Own Correspondent|Shocked MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has revealed that one of the three MDC female activists who were abducted by suspected state security agents told him that one of the agents actually inserted the barrel of a gun into their anal openings threatening to shoot them.
The youthful activists told incidents of the worst abuse at the hands of the state security.
MP Joanna Mamombe, Netsai Marova and Cecilia Chimbiri went missing on Wednesday after they were allegedly arrested for leading a demonstration in Harare’s Warren Park suburb.
Chamisa, who visited the three women in hospital, said they told him of horrific torture at the hands of the suspected state security agents.
“This is inhuman and degrading treatment. This is torture against girl children, torture against the country.
“Assuming that they had committed a crime, they were supposed to be taken to a police station, tried and sentenced. But this is a continuation of an ugly past,” Chamisa said.
“You won’t believe it. They are shaking. They are so scared when you open the door, they feel like running away.
“Cecilia said she can identify one of the suspected state agents who used a gun through their anal passage. It is unheard-of.”
The government on Friday said it was investigating the alleged abduction and torture of the three MDC Alliance activists after they were found dumped in Bindura.
Police initially confirmed that the three had been arrested before making a U-turn denying ever having them in their custody.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights the trio were found “badly beaten” and “tortured.” They are now being treated at a private health facility.
Nick Mangwana, the government spokesperson, claimed the police were looking for the women in connection with the demonstration when “social media chatter that the three had disappeared was observed.”
“Measures were put in place to locate their whereabouts,” Mangwana said in a statement.
“On the night of the 14th the police were informed that three suspects had been located at Muchapondwa business centre in Bindura.
“Investigations are currently underway to establish what transpired to the three women from the time they left the demonstration up to the point where they (were) reportedly picked up at Muchapondwa business centre.
“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 everyone with information concerning the case to make a report to the police.”
BBC|Félicien Kabuga, one of the most wanted suspects of the Rwandan genocide, has been arrested near Paris, the French justice ministry has announced.
Mr Kabuga was detained in a dawn raid 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 $5m (£4.1m) reward for information leading to Mr Kabuga’s arrest.
Who is Félicien Kabuga? The businessman from the Hutu ethnic group is accused of being one of the main financiers of the Rwandan genocide, paying for the militias that carried out the massacres.
He also founded and funded the notorious Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), a Rwandan broadcaster that actively encouraged people to search out and kill anyone who was from the Tutsi ethnic group.
For many years, Félicien Kabuga was thought to be living in Kenya, where powerful politicians were accused of thwarting efforts to get him arrested.
More than a quarter of a century after the genocide, he will go on trial at an international court.
How was he found? The French public prosecutor’s office and the police said Mr Kabuga had been living under a false identity in a flat with the complicity of his children.
He was arrested at 05:30 (03:30 GMT) on Saturday in what the chief prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) at The Hague – which is handling outstanding war crimes cases for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia – called “a sophisticated, co-ordinated operation with simultaneous searches across a number of locations”.
“The arrest of Félicien Kabuga today is a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even 26 years after their crimes,” Serge Brammertz said in a statement .
“For international justice, Kabuga’s arrest demonstrates that we can succeed when we have the international community’s support,” he added.
Mr Brammertz expressed his appreciation to France, but said essential contributions had also been made by Rwanda, Belgium, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the US, Europol and Interpol.
Rwanda’s 100 days of slaughter Mr Kabuga was indicted in 1997 on seven counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution and extermination.
The leader of an association of genocide widows in Rwanda, Valerie Mukabayire, said every survivor was happy that he had been arrested.
There are now two people earmarked for trial by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda who remain at large – Protais Mpiranya and Augustin Bizimana.
How did the genocide unfold? On 6 April 1994, a plane carrying then-President Juvenal Habyarimana – a Hutu – was shot down, killing all on board. Hutu extremists blamed the Tutsi rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) – an accusation it denied.
In a well-organised campaign of slaughter, militias were given hit lists of Tutsi victims. Many were killed with machetes in acts of appalling brutality.
Memorial One of the militias was the ruling party’s youth wing, the Interahamwe, which set up road blocks to find Tutsis, incited hatred via radio broadcasts and carried out house-to-house searches.
Little was done internationally to stop the killings. The UN had forces in Rwanda but the mission was not given a mandate to act, and so most peacekeepers pulled out.
The RPF, backed by Uganda, started gaining ground and marched on Kigali. Some two million Hutus fled, mainly to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The RPF was accused of killing thousands of Hutus as it took power, although it denied that.
Dozens of Hutus were convicted for their role in the killings by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and hundreds of thousands more faced trial in community courts in Rwanda.
By Nomusa Garikai- “Writing on his popular Facebook blog following his appointment by the African Union as a Special Envoy to Coordinate the Africa Private Sector Initiative for the Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment and other Essential Supplies, Masiyiwa says the key to stopping the disease in its tracks is to adopt the formula #ITTIT; inform, test, trace, isolate and treatment as a collaborative effort among the private sector, NGOs, businesses and faith-based organizations.”
What is the point of talking about testing, tracing, etc. when we all know that those in positions of power and authority to do these things and not doing anything about it. Zimbabwe has 42 confirmed cases but only because the country has not been testing aggressively and, when it has been testing it is the wrong people.
Two weeks ago government gave a directive that workers must be tested before they are allowed to go back to work and so the limited test kits, human resources and time are been being wasted testing workers instead of who are suspected to have covid-19.
One of the simplest and cheapest to implement WHO advice is: “Wash your hands thoroughly and often!” And yet we all know many African countries have done very little to make sure the people have clean running water. In Zimbabwe most cities, towns including hospitals and clinic do not have running water. The situation is even worse in rural areas!
One of the reasons why Africa has bad governance is that civic society, NGOs and private sector have all shied away from holding those in position of power and authority to account. They have stepped in to assist the victims of bad governance as if to say the ruling elite can continue their victims are being taken care of.
If Masiyiwa and his team of private sector and NGOs going to aggressively test, track and, most important of all, make test result public, for example. So far, only government officials are allowed to release information on covid-19 confirmed cases, deaths, etc. The regime has already passed a law with a 20-year jail term for reporting on anything other than the government censored data.
Besides African government have very deep pockets from the nation’s budgetary allocation and from donors. Last week the Zimbabwe government received US$ 7 million from the WB to help fight covid-19 and AfDB has just approved a US$13.7 million grant for the same purpose. Whatever Masiyiwa and his friends can raise in cash, material and human resources government’s contribution in kind will be significant.
My greatest concern with this initiative is that it is not doing enough to hold the errant governments like our own to account. Government has vast national plus donated resources in cash, material and human resources, which if employed to the good of the nation will go a long way to alleviate the economic hardships and the health suffering and reduce the death toll.
We should therefore be demanding to know why our government has not been testing aggressively. There are certainly many more covid-19 cases than the 42 government has reported.
We should be demanding to know why 80% plus of our people will have no clean running water for a day or more in this day and age?
Covid-19 constitutes the greatest existential threat of our generation victory will be measured in terms of how well we mobilised all the resources available and made the most of everyone of them. Having corrupt, incompetent and wasteful government, the biggest and most influential player, is a luxury we can ill afford.
A corrupt, incompetent and wasteful government, in this covid-19 era, will cost hundreds if not thousands of human lives!
Africa has ignored the critical importance of competent and accountable government for far too long. Those who believe Africa can hang on to same corrupt, incompetent and wasteful governments and still have a fighting chance against covid-19 are naïve, day-dreaming and, indeed, insane.
GOVERNMENT notes with satisfaction the continued positive impact of the lockdown measures our country has implemented since March 30, 2020, to date. Initial estimates indicated that by April 29, 2020, Zimbabwe would have about 1000 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Our country, therefore, undertook an intensive surveillance and case-finding approach. This entailed testing all hospitalised patients for Covid-19, individuals presenting with fever and influenza-like illnesses as well as contact tracing.
Based on the modelling, the country needed to test 33 340 in order to identify the estimated 1000 cases.
However, as at May 15, 2020, 42 confirmed cases have been identified out of the PCR and RDT tests done.
It is noteworthy that the World Health Organisation classifies Covid-19 transmission in Zimbabwe as ‘sporadic’, with one or more cases imported or locally detected.
This may suggest that despite the small numbers tested, our country might have a reduced Covid-19 trajectory.
This reduced trajectory has been observed in other Sub-Saharan countries with similar socio- economic and cultural structures.
In order to maintain this positive momentum and not to lose the gains attained so far, the country needs to ease out of the lockdown in a strategic and gradual manner. The further implementation of our National Preparedness and Response Plan following the initial lockdown, will now focus on a combination of preventative and case management measures that are based on targeted and differentiated approaches.
This will ensure the achievement of high coverage of Covid-19 Public Health Interventions.
We must, thus, continue to minimise the risk of sudden spikes in the number of cases.
To this end, it is imperative that we keep the pandemic curve flat to prevent the loss of life and devastating effects on the socio-economic environment of our country.
To date, the lockdown period has contributed to the fact that:
1) Local transmission of coronavirus has not been widespread in our country. Cases reported to date have mostly been imported or linked to imported cases especially from abroad.
2) The country has made commendable strides in increasing testing capability, which is translating into increased testing capacity in all provinces throughout the country.
3) Important strides have been made in establishing isolation facilities in all provinces to enable the local management of cases as they occur.
4) The training of a large number of healthcare workers in various aspects of Covid-19 such as care, infection prevention and control as well as disease surveillance has been done and will continue.
5) Social mobilisation and health education have been intensified and the Covid-19 messages have reached every corner of the country. This has included the translation of Covid-19-related literature into all the 16 national languages.
The use of our traditional leadership structures as well as non-governmental organisations, churches, the private sector, media houses, among others, will continue to play a big role as we go forward.
6) Sanitation, hygiene and general cleanliness has in most instances been improved in all our communities. In this regard, I call upon all local authorities and our citizens in general to strengthen the measures that have been put in place.
Despite these many achievements in the implementation of the National Preparedness and Response Plan, the outbreak is not over, and our country still has some gaps. These gaps are being addressed in a targeted way using a comprehensive Covid-19 preparedness and response strategy which takes into account risks and needs of different communities and populations.
Zimbabwe will, therefore, continue on the Level 2 lockdown for an indefinite period. We shall have regular two-week interval reviews to assess progress or lack of it.
This should give us more time to strengthen the prevention and case management approaches for the various risk populations.
The modified phased reopening strategy will further allow us to increase surveillance, including early detection, testing, isolation, contact tracing, treatment and care with a focus on high-risk populations
The following measures are, therefore, put in place and will be adjusted at intervals, based on epidemiological outcomes:
1) Social and physical distancing will continue to be maintained and enforced at all times. I appeal to our people to exercise greater self-discipline in this regard. Our individual and collective roles in the fight against this pandemic can never be overemphasised.
2) The wearing of face masks as well as washing of hands or use of sanitisers in all public areas remains mandatory.
3) The regular disinfection with approved disinfectants of all public and private business premises, coupled with the use of body temperature checks at all entrances, must continue.
4) The testing capacity in all provinces using the recommended PCR testing kits will be increased.
5) Private sector-run testing and isolation centres are encouraged and will be facilitated in line with the prescribed policies of the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
6) The 21-day mandatory quarantine of returning Zimbabwean citizens and legal residents, who will be tested on days 1, 8 and 21 will continue to be in force.
7) All businesses and industries seeking to reopen must follow laid down measures previously announced in relation to social distancing, hand sanitisation, temperature checks and health education, among others. In addition, employees must undergo regular health checks and daily temperature monitoring.
8) As previously stated, 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 reopening of schools must continue to be put in place.
9) Shops and supermarkets should continue to enforce the social distancing of their customers. The operating times of all businesses have been adjusted to be from 8am to 4.30pm.
10) Consultations on the phased reopening of the informal sector are still ongoing. To date, only designated food markets shall be permitted to open.
11) The measures currently in place in relation to social gatherings for worship, weddings, funerals, political rallies and other such gatherings, remain in force.
12) Low-risk sporting codes, as will be outlined in the Statutory Instrument, shall be allowed to take place.
13) Bars and gymnasiums remain closed. Restaurants and food outlets are permitted to open only for takeaways and deliveries.
14) Inter-city and cross-border movement of people by road or air transport remain banned, except for transportation of essential cargo.
15) Inter- and intra-provincial and district movement remains controlled.
Commuter omnibuses/combis, unregistered taxies (mushikashika) also remain banned.
16) Only Zupco buses and Zupco-contracted commuter omnibuses with the stipulated number of passengers, and adhering to the sanitisation and disinfection regulations will be permitted to operate.
17) There shall be mandatory testing of truck drivers and other high-risk populations.
In conclusion, let me once again appeal to the nation to continue to patiently support the measures we are putting in place for the preservation and protection of life.
Saving lives is our collective responsibility and priority. I, therefore, urge all of us to stay at home and only move around when it is absolutely necessary to do so.
State Media|ZANU PF Politburo member Absalom Sikhosana, who died at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) yesterday, has been declared a national hero.
Unlike, the late Brigadier General Masuku who died on Wednesday and was given a a National Hero Status after his burial on Friday following a public outcry, Sikhosana was recognised within hours of his death.
At the time of his death, Sikhosana (70), was acting Zanu PF chairman for Bulawayo Province.
The party’s secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu conveyed the message of conferment of the national hero status to the family and mourners at Sikhosana’s home in Nkulumane last night.
“His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred a national hero status to the late Absalom Sikhosana. The late Absalom Sikhosana will be interred at the National Heroes Acre at a date to be advised,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said this was the first time the President had conferred national hero status on someone before the party had received a letter from the deceased’s province.
“This is a first. I am only receiving the letter from the province this evening, which means Cde Sikhosana was a person for the whole nation that did not want to boast about his importance in the party.
“He was a selfless person; this is why the party had asked him to be the acting chairman in Bulawayo despite being a Politburo member. This never happens but with him it did, he was our chairperson and since his appointment, we never heard of any squabbles in Bulawayo. I hope there won’t be any after this,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said it was a dark day for the nation as Sikhosana served diligently in the party until his death.
“During his tenure as secretary for Youth there were no problems. He chided them at the same time moulding them,” he said.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Moyo said Sikhosana devoted all his time to the party.
“He had no time for (personal issues) but gave all his time to the party and by so doing we want to say thank you very much for a job well done.”
Skhosana’s younger sister, Mrs Euna Ndlovu, said the family had lost a unifier.
“He has not been well for some time suffering from a heart problem. Then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as arthritis. We were told his kidney had failed,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
“Growing up we were very close up to his death. He was not a violent person and liked socialising with people. Absalom was a friend of everybody.”
Sikhosana was born on October 26 1949 in Matobo District under Chief Masuku in Matabeleland South Province.
He attended Nduna Primary School from 1956 to mid-1958.
He moved to White Waters Primary School for Standard One to Three between 1958 and 1960. He also attended Lozikeyi Primary in Bulawayo for Standard Four to Six from 1961 to 1964.
In 1965 he moved to Mzilikazi Secondary School, then Mgandane for his from One to Four.
In 1969 he attained a certificate in salesmanship from Rapid Results College and a diploma in Public Relations from Ruskin College in the United Kingdom.
He worked as a Tally Clerk for the Bulawayo Clothing Factory (Charter Clothing) from 1970 to 1975. Between 1976 and 1977 Sikhosana was elected regional organiser for the Rhodesian Clothing and Garment Workers Union.
His movement from Charter Clothing to trade unionism was orchestrated by the political leadership to fill the gap left under the detention of the late nationalist Enos Mdlongwa.
In 1977 he left the country to join the armed struggle in Zambia via Botswana. He was trained at Camp of General Training (CGT) as an infantry cadre. After demobilisation in 1982, he joined the Bulawayo Municipal Workers Union and became the organising secretary.
In 1992 he was seconded to the Public Service International Head Quarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
In 1983 he was elected national secretary-general for the ZAPU Youth wing.
Between 1987 and 1989 Sikhosana was instrumental in uniting the structures of the two liberation parties after the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.
He was elected youth publicity and information secretary for the united party, Zanu PF, at the inaugural youth conference in 1989.
He became the national deputy secretary for the Zanu PF Youth League deputising the late national hero Chief Air Marshall Josiah Tungamirai.
Between 2000 and 2014, he served as Zanu PF national secretary for youth affairs. In 2014 he became deputy secretary in the department of implementation of indigenisation policy in the politburo.
In October 2019 he was appointed acting chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, a position he held until the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Jelina Dube-Sikhosana, five children and six grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at his home, Number 3115 Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo.
Own Correspondent |In yet another of its bizarre repressive moves, government intends to extend the ban on privately-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) permanently.
The move will see an extension of the current ban beyond the national lockdown and will only allow them to operate under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise.
Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30.
In his lockdown measures review speech yesterday, President Mnangagwa extended the ban indefinitely.
He said only Zupco-contracted kombis would be allowed on the roads.
Zupco has since invited interested kombi owners to register under its franchise.
Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is looking for an additional 500 kombis.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Dr July Moyo told state media that there is no guarantee that kombis will be allowed back on the roads after the lockdown.
“We have been trying to build Zupco,” said Dr Moyo.
“So, throughout the lockdown we have said Zupco should operate. When we moved to Level 2, we knew there would be more people requiring transportation.
“We then asked Zupco to call for more kombis and buses to come and register and at the same time we will be introducing more buses. So the plan is to make sure that we strengthen urban bus transportation through Zupco so that we can bring sanity to the operations.”
He said urban transport systems operating through centrally managed high-volume buses were the trend globally. Informal transporters, said Minister Moyo, were the source of chaos in urban centres, particularly Harare.
“This is the trend in almost all countries. This informality about urban transport creates chaos in the CBD area. We are only going to see kombis on the road through Zupco for now, until we deal with Covid-19.”
He said kombis should register with Zupco as what would happen after Covid-19 “cannot be predicted”. He said kombis that are registered under the Zupco franchise will undergo rigorous fitness tests before they are deployed onto the roads.
“They are going to get examined through Central Mechanical and Engineering Department (CMED). We want it (kombi) in good fitness, which is a requirement for all public transport, in any case. Because if we keep on saying there will be no kombis and you have your kombi at home, it is no good.”
Announcing the lockdown extension yesterday, President Mnangagwa said only Zupco buses are allowed on the roads.
“Inter and intra provincial and district movement remains controlled. Commuter omnibuses/kombis, unregistered taxies (mushikashika) also remain banned.
“Only Zupco buses and Zupco contracted commuter omnibuses with the stipulated number of passengers, and adhering to the sanitisation and disinfection regulations will be permitted to operate.”
Urban planning expert Dr Percy Toriro said the current urban transportation system is plagued by inefficiencies. He said commuter omnibus operators should be organised.
“There was another problem that commuter omnibus operators have failed to organise themselves, as a result they have also shot themselves in the foot.
“If they were better organised it would be easier to support them. Moving forward I would recommend the current idea to only allow them to join Zupco as it is a progressive one.”
Dr Toriro said for their own independence, kombis needed to organise themselves better, operate more efficiently and respect their passengers.
“Generally let them improve the way they operate, because their criticism is that they abuse their passengers and they don’t respect road rules, so if they improve in those areas everyone will support them. We hope that the authorities are taking these measures to improve the way they operate.”
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… pic.twitter.com/fLyKaraM6V
President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing the nation on Saturday
State Media|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the national Covid-19 lockdown would remain on Level 2 until further notice, with assessments set to be carried out every two weeks to determine any additional measures.
Announcing the latest decision in Harare on Saturday, Mnangagwa, stressed the importance of a strategic and gradual easing out of the lockdown to safeguard the gains attained so far.
Consequently, schools were set to reopen in a phased manner, giving priority to exam classes, but dates would be announced in due course.
Zimbabwe has been on Level 2 lockdown for the past two weeks.
As of yesterday, 42 people had tested positive while 13 had recovered. Four people have so far died from the pandemic.
Stressing that Zimbabwe would not relent in its efforts to subdue the disease, the President said only disinfected Zupco buses and commuter omnibuses (kombis) contracted to the public transport operator will be allowed to ferry commuters while private commuter omnibuses remain banned.
Businesses which had been operating from 9am to 3pm, would now be allowed to open shop from 8am to 4.30pm.
With regards to informal business as well as small and medium enterprises, President Mnangagwa said: “Consultations on the phased re-opening of the informal sector are still ongoing. To date, only designated food markets shall be permitted to open.”
Furthermore, the testing capacity in all provinces using the recommended PCR testing kits are set to be increased.
A Statutory Instrument detailing the new ordinances is expected this week.
In his address at State House yesterday, President Mnangagwa said Government was satisfied with the impact of the lockdown so far, but despite many achievements, the outbreak was not over as the country still had some gaps.
“These gaps are being addressed in a targeted way using a comprehensive Covid-19 preparedness and response strategy which takes into account risks and needs of different communities and populations.
“Zimbabwe will, therefore, continue on the Level 2 lockdown for an indefinite period. We shall have regular two-week interval reviews to assess progress or lack of it. This should give us more time to strengthen the prevention and case management approaches for the various risk populations.”
He said under the strategy for reopening, Government would increase testing, early detection, isolation, contact tracing, treatment and focus on high risk populations.
A phased reopening of schools would be carried out soon, starting with exam classes.
“As previously stated, public exam classes 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 must continue to be put in place.”
Government was satisfied with the positive impact of the lockdown, as initial estimates had indicated that the country would have 1000 cases by the end of April but this had not been the case.
“Government notes with satisfaction the continued positive impact of the lockdown measures our country has implemented since March 30, 2020, to date. Initial estimates indicated that by April 29, 2020, Zimbabwe would have about 1 000 confirmed Covid-19 cases. Our country, therefore, undertook an intensive surveillance and case finding approach. This entailed testing all hospitalised patients for Covid-19, individuals presenting with fever and influenza-like illnesses as well as contact tracing.
“Based on the modelling, the country needed to test 33 340 in order to identify the estimated 1000 cases. However, as at May 15, 2020, 42 confirmed cases have been identified out of the PCR and RDT tests done.”
He said according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, Zimbabwe has a “reduced Covid-19 trajectory”. The new measures had thus been put in place to ensure Zimbabwe consolidated the gains made to date.
“We must, thus, continue to minimise the risk of sudden spikes in the number of cases. To this end, it is imperative that we keep the pandemic curve flat to prevent the loss of life and devastating effects on the socio-economic environment of our country.”
The President said as a result of the lockdown, most reported cases had been imported while increased testing, more isolation centres and training of health care workers had also yielded positive results.
Health education and sanitation awareness has also been ratcheted up.
“This has included the translation of Covid-19 related literature into all sixteen national languages. The use of our traditional leadership structures as well as Non-Governmental Organisations, churches, the private sector, media houses, among others will continue to play a big role as we go forward.
“Sanitation, hygiene and general cleanliness has in most instances been improved in all our communities. In this regard, I call upon all local authorities and our citizens in general to strengthen the measures that have been put in place.”
Social distancing, wearing of face masks, temperature checks and hand sanitising remained mandatory. Furthermore, private sector-run testing and isolation centres were also encouraged and would be facilitated in line with directives from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Zimbabwe went under lockdown on March 30 starting with a 21-day restriction that has been successively followed by two-week limitations since then.
ONLY in a Banana Republic do you come across such brazen lack of contrition when gov investigates its handing over of suspects from @PoliceZimbabwe custody to state agents for torture and abuses. Who believes such vile and unorganised sham and shame https://t.co/tGvz2f5nlf
— Pedzisai Ruhanya (@PedzisaiRuhanya) May 17, 2020
Own Correspondent|The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana has come out screaming accusing opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa of spreading hate speech against President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In a statement on Saturday, Mangwana claimed that Chamisa was serially preaching hate speech by allegedly calling President Mnangagwa “a hyena.”
“Government has noted with concern statements published in a local daily newspaper where opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa labelled the Head of State and Government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a ‘hyena’. The language used by the opposition leader qualifies to be called ‘hate speech’ and has no place in civilised politics,” said Mr Mangwana.
Totally ignoring the realities of the number of times Mnangagwa has threatened and actually executed violence and brutality on innocent citizens and members of the opposition MDC, Mangwana said since assuming power in 2017, Mnangagwa “has made it part of his politics to preach and practise political tolerance” and accommodated even those who disagree with him.
“We find the calling of the President inflammatory names only inciteful and a deviation from acceptable political commentary or even political banter.”
Mangwana said: “Free speech is meant to benefit society and we struggle to see how an effort to diminish the dignity of a seating President can be of benefit to society.”
Mangwana further implied that the constitutional right to freedom of speech and association was being granted to Zimbabweans at the benevolence of President Mnangagwa.
“The President’s detractors are oblivious of the fact that the freedom of expression they are abusing is a product of the President’s policy of opening up of the political space. In the spirit of democracy, the New Dispensation headed by the President has ensured that people are free to express themselves without persecution.”
Several Zimbabweans have however been arrested, beaten or even killed by the Mnangagwa regime for going out to exercise the same right which Mangwana claims Mnangagwa has been giving to Zimbabweans at his benevolence.
Mangwana said unwarranted and contrived attacks on Mnangagwa whose human rights abusive track record has reduced the country to a laughing stock internationally had the potential to affect the country’s brand, soil its image and collaterally impact ordinary Zimbabweans.
He added that Mr Chamisa who actually has been battling to bring Mnangagwa to dialogue should, “embrace the progressive politics of ideas that promote national cohesion and growth”.
“As the country grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, let us all spread love by promoting hygienic practices that will save lives of our families and communities. This is not the time for cheap politicking and diversionary political manoeuvres, but a time to save lives,” Mangwana concluded with a message he should direct to government which recently abducted and brutalised there young female MDC activists including the country’s youngest parliamentarian Honourable Joanna Mamombe.
This stood out for me: " In my opinion, it is better to be vocal and wrong than to be silent and wrong when it comes to matters of human life under threat." Indeed, it's better to be wrong on the right side of support for the vulnerable.
— Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata (@kennethmtata) May 16, 2020
“I submit a 3rd possible motive to Nyathi’s statement: it was done knowingly, not to protect the women, but to further highlight the impunity of the state, and the isolation of those that would question it.”
I submit a 3rd possible motive to Nyathi's statement: it was done knowingly, not to protect the women, but to further highlight the impunity of the state, and the isolation of those that would question it.
The police have asked the public to be on the lookout for four awaiting-trial detainees who escaped from the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria on Saturday morning.
Few details were given on how they made good their escape from one of the most high-security prisons in South Africa, with its layers of cell bars, fencing, high walls and boom gates.
Nevertheless, the police would like anybody who spots the following men to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Information can also be given via MySAPS app.
They are:
Morris Tyavana – wanted for alleged armed robbery.
Medicine Girenzi – alleged housebreaking and theft.
Amos Chikwange – alleged theft.
Sam Hlungwane – alleged theft.
(Images supplied by SA Police Service)
About 19 000 detainees will be released soon to create more space for distancing in prisons, which have 364 Covid-19 cases across the country, according to the Department of Correctional Services website.
Two inmates and two officials have died.
The following prisoners will not be released:
– Inmates serving life imprisonment for crimes related to gender-based violence and sexual offences, child abuse, murder, attempted sabotage and terrorism.
– Those declared dangerous in line with the Criminal Procedure Act, and those certified mentally ill and detained in line with the Mental Health Care Act.
– Offenders with further charges that have not received bail or could not pay it.
– Inmates who are out on bail pending appeals.
– Those who committed violations under the Domestic Violence Act.
– Those detained for armed robbery or robbery with aggravating circumstances.
– Any other crime linking the above-mentioned crimes, for example, housebreaking with intent to steal or rape.- Any attempt, soliciting, inciting, or conspiracy to commit the above crimes.
By Jane Mlambo| Former MDC T Vice President Elias Mudzuri has vowed to unite all MDC members after their extra-ordinary congress which is slated for July 2020.
Posting on Twitter, Mudzuri said all those that contributed to the struggle will not be left behind.
“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,” he said.
Mudzuri together with Douglas Mwonzora, Morgan Komichi and Thokozani Khupe have joined hands to push for the extra-ordinary congress following a Supreme Court ruling which nullified leadership changes that happened following the death of Morgan Tsvangirai in 2018.
A fresh dispute over the licensing of fuel importers has erupted with a group of local players allegedly sidelined by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) petitioning the government to review the process.
The Direct Fuel Imports (DFI) Group Zimbabwe said Zera’s licensing regime was shrouded in secrecy and promoted monopolistic tendencies in the fuel retail sector.
After four months of haggling over new regulations, Zera early this month granted import fuel licences to mostly major fuel companies.
This incensed the DFI Group whose members were excluded and are now pushing for the process to be reviewed.
DFI Group members say they were also abandoned by the Indigenous Petroleum Association of Zimbabwe (Ipaz), which negotiated on behalf of small fuel dealers, but “clandestinely” endorsed the contentious Zera regulations.
The petition directed to Energy and Power Development minister Fortune Chasi said the process used by Zera to license fuel importers was opaque.
“We write to register our concern and objection to the way the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) is handling the licensing process for 2020 procurement licences,” said DFI Group in the petition gleaned by Standardbusiness.
“It came as a shock to 2019 procurement licence holders when Zera secretly announced in a communiqué to (Zimra) on 5th May 2020 an ‘Ivy League’ of secretly licensed procurement companies,” the DFI Group said.
The term Ivy League refers to a group of the most prestigious colleges in the United States.More in Home
Some of the top fuel companies that were given licences by Zera include Total Zimbabwe, Glow Petroleum, Ram Petroleum, Genesis Energy, Vivo Energy, Zuva Petrolelum, Sakunda Petroleum and Redan Petroleum.
Zera granted the licences after Ipaz, which was leading the negotiations on behalf of indigenous fuel dealers and had earlier approached the High Court over the issue, backed down from its position where they demanded a relaxation of tough new regulations that included $2 million fees per annum, owning 25 fuel stations and a performance bond of $30 million and proof of 10 million litres of past imports, among others.
Ipaz chairman Aaron Chinhara, through a communique to Zera, agreed to certain terms set by the regulator that included the $2 million licence fees and proof of 10 million litres past imports.
Ipaz and Zera also agreed to a reduced threshold for dealers to own 15 fuel stations instead of the original 25.
The small-scale dealers asked Chasi to direct Zera to renew last year’s licences until the dispute was resolved.
“We further request you to direct Zera to extend 2019 procurement licences as they have done since January 2020 until all issues to do with requirements have been agreed,” the DFI Group said.
The group, which says its members imported 120 million litres of fuel in the past three years and do not rely on central bank foreign currency allocation to import fuel, said Zera’s actions contravened the law.
“The communiqué from Zera has the hallmarks of a decree from a medieval overlord,” the group added.
“It violates all of the following: the provisional order issued by High Court Judge Honourable Mr Justice Musakwa.
“Zera’s own known laid-down procedures as stipulated in part VI Section 35 (1) and 36 (1) of the Petroleum Act 11/2006.
“Part Il sections 4 (e) and (f) of the Petroleum Act which requires Zera to ensure industry competition and growth,” the DFI Group said.
The High Court in March ordered negotiations between the parties after Ipaz had filed an application seeking nullification of the new regulations.
The DFI Group said the move by Zera contravened the Energy Regulatory Act (Chapter 13:22), which mandates the regulator to promote and maintain effective competition in the petroleum industry and to encourage the expansion of the fuel industry.
The organisation said Zera was acting against the Competition Act (Chapter 14:28), which advocates for fair competition in any trade as well as the central bank policy that encourages companies with free funds to import fuel to relieve pressure on the interbank market.
“We note that the Petroleum Act has no provision concerning the setting/increase of statutory fees,” the said.
“We urge you, Honourable minister, to correct this anomaly to harmonise the Act with other laws.
“This will remove the corruption currently surrounding the issue of procurement licence fees,” said DFI Group.
“In the broad light of day we are seeing Zera moving through the industry like the Grim Reaper to claim the scalps of local companies and bring others into bondage at the behest of the oligarchy.
“We recommend exemplary disciplinary action against the individual perpetrators of these violations to avoid future occupants of these high offices repeating the same.”
The group also questioned certain regulations, which it said were meant to cut off new entrants into the fuel industry while eliminating the small-scale local players.
“On the 10 million litres of past imports – This requirement is a double-edged scythe of the Grim Reaper, which will cut off new entrants into the industry while also eliminating the smaller local players leaving the 8 ‘Ivy League’ members to capture the industry,” the dealers complained.
“Given the chronic fuel shortage in the country (do not be misled by reduced demand caused by the lockdown), the country needs as many players as possible to be encouraged to participate.”
Efforts to get a comment from Chasi were fruitless as he did not respond to questions sent to him.
Two MDC Alliance councillors in Marondera have been arrested for allegedly breaking into their provincial party headquarters to remove property before hiding it at an unknown location.
Charles Ngwena from ward 4 and Saizi Vilela of ward 11 are facing charges of unlawful entry.
The complainant in the matter is Wellington Makonese, who is the acting provincial administrator of the MDC-T faction fronted by Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora.
Ngwena and Vilela together with some party members loyal to MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa allegedly raided the party premises in Morningside and removed 47 chairs, two computers and a printer, among other things.
After seizing the property, they changed the locks to bar Makonese and other rival faction members from gaining access.
The two councillors were seen in a police truck as the law enforcers tried to recover the property.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza was not available for comment yesterday.
MDC Alliance provincial spokesperson and Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa confirmed the arrests, but could not divulge much detail.
The councillors have since been released and are expected to appear in court this week.
“We will be notified on the day to appear in court, they will call us,” said Vilela.
A Supreme Court ruling that declared Khupe as the legitimate leader of the MDC has caused divisions in the party’s Mashonaland East provincial structures.More in Home
Chamisa’s loyalists are said to be pushing for the suspension of the party’s Marondera district secretary for information Farai Nyandoro and constituency coordinator Witness Muzawazi, who are accused of supporting the Khupe faction.
Khupe and Mwonzora have been targeting legislators and councillors loyal to Chamisa for disciplinary action.
Four legislators loyal to Chamisa were recalled from Parliament a fortnight ago, but they are now challenging their expulsion in the courts.
CHURCHES are allegedly holding gatherings at night in defiance of a Government directive to avoid public gatherings during the national lockdown period.
This was revealed by Zimbabwe Council of Churches secretary-general Reverend Kenneth Mtata during the handover of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to clinics and mission hospitals in Midlands last week. He said churches must comply with the Government directive on measures to control the coronavirus and avoid holding church services clandestinely and increasing the possibility of transmission of the diseases.
Rev Mtata’s comments come against the background of reports that some churches were holding services in their backyards while some were holding night services which was in breach of the lock-down regulations. The country, as of Friday, had recorded 42 confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) cases. Rev Mtata said churches should support the Government in its efforts to combat Covid-19 which has become a global pandemic.
“We would want to urge all churches in Zimbabwe to comply with the Government directive to suspend church services until we are sure that we are safe from Covid-19. Reports that some churches are holding clandestine services are not pleasant and we would want to urge them to comply so that they do not risk people to Covid-19. We should all play a part in reducing the possible spread of the virus,” he said.
Rev Mtata said churches should support and also extend financial support to the Government not only in the fight against coronavirus but also to help revive the economy. He said the church supported the revolution during the liberation struggle and would continue to do so that Zimbabweans will have a better life. Rev Mtata said it was incumbent upon the church to unite people and maintain peace in the country.
“We should also start considering assisting Government financially so that we revive the economy. The welfare of people is the responsibility of the church. It is possible and we must not be afraid. Zimbabwe Council of Churches was born in Gweru in 1964. Churches then rose up against racism and colonialism. The church should lead in unity. Everyone who is a Christian should drive the vision of the church to unite people. People are looking for a day and a place where they are called people of God and not identified by their political affiliation, race or tribes. It is incumbent upon the church to unite the people and provide that place,” he said.
MDC-T President Dr Thokozani Khupe has condemned the abuse and torture of three MDC Alliance youth leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova saying law enforcement agents should desist from using force on unarmed civilians.
Posting on Twitter, Khupe said; “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.”
However, Khupe received insults from social media users who accusing her of going to bed with the people behind the torture of the three innocent ladies.
Tino Mabwe accused Khupe of faking his condemnation.
“You are faking it. You can’t even say their names. This is just a blanket statement with no emotions in it,” she said.
Another user by the name Ndombolo tweeted, “Iwe you are part and parcel of the abuse of these comrades. Since you joined ZanuPF with your brothers Mwonzora and Komichi. Blood on your https://t.co/SSgEx4VUZT a woman how come you speak out against the junta after every Tom and Jerry have. Where were you? Sharing the loot.”
Jabulani rushed to Khupe’s defence accusing those who were insulting her of confusion.
“She keeps quite you complain, when she issues a statement you complain again. What is it that you people want.???,” tweeted Jabulani.
By Own Correspondent| Opposition MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has angered Zanu PF and government after calling President Emmerson Mnangagwa a hyena.
Government reacted harshly warning Chamisa to “disengage from abusive politics” of taking improper pot-shots at Mnangagwa.
Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said in a statement yesterday said by calling President Mnangagwa “a hyena” in the press, Chamisa was sowing “a seed of national instability and civil disturbances”.
“Government has noted with concern statements published in a local daily newspaper where opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa labelled the Head of State and Government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a ‘hyena’. The language used by the opposition leader qualifies to be called ‘hate speech’ and has no place in civilised politics,” said Mr Mangwana.
Since assuming power in 2017, Mangwana added that Mnangagwa made it part of his politics to preach and practise political tolerance while accommodating even those who disagree with him.
“We find the calling of the President inflammatory names only inciteful and a deviation from acceptable political commentary or even political banter.”
He said free speech was limited insofar as it cannot be allowed to demean the Office of the Presidency, as Chamisa’s splinter group was trying to do.
Mangwana said: “Free speech is meant to benefit society and we struggle to see how an effort to diminish the dignity of a seating President can be of benefit to society.”
The MDC-Alliance Demands an independent inquiry to investigate human rights abuses, torture and inhuman degrading treatment of female youth leaders
The MDC-Alliance takes note with concern the reluctance, incapacity and unwillingness of the Mnangagwa regime to open a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the arbitrary arrest, criminal detention, torture and sexual assault of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Given the human rights abuse track record of the Mnangagwa regime, the regime is conflicted, incapacitated and lacks political will to act to bring to a complete stop these crimes against humanity.
The MDC-Alliance demands that a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into this criminal act be launched by the United Nations.
We also call on fellow Zimbabweans, local and international civil society and regional and international bodies to support this urgent demand which must result in justice for the three and which must also stem the tide of criminal activities by state security apparatus.
The abduction and torture of three young women including a parliamentarian are serious local and international crimes which are in violation of the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Convention Against Torture, and the Maputo Protocol and should have jolted into action any serious government concerned about the welfare of its citizens but in this case there has not been any action from the Mnangagwa regime serve for a vague, insipid and lethargic statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana.
Zimbabwe has a long history of abductions, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture of citizens in the same pattern and nature as happened in this case. In 2019 alone, the MDC Alliance recorded a total of 49 cases of abduction and torture.
Furthermore, past investigations have not brought justice to the victims. Mnangagwa has demonstrated incapacity, lack of interest and political will; he is conflicted as he is implicated as the chief sponsor of these heinous crimes. He is not in a position to launch an investigation that brings confidence, justice and accountability. Hence our call for a prompt inquiry into this case.
The deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe is worsened by the fact that it is happening in an already fragile political situation stemming from Mr Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy born out of the disputed and unresolved electoral outcome of 2018.
While efforts are made to improve the human rights situation, equal effort must be put towards resolving the political crisis. Zimbabweans are urged to peacefully stand up for their rights and dignity.
MDC-Alliance : Change That Delivers
MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare
ONE person died upon admission to Kwekwe General Hospital while two others were injured when the vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road between Kwekwe and Gweru on Thursday last week.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the accident which happened at the 225km peg along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
The accident happened at about 3am.
“I can confirm that one person died after the vehicle they were travelling in veered off the road. Two other people including the driver were injured and are admitted to Kwekwe General Hospital where they are said to be in a stable condition,” said Insp Goko.
The driver of the NP300 which was heading to Bulawayo reportedly failed to negotiate a curve, lost control of the vehicle before it rolled several times and landed on its side. Insp Goko urged people to avoid speeding.
“It is evident that the driver was speeding by failing to negotiate a curve. I therefore urge people to exercise extreme caution when travelling, avoid speeding and ensure that your vehicles are in good condition,” said Insp Goko.
The place around Redcliff turn-off has become a black spot with Redcliff authorities at one time proposing to conduct cleansing ceremonies at the spot after a spate of accidents.
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 Joana 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.
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.
Ministry of Health and Childcare Update On COVID-19
Date of issue: 16/05/2020 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SITUATION REPORT
Two (2) cases tested positive for COVID-19 today. The two cases are both female returning citizens from the United Kingdom who arrived on the 4th of May 2020 and are residents of Harare.
Two (2) positive cases reported in yesterday’s update under Mashonaland West Province are actually residents of Manicaland and Harare and have been reported in today’s update as such.
Today 48 RDT screening tests and 504 NCR confirmatory tests were done. The cumulative number of tests done to date is 27 059 (14 784 RDTs and 12 275 PCR/GeneXpert).
To date the total number of confirmed cases is 44; recovered 17, active cases 23 and 4 deaths, since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.
PRIVATELY-RUN commuter omnibuses will not return to the road even after the national lockdown as part of Government measures to bring sanity into the urban transport sector.
Before the lockdown, many urban areas have been battling with urban transport chaos with private operators, including those operating small private cars especially Honda Fit causing traffic jams and disregarding traffic rules. The private-owned commuter omnibuses have been banned since the lockdown was effected on 30 March.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo last week told Sunday News that the ban on private commuter omnibuses would be made permanent as a way of controlling traffic in urban areas. Urban transport will now fall under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) and those with private commuter omnibuses who are willing to continue in business will have to register and be contracted under Zupco.
“What we are doing is we want to bring sanity into the transporting sector like what we have done with the haphazard vending that was in the Central Business Districts. The President told us that this is the time for us to bring sanity to some sectors during this lockdown. What the kombi owners can do is register their vehicles with Zupco together with their drivers and they will be good. Actually Zupco is paying them more than what they are making right now,” said Minister Moyo.
He said with vehicles operating under Zupco it becomes easier to manage them.
“We have partnered with a young gentleman from the Harare Institution of Technology who has given us an application that can help us monitor all buses and kombis under Zupco. The application monitors fuel efficiency and when a bus goes off route, it can automatically cut the engine off. This is honestly the direction we want to take as a Government, which is what used to occur back then, we are simply reviving an old system,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the Government was also working on boosting the Zupco fleet.
“This won’t be an easy task; we will obviously have a lot of challenges but we are committed to making this work. As I said earlier, operators must realise that they will make more money, as I am speaking in Manicaland some operators who are under this scheme have made a donation of close to $10 million for the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” said the Minister.
However, the latest move could face resistance from some kombi operators. Tshova Mubaiwa chairperson, Mr Atlas Moyo said their members have made a resolution not to operate under Zupco.
“As an association we opened the door to our members who wanted to join Zupco, those members that have remained have made it clear that they won’t be forced to operate under Zupco,” said Mr Moyo.
He said if the move is made policy, they were prepared to approach the courts so as to have their case heard.
“We are a fully registered company and have the protection of the law. Yes, someone can say that we are barred from operating but we will fight until the end,” said Mr Moyo.
Farai Dziva|Outspoken clergyman, Bishop Ancelimo Magaya has strongly condemned the abduction and torture of three MDC Alliance youth assembly leaders by the Zanu PF government.
The three MDC youth assembly leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova were abducted, tortured and dumped near “Supa” Business Centre in Bindura .
Below is Bishop Magaya’ s statement :
How much departure has the second republic made from the previous paranoid regime or do we still have the same with cosmetic changes?
When you have in a country the ZRP confirming through assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi the spokesperson that the 3 MDC A youth leaders have been arrested for staging ” An illegal demonstration ” and clearly stating that the three are in police custody ( Herald of the 14th of May ) then in few hours , the trio can not be accounted for.
They then re appear two days later brutalized and traumatized, and Nyathi makes a U turn claiming that they had never been arrested, then we have a rogue state lacking credibility and not only lacking basic professional conduct but falling far too short of integrity required for national leadership.
Sadly, instead of learning from the past, the chief corespondent Ruben Barwe with usual cadences zealously reports during 8 o’clock news last night in ways that depict the usual ZRP and or state chorus of possible stage managed abduction.
They massacred people in Matebeleland from 1983 to 1987. They left Kombai for dead in 1990 in Gweru . They killed during land seizures. They killed the likes of Talent Chiminya in 2000 in Buhera. They maimed and abducted many.
They ruthlessly caused trauma when they destroyed peoples homes in 2005. They killed several after harmonized elections of 2008.
Indeed , they caused mayhem.
April to June of 2008 was a season of darkness. They forced Itai Dzamara into disappearance and to date , his whereabouts is unknown. On August 1 2018 , they killed. On October 10 2018, a parking Marshall was shot dead by one alleged to have been a son to one of their own who was never arrested.
They killed from January 14 to 16 2019. They abducted and tortured Doc Peter Magombeyi. Several civic society leaders have been arrested.
Recently , on May 13 they abducted and tortured Cecilia , Netsai and Joana.
I tell you , the cup of the abomination of of this state is fast filling up and very soon we will witness a dramatic fall worse and greater than what has happened to their father the former President and the system around him whom many have already forgiven by reason of the worse of situation we have had in a very short time of the second republic.
I urge the church to rise up to speak and act . When we do so the prophetic word out of the mouth of the church will assume a life of its own that God will energies to bring to pass our prophetic declaration. As I have always said , God has not yet completed purging the decay within the ruling elite.
Lets keep pushing in labour pains for the birthing of a new Zimbabwe. God Save Zimbabwe.
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Absolom Sikhosana, a Zanu-PF Politburo member who died yesterday a national hero.
Sikhosana (70), who was also acting Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Province died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) yesterday morning. He had been admitted since Monday last week.
Last night the party’s Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu conveyed the message of the hero’s status to the family and mourners at Sikhosana’s home in Nkulumane.
“His Excellency the President and Fist Secretary for Zanu-PF Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred a National Hero Status to the late Absolom Sikhosana. The late Absolom Sikhosana will be interred at the National Hero’s Acre at a date to be advised. I shall be most grateful if you make the usual arrangements of his burial and payment of benefits to his dependants, he is from Bulawayo Province,” said Dr Mpofu.
Dr Mpofu said this was the first time the President has conferred a National Hero Status to an individual before the party received a letter from the deceased’s province.
“This is a first, and usually the first thing that the President asks me when someone passes on is what his/her province is suggesting. But the first thing that the President said to me was that I start working towards this (national hero status), he never asked about what the province had said. I am only receiving the letter from the province just this evening, which means Cde Sikhosana was a person for the whole nation that did not want to boast about his importance in the party.
“He was a selfless person; this is why the party had asked him to be the acting chairman in Bulawayo despite being a Politburo member. This never happens but with him it did, he was our chairperson and since his appointment, we never heard of any squabbles in Bulawayo. I hope there won’t be any after this,” he added.
Dr Mpofu said it was a dark day for the nation and said Sikhosana served diligently in the party until the time of his death.
“He was patient with everyone, he never got into squabbles, he was everybody’s friend. During his tenure as Secretary for Youth there were no problems, he guided the youths well, he chided them at the same time moulding them,” he said.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Judith Moyo, however, said Sikhosana died a poor man.
“Cde Sikhosana died a poor man, because he had no time for (personal issues) but he had all his time to the party and by so doing we want to say thank you very much for a job well done. He played his part. On Monday when he was admitted at UBH he called me personally when he got to the hospital around 10 am. He said ‘Sisi, sisi I’m failing to get out of the car, please help me’, and I could sense that there was something wrong, I asked him where he was and he said he was at the car park of the hospital. I quickly phoned Dr (Narcisius) Dzvanga ( UBH clinical director) who swiftly got to the car park to assist Sikhosana and took him to the hospital and he was admitted. Later on, I went there in the evening and he was very grateful that I assisted him. He said to me ‘Thank you so much for assisting me, I think I was dead because I cannot remember how I was admitted’.”
Skhosana’s younger sister, Mrs Euna Ndlovu said the family had lost a unifier.
“We were six in the family with three girls and three boys. Two elder sisters are late, he was fifth in the family while I am the last born. He has not been well for some time suffering from a heart problem. Then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as anthritis. We were told his kidney had failed. Growing up we were very close up to his death. He was not a violent person and liked socializing with people. Absalom was a friend of everybody. He took me as his child and he had so much love for me and he recently visited me in Nyamandlovu just two weeks ago,” said Mrs Ndlovu sobbing.
Sikhosana was born on 26 October 1949 in Matobo District under Chief Masuku in Matabeleland South Province.
He attended Nduna Primary School from 1956 to mid-1958. He moved to White Waters Primary School for Standard One to Three and that was between 1958 and 1960. He also attended Lozikeyi Primary in Bulawayo for Standard Four to Six from 1961 to 1964.
In 1965 he moved to Mzilikazi Secondary School, then Mgandane for his from One to Four. In 1969 he attained a certificate in Salesmanship from Rapid Results College and a Diploma in Public Relations from Ruskin College in the United Kingdom.
He worked as a Tally Clerk for the Bulawayo Clothing Factory (Charter Clothing) from 1970 to 1975. Between 1976 and 1977 Cde Sikhosana was elected regional organiser for the Rhodesian Clothing and Garment Workers Union at the time Trade Unions. His movement from Charter Clothing to trade unionism was orchestrated by the political leadership to fill the gap left under the detention of the late nationalist Enos Mdlongwa.
In 1977 he left the country for the armed struggle to Zambia via Botswana and was trained at Camp of General Training (CGT) as an infantry cadre. After demobilisation in 1982, he joined the Bulawayo Municipal Workers Union and became the organising secretary. In 1992 he was seconded to the Public Service International Head Quarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
In 1983 he was elected National Secretary General for the ZAPU Youth wing. Between 1987 and 1989 Sikhosana was instrumental in uniting the structures of the two liberation parties after the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.
He was elected Youth Publicity and Information Secretary for the united party Zanu-PF at the inaugural Youth Conference in 1989. He became the National Deputy Secretary for the Zanu- PF Youth League deputising the late National Hero Chief Air Marshall Josiah Tungamirai.
Between 2000 and 2014, he served as Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth Affairs. In 2014 he became Deputy Secretary in the Department of Implementation of Indigenisation Policy in the Politburo. In October 2019 he was appointed acting chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, a position he held until the time of his death.
He is survived by a wife, Mrs Jelina Dube Sikhosana, five children and six grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at his home, Number 3115 Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has accused Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of using the lockdown to violate and suppress people’s basic rights.
Chamisa was commenting on the indefinite extension of the lockdown by Mnangagwa on Sunday.
“Indefinite extension of lockdown without cushioning measures for the vulnerable simply wrong and inappropriate!!
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,” said Chamisa.
“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 and churches. Abuse and manipulation must be fought by all progressive citizens.The greater the oppression,the greater the determination,”he added.
AUTHORITIES at schools and colleges, including parents are expected to meet and come up with plans that will determine when they can resume classes especially for pupils and students sitting for public examinations this year.
The plans, would, however, need to be approved first by the Government through the respective ministries in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. President Mnangagwa yesterday said public examination classes and final year students at colleges and universities would be allowed to open only after adhering to the stipulated Covid-19 prevention measures.
Clarifying the matter, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana told Sunday News that the directive was not a one-size-fits-all, but individual schools and universities were expected to provide a detailed plan in terms of their strategy of preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic before they are allowed to re-open. He said stakeholders would be required to engage each other in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to see that they comply with all the necessary Covid-19 requirements.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach, what needs to happen is that between the school authorities, the school development councils and the ministry officials, they will need to sit down and come out with a framework, an agreed plan on how they want to open. After these stakeholders meet, they then present their plans to the relevant ministries to discuss the plan, if the plan is agreeable, they can then be allowed to open because circumstances that apply to individual institutions are different,” said Mr Mangwana.
He said emphasis was on the need to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ensure that all institutions put in place measures to protect their students from the pandemic. Meanwhile, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Cain Mathema said plans for the sitting of June and November Zimsec examinations were at an advanced stage, noting that the President’s statement reaffirmed their position.
“The President’s address reaffirms our position that we are ready to have the June and November examinations. What will happen now is that we will meet and give the necessary announcement in due course. Schools should, however, ensure that as students sit and prepare for these examinations, they should adhere to the Covid-19 regulations in terms of social distancing and sanitization,” said Minister Mathema.
The Government directed the closure of schools a week before the official closing date for the first term as means of controlling the spread of the pandemic.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance deputy youth assembly chairperson, Cecilia Chimbiri has revealed how she was ” treatment like a dog” by suspected government agents.
Chimbiri narrated her ordeal to Makomborero Haruzivishe who had visited her in hospital.
Read Haruzivishe’ s statement : Upon seeing me yesterday she said,”Mako mwana wamai vangu hapana zvavasina kundiita; vakandiita kunge imbwa,vakandiita kunge pfambi…” and she broke down into tears…
I felt that!
All I could do was wipe her tears with a tissue paper and assured her,”It is time we learn how to fight back my sister, for the time to fight for justice is now or never.”
I had to say to say that because it’s true, we are in a war and we have to fight back at some point!
24 hours later I am still feeling it and I mean what I told her…It’s NowOrNever ZanuPfMustGo PeoplePower
GOVERNMENT intends to extend the ban on privately-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) beyond the national lockdown and will only allow them to operate under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise.
This is part of elaborate plans to de-congest urban centres and modernise the public transport system.
Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30.
In his lockdown measures review speech yesterday, President Mnangagwa extended the ban indefinitely.
He said only Zupco-contracted kombis would be allowed on the roads.
Authorities intend to take advantage of depressed numbers of urban commuters during the lockdown to revamp and modernise the urban mass public transport system through deploying high-volume buses.
The Sunday Mail has gathered that Government has directed Zupco to invite interested kombi owners to register under its franchise as the number of commuters has increased following the relaxation of the lockdown rules.
Zupco is currently operating with 507 conventional buses and 500 commuter omnibuses, and is looking for an additional 500 kombis.
This comes as authorities were intensifying efforts to import new buses for inner and inter-city travel.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Dr July Moyo told this publication that there is no guarantee that kombis will be allowed back on the roads after the lockdown. “We have been trying to build Zupco,” said Dr Moyo.
“So, throughout the lockdown we have said Zupco should operate. When we moved to Level 2, we knew there would be more people requiring transportation.
“We then asked Zupco to call for more kombis and buses to come and register and at the same time we will be introducing more buses. So the plan is to make sure that we strengthen urban bus transportation through Zupco so that we can bring sanity to the operations.”
He said urban transport systems operating through centrally managed high-volume buses were the trend globally. Informal transporters, said Minister Moyo, were the source of chaos in urban centres, particularly Harare.-State media
On Saturday night ZimEye broadcast a LIVE investigation on the Julie Condliffe scam. Condliffe is a UK based Zimbabwean businesswoman who has been traveling around the country claiming she is a millionaire. ZimEye explores in detail how she is duping scores of British citizens using hypnosis and other techniques, before pouncing on them again using threats of a legal nature. Below is the summary-
CONDLIFFE – NOTES FROM POWEL (one of the partners)
Condliffe sold to the Complainants a house (in Easington) for GBP 31,000.
The Complainants paid 31k altogether…the agreed price for buying was GBP28,000 plus GBP3,000 for sourcing. The complainants later discovered that the property was in fact hers, that she wasn’t sourcing anything.
They have documents to prove this agreement.
The Complainants were told (by Condliffe) if they refurbish it they would resell it for GBP40,000
The title deeds were never delivered.
Upon this development, the complainant reported to their bank account for a reversal of funds paid
But Condliffe told the bank that further to the contract of sale, she had conducted a one to one sit down with further explanations -she alleged that there was an arrangement in which the complainants would pay the money, and Condliffe keep the property until it can be sold for GBP40,000,
The complainant however says this is not true.
The Complainants say they then began demanding that the money must be refunded as they feel deceived.
The Complainants say they never entered the property at any time since day one.
“We just did everything out of trust. We paid the whole money and we just believed Julie (Condliffe) and went ahead to pay her.”
May 2019 we got involved with the bank and started an investigation…
“I felt confused – when she said I will keep the property within my limited company so that I don’t transfer to sellers so to speed u[ the process to transfer to another seller. But she only said this 7 months after…,”they tell ZimEye
But she said this 6 months after the payment was done.
As women we are failing to come into terms with the level of inhumane treatment of our daughters Ceclia, Joana and Netsai by the regime’s state security. The trio were taken by police at a roadblock after staging a flash demonstration over hunger with other youths in Warren Park on Wednesday afternoon. They were taken to Harare Central Police Station and they told alerted leadership that they were indeed at Police Station. People who went there could not find them and also checked in all police stations to no avail.
They were later dumped along Bindura road at a certain homestead heavily beaten and tortured by state security. They were sexually assaulted, made to sing and toyi toyi, called all sorts of names and accused of wanting to overthrow an elected government. This was all denounced by President Chamisa during his presser at the hospital after seeing the girls. We are so concerned as the Assembly of Women that the state can target harmless women, with no guns at all and beat them for merely exercising their rights. These youths leaders were only highlighting the plight of all Zimbabweans who are dying of hunger under lockdown. Their constitutional rights were violated by the state security who actually are supposed to be protecting them.
We condemn this barbaric act in its strongest term and demand that justice prevail by bringing these perpetrators to book. We note with great concern that this has been going on for quiete a long time and perpetrators have just been left scot free.
We would want to unequivocally state that women’s rights are human rights and no woman must be subjected to this kind of treatment by anyone particularly the state. We will do every thing we can to make sure that our girls get justice. We are hurt as mothers and we are feeling the same pain as them and we say NO to Abductions and torture of innocent citizens especially the youth who are the leaders of today and not tomorrow.
We call upon all women and Women’s Organisations to stand up against state brutality and Women rights violations. We call upon International Organisations to speak out about Mnangagwa’s brutality and abuse of human rights. Zimbabwe is a signatory to so many human rights protocols, conventions and charters that are binding.
We would like to wish our girls speedy recovery and we are going to stand with them in solidarity until justice prevails. We end by saying state torture is an International crime and must be dealt with accordingly.
Barbara Tanyanyiwa Spokesperson MDC Alliance Assembly of Women
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 Joana 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 activists 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.
Faced with the COVID-19 crisis, pastors are holding secret church meetings at night. it has been said.
Zimbabwe Council Of Churches, Rev Kenneth Mtata said some churches are holding clandestine services at night.
He said: “We would want to urge all churches in Zimbabwe to comply with the Government directive to suspend church services until we are sure that we are safe from Covid-19.
“Reports that some churches are holding clandestine services are not pleasant and we would want to urge them to comply so that they do not risk people to Covid-19. We should all play a part in reducing the possible spread of the virus,” he added.
The preacher said churches should support and also extend financial support to the Government not only in the fight against coronavirus but also to help revive the economy.
He said the church supported the revolution during the liberation struggle and would continue to do so that Zimbabweans will have a better life. Rev Mtata said it was incumbent upon the church to unite people and maintain peace in the country.
“We should also start considering assisting Government financially so that we revive the economy.
“The welfare of people is the responsibility of the church.
“It is possible and we must not be afraid. Zimbabwe Council of Churches was born in Gweru in 1964; Churches then rose up against racism and colonialism.
“The church should lead in unity. Everyone who is a Christian should drive the vision of the church to unite people.
“People are looking for a day and a place where they are called people of God and not identified by their political affiliation, race or tribes.
“It is incumbent upon the church to unite the people and provide that place,” he said.
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.
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 Joana 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.
All over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant loss of life, disrupting livelihoods, and threatening the recent advances in health and progress towards global development goals highlighted in the 2020 World Health Statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO) today.
“The good news is that people around the world are living longer and healthier lives.
The bad news is the rate of progress is too slow to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and will be further thrown off track by COVID-19,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“The pandemic highlights the urgent need for all countries to invest in strong health systems and primary health care, as the best defense against outbreaks like COVID-19, and against the many other health threats that people around the world face every day. Health systems and health security are two sides of the same coin.”
WHO’s World Health Statistics — an annual check-up on the world’s health — reports progress against a series of key health and health service indicators, revealing some important lessons in terms of progress made towards the Sustainable Development Goals and gaps to fill.
Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased, but unequally.
The biggest gains were reported in low-income countries, which saw life expectancy rise 21% or 11 years between 2000 and 2016 (compared with an increase of 4% or 3 years in higher income countries).
One driver of progress in lower-income countries was improved access to services to prevent and treat HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as a number of neglected tropical diseases such as guinea worm.
Another was better maternal and child healthcare, which led to a halving of child mortality between 2000 and 2018. But in a number of areas, progress has been stalling.
Immunization coverage has barely increased in recent years, and there are fears that malaria gains may be reversed. And there is an overall shortage of services within and outside the health system to prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and stroke.
In 2016, 71 per cent of all deaths worldwide were attributable to NCDs, with the majority of the 15 million premature deaths (85%) occurring in low and middle-income countries. This uneven progress broadly mirrors inequalities in access to quality health services.
Only between one third and one half the world’s population was able to obtain essential health services in 2017.
Service coverage in low- and middle-income countries remains well below coverage in wealthier ones; as do health workforce densities. In more than 40% of all countries, there are fewer than 10 medical doctors per 10 000 people. Over 55% of countries have fewer than 40 nursing and midwifery personnel per 10 000 people.
The inability to pay for healthcare is another major challenge for many. On current trends, WHO estimates that this year, 2020, approximately 1 billion people (almost 13 per cent of the global population) will be spending at least 10% of their household budgets on health care. The majority of these people live in lower middle-income countries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to protect people from health emergencies, as well as to promote universal health coverage and healthier populations to keep people from needing health services through multisecotral interventions like improving basic hygiene and sanitation,” said Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director General at WHO.
In 2017, more than half (55%) of the global population was estimated to lack access to safely-managed sanitation services, and more than one quarter (29%) lacked safely-managed drinking water. In the same year, two in five households globally (40%) lacked basic handwashing facilities with soap and water in their home.
The World Health Statistics also highlight the need for stronger data and health information systems. Uneven capacities to collect and use accurate, timely, and comparable health statistics, undermining countries’ ability to understand population health trends, develop appropriate policies, allocate resources and prioritize interventions.
For almost a fifth of countries, over half of the key indicators have no recent primary or direct underlying data, another major challenge in enabling countries to prepare for, prevent and respond to health emergencies such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO is therefore supporting countries in strengthening surveillance and data and health information systems so they can measure their status and manage improvements.
“The message from this report is clear: as the world battles the most serious pandemic in 100 years, just a decade away from the SDG deadline, we must act together to strengthen primary health care and focus on the most vulnerable among us in order to eliminate the gross inequalities that dictate who lives a long, healthy life and who doesn’t,” added Asma.
“We will only succeed in doing this by helping countries to improve their data and health information systems.”
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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ZANU PF leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared Absolom Sikhosana, a Zanu-PF Politburo member who died yesterday a national hero.
The late former ZANU PF youth leader, Sikhosana (70), who was also acting Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Province died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) yesterday morning. He had been admitted since Monday last week.
Last night the party’s Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu conveyed the message of the hero’s status to the family and mourners at Cde Sikhosana’s home in Nkulumane.
“His Excellency the President and Fist Secretary for Zanu-PF Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred a National Hero Status to the late Absolom Sikhosana. The late Absolom Sikhosana will be interred at the National Hero’s Acre at a date to be advised. I shall be most grateful if you make the usual arrangements of his burial and payment of benefits to his dependants, he is from Bulawayo Province,” said Dr Mpofu.
Dr Mpofu said this was the first time the President has conferred a National Hero Status to an individual before the party received a letter from the deceased’s province.
“This is a first, and usually the first thing that the President asks me when someone passes on is what his/her province is suggesting. But the first thing that the President said to me was that I start working towards this (national hero status), he never asked about what the province had said. I am only receiving the letter from the province just this evening, which means Sikhosana was a person for the whole nation that did not want to boast about his importance in the party.
“He was a selfless person; this is why the party had asked him to be the acting chairman in Bulawayo despite being a Politburo member. This never happens but with him it did, he was our chairperson and since his appointment, we never heard of any squabbles in Bulawayo. I hope there won’t be any after this,” he added.
Dr Mpofu said it was a dark day for the nation and said Cde Sikhosana served diligently in the party until the time of his death.
“He was patient with everyone, he never got into squabbles, he was everybody’s friend. During his tenure as Secretary for Youth there were no problems, he guided the youths well, he chided them at the same time moulding them,” he said.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde Judith Moyo, however, said Sikhosana died a poor man.
“Cde Sikhosana died a poor man, because he had no time for (personal issues) but he had all his time to the party and by so doing we want to say thank you very much for a job well done. He played his part. On Monday when he was admitted at UBH he called me personally when he got to the hospital around 10 am. He said ‘Sisi, sisi I’m failing to get out of the car, please help me’, and I could sense that there was something wrong, I asked him where he was and he said he was at the car park of the hospital. I quickly phoned Dr (Narcisius) Dzvanga ( UBH clinical director) who swiftly got to the car park to assist Sikhosana and took him to the hospital and he was admitted. Later on, I went there in the evening and he was very grateful that I assisted him. He said to me ‘Thank you so much for assisting me, I think I was dead because I cannot remember how I was admitted’.”
Skhosana’s younger sister, Mrs Euna Ndlovu said the family had lost a unifier.
“We were six in the family with three girls and three boys. Two elder sisters are late, he was fifth in the family while I am the last born. He has not been well for some time suffering from a heart problem. Then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as anthritis. We were told his kidney had failed. Growing up we were very close up to his death. He was not a violent person and liked socializing with people. Absalom was a friend of everybody. He took me as his child and he had so much love for me and he recently visited me in Nyamandlovu just two weeks ago,” said Mrs Ndlovu sobbing.
Cde Sikhosana was born on 26 October 1949 in Matobo District under Chief Masuku in Matabeleland South Province.
He attended Nduna Primary School from 1956 to mid-1958. He moved to White Waters Primary School for Standard One to Three and that was between 1958 and 1960. He also attended Lozikeyi Primary in Bulawayo for Standard Four to Six from 1961 to 1964.
In 1965 he moved to Mzilikazi Secondary School, then Mgandane for his from One to Four. In 1969 he attained a certificate in Salesmanship from Rapid Results College and a Diploma in Public Relations from Ruskin College in the United Kingdom.
He worked as a Tally Clerk for the Bulawayo Clothing Factory (Charter Clothing) from 1970 to 1975. Between 1976 and 1977 Cde Sikhosana was elected regional organiser for the Rhodesian Clothing and Garment Workers Union at the time Trade Unions. His movement from Charter Clothing to trade unionism was orchestrated by the political leadership to fill the gap left under the detention of the late nationalist Cde Enos Mdlongwa.
In 1977 he left the country for the armed struggle to Zambia via Botswana and was trained at Camp of General Training (CGT) as an infantry cadre. After demobilisation in 1982, he joined the Bulawayo Municipal Workers Union and became the organising secretary. In 1992 he was seconded to the Public Service International Head Quarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
In 1983 he was elected National Secretary General for the ZAPU Youth wing. Between 1987 and 1989 Sikhosana was instrumental in uniting the structures of the two liberation parties after the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.
He was elected Youth Publicity and Information Secretary for the united party Zanu-PF at the inaugural Youth Conference in 1989. He became the National Deputy Secretary for the Zanu- PF Youth League deputising the late National Hero Chief Air Marshall Josiah Tungamirai.
Between 2000 and 2014, he served as Zanu-PF National Secretary for Youth Affairs. In 2014 he became Deputy Secretary in the Department of Implementation of Indigenisation Policy in the Politburo. In October 2019 he was appointed acting chairman for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, a position he held until the time of his death.
He is survived by a wife, Mrs Jelina Dube Sikhosana, five children and six grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at his home, Number 3115 Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo. State Media/Sunday News
Farai Dziva|The Ministry of Health and Childcare has announced that 13 people have recovered from the new Coronavirus.
See full statement: The Ministry reports that 4 cases tested positive for Covid-19 today.
1 (One) positive case from Mashonaland East Province and 1 from Harare, both travellers from South Africa. The other 2 are from a quarantine centre in Mashonaland West Province.
To date we have 42 confirmed cases, 13 recoveries, 4 deaths and 25 active cases since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.
The four new positive cases came out of 659 rapid and 370 PCR tests that were done on Friday in both the public and private laboratories.
Cumulatively, 14 077 Rapid and 11 401 PCR Covid-19 tests have been done to date in Zimbabwe.
Farai Dziva|The Ministry of Health and Childcare has announced that 13 people have recovered from the new Coronavirus.
See full statement: The Ministry reports that 4 cases tested positive for Covid-19 today.
1 (One) positive case from Mashonaland East Province and 1 from Harare, both travellers from South Africa. The other 2 are from a quarantine centre in Mashonaland West Province.
To date we have 42 confirmed cases, 13 recoveries, 4 deaths and 25 active cases since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.
The four new positive cases came out of 659 rapid and 370 PCR tests that were done on Friday in both the public and private laboratories.
Cumulatively, 14 077 Rapid and 11 401 PCR Covid-19 tests have been done to date in Zimbabwe.
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
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
— Dr Thokozani Khupe (@DrThoko_Khupe) May 16, 2020
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…..
You are a #SillyWoman. Drunk with Zanupf Venom, You are the one who tortured those women. The day is coming, when you shall have to account for your wickedness!
The same law enforcement agency that you petition to seize Harvest House. Your boss in POLAD is responsible 4 this and has been abusing citizens since Gukurahundi #PasineZanuPF#ZanuPFMustGo
Crocodile tears. You are an accomplice, we shall never forgive you for abandoning the struggle only to appear at The funeral after 8 months of susengagement. You can go to he'll
You are in bed with them and your statement is rather cold. Like you are issuing to Nicaragua or Trinadad, not fellow country compatriots.
— Trust Matsilele, Ph.D. (@trustmatsilele) May 16, 2020
?wait a minute which law enforcement agencies used force on the 3 women? Which police duties make one torture & abuse defenseless women? They were not in police custody when they were tortured. Why not call it what it is… Abduction by STATE LAWLESS AGENTS whose leader is ED
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.
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
The ZRP wishes to make it clear that the MDC Alliance members who include Johanna Mamombe, Obey Sithole, Ostallous Siziba, Stanley Manyenga and Justin Chidziva who were involved in an illegal flash demonstration on 13/5/20 in Warren Park, Harare are not in police custody.
— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) May 14, 2020
The Herald reported that Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of the trio (Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri & Netsai Marova) only to make a u-turn and say they were not in police custody. WHO IS LYING HERE?
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.
COVID-19 cases in South Africa in the last 24 hours have jumped by 831 cases to 14 355, SABC News reports. 261 people have so far died in South Africa since the outbreak of the pandemic.
According to SABC:
South Africa’s total number of positive COVID- -19 cases has risen by 831 to 14 355. In the last 24 hours, coronavirus related fatalities have gone up by 4 bringing the total number to 261. 439 559 tests have been conducted so far. 18 004 of those were done in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, 310 000 people have died from the pandemic worldwide, while 4.6 million people have been infected by the deadly virus.
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 Mthuli Ncube|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, 2019 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.
The MDC-Alliance takes note with concern the reluctance, incapacity and unwillingness of the Mnangagwa regime to open a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the arbitrary arrest, criminal detention, torture and sexual assault of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Given the human rights abuse track record of the Mnangagwa regime, the regime is conflicted, incapacitated and lacks political will to act to bring to a complete stop these crimes against humanity.
Subscribe to Pindula Newsletter here The MDC-Alliance demands that a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into this criminal act be launched by the United Nations.
We also call on fellow Zimbabweans, local and international civil society and regional and international bodies to support this urgent demand which must result in justice for the three and which must also stem the tide of criminal activities by state security apparatus.
The abduction and torture of three young women including a parliamentarian are serious local and international crimes which are in violation of the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Convention Against Torture, and the Maputo Protocol and should have jolted into action any serious government concerned about the welfare of its citizens but in this case there has not been any action from the Mnangagwa regime serve for a vague, insipid and lethargic statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana.
Zimbabwe has a long history of abductions, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture of citizens in the same pattern and nature as happened in this case. In 2019 alone, the MDC Alliance recorded a total of 49 cases of abduction and torture.
Furthermore, past investigations have not brought justice to the victims. Mnangagwa has demonstrated incapacity, lack of interest and political will; he is conflicted as he is implicated as the chief sponsor of these heinous crimes. He is not in a position to launch an investigation that brings confidence, justice and accountability. Hence our call for a prompt inquiry into this case.
The deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe is worsened by the fact that it is happening in an already fragile political situation stemming from Mr Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy born out of the disputed and unresolved electoral outcome of 2018.
While efforts are made to improve the human rights situation, equal effort must be put towards resolving the political crisis.
Zimbabweans are urged to peacefully stand up for their rights and dignity.
MDC-Alliance : Change That Delivers
MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare
Zimbabwe will keep its coronavirus lockdown for the time being, though businesses will be allowed to open for longer and the restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Saturday.
The southern African nation, which has reported 42 cases and four deaths from the novel coronavirus, went into lockdown on March 30 and has been gradually easing the measures to help revive its troubled economy.
Economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak will exacerbate climate-induced shocks and monetary woes afflicting an economy battling shortages of foreign exchange, food electricity and medicines.
“Zimbabwe will… continue on the level two lockdown for an indefinite period. The country needs to ease out of the lockdown in a strategic and gradual manner,” Mnangagwa said in a live broadcast.
He said informal street markets, where millions of Zimbabweans eke a leaving selling everything from used clothes to vegetables, will remain shut while the government consults health specialists on how to reopen them safely.
Businesses such as manufacturers, supermarkets and banks, which have been allowed to continue operating, will now be able to work between 8 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. compared with the six-hour day imposed previously.
Shared taxis will remain banned, forcing commuters to use buses operated by the state, which have struggled to cope with demand.
Mnangagwa said the hundreds of Zimbabwean migrants returning home every week, mainly from South Africa and Botswana, will have to undergo a 21-day quarantine in school and college buildings set aside for the purpose.
The president said only students writing final examinations this year would be allowed to resume classes but did not say when. The government is still working on plans of phased re-opening of schools.
Media Statement|The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) is appalled and registers its deepest contempt on the abduction and torture of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance Member of Parliament Joana Mamombe and Youth Assembly leaders Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. What the three have endured, constitute the most egregious and extensive sufferings a human being can experience, as proscribed by the Constitution of the land: unlawful and arbitrary detention (section 49), infringement of human dignity (section 51), violation of bodily and psychological integrity – including sexual assault (section 52), torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment – including being forced to eat and drink human excreta (section 53) and violation of equal protection of the law (section 56).
This followed an arrest for exercising their constitutional rights to speak out and to their conscience, including through peaceful demonstration.
Manner of arrest and abduction
The Forum noted the article in the Herald newspaper on 14 May in which the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was quoted confirming the trio’s arrest, although he was still to find out where they were being held. The Forum also notes the corroboration from the trio that they were initially taken to Harare Central Police Station upon arrest. Additionally, the Forum notes the further social media communication of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) through their Twitter handle, to the effect that the trio was not in police custody. Cogent explanation is needed on how and why the trio, if they indeed were in police custody, left that custody. Similarly, explanation is needed on the contradictory statements issued by the police.
It is worrisome, and everyone is justified to worry for their security and safety, if people in police custody can find themselves in a situation as the three. The State is duty bound to account for all its citizens and to protect and ensure their security and well-being, even if under lawful detention. No citizen should live in fear of extra-legal treatment, either at the hands of the State or non-State actors.
No justification for abduction and torture
For whatever reason, and under whatever circumstance, no one should be abducted or tortured. Section 56(1) of the Constitution demands that all persons are accorded equal protection and benefit of the law. The law provides for the mechanisms through which even those who break the law are arrested, tried and if found guilty, treated.
For those who seek to apportion blame to the victims in whatever manner or form, the Forum reminds them that once a culture of disregard of the law and human rights takes root, and a cycle of violence and abuse of due process is established, no one is safe, including perpetrators. It is folly for anyone to derive pleasure in ascribing the heinous crime to “self-abduction” and other shocking explanations and justifications, and to revel in a self-sense of security. The culture of violence must be nipped in the bud.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault continues to be used as a weapon of abuse and torture. All right-thinking citizens should be outraged. Whether one has committed an offence under the country’s laws or not, sexual assault can never be an appropriate response.
Respect for privacy
The constitutional right to privacy, as with any other right, stems for the need to respect human dignity, and not humiliate and expose victims to further trauma. It is extremely important for the media and for political leaders to vigorously speak out, when heinous crimes such as this are committed. In so doing however, the obligation to respect privacy remains. The Forum reminds the media and individuals visiting the victims to take extra caution to ensure a fine balance between exposure of the crimes committed and the protection of the victims’ privacy. Sensitive graphic material should be shared with discretion.
Call to action
The time is now for government to categorically state its repugnance towards such savage and barbaric conduct. If the government shares the same standards of law abidance that it demands of its citizens, it is critical that the government condemns the violations both in speech and deeds. Episodes such as these simply serve to remind of impunity and the unjust past Zimbabweans have long suffered. If our leaders are sincere in turning a leaf to a truly new dispensation, the strongest condemnation of these acts is expected, and concrete, meaningful steps must be taken. The nation and the international community are watching.
The Forum strongly urges all concerned and well-meaning Zimbabweans to call for decisive action from the authorities. In particular, the Forum demands of the government to:
Thoroughly and exhaustively investigate the circumstances of the arrest, abduction and torture of the three, and bring perpetrators to justice; Ratify and domestic the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances; Ratify and domesticate the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and Amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act to include a stand-alone offence of torture, accompanied by severe punishment.
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
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 @MakomboreroHpic.twitter.com/YYLlWmmslz
Mnangagwa says ZANU PF is everything in Zimbabwe and must be respected. We are the police the army….we are everything in this country pic.twitter.com/HrRFrSGUoh
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 :
Marshall Munetsi has signed a new contract with French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims, just a season after joining the club.
The Zimbabwean added another year to his initial deal which was set to expire in 2023. He will now stay at the club until 2024.
The club announced the news on Saturday afternoon.
Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot said Munetsi has been rewarded with a new contract for his hard work.
He said: “On a sporting and human level, Marshall is one of great satisfactions of the season. This signature touches me more since I know all the additional work that the player has done to take his chance …
“Marshall was our first recruit of the last summer transfer market. At the time, he was responding to the staff’s need to be able to count on an athletic player capable of playing in central defence as well as in a midfield position.”
Munetsi made 21 appearances across all competitions before the French season was cancelled due to coronavirus.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Cameroon’s legendary forward Samuel Eto’o believes he is the greatest African footballer of all time.
The former forward made the claims while responding to El-Hadji Diouf who had put himself on top of the list of best players to ever come out of the continent.
Speaking to Goal.com, Eto’o said the Senegalese is not on his level and also took a jab on Didier Drogba who is regarded among the African legends.
“Even if my brother Diouf the last time, with an extra glass, got a little lost, there is no debate”, said Eto’o, in a reference to the Diouf video where the former Senegal international appeared a little drunk.
“None of them [Diouf and Drogba] can come and say that they were at my level or better. And it’s not the fact that I say it, it’s a fact, it’s something that is there. I wanted to be number one and I have been throughout my career.”
The Cameroonian has won African Player of the Year four times, level with Yaya Toure, while Drogba and Diouf earned the award twice.
He also finished third in the running for the FIFA World Player of the Year, making him the only African after Liberian George Weah to get into the top three of the award.
Eto’o’s remarkable array of trophies include four Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, a Serie A, a Coppa Italia, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance National Secretary for Healing, Peace, Reconciliation and Integration, Blessing Chebundo, has called on human rights organizations to act on the abduction and torture of the party’s youth leaders.
Below is Honourable Chebundo’ s statement :
THE MDC-A ORGAN FOR PEACE CALLS UPON THE ZIMBABWE COMMISSIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, GENDER, AND PEACE, TO ACT UPON THE ‘ THE ARREST: ABDUCTION AND TORTURE OF THE THREE YOUNG LEADERS
The Organ for National Healing: Peace-building: Reconciliation: and Integration, (NHPRI) of the MDC-A Calls upon the Constitutional Independent Commissions for Human Rights; for Peace; and for Gender, to take this latest case of ‘arrest, abduction, and torture’ as a serious National urgent matter that calls for the commissions to put all their constitutional mandated roles into motion.
Chapter 12, section 232 of the constitution of Zimbabwe, outlines that the Independent Commissions are there to support human and democracy in Zimbabwe.
Amongst the commissions are, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission: The Zimbabwe Gender Commission: and The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission’.
Section 233 outlines the objectives of the commissions, ‘inter-alia, to support and entrench human rights and democracy; and to secure the observance of democratic values and principles by the State, and all institutions and agencies of government, and government-controlled entities; and ensure that injustices are remedied.
Section 235 of the constitution guarantees the ‘independence of the commissions. ‘The independent Commissions are independent and are not subject to the direction or control of anyone; and must exercise their functions without fear, favour or prejudice’;
Therefore, we call upon the ZHRC, established in accordance with section 242 to act with ‘urgency on this matter’, and within its broader scope of functions as per section 243, among other functions, ‘to protect the citizens against abuse of power and maladministration state and public institutions and by officers of those institutions. The ZHRC has right to visit the cases in directly.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission outlined under Part 4, section 245 equally has to be moved by this serious case, because of the gender aspect involved in the reported serious abuse by the torturers So is the NPRC, whose role is outlined under section 251 of the constitution and includes, ‘ taking action on such matters of violence’.
We challenge these Commissions to ‘live-up’ to their mandate; to act with urgency on this matter of ‘arrest/abduction, torture, abuse, violence, and attack of young ladies’. The commissions must be moved by this continuation of the abductions that went on the increase since 2019. We have not heard, or saw significant actions from these commissions over these abductions.
We do not expect ‘business as usual’ when such inhuman treatment continue to be inflicted upon citizens. These abductions have gone too far. The Commissions need to remove their face masks and see, and act as enshrined in the constitution. The persisting ‘Evil’ has to be stopped..
Hon Blessing Chebundo MDC-A.
(National Secretary for Healing, Peace, Reconciliation and Integration).
On Saturday night ZimEye broadcast a LIVE investigation on the Julie Condliffe scam. Condliffe is a UK based Zimbabwean businessman who has been traveling around the country claiming she is a millionaire. ZimEye explores in detail how she is duping scores of British citizens using hypnosis and other techniques, before pouncing on them again using threats of a legal nature. Below is the summary-
CONDLIFFE – NOTES FROM POWEL (one of the partners)
Condliffe sold to the Complainants a house (in Easington) for GBP 31,000.
The Complainants paid 31k altogether…the agreed price for buying was GBP28,000 plus GBP3,000 for sourcing. The complainants later discovered that the property was in fact hers, that she wasn’t sourcing anything.
They have documents to prove this agreement.
The Complainants were told (by Condliffe) if they refurbish it they would resell it for GBP40,000
The title deeds were never delivered.
Upon this development, the complainant reported to their bank account for a reversal of funds paid
But Condliffe told the bank that further to the contract of sale, she had conducted a one to one sit down with further explanations -she alleged that there was an arrangement in which the complainants would pay the money, and Condliffe keep the property until it can be sold for GBP40,000
The complainant however says this is not true.
The Complainants say they then began demanding that the money must be refunded as they feel deceived.
The Complainants say they never entered the property at any time since day one.
“We just did everything out of trust. We paid the whole money and we just believed Julie (Condliffe) and went ahead to pay her.”
May 2019 we got involved with the bank and started an investigation…
“I felt confused – when she said I will keep the property within my limited company so that I don’t transfer to sellers so to speed u[ the process to transfer to another seller. But she only said this 7 months after…,”they tell ZimEye
But she said this 6 months after the payment was done.
Farai Dziva|The Ministry of Health and Childcare has announced that 13 people have recovered from the new Coronavirus.
See full statement: The Ministry reports that 4 cases tested positive for Covid-19 today.
1 (One) positive case from Mashonaland East Province and 1 from Harare, both travellers from South Africa. The other 2 are from a quarantine centre in Mashonaland West Province.
To date we have 42 confirmed cases, 13 recoveries, 4 deaths and 25 active cases since the onset of the outbreak on 20 March 2020.
The four new positive cases came out of 659 rapid and 370 PCR tests that were done on Friday in both the public and private laboratories.
Cumulatively, 14 077 Rapid and 11 401 PCR Covid-19 tests have been done to date in Zimbabwe.
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 Joana 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.
All over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant loss of life, disrupting livelihoods, and threatening the recent advances in health and progress towards global development goals highlighted in the 2020 World Health Statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO) today.
“The good news is that people around the world are living longer and healthier lives.
The bad news is the rate of progress is too slow to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and will be further thrown off track by COVID-19,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“The pandemic highlights the urgent need for all countries to invest in strong health systems and primary health care, as the best defense against outbreaks like COVID-19, and against the many other health threats that people around the world face every day. Health systems and health security are two sides of the same coin.”
WHO’s World Health Statistics — an annual check-up on the world’s health — reports progress against a series of key health and health service indicators, revealing some important lessons in terms of progress made towards the Sustainable Development Goals and gaps to fill.
Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have increased, but unequally.
The biggest gains were reported in low-income countries, which saw life expectancy rise 21% or 11 years between 2000 and 2016 (compared with an increase of 4% or 3 years in higher income countries).
One driver of progress in lower-income countries was improved access to services to prevent and treat HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as a number of neglected tropical diseases such as guinea worm.
Another was better maternal and child healthcare, which led to a halving of child mortality between 2000 and 2018. But in a number of areas, progress has been stalling.
Immunization coverage has barely increased in recent years, and there are fears that malaria gains may be reversed. And there is an overall shortage of services within and outside the health system to prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, heart and lung disease, and stroke.
In 2016, 71 per cent of all deaths worldwide were attributable to NCDs, with the majority of the 15 million premature deaths (85%) occurring in low and middle-income countries. This uneven progress broadly mirrors inequalities in access to quality health services.
Only between one third and one half the world’s population was able to obtain essential health services in 2017.
Service coverage in low- and middle-income countries remains well below coverage in wealthier ones; as do health workforce densities. In more than 40% of all countries, there are fewer than 10 medical doctors per 10 000 people. Over 55% of countries have fewer than 40 nursing and midwifery personnel per 10 000 people.
The inability to pay for healthcare is another major challenge for many. On current trends, WHO estimates that this year, 2020, approximately 1 billion people (almost 13 per cent of the global population) will be spending at least 10% of their household budgets on health care. The majority of these people live in lower middle-income countries.
“The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to protect people from health emergencies, as well as to promote universal health coverage and healthier populations to keep people from needing health services through multisecotral interventions like improving basic hygiene and sanitation,” said Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director General at WHO.
In 2017, more than half (55%) of the global population was estimated to lack access to safely-managed sanitation services, and more than one quarter (29%) lacked safely-managed drinking water. In the same year, two in five households globally (40%) lacked basic handwashing facilities with soap and water in their home.
The World Health Statistics also highlight the need for stronger data and health information systems. Uneven capacities to collect and use accurate, timely, and comparable health statistics, undermining countries’ ability to understand population health trends, develop appropriate policies, allocate resources and prioritize interventions.
For almost a fifth of countries, over half of the key indicators have no recent primary or direct underlying data, another major challenge in enabling countries to prepare for, prevent and respond to health emergencies such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO is therefore supporting countries in strengthening surveillance and data and health information systems so they can measure their status and manage improvements.
“The message from this report is clear: as the world battles the most serious pandemic in 100 years, just a decade away from the SDG deadline, we must act together to strengthen primary health care and focus on the most vulnerable among us in order to eliminate the gross inequalities that dictate who lives a long, healthy life and who doesn’t,” added Asma.
“We will only succeed in doing this by helping countries to improve their data and health information systems.”
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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The MDC-Alliance Demands an independent inquiry to investigate human rights abuses, torture and inhuman degrading treatment of female youth leaders
The MDC-Alliance takes note with concern the reluctance, incapacity and unwillingness of the Mnangagwa regime to open a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the arbitrary arrest, criminal detention, torture and sexual assault of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Given the human rights abuse track record of the Mnangagwa regime, the regime is conflicted, incapacitated and lacks political will to act to bring to a complete stop these crimes against humanity.
The MDC-Alliance demands that a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into this criminal act be launched by the United Nations.
We also call on fellow Zimbabweans, local and international civil society and regional and international bodies to support this urgent demand which must result in justice for the three and which must also stem the tide of criminal activities by state security apparatus.
The abduction and torture of three young women including a parliamentarian are serious local and international crimes which are in violation of the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Convention Against Torture, and the Maputo Protocol and should have jolted into action any serious government concerned about the welfare of its citizens but in this case there has not been any action from the Mnangagwa regime serve for a vague, insipid and lethargic statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana.
Zimbabwe has a long history of abductions, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture of citizens in the same pattern and nature as happened in this case. In 2019 alone, the MDC Alliance recorded a total of 49 cases of abduction and torture.
Furthermore, past investigations have not brought justice to the victims. Mnangagwa has demonstrated incapacity, lack of interest and political will; he is conflicted as he is implicated as the chief sponsor of these heinous crimes. He is not in a position to launch an investigation that brings confidence, justice and accountability. Hence our call for a prompt inquiry into this case.
The deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe is worsened by the fact that it is happening in an already fragile political situation stemming from Mr Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy born out of the disputed and unresolved electoral outcome of 2018.
While efforts are made to improve the human rights situation, equal effort must be put towards resolving the political crisis. Zimbabweans are urged to peacefully stand up for their rights and dignity.
MDC-Alliance : Change That Delivers
MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare
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.
By Prince Njagu| The ZANU PF regime should be held accountable for the disappearance and torture of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance, legislator Joanna Mamombe, youth leaders Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. The trio were ostensibly arrested on Wednesday for demonstrating against the chaotic government Covid-19 response.
As the vast of Zimbabweans are starving during this lockdown, and a few brave citizens took to the streets for peaceful demonstrations, the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) mafia run government goes on to abduct and abuse these people for exercising their constitutional right.
The MDC Alliance trio only surfaced a two days later, after massive calls for their release from several local and international pressure groups. They were found in bad condition, dumped at Muchapondwa shops in Bindura South.
The British and United States embassies in the country had also expressed concerns over the disappearances of the MDC Alliance trio.
European Union had issued a statement urging authorities to act “in line with constitutional and legal obligations … to establish their whereabouts and well-being.”
Every citizen of a state has the right to express their discontentment, and demonstrations should not be used as grounds by the government to abduct and torture protestors.
Is this what the ZANU PF mafia regime calls democracy? It is an individual’s civic right to take to the streets and express discontent, without being persecuted after excising your right.
The ZANU PF regime should desist from these barbaric abductions and torture of oppositional members. This is the 21st century and everyone has the right to express their discontent.
An administration cannot talk of democracy, when people vanish from police custody, and only to resurface days later abused and tortured.
Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of the three MDC officials; and them disappearing is just unorthodox.
The police are supposed to safeguard the citizenry, but when people are arrested and go missing under their custody tells a lot about the ZANU PF regime.
Such things can only happen in a mafia state, not in a democracy. When citizens are arrested, they should be charged, not tortured.
This regime has gotten away with numerous, atrocious human right violations over the years. It is high time the international community step in and free Zimbabweans who are under bondage.
The international community should see the gross abuse of power by the ZANU PF mafia regime. Individuals cannot vanish from police custody, only to resurface badly abused and tortured.
This is so traumatising and disheartening especially at a time when the country should be joining forces.
Under no circumstances should anyone be exposed to inhuman treatment or torture.
The ZANU PF regime has been known for these abductions and torture antics, even during the Mugabe era. The question which many are asking at the moment is when will all this come to an end? When will Zimbabweans be free from this authoritarian regime which masks itself as a democracy.
Elections are stolen, abductions, torture and now the citizenry are starving under the government enforced lockdown without any government assistance.
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.
The MDC-Alliance Demands an independent inquiry to investigate human rights abuses, torture and inhuman degrading treatment of female youth leaders
The MDC-Alliance takes note with concern the reluctance, incapacity and unwillingness of the Mnangagwa regime to open a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the arbitrary arrest, criminal detention, torture and sexual assault of Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
Given the human rights abuse track record of the Mnangagwa regime, the regime is conflicted, incapacitated and lacks political will to act to bring to a complete stop these crimes against humanity.
The MDC-Alliance demands that a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into this criminal act be launched by the United Nations.
We also call on fellow Zimbabweans, local and international civil society and regional and international bodies to support this urgent demand which must result in justice for the three and which must also stem the tide of criminal activities by state security apparatus.
The abduction and torture of three young women including a parliamentarian are serious local and international crimes which are in violation of the Convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Convention Against Torture, and the Maputo Protocol and should have jolted into action any serious government concerned about the welfare of its citizens but in this case there has not been any action from the Mnangagwa regime serve for a vague, insipid and lethargic statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Nick Mangwana.
Zimbabwe has a long history of abductions, inhuman and degrading treatment and torture of citizens in the same pattern and nature as happened in this case. In 2019 alone, the MDC Alliance recorded a total of 49 cases of abduction and torture.
Furthermore, past investigations have not brought justice to the victims. Mnangagwa has demonstrated incapacity, lack of interest and political will; he is conflicted as he is implicated as the chief sponsor of these heinous crimes. He is not in a position to launch an investigation that brings confidence, justice and accountability. Hence our call for a prompt inquiry into this case.
The deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe is worsened by the fact that it is happening in an already fragile political situation stemming from Mr Mnangagwa’s illegitimacy born out of the disputed and unresolved electoral outcome of 2018.
While efforts are made to improve the human rights situation, equal effort must be put towards resolving the political crisis.
Zimbabweans are urged to peacefully stand up for their rights and dignity.
MDC-Alliance : Change That Delivers
MDC Secretary for Public Service and Social Welfare
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.
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.
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.
The Attorney General has brought to my attention the judgement 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 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 to the directive.
In the circumstances, Government and the Reserve Bank intend to file an appeal against the judgement. 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, 2019 and the amendments made to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] which were based on the Exchange Control Directive in question.
According, 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.
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.
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… pic.twitter.com/fLyKaraM6V
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….”
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
Mnangagwa said this while revealing a host of other Lockdown conditions. He said:
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… pic.twitter.com/fLyKaraM6V
“….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…..”
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…
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the national lockdown by an indefinite period with two week reviews to be done to assess progress or lack of it.
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.
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.
Sodbury High School
Here are shocking pictures of a rundown Sodbury School located in Mashonaland West, Darwendale area, some 65 km from Harare.
Sodbury High school Sodbury High school
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.
Sodbury High 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.
As women we are failing to come into terms with the level of inhumane treatment of our daughters Ceclia, Joana and Netsai by the regime’s state security. The trio were taken by police at a roadblock after staging a flash demonstration over hunger with other youths in Warren Park on Wednesday afternoon. They were taken to Harare Central Police Station and they told alerted leadership that they were indeed at Police Station. People who went there could not find them and also checked in all police stations to no avail.
They were later dumped along Bindura road at a certain homestead heavily beaten and tortured by state security. They were sexually assaulted, made to sing and toyi toyi, called all sorts of names and accused of wanting to overthrow an elected government. This was all denounced by President Chamisa during his presser at the hospital after seeing the girls. We are so concerned as the Assembly of Women that the state can target harmless women, with no guns at all and beat them for merely exercising their rights. These youths leaders were only highlighting the plight of all Zimbabweans who are dying of hunger under lockdown. Their constitutional rights were violated by the state security who actually are supposed to be protecting them.
We condemn this barbaric act in its strongest term and demand that justice prevail by bringing these perpetrators to book. We note with great concern that this has been going on for quiete a long time and perpetrators have just been left scot free.
We would want to unequivocally state that women’s rights are human rights and no woman must be subjected to this kind of treatment by anyone particularly the state. We will do every thing we can to make sure that our girls get justice. We are hurt as mothers and we are feeling the same pain as them and we say NO to Abductions and torture of innocent citizens especially the youth who are the leaders of today and not tomorrow.
We call upon all women and Women’s Organisations to stand up against state brutality and Women rights violations. We call upon International Organisations to speak out about Mnangagwa’s brutality and abuse of human rights. Zimbabwe is a signatory to so many human rights protocols, conventions and charters that are binding.
We would like to wish our girls speedy recovery and we are going to stand with them in solidarity until justice prevails. We end by saying state torture is an International crime and must be dealt with accordingly.
Barbara Tanyanyiwa Spokesperson MDC Alliance Assembly of Women
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spencer Banda
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.
But constitutional law experts say the new prime minister can now be sworn in even if Thabane doesn’t resign
Own Correspondent|Embattled Lesotho Prime Minister Tom Thabane is reportedly refusing to resign until the date that he set for himself, the end of July.
But constitutional law experts say the new prime minister could now be sworn in even if Thabane didn’t resign
The 80-year old appears to have tricked his opponents by signing the agreement to form a new coalition with the opposition Democratic Congress (DC) so that he can demand to head that coalition.
Sources within Thabane’s All Basotho Convention (ABC) party said he now wanted to remain leader of the ABC/DC coalition and prime minister reneging on the understanding that Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro would take over.
But constitutional law experts differ on whether he can stay
Some say the National Assembly process was definitive in deciding that he no longer enjoyed a majority and set the wheels in motion for the appointment of a new prime minister
This view argues that this is the basis on which the speaker declared a transition and that as soon as the speaker gives the name of the nominated successor to the king, the new prime minister can be sworn in and Thabane can be removed unceremoniously.
However, other experts said only Thabane’s resignation would trigger the process for his successor to be sworn-in.
And if he doesn’t resign, MPs will have to wait until 22 May to remove him with a vote of no confidence.
Whatever happens next will show how powerful the position of the speaker is as stated in the Constitution.
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.
