The MDC has just held a crucial standing Committee Meeting following the dismissal of four of its legislators from parliament by ousted former Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora.
Party leader Nelson Chamisa revealed that the party came up with crucial decisions to take the party forward.
“Just finished chairing a very long and productive MDC Alliance National Standing Committee Zoom meeting. We came up with key resolutions and action points to be released by the Party’s Deputy National Chairperson Hon Job Sikhala. Whatever the case, the die is cast! Victory and freedom to our motherland!Power to the people!,” said Chamisa after the meeting.
By A Correspondent- An illegal gold panner allegedly teamed up with three accomplices and raided a gold mine in Inyathi where they attacked a security guard before disarming him of his service pistol, which they later used to rob local shops.
Leeroy Ncube (24) of Mahatshula suburb and the three accomplices who are still at large allegedly went to Camstick Mine at Famona Business Centre in Inyathi armed with knives and stones.
Upon arrival, they allegedly struck Mr Nqobizitha Dube who was manning the premises with stones and he fell to the ground. They rushed to the scene and allegedly grabbed him by the neck as he lay on the ground.
The four robbers stabbed him on the leg with a knife before disarming him of a Taurus revolver which was loaded with five rounds of ammunition.
This emerged when Ncube, who is facing robbery charges approached the High Court seeking bail.
Ncube through his lawyers Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as a respondent.
In his bail statement, Ncube is denying the charges, arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the offence.
“I was with my friends watching movies on the day in question and I believe the complainants identification must be tested in light of his alibi,” he said.
Ncube argued that there were no compelling reasons by the investigating officer for him to be denied bail.
“The investigating officer in this case has deposed of an affidavit opposing my bail application. He argued that I was of no fixed abode, was likely to interfere with investigations and that since the stolen firearm has not been recovered, I am likely to regroup with my accomplices who are still at large and commit more robberies if released on bail,” he said.
Ncube challenged the investigating officer’s assertions, saying his grounds for challenging his bail were speculative and baseless.
“It is submitted that the fact that no firearm was recovered from me points to my innocence rather than guilt. The commission of other offences is also purely speculative and not founded on any real fact,” he said.
Ncube said there was no basis by the investigating officer that if released on bail he would abscond.
He offered to pay $500 bail and to report once a fortnight at Queen Park Police Station as part of the bail conditions.
Ncube also offered to continue residing at his given address until the matter is finalised.
The State is yet to respond.
According to court papers, it was stated that on April 5 this year, Dube was on duty at Camstick Mine in Inyathi when Ncube in the company of three accomplices spotted him from their spot under the cover of darkness.
They allegedly struck Dube with a stone on the right side of the ribs and he fell down before they rushed to the scene.
Ncube grabbed the security guard by the neck and sat on his chest before one of them pulled a knife and struck him on the left leg. Dube managed to positively identify Ncube’s face.
They used the same knife to cut off the buckle of a holster containing his pistol, which was loaded with five rounds of ammunition. They took the firearm and disappeared into the dark. They allegedly used the pistol to rob shops around the area.
On April 21, detectives who were on patrol received a tip off from Dube after he had spotted Ncube at Famona Business Centre in Inyathi leading to his arrest.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- Registrar General Mr Clemence Masango has been arrested for criminal abuse of office and flouting tender procedures in purchase of five service vehicles.
He is now in police custody pending court appearance tomorrow.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) two weeks ago impounded two vehicles for the Central Registry suspected to have been purchased irregularly.
Mr Bwanya wrote a letter to Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary, Mr Aaron Nhepera, alleging that only six vehicles, Isuzu KB250 single cabs were delivered against 11 that the department had procured.
In response, Mr Masango vehemently denied any wrongdoing, saying they bought six vehicles after Treasury revoked the 1:1 parity of the Zimbabwean dollar to the United States dollar.
Mr Nhepera said he had liaised with the Public Service Commission and agreed that there be a forensic audit in the department.
It also emerged that Mr Masango had written to Mr Nhepera to have Mr Bwanya transferred from the department arguing that relations were no longer tenable and that could have an adverse effect on the smooth running of the Central Registry given his strategic position.
“When I received both reports from the RG (Registrar-General) and the chief accountant, I wrote to the PSC for guidance on the way forward, but also giving my proposal view that there be a forensic audit.
“My view to have an audit arose from the fact that I could not make a meaningful decision from the reports I got from the two. The PSC then allowed me to take that route to have a forensic audit by the Auditor-General,” said Mr Nhepera.
He said it was also agreed that ZACC pursues its investigation while the forensic audit was being carried out.
In his meeting with ZACC investigators, Mr Nhepera said it was premature for him to be a complainant in the case in the absence of something tangible like an audit report.
“We held a meeting with ZACC investigators and they wanted to know a number of issues which include procurement procedures. I could obviously not be a complainant in the case when I have not had a clear picture on what transpired.
“But if there is a report which implicates any official, as the accounting officer I am duty bound to be the complainant,” he said.
Mr Nhepera confirmed that he had received a letter from Mr Masango requesting that Mr Bwanya be moved from the department and had sought the views of the chief accountant.
Mr Bwanya said he had written the letter against Mr Masango raising several allegations, insisting that the allegations were well-grounded.
On the other hand, Mr Masango argued that he had not done anything wrong adding that he was ready to have an audit done on all transactions.
In his letter to Mr Nhepera, he criticised four officials from ZACC who impounded two vehicles from the department saying they were colluding with Mr Bwanya, who he said was facing several allegations, some of which could not be disputed.
ZACC spokesperson, Commissioner John Makamure yesterday said investigations were at an advanced stage and further information would be communicated to the media at the appropriate time.-StateMedia
South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi
News24|South African Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed that 37 illegal foreigners escaped from the Lindela Repatriation Centre on Sunday, after allegedly being aided by security guards contracted by a private company.
Motsoaledi was briefing the media outside the centre in Krugersdorp on Wednesday morning, where he blamed a “war” between security guards and their employer for the escape.
“This escape is an inside job. I can assure you it’s an inside job,” Motsoaledi said.
According to the minister, security guards at the repatriation centre have had issues with their employer, a private company that has been contracted to run Lindela.
The squabble between the employees and employer led to security guards knocking off from work at 14:00 instead of 17:00.
“They (the escapees) were tipped off by guards that they would be leaving early and that they could do what they want.”
‘We are collateral damage’
The escapees then allegedly climbed through the ceilings, before scaling the walls. Motsoaledi said the security guards present were overpowered because other guards had left early.
“So, it’s an inside job. No one could have escaped without being aided by the people inside here. They aided them by telling them they are knocking off earlier.”
Motsoaledi said the guards who left early had since been suspended by the company and that the Department of Home Affairs would deal with the contracted company.
The minister further distanced the department from being held responsible for the escape, pinning it on the private company.
“There is a war between them (security guards) and their employer, we are collateral damage,” Motsoaledi said.
Speaking on issues of Covid-19, the minister said all the people currently detained at the centre had been screened and that two people with high temperatures had been tested. The results had come back negative for the virus.
Hours before she was shot dead on the outskirts of the capital, Lesotho’s former first lady, Lipolelo Thabane, made a surprising decision.
According to both a close friend and a well-connected businessman, she agreed to divorce her husband, Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, after years of refusing to make way for her rival.
With the blessing of that rival —Thabane’s current wife and first lady — the entrepreneur, Teboho Mojapela, met with Lipolelo on the day of her death to mediate.
“She said: ‘ … I am ready to free him’,” Mojapela told Reuters.
“‘I just want to be looked after.’”
The exchange was confirmed by her friend and confidante Thato Sibolla, who was present at the meeting.
Lipolelo’s change of heart, which has not previously been reported, adds a new twist to a scandal that has attracted rare international attention to Lesotho.
Gunmen ambushed Lipolelo, 58, in her car as she made her way home on the outskirts of the capital Maseru on June 14, 2017. Sibolla was with her in the vehicle.
Two days after the killing, Thabane, now 80, was sworn in for a second term.
Two months later, he married Lipolelo’s successor and one-time rival Maesaiah Liabiloe Ramoholi, now Maesaiah Thabane.
Police charged Maesaiah with Lipolelo’s murder in February and named Thabane as a suspect, though he has yet to be formally charged in court. They both deny any involvement.
In Thabane’s case, the high court must first decide whether he can be prosecuted while in office.
The case has been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though Lesotho remains one of a small number of nations yet to register an infection.
Thabane’s own government is trying to force him from office before the end of July, when he said he was willing to step down. It is unclear if he will bow to their demands.
Thabane and his wife declined to be interviewed or respond to written questions while the case is pending, and their lawyers said they had been instructed not to speak to the press.
“He’s waiting for the police to lodge a complaint to court so that he can clear his name,” Thabane’s private secretary, Thabo Thakalekoala, said by telephone.
First lady Maesaiah also “wants to present her side of the story,” her adviser, Manama Letsie, said.
“But she has already been found guilty in the public [opinion] court.”
The high-profile murder case has destabilised a country already in turmoil.
Lesotho has seen four military coups since independence from Britain in 1966.
Thabane was an up-and-coming politician in the All Basotho Convention party when he divorced his first wife, Yayi, and married Lipolelo in 1987.
By the time he became prime minister in 2012, he had filed for another divorce so he could marry Maesaiah.
Maesaiah had gone to court in 2015 to claim the right to be first lady on the basis of a 2012 customary marriage.
She lost the case in 2015, on the grounds that Lipolelo was still married to Thabane.
“There was this perpetual animosity between them,” Lesotho’s deputy police commissioner Paseka Mokete, in charge of the murder investigation, said.
Three days before the killing, a Sunday, Lipolelo asked Sibolla to call Mojapela, a politically connected businessman who had funded the ruling party’s election campaign.
Lipolelo seemed jumpy, was sleeping at friends’ houses and said she feared her life was in danger, Sibolla and a neighbour recalled.
Mojapela, a wealthy money-lender known to friends as JP, was a friend of Thabane and Maesaiah, Sibolla said, and Lipolelo hoped he could mediate a truce between them.
Before meeting with Lipolelo, Mojapela says he sought the blessing of Thabane and Maesaiah.
Maesaiah told him “by all means” mediate, he said, but do not expect the two women to meet face-to-face.
On Wednesday, Sibolla and Lipolelo set off in Lipolelo’s grey Chevrolet minivan to meet Mojapela at his lavish house, decked with Italian-style curtains and gilded furniture, in the SA border town of Ladybrand.
He told them Maesaiah wanted more than anything to be first lady. Lipolelo gave her assent.
After Lipolelo and Sibolla left, Mojapela headed back to Maseru, where he says he met Thabane and Maesaiah at the Fu Li Chinese restaurant at about 6pm and relayed Lipolelo’s message.
“Maesaiah asked me to be more specific about what she wants,” Mojapela said.
Reuters could not confirm the meeting. When a reporter visited the restaurant, it was under new management.
Thabane’s private secretary, Thakalekoala, said he was not aware of a mediation attempt.
Neither was Maesaiah’s close friend, Motlatsi Kompi. The first lady’s aide, Letsie, declined to comment.
Shortly afterwards, Lipolelo was dead.
“I saw the blood running down,” said Sibolla, who was shot twice in the side in the attack. “She was quite light in complexion, so you could really see it.”
Police found 9mm pistol shells at the scene, Mokete, the deputy commissioner, said.
He alleged the killing was carried out by one of several gangs of traditional musicians, who are engaged in a deadly turf war.
Information received from intelligence sources is that Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Grand Plan to Anhilliate the MDC Alliance. They are waiting for the Thokozani Khupe’s MDCT Congress in 3 months.
After the congress they are going to form a Transitional Government and suspend elections for a longer period. So even by-elections may be suspended subject to ratification by their two thirds majority in parliament.
The ruling Zanu PF party said on Wednesday it was not involved in the unfolding leadership crisis in the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which early this week resulted in a recall of some of the party’s parliamentarians from the legislature.
Three of the party’s legislators were recalled from the lower house, and one from the upper house on Tuesday in the latest fracas imposed into the party by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court ruled that Nelson Chamisa had illegally grabbed the MDC-T’s presidency after the death of its leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2017.
The ruling handed the party’s leadership to Thokozani Khupe, Tsvangirai’s deputy elected at the MDC-T’s congress in 2014.
After the recall, critics pointed an accusing figure at ZANU PF and government for allegedly stirring up the intra-party troubles.
But Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu on Wednesday scoffed off the accusations, saying the party had no hand in the fracas in the MDC, nor was it interested in it.
He was addressing the media after a Politburo meeting.
“The meeting took cognisance of the disarray in the MDC opposition party, and this exemplified why Zanu PF will forever be the party of the people,” he said.
“That’s (accusations) recognition that we are the party in power, that we are the party of choice. The MDC is grappling with a decision by the Supreme Court – how Zanu PF comes into it is something that we fail to understand,” Mpofu added.
“Why should we enjoy their issues? In any case it’s not Zanu PF that went to court, its them that went to court.”
The persecuted MDC Alliance Secretary general Chalton Hwende was further remanded out of custody to July 28 for a treason charge at Harare magistrate court today.
Hwende who was yesterday recalled from parliament together with three other former Parliamentarians from his party shared his remand date on Twitter.
I have appeared before the Magistrate Court in Harare facing Charges of Treason. I have been remanded to the 28th of July. These are normal political birth pains. The people struggle and Party will be defended and Zanupf and sellouts defeated. pic.twitter.com/VXAet7CKpY
— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) May 6, 2020
“I have appeared before the Magistrate Court in Harare facing Charges of Treason. I have been remanded to the 28th of July.These are normal political birth pains. The people struggle and Party will be defended and Zanupf and sellouts defeated.” he said.
He was arrested last year following violent protests on fuel price hikes.
A 68-year-old Hurungwe man was trampled to death when a herd of elephants invaded his field on Monday last week.
Kenneth Machengo from Laughing Hills Farm in ward 18, was attacked by one of the seven elephants while harvesting his maize crop.
His body was discovered by villagers with signs of severe injuries sustained during the attack.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo, confirmed the incident.
It is sad that one elderly man from Hurungwe lost his life after he was attacked by elephants on Monday (last week), he said. We are, however, doing all we can to drive away the animals as they now have ability further cause damage to crops and loss of human lives.
Due to overpopulation of the elephants, human-animal conflicts are now a major challenge in low lying communities that share boundaries with game reserves.
World bodies have continued to restrict Zimbabwe from killing elephants and selling ivory, resulting in overpopulation.
The Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources programme, which was initiated to financially support people affected by wild animal challenges, is being revived.
Recently, villagers in Mhangura Constituency pleaded with Zimparks to resolve the issue of stray elephants and a pride of lions that were threatening crops, livestock and humans.
Correspondent|The Health Apex Council has met with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Agnes Mahomwa, over the removal of flexible hours.
Last year the government and workers agreed that nurses would report for work twice a week since the economic deterioration in the country had incapacitated them to go to work on a daily basis.
The Health Apex issued a statement after the meeting reporting on what transpired during the meeting.
Read the full statement below:
Health Apex Meeting with the Secretary for Health and Child Care
The major issue that prompted the meeting was the removal of flexible working hours. The Secretary for Health highlighted some points.
1. The decision was directed by the chairman of the COVID-19 taskforce Hon VP Mohadi to inform (tell) the health workers and not negotiate that the flexible working hours have been suspended by the declaration of State of Disaster by the President
2. This move was necessitated by the fact that the health service is preparing a proper response with enough manpower when the COVID-19 cases start to rise towards the peak.
3. The apatite meeting which discussed that directive, unfortunately, ifs minutes are not yet out to look at the deliberations that happened and the proposals given by the Heath Apex.
4. The MoHCC guidelines which were issued and stamped are silent on that pertinent issue pending the availing of the bipartite minutes.
5. The Secretary of Health highlighted that all she wants is a health service ready to deal with cases and that means all health workers on board working full time.
7. That all health workers should come on board to work towards planning and implementation of COVID-19 case management under the proposed pillars.
The Health Apex highlighted that health workers need to:
a) be provided with adequate PPE
b) be provided with enough time away from the exposure of COVID-19
c) be given better remuneration since they are the Frontline of fighting this pandemic.
d) that working hours should be removed by addressing all the raised remuneration is supposed to be pegged at the interbank rate. Both parties agreed to work together and engage more for a better COVID-19 response.
By A Correspondent | Zimbabwe has extended its national lockdown to limit the spread of the coronavirus until the middle of May. President Emmerson Mnangagwa instructed that everyone must wear a mask in public places should they need to go outside, whilst companies can resume operations from 8am to 3pm.
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Paul Nyathi|Chipo Dendere, an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, United States, has advised the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) not to relinquish their “hard-earned” Parliamentary seats as a way to protest recalls of their MPs from Parly.
Dendere tweeted:
“I was chatting with a friend about the MP recalls. They suck but maybe this is the only way to free the opposition from the entitlement of Mwonzora, Khupe & crew. Like ZANU they think we owe them for whatever sacrifice they made. We need a fresh start and the 20-year mark is fine
“They should recall the MPs. This is the time for everyone who supports the opposition to show our support with $ donations for new elections. For as long as Khupe thinks we owe her for joining the party in 1999 we can’t progress. Let them burn their legacies for cheap silver
“I disagree with the suggestions that MDC MPs should march out of parliament. DO NOT GIVE up seats. Some of us spent hours in line to vote. Voters voted for you. ZANU must not have a 2/3 majority because the constitution matters. Quitting parliament would be shortsighted.
“If Mwonzora recalls MPs – people will vote again in by-elections. What this shows is that Mwonzora doesn’t care about the people. He is a power-hungry person. No majority will vote for him or Khupe for president. They just don’t have the fuel needed to move the country forward
“We had a general election in 2018. Neither Khupe or Mwonzora had the votes. They are so petty they would rather burn the entire house down than admit that maybe it’s time to accept different roles in the movement. They don’t care at all about the efforts of ordinary men & women.
“It actually quite upsetting if you think deeply about it. What’s their reasoning for recalling MPs beyond selfish motives? Like seriously – in what world does Mwonzora think he would be chosen as a party front runner. No offence but seriously? Even Khupe – come on!!! “
Chipo Dendere, an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College
A 34-YEAR-OLD woman convicted of human trafficking caused a stir upon her release at Chikurubi female prison yesterday.
Norest Maruma put on her dancing shoes to meet her mother Memory Maruma, 52, celebrating her release that distracted prison officers and inmates who remained caged.
The two shortly turned female prison entrance to a stage where they showcased their dancing antics rejoicing for Norest’s pardoning.
She waved her hands saying goodbye to the remaining inmates and went on to lead her mother into thanking prison officers for the rehabilitation she went through while serving her sentence which was initially put at 20 years.
Norest was among the 55 female inmates pardoned by the Amended General Amnesty granted by President Mnangagwa through Clemency Order 1 of 2020.
In an interview, Norest said prison life has taught her the importance of freedom saying life without any cent is best than losing freedom.
“I thank President Mnangagwa and Amai Mnangagwa for giving me another chance to taste freedom I never thought would enjoy,” said Norest.
“My life in Kuwait as a maid was so enjoyable that I thought of linking my fellow Zimbabweans unaware that I was committing an offense.
“Ignorance is not a defense before the courts of law.
“Today I feel rejuvenated, God has answered my prayers and that of my mother who wept and collapsed the day I was convicted.
“I have every reason to celebrate my freedom for it is more important than having money and losing such liberty. “The day I arrived at Robert International Airport from Kuwait, I was shocked to meet armed police officers and was dragged and freedom disappeared faster than dew.
“It was like the end of my life and I never dreamt of having another chance, surely crime does not pay and with that I thank Amai Mnangagwa’s visit here and assured us hope and wiped my tears in prison,” said Norest.
Gogo Maruma, popularly known as Madzimai Memory of Johanne Masowe yeChishanu, showed H-Metro her swollen leg she claimed was fractured on the day Norest was convicted.
“My prayers have been heard. Kudenga kuna Mwari handina kana mari yandakadya pamhosva yemwana wangu hapana,” she said in tears.
“Today I will celebrate freedom of my only daughter and God blessed me with two children.
“I am still to own a house but my daughter was arrested over human trafficking I want to believe involves a lot of money but hey Mwari vandinyaradza and even my leg is to heal faster,” said Madzimai Memory.
Citizens in some rural communities are stranded and unable to travel to attend any emergencies as a result of the government ban on public transport operations. Commuter omnibuses remain prohibited from operating under lockdown regulations stipulated in S.I. 99 of 2020.
The impact of travel restrictions has been felt deeply in communities where locals are dependent on commuter omnibuses to travel from one point to another. At the beginning of the initial lockdown, the government banned all public transport operations and allowed ZUPCO to be the only mode of transportation.
The transport situation has been worsened by the absence of ZUPCO buses in rural as operators shun the routes due to the deplorable state of roads.
Habakkuk Trust Community Advocacy Action Teams in various parts of Matabeleland have reported that community members have been facing serious challenges accessing transport to attend to emergencies such as funerals and medication for chronic ailments. The Action Teams have also called on the government to consider their challenges by introducing mandatory measures to ensure that public transport ply their routes.
Umzingwane Ward 5 villagers reportedly walk to a hiking spot along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway. The same is happening in Insiza Ward 2 where villagers walk to the high way to catch buses from Masvingo. Villagers from Matobo South are also stranded as they have no means to get to Maphisa to catch a bus to Bulawayo. In Bulilima Ward 10 and Nkayi Ward 5, villagers are reportedly bemoaning the increasing prices of basic commodities as local retailers take advantage of unavailability of transport for people to access cheaper commodities elsewhere.
The prevailing transport situation has left families who rushed to their rural homes under the notion that the lockdown was only three weeks stranded.
The situation in urban areas has seen an acute shortage of ZUPCO buses, forcing citizens to endure long winding queues waiting for transport. Social distancing is totally disregarded in these queues.
Habakkuk Trust urges the government to provide ZUPCO buses to ply rural routes to facilitate essential movement in rural communities.
Paul Nyathi|Reports just received indicate that Registrar General Clement Masango has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission over irregularities in the purchase of Ford Ranger Vehicles for the Department.
According to the reports, Masango was picked by police and is currently detained at Mabelreign Police Station.
Masango is at the centre of a forensic audit commissioned by Government to look into allegations that he could have procured vehicles for the Central Registry’s office without following stipulated requirements.
Auditor-General Ms Mildred Chiri has been roped in to investigate the case that was raised by the chief accountant in the Registrar-General’s Department, Mr Peter Bwanya.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) two weeks ago impounded two vehicles for the Central Registry suspected to have been purchased irregularly.
Mr Bwanya wrote a letter to Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Permanent Secretary, Mr Aaron Nhepera, alleging that only six vehicles, Isuzu KB250 single cabs were delivered against 11 that the department had procured.
In response, Mr Masango vehemently denied any wrongdoing, saying they bought six vehicles after Treasury revoked the 1:1 parity of the Zimbabwean dollar to the United States dollar.
Press Statement on the recent Data Price Reviews by Econet and NetOne
The MDC Students Council notes with utter dismay the decision to review data tarrifs upwards by mobile operators econet and netone. This comes at a time where most institutions of higher learning across the country are conducting online lectures for some programmes since 30 March 2020 when the national lockdown started rendering physical college attendance impossible.
While we are supportive of the move to conduct online lectures, we are worried that many disadvantaged students will not be able to access education.
Only a handful of students (about 15%) can afford to buy data or have access to WiFi in the country. Most of us are incapacitated and depend heavily on our hard pressed parents and guardians for support.
This hike in data tarrifs is going to make the situation worse than it already is. It disenfranchises the majority of the students in the country especially given the fact that students have already paid fees for the semester (which was also burdensome) and was covering the internet itself. We now need more money to pay for a service that we have already paid for.
When the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professer Amon Murwira urged universities to go digital, he stopped short of urging network operators to reduce data tariffs or provide assistance to students who will need to access e-learning platforms. We are appealing to him to make that call now.
We appeal to network service providers to help learners with free internet access as the cost of internet data which was already beyond the reach of many students has once again risen. If need be, they should offer us a special “e-learning” bundle which is affordable and allows students to access e-learning platforms. We are reaching out for help to our network service providers to assist us in this time of need.
Following a wave of fees hikes that was effected by all universities earlier this year forcing hundreds of students to defer their studies, we feel that our education system is slowly turning out to be for the rich only. We need to stop that from happening and allowing free access to e-learning platforms is one way of doing so.
Prince Gora Chairperson Hither Rujeko Mpambwa Secretary General
Own Correspondent| National Patriotic Front Spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire has warned MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa against continuing with the MDC name saying it is like wearing perfume on a soiled diaper.
Chamisa has been fighting for the MDC name and leadership in court since 2018 with the resultant Supreme Court ruling dethroning him for assuming power unconstitutionally while restoring Dr Thokozani Khupe as the legitimate Acting President until an extra-ordinary congress is held in three months.
The Supreme Court ruling was followed by the dismissal of four legislators aligned to Chamisa by Douglas Mwonzora who was confirmed as the Secretary General according to the 2014 status.
The MDC led by Chamisa has come out to say the ruling does not involve them as they formed a new movement named MDC Alliance soon after the July 30 harmonised elections.
But Mawarire felt the name MDC had its own problems that will keep coming and haunting Chamisa.
“Cde,while there is the people’s struggle to defend, there is no party to defend, wake up,smell the coffee & work towards a new instrument under which the people’s struggle can be executed, simple. U can’t continue wearing perfume when in a soiled diaper, get out of it,” said Mawarire while responding to MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende on Twitter.
Farai Dziva|Norman Mapeza’s agent Gibson Mahachi insists there is no ill feeling between the Zimbabwean tactician and his former boss, Chippa United owner Siviwe Mpengesi.
The former Warriors captain and the maverick businessman parted ways when Mapeza shockingly resigned as the team’s coach under unclear circumstances in early March, paving way for suggestions that there is bad blood between the two, a belief which Mahachi has demystified.
“If anything, Mapeza is very appreciative of what Chippa United did to his career. He has gained a lot in terms of experience,” he told The Herald.
“Mapeza and Mpengesi were in good books, and they remain so,’’ said Mahachi.
“Like we have said in the past, Mapeza’s decision to quit his post, as the Chippa United gaffer, was a well-informed one and professional.”
Flamboyant rapper Desmond “Stunner” Chideme reckons he is the only one that has the right to diss his rival rapper, Mudiwa.
He said his mockery of the rapper is nothing personal but musical.
He revealed that he has seen several negative posts on Mudiwa and feels he is partly to blame for some of them as people buy into his ‘beef’ with his fellow rapper.
“I continually see a lot of hate and negative posts on Mudiwa, honestly I feel I’m partly to blame.
“People need to have limits and know their boundaries.
“The guy is a hard worker, talkative yes but that him.
“If he was to die today I believe many of us would cry and morn him which means we love him.
“So, I urge people to stop the hate and show love, ndini ndega ndobvumidzwa kumutukua,” said Stunner.
I have been an active member and supporter of the MDC since 1999 and have gone through the pains and achievements you and other veterans of this struggle have faced over the years. The current wave of challenges is not new to the movement but provides us with a new opportunity. An opportunity to go back to the drawing board, an opportunity to sit back and review the journey we have travelled to date and an opportunity to re-strategize and face the beast in the eye.
The name MDC has been a subject of conflict for a long time and it is high time we drop it. The 2.6 million Zimbabweans who voted for you in 2018 did not do so because you were representing the MDC. They voted for you because they subscribed to your manifesto and what you were promising them. If it were about the name Madam Khupe would have performed much better because she even had a “T” on her MDC logo. In any case we had more votes for the President than for our parliamentarians combined, at least according to ZEC figures. If it were about the name, the same people who voted for you as President would have voted for our MPs.
People vote for issues; they do not vote for political party names. An election is not a contest of political party names but rather a contest of ideologies. Let us drop this name Mr. President. Let us rebrand this movement, let us take the fight to the enemy’s doorstep. Members of parliament who are supporting you must resign en-mass in solidarity with the recalled MPs. A bi election will allow you to settle this matter politically. In addition, a Bi election will deny the Mwonzora team the money that they are after in this whole game.
This is not a legal matter, but rather a political one being driven by the love for power and the love for money. Political matters are not solved in the legal courts but rather in the court of politics. You were a politician before you became a lawyer Mr. President, take this battle to where you have an advantage. Your strength as a politician is with the people. Take this fight to the people and they will solve it for you. Drop the name “MDC “completely, to avoid being dragged to captured courts again in future. Rebrand, re-strategize and refocus. Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.
To make you understand where I am coming from, I will give two examples of great political movements in Africa that rebranded for one reason or another and went on to win power in their respective countries.
On 8 January 1912 in South Africa a party called the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) was formed by veterans like Saul Msane (Esq.), Josiah Gumede, John Dube, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, and Sol Plaatje, among others. It took a new generation led by Anton Lembede to rename the party to the ANC in 1944 and rebrand it. It is the ANC that eventually won power in 1994.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria was an alliance of the three biggest opposition parties at the time the namely, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). When the three parties merged, they formed a completely new party called APC and their leader Muhammadu Buhari went on to win the election interestingly gunning 2.6 million votes. This was the first time in Nigeria’s political history that an opposition political party unseated a governing party in a general election and one in which power transferred peacefully from one political party to another.
I will sign off this letter with a biblical analogy. When Elijah was about to depart to heaven, he promised Elisha a double portion of his anointing. To get the double portion, Elisha had to see Elijah go as well as to be handed the mantle of Elijah. As the journeyed, a whirlwind came and separated them. A whirlwind raises dust and it was going to be difficult for Elisha to see Elijah go because it is very difficult if not impossible to open your eyes in a whirlwind. When Elijah was caught up in a chariot of fire, he did not place the mantle in Elisha’s hand, but he rather dropped it on the ground. This posed a different challenge for Elisha because any of fifty sons of the prophets who were there could have picked up the mantle. Elisha, regardless of having the promise had to grab the mantle before anyone else could. The same applies to you Mr. President, power is never given on a silver platter, power is grabbed. Elisha had to follow Elijah all the way from Gilgal to Jordan, he had to keep his eyes open even in a whirlwind and he had to strategically position himself in order to grab the mantle first. He remained focused and was persistent. It is in moments like these Mr. President, when you need to take charge, focus and re-strategize. Elisha refused to listen to his rivals. They were correct that Elijah was going, but they did not have the promise. You have the promise given to you by 2.6 million Zimbabweans in 2018. Safeguard that promise, do not be destructed by your rivals, do not fall into their trap.
Ikoko kuseri kwa Tsvangirai ndiko kune midzimu yedu!!!
Dzvanya Chamisa, ramba wakadzvanya ipapo!!!
Henry Munashe Jaji is a member of the MDC Alliance residing in Australia and writes in his own capacity.
Former Warriors right-back George Mbwando has urged fellow former footballers to step out of their comfort zone to make a better life for themselves after retirement.
Mbwando’s comments come at a time when there is a growing number cases of popoluar former football stars hitting hard times after hanging their boots, something which Mbwando believes shoud change.
“Former players need to change their mindset and know if I am not offering the club anything anymore why should I expect anything. Instead I should try to use my popularity for my hustle after the game, using the advantage to myself. If I am selling cabbages in bulk I have more chances of selling more because people know me already, as long as everything is honestly done, one can lead a good normal life affording all the basic needs, which is enough,” Mbwando said.
He continued: “But the barrier is always the mindset ‘inini kutengesa macabbage?’but not knowing that its not about the product that you sell but what comes out of it. We always think whatever we do must be something special which is a wrong mentality all in all.
Former players sit on top of potential opportunities and do not know it. I’ m also a former player i know exactly what I’m talking about and I’m not trying to say I’m better than any other former footballers but its time to break the barriers,” he concluded.-Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|Iconic former Spain and Barcelona midfield ace Xavi Hernandez believes former teammate, Lionel Messi, is not retiring any time soon and can play even up to 39 years of age.
The 2010 World Cup winnner was speaking in the wake of suggestions that Messi, who turns 33 next month, might hang his boots in the next few years to come, a theory which Xavi rubbished pointing fingers to the next FIFA World Cup; Qatar 2022.
“He’s still got five or seven very good years left in him,” said Xavi.
“He takes good care of himself and he can keep playing until he’s 37, 38 or 39. He’ll play at the Qatar World Cup [in 2022], I’m sure.”
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House No. 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue
Wednesday, May 6th 2020
Press Statement on the illegal recalling of our MPs from parliament.
The MDC Students Council is utterly dismayed by the brazen, shameless and desperate attempt to destroy the people’s party by illegally recalling four MDC Alliance MPs namely honourables Charlton Hwende, Thabitha Khumalo, Prosper Mutseyami and Senator Lilian Timveous.
The illegal recall which was engineered by Mwonzora and political lightweight Morgan Komichi working in cahoots with ZANU PF to destroy the people’s party is a contemptuous, disrespectful and cynical move which must be treated with the contempt it deserves.
The four were not elected under the MDC-T ticket, they were elected on the MDC Alliance ticket.
The MDC-T contested as a separate political party and dismally performed in the elections. It is therefore utter undiluted hogwash for Mwonzora to recall the four MPs.
It is Mwonzora and his political lightweight partner, Komichi who must be recalled from parliament because they have ceased to represent the interests of the MDC Alliance by going to bed with a rival political which is led by Thokozani Khupe.
It is clear as daylight that this is a desperate move by the Mwonzora cabal which has failed to win the support of party structures following the duplicitous corona judgement by the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. The cabal has been surreptitiously travelling across the country during this lockdown with the brazen assistance of the security forces trying to buy the support of party structures using money.
They have failed and have now resorted to intimidation tactics using the recall procedure to intimidate MPs who are strongly behind President Nelson Chamisa so as to win their support. Mwonzora and Komichi will not succeed.
They will harvest nothing. Theirs will be a bitter harvest, a harvest of thorns! As the MDC Students Council we would like to remind Mwonzora and cabal that they can never win the support of party structures through intimidation.
They can never impose themselves as leaders of the party. In fact the party structures have rejected and jettisoned them as witnessed by the outcome of the Gweru congress.
We are firmly and solidly behind the structures elected in May 2019 at the Gweru congress under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa.
The party cannot be allowed to die and will not die. We will save it. Prince Gora Chairperson
France-based Warriors striker Tinotenda Kadewere has been showered with praise following a donation of food to more than 100 widows in the high-density surburb of Highfield.
The former Harare City man, who was recently crowned the French Ligue 2 top goalscorer with Le Havre after the season was prematurely ended, donated food packs to widows courtesy of his foundation The Kadewere Foundation this week, drawing praises from some well-known people.
“Well-done guys, God bless you abundantly,” wrote staunch Warriors and Dynamos fan Chris ‘Romario’ Musekiwa on Facebook in response to the Foundation’s post, the same goes for socialite and businessman Simbarashe Malvern Chakare, who like Kadewere, also grew up in Highfield.
“Well-done,” weighed in popular actress Lorraine Guyo.-Soccer 24
World Hand Hygiene Day – 5 May 2020 It is a day celebrated every year to mobilise people around the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene especially in health care facilities.
The theme for 2020 is: “SAVE LIVES: Clean your hands”.
The main goal of Global Hand Hygiene Day is to recognize that handwashing is one of the most effective action you can take to reduce spread of pathogens and prevent infections including COVID-19 virus.
In this era of COVID-19 hand washing has proven to be one of the most key prevention measure.
World Health Organization(WHO) aims is to:
Make hand hygiene a global priority
Inspire hand hygiene and behavior change
Engage with health care workers in their role in clean care and prevention of infections
An alcohol based hand rub or washing hands with soap and water are the recommended ways to keep our hands clean.
Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene and should only be worn as a form of hand hygiene.
When using an alcohol hand rub, apply and rub hands for about 20-30seconds. If hands are visibly soiled use soap and water for 40-60seconds.
When to observe hand washing everyday at home:
After using the toilet 2.Before preparing or handling food 3.After changing diapers or nappies
If hands are visibly soiled Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information like/ follow our Facebook page:
World Hand Hygiene Day – 5 May 2020 It is a day celebrated every year to mobilise people around the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene especially in health care facilities.
The theme for 2020 is: “SAVE LIVES: Clean your hands”.
The main goal of Global Hand Hygiene Day is to recognize that handwashing is one of the most effective action you can take to reduce spread of pathogens and prevent infections including COVID-19 virus.
In this era of COVID-19 hand washing has proven to be one of the most key prevention measure.
World Health Organization(WHO) aims is to:
Make hand hygiene a global priority
Inspire hand hygiene and behavior change
Engage with health care workers in their role in clean care and prevention of infections
An alcohol based hand rub or washing hands with soap and water are the recommended ways to keep our hands clean.
Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene and should only be worn as a form of hand hygiene.
When using an alcohol hand rub, apply and rub hands for about 20-30seconds. If hands are visibly soiled use soap and water for 40-60seconds.
When to observe hand washing everyday at home:
After using the toilet 2.Before preparing or handling food 3.After changing diapers or nappies
If hands are visibly soiled Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
For more information like/ follow our Facebook page:
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA IS NOT SHAKEN BY THE DESPERATE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL RECALL OF ITS MPS BY THE ZANUPF SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT.
As Mdc Alliance Namibia district, we are not perturbed by the desperate and unconstitutional recall of our Mdc Alliance Mps.
We are Social Democrats nurtured and groamed by the Icon of democracy Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai as a result we resolutely remain behind our diligent Mps in the names of our Secretary General Charlton Hwende, Chairperson Thabitha Khumalo, Chief Whip Prosper Mutseyami and Senator Lillian Timveos.
We pledge to give our undoubted solidarity to our gallant Social Transformers who are being tortured and persecuted by the politically inept regime.
Mdc Alliance Namibia district would like to make it categorically clear that President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and his vibrant legislators,party leadership and membership are the panacea to Socio-economic transformation. Zanupf captured courts can not impose their allies as our leaders.
Thokozani Khupe fell off the rail of the National Democratic Revolution when she tried in vain to fight the Politics of the Big Tent, a brainchild of the late MdcT President Morgan Tsvangirai.
Furthermore, Thokozani Khupe fought the late President Morgan Tsvangirai till his death, they never reconciled until he died on the 14th of February 2018,May his soul rest in power. Being in the trenches for the past the past two decades fighting against Zanupf Thugocracy is not a minute struggle. We lost a lot of Heroes and Heroines,some butchered and others maimed by these Stomach politicians of rhetoric and self-aggrandisement.
Mwonzora and Komichi must remember that our pillar and source of inspiration is Morgan Richard Tsvangirai who left Advocate Nelson Chamisa with us to complete the National Democratic Revolution practising politics of the BIG TENT, individual glory and personal pursuits are not part of our core values as Social Democrats.
Khupe and her cronies are Zanupf puppets. Our leader is Wamba dia Wamba. Simple!
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance National Organising Secretary, Amos Chibaya has said the recall of party MPs is a desperate attempt by the “cornered Zanu PF regime to thwart the struggle for democracy.”
Below is Chibaya’s statement :
All MDC Leadership, Structures and Membership
The illegal recalling of our National Chairperson, Hon Thabitha Khumalo, Secretary General, Hon Chalton Hwende, DTG Sen Lilian Timiveos and Chief Whip Hon, Prosper Mutseyami from Parliament is a serious and systematic attempt to defeat the will of the people which nonetheless emboldens our resolve to fight the regime.
We stand in solidarity with our Members of Parliament and shall not be deterred.
It’s no longer business as usual, we shall stand up, fight and defend the struggle.
This is a political struggle that requires all of us to hold fort and remain resolute in defense of the movement and peope’s President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
I therefore urge all MDC leaders, members and supporters not to panic and be moved by such moves and be rest assured that we will continue to provide leadership and guidance amidst attempts to frustrate and destroy 20 years of resolute struggle against zanu pf’s stolen claim to state power.
The attempts to smuggle the Zanu pf cheerleaders and sponsored fanatics into the leadership of the MDC shall be resisted at all fronts and by all means necessary. We unequivocally reject and will never accept a leadership forced upon us by Zanu PF.
The political battlefield remains a people’s turf and we shall jealously guard the people’s wishes and will. Lets remain focused on the goal and objectives of our struggle and not be diverted, we shall be communicating the Party’s direction and way forward through the Provincial leadership and relevant structures.
To all our MPs, Councillors and public officials do not panic and be disturbed by this assault on the democratic foundations of our struggle, remain focused on the people’s mandate as their preferred representatives elected in the 2018 elections. We will ensure that the people”s will is respected and protected.
Together we shall complete the change and deliver hope and good governance under the people’s President Nelson Chamisa.
Hon Amos Chibaya National Organising and Party Building Secretary.
Farai Dziva|A showdown is looming between the country’s two main political parties, Zanu PF and MDC, following the recall of the latter’s MPs from Parliament.
In a statement MDC Alliance accused Zanu PF of trying to destroy the voice of democracy through captured state institutions.
Read full statement below :
Today(Tuesday ) the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, purported to recall Kuwadzana East MP Chalton Hwende, Chikanga-Dangamvura MP Prosper Mutseyami, Bulawayo East MP Thabitha Khumalo and Senator Lilian Timveos from Parliament under the unlawful instruction of Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora.
We stand in full solidarity with our Members of Parliament following this unlawful, corrupt act by the Speaker.
We remain a united, unshaken entity under the able leadership of President Nelson Chamisa who was elected constitutionally at the last MDC Alliance congress.
We are aware that the purported recall is the latest of a series of desperate, predatory acts by Emmerson Mnangagwa to attempt to whitewash his legitimacy crisis following the flawed 2018 election. We reiterate that Mnangagwa is illegitimate.
It is a matter of regret that the authoritarian regime of ED Mnangagwa continues to capture state institutions including Parliament and the Judiciary to pursue his agenda of trying to destroy the MDC Alliance.
The People’s Project can’t be destroyed. The people will defend it.
The regime has declared war on us. We gave dialogue a chance but Mnangagwa refused to take the olive branch.
We will constitutionally exercise our right to safeguard our Movement and President Nelson Chamisa.
There’s no struggle without scars. We will not rest until Zimbabwe is free
Farai Dziva| A Masvingo woman has sensationally claimed she became intimate with her husband for the first time in 10 years after administering “Prophet” Isaac Makomichi’ s ” anointed love potion herb.”
Makomichi claims God revealed to him the “miracle working herb”-which he distributes to women and girls across the country. Makomichi is the leader of Calvary Prayer Group and the president of Vulnerable Youth Support Network Trust.
In a statement posted on social media, the woman who identified herself as Mai Two claimed:
“My husband had s*x with me for the first time since 2010.
I had deep marital problems and I therefore decided to use the anointed love portion herb.
After using the herb, I had s*x with my husband for the first time in 10 years.
He used to spend weeks without coming home and when he came he would just face the wall and fall asleep.
I was shunned and despised by my husband for 10 years.
I used the anointed herb for less than a week and everything changed in a miraculous way.”
However church leaders in Masvingo are deeply sceptical of Makomichi’ s “anointed love potion herb” arguing it is against Christian principles.
Asked to prove the authenticity of the herb Makomichi said: “ I cannot say much about the anointed love potion herb at the moment.Those who have questions can contact me on :0777469342.”
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy president Tendai Biti has described the recall of opposition MPs from Parliament as a futile attempt by Emmerson Mnangagwa to destroy the popular movement.
Said Biti: “The illegal recall of our MDC Alliance MPS , @hwendec, Prosper Mutseyami, Lilian Timveous and Chair Thabita Khumalo from Parliament is reflective of how paranoid and desperate Emmerson is in using the State to destroy our movement led by Advocate @nelsonchamisa .We are MDC Alliance nothing else.”
“Throughout history authoritarian regimes and their enablers have tried to hijack and crush people’s cause.
We saw this in the fight against decolonization. Emmerson is not the first . The thing is the struggle for freedom and emancipation can never be smoldered by force or chicanery.
We have never been cowards . We have never yielded on matters of principle . We have been in the trenches for decades . We shall finish off what we started in 1999. So Mr Mnangagwa, nothing you will do will make us retreat or surrender . Not your guns , not your Parliament…”
The Ministry would like to report that all the tests done in Harare and Bulawayo on the 4th of May 2020 were negative for COV1D- 19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has 34 confirmed cases including 5 recoveries and 4 deaths.
Today a total of 1 492 tests were done, giving a total of 14 821 screening and diagnostic tests done to date. Results to follow tomorrow.
The Ministry continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind the nation the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-I9 are to practise good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing Additionally, the Ministry would like to remind es cry one that the wearing of masks outside the home is now mandatory for all Zimbabwean citizens and residents.
DOs Wash your hand. frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Avoid close contact with people who have a fever are coughing or sneezing…
Maintain at least 1 metre (13 feet) distance between yourself and others.
Wear a face mask to cover your nose and mouth Avoid unnecessary travel.
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has accused his political rival Emmerson Mnangagwa of using state institutions to “suppress the will of people.”
Chamisa warned Mnangagwa people were ready to repossess what was stolen from them by the regime.
“You can’t rob people forever. You robbed the 2018 vote.
First you abused ZEC and robbed. Then abused the ConCourt and robbed.
Then abused the Supreme Court and robbed. Then abused Parliament and robbed.
Then rob people’s lives daily. Then rob a whole generation and entire nation.
Now we want everything back! We shall pursue and recover all! Zimbabwe this is our call to duty,” said Chamisa.
MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka also said:
Zanu PF has declared total war on the people’s democratic movement.
The time for a bold decision is now. This is not even the time to bite the bullet. This is the time to bite the gun.”
Farai Dziva|MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has accused his political rival Emmerson Mnangagwa of using state institutions to “suppress the will of people.”
Chamisa warned Mnangagwa people were ready to repossess what was stolen from them by the regime.
“You can’t rob people forever. You robbed the 2018 vote.
First you abused ZEC and robbed. Then abused the ConCourt and robbed.
Then abused the Supreme Court and robbed. Then abused Parliament and robbed.
Then rob people’s lives daily. Then rob a whole generation and entire nation.
Now we want everything back! We shall pursue and recover all! Zimbabwe this is our call to duty,” said Chamisa.
MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka also said:
Zanu PF has declared total war on the people’s democratic movement.
The time for a bold decision is now. This is not even the time to bite the bullet. This is the time to bite the gun.”
MDC Alliance Secretary General Charlton Hwende has been further remanded to the 28th of July in his treason case.
Posting on Twitter after appearing before Harare Magistrates Court today, Hwende said his arrest and subsequent appearance at the courts are normal political birth pains warning that they will defend themselves against Zanu PF and former allies in Dr Thokozani Khupe and Douglas Mwonzora.
“I have appeared before the Magistrate Court in Harare facing Charges of Treason. I have been remanded to the 28th of July. These are normal political birth pains. The people struggle and Party will be defended and Zanupf and sellouts defeated,” said Hwende.
Hwende was arrested in 2019 January following violent protests that were instigated by fuel price increases.
By A Correspondent- A plane with Covid-19 fight consignment from UAE has landed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport this morning.
The consignment was received by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Foreign Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, Health minister Obadiah Moyo and Local Government minister July Moyo among other dignitaries.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates
Following dramatic developments in which four MDC Alliance legislators were dismissed from parliament at the whims of Douglas Mwonzora and many other events happening in the opposition party, ZimEye digs deep into the source of the problem and what this could turn to.
MultiChoice Zimbabwe has announced price increases for its DStv packages as of June 1.
The DStv Lite package will increase from US$7 to US$8 while the Access package will increase from US$11 to US$13. Family package will increase from US$17 to US$19, Compact package from US$25 to US$29, Compact Plus from US$40 to US$45, Premium from US$65 to US$75, HD PVR Premium from US$76 to US$88, XtraView access fee from US$11 to US$13 and Indian package from US$32 to US$37.
This price adjustment comes at a time the broadcast satellite service is seemingly running out of content, evidenced by the repeats of its programming with some popular dramas being put on hold due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
In a statement, MultiChoice Zimbabwe said: “Effective 1 June, 2020, the prevailing 14,5 percent VAT charge in Zimbabwe will be incorporated in DStv subscriptions charges.
“Accordingly, DStv monthly subscription fees will be adjusted for the first time in four years.
They added that they value has been added as they have increased their channels and added latest movies to BoxOffice for their customer’s viewing.
“In appreciation of the tough times in Zimbabwe, the business is adding value to its customers at a time when they need it. DStv added more channels to its line-up, brought more of the latest movies to BoxOffice and acquired the best award-winning documentaries from around the globe through SuperSport.”
Meanwhile, more than 100 000 South Africans have signed an online petition demanding that DStv drops its prices as they do not have fresh content to offer as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. South Africans had their DStv prices hiked last month.
MDC-T President Thokozani Khupe has fought for her allies in parliament Priscillar Misihairambwi and Senator Mildred Reason Dube after writing to the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda advising him to disregard correspondences from her Secretary General Nixon Nyikadzino.
Nyikadzino better known as Cde Mao recently wrote to Mudenda recalling Mushonga and Dube from parliament.
With Mudenda appearing to have taken sides with Khupe’s grouping after announcing the expulsion of Charlton Hwende, Tabitha Khumalo, Prosper Mutseyami and Lilian Timveos following a letter of recall from Douglas Mwonzora, it appears the Speaker will likely go with Khupe’s word bringing an end to Nyikadzino’s spirited fight for the control of the MDC-T.
In her letter to Mudenda Khupe said she assumed the leadership of the MDC-T following a Supreme Court ruling which nullified leadership changes in the two factions of the MDC that emerged following the death of founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
“I refer to the judgement of the High Court by Justice Mushore in the Mashavira vs Movement for Democratic Change and others, Case No HH 302-19 and the subsequent judgement of the Supreme Court in the case of Movement for Democratic Change and others vs Elias Mashavira and others case number SC56/20. In terms of both judgements the original MDC leadership of the united MDC-T party, I was confirmed as the lawful Acting President of that party.
“Therefore the two Members of Parliament, Hon P Misihairambwi-Mushonga and Hon M Mangena are Members of Parliament of the united MDC-T party which is led by me.
“It follows therefore, that all correspondence regarding the two honorable members and any other member of the MDC-T party of the will done through the office of the MDC-T Secretary General Senator Douglas Mwonzora. Kindly therefore ignore any other correspondence from any other person regarding the above,” said Khupe.
By A Correspondent- Telecel while debunking social media reports circulating that it is about to shut down said it was opening more of its shops and franchises to serve its customers who need service during the lockdown.
In the statement below, The MNO said it is in the business for the long haul and it was already to serve its customers:
There has been a recycled and fabricated article from 2015 alleging Telecel Zimbabwe is closing down. Please be informed this is false and must be treated as fake news.
We are actually opening more of our shops and franchises following the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions by the authorities. We will keep focused on our customers as we push to deliver our renowned value in these trying times.
Thank you for your continued support over the years
Meanwhile, a few weeks back Telecel slashed some of its employees’ salaries to ZWL$800.-Techunzipped
You can’t rob people forever. You robbed the 2018 vote. First you abused ZEC & robbed. Then abused the ConCourt& robbed. You abused the Supreme Court& robbed. You abused Parliament & robbed. You rob people’s lives daily. You rob a whole generation. Now we want everything back!
Zupco is bringing its 500 franchised kombis back into operation, while the Government is allowing operators of conventional buses with valid operating permits to ferry people to and from work.
Since all formal sector businesses were allowed to reopen on Monday and lockdown movement restrictions were as a consequence relaxed, Zupco has been battling to move commuters to and from work, with people having to wait, at times, for several hours while others breached safety and lockdown rules by grabbing rides in trucks.
Zupco acting chief executive officer Mr Evaristo Madangwa said the commuter omnibuses started operating on Monday in Harare and Bulawayo with full operation expected throughout this week in other towns and cities.
“We have noted that after the announcement of Level 2 of the national lockdown, the number of people increased as they wanted to go to work. We then reintroduced those commuter omnibuses that were using the Zupco franchising system.
“There are about 500 commuter omnibuses and about 507 buses operating countrywide,” he said.
While many operators of conventional buses already have vehicles in the franchised Zupco fleet, unfranchised buses can now be put on the road so long as the operator has a valid operating permit.
Clarifying on who qualifies to be a public transporter and will be allowed to transport people during the lockdown, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana said anyone in the transport business with a valid permit was eligible to transport people to and from work.
President Mnangagwa last Friday announced Level 2 of the national lockdown where he said public buses would only be the mode of transport.
“Bus operators must ensure that their buses are disinfected twice daily, and that commuters wear masks, have their temperatures checked and hands sanitised before boarding buses. Social distancing must also be maintained within all buses,” he said.More in Home
But independent kombis and smaller taxis are not permitted to operate. Said Mr Mangwana: “The President has been very clear on the issue of buses. It is very clear that those in the transport business have not been stopped. They were not stopped from operating as long as they have operating licences.”
Mr Mangwana, however, said buses were not allowed to operate between cities. “Intercity movement is not allowed, meaning buses are not allowed to move from one city to the other,” he said.
After the outcry by many regarding Econet’s decision to hike pricing of data bundles yesterday, NetOne has followed suit after 24 hours;
Before flocking to NetOne for better deals, here’s what subscribers will now have to pay for the different types of data on offer at NetOne;
One-Fi
One-Fi is particularly interesting because a lot of the outrage generated by Econet was because of the review of their Private Wi-Fi bundle. For NetOne One-Fi remains priced similarly;
This means $400 will still get you 25GB whilst ZW$800 and ZW$1000 get you 50GB and 80GB respectively. All of the packages are valid for a month.
This came as a surprise because NetOne and Econet have followed each other closely when it comes to pricing.
This is a massive difference in pricing that might result in NetOne gaining a few thousand subscribers.
Bundled data
Other bundles i.e the hourly, daily, weekly and monthly bundles are as follows:
Price
Data allocation
Validity
Hourly
$15
1000MB
1 Hour
Daily
$5
30MB
24 hours
$10
80MB
24 hours
$20
200MB
24 hours
$30
480MB
24 hours
$50
960MB
24 hours
$60
1200MB
24 hours
Weekly
$5
28MB
1 Week
$10
60MB
1 Week
$25
160MB
1 Week
$50
350MB
1 Week
$95
700MB
1 Week
Monthly
$40
220MB
30 Days
$100
560MB
30 Days
$150
960MB
30 Days
$250
1760MB
30 Days
$400
3200MB
30 Days
Social media bundles
Platform
Price
Data Allocation
Validity
Facebook
$3
20MB
1 Day
$5
30MB
1 Day
$10
70MB
Weekly
$20
140MB
Weekly
$30
210MB
Monthly
$50
400MB
Monthly
WhatsApp
$3
20MB
1 Day
$5
30MB
1 Day
$10
70MB
Weekly
$20
140MB
Weekly
$30
210MB
Monthly
$50
400MB
Monthly
Instagram
$3
20MB
1 Day
$5
30MB
1 Day
$10
70MB
Weekly
$20
140MB
Weekly
$30
210MB
Monthly
$50
400MB
Monthly
Twitter
$3
20MB
1 Day
$5
30MB
1 Day
$10
70MB
Weekly
$20
140MB
Weekly
$30
210MB
Monthly
$50
400MB
Monthly
Subscribers interested in the night bundle will now pay $20 for 1GB
SMS Bundles
SMS bundles also got revised and are now structured as follows;
Doctor attending to a failing Coronavirus patient.
Agents|An Italian doctor illustrated the sad final moments of the different patients he was with before they finally gave in to death.
He said he saw so many patients infected with Covid-19 say their final goodbyes to their loved ones and relatives before dying.
The Italian Doctor said “watching patients during their final moments alone, listening to their cry and plea to say their last goodbyes to their wives, husbands and love-ones breaks my heart”
“Looking at them, it just seems as though they’ve partly crossed to the other side but still waiting to see their loved ones one last time before letting go completely” he added.
“I see their tears as they cry like babies, so many of them struggling to live as the minutes count and I feel totally sad cause I can’t help beyond my abilities and it hurts me and the other doctors. Most times, we can’t hold the tears so we just cry along while consoling them” the doctor added.
He also spoke about the really sad moment where he tried everything humanly possible within his power to save one of the critically ill patients, the doctor said: ‘I had to take out my phone and called his wife on video so they say goodbye for the last time’.
Italy has been tormented hard by the virus, so many families have lost people they love. The Virus hit them at a time they weren’t prepared for it. My heart weeps for those who have been denied life by the virus.
By A Correspondent- The women who arrived in Zimbabwe on 7 April 2020 from Botswana are still quarantined at a Bulawayo facility where they are yet to get their coronavirus tests results.
In an exclusive interview with ZimEye, the women said they are now being treated like prisoners where they are not allowed to ask questions regarding their overstay.
Said one of the women:
“The social welfare officers do not even want to talk to us and when we ask about our test results, no- one is forthcoming with any answers.
We are being treated like prisoners where we are not allowed to ask any questions but we have overstayed because today marks 30 days in quarantine.”
The women said their life at the United College of Education in Bulawayo is not only a pain in the neck but they are now being subjected to soldiers and police brutality.
“We are chased away by soldiers and one of the ladies fell and hurt herself while fleeing from them. The soldiers are also not only rude but they converse in Ndebele and expect us to understand even when we tell them that we cannot speak or hear the language.”
One of the women at the centre also said that they were being denied medication for other ailments besides HIV.
“Only those who are on ART are being given drugs but some of us who suffer from other ailments such as BP, we are told to fend the medication for ourselves. Asking the social welfare officials to go and buy the medication for us is also a challenge because they refuse to go and buy the medication for us. We are suffering.”
Watch the live video loading below for a first hand account of the women’s challenges at the Bulawayo quarantine facility….
By A Correspondent- The European Union is set to blacklist Zimbabwe and other counties that pose a financial risk to the union because of money laundering and terrorism financing shortfalls.
According to a local publication, Reuters claims it has documents in its possession that show that Zimbabwe, Botswana and Ghana are the only 3 African countries on the European Union’s list of counties to be blacklisted tomorrow because they “pose significant threats to the financial system of the EU“:
Countries on the list “pose significant threats to the financial system of the EU,” the draft document, which is still subject to changes, says.
Under EU law, banks and other financial and tax firms are obliged to scrutinise more closely their clients who have dealings with countries on the list.
Reuters|The European Commission is set to include Panama, the Bahamas, Mauritius and nine other countries to its list of states that pose a financial risks to the bloc because of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing shortfalls, a draft document shows.
The document, seen by Reuters and expected to be published on Thursday, also includes Barbados, Botswana, Cambodia, Ghana, Jamaica, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua and Zimbabwe to the EU listing.
Countries on the list “pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union,” the draft document, which is still subject to changes, says.
Under EU law, banks and other financial and tax firms are obliged to scrutinise more closely their clients who have dealings with countries on the list.
The World Bank will give Zimbabwe US$7 million to support the country’s response to Covid-19, despite the loan arrears. Of that amount, US$5m will come from the Global Financing Facility Trust Fund & the rest will be redirected from the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project.
North Korea is commonly known for its involvement in Nuclear weapons which has made many states to fear them in case of war outbreak. Also their leader Kim jong Un is among the leaders who has been criticized by US President Donald Trump for his involvement in making of Nuclear weapons but the North Korean leader is always stubborn and most of the times seems to be less concerned by the criticism.
Last week reports went online that the North Korean leader is dead. This is because he did not appear in public media for close to twenty days. This was escalated by China sending some medical experts to check on Kim jong Un. Many thought his health has detoriated on seeing China’s decision to help by sending medical experts.
The North Korean leader appeared in public recently bringing to an end speculations that he was seriously ill and that he is unable to walk. He appeared walking briskly at an event attended by hundreds of officials. He was seen cutting ribbons in inauguration of a fertilizer plant.
Some leaders and defectors in North Korea have been forced to apologize for what they said about Kim Jong Un. One defector, Thae Yong Ho, who was deputy ambassador to Britain was forced to apologize for what he said about Kim Jong Un. He said in statement, ” I feel the blame and responsibility, whatever the reason i apologize to everyone “.
Other defector, also a member of parliament, Ji sinng-Ho who also said he was confident Kim Jong Un is dead, was also forced to apologize and withdraw his comments.
By Own Correspondent| The Government of Japan today announced an additional US$14.8 million in funding to meet the essential food security needs of vulnerable populations in Zimbabwe through the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ).
Through this funding, WFP will be able to procure and deliver approximately 25,600 metric tonnes of maize by June 2020, which will be distributed to vulnerable people across Zimbabwe through the GoZ’s food assistance programme, the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy (FDMS). It is expected that it will meet the essential food security needs of 512,000 households in rural areas for a period of six months.
Recurring droughts and the negative effects of economic conditions have resulted in Zimbabwe currently facing one of its most severe food security crises. A recent nationwide assessment, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), showed that the number of acutely food insecure Zimbabweans has risen to 4.3 million, from 3.8 million at the end of last year. The total number of food insecure people now stands at 7.7 million.
“We welcome this generous and timely contribution from the Government and people of Japan to support the food needs of Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable people, who are struggling to put food on the table. The maize procured to support the Government’s efforts will help to cushion Zimbabweans at the peak of the hunger season”, said Mr Eddie Rowe, WFP Country Representative and Director.
H.E. Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, the Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe, said “Japan has relied on the expertise of WFP to provide food assistance and build the resilience of drought-affected communities for many years. Given the extent and severity of the current food insecurity crisis in Zimbabwe, the Government of Japan decided to increase its funding even further. We expect this food assistance to support the immediate food needs of many of the most vulnerable households.”
Japan’s previous support to vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe through WFP provided food assistance while at the same time strengthening community resilience through the creation of productive assets, such as weir dams and nutrition gardens. It also provided much-needed nutritional support to expectant mothers at maternity waiting homes across the country.
Donor countries, including Japan, have contributed to WFP’s immediate response plan, but it still has a shortfall of US$130 million. With Zimbabwe’s already severe hunger crisis deepening and the current COVID-19 pandemic threatening to exacerbate this situation, additional funding is urgently needed. While supporting the country’s response to the pandemic, WFP has a critical role to play by sustaining its scaled-up food assistance programme, which must be delivered at full capacity.
In accepting the donation, the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable J. Moyo stated that, ‘The donation by the Government of Japan has come at an opportune time when the Government is grappling to address food insecurity which has resulted from the 2019/2020 drought and the current economic reforms’. He added that, Zimbabwe’s appeal for humanitarian assistance now stands at USD2 billion and that the much needed assistance will leave visible footprints in the most vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe.
The Government of Zimbabwe commends the World Food Programme (WFP) for the tremendous role they continue to play in rendering assistance to the food insecure households in Zimbabwe.
South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni is not sounding like a man who is enjoying his office anymore.
The minister is now lamenting lack of freedom and political constraints being brought by his current post in government. He labelled serving in the government as an abusive job.
The minister in his own words does not seem to enjoy the limitations and obeying collective decisions being made.
The minister complained about the lack of gratitude leaders get and the remuneration which he views as too little.
Last night through his Twitter account, Tito Mboweni expressed his grief in two emotional messages.
The first one read:
Not so long ago, I was a free man, no political constraints. Then I agreed, voluntarily to join Government. Tjoooo! Free but not free!! You have to obey the majority/collective decisions! Sometimes it feels like swallowing a rock!?
I have often asked myself the question: What is the art of politics? The Path to Power and how to stay in Power! And lead your People correctly. Corruption free. Why do people want to be in Power, actually? Why? It’s a poorly paying, thankless and abusive job!!
Perhaps the sentiments by Mboweni could be a bitter lesson for our own Mthuli Ncube who certainly appears to be in the same predicament.
Mboweni, like Mthuli Ncube, has previously worked in private sector and public sector where they made good names for themselves.
Many are now worried that the finance minister will soon be announcing his resignation as contrary opinions don’t seem to be welcome in that cabal.
Unlike our Mthuli Ncube, who has tangled himself in ZANU PF politics to his determinant, with Mboweni’s leadership in finances there is nothing to criticize as he has always stayed true to his words.
Many are pleading with the minister to keep leading the finances as people need him more during this tough time, something that most Zimbabweans will not wish for Mthuli Ncube.
However some are saying the utterances of Mr Mboweni are those of a spoilt child.
In country where at least 60% of its citizens lived below poverty line before Covid-19, earning more than R2,4 million per annum excluding benefits, cannot be classified as being poorly paid as the minister is putting it.
It is therefore noble for Mr. Tito Mboweni to resign as it seems the government is offering him too little and his ideas are being thwarted.
Lesson for Mthuli Ncube from Mboweni, true leadership is not about sercuring a position or titles but rather about leaving a legacy and sercuring the next generation.
The government of Zimbabwe through the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has with immediate gazetted Statutory Instrument 80 of 2020 which enforces interoperability across all mobile network operators and money transmission, enforcing mobile money players to share switches, while it also takes over the sole role of authorizing tariffs.
This move simply means one can now send money from Telecash to Ecocash, One Money or vice versa, plus any other operator like sendmetoo, sendmoney etc, a very exciting move to the users but disruptive to the operators.
The reserve bank has also announced that all money transmission providers will only charge below their regulated fees, meaning they now determine ceiling costs with punitive measures against any violations.
The money transmission providers shall be monitored in real time and the reserve bank must be given such access to any licensed operator, though the only access level shall be limited to read only.
While the move will be greatly celebrated by subscribers, it seems it is more motivated by need to control black market foreign currency trading, which have heavily driven the foreign currency rates.
Zimbabwean billionaire Mr. Strive Masiyiwa Has been appointed to coordinate a private sector-led continental effort to produce critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies in the fight against covid 19 by the African Union chairman and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This was announced during a teleconference meeting of the bureau of the assembly to the AU Heads of state last week with chairpersons of the regional economic communities of the AU.
The African Leaders have agreed to work together in the fight of Covid 19 and acknowledged the efforts of African leader in their respective countries to contain the virus and adopt measures to mitigate against its socio-economic impact.
Strive Masiyiwa is the founder and executive chairman of the telecommunication, technology and renewable energy company Econet global. He is considered one Of Africa’s most generous humanitarians. Masiiwa also funds initiatives in public health by supporting a diverse range of Health issues including campaigns against HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and more recently Ebola. It’s no doubt why Ramaphosa has appointed him for the covid 19 pandemic.
In this dire time of need solidarity is the one thing that is going to help us fight this pandemic. This shows unity amongst business people and the African leaders to fight the pandemic.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) notes with concern the premature lifting of lockdown restrictions by the Government of Zimbabwe without meeting the six (6) conditions prescribed by the World Health Organization for lifting lockdown restrictions.
President Mnangagwa reviewed the lockdown restrictions through Statutory Instrument 99 of 2020 on 01 May 2020 and effectively allowed the movement of citizens with wearing masks being mandatory. Zimbabwe has not conducted sufficient tests and contact tracing, to warrant an easing of restrictions, in fact the country the country has been dogged by limited test kits in public health facilities.
By transferring the burden of testing and public safety to corporates, Government, in our view has abdicated its social and responsibility and constitutional duty as required by section 76(1) of the Zimbabwe Constitution.
In our view, the premature lifting of the lockdown lacks a coherent strategy to deal with the spread and impact of COVID-19 and government has relegated its duty of containing the spread by requiring corporates to conduct testing and enforcing social distancing at the workplace. The World Health Organization set the following standard conditions for the lifting of restrictions:
a) Disease transmission is under control b) Health systems are able to “detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact” c) Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes d) Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures e) The risk of importing new cases “can be managed” f) Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal
We note with concern that Zimbabwe has not met the conditions set by WHO to allow the country to open up commerce and industry amid rising cases of local transmissions and posthumous COVID-19 confirmations. By easing the lockdown restrictions government has surrendered to fate at a time that the repurposing of health facilities is ongoing at a snail’s pace and minimum public education on the disease is available.
In fact the Ministry of Health and Child Care only began its community outreach targeting high-density suburbs on 02 May 2020 after announcing a partial lockdown.
Government’s easing of lockdown restrictions has not corresponded with the reality facing citizens. By ordering the mandatory wearing of masks without access for vulnerable groups, government has left already impoverished citizens at the mercy of unscrupulous businesses. In the absence of a comprehensive public education programme, masks may pose greater risks to citizens.
We urge the government to urgently review SI 99 of 2020 by extending a lockdown that is supported by extensive testing and contact tracing and immediate social safety nets that are commensurate with the new Poverty Datum Line of ZW$6,240.87. We reiterate that in the interest of public health and safety, Government should only consider relaxing the lockdown restrictions after satisfactorily meeting the six (6) preconditions set by WHO.
The following issues should form the gist of the national prevention and response plan:
a. The urgent and speedy repurposing of healthcare facilities to ensure that citizens have access to COVID-19 screening, testing and treatment facilities and general healthcare is available, accessible and affordable to every citizen who needs it. b. Restoring public confidence in the health care system by establishing more resilient health care systems, adequately equipping facilities and incentivizing health workforce. c. Government must immediately dispatch financial assistance to vulnerable groups targeting the 8,5 million citizens who face starvation and those in the informal sector whose livelihoods were destroyed. In the absence of a social cushioning facility, social or physical distancing in Zimbabwe will remain a pipe dream, as citizens will continue to crowd in search of basic commodities. d. Periodic and timely updates on progress, explaining each stage or phase to citizens, to insulate citizens against the spread of the virus
THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on workers to immediately stop reporting for work until government gets its house in order for a Coronavirus free workplace for workers.
In a statement, ZCTU secretary-general, Japhet Moyo said government has neglected the safety of the workers and thrown them to workplaces with inadequate preparations.
He said the neglect raised serious concerns as workers had been left exposed to higher risks of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged the workers to boycott work until the conditions were met.
Read the full statement below:
We note with serious concern that when the government of Zimbabwe announced that the country was down grading its fight against COVID19 to stage 2, it was not yet ready and therefore exposing workers to much greater risks.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is disturbed that the government abrogated its role and suddenly parcelled out its responsibilities to the private sector employers and health institutions when it comes to testing, provision of face masks, and even sanitisation of the work places.
The new guidelines for Level 2 that were announced by government have created pandemonium and more confusion. It is clear that the government did not consult enough on level 2 and its implications on the ground.
The ZCTU is concerned that the government once again failed to consult the Tripartite Negotiating Forum(TNF) in this crucial decision hence even employers were not ready to accept workers back at the work stations as seen by the fact that workers travelled to work only to be returned back home.
I think we need to emphasize that there was no consultations at TNF and therefore the policy lacks the inputs of labour and employers.
We demand that an urgent TNF meeting be convened to deal with the challenges workers now face as a result of the ill informed decision.
The hard pressed workers are now scrounging for money to buy substandard face masks to go to work. In any case there is no guarantee that the testing kits are not contaminated with Corona virus.
Worse still there was inadequate transport arrangement for workers to go to work and most of them were left stranded as the public transport provider, ZUPCO failed to cope.
The ZCTU therefore urges workers to stop going to work under these circumstances that could potentially expose them to the Corona virus until they are satisfied that they are safe.
By Farai D Hove| The government of Zimbabwe has performed a u-turn on forcing employers to test their workers for COVID-19.
This new position was confirmed by the spokesman, Nick Mangwana who tweeting Wednesday morning said:
Shortage of testing kits has resulted in challenges for firms to have their employees tested. Govt has now given firms a temporary reprieve.They will still need to test their employees as soon as kits are available. In the meantime; -Temp check -Sanitise -Mask -Social Distance
Zanu PF UK Youth league chairman Farai Kudhlakwazinda known as @FaraiMuvuti speaks on 2 bottle donation to St Paul's Musami Hospital: He says 30000 litres of sanitizers donated yet only 130 litres accounted for, can this be proof of corruption?
Zanu PF UK Youth league chairman Farai Kudhlakwazinda known as @FaraiMuvuti speaks on 2 bottle donation to St Paul's Musami Hospital: He says 30000 litres of sanitizers donated yet only 130 litres accounted for, can this be proof of corruption @ZanuPFYLUK ? pic.twitter.com/OAACufK2NF
The Ministry of Health and Child Care reports that no new cases have emerged this far from tests done on Tuesday.
The country has entered its fifth day with no new cases besides an intensified testing programme. Almost 15 000 people have been tested so far and only 34 cases confirmed with four deaths.
State Media|The ban on second-hand clothes imports must be strictly enforced after Cabinet was briefed on smuggling rackets in south-eastern Zimbabwe that could see more Covid-19 cases as a result.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in her briefing after the meeting that “the apparent increase in the smuggling of second-hand clothes into the country through border posts such as Mt Selinda and Sango poses unprecedented danger of contracting COVID-19 by those who wear them. Government will henceforth upscale the enforcement of the law banning the importation of second-hand clothes”.
Turning to prices, she said: “Cabinet noted with concern the surging in prices of basic goods despite the recently agreed price moratorium by all the stakeholders,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
During the meeting, Ministers presented reports on the 100-day priority projects. Cabinet noted that some of the projects were hampered by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Matema informed Cabinet that 3 060 ICT gadgets comprising iPads, laptops, projectors and accessories had been distributed to 60 primary schools in Lupane district;
Minister Mutsvangwa said Minister Mathema updated Cabinet that upgrading and registering of satellite schools in Midlands, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West was 76,6 percent complete and that maintenance of teaching and learning infrastructure in the Midlands Province stood at 97,5 percent among other projects.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima told colleagues that sign language training for 100 social welfare officers was halfway complete and that training of 300 sub-national staff on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) procedures and policies was at 36 percent complete, with 109 officers having been trained. BEAM is a programme to provide assistance to disadvantaged families to ensure their children can attend school.
Minister Mutsvangwa said her Local Government and Public Works counterpart July Moyo said the construction of block B under the ZRP Tomlinson Flats Project is 98 percent complete, with plumbing and electrical works almost complete.
Minister Moyo also gave an update on other various projects under his ministry dotted around the country including the construction of 10 housing units in the Tsholotsho Disaster Recovery Project which are now 60 percent complete.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi gave a progress report on the decentralisation of Legal Aid Directorate to Chiredzi, Beitbridge and Chivhu.
In his presentation Minister Ziyambi said under the Food Production Enhancement Project in the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, achievements include the planting of the 422 hectares of maize, 80 hectares of cow peas, and 18,3 hectares of sugar beans, which are now being harvested; four hectares of horticultural crops under drip irrigation; and seven hectares under overhead irrigation.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube presented a report on the Open Budget Survey of 2019, which covers 117 countries globally and Cabinet noted with satisfaction that Zimbabwe has moved up in the global and regional rankings to 3 in Africa and 52 in the world.
NewsDay|TOGARA Munemo (49), a civil servant is a dejected man.
As he stands at the gate, the family man is not certain about what will become of him during this COVID-19 lockdown after he was ejected from his rented house by the new property owner.
His tale is that of many families who have been subjected to evictions by property owners despite the current lockdown rules and ravaging effects of the coronavirus.
The civil servant and his family spent Friday night in the open after the new house owner, Mubaiwa Dzvuke allegedly chucked them out and moved in.
Dzvuke is the MDC Alliance councillor for Nyameni high-density suburb.
“We were given notice in February to leave the property and I complied,” Munemo said.
“I then found another house and paid the rentals anticipating to move in by the end of this month.
“However, the tenant living in the house I am to occupy did not relocate to Harare as planned due to the lockdown. The new house owner did not take any of that into account and threw us out. We slept in the open.”
When NewsDay visited the house, Munemo was still outside with his family and property.
“I have been staying here for the past two years, but I am worried how I am going to secure another accommodation given the current situation.
“My new landlord understood my issue and did let the outgoing tenant stay until this is over. I thought Dzvuke would understand the situation better as a policymaker, but that’s not it,” Munemo said.
Munemo is currently sleeping in the open with his eight family members, among them children despite the cold nights often experienced in Marondera.
Dzvuke yesterday confirmed being the new owner and said Munemo refused to sleep in the house.
“I bought the house in January and gave Munemo notice,” Dzvuke said.
“He was not my tenant and I did not even ask for rentals.
“He kept on saying he was set to occupy a house whose tenant is set to relocate to Harare. The deal was for them to move out on Workers Day.
“When I arrived at the house as per our agreement, Munemo’s wife started moving their property out. When her husband returned, he called an army official and told them their story. I even created two rooms for them to put their things and possibly sleep, but they refused,” Dzvuke said.
In a bid to protect tenants whose source of income was affected by the lockdown, President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week deferred payment of rentals, ordering landlords to accept payment of rental arrears in instalments after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Evictions were also outlawed.
Statutory Instrument 97 2020 reads: “Any person who causes or forces or attempts to cause or force the eviction of any protected tenant or protected mortgagor for asserting or exercising any of his or her rights under these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level twelve or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
However, Munemo’s case is a different one as it is not about rentals. For now, he will continue sleeping in the open until he secures new lodgings.
Zupco is bringing its 500 franchised kombis back into operation, while the Government is allowing operators of conventional buses with valid operating permits to ferry people to and from work.
Since all formal sector businesses were allowed to reopen on Monday and lockdown movement restrictions were as a consequence relaxed, Zupco has been battling to move commuters to and from work, with people having to wait, at times, for several hours while others breached safety and lockdown rules by grabbing rides in trucks.
Zupco acting chief executive officer Mr Evaristo Madangwa said the commuter omnibuses started operating on Monday in Harare and Bulawayo with full operation expected throughout this week in other towns and cities.
“We have noted that after the announcement of Level 2 of the national lockdown, the number of people increased as they wanted to go to work. We then reintroduced those commuter omnibuses that were using the Zupco franchising system.
“There are about 500 commuter omnibuses and about 507 buses operating countrywide,” he said.
While many operators of conventional buses already have vehicles in the franchised Zupco fleet, unfranchised buses can now be put on the road so long as the operator has a valid operating permit.
Clarifying on who qualifies to be a public transporter and will be allowed to transport people during the lockdown, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana said anyone in the transport business with a valid permit was eligible to transport people to and from work.
President Mnangagwa last Friday announced Level 2 of the national lockdown where he said public buses would only be the mode of transport.
“Bus operators must ensure that their buses are disinfected twice daily, and that commuters wear masks, have their temperatures checked and hands sanitised before boarding buses. Social distancing must also be maintained within all buses,” he said.
But independent kombis and smaller taxis are not permitted to operate. Said Mr Mangwana: “The President has been very clear on the issue of buses. It is very clear that those in the transport business have not been stopped. They were not stopped from operating as long as they have operating licences.”
Mr Mangwana, however, said buses were not allowed to operate between cities. “Intercity movement is not allowed, meaning buses are not allowed to move from one city to the other,” he said.
Dr Prosper Chonzi director Health Services at City of Harare
State Media|Government should consider standardising rapid test kits for mandatory testing of all employees to ensure quality results.
The call comes amid reports of some “fake” test kits on the market.
Public health expert Dr Prosper Chonzi who is also director Health Services at City of Harare said some test kits provide negative results when in actual fact the person would be positive.
“It is commendable that as people go back to work we want to know their status as far as Covid-19 is concerned. For me, rapid test would be a good starting point, but my concern is to do with quality of test kits to be used.
“If people are then asked to go and buy own test kits and bring them to the health worker for them to get tested without giving them specifics, it might compromise the whole exercise,” said Dr Chonzi.
He said to ensure that companies use validated test kits, Government should prescribe the actual type of test kits that are supposed to be used in the process or give testing institutions a provision to buy the kits and add an administration fee to the testing process in order to guarantee quality results.
“If people just procure rapid test kits from anywhere, without proper validation either by WHO, Ministry of Health or the Laboratory Scientist Council, then we run a risk of having people importing and selling fake rapid test kits in the country.
“We will then have false results, either false positives or false negatives.
“If they are false negatives, it gives us a false sense of security, if they are false positives it then impacts on our resources for the national response,” said Dr Chonzi.
He said procuring test kits as a country could also result in cheaper kits owing to economies of scale.
Zimbabwe Medical Doctors Association (ZIMA) President, Dr Francis Chiwora added that while it is good for Government to test and treat everyone, use of RDT should not be an option because of its inaccuracies.
He said Government must instead expedite the use of GeneXpert machines in testing for Covid-19 arguing that it was cheaper while giving accurate results.
“This is what they are using in South Africa, it’s less expensive and effective,” said Dr Chiwora.
The gold standard of testing for Covid-19, which is the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is estimated to cost between US$45 and US$65 per test against about US$25 for RDT.
The Zimbabwe College of Public Health Physicians (ZCPHP) said using RDT will only be costly, but with little value.
“If any of the above is positive, the employees should have an antigen based (PCR) test,” reads part of a statement from the physicians.
It said Government must also ensure that companies must adhere to basic hygiene measures that include hand hygiene, cough etiquette, social distancing by reorganising work places, compulsory wearing of face masks and continued education on Covid-19.
“ZCPHP strongly recommends not conducting mandatory testing of all employees with RDTs since this is going to be costly and has little value.”
Yesterday, Ministry of Health and Child Care issued guidelines on how the mandatory testing would be rolled out.
Norest Marumha celebrates from with her mother after being released on parole.
State Media|Another 2 528 prisoners were released yesterday under the amended amnesty proclaimed by President Mnangagwa shortening their jail terms to time served.
They join 1 680 others who were freed in March.
Among those released yesterday were 172 women, with Norest Marumha possibly getting the largest remission since she was sentenced more than two years ago for 20 years over a human trafficking scandal that left several women stranded in Kuwait.
She was the local agent in a trafficking saga that saw Zimbabwean women lured to the Middle East on false promises of good jobs.
Six of those released yesterday were serving life terms, having completed at least 20 years behind bars to qualify for clemency, including murderer Jorum Siwela — a former Chapungu Football Club player — who killed his rival suitor in a love triangle 22 years ago.
The inmates going home yesterday came from prisons across the country. Harare prisons released 396, Mashonaland Central 259, Mashonaland West 283, Mashonaland East 242, Manicaland 321, Midlands 322, Masvingo 162, Bulawayo 280, Matabeleland North 98, and Matabeleland South 165.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Officer Commanding Harare province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Alvord Gapare said the Presidential clemency will ease pressure on the available resources.
“The release of inmates will go a long way in reducing pressure on available resources,” he said. “It decongests our prisons and we commend the President for pardoning these prisoners.
“Before releasing them, we carried a voluntary Covid-19 testing and we are happy that their results came out negative. We also educated them on the health measures they should observe to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
“We also assisted them with letters and bus fare to see them through to their destinations.” One of the pardoned life prisoners, James Dube, thanked Government for the freedom.
“I was arrested for murder in 1996 at the age of 22 in Gokwe,” he said. “I was sentenced to death in 1998. Later, I was removed from death to life sentence.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa for this amnesty. I thought I would die in prison, but the President has pardoned me. I am now a free man. I have learnt a lot during these years and I urge the remaining inmates to behave well.”
Another life prisoner from Harare Central Remand Prison, Jacob Harineki, was freed after serving 22 years for murder. Harineki was jailed at 34 before being released yesterday at the age of 56.
“I came to jail at a young age,” he said. “I had nothing and now I am going back into the society with nothing. I appeal to anyone who can employ me so that I can start my life again.”
Another freed life inmate, Maxwell Sibanda (56), had nowhere to go after release, but Pastor Dickson Moyo of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church came to his rescue. Sibanda had served 26 years for murder before his life sentence was cut to the 26 years he had served.
Pastor Moyo, who is the church’s prison director, offered to take Sibanda to his home until he finds his relatives. “We must always be there for other people when they are in need,” he said. “This is not our first time as SDA to assist prisoners who do not have anywhere to go after their release.”
Norest Marumha, the Kuwait trafficking local agent, could not hide her joy on tasting freedom yesterday.
“On my first day in prison, I was depressed,” she said. “That was the same day thousands of pardoned inmates were leaving this place. That night I could not sleep. I was always in tears. However, I want to thank officers here who, through a series of counselling sessions, managed to calm me down until I accepted my situation.
“Today I got a new lease of life. I am going out there as a new creature, completely changed for the better. I want to thank my President for giving us another chance.”
Marumha’s mother, who preferred to be addressed as Madzimai Memory, was in tears of joy, hugging and kissing her daughter. “When my daughter was sentenced to 20 years in prison, I collapsed,” she said. “I could not believe it. Every weekend I would visit her here. I only stopped due to the lockdown. Everyday, I would kneel to pray for my daughter and today, my prayers have been answered.”
Zanu PF will today convene a Politburo meeting at its headquarters in Harare at a time when the Government is grappling with Covid-19 which has rattled the global economy.
The ruling party’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo, confirmed the meeting in a statement yesterday.
It is understood that the Covid-19 virus issue and the Government’s financial rescue package will come up for discussion during the meeting.
“The Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu wishes to advise all the members that there shall be a Politburo meeting to be held on Wednesday, 6 May 2020 at the party headquarters commencing 1000 hours,” said Cde Khaya Moyo in a statement.
State Media|THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has closed an unspecified number of mobile money agent lines suspected to have been fuelling exchange rate volatility.
A source within the central bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) told The Herald that the suspension of the mobile money agent lines and accounts across all networks was meant to facilitate investigations into potential illegal foreign currency activities.
The majority of financial transactions in Zimbabwe are conducted on mobile platforms with EcoCash accounting for about 95 percent of the volumes and the remainder by NetOne’s OneMoney.
Preliminary indications from the FIU show that transactions valued at more than $75 million were being executed on the agent lines even though the nature of their businesses did not support such huge money movement.
What heightened suspicion was the fact that the value of transactions remained “excessively high” despite the country being under the Covid-19 enforced lockdown for the past five weeks.
“That is the law of the FIU,” said a source within the Reserve Bank who declined to be identified citing confidentiality. They want to ensure that people or businesses with the agent lines are bona fide entities and they have to prove the source of their funding. The FIU, which tracks financial transactions in this country, wants mobile operators to enhance their Know Your Customer framework after establishing that there is weak KYC enforcement given the amount of suspicious transactions.
“It is not only EcoCash, but it is a market wide matter whereby the FIU want operators to enforce KYC principles. Therefore they have frozen suspected agent lines so that each matter can be evaluated on a case by case basis.”
The source said the objective of the blitz was to curb illegal transactions that could be artificially driving the exchange rate volatility, thereby fuelling inflation.
Recently, the RBZ suspended some bureaux de change and micro finance institutions over suspected illegal forex activities causing exponential depreciation of the domestic currency.
This is widely believed to be the driving force behind a sustained rise in prices, which has seen inflation galloping to new record levels.
Companies opening under Level 2 of the Covid-19 national lockdown can now postpone testing until kits are accessible with employers, but must ensure staff undergo screening that involves temperature testing and hand sanitisation before they enter the workplace.
Cabinet made the adjustment yesterday to the conditions after realising that companies were facing difficulties in acquiring the rapid results test kits.
The testing requirement was only postponed, with companies still required to organise the rapid results tests as soon as this is reasonably possible.
After the Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said only workers with temperatures above the range set by the Ministry of Health of Health and Child Care would be required to undergo mandatory testing in a ministry facility.
“Statutory Instrument 99 of 2020 requires companies in the commercial and industrial sectors which are opening for the first time during the period of lockdown to have all their employees tested for the Covid-19 virus using the rapid results test,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“This is a condition precedent. It has since transpired that companies are experiencing difficulties in accessing the rapid results test kits for testing their employees.”
To allow commercial and industrial companies to re-open under the relaxation of the lockdown, “Government has decided that, pending companies acquiring the required test kits to test their employees, companies will be permitted to open subject to the following conditions being met in relation to their employees:
“Temperature tests upon entering work premises, hand sanitisers upon entry to sanitise their hands, each employee to wear a face mask in appropriate form and employees to practise social distancing in the work place.
“In the event that an employee has a temperature which is above that which the Ministry of Health and Child Care considers requires further testing, then such employee shall not be admitted to the work place, but shall immediately be referred to a facility of the Ministry of Health and Child Care to enable a Rapid Result Test, to be administered on such employee.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said in the event that the employee tested positive for the rapid results test, then the employee shall be referred to a place of quarantine in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Said the Minister: “For the avoidance of doubt, companies shall remain under an obligation to subject all their employees to the rapid results tests as soon as reasonably possible during the period of the declaration of the Covid-19 virus as a formidable epidemic disease by the Minister of Health and Child Care.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said Cabinet agreed on the establishment of a local consortium of researchers drawn from IamBYO-Fighting Covid-19 initiative, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
State Media|The ban on second-hand clothes imports must be strictly enforced after Cabinet was briefed on smuggling rackets in south-eastern Zimbabwe that could see more Covid-19 cases as a result.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in her briefing after the meeting that “the apparent increase in the smuggling of second-hand clothes into the country through border posts such as Mt Selinda and Sango poses unprecedented danger of contracting COVID-19 by those who wear them. Government will henceforth upscale the enforcement of the law banning the importation of second-hand clothes”.
Turning to prices, she said: “Cabinet noted with concern the surging in prices of basic goods despite the recently agreed price moratorium by all the stakeholders,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
During the meeting, Ministers presented reports on the 100-day priority projects. Cabinet noted that some of the projects were hampered by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Cain Matema informed Cabinet that 3 060 ICT gadgets comprising iPads, laptops, projectors and accessories had been distributed to 60 primary schools in Lupane district;
Minister Mutsvangwa said Minister Mathema updated Cabinet that upgrading and registering of satellite schools in Midlands, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West was 76,6 percent complete and that maintenance of teaching and learning infrastructure in the Midlands Province stood at 97,5 percent among other projects.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima told colleagues that sign language training for 100 social welfare officers was halfway complete and that training of 300 sub-national staff on the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) procedures and policies was at 36 percent complete, with 109 officers having been trained. BEAM is a programme to provide assistance to disadvantaged families to ensure their children can attend school.
Minister Mutsvangwa said her Local Government and Public Works counterpart July Moyo said the construction of block B under the ZRP Tomlinson Flats Project is 98 percent complete, with plumbing and electrical works almost complete.
Minister Moyo also gave an update on other various projects under his ministry dotted around the country including the construction of 10 housing units in the Tsholotsho Disaster Recovery Project which are now 60 percent complete.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi gave a progress report on the decentralisation of Legal Aid Directorate to Chiredzi, Beitbridge and Chivhu.
In his presentation Minister Ziyambi said under the Food Production Enhancement Project in the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, achievements include the planting of the 422 hectares of maize, 80 hectares of cow peas, and 18,3 hectares of sugar beans, which are now being harvested; four hectares of horticultural crops under drip irrigation; and seven hectares under overhead irrigation.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube presented a report on the Open Budget Survey of 2019, which covers 117 countries globally and Cabinet noted with satisfaction that Zimbabwe has moved up in the global and regional rankings to 3 in Africa and 52 in the world.
Gospel artiste Pastor Charles Charamba says challenges being faced by musicians due to the Covid-19-induced national lockdown should inspire deep understanding about the advantages of new information technology and investment.
Musicians largely depended on live shows, but the lockdown has turned the tables and brought in a new phase that calls for virtual interaction and dependence on other forms of investment as sources of income.
In an interview about the challenges and lessons he has faced and learnt under the current dark cloud engulfing the arts sector and many other facets globally, Pastor Charamba said the disadvantages at hand should bring out positive mindsets for betterment of careers.
He is among artistes that have embraced online live shows as a way of maintaining interactions with fans. In addition to the live performances, online music sales and advertisements have become common ways for musicians to reach out to their fans.
While other artistes have extended begging bowls in this challenging time, Pastor Charamba said he is privileged to be among musicians who have managed to use their talents as springboards to many avenues of investment and income.
The musician said he still manages to financially support members of his Fishers of Men group despite absence of live shows.
He said he manages to get income from his other investments to keep his basic expenses covered.
“This era has taught us a lot as musicians. We have traditionally depended on live shows as our cash cow and many of us have been badly caught up in this era of minimised movements and prohibited gatherings,” said Pastor Charamba.
“The use of technology for various non-personal interactions is now a need of great importance.
Musicians should embrace technology and realise that there are many other ways of operating in this era. Those who remain resistant to change may lose relevance.”
Pastor Charamba said they are currently doing most of their online shows as a social responsibility gesture.-State media
HAUNTED murderer Jorum Siwela, who spent 22 years of sleepless nights in prison, was yesterday freed on amnesty and immediately embarked on a hunt for the victim’s family to apologise and compensate for the loss.
Siwela, a former Chapungu Football Club player, believes avenging spirits were tormenting him as his emissaries failed to locate his victim’s family members for over a decade. He killed his rival suitor 22 years ago.
Siwela claims violent nightmares, and images of the murder he committed back in 1998, flash in his sleep. “Most of the times I find it difficult to sleep,” he said.
“I always dream of the person I killed. The name of the victim was Ullistas Mukowachimwe.
Sometimes he appears in my dreams, talking to me. He will be asking me why I killed him.
“At times I am beaten up by people who I do not see. I feel someone is beating me up so hard despite the fact that I will be alone in a room.
The problem that I am facing now is to locate his relatives, my parents have been trying to find them, but without success.”
Sources said the victim’s father and sibling were murdered a few months after Siwela’s arrest, making it difficult for his emissaries to locate the relatives.
Another uncle to the deceased, who also lived in Gweru, reportedly vanished without a trace.
Siwela was sentenced to life, but he finally tested freedom yesterday, courtesy of the recently amended Clemency Order gazetted last week.-State media
MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON RECALL OF OUR MPs BY THOKOZANI KHUPE
The MDC Alliance Assembly of Women learnt with great shock the recalling of our MPs namely Hon C Hwende, the Secretary General, Hon T Khumalo, the National Chair and Leader of the House, Hon Mutseyami, the Chief Whip in the House of Assembly and lastly Hon Timvious, the Chief Whip in the Senate by Thokozani Khupe.
What astonished us is that Khupe has her own party MDC T which contested in the 2018 elections and got 1 PR MP and 1 Senator whilst on the other hand we went to the same elections as MDC Alliance and got our MPs and Senators as well, so she had no right to recall our MPs. We know that Zanu PF has its hand on all this as it tries very hard to destabilise our party and our President.
We therefore would want to categorically state that we are standing in solidarity with our MPs and our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and no amount of threats will deter us from focusing on liberating this country as the backbone of the party. We will remain resolute and steadfast as we fight for our rights and freedoms.
We therefore urge all the women structures to stay on the alert as we await direction from the leadership on the wayforward. Nothing can stop the idea whose time has come. Aluta continua! Amandla!
The ban on second-hand clothes imports must be strictly enforced after Cabinet was briefed on smuggling rackets in south-eastern Zimbabwe that could see more Covid-19 cases as a result.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in her briefing after the meeting that “the apparent increase in the smuggling of second-hand clothes into the country through border posts such as Mt Selinda and Sango poses unprecedented danger of contracting COVID-19 by those who wear them.
Government will henceforth upscale the enforcement of the law banning the importation of second-hand clothes”.
Turning to prices, she said: “Cabinet noted with concern the surging in prices of basic goods despite the recently agreed price moratorium by all the stakeholders,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
During the meeting, Ministers presented reports on the 100-day priority projects.
Cabinet noted that some of the projects were hampered by the Covid-19 lockdown.-State media
Dear editor- On Monday I came face to face with the alarming level of incompetence and lack of professionalism within the police force.
I went to Masvingo Central Police Station to seek permission to travel to my rural home to see my sick brother – with the intention of taking him to hospital.
To my surprise the officers on duty tossed me from one office to another and I had to spend close to four hours at Masvingo Central Police Station.
While I eventually managed to have my application letter stamped, scores of people in the same predicament were denied permission to travel to their respective rural areas.
Some people literally wept as they were harassed by junior cops.As much as police officers are determined to enforce the lockdown restrictions, they must also be aware of the fact that people don’t just travel for fun.
I was pushed by the desire to save the life of our my sick brother- nothing else.
I would like to make a passionate appeal to the Police Commissioner and the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency.
I am willing to present my case to President Mnangagwa and the Police Commissioner General – that I will certainly do, mark my words- worried citizen
Farai Dziva| A Masvingo resident has said he is ready to present evidence of “gross police ineptitude” to Emmerson Mnangagwa and the ZRP Commissioner General.
See letter below:
Dear editor- On Monday I came face to face with the alarming level of incompetence and lack of professionalism within the police force.
I went to Masvingo Central Police Station to seek permission to travel to my rural home to see my sick brother – with the intention of taking him to hospital.
To my surprise the officers on duty tossed me from one office to another and I had to spend close to four hours at Masvingo Central Police Station.
While I eventually managed to have my application letter stamped, scores of people in the same predicament were denied permission to travel to their respective rural areas.
Some people literally wept as they were harassed by junior cops.As much as police officers are determined to enforce the lockdown restrictions, they must also be aware of the fact that people don’t just travel for fun.
I was pushed by the desire to save the life of our my sick brother- nothing else.
I would like to make a passionate appeal to the Police Commissioner and the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to resolve the issue as a matter of urgency.
I am willing to present my case to President Mnangagwa and the Police Commissioner General – that I will certainly do, mark my words- worried citizen
Farai Dziva|Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has just announced that Nelson Chamisa’s key MPs are no longer serving the august house following their recall in April 2020.
Said Mudenda, “on the 3rd of April 2020 Parliament was notified by the Movement Of Democratic Change Tsvangirai party, MDC-T that hon. C Hwende, member of parliament of Kuwadzana Constituency, Hon T Khumalo, Proportional Rep Of Bulawayo Province, Hon, T Mutseyami, MP of Chikanga Dangamvura Constituency have ceased to be members of the MDC-T party and therefore no longer represent the interest of the party and therefore Section 159 1a of the Constitution Of Zimbabwe provides that and I quote, ‘the seat of a member of parliament becomes vacant if the member has ceased to belong to the political party on which he or she was a member …
Commenting on Mudenda’ s announcement, political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya said:
Corona Parliament sitting to implement a corona lockdown judgement.
Agenda is to attempt to destroy MDC @nelsonchamisa while there are restrictions for political organization. But this will fail.
Khupe and Mwonzora recall MPs Hwende, Tabitha Khumalo and Mutseyami during Parliament sitting.
These are MDC Alliance MPs. Let the politics begin. The ZANU PF hand has clearly come out!
By A Correspondent | An outstanding black Zimbabwean male nurse has died. Mr Simon Nkomo was working at a hospital in the southern part of England.
Colleagues have described him as the friendliest person on earth.
Mr Nkomo who titled himself “A Defender Who Believeth In Social Justice,” will be remembered for complaining about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work.
He was well known for dedication to his profession, and working hard.
He was employed by the respected company, Cygnet and was a registered mental health nurse in Cambridgeshire.
Mr Nkomo had been ill for nearly 4 weeks. There had become a glimmer of hope last weekend when he began showing some signs of recovery; But sad news was later announced Tuesday morning.
An official family statement was awaited at the time of writing,
Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has said Douglas Mwonzora does not have MDC DNA.”
Ruhanya believes Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi “are hopeless political turncoats.”
“Beyond the news media headlines that are fizzling away daily, get this right: Mwonzora, Komichi have no capacity to take control of MDC- especially Mwonzora.
Political parties have values, history and foundations. Mwonzora does not have MDC DNA,” argued Ruhanya.
“Mwonzora’s rag tag group failed to capture MDC Mash East provincial offices last night. MDC youths resisted the attempt and held on to their property. They have now camped at their offices and say all their offices nationally are under control.”
Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has said Douglas Mwonzora does not have MDC DNA.”
Ruhanya believes Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi “are hopeless political turncoats.”
“Beyond the news media headlines that are fizzling away daily, get this right: Mwonzora, Komichi have no capacity to take control of MDC- especially Mwonzora.
Political parties have values, history and foundations. Mwonzora does not have MDC DNA,” argued Ruhanya.
“Mwonzora’s rag tag group failed to capture MDC Mash East provincial offices last night. MDC youths resisted the attempt and held on to their property. They have now camped at their offices and say all their offices nationally are under control.”
A 43-YEAR-OLD police officer has been arrested for allegedly raping his 17-year-old daughter on several occasions since she was 10-years-old.
The cop, a member of CID Gwanda who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda facing a rape charge.
He was remanded out of custody to May 29 on $1 000 bail. The police officer is alleged to have abused his daughter when her stepmother was not home.
Representing the accused person, Mr Bukhosi Ncube from Malinga and Mpofu Legal Practitioners tendered a bail consent form from the chief public prosecutor.
“Considering that this matter falls under the third schedule I sought permission from the chief public prosecutor which was granted for the court to have jurisdiction over the matter.
According to the consent the national public prosecution isn’t opposed to bail. May the accused be granted bail on the conditions started in the consent form,” he said.
Mrs Sibanda granted the accused person bail on condition that he resides at his given address and does not interfere with State witnesses.
Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said the accused person allegedly started raping his 17-year-old daughter in 2012 while she was 10-years-old.
She said the accused person continued raping the complainant who will turn 18 years later this year until the matter came to light last week.
“Sometime in 2012 the complainant was asleep at home when she felt a heavy weight on top of her. She woke up and realised that it was her father. She tried to scream but he threatened to beat her up and went on to rape her,” she said.
“Sometime in 2014 while the complainant was staying with her father in Beitbridge he raped her several times while her step mother was not around and he warned her against reporting the matter.
Sometime in 2016 they relocated to Lupane where he raped her several times.”
Miss Nare said they later relocated to Gwanda where the accused person continued raping the complainant.
She said the last incident occurred on April 29 when the accused person called the complainant into his bedroom and raped her.-State media
A 43-YEAR-OLD police officer has been arrested for allegedly raping his 17-year-old daughter on several occasions since she was 10-years-old.
The cop, a member of CID Gwanda who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Mrs Nomagugu Sibanda facing a rape charge.
He was remanded out of custody to May 29 on $1 000 bail. The police officer is alleged to have abused his daughter when her stepmother was not home.
Representing the accused person, Mr Bukhosi Ncube from Malinga and Mpofu Legal Practitioners tendered a bail consent form from the chief public prosecutor.
“Considering that this matter falls under the third schedule I sought permission from the chief public prosecutor which was granted for the court to have jurisdiction over the matter.
According to the consent the national public prosecution isn’t opposed to bail. May the accused be granted bail on the conditions started in the consent form,” he said.
Mrs Sibanda granted the accused person bail on condition that he resides at his given address and does not interfere with State witnesses.
Prosecuting, Miss Glenda Nare said the accused person allegedly started raping his 17-year-old daughter in 2012 while she was 10-years-old.
She said the accused person continued raping the complainant who will turn 18 years later this year until the matter came to light last week.
“Sometime in 2012 the complainant was asleep at home when she felt a heavy weight on top of her. She woke up and realised that it was her father. She tried to scream but he threatened to beat her up and went on to rape her,” she said.
“Sometime in 2014 while the complainant was staying with her father in Beitbridge he raped her several times while her step mother was not around and he warned her against reporting the matter.
Sometime in 2016 they relocated to Lupane where he raped her several times.”
Miss Nare said they later relocated to Gwanda where the accused person continued raping the complainant.
She said the last incident occurred on April 29 when the accused person called the complainant into his bedroom and raped her.-State media
SECRETARY OF COMMUNICATIONS MDC NAP??????
It is with baited breath and expectation of today’s events in the political landscape in Zimbabwe.The recall of our Members of Parliament is nothing surprising of an illegitimate junta.The vote and Constitution of Zimbabwe passed in 2013 will prevail and subdue all this witchcraft which is naked for all to see.We know that Adv President Nelson Chamisa is the People’s chosen candidate in 2018. 2.6 million votes spoke loudly.The massive failure of gvt led by an illegitimate President at Party level and at gvt level has now tried without success in trying to change the spotlight.Zimbabweans have been struggling,killed,totured and their basic rights stripped.However let it be very clear the Zimbabwean people will never be cowered into a corner and we will never surrender to tyranny. We have spoken and continue to speak Advocate President Nelson Chamisa is Zimbabwe’s President and the Leadership we voted for as MDC Alliance.What Justice Malaba and now Speaker Mudenda have done is not going to stop Zimbabweans from seeking the freedoms we deserve.We are resolutely behind our Leadership and we will not be moved.Aluta Continua
MDC NAP??????
Tim Muringai
Deputy Provincial Secretary
MDC ALLIANCE NAMIBIA IS NOT SHAKEN BY THE DESPERATE AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL RECALL OF ITS MPS BY THE ZANUPF SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT.
As Mdc Alliance Namibia district, we are not perturbed by the desperate and unconstitutional recall of our Mdc Alliance Mps.
We are Social Democrats nurtured and groamed by the Icon of democracy Dr Morgan Richard Tsvangirai as a result we resolutely remain behind our diligent Mps in the names of our Secretary General Charlton Hwende, Chairperson Thabitha Khumalo, Chief Whip Prosper Mutseyami and Senator Lillian Timveos. We pledge to give our undoubted solidarity to our gallant Social Transformers who are being tortured and persecuted by the politically inept regime.
Mdc Alliance Namibia district would like to make it categorically clear that President Advocate Nelson Chamisa and his vibrant legislators,party leadership and membership are the panacea to Socio-economic transformation. Zanupf captured courts can not impose their allies as our leaders. Thokozani Khupe fell off the rail of the National Democratic Revolution when she tried in vain to fight the Politics of the Big Tent, a brainchild of the late MdcT President Morgan Tsvangirai.
Furthermore, Thokozani Khupe fought the late President Morgan Tsvangirai till his death, they never reconciled until he died on the 14th of February 2018,May his soul rest in power. Being in the trenches for the past the past two decades fighting against Zanupf Thugocracy is not a minute struggle. We lost a lot of Heroes and Heroines,some butchered and others maimed by these Stomach politicians of rhetoric and self-aggrandisement.
Mwonzora and Komichi must remember that our pillar and source of inspiration is Morgan Richard Tsvangirai who left Advocate Nelson Chamisa with us to complete the National Democratic Revolution practising politics of the BIG TENT, individual glory and personal pursuits are not part of our core values as Social Democrats. Khupe and her cronies are Zanupf puppets. Our leader is Wamba dia Wamba. Simple!
10 litres of sanitiser from UK? Lol this is disrespectful
— uDube wase Tsholotsho ? (@michaelhoneyD) May 4, 2020
Why didn't they just put it on Zupco and have the windi/conductor take a video on his phone and read out loud message from the MP whilst handing the 10lts could have saved a lot
Tomorrow I will be appearing before the Magistrates Court in Harare facing Treason Charges. I remain resolute & unshaken. A few hours ago I was expelled from Parliament by Zanupf working in cohorts with a Party called MDC-T that I left in 2018 when I joined the MDC Alliance
— Chalton Hwende MP Chairperson Public Accounts (@hwendec) May 5, 2020
By A Correspondent- Mutoko District is facing a double tragedy as the 2020 Malaria season has coincided with the period where Zimbabwe as the rest of the World is grappling with the fight of Covid-19 pandemic.
In a meeting with the Mutoko District Health Executive (DHE), it was revealed that respraying of hotspots was set to be rolled out this week.
Acting District Medical Officer (A/DMO) Dr Prince Mangwiro said volunteers were on the ground mobilizing to start respraying in the areas that had presented as Malaria hotspots for the District.
He said:
“We are embarking on this exercise as a mitigatory measure in light of the increase in cases this Malaria Season. This season has seen a sharp rise to 14806 from 4756 in 2018 and 5817 in 2019 respectively.
People have been doing a lot of outdoor activities such as market gardening as a source of livelihood. 12 deaths have also been recorded this 2020 hence the fight to recline the sharp curve.
Some of these deaths come from religious objectors who refuse treatment as well as obstruct treatment for their church members.
District Environmental Health Officer (DEHO) Chapata Madakudya, reported the district to have set out for the Malaria season with mobilisations and sensitization of the community for the Indoor Residual Spray (IRS).
As per IRS culture, there is a chemical rotation for each malaria season to ensure that the Anopheles does not grow resistant to the chemical hence the use of Fludora Fusion and OPs last season and DDT and OPs for the respraying, he said.
In light of the current increase in Malaria infections, the District has also conducted investigations to assess if the chemical on the walls is still effective.
Said Madakudya:
Results obtained this week showed that the chemical sprayed during IRS is still on the walls and has 100 % mortality. Further to this, we are currently conducting a susceptibility test to investigate if the mosquito has not grown to be resistant to the sprayed chemical of which results are to be expected in two weeks time.
In preparation of the respraying, Madakudya said they will be strict observance of COVID-19 prevention guidelines for the teams right from transportation to the camps to ensure physical distance is maintained.
Nineteen wards surrounding health facilities like Katsukunya, Kapondoro, Mushimbo, Kushinga and Nyamuzuwe among others are set to be sprayed.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Health and Child Care has warned members of the public of unscrupulous individuals who are collecting used face masks, washing, and then selling them.
The practice is dangerous as it undermines efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus.
Posting on their Twitter account, the Ministry of Health and Child Care called on people to cut up their masks whenever they wish to dispose of them.
The Ministry said:
There are some people who are collecting used face masks, washing them and selling them to unsuspecting people. To avoid this, members of the public are being urged to cut up their used face masks before proper disposal.
Burning is another option that you can use.
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines used gloves and face mask should be washed with water and soap for 20 seconds, and then be cut into small parts to prevent re-use.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona has reportedly been put on the transfer-list by Anderlecht manager Vincent Kompany.
Musona, 29, has only made one reserve team appearance for the Belgian giants this season before being offloaded on loan this January to KAS Eupen.
The striker netted two goals in six matches for his new club before the Belgian top-flight league was forced to a sudden halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic and saw Club Brugge being declared 2019/20 league champions.
Kompany’s homecoming did not go according to script, with a mid-table finish and the Manchester City legend is said to have confirmed a list of players who are surplus to requirements
Belgian news outlet Voetbal24 stated that after consultation with the technical staff the Zimbabwean captain, Kenny Saief, Antonio Milic, Kristal Abazaj, Aristote Nakaka, Adrien Trebel and Ognjen Vranjes have been told their services will not be needed and should find new clubs.
It marks another frustrating year for the ‘smiling assassin’ who was one of the leading performer in the Belgian top-flight during his stint at Oostende between 2015 and 2018.
Musona predominantly featured as an inside-forward and winger scoring 41 goals and registering 18 assists in 112 games. In contrast, his last two seasons have only yielded just four goals in 17 matches across all competitions.
