party of liberation, a party with a rich ideology, a rich history and a vision for the future,” said Mnangagwa.
34% of the people live is abject poverty, they cannot afford one decent meal a day much less the other basic necessities such as education for their children and health care. No matter how many more innocent protestors are gunned down by the regime, they will never accept that abject poverty was what they aspired for much less their vision of the future!
Change is coming, it is a great tragedy that Zanu PF has forced the nation into a corner where violence is the only way to remove the regime from office. Those advocating violence, will be held to account for all the death and destruction the violence brings!
Zanu PF has blatantly rigged the elections, denying the people their freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country. It is nonsense to rig elections and then use brute force to impose itself.
By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) representatives have expressed concern over the state of affairs at some quarantine centres in the country.
Superintendent Batsirai Mungwa, who is responsible for police operations in Matabeleland South province, told a Matabeleland South provincial Covid-19 taskforce committee meeting on Wednesday that there is a need to beef up security at the centres. He said:
There is a huge challenge when it comes to quarantine centres in the province as some don’t have proper security systems such as locks on the doors and perimeter fences.
For example, Pangani Training Centre in Filabusi doesn’t have a perimeter fence which means that those under quarantine can have contact with the community.
The loopholes in the security system allow returnees to escape. A day ago, two fled from Pangani Training Centre. There is a need for the department responsible to look into upgrading the security systems as soon as possible.
Lieutenant Melissa Mandudye from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) revealed that military personnel do not have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) yet they are tasked with dealing with some people infected by the novel coronavirus.
She said:
Our officers who are stationed at quarantine centres have a challenge as they don’t have the necessary protective clothing.
They are only operating with masks and sanitisers yet they have to monitor and supervise people that are Covid-19 positive which then puts them at risk.
Only workers from the Ministry of Health and Child Care are being catered for when it comes to the provision of PPE.
For example, if an officer comes across a Covid-19 patient attempting to escape and confronts him or her, the individual just threatens to cough on the officer and the officer immediately stops advancing.
There is therefore urgent need to equip all those working at quarantine centres with adequate PPE to enable them to effectively carry out their duties.
When I was growing up K. Moyana was the Governor of the Reserve Bank. That man never made a public speech. Most of us never knew how he looked. The only thing we knew about him was his signature on bank notes. He was leadership.
At least 209 people have escaped from compulsory quarantine for returning residents in Zimbabwe, state media reported.
The police have managed to arrest 28 people who escaped from quarantine centres countrywide. On Monday, 10 returnees, two of them Covid-19 positive, escaped from quarantine centres countrywide, The Herald reported.
Two Covid-19-positive people escaped from Pangani Training Centre in Matabeleland South, seven escaped from Bulawayo Polytechnic and the 10th escaped from Mushagashe Training Centre in Masvingo.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police were concerned about the increase in the numbers of escapees.
He said investigations were under way to determine how these people were escaping from the centres.
“We still believe that they are taking advantage of the porous security fences and walls at some of these institutions and other surroundings that don’t have lights.”
Daily newspaper The Chronicle reported that the police and army were worried about the conditions at quarantine centres because they made it easy for the coronavirus to spread.
Superintendent Batsirai Mungwa, who is responsible for police operations in Matabeleland South province, said there was a need to set up proper security systems at quarantine centres.
He said some returnees were taking advantage of security loopholes to escape from quarantine centres.
“There is a huge challenge when it comes to quarantine centres in the province as some don’t have proper security systems such as locks on the doors and perimeter fences. For example, Pangani Training Centre in Filabusi doesn’t have a perimeter fence, which means that those under quarantine can have contact with the community,” he said.
He said it was also difficult to provide enough personnel to guard these areas as police had other duties, such as manning roadblocks.
People returning to Zimbabwe from other countries are first placed under quarantine as part of measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the government has banned churches from conducting services in schools, stating that they are increasing the chances of spreading the virus when schools open later this month.
Churches were recently allowed to resume services albeit under strict conditions, including adherence to physical distancing, use of hand sanitisers, temperature testing and limiting the number of congregants to 50.
Norwich City were condemned to a record fifth relegation from the Premier League as Michail Antonio’s four-goal blitz fired West Ham to a 4-0 win at Carrow Road on Saturday.
A seventh successive league defeat for Daniel Farke’s side sealed their fate as Antonio’s ruthless display boosted West Ham’s own survival bid.
Norwich are 13 points from safety with only three games left, meaning they are certain to make an immediate return to the Championship after last season’s promotion campaign.
The Canaries have become accustomed to relegation in the Premier League era, going down on four previous occasions in 1995, 2005, 2014 and 2016.
Farke was already resigned to relegation before this weekend given Norwich had lost every game since the coronavirus hiatus.
With all games being played behind closed doors, some Norwich fans might have been relieved not to have to watch the embarrassment of their limp demise in person.
In truth, they have looked out of their depth among the Premier League elite from the moment they paid the price for a naively attacking game-plan in a 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
Farke was hamstrung by Norwich’s decision not to spend big money on new signings following their promotion.
Once Teemu Pukki’s early-season goal rush dried up, they have been on a relentless slide towards the Championship.
A 3-2 win over Manchester City was a rare highlight but just weeks later a 5-1 home defeat against Aston Villa underlined the problems undermanned Norwich would endure all season.
Norwich now face losing promising youngsters Todd Cantwell and Max Aarons to Premier League clubs when the transfer window opens.
West Ham’s second win in four games was a huge lift to their hopes of staying up.
David Moyes’ side are six points above the bottom three with three games left against Watford, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
The early signs were ominous for Norwich as West Ham took the lead in the 11th minute.
Arriving to meet Issa Diop’s flick from Jarrod Bowen’s corner, Antonio volleyed into the roof of the net from close-range for his third goal in his last four games.
Norwich were surrendering with a whimper and Antonio pushed them closer to the relegation trap-door in first half stoppage-time.
Rising above the meek challenge of two Norwich defenders, Antonio glanced his header into the far corner from Mark Noble’s free-kick.
Antonio was proving unplayable for the leaky Norwich rearguard and he completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute, looping a header into the net after Tim Krul saved his initial effort.
Antonio completed a memorable personal performance with his fourth goal in the 74th minute, coolly finishing from Ryan Fredericks’ cross.
Troy Deeney scored two penalties as Watford improved their survival prospect with a 2-1 win against Newcastle at Vicarage Road.
There was a minute’s silence for former Republic of Ireland boss Jack Charlton, the 1966 England World Cup winner who died on Friday aged 85.
It was especially poignant for Newcastle as Charlton was born nearby in Ashington and had a spell as Magpies manager in the 1984-85 season.
Newcastle snatched the lead in the 23rd minute when Matt Ritchie’s corner was flicked on by Federico Fernandez and Dwight Gayle bundled home at the far post for his third goal of the season.
But Deeney pulled Watford level seven minutes after the restart.
Kiko Femenia was clipped inside the area by Ritchie and Deeney smashed the penalty past Martin Dubravka.
In the 82nd minute, Javier Manquillo brought down Ismaila Sarr and Deeney stepped up again to bury his second penalty.
Fourth bottom Watford are now six points clear of third bottom Bournemouth, who face Leicester on Sunday.
Second bottom Aston Villa are seven points adrift of safety before Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace.
THE ruling Zanu-PF party yesterday said it would deal harshly with the planned protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government on July 31, evoking memories of killings by the army of civilians in 2018 and January last year.
Six civilians were shot dead in the post-election violence on August 1, 2018, while human rights groups say 17 people were killed by security agents during the protests against an increase in the price of fuel in January last year.
Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa told journalists after a politburo meeting that anyone protesting should be aware of the risk.
“We have noted social media platforms to plan and organise violent protests and overthrow a constitutionally elected government,” he said.
“Let me say to (MDC Alliance leader Nelson) Chamisa and those who are calling for demonstrations on July 31, what happened (protesting) on August 1, 2018 will not happen again, what happened on January 16, 2019 will not happen again.
“We want to send this warning loud and clear to Chamisa that whatever you’re threatening on July 31, we say, come to the front and face the risk.”
Zimbabweans have seen their incomes and savings being eroded by rising inflation for the second time in a decade and accuse Mnangagwa of failing to live up to his pre-election promise to revive the economy and of returning to the dark days under his predecessor Robert Mugabe by using the military to crush dissent.
Mnangagwa promised a clean break from the Mugabe era, who was removed in a coup by his military chiefs in November 2017, but is accused of sending the army to conduct night raids, and beating suspected opposition activists in the townships in previous protests.
Opposition Transform Zimbabwe president Jacob Ngarivhume is leading the campaign, which has been endorsed by several opposition leaders including Chamisa.
“To Chamisa, we say don’t be a coward, you are always never found in front. If you do whatever you are threatening, come to front and face the risks,” Chinamasa challenged.
“Our cadres are there to take on anybody who attacks the government. Zanu-PF members will have the right to defend our homes, people and properties. He should not be cowardly, let him come in front and face it.”
He added: “We thank the organisers of the July 31 protests for warning us because as Zanu-PF, we were sleeping with all eyes closed, but now, we will sleep with one eye closed and the other opened.”
Addressing the politburo, Mnangagwa warned of the possible tightening of lockdown measures in what observers say was a move aimed at foiling the protests.
“Although there is a visible spike in the number of positive cases, largely due to returnees, we shall continue to strengthen our preventive measures as well as our testing and contact tracing capacity,” Mnangagwa said.
“I urge the party (Zanu-PF) to continue to be in the forefront of raising the awareness levels in our communities of the dangers of this pandemic. The recent rapid spike of infections requires that we make another review of the lockdown of the COVID-19 lockdown measures.”
Chinamasa also claimed there was weaponisation of social media to vilify Mnangagwa and his family. He insisted schools would reopen on July 28.
Former ZANU PF politburo member and leader of opposition United Democratic Alliance, Dr Daniel Shumba has warned the Zimbabwean masses against being used again by politicians, this time to remove the incumbent government.
We present Shumba’s Twitter thread in full below:
The Second Rape! Important to examine the 31st July second coup (sugar-coated as a citizen uprising). The advocates are known associates and practitioners of the Zanu PF regime, but now acting as proxies of the Junta in a forced change of guard. Non will say #ZanupfMustGo
Citizens must refuse to be used by the Military to remove @edmnangagwa and his tribesmen in a calculated move to create a (National Transitional Authority) NTA led by either @CGChiwanga_ or @MinisterSBMoyo. Refuse to be used in Season 2 of the Coup. The activities of a rogue Pastor mustn’t be underestimated.
The Junta aren’t God to determine who rules Zimbabwe. This is an alliance some churchmen, coup conspirators, corrupt gurus, unconstitutional peddlers, and serious human rights abusers. No reforms can be expected from these thugs. When God is in it no man will get the credit.
Nothing less than a #ZanupfMustGo action is tolerable. No Military initiative or entitlement should be acceptable. An NTA can’t be superintendent by the captors and proxies. We need sophisticated minds to unpack the current conspiracy.
An uprising is never deliberate nor do you give a Warning Order. It’s driven by a deep resolve and anger and is instantaneous. I challenge the proxies to disprove that the 31st July isn’t an attempt to rape citizens the second time, but with a promise of marriage.
If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’… the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.” 2 Kings 7v4..
But can’t be led by associates of the Arameans. That’s the cracks!
Zimbabwe’s ruling party said it will expel Old Mutual Ltd. from its financial system, sowing confusion over the status of the insurance giant in the country and what will happen next in the government’s battle to fix its chaotic currency system.
The highest decision-making body of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front on Friday said it endorsed a decision to “eject Old Mutual from the financial system” and to shut down the country’s biggest mobile-money platform, Ecocash. The institutions have caused “runaway inflation through illegal parallel exchange-market rates,” the party’s acting spokesman, Patrick Chinamasa, said after the meeting in Harare.
The government wants to stop companies from using differences in the 175-year-old insurer’s share prices in London, Johannesburg and Harare to determine a potential forward rate for the currency. Measures that were being considered included suspending Old Mutual’s shares from the local bourse, having the securities traded in dollars, or moving it to a planned foreign-exchange based market, people familiar with the matter said earlier this month.
“When they say it is ejected, I’m not sure what he means,” said Lloyd Mlotshwa, the head of equities at Harare-based IH Securities. “I’m not sure it’s a delisting yet, at this point it’s a confusing statement.”
Chinamasa didn’t give further details or respond to calls and text messages from Bloomberg seeking comment.
The local stock exchange has been shut for two weeks after security forces forced the government to cease trading and halt most mobile-money transactions, people familiar with the matter said last month. Clive Mphambela, a Treasury spokesman, declined to comment. A spokesperson for Old Mutual in Johannesburg didn’t respond to calls and a text message seeking comment. Nick Mangwana, a government spokesman, didn’t immediately reply to a text message.
A perennial shortage of cash means anyone who has banknotes is able to negotiate exchange rates with brokers who pay the funds onto mobile-money platforms. The brokers can then sell the hard cash at an even higher rate. The Old Mutual Implied Rate values the Zimbabwean dollar at 122 against the greenback, compared with a black-market rate of about 100, and Friday’s closing price of 65.8765. The government in June abandoned a peg of 25:1 that was put in place in March. Share Inspections
Justin Bgoni, the chief executive officer of the stock exchange, said he is aware of the comments from the ruling party, but wasn’t sure what it implied and would rather wait for official communication from authorities before commenting.
Sean Gammon, managing director of Harare-based Imara Edwards Securities Pvt Ltd. said the comments by Zanu-PF were probably directed at delisting Old Mutual rather than its removal from the entire financial services sector. Old Mutual spans banking, property and insurance in the country.
The last communication received from authorities was that inspections would be conducted into stockbroker trades in the coming days, he said. Once concluded, trading should resume.
A concerned citizen, using the Twitter handle, @sbusisoStephen, says the Zimbabwean government is not serious at all in dealing with COVID-19, the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus.
Khumalo narrates an incident which resulted in his wife, who works at a private surgery, contracting the virus and possibly passing it on to dozens of people who visited the surgery and also on the bus as she uses public transport from home to work and vice versa.
He wrote:
My wife works at a private surgery in Zimbabwe.
On the 28 of June, a sick person was admitted at their surgery the patient spent 1 night in surgery. The day shift workers who were direct contact to the patient are 4 including my wife.
On that day my wife used public transport to go home because of fuel shortages and other workers also used public transport (overloaded ZUPCO busses)
On 29 June that is the following day the patient became very sick and they suspect COVID-19.
The taskforce team came and took the patient. The surgery continued it’s business, as usual, treating other patients. All workers who were in direct contact with the patient continued their duties (they came to work with ZUPCO went home with ZUPCO).
On 30 June the report came that the patient who was taken by the COVID-19 taskforce has passed away (MHSRP) and he was COVID-19 positive. The taskforce ordered the surgery to be closed and disinfected.
The workers were not told of what’s happening and the following day they work up went to work using ZUPCO, only to find closed surgery and the task force waiting for them to give the names of people visited the surgery, after the infected person.
The taskforce asked all workers to go for self-quarantine and be tested after 7 days. The taskforce did not provide transport therefore the workers use ZUPCO busses.
My wife was self-quarantining for 7days. On day 7, the task force came and tested her. On day 9 the results came and she tested positive for COVID 19.
The reality is that the government is not serious about fighting COVID-19.
The Health Services Board (HSB) has reportedly fired all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) in government hospitals in a ‘restructuring exercise’.
HSB Board Chair Paulinos Sikhosana told Health Times that the restructuring was meant to bring sanity in all public health institutions. Said Sikhosana:
There is a restructuring going to improve efficiency effectiveness and integrity, so that’s the only statement that I can tell you.
Zimbabwe’s public health system is in a bind, the health minister Obadiah Moyo was fired recently for allegedly awarding tenders for medicines and consumables worth US$60 million to a company which had failed due diligence.
Nurses have been on an indefinite strike demanding better remuneration while the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 is increasing daily with cases nearing 1 000.
An official ZANU PF party supporters Twitter page has decided to use former President Robert Mugabe to issue threats ahead of the July 31 Protests.
Watch video downloading below of Mugabe’s early 80s video threatening Joshua Nkomo which the current ZANU PF had adopted to issue threats against the protest.
The right to overthrow a constitutionally elected Govt does not exist in Zimbabwe.
TWO freelance journalists on Thursday 9 pleaded not guilty when their trial on charges of failing to comply with instructions issued by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members to observe social distancing rules between themselves and some detained victims of abduction and torture commenced at Mbare Magistrates Court.
The two freelance journalists Frank Chikowore aged 39 years and Samuel Takawira aged 29 years entered a not guilty plea when their trial commenced before Mbare Magistrate Kudzai Hove.
Chikowore and Takawira were arrested on Friday 22 May 2020 by some ZRP members at Parktown Hospital in Waterfalls suburb in Harare while allegedly filming and interviewing some victims of abduction and torture and charged with contravening section 5(3)(c) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020.
Prosecutors claimed that Chikowore and Takawira, who are represented by Paidamoyo Saurombe and Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) refused to observe the social distancing rule after being ordered to do so by Collin Makore, a police officer, who was on duty in contravention of the law.
According to prosecutors, the journalists allegedly sneaked into the High Dependency Unit at Parktown Hospital to interview Harare West legislator Hon. Joannah Mamombe and MDC Alliance party youth leaders Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, who were hospitalised at the medical facility after they were abducted and disappeared and tortured by some yet to be identified people.
During trial, prosecutors led evidence from Makore aged 46 years while Stewart Ephram, who is employed as an assistant administrator at Parktown Hospital will give testimony on Thursday 16 July 2020, where the journalists’ trial continues.
Meanwhile, ZRP members on Thursday 9 July 2020 set free two freelance journalists Panashe Makufa and Prichard Mahove after they had been arrested on the same day and charged with disorderly conduct as defined in section 41 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
ZRP members accused Makufa of instructing Mahove to take pictures of two police officers who were walking from Mbare Magistrates Court to Mbare Police Camp.
Makufa and Mahove were released into the custody of their lawyers Idirashe Chikomba and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of ZLHR with ZRP members telling them that the law enforcement agents will summon them to appear in court if they intend to proceed with prosecuting them.
Walter Magaya feels the heat of criminal proceedings-spokesperson announces "Take note of this, there are not, that we are not selling any products in Planet Africa, because the licence is not yet out. Be reminded that, all the money that you contributed was widely used." -ZimEye pic.twitter.com/4ksKPAeoDd
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is undertaking a 20-day public order management training for its officers ahead of the anti-corruption demonstrations planned for July 31 by some political parties and pressure groups.
Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of Transform Zimbabwe party, is at the forefront in calling for the mass protests and his call has been endorsed by the MDC Alliance, Godfrey Tsenengamu, a former ZANU PF official, and Shingi Munyeza, an advisor to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Below is police bosses’ communication to Nkulumane police station, Bulawayo.
Real Madrid moved a step closer to securing the LaLiga title following a comfortable 2-0 win over Alaves at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano last night.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio on either side of half time ensured that Zinedine Zidane’s charges restores their four point gap at the summit of the table.
Ximo Navaro brought down Ferland Mendy in the box with ten minutes on the clock and with captain Sergio Ramos suspended, Benzema took over penalty responsibilities and fired home to thrust Los Blancos ahead.
Benzema turned from scorer to provider just after the restart, squaring for Asensio to slot home Real’s second, which was initially ruled out for offside but the video assistant referee (VAR) overturned the decision and the goal stood.
A win and two draws for Madrid in their last three games will be enough for them to clinch their first title since 2017-Soccer 24
The Premier League has admitted there was incorrect VAR decision in all the three games played on Thursday night.
Three penalty decisions were wrong calls which were supposed to have been over-ruled after a review.
The mistakes started in Tottenham’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth when Josh King shoved Harry Kane inside the area, but no penalty was given even after a VAR check.
Southampton followed up in their 1-1 draw against Everton when Andre Gomes’s challenge on James Ward-Prowse led to a disputed penalty. Replays showed the Saints midfielder, was actually, the one guilty.
The same happened for Manchester United in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa when Bruno Fernandes won a penalty after Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa was adjudged to have fouled him.
The Premier League’s match centre later confirmed that all three penalty decisions should have been overturned by a VAR check – casting doubt on the way the technology is being used ahead of next season-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Former Zanu PF youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu has claimed members of the ruling party will join the July 31 protests.
According to Tsenengamu, the majority of Zanu PF members are willing to participate in the protests against corruption.
Tsenengamu, quoted by Daily News said:
The whole nation is in agreement against what the looters are doing.
They will be surprised that on July 31, the majority of Zanu PF members are going to be part of the protest against corruption. We are talking with some senior Zanu PF members.
Some are even … telling us that they are tired of corruption … we are working with them. Wait and see how many people are going to come out from Zanu PF who will be supporting this protest. There are many.
This is not about factions, it’s about people who are victims of corruption.
Calls for Zimbabweans to join the July 31 July demonstration are increasing. Watch video downloading below on the motivation to attend the demonstration.
Two staff members from a Covid-19 centre at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in the capital tested positive with the virus, the hospital said on Saturday.
On Wednesday, 21 health workers from a Bulawayo Hospital who had been in contact with confirmed Covid-19 patients, also tested positive.
In a statement, the hospital said the two workers who tested positive for Covid-19 were isolated and being monitored.
“Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals would like to inform the public that two of the 26 staff members who had just completed one of their shifts in our Covid-19 Centre tested positive for SARD- Cov-2.
“Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals has three teams working in the Covid-19 centre and this had occurred in one of the teams, the team had just completed their second weekly shift and underwent the routine testing on the 8th day after their shift while in mandatory quarantine.
“Those who tested positive were immediately transferred to a designated isolation facility where they are getting appropriate care. The rest of the team members remain in quarantine awaiting further testing on the 14th day,” said the Hospital.
Zimbabwe now has 942 confirmed cases of Covid-19 after 16 people tested positive on Friday.
These included 8 returnees and 8 locals who never travelled outside the country.
The country also recorded one Covid-19 death, bringing the toll to 13 after a 63-year old woman from Matabeleland North province was detected through routine post mortem.
Zimbabwe is currently under level 2 of the lockdown meant to curb the sporadic spread of Covid-19 among citizens.
On Friday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa hinted on the need to re-tighten the lockdown regulations following the spike in Covid-19 infections.
FIVE people have been killed after attackers stormed a South African church, reportedly amid an argument over its leadership.
Watch video:
South African police said they had rescued men, women and children from a “hostage situation” on the outskirts of Johannesburg on Saturday morning.
They have also arrested at least 40 people, and seized dozens of weapons.
Eyewitnesses say the men who stormed the International Pentecostal Holiness Church were part of a splinter group.
The church’s leadership has reportedly been the subject of infighting since its former leader died in 2016. Police had previously been called to the church following a shoot out between members in 2018, South Africa’s IOL reports.
The year before, the church’s finances had come under the spotlight, amid allegations some 110m rand ($6.5 m) had gone missing , according to Sowetan newspaper.
On Saturday, police were called to the church in Zuurbekom in the West Rand at 03:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
A number of weapons have been recovered by SAPS According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo, a group of attackers indicated to those inside “that they were coming to take over the premises”.
He said four people had been found shot and burnt to death in cars, while a security guard, who was thought to have been responding to the incident, was also fatally shot.
Five rifles, 16 shotguns and 13 pistols, along with other weapons, were found at the church, which police have been combing for evidence.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said that among those arrested were members of SAPS, the South African National Defence Force, the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the Department of Correctional Services.
The International Pentecostal Holiness Church is thought to have about three million members in Southern Africa.
Health is a complete physical, mental and social well-being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Let’s keep ourselves healthy.
For the physical well-being we should always exercise and eat healthy to keep our bodies in shape and reduce risk factors for heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus and stroke.
Mentally we should always confide to our loved one and those we love to always keep a healthy mindset.
Always think positive. Socially in our workplaces and homes let’s interact well with others.
Encourage one another. Even in this period where there are lockdowns all these things can be achieved.
By Clifford Hlatywayo MDC Alliance Deputy National Spokesperson
Victor Matemadanda and members of his ZANU PF party are the ones who are very irresponsible, ignorant, misguided and against the values of the liberation struggle.
They are misrepresenting the values of the liberation struggle.
Our parents went to war to achieve one man one vote yet ZANU PF is denying it.
Mbuya Nehanda and many other Zimbabweans fought for freedom for all.
Now Matemadanda and his party zealots are at the centre of fighting against the people, threatening, intimidating, abducting, raping, killing and arresting citizens.
They suppress progressive voices, depress, repress and oppress citizens. Our fathers and mothers went to war to attain equal opportunities.
Where is this now?
The Zanu PF looters are busy plundering the little resources we have.
Their former boss Mugabe said 15 billion Diamond money just disappeared, Covid-19 money is vanishing, fuel scandals, Zinara monies, mines and land is being taken by Zanu PF functionaries.
Is the public benefiting? The answer is NO. Why? Because a few individuals have captured the state. Government institutions are no longer operating independently.
Recently they used the courts to declare themselves winners of 2018 elections.
In August 2018 they killed innocent souls in Harare, on 30 March 2020 they used the court to pass a judgment that was meant to attack the people’s movement.
Four weeks ago they used the army and police to seize the MDC A headquarters.
Matemadanda can’t say President Nelson Chamisa will not rule this country.
In other words he is admitting that they rig their way to state house.
The MDC Alliance respects the liberation struggle and those who fought for it. Our party is there to accomplish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle.
That’s why we are guided by social democratic values of Solidarity, Justice, Freedom and Equality.
Whatever Zanu PF touches it disappears.
MDCA is the party that will transform the country’s economy.
Can you claim that you respect Mbuya Nehanda and other freedom fighters by erecting a statue yet you don’t respect what they represented?
MDCA is the only party that genuinely represents the interests of the liberation struggle.
Newly installed Malawian Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s motorcade was involved in a suspicious road accident on Saturday as he was travelling from Blantyre to Lilongwe.
The scene of the accident
The scene of the accidentThe scene of the accident
Chilima’s spokesman Pilirani Phiri confirmed about the accident and said the Vice President is believed to be fine though highly placed sources within the new goverment believe that the accident was an assassination attempt on the new Vice President.
“The accident involved one vehicle on the convoy which had a head on collision with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, a Toyota Vitz which had four people on board, two of them are feared dead.
“The other two have been rushed to hospital together with the driver of the vehicle on the convoy. The Vice President was not affected in any way and he is fine,” said Phiri.
Balaka police officers are on the ground gathering detailed information.
Watch SABC News report on the accident in the video below.
MDC Alliance information officer, Fadzai Mahere, is hosting MDC Alliance Vice President Tendai Biti in a no holds barred discussion on the corruption and looting by the ruling ZANU PF party.
Watch the discussion in the video downloading below. Please be patient while the video downloads.
Own Correspondent| Zanu PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa has accused opposition MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa, of planning the 31 July protests.
Chinamasa warned that Advocate Chamisa could face the music together with his followers.
Addressing journalists after the Zanu PF politburo meeting, Chinamasa said as a party they would not allow a repeat of the 1 August 2018 and 14 January 2019 situation where protesters targeted government and private property for destruction.
He accused Chamisa of being a coward who should this time ‘come in front and face the music’ instead of being absent from the place of action.
“We have also noted that social media platforms are being used to organize violent demonstrations aimed at overthrowing our constitutionally constituted government.
Those doing so must stand warned and the law will not hesitate to deal with them,” said Chinamasa.
Chinamasa repeats @nelsonchamisa three times linking the MDC President to Tsenengamu's 31July Demo. ZANU PF threatens Chamisa with 1 Aug style military crackdown pic.twitter.com/kYEJEFU5Re
THE son of former Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Jason Machaya, Foster, died in a car crash on Wednesday night along the Gweru-Mvuma Road in an accident that also claimed the life of a popular Gweru gold baron who was awaiting trial for murder.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the accident, including the death of Willard Mugadza, the gold baron.
“The two deceased persons died on the spot at the 43km peg along Gweru-Mvuma Road,” Goko said.
“They were in a car which was being driven by Machaya on their way to Gweru from Lalapansi. (Machaya) lost control of the vehicle and it overturned several times before landing on its wheels. Machaya and Mugadza died on the spot and their bodies had multiple fractures. The accident happened at around 2340 hours.”
Another passenger, Moses Tami, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital.
The late Foster was also accused in March 2009 of murdering an MDC supporter, Moses Chokuda of Gokwe, along with his brother Farai Machaya.
Foster was pardoned by the courts, but Farai was jailed for 18 years in a case that attracted nationwide interest after Chokuda’s body spent two years at the Gokwe Hospital mortuary as the two families haggled over compensation.
Mugadza was out on bail on a murder charge after he allegedly hacked his former employee Fabian Mabhungu to death during an argument over missing 70 grammes of gold.
Two members of staff at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ COVID-19 Centre have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus which causes the respiratory illness, COVID-19.
In a public notice this Saturday, the hospital said the two staff members were among 26 health workers who had just completed one of their shifts at the centre.
The two have since been transferred to a designated isolation facility where they are getting appropriate care.
Parirenyatwa Hospital issued the following notice:
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals would like to inform the public that 2 out of the 26 staff members who had just completed one of their shifts in our COVID-19 Centre tested positive for SARS-Cov-2.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals has three teams working in the COVID-19 Centre and this has occurred in one of the teams.
The team had just completed their second weekly shift and underwent the routine testing on the 8th day after their shift while in mandatory quarantine.
Those who tested positive were immediately transferred to a designated isolation facility where they are getting appropriate care. The rest of the team members remain in quarantine awaiting further testing on the 14th day. The hospitals’ Psychosocial Support team is working closely with the team.
All staff members working in the COVID-19 Centre went through rigorous training on donning, doffing, appropriate Infection Prevention and Control Protocols and they are putting on the appropriate level of Personal Protective Equipment according to WHO Standards. Investigations are underway to identify the source of the infection.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals follows WHO and National Guidelines on contact tracing, follow-up, treatment and isolation measures.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday said the arrest and successful prosecution of all corrupt officials regardless of rank and connections must be the new normal.
In a televised address to mark Africa Anti-Corruption Day, President Mnangagwa said his government continues to prioritize the fight against corruption as evidenced by the arrest and conviction of government officials.
Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo was the latest serving Cabinet Minister to be nabbed for allegedly awarding tenders for medicines and consumables worth US$60 million to a company which had failed due diligence.
He was subsequently fired from government.
Former Energy and Power Development Minister Samuel Undenge was also jailed for two and half years for corruptly awarding a public relations contract to a firm for the Zimbabwe Power Company, without going to tender.
Former Environment and Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira is being tried for allegedly defrauding the National Social Security Authority of US$85 million.
But President Mnangagwa said there is ample evidence of his administration’s resolve to crack down on corruption.
“The culture of long, drawn-out prosecutions and the “catch and release syndrome” must come to an end. The arrest and successful prosecution of corrupt “big and small fish” alike, must be the new normal,” warned President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa challenged the private sector, civil society, political parties, churches and other socio-economic groups to cultivate integrity and high ethical standards in the execution of their various functions.
“Members of the criminal justice system and those in institutions tasked to fight corruption must improve on the investigation into, and prosecution of, corruption cases. They must be above reproach and must ensure that all cases of corruption within their rank and file are thoroughly investigated, with corrupt officials punished,” he said.
The President used the opportunity to launch the National Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2020-2024, a roadmap in the fight against corruption in Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa noted the involvement of the public and private sectors, Civil Society Organizations, trade and industry, media and professional societies, among others, in the development of the Anti-Corruption Strategy.
“I urge us to continue with this unity of purpose, and to rid ourselves of “them and us” mentality. The perception that corruption only occurs in the public sector will only slow us down in fighting corruption in other sectors of our economy.
“As we go forward, the anti-corruption fight must be anchored at the community level, and must deal with both sides of corrupt practices, that is, the “givers” and the “receivers”,” he said.
He urged Parliament to expedite the development of legislation that protects whistle-blowers.
“Let me reassure the Nation that my Government will continue to weed out and eradicate corruption. No one is above the law,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa has been in wide spread allegations that he influences the granting of bail to his cronies in government and Zanu PF arrested on corruption charges.
The President has been on an anti-corruption drive and has vowed to rid-off high level corrupt acts in government including arresting senior government or ruling party officials. However, critics say he is not doing enough to curb the vice and was interfering with the courts to release his arrested cronies.
Several senior government officials have been arrested this year and most of them are now out on bail.
One curious ‘arrest’ was that of former Transport Minister Joram Gumbo who was picked up by ZACC facing corruption charges but was released the same day with no charges laid against him. Mnangagwa was accused of having influenced ZACC to release him.
Zimbabwe National Army Lance Corporal Brighton Matura allegedly murdered his girlfriend Fungayi Tendayi and shot himself to death on Wednesday morning at Nyimo shopping centre in Sanyati.
Two bodies were found in Tendayi’s room after the duo had spent some time together.
The deceased’s body was found lying naked on the bed facing downwards, her blankets soaked with blood, she had gunshot wounds on the right palm and her head, Bulawayo24.com has learnt.
The soldier’s body was also found lying on the floor holding an AK47 rifle, it had a gunshot wound to the throat.
The two bodies were conveyed to Kadoma General Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem by Sanyati police officers.
By Sindile Ncube- On the 31st of July, Zimbabweans will come out to demonstrate against Zanu pf and how this gang of cruel men and women has ruined their country almost to the point of no return.
In this article, I want to urge people to make this demo very personal for themselves. The world will be watching, be a part of history.
I am urging people to speak from the heart through various media at their disposal, be it posters or placards in the streets, or tweets, Facebook posts, text messages, WhatsApp messages, audio recordings, and much else. Let’s make the world feel our cries and despair.
Between now and the 31st of July, I urge everyone who is taking part to take a moment and decide on the message they want to convey to the world with regards to the atrocities Zanu has been carrying out in our once lovely country.
The message has to be personal for it to be impactful. Say what’s in your heart. See how Zanu has failed you, see how they have cut off your potential. You had dreams when you were young to be ‘somebody’ when you grow up.
By now you thought you would have a house of your own, a decent job or a business of your own, but now you can’t even have a decent meal, no water; electricity is touch and go and a headache can kill you because the health system has been so run down by Zanu theft and incompetence.
You see people of your age whose parents are Zanu officials driving around in plush cars bought by money that is stolen from your heritage as a Zimbabwean citizen.
Look around you, see the damage Zanu has done to your loved ones. Your uncle who died from malaria because he could not afford to pay for the prescription, your aunt who died from diabetes because the family could not afford to pay for the insulin; your grandfather who had to be ferried to a local clinic at night by wheelbarrow only to find it closed because there is no money to run it – it’s been stolen by Zanu.
Look at the mothers with their hungry babies lying on street pavements 12 hours in the cold only to sell a handful of tomatoes. Look at the dreams Zanu have shattered, university graduates selling airtime cards on street corners, young girls who are having to sell their bodies to men like the old men in Zanu and their rich friends.
Look at the people fleeing Zimbabwe into South Africa, including mothers with babies on their back trying to sneak under razor wire. Many of these people will never see their relatives again, many will miss funerals of loved ones, some may even be unfortunate enough to be subjected to another wave of xenophobic machete attacks in South Africa.
This is what Zanu has done to us. Have this deep think, and then design your makeshift placard.
Tell the world what you think about Zanu, Mnangagwa, Chiwenga and all the cruel people in this government. Tell the world what these people have done to you, to your family, to the neighbourhood you grew up in, and to your country.
Tell the world you want all of them gone, all of them, from the president to wastes of space like that Matemadanda man who continues to embarrass us all whenever he opens his mouth.
A South Africa-based Zimbabwean single mother is seeking R20 000 for medical treatment of her visually impaired 18-month-old baby suffering from hydrocephalus.
The condition causes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in baby Liam Dube’s brain.
Baby Liam
He requires constant draining of the fluid from his head but this has been hampered by shortage of funds.
Liam’s mother Ms Lisa Dube is struggling to meet her son’s medical needs as she is not employed and needs to constantly watch over him.
The minor has had three medical operations and some have caused complications that have caused the boy to become blind.
Liam’s father is said to have walked out of his son’s life.
Ms Dube does not qualify for South Africa’s medical grants because she is a foreigner.
Touched by Liam’s situation a Mr Shobane Mgwenya has initiated a GoFundme to drum up support for the baby’s medical bill.
Those who wish to donate to the initiative can also deposit funds in Capitec Account 1645390118.
Mr Mgwenya said he took the initiative to fundraise for the baby because his sibling died of the same disease.
FOUR inmates and one prison officer at Bulawayo Prison have tested positive for Covid-19 prompting authorities to conduct mass testing for everyone at the prison and disinfecting the complex.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) reacted swiftly to scale up containment measures for the deadly pandemic that has infected more than 12 million people worldwide and killed about 550 000.
Visitors for inmates have been banned with immediate effect countrywide. ZPCS yesterday officially launched its Covid-19 operational plan, which is aligned to the national health guidelines.
The plan offers overall guidance on how to manage confirmed and suspected cases of Covid-19 at the country’s prisons.
The prison officer who tested positive at Bulawayo Prison was immediately placed on self-isolation while the inmates were taken to a separate cell.
The exact number of prison officers and inmates who came into contact with the five confirmed cases was not immediately availed.
There are, however, more than 100 prison officers and 100 inmates at Bulawayo Prison.
The latest development comes soon after 18 health personnel working in the same ward at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) tested positive for Covid-19 after allegedly attending to an infected patient.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) health services director Dr Evidence Gaka said it was not yet clear how the quintet at Bulawayo Prison contracted the virus.
“There are five confirmed cases of Covid-19 at Bulawayo Prison involving four inmates and a prison officer. As contained in our ZPCS operational plan, the officers who are infected self-isolate at their homes and in the invent that it is not practical for them to self-isolate, we have other measures that we put in place,” he said.
Dr Gaka said inmates were isolated in separate cells specifically reserved for those infected with the virus and that is exactly what was done for Bulawayo Prison inmates.
“The Covid-19 operational plan spells out our priorities and it has eight pillars which spell out what needs to be done in the event of Covid-19. It also helps us in terms of the implementation of prevention and control measures. As a country, we have a Zimbabwe Covid-19 operational plan and as ZPCS we have crafted a similar document which is aligned to the national plan,” said Dr Gaka.
He said they were working with the Bulawayo provincial task force on Covid-19, which is spearheaded by the acting Provincial Medical director Dr Welcome Mlilo in the mass testing exercise and disinfection of the Bulawayo Prison.
“We are in the process of testing everyone at Bulawayo Prison because everyone else becomes a contact for those five confirmed cases. It is not something that will be done overnight, it is a process because we are talking of more than 200 prison officers and inmates combined. We have banned outside visitors for inmates,” he said. Dr Gaka said the ZPCS was working with the acting provincial medical director to mobilise the required resources for testing and the manpower.
“We are also in the process of disinfecting the entire building as part of prevention and infection control mechanisms as contained in our operational plan,” he said. Dr Gaka said they also require personal protective equipment (PPE) such as specialised face masks.
In line with Covid-19 prevention measures to minimise the risk of local transmissions, Cabinet recently resolved that all positive patients be placed in an isolation facility as some people were not adhering to procedures while at home.
Zimbabwe recorded 98 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday with 47 of them being local transmissions, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 885, sparking fierce debate on whether or not to return to total shutdown especially in Harare and Bulawayo, two cities with the highest numbers.
Most of the people who had been testing positive for Covid-19 in Zimbabwe were those returning home from South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, the United Kingdom and the US among other countries.
By A Correspondent- Passion Java’s brother Simba has blasted his own brother for telling everyone to stop helping him exposing that Passion is a fraudster whose source of income he will expose at 7pm tonight.
He said:
“I am not after anything that belongs to Passion. I just want to go home. I do not understand why Passion is telling everyone to stop helping me…I am not the person whom he is saying i am.
And it is not true that i was approached by Simba Chikanza from ZimEye and paid some money. It is not true!
Rather it was me who approached him (Simba Chikanza) and asked for help.
Passion told me not to say anything promising that he will take me to Dubai and give me a thousand US$.
The condition was that i must apologise to the world publicly. Passion is cruel..”
ENGLAND WORLD CUP legend Jack Charlton has died aged 85 after a long-term illness. The former centre-back was part of the legendary squad that won the World Cup in 1966 along with younger brother Bobby.
The legend – who also went on to be a hugely popular manager of the Republic of Ireland – died peacefully yesterday at his home in Northumberland with his family by his side.
The Leeds United great had been diagnosed with lymphoma last year and had also been battling dementia.
In a statement, his family said: “As well as a friend to many, he was a much-adored husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“We cannot express how proud we are of the extraordinary life he led and the pleasure he brought to so many people in different countries and from all walks of life.
“He was a thoroughly honest, kind, funny and genuine man who always had time for people.
“His loss will leave a huge hole in all our lives but we are thankful for a lifetime of happy memories.”
Jack spent his entire club career at Leeds United from 1950 to 1973 – making 773 appearances.
The club today said they were “deeply saddened” by the news, saying the legend passed away after a “long-term illness”.
England’s Jack Charlton, right, holds the Jules Rimet trophy aloft as he parades it around Wembley Stadium with teammate Bobby Moore following their 4-2 win over West Germany, July 30, 1966. (Associated Press) Central defender Charlton, older brother of former England and Manchester United midfielder Bobby, made his debut for Leeds in the old Division Two in 1953 and went on to become the bedrock of the great Leeds side built by former manager Don Revie.
The legend then went onto helped them win the First Division title in 1969 and the FA Cup in 1972.
He also raised the Jules Rimet Trophy with brother Bobby in 1966.
Throughout his career, he won a total of 35 caps for England, scoring six goals for his country and was appointed an OBE in 1974.
Charlton retired from playing at the end of the 1972/73 season having scored 96 times for Leeds to make him the club’s ninth highest scorer.
He went on to become the manager of Newcastle United for the 1984-85 season.
Charlton resigned in 1985 and in December of that year he became the first non-Irish manager of the Republic of Ireland.
He became an unlikely national hero as he steered the Republic to their first major finals at Euro 88 in West Germany and two years later led them to their first World Cup finals at Italia 90.
Charlton, already hugely popular for getting them there, won the hearts of a nation and the rest of the footballing world as his side reached the quarter-finals.
He went on to lead the Republic to the 1994 World Cup finals in the USA.
The tournament brought one of the most famous victories in Irish football history when they beat pre-tournament favourites Italy 1-0 in New Jersey.
Charlton made affectionate headlines around the world during his side’s game with Mexico as he passionately protested on the touchline to get his water bottles to his players in the searing June heat.
Ireland eventually lost to Holland in the last 16 and Charlton was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin. In 1996, he was awarded honorary Irish citizenship.
Jack and brother Bobby became involved in a long family feud and were seen together for the first time in years at the funeral of former team-mate Ray Wilson in 2018.
The duo fell out 22 years ago as Jack accused his younger brother of failing to visit their mother Cissie ahead of her death, after Bobby’s wife Norma had argued with her.
In a book released in 2007, Bobby said comments that Jack made about Norma were “absolutely disgraceful” and “mistaken”.
‘A GOOD MAN’ Tributes flowed in with David Beckham writing: “So sad to hear about the passing of Jack Charlton… Our World Cup winner and brother of my dad’s hero Sir Bobby.
“Forever in our memories and the history of our country.”
Gary Lineker also said: “Saddened to hear that Jack Charlton has passed away. World Cup winner with England, manager of probably the best ever Ireland side and a wonderfully infectious personality to boot. RIP Jack.”
Former Man Utd goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel added on Twitter: “Sad news of the passing of one of Football‘s greatest characters, Jack Charlton. As a player and as a manager you were fantastic.”
Lord Sugar tweeted: “R.I.P. Jack Charlton World Cup winner.”
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) was set to receive 40 000 litres of fuel in Bulawayo later on Saturday after commuter omnibuses that operate under the company’s franchise were grounded on Friday due to the unavailability of fuel.
The latest development was confirmed by ZUPCO Southern Division operations manager Tineyi Rwasoka.
Rwasoka revealed that the 40 000 litres will be availed by the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC) of Zimbabwe.
He said:
It’s true we have been experiencing some challenges but we are receiving 40 000 litres of fuel which is almost in Bulawayo and we have got two more trucks which are coming in by today.
I should say the situation will be back to normal from around 1 pm onwards. The fuel challenge is nationwide and even in Harare, they parked the buses too.
Thousands of commuters were forced to walk to work and back home on Friday following the grounding of the ZUPCO fleet.
ZLHR: In Harare, lawyers has just secured freedom for Milton Murairwa, a police member, who was detained after he was arrested Friday & charged with insulting President Mnangagwa for allegedly posting a message which reads “ED Must Go” on a WhatsApp group for Mbare police officers
Murairwa was freed on RTGS$3 000 bail by Magistrate Mangosi after his lawyer Moses Nkomo applied for his release from custody. As part of bail conditions, Murairwa was also ordered not to interfere with state witnesses & to continue residing at his given address.
Murairwa is the second police member to be arrested & charged with insulting President Mnangagwa in less than two months after @PoliceZimbabwe in June apprehended Shungudzemoyo Kache for committing the same offence.
By Jane Mlambo| Controversial socialite Panganai Java better known as Prophet Passion has lifted the lid on his upbringing saying he was very dull that he could not secure a secondary school place at boarding schools due to poor grades.
Java who was speaking on the issue surrounding his brother Simba Java who made a desperate call for support from well-wishers to return to Zimbabwe from South Africa, said he was the least intelligent in their family resulting in him failing to enrol even at Seke 1 High school while his all his siblings attended boarding schools.
The controversial Java however said he was good with figures to do with money.
“Inini ndini dofo rekupedzesera mumba medu, kwete mukufoira hupenyu, kufoira muchikoro, inini kuchikoro ndaivharwa, vakaenda neni kuchikoro vanotondiziva, ndaibuda ndiri number 29 mu class kana ma report abuda, mukaenda ku Seke 6 primary munotonoona ma reports iwawo, ndaivharwa kutoomerwa, chandaingoziva ndechekuti $5 iyi ikapihwa vanhu 10 imarii, ndaikurovera in 2 seconds, ndaikuti haa $50 mukuru, but ukanditi 10 times 5 ndaivharwa, saka zvekuchikoro I will never lie to you guys, zvanga zvakaoma
“Inini ndaitoda kuenda ku boarding but ndakatadza because ndanga ndatovharwa, kana pa Seke 1 ndakatadza ku qualifier ndakatozoenda ku Seke 2 kwainzi kwemadofo,” said Passion.
Passion has come under fire from people who accused him of flaunting riches on social media while his own blood brother Simba had to turn to the public for help.
The controversial preacher has been running a series of online live shows dubbed Gara Mumba Iwe where he pays artists to perform in front of cameras for online audience.
Rapper AKA is the latest high-profile personality to test positive for Covid-19.
As cases of the novel coronavirus continue to rapidly increase, The Fela In Versace hitmaker issued a statement on Instagram on Friday, revealing his results.
The rapper said he decided to make his results public to “caution citizens to be more careful”.
“AKA pleads for everyone to adhere to social distancing guidelines, to wear masks and to hold stringent hygiene measures by frequently sanitising and washing our hands,” read part of the statement.
The statement went on to add that the rapper will be sharing his road to recovery with fans while in self-isolation as he plans to be as transparent as possible.
On Friday morning, Gauteng premier David Makhura also revealed that he had tested positive and was in self-isolation. Meanwhile, reality TV star and real estate agent TT Mbha took to social media to announce that he’s recovered from Covid-19 and is a survivor of the virus.
“I tested positive on June 24! My mental, emotional, spiritual and physical strengths were all put to the ultimate test of survival! I tested negative on July 9. By the mighty and unshakeable grace of God, I survived meningitis in 2014 and in 2020 I survived coronavirus!” he said.
TT went on to encourage those going through their recovery journeys from the sickness to stay strong and hopeful.
“You can, must and will be a coronavirus survivor too! I thank you all for your prayer.” — TimesLive
BBy A Correspondent- According to a local publication, health professionals have called on the government to consider reimposing a strict lockdown of the whole country for at least 21 days.
The Daily News reported that the development follows a surge in coronavirus cases, especially mysterious local transmissions.
The suggestion comes following the announcement calling on citizens to participate in a massive demonstration penciled for July 31.
The demonstration, which were first called by Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume to mark the second anniversary of a disputed election which President Mnangagwa’s rivals say he stole.
Other opposition leaders including main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and Temba Mliswa have endorsed the demonstrations.
The government previously responded with sheer force to quell massive protests – in August 2018 and January 2019, with over two dozen people losing their lives.
The president of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), Enock Dongo, said on Thursday that Zimbabwe should not copy what other countries have done, that is, easing lockdown restrictions but should exactly do the opposite. He said:
Government needs to rethink its COVID-19 strategy. We need to go back to full-scale lockdown for about 21 days or more.
We cannot afford to go by what other countries are doing. As it is, 18 nurses in Bulawayo tested positive and imagine who else besides colleagues and patients have they met?
Countries that have relaxed their lockdowns make sure that health officials do not go back home where they can meet with the public, and they also don’t use public transport.
We cannot afford that. Let us fully lock down the country and start doing mass testing and massive contact tracing, otherwise, we will perish.
The secretary-general of the Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA), Aaron Musara, said it is worrisome that authorities were no longer enforcing coronavirus regulations – wearing of masks and social distancing – effectively.
Before talking of going back to Stage 5 of the lockdown, we have to be able to implement what is supposed to be implemented now, Musara observed.
By A Correspondent| Zanu PF has warned organisers of the 31 July protests that its members will not sit ‘idle-by’ while they are being attacked saying as a party they have a right to defend themselves.
Addressing journalists at the end of the Zanu PF extra-ordinary politburo meeting yesterday, Zanu PF Acting Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa said there wont be a repeat of the past skirmishes including the 1 August 2018 and 14 January 2019 disturbances.
“Let me warn Chamisa and all those behind the 31 July violent demonstrations, what happened on the 1st of August 2018 will not happen again, what happened on the 14th to the 16th of January last year will not happen again
“And we say to Chamisa… don’t be cowards that you were on the 1st of August 2018 or on the 14 to 16 January last year, you were never to be found, you were in your house, if you do whatever you are threatening to do, come in front and face the music.
“We have our cadres are ready to take on anybody who attacks them, Zanu PF members have a right to defend themselves and will not sit idle by as we did not the 14th to 16th of January,” said Chinamasa.
BY Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala MDC Alliance National Vice Chairman.
So they came to my house last night at 2am asking for me? What kind of arrest is that when I spend most of my time at police stations as a lawyer representing different clients. For the record, for the past two weeks I was at the Law and Order representing different people who were facing different political charges.
I went with Brian Rupiya who was facing a concocted charge of having attacked a ZANU PF District Chairman in Hopley and robbed him after a querrel at some beer spots in the area. I then went there to represent Stephen Chuma Sarkozy few days down the line. The following week I went to represent Sox from Chitungwiza North who was facing charges of issuing murder threats to Yvonne Musarurwa. I again went to represent Prince Matebuka who was accused of partaking in a demonstration in Mabvuku.
So I wonder whether these were police officers from CID Law and Order. If they had any criminal charges against me, why would they allow me to be carrying my job at their offices and then start to hunt for me at night? These should be nefarious elements in the system who have been doing a hatchet job for the Emmerson Mnangagwa for sometime now who gets the command directly from him to commit crimes against humanity.
I am a lawyer in profession. I am well acquainted with how suspects should be brought to a police station to answer to some charges against that person. Arrests effected at night can only be done in societies of idiots. I am a telephone away from asking me to report to any police station if I have got any criminal charges to answer. Invading our homes at night will lead us to commit offences we never intended to commit for the rest of our lives. I am a free citizen in my country and let me emphasize it, this is my country I will never accept to be treated like someone who should not enjoy rights bestowed to every Zimbabwean. Yesterday, I was in Parliament. I wonder why they couldn’t wait for me outside Parliament and arrest me. Continue visiting my home at night and don’t blame me for the consequences.
JOURNALISTS PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF CONTRAVENING COVID-19 REGULATIONS AS POLICE ARREST FREELANCE MEDIA PRACTITIONERS FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT
TWO freelance journalists on Thursday 9 July 2020 pleaded not guilty when their trial on charges of failing to comply with instructions issued by some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members to observe social distancing rules between themselves and some detained victims of abduction and torture commenced at Mbare Magistrates Court.
The two freelance journalists Frank Chikowore aged 39 years and Samuel Takawira aged 29 years entered a not guilty plea when their trial commenced before Mbare Magistrate Kudzai Hove.
Chikowore and Takawira were arrested on Friday 22 May 2020 by some ZRP members at Parktown Hospital in Waterfalls suburb in Harare while allegedly filming and interviewing some victims of abduction and torture and charged with contravening section 5(3)(c) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020.
Prosecutors claimed that Chikowore and Takawira, who are represented by Paidamoyo Saurombe and Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) refused to observe the social distancing rule after being ordered to do so by Collin Makore, a police officer, who was on duty in contravention of the law.
According to prosecutors, the journalists allegedly sneaked into the High Dependency Unit at Parktown Hospital to interview Harare West legislator Hon. Joannah Mamombe and MDC Alliance party youth leaders Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, who were hospitalised at the medical facility after they were abducted and disappeared and tortured by some yet to be identified people.
During trial, prosecutors led evidence from Makore aged 46 years while Stewart Ephram, who is employed as an assistant administrator at qParktown Hospital will give testimony on Thursday 16 July 2020, where the journalists’ trial continues.
Meanwhile, ZRP members on Thursday 9 July 2020 set free two freelance journalists Panashe Makufa and Prichard Mahove after they had been arrested on the same day and charged with disorderly conduct as defined in section 41 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
ZRP members accused Makufa of instructing Mahove to take pictures of two police officers who were walking from Mbare Magistrates Court to Mbare Police Camp.
Makufa and Mahove were released into the custody of their lawyers Idirashe Chikomba and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of ZLHR with ZRP members telling them that the law enforcement agents will summon them to appear in court if they intend to proceed with prosecuting them.
Earlier today, l reported that, l saw MDC T Senator Mudzuri and Senator Komichi at Caravan park in Masvingo urban at around 13:30pm.
Later at around 2pm, senator Komichi and Mudzuri had a meeting with a few MDC T members.
Mai Viola who resides in Masvingo urban ward 2 who is the chief co-ordinator of Mudzuri and Komichi team said, “Yes, we had a meeting today in Masvingo urban with our MDC T chair Senator Komichi and Senator Mudzuri. We were planning for our extraordinary congress.”
Mai Viola in 2018 elections contested as councillor in ward 2 under the banner of MDC T led by Khupe. However, she lost to MDC Alliance candidate Advocate Collins Maboke.
Mr Phillip Mugabe of ward 2 said, “In today’s meeting with Senator Mudzuri and senator Komichi, we agreed that senator Mudzuri is our presidential candidate at our extraordinary congress slated on 31 July 2020. We have requested senator Komichi to remain as our chairperson and not to contest. We want senator Mudzuri to contest with Dr Khupe and Senator Mudzuri.”
Two weeks ago, senator Mwonzora was in Masvingo urban and met his supporters. One of senator Mwonzora supporters said, “We are campaigning for senator Mwonzora to be our president at our extraordinary congress. Dr Khupe cannot be our President because she was thoroughly beaten by MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa. Equally, Senator Mudzuri cannot be our president because in 2011, he was defeated by MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa when he contested as National organizing Secretary.”
Dr Khupe has not held any meeting in Masvingo urban.
There are serious conflicts between Team Khupe, Team Mwonzora and Team Mudzuri in Masvingo urban.
At today’s meeting, team Mwonzora and team Khupe were not invited.
Team Khupe supporter said, “There are serious conflicts in MDC T camp. Two weeks ago, team Mwonzora had a meeting and today team Mudzuri and Komichi had their meeting. We team Khupe , we were not invited. This shows that we will not win any election against well organized MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa. “
Today’s meeting organised by Team Mudzuri and Komichi failed to attract 2014 congress delegates.
Following 2014 congress delegates snubbed (did not attend) Team Komichi and Mudzuri today and Team Mwonzora’s meeting:
Masvingo urban has ten ward chairs who are congress delegates. 9 out 10 ward chairpersons are anti-MDC T. 9 ward chairpersons in Masvingo urban support MDC Alliance and President Chamisa.
District chairlady Mai Hlanga and District youth chair support MDC Alliance and President Chamisa.
99% of 2014 Masvingo provincial leaders led by Chairperson Mr Chafungamoyo Gumbi support President Nelson Chamisa and MDC Alliance.
The following provincial and National members namely: Mr Chiondengwa, Dr Mavetera , Mr Dumbu and 2 youth provincial leaders support MDC T led by Khupe.
2014, Masvingo provincial organiser Mr Ziki said, “We took stock of our provincial leaders, I can assure you that, 99% of 2014, structures are solidly behind President Chamisa and MDC Alliance. “
On the other hand, Mr Paul Rimai who is 2014 Masvingo provincial youth organiser said, “Our Masvingo youth have rejected Khupe and MDC T. We are supporting president Chamisa and MDC Alliance. We are not going to their congress.”
One source who attended today’s meeting that was addressed by Komichi and Mudzuri said, “This project of Khupe, Mudzuri, Mwonzora and Komichi has suffered still birth. It’s a total failure. I will not attend it again. “
Tonight, senator Mudzuri had another meeting in Zaka central. Reports coming through shows that, “senator Mudzuri and MDC T have no support. “
One source said, “Senator Komichi and senator Mudzuri were not happy with today’s attendance. There are people who were receiving money from senator Mudzuri and senator Komichi promising to support them and campaigning for them, but today they did not come. Surely, they are people who are in politics for money. “
From statistical point of view, MDC T led by Khupe will fail to have quoram at their congress. Masvingo has about 700 congress delegates.
Tomorrow, Senator Komichi and Senator will be in Bikita. More details on Bikita meeting will be given.
