NATIONAL Aids Council (Nac) and its implementing partners are working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to provide HIV related healthcare services, among them provision of condoms and HIV testing to returnees at quarantine centres across the country.

In interview in Gweru last week, Nac chief executive officer Dr Bernard Madzima said there was a need to ensure continuity in the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to people including those under quarantine to ensure that issues to do with HIV and Aids are not neglected as the world grapples with the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Dr Madzima said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recently warned African governments not to neglect other health sectors and ailments and become blinkered by the Covid-19. He said Zimbabwe has made concerted efforts in the fight against HIV and put in place robust intervention strategies that has seen its prevalence rate going down from 25 percent to about 14 percent.

Dr Madzima said Nac and its implementing partners would be providing condoms, family planning services as well as HIV testing to returnees and deported Zimbabwean most of which came from South Africa and Botswana. Zimbabwe is expecting more than 3 000 returnees and deported citizens from its neighbouring country who are trickling back home since countries are on lockdowns.

“There are quarantine centres which are all over the country as you are aware. We are working the Ministry of Health and Child Care teams to make sure that the services which are offered at the health institutions or in the communities are also extended to people who are quarantined. They are not sick people, they are not ill. They still need necessary health services like condoms provision, HIV testing or even self-testing. They also require family planning tablets and they will need treatment for certain conditions. Those services are being extended to people under quarantine in various provinces. As Nac we want to make sure that we do not neglect service provision in those quarantine centres,” he said.

Dr Madzima said those that are on ART treatment will continue to receive medication if they provide medical treatment history and cards.

“On ARVs whether they are from South Africa or Botswana and they have their cards to prove, we are going to provide them with treatment. We have ARVs that can last us the whole year. We usually procure for the whole year so there is no need for people who might want medication or those already receiving medication to panic,” he said.

Dr Madzima said Covid-19 was posing a serious challenge to the full implementation of HIV interventions in the country.

“Testing for HIV, provision of condoms can actually go down and we reverse all the gains and efforts we made through various HIV and Aids intervention strategies. We had challenges initially during the lockdown as people living with HIV were finding it difficult to access their medication. However, there was no interruption. They had challenges in movement. Now we have our mobile pharmacies and clinics. We have our vehicles delivering to various areas. Also, the conditions of the lockdown have been relaxed so people are now able to move around,” he said.

-State Media

Former Zanu PF Political Commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has condemned the state sponsored abduction and torture of MDC officials.

Three MDC officials Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and one Netsai Marova were abducted by State agents and found after 24 hours in Bindura.

Said Kasukuwere:

“This is inhuman and appalling. The pain they are going through is shared by everyone in our country. We have to free ourselves from such deplorable criminal conduct.”

“This trauma against each other is unfortunate and barbaric This will not end well and the sooner all realize that there is an extent to which you can push people.”

MDC T President Thokozani Khupe has condemned the abuse and torture of civilians. While Khupe did not mention names, people who responded to her Tweet, speculated that she was talking about MDC Alliance activists who were abducted and tortured and left in Bindura.

Khupe tweeted:

The movement for Democratic Change(MDC-T) condemns the abuse and torture of civilians. We challenge the law enforcement agencies to desist from using any form of force on unarmed civilians when discharging their duties and call upon the authorities to conduct a full investigation

Most of the Twimbos who responded to Khupe’s tweet had no kind words for her and called her many names. Thokozani was declared the legitimate MDC leader by the Supreme Court ruling that also declared Chamisa the illegitimate MDC leader a ruling that did not sit well with many people who support Nelson Chamisa

We pubish below the reactions…..

The MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has said the move by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to indefinitely extend the lockdown is an act of establishing a tyrannical rule under the veil of fighting the pandemic. 

Chamisa said the indefinite lockdown extension changes the situation in a fundamental way.

Said Chamisa in a tweet:

Whereas measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are a necessity, we disagree with entrenching arbitrary rule under the guise of fighting the pandemic.We backed previous measures because they were time-specific.Indefinite extension changes the situation in a fundamental way.

Without consultation with us all, the indefinite extension of the lockdown opens a treacherous avenue to arbitrary rule. It indefinitely suspends the exercise of civil and political rights which are necessary checks and balances on the excesses of governmental power.

Most authoritarian regimes are now using COVID-19 situation as an stratagem to violate rights, abuse people, esp workers, informal traders & churches. Abuse & manipulation must be fought by all progressive citizens.The greater the oppression, the greater the determination!

Chamisa made these remarks after President Mnangagwa said he was extending the lockdown indefinitely and said they will review the situation in 2 weeks.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi has dismissed as malicious claims that she has resigned from her position.

Karenyi has also effectively distanced herself from Thokozani Khupe’s MDC T.

Below is Karenyi’s statement:

Press Statement:

16/05/2020

There are false and malicious social media posts claiming that I have resigned from my position as VP of MDCA.

It’s not usually my policy to respond to malicious reports by certain people with hidden agendas.

However I want to make it clear that the MDC Alliance is the only vehicle confronting the regime and there is no question of me abandoning that national project for which many lost their lives.

Whil I appreciate the role of the media to inform the nation I would appreciate it if in future the media would check with me before publishing information that is not verified. All my official announcements are usually put on my facebook page.

I thank you

Issued by,
Lynette Karenyi

MDCA Vice-President

By A Correspondent- Finance and Economic Development minister Professor Mthuli Ncube assured the nation that the monetary arrangements which were put in place as a result of the Exchange Control Directive will remain in place pending the outcome of the appeal to be noted in the next few days.

In a statement regarding the court judgement on the Exchange Control Directive No. R120/18 on the separation of RTGs FCA accounts and FCA Nostro accounts, Professor Ncube said the government and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe do not agree with the conclusion in the judgement to the effect that the Exchange Control Directive is unconstitutional.

“They take the view that the court has failed to give a proper interpretation of the directive. In the circumstances, the government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe intend to file an appeal against the judgment. They are further fortified in this cause of action by the fact that the court did not impugn the provisions of the Finance (NO2) Act, 2019and the amendments made to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] which were based on the Exchange control directive in question,” he said.

Below is the full statement:


RE: PRE. STATEMENT ON COURT JUDGMENT ON THE EXCHANGE CONTROL DIRECTIVE NO. R120/18 ON THE SEPARATION OF RTGS FCA ACCOUNTS AND FCA NOSTRO ACCOUNTS

The Attorney General has brought to my attention the judgment on the Exchange Control Directive No. R120/18 pertaining to the separation of RTGS FCA accounts and FCA Nostro accounts.

Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe do not agree with the conclusion in the judgment to the effect that the Exchange Control Directive is unconstitutional. They take the view that the court has failed to give a.proper interpretation to the directive.

In the circumstances, Government and the Reserve Bank intend to file an appeal against the judgment.

They are further fortified in this cause of action by the fact that the court did not impugn the provisions of the Finance (No.2) Act, 2015 and the amendments made to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] which were based on the Exchange Control Directive in question. Accordingly, Government and the Reserve.Bank of Zimbabwe wish to assure the nation that the monetary arrangements which were put in place as a result of the Exchange Control Directive in question will remain in place pending the outcome of the appeal to be noted in the next few days.

Hon. Prof. M. Ncube MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

While delivering today’s COVID-19 lockdown address President Mnangagwa highlighted the following:

1. Lockdown extended indefinitely
2. Social distancing to continue
3.  Wearing of face masks, hand washing and the use of sanitizers remains mandatory.
4. Public and Private places will continue to be disinfected regularly.
5. The government will increase all provinces’ testing capacities.
6. Private sector testing and isolation centres are encouraged and will be facilitated in testing suspected cases.
7. Rertunees still subjected to 21 day mandatory quarantine
8. Businesses planning to reopen must follow laid down measures in regards sanitization, social distancing, temperature checks and monitoring
9. Public exam classes and final year students must be allowed to proceed within the prevention measures .
10. Phased reopening of schools to be put in place
11. Business operating times adjusted, business can opne from 8 AM to 4:30PM
12. Informal sector reopening consultations still ongoing
13. Social gatherings, weddings, churches parties etc still prohibited.
14. Bars and gyms to remain closed. Restaurants allowed to open for take aways
15. Inter city travel still banned for both air and road transport except for essential cargo.
16. Zupco to remain the only public transport allowed on the road
17. All truck drivers entering the country to be tested.

Kudakwashe, one of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s sons is allegedly involved in the poaching of wildlife in Nyangambe in Save Valley Conservancy, a Chiredzi magistrate has been told.

The allegations were made by Farai Chauke, a Harare lawyer who comes from Nyangambe and is also the legal representative of Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project.

Chauke who is facing fraud charges for allegedly forging title deeds to the project told the court in his defense that he was being tormented for resisting poaching activities involving the President’s son.

Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project is run by villagers and allegations are that Kudakwashe is in the habit of coming along with one of the directors of Green Africa Safaris, Philip Mafuta to hunt and poach wildlife outside hunting quotas.

Green Africa Safaris which signed a one-year hunting lease agreement with Nyangambe Community Wildlife Project is using political power to illegally gun down animals which are not specified in their hunting quota said the lawyer under cross-examination.

Mafuta confirmed to The Mirror in an interview that he regularly goes for hunting with Kudakwashe but dismissed the allegations that they poach wildlife.

He said he is an in-law to one of Zion Christian Church Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi’s brothers and is therefore related to the Mnangagwas and there is nothing amiss about the two working together.

His hunting escapades with the President’s son, he said, are legal because Green Africa Safaris has a permit to hunt in Nyangambe. He warned Chauke of trouble for mentioning the President’s son in such a case.

“Zvaaita izvozvo zvichatomunyudza (He must watch his back. What he said about the President’s son will get him into trouble).

“Chauke is ignorant of the law. Our activities in Nyangambe are lawful according to the Parks and Wildlife Act. We are allowed to undertake hunting activities since we have a hunting permit at Nyangambe. I can confirm that I used to hunt with the President`s son since we are related, I am part of that family so there is nothing which can stop us from working together,” said Mafuta.

Magistrate Mutsoto remanded Chauke out of custody for continuation of the case.

Chiredzi North MP, Roy Bhila said there were issues in Nyangambe but they had nothing to do with politics or the President`s son. He said the community has a right to continue or terminate its lease with Green Africa Safaris if they feel something is wrong with their agreement.

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced the re-opening of schools and colleges for public examination classes and final year students only in his Covid-19 national address at State House, Saturday.

Announcing an indefinite extension of an already seven week-long national lockdown, Mnangagwa said plans were underway to re-open the education sector.

“Public exam classes within schools and final-year students at colleges and universities must be allowed to continue recognising, however, the stipulated Covid-19 prevention measures.

“Meanwhile, clear plans of the phased re-opening of schools continue to be put in place,” said Mnangagwa.

Some schools and colleges had already started online classes for students.

Mnangagwa initially announced a 21-day lockdown period starting 30 March this year to combat the spread of coronavirus before extending it by a further four weeks after a slight spike in confirmed cases.

By Simba Chikanza | ZimEye.com reveals evidence of police abduction of the three MDC Alliance youth leaders which the government publication the Herald deleted after proving that the Zimbabwe Republic Police truly abducted the victims on Wednesday 13th May 2020. 

For several weeks the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the military have been randomly assaulting civilians walking out to fetch essential services such as water and medication, and 3 weeks ago, the military spokesman Overson Mugwisi in an interview denied that soldiers and police were assaulting civilians in Harare, Gweru, and Masvingo. This was despite footage particularly from Harare which had been earlier on confirmed by ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman, George Charamba. 

Civilians have been complaining that they feel oppressed and on Wednesday a group of MDC Youths conducted a short flash demo attended by less than 25 youths. The three female MDC youth leaders, Cecilia Chimbiri, Joana Mamombe, and Netsai Marova were arrested by the police and taken to the Harare Central Police station. 

2 days later, the government spokesman, Nick (Ndavangi) Mangwana has issued a contradicting report saying they were never arrested, and were never in police custody. 

All this comes at a time when New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, Helen Clark got frustrated after noticing that even the Voice of America, a respected US government funded media house also deleted evidence of the abduction, something which follows the way they also handled the abduction of Hospital Doctors Association President Dr Peter Magombeyi in September last year. (See tweets below with video-tweet)

Strange – the link has disappeared – but there are plenty of others about the abduction & torture of #Zimbabwe ?? MP Joana Mamombe & 2 other #women: https://t.co/stKfkE4kvS

— Helen Clark (@HelenClarkNZ) May 16, 2020

Exactly a year ago, VOA journo Marvelous Mhlanga signed up to work for @edmnangagwa to do social engineering work, and create PR packages:today she interrogates a distraught,disturbed, and terrified victim of torture,Dr @DMagombeyi leading to his arrest last night @MakomboreroH pic.twitter.com/YYLlWmmslz

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) September 20, 2019

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By Simba Chikanza | ZimEye.com reveals clear evidence of police abduction of the three MDC Alliance youth leaders which the government publication the Herald deleted after proving that the Zimbabwe Republic Police truly abducted the victims on Wednesday 13th May 2020.

For several weeks the Zimbabwe Republic Police and those of the military have been randomly assaulting civilians seeking to fetch essential services such as water and medication, and 3 weeks ago, the military spokesman Overson Mugwisi in an interview denied that soldiers and police were assaulting civilians in Harare, Gweru, and Masvingo despite footage from Harare confirmed by the government spokesman George Charamba.

Civilians have been complaining that they feel oppressed and on Wednesday a group of MDC Youths did a short flash demo attended by less than 25 youths. The three female MDC youth leaders were arrested by the police and taken to the Harare Central Police station.

2 days later, government spokesman, Nick (Ndavangi) Mangwana has issued a contradicting report saying they were never arrested, and were never in police custody.

This comes at a time when New Zealand’s former Prime Minister got frustrated after noticing that even the Voice of America a respected US government funded media house also deleted evidence of the abduction, something which follows the way they also did to the abduction of Hospital Doctors Association President Dr Peter Magombeyi in September last year.Watch video below :

MDC Vice President Lynette Karenyi has refuted allegations that she has dumped the main  MDC faction led by  Nelson Chamisa and joined the smaller MDC faction led by Thokozani Khupe.

The allegations arose after veteran broadcaster Zenzele Ndebele reported that a reliable source had given him information to the effect that Karenyi was participating in the build-up to the much-hyped MDC Extraordinary Congress.

Read Karenyi’s statement below:

There are false and malicious social media posts claiming that I have resigned from my position as VP of MDCA.

It is not usually my policy to respond to malicious reports by certain people with hidden agendas. However, I want to make it clear that the MDC Alliance is the only vehicle confronting the regime and there is no question of me abandoning that national project for which many lost their lives.

Whilst I appreciate the role of the media to inform the nation I would appreciate it if in future the media would check with me before publishing information that is not verified. All my official announcements are usually put on my facebook page.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi has dismissed as malicious claims that she has resigned from her position.

Karenyi has also effectively distanced herself from Thokozani Khupe’s MDC T.

Below is Karenyi’s statement:

Press Statement:

16/05/2020

There are false and malicious social media posts claiming that I have resigned from my position as VP of MDCA.

It’s not usually my policy to respond to malicious reports by certain people with hidden agendas.

However I want to make it clear that the MDC Alliance is the only vehicle confronting the regime and there is no question of me abandoning that national project for which many lost their lives.

Whil I appreciate the role of the media to inform the nation I would appreciate it if in future the media would check with me before publishing information that is not verified. All my official announcements are usually put on my facebook page.

I thank you

Issued by,
Lynette Karenyi

MDCA Vice-President

SCHOOLS and colleges will remain closed as many institutions of learning are being used as quarantine facilities for visitors and returning residents.

Chief coordinator for National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva told the ZBC that schools will remain closed until conditions are safe for learners.

Mahomva said the large numbers of people in quarantine areas and returning residents that are being received at the country’s ports of entry meant that many cautionary factors had to be taken into account before opening schools.

“If we open schools now the question is where would we put those numbers that continue to come back?” she said.

-State Media

As the People’s party, the MDC Alliance regrets that up to now, the Police are still refusing to release the personal assets belonging to our Youth Assembly leaders who were recently abducted, tortured and dumped at Bindura.

The Police must release all their personal assets unconditionally and immediately

These assets include the Mercedes Benz car that belongs to our Youth Assembly Secretary for Policy and Research, Hon. Joanah Mamombe, the mobile phones belonging to all our three abducted Youth Assembly leaders and other personal belongings.

If the Police fail to return the personal assets soonest, we will be left with no choice but to approach the courts for a recourse.

MDC Alliance Communications Department

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabweans have launched an online petition to the Boris Johnson administration in the United Kingdom to strip Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana of his British citizenship.

They accused Mangwana of defending violence and abduction of opposition members by the President Emmerson Mnangagwa regime.

Below is the full petition:

The government of Zimbabwe has been involved in gross human rights offenses. The United Nations documented 49 abductions.

Out of about 49 Abductions since 2019 no arrests have been made. The Abductors who torture and sexually abuse are still at large the State through their secretary Nick Mangwana claims abductions are fake without any evidence.

Recently 3 MDC, A female activists Jona Mamombe, Netsai Marowa, and Cicilia Chimbiri were abducted and violently raped. Police through their spokesperson admitted in the State Newspaper the herald that these ladies were in their custody after being arrested.

The next morning the same police denied having them in their custody. The 3 ladies were later found in Bindura ,bruised,raped and badly beaten.

We believe Nick Mangwana as secretary is part of a repressive system which is being  used to oppress women in Zimbabwe. He should be stripped of his UK citizenship and his family deported back to Zimbabwe.

Here is the link to the petition

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi will on Tuesday visit Zimbabwe to attend the SADC Extraordinary Summit in Harare.

According to a statement from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation, Masisi will attend an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation (Organ) Troika in his capacity as the incoming Chair of the SADC Organ.

The statement reads: “The Organ is one of the institutions of SADC, and included among its structures, is the Troika which comprises the Chairperson of the Organ, the Incoming Chair who serves as the Deputy Chairperson, and the Outgoing Chairperson. The Organ Troika is responsible for providing

policy direction and decision making on regional political, defence, and security issues”.

It is not clear what is the agenda of the summit. Last month during the height of international travel bans, Masisi hosted a special envoy appointed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Lesotho, Jeff Radebe and his delegation at the State House in Gaborone to discuss the political situation in Lesotho.

It further stated that the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Kabo Morwaeng and senior government officials would accompany the President and return on the same day.

Mmegi Online

By Jane Mlambo| South African opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane has expressed disappointment over the latest reports of abduction of MDC Alliance youth leaders saying the use of intimidation, torture and rape against civilians should end.

Posting on Twitter, Maimane said he was disappointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s military and police who continue to abuse political opponents.

“Mr Mnangagwa we are gravely disappointed to hear that your military and police forces are abusing political opponents. The use of intimidation, torture and rape against civilians must end,” said Maimane.

Former MDC T Vice President Elias Mudzuri has said the party will unite all MDC members after the court-sanctioned congress which is slated for July 2020. 

Mudzuri tweeted and said all those that contributed to the struggle will not be left behind.

Tweeted Mudzuri:

All those who have contributed towards this struggle for democracy will not be left behind. After the Extraordinary Congress, negotiations will take place to unite all MDC family members under one big tent of our Great party

Meanwhile, Douglas Mwonzora has confirmed that one of Chamisa’s deputies has joined one of Khupe’s allies’ WhatsApp group. 

By A Correspondent- The wearing of face masks remains compulsory while the quarantine of returning residents remains in place as Zimbabwe’s Lockdown is extended indefinately.

This was revealed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in his state of the nation address on COVID 19.

“Zim will therefore continue on the Level 2 Lockdown for an indefinite period. We shall have regular 2 week interval reviews to assess progress, or lack of it. …

The modified phased approach, will further allows us to increase surveillance including early detection, testing….”

Watch the live video loading below:

By Stanley Goreraza- Get well soon baby girl Joanna, and the other two young ladies who were physically violated and stripped of their dignity with you, by the slithering system that coiled itself around Zimbabwe 40 years ago and continues to squeeze the life out of us today.

There are times that we disagree, that being the character of life, but there are times that bring us together and this is one such time.

The regime feeds on illegalities, indecency and inhumanity, like vampires get nourishment from blood. When they are feeding, they are doing evil, when they are doing evil they are feeding. If they do not do evil they get hungry because evil is their food and fuel.

I always go back to the author of this system, Robert Mugabe and the editors of this system, Jonathan Moyo, Kasukuwere, Didymus Mutasa, we all know the others and they are many. (Mnangagwa has become co-author, jumping from publisher) . Va Mugabe created this monster out of the inhumanity that was in his heart.

He laid eggs and they hatched and today there are little Mugabes running around all over the country, little snakes that are growing, feeding on evil.

I almost lose my mind everytime they try to make him out to be what he was not – an icon. He stands right next to the likes of Idi Amin and Adolf Hitler on the history parade. His story is written in blood.

We should thank God that the girls are back and alive. Itai Dzamara did not have such luck. Mr Mugabe’s hatchlings got him.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that only ZUPCO contracted buses are to operate as the country remains in Lockdown indefinitely.

Mnangagwa revealed several other measures to be observed during what he termed as Level 2 of the country’s Lockdown including the mandatory wearing of masks.

He also revealed that the Level 2 Lockdown had been extended indefinitely.

He said:

“….Zimbabwe will therefore continue on the Level 2 Lockdown for an indefinite period. We shall have regular 2 week interval reviews to assess progress, or lack of it. …The modified phased approach, will further allows us to increase surveillance including early detection, testing….”

Watch the live video below…

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates

Political gatherings and rallies remain banned as Zimbabwe’s Lockdown is extended indefinitely, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

Mnangagwa said this while revealing a host of other Lockdown conditions. He said:

“….Zimbabwe will therefore continue on the Level 2 Lockdown for an indefinite period. We shall have regular 2 week interval reviews to assess progress, or lack of it. …

The modified phased approach, will further allows us to increase surveillance including early detection, testing…..”

Watch the live video loading below….

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the national lockdown by an indefinite period with regular two week reviews to assess progress.

Mnangagwa made the announcement at the State House this afternoon.

He said as part of relaxed conditions, he allowed final examinations to continue but following stipulated guidelines.

He also adjusted operating time for businesses from the initial 8AM to 3PM to 8AM to 430PM.

Mnangagwa said as from Monday, they will allow low risk sporting codes to take place.

Bars and gymnasiums remain closed as well as intercity movement of people is still prohibited.

Food restaurants have been permitted to open but only for takeaways and deliveries.

By A Correspondent| President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the country’s COVID-19 Lockdown indefinitely revealing that bars and gyms among other centres should remain closed.

Watch Mnangagwa’s address to the nation in the live video loading below…

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi has dismissed as malicious claims that she has jumped the ship and resigned from her position joining the Thokozani Khupe faction.

Karenyi distanced herself from Khupe’s MDC T adding that the reports are not only fasle but malicious.

Below is Karenyi’s full statement:

Press Statement:

16/05/2020

There are false and malicious social media posts claiming that I have resigned from my position as VP of MDCA.

It’s not usually my policy to respond to malicious reports by certain people with hidden agendas.

However I want to make it clear that the MDC Alliance is the only vehicle confronting the regime and there is no question of me abandoning that national project for which many lost their lives.

While I appreciate the role of the media to inform the nation I would appreciate it if in future the media would check with me before publishing information that is not verified.

All my official announcements are usually put on my facebook page.

I thank you

Issued by, Lynette Karenyi MDCA Vice-President

Félicien Kabuga, one of the most wanted suspects in the Rwandan genocide, has been arrested near Paris, the French justice ministry has announced.

Mr Kabuga was detained by gendarmes in Asnières-Sur-Seine, where he had been living under a false identity.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has charged the 84-year-old with genocide and crimes against humanity.

He is alleged to have been the main financier of the ethnic Hutu extremists who slaughtered 800,000 people in 1994.

They were targeting members of the minority Tutsi community, as well as their political opponents.

The United States had offered a reward of $5m (£4.1m) for information leading to Mr Kabuga’s arrest.

-BBC

By A CorrespondentA 56-year-old man from Ascot in Gweru is in court facing rape charges after he allegedly drugged and raped a 15-year-old girl.

The State says that on April 30, 2020 Jonasi Mwale (56) proposed love to the girl who turned him down.

The accused asked the girl to follow him to his house and at the house, Mwale allegedly drugged the juvenile with an unknown substance and she fell asleep. Tripsitter analysts did their own research and believe the drug was DXM – commonly found in cough syrup.

Prosecutor Margret Mukucha said that Mwale took advantage of the situation and had sex with the girl.

When the girl regained consciousness, she was urged not to cry or tell anyone about the incident. She was also told that she would soon get used to the sex.

The girl disclosed the matter to her parents after they noticed that she could not walk properly.

Parents have expressed anger at the way in which their children are living at this boarding school allegedly co- owned by Spencer Banda a popular sportscaster at Zimpapers and Star FM.

Here are shocking pictures of a rundown Sodbury School located in Mashonaland West, Darwendale area, some 65 km from Harare.

Sources say parents are paying $575 per term and many do not know that their children are living in unhealthy prison-like conditions.

Pictures shared by sources show kids sitting on torn bunker beds, dirty toilets and potholes on dormitory floors making people to question if this is a young offenders’ institution or a real school.

Said, one observer:

“I would not be shocked. I visited a school yrs back and the toilets were full of feces with no running water and the students were used to it. So much for affordable schools. Sadly we have exonerated government from its role by letting SDA bear the burden of making schools habitable.

“That school has to be shut down with immediate effect, do u have health inspectors in Zimbabwe ??? Prison cells are better, Chikurubi young offenders Prison more like, not school. Ma1.”

An anonymous parent revealed the dire situation at the institution. She said school children pay $30 per month for the internet but there are no computers, the school does not have a dining hall, children bring their own plates, children are taught agriculture and science yet there are no fields and no labs for experiments. Food is allegedly saved from the same containers used for cleaning.

16 May 2020

PRESS RELEASE

RE: ABDUCTION OF MDC ALLIANCE OFFICIALS

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions(ZCTU) is horrified that once again another NAZI style kidnapping and abduction of opposition activists has taken place in Zimbabwe under the so called ‘New Dispensation’ and ‘Second Republic’.

The kidnapping, abduction and torture of MDC Alliance Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency Hon Joanna Mamombe together with The MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Deputy Chair Cecilia Chimbiri, and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Deputy Organiser Netsai Marova on Thursday 14 May 2020 is the latest in a series of barbaric events that have happened since President Mnangangwa took power in 2017 promising of a new era of tolerance, respect for human rights and freedoms.

Unfortunately things are going the opposite way because the country has seen arrests, abductions and torture of political activists, civic organisations leaders, trade unions and even artists who dared to oppose the current administration.

Suprising no one has been apprehended or questioned, giving credence to the theory that this is purely State sanctioned .

The ZCTU is convinced that the police have highly experienced personnel that is capable of investigating and bringing the perpetrators to book but are deliberately not making an effort for unknown reasons.

The three MDC Alliance activists are said to have suffered horrific abuse, including sexual abuse at the hands of their tormentors.

The modus operandi of the kidnappers seem to be the same for all their operations. This systematic pattern points to a well coordinated and centralised approach by a well trained team getting directives from the high echelons of power.

This is supported by the fact that the Zimbabwe Republic Police initially confirmed that they had arrested the MDC trio only to make a dramatic U-turn claiming that they do not know the whereabouts of the three.

These latest abductions and torture of the three MDC alliance activist is a testimony that we have not reformed to embrace diversity. We have remained with the old legacy that has brought us to be a pariah and authoritarian state.

This is the legacy Zimbabweans endured during the Robert Mugabe era. We do not expect that citizens stopped at an official checkpoint and taken to a police station can dissapear and resurface brutalized in the bush.

The ZCTU condemns the abductions and demand an unfettered investigation into the matter by an independent team of investigators since the police have been paying lip service to these issues for a long time.

Japhet Moyo
SECRETARY GENERAL

By A Correspondent- Pastor Shingi Munyeza, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) which advises President Emmerson Mnangagwa has continued to attack the ruling ZANU PF which he said is responsible for the deteriorating state of affairs.

He speaks when Zimbabwe is submerged under an acute socio-economic crisis characterised by lack of food, medicine, fuel and other essentials.

He tweeted:

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS

1.We can’t move backwards

2.We can’t move forward

3.We can’t move sideways

THE THINKING, THE VALUES & THE SYSTEMS that got us here have no CAPACITY nor ABILITY to move us forward WE NEED A NEW “VEHICLE” New wine & new wineskins Matthew 9:17 #Zimbabwe

Munyeza in his recent sermon predicted that the regime, which he likened to the Egyptian Pharaoh in the Bible, was going to fall very soon.

While some say Munyeza has finally seen the light, some are sceptical saying by virtue of being an advisor to President Mnangagwa, he is part of the system which was already bad when he agreed to be part of it.

Some even go further to accuse him of using his sermons as a strategy to create false hope for the masses, to buy time for the ruling ZANU PF.

– Shingi Munyeza

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to address the nation on the novel coronavirus later today. 

This comes when the business community and some members of the public have urged the government to lift the COVID-19-induced lockdown in a bid to save the struggling economy.

The expected address was announced by ZBC News on twitter in a post which read:

#COVID-19 address to the nation by H.E. President @edmnangagwa later today on ZTV, our 6 radio stations and also the digital and online platforms.

Zimbabwe first announced a three-week lockdown in March and then extended that, prior to the latest extension which is due to expire this Sunday.

The latest extension ushered the country into ‘level 2’ which saw some regulations relaxed to allow some sectors of the economy to resume operations.

Mnangagwa has already hinted on extending the lockdown saying that he would put people’s lives ahead of the economy.

The lockdown has shuttered an economy struggling with acute shortages of foreign currency, food, electricity and medicines.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to address the nation on the next move with the stage 2 national lockdown announced two weeks ago set to expire tomorrow midnight.

This has been confirmed by the ZBC Twitter page

Spencer Banda, who is in a rape accusations storm has told his accusers to take him to court if they truly have a case against him.

In an interview Banda said his stance on the issue has not changed despite all the evidence presented to ZimEye.com by his accusers who accused him of raping them when they were pupils at his family school.

“I have said it before, and I will say it again, rape is a serious allegation that’s not reported and defended on social media, if anyone was raped in the gruesome ways being narrated on social media, they should report the matter and let me have my day in court, I am waiting,” he said.

Banda said it was not the first time that he has been labelled a rapist. He was even taken to court on the charge in Chegutu where he was acquitted.

“If someone alleges that I raped them, they should take me to court as what happened in 2004, we went to court and it was discovered that they were lying, so if anyone feels that I was unjustly cleared, we can go back to court again,” he said before hanging up.

Banda was once tried over allegedly raping two minors at Chinhoyi Magistrates Court in 2004.

In an interview run on ZimEye.com live, former students at Sodbury High School accused him of rape, molestation and ‘murder’ of a student who was reportedly beaten to death by his school staff and it was covered up as suicide.

In the live video, it was revealed that prior the old students deciding to go live and sharing the horrors perpetrated by Banda, they had added him and his wife Sharon to a WhatsApp group where they confronted them over the “crimes” they committed at the school.

Sharon was implicated in the rape storm for allegedly protecting Banda whenever the students reported rape and molestation. It was alleged that she would beat the complainants and sweep the reports under the carpet.

Several other callers called in corroborating what the previous callers had said.

However, Banda believes this was staged by people with an agenda, insisting that his hands are clean.

Watch video downloading below:

Star FM has dismissed news that football commentator Spencer Banda still works for the company.

Banda, who used to cover Sunday matches with Howard Musonza and contribute to the Daily Sports Zone show on the station, has been embroiled in a s__xual abuse scandal after students at Sodbury High School made numerous allegations against him.

As a way to protect its brand, Star FM has issued a public notice, advising that the sportscaster left the radio station in July 2018.

“Please be advised that Spencer Banda does not work for Star FM,” reads the notice. “He left Star FM in July 2018 and there is no association between him and the station as is being alleged on social media.”

Below is the transcript of a Whistleblower’s statement over the situation at Sodbury High School. The accused, (school owner)Spencer Banda, was on ZimEye.com two days ago to answer to the allegations.

“Tete we learnt at Sodbury High School. I think you know the owner Spencer Banda. I learnt at the school 1998 to 2001. The things that used to happen there are horrific. Spencer used to rape kids. He raped almost 3 quarters of the whole school’s girls.

“So we have a group of former classmates. The girls are looking for assistance. So we tried to talk to him to ask for forgiveness in front of all of us ‘, but we failed to agree with him. He is saying he did not rape anyone, but when he exited the group he went to every girl’s inbox, those who are accusing him and asked for forgiveness personally and directly, which we are not agreeable to. We want him to stand before all of us and ask for forgiveness; All of us boys and girls tell us that he (he has forgiven us of the truth – sic).

“We are scared for the kids at the school that they are being abused in exactly the same way, and they do not have anyone to complain to.

“I was asking you please if I could add you to the group so that you can hear it for yourself. That you can decide what you want to do. I thank you very much Tete.

“Okay Tete, we thought you would help us. Some of the victims are now overseas, some are in SA, Some in Dubai.

“Our intention was not to expose the man, but to protect the kids presently at the school, so that at least if you can help us, he can stop what he is doing.”

Banda left Star FM following another scandal after a picture of him half-naked went viral with allegations that he was caught dating a married woman.

ZBC|SCHOOLS and colleges will remain closed as many institutions of learning are being used as quarantine facilities for visitors and returning residents.

Chief coordinator for National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva told the ZBC that schools will remain closed until conditions are safe for learners.

Mahomva said the large numbers of people in quarantine areas and returning residents that are being received at the country’s ports of entry meant that many cautionary factors had to be taken into account before opening schools.

“If we open schools now the question is where would we put those numbers that continue to come back?” she said.

WATCH ZBC interview below;

Below is the transcript of a Whistleblower’s statement over the situation at Sodbury High School. The accused, (school owner)Spencer Banda, was on ZimEye.com two days ago to answer to the allegations. FULL TEXT:

“Tete we learnt at Sodbury High School. I think you know the owner Spencer Banda. I learnt at the school 1998 to 2001. The things that used to happen there are horrific. Spencer used to rape kids. He raped almost 3 quarters of the whole school’s girls.

“So we have a group of former classmates. The girls are looking for assistance. So we tried to talk to him to ask for forgiveness in front of all of us ‘, but we failed to agree with him. He is saying he did not rape anyone, but when he exited the group he went to every girl’s inbox, those who are accusing him and asked for forgiveness personally and directly, which we are not agreeable to. We want him to stand before all of us and ask for forgiveness; All of us boys and girls tell us that he (he has forgiven us of the truth – sic).

“We are scared for the kids at the school that they are being abused in exactly the same way, and they do not have anyone to complain to.

“I was asking you please if I could add you to the group so that you can hear it for yourself. That you can decide what you want to do. I thank you very much Tete.

“Okay Tete, we thought you would help us. Some of the victims are now overseas, some are in SA, Some in Dubai.

“Our intention was not to expose the man, but to protect the kids presently at the school, so that at least if you can help us, he can stop what he is doing.”

State Media|Zanu-PF Politburo member and former Youth League leader Absolom Sikhosana has died.

The Bulawayo Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, said Sikhosana died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals last night.

“He died last night at the United Bulawayo Hospitals where he had been admitted since Monday,” said the Minister.

“He was so friendly to everybody, free to talk to anytime, he was that type of a leader and leading from behind. We have lost a great man,” she said.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Dr Obert Mpofu said Sikhosana was a loyal and dedicated cadre.

“Cde Sikhosana was a disciplined and dedicated cadre that we worked with for many years. He was unflinching in his resolve to serve the party and when he was leader of the youths, there was so much discipline in the party.

“He was a hardworking leader and until his death he was loyal and committed to the party. It is sad that we have lost our brother. He has never veneered off the revolutionary path. Because of his discipline, he was made interim chairperson of Bulawayo despite being a politburo member while they fix their structures and there was now order in Bulawayo because Cde Sikhosana was at the helm,”said Dr Mpofu.

“He was loved by everyone and loved everyone too and was very active in the party. It is sad for us because just yesterday we buried another national hero and now we have lost our brother.”

Dr Mpofu said consultations will be made with Sikhosana’s family on the way forward.

Sikhosana was at the helm of the ZANU PF Youth League until he was way over sixty years with now President Emmerson Mnangagwa protecting him from ouster.

In the run up to the 2014 ZANU PF congress, Mnangagwa, then Secretary for Legal Affairs in the party warned that Sikhosana was untouchable.

“You can only elect as far as your national youth vice-chairman . . . you start from the lower levels electing your youth leaders, that we can allow you, but when it comes to Sikhosana, you end there.

“For those who are jostling and looking to seek answers on whether Sikhosana is going to be there or not, please don’t stress because it’s not your job . . . if you find yourself straying into that area, please brew some beer and say to your ancestors you are now leading me astray please cleanse my evil thoughts,” said Mnangangwa adding that Sikhosana would be retained because he was the most trusted person to lead Zanu PF youths.

State Media|Four more people, all travellers from South Africa or in official quarantine on their return to Zimbabwe, have tested positive for Covid-19 bringing the number of confirmed cases to 42.

None of the new patients appear to have been infected within Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that four people had tested positive for Covid-19: one was from Mashonaland East and one from Harare, both being travellers from South Africa.

The other two were from a quarantine centre in Mashonaland West.

“To date we have 42 confirmed cases, 13 recoveries, four deaths and 25 active cases since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020,” read the statement.

Own Correspondent|Both the government and police have adopted a very shocking denial stance against the abduction and brutal torture of MDC activists who were abducted on Wednesday only to be dumped in a remote area on Thursday night.

In a very disturbing statement, government said police will investigate the case to establish the truth on the abduction instead of investigating the abduction to establish the perpetrators.

Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe (27), Netsai Marova (25) and Cecilia Chimbiri (33) were found at Muchapondwa Business Centre, 30km from Bindura along the Harare-Domboshawa Road after disappearing in the hands of the police on Wednesday.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana made the statement on behalf of the government.

“Investigations are currently underway to establish what transpired to the three women from the time they left the demonstration up to the point when they were reportedly picked up at Muchapondwa Business Centre.

“Government will uphold the law and constitutional safeguards contained therein and if any law has been broken, the law will be enforced.

“We are calling on the three citizens to work with the law enforcement agents in order to bring the truth to light and we are appealing to anyone with information concerning this case to make a report with the police,” said Mr Mangwana.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi who shortly after the disappearance issued a statement to the effect that the three ladies were in police custody, has come up with a changed stance indicating that police never arrested the ladies.

“Police are conducting investigations to establish what transpired on May 13, 2020 after the flash demonstration in Warren Park 1, Harare had been dispersed.

“It is only after full scale investigations that police will be in a position to pin point what actually happened between May 13 and May 15 2020. This includes the movement of demonstrators, their associates and subsequent location of the trio at Muchapondwa Business Centre,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.

Government said information gathered shows the case emanated from a demonstration that was staged in Warren Park.

“The three were part of a group of MDC youths that defied the lockdown laws in the country and took part in an illegal demonstration in Warren Park. While police were looking for them, social media chatter indicating the three had disappeared was observed. Measures were put in place to locate them. On the night of the 14th, the police were informed that the three suspects had been located at Muchapondwa Business Centre in Bindura,” reads the statement.

Own Correspondent|After an initial shocking hero status snub of gallant liberation war fighter, late Brigadier-General Crispan Masuku has been conferred the National Hero Status.

Zanu-PF Politburo conferred national hero status on Masuku on Friday after he was laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo earlier in the day.

ZimEye.com raised concern on the hero status snub by ZANU PF before he was buried.

He was 61.

Zanu PF secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu announced the conferment of national hero status in a statement last night.

“This is to notify that the late Brigadier-General, Crispan Masuku has been declared a national hero. Brigadier General Masuku, who is a liberation fighter whose Chimurenga name was Cde Kid Manzini, passed on Wednesday May 13, 2020.”

A delegation led by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo, Zanu PF Politburo member Angeline Masuku and Dr Mpofu, visited the late Brig Gen Masuku’s homestead and conveyed the national hero status message to the family.

“I am here as I have been sent to convey this message by the President (Mnangagwa). The late General Masuku has been declared a national hero and his works speak for themselves. He dedicated his life to service and until his time of death, he remained a committed serviceman,” said Dr Mpofu.

“The Government has seen him fit to be conferred national hero status. It is unfortunate that he is being declared a National Hero after his burial. However, this does not take away the honour that has been bestowed upon him. The Covid-19 has made processes much more difficult as we are working remotely as we practice social distancing.

“Messages may take time to be heard and acted upon. However, we thank the family for doing such a splendid job in giving the late general befitting send-off. His place at the National Heroes (Acre) shall be always known and he will not be forgotten for the works he has done.”

He is survived by his wife Nomathemba Ndiweni and three children Ngqabutho, Nqobile and Nomagugu Adelide.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has suspended without salary and allowances Registrar-General Clemence Masango who is facing charges of criminal abuse of office as a public officer after he allegedly instructed CMED to buy a double cab and six single cab pick-up trucks without Cabinet approval before using the vehicles at his farm.

The suspension will run from May 8, 2020 to August 2020 and is meant to allow Auditor General Mrs Mildred Chiri to conduct a forensic audit of the central registry.

Masango has denied any wrongdoing saying the process of buying the cars started long before he assumed duty as Registrar-General and that payments were made within 10 days of him assuming duty on September 24, 2018.

He said he found no reason to seek authority from accounting officers, as CMED was mandated to procure vehicles on behalf of the Government. Masango also denied misusing Government vehicles at his farm, saying he only acquired the land in December last year.

When contacted yesterday over the suspension, Masango declined to comment referring questions to Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Mr Aaron Nhepera.

Mr Nhepera confirmed the suspension. “That issue is handled by the PSC because of his level as a senior Government official. I only come in when I asked him to sign the letter to show that he had received it,” said Mr Nhepera.

According to a letter signed by PSC Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutawunashe, Masango was suspended to allow a forensic audit and will not be allowed to leave the country without the permission of the employer. His bail conditions included the need for him to surrender his passport to the court, so he is now under a double travel ban.

“The reasons for your suspension are that your continued attendance at work or your continued performance of duties would enable you to hinder or interfere with the investigations or evidence relating to the alleged misconduct, occasion prejudice to any moneys or property likely to be handled by you in the course of your work and also be undesirable in the public interest or likely to lead to a loss of public confidence in the Public Service.”

Masango was directed not to go to work during the period of his suspension.

“Since the nature of the allegations you are facing involve financial prejudice to the Government, you shall not be entitled to a suspension allowance during the period of suspension.”

Last week Masango was granted $10 000 bail by a magistrate court and had to handover the title deeds to his home as extra surety when he appeared for his initial remand.

Masango was arrested last week by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission after an investigation into allegations raised by one of his subordinates, chief accountant Peter Bwanya, who is himself facing a disciplinary hearing after allegedly forcing one of his subordinates to resign at gunpoint.

Former Zanu PF Secretary for Youth Affairs and Politiburo Member, Absolom Sikhosana has passed away. He was 71.

This is according to a Zanu PF linked State of the Nation Twitter post this morning.

Sikhosana was the Secretary for Youth Affairs during the late President Robert Mugabe reign. He was later replaced by Kudzanai Chipanga who later got fired after the November 2017 military coup.

More to follow….

Chipinge has witnessed another earth tremor early morning today. According to The Manica Post, the tremor lasted for about 30 seconds.

View the Manica Post Tweet….

By Wilbert Mukori| As of today, Friday 15 May 2020, Zimbabwe has 42 confirmed covid-19 cases, 13 have recovered, 4 deaths and 25 active cases, none of whom are in hospital.
The country imposed a 3-week total nationwide lockdown 30 March 2020 with 7 confirmed cases. The lockdown was eased to level 2 and extended by 2 weeks. The 2-week end 17 May and authorities will now have to decide whether to extend the lockdown or end it.
If we assume that the government has been testing aggressively as it should and it promised to then imposing a nationwide lockdown does not make any sense when the number of new cases has gone from 34 to 42 in two weeks in a country with a population of 16 million and the majority of the cases have a history of having travelled outside the country.
It would make a lot of sense to restrict movement of people in those provinces with reported covid-19 and also in and out of those provinces. Those provinces which have had no reported cases should be allowed to carry on as normal.
The level 2 lockdown allows most economic activity to go ahead but not the informal sector activities. It is clear that there has been no meaningful adherence to the physical distancing in the shops and people queuing to get on the buses, in the buses, etc. It is therefore unfair that vendors have been singled out when everyone else is allowed to operate violating the physical distancing rules.
The vendors are generally the poorest of the poor and they have no political voice and hence are the easiest to pick upon!
No one should have to face the impossible choice of starving or violate the lockdown restrictions and face the brutality of the state! If Mnangagwa is going to extend the lockdown on 17 May 2020, then government must have a demonstrative plan to make sure all those who need such basic needs as food, water and medicine are all going to get it!
There is growing evidence to suggest that this government is not testing for covid-19 as aggressively as it should. Some provinces such as Midlands and Masvingo had 3 and 0 tests carried out in 15 May report and have consistently reported low tests. It is inconceivable that there have been no reported deaths with covid-19 like symptoms in these provinces.
It seems Zimbabwe has not been testing aggressively to keep the covid-19 cases and deaths as low as possible. The low covid-19 figures will give the impression the country has the virus under control when in reality the virus is spreading even faster than it should otherwise. If people knew that malaria patients are in fact covid-19 patients, for example, then they will be a lot cautious than otherwise.
Covid-19 is a virus just like flu and winter is flu season. Watch out!
The tragedy for Zimbabwe is the country has imposed a nationwide lockdown too early and, because the lockdown was poorly planned, it failed to stop the virus spreading. By failing to test and track covid-19 cases aggressively nation has failed react and stop the virus spreading far and wide.
Covid-19 has wreaked economic and humanitarian havoc the world over. Even those nations with vast economic wealth and five-star health care services have been hit hard economically and their health care services have been stretched to the limit and many people have died of the virus.
40 years of gross mismanagement and rampant corruption meant Zimbabwe was an impoverished nation whose health care had all but collapse. The country does not even have clean running water even in urban centres so people can wash their hands regularly, a basic covid-19 hygiene requirement. So, we know the country is going to be hit particularly hard.
The worst case scenario projected covid-19 death toll in the developed countries is 0.1% of the population. In most developing countries the figure will be ten times that, 1%. Given Zimbabwe’s sorry economic state and Zanu PF’s continued blundering incompetence in the handling of this pandemic, the country will be very lucky to get away with 2% or 320 000 death rate!

Eighty one returnees have been discharged from the Beitbridge Quarantine Centre, which expected several busloads of more Zimbabweans repatriated late Friday and on Saturday.

Director of Social Welfare Totamirepi Tirivavi said those discharged yesterday were expected to finish their 21-day quarantine in their provinces.

Unlike earlier arrangements where repatriates finished the remainder of their quarantine at home, the government had said quarantine period will now be completed in confinement.

“Those discharged were earlier expected to finish their quarantine at home but some have not adhered to that and a decision has been reached that everyone be confined until the finish the 21-day period,” said Tirivavi.

Cabinet last week resolved all people finish the internationally recommended mandatory 21 day period during which the Coronavirus is expected to have manifested itself if any.

Earlier, the government had reduced quarantine period to eight days after anyone testing negative on rapid examination was allowed home for self-quarantine.

Tirivavi said the bulk of the busloads were from Gauteng, where Zimbabweans have expressed the desire to go home in the wake of uncertainties surrounding employment.

SA has said companies that open will be subjected to vigorous scrutiny to ensure its citizens were preferred ahead of foreigners.

Of those discharged yesterday six were children and the rest were juveniles and adults.

Twenty-eight of the 81 are from Masvingo, 32 from Matabeleland South, seven from Manicaland, five from Harare while the Midlands, Mashonaland West, and Mashonaland Central had four, three and one returnees respectively.

Meanwhile, officials at the Beitbridge quarantine centre received about 17 locals from around Beitbridge, who were deported by the South African government after they had sneaked into that country possibly for illegal activities.

The 17 were mostly juveniles from the Mapai and Dumba areas in the outskirts of the border town who eke out a living as porters for smugglers.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende has reported that personal belongings of three youth leaders including a car are still missing despite being forced forced to surrender the items at Harare Central Police station.

Posting on Twitter this morning, Hwende said;

“According to the 3 when they were arrested they were taken to the Central Police they were then asked to leave all their bags cellphones and their car and they were bundled into a black car. Police confirmed this arrest. Their car, cellphones and handbags have now vanished,” said Hwende.

Four more people, all travellers from South Africa or in official quarantine on their return to Zimbabwe, have tested positive for Covid-19 bringing the number of confirmed cases to 42.

None of the new patients appear to have been infected within Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that four people had tested positive for Covid-19: one was from Mashonaland East and one from Harare, both being travellers from South Africa.

The other two were from a quarantine centre in Mashonaland West.

“To date we have 42 confirmed cases, 13 recoveries, four deaths and 25 active cases since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020,” read the statement.

-State Media

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has condemned the abduction of party youth leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The three were abducted and severely assaulted by suspected government agents.They were dumped in Bindura.

“Lawyers just informed us that Cecilia Chimbiri,Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova victims of enforced disappearance, were dumped and found late last night.

Sadly, they are in bad shape having been subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

These rogue regime terror tactics,” Chamisa tweeted.

Three Female MDC Youth Assembly Leaders Were S*xually Abused -Chamisa

Three female MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leaders were severely tortured and sexually abused, party leader Nelson Chamisa has said

By Own Correspondent| Mabvuku residents are mooting a legal intervention to coerce council to supply them with safe potable water amid lamentations over chaotic bulk water distribution that has seen residents relegated to access water in open shallow ponds near Lafarge Cement.

In a letter addressed to the City of Harare, Mabvuku residents are claiming that the chaotic and uncoordinated bulk water supplies have necessitated gender based violence and creating a fertile ground for the spread of covid 19.

The demands by the residents of Mabvuku are part of the Provision Order granted by the High Court on the 31st of March 2020 which called on for the supply of clean, potable and safe water, availability of municipal officers at water points to enforce social distancing guidelines and access to information.

Mabvuku residents are requesting the City of Harare to urgently comply to the provisions of the Interim Relief granted by the Court by doing the following;
• Produce, publicise and disseminate a schedule with times and places where water will be accessed through water bowsers in Ward 19.
• Ensure coordination with bulk water suppliers so that bowsers do not congregate at one place a situation that has implications on social distancing rules as residents’ rally to access water at one point.
• Water bowsers should be evenly distributed across the whole Ward to ensure equitable distribution of water to all residents.
• Increase quantity of water supplied through bulk water suppliers.
• Take measures to equitably distribute municipal water to Mabvuku Ward 19 so as to decongest few boreholes and water bowsers supplying water.
• Repair four (4) non-functional boreholes of the six boreholes that are in Ward 19
• Ensure that municipal officers “man” bulk water distribution and attend to water points to enforce social distancing rules.

The Combined Harare residents Association calls on the City of Harare to take the demands of residents seriously by complying with the High Court Order as this has serious legal implications to the local authority. CHRA also reiterate that the government must provide resources for water provision in the City.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance Parliamentarians have described the torture and abduction of the opposition party’s youth leaders as a desperate attempt by the Illegitimate Zanu PF government to silence democratic voices.

Three MDC Alliance youth leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were abducted, tortured and dumped in Bindura by suspected state security agents.

See full statement below:

MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus Statement :

The MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus condemns the abduction, kidnapping, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment of Our Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency Hon Joana Mamombe together with The MDC Alliance Young Assembly National Deputy Chair Cecilia Chimbiri, and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Deputy Organiser Netsai Marova.

Enforced disappearance, and torture are crimes against humanity and unacceptable in a democratic society. They are International crimes where those that are responsible must be prosecuted and punished.

The fact that the three female activists were abducted in broad day light is a serious indictment to the Illegitimate regime of Zanu PF. The Hitler style of suppression of citizens is condemned and has no place in The 21st century politics.

Abducting and torturing Women a few days after Mother’s Day makes it more ugly and heartless.

The intention is definitely to intimidate citizens and silence the opposition voices and close down on democratic space.

The Zimbabwe Government’s intention is to destroy in totality or The MDC Alliance.

The government activities are wide spread and systematic, and the targeted group is the MDC Alliance. In Zimbabwe, the MDC Alliance is now an endangered population that risks total extinction through deliberate targeted actions of abductions and torture, arrests and persecutions, as well as targeted eliminations through intentionally designed accidents and poisoning.

The abduction and torture of citizens, including a Member of Parliament is regrettably a confirmation of the fact that Zimbabwe is moving steps backwards in democratic practices and deeper into dictatorship and authoritarianism.

SADC and AU must intervene and stop the government of Zimbabwe from continuing in this terrible path of human rights abuses.

For and on behalf of The MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus

Thabitha Khumalo( Chairperson)
Leader of the House in Parliament
Hon P C Mutseyami
Senator Lillian Timveous
Chief Whips

By Simba Chikanza| The former MDC Alliance Vice President, Elias Mudzuri last night refused to comment on the plight of the three abducted MDC Alliance youth leaders saying the matter is not important. He said he would rather talk about things that ‘make us go somewhere.’

Below are excepts of the interview:

“I’m sorry let’s talk tomorrow.”

QN: it’s a life and death matter.

“What are you saying?

QN: This is a life and death matter.

“Whose life and death matter? – life and death yaani?”

QN: The three MDC Alliance activist who were abducted 2-days ago.

“I know about it and I will answer tomorrow.

“I don’t think it’s necessary, what time is it now? I know what happened, and I’m not clear with the circumstances. And I don’t think it’s the time to intervene and phone people at this hour.

“Let’s talk about things that make us go somewhere.

“Simba, I don’t want us to be fair. Let’s be fair.”

QN: Are you being fair to the electorate to the people you say you represent?

PHONE CUT OFF

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

NetOne chief executive officer Lazarus Muchenje, six senior executives and former board member Paradzai Chakona were arrested yesterday by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) on charges of criminal abuse of office.

ZACC spokesperson Commissioner John Makamure confirmed the arrests, but could not give details on the swoop, one of the biggest on a State-owned enterprise since the inception of the anti-graft body in 2004 and was unable to disclose the identities of the other six accused executives who are likely to appear in court today along with Muchenje and Chakona.

“I can confirm that Mr Muchenje and his alleged accomplices have been arrested. The charges relate to alleged criminal abuse of duty as public officers and the suspected violation of the Public Finance Management Act,” said Comm Makamure.

Muchenje’s lawyer, Mr Innocent Chingarande of Titan Law Chambers, said his client was facing seven counts of criminal abuse of office, with the alternative charges being fraud, and that the evidence was similar to that presented in recent disciplinary investigations.

Mr Chingarande said his client was being held at Avondale Police Station and was expected to appear in court today.

He said Chakona was facing one count of criminal abuse of office from what was presented when a warned and cautioned statement was taken.

Mr Chingarande could however, not reveal details of the allegations last night although these will be presented when the eight appear in court .

“He (Muchenje) will appear in court tomorrow as has been advised. I cannot comment on the six other executives as they are not my clients.

The charges arise from the same facts as the disciplinary hearing charges that NetOne had preferred against Mr Muchenje but with a few amendments and additions,” said Mr Chingarande.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he could not comment on the arrests and detention, referring all questions to ZACC.

Sources close to the matter said some of the arrested executives included chief technology officer Darlington Gutu, acting chief finance officer Tinashe Severa, acting head legal affairs Tanyaradzwa Chingombe and manager interconnection and roaming Tawanda Sibanda.-State media

By Shepherd Yuda

Zimbabwe has become the “rape country” of the world and the worst zone for women…

Three female MDCA leaders were abducted by CIO, tortured and made to do horrendous things before being dumped. They have been stripped naked and violated.

The three Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri, and Netsai Marova were found along Bindura road in a bad state after being brutalized and dumped.

People feared the 3 could have been killed. Recently Zimbabwe has witnessed a surge in violence where brutalised and raped bodies of women have become an essential component of most parts of the country.

Meanwhile, these 3 survivors were taken to hospital for medical attention.

MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus Statement :

The MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus condemns the abduction, kidnapping, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment of Our Member of Parliament for Harare West Constituency Hon Joana Mamombe together with The MDC Alliance Young Assembly National Deputy Chair Cecilia Chimbiri, and MDC Alliance Youth Assembly National Deputy Organiser Netsai Marova.

Enforced disappearance, and torture are crimes against humanity and unacceptable in a democratic society. They are International crimes where those that are responsible must be prosecuted and punished.

The fact that the four female activists were abducted in broad day light is a serious indictment to the Illegitimate regime of Zanu PF. The Hitler style of suppression of citizens is condemned and has no place in The 21st century politics.

Abducting and torturing Women a few days after Mother’s Day makes it more ugly and heartless.

The intention is definitely to intimidate citizens and silence the opposition voices and close down on democratic space.

The Zimbabwe Government’s intention is to destroy in totality or The MDC Alliance.

The government activities are wide spread and systematic, and the targeted group is the MDC Alliance. In Zimbabwe, the MDC Alliance is now an endangered population that risks total extinction through deliberate targeted actions of abductions and torture, arrests and persecutions, as well as targeted eliminations through intentionally designed accidents and poisoning.

The abduction and torture of citizens, including a Member of Parliament is regrettably a confirmation of the fact that Zimbabwe is moving steps backwards in democratic practices and deeper into dictatorship and authoritarianism.

The rumors that the female activists have been found near Bindura in Mashonaland Central and with visible marks of injuries of torture shows that there is serious violation of human rights in Zimbabwe. SADC and AU must intervene and stop the government of Zimbabwe from continuing in this terrible path of human rights abuses.

For and on behalf of The MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus

Thabitha Khumalo( Chairperson)
Leader of the House in Parliament
Hon P C Mutseyami
Senator Lillian Timveous
Chief Whips

Farai Dziva|Controversial Masvingo based clergyman, Isaac Makomichi’ s anointed “love potion herb” has sparked raging debate in Christian circles.

Makomichi, the leader of Calvary Prayer Group and
the president of Vulnerable Youth Support Network Trust distributes the “anointed love potion herb” to needy women and girls across the country for free.

A 62-year- old woman recently claimed she got married after using the herb.

However, it is the testimony of a well known sex worker with 3 children who reportedly got married to a 30- year -old rich boy- that has sparked debate in Christian circles.

The sex worker says she has been using love potion herb to attract rich boys.

Church leaders in Masvingo have expressed mixed sentiments on the love potion herb.

“I think in Christian circles we should not use the so called anointed love potion herb. I don’t see it’s relevance to a believer,” said a senior church leader.

However another church leaders said: ” I can’t rush to criticize the anointed herb.Maybe that’s the revelation the prophet got. Personally I am not against the anointed love potion herb.”

Makomichi said those willing to ask him about the herb should contact him on 0777469342.

Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has condemned the abduction of party youth leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.

The three were abducted and severely assaulted by suspected government agents.They were dumped in Bindura.

“Lawyers just informed us that Cecilia Chimbiri,Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova victims of enforced disappearance, were dumped and found late last night.

Sadly, they are in bad shape having been subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

These rogue regime terror tactics,” Chamisa tweeted.