By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has released 270 people who have been detained in Harare quarantine centres since their return to the country.
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo said all the released returnees had tested negative for the coronavirus.
The development comes amid reports that the centres are in shambles and are themselves a health hazard to detainees. Moyo said:
It is not in our interest as the government to detain people for periods which are longer than stipulated,” Moyo said.
If they are negative, they should be released and allowed to go home. If positive, they will be placed in isolation.
Some returnees have been escaping from quarantine centres where life is reportedly horrible as some do not have running water and adequate food.
The Ministry of Health also reported that the biggest number of the known coronavirus cases are returnees mainly from South Africa.
By A Correspondent- Gweru City Council has introduced a new tariff schedule for this year which will see residents parting ways with huge amounts of money for erecting illegal structures and or houses without approved plans.
The move has been criticised by Gweru Residents Forum director Charles Mazorodze who said the local government authority hiked tariffs without consulting residents. Reads the schedule in part:
Commercial per plan building from $7 500 to $177 364, industrial per plan building $10 000 to $236 485 and institutional per plan building from $5 000 to $188 243.
It also observed that the building penalty for unapproved plans in high-density areas has been hiked from $1 500 to $35 473, medium-density from $2 000 to $47 297, while that of low-density suburbs has been increased from $2 500 to $59 121.
The schedule also indicated that construction of houses in high-density areas without council inspection now attracts a fine of $3 547 from $150; medium-density $4 730 from $200 and low-density, $5 912 from $250 while developing commercial stands without municipal inspection will attract a penalty of $17 736 from $750.
The local council’s mayor, Josiah Makombe, said the tariffs were in line with the prevailing market forces adding that the tariff regime also changed mainly due to the existing macroeconomic environment, which is hyperinflationary.
The venue for Liverpool’s potential English Premier League title-deciding game has been confirmed.
The Reds who are 25 points clear at the top of the table could clinch their first championship in thirty years on their home ground – Anfield – after the city council’s Safety Advisory Group cleared the venue to host the team’s all remaining home games.
The health authorities had feared that the encounter would attract people to congregate outside the closed stadium and breach social distancing guidelines.
Liverpool need two wins to win the league, meaning they could seal the triumph when they host Crystal Palace on Wednesday 24 June.
But first, they will have to overcome city rivals Everton at Goodson Park, another venue which has been given the green light to host the games.-Soccer 24
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has castigated the decision by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to suspend elections in the country to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Below is the MDC Alliance’s statement in full.
11 June 2020 STATEMENT ON THE SUSPENSION OF ELECTORAL ACTIVITIES BY ZEC MDC-ALLIANCE
The MDC Alliance is concerned by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s unconstitutional decision to indefinitely suspend electoral activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic without regard for the Constitution, the country’s electoral laws and respect for the citizens’ civil and political rights. We are of the firm view that ZEC’s conduct is unlawful, unreasonable and unfair for the reasons that are set out below:
1. The indefinite suspension of electoral activities violates section 158(3) of the Constitution which states that elections should be conducted within 90 days following a parliamentary or local authority vacancy. There is no provision for the postponement of this 90-day time frame. The Chiredzi Ward 16 by-election was indefinitely postponed by ZEC on the 25. of March 2020. Additionally, there are five confirmed local government vacancies. Most of them have exceeded the 90-day time frame. Accordingly, ZEC is in breach of the Constitution. The Constitution is the supreme law and supersedes any Act of Parliament or subsidiary legislation. ZEC has fallen foul of this binding constitutional provision. It has not approached a court of law to correct the anomaly in accordance with best practice as seen in other jurisdictions faced with the same difficulty.
2. ZEC has acted unilaterally in deciding to issue a blanket indefinite suspension of electoral activities. The electoral management body did not consult political parties, civic society organisations or voters as would be required by the dictates of sound administrative conduct.
3. The statement by ZEC is vague concerning which electoral activities have been suspended. There is no clarity on the status of by-elections in local authorities, constituency seats, proportional representation vacancies, and legally stipulated continuous electoral activities that include voter education and voter registration which require minimal physical interaction. With appropriate social distancing and hygiene etiquette measures, we believe that all these electoral activities can continue in the same way that court and parliamentary activities have resumed, without causing a public health disaster.
4. Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, electoral reforms remain outstanding. We demand electoral reforms and the alignment of electoral laws to the Constitution. Most urgently, consultation on the delimitation exercise should commence forthwith.
By A Correspondent- In a very disturbing case, a woman is reported to have forced her 2-year-old stepchild to sit on a hot stove as a way to get back at and punish her husband who she suspected was cheating on her.
The woman Yvonne Chifamba (23) and her husband Trust Mangana (27) were arrested on Tuesday and were detained at Waterfalls Police Station. The two had initially agreed to keep the crime under wraps. However, they were arrested after they finally decided to seek medical help for the minor after they failed to manage the burns on their own.
Speaking to the publication, Deputy provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Webster Dzvova said:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the arrest of a Waterfalls couple in connection with a case involving a minor.
“Circumstances were that that the step-mother of the child had a misunderstanding with the father accusing him of infidelity.
“During the debate the step mother is alleged to have grabbed the minor and placed him on a hot stove and the couple are reported to have agreed to conceal the act.
“Investigations have since begun and we would like to thank members of the public for supplying information that led to the arrest of the two.
“Police continue to urge members of the public to report any criminal activities within their communities to police for the law to take its course,”
Persecution of lawyers, human rights activists and political opponents is an international crime. No government, agents or functionaries have a right to persecute people, no matter how much they deslike them.
Persecution includes but is not limited to unjustified arrests and malicious prosecutions, torture, kidnapping, and any form of inhuman and degrading punishment or treatment.
The MDC Alliance strongly condemns the unwarranted continued persecution of Honourable Joanna Mamombe Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova. The three were rearrested yesterday on spurious charges of making a false abduction report.
As the People’s party, we are appalled by the depths to which the illegitimate regime has sunk in its desperate attempt to cling to power.
The young women have suffered enough and they have not been allowed to recuperate in the comfort of their homes with their loved ones after the turmoil they have gone through and the time they have spent in hospital.
No sooner had they been hauled to court and ordered to surrender their passports and instead of being allowed to rest they are now again being charged with this ridiculous offence.
This callous treatment and cruelty has no place in a civilised society and it makes Robert Mugabe and Ian Smith look like saints.
What is more disturbing is that baseless allegations are being made against the People’s party, lawyers, journalists, civil society leaders and ordinary citizens who are perceived to be threats to the unjust regime.
After the senseless arrest of Advocate Thabani Mpofu, his instructing legal practitioner and Joshua Chirambwe we again witnessed the arrest of Advocate Sylvester Hashiti for criminal insult. We also learn with shock the arrest of Mr Rubaya who is also a lawyer and was involved in the team representing Advocate Thabani Mpofu on yet again unclear allegations.
It’s now evident that this is no new dispensation but a gigantic and monumental deception. We call upon them to stop arresting innocent citizens but instead arrest the rampant corruption and avarice which has resulted in the collapse of the economy.
Zimbabweans can barely make ends meet and the centre cannot hold as we see the moribund Zimbabwean dollar collapsing around us.
It is time for the regime to acknowledge its failures and cease this senseless harassment of the people of Zimbabwe.
The panacea to the problem is a return to legitimacy and not the use of brute force to continue the subjugation of the people. Our misery can only come to an end when we have a people s government which respects people s Rights.
WE CAN’T BREATHE
For and on behalf of the MDC Alliance legal department
Innocent Gonese MDC Alliance Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
Zimbabwe Warriors striker Tinotenda Kadewere is officially an Olympique Lyon player after he was presented at at a press conference on Wednesday.
The former Harare City man signed a four-and-a-half contract with the Ligue 1 side in January but was loaned back to Le Havre for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, which was officially cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Kadewere joined his new teammates yesterday and was unveiled as an official Lyon player at a press conference attended by the club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Speaking at the presentation, the former Prince Edward School pupil said: “ I am very happy to join OL. It’s a very big club, a club I dreamed of. I worked a lot to be able to sit in this place. I would like to thank the president, Juninho and Bruno Cheyrou who all facilitated my arrival.
“The players were very friendly to me and integrated me directly into the group. To be a good player, you have to be a team player.
“I have my own qualities, but I especially know how to blend into a collective. I like to hold the ball. Growing up, I always had a ball between my feet.
I’m also pretty quick. But again, the most important thing is to be a team player.” he added-Soccer 24
There is a young man who forgot his satchel in one of our solar installation vehicles (kombi).
Inside this satchel there is a laptop, books, O’level and A’level certificates. The kombi is branded “REDzimbabwe” or “Saka Ngaibake Solar Yacho” but we’re not sure if he read the brandings since it was around 7pm.
His name is Charles Mapindu. He was offered a free lift along Harare – Nyamapanda road and was dropped in Harare CBD.
If you know him kindly let him visit REDzimbabwe, 35 Samora Machel Ave Memorial Bldng Oppo Megawatt Bldng Hre & ask to see Taku or call 086 4428 066
The Harare City Council (HCC) has given an update about the renovations being carried at Rufaro Stadium.
The venue has been undergoing an extensive upgrade to meet the standards to host Premier Soccer League matches after it was condemned by the authoritiesfollowing an inspection done in March.
The council says the installation of a second solar powered-borehole is complete and the focus is now on the floodlighting system.
The installation of a second borehole is now complete.
“The second borehole at Rufaro Stadium is now functional. Floodlight work is expected to start soon, the contractor is expected to carry out a site visit tomorrow,” reads a post on HCC’s official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, work on the turnstiles and turf is now complete-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|The country’s lockdown is a calculated move meant to annihilate the country’s main opposition formation, an MDC Alliance official has said.
Writing on Facebook, MDC Alliance official, Antony Taruvinga, pointed out Zanu PF is desperate to dismantle the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
Taruvinga argued:
This lockdown is only meant dismantle Nelson Chamisa politically.
It has nothing to do with the virus at all. They are busy bribing members of MDC-A National Executive to dump Chamisa for Khupe and for cash and promises of posts in Mnangagwa’s administration. It’s happening and some members have already fallen into the trap.
My idea is that let’s defy the lockdown nonsense and start rolling out our mass rallies.
People need to know where the leadership stands. People are only relying on unverified reports and are getting confused by the passing of each day.
We actually need to break the chains of the lockdown and start ring fencing our territories.
Farai Dziva|The country’s lockdown is a calculated move meant to annihilate the country’s main opposition formation, an MDC Alliance official has said.
Writing on Facebook, MDC Alliance official, Antony Taruvinga, pointed out Zanu PF is desperate to dismantle the MDC Alliance led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
Taruvinga argued:
This lockdown is only meant dismantle Nelson Chamisa politically.
It has nothing to do with the virus at all. They are busy bribing members of MDC-A National Executive to dump Chamisa for Khupe and for cash and promises of posts in Mnangagwa’s administration. It’s happening and some members have already fallen into the trap.
My idea is that let’s defy the lockdown nonsense and start rolling out our mass rallies.
People need to know where the leadership stands. People are only relying on unverified reports and are getting confused by the passing of each day.
We actually need to break the chains of the lockdown and start ring fencing our territories.
The call by Emmerson Mnangagwa to Zimbabweans to fast and pray for the ailing economy which was killed by him and his Zanu PF cronies is totally hypocrisy.
It is just as good as Satan asking us to fast so that we can go to heaven where he was chased away because of failure to abide by the heavenly rules.
Zimbabweans are not fools and cannot be hoodwinked into thinking that Mnangagwa has Zimbabwe at heart by turning to God when he actually knows that he is not sincere.
Mnangagwa was actually supposed to surrender the reigns and tell the people that he has failed them and then turn to God and ask for forgiveness.
Infact Zimbabweans mus turn against him and fast for his peaceful departure than to pray for economy that is already dead.
Let us go to the book of 1 Kings 21:7-15, Jezebel(King Ahab’s wife) the most wicked woman in the bible calls for a fast :
Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him.
In those letters she wrote: So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.
They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people.
Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.”
Zimbabweans let us not be fooled, what is the motive of the so called Presidential National Prayer Day?
STATEMENT ON THREATS AGAINST MDC ALLIANCE, CIVIL SOCIETY. CHURCH & PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
On the evening of the 10th of June 2020, the Working Committee of the National Security Council of Zimbabwe convened in terms of s209 of the Constitution issued a statement concerning “rumours of an imminent coup d’etat in Zimbabwe.”
The statement accuses the legitimate oppostion movement of engaging in an externally sponsored regime change onslaught since 2000 and of “irregular warfare”, “terrorism” and “insurgency”.
The Council attacks our Vice-Chairperson, Hon Job Sikala, the church, civil society, and other pro-democracy forces. It further accuses the opposition of faking abductions as part of this alleged warfare.
The Council’s statement strikes at the heart of democracy in Zimbabwe and is the latest in a series of co-ordinated and incessant attacks on the MDC Alliance.
The statement comes shortly after Minister Kazembe made defamatory claims against the person of the President in his statement on the abduction of the MDC trio.
It also follows the unwarranted arrest of Vice-Presidents Biti and Kore and leaders of the National Standing Committee for requesting police assistance to enter their party offices.
This is against the backdrop of spurious allegations against Secretary-General Hwende about the alleged petrol bombing of a car, the arrest of National Youth Assembly Chairperson, Obey Sithole, on unfounded allegations of public violence, and the continued harassment of several party members in meritless court cases on charges of subversion.
We have also witnessed the re-arrest of Alliance Youth Assembly members, Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova on allegations that they obstructed the course of justice by making a false report relating to their abduction, torture and sexual assault three weeks ago. The perpetrators of their torture are yet to be earnestly investigated.
We reiterate the call for an independent investigation into the crimes committed against them. The world most be on notice that, as the national crisis deepens, the state is at war with its citizens.
The continued erosion of our rights and freedoms signals a clear intent to return the nation to one-party rule. However, we remain firm in our resolve to win Zimbabwe for change.
Fadzayi Mahere National Spokesperson Change That Delivers
The Women’s Academy for Leadership has urged Zimbabwean authorities to drop the charges against the MDC Alliance trio and engage independent investigators to bring the pepetrators of the abduction and torture against the girls to account.
MDC Alliance youth leaders Cecilia Chimbiri, legislator for Harare West Joana Mamombe and Netsai Marova were abducted and tortured in May 2020 after they were arrested at a roadblock in Harare before they were found dumped in Bindura days later.
The trio, were however subjected to hospital court processes before they had fully recovered from their ordeal which included sexual assault.
Days after they were granted bail, the trio were hauled to court again where they had part of their bail conditions changed resulting in the consfictation of their passports over fears that they were planning to flee the country.
A day later, the three MDC Alliance activists were arrested again and charged with making a false report regarding their alleged abduction and sexual assault.
They are appearing at court Thursday afternoon.
Said the WALPE:
2/2 The Govt should drop charges & allow @UNHumanRights to come and conduct an independent investigation into the matter. The Govt must arrest the perpetrators and not the victims. We stand in solidarity with these women leaders until the perpetrators are brought to book
— Women's Academy for Leadership (@WalpeAcademy) June 11, 2020
IF your face mask does not have more than one layer of fabric it may expose you to Covid-19 infection, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on home made masks.
Also, anyone who wears a single mask for more than three hours increases chances of infection. Unlike medical masks which are produced for hospitals, handmade masks yield higher infection rates caused by droplets and airborne micro-organisms. Studies have shown that multi layered masks offer more protection and single layer cloths masks are riskier.
Cloth masks, become magnets for the virus when they get wet, even due to vapour from breathing in and out.
WHO points out that homemade masks become less effective if they are not used in conjunction with other Covid-19 prevention measures like social distancing and hygiene.
Masks, the organisation advises, should be washed using hot water in a basin with laundry detergent and if hot water is not available, cold water with 0.05 percent chlorine should be used.
They should be soaked for 30 minutes and then be rinsed with water and laundry detergent. Low resource countries will have to rely on the handmade cloth masks to contain Covid-19 which has so far infected 292 people in Zimbabwe and killed four.
Globally, more than 7 million have been infected and deaths top 400 000.
Local manufacturers and tailors have ventured into mask making after Government made it mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in public spaces. A majority use just any cloth in single layers.
Police have been arresting people spotted without face masks after the law was enacted, effective May 4.
WHO says cloth masks should not replace respirators and should never be used by healthcare workers in health institutions.
“Homemade cloth masks may offer marginal protection from droplet and airborne infections from asymptomatic persons by reducing the number of respiratory droplets from them to others,” read the statement from WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks can be assembled from many different materials readily available within the community.
Yet, preliminary data shows that masks made up of two or more cloth layers are more effective at keeping particle penetration lower than single-layered masks.”
The guidelines also recommended that in providing routine care to a Covid-19 patient, health care workers should wear surgical masks.
“Make sure to keep the homemade cloth mask dry at all times. Even moisture from exhaling could potentially make the fabric more prone to transmitting infection,” said WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks may be worn up to three hours without an increase in particle penetration and they must be cleaned daily.”
WHO also emphasised the need for physical distancing of at least 1-metre and adopting sound hand hygiene practices in addition to wearing masks.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa’s proclamation of the “Presidential National Prayer Prayer Day is a reflection of the highest level of blasphemy given his administration’s blatant abuse of human rights, the persecution, harassment and torture of opposition members and perceived Zanu PF opponents.
On Wednesday Mnangagwa’s administration, rearrested three MDC Alliance Youth Assembly leaders Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The three MDC Alliance youth leaders were abducted and severely tortured by suspected state security agents last month.
“The Voice of the People is the Voice of God ” was Mnangagwa’s favourite maxim when he rose to power after overthrowing his long time boss, Robert Mugabe, with the help of the military in November 2017.
Analysts say Zimbabwe’s listening President no longer listens and anyone who opposes him is either silenced through arrests and torture.
Ironically at a time Mnangagwa is persecuting Zimbabweans, he has declared June 15 as the Presidential National Prayer Day.
In the book of 1 Kings 21:7-15 Jezebel (King Ahab’s wife) the most wicked woman in the bible calls for a fast. Church leaders say Mnangagwa has no spiritual authority to proclaim a fast:
…Jezebel his wife said, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I’ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city with him.
In those letters she wrote: So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them.
They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.”
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead.”
On Thursday Mnangagwa had the audacity to quote 2nd Chronicles Chapter 7 verse 13 -15 which reads; If I send pestilence among my people and my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attend to the prayer that is made in this place.”
One church leader observed : ” Mnangagwa has the temerity to call for a national day of prayer and fasting when the nation is already FASTING due to the economic hardships at the hands of his corrupt regime which has milked dry the country’s national coffers and crippled industry.
One would expect Mnangagwa to make applicable in his life the same bible verse and turn from his wicked ways.”
A respected media practitioner has also indicated Mnangagwa has no moral authority to call anyone to prayer:
“Best to leave these things to the church. Mr Mnangagwa has no moral authority to call anyone to prayer. His government continues to abuse and intimidate citizens whilst allowing the rich and powerful around him, including his own sons, to engage in blatant acts of corruption.”
The re-arrest and continued persecution by prosecution of our female youth leaders charged on false and stupid allegations that they faked their own abduction is a clear declaration of war on citizens.
MDC Alliance
Youth Assembly National Vice Chairperson Cecilia Chimbiri, Deputy Organ Netsai Marova and National Secretary for Policy and Research Hon Joana Mamombe have been tossed around back and forth between hospital beds and police cells since their abduction from police custody on the fateful 13 May 2020.
The latest arrest and detention of the unwell trio is another daring move by the illegitimate regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa on defenseless citizens.
It is clear that Mnangagwa’s reckless, corrupt and extravagant military dictatorship is itching for a showdown with civilians.
The worst disregard to human emotions by any dictatorship is abuse of women and Emmerson Mnangagwa is doing exactly that.
Surely Emmerson has chosen a wrong and dangerous path!
As an Assembly, we want to make it clear that we are not going to take the latest abuse of our female comrades lightly.
We demand for the immediate release of our comrades or else we release our anger!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCAllianceYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday vowed to take the war to the country’s “political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents” who are pushing a nefarious agenda to cause regime change as the revolutionary party tackles the economic challenges that the country is presently facing.
Yesterday Mnangagwa chaired an eight-hour long politburo meeting that focused mainly on ending the current economic challenges, which the ruling party noted are being stirred by an invisible hand that is determined to breed chaos in the country.
This comes as the economy has been going through turbulent times notwithstanding the fact that Government has put in place a raft of measures and interventions to spur economic growth.
And despite that Zimbabwe is currently selling its tobacco, the country’s major cash crop, the Politburo also noted that the Zimbabwean dollar continues to depreciate against the United States dollar due to a speculative exchange control environment that is being manipulated by an invisible hand.
While giving his opening remarks of the 340th ordinary session of the Zanu PF Politburo, President Mnangagwa noted that Government and its leadership have of late come under attack from the detractors trying to foment instability in the country.
“On the economic front we are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models. We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda.
“They will never win. We did not liberate this country for selfish, profiteers and greedy individuals, but for all people in our land who have a right to enjoy a better quality of life. As a party we must always strive to achieve this,” said Mnangagwa.
The President pointed to the alleged abduction of three MDC Alliance members, namely Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, as part of the grand plot by the country’s detractors to tarnish Government’s image.
The President however, said the alleged abductions had been exposed for their inconsistencies by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe in his recent statement.
“Concurrently during this period was the resurgence of hate speech and language which are not characteristic of the values we seek to be embedded in our country under the Second Republic. This vile culture must be rejected by all peace loving people,” he said.
Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu PF’s First Secretary said the confrontational actions were well coordinated and planned.
“I am aware that the intention was to cause despondency, unrest, violence and to render the country ungovernable.
These acts should never be tolerated. I urge the Party and nation as a whole, to remain alert.
Let us refuse to be divided by vigilantes who are hired by hostile foreign governments to distract us from our quest to grow our economy and improve the quality of lives for all, in peace, unity and love,” Mnangagwa said-State media
By A Correspondent- Former Zanu PF youth league official Godfrey Tsenengamu has made claims that Zanu PF is captured by wealthy benefactors and they are no longer keen to fight corruption.
Tsenengamu said the ruling party’s top officials have received top of the range vehicles for the “wealthy benefactors” and they cannot go against their sponsors:
The majority of them are getting salaries from these wealthy benefactors, they are given cars and the fuel they use. How do you expect people to go against someone who is sponsoring them
Tsenengamu also said the whole system in Zanu PF was made up of looters:
It is not about the whole party, it is about a clique of people who are in the leadership, who instead of being leaders, they have turned themselves into looters. Whenever you challenge looting, you are always going to face the music whenever you challenge corruption. Because corruption is in their DNA, they will deal with you
He also went on to sensationally claim that President Mnangagwa was an accomplice to all the corruption that was happening around him:
I would not want to say President Mnangagwa is corrupt or not, but what I can say is, in one way or the other, the President is an accomplice in all the corruption that is happening around him. He has failed to act decisively and he finds himself in the company of those who are corrupt all the time. He appointed a commission to investigate internal allegations of corruption but it suffered a stillbirth up to now
However, Zanu PF through Victor Matemadanda dismissed Tsenengamu’s claims and said:
Those are lies. What happens if I show you evidence that I bought my car? I have the papers of that car and I keep them because I know that some people are going to make these allegations
Tsenengamu was suspended earlier this year for naming and shaming corrupt individuals he said were wreaking havoc in the economy.
By A Correspondent- The trial of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, accused of swindling the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) of $5,6 million is set to resume in two weeks following the Supreme Court ruling on Monday, overturning his acquittal at the High Court.
The Special Anti-Corruption Unit (sacu) welcomed the ruling and now seeks to implement the decision without delay.
In a statement yesterday, sacu welcomed the Supreme Court ruling and made it clear that it would implement the court’s decision to the best of its ability.
Meanwhile, Energy minister Fortune Chasi has given Intratrek exactly six months to feed 10 megawatts into the national grid, adding intrigue to the raging court case against the company after the Supreme Court this week ruled that its owner Wicknell Chivayo should stand trial.
Chivayo won a tender in 2015 to build a solar power plant in Gwanda, expected to feed 100 megawatts into the national grid, but the company missed the deadline due to protracted disagreements with government.
By A Correspondent- Human rights lawyers and doctors yesterday accused Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe of lying to cover up for the alleged abduction and sexual assault of three MDC Alliance activists, who included Harare West MP Joanah Mamombe, by State security agents.
Kazembe last week claimed lawyers and doctors worked with MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa, Western embassies, churches and other non-governmental organisations to stage-manage the abduction of Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova in order to pursue a regime change agenda.
But lawyers representing the trio, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights as well as Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights tore into Kazembe, accusing him of lying.
The lawyers demanded a retraction from the minister if he failed to back his claims with evidence.
In a pre-suit notice letter dated June 4 and addressed to Kazembe, the lawyers from Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners accused Kazembe of pursuing a Zanu-PF agenda in the matter together with other senior party officials.
They said the abducted MDC Alliance activists had always questioned the sincerity of the government, arising from a series of events during the purported investigation.
He said Kazembe’s decision to rush to the media was “further victimising” the three activists.
“It is now more apparent from your statement that no investigations are actually being carried out except an active exercise by the State (led by yourself) to seek to discredit the accounts of the victims of the enforced disappearance on behalf of the political party you represent in government,” part of the letter read.
Kazembe is also the Zanu-PF provincial chairperson for Mashonaland Central province.
The lawyers said it was worrying that several Zanu-PF officials such as Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo and politburo member Patrick Chinamasa, among others, had repeatedly made disparaging statements about the enforced disappearance.
They said the involvement of Zanu-PF explained the leaking of crucial information such as photographs, taken only by the police, and images taken from inside a police station.
The lawyers also demanded explanation on how information only availed to the police ended up in the hands of Zanu-PF officials.
“This has ceased to be a legitimate investigation and has become an overzealous public relations exercise on your part at the expense of the victims. This is deplorable to say the least,” they said, accusing Kazembe of not being clear on the exact agencies investigating the case.
They said they remained concerned by the numerous visits to the hospital by people masquerading as nurses or lawyers while others continue trailing parents of the victims.
On issues raised including that the victims were not co-operating with the investigating officers, the lawyers said: “Your statements are, therefore, disingenuous and wholly divorced from the truth and seek to achieve a sinister motive.
“… One also wonders if you are an expert witness who can authoritatively interpret and speak on medical reports.
“It is, in any event, a conclusion that is wholly inconsistent with the medical records, including the medical records relating to sexual assaults, conducted by the government medical doctor(s), and whose results have already been produced despite your pretence that these are still pending.”
Mbidzo, Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners added: “For the record, medical affidavits relating to complaints of sexual assaults have already been made and the medical findings relating thereto fully explained to the three victims.
“We are placing you on notice, that should the State choose not to call you as a witness, we reserve the right on behalf of the three victims to have you subpoenaed to testify and be cross-examined on these outrageous and hurtful statements.
“In the event that you should ignore these reasonable demands, we reserve the right on behalf of our clients to seek all legal remedies available to us and our clients in terms of the Constitution and other applicable laws.”
They vowed to subpoena Kazembe to testify during the trial of the three.
Below is the full thread posted by Energy minister Fortune Chasi over his alleged interference in the Gwanda solar project and the letter he allegedly wrote to the board to withdraw charges against controversial businessman Wicknell Chivhayo.
Below is the full text:
GWANDA PROJECT: I promised to respond to the various questions that many have asked regarding the decision Gvt has taken on the future of the project.
The interest and concern shown by the public is both proper & warranted. Below I will set out the reasoning that has informed my stance on the matter.
Over the past yr since I was appointed I have hoped that a resolution would be found once the Board was in place . My hope was premised on the fact that there was a court order which required that the parties meet and agree.
I will endeavor to set out the circumstances of this matter as briefly and as concisely as twitter will allow
Just for completeness it’s important to note the 100 MW Gwanda Solar Project was advertised as a public tender, and, on the face of adjudicated upon and awarded.
What are the options open to the country? Zesa lost twice in the High Court. They appealed to the Supreme Court. The appeal has been pending for a while. It does not have a set down date as yet. Can we afford the luxury of endless litigation in the light of a new financing plan ?
It is possible that I may have made a mistake in the decision I have taken. I take full responsibility for it.
Should we completely ignore the fact that the experts like Utedzi have promised that within a period of 6 mths they will deliver the initial 10 mw? Should we instead start a new process that will take no less than 18 mths before work begins making it effectively 7 yrs?
Should we discount the fact that Mr Utedzi who is now consulting for Intratek, has world class experience and has recently switched on a solar plant at nyabira?
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has set aside 15 June as the national day of prayer adding that he hopes the nations would join him in prayer as he invites Christ to help Zimbabwe fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was revealed in a statement which reads:
As your President during this very difficult season in which our nation and indeed the world face the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am humbled to invite you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to take time in prayer and fasting as a nation before the almighty God to seek his mercy, wisdom, help and healing to overcome this deadly pandemic. In doing so we however diligently continue to observe every precaution necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Quoting the scriptures, Mnangagwa said:
The Lord joins us through his words in King Solomon in 2nd Chronicles Chapter 7 verse 13 -15 which reads; If I send pestilence among my people and my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attend to the prayer that is made in this place
Standing on this scripture, I, therefore, proclaim 15 June 2020 as The Presidential National Day of Prayer and Fasting. I also urge all on this day, to join us in giving up some meals in fasting. It will be best to arrange in this service as families, small, groups or church services not exceeding 50 people, and observing the precautions we have been taking to the prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.”
By Jane Mlambo| Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga has condemned the government move to proceed with school examinations saying the country is not ready to open doors to children without following proper procedures.
Making a presentation before Parliament last week, Mushonga said without running water in schools, it will be difficult to maintain hygiene and keep children safe from COVID-19.
“Our position is we’re not ready as a country to proceed with examinations on the dates that have been set by Zimsec. In particular because of the things that we’re talking about. Honourable Members in the Committee were even saying that it is not just rural areas but even urban areas themselves — there’s no running water. We know that our young children are trying to sew and do masks — which is a fantastic idea in terms of the training but we also need to understand whether the standards have been checked. This is why we have the Standards Association of Zimbabwe — really, for us, any mask that somebody is going to wear has to be a mask that conforms with the WHO standards,” said Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
“When did it become a crime to ask government to stop sanctioning its soldiers to murder innocent citizens?“
Preacher Talent Chiwenga has queried why government is focusing on trivialising the minor and targeting non offenders while ignoring murderers who killed innocent citizens on August 1 2018.
Chiwenga said Kazembe Kazembe should first arrest and convict soldiers who killed 7 innocent citizens using guns in broad daylight instead of threatening to unleash the long arm of the law against him and the media among others.
“Mr Kazembe Kazembe, you have always been trying to abduct me and kill me. You are a member of a leadership cult that is bloody. You survive on killing people and silencing people…you are used to doing things with impunity. Zimbabwe does not belong to Zanu Pf, neither does it belong to Mr Mnangagwa but to Zimbabweans…
Not long ago Mr Matemadanda, survived after he was saved by the people when Robert Mugabe wanted to kill him for speaking the truth. Now he does not speak about the safety of others….this is simply because he now belongs to that cult. why should there be no freedom after speech?
People are afraid to speak. Everyone is afraid and people are only able to speak when they are behind their blankets.
Ini pachezvenyu are cowards. You are afraid to face your weaknesses.”
By A Correspondent- Preacher Talent Chiwenga has torn into prophets who are in the habit of showering praises at the ruling party despite it commiting atrocities against citizens.
In a highly charged up response to Zanu Pf’s press statement threatening him and ZimEye, Nehanda Radio, Gambakwe media among the opposition and civil society organisations, Chiwenga said he will not back down and worship the ruling party like what most prophets in Zimbabwe did.
He said:
“Zanu Pf has never invited me to their functions because i do not compromise the word to suit them.
I do not seek to be recognised by Kazembe Kazembe or even any government official because it doesn’t add value to my assignment. I do not seek validation from you.”
Preacher Talent Chiwenga has responded to the statement by minister Kazembe Kazembe saying his statement was dangerous and inflamatory.
He said:
“… those who sympathise with Zanu Pf will take the law into their own hands… they have put my life in danger. I do not know in what way i am being described as violent…
I do not have the capacity to comment on the scope of the coup de tat. In his own threats, the long arm of the law will catch up with me and others. … it’s the long arm of lawlessness. We are not safe.. coughing may be dangerous according to Zanu Pf.
It’s unfortunate that Kazembe Kazembe and Mnangagwa sees me in that light. I do not see myself as an anti government preacher. …I do not support Zanu Pf, I do not support MDC neither do i support any political parties. I support Jesus Christ…
I am not allowed Mr Kazembe Kazembe to have fellowship with unfruit works of darkness. The word of God insructs me to rebuke them,”
On Sunday the 7th of June, the 1893 Mthwakazi Human Rights Restoration Movement led by the organisation’s Deputy Executive Director donated a food hamper to the bereaved family of Levison Ncube.
Levison Ncube was brutally assaulted by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police at around 7pm on the 30th of March 2020 at the first day of national lockdown in government efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The said policemen are alleged to have struck Levison on the head and he lost consciousness just meters from his home for allegedly defying government orders for people to stay at home. He was taken to Mpilo hospital around 10pm with much stalling from the police officers who were trying to delay and maybe slip away from what they had done. He was attended to by a Doctor around 11pm and then 1pm.
He is said to have regained consciousness on the 3rd of April and discharged from the hospital although he had clear signs of paralysis on one side of his body and then eventually succumbed to what the post-mortem report said was “subarachnoid haemorrhage and head trauma”. Simply put he died from severity of beatings he took on the head from the not so honourable members of the Police force. He was 25.
The greater tragedy is that all this happened in full view of his pregnant girlfriend who was with him when this horror befell them. She will not only live with the trauma of having her loved one stolen away from her, but also must explain to their unborn child how the brutality of the security forces robbed them of a father and husband.
Levison was also the lone breadwinner of his extended family, providing for his siblings, cousins and elderly. The family asked the government for funeral and burial assistance but was snubbed as the Police coldly threw out their plea by saying they are “still conducting investigations and any sort of assistance would be an admittance of guilt”
Asked for comment Assistant Inspector Msebele said the Police can no longer make a comment on this matter as it already in the courts.
Handing over the grocery donation Mr Greater Sibanda condemned the conduct of the police officers and the heavy handedness of Law officers in discharging their duties.
“We as the 1893 Mthwakazi Human Rights Restoration Movement are here to pay our respects and mourn with the Ncube family on the horrific and untimely loss of their beloved one. We as the organisation do not encourage members of the public to break laws of the land.
We strongly feel, however that if laws are broken, due process should be followed with greatest care of human dignity and sanctity of life as prescribed not only in the constitution but also in the Human rights charter. We condemn in strongest terms this heinous and atrocious conduct that has led to the untimely death of this young man.
The 1893 Mthwakazi Human Rights Restoration Movement is deeply concerned by the continued use of brute force on citizens not only on this Ncube case but also of others that we continue to learn of.
Two weeks ago, we were at Cowdrypark giving a shoulder of comfort to two ladies who were stripped off their dignity, shamed and tortured by the members of the Police force for merely expressing themselves in their language. This is a travesty!
The public looks up to these Law officers for refuge, security and protection. How can they go to them now as they have turned to be the very monsters that they run from?”
Finally Sibanda said:
“We would like to urge the government to ensure the safety of its citizens and bring timely justice on this tragic incident. Wounds never heal without justice and so the quicker the law acts on the murder of Levison, the quicker the family and nation will heal and move on. We as the people of Mthwakazi demand this justice, for Levison’s soul to rest in peace, for the family to find comfort and for the nation to heal”,
By A Correspondent- According to the state media, the state is alleging that President Mnangagwa’s niece Chirambe Chikafu posing as his daughter did the following:
In 2010, she approached CBZ and tried to open an account using a defensive driving certificate as an identity. The bank wanted a real ID and said no, but she allegedly connived with CBZ employee Lilian Mateta, who processed the account without the needed ID.
In February 2011, Chikafu, while using the name Chantelle Mnangagwa, received a US$2 000 overdraft.
In August 2011, she was lent another US$15 000 after submitting a Deed of Transfer she allegedly stole from her mother, Grace Chikafu.
On September 12, 2012, she received a US$20 000 loan and failed to repay accruing a US$88 775 debt in the process, including interests.
On November 19, 2019 Chikafu is said to have approached Nyasha Mutyambizi and passed herself as Chantelle Mnangagwa. She allegedly sought an agreement to mine in Umfurudzi Safari Area and tendered a fake ID. The Parks and Wildlife Management reportedly consented and issued the agreement. With that piece of paper, she approached the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development seeking a special gold mining grant for 200 hectares in the reserved area.
By A Correspondent- ZACC is reportedly probing NetOne Non-Executive Director Rangarirai Mathias Mavhunga for not revealing his personal interest in a transaction involving FMC Holdings Limited and NetOne, Business times reports.
According to the publication NetOne entered into an agreement with FMC Holdings which would see NetOne facilities its customers acquire microfinance loans from FMC.
According to an affidavit filed by the investigating detective Collius Mushambi:
When the agreement was entered between the two parties, the accused did not disclose to NetOne Cellular board his involvement in FMC which might have favoured FMC to obtain the facility in contravention of Section 173 (1) (a) (ii) of the Criminal Law and Codification and Reform Act
A warrant of search and seizure signed by Magistrate Tendai Muchini reads in part;To the peace officers and other officers of the law, proper to the execution of criminal law warrants, whereas from information taken upon oath before myself, there are reasonable grounds for believing that NetOne Cellular is in possession or control of the following documents and records which are required as exhibits in a criminal docket and that is necessary for the purpose of investigating or detecting a case of corruptly concealing from a principal, a personal interest in a transaction.
These are therefore in the state’s name to command you to proceed to NetOne Cellular and there from immediately obtain and take into custody the mentioned articles and take them to a police station or other place of safety until the matter is finalised or until you further receive orders from the Court
Efforts to get a commend from Mavhunga failed as he could not be reached to speak to editors.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police in Masvingo are indiscriminately assaulting residents in the central business district ordering them to go back home.
The development comes following an increase in the number of roadblozks that have been mounted in the town this morning.
Said a resident who spoke to ZimEye:
“We do not know what is happening and why we are being subjected to such. The police have increased their presence on our roads but what is worying is why they are beating up people in the CBD instructing everyone to go back home.”
The development comes following the presentation of a 6 paged press statement yesterday by government dismissing an imminent coup.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday that Zimbabwe’s currency was under attack from businesses that were constantly hiking prices adding that his administration was aware that this was part of a wider and sinister political plot against his government.
A year after the southern African nation ended a decade of dollarisation and reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar, the local currency has tumbled on the black market, fuelling price increases and pushing inflation to 765%.
When Mnangagwa took over from Robert Mugabe in 2017 after an army coup, he promised to revive the economy, but life has become harder as people grapple with acute shortages of foreign currency, medicines and food, and unemployment above 80%.
Said Mnangagwa at a politburo meeting held in the capital Harare, a few hours before the security sector bosses dismissed as false coup plot reports:
“We are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models by the private sector.
We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda they will never win.”
Economic analysts say the government’s budget is under pressure from spending to combat the coronavirus outbreak, which will force authorities to resort to printing money, stoking inflation further.
Inflation is seen ending this year way above the central bank and treasury’s target of 50% due to a weak exchange rate and shortages of food following a drought.
Mnangagwa said reports last month of three opposition activists Harare West legislator Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova who were allegedly abducted and tortured by state security agents were part of a coordinated plan to cause unrest.
The activists are receiving treatment in hospital and have been charged with taking part in an illegal protest and breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.
The trio were on Monday hauled back at court where they had part of their bail conditions altered and ordered to surrender their passports amid fears by the Mnangagwa led administration that they were planning to escape from the country.
A day later, they were arrested and taken into custody accused of falsifying their abduction. They are appearing at court Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, United Nations human rights experts urged Zimbabwean authorities to “urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime”.
By A Correspondent- A returnee who last week escaped from quarantine at Marymount Teachers College in Mutare on the 22nd of May has been hauled to court.
The male returnee who appeared in court on the 6th of June after he tested positive for Covid-19 has been placed under institutional isolation at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
Last week, government revealed that it would soon make public names of those who escape quarantine facilities as part of measures to warn communities of potential risks within their midst.
A total of 149 returnees have so far escaped from quarantine centres, although some have been apprehended and charged.
Speaking during a media briefing on the National Taskforce on Covid-19 Taskforce, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said manpower had been increased at quarantine centres to curb such incidents.
She also said law enforcers had reinforced their operations to encourage adherence to lockdown measures.
Said Mutsvangwa:
“Government wishes to remind the nation that we are still under lockdown. We need to de-congest our public places by only going out when it is absolutely necessary.
In the same vein, Government thanks all communities that have taken it upon themselves to report those who abscond from quarantine centres and those who illegally enter the country.
The importance of the posed risk by border jumpers and quarantine absconders cannot be overstated. Going forward, persons who abscond from quarantine centres will have their details published so that communities are aware of the potential risks in their midst.”
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.
Lesotho’s former Prime Minister (PM), Thomas Thabane, and his spouse paid assassins a down charge of $24,000 to kill his estranged spouse Lipolelo three years ago, in accordance to a police affidavit viewed on Wednesday.
The small print had been the contemporary twist in a scandal that has rocked the southern African country and induced Thabane to resign final month beneath stress over accusations he hampered the investigation.
The former Lesotho PM, Thabane and his then-wife, Lipolelo Thabane, 58, had been in the center of a bitter divorce when she was once shot and killed backyard her domestic two days earlier than her husband’s 2017 inauguration.
Thabane has now not but been charged, however the police stated he used to be concerned in the plot to kill Lipolelo the usage of employed killers and his spouse Maesaiah is in custody accused of murder.
In an affidavit filed on Tuesday however viewed with the aid of AFP on Wednesday, Lesotho’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Paseka Mokete, stated the former PM, Thabane, and his wife, Maesaiah “wanted the deceased lifeless so that (Maesaiah) …could anticipate the function of First Lady”.
“Thabane bodily pointed out the dwelling of the deceased to his co-accused,” Mokete said. Police have stated they observed Thabane’s cell wide variety in communications documents from the crime scene. Thabane has denied involvement in the murder. He married Maesaiah two months after the dying of Lipolelo.
The police commissioner stated the couple had promised to pay the killers the equal of $179,485, which was once to be paid in instalments.
“They would be remunerated in cash… and thru employment opportunities, must they raise out the homicide of the deceased earlier than (Thabane’s) inauguration as high minister,” Mokete said.
Initial repayments totalling 400,000 maloti ($23,931) have been made after Lipolelo’s assassination on 14 June 2017, police said. A first try to kill Lipolelo failed on 12 June 2017, police said.
One of the accused killers has seeing that grew to become kingdom witness. Maesaiah, 43, used to be charged with homicide in February and spent half of a night in prison earlier than a High Court freed her on a 1,000 maloti ($57) bail.
She again to custody ultimate week after a courtroom revoked bail. She utilized for sparkling bail on Thursday and a listening to is scheduled for sixteen June.
In the application, she sought launch to enable her to take care of her “critically ill” husband who has “been recognized with an superior prostate cancer” for which he underwent an operation in South Africa on 29 May 2020. Police adversarial the bail application.
Joanna Mamombe shortly after being released by their abductors.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday vowed to take the war to the country’s “political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents” who are pushing a nefarious agenda of regime change.
In his opening remarks at the 340th ordinary session of the ZANU PF Politburo, President Mnangagwa pointed to the abduction of three MDC Alliance members, namely Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, as part of the grand plot by the country’s detractors to tarnish Government’s image.
Mnangagwa, however, said the alleged abductions had been exposed for their inconsistencies by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe in his recent statement.
“Concurrently during this period was the resurgence of hate speech and language which are not characteristic of the values we seek to be embedded in our country under the Second Republic. This vile culture must be rejected by all peace-loving people,” he said.
Mnangagwa said the confrontational actions were well coordinated and planned.
“I am aware that the intention was to cause despondency, unrest, violence and to render the country ungovernable. These acts should never be tolerated. I urge the Party and nation as a whole, to remain alert. Let us refuse to be divided by vigilantes who are hired by hostile foreign governments to distract us from our quest to grow our economy and improve the quality of lives for all, in peace, unity and love,” he said.
Meanwhile, the three opposition party activists were seized from the hands of their lawyers Wednesday to face fresh charges of faking their abduction.
Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova in May claimed they were abducted by state security agents who later drove them out of Harare to subject them to acts of both physical and sexual abuse.
They later spent weeks under police and prisons guard while recovering for injuries sustained, at a Harare private hospital.
The three also face charges of violating the country’s lockdown regulations through a flash anti-government demonstration they staged in Harare’s Warren Park suburb earlier on the day of their alleged abductions.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday claimed that the country’s business fraternity is in a fight to topple him from power.
In his opening remarks at the 340th ordinary session of the ZANU PF Politburo, President Mnangagwa noted that the Government and its leadership have of late come under attack from detractors bent on fomenting instability in the country.
He vowed to take the war to the country’s “political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents” who are pushing a nefarious agenda of regime change.
“On the economic front, we are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models. We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda.
“They will never win. We did not liberate this country for selfish, profiteers and greedy individuals, but for all people in our land who have a right to enjoy a better quality of life. As a party we must always strive to achieve this,” said President Mnangagwa.
Your paper which disregards the real on the ground Zim definition of the Death Penalty, serves as mere political campaign material for Mnangagwa who's been investigated by the UN several years running. Are you willing to do another paper with real data as advised? @DeathPenaltyPhttps://t.co/eAKQ8QSsJdpic.twitter.com/2qpuIRed6r
By Editorial Moderators | Thank you Dona. One major problem is none of your findings appear important to the Zimbabwean people, contrary to what you said above. Why did you exclude questions such as:
Does repealing the death penalty change anything in Zimbabwean day to day life?
Does repealing the Death Penalty improve respect for the sanctity of human life in Zimbabwe?
Does removing the Death Penalty mean the govt now upholds the sanctity of life?
Is the govt sincere by repealing the Death Penalty or they are just playing public relations games while continue to kill people daily?
Without addressing these questions which you can easily obtain in a day online, your paper is meaningless, and only serves as campaign material for Emmerson Mnangagwa, a man who has announced that he will send the army after civilians once he suspects they are responsible for stopping the rain. (3rd Jan 2020, Harare), and whose record of extra judicial killings of black citizens has surpassed that of apartheid South Africa.
There are several UN investigations done to date, the last one published as late as yesterday. – ZimEye
Some shocking news came in from the African nation of Burundi informing Africans about the death of Mother of Burundi’s Late President, Pierre Nkurunziza, Domtillie Minani.
Rumors have it that she died of COVID-19.
According to the Africa Facts Zone, as at yesterday, the late President Nkurunziza’s sister and wife were still admitted at different hospitals.
The fmr first lady, Denise Bucumi was reportedly hospitalized at Aga Khan hospital Nairobi, also receiving treatment for Covid-19 although she had returned to the country yesterday evening following the death of her husband, the BBC reported.
Her return came just hours after the death of her husband was announced by the Burundian government, the statement had said the fmr President died of a heart attack.
According to the BBC, who quoted an unnamed source, Mrs. Nkurunziza was discharged from the private hospital on Tuesday.
The fmr first lady, Mrs. Nkurunziza, a mother of five and devout Christian, is popular in the country for her philanthropic work through her foundation called Buntu.
The fmr president, Nkurunziza, 55, who’s tenure was to elapse by August after spending 15 years in power, will be succeeded by Evariste Ndayishimiye who won the May 20 presidential election.
The government had declared seven days of national mourning for the late president.
But shocking reports have also indicated that the President-elect Evariste who is billed to take over, is also admitted at Bumureki Hospital in the city’s capital, Bujumbura and even the Speaker is also sick.
The (late) Pierre Nkurunziza’s mother, Domtillie Minani sadly passed on, just a day after her son Pierre died.
It is indeed a dark period for the people of Burundi as the country prays earnestly for the top hierarchy and cabinet to get well soon even as they mourn the president and his mother.
In 1980, there appeared a man from nowhere who was no near leadership, rose from SG position to become the leader of Zanu sidelining the prospective candidate who was Ndabaningi Sithole and others who were next in line. Zimbabweans accepted it and eventually he became the Prime Minister and thereafter, subsequently, he was elevated to the post of the President. Who was the aide to Mugabe during those days? There was tension between Zanu PF and Zapu, and Mugabe could not see eye to eye with Joshua Nkomo, which led to massacres in Matebelaland, popularly known as Gukurahundi, which led to butchering of more than 20 000 civilians under the disguise of restoration of order and peace. Perence Shiri, Mnangagwa and others were holding key state positions. The rest is now under water the bridge. After that, still Zimbabweans accepted the situation, although there was no closure to the events leading to the loss of lives, the very same people were awarded with key positions and today some are ministers, some are occupying key state roles in the security establishment, and we have Emmerson Mnangagwa at the helm of our country. In 1997, we had War veterans and collaborators who came out guns blazing demanding something because they went to war led by popular and notorious charlatan Chenjerai Hunzvi, and he was successful, and War Vets were awarded $50 000 each, money which was not on the budget. According to the then Minister of Finance, the money was not even on the supplementary budget, forcing the treasury to go out of it’s way to borrow funds to facilitate this deal. Zimbabweans were watching, and it was actually them who celebrated on thw streets, squandering such leverages, some took to beerhalls, some night clubs, some multiplying concubines, and the rest is history. The very same group led to farm invasions leading to a chaotic land reform, and Mugabe and Mnangagwa were the chief architect of this land grabbing throughout the country leading to poverty increase and threats to food security within the southern region. Zimbabwe was known to be a breadbasket within Southern Africa, and Agriculture contributed 60% towards our Gross Domestic Product ( GDP). Zimbabweans believed in everything and actually there were on the forefront of the invasions, and today those farms have dogs and cats and use of catapults, the rest is history. During this period, Zimbabwe started importing wheat and other cereal crops from outside to sustain our situation which was fast becoming similar that of Democractic Republic of Congo ( DRC). During those days Kabila and Mugabe developed a relationship which led to our soldiers dying in the Democratic Republic of Congo, during the war whilst minerals and particularly alluvial diamonds were at the centre of the conflict. Mnangagwa was part of the team that endorsed the DRC conflict, and Zimbabweans remained spectators in all such incidents, and majority perished in the post – conflict era. Who benefited from the conflict? As a result people ended up losing their relatives and resources to support a one mand band in the disguise of assisting foreign lands which were under attack.
In 2008, the then President Robert Mugabe lost elections to the late MDC leader Morgan Richard Tsvangirai resulting to second round popularly known as ” run off”, some they call it short sleeves or long sleeves. The then Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa was assigned by Mugabe to go and stand in for him at a SADC meeting in Zambia, when the former Vice President Joice Mujuru was the most senior person to him. This led to a Government of National Unity ( GNU), Mugabe became the President and Tsvangirai occupied the Premier role resulting in a fragile unity arrangement for five years. Before the signing of the MOU and the GPA agreement, it was actually Tsvangirai who flew to Botswana to hide there for almost 6 weeks at the heighten of butchering of innocent civilians. People had voted for a new Government, and why did they accept a GNU? Why did Tsvangirai accept the signing of MOU? Why did he flee to Botswana, when State House was actually 100 metres away from him ? Let’s lie on the bed. We must accept and take responsibility of such torrid times. Where on earth have you found the winner accepting a junior role in any settlement to please the loser? Who led the butchering of innocent lives during the 2008 madness? The rest is history. After the signing of GNU, and the introduction of US dollar, there was jubilation with the same Zimbabweans, they were alover flattering and endorsing the same arrangement. This was coup to the people and the will of the people was never respected.
During the GNU, who became the Lawyer to Gideon Gono the then Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe? It was actually Biti the then Minister of Finance and respected Secretary General of the Movement for Democratic Change who insisted that we must not enter into GNU with Mugabe, the tyranny will fall within a short space of time. There was no option except to enter into the shaky arrangement.
During Edison Zvobgo, the then Minister of Justice and Minister without portfolio is the one who masterminded the amendment of key clauses in the constitution resulting in more powers to the Executive President, I guess he was promised that he will be next in line or successor after the departure of Robert Mugabe, and this never happened. Zvobgo was relegated and later dismissed from the Government, but unfortunately the constitution was already in place, and Mugabe had all the Executive powers. The rest is history.
Within Zanu PF we witnessed the Tsholotsho declaration led by Jonathan Moyo and Emerson Mnangagwa, popularly known as Dinyane fiasco which Mugabe got to know first hand information few days before their convention. The alleged toppling of Mugabe led to more than 6 chairpersons losing their positions in the ruling party. The same Jonathan Moyo we have on twitter today was the mastermind of the alleged Tsholotsho declaration which saw the former Minister of Information and Mnangagwa being demoted from Government. Subsequently, there was a fall out with their master Robert Mugabe.
In 2014, the then Minister of Water and bla bla, was elevated to the post of Vice President. Mugabe went round the country claiming that in his dreams, he saw a woman, and he repeatedly said ” this time it’s a woman”. Guess who accepted this? Zimbabweans were on the forefront of it, and there was a lot of jeering from all corners and mostly Zanu PF supporters, we call this ” kuitiswa”.
When Mugabe played his games, Mujuru was kicked out of both Government and ruling party, and she went into political hibernation, and this resulted in Amai Grace Mugabe and others fronting Mnangagwa to be Vice President and subsequently Dr Amai the Women’s league Boss. The Mande Chimenes and Jonathan Moyo and others were alover heaping praises to the first family and throwing insults alover. Mnangagwa fell out in favour of his boss and his long time friend, and he was fired from Government, with a number of charges laid against him. He had no option except to escape the country. I remember Kasukuwere the then Minister of Youth, and the Zanu PF Commissariat gagged ED calling him a boarder jumper after he escaped from the ruthless state machinery which were swarming alover him.
Shortly before the sacking of the Veep, his dismissal from both Government and ruling party was widely endorsed by all the entire 10 provinces leading to the ouster of Emerson Mnangagwa. The same 10 provinces endorsed the coming back of the same Emerson Mnangagwa as the New leader of Zanu PF. Same structures, same people, same regalia, same building, same logo and same official stamp?? Zimbabweans do we really know what we want ???
Shortly before the bouncing back of Mnangagwa, there was wide speculation that he fled the country through eastern borders of Mutare – Mozambique where he actually walked and toiled the whole night with Emmerson ” Junior” raising fear of his safety on the landmines. Zimbabweans felt sorry for him and messages started pouring in wishing him well. I remember Larry Mavhima penned a letter wishing him well and assuring the nation that he was well.
I spoke to a number of Zanu PF officials during that period who lamented the departure of Mnangagwa and they were hopeful that Mugabe would be ousted to pave way for the former Minister of Defence and Justice.
When Mugabe was kicked out of power, majority of people walked to town, and there was jubilation and the CBD was packed and they shouted ” ngaaende”, resulting in his sad departure asante sana and resigning. Zimbabweans had none of it and they threatened to evict him from his Borrowdale mansion popularly known as ” Blue Roof”. Whom did they want? They wanted Shumba murambwi, Emmerson Mnangagwa popularly known as Garwe. It was during the heighten of the military coup, we witnessed placards and portraits of Mnangagwa and Chiwenga doing rounds alover, kutonga kwaro gamba. Today we are in this mess because of the popular march which led to Mugabe’s ouster. Who marched? Lest you forgot?
Advocate Chasi, the then Deputy Minister who was active on social media particularly the tweeter and many gave him this name ” Chasi chibaba chibabest”, heaping praises on the Energy Minister and this resulted in the elevation of Chasi to the role of Energy which is in charge of all power parastatals and boards. Simply because of those tweeter rants, we witnessed Zimbabweans opening pages inscribed ” Chasi for 2023, and the listening President appointed him to the role of a full cabinet Minister. Today. The very day when Chasi became the Energy Minister, he called for the imminent arrest of Wicknell Chivhayo who defrauded the state more than 7 Million United States Dollars ( USD). A surprise u turn today the same Chasi is now protecting the same character. My question is who heaped praises on Advocate fortune Chasi?? Zimbabweans !!!
When Mnangagwa bounced back after the politburo and central committee of Zanu PF agreed that he must be reinstated as the New leader of Zanu PF and State, Zimbabweans endorsed him, and the popular song ” mudhara achauya”, was popular during those days leading to his arrival at the Robert Mugabe International Airport.
The gigantic stadium had an overflow and there were fears of a possible stampede, all wanted to witness a new President from mars whom they had never seen in their lifetime, amongst them was the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, the Alliance MDC President Nelson Chamisa and amongst other top opposition leaders, and this was a sign that Mnangagwa from mars was widely endorsed.
Few days ago I was watching the photos of Tsvangirai and Chamisa hugging each other at the national sports stadium. I also went through same shootings at Tsvangirai residence when the then Vice President Nelson Chamisa and other top MDC officials welcomed Mnangagwa and Chiwenga at the former Premier’ s residence at number 7 Kew Drive Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe. Where is the problem now? Everything was in order !!!
The then Deputy Minister of Information Energy Mutodi mocked the public in 2016/7 holding a mug inscribed ” I’m the boss” , at Mnangagwa’ s farm in Kwekwe during Mugabe’s annual leave, celebrating the elevation of ED as the Vice President and possible successor, and I guess people like Energy knew the whole deal and possible take over. Mutodi escaped from the jaws of the lion when we witnessed his persecution and arrests at the hands of Mugabe’s vicious state machinery, many Zimbabweans sympathized with him leading to his elevation as the Deputy Minister. There is Energy now claiming Joanna Mamombe was not abducted , there was a row deal between herself and client which did not go well claimed the Goromonzi South legislator. There was an outcry on social media and throughout the country leading to his sacking !! Really zvashata papi futi? I’m the boss subscriber who almost sacrificed his life for ngwena.
Zimbabweans are now crying for another November 2017 episode and after that who will be next in line? I would rather ask who is the next in line? Musatiitise ma Zimba, March at your own peril.
What exactly do you wants Zimbabweans? Who accompanied Mnangagwa to the boarder at the jaws of a lion? It was Emmerson Junior. Today who is displaying those flashy vehicles around town? Who is Dextar International? Who is on the lead to loot Covid – 19 donations? Who is on the lead to loot minerals? Who is on the lead to loot Command Agriculture funds?
Subsequently, we prepared the bed, we must lie on it !!!
Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is a Policy Advisor and Researcher and Head of Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking, and he can be contacted at [email protected]
Botswana deports 22 Covid-19 cases to their countries, they now have 1 active case
The government of Botswana has so far deported 22 COVID-19 cases back to their respective countries.
In its battle against the pandemic, the Botswana government has implemented strong border control measures to avoid imported cases.
To date Botswana has recorded 48 Covid-19 cases, 24 recoveries, transferred out 22 cases, 1 active case and 1 death.
Meanwhile, the Botswana government has quarantined its citizens including 3 students and their families after they illegally crossed the border from Zimbabwe where they had visited their relatives.
In an interview, Tshesebe acting station commander Assistant Superintendent Otlaadisa Mogotsi said his office quarantined three siblings and their mother who used illegal entry points to enter into Botswana from Zimbabwe on May 31.
He said all of the family of four was returning home from their relatives in Zimbabwe so that the children could go back to school on June 2.
He added they managed to quarantine a woman in her late 30s and her Standard 7 son who schools at Ramokgwebana Primary School. They jumped the Botswana borderline near Siviya village on Monday.
ZANU-PF party has expelled Killer Zivhu from the ruling party with immediate effect.
The decision to fire the Chivi South legislator and businessman was announced at the ruling party’s Politburo meeting on Wednesday in Harare.
Zivhu’s political career has been hanging by a thread after the ruling party in Masvingo province recommended his expulsion citing treacherous behaviour.
Now that the Politburo has upheld the decision to fire Zivhu, he automatically ceases to be the ruling party legislator for Chivi South, necessitating a by-election.
Zivhu had previously snubbed efforts by his Masvingo province to drag him to a hearing.
The party also complained that despite repeated warnings, he “continued with his treacherous behaviour even after the prohibition order by using the social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile.”
The controversial Chivi South legislator stood accused of violating party rules via social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Twitter where he allegedly said he was going to push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa.
Zivhu is also accused of having initiated the process of collecting signatures for people in support of his initiative for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and the MDC-Alliance leader.
Meanwhile, Zivhu has blamed his sacking on unnamed politburo official who he says owes him US$1.5 million.
He added that he reported the official to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) in an effort to recover his money and this has ultimately led to his sacking. Said Zivhu:
“My effort to recover 1.5 million USD from the most powerful Politburo member yandidzingisa (led to my sacking). I reported him to ZACC and I was about to give them evidence. The Chamisa story is just a cooked one. The man was so vicious in the Politburo meeting today to make sure ndadzingwa (that I was fired).”
“I will remain a Zanu pf member by heart and support the President on his vision 2030. I will not stand as Independent whatever comes. I love Zanu pf the people in my constituency will forever cherish my work.”
The collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar this week and runaway inflation have handed the central bank governor John Mangudya a fresh headache as businesses have been shattered with the economy brought down to its knees.
What needs to be done to solve this crisis? Have your say on the matter in the poll below.
A man holds Zimbabwean Dollar Bond Notes with US Dollars
The collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar this week and runaway inflation have handed the central bank governor John Mangudya a fresh headache as businesses have been shattered with the economy brought down to its knees.
The collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar this week and runaway inflation have handed the central bank governor John Mangudya a fresh headache as businesses have been shattered with the economy brought down to its knees.
As Zimbabwe’s economy plummeted, it required between ZWL$80 and ZWL$82 to buy US$1 on the black market this week, meaning this is making it harder for local companies to import goods.
Shortages have also sunk much of the population in a deepening crisis and many are struggling to survive.
Zimbabwe’s foreign exchange is expected to weaken further. Annualised inflation hit 766% in April, a headache for companies and individuals that are struggling under rising costs as well as the hefty devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar.
Soaring prices have cut into social development gains.
The crisis has been compounded by low confidence in the local currency which has hit rock bottom.
“The (Monetary Policy) Committee expressed serious concern over the continued deterioration in the exchange rates that were widely being used by the private sector,” Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, John Mangudya said adding the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) welcomed action taken by the bank to curb speculative trading in foreign exchange using banking platforms.
Mangudya said the MPC also resolved that a formal market-based system of foreign exchange trading will be put in place, leaving half the population in need of food.
The runaway price rises which have seen annual inflation rate soaring is likely to remain at high level in the coming months as currency continues to plunge against the greenback.
Mangudya is targeting inflation to decline to 50% by end of 2020. This will give currency some relief.
But, this is highly unlikely.
Mangudya has since imposed stiff sanctions to try to cripple it further. With the Zimbabwe dollar spiralling downwards, the RBZ recently froze the EcoCash agent accounts for dealers believed to be using the accounts to buy foreign currency, which fuels downward pressure on the Zimbabwe dollar.
Early last year, Zimbabwe outlawed the use of foreign currencies in local transactions as part of efforts to stem speculative attacks on the Zimbabwe dollar. The exchange rate was initially pegged at ZWL$2.5: US$1.
But the faith in the home-grown currency continued to founder. The exchange rate closed the year at ZWL$25: US$1. Now, it has weakened by more than 3000% on the black market to ZWL$80: US$1.
But the exchange rate is almost 230% stronger at ZWL$25: US$1.
Mangudya said the local currency has been besieged by the speculative tendencies.
The plunge in the currency underscores the shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe whose gross domestic product contracted by 6.5% last year.
The economy is likely to contract by over 10% this year, according to several economists.
This comes as government’s efforts to de-dollarise the economy are floundering.
To ensure that foreign currency trades were monitored in real time, the committee urged the bank to expedite the implementation of the electronic foreign exchange trading system for compulsory use by Bureaux de Change, Mangudya said.
Mnangagwa wants to kill Joana, Cecilia, Netsai same way Tsvangirai, Joshua Nkomo were put out, Crocodile Gang William Ndangana's secretary says pic.twitter.com/xcbsnCs0a9
Response to threats and allegations by Kazembe Kazembe against my person:
BY Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
MDC National Vice Chairman.
It was not surprising that Kazembe Kazembe of ZANU PF issued a statement of threat against my person lumping myself to delusions of a coup in our country. Firstly, I am a grounded democrat who will never ever buy into coups. This is the reason why I was a spectator and did not participate in the November 17, 2017 facade. I amongst many, recused myself from the deception of the time, for I knew what it was. The involvement of the military in the politics of the nation in the history of mankind has led to the undermining of the very foundations of democracy in many states. In my study of history at University level, coups have never been a panacea to democracy and happiness of the people.
It was surprising that Kazembe Kazembe in his lack of understanding of my persona threatened my person in the company of our National Security Services Chiefs who are the people’s final line of defense. He stated that myself and my exiled brother Saviour Kasukuwere peddle lies about an imminent coup in our country. This statement is not only a lie but delusion of grandeur. I am grounded in the people and believe in people power not any other force. When I saw my brothers from the Security Services Chiefs in his company, I became proud because General Valerio Sibanda and Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and other luminaries of the liberation struggle represent the dreams of the people of Zimbabwe as the liberation struggle was fought for the liberty of its people and their happiness. Their constitutional duty is to be the people’s shield and the territorial sanctification of Zimbabwe. No one disputes their immutable value today and tomorrow to Zimbabwe. They remain the pillar of the security and safety of Zimbabweans. The target politicking of Kazembe Kazembe won’t work in the 21st century to tarnish political contenders and besmirch their reputation in the eyes of the people. All power is grounded in the people and I am on the side of the people and they will stand with me throughout these threats. Let it be reassured. I will never walk this journey alone. I will be with the people behind me.
I have told the people of Zimbabwe several times that my life is under threat and in danger. Some did not take it seriously and others thought it was political grandstanding. I ended up informing my employer the Law Society of Zimbabwe about the security threats and dangers around my life. Many a times, I have escaped assassination attempts on my life through road accidents, maltreatment and torture. I am being trailed on a daily basis by unknown individuals.
My freedom as a person has long been lost. I no longer have a social life but that will never dissuade nor deter me from speaking on behalf of the voiceless and the oppressed. Our people need happiness and their cry is that Zimbabwe belongs to everyone and all of us. We all need a share of the national cake and happiness.
It is cowardice to try and silence everyone into submission when our country is being looted dry right in our eyes. The resources in our country belong to every Zimbabwean. They are not there for the loot of the few. I represent that voice of a starving soul throughout Zimbabwe. Our people are suffering. They need happiness in their lifetime and it is that voice and reason why I speak on their behalf. I speak on behalf of the poverty stricken unemployed youth. I speak on behalf of the starving vendor, a suffering farm labourer, a peasant farmer whose produce has been reduced to nothing, a teacher whose salary can only afford a bar of soap, a packet of matemba and 2 litres of cooking oil, a soldier whose life is so difficult that they are no longer able to send their children to school. A police officer who after the end of the month is not able to make his wife and children happy. University and college graduates who have become faces of destitution. Zimbabwe is filled with sorrowful faces, souls and hearts. They cry everyday for their liberty, freedom and joy. This is a society I am prepared to die for. No matter the amount of intimidation, I will never relent on my calling by God to fight on behalf of the oppressed.
In light of these threats, by this response, I have informed domestic, regional and international authorities about the danger of the threat to my life by the ZANU PF regime through Kazembe Kazembe. Cry Zimbabwe cry. We shall be free one day.
Another 285 returnees went home yesterday after testing negative for Covid-19 in mandatory quarantine facilities, with 115 more set to get their test results tomorrow.
The continued quarantining of returning residents is instrumental in controlling the spread of Covid-19 as the overwhelming majority of infected Zimbabweans were infected outside the country with only a small minority being infected within the community.
Yesterday, another six patients, all returning Zimbabweans, were confirmed as infected, bringing the cumulative total of confirmed infections to 320, although 49 of these have now been confirmed as recovered with the death toll still at four.
So far, 1 400 returning citizens and residents have been released from quarantine centres after being found free of infection.
In the latest batch of releases, returnees that were quarantined at Harare Polytechnic (95), Queen Elizabeth (37), Prince Edward (80) and Roosevelt (73) were discharged yesterday after testing negative to Covid-19.
But in these groups, another 56 who were found to be infected in tests have to wait in isolation hospitals until they are able to go home as uninfected recovered cases. Those that tested positive from all the quarantine facilities have since been taken to Parirenyatwa isolation centre (2), Wilkins (40) and Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital (14).
Ninety returnees quarantined at Mabelreign Girls High School, Belvedere Technical College (5) and 20 at Prince Edward Boys High, will know their fate today, with those testing positive set to be moved to isolation facilities while those testing negative go home.
Speaking on the sidelines of a handover ceremony of one of the ambulances to Harare Metropolitan Province yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said the exercise will cascade to all other provinces of the country.
The ambulances were donated by CBZ Holdings to Government through President Mnangagwa recently.
Dr Moyo said they decision to release the returnees was designed to clear all quarantine facilities and pave way for new returnees who will be tested using the antigen based test, PCR, on their first day in line with new guidelines.
The new guidelines stipulate that returnees shall be tested using PCR on day one before they are even taken for compulsory quarantine, with those who test positive immediately taken to isolation facilities while those who test negative will go into mandatory quarantine facilities.
A second test is done on day eight for those in quarantine facilities, again, using the PCR test from which those positive would be taken to an isolation facility with those negative discharged and allowed to complete their 21-days of quarantine at home.
However, those discharged will be followed up on with another PCR test on day 21 before they are certified free of Covid-19.
“The whole process of testing and discharging has been done and this has been done very efficiently and we have set the parameters on how it should be done. There are now guidelines on how we should be working with people in the quarantine areas. They are not there to be disadvantaged, they are there to be assisted as we follow the regulations as published,” said Dr Moyo, who was accompanied by is deputy Dr John Mangwiro.
He said laboratories were now geared to ensure there was no backlog while clinicians have been advised not to hold onto results.
Government is working on ensuring there is a doctor to assist returnees with other ailments at every quarantine centre.
Dr Moyo said all provinces were expected to do the same going forward and have since been given test kits and consumables to effect the new measure.
A number of returnees had gone beyond eight days in mandatory quarantine owing to a shortage of test kits to determine their eligibility for discharge prompting criticism from human rights pressure groups.
Meanwhile, Dr Moyo handed over one of the ambulances donated by CBZ through President Mnangagwa recently. Receiving the ambulance on behalf of Harare Metropolitan Province, Chitungwiza acting town clerk Dr Tonderai Kasu said the ambulance would be useful.
“We are very much grateful for the boost to our resources. This ambulance will go a long way in the fight against Covid 19 in our province,” said Dr Kasu.
The Zanu PF Politburo yesterday expelled Chivi South legislator, Killer Zivhu following a recommendation by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
Mr Zivhu’s expulsion was announced by the party’s acting secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa at the end of the 340th Ordinary Session of the Politburo.
Apart from Mr Zivhu’s expulsion, former Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira was also removed from the Central Committee until her corruption cases involving abuse of funds at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) had been resolved at the courts.
“The NDC recommended to the Politburo that Cde Killer Zivhu from Masvingo province be expelled and the Politburo upheld that recommendation and Cde Zivhu is expelled with immediate effect,” Chinamasa said.
Mr Zivhu’s home province of Masvingo recommended his expulsion after he used social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile.
He did this as part of his initiatives to push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa.
Mr Zivhu was accused of breaking party protocol and was only recommended for expulsion after he ignored several warnings.
Meanwhile, the NDC has also recommended the reinstatement of Aplonia Munzverengwi as the political commissar for the Women’s League.
The Politburo will discuss the issue at the next meeting.
Nyarai Tsvuura was restored as the Mashonaland East Women’s League provincial chairperson.
In Manicaland Joseph Mujati, Simon Mapfumo, Betty Dhliwayo and Prosper Sithole were reinstated into the party after the Politburo nullified their suspensions.
Human chameleon Chirambe Chikafu armed with four different ID cards and a fake address allegedly passed herself off as “Chantelle Mnangagwa” daughter of the President, to defraud CBZ of US$37 000, plus interest, and the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority of a gold claim.
When she appeared before Harare Magistrate Victoria Mashamba yesterday, yet another identity appeared as she assured the court that she was really “Chantelle Chikafu Mnangagwa” and was actually only a niece of the President.
She told the court that she lost her national identification card.
Ms Mashamba agreed that bail was inappropriate as there was a real possibility Chikafu could disappear into yet another identity and remanded her in custody until 23 June on two counts of fraud.
Chikafu (44) of Tynwald South was not asked to plead.
State counsel Mr Lancelot Mutsokota opposed bail saying she was using four different national identification particulars and if released on bail, Chikafu could manufacture yet more IDs and commit more offences.
“According to police investigations, accused has four IDs she is using including the name Chantelle Mnangagwa. She was also fined $6 000 on a previous conviction in Mount Darwin. She had given the police the address of 4099 Tynwald South in Harare, but she had left those premises three years ago and the stand is now a private college.
“Bearing in mind that she has four IDs she is using, she will manufacture false documents and had the propensity to commit similar offences while linking herself to the President, whereas her name is Chirambe Chikafu. The cellphone she provided, 0772 289 977 is registered in the name of one Chantelle Chikafu. This also shows that she uses various alias,” said the prosecutor.
Prosecutor Mutsokota told the court that there are 10 witnesses who will testify on how she committed the offences.
In her response through her lawyer, Chikafu told the court that she was actually the daughter of President Mnangagwa’s elder brother, Partson Mnangagwa, and he had deposed an affidavit in court asserting that he was her father.
She was facing a plethora of civil suits at the High Court and on Friday last week she filed an urgent chamber application against the termination of gold mining contract with the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. On Monday, the chamber application was served on ZimParks and within two hours, she was called to come and see the director-general of ZimParks.
“That was when she was ambushed and arrested, as if she was on the run. This was made to make count two,” the defence told the court.
Chikafu told the court that a miner, John Maungwa caused her arrest, following misunderstandings on boundaries to their gold claims.
“There was a Government facility where youths would get loans during the time of former minister Saviour Kasukuwere.”
She obtained a loan and when she failed to pay the loan an agreement was made with Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation. Later the loan was paid in full,” she said.
The court was given an outline of the State case. In 2010, she approached CBZ and tried to open an account using a defensive driving certificate as identity. The bank wanted a real ID and said no, but she allegedly connived with CBZ employee Lilian Mateta, who processed the account without the needed ID.
In February 2011, Chikafu, while using the name Chantelle Mnangagwa, received a US$2 000 overdraft.
In August 2011, she was lent another US$15 000 after submitting a Deed of Transfer she allegedly stole from her mother, Grace Chikafu. On September 12, 2012, she received a US$20 000 loan and failed to repay accruing a US$88 775 debt in the process, including interests.
On November 19, 2019 Chikafu is said to have approached Nyasha Mutyambizi and passed herself as Chantelle Mnangagwa. She allegedly sought an agreement to mine in Umfurudzi Safari Area and tendered a fake ID.
The Parks and Wildlife Management reportedly consented and issued the agreement. With that piece of paper she approached the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development seeking a special gold mining grant for 200 hectares in the reserved area.
The special grant was granted in December 2019. It was later discovered that the mine site that was granted to her belonged to John Maungwa.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, flanked by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (left), State Security Minister Owen Ncube and Service Chiefs, addresses the media
Zimbabwe’s security chiefs yesterday dismissed rumours of an imminent military coup in Zimbabwe.
They urged Zimbabweans to be wary of plots to create instability and to undermine the authority of the Government, warning that those engaging in treasonous acts would be punished.
In a strongly-worded statement issued at a media conference yesterday evening by the Working Committee of the National Security Council of Zimbabwe, the security establishment said it had noted with “grave concern”, a recent upsurge in rumours aimed at tainting the image of President Mnangagwa and to render the country ungovernable.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe issued the statement on behalf of the council and in the presence of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, State Security Minister Owen Ncube and security commanders.
Service chiefs present were Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Phillip Sibanda, Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzai Chimonyo, Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Elson Moyo, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Service Commissioner-General Paradzai Zimondi, and Director General of the Central Intelligence Organisation Isaac Moyo.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary Aaron Nhepera, Defence and War Veterans Permanent Secretary Ambassador Mark Grey Marongwe, and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana also attended the media briefing at Munhumutapa Building.
“The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has noted, with grave concern, a recent upsurge in rumours suggesting an imminent military coup d`etat in the country,” said Minister Kazembe.
The Government wanted, through the agency of the Working Committee of the National Security Council, convened in terms of Section 209 of the Constitution, “to unequivocally debunk and dismiss these rumours with the contempt they deserve”.
Minister Kazembe said the committee had identified those behind the falsehoods and these included former senior Zanu PF member Saviour Kasukuwere and MDC-Alliance deputy chairman Job Sikhala.
“Government would like to sternly warn purveyors of this medley of falsehoods, who include characters such as Saviour Kasukuwere, Job Sikhala and a coterie of their accomplices who we are aware of, not to cry foul when the long arm of Zimbabwean law catches up with them in due course,” said Minister Kazembe.
Some preachers provoking unrest through religious sermons were said to be part of the destabilisation agenda. They were part of a group of civic society players, diplomats, opposition politicians and online media platforms believed to have been recruited to push for an ill-fated National Transitional Authority.
“This narrative, which also sets an agenda for and promotes negative political activism, including coordinated fake abductions and media campaigns, has of late roped in several self-proclaimed local and international prophets.
“These include one US-based Nathan Humbryd of the so-called Miracle Ministries,Talent Chiwenga, a self-styled rabid anti-Government Harare First Street preacher, Simon Chiloh of the so-called Deeds of Christ Ministries and a few others,” said Minister Kazembe.
Some of the online media platforms that had been roped into the regime change agenda included Gambakwe Media, Nehanda Radio and ZimEye.
Zimbabweans were reminded that conversations around leadership change will only be tolerated in the ballot box during the 2023 election.
Watch video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.
Mnangagwa wants to kill Joana, Cecilia, Netsai same way Tsvangirai, Joshua Nkomo were put out, Crocodile Gang William Ndangana's secretary says pic.twitter.com/xcbsnCs0a9
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday vowed to take the war to the country’s “political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents” who are pushing a nefarious agenda to cause regime change as the revolutionary party tackles the economic challenges that the country is presently facing.
Yesterday President Mnangagwa chaired an eight-hour long politburo meeting that focused mainly on ending the current economic challenges, which the ruling party noted are being stirred by an invisible hand that is determined to breed chaos in the country.
This comes as the economy has been going through turbulent times notwithstanding the fact that Government has put in place a raft of measures and interventions to spur economic growth.
And despite that Zimbabwe is currently selling its tobacco, the country’s major cash crop, the Politburo also noted that the Zimbabwean dollar continues to depreciate against the United States dollar due to a speculative exchange control environment that is being manipulated by an invisible hand.
While giving his opening remarks of the 340th ordinary session of the Zanu PF Politburo, President Mnangagwa noted that Government and its leadership have of late come under attack from the detractors trying to foment instability in the country.
“On the economic front we are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models. We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda.
“They will never win. We did not liberate this country for selfish, profiteers and greedy individuals, but for all people in our land who have a right to enjoy a better quality of life. As a party we must always strive to achieve this,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President pointed to the alleged abduction of three MDC Alliance members, namely Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, as part of the grand plot by the country’s detractors to tarnish Government’s image.
The President however, said the alleged abductions had been exposed for their inconsistencies by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe in his recent statement.
“Concurrently during this period was the resurgence of hate speech and language which are not characteristic of the values we seek to be embedded in our country under the Second Republic. This vile culture must be rejected by all peace loving people,” he said.
President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu PF’s First Secretary said the confrontational actions were well coordinated and planned.
“I am aware that the intention was to cause despondency, unrest, violence and to render the country ungovernable.
These acts should never be tolerated. I urge the Party and nation as a whole, to remain alert.
Let us refuse to be divided by vigilantes who are hired by hostile foreign governments to distract us from our quest to grow our economy and improve the quality of lives for all, in peace, unity and love,” President Mnangagwa said-State media
Mnangagwa wants to kill Joana, Cecilia, Netsai same way Tsvangirai, Joshua Nkomo were put out, Crocodile Gang William Ndangana's secretary says pic.twitter.com/xcbsnCs0a9
THE councillor for Ward Six, Clr Joseph Itani Muleya, who is also the Beitbridge Rural District Council chairperson of the natural resources management committee, said hyenas have been terrorising villagers since last year.
He also said elephants were reportedly destroying crops in several areas, while the hyenas were killing livestock in Ward Six.
“Last year between January and December, hyenas killed a total of 272 donkeys, 76 head of cattle and 344 goats in Ward Six, which includes Umzingwane, River Ranch and Makakavhule villages.
“We recently hired officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to assist in controlling these marauding animals, but our coffers have run dry and we are now appealing for more funding to fight the on-going onslaught.
“You will realise that Beitbridge district is a wild animal area and hence the need to urgently address the problem considering the rate at which our livestock is being killed as we watch helplessly,” Clr Muleya said-State media
The Zanu PF Politburo yesterday expelled Chivi South legislator, Mr Killer Zivhu following a recommendation by the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
Mr Zivhu’s expulsion was announced by the party’s acting secretary for Information and Publicity Patrick Chinamasa at the end of the 340th Ordinary Session of the Politburo.
Apart from Mr Zivhu’s expulsion, former Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira was also removed from the Central Committee until her corruption cases involving abuse of funds at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) had been resolved at the courts.
“The NDC recommended to the Politburo that Cde Killer Zivhu from Masvingo province be expelled and the Politburo upheld that recommendation and Cde Zivhu is expelled with immediate effect,” Chinamasa said.
Mr Zivhu’s home province of Masvingo recommended his expulsion after he used social media to push for a meeting between First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa’s wife Sithokozile. He did this as part of his initiatives to push for dialogue between President Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa.
Mr Zivhu was accused of breaking party protocol and was only recommended for expulsion after he ignored several warnings.
Meanwhile, the NDC has also recommended the reinstatement of Cde Aplonia Munzverengwi as the political commissar for the Women’s League. The Politburo will discuss the issue at the next meeting.
Nyarai Tsvuura was restored as the Mashonaland East Women’s League provincial chairperson-State media
Own Correspondent|Controversial Masvingo based preacher, Isaac Komichi has invited Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe to his house for a “cleansing and baptism” ceremony.
This, Makomichi claims, will remove the “curse” upon the three politicians,after that the three must join Advocate Chamisa and ask for apology.
Makomichi is the leader of Calvary Prayer Group and the president of Vulnerable Youth Support Network Trust.
In a statement Makomichi urged the three politicians to “confess their sins.”
“I have written an invitation letter to Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe.
I want them to confess their sins and I will then baptise them.As I see things right now, the three are unclean before the Lord.
If they do not confess their sins they will not go anywhere.
As I have said, the three must confess because if they do not confess, the country will not move forward.
Every political leader must be clean.
I hope the three will take note of my advice because I am instructing them from a prophetic office.”
The controversial preacher has been criticized for administering what he calls the anointed herb to women and girls across the country.Last week an association of sex workers in Masvingo threatened to sue “Prophet Makomichi” for disrupting their activities.
Farai Dziva| UN experts have challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to drop charges against three MDC Alliance youth leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The UN has also called for an immediate end to the pattern of disappearances and torture aimed at suppressing dissent.
See UN experts’ statement :
The charges against the three women should be dropped.
Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.
Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures.
Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice.
Human chameleon Chirambe Chikafu armed with four different ID cards and a fake address allegedly passed herself off as “Chantelle Mnangagwa” daughter of the President, to defraud CBZ of US$37 000, plus interest, and the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority of a gold claim.
When she appeared before Harare Magistrate Victoria Mashamba yesterday, yet another identity appeared as she assured the court that she was really “Chantelle Chikafu Mnangagwa” and was actually only a niece of the President.
She told the court that she lost her national identification card. Ms Mashamba agreed that bail was inappropriate as there was a real possibility Chikafu could disappear into yet another identity and remanded her in custody until 23 June on two counts of fraud.
Chikafu (44) of Tynwald South was not asked to plead. State counsel Mr Lancelot Mutsokota opposed bail saying she was using four different national identification particulars and if released on bail, Chikafu could manufacture yet more IDs and commit more offences.
“According to police investigations, accused has four IDs she is using including the name Chantelle Mnangagwa. She was also fined $6 000 on a previous conviction in Mount Darwin. She had given the police the address of 4099 Tynwald South in Harare, but she had left those premises three years ago and the stand is now a private college.
“Bearing in mind that she has four IDs she is using, she will manufacture false documents and had the propensity to commit similar offences while linking herself to the President, whereas her name is Chirambe Chikafu. The cellphone she provided, 0772 289 977 is registered in the name of one Chantelle Chikafu. This also shows that she uses various alias,” said the prosecutor.
Prosecutor Mutsokota told the court that there are 10 witnesses who will testify on how she committed the offences.
In her response through her lawyer, Chikafu told the court that she was actually the daughter of President Mnangagwa’s elder brother, Partson Mnangagwa, and he had deposed an affidavit in court asserting that he was her father.
She was facing a plethora of civil suits at the High Court and on Friday last week she filed an urgent chamber application against the termination of gold mining contract with the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. On Monday, the chamber application was served on ZimParks and within two hours, she was called to come and see the director-general of ZimParks.
“That was when she was ambushed and arrested, as if she was on the run. This was made to make count two,” the defence told the court.
Chikafu told the court that a miner, John Maungwa caused her arrest, following misunderstandings on boundaries to their gold claims.
“There was a Government facility where youths would get loans during the time of former minister Saviour Kasukuwere.”
She obtained a loan and when she failed to pay the loan an agreement was made with Zimbabwe Asset Management Corporation. Later the loan was paid in full,” she said.
The court was given an outline of the State case. In 2010, she approached CBZ and tried to open an account using a defensive driving certificate as identity. The bank wanted a real ID and said no, but she allegedly connived with CBZ employee Lilian Mateta, who processed the account without the needed ID.
In February 2011, Chikafu, while using the name Chantelle Mnangagwa, received a US$2 000 overdraft.
In August 2011, she was lent another US$15 000 after submitting a Deed of Transfer she allegedly stole from her mother, Grace Chikafu. On September 12, 2012, she received a US$20 000 loan and failed to repay accruing a US$88 775 debt in the process, including interests.
On November 19, 2019 Chikafu is said to have approached Nyasha Mutyambizi and passed herself as Chantelle Mnangagwa. She allegedly sought an agreement to mine in Umfurudzi Safari Area and tendered a fake ID.
The Parks and Wildlife Management reportedly consented and issued the agreement. With that piece of paper she approached the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development seeking a special gold mining grant for 200 hectares in the reserved area.
The special grant was granted in December 2019. It was later discovered that the mine site that was granted to her belonged to John Maungwa. Herald/state media
Response to threats and allegations by Kazembe Kazembe against my person:
BY Hon Job Wiwa Sikhala
MDC National Vice Chairman.
It was not surprising that Kazembe Kazembe of ZANU PF issued a statement of threat against my person lumping myself to delusions of a coup in our country. Firstly, I am a grounded democrat who will never ever buy into coups. This is the reason why I was a spectator and did not participate in the November 17, 2017 facade. I amongst many, recused myself from the deception of the time, for I knew what it was. The involvement of the military in the politics of the nation in the history of mankind has led to the undermining of the very foundations of democracy in many states. In my study of history at University level, coups have never been a panacea to democracy and happiness of the people.
It was surprising that Kazembe Kazembe in his lack of understanding of my persona threatened my person in the company of our National Security Services Chiefs who are the people’s final line of defense. He stated that myself and my exiled brother Saviour Kasukuwere peddle lies about an imminent coup in our country. This statement is not only a lie but delusion of grandeur. I am grounded in the people and believe in people power not any other force. When I saw my brothers from the Security Services Chiefs in his company, I became proud because General Valerio Sibanda and Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga and other luminaries of the liberation struggle represent the dreams of the people of Zimbabwe as the liberation struggle was fought for the liberty of its people and their happiness. Their constitutional duty is to be the people’s shield and the territorial sanctification of Zimbabwe. No one disputes their immutable value today and tomorrow to Zimbabwe. They remain the pillar of the security and safety of Zimbabweans. The target politicking of Kazembe Kazembe won’t work in the 21st century to tarnish political contenders and besmirch their reputation in the eyes of the people. All power is grounded in the people and I am on the side of the people and they will stand with me throughout these threats. Let it be reassured. I will never walk this journey alone. I will be with the people behind me.
I have told the people of Zimbabwe several times that my life is under threat and in danger. Some did not take it seriously and others thought it was political grandstanding. I ended up informing my employer the Law Society of Zimbabwe about the security threats and dangers around my life. Many a times, I have escaped assassination attempts on my life through road accidents, maltreatment and torture. I am being trailed on a daily basis by unknown individuals.
My freedom as a person has long been lost. I no longer have a social life but that will never dissuade nor deter me from speaking on behalf of the voiceless and the oppressed. Our people need happiness and their cry is that Zimbabwe belongs to everyone and all of us. We all need a share of the national cake and happiness.
It is cowardice to try and silence everyone into submission when our country is being looted dry right in our eyes. The resources in our country belong to every Zimbabwean. They are not there for the loot of the few. I represent that voice of a starving soul throughout Zimbabwe. Our people are suffering. They need happiness in their lifetime and it is that voice and reason why I speak on their behalf. I speak on behalf of the poverty stricken unemployed youth. I speak on behalf of the starving vendor, a suffering farm labourer, a peasant farmer whose produce has been reduced to nothing, a teacher whose salary can only afford a bar of soap, a packet of matemba and 2 litres of cooking oil, a soldier whose life is so difficult that they are no longer able to send their children to school. A police officer who after the end of the month is not able to make his wife and children happy. University and college graduates who have become faces of destitution. Zimbabwe is filled with sorrowful faces, souls and hearts. They cry everyday for their liberty, freedom and joy. This is a society I am prepared to die for. No matter the amount of intimidation, I will never relent on my calling by God to fight on behalf of the oppressed.
In light of these threats, by this response, I have informed domestic, regional and international authorities about the danger of the threat to my life by the ZANU PF regime through Kazembe Kazembe. Cry Zimbabwe cry. We shall be free one day.
Mpilo Central Hospital is running out of Covid-19 test kits which the health institution urgently requires.
This comes at a time when 197 members of staff are under quarantine after four people, including a nurse tested positive.
The hospital’s Clinical Director and Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said on Tuesday that the hospital had appealed to Government for more supplies as test kits were fast running out.
He said 197 employees under quarantine were part of the 2 000 members of staff at the hospital.
Dr Ngwenya said the first group of those under quarantine is expected back at work this week and must be tested again. “We are running out of test kits and we have since appealed to Government to replenish supplies. There is a general shortage of these test kits due to increased demand globally. Everyone is trying to get them and we also need them as a hospital. We are expecting the return of our staff who are on quarantine. For the first group, their quarantine period ends tomorrow and we’re expecting them at work this week from Thursday and we need test kits to test them,” he said.
Dr Ngwenya projected the flooding of hospitals by Covid-19 patients unless people behave responsibly. He said the conduct of most people especially in the central business district was worrying.
Dr Ngwenya urged Government to revert to stricter lockdown measures until the end of winter, which he described as a necessary evil to protect people from getting the virus.
“People are going up and about as if all is normal. You might think there is no lockdown because buses and kombis are always packed, no social distancing whatsoever and most of the reasons of travel are not so essential,” he said.- Chronicle/state media
Private colleges bypassing Government’s approval to increase tuition may be closed, a minister has warned.
Some privately-run schools have been asking for top ups from parents outside the Government’s knowledge.
Responding to questions from the media during a Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema said errant schools would face the music.
Minister Mathema said there was a laid out procedure meant to be followed. “Procedures are very key and they have been communicated to our stakeholders from Parliament, trade unions, school heads on the processes involved in increasing fees.
“Private schools are guided by the laws in education, which are under my purview. If the schools continue doing that, without coming to the secretary for approval, I will certainly close them,” Minister Mathema said.
Reports indicate that before the official announcement of reopening dates by Government on Tuesday, private schools were already agitating for an early reopening.
A source who was part of the discussions said teachers’ unions and trust schools broke ranks when the latter suggested that they would wanted schools opened early as they could afford to put in place safety measures with ease.
“There was a point of difference between teachers’ unions and trust schools. Private schools were saying they want to open early because they rely on fees for survival,” the source said.
Private schools have been running online lessons for their pupils who are in most cases from well-endowed families.
They have used the activity as an opportunity to increase fees during the lockdown.
Lilfordia School, an private school in Harare, is currently embroiled in a bitter row with parents who are objecting to a US$1 000 top up to the fees already paid.
Government said one of the preconditions for consenting to a fee increase is consensus between the school and parents on the figures. -Herald/state media
Update: Police have now charged the trio with obstructing the course of justice under s184(1)(f) of the Code alleging that they made a false report that they were kidnapped between 13-15 May 2020. @PoliceZimbabwe have failed to disclose which part of the statement is false. https://t.co/biswKIQ6oH
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) June 10, 2020
By A Correspondent- Addressing the Zanu-PF politburo on Wednesday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has presided over an economic collapse that has seen inflation soar to about 800%, seemed to absolve his government.
“On the economic front, we are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models.
“We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fueled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda,” he said.
Mnangagwa warned that those sharpening their swords against his party will not win the war, as he is firmly aware of their intentions.
“They will never win. We did not liberate this country for selfish, profiteers and greedy individuals, but for all the people in our land who have the right to enjoy a better quality of life. As a party we must always strive to achieve this,” he said.
The local currency has continued to lose value with prices skyrocketing despite a failed attempt by the government to impose a price increase moratorium.
Mnangagwa said the price hikes were confrontational.
“The confrontational actions, which played out in the political, economic and media arena, were not isolated incidents, but well-orchestrated co- ordinated and planned events. I am aware that the intention was to cause despondency, unrest, violence and to render the country ungovernable,” he said.
Mnangagwa said he would not tolerate this kind of behaviour.
“These acts should never be tolerated. I urge the party and nation as a whole to remain alert. Let’s refuse to be divided by vigilantes who are hired by hostile foreign governments to distract us from our quest to grow and improve the quality of lives for all, in peace, unity and love,” he said.
Mnangagwa’s government has faced accusations of paying a deaf to concerns about corruption, with the latest episode being that of Drax International, a company called out in the media for its extortionate pricing, which forced Zanu-PF to issue a statement in defence of the first family.
Drax’s local frontman, Delish Nguwaya is reported to be linked to Mnangagwa’s son Collins. Collins has denied any links.
Western governments have in recent days issued stinging statements reprimanding the Zimbabwean government for human rights abuses, charges the Mnangagwa administration denies.
Relations between the West and Zimbabwe are probably at their lowest in more than 10 years.
By A Correspondent- Sacked Zanu Pf stalwart Killer Zivhu has revealed the real reason why he has been shown the exit door.
He alleged that he had been booted out because his party was merely protecting its corrupt and powerful member whom he had exposed and had reported to the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Zivhu said exposing corruption by one of the party’s top stalwarts who even sits in the party’s highest decision making body has cost him his place as a member of the ruling party.
Said Zivhu:
“My effort to recover US$1.5 million from the most powerful Politburo member is the reason why i have been sacked. I reported him to ZACC and i was about to give them evidence. The Chamisa story is just a cooked one. The man was so vicious in the politburo meeting today to make sure that i have been sacked.”
my effort to recover 1.5 million USD from the most powerful Politburo member yandidzingisa .I reported him to Zacc and I was about to give them evidence. the Chamisa story is just a cooked one. the man was so vicious in the Politburo meeting today to make sure ndadzingwa
Denise Nkurunziza, the wife to the late President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza has returned to the country’s capital Bujumbura.
According to a publication by BBC, Burundi’s first lady has returned to the East African country just hours after the death of her husband Nkurunziza was made public by the government spokesperson.
BBC reports that the First Lady landed at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura aboard a non-medicalised flight from Nairobi where she had been hospitalized at the Aga Khan hospital for almost two weeks.
“Denise Nkurunziza arrived on board a non-medicalised flight by the Kenyan private company Phoenix. It was a jet with the captain and the co-pilot only,” the BBC quotes local media in Bujumbura.
As reports BBC, an official in the president’s office has denied claims that Mrs. Nkurunziza contracted coronavirus.
Kenyan Ambassador to Burundi Ken Vitisia is said to be among those who received her at the Melchior Ndadaye International Airport.
A covid-19 positive is reportedly to have resided in Ruwa after escaping from a quarantine centre in Beitbridge at Nssa Hotel.
The Mashonaland East Rapid Response Team is dealing with the case. The man is believed to be infected with coronavirus after tests were conducted in Beitbridge. He allegedly joined his family at Madyise farm in Ruwa on 6 June. The farm owner reportedly discovered the ordeal and chased the family away.
The police are looking for whereabouts o the family and the patient.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance youth officials Joanna Mamombe, Cecillia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova have been arrested.
According to the MDC Alliance, the police had been following them under a nuclear surveillance.
Said Rosely Hanzi:
Complete disregard of #COVID19 Regs by @PoliceZimbabwe is astounding. About 16 Anti-Riot ZRP officers surrounded @MarovaNetsai during arrest. She has been taken in together with @JoanaMamombe & @ceechimbiri2 accused of making a false report sec 184(1)(f) of Criminal Code.
The Joint Operations Command (JOC) has addressed the nation about an imminent coup that has been talked about in Zimbabwe.
Minister of Home Afffairs has has made it clear that there is no coup in the making in Zimbabwe. Part of the statement read, “The government off the republic o Zimbabwe has noted rumours suggesting an imminent coup in Zimbabwe. The government would like to make it clear as the JOC that we dismiss the rumours with the contempt they deserves. The false narrative claim that the G40 who went into self imposed exile will come back and join the opposition and the security forces and take over government.
This is to undermine the President of Zimbabwe and to make the country ungovernable. Claims of a coup are unfounded. There is no coup in the make or any form of transitional government being suggested by the government.
They peddle these false narrative with internet based platforms and social media. There are other organisations that are also peddling falsehoods. Coordinated fake abductions and fake prophesies are also some of their tactics.”
By A Correspondent- Energy and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi has directed the ZESA Holdings board to withdraw criminal charges against Wicknell Chivayo, whose company, Intratek, has failed to deliver on 100 MW solar power plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
In a letter to ZESA chairman Sydney Gata on May 26, Chasi advised the power utility to abandon the fraud charges because the government “cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation” at the expense of expediting power generation.
He also orders that Chivayo be allowed to complete the project which has been hanging on the balance since 2015.
Below is the full letter by Chasi:
I refer to a meeting jointly held by ZESA Holdings and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited on Friday 22nd May 2020, in which I advised all parties in attendance of Government’s position with regards to the urgent need to implement the project.
I further draw your attention to a letter from your office delivered on even date of the meeting, whose contents I confirm to have duly noted.
In my communication of Government’s unequivocal position with regards to the Gwanda project, I sought to deliver the Ministry’s mandate to ensure the availability of sufficient power to the country by all means necessary.
It is now the prerogative of ZESA Holdings to ensure that the Government’s primary intention to address the energy demand is expediently and urgently given the attention it deserves.
In fulfilment of this mandate placed upon ZESA Holdings, there exists an obvious requirement that the necessary Board approvals be obtained in compliance with tenets of good corporate governance and all applicable statutes.
I wish to further reiterate that the Government’s position is fully informed by the following factors which have been approved at the highest level;
a) The Gwanda Solar project was and is still earmarked by Government as an economic enabler to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and successor policies adopted by government in 2018 and subsequently this year.
It forms part of the short to medium term solutions in resolving the energy deficit in the Country, thus spurring agriculture, mining and manufacturing activity which will increase the country’s export revenue.
b) Intratek assured Government that it can commence the project immediately as the funding is now available for this purpose.
Feeding 10MW into the national grid within the next 6 months will cause notable availability of power, thus significantly reducing the extent and cost of power imports, whose arrears in foreign currency are fully known by yourselves. This will inevitably contribute to assisting Fiscus inflows and support macro-economic growth.
c) Government has further taken full consideration of the proposed financial and technical soundness presented by the EPC Contractor through the Strategic Review Document submitted to my office and finds merit in the same.
It goes without saying that the bridge-financing model proposed by the EPC Contractor’s transactional advisors is led by a team of renowned experts in the field of project financing and legal advisory with respect to the implementation of EPC Contracts in the region.
The same transaction advisors have also recently successfully commissioned a 5MW centagrid PV Solar Plant at Nyabira, which is now already augmenting power supplies from the country’s main power producers managed by ZESA Holdings. They have also reached financial closure for the remaining 20 MW which commissioning is expected within the next 12 months.
d) It is common cause that African Transmission Corporation Holdings Limited, the prospective financier, has also been pivotal in assisting ZESA Holdings in the debt/equity structuring of the Hwange 7 & 8 US$1,4 Billion expansion project and were very instrumental in working with KPMG on the financial modelling for the Kariba 7 & 8 extension project, which was a resounding success.
Their competence being attestable, Government finds no reason not to find comfort in the same firm, led by Mr Victor Utedzi, whose impressive curriculum vitae I have had the occasion to peruse.
I am persuaded to believe that with such financial accolades, the quick syndication of a bankable financial model for the Gwanda solar project ought not to be problematic.
It is my Ministry’s logical opinion that at the revised price of US$139 Million, the debt/equity model will be less rigorous and thus ensure that financial closure would be reached expeditiously.
e) Government also took note of the involvement of high ranking professionals who now constitute the restructured EPC Contractor’s Board.
Of note, the Presidential Advisory Chairman – Mr Edwin Manikai – is leading the legal conscription of the proposed financial and technical variation of the project through Dube, Manikai & Hwacha Legal Practitioners.
It goes without mention that the firm ranks amongst the top 3 in the country and recognised as an exceptional commercial law firm by the Global Chambers International since 2014.
The key role of DMH and Mr Manikai in particular in the new arrangement speaks volumes on the integrity, professionalism and experience placed into the project, with Government concurring that all previous loop-holes would subsequently be forestalled and plugged.
Principally, the appointment of Mr Wilson Manase as the new Executive Chairman of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited endows the project with high prospects of successful implementation.
Having chaired Metropolitan Bank for 16 years and being a Board member of a myriad of other successful and reputable private firms and government in Zimbabwe, Mr Manase is a practising lawyer and businessman of agreed prominence and as such, Government associates itself with the confident view that the project would be secured properly under his stewardship.
f) Government has also placed material consideration on the technical capacity of CHINT Electric Ltd, who have been contracted to execute the project.
CHINT’s financial and technical capacity has been duly assessed by ZPC and the due diligence report presented to me confirms the company to be fully knowledgeable in the field of both manufacturing PV modules and operating PV power stations.
The report further advises that is the second-largest solar power supplier in the world by a comprehensive performance rate awarded by PHOTON and a reputable blue-chip company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with average annual sales revenue in excess of US$12 Billion, I find no objection to the company implementing the project.
Needless to state, however, Government will require that all the performance guarantees for the equipment installed be obtained and the interests of ZESA Holdings/ZPC as the end-user of the project be protected to the fullest extent possible.
In conclusion, I reiterate Government’s position, as similarly restated in High Court judgment HC 8159/18 by Chitapi JA in the two cases which ZPC lost where he said “With the current Government’s thrust that there be accelerated development to ensure the attainment of a middle-income status for the country by 2030, it is hoped that key projects like the one involved in this case are not stalled by unnecessary bickering and extra-contractual frustrations,” and
“Parties should desist from merry-dancing in the Courts and fighting in Boardrooms instead of implementing this project of national importance at the site..”. These points cannot be emphasized enough.
Indeed His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe has launched “Vision 2030”, which demands Government implement policies and projects which will usher Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-class economy by 2030.
I urge you to support this vision, by all means, necessary, for the greater good of the Country. This project is inarguably a low-hanging fruit from which Government is poised to realise its success in no time.
It is against the changed circumstances, the foregoing background and context that I strongly recommend your Board to consider the urgent implementation of the following measures as directed by Government;
a) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of an amended and restated EPC Contract in order to provide for and give full effect to the financial and technical proposal by the EPC Contractor;
b) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of all subsequent agreements which will give effect to the project financing and technical implementation.
These include, but are not limited to the conclusion of the Power Purchase Agreement, tariff currency modalities, Implementation Agreement, Security of Payment Agreement amongst other Agreements which may be required by the financier and relevant regulators.
c) In making the foregoing sentiments I must draw the attention of the Board to the fact that the contract in casu was signed sometime in 2015.
Since that time nothing has been achieved except endless and pointless litigation with an appeal currently pending. It is not known when this appeal will be determined whilst on the other hand it is self-evident that the country is reeling under a serious power crisis that has already wreaked havoc to the economy and the generality of the populace.
d) Additionally, it is apposite to point out that this matter is of immense public interest given the power situation in the country and the history of the project.
It is the government’s intention to deal with both matters through the speedy implementation of the project
e) I make mention of the Board’s resolution on the future of the project. The resolution suggests that the consequences of the Court’s decision are irrelevant. This cannot be right. No advice or information is supplied as to the consequences of losing this appeal.
All in all, I consider the foregoing as having placed Government’s position in unambiguous clarity. Megawatts will ultimately be made at the project and not in courts.
The High Court has made this point and expressed exasperation with the endless litigation. Government, given the current power situation, cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation anymore and has been forced to take a pragmatic approach to the production of power.
I understand that a meeting to discuss this matter is slated for tomorrow. Please kindly advise me as to the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible thereafter.
THE Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC), has threatened to switch off defunct steel giant, Zisco, over a ZW$6,2 million debt accrued over a period of three months.
In a letter to Zisco that was signed by ZETDC southern region general manager, Engineer King Fazo Dube, seen by the news crew, the power utility turned down a payment plan designed by the steel company together with Redcliff Municipality and ZimChem and insists on switching off supplies.
The move could spell doom not only to Zisco but also to Redcliff residents who rely on the company for pumping water. Zisco receives water from Kwekwe, which is then distributed to other companies and residents in Redcliff using the company’s water pump.
Companies such as Steelmakers, Zimchem and ZimCoke may also be forced to halt operations due to non-availability of water.
“We cannot accept your payment plan request to pay $290 000, which does not even cover your average monthly bill of $1 300 000. As we highlighted in the meeting, we had with you, we are left with no other option but to disconnect supplies if we do not receive full payment of your account,” wrote Eng Dube.
In the same letter, ZETDC urged Zisco to engage Redcliff Municipality and ZimChem to find a way forward. Acting Zisco Board chair, Dr Gift Mugano, said he did not have finer details of the matter.
“What I can say for now is that as far as I am concerned, we were paying our bills. You should also bear in mind that we are not operating and at times we might fail to fulfill our obligations,” he said.
“But I am also aware that negotiations are ongoing between us and Redcliff and ZimChem that we have separate meters that we are billed separately. We are currently seized with the matter and I think very soon it will be solved,” said Dr Mugano.
Redcliff Town Clerk, Mr Gilson Chakauya said the move would render the entire Redcliff town dry. He requested residents to contribute towards the paying of the bill.
“I think the timing by ZETDC is not well consulted. The move will mean that the whole of Redcliff will go dry as we rely on the Ziscosteel water pump for pumping of water. And to think that we are in the middle of a fight against Covid-19 whose positive cases continue rising, I think they need to be sensitive and accept our payment plan,” said Mr Chakauya.
He said the local authority had also received the same communication from ZETDC.
“We received communication from ZETDC that electricity at the booster pump station at Zisco will be disconnected. But the monthly average bill is ZW1,3 million and the debt is now at ZW$6,2 million and the move will result in the disruption of water supply to all suburbs,” he said.
“Our average monthly water collection is around ZW$165 000, which is not sustained against our monthly bill from Kwekwe City of ZW$2,9 million. Due to low cash inflows, the outstanding bill from Kwekwe City now stands at ZW$13,5 million. A total of ZW$4,2 million is required monthly on average for both water and electricity charges,” he said.
A whopping 12 people recovered from the coronavirus in Zimbabwe yesterday, 11 from Masvingo and one from Mashonaland East, raising the number of people that have recovered so far to 46.
Five, all returning residents from South Africa, however, tested positive, increasing the total to 287.
The number of active cases, however, dropped from 244 to 237.
A total of 53 668 people have been tested since the outbreak on 20 Mach.
Globally there were 7.2 million cases last night. More than 407 300 people had died and 3.5 million had recovered leaving 3.3 million active cases.
Energy Minister Fortune Chasi has directed the ZESA Holdings board to withdraw criminal charges against Wicknell Chivayo, whose company, Intratek, has failed to deliver on 100 MW solar power plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South.
In a letter to ZESA chairman Sydney Gata on May 26, Chasi advised the power utility to abandon the fraud charges because the government “cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation” at the expense of expediting power generation.
Below is the full text of Chasi’s letter to Gata:
Dear Dr Gata
REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL, EXECUTION OF THE 100MW GWANDA SOLAR PROJECT.
ServicesBuildingHomeGroceries DatingJobsCommercialHealth I refer to a meeting jointly held by ZESA Holdings and Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited on Friday 22nd May 2020, in which I advised all parties in attendance of Government’s position with regards to the urgent need to implement the project.
I further draw your attention to a letter from your office delivered on even date of the meeting, whose contents I confirm to have duly noted.
In my communication of Government’s unequivocal position with regards to the Gwanda project, I sought to deliver the Ministry’s mandate to ensure the availability of sufficient power to the country by all means necessary.
It is now the prerogative of ZESA Holdings to ensure that the Government’s primary intention to address the energy demand is expediently and urgently given the attention it deserves.
In fulfilment of this mandate placed upon ZESA Holdings, there exists an obvious requirement that the necessary Board approvals be obtained in compliance with tenets of good corporate governance and all applicable statutes.
I wish to further reiterate that the Government’s position is fully informed by the following factors which have been approved at the highest level;
a) The Gwanda Solar project was and is still earmarked by Government as an economic enabler to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and successor policies adopted by government in 2018 and subsequently this year.
It forms part of the short to medium term solutions in resolving the energy deficit in the Country, thus spurring agriculture, mining and manufacturing activity which will increase the country’s export revenue.
b) Intratek assured Government that it can commence the project immediately as the funding is now available for this purpose.
Feeding 10MW into the national grid within the next 6 months will cause notable availability of power, thus significantly reducing the extent and cost of power imports, whose arrears in foreign currency are fully known by yourselves. This will inevitably contribute to assisting Fiscus inflows and support macro-economic growth.
c) Government has further taken full consideration of the proposed financial and technical soundness presented by the EPC Contractor through the Strategic Review Document submitted to my office and finds merit in the same.
It goes without saying that the bridge-financing model proposed by the EPC Contractor’s transactional advisors is led by a team of renowned experts in the field of project financing and legal advisory with respect to the implementation of EPC Contracts in the region.
The same transaction advisors have also recently successfully commissioned a 5MW centagrid PV Solar Plant at Nyabira, which is now already augmenting power supplies from the country’s main power producers managed by ZESA Holdings. They have also reached financial closure for the remaining 20 MW which commissioning is
expected within the next 12 months.
d) It is common cause that African Transmission Corporation Holdings Limited, the prospective financier, has also been pivotal in assisting ZESA Holdings in the debt/equity structuring of the Hwange 7 & 8 US$1,4 Billion expansion project and were very instrumental in working with KPMG on the financial modelling for the Kariba 7 & 8 extension project, which was a resounding success.
Their competence being attestable, Government finds no reason not to find comfort in the same firm, led by Mr Victor Utedzi, whose impressive curriculum vitae I have had the occasion to peruse.
I am persuaded to believe that with such financial accolades, the quick syndication of a bankable financial model for the Gwanda solar project ought not to be problematic.
It is my Ministry’s logical opinion that at the revised price of US$139 Million, the debt/equity model will be less rigorous and thus ensure that financial closure would be reached expeditiously.
e) Government also took note of the involvement of high ranking professionals who now constitute the restructured EPC Contractor’s Board.
Of note, the Presidential Advisory Chairman – Mr Edwin Manikai – is leading the legal conscription of the proposed financial and technical variation of the project through Dube, Manikai & Hwacha Legal Practitioners.
It goes without mention that the firm ranks amongst the top 3 in the country and recognised as an exceptional commercial law firm by the Global Chambers International since 2014.
The key role of DMH and Mr Manikai in particular in the new arrangement speaks volumes on the integrity, professionalism and experience placed into the project, with Government concurring that all previous loop-holes would subsequently be forestalled and plugged.
Principally, the appointment of Mr Wilson Manase as the new Executive Chairman of Intratrek Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited endows the project with high prospects of successful implementation.
Having chaired Metropolitan Bank for 16 years and being a Board member of a myriad of other successful and reputable private firms and government in Zimbabwe, Mr Manase is a practising lawyer and businessman of agreed prominence and as such, Government associates itself with the confident view that the project would be secured properly under his stewardship.
f) Government has also placed material consideration on the technical capacity of CHINT Electric Ltd, who have been contracted to execute the project.
CHINT’s financial and technical capacity has been duly assessed by ZPC and the due diligence report presented to me confirms the company to be fully knowledgeable in the field of both manufacturing PV modules and operating PV power stations.
The report further advises that is the second-largest solar power supplier in the world by a comprehensive performance rate awarded by PHOTON and a reputable blue-chip company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with average annual sales revenue in excess of US$12 Billion, I find no objection to the company implementing the project.
Needless to state, however, Government will require that all the performance guarantees for the equipment installed be obtained and the interests of ZESA Holdings/ZPC as the end-user of the project be protected to the fullest extent possible.
In conclusion, I reiterate Government’s position, as similarly restated in High Court judgment HC 8159/18 by Chitapi JA in the two cases which ZPC lost where he said “With the current Government’s thrust that there be accelerated development to ensure the attainment of a middle-income status for the country by 2030, it is hoped that key projects like the one involved in this case are not stalled by unnecessary bickering and extra-contractual frustrations,” and
“Parties should desist from merry-dancing in the Courts and fighting in Boardrooms instead of implementing this project of national importance at the site..”. These points cannot be emphasized enough.
Indeed His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe has launched “Vision 2030”, which demands Government implement policies and projects which will usher Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-class economy by 2030.
I urge you to support this vision, by all means, necessary, for the greater good of the Country. This project is inarguably a low-hanging fruit from which Government is poised to realise its success in no time.
It is against the changed circumstances, the foregoing background and context that I strongly recommend your Board to consider the urgent implementation of the following measures as directed by Government;
a) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of an amended and restated EPC Contract in order to provide for and give full effect to the financial and technical proposal by the EPC Contractor;
b) Expedite the negotiation, drafting and signing of all subsequent agreements which will give effect to the project financing and technical implementation.
These include, but are not limited to the conclusion of the Power Purchase Agreement, tariff currency modalities, Implementation Agreement, Security of Payment Agreement amongst other Agreements which may be required by the financier and relevant regulators.
c) In making the foregoing sentiments I must draw the attention of the Board to the fact that the contract in casu was signed sometime in 2015.
Since that time nothing has been achieved except endless and pointless litigation with an appeal currently pending. It is not known when this appeal will be determined whilst on the other hand it is self-evident that the country is reeling under a serious power crisis that has already wreaked havoc to the economy and the generality of the populace.
d) Additionally, it is apposite to point out that this matter is of immense public interest given the power situation in the country and the history of the project.
It is the government’s intention to deal with both matters through the speedy implementation of the project
e) I make mention of the Board’s resolution on the future of the project. The resolution suggests that the consequences of the Court’s decision are irrelevant. This cannot be right. No advice or information is supplied as to the consequences of losing this appeal.
All in all, I consider the foregoing as having placed Government’s position in unambiguous clarity. Megawatts will ultimately be made at the project and not in courts.
The High Court has made this point and expressed exasperation with the endless litigation. Government, given the current power situation, cannot afford the luxury of continued litigation anymore and has been forced to take a pragmatic approach to the production of power.
I understand that a meeting to discuss this matter is slated for tomorrow. Please kindly advise me as to the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible thereafter.
At least 15 people have been killed in Kenya by police during the nationwide dusk-to-dawn curfew, aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus, a report by the country’s Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) says.
Six police officers will now be charged with murder and assault, for their alleged involvement in shootings while enforcing the restrictions, it says.
A separate report by the UN human rights office has documented widespread police violence in 182 communities across the country, including beating, use of live ammunition and tear gas, sexual violence, and damage to property.
The highest number of incidents relating to excessive use of force by police were documented in the capital, Nairobi.
Hussein Moyo’s 13-year-old son, Yassin, was allegedly shot in the stomach by police in Nairobi on 28 March, just a day after the dusk-to-dawn curfew was implemented in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
He had been standing together with his family on their third-floor balcony watching police storm the neighbourhood in search of people who were not abiding by the curfew.
Yassin’s case is one of those confirmed by the police oversight authority and now the director of public prosecutions has approved the arrest and prosecution of a police officer.
Police spokesperson Charles Owino told the BBC the findings in the IPOA report were simply allegations and complaints filed by the public and every case mentioned would need to be investigated.
With regard to Yassin he said the shooting was accidental as the police officer wanted to disperse the crowd by shooting into the air.
He said it was unfair to portray the police as “killers” at a time when they were on the front line enforcing coronavirus restrictions.
The government says it has pumped millions of dollars into police service reforms since the 2007/8 post-election violence which left more than 1,000 people dead and at least 300,000 displaced. Police were accused of causing up to 400 of the deaths.
But critics say little has changed and people in poor settlements in the capital like Mathare say they want justice.
GENEVA – UN human rights experts on Wednesday called on Zimbabwe to immediately end a reported pattern of disappearances and torture that appear aimed at suppressing protests and dissent.
The urgent call comes after three female opposition activists – member of parliament Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova – were stopped at a police checkpoint in Harare and subsequently abducted, tortured and sexually assaulted. The three women were going to participate in a peaceful protest organised on 13 May 2020 by the Alliance Youth Assembly of the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change.
After almost 48 hours, the three women were dumped in a marketplace. They were immediately hospitalised to be treated for the injuries they sustained while they were abducted. A few days later, they were charged with violating COVID-19 regulations on public gatherings and for purportedly intending to promote public violence and breach of peace.
“The charges against the three women should be dropped,” the experts said. “Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.”
The experts called on the authorities of Zimbabwe to “urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime, and to immediately enforce a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ for abductions and torture throughout the country” to ensure the effective protection of women against sexual violence, and to bring those responsible to account.
The experts expressed grave alarm over concerns this was not an isolated instance. In 2019 alone, 49 cases of abductions and torture were reported in Zimbabwe, without investigations leading to perpetrators being held to account. “Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity, but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures,” the experts said.
“Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice,” the experts said.
They also urged the government to allow official visits of UN human rights experts with a view to assessing the human rights situation in the country.
Watch video downloading below. Please be patient as the video downloads.
Former MDC T Vice President Elias Mudzuri has said contrary to what people are saying that Khupe only became the interim president of the MDC T after the supreme court made her the leader, and they have joined her MDC T Bulawayo party, she was always the rightful leader after she was elected at the party’s congress in 2014.
Mudzuri tweeted:
:It is a lie that the Supreme Court ruling gave us a leader and made us join Dr Khupe’s Byo Congress party. We are MDC whose founding president was Dr Tsvangirai. Dr Khupe’s legitimacy as Acting President is derived from the 2014 Congress which elected her VP.”
This comes amid a leadership wrangle between Thokozani Khupe and Nelson Chamisa that was escalated by the Supreme Court ruling that declared Chamisa an illegitimate MDC leader and restored the party’s 2014 structures.
DUBAI. — The International Cricket Council have confirmed interim changes to their playing regulations, which include the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball and allowing home umpires in international series.
The ICC chief executives’ committee ratified recommendations from the Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee, aimed at mitigating the risks posed by the COVID-19 virus and protect the safety of players and match officials when cricket resumes.
Teams will be allowed to replace players displaying symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match.
In line with concussion replacements, the match referee will approve the nearest like-for-like replacement.
However, the regulation for Covid-19 replacements will not be applicable in ODIs and T20s.
Players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball.
If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning.
A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side.
Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences.
The requirement to appoint neutral match officials will be temporarily removed from the playing conditions for all international formats owing to the current logistical challenges with international travel.
The ICC will be able to appoint locally based match officials from the Emirates ICC elite panel of match officials and the Emirates ICC international panel of match officials.
The CEC have also confirmed an additional unsuccessful DRS review for each team in each innings of a match, keeping in mind that there may be less experienced umpires on duty at times.
This will increase the number of unsuccessful appeals per innings for each team to three for Tests and two for the white-ball formats.
The ICC cricket operations team will support match referees when processing code of conduct breaches, and a neutral elite panel match referee will conduct any hearing remotely via video link.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is yet to release the new $20 notes that were due first week of June as market actors grow anxious over the delay.
Last month authorities issued new $ 10 notes into circulation with the $ 20 notes expected to have hit the market last week as per initial pronouncements by the Central Bank.
“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe wishes to advise the public that the $10 and $20 bank notes issued on May 14 2020 through Statutory Instrument 103A of 2020, will come into circulation as follows, the $10-dollar bank note will commence circulating on Tuesday 19 May, 2020 and the $20 bank note will be in circulation by the first week of June 2020,” RBZ Governor, John Mangudya said in a statement then.
However, the Bank has remained tight-lipped on its earlier pronouncements which should have been executed last week sparking anxiety in the market.
Efforts by 263Chat to contact the Governor for comment were unsuccessful as his connection went unanswered.
According to the RBZ, the new notes were meant to improve cash availability on the market which remains relatively lower at around 5 percent threshold of broad money against international best practice of 10-15 percent.
But most traders have already hiked prices of goods and commodities this past week in anticipation of an increase in money supply, a move market players have castigated.
They say the $20 note is already losing its value before it even starts circulating.
“We are seeing the $10 that was recently introduced already been eroded by inflation, so this is a short-term intervention,” Bulawayo Vendor Association, executive director, Mike Ndiweni told 263Chat Business.
Nevertheless, there has been growing concern over the distribution of money into the economy which has seen the bulk of the new $ 10 notes in the hands of illicit money traders at a time the majority of the people cannot access it.
The local currency has been in short supply since its inception last year leading to parallel market traders setting high premiums on cash.
ZimEye ran a poll to establish netizens’ opinions on whether Health and Child Care minister Obediah Moyo should be arrested following his involvement in the Drax International saga.
Of the 258 people that voted, 55 percent were of the opinion that Moyo should be arrested while 34 percent said while it was obvious that he should be nabbed, it was highly likely that he would not.
On the other hand, a paltry 5 percent were of the opinion that the minister had done nothing wrong hence should not be arrested while another 6 percent said they did not know what should be done to Moyo.
We publish below the poll result:
Govt cancels ALL contracts with #DRAX International confirming underhand dealings involving #DrObediahMoyo. @ZACConline remains mum despite all the evidence exposing criminal abuse of office. SHOULD #ObediahMoyo BE ARRESTED?
Over 200 returnees in Harare’s different quarantine facilities will be released on Wednesday after testing negative to Covid 19 while those who tested positive have since been isolated at Beatrice Road, Wilkins and Parirenyatwa Hospital’s isolation facility as Government moves to decongest all it’s quarantine facilities across the country.
Over 100 others from Harare are still waiting for their results which are expected by end of day tomorrow.
Making the announcement in Harare this morning, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said this exercise will be cascaded to all other quarantine facilities across the country as a matter of urgency
“We want to make sure that we test all incoming returnees from day one as they arrive but firstly we have to clear the quarantine facilities,” said Dr Moyo.
Farai Dziva|Liverpool have confirmed Adam Lallana has signed a short-term contract extension that will keep him at the club for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
The midfielder’s was supposed to leave the club at the end of June but after the season was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, he will stay until the campaign is finished.
Speaking to the club’s media, Lallana said: “I am really pleased to have the chance to finish this season – it means a lot to me and my family.
“Now isn’t the moment to review my time here because the focus needs to be on the remaining nine matches and the club finishing the season in the best manner possible.
“Of course, one of the big personal positives about committing to this short-term extension is that I will now get to say goodbye to the people who mean so much to me in the right way.”
Lallana moved to Liverpool from Southampton in June 2014 and has since made 178 appearances, scoring 22 goals.
The playmaker has collected winners’ medals for the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time with the Reds.
Farai Dziva|Prominent MDC Alliance activist Brian Garikai Nhachi has died.
Nhachi died at Neshuro Hospital on Wednesday.
See statement below: Brain Nhachi is no more.He passed on today(Wednesday) at Neshuro Hospital.
Brain Nhachi attended the MDC first congress in Chitungwiza.
Nhachi was a fearless and selfless person who gave all he had for the party.
In order to open up the political hot bed of violence Nhachi dedicated his house as a base for campaigns, recruitment and building of party structures in Mwenezi.
He never campaigned for a provincial post as he had passion of dislodging Zanu PF in Mwenezi.
In 2013 more than 200 party leaders camped at his house and used it as the base to organize rallies and campaigns in both Mwenezi East and West Constituencies.
Although Brain Nhachi was from Manicaland (Nyanyadzi area) he had taken Mwenezi as his permanent home.
Brain Nhachi’s death has robbed Masvingo of a true democrat. Rest in peace Brain Nhachi.
Manchester City have announced the appointment of Juan Manuel Lillo as Pep Guardiola’s new assistant manager.
Guardiola’s former assistant Mikel Arteta left the club earlier in the season to take a head coach post at Arsenal.
City announced the changes in a statement: “Manchester City are delighted to announce that Juan Manuel Lillo has joined Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff as an assistant coach.
“The 54-year old Spaniard, who established his coaching career in the Spanish leagues, joins from Qingdao Huanghai, having helped the Club be crowned Chinese League One champions and so helping them achieve promotion to the Super League.”
The appointment sees Lillo reuniting with Pep whom he coached towards the latter end of his playing career during their shared time in Mexico at Dorados de Sinaloa-Soccer 24
Veteran journalist and former Daily News editor Stanley Gama has blasted CAPS United vice president Nhamo Tutisani following chaotic scenes which took place at the club’s offices in Eastlea on Tuesday.
The Green Machine players ganged up on Tutisani and blocked his way at the club’s palce of business, accusing him of financial mismanagement after it emerged that Netone, before withdrawing sponsorship, had given the club officials money for three months salaries, only for them to pay for one.
Livid CAPS players, particularly new boy Innocent Mucheneka, boldly accused Tutisani of being insensitive to the plight of the squad with the vice president threatening to fire him, but Gama insists that was not right on Tutisani’s part.
“Who the hell is Tutisani who is destroying CAPS United? Why doesn’t he leave our team & concentrate on the Land Commission which is investigating his land deals.
He can’t play Russian Roulete with our club. I’m told he was given money to pay the players but he hasn’t done so. Why?” wrote Gama on Twitter-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva| UN experts have challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to drop charges against three MDC Alliance youth leaders, Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
The UN has also called for an immediate end to the pattern of disappearances and torture aimed at suppressing dissent.
See UN experts’ statement :
The charges against the three women should be dropped.
Targeting peaceful dissidents, including youth leaders, in direct retaliation for the exercise of their freedom of association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights law.
Enforced disappearances of women often involve sexual violence, and even forced impregnation, with enormous harm inflicted not only on their physical health and integrity but also in terms of the resulting psychological damage, social stigma and disruption of family structures.
Under the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, which includes enforced disappearance and violence against women, Zimbabwe must take all measures in its power to prevent such abuse, to investigate suspected violations, and to bring any perpetrators to justice.
Tinotenda Kadewere has expressed his gratitude to his former club, Le Havre, as he starts a new journey at top-flight club Lyon.
The Warriors international attended his first training at Les Gones on Tuesday after arriving in the city of Lyon on the previous day.
He had spent two seasons at Le Havre where he managed to break a couple of club records and also won the Ligue 2 golden boot.
Posting on his Instagram, the striker said: “My new adventure with Olympique Lyonnais started yesterday. The opportunity for me to once again thank my former club, Le Havre [sic].
“Thank you for welcoming me into your family and making me the player I am today. Thank you to all the people who have helped me – managers, technical and medical staff, administrative staff, teammates and of course, supporters.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
“Your advice and all the moments spent together will help me take this new step in my career. Le Havre will remain my city and Stade Océane my home. I will come back you see whenever I can. I will never forget you [sic].”
Kadewere is expected to be officially presented by Lyon this afternoon-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Nine MDC Alliance officials who were arrested in Masvingo on Tuesday were fined $ RTGS 500 each for “unnecessary movement during lockdown.”
The nine MDC Alliance were arrested at the provincial party offices in Rhodene.
“It’s true, 9 MDC Alliance District chairpersons were arrested on Tuesday. They were accused of violating lockdown restrictions.They were fined RTGS $ 500 each,” said their lawyer, Advocate Martin Mureri.
List of the MDC Alliance officials who were arrested and fined:
1.Mundoga Manners 2.Kudakwashe Matavire 3.Elias Munosiyeyi 4.Tizirai Nhenga 5.Chongore Johannes 6.Dziva Timitia 7.Tangemhare 8.Ngorima Joel 9.Russel Mudoro
A week is a long time in President Emmerson Mnangangwa’s Zimbabwe.
On Friday 5 June, I led a group of opposition MDC-Alliance leaders to our party headquarters in Harare. We were not armed, we were peaceful, and we had no other intention than to reclaim our offices, which had been taken over by security forces in the name of a fake “MDC” faction they control. For this, we were arrested and spent a day in prison before being charged and released on bail.
This is part of a steady and hastening trend towards failure in Zimbabwe. This event should remind the international community and southern African region that the ruling ZANU-PF is not a reformist government. They should not ease up pressure on Harare to adhere to democratic standards.
Since the military coup in November 2017, Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF has taken Zimbabwe to new and unprecedented depths of collapse, capture and coercion. In under two years, Zimbabwe has backslid into a comatose, tin-pot republic dominated by massive economic mismanagement. Unemployment is sky high and the inflation rate is over 700%.
At the centre of Mnangagwa‘s failed economics, are two things. The first is the inability of the government to live within its own means. Billions have been spent outside the budget leading to huge deficits that have forced the Central Bank to print money to cover the gap. The second is the government’s mismanagement of the exchange rate. In 2019, the government prematurely introduced its own currency. Without sound economic fundamentals to back it up, the New Zimbabwean Dollar collapsed resulting in serious market distortions and an explosion in black market activities.
In the shops, basic commodities are in short supply, particularly sugar, cooking fat and the country’s staple mealie-meal. Fuel queues snake for kilometres. There have been incessant power cuts lasting up to 18 hours, particularly before Zimbabwe imposed its COVID- 19 lockdown at the end of March.
As the economy implodes, Mnangawgwa and his lot are presiding over the most corrupt and extractive period since Zimbabwe’s independence 40 years ago. Billions of dollars are siphoned off from the state, in vehicles and companies linked to Mnangangwa, his family and business associates.
Even as the lives of average Zimbabweans turn to dust, the elite continues to milk the system through their control of foreign exchange and money supply, agricultural subsidies (which they call “command agriculture”), fuel procurement, the mining of commodities (such as diamonds, platinum, chrome and gold), and public sector procurement.
A violent regime
Mnangagwa’s human rights record is an even worse disaster and should motivate all democrats to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zimbabwe’s opposition. We already knew of his dark past at the centre of the 1980s Gukurahundi genocide, which saw the murder of more than 20,000 people in the southern and south-western parts of the country. But in the wake of the 2018 general election, the world was reminded of his ruthlessness when eight protestors in Harare were shot dead by the military in broad daylight.
In January 2019, soldiers killed 19 people following protests against massive hikes in fuel prices. During that same period, women were raped, many homes were torched and some 600 people were arrested. Amnesty International observed: “Authorities routinely suppressed the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, using lethal and excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations.”
In August 2019, following the MDC’s threats to hold a protest, 42 activists were abducted. In October, a young vendor, Hilton Tafadzwa Tamangani, was tortured by the police and died in a remand prison.
The abuses come thick and fast, and with a level of dehumanisation and violence that has become ZANU-PF’s hallmark. Just three weeks ago, three female activists – Joanna Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri, and Netsai Marowa – were abducted , tortured and sexually abused by state security agents following their participation in a street protest. Among the methods of torture used was the shoving of gun barrels into the girls’ bodies and forced consumption of each other’s urine and faeces.
The opposition continues to struggle on, in spite of the risks and intimidation. Most recently, ZANU-PF – craving the flow of international funds that recognition of Zimbabwe’s “democracy” could bring – has attempted to use a curious court judgement to hatch a Trojan Horse within the MDC-Alliance, forcing us to hand over the leadership of the party to a rival that contested against us, and lost, in the 2018 general election. As if that was not enough, on 3 June 2020, the military physically seized our party’s head office, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, and physically handed control of the premises to the rival beneficiaries.
My mission last Friday was to gain access to our own building. Here’s what happened.
My arrest
At first, the police were polite and civil. Then our group began singing a popular liberation song. Without warning, we were arrested, bundled into a police truck and ferried to Harare Central Police Station. No restraint was exercised. The police were particularly rough with my colleagues David Chimhini, a 70-year old senator, and Lovemore Chinoputsa, who kept demanding to know why we were being arrested.
At Harare Central Police Station, we saw the grisly intestines of state failure under ZANU-PF‘s 40 years of misrule. We were placed in a tiny room, replete with a broken ceiling and chairs, an old Remington typewriter fit for a museum, and tattered police uniforms hanging from the door. It was like a scene from a bad Western.
We waited hours before Superintendent Majongosi arrived to record our details. We stayed several more hours during which no food was offered despite Senator Chimiinhi explaining that he is diabetic and suffers from hypertension. When our lawyers arrived, they insisted that we be released. The police kept saying the matter was not in their hands and that they were consulting, which we took as a euphemism that they were seeking directives from the president’s office.
Around 8 o’clock, we were transferred. In our new holding room, other prisoners were present, including policeman Shungudzemoyo Kache, who had been charged with sedition for allegedly calling Mnangangwa “a used condom”.
MDC-Alliance activist Womberai Nhende lay on the dilapidated floor with huge gashes on his leg from being assaulted by the police. He was shivering and struggling to breathe but they did not care. No medical attention was offered until our lawyers insisted he be taken to a hospital.
Later that evening, charges were formally laid against us. We were accused of having committed a criminal nuisance by disturbing the peace and singing a song on Nelson Mandela Avenue. Although such a petty crime is usually resolved by paying a fine, the police proceeded to take our fingerprints. Without the necessary basic equipment, they poured ink on a kitchen sponge.
We were squeezed into two little offices by an army of police detectives who behaved as if we had just bombed the twin towers.
The process was long, tortuous and ran into the night. A decision was then taken to detain us until the next morning. We were bundled downstairs where we found ourselves in a room with hundreds of other prisoners. Most had been arrested for not wearing masks and hadn’t been able to pay the fines. Yet to heap irony on the ridiculous, there was no social distancing, temperature checks or sanitisers provided then or at any point that day.
Later, we were taken to the actual cells and forced to surrender our belongings. We were not provided blankets or mats on which to sleep. The toilets were stuffed with torn copies of The Herald, the state-owned newspaper, for which there is no better use. There was no water and we were forced to walk in filth without shoes.
In the morning, my poor mother and brother were allowed in. It pained me to see my mother had been crying all night and had hardly slept.
Around 10am, we were taken to Harare Magistrate Court where hundreds of our supporters were outnumbered by riot police and soldiers. Our lawyers had been waiting, having been told the previous night that our hearings would begin at 8:30am. We waited another hour or so before we were told that there was no senior prosecutor present to handle our case, notwithstanding the minor nature of the charge. Without explanation, we were driven back to Harare Central Prison.
It was farcical and surreal like a poorly scripted Mr Bean film without the comedy.
Back at the prison, a very apologetic policeman told us they’d been instructed to add more serious charges against us. We were presented with new statements which we refused to sign. Well into the afternoon, we were then taken back to court. Through our lawyers we made complaints against the manner of our arrest, the delays, and the unhealthy conditions we were exposed to. The magistrate ordered an inquiry. We were granted bail of a thousand dollars each.
We were so grateful when bail was posted and the six of us left prison with nothing but our freedom. We were dirty, hungry, and had been physically and mentally tortured, but we were relieved. Because despite our terrible experience, we were the lucky ones. Many have died. Many have been tortured. And many are fearful they will become victims of this dysfunctional, anti-democratic state.
My appeal to the world is to acknowledge our experience and that of so many in Zimbabwe, and to recognise that the lives of black Zimbabweans matter.
IF your face mask does not have more than one layer of fabric it may expose you to Covid-19 infection, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on home made masks.
Also, anyone who wears a single mask for more than three hours increases chances of infection. Unlike medical masks which are produced for hospitals, handmade masks yield higher infection rates caused by droplets and airborne micro-organisms. Studies have shown that multi layered masks offer more protection and single layer cloths masks are riskier.
Cloth masks, become magnets for the virus when they get wet, even due to vapour from breathing in and out.
WHO points out that homemade masks become less effective if they are not used in conjunction with other Covid-19 prevention measures like social distancing and hygiene.
Masks, the organisation advises, should be washed using hot water in a basin with laundry detergent and if hot water is not available, cold water with 0.05 percent chlorine should be used.
They should be soaked for 30 minutes and then be rinsed with water and laundry detergent. Low resource countries will have to rely on the handmade cloth masks to contain Covid-19 which has so far infected 292 people in Zimbabwe and killed four.
Globally, more than 7 million have been infected and deaths top 400 000.
Local manufacturers and tailors have ventured into mask making after Government made it mandatory for everyone to wear a mask in public spaces. A majority use just any cloth in single layers.
Police have been arresting people spotted without face masks after the law was enacted, effective May 4.
WHO says cloth masks should not replace respirators and should never be used by healthcare workers in health institutions.
“Homemade cloth masks may offer marginal protection from droplet and airborne infections from asymptomatic persons by reducing the number of respiratory droplets from them to others,” read the statement from WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks can be assembled from many different materials readily available within the community.
Yet, preliminary data shows that masks made up of two or more cloth layers are more effective at keeping particle penetration lower than single-layered masks.”
The guidelines also recommended that in providing routine care to a Covid-19 patient, health care workers should wear surgical masks.
“Make sure to keep the homemade cloth mask dry at all times. Even moisture from exhaling could potentially make the fabric more prone to transmitting infection,” said WHO.
“Homemade cloth masks may be worn up to three hours without an increase in particle penetration and they must be cleaned daily.”
WHO also emphasised the need for physical distancing of at least 1-metre and adopting sound hand hygiene practices in addition to wearing masks.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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