Government has encouraged companies to buy rapid tests kits and arrange with designated testing facilities for their employees to be tested for Covid-19.

Last Friday, President Mnangagwa extended the national lockdown by a further two weeks, but directed some sectors to start operating.

In a statement, Health and Child Care Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said the country remains with 34 positive Covid-19 cases including five recoveries and four deaths.

She said Covid-19 testing for workers is mandatory.

“As announced by His Excellency, the President Cde E.D Mnangagwa the reopening of the industry and commerce during the lockdown extension effective 4 May 2020, is premised on the mandatory testing of employers and employees. The Ministry has put in place the following plan to ensure immediate implementation of this policy; Designated public health facilities that conduct routine screening and medical examination for workers will now also conduct Covid-19 rapid testing,” she said.

“To expedite the testing process, companies are encouraged to procure the rapid tests kits for themselves, guided by the Ministry in terms of test kits specification, employers must arrange with the designated testing facilities (public and private) for their employees to be tested at the agreed time at the facility or at the workplace.”

Dr Mahomva said companies should ensure that they have adequate social distancing space and facilities for infection prevention and control.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- A Chiweshe minor drowned at Mugwanira village in Chiweshe on Wednesday while fetching water in a deep well.

Mildred Vhaina’s body was discovered by her 12-year elder sister who alerted their father Vhaina Vhaina and then the body was retrieved.

Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the case.

“I can confirm a case of sudden death in Chiweshe the body and no foul play was suspected,” Mundembe said.

Police warned people to have protected wells to avoid people from from dropping in them or any items which might make it unsafe for drinking.

By A Correspondent- Two Bindura thieves who hatched a plan to steal maize cobs from a commercial farmer were convicted on Friday by Bindura magistrate Moreblessing Makati.

The duo  Dadirai Zindonde  (23) and Gladis Siburinyu(22) were slapped with $500 fine each failure to pay will earn them a month in prison.

Prosecutor Vincent Marunya told the court that the thieves stormed in Tatenda Kuhlengisa’s field and stole 272 maize cobs valued at $7000RTGS which they packed in two sacks.

The convicts were intercepted by a security guard Simbarashe Deve who informed his employer of the case.

The two were taken to a police station  before being taken to court.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A 22 year old Dete man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl who turned down his love proposal.

The man allegedly pestered the girl asking her to marry him and after his advances were denied several times, he raped her on Sunday last week. He was not asked to plead to rape when he appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje who remanded him in custody to Thursday.

Prosecuting, Mr John Chisango Mutyakaviri said the man assaulted the girl before raping her once in a bush.

“On 26 April, the accused proceeded to a homestead where the complainant was staying and asked her to accompany him to his home as she was meant to be his wife. The girl refused and the accused pestered her insisting she was his wife. The girl was staying with some neighbours in the same village.

“A woman (name withheld to protect the girl’s identity) who was present at the homestead suggested that they proceed to the complainant’s mother who would help them resolve the matter,” he said.

The accused, the girl and the woman set off to the girl’s parents’ homestead and along the way, the man suddenly pounced on the girl and pushed her down while grabbing a t-shirt she was wearing. The court was told that the girl managed to free herself and escaped half-naked leaving the man holding the t-shirt.

He allegedly chased after the girl and caught up with her.

“He assaulted the complainant with open hands and also used some sandals that he was wearing to assault her all over the body,” said Mr Mutyakaviri.

The woman who was accompanying the two tried to intervene but was overpowered by the man. She left the man and the girl as she went to seek help. The man took the opportunity to rape the girl once.Source -statemedia

Farai Dziva|Details of how Zanu PF wanted to wipe out the Pfebve family for supporting the opposition have been revealed.

More than 600 people invaded the Pfebve homestead and attacked hapless family members…

Watch video below:

By A Correspondent- Soccer legend Esrom Nyandoro donated 105 tonnes of Mealie Meal in Bulawayo yesterday to the elderly and the vulnerable members of society.

Said a source privy to developments:

“Well Done our Soccer Legend for your kind gesture!! May God Bless you!”

We publish below the pictures……

By Jane Mlambo| Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has renewed his fight against fellow Chivi South parliamentarian Killer Zivhu over his new house which he has been flaunting on social media lately.

Mliswa who since his election as Norton legislator has fought to represent residents of Galloway suburb who bought stands from Zivhu’s company said the new house was something those aggrieved residents could attach should they win their battle against the former Chivi councillor.

Zivhu’s organisation Zimbabwe Amalgamated Housing Association (ZAHA) is developing housing stands in the Galloway part of Norton.

But it appeared Galloway residents had issued with Zivhu whom they accused of making them pay huge sums of money in subscriptions before Mliswa fought on their side.

They accused Zivhu of making them pay subscriptions while they did not have land ownership documents.

Now after Zivhu posted pictures of his new mansion, Mliswa responded saying the people of Galloway who have been fighting Zivhu will have something to attach when justice is finally served in their case.

“Thank you @killerzivhu1 the people of Galloway have an asset to attach. Allegedly built with their money it’s an asset to be repossessed as their justice is served…. Mwari vanoshamisa zveshuwa & is a Lord for all,” said Mliswa.

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has been accused planning to push Chiredzi villagers out of their ancestral land to create space for his sympathisers.

In a statement, the councillor for ward 18, Chiredzi West Constituency, Gilbert Mutubuki accused Mnangagwa of “pushing for the eviction of local villagers” to create space for Dendairy, a company reportedly owned by his friends.

Said Mutubuki:

“The plan to evict people from their ancestral area and grow grass for cattles will not work.

The plan by government to remove people in Chambuta,Chipinda,Velemu,Chibwedziva and Masivamele in Chikombedzi will face povo resistance.

We are not going to fold our hands and watch people being evicted from their land.

Dendairy owners are close to Mnangagwa and he is rewarding his friends with our land.”

Dear Editor

I would like to name and shame Cimas for such unprofessional conduct.

After sending them proof of payment for my May subscriptions, I get a reply that my subscriptions have doubled as at the 1st of May. There was no email from Cimas advising the Increase just telling me I need to pay Z$4489 from Z$2835.

Cimas Medical Aid you have no shame. You think we all growing money in our backyards. No notice to your clients. You do what you want.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s telecommunications company Econet is set to review its tarriffs for data and messages tomorrow 5 May 2020.

It was however still vague whether the mobile operator is set to review upwards or downwards its tarriffs.

Below is the Econet notice:

Dear Customer. Please take note, bundle prices for Data & SMS will be reviewed effective 5 May 2020. Dial *143# to buy Data or *140# to buy SMS Bundles.

By Jane Mlambo| Following the extension of the national lockdown by a further 14 days, the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) has also moved the dates for courts operation to the 11th of May.

In its practice direction number two, the JSC set remand dates from the 4th of May going forward but with the latest government decision the dates have been pushed further next week Monday (11th of May.)

“All courts shall become operational with effect from 11 May 2020.

“Accused persons automatically remanded to dates between 4 May 2020 and 8 May 2020 under practice direction 2 of 2020, will be remanded by the courts to dates after 11 May 2020,” said Chief Justice Luke Malaba.

He further noted that members of the public without business at court will not be allowed inside during the the current period.

Malaba also said litigants who are required to attend Court in a Province or District other than where they are normally resident will have to obtain the necessary letters of clearance at the nearest police station.

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

• USD to ZWL$: 25.0000
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.7580

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates: 

• OMIR $59.24
• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com  $50.5
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $49
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $45
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $36.80

More: marketwatch.co.zw

THE Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has poked holes into government’s recent directive deferring payment of rentals and stopping tenant evictions during the lockdown period, saying the move was illegal and likely to be challenged in court.

LSZ in a statement yesterday said while the decision gave a reprieve to the tenants, it condemned landlords and property owners to penury as they were expected to carry their tenants’ burdens until the end of the lockdown on May 17.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week proclaimed Statutory Instrument (SI) 96 of 2020, Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Deferral of Rent and Mortgage Payments During National Lockdown) Regulations, 2020, giving tenants breathing space to pay their rentals for April and May in instalments after the lockdown.

“It is the LSZ’s considered view that the above basis as stated in the preamble to the regulations does not meet the criteria set out in section 2 of the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act,” LSZ said.

“The situation as given above does not address the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, the economic interest of Zimbabwe or the general public interest. The situation describes an economic difficulty in respect of a section of the population and only in respect of a section of the national economy. In this regard, therefore, the LSZ believes the regulations are ultra vires the enabling Act.”

“It is the LSZ’s belief that SI 96 of 2020 would therefore be irrational when measured against the principal law from which it draws its authority.”

The lawyers’ association said government should have proffered other solutions such as ordering public entities such as power utility Zesa, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and local authorities to suspend or defer service charges to cushion the public against the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Instead of holistically solving the burden brought about by the lockdown, the SI seeks to take the burden from one citizen and thrust it upon another who may also be suffering the consequences of the lockdown. It is the expectation of the LSZ, its membership and the populace that government will cause public service providers like Zinwa, local authorities and Zesa to suspend or defer charging for their services which are basic needs if the inspiration behind SI 96 of 2020 was to cushion the public against the negative effects of the COVID19 pandemic,” the statement read in part.

“The LSZ believes government could have approached this issue in a more holistic manner if indeed the rationale was to reduce the burden of COVID-19 effects on the populace. It is important that during these difficult times and at all times, every State action must be lawful, transparent, compassionate and conform to domestic and international human rights standards.”

Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba last week said government’s intervention lacked depth and revealed widespread contempt for genuine consultation of the citizens and other stakeholders.
Shumba argued that some landlords survived on rentals from their properties, thus deferring payments would condemn them to starvation.

The Insurance and Pensions Commissions (IPEC) also said that the failure by tenants to pay rentals on account of business closure was going to result in a serious reduction in investment income.

IPEC commissioner Grace Muradzikwa, however, told NewsDay recently that they had called on industry to assess the impact and arrange engagements with the government.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Alliance for the People’s Agenda led by Dr Nkosana Moyo has expressed concerns over the increase in the local transmission of Covid 19 in the country.

Said Moyo:

“Now more than ever, the act of greatest love for family and friends is to keep a safe distance from them. Shows of affection by hugging, hand shaking and close quarters interactions are the last thing you want to do.

At the outset of the pandemic history of international travel was a cardinal screening tool for high risk for COVID-19. That time is long gone. The silent killer is now prowling our streets quietly within our loved ones.”

The party said but we can kill it dead in whoever it is in now by making sure it doesn’t get to the next person.

“That’s how social distancing can easily wipe this scourge of the century. By staying a safe distance from uninfected people, an infectious person allows enough time for their body to overcome/destroy the virus as their immune system enforces a lockdown on the virus in their body. That’s how they stop being infectious. If we love each other enough to stay away from each other to stop spreading the virus, all human to human transmission of the virus will cease. The pandemic will end,” said the party.

“We can then go back to our embraces again, but still maintaining our heightened levels of personal hygiene and hand washing. The unsaid truth in this whole pandemic is we get infected by ‘eating’ an infected infectious person’s fluids from their nose and or their mouth. Let us always guard against that.”

So as we observe the lockdown to stop the spread of the coronovirus let us use soap and water. At a personal level hand washing is the final frontier in this war to the death. Kill the virus before it kills you.

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

• USD to ZWL$: 25.0000
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.7580

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates: 

• OMIR $59.24
• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com  $50.5
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $49
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $45
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $36.80

More: marketwatch.co.zw

OPPOSITION leader Nelson Chamisa has accused the Zanu-PF government of deceiving local industries by dangling an $18 billion bailout package at a time State coffers were dry.

Chamisa yesterday said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, which has so far failed to disburse the $200 million bailout packages to starving families and US$200 million for health-care workers fighting COVID-19, was too broke to bail out collapsing companies.

“They just pull figures out of thin air, they allocated about $200 million for relief to vulnerable families where each family was supposed to get $200 and they are yet to disburse it. Where will the $18 billion come from? I was listening to the Minister of (Public Service, Labour and) Social Welfare saying we have not paid out the money and also remember this is RTGS money and it will be losing value,” Chamisa said.

Government has already sent an SOS to multilateral institutions begging for aid, saying if it does not come, the country could collapse.

In announcing the stimulus package on Friday, Mnangagwa admitted that the bailout to industry would be a challenge without aid from multilateral financiers.

Economist Godfrey Kanyenze said while government could not sit on the sidelines, the $18 billion stimulus package was a drop in the ocean.

“There will be need for emergency relief to support businesses to support the informal economy, to ensure that employee livelihoods are safeguarded. So, it’s a very tricky situation even if you were in government, as you know government collects taxes that’s why they have insisted that we move from level five to level two (of the lockdown).

“You are talking about it as if it’s a lot of money. If you translate it into US dollars, it’s probably US$430 million. Just divide by 25, so you can’t say that it’s a lot of money even to deal with the challenges that are upon us. We did some matrix where just if you look at the employees that may need support, the businesses that may be in distress, the amounts they require will actually go beyond that $400 and something million,” Kanyenze said.

-Newsday

By Own Correspondent| Through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has committed US$3 million from the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 National Preparedness and Response Plan.

This new donation brings to over US$6 million the total amount that the United States has committed to the fight against COVID-19 in Zimbabwe, while continuing to respond to the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.

CDC will award the new funding in early May 2020 through existing CDC Zimbabwe implementing partners: ICAP at Columbia University, the Biomedical Research & Training Institute (BRTI), and the International Training & Education Center for Health (ITECH).  Programs will increase laboratory diagnostic capacity; enhance central and district-level surveillance; strengthen infection, prevention, and control in healthcare facilities; and support vaccine preparedness.

CDC will also use approximately US$75,000, part of the US$150,000 previously announced President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funds, to support COVID-19 prevention measures for people living with HIV.

CDC also supports Zimbabwe through technical assistance.  CDC Zimbabwe has several public health experts serving and supporting as co-chairs and technical experts in government entities established by Zimbabwe’s national plan, including: surveillance and epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory, case management, and risk communication and community engagement.  CDC technical assistance, together with other partner support, has assisted the Government of Zimbabwe to develop COVID-19 case definitions, protocols for surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine, infection prevention and control, treatment, and diagnostic testing.

CDC’s support aims to enhance COVID-19 response capabilities while building longer-term, sustainable capacity to respond to highly communicable diseases in the future. Through ICAP, CDC provides vehicles and supplies from Zimbabwe Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) activities to fight COVID-19.

“The goal of the CDC and U.S. global health response to COVID-19 is to limit human-to-human transmission and minimize the global impact of COVID-19 through partnership with countries, multilateral and non-governmental partners to mitigate vulnerabilities and gaps in preparedness.  This U.S. funding and technical support builds on our long-standing partnership and investments to contribute to a healthier Zimbabwe,” said Dr. Kelsey Mirkovic, CDC Acting Country Director.

The United States has been a long-standing development partner for the people of Zimbabwe. We invested over US$370 million in health, humanitarian and development assistance in 2019. We are working tirelessly to ensure that we maintain critical health and humanitarian assistance activities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States Government is monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic globally and remains committed to directing and allocating resources based on changing epidemiology and response requirements.

Mosi-oa-Tunya Quarantine Centre in Victoria Falls has released the first group of 15 returnees after they completed the mandatory 21 days in isolation and tested negative for Covid-19.

The centre, located at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School, started receiving returning citizens on the second week of April.

It had reached its capacity of 100 people after receiving 16 more returnees between Friday and Saturday.

There were 84 returnees from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Cameroon and South Africa by Friday.

The Social Welfare department which is in charge of the returnees’ welfare was yesterday mobilising transport for the discharged returnees.

Two are Victoria Falls locals, while six are from Hwange, with Binga, Lupane, Bulawayo, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Harare and Rusape having one each.

Matabeleland North Provincial Social Welfare Officer Mr Macnon Chirinzepi said a Zupco bus will be availed to carry those going to Binga, Lupane, Bulawayo, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Harare and Rusape while some cooperating partners transported those going to Hwange.

“The quarantine centre received more returnees and the total was now 100 on Saturday including 90 adults and 10 children. The first batch of results of Covid-19 tests for 15 people were received on Saturday. In light of this, the 15 returnees who got their results have started being released from the centre,” said Mr Chirinzepi.

The two locals were discharged on Saturday while the other 13 were discharged yesterday.

Mr Chirinzepi yesterday said test results for 20 more were expected last night after which transport logistics will be finalized for them to be carried by a Zupco bus as a bigger group.

-State Media

AN employee of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) in Bulawayo, who was in self-isolation pending her Covid-19 test results and allegedly violated regulations by travelling to Gweru with four other people in her car, has tested negative.

The other four people she travelled with have also been traced, tested and put under quarantine.

In an interview yesterday, the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Larry Mavima confirmed the development.

Minister Mavima, who is also the Covid-19 Midlands Provincial Taskforce chairperson, said the Zimra officer’s Covid-19 results came back negative.

“The results of the Zimra Bulawayo officer came out negative. The woman is said to have travelled to Gweru before her Covid-19 results came out. The four passengers she travelled with to Gweru have been contacted and had Covid-19 tests done. They are waiting for results and they have all been put in quarantine just to be sure,” he said.

The female employee is said to have travelled to Gweru after her workmate, a 27-year-old male, tested positive for Covid-19 in Bulawayo on April 29 prompting Zimra to close its Bulawayo offices and send 52 of its workers who might have been exposed to the virus for testing and mandatory self-isolation.

The female officer, who is one of the 52 workers from the Bulawayo office, allegedly disregarded self-isolation regulations and travelled to Gweru where her family is based.

It is understood that the woman who resides in Senga high-density suburb in Gweru but works in Bulawayo was told by officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Care to go under self-isolation and avoid interacting with other people but failed to comply and travelled to Gweru with four other passengers.

Her trip to Gweru was discovered after the Bulawayo Provincial Covid-19 Response Team visited her place of residence for routine check-ups. The team was then advised that she had left for Gweru, prompting it to advise the Midlands Provincial Covid-19 Rapid Response Team to look for her at the Senga family home.

Zimra Commissioner-General Faith Mazani had earlier issued a statement confirming that 52 people from the revenue authority’s Bulawayo offices have been subjected to testing and self-isolation after one of the workers tested positive.

“We were notified by the Health and Child Care Ministry that a frontline staff member of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority tested positive for coronavirus on 29 April. As Zimra, we wish to inform our valued clients and members of the public that our Bulawayo port offices have been immediately closed pending comprehensive disinfection as well as receipt of results of 52 officers who may have been exposed to the virus. All the tested individuals have since been put under mandatory self-isolation for at least 14 days,” she said.

-State Media

Paul Nyathi|THE family of late former Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo has dismissed efforts by any organisation calling itself the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) of trying to bring together President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition MDC Nelson Chamisa through the name of the late revolutionary icon.

This comes after JNNF last week announced it was organising a lunch of Inhloko and Isitshwala for the two rival leaders to sit down and talk.

Said the late Nkomo’s elder son, Sibangilizwe in a hard hitting statement, “On behalf of the Joshua Nkomo family and the Nyongolo clan that I represent as head of the family, we have been following some disturbing events and developments where we have witnessed the abuse and political exploitation of our father and icon, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo’s name by some unscrupulous and dubious characters and individuals in the name of the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation to be specific.

“A gentleman by the name Mmillili Evans Tapela and his colleagues who allegedly claim that they have the blessings and approval of one of our family members and sister, Mrs Thandiwe-Ebrahim Nkomo in carrying on with their shenanigans that are not only meant to bring the good name of our late father into dispute, but selfish gains and sinister motives.”

Sibangilizwe described the foundation’s Mnangagwa and Chamisa planned meeting as mischievous.

“We just learnt with shock that the same guys at the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) are up to their political mischief again and this time they have notched their game higher.

“There are on–going advertisements and media reports of a proposed Political Gathering (Inhloko) whose aim is said to be bringing together, His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to be hosted by the same (JNNF).

“We believe that this is not only misleading but irresponsible on their part and is again meant to soil the Joshua Nkomo name and legacy.

“Therefore, we would like to make it categorically clear as a family and the Nyongolo clan that we are very disappointed and disgusted by these development and would like to disassociate ourselves from activities and programmes of Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) because of these unpleasant developments,” said Sibangilizwe.

The family also accused the foundation of hijacking a memorial lecture of the late struggle icon.

“The same people in the JNNF deliberately hijacked an on-going programme to use it as a platform to settle their political scores with government.

“This is contrary to the vision and objectives of establishing the annual Joshua Nkomo Lecture Academic Memorial Lecture Series which we have successfully run on four previous occasions,” said the family.

The Law Society of Zimbawe dismissed as irrational, an order by President Emmerson Mnangagwa barring landlords from compelling tenants to pay their rentals this month due to the continuing Coronavirus Lockdown on grounds of loss of income.

The Law Society of Zimbabwe said the decree suppressed the rights of a section of society in attempts to protect those of the another.

Below is the full statement by the lawyers:

State Media|As Zimbabwe swings into a more flexible level of Covid-19 lockdown, the police will be checking that the expected larger numbers on the streets and in buses are wearing masks, but want people to refuse to pay officers demanding cash payments to allow them to travel, even when they are going to permitted work.

During the first two phases of the lockdown, the levels four and three, police arrested 19 317 lockdown regulations offenders between March 30 and May 2.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told The Herald yesterday that the security for citizens was the major goal, adding that no one should pay officers to be allowed passage into town.

“Basically, as police we are there to ensure the safety and security for all,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“People should stick to the regulations and wear face masks in public transport and on the streets. Police will be checking on compliance at check points.”

More people are expected on the streets after President Mnangagwa last week said it was critical to balance between saving lives and keeping the economy ticking by opening up more sectors of the economy, but under strict guidelines as expected by the World Health Organisation to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Asst Comm Nyathi encouraged people to avoid paying law enforcement agents to be allowed entry into central business districts, and general travel, as long as they were part of groups of people expected at work.

Individuals who do not fall under the categories going back to work have also been advised to desist from offering bribes to police, saying they will be liable to an offence.

Police also plan to clamp down on haulage trucks, which have become the means of transport for many people travelling from city to city, since there are no buses.

Police checkpoints across the country have been activated to ensure all violating haulage truck drivers are fined, and where possible, the vehicles are impounded, said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Kombis operating at night and in

some remote areas, in violation of the lockdown regulations, have also been put on notice.

Asst Comm Nyathi said it was unfortunate that some people going to collect medicine have previously been blocked from travelling.

He said going forward, such people should always carry their documentation so that they are not inconvenienced.

Farai Dziva|A Non Governmental Organisation, ICOD Zimbabwe has written a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, expressing concerns about “gross abuse of human rights by the police force.”

ZRP Cops have been accused of assaulting civilians during the lockdown.

See part of the petition written by ICOD Zim:

ACKNOWLEDGING that the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013 (Constitution) mandates Parliament of Zimbabwe to make laws, carry out executive oversight and discharge a representative role, as well as protect the Constitution and democratic governance in Zimbabwe;

COGNISANT that in the exercise of its legislative function and authority Parliament can in fact initiate, prepare, consider or reject any legislation;
RECOGNISING that the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level are accountable to Parliament;
AWARE that Section 210 (Independent complaints mechanism) of the Constitution peremptorily requires:

An Act of Parliament must provide an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct;
MINDFUL of the following peremptory provisions of the Constitution
[t]he national security of Zimbabwe must be secured in compliance with this Constitution and the law.

Section 206(2) (National Security)
[i]n particular, the protection of national security must be pursued with the utmost respect for (a) the fundamental rights and freedoms and the democratic values and principles enshrined in this Constitution; and (b) the rule of law. Section 206(3) (National Security);
[t]he security services are subject to the authority of this Constitution, the President and Cabinet and are subject to parliamentary oversight. Section 207(2) (Security Services);
[m]embers of the security services must act in accordance with this Constitution and the law.

Section 208(1) (Conduct of members of security services); and
[n]either the security services nor any of their members may, in the exercise of their functions violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person.

Section 208(2)(d) (Conduct of members of security services)
CONCERNED that close to seven years since the adoption of the Constitution in 2013, no tangible action has been taken towards realising the constitutional imperative of an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct;
DISTURBED by reports of assault, corruption and other misconduct by members of the security services during the national lockdown that was announced by H.E. the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and provided for in Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 – Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020 from 30th of March, 2020, to the 19th of April, 2020;

AWARE that although the High Court of Zimbabwe, on April 16, 2020, granted an interim order – in a case that challenged torture, inhumane and degrading conduct, disregard of human dignity and violation of the Constitution by members of the Police Service and the Zimbabwe National Army – requiring members the security services to respect human rights, dignity and fundamental freedoms when enforcing the National Lockdown regulations, such an order does not provide for the investigation of complaints against misconduct and the remedying harm caused by such misconduct.

WORRIED that the absence of an effective and independent mechanism envisaged under Section 210 deprives members of the public a constitutionally prescribed avenue for redress;
MINDFUL that asking members of the public to report complaints about misconduct on the part of members of the security services and expect remedies any harm caused by such misconduct to internal mechanism provided by the security services is woefully inadequate to satisfy the dictates of Section 210 which requires an effective and independent mechanism.

NOW THEREFORE your petitioner beseeches the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its constitutional role and address the following issues of public concern:

Ensure the promulgation of an Act of Parliament envisaged by Section 210 of the Constitution to provide an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct;
Ensure the protection of the public through Parliament’s oversight functions vis-à-vis the aforesaid mechanism;
Subject the relevant mechanism to such oversight as may be provided in the relevant Act of Parliament; and
Inquire, using its constitutionally provided oversight function, into reports of assault and other misconduct by members of the security services during the national lockdown.

PETITIONER’S PLEA AND PRAYER:

The petitioners beseech the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its constitutional mandate to give effect to Section 210 of the Constitution and inquire into reports of assault and other misconduct by members of the security services during the national lockdown.

WHEREFORE, we pray that your Honourable House will be pleased to take this case into favourable consideration, and grant any other such relief as it may deem fit,

AND your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

SCHOOLS that have unilaterally hiked fees and those charging foreign currency without approval risk deregistration, Government has warned.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema yesterday said schools should strictly adhere to current regulations.

The second term was supposed to begin this week but President Emmerson Mnangagwa indicated that conditions are not yet conducive for a safe learning environment, especially in the wake of growing coronavirus cases.

Despite being closed, most private schools are demanding upwardly reviewed fees, which have raised the ire of parents and guardians, who view them as exorbitant.

Minister Mathema said schools that intend to hike their fees should seek approval first, while those demanding foreign currency should stop the practice forthwith.

“I must warn them that I will not hesitate to deregister those out of line. We need as many schools open as possible, but regulations must be adhered to,” he said.

“Some schools even have the guts to charge in US dollars, openly, in broad daylight — we are saying that is not good. It must stop!”

Amb Mathema said the Education Act provides for the approval of any changes in school fees for both private and public institutions.

“I have seen some invoices but as Government, we don’t think this is the right time for people to be asking about money when everyone else is worried about human life.

“Having said that, I would like to emphasise that all fees increases have to be approved by the Permanent Secretary (Mrs Thabela Tumisang) and there are no such applications at the ministry yet.”-State media

By A Correspondent- Up to date, 380 people who were contacts of COVID-19 cases in Bulawayo have been successfully traced, and necessary testings and follow-ups have been conducted.

This was revealed by Bulawayo mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni who spoke to the publication and said:

A total of 380 contacts of all the positive cases have since been identified, classified and followed up. As it stands at least 11 cases are due to active local transmission. Efforts to prudently implement effective outbreak containment measures are ongoing.

The city has also conducted testing of at least 101 residents of the gated community and all the RT-PCR and RDT tested negative for the pandemic. In Event Based Surveillance the seven Rapid Response Teams activated on 27 February 2020 have been following up rumours of possible suspected cases of Covid-19 since then

Bulawayo has recorded 12 COVID-19 cases including one death so far. However, 2 people have so far violated self-isolation in the City, a Matar Dei Nurse aide who attended to the city’s fatality and a ZIMRA employee who was placed on self-isolation after hee colleague tested positive for the virus.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- The government is considering chartering a plane to repatriate Zimbabweans in China who have indicated they want to come back home.

This was revealed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister David Musabayana who said this to the state media:

Then we have about 200 people in China who have expressed their interest to come back home and the Government is working out the best way possible to evacuate them

We are thinking of chartering a plane to bring them home. That issue is now before the taskforce together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and International Trade) to work out modalities on how those people can be evacuated

This comes amid reports that close to 4000 Zimbabweans in other countries have indicated that they want to come back home as they face lockdown induced hardships in other countries.

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By A Correspondent- MDC legislator for Bulawayo East Ilos Nyoni has said the problem of limited subsidised mealie meal  is hampering the coronavirus fight as people ignore social distancing while queuing for the scarce commodity.

Nyoni said:

“Despite the covid19 pandemic people ignore the recommended social distancing in search of the staple food. The major question is what is the way forward? Suggestions have been made that to limit these crowds that are not in compliance with social distancing mealie meal should be delivered at door steps  of each resident. It is doubtful if this is possible,” he said.

“We are all aware that food shortages and water challenges are a result of the current  drought. The remedy in the short term is for the relevant authorities to avail adequate funding to import enough maize, then flood the shops with subsidised mealie meal as this is a clear case of supply and demand.”

By A Correspondent- Health experts have warned government against complacence in the enforcement of the new stay-at-home order, especially regarding the informal sector amid fears any slip-up could boomerang with disastrous consequences.

This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Friday an extension of the country’s Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown, albeit with relaxed conditions, that will see more businesses reopening to balance the people’s health needs and national economic interests.

While the Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) hailed the decision by government saying it was informed by the need to alleviate hunger among the poor in the informal sector and that they were happy with the restoration of the quarantine days from eight back to 21 days, they were still concerned about its capacity to control the informal sector.

In announcing the lockdown extension Mnangagwa made it mandatory for citizens to always wear face masks outside their homes to curtail the spread of the virus.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Vice President Kembo Mohadi who is also the chairperson of the Ad-Hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce committee met the Bulilima and Mangwe district Taskforce teams to check the state of preparedness in the district in terms of mitigating the spread of Covid-19.

He toured Plumtree High School which has been turned a quarantine Centre for returnees from Botswana and Plumtree Hospital which has been earmarked as an isolation Centre.

VP Mohadi urged the nation to unite during this pandemic and work in ensuring the virus is contained.

Dingumuzi Phitu said as Bulilima West legislator, he represented the community l serve and we continue to mobilise resources such as PPEs, sanitisers and masks which are to be distributed to the rural clinics and a rural hospital in the constituency.

“Last week as l was delivering infrared thermometers l observed that the rural clinics and one rural hospital on the constituency have put in measures to ensure there are ready to attend to suspected Covid-19 cases,” he said.

“In the coming week we expect to have sourced enough sanitisers to be donated to the health sector, business centres among other places in the constituency.”-online

In a leaked letter, Mthuli Ncube acknowledged there are necessary reforms President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government must undertake, including contentious political reforms.

Zimbabwe’s finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, has issued an impassioned plea to international finance institutions, laying bare the country’s battered economy and saying it faces “catastrophe” if it does not access critical bailout funding to fight the combined impact of crippling drought and the coronavirus pandemic.

In a leaked letter, the authenticity of which has been confirmed by a senior government official, Ncube wrote to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international institutions, saying the country faced record poverty levels.

Ncube said without a transformative arrears clearance and re-engagement plan, Zimbabwe could “suffer a health and economic catastrophe” and the economy could contract by as much as 20%.

“This is a massive contraction with very serious social consequences,” that could “raise poverty to levels not seen in recent times,” reads part of the letter.

Zimbabwe, which cleared its debts with the IMF, still owes other international lenders more than US$9 billion, and has, since 2009, struggled to restructure these debts.

No support forthcoming

The debt arrears have contributed to Zimbabwe being unable to access any global funding to combat the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At this year’s spring meetings, IMF Director: African Department, Abebe Aemro Selassie, told a press conference that Zimbabwe was not eligible for international support.

“Unfortunately, Zimbabwe continues to have arrears to the World Bank and AfDB which is a constraint on our ability to lend to the country,” Selassie said.

Not enough money locally

In his letter, however, Ncube said domestic resources to mitigate the impact of the pandemic were insufficient.

This is at a time the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to have a devastating health, humanitarian and economic impact on Zimbabwe, he added.

Ncube said there was simply no fiscal space to intervene, meaning there could be a drastic increase in already-unmanageable inflation rates, and the exchange rate could be destabilised.

Promise of reforms

In an unexpected move, he acknowledged that there are necessary reforms President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government must undertake, including contentious political reforms.

In return, Ncube is hoping for a debt rescheduling of 15 years, or cancellation of all official bilateral arrears.

The eventual normalisation of financial relationships will make Zimbabwe eligible for various support facilities available to fragile countries.

Farai Dziva|A Non Governmental Organisation, ICOD Zimbabwe has written a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, expressing concerns about “gross abuse of human rights by the police force.”

ZRP Cops have been accused of assaulting civilians during the lockdown.

See part of the petition written by ICOD Zim:

ACKNOWLEDGING that the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013 (Constitution) mandates Parliament of Zimbabwe to make laws, carry out executive oversight and discharge a representative role, as well as protect the Constitution and democratic governance in Zimbabwe;

COGNISANT that in the exercise of its legislative function and authority Parliament can in fact initiate, prepare, consider or reject any legislation;
RECOGNISING that the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level are accountable to Parliament;
AWARE that Section 210 (Independent complaints mechanism) of the Constitution peremptorily requires:

An Act of Parliament must provide an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct;
MINDFUL of the following peremptory provisions of the Constitution
[t]he national security of Zimbabwe must be secured in compliance with this Constitution and the law.

Section 206(2) (National Security)
[i]n particular, the protection of national security must be pursued with the utmost respect for (a) the fundamental rights and freedoms and the democratic values and principles enshrined in this Constitution; and (b) the rule of law. Section 206(3) (National Security);
[t]he security services are subject to the authority of this Constitution, the President and Cabinet and are subject to parliamentary oversight. Section 207(2) (Security Services);
[m]embers of the security services must act in accordance with this Constitution and the law.

Section 208(1) (Conduct of members of security services); and
[n]either the security services nor any of their members may, in the exercise of their functions violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person.

Section 208(2)(d) (Conduct of members of security services)
CONCERNED that close to seven years since the adoption of the Constitution in 2013, no tangible action has been taken towards realising the constitutional imperative of an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct;
DISTURBED by reports of assault, corruption and other misconduct by members of the security services during the national lockdown that was announced by H.E. the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and provided for in Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 – Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020 from 30th of March, 2020, to the 19th of April, 2020;

AWARE that although the High Court of Zimbabwe, on April 16, 2020, granted an interim order – in a case that challenged torture, inhumane and degrading conduct, disregard of human dignity and violation of the Constitution by members of the Police Service and the Zimbabwe National Army – requiring members the security services to respect human rights, dignity and fundamental freedoms when enforcing the National Lockdown regulations, such an order does not provide for the investigation of complaints against misconduct and the remedying harm caused by such misconduct.

WORRIED that the absence of an effective and independent mechanism envisaged under Section 210 deprives members of the public a constitutionally prescribed avenue for redress;
MINDFUL that asking members of the public to report complaints about misconduct on the part of members of the security services and expect remedies any harm caused by such misconduct to internal mechanism provided by the security services is woefully inadequate to satisfy the dictates of Section 210 which requires an effective and independent mechanism.

NOW THEREFORE your petitioner beseeches the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its constitutional role and address the following issues of public concern:

Ensure the promulgation of an Act of Parliament envisaged by Section 210 of the Constitution to provide an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct;
Ensure the protection of the public through Parliament’s oversight functions vis-à-vis the aforesaid mechanism;
Subject the relevant mechanism to such oversight as may be provided in the relevant Act of Parliament; and
Inquire, using its constitutionally provided oversight function, into reports of assault and other misconduct by members of the security services during the national lockdown.

PETITIONER’S PLEA AND PRAYER:

The petitioners beseech the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercise its constitutional mandate to give effect to Section 210 of the Constitution and inquire into reports of assault and other misconduct by members of the security services during the national lockdown.

WHEREFORE, we pray that your Honourable House will be pleased to take this case into favourable consideration, and grant any other such relief as it may deem fit,

AND your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

By A Correspondent- African remittance company, Mukuru, has pledged to support the relatives of a Zimbabwean National Health Service (NHS) mental health worker who died from Covid-19 – leaving her 12-year-old daughter orphaned in the United Kingdom with no family.

According to the Daily Mail, Rutendo Mukotsanjera, a 45-year-old single mother, who lived in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, passed away from coronavirus on April 10 after a two week battle with the infection.

Rutendo left her 12-year-old daughter Chiedza, known as Chichi, alone in Britain where she is now being cared for by members of the Renew Church in Uttoxeter, where her mother worshipped.

The Daily Mail further revealed that Rutendo used to work weekends and evenings to regularly send money back home to Zimbabwe through Mukuru, to help her loved ones including her 22-year-old son Shungu Shaun and her mother.

According to her sister Rumbidzai, Rutendo was helping her son by renting him a place in the country’s capital Harare and paying his school fees so he could complete his Secondary education.

Mukuru has now pledged to continue supporting her son and mother by matching her monthly sends from the past year for the next 12 months – roughly £2,300.

The company’s CEO Andy Jury said:

Miss Mukotsanjera was the very embodiment of a Mukuru customer – hardworking, selfless, and the backbone of the family she supported. We were so saddened to hear of Miss Mukotsanjera’s passing.

We would like to continue to support her son in Zimbabwe over the next 12 months, to ensure he is able to continue along the path his mother paved for him.

By Own Correspondent| MultiChoice Zimbabwe has sent out a reminder to existing and potential DStv viewers that they should make use of only accredited installers and agents when they need installations or other technical support services.

Several customers have reported being given defective or substandard products and  inadequate support from people posing as DStv installers and agents, but who on investigation turn out to be illegal service providers whose activities are unknown and cannot be guaranteed as safe or worthy.

Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, strongly urged all DStv customers and would-be customers to use only those installers and agents whose business names appear on the official and authorised list of DStv accredited installers and agents.  “Over the years we have regularly warned that using unauthorised installers could result in loss of money, inadequate service and even exposure to fraudulent activity,“ she said.

“Our message is clear: check first to see who is accredited and who therefore offers services of a known high standard and who can be follow-up on if something were to go wrong.”

DStv accredited installers receive training from qualified technicians and other experts within the MultiChoice organisation, and they liaise closely with in-house technical and administrative staff. Their work is monitored and if a problem arises can be guided to a satisfactory resolution of the problem.

“They use proper equipment, have the necessary know-how and are regularly updated on all relevant information from the MultiChoice organisation,” said Ms Dziva.

“We have no jurisdiction over the illegal operators and customers will lose out, financially and in other ways, if they are mishandled.”

The list of accredited installers and agents can be found at www.dstv.com or www.facebook.DStvZimbabwe.com. “It is unlikely that an accredited installer will provide an unsatisfactory service, but should that happen it can be reported to MultiChoice Zimbabwe and action can be taken to resolve the matter for the customer,” said Ms Dziva.