September 12 2019. Julius Malema addressing a memorial service of the late Robert Mugabe that the EFF had arranged in Soweto.
During his Freedom day message, South Africa Economic Freedom Fighters leader, CIC Julius Sello Malema has again reiterated that freedom without economy is useless.
He called on African countries to stand on their own not rely on China and the west. Malema has been calling for Africa to be on their own so that African people can benefit from the wealth of Africa.
The former ANC Youth league President mentioned that Zimbabwe was economically damaged when Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe enforced the Lancaster house agreement with the Britain government.
“It was in the economically sabotaged Zimbabwe, where Robert Mugabe enforced the agreements of the Lancaster Agreement after being betrayed by Britain where Independence was achieved”, reiterates Malema.
He also called that it is important that we remember this day as the important tool used to gain our democracy.
“As revolutionaries, it is important that we remember this day as an important transition to a democratic dispensation, but not one where we achieved Independence”, tells Malema.
Reuters|When Saul Sakudya arrived in an ambulance at a hospital in Zimbabwe’s capital after catching Covid-19, he said the medical staff wouldn’t go near him because they were afraid of becoming infected.
The 52-year-old businessman was among the first people in Zimbabwe to test positive for the new coronavirus after a trip to Dubai last month to buy supplies for his electronics shop, and hospital personnel had not yet been issued protective clothing.
“The way they dispersed was as if there were 10 hungry lions being released from the ambulance, imagine, yet I am just a human being,” Sakudya told Reuters. “I thought I would die.”
After a three-hour wait in the ambulance, doctors brought the father of four into an isolation ward at the Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital, he said.
Prosper Chonzi, health director for Harare city, which runs the hospital, told Reuters that when Sakudya was admitted, it had not yet implemented protocols to handle coronavirus patients.
The national government is now renovating the hospital to deal with such cases, said Chonzi.
Even in the best of times, Zimbabwe’s health system suffers from shortages of medicine and basic equipment. The government has been raising donations of protective clothing, but frontline health workers say supplies are still inadequate.
Covid-19 survivor Saul Sakudya talks with his wife Joyce during a nationwide lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in Harare.
As of Friday, the country had recorded 31 cases of Covid-19 and four deaths.
Sakudya’s symptoms were relatively mild. So when his wife and two adult sons tested positive for the virus while he was in hospital, he opted to return home where the four could take care of each other.
He has since recovered and says his family members are also doing well. But he fears they will have to live with the stigma of the disease for some time.
Although he was given the all clear after two tests, friends and relatives won’t visit or talk to him, even from a distance, he said.
“Some people somehow think I still have residue of the virus,” he said.
“I heard one person referring to my road as corona road, and some people now avoid the road altogether. It hurts, but I have to be mature and accept it.”
JoKuDe referring to a Trust of Harare West Constituency representatives led by Hon Joana Mamombe, Kudzai Kadzombe and Denford Ngadziore. JoKuDe friends of JoanaKudzaiDenford a non political Trust formed in 2019 by Harare West 2018 Harmonized elections Deployeees.
To answer to various challenges bedevilling the people within Harare West Community. No one has ever become poor by giving or assisting someone. Instead blessed is the hand that gives than the one that receives.
JoKuDe is a well wisher’s Community Funded and Public run platform .
As JoKuDe, in Partnership with Harare Pastors Fraternity HAWEPAF ,we have come up with a Humanitarian responsive system . The main objective of JoKuDe humanitarian program is to help fundraise for those in desperate need. The main focus of the fundraising will be food stuffs which include basics like mealie meal, cooking oil, sugar, flour, rice, some green vegetables in the long run we will fundraise for blankets as we enter winter and school uniforms especially for those under Basic Education Module BEAM.
When other people hear about Harare West they think of the affluent areas such as Mabelreign, Westgate, Bluffhil and Madokero. We have visited around the Constituency during this Lockdown period and a number of people are finding it difficult to have food on their table. The worst situation is in different Farm Compounds and Plots. The farm compounds in Mukwishu Compound with a total of 75 families amonting to 950 peoples. Chichera a total of 40 families with 245 people. Rakata a total of 33 families with 180 families, Tomu a total of 120 families with 1500 people. Chimombe a total of 60 families with over 500 people. Pensioners, elderly, infomal traders and unemployed youths amount to 10 000 people
We are appealing to all stakeholders to be supportive to this program through donations of anything at your disposal. There are some residents who are struggling to have a decent meal per day, we also understand that there are residents who own farms or plots who can assist us with some food stuffs for some vulnerable members of the community.
Food donations will be handed over to the Salvation Army Church along Clevering Avenue – Haig Park Mabelreign to Major Chirandu . We have also set a humanitarian response team led by Pastor Benhura of Life Church, Pastor Tekwa, Major Chirandu of Salvation Army Church and five Pastors from Roman Catholic Church, AFM, and Methodist Churches.
Let us all try to play our part in assisting those in need. There shall be a form at the Salvation Army Church to fill in details of the donor and kind of donations received. Those who intend to donate in the form of money ,we will unveil an Ecocash number to the public.
Donations shall be mainly targeting affected people in various farm compounds, informal traders, Pensioners/senior citizens ,people living with disabilities and farm workers. We shall be working with churches, Ward Development Committee representatives for each Suburb, Community Based Organizations and Constituency Development Committee to identify those in need.
Harare West Pastors Fraternity HAWEPAF will be the accounting authority of the donations received. Due to the Covid19 lockdown period, we will be using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other sites to fundraise towards this noble cause.
We will have less publicity on beneficiaries of donations so as protect the dignity of our people. This is not a time for political scoring but a time to make sure our people are not stranded or exposed during this Lockdown period.
For those who would want to donate but do not have transportation to bring the donations to the Salvation Army Church in Mabelreign, please get in touch with Collen Mawere contact number 0777648080 who will be responsible in driving around collecting the donations.
Residents and Stakeholders can also use community social groups to announce donations if one feels like doing so as to encourage others to donate.
Covid19 virus is real:
-Wash your hands frequently. -Always maintain the required social distance. -Avoid touching your eyes, nose and the mouth. -Practice respiratory hygiene. -Use of approved face masks where possible.
JoKuDe (JoanaKudzaiDenford ) in support of Harare West Pastors Fraternity HAWEPAF
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced Sunday that his country will soon begin the process of reopening its economy after undergoing the longest novel coronavirus lockdown in the world to date.
In a nationwide television address, Conte said that beginning May 4, Italians would be allowed to use parks, visit relatives and attend funerals as part of a phased plan for lifting restrictions as the daily number of new COVID-19 cases trends downward from a peak of 6,557 on March 21.
There have been more than 26,000 deaths in Italy from the disease since the country’s first cases were reported just over two months ago. On Sunday, Italy reported 260 new deaths, its lowest daily total since March 14.
Conte said if all goes well, stores and museums would reopen beginning May 18 and sports teams could resume group training. Restaurants, cafes and hair salons would be allowed to reopen on June 1.
He said classes at schools would resume in September.
The wearing of face masks in public and continued social distancing would be strictly enforced, even as other restrictions were gradually lifted.
Italy was embarking on an era of “responsibility and coexistence with the virus,” Conte told the nation.
“We cannot continue beyond this lockdown — we risk damaging the country’s socioeconomic fabric too much,” he said, adding that the “damage” to the national fabric if the shutdown is not lifted “could be irreversible.”
However, Conte warned that “the curve of contagion can rise again, it will go out of control, deaths will climb and we’ll have irreparable damage” to the economy if the people do not carefully adhere to the guidelines.
The prime minister did not outline plans for religious services, but after Italy’s bishops complained, Conte’s office said it would release plans for a return to public worship as soon as possible.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has revealed that professional sports teams in the country can resume training on the 18th of May.
The country’s top flight, Serie A, was temporarily suspended on March 9 in the wake of escalating cases of coronavirus in the third most populous country in Europe.
In his televised address to the nation on Sunday, Conte highlighted that athletes are free to start invdiual training on the 4th of May then move to training in groups on the 18th the same month as the authorities ease lockdown restrictions.
The minister also said that a decision on when the league would resume, will be made at a later date.
Defending champions Juventus lead proceedings in the Italian top division on 63 points, one ahead of secod-placed Lazio with 12 games remaining.-Soccer 24
The victim reported the matter to the police and was referred to the hospital but opted to seek treatment elsewhere. Her condition deteriorated 2 days after the assault and she died. The matter will be referred to court soon.
— Zimbabwe Republic Police (@PoliceZimbabwe) April 27, 2020
Harare, 27 April 2020 – Zimbabwe remains in the grip of severe food insecurity, with millions of people already requiring humanitarian assistance due to prolonged drought, climate-related shocks, economic deterioration and the situation set to worsen as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, according to the new Global Food Crisis Report Forecast (GFCRF).
The joint report, released by the European Union, FAO, OCHA, UNICEF, USAID and WFP anticipates a worsening food insecurity situation in 2020 with an estimated 4.3 million rural Zimbabweans, including children, are in need of urgent action. On top of environmental factors, this is mainly due to the current economic crisis including hyperinflation, shortage of currency, fuel and prolonged power shortages; widespread poverty; high levels of HIV/AIDS; and low agricultural output as drivers of the crisis.
“Millions of Zimbabweans are already struggling to put food on the table, having faced prolonged drought and economic hardship for some time. It is imperative that we unite, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe and provide urgent food assistance safely to prevent an already vulnerable population from slipping deeper into this hunger crisis,” said WFP Country Director and Representative Eddie Rowe.
More than half of the children experiencing malnutrition are living in countries affected by the food crisis. The GFCRF estimates that 75 million children worldwide are stunted and 17 million are wasted.
Zimbabwe is also one of 10 countries where fewer than 20% of children between 6-23 months received a minimally adequate diet further compromising their lifelong quality of life, according to the new report. In addition, Zimbabwe’s Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019, revealed about 1 in 4 children, under 5 were stunted and at risk of impaired physical and cognitive growth.
“Food crises have a major impact on the quality, frequency and diversity of children’s diets and this is compounded by the inability for families across the country to provide adequate childcare during these increasingly challenging times,” said UNICEF Representative, Laylee Moshiri. “During this COVID-19 pandemic we must act decisively to continue essential nutrition and health services for all children.”
FAO Representative Jocelyn Brown Hall said, “Measures to curb the further spread of COVID-19 have the potential to impact negatively on the food system in Zimbabwe, such as through restricted access to markets by both farmers and consumers, and a glut of perishable nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. Deliberate measures are needed to prevent and mitigate against these.”
Globally the report states that in 2019, 135 million people across 55 countries and territories experienced acute food insecurity. These same countries’ food systems are highly vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which will result in compromised health due to hunger which can increase the risks of exposure to the virus. The World Food Programme’s Executive Director, David Beasley, who interacted with communities throughout Zimbabwe during an August 2019 visit, told the UN Security Council last week that the world was on the verge of a hunger pandemic caused by the Coronavirus. “If we don’t act now, we could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a few short months,” Beasley said.
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all countries across the globe, including the OECD countries and other high-income countries. This is making it increasingly difficult to prioritise the needs of populations typically affected by food crises. This has put an increased challenge on the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, towards the eradication of hunger and malnutrition.
Farai Dziva|Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford in the near future.
The 29-year-old signed a new long-term deal in September that expires in June 2023. He has already spent the last nine years with the Red Devils, having joined the side from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
“Yeah, I’m getting older. Just to be a part of this club is amazing.
“So imagine, to be nearly 10 years, it’s like a dream. It’s great to play games with this club, so I hope I can be here more years, many years,” The Spanish international told The Daily Mail.
The keeper also shared his thoughts on the team’s recent performance.
Before the coronavirus break, United had gone on an unbeaten run stretching back to the end of January, which included eight wins from 11 games with only two goals conceded in that time.
“I think the whole team improved a lot,’ added De Gea. “We were in a good moment. I think we were in very good, top form…
“But hopefully with some players that were injured will be fit when it all starts again, so it will be a good challenge for everyone.”
Joint statement by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the United States of America Donald Trump commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the meeting on the Elbe April 25, 2020 18:00
April 25, 2020, marks the 75th Anniversary of the historic meeting between Soviet and American soldiers, who shook hands on the damaged bridge over the Elbe River. This event heralded the decisive defeat of the Nazi regime. The meeting on the Elbe represented a culmination of tremendous efforts by the many countries and peoples that joined forces under the framework of the United Nations Declaration of 1942. This common struggle required enormous sacrifice by millions of soldiers, sailors, and citizens in multiple theaters of war. We also recognize the contributions from millions of men and women on the home front, who forged vast quantities of war materials for use around the world. Workers and manufacturers played a crucial role in supplying the allied forces with the tools necessary for victory. The “Spirit of the Elbe” is an example of how our countries can put aside differences, build trust, and cooperate in pursuit of a greater cause. As we work today to confront the most important challenges of the 21st century, we pay tribute to the valor and courage of all those who fought together to defeat fascism. Their heroic feat will never be forgotten.
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has reportedly called Kylian Mbappe’s father in a bid to convince the PSG star to move to Anfield.
The Reds have long been linked with the 21-year old who could cost as much as £250million.
According to French outlet Le10 Sport, Klopp recently spoke with Mbappe’s father over the phone as he tries to gain the upper hand over transfer rivals. The English club is said to be keen to sign the star ahead of next season.
The forward who won the World Cup with France in 2018 is under contract with PSG until June 2022.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are also in contention to snap him up and a few weeks ago before the coronavirus lockdown reports had suggested the La Liga giants were leading the race to his signature.- Soccer 24
By A Correspondent- A 27 year old man was arrested and fined by a magistrate yesterday for impersonation and controlling maize meal queues as a soldier in Bindura.
Tichaona Maforo of house number 139 Chipadze street Bindura was slapped with $2000 by magistrate Tinashe Ndokera failure to pay would earn him 40 days behind bars.
Prosecutor Thembinkosi Mananga told the court that on April 13 Mapere who was in his civilian clothes joined members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in controlling maize meal queue after disguising to be a soldier.
On April 21 the convict called the soldiers asking their whereabouts and was told ,he followed and started controlling the queue one of the soldiers Isaac Ngwana (24) gained courage and quizzed Maforo of his credentials and he failed to produce them leading to his arrest
Farai Dziva|Diego Costa has said his former Chelsea coach Antonio Conte would not last for long at a club like Real Madrid because he is too “suspicious”.
The two developed differences just weeks after they won the Premier League in 2017 at the Blues.
Costa, who is now with Real city rivals Atletico Madrid, was dropped to the bench in the following campaign, forcing him to return to Spain in the mid-season transfer window.
Costa told ESPN Brasil:”We had problems off the pitch, but I think he is a really good manager. I have no hard feelings towards Conte.
“But to be a top, top manager, he needs to change the human side of his management. He is very suspicious.
“At a like, say, Real Madrid, he would never last a season.”
The 31-year-old also revealed why he snubbed to represent Brazil, his birth country, and chose Spain in international football.
“I remember several forwards were injured but [then-manager Luiz Felipe] Scolari would not select me. I stayed quiet, but wasn’t selected for the Confederations Cup.
“The possibility of Spain emerged and I accepted. How could I say no? Suddenly, they started saying Scolari wanted me.
“Well, he never called me once. How could it be that he wanted me? I then saw it written that I had ruined the dreams of millions of Brazilians. Why not say that he didn’t look for me? Then it’s simple,” he added.
Farai Dziva|The Ministry of Health and Childcare says it has intensified contact tracing and surveillance processes in a bid to control the spread of the deadly new Coronavirus.
See full statement from the Health Ministry below :
Ministry of Health and Childcare Covid -19 Update
As of 26 April 2020, a cumulative total of 2 804 796 confirmed cases and 193 722 deaths were reported from more than 210 countries/territories globally (Source WHO Sitrep No. 97)
The Ministry would like to report that today, a total of 328 tests were done, giving a total of 6 395 screening and diagnostic tests done to date. All the PCR tests done in Harare and Bulawayo today were negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has thirty-one confirmed cases including five recoveries and four deaths as detailed in the table below.
Matabeleland North – 1 case – 0 recovered- 0 deaths Bulawayo – 10 cases – 0 recovered- 1 death Harare – 13 cases – 0 recovered- 2 deaths Mashonaland East – 4 cases – 4 recovered- 0 deaths Mashonaland West – 3 cases – 0 recovered- 1 death Total – 31 The Ministry of Health continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVI-19 pandemic.
As part of the intensified surveillance and contact tracing the Ministry has to date identified and collected samples from 69 contacts of the late case #27.
Case N29 and Case N30 reported yesterday involve a 46-year-old female and 66-year-old male patients respectively. Both are residents of Mhondoro, and were direct contacts of the late, case #27.
The Rapid Response Team visited them at home in their village for assessment and collected samples for testing. Currently, they have been advised to self-isolate at home as both have mild disease.
Case #31 also reported yesterday is a 31-year-old Harare resident who returned from the United Kingdom on the 13th April 2020. He is stable and currently on mandatory isolation.
The Ministry continues to remind the nation that the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practice good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.
It is a day set aside highlighting global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains that have been made so far.
Malaria remains a big problem in other parts of the world and in Zimbabwe it’s a public health problem. It is common in areas that are hot and moist. The theme for 2020 is “Zero malaria starts with me”.
What is malaria? It is a disease caused by infection with a parasite female anopheles mosquito. The mosquito is the vector that transmits the infection. Found mainly where there are open water bodies.
In Zimbabwe malaria peaks from November to April. The most effective control and prevention strategy is through prevention of mosquito bites.
Symptoms include fever, chills, rigors, headache, nausea,anorexia, joint pains, malaise and sweating.
There is also a history of staying in an area known to be endemic of malaria or traveling to that area. However one might not present with all the symptoms. In this era of COVID-19 pandemic excluding it is also important in those diagnosed with malaria.
Treatment – Malaria is a treatable disease. There are oral medications and intravenous medicines that can be used to cure the disease.
The disease progress quickly therefore early treatment saves life than late treatment.
There is no vaccine for malaria. Malaria can affect anyone of any age and despite previous infection you can still get malaria.
Prevention – Sleeping under a treated mosquito net and using mosquito repellents.
Wearing long sleeved shirts at night to avoid mosquito bites. Spraying open water bodies and covering them.
Taking malaria prophylaxis when traveling to a malaria endemic area.
Malaria is still a disease that kills thousands to millions of people every year.
Therefore let’s prevent malaria in our communities.
Compiled by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Try taking 20 minutes a day doing something that they choose – play a game or read with them. Quality time will make them feel safe and loved.
Praise is powerful. Try praising your child or teenager for something they have done well. They may not show their appreciation, but you’ll see them doing that good thing again.
Routine up! A structured day helps kids feel secure and makes it easier to manage them. Try making a timetable, with schoolwork, games, free time, exercise, and handwashing.
Kids at home driving you crazy? Feeling like you are going to scream? Give yourself a 1-minute pause. Breathe in and out five times. Then respond.
Crowded house? Stressed out? Share your feelings. Take a break. Looking after kids 24-7 during COVID-19 isn’t easy. Remind yourself of what you did well today. Think about the good moments.
Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children.
Credit: World Health Organization
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Mass Covid-19 testing is being done in Chitemere Village, Mhondoro-Mubaira, and the surrounding villages after two more people in the area, who were in contact with the late Gogo Nguni nee Chitemere tested positive for Covid-19.
One of the latest positive cases did not live in the same house with the late Gogo Nguni, indicating that there is local transmission within the Chitemere community.
Her son, former MP for Mhondoro-Mubaira Constituency and former Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Mr Sylvester Nguni, plus his wife and his two sisters, all of whom were with Gogo Chitemere when she was taken to a private hospital in Harare, have tested negative for Covid-19.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo told The Herald yesterday that mass testing has since begun in the village.
“Our teams from Harare and Mashonaland West have since started combing the whole area, tracing and testing all individuals as we try to get to the bottom of this issue,” said Dr Moyo.
Mr Nguni has denied relations with Christopher Chitemere of Harare, who arrived in the country from the United Kingdom recently, saying it was a mere coincidence on names.
He said his mother never got in touch with this Chitemere and the only time she came to Harare in recent days was when she was brought to West End Hospital for treatment.
However, Mr Nguni said he has an uncle with the same name who lives in the Mhondoro area, close to his mother’s homestead.
Mr Nguni said the family was eagerly waiting for results of all close contacts to their mother as they seek closure on the issue.
According to the latest Covid-19 update from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, three more cases tested positive on Saturday bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 31.
The ministry reported that their condition was stable and were not in hospital.
As of 26 April 2020, a cumulative total of 2 804 796 confirmed cases and 193 722 deaths were reported from more than 210 countries/territories globally (Source WHO Sitrep No. 97)
The Ministry would like to report that today, a total of 328 tests were done, giving a total of 6 395 screening and diagnostic tests done to date. All the PCR tests done in Harare and Bulawayo today were negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has thirty-one confirmed cases including five recoveries and four deaths as detailed in the table below.
Matabeleland North – 1 case – 0 recovered- 0 deaths Bulawayo – 10 cases – 0 recovered- 1 death Harare – 13 cases – 0 recovered- 2 deaths Mashonaland East – 4 cases – 4 recovered- 0 deaths Mashonaland West – 3 cases – 0 recovered- 1 death Total – 31 The Ministry of Health continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVI-19 pandemic.
As part of the intensified surveillance and contact tracing the Ministry has to date identified and collected samples from 69 contacts of the late case #27.
Case N29 and Case N30 reported yesterday involve a 46-year-old female and 66-year-old male patients respectively. Both are residents of Mhondoro, and were direct contacts of the late, case #27.
The Rapid Response Team visited them at home in their village for assessment and collected samples for testing. Currently, they have been advised to self-isolate at home as both have mild disease.
Case #31 also reported yesterday is a 31-year-old Harare resident who returned from the United Kingdom on the 13th April 2020. He is stable and currently on mandatory isolation.
The Ministry continues to remind the nation that the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practice good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.
PTUZ SUBMISSIONS ON EDUCATION RE LOCKDOWN AND POST-LOCKDOWN SCENARIOS
The PTUZ wishes to make the following submissions on what we believe should be the way forward in relation to Covid-19 and the education sector.
Background As we are all aware, schools were closed on 24 March 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, which was just making inroads into the African continent. At the time schools were shut, we were exactly nine working days away from the planned closing date. The country had barely registered a case and there was palpable fear and apprehension in the country towards the virus, which was wreaking havoc in Europe and China.
South Africa had closed down schools and engaged in a lockdown, which Zimbabwe also declared on 29 March 2020. Developments since then Since the lockdown that was declared on 29 March, Zimbabwe has officially registered 31 cases, 4 deaths and two recoveries to date.The country has also tested a bit more than 5 thousand people for the virus. Our major fear is that winter is also kicking in, with cases expected to soar as a result of the cold conditions that will be prevailing. That being the case, we are presenting our document under two broad categories, best case scenario and worst-case scenario respectively.
There is talk that the Ministry expects to get permission to re-open schools, without specifying when exactly that could happen. Our submission is that at the moment, it would be grossly irresponsible for the government to re-open schools at a time when it is not clear whether we are moving forward, backwards or stationary in terms of managing the novel disease. We are actually in a worse position than we were when we closed schools. There are also many people returning from abroad, and we do not know what danger they pose or whether they do carry the Coronavirusornot. Granted, some may have been tested, but the fact that the number of asymptomatic cases is rising elsewhere in the world works glaringly against early and haphazard opening of schools without taking a systematic, empirical, realistic and informative environmental scan.
We cannot put learners, teachers and stakeholders at risk of contracting the disease by opening schools now. We should wait at least until mid-July and review the situation then, in view of the fact that winter is a time of flu and other respiratory illnesses and it is easy to conflate the ordinary flus with Covid-19. We need to be careful about the timing of the opening of schools. There is no prize for exhibiting Dutch courage against a disease that has brought even countries with the best health care systems to their knees. In fact, in the worst-case scenario, it may even be necessary to re-open schools post-winter, possibly in August going forward.
In relation to the usual ZIMSEC examination schedule, which is meant to start towards end of May, we again suggest an extreme cautionary approach. It is, therefore, prudent that we learn from regional and international jurisdictions on how other Education ministries and examination boards have done. As you may be aware, some countries such as Britain have deferred the scheduled examinations as the full impact of the pandemic is yet to be assessed, analysed and felt. In the worst-case scenario, it may be necessary for us to do the same until there is clarity and certainty on the scale of danger posed by this coronavirus within our borders. In the best-case scenario, examinations may continue later on as indicated by the latest Zimsec statement, but only subject to the following rigorous conditions, interalia, being met: a) There should be no other activity at a centre on a day exams are being written, including learning, in order to minimise the possibility of cross-infections and to ensure the efficacy of the social distance operational matrix; b) Exam rooms should be fumigated before and after every examination session at govt or Zimsec cost; c) All candidates and invigilators must be provided with PPEs by the government at zero cost. ZIMSEC should, therefore, ensure both candidates and invigilators are provided with PPEs during the duration of the exam; d) There should be a health inspector at each centre to ensure the right procedures are adhered to including the use of sanitisers at gates to the school as well as into the examination rooms; e) All invigilators should be provided with all PPEs such as work suits, gloves and masks by ZIMSEC and/or the government; f) All those involved in the administration of examinations must be paid a meaningful COVID-19 risk allowance by ZIMSEC given the risk they take in running these examinations; and g) all centres administering examinations must have running water or copious amounts of water to enable the necessary hygienic conditions to prevail.
It is our fortified view and conviction that schools should be opened in phases rather than at once. For this reason, it may be prudent to start with only examination classes given the absolute necessity of social distance and the existence of over-crowding in the generality of our schools.
That way, these examination candidates would be spread as much as possible in the whole school so that the concept of social distance is observed and takes premium.
After a full month the situation can be reviewed to see the possibility and feasibility of admitting other grades and forms.
We want to reiterate that our emphasis as a country should be meeting the criteria set by WHO as a precondition for re-opening schools before trusting our instincts as well as personal and national egos.
We have 9159 schools on the country,6.5 million students covering ECDA to Upper Sixth,135000 teachers and more than 60000 ancillary staff. As you can see this is more than half the country and thus endangering them by opening schools without following the necessary WHO regulations would beak into mass murder of Hitlerian proportions.
The govt should endeavor to meet the following WHO guidelines for removing the lockdown before we start entertaining the idea of reopening schools for all;
Disease transmission is under control
Health systems are able to”detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact”
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places, such as nursing homes 4Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures
The risk of importing new cases “can be managed”
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal.
Furthermore, we are calling on the government to take full responsibility of the payment of salaries and allowances of all School Development Committee/School Development Association workers in the interim given that schools will be unable to pay them if schools do not open soon as there is no payment of fees during this period and schools are running or have already run out of financial reserves.
When schools finally open It is a fact that sooner or later, schools are going to open. We are, therefore, proposing the following minimum conditions to be in place as much as is practically possible when schools reopen:
The Ministry should ensure that all teachers and learners have all necessary PPEs of the very minimal standard such as disposable gloves and reusable masks. There should also be adequate test kits for all school no matter how remote they are from urban centres;
Before schools open, teachers should be trained on handling and managing learners and other stakeholders during the course of their duties with a view to eradicating the possibility of transmission of the disease;
All schools to be compelled to have sanitisers and thermometers at entry points to the school, every classroom and staffroom;
The government should pay a meaningful risk allowance to teachers in view of the fact that they are frontline workers in the fight against the disease since it is an uncontestable fact that teachers interact with thousands of children from a diversity of backgrounds per day;
Classes to be immediately de-congested through splitting and lowering the current high teacher-pupil ratios in schools to 1:15 at most so as to reduce the possibility of infections. This can be done through the employment of more teachers since we already have a low hanging fruit of a pool of unemployed qualified teachers; We want to state without any equivocation that our members are not prepared to take the risk of teaching classes with more than 20 learners for nothing as the consequences are dire.
As a union, it would be an abdication of responsibility if we sacrifice the lives of our members at the altar of national expediency;
The government should subsidise the fees of all learners by at least 50% in view of the fact that most parents were unable to scrounge for money during the lockdown. This should be done for at least one term;
There should be an ad Infinitum suspension of learner seminars, sporting activities, school assemblies, prize-giving ceremonies and Annual General Meetings in respect of social distance and also to minimise the possibility of infections from outside;
We also demand an immediate review, de-bunching and regrading of our salaries and education sector-specific allowances so that they are commensurate with our experience, qualifications and responsibilities;
For the avoidance of doubt, we demand the payment of our salaries at the prevailing interbank rate in view of the fact that the government has presided over inordinate price increases. Zimstats figures supported by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe indicate that the consumer basket is now well above ZWL$6680 as was highlighted at the latest government Price Moratorium presser recently held;
The government should set up quarantine centres for learners affected by the disease;
The usual behaviour of Ministry officials where they move around schools under the guise of supervision should be stopped in order to avoid the possibility of them carrying the virus from one station to another. In fact, movements should for now be restricted to the ritual of home station-home until it is safe to wade out of that schedule;
We have also noted that some schools such as Mosi High, Plumtree and others have been used as quarantine centres for those returning from the diaspora. There should be fumigation of these centres before they can be used by learners again; and
There is need to monitor school buses so that they are fumigated as per regulations, whenever they are used to transport learners and teachers to and from schools.
In fact, it is imperative that the govt reserves some buses strictly for learners and teachers so that they reduce mingling with ordinary people during the course of moving to and from schools.
There is nothing like being too careful. We have to protect the lives of these learners and teachers.
Hope you will seriously consider these views gathered from the PTUZ members scattered around the country.
Yours faithfully RAYMOND MAJONGWE (PTUZSecretaryGeneral)
Farai Dziva|Movement for Democratic Change Youth Assembly National Organising Secretary, Godfrey Kurauone has said Emmerson Mnangagwa clearly violated the Zanu PF Constitution to grab power.
Citing a clause of the Zanu PF Constitution, Kurauone described Mnangagwa as an illegitimate leader of the ruling party.Kurauone is also the MDC councillor for ward 4, Masvingo Urban Constituency.
Kurauone argued :”ED is illegitimate, you dont need a lawyer to win this case in court.
The Central Committee meeting which was convened to dismiss Mugabe was unconstitutional..
The million dollar question, who presided over the Central Committee meeting?”
More than hundred mourners were last week dispersed by police for violating the stipulated number in line with Covid-19 guidelines at a farm in Mashonaland East Province.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident urging traditional leaders to monitor villagers and make sure they are complying with Government directives on Covid-19.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to confirm the incident where mourners were dispersed at a farm …,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
“Circumstances were that relatives of the deceased were claiming that they were experiencing a bizarre incident where body of the buried woman was seen in the village.
“Police dispersed the mourners over failure to meet health measures set by Government in curbing the spreading of Coronavirus and chief among them was that of social distance.- H- Metro
Farai Dziva|Respected political analyst, Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya has pointed out that Douglas Mwonzora, Morgen Komichi and Thokozani Khupe are clearly working with Zanu PF to destroy the Movement for Democratic Change.
This, Ruhanya argues, is calculated to “annihilate genuine opposition in the country.”
Speaking on the MDC leadership dispute, Mwonzora, quoted by NewsDay claimed :
“The response for the congress is overwhelming. It will be oversubscribed.
Thousands of delegates have already confirmed their attendance at the congress … much more than the quorum.
For now, we are mostly interested in the delegates who will be coming to the congress and not in everyone else … we will meet everyone else after the congress.
Although we have had limitations because of the health situation, in terms of preparations we are at an advanced stage and we are going to elect a new MDC president soon.”
However, Ruhanya argued : It appears ZANU PF is helping Mwonzora and crew with people to assemble at the said congress. Gore rino tichazipigwa.
How do you have an oversubscribed congress as Mwonzora and ZANU PF say? It means it’s a bogus and illegitimate thing filled with Zanu PF members masquerading as MDC structures.”
Fellow MDC members and all progressive revolutionaries of the democratic struggle, please ignore malicious falsehoods published by one Hosiah Mviringi that is making rounds in social media.
This is a deliberate attempt by the enemy to misrepresent my position and unquestionable support for our visionary President, Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
I have stated it before and let me state it now that I, Cecilia Chimbiri and the Youth Assembly in general we are ?% in solidarity with President Chamisa and his vision for a new Zimbabwe. No amount of propaganda will diffuse our conviction to remove ZANU PF with President Chamisa as the Commander in Chief!
Farai Dziva|MDC deputy president Tendai Biti has denounced the violation of human rights by Emmerson Mnangagwa’ s government during the lockdown.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has announced that more than 8000 people have been arrested for allegedly flouting lockdown restrictions. At the same time, argues Biti, government’s lack of zeal to test as many people is appalling.
“In 2018 we pulled no stops in our campaign to finish off what we started in 2009.
In their hearts of hearts they know they stole from the people . In his he knows he is not legitimate. In their hearts of hearts they are afraid.Very afraid…
Despite the #Lockdown systematic abuse of human rights continues.
More than 8000 people have been arrested during the lockdown-much more than the number of COVID-19 tests.
Pointing out that Emmerson has no plan is a fact protected by freedom of speech.”
By A Correspondent- A Chitungwiza woman has been arrested for allegedly hiring thugs to physically assault her husband over a domestic dispute.
The husband, Owen Nyakudya, was left with bruises all over the body and cuts on palms after being beaten to a pulp and sliced with a knife by the thugs.
The woman, only identified as Mrs Nyakudya, was by yesterday still in police custody at St Mary’s Police Station.
Nyakudya told H-Metro that his wife had been arrested after hiring thugs to beat him up, following a misunderstanding over money.
“Thugs came to take me from my house and dragged me to a nearby bush where they thoroughly beat me up.
“They tied both hands and legs and forced me to eat mud before they started beating me up all over the body with various weapons. The hired men also sliced my palms with a knife,” he said.
The local councillor, Reginald Mashingaidze, also confirmed the incident. “I received reports that a Mrs Nyakudya hired thugs to physically assault her husband over a domestic dispute.
The woman has since been taken by police for investigations over the matter.
“As of now I have assisted with a vehicle to ferry him to St Mary’s Clinic, where he is getting medical assistance,” he said.
A source said that the men who assaulted Nyakudya were linked to the wife.
“Nyakudya had a dispute with his wife while drunk last night (Saturday) and the woman just left home only to return with several men.
“They started quarreling and when neighbors tried to intervene, the wife said the men were his brothers.
The same people are the ones who assaulted Nyakudya,” said the source.
By A Correspondent- Limpopo’s health department said tests have confirmed that a man who died at a private medical practice was Covid-19 positive but did not appear to have known he had the virus.
“Unfortunately he has demised and was diagnosed through post-mortem results,” the department said in a statement on Sunday.
The province has 30 Covid-19 infections but this one, which ended in death, was the first to be recorded in the Sekhukhune region.
“The deceased is a 55-year-old male who worked in Cape Town as both a freelancer in the film industry and a traditional healer,” the department said.
“Both his responsibilities and the area he was operating at made him to be a risk candidate. He is believed to have fallen ill while in Cape Town and his son chose to drive him back to the province where he arrived on the 15th of April 2020 to consult both his prophet and traditional healer.”
It was not immediately clear how the two travelled under the lockdown.
On April 20 the man’s health deteriorated, prompting his family to seek medical intervention.
“The family took him to one of the private practitioners in the area where he was declared dead on arrival after spending less than 30 minutes in the practice.”
A swab was taken after his death, later confirming he was positive for Covid-19.
The health department said it was taking swabs and checking every “suspicious” fatality.
The surgery where the man died is being disinfected.
Tracer teams were dispatched to locate all of his contacts for testing.
“The challenges faced by the team is poor co-operation by his son who is our only hope to trace all the contacts.
“The doctor and his five staff members have been tested and are now in quarantine. The surgery has since been closed,” said the department.-TimesLive
By Own Correspondent| Harare residents have made a passionate call for authorities to act against land barons who have apparently taken advantage of the current lockdown to invade wetlands.
Residents have scaled down on monitoring activities being undertaken on wetlands and land barons are now capitalizing on the situation and intensifying invasions.
The Marimba River which feeds into Lake Chivero is under serious threat as a result of the wetlands invasions.
Residents from the Greencroft area have expressed serious concern over the issue and called on council to act.
“Whilst we are under lockdown, land barons are not stopping. A wetland behind the Ellis Robins High School area of Greencroft and Sentosa has had two stands already pegged and cleared near the headwaters of the Marimba river tributary and bricks are already on site.
“One of the builders at the sight has said that they will begin building soon,” said a resident on condition of anonymity.
The Zimbabwe Combined Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZICORRA) blamed corruption for the continued destruction of wetlands in Harare.
ZICORRA is also pursuing the issue of the invasion of the Ellis Robins wetland and investigations by the association shows that developers who have invaded the wetland had offer letters which the association said could have been fraudulently acquired.
“Why must institutions keep corrupt officials within their ranks? When someone signs offer letters or building plans for developments on wetlands, they are guilty of denying Harare residents the right to water. It’s actually shocking that the developers have all the required paper work when they are seeking to build on a wetland. Corruption and greed is behind all these fraudulent activities.
“If this kind of a situation is allowed to continue, then efforts to address Harare’s water crisis will be in vain,” said ZICORRA’s provincial chairperson for Harare, Lawrence Kuleya.
The Councilor for Ward 7, Happymore Gotora refuted claims the area was wetland.
“I disagree with people who are saying the area is a wetland because you do not even need a special foundation to build there. The other developer was taken to the police by residents and he produced all the required paper work including offer letters . I am also aware that there are about 20 other stands that were allocated at the area by the previous council and all this was done above board,” said Gotora.
Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed his inaction over the continued invasion of wetlands in his area.
Asked on the current status of wetlands in Harare, Council’s Environmental Management Committee Chairperson, Councilor Kudzai Kadzombe said she was going to enquire and give feedback but had however not done so by the time of going to print
Wetlands are major water sources for Harare but have of late been under serious threat from urban farming and construction projects.
Stakeholders are making concerted efforts to save the wetlands with the Harare Wetlands trust mobilizing community based organizations to actively participate in saving wetlands in Harare.
Harare Wetlands Trusts’ (HWT) Residents Liaison Officer, Jimmy Mahachi said they have noted with concern an increase in the case of invasion of wetlands during the lockdown.
“We continue to receive disturbing reports from areas such as Mount Pleasant, Malborough, Hillside among others and it is quite clear that land barons are taking advantage of the lockdown. We however continue to mobilize residents and court action also remains an option for us,” said Mahachi.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on record calling for action against land barons who continue to invade wetlands in Harare but on the ground, the practice is apparently going on unabated.
By A Correspondent- South Korea has said Kim Jong Un is “alive and well” following reports the leader had fallen seriously ill after undergoing heart surgery.
Moon Chung-in, the top foreign policy adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, told CNN:
“Our government position is firm.”
“Kim Jong Un is alive and well. He has been staying in the Wonsan area since April 13. No suspicious movements have so far been detected.”
The North Korean leader, 36, was last seen in public on 11 April at a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party politburo.
But four days later he was absent while the rest of the country celebrated the birthday of his late grandfather and state founder Kim Il Sung.
His lack of attendance sparked rumours about his health including Japanese magazine Shukan Gendai’s report that Kim Jong Un was in a “vegetative state” after heart surgery earlier in the month.
The third-generation hereditary leader, who came to power in 2011 following the death of his father, has no clear successor.-CNN
Daily Post| A coalition of Nigerian legal practitioners has dragged the People’s Republic of China to court over the effects of the Coronavirus outbreak on the West African giant.
The lawyers are demanding $200 billion as damages for the “loss of lives, economic strangulation, trauma, hardship, social disorientation, mental torture and disruption of the normal daily existence of people in Nigeria.”
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by the lead prosecutor, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN)
Azinge’s law firm, Azinge, and Azinge, is championing the legal action, stressing that they had concluded pleadings for the class action against the Chinese government.
The statement added, “The team of legal experts planned a two-phase line of action-: first is with the federal high court of Nigeria and secondly to persuade the government of Federal Republic of Nigeria to institute a state action against the People’s Republic of China at the International Court of Justice at the Hague
“The legal experts will be claiming damages to the tune of 200billion dollars, the Chinese Government will be served through its Embassy in Nigeria.”
Azinge is currently a member of the Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal London, representing Nigeria and Africa.
By A Correspondent| There was pandemonium at Budiriro 1 shopping centre (Sunday) when police details fired warning shots into the air after a crowd reportedly tried to rescue a wanted criminal who was reportedly evading arrest.
A source close to the developments told ZimEye that members of the CID had been chasing a wanted criminal movie style before they apprehended him at Budiriro 1 shopping centre.
Said an eyewitness on condition of anonymity:
“The people wanted to rescue the wanted criminal. One of the police details in plain clothes however fired a warning shot in the air.
The people however did not retreat, they would just run away and come back to try and assist the arrested suspected criminal.
The police fired the warning shots thrice, but the people still came back. They only ran away when a truck of soldiers passed by.”
ZimEye is currently seeking a comment from the police as this is a developing story.
By Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC Alliance leader, Advocate Nelson Chamisa has made a donation of medical supplies worth US$3 000 to the Kwekwe City Council.
The donation was made towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation which consisted of 27 boxes of face masks, each with 50 masks, 1×50 boxes of dust masks, 10×150g washing powder, 16×5 litres of hand sanitisers, 10×1000 packs of theatre caps.
Former Health Minister and MDC Secretary for Health, Dr Henry Madzorera handed over the donations on behalf Chamisa.
“Today, I am handing over materials worth US$3 000 to the mayor of the city on behalf of the MDC Alliance President Chamisa,” said Madzorera
“The president wanted to show solidarity with the government and all matters relating to the COVID-19 war, and to emphasise that this is an epidemic which knows no boundary, including political, religious, class and other boundaries,” added Madzorera.
Kwekwe Mayor Angeline Kasipo received the donation on behalf of Kwekwe City Council.
By A Correspondent- The government has reportedly embarked on mass testing for coronavirus in Mhondoro villages where Gogo Chitemere-Nguni resided.
Gogo Nguni was mother to former government Minister Sylvester Nguni, succumbed to the virus last week becoming the country’s fourth COVID-19 death.
The Ministry of Health reported that two of her contacts have since tested positive prompting the ministry to embark on the mass testing exercise.
Speaking to The Herald on Sunday, Health Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo said:Our teams from Harare and Mashonaland West have since started combing the whole area, tracing and testing all individuals as we try to get to the bottom of this issue.
Meanwhile, the Nguni family has denied earlier reports which had suggested that gogo Nguni had come into contact with a relative who had returned from the United Kingdom saying that they do not know Christopher Chitemere of Harare although they have a relative with the same name.
It said that it was a mere coincidence of names adding that Gogo Nguni never got in touch with this Chitemere and the only time she came to Harare in recent days was when she was brought to West End Hospital for treatment.-StateMedia
Government of Zimbabwe continues to establish isolation centres to house COVID-19 patients across the country. Below is the list of isolation centres for Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.
ZimEye is going LIVE over 165 black Zimbabweans who are currently trapped in China as they endure racism and other attacks. They reveal they were kicked out of work 4 months ago and now want to go back home. They are currently stuck near Beijing Airport.
BELOW IS THEIR WRITTEN UNEDITED ACCOUNT:
Hello ZimEye
We have a big problem here in China and as it is now the is know one helping us.
Many Zimbabwe are stuck here the can not find a flight to go back home and also the can not afford to keep on staying here because we still need to buy food and pay rent .
We only need the government to assist us with any airplane so that we can be able to flight back home .We have ask the embassy to help us and we still did not get any answer.
We did not want a free plane no we can can afford to pay for it we just want them to help us to live this country.
I hope you can help us to send this massege to them so that many Zimbabwe here may find help before its too late.
We have gone to the airport to confirm and they tell us the only people who can help you are the embassy. Because the can ask a plane to take us back home in group if we have the money for our tickets . According to people who am talking to here each and everyone have the money to pay for the flight but we did not have the flight and we need our government to help us just to talk to any plane and give us the price so that we can be able to go back home . We are in big big trouble and we are more that 165 for now and I did not how many more out there please help us by put this on breaking news so that everyone can see and we can get the assist we need please help us
By A Correspondent- A 42 year old man was arrested while seated in the Toyota Land Cruiser, but he denied ownership of the vehicle and the groceries.
Police impounded the vehicle and held the groceries that included 55 cartons of soap and 18 boxes of corn snacks (jiggies) as exhibit.
Police in Beitbridge last week intercepted a pick-up truck laden with smuggled groceries and arrested Trust Munekwa, a passenger who was in the vehicle. The driver escaped when police approached them and it is believed the goods were smuggled from South Africa.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case, saying the driver was still on the run.
“On April 21, police in Beitbridge recovered a navy blue Toyota Land Cruiser registration ABT 4197 laden with suspected smuggled goods near Beitbridge airstrip,” he said.
“The goods included 55 boxes of Britelite soap and 18 boxes of snacks (jiggies).
“The driver of the vehicle fled into the nearby bush on seeing police officers on patrol. One of the people who were in the vehicle, Trust Munekwa, failed to escape. He denied ownership of the vehicle after he was arrested. He is in our custody assisting the police with investigations.” Asst Comm Nyathi said security officers were on high alert at all ports of entry and anyone caught smuggling goods would be arrested.-Nehanda
By A Correspondent- Chivi South MP Killer Zivhu has called on the powerful and mighty to be humble and stop being overzealous with borrowed power.
Said Zivhu who in the past faced the chop for his blunt talk which ruffled feathers within his party Zanu Pf:
“Power is temporary, and for those who have it, don’t abuse it. The good thing that you can do is to show love to others and stop being overzealous with borrowed power which you are going to lose in the near future.”
It could however not be immediately established who Zivhu was referring to.
power is temporary vanaro musafarisa the good thing u can do show love to others kwete zvekuonererwa with borrowed power inotorwa manje manje
By Charles Dhewa| The majority of developing countries are still to tear themselves away from the colonial set up where major food markets were located in cities or towns in order to provide food for low income people working in formal industries. Under that arrangement food had to travel from rural areas most of which were 100km away to cities where the main distributors were pro-poor mass markets like Mbare market in Harare. While the majority of urban consumers depended on pro-poor mass markets for food, supermarkets were for the elite and middle class. With the emergence of COVID-19, international standards of dealing with the pandemic have compelled African countries to close mass food markets. However that has happened at the expense of the urban poor on depend on these markets.
Disruption of natural remedies COVID-19 has dealt a heavy blow on poor people’s access to natural remedies. Over the past few years, African mass markets have witnessed an increase in the supply and demand for seasonal indigenous fruits, tubers and herbs that have provided stiff competition to exotic colonial foods. The marked increase in the consumption of indigenous foods has revealed urban consumers’ preference for natural remedies. Since most of the indigenous foods and herbs are not sold through modern supermarkets, the closure of mass markets as part of combatting the spread of COVID-19 has denied urban people access to the natural foods and remedies they have become accustomed to over the years. Farmers and rural people who were earning income from harvesting indigenous fruits, herbs and edible insects for sale in mass markets have also been left in the cold by the closure of mass markets.
Urban dwellers who had become accustomed to consuming tsvubvu, matufu, nyii, nhengeni, nhunguru and other fruits that ripen at the same time as field crops have not been able to get such fruits due to COVID19-included lockdowns and restrictions in movement of people and commodities. According to many consumers, indigenous fruits and herbs have medicinal properties that cannot be substituted with pharmaceutical products that are also beyond the reach of the majority.
Towards resilient food supply chains In the wake of challenges caused by COVID-19, many African countries no longer have money to waste on ill-conceived agribusiness models. That is why the government of Zimbabwe and its partners has started putting in place carefully thought-through food supply chain systems. Besides assisting to cope with immediate, medium term and long-term impacts of COVID19, a robust food supply chain system is envisaged to have meaningful benefits for several value chain players as explained below:
Food supply chain benefits for farmers – A resilient food supply chain will enhance production planning guided by market volumes and trends. Most farmers do not know market trends and start looking for the market when commodities have ripened or already in the truck at the market. That should be a thing of the past. Information generated along the food supply chain is beginning to make farmers aware of the diversity and volumes of commodities consumed by each market, enabling farmers to plan their production in ways that minimize waste of inputs by producing what does not have a market. Aggregation centres are being set up in production zones so that farmers with smaller volumes of commodities sell closer home and do not have to incur losses by travelling to distant urban markets.
Benefits for seed companies – Seed companies in Africa currently compete to produce more seed than farmers can use. That is why a lot of seed is seen in retail shops well after the planting season is over. Some seed companies end up persuading government to embed their seed volumes in government input programs. A clear supply chain will show the actual demand for seed and help seed companies to plan their seed production properly.
Benefits for nurseries – By showing quantities of food produced and consumed in different areas, the supply chain will assist nurseries to produce seedlings in the right quantities unlike producing more than is needed, leading to throwing away of some seedlings due to absence of demand.
Benefits for stock feed manufacturers – The supply chain will show statistics about livestock producers and their volumes, enabling stock feed manufacturers to produce and distribute stock feed to known potential buyers unlike sending stock feed to communities where demand is not clear. When smallholder farmers produce maize, their major priority is meeting household consumption. They do not plan for livestock unless they are contracted. By revealing volumes for human consumption in particular communities, the food supply chain is beginning to show volumes that can be set aside for livestock. At community or ward level, the supply chain will soon enable people to plan for household consumption, livestock consumption and surplus for the market so that they do not run out of food.
Benefits for supermarkets, food processors and fast food chains – Most of these players have depended on middlemen for years. If they put their needs and specifications on the supply chain they will get what they need on time. Their volumes are often too low to the extent that it does not make economic sense for them to go and fetch commodities on their own from farmers in distant areas.
Benefits for financial institutions – The days of banks giving loans to agricultural clients based on bank statements are over. The supply chain will show statistics of each player’s participation and such evidence will be used as collateral. In fact the supply chain itself will be a collateral for the entire food system.
Characterizing traders and flushing out unscrupulous ones – By separating genuine traders from the unscrupulous lot, the food supply chain has started eliminating inflation caused by middlemen who merely exchange commodities and increase prices before passing on the prices to the consumers. When negotiating with farmers most middlemen have become used to cite high transport costs as the reason why they should pay less to the farmer but a critical look at transport costs would show that they are not as high as claimed. In any case, why should the farmer meet the trader’s transport costs?
Who says butternut, sweet potato, carrots, green beans, green pepper and many other bulky commodities should be sold in a 60-70kg bag called a semia or saseka? In Zimbabwe such measurements have been distorting value to the farmer’s expense for decades. Instead of allowing traders to set rules of the commodity trading game, the supply chain will introduce proper standards and measurements starting at local aggregation centres. Most of the bad trading practices are not market-driven but introduced by cartels of traders. For how long are African farmers going to continue selling their commodities in big sacks some of which are over-filled in ways that disadvantage smallholder farmers? Introducing modern measurements like weighing scales at local aggregation centres will sweep bad trading practices away.
Time to build home-grown social safety nets Among other knowledge and resource gaps, COVID19 has revealed the need for African countries to revisit colonial food policies that have continued to guide decisions about food production and supply without fully taking into account the important role of pro-poor mass food markets. To the extent COVID19 has first attacked donor countries and sources of food aid, low income countries have to urgently start building home-grown self-sustaining social safety nets and resilient food supply chains. Currently, smallholder farmers do not originate units of measurement because they lack a basis for doing so. Most elements for pricing and price determination come from the market. What policy, institutional or operational measures can governments put in place to transfer the power of originating units of measurement from traders to farmers? This is a powerful avenue for building resilient food systems.
NAME: Munyaradzi Nkomo BORN: 23 November 2000 GENDER: Male
BIOGRAPHY My name is Munyaradzi Nkomo and I am 19 years old. I was born in Waterfalls, Mbuya Maternity clinic and I’m the only child.
EDUCATION A ended Houghton Park Primary School for his primary level before enrolling into St Francis Xavier College of Kutama. Finished O level and A level at the Ins tute of Herentals College. Now a ending the Na onal Gallery of Zimbabwe of Visual Arts and Design.
Music Career I recorded my first professional song in September 2019 and worked with NOLIMITS ENT. On my first track, I worked with Ti Gonzi on an afro pop song titled LETS KEEP IT UP. Songs released: Nga danane
By A Correspondent- A UK based Zimbabwean nurse who is in self isolation after testing positive to COVID-19 has encouraged those diagnosed with the disease to continue having faith and never stop praising God despite their challenges.
Said Cindy:
“….I am fearful for my children, but all i know is that God is with us. It is frightening and noone knows what tomorrow holds, but let us keep on praising God. I have taken this disease home and i gave it my children. I took the disease home but i want to thank God because i am not feeling as bad as i was feeling last week. Our children become front line victims too because of us, but this is not out of choice. God remains God, He remains God and he has not forsaken us. My friend who is at work right now, go back and work with a brave face, God is with you.”
By A Correspondent- Government has called on private institutions testing and treating COVID-19 related illnesses to register with the ministry first before treating the infectious disease.
Permanent Secretary in the Health ministry Agnes Mahomva said in a press statement:
“When we look at infectious diseases, clinics treating these diseases must register with us. Your clinics, that want to work with us should register with us first. We note that there are several private institutions already working on COVID 19 related illnesses, and we are saying stop it and come to us first. We agree that we need your help, but we have to certify that you have the facilities and capacity to deal with the scourge and we must assess you first and certify your health institution.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has released a statement updating the nation on the novel coronavirus.
The ministry said that as of 26 April 2020, Zimbabwe had a total of 31 coronavirus cases including 4 deaths and 5 recoveries.
We present the Ministry’s statement in full below.
As of 26 April 2020, a cumulative total of 2 804 796 confirmed cases and 193 722 deaths were reported from more than 210 countries/territories globally (Source WHO Sitrep No. 97)
The Ministry would like to report that today, a total of 328 tests were done, giving a total of 6 395 screening and diagnostic tests done to date. All the PCR tests done in Harare and Bulawayo today were negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has thirty-one confirmed cases including five recoveries and four deaths as detailed in the table below.
Matabeleland North – 1 case – 0 recovered- 0 deaths
Bulawayo – 10 cases – 0 recovered- 1 death
Harare – 13 cases – 0 recovered- 2 deaths
Mashonaland East – 4 cases – 4 recovered- 0 deaths
Mashonaland West – 3 cases – 0 recovered- 1 death
Total – 31
The Ministry of Health continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVI-19 pandemic. As part of the intensified surveillance and contact tracing the Ministry has to date identified and collected samples from 69 contacts of the late case #27.
Case N29 and Case N30 reported yesterday involve a 46-year-old female and 66-year-old male patients respectively. Both are residents of Mhondoro, and were direct contacts of the late, case #27. The Rapid Response Team visited them at home in their village for assessment and collected samples for testing. Currently, they have been advised to self-isolate at home as both have mild disease.
Case #31 also reported yesterday is a 31-year-old Harare resident who returned from the United Kingdom on the 13th April 2020. He is stable and currently on mandatory isolation.
The Ministry continues to remind the nation that the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practice good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has revealed that professional sports teams in the country can resume training on the 18th of May.
The country’s top flight, Serie A, was temporarily suspended on March 9 in the wake of escalating cases of coronavirus in the third most populous country in Europe.
In his televised address to the nation on Sunday, Conte highlighted that athletes are free to start invdiual training on the 4th of May then move to training in groups on the 18th the same month as the authorities ease lockdown restrictions.
The minister also said that a decision on when the league would resume, will be made at a later date.
Defending champions Juventus lead proceedings in the Italian top division on 63 points, one ahead of secod-placed Lazio with 12 games remaining.
The continued lockdown in South Africa is reportedly further choking Zimbabweans as land lords continue to demand rental despite the fact that their employers have since declared no work no pay policy to the foreigners.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association director Michael Mdladla Ndiweni said was paying his tribute to the hard working people in South Africa.
“Phoke sizoba yini! The unveiled lockdown easing phases appear will be a very long wait. The sentiments by Minister Tito Mboweni must get us quickly thinking about the fate of our people. We cant just wish them away. It appears to have serious implications to our people,” he said.
“Let us spare a thought on our #COVID19 hardest people in South Africa. I have been chatting to a number of them. The situation is getting dire everyday. Landlords are demanding their rentals, their food stocks are getting depleted and they are not working. I know our renowned activists are doing all they can to keep some going under these difficult conditions.”
“Let us spare a thought and pay tribute to our hard working Omalayitsha who endured all the harassment, extortionists when were ferrying our informal cross border traders with goods for resale to keep families going, when they brought food for our families, when they brought building materials for us to have decent shelter, when they brought us cheaper goods from SA, when they brought us cheaper spare parts to keep our old cars going, their contribution in our livelihoods cannot just be poked fun at today. Their contribution to our lives is indelible.”
He said people must spare a thought and pay tribute to hard working people in South Africa who have been working in places of entertainment like restaurants, those who worked in hotels, those who worked travel agents, they have been key in keeping families fed at home, sent kids to school, young people to universities, the sick accessing medication, people were being dressed through their monthly remittances.
“What can urgently be done to make sure our people restart their lives again, it is becoming inevitable that some will be forced by these circumstances to come back home. What are the immediate strategies that can be employed to try and make them survive when they return. Some may dismiss me and say nothing will happen because maybe they are privileged and have authentic papers in SA. I am talking about our people who survived on menial jobs particularly those mentioned above,” he said.
“I remind our people at home to never forget how useful these people are in our lives in good times. I have seen some gloating about their conditions now. I cant blame South Africa, it is their country after all even though we have contributed immensely in their economy, bangenza loba yini ngezwe labo, kodwa thina sisheshe sikhohlwe.”
News Agents|More than a dozen countries on four continents recently disclosed problems with Chinese-made coronavirus tests and personal protective equipment. The problems range from test kits tainted with the coronavirus to medical garments contaminated with insects. Defective Chinese face masks, purchased by Spain’s Ministry of Health, were distributed to hospitals and nursing homes across the country, and more than 100 healthcare workers who used them tested positive for Covid-19.
A shipment from China of 8.6 million protective face masks and 150 tons of sanitary equipment arrives at Paris-Vatry Airport in France, on April 19, 2020. (Photo by Francois Nascimbeni/AFP via Getty Images)
Gatestone Institute recently reported that millions of pieces of medical equipment purchased from China by European governments to combat the coronavirus pandemic are defective and unusable.
Since that report, more than a dozen countries on four continents have disclosed problems with Chinese-made coronavirus tests and personal protective equipment. The problems range from test kits tainted with the coronavirus to medical garments contaminated with insects.
Chinese authorities have refused to take responsibility for the defective equipment and in many instances have cast blame on the countries that purchased the material. They have also called on nations of the world to stop “politicizing” the problem — at the same time that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Communist Party have sought to leverage the pandemic to assert a claim to global leadership.
Spain, the epicenter of the coronavirus crisis in Europe, has experienced the greatest number of problems with medical equipment purchased from China.
After the epidemic hit Spain, the Spanish government purchased medical supplies from China in the amount of €432 million ($470 million). Chinese vendors demanded they be paid up front before making any deliveries. It now appears that much of the material being supplied by China is substandard.
In late March, for instance, the Spanish Ministry of Health revealed that more than a half million coronavirus tests it had purchased from a Chinese vendor were defective. The tests, manufactured by Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology, a company based in China’s Guangdong Province, had an accurate detection rate of less than 30%. Bioeasy had claimed, in writing, that its tests had an accurate detection rate of 92%.
After the swindle made international headlines, Bioeasy agreed to replace the tests. On April 21, however, the Spanish newspaper El Paísreported that all 640,000 replacement tests were also useless. The Spanish government is now seeking a refund.
The Chinese Embassy in Madrid blamed the Spanish government for purchasing the tests from an unauthorized vendor. Bioeasy, apparently, does not have a license to sell coronavirus tests. Spain, however, has also reported problems with material purchased from vendors that are authorized by the Chinese government.
On April 15, Spain’s Ministry of Health recalled 350,000 so-called FFP2 masks after laboratory tests determined that they were substandard. The defective masks were manufactured by Garry Galaxy Biotechnology, a company included on the Chinese government’s list of approved manufacturers of personal protective equipment. FFP2 masks are required to filter at least 94% of aerosols, but those delivered to Spain filtered only between 71% and 82% of aerosols.
The defective masks were purchased by the Spanish Ministry of Health and distributed to hospitals and nursing homes across the country. After the defective masks were recalled, more than a hundred healthcare workers who had used them tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia, local health officials on April 18 recalled 180,000 Covid-19 antibody tests — also known as serological tests — because of their low rate of detection. The tests, produced by the Chinese manufacturer Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, were purchased by the central government in Madrid and distributed to regional health authorities to detect Covid-19 in two priority groups: healthcare personnel and elderly people in nursing homes. The Wondfo tests reportedly gave negative results to people who had previously tested positive for Covid-19, and also failed to distinguish between two types of antibodies, including those that confer immunity.
In the eastern city of Alicante, the General Hospital recalled 640 disposable medical garments after one of the boxes from China contained cockroaches. The hospital said that it had received a total of 3,000 garments in 75 boxes and that it found two insects inside one of the boxes. It added that given the shortage of medical supplies, the garments would be sterilized, not destroyed.
Other countries — in Europe and beyond — have also criticized the quality of Chinese medical supplies:
Australia. On April 1, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that the Australian Border Force (ABF) had seized nearly one million Chinese-made faulty face masks and other protective clothing that was exported to Australia to help halt the spread of coronavirus. The material was valued at A$1.2 million (US$760,000). “We started seeing this stuff arriving roughly three weeks ago when news of the pandemic was really taking off,” an ABF official told ABC. “The dodgy material is coming via air cargo because there is a backlog of sea freight at Australian ports.”
Austria. On April 6, the Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed that 500,000 masks ordered from China for use in South Tyrol were “completely unusable” because they did not meet safety standards: “The result of the quality control check showed that the masks do not meet an FFP standard. When putting on the masks, it is impossible to obtain a tight fit in the area of the chin and cheeks.” Minister of Economics Margarete Schramböck complained that international providers of the urgently needed FFP2 and FFP3 masks had not delivered the required quality in nine out of ten cases. On April 9, Austrian media reported that the defective mask problem was far greater than initially thought. The Austrian Red Cross ordered 20 million masks from the same Chinese manufacturer that made the defective masks for South Tyrol.
Belgium. On March 31, the University Hospital of Leuven rejected a shipment of 3,000 masks from China because the equipment was substandard.
Canada. On April 7, the City of Toronto recalled more than 60,000 surgical masks made in China. The masks, valued at more than $200,000, were provided to staff at long-term care facilities. Toronto health authorities were investigating whether caregivers were exposed to Covid-19 while wearing the equipment. The masks represented around 50% of Toronto’s inventory of surgical masks, according to Matthew Pegg, Toronto’s fire chief and general manager of emergency management.
Czech Republic. On March 23, the Czech news site iRozhlasreported that 300,000 coronavirus test kits delivered by China had an error rate of 80%. The Czech Ministry of Interior had paid $2.1 million for the defective kits.
Finland. On April 10, the Managing Director of Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency, Tomi Lounema, resigned after he admitted to spending €10 million ($11 million) on defective protective equipment from China.
Georgia. On March 27, Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze cancelled an order for 200,000 coronavirus tests manufactured by the China-based Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology Company. The move came after Spain reported that 640,000 tests that it purchased from the company were defective. She said: “Georgia had a contract with this company, but today it has been canceled. The money has not been transferred. We are negotiating with another company and at first, they will send two thousand tests. If the reliability of those is approved by us, we will purchase an additional quantity.”
India. On April 16, the Mumbai-based Economic Timesreported that 50,000 pieces of personal protective equipment donated by China were defective and unusable.
Ireland. On April 6, the Health Service Executive (HSE) revealed that a large portion of the €200 million delivery of personal protective equipment supplied by China was found to be unusable for health care workers. The HSE told the Chinese company responsible for the delivery that unless the quality of the equipment being sent is guaranteed, there will not be any more deals between the two nations with regards to PPE. The government said that it was seeking a refund.
Malaysia. On April 16, Malaysian authorities approved the use of coronavirus test kits from South Korea after similar kits from China were found to be defective. A senior official in the Ministry of Health, Noor Hisham Abdullah, said that the accuracy of the Chinese tests was “not very good.” He expressed optimism over the South Korean tests: “Now that we have a test kit that is fast, portable and is cheap, that will make the difference.”
Netherlands. On March 28, the Netherlands recalled 1.3 million face masks produced in China because they did not meet the minimum safety standards for medical personnel. The so-called KN95 masks are a less expensive Chinese alternative to the American-standard N95 mask, which currently is in short supply around the world. The KN95 does not fit on the face as tightly as the N95, thus potentially exposing medical personnel to the coronavirus.
Philippines. On March 29, the Department of Health apologized for comments it made a day earlier that two batches of coronavirus test kits provided by China were substandard. Undersecretary for Health Maria Rosario Vergeire had said that kits made by Chinese manufacturers BGI Group and Sansure Biotech were only 40% accurate in diagnosing Covid-19 and that some of them would have to be discarded. The Chinese Embassy in Manila rejected those accusations and claimed that the kits complied with standards established by the World Health Organization. “The Chinese Embassy firmly rejects any irresponsible remarks and any attempts to undermine our cooperation in this regard,” a spokesman tweeted.
Slovakia. On April 1, Prime Minister Igor Matovič disclosed that more than a million coronavirus tests supplied by China for a cash payment of €15 million ($16 million) were inaccurate and unable to detect Covid-19. “We have a ton of tests and no use for them,” he said. “They should just be thrown straight into the Danube.” China accused Slovakian medical personnel of using the tests incorrectly.
Turkey. On March 27, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that Turkey had tried Chinese-made coronavirus tests but authorities “weren’t happy about them.” Professor Ateş Kara, a member of the Turkish Health Ministry’s coronavirus task force, added that the batch of testing kits were only 30 to 35% accurate: “We have tried them. They don’t work. Spain has made a huge mistake by using them.”
United Kingdom. On April 6, the London-based newspaper The Timesreported that 17.5 million coronavirus antibody tests supplied by China were defective. The Chinese manufacturers of the tests blamed British officials and politicians for misunderstanding or exaggerating the utility of the tests. The British government, which reportedly paid at least $20 million (£16 million) for the tests, said that it was seeking a refund. Meanwhile, other coronavirus tests destined for the UK were found to be tainted with coronavirus.
United States. On April 17, the director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Sandy Karsten, revealed that 3.9 million KN95 masks manufactured in China were defective. The State of Missouri had signed a $16.5 million contract with an unidentified vendor for the masks and paid half in advance. The vendor is refusing to return the $8.25 million. Missouri Governor Mike Parson said: “We got cheated here in this state and we are going to go out there and try to get our money back and hold people accountable.” In neighboring Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker said that the state had spent $17 million on KN95 masks that may be unusable: “You know things come in shipments of a million — you can’t go through one mask at a time and so you try to take samples from the shipments that come in, make sure you got what you are paying for.” In Washington State, 12,000 coronavirus testing kits produced in China were recalled after some of them were found to be contaminated with the coronavirus.
On March 30, China urged European countries not to “politicize” concerns about the quality of medical supplies from China. “Problems should be properly solved based on facts, not political interpretations,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
On April 1, the Chinese government reversed course and announced that it was increasing its oversight of exports of coronavirus test kits made in China. Chinese exporters of coronavirus tests must now obtain a certificate from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in order to be cleared by China’s customs agency.
On April 16, the Wall Street Journalreported that millions of pieces of medical equipment destined for the United States were being held in warehouses in China due to the new export restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. “We appreciate the efforts to ensure quality control,” the U.S. State Department said. “But we do not want this to serve as an obstacle for the timely export of important supplies.”
U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler from Georgia accused China of holding up shipments of test kits: “Testing is core to opening our country back up. I’m concerned that China’s holding up test kits. They’re playing games with trade policy to prevent us, the United States, from getting the testing that we need.”
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the flaws of globalization by laying bare how the West has allowed itself to become dangerously dependent on Communist China for the supply of essential health care and medical products.
Andrew Michta, Dean of the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, explained:
“The Wuhan Virus and the attendant misery that the Chinese communist state has unleashed upon the world (very much including its own people) has laid bare a core structural flaw in the assumptions underpinning globalization. It turns out that the radical interweaving of markets — which was supposed to lead to the ‘complex interdependence’ that international relations theorists have been predicting for the better part of the century would lead to an increase in global stability… has instead created an inherently fragile and teetering structure that is exacerbating uncertainty in a time of crisis….
“If there is any good to come from the devastating impact on our nation of this pandemic brought about by the Chinese communist regime through its malice and incompetence, it will be the likely demise of enthusiasm for globalization as we know it across the West. After three decades of intellectual gymnastics aimed at convincing Americans that the off-shoring of manufacturing and the attendant deindustrialization of the country are good for us, the time has come for a reckoning.
“Since the end of the Cold War, Western elites seem to have been in thrall to the idea that various ‘natural forces’ in the economy and politics were propelling us forward to a digitally interconnected brave new world, one in which traditional considerations of national interest, national economic policy, national security, and national culture would soon be eclipsed by an emergent peaceful global reality. This virus crisis is a wake-up call, and while some argue we are waking up too late to effectively counter current trends, my money is on the ability of the American people to rally in a crisis and on the resilience of Western democratic institutions.
“Today, while battling the Wuhan Virus consumes the attention of our government agencies and health care systems, we should not lose sight of the foundational strategic challenge confronting the West in the emerging post-globalization era: We are in a long twilight competition with the Chinese communist regime, a struggle we cannot escape, whether we like it or not. Now is the time to wake up, develop a new strategy for victory, and to move forward.”
THE Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan, a bespoke cash based final expenses policy provided by Diaspora Insurance, a leading global funeral insurance company, has assured clients it will continue offering normal services during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during a live conference call with Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan senior advisor Morrison Mamutse, company chief executive, Jeff Madzingo said although the world was facing trying times in light of the global coronavirus, the company remained operational and ready to serve its clients across the globe.
The United Kingdom headquartered company, he said, continued to offer agreed funeral covers to a bereaved family within 24 hours of showing proof that they had lost a relative.
“The Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan is paying as usual under the COVID-19 pandemic. We are supporting our clients. Our clients are our family and we have capacitated the whole team to continue to provide services from home,” Madzingo said.
“We have a big call centre in South Africa which is also supporting clients wherever they are in the world. We are paying within 24 hours as always has been promised.
“Today (Thursday), we paid tens of thousands of dollars worth payments in terms of COVID-19 claims. The support is available, we are paying the beneficiaries as was always promised. We are not reneging on our promises. We are able to meet our obligations,” he said.
Mamutse also said the Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan is operational in 13 Africa countries.
“Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan covers 13 countries and is based in Birmingham and our cover has stretched to countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi Ethiopia, Namibia, Mozambique,” said Mamutse.
“It is our responsibility as a responsible, ethical, and morally driven organisation to bring up to date information to our clients and to potential clients.”
Madzingo said it was important for people working in foreign lands to open a funeral cover as relatives will be able to meet their funeral expenses without challenges.
“Don’t get caught up in a situation where you have a double tragedy of losing a loved one and having to look for funeral support from the wider community or Go Fund Me or begging from the community groups or WhatsApp groups. The purpose of our policy is to give families funeral interventions,” he said.
Madzingo said because of the COVID-19 outbreak, burials had changed as people dying from coronavirus had to be buried within 24 hours making it impossible for a body to be flown home where most countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa, are under lockdown.
“It is a very difficult time for families but they can easily switch and bury their loved ones in the country of current residence.”
Economic Freedom Fighter leader, Julius Malema has lashed out on landlords demanding rent from their tenants during lockdown, saying they must ‘voetsek’.
Malema was responding to a letter shared by a social media user who claimed that his landlord has given him until the 1st of May to settle the rent for the month.
Following Malema’s response, some people agreed with him, saying that the landlord was being unfair by expecting rent to be paid while some people are not getting salaries due to the lockdown.
During this lockdown period it stands to reason that some tenants might experience some difficult in meeting their monthly obligations in terms of rent.
File picture of Nelson Chamisa in Covid-19 protective equipment
MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has donated medical supplies worth US$3 000 to the Kwekwe City Council to help the MDC-run local authority fight the spread of COVID-19.
The donation was handed over to the Kwekwe mayor by former Health Minister in the now-defunct inclusive government, Henry Madzorera on behalf Chamisa.
Kwekwe Mayor Angeline Kasipo took delivery of the donation which consisted of 27 boxes of face masks, each with 50 masks, 1×50 boxes of dust masks, 10×150g washing powder, 16×5 litres of hand sanitisers, 10×1000 packs of theatre caps.
“The president wanted to show solidarity with the government and all matters relating to the COVID-19 war, and to emphasise that this is an epidemic which knows no boundary, including political, religious, class and other boundaries,” he said.
The former minister said the COVID-19 goods were sourced by Chamisa from party members living and working in the Diaspora.
South African Police Minister, Bheki Cele has apologised to the Muslim community for blasphemous remarks made by an officer towards prophet Muhammed when arresting congregants who had converged at a Mosque to pray on Friday.
Cele says the remarks made by the officer which can be heard at the end of a video that went viral on social media is unfortunate and that the matter will be investigated and the officer who made the remarks will be identified.
“It is rather unfortunate and it is unacceptable that someone could make such an utterance, this matter too will be investigated and the person who made the comment about the Prophet will be identified and brought to book,” he said.
The South Africa Police Service in Pretoria also says they arrested 41 congregants in two separate religious gatherings.
In the first incident, members of the SAPS Tactical Response Team(TRT) arrested 17 men on Friday, 24 April 2020 at approximately 13:00. The congregants had converged in a building in Pretoria West in what appeared to be a religious gathering.
All 7 suspects were arrested and kept in police custody over the weekend.
“They will be released on bail, issued with a fine and or taken to court on Tuesday, 28 April 2020, depending on the outcome of the preliminary investigations,” said SAPS.
The second incident, 24 congregants were arrested on Friday, 25 April 2020 after they too formed a part of what appeared to be a religious gathering in an area called Masibekela in the Mbuzini policing jurisdiction of Mpumalanga and not Pretoria West.
“Contrary to various reports, it was these arrests, and not Pretoria West, that were captured on the video which went viral on social media platforms,” they noted.
In both incidents, the congregants are alleged to have contravened the Regulations of the Disaster Management Act.
Minister Cele has however, called on all church leaders to discourage gatherings and comply with the Disaster Management Regulations Act which are being implemented to combat the COVID-19 virus.
“These regulations are in place to ensure that all people in South Africa are safe and protected against the virus, religious leaders should discourage gatherings,” he said.
A 14-year-old boy was killed by a crocodile in Mazvikadei on Saturday and his remains were retrieved yesterday afternoon.
The crocodile has since been put down by professional hunters and other people that were on the ground. The boy is set to be buried today.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident.
“Yes, that is what happened in Mazvikadei,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate that a 14-year-old boy was killed by a crocodile whilst he was trying to cross a river. It happened yesterday (Saturday) and then from Saturday up until today (yesterday), we have been searching for the remains of the young boy. We fortunately managed to retrieve the body mid-day. We were working with the sub-aqua unit and also our officers down there.
“It’s unfortunate and a sad development. We are deeply saddened as an authority.”
Mr Farawo said they deployed officers in the area, urging people to stay away from water bodies. He said the biggest problem was that there was overpopulation of animals — especially elephants and crocodiles, resulting in them invading communities.
ZIMBABWEANS returning from South Africa have begun trickling into the Beitbridge quarantine centre at the former Rainbow Hotel with the arrival of about 10 more yesterday making the total 46.
Of these new arrivals, eight were said to be environmental health technicians recently hired by government on their way from South Africa to Matabeleland North where they will be stationed.
There was also confusion on the new arrivals some of whom were said to be Beitbridge-based shipping agents who had disappeared from the poorly secured centre.
At the same time 15 of the 46 currently held are due to depart the centre with one having completed a 14day term while 14 others will benefit from the new eighth-day quarantine rule. Beitbridge district development co-ordinator Sikhangezile Mafu was not picking calls yesterday for comment.
A source from the district development committee, however, confirmed that 15 were expected to leave the centre, but awaited final clearance.
They are expected to undergo final COVID-19 tests after which they will be released.
State Media|Government has reduced the number of qualified, but unemployed nurses, to 450 following the unfreezing of posts in the health sector after the outbreak of Covid-19.
Over the years, the number of qualified, but unemployed nurses hovered around 2 000 considering the fact that training institutions continued to train for the public sector.
Recently, Government indicated that it was unfreezing about 4 000 post in the health sector, which include for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and many other workers, to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19. Of the 4 000 posts, 1 000 were allocated to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to also recruit health professionals, while the other posts will be shared among the different health workers mentioned above.
In a statement yesterday, the Health Services Board (HSB) said recruited professionals were drawn from databases kept at the HSB headquarters, provincial and central hospitals.
“We have recruitment databases for professionals kept at HSB and non-professionals databases created and kept by provinces and central hospitals,” said the HSB.
“Candidates for both are derived from these databases.
“Recruitment of non-professionals is thus decentralised to central hospitals and provincial offices.”
Candidates trained by the Ministry of Health and Child Care were immediately being deployed whilst those from other training institutions were going through a process of interviews, which might take a little longer.
Some posts are being filled through regrading.
“As for doctors, we have none who are out of employment, unless they are not willing to be employed by Government, while we have 450 unemployed nurses after the recent recruitment exercise,” HSB.
“We will be able to absorb all qualified doctors, while we might have a challenge in absorbing all unemployed nurses.”
Most of the qualified nurses will eventually be absorbed through replacement posts.
As part of the country’s response to Covid-19, Treasury agreed to the recruitment of 4 000 health workers and the creation of an additional 200 medical posts.
Recruitment for the posts is underway, with Cabinet recently reporting that over half of the posts had been filled.
The last mass recruitment of unemployed nurses was done in 2018 when all those in employment were fired for participating in an industrial action.
South Africans walking around at a shopping centre
More than two months after Egypt became the first country in Africa to confirm a coronavirus case, the outbreak appears to have reached almost every nation on the continent of 1.2 billion people.
Of Africa’s 54 countries, only two have yet to report a case of the virus: Comoros and Lesotho.
As of Sunday, the confirmed coronavirus death toll on the continent stood at 1,374 with fatalities including the former President of the Republic of the Congo Jacques Joachim Yhombi-Opango and Somalia’s former Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein.
Experts warn fragile healthcare systems in many African countries could be overwhelmed in the face of a severe outbreak of COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
Statistics reported by 52 African Union (AU) member states were 30,329 cases; 1,374 deaths; and 9,106 recoveries, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said in a statement.
South Africa has the most confirmed cases out of all the member states with 4,546 confirmed case; 87 deaths; 1,473 recoveries. Egypt has 4,319; with 307 deaths reported and 1,114 recoveries.
Morocco has 3,897 cases, 159 deaths and 537 recoveries and Algeria 3,256; 419; 1,479.
Former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba’s ambition of leading Cote d’Ivoire football faced a halt after former players unanimously voted for his rival.
All eleven out of fourteen members of Association of Former Ivorian Footballers who participated in the voting exercise via video conferencing endorsed Sory Diabate.
Of the 14 members in the Association, 11 voted for his rival, Sory Diabate, while three persons abstained.
Drogba and Idriss Diallo, who is Vice-President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) in charge of Marketing and Promotion Commission received no votes.
The results of the election, which was done via video conferencing, has reportedly sparked a massive debate in Ivory Coast.
Sory will now replace Augustin Sidy Diallo the current Ivorian Football Federation President.
In the latest case of social media hoodwinks amid the Coronavirus crisis, Zimbabweans in Pretoria, South Africa were reportedly sold a dummy after a WhatsApp voice note deceived them into believing that the Warriors duo of Khama Billiat and Nyasha Mushekwi would donate food at a named location last Wednesday.
The voice note, whose sender is still unknown, claimed that Zimbabweans living in the South African capital should convene at a recreational park in Mamelodi at 10am last Wednesday, as the pair would supposedly donate food to them.
According to local publication Zim Morning Post, there was a considerable turn out as Zimbaweans could be seen milling around the park as early as 9 am in anticipation of the relief aid amid a nationwide lockdown enforced by the Cyril Ramaphosa-government to mitigate the spread of the global pandemic.
Billiat and Mushekwi are among the highest earning Zimbabwean football stars, with the former being the highest paid player in the ABSA Premiership while the latter is known for donations after spending a reported US$120 000 in buying a bus for his former club CAPS United.
This lattest hoax comes barely a month after yet another fake message circulated on various forms of social media and mislead Zimbabweans in Soweto into believing that Billiat and his Kaizer Chiefs teammate and fellow countryman Willard Katsande would also donate food.
Food has become a scarcity to some Zimbabweans in the Rainbow Nation who are in the informal sector and for the second time, they have braved lockdown restrictions only to discover that all their efforts are in vain.
More Tanzanians tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday after the ministry of health of Uganda confirmed 4 more positive cases of coronavirus. The ministry said they had tested 1578 samples of which all were of truck drivers entering Uganda.
The 4 cases were Tanzanian truck drivers who had arrived in Uganda from Tanzania via Mutukula entry border point. When you add to the previously 4 confirmed cases this brings the total number of Tanzanians truck drivers who have tested positive for coronavirus to 8.
On its twitter account the ministry said it will give more information later on Monday morning 27th of April. Also in its prior communication the ministry of health had announced that the previous truck drivers who tested positive earlier on had already been repatriated to Tanzania.
The issue of Truck drivers testing positive for coronavirus has become a big challenge though the president of Uganda announced last week that truck drivers from Tanzania and Kenya will have to be tested at the entry border points and will have to wait for their results before being allowed to enter the country.
While Uganda and Rwanda are under lockdown as a measure to stop the spread of coronavirus, in Tanzania business is still going on as normal posing a huge risk of more tanzanians especially truck drivers on transit to the neighbouring countries contracting coronavirus.
The army truck which was being used to transport the soldiers lies on its side.
One soldier died on the spot and 23 others have been injured when an army truck veered off the road and landed on its side.
At least three of them were seriously injured while the others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident which occurred near the 49km peg along the Kariba-Makuti Road around 1.30pm.
The injured were taken to Kariba District Hospital for further care.
The army truck with 24 passengers on board was ferrying members of the Zimbabwe National Army who were helping in enforcing the National Lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
According to sources, the truck was transferring the soldiers to their respective bases in Harare after their shift.
A man from Nyandeni area of Gwanda has been arrested after a gruesome murder of his friend in a misunderstanding over proportions of drinking a 200ml spirit liquor.
The man who is set to appear in court in Gwanda is alleged to have stabbed his now deceased friend six times with an Okapi knife after he accused his friend of drinking too much of the low cost liquor.
According to ZimEye.com sources in the area, the murderer chased his victim for a distance of over three hundred metres from their drinking place before stabbing him dead on the main Bulawayo to Gwanda highway at Mtshabezi Mission turnoff.
The witnesses indicated that other patrons at the drinking place, which remained open despite the lockdown regulations, could not restrain the murderer accused who was threatening to stab everyone around.
The villagers made a report to police in Gwanda leading to his arrest.
Police escort Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide Revelation members to Tshabalala Police Station after arresting them at their church on Sunday
POLICE in Bulawayo yesterday arrested 48 church members who were congregating for a service in Tshabalala suburb, defying lockdown regulations.
Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide Revelation members were arrested at their church at about 1PM.
Government imposed a five-week lockdown ending on May 3 and barred all social gatherings including those of churches to curb the spread of the deadly Covid-19.
The public is expected to stay at home and only leave their homes to buy essential commodities within a five-kilometre radius.
The members were wearing white garments but as police effected the arrest, they removed their church clothing.
The church premises are located about two kilometres from Tshabalala Police Station and the congregants were ordered to walk in a single file to the station with cops closely monitoring them.
They were made to observe social distance while being taken to the police station.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said: “A group of 48 people comprising men and women was today at around 1pm found at the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide Revelation led by an Apostle Ndlovu who was heading the team. They were found at a church in Tshabalala worshipping, despite the lockdown regulations that outlaws such a gathering. They claimed that they thought that gatherings of below 100 people were permitted,” said Insp Ncube.
“They were then arrested and taken to Tshabalala Police Station where they are being held and are assisting police with investigations.”
He called on members of the public to adhere to lockdown regulations.
“I think people do not want to listen. It has been said over and over again that people must stay at home and they can only attend essential gatherings such as funerals, but church services were not exempted. They must follow regulations. Those who want to worship should do it in their homes. People must stay at home and abide by the given orders,” he said.
Residents who observed the church group being arrested expressed disappointment that some people were wantonly violating regulations.
Mr Dumisani Khabo said it was critical for residents to follow lockdown regulations as mass gatherings can easily spread the virus.
“At the moment we don’t know how many people actually have the virus. So, such gatherings could expose these congregants to Covid-19.
“When they leave their church, they will infect their neighbours and their neighbours also infect other people who come into contact with them. We can have the whole community getting the virus from such gatherings,” said Mr Khabo.
Mr Thomas Phiri of Tshabalala suburb said churches should be exemplary in society.
“Even the Bible says we must obey the rules of our lands. Churches must lead by example naturally. But if you find a church and its people disobeying rules and put the lives of other people at risk, then it’s no longer a church. It’s a cult, those people have been brainwashed. And endangering children and exposing them to such risk is something else,” said Mr Phiri.
This is not the first time for church members to be arrested for violating Covid-19 lockdown regulations in Bulawayo.
Two weeks ago, police arrested nine congregants of the Revival of Jesus Miracles Ministries in Nketa suburb for gathering in public in violation of lockdown regulations.
They were also taken to Tshabalala Police Station and each paid a $500 admission of guilt fine.
Those who fail to raise the required fines risk two months in jail.
Mass Covid-19 testing is being done in Chitemere Village, Mhondoro-Mubaira, and the surrounding villages after two more people in the area, who were in contact with the late Gogo Nguni nee Chitemere tested positive for Covid-19.
One of the latest positive cases did not live in the same house with the late Gogo Nguni, indicating that there is local transmission within the Chitemere community.
Her son, former MP for Mhondoro-Mubaira Constituency and former Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office, Mr Sylvester Nguni, plus his wife and his two sisters, all of whom were with Gogo Chitemere when she was taken to a private hospital in Harare, have tested negative for Covid-19.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo told The Herald yesterday that mass testing has since begun in the village.
“Our teams from Harare and Mashonaland West have since started combing the whole area, tracing and testing all individuals as we try to get to the bottom of this issue,” said Dr Moyo.
Mr Nguni has denied relations with Christopher Chitemere of Harare, who arrived in the country from the United Kingdom recently, saying it was a mere coincidence on names.
He said his mother never got in touch with this Chitemere and the only time she came to Harare in recent days was when she was brought to West End Hospital for treatment.
However, Mr Nguni said he has an uncle with the same name who lives in the Mhondoro area, close to his mother’s homestead.
Mr Nguni said the family was eagerly waiting for results of all close contacts to their mother as they seek closure on the issue.
According to the latest Covid-19 update from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, three more cases tested positive on Saturday bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 31.
The ministry reported that their condition was stable and were not in hospital.
Thirty-four of the 73 returning residents in quarantine at the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM) in Darwendale were allowed home on Saturday.
Of the 34 discharged, seven had completed the mandatory 21 days in quarantine while the remaining 27 had completed 14 days and will spend the other seven days isolated in their own homes.
This follows declarations made last week by Health Minister Obadiah Moyo that government does not have funds to quarantine returnees for the twenty one days hinting at cutting the period to seven days.
In a briefing yesterday for the Ad-hoc Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said health officers in the provinces would follow up the 27.
The remaining 39 returnees at ZIPAM would be screened and released once they had met the laid-down requirements, she said.
Giving details of other groups under quarantine she said: “Today five returning residents from Mozambique were quarantined at Rowa Training Centre in Mutare Rural, and in Victoria Falls, at Mosi-Oa-Tunya High School, 45 returnees were yesterday placed under quarantine.”
She said the identification of isolation centres across the country’s administrative districts had been completed and work was at various stages to ensure that the medical facilities are ready to receive and handle severe and critical cases when the need arose.
Minister Mutsvangwa said training of medical personnel who will manage the facilities was on-going.
CIO agent Albert Vunganai ferried to his final resting place
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s long serving CIO agent Albert Vunganai who died in a car accident while escorting Mnangagwa’s wife on Friday was buried on Sunday at Glen Forest Memorial Park cemetery in Harare with serious concerns over disregard of standing Coronavirus precautions.
Well over the stipulated maximum number of mourners attended the burial and funeral wake at his family home exposing them to the effects of the ravaging virus which has killed over 200 000 people in the world and four of them in Zimbabwe.
Declaring a national lockdown to curb the spread of the virus at the end of last month, President Mnangagwa announced regulations that included an order that all funerals must be limited to no more than fifty people with social distancing and use of proper protective equipment being emphasised.
At Vunganai’s funeral wake and burial all these precautions appeared to have been ignored and no personal protective equipment like masks and gloves were supplied to mourners.
Harare currently has the highest numbers for both infections and deaths in the currently.
At the burial, Mnangagwa described the late Vunganai, who was a close aide to the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, as a professional cadre who was dedicated to his work.
The President said this in his condolence message read before Vunganai’s burial by the Deputy Director General in the President’s Department, Walter Tapfumaneyi.
Vunganai (36) died on Friday from injuries sustained in an accident in the Mavhuradonha mountain range in Muzarabani when the First Lady and her team were enroute to distribute foodstuffs to the elderly and vulnerable families.
Three other security officers were injured in the accident and are recovering in hospital.
Vunganai was a principal security aide in the President’s Department at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife Nancy and two children.
Chitungwiza Municipality is seeking US$3 million from corporates and well-wishers for the construction of an isolation centre for Covid-19 patients at Seke South Clinic.
If raised, the funds will be used to renovate two other facilities that will be used as medical centres. Acting Chitungwiza town clerk Dr Tonderai Kasu yesterday said they were in dire need of resources necessary for the containment of the virus. He said they had asked for assistance from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which expressed their full support for the initiatives.
“I have written to Ministers Obadiah Moyo and July Moyo informing them of Chitungwiza’s plans with respect to renovations, refurbishments and construction at all three of the sites, as well as the equipment and other materials needed,” said Dr Kasu.
“Our response budget for the pandemic is US$3 093 727. We also requested assistance both in cash and in kind. We are also appealing for support from the corporate world, donors and development partners. We hope that steady progress will be made towards completion of these projects so that the virus will find us prepared.”
The MDC Alliance notes with regret and despair the massive destruction of people’s markets and other infrastructure accross the length and breadth of the country during this COVID-19 Lockdown period running from 30th March 2020 to 3 May 2020.
We note that the government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, has destroyed buildings and infrastructure, including churches and markets such as Mupedzanhamo in Mbare, the Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) market in Glenview, people’s markets in Gweru and many other markets accross the country.
Needless to say property worth millions and millions of dollars has been destroyed. Hundreds of our compatriots who make a living from the markets and infrastructure have now been left without a means of sustenance.
We have established that the destruction of properties is being executed by the State through the Ministry of Local Government and Zimbabwe Republic Police. We have also established that no single MDC Alliance council authorised or resolved to carry out these destructions.
That real power in the running and management of local authorities should reside in the Ministry of Local Government is regrettable, and is indeed a breach of Chapter 14 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
We make the point once more that all laws, in this case, the Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Councils Act must be harmonised with the Constitution.
It is only through harmonisation that real power will revert back to the elected officials not the bureaucrats in the form of town clerks and administrators in the parent Ministry. The MDC Alliance believes in Social Justice and the Rule of Law.
To destroy anyone’s property without due process and an order of court is patently unconstitutional.
More than that, to the extent that livelihoods are being destroyed through physical destruction of people’s markets, the destruction of the markets is a crime against humanity.
This is Murambatsvina Part 2 being carried out within the shadow and opaqueness of the Corona Virus Lockdown.
We are also concerned with the timing of the destruction of these markets.
The world at large including Zimbabwe is battling with the weight of an unprecedented pandemic that has killed thousands of people accross the world.
To therefore carry out these operations during this period is not only exposing the workers involved but the community too to Covid-19.
It exposes the informal traders in these markets to poverty at a time when resilience and safety nets are required to fight the pandemic.
The actions to destroy these structures is therefore cruel, degrading and inhumane. We as MDC Alliance condemns this and reject this outright.
We have instructed our councilors and local authorities countrywide to disown these acts of barbarism.
Whilst we believe in future smart cities and urban regeneration, any development must be planned and must be subject to the operations of Rule of Law.
We say to July Moyo and Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa STOP IT.
The MDC Alliance Leadership left Zimbabweans electrified with joy and hope when they joined hands in mourning the deceased and comforting the sick and also thanking frontline workers, the majority of them being Zimbabweans. An estimated figure of 45 Zimbabweans have died of the Covid19 so far.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW….
The Vice President Lynette Karenyi, Deputy Secretary General Jameson Timba and Deputy Treasurer General Lilian Timvious were live on ZimEye offering their solidarity with practitioners and the community at large.
Zimbabweans living abroad are faced with a myriad of problems during the lockdown period of which some of the problems include among others, exposure to the virus since the majority of them are frontliners, dying alone without their beloved ones, lack of dignified burials where they cannot even be burried home by their beloved ones loneliness as everyone is under lockdown, children left with noone close to look after, rejection of those who decide to go home, inhumane treatment of returnees under quarantine by the Zimbabwean government, victimisation of opposition activists, in particular Mary Ndoro who the Deputy Minister of Labour cited to be among the returnees and stated that she was among those who demonstrated against Minister S.B Moyo when he went to the United Kingdom. Mary is not at all among the returnees.
The leaders passed their condolences to the families and friend of the deceased and emphasised that the time was now to unite for a purpose and be our brother’s and sister’s keepers during the lockdown period as some live alone. VP Karenyi thanked the organisers of the wonderful programme as it gave them an opportunity to meet the members online. Hon Timveous thanked and assured Mary Ndoro and all other activists that the party will always stand with them in times of need. Hon Timba reiterated that the government must stop victimising its members and blaming MDC Alliance for their failures as he said the returnees demands were just.
B Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson
MDC Alliance – Assembly of Women
It is a day set aside highlighting global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains that have been made so far.
Malaria remains a big problem in other parts of the world and in Zimbabwe it’s a public health problem. It is common in areas that are hot and moist. The theme for 2020 is “Zero malaria starts with me”.
What is malaria? It is a disease caused by infection with a parasite female anopheles mosquito. The mosquito is the vector that transmits the infection. Found mainly where there are open water bodies.
In Zimbabwe malaria peaks from November to April. The most effective control and prevention strategy is through prevention of mosquito bites.
Symptoms include fever, chills, rigors, headache, nausea,anorexia, joint pains, malaise and sweating.
There is also a history of staying in an area known to be endemic of malaria or traveling to that area. However one might not present with all the symptoms. In this era of COVID-19 pandemic excluding it is also important in those diagnosed with malaria.
Treatment – Malaria is a treatable disease. There are oral medications and intravenous medicines that can be used to cure the disease.
The disease progress quickly therefore early treatment saves life than late treatment.
There is no vaccine for malaria. Malaria can affect anyone of any age and despite previous infection you can still get malaria.
Prevention – Sleeping under a treated mosquito net and using mosquito repellents.
Wearing long sleeved shirts at night to avoid mosquito bites. Spraying open water bodies and covering them.
Taking malaria prophylaxis when traveling to a malaria endemic area.
Malaria is still a disease that kills thousands to millions of people every year.
Therefore let’s prevent malaria in our communities.
Compiled by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Farai Dziva|MDC MP for Mutasa South, Regai Tsunga has related how he was harassed and humiliated by police details last week.
Tsunga was arrested for “unnecessary movement” as he distributed mealie meal to the needy in the constituency.
Tsunga, quoted by NewsDay, said : “My councillor in ward 11 Farai Bhiza was taking names of residents who wanted to be assisted with subsidised roller meal that government had not still delivered after the 21-day lockdown phase.
I arrived at the scene at the conclusion of this exercise and within minutes, police officers arrived. I got out of my truck to greet the police officers who had positioned themselves around a section of the parking lot at Mac’s Business Centre in ward 11.
I was promptly ordered to jump onto the nearby police truck to Mutare Central Police Station because I was under arrest along with councillor Bhiza and other residents.”
He added: I was charged with unnecessary movement. My lawyer Innocent Gonese argued for me, but the police were adamant. Under protest, I paid $500 for my release. In my view, it was unreasonable to arrest me for doing work in my constituency. An area MP cannot be said to be moving unnecessarily in area that he represents in Parliament.
I had not strayed out of the constituency; I was implementing a local food security and nutrition programme to ameliorate the suffering of our people arising from COVID-19 and the attendant lockdown As we speak, government has still not made door-to-door mealie-meal sales as promised and people face starvation.”
Farai Dziva|MDC MP for Mutasa South, Regai Tsunga has related how he was harassed and humiliated by police details last week.
Tsunga was arrested for “unnecessary movement” as he distributed mealie meal to the needy in the constituency.
Tsunga, quoted by NewsDay, said : “My councillor in ward 11 Farai Bhiza was taking names of residents who wanted to be assisted with subsidised roller meal that government had not still delivered after the 21-day lockdown phase.
I arrived at the scene at the conclusion of this exercise and within minutes, police officers arrived. I got out of my truck to greet the police officers who had positioned themselves around a section of the parking lot at Mac’s Business Centre in ward 11.
I was promptly ordered to jump onto the nearby police truck to Mutare Central Police Station because I was under arrest along with councillor Bhiza and other residents.”
He added: I was charged with unnecessary movement. My lawyer Innocent Gonese argued for me, but the police were adamant. Under protest, I paid $500 for my release. In my view, it was unreasonable to arrest me for doing work in my constituency. An area MP cannot be said to be moving unnecessarily in area that he represents in Parliament.
I had not strayed out of the constituency; I was implementing a local food security and nutrition programme to ameliorate the suffering of our people arising from COVID-19 and the attendant lockdown As we speak, government has still not made door-to-door mealie-meal sales as promised and people face starvation.”
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has begun to belittle MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa, calling him “Secretary for Policy and Research” in a desperate attempt to discredit the youthful politician.
Surprisingly, Zanu PF accused Chamisa of “instructing MPs and councillors to distribute food aid to card- carrying MDC members.”
Political analysts say Zanu PF’ s line of argument reflects desperate measures to dilute the MDC leader’s growing influence.The argument is fraught with contradictions, according to political observers.
Zanu PF tweeted :MDC Alliance Secretary for Policy and Research @nelsonchamisa is said to have ordered MDC MPs and notorious councillors to overlook deserving beneficiaries of global aid, demanding MDC-cards for one to have their name enlisted as a beneficiary of donated basics.
This Must Stop! This trend has been observed in Highfields East and West, Harare East and Mabvuku.
This is in direct violation of President’s Directive to stop patronizing relief aid.
Meanwhile, ZANU PF MPs have been reminded to work with people in their constituencies regardless of political color.”
Commenting on the ruling party’s assertion, Masvingo based political analyst Jeffryson Chitando said:” Zanu PF is desperate to denigrate Chamisa.Zanu PF officials are losing sleep over Chamisa’ s growing influence.The argument is a smorgasbord of contradictions and black propaganda.Can a secretary instruct MPs and councillors to do something?This is a weak line of argument. The whole thing reflects desperation of the worst kind.”
Currently called Mjekejeke by many on social media, Mthembu may be called vibrator for some time after mentioning the word during an interview on Sunday evening.
Mthembu had a few interviews on the arrival of the Cuban doctors in South Africa and measures to be taken as the country prepares to move to level 4 of the lockdown.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika on the risk adjustment strategy of the reopening of the economy, Mthembu spoke of Personal Protective Equipment that will be supplied to all hospitals and the issue of “vibrators” for ICU patients.
He said: “There will be a time when we will peak, but so far we have managed to buy time to attend to all the needs of our hospitals – additional beds in our hospitals, additional hospitals that we are busy with right now, including issues of Personal Protective Equipment that we are rolling out to all our hospitals, including issues of vibrators that we will need for those that will need serious attention in ICUs in our hospitals.”
Despite knowing that the minister probably meant to say ventilators, social media doesn’t seem as though it will forget the blunder easily. – CITIZEN
Farai Dziva|Zanu PF has begun to belittle MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa, calling him “Secretary for Policy and Research” in a desperate attempt to discredit the youthful politician.
Surprisingly, Zanu PF accused Chamisa of “instructing MPs and councillors to distribute food aid to card- carrying MDC members.”
Political analysts say Zanu PF’ s line of argument reflects desperate measures to dilute the MDC leader’s growing influence.The argument is fraught with contradictions, according to political observers.
Zanu PF tweeted :MDC Alliance Secretary for Policy and Research @nelsonchamisa is said to have ordered MDC MPs and notorious councillors to overlook deserving beneficiaries of global aid, demanding MDC-cards for one to have their name enlisted as a beneficiary of donated basics.
This Must Stop! This trend has been observed in Highfields East and West, Harare East and Mabvuku.
This is in direct violation of President’s Directive to stop patronizing relief aid.
Meanwhile, ZANU PF MPs have been reminded to work with people in their constituencies regardless of political color.”
Commenting on the ruling party’s assertion, Masvingo based political analyst Jeffryson Chitando said:” Zanu PF is desperate to denigrate Chamisa.Zanu PF officials are losing sleep over Chamisa’ s growing influence.The argument is a smorgasbord of contradictions and black propaganda.Can a secretary instruct MPs and councillors to do something?This is a weak line of argument. The whole thing reflects desperation of the worst kind.”
Stringent conditionalities placed on the recently announced government Youth Relief Fund meant to help youths whose businesses were affected by Covid19 lockdown makes it difficult for many youths to access the grant.
There is a whole lot of requirements like bank statements and Zimbabwe Youth Council affiliation fee that makes it difficult for ordinary youths to meet.
More so, the online application process marginalizes those who are in the periphery of the periphery where issues of internet connectivity is a major blow.
The MDC Youth Assembly also bemoans the information gaps as far as the Relief Grant is concerned especially to the ordinary rural youths.
As such, we call upon the government and relevant Ministry to unconditionally remove stringent conditionalities like bank statements if real youths are to benefit from the grant.
It is public knowledge that the majority of ordinary youths survive from hand to mouth and they operate informal businesses hence they do not have bank statements.
That the majority of ordinary youths operate informal businesses automatically marginalizes them from the grant as many of their businesses are not formally registered.
It is also our hope that political colour is not going to be the prime determinant as to who benefits from the Relief Grant.
As an Assembly, we also call upon for the removal of a discriminatory clause which states that only businesses that were in existence 6 months prior to the lockdown announcement should be sole beneficiaries to the grant.
It is also our major underlining that the stringent, cumbersome and discriminatory conditionalities and secrecy surrounding the whole grant makes it appear more of a political grandstanding by the ruling party to pacify the increasingly restive youths.
As such, the grant remains a pie in the sky and dead aid for the majority of youths in informal businesses!
Stephen Sarkozy Chuma MDCYouthAssemblyNationalSpokesperson
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE: 25 APRIL 2020 As of 25 April 2020, a cumulative total of 2 719 897 confirmed cases and 187 705 deaths were reported from more than 210 countries/territories globally (Source WHO Sitrep No.96).
The Ministry of Health would like to report that today, a total of 380 tests were done as detailed in table 1 below. giving a total of 6 067 screening and diagnostic tests done to date.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe now has thirty-one confirmed cases, including two recoveries and four deaths.
Table 1. Distribution of tests done today Mat. North – 3 Manicaland – 5 Mat. South – 54 Midlands – 6 Harare – 161 Bulawayo – 151 TOTALS – 380 Of the PCR tests done in Harare today, three were positive for COVID-19 and all the PCR tests done in Bulawayo today were negative for COVID-19.
Table 2. Number of confirmed cases to date Matabeleland North – 1 Bulawayo – 10 Harare – 13 Mashonaland East – 4 Mashonaland West – 3 Total: 31 Two of the three cases confirmed today were due to local transmission. All the three cases are stable, and not in the hospital. More details on these cases to follow.
The Ministry continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind the nation that the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practise good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.
When you use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it: if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
For assistance, please call the COVID-19 tollfree hotline number: 2019.
By A Correspondent- Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu has predicted that Zanu Pf will win the forthcoming 2023 elections by a wider margin than what the party did at independence in 1980.
In a tweet, Zivhu said:
“2023 Zanu Pf will win elections with big margins than 1980 mark my words. Kana uchida meaning if you want politics just join Zanu Pf now, the opposition party is finished.”
2023 Zanu pf will win elections with big margins than 1980 mark my words . kana uchida politics just join zanu pf now the opposition party is finished pic.twitter.com/SBezfZYttq
By Nomusa Garikai- The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect Zanu PF’s political opponents on the understanding, once in power, they would implement the democratic reforms the nation was dying for.
Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC friends have had many golden opportunities to implement the reforms, with the best chances coming during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Sadly, Tsvangirai et al took their eyes off the ball and they wasted all the opportunities. They have failed to implement even one reform!
Mugabe bribed the MDC leaders with the trappings of high office; the ministerial limos, the generous salaries, a US$4 million mansion for Tsvangirai himself, etc. And to show their appreciation, MDC leaders forgot about the reforms!
“Mazivznhu eMDC adzidza kudya anyerere!” (MDC leaders have learned to enjoy the gravy train good-life. They will never rock the boat now!) boasted Mugabe’s cronies during the GNU, when asked why MDC leaders were not implementing any reforms.
After the GNU, MDC leaders have abandoned all hope of implementing any reforms and have since settled for a few gravy-train seats Zanu PF gives away as bait.
The scramble for the bait seats has brought out the nation’s scum, the 2018 elections were a hotly contested affair with 23 candidates contesting for the presidency alone. They all knew with no reforms Zanu PF would win 2/3 majority in parliament plus the presidency; they were fighting over the remaining 1/3 or so MP seats and the coveted title of opposition party leader.
Of course, all of the opposition leaders contesting these flawed and illegitimate elections knew their participation gave credibility to the rigged elections and, thus some modicum of legitimacy to the resultant Zanu PF government. They were doing it out of greed, as David Coltart, a MDC leader and minister in the GNU, readily admitted in his book. The Struggle Continues 50 years of tyranny in Zimbabwe.
“The worst aspect for me about the failure to agree a coalition was that both MDCs couldn’t now do the obvious – withdraw from the elections,” wrote Senator Coltart.
“The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility.”
The “obvious” thing for the opposition to have done in 2013, 2018 and ever more so in 2023 is not participate in the elections without reforms designed to stop the curse of rigged elections. The country’s opposition is but scum, they participated in the elections then and they are already out campaigning for the 2023 elections!
“Good leaders are not seen by the size of their promises, but by what they have done to date. Conmen thrive on sweet promises, convincing you they can move mountains for you when they can’t lift a pebble for themselves. We stand by that assertion, track records matter more than promises,” Dr Nkosana Moyo, leader of Alliance for People’s Agenda. He was one of the 23 presidential candidates in the rigged July 2018 plebiscite.
“Elections came. The people chose. Did the people choose on merit or emotions? Did the people choose on track record or future promises? In Bulawayo one leader was not elected by the voters, but leadership is in him. He continues to innovate and find solutions to community problems.”
How can people “choose on merit” if elections are not free, fair and credible?
The country is stuck with this corrupt, incompetent and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship for 40 years and counting because the thugs rig elections. How can asking the nation to participate in these flawed and illegal elections for the umpteenth time be an “innovative solution” to ending the rat race?
“Hupenzi inyama yegakava!” (There is no one more stubborn than a fool!) so goes a Shona adage.
Dr Nkosana Moyo greed has closed your eyes, ears and mind to reason, reality and truth. You are just a first-class village idiot, no different from Mugabe, Mnangagwa, Tsvangirai, Chamisa and all the others whose greed landed us in this hell-on-earth and is keeping us there.
Zimbabwe’s number one priority is to make sure we implement the reforms necessary for free, fair and credible elections. It would be irresponsible to let the nation be stampeded into yet another rigged election by those blinded by greed!
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE: 25 APRIL 2020 As of 25 April 2020, a cumulative total of 2 719 897 confirmed cases and 187 705 deaths were reported from more than 210 countries/territories globally (Source WHO Sitrep No.96).
The Ministry of Health would like to report that today, a total of 380 tests were done giving a total of 6 067 screening and diagnostic tests done to date.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe now has thirty-one confirmed cases, including two recoveries and four deaths.
Table 1. Distribution of tests done today Mat. North – 3 Manicaland – 5 Mat. South – 54 Midlands – 6 Harare – 161 Bulawayo – 151 TOTALS – 380 Of the PCR tests done in Harare today, three were positive for COVID-19 and all the PCR tests done in Bulawayo today were negative for COVID-19.
Table 2. Number of confirmed cases to date Matabeleland North – 1 Bulawayo – 10 Harare – 13 Mashonaland East – 4 Mashonaland West – 3 Total: 31 Two of the three cases confirmed today were due to local transmission. All the three cases are stable, and not in the hospital. More details on these cases to follow.
The Ministry continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind the nation that the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practise good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.
When you use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it: if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
For assistance, please call the COVID-19 tollfree hotline number: 2019.
A Cuban medical brigade is expected to jet in South Africa on Monday to assist in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus.
The South African Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize Cuba is known for its disaster preparedness and its consistent deployment of medical brigades for disaster relief wherever required, which continues to earn Havana goodwill worldwide.
Read the full statement below:
We are pleased to announce that in the early hours of tomorrow, 27 April 2020, a delegation of 217 Cuban Medical Brigade will arrive in South Africa. This is in response to the Goverment of the Republic of South Africa’s request to the Government of Cuba to offer us assistance and medical personnel support comprising of infectious diseases specialists, to support South Africa in its efforts to deal with COVID-19.
The strong social and political solidarity and support that exists between the two countries have been seen in various development programmes. As the Department of Health, we have continuously enjoyed this support through the ongoing medical training programme of South African students in Cuba.
As Cuba did in the difficult times of apartheid, it has once again lent its hand by sending health workers who are specialised in the areas of Family Medicine, Infection Prevention Control, Case Management, Regulatory Authority, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Health Technology and Biostatistics.
Cuba is known for its disaster preparedness and its consistent deployment of medical brigades for disaster relief wherever required, which continues to earn Havana goodwill worldwide. Some of these highly skilled health professionals were in the frontline of fighting other outbreaks in the world such as Cholera in Haiti in 2010, and Ebola in West Africa in 2013.
Before departure from Cuba, the medical brigade had been placed in quarantine to ensure that they minimise any form of exposure prior to coming to South Africa. This is despite the fact that Cuba is one of the countries where the reported COVID-19 infection rate remains minimal.
As South Africa, we have taken an additional step which is in line with our lockdown regulations. This team will be put in precautionary quarantine as they await their test results.
We will also use this period to fully induct them into the South African situational analysis and the various provinces they will be deployed to.
Once this process is concluded, His Excellency, President MC Ramaphosa together with other Ministers will formally welcome the medical brigade to South Africa and also confirm their allocation to different provinces.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board on Sunday appointed non-Executive Director Ms. Helliate Rushwaya as acting Chief Executive Officer.
A communications and media training specialist with over 20 years industry experience, Ms Rushwaya has worked with media organisations in Namibia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
She was appointed to the ZBC Board in July 2019 and chaired its content, programming and technical Committee.
Reads a statement from the public broadcaster;
“The Board of Directors of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation have resolved to second Non-Executive Director, Ms. Helliate Rushwaya, to the post of A/CEO on a rotational basis till a CEO is appointed in a substantive capacity.
“This decision came about due to the fact that the incumbent had been serving in an acting capacity for over the recommended threshold period of 6 months.”
Ms. Rushwaya takes over from Mr. Wisdom Hombarume who reverts to his role as director of digital media and broadcasting technology at ZBC’s Pockets Hill head office in Harare.
Hombarume had been acting head of the public broadcaster since September 2019 after the departure of the substantive CEO Patrick Mavhura.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rushwaya is a qualified broadcast journalist and holds an MSc International Events Management degree with a focus on Televising Major Events.
She has delivered media consultancy for international agencies such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Television for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.
In 2014, Ms. Rushwaya project manager for the host broadcaster of the Commonwealth Games in Scotland where she managed and trained television crew which broadcast the live event to 71 countries and territories under the auspices of the Commonwealth.-StateMedia
8/ I’ve been asked to present myself tomorrow morning to law & order & I shall do so with my head held high. If serving the people effectively is a crime then we’ll certainly see. Don’t worry about me, I’m ok in the Lord’s Hands & I simply request your prayers pic.twitter.com/NcfA6U6BAx
9/ I’ve gone through such persecution numerous times with former CG Chihuri & the same harassment continues. I do not fear standing trial as the frivolous charges can’t hold water but my time would be better spent on the ground helping the community.
There is murder case that happened at ward 9 GutuNorth. The woman had missing parts and l believe the @PoliceZimbabwe@Jamwanda2 are handling that issue unprofessionally. From the allegations the suspect are free. The incident happened in the afternoon @simbayeukai#Pakaipa
By Robert Sigauke- To correctly capture where we are right now, it is either the MDC-T faction in the MDC-Alliance, influences the alliance and its partners to run before events, or events will run over them and all their constituents.
The latter scenario would be a most regretted one seeing that the MDC-T faction within the alliance have little but momentous opportunity to help the situation and provide key leadership needed right now.
Opposition politics space finds itself in a whirlwind at the moment, the two boxers in the ring have taken countless punches each but believe they won the bout, public opinion and the massive crowds who paid to come into the grand arena have cast their costly bets, and yet the six eyes of the three judges by the ringside saw the most clearer and only they have the decisive say on how the night will end.
It is up to the loser to burn the midnight candle looking for a rematch clause in the contract signed before the fight. Except in this case, the rematch was given on a silver platter fore bearing that the loser will shout the loudest in protest that the crowds cheered more for him, in so far as evidence that he was the better opponent is concerned.
Chamisa’s faction lost in the High Court. They demanded a rematch before new judges, so was the appeal. Again they lost, and again they blame the judges of being captured by the state.
It is slowly sinking in, that legally the battle is lost but what they need to wake up to is that this was a political war in the first place. This is where the real war is, this is where the war will be won ultimately and the time to mobilise the numbers and move is now. The masses are waiting in readiness.
Corona lockdowns have effectively restricted all of us within small radii. The people have time to watch events and follow breaking news, the people are waiting for leadership and direction.
It is either decisions are made to run before events, or events will run ahead and render decisions worthless. A day in politics is a very long one.
The dust is fast gathering, barbs have been traded between the politicians, the noble men and women of the law have twisted and arm-twisted the interpretations of one single Supreme Court judgment in hundred ways.
The political analysts have made all attempts to harmonise the law, the politics and the ground dynamics. They have never been as puzzled as now. But the real currency are the people on the ground who are left baffled as to who ran away with the ball to collect the trophy.
They most importantly want to be on the winner’s side at the end of the duel, as there is a better chance on that side for free meat when celebratory cows are slaughtered, let alone in this harsh corona economy.
Here is my two cents of advice –
The MDC-T faction in the Alliance presents itself as a political caucus and leadership boasting of constitutionalism, democracy and rule of law, Chamisa and his grouping must accept the judgment and let the law have its day.
The courts do not attend nor vote at congresses, all candidates who have the pull muscle must participate at the Khupe congress and take the trophy in fair legitimate contest. The legitimacy woes will be put to rest once and for all. That is his best interest too.
In a more decisive move that must be taken seriously now if the inflated egos of Chamisa et al is anything to go by, and not subject themselves to Khupe’s congress, Chamisa and other alliance leaders must immediately announce the dissolution of their current loose political pact and form a fully-fledged MDC Alliance party followed by an inaugural congress later in the nearest convenient future to have enough time to prepare for the 2023 elections. No conspiracy, there are only benefits here.
If the events run ahead of the now needed key leadership as aforementioned, resulting in the alliance leadership sitting on their laurels and ignoring the judgment, this will “be a bad idea because the political careers of Mwonzora, Komichi, Khupe and all their aggrieved lot are on the line right now, they have everything to lose so they will sell even their souls to the devil to prevent this. If the whispers are correct, they have the full might backing of the regime, see how the police were deployed at Harvest House on the morning before the judgment was even handed.
This is telling. The alliance will therefore have to brace itself for a war of its short life. The war will involve issues about party assets, reversal of decisions made since 2018, party funds and unfortunately some will hang their robes going to jail. Behind bars, large numbers of supporters are of no use,” I quote from my previous article MDC and the Politics of Convenience.
Chamisa and the Alliance must remember that, Mnangagwa’s politically discredited POLAD is desperately seeking legitimacy and the Supreme Court judgment is a step in that direction. Chamisa is not winning that war if he and his partners do not announce steps to or morph the Alliance into a fully fledged political party separate from the MDC-T tag, before the Congress of Khupe whose legitimacy’s first leg has been accomplished by the High and Supreme Court judgments, the congress will settle the political legitimacy question.
It will be a victory for POLAD and its backers if the Khupe camp successfully holds their congress and elect their own, unchallenged by the more popular alliance players. This is because Mwonzora and Khupe will then, after settling both the legal and political legitimacy questions, bring the MDC-T to the POLAD negotiating table.
They will pick ministerial posts along the way, because POLAD will not be a gathering to drink mazoe only, something has to be in the offing at the end of the talks. This is what victory looks like in this age of mad and cheap game-play.
If this happens, POLAD will win the moral argument of being inclusive and politically legitimate. Yes, the alliance will remain with the numbers, but barking outside the camp in the cold. Since when have numbers been respected by the regime anyway?
Akuraira ndewako.
Robert Sigauke is a Political & Social Commentator, Legal Manager. He writes from Cape Town.
By A Correspondent- Former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor, Gideon Gono, has angrily denied claims that the late President Robert Mugabe had confided in him to warn then Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Commander Constantino Chiwenga that President Emmerson Mnangagwa “was a ticking political time bomb for the country, who needed to be contained one way or the other.”
On Friday, the Europe based Spotlight Zimbabwe website ran an article titled: “Mugabe told Gono to tell Chiwenga that Mnangagwa was a time bomb for Zimbabwe after coup” in which it quoted an unnamed Mugabe family aide who claimed Mugabe “had a two hour conversation with Gono, during which he asked him to relay his final Mnangagwa warning message to Chiwenga.”
But in an exclusive interview with Nehanda Radio, Gono said “while I do not normally respond to all that’s written about me” the story was fiction. He said although “our families were close” and he was a close confidant of the late former president “at no time was I ever instructed or sent to deliver a message to the Hon Vice-President, Dr C G N Chiwenga as alleged by the said publication.”
The article went further to claim “Mugabe who had offered Chiwenga to take over from him at the height of the coup, as a counter move against Mnangagwa’s ambitions for the presidency, also reportedly advised the VP to remain ZDF chief and settle for nothing less than a presidium appointment in Mnangagwa’s government, as a means of buffering his power.”
But Gono said the author of the article “truthfully confesses that she did not speak to or get comment from me prior to publication. I am not a media person, but something tells me that such journalistic irresponsibility not to contact the alleged primary source does cast a dark cloud over the credibility of the story and the professionalism of the author behind it.”
While the article claimed its source was a relative or aide of the late President now living in South Africa who alleges he or she was there when the alleged conversation took place Gono said this could not have been possible as “most of the times after my retirement as Governor in November 2013, it would be the former First Lady in attendance or just the two of us, RG and myself at home.”
“No aide or relative was ever present or invited to our meetings to discuss anything business or personal with me. It is therefore preposterous for anyone to suggest that a relative or aide could be the source of this fertilized imaginary happening neither can it be attributed the former FL (First Lady) because such a conversation never took place with her present or absent.”
“Whoever therefore is spreading these lies, with whatever objective or agenda, and trying to involve me in any plots or acts of disaffection with the President should please desist from doing so in my name and retreat to the nearest corner of truth, decency, respect and observe the sanctity of facts.
Gono says “I became privileged to be a confidante of many Zimbabweans in high, middle and low positions in our country and society.”
He listed the late Vice Presidents John Nkomo, Joseph Msika and Simon Muzenda, the late opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, former VP Joice Mujuru and Deputy Prime-Ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe among other leading figures.
“It is the current president (Mnangagwa) who appointed me CEO of CBZ in 1994 when he was acting Minister of Finance and we continued to work together during those years and as Governor at RBZ including after my retirement. I continue to avail myself to him and to serve Government in whatever capacity if called upon to. I recently loyally completed my 3 year tour of duty as Chairman of the now repealed Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority.
“I also loyally served all arms of the Defense Forces of this country ( ZDF) under the the Commander Defence Forces now Hon Vice President Dr Chiwenga; I loyally served the State Security Apparatus under several State and Home Affairs ministers who include now Hon. Vice President Mohadi and at that time also became their confidante and banker.”
Gono said at no point had he been “a betrayer of their confidence or perpetrator of any spirit of division between them, other than to unite and promote oneness among them by not being a rumour monger or carrier of news detrimental to the callings of their offices.”
“No wonder, when all else seemed to be failing, I was, at 20:00hrs on 17 November, 2017 called upon to step in and intermediate between former President Mugabe, his family and Commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces led by the then CDF, now V P Chiwenga. I have successfully carried out several intermediation missions since the mid 1990s when I had became of age!
“How we, as the three parties (RG, Commanders and myself) succeeded to break the resignation impasse right to the day of actual resignation of the then President and subsequent behind-the-scenes negotiations for peace and and reconciliation remain unknown to many and the real truth untold to date. That’s how matters of statecraft are handled.
“It is therefore ludicrous to a point of contemptuous amusement for anyone to suggest or think that I could, or would, for whatever reason, release a tit-bit of any conversation, real or imaginary, that could have taken or took place between anyone or anybody above and myself about anyone or anybody.
Gono said his relationship with both Mnangagwa and Chiwenga dated back to 1994. “I have not, over the years I have worked with or served them, detected any bad blood between them. The same applies to my relationship and working tenure with Hon VP Mohadi.
“I’m enjoying my retirement post 40 years of loyal national and private sector service nowhere else but to Zimbabwe so please, speculators, leave me out of your machinations.-NehandaRadio
“I enjoy good relations with and support our President and the entire leadership this country at the political, business, religious and social levels.
“I have learnt over the years that taking legal action against some dodgy websites of no permanent abode is an exercise in futility. I will let sleeping dogs lie.”
The ZBC Board has appointed Non-Executive Director Helliate Rushwaya as Acting CEO.
Helliate Rushwaya
In an announcement, the public broadcaster said:
The ZBC Board has resolved to second Non-Executive Director, Ms. Helliate Rushwaya, to the post of Acting CEO till a CEO is appointed in a substantive capacity. This is due to the fact that the incumbent had been serving in an acting capacity for over the recommended 6 months.
Rushwaya holds an MSc in International events management with a focus on broadcasting mega events.
She has worked at BBC Scotland and was Project Manager for the Host Broadcaster of the Commonwealth Games 2014. She also worked with the Host Broadcaster for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 in Harare.
She was appointed to the current ZBC board in 2019.
School pupils in Madagascar have been told they face expulsion if they refuse to drink a herbal tea their president claims prevents and cures Covid-19.
Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s populist leader, this week launched “COVID-organics” amid great fanfare, particularly on the radio and television stations he owns.
Developed from plants found in abundance on the Indian Ocean island, COVID-organics had allowed Madagascar to succeed where all other countries had failed, he said.
Not only would the product stop anyone who drank it from developing the virus, it would heal anyone who had caught it within seven days, the president told reporters. Two people had already been cured, he added.
“We can change the history of the entire world,” Mr Rajoelina said as he drank the first dose of the wonder drug. “Madagascar has been chosen by God.”
The product is being rapidly circulated on the island state. Soldiers in the capital Antananarivo went door-to-door on Thursday doling out sachets of COVID-organics, which can either be bought by the bottle or in powdered form to be mixed with water.
Not everyone has been as enthusiastic. Both the National Academy of Medicine of Madagascar and the World Health Organisation have expressed their concern, noting that there was no evidence to support claims it could cure the virus.
Clinical tests on the drug are understood to have involved just 20 volunteers and to have been conducted over a week.
Some Malagasy have also been sceptical. When schools re-opened on Wednesday after the Easter holidays, pupils were reportedly given the product and told that they had no choice but to drink it.
The parents of a 14-year-old boy in Antananarivo said their son had been told “to take it or leave”. Patrick Raharimanana, a senior opposition figure and former presidential candidate, alleged that some pupils had already been expelled for refusing to take the medicine.
A senior adviser to the president said that younger children would not be required undertake the COVID-organics course without parental consent.
None of the ingredients in the product is believed to be harmful.
It is chiefly derived from sweet wormwood and Ravensara. Sweet wormwood, a species of the artemisia genus that includes tarragon and mugwort, is known to have anti-malarial properties while Ravensara contains essential oils known to have medicinal qualities.
Several other world leaders, including Donald Trump, have advanced the unproven theory that another anti-malarial, hydroxychloroquine, can inoculate against the new coronavirus.
Mr Rajoelina’s television station, Viva, has sought to promote COVID-organics by screening a documentary featuring a Brazilian prophet allegedly predicting in November that a terrible disease would sweep the world but that Madagascar would save it.
Madagascar has recorded just 121 confirmed cases of COVID-19. No deaths have been reported.
By A Correspondent- Norton MP Temba Mliswa has donated groceries to s_ex workers in his constituency in a move aimed at easing their food challenges during the Lockdown period.
The Dictator of North Korea, Kim Kong, has been reported dead. The said leader was said to have a heart condition for some time and had to under a heart surgery. It is said that the heart surgery he had recently undergone left him in a “grave” condition. This is a shock to the people of North Korea as their Leader passes away.
However, the authenticity of this information has to be confirmed as this information did not come from a news agency in North Korean but from a news agency in China. A Beijing-backed satellite TV channel reported that the Korean Leader, Kim Jong, is dead. The Deputy director of the Beijing backed satellite Television, who is a very influential person in China and the niece of the Chinese foreign minister, reported that this information was disseminated to her from a ‘very solid source’, therefore the announcement that Kim Jong had passed away.
North Korea on the other hand did not release such news, neither was there any rumor amongst the North Koreans. No media outlet in the western world has received such and there remains no confirmation from North Korea, to certify that their Leader, Kim Jong, is dead.
There also was a viral image circulating on several social media platforms, showing the North Korean Leader, Kim Jong, lying dead in a glass coffin. Thought the image’s authenticity (to know if that wasn’t a made-up image) cannot be determined, the release by the Chinese news agency tends to approve that Leader Kim Jong Un, is dead.
If the Korean Leader, Kim Jong, really is dead, why was this information not released by the North Koreans, but came from China? Is it that, the North Koreans where trying to hide the information that their Leader is dead? If they were, then why? How come china is reporting such with claims that a ‘very solid source’ leaked this information and who is the source? There are many questions that need to be answered and so much to be clarified.
THE Covid-19 death toll among United Kingdom based Zimbabwean frontline workers against the pandemic continues to increase with yet another country health expatriate Herbert Chinzou succumbing to the dreaded ailment, this according to a social media post from Zimbabweans in the UK.
Below is a message shared on social media by the “Ladies of UK” and some images of the late Chinzou taken with wife and kids.
April 23 April 2020. A member of the SANDF is chasing illegal border crossers who want to buy food in SA from Zimbabwe these ladies come to the border line to see if they can’t ask those who are passing to Mussina to help them buy food. They vow that they are not and will never cut the 40KM R37m fence that is constructed on the border of the South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Sunday Times|A stream of people illegally transporting groceries and cigarettes between SA and Zimbabwe this week laughed off SA’s hastily constructed R37m border fence as a “joke”.
The Sunday Times visited Beitbridge, where the border post between the two countries has been closed to nonessential traffic in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
“This is not a fence,” laughed Busani Sibanda, moments after crossing the Limpopo River into SA.
“This thing doesn’t even take me five minutes to cut through. We make big holes so we can get suitcases with cigarettes through and small ones so we can get people and groceries through.”
Soldiers who patrol the fence admit they are fighting a losing battle trying to stem the flow of people across the border.
So far the department of public works has paid R21m to Magwa Construction for the 40km fence. At 1.8m high, it consists of six rolls of coiled razor wire and a razor wire grid.
The fence has been slated by governance experts as a “knee-jerk reaction” to seal off the border because of the Covid-19 crisis.
“The speed and timing point to concerns around gaps in planning and how these Covid-19 projects are being thought out and implemented,” said Sean Tait of the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, which monitors police accountability and governance in Africa.
The contract is to be investigated by auditor-general Kimi Makwetu for alleged procurement irregularities.
Makwetu this week said special measures need to be introduced to stop much-needed public funds from landing in the wrong pockets.
He has pledged to dispatch a team of auditors from his office to assist the government in preventing looting of the R500bn emergency coronavirus budget.
He cautioned that this budget was going to be spent through a system already plagued by “internal weakness, especially in the area of procurement”.
This week the Sunday Times spent three days on the border watching smugglers and ordinary Zimbabweans stream between the two countries, carrying groceries and contraband such as cigarettes.
Sibanda charges R500 to help someone cross the fence. He charges R2, 000 for arranging food purchases in Musina — the closest South African town to the border — and deliveries.
“We work in big teams. It takes about 40 of us 20 minutes to take a bakkie-load of food across the river. If the army brings their dogs, we move to where the fence ends and walk around it.”
A soldier, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Not everyone coming across the river is a criminal. Most are starving. We find mothers who, when we arrest them, beg us not to send them home. They beg to be taken somewhere where they can eat.”
He said instead of closing the border, which has not stopped people crossing, the government should open it and test everyone who crosses for the virus.
The fence follows a servitude road patrolled by soldiers, police, private security firms and anti-poaching units.
It was erected over three weeks by Magwa Construction, which was carrying out maintenance work at the Beitbridge border post when the national lockdown was declared in late March.
Magwa’s Bertram Pringle said: “Our internal auditors are here. The external auditors are coming. SA will soon know that we did nothing wrong.
Kawia Rural Anti-Poaching owner Izak Nel, who conducts security for the contractors, said the fence breaches were really bad, especially on the eastern fence section.
“Last week my guys found 90 steel fence poles, which were taken from a 1km section of fence, in a donkey cart. They were about to be smuggled across the border.
“On Tuesday 22 holes were cut, with 14 on Wednesday. The breaches happen every day, all the time, especially during the day. That shows people’s desperation.”
Farmer Hannes Nel, whose property borders the fence, has been fighting for the fence to be repaired and upgraded. He said that though it addressed some security issues, it had been erected without any proper thought.
“The border closure cut people off from Musina, where they buy food supplies. People will do anything to feed their families, including cutting through the fence,” he said.
Mother of two Tracey Mabua, speaking moments after crossing the Limpopo River, said it cost her R3,000 to smuggle food into Zimbabwe.
“I don’t want to break the law but I have to. We are starving. The food our shops sell is too expensive. A 50kg bag of mealie meal costs R500. In Musina it is R150,” she said.
Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies said the current fencing system and lack of additional security systems reflect how far the country has rolled backwards since the 1980s, “when for all its mistakes and issues the country had an effective border management system, which has now fallen into disuse”.
“It is a complete waste of money to put up such a border fence unless it is under constant control and surveillance with patrols who are backed up by reaction forces,” said Cilliers.
Tait said that border security needs to be tightened up, but there needs to be careful management of and oversight over how the money is spent.
“Like the Strandfontein shelter for the homeless in Cape Town, the border fence construction raises questions,” he said.
“There are a number of things about how the government has responded to Covid-19 that need to be investigated.”
Eldred de Klerk, a comparative policing and social conflict specialist at the African Centre for Security and Intelligence Praxis, said: “We need to be spending the money very wisely, and in a targeted manner.”
He said a rudimentary border fence, which in extraordinary times could be seen as a stopgap measure, may not be a deterrent on its own.
Public works & infrastructure minister Patricia de Lille, whose department approved the construction, later asked the auditor-general to probe possible irregularities.
In e-mailed responses to questions from the Sunday Times this week, De Lille said critical areas relating to land borders, which need immediate securing, have been identified.
“The intervention was to ensure no persons cross into or out of the country … to contain the virus,” said De Lille.
“Magwa is appropriately qualified and was already working on a repair and maintenance project at Beitbridge. The overall sum, funded through the department’s infrastructure budget, covers materials; disposal of old damaged fence, accelerated construction, additional security.”
She said the fence, which was completed on April 20 as planned, was considered urgent because of the state of disaster that had been proclaimed.
By Josphat “Mzaca” Ngulube|Why was Josphat Mzaca Ngulube incarcerated? Now am free to talk about it because i was tried and found guilty for nothing! Josphat Mzaca Ngulube didn’t burn Zanu Pf cars or participated on what he was accused for!
On the day 14th of January 2019 he had gone for the burial of his grandfather Jimmy Ngulube at Athlone Cemetery and the burial order, funeral pictures and videos was produced as evidence in court. I want to tell fellow friends and Zimbabweans at large that your leader was arrested for nothing but only to be persecuted for being a political activists and a youthful leader who is destined for uniting and leading Zimbabwe at National level. I am a National leader not a regional leader as i have proved to you in my previous campaigns.I believe in unity and oneness for Zimbabweans. We should be brothers and sisters as citizens of this beloved nation but our leaders do not like it! They always want to label people so that they fuel tribalism and rule over a divided nation that will not see things the same way and fight for one purpose that will get rid of them. The 5months i spent in prison was an unfair one even though i am now a very strong and matured politician, l was initially at Khami remand prison transferred to Chikurubi Maximum and finally at Harare Central Prison where i was discharged from.
The whole thing was not fair from the time we were arrested last year January, The car that picked up the suspects was a CIO white mazda twin cab that had two black boots policeman with guns at the back of the truck, and two Zanupf supporters Geraldine Ndabambi and Tapiwa who were sitted on the back sits with tinted windows, they went around Sizinda pointing at Opposition members particularly Mdc that are very active on party activities and were turned suspects of the case of public violence and burning of two Zanupf cars. Out of 13 suspects two were said to be Zanupf G40 youths.It was Eva Bitu former Zanupf Bulawayo provincial chairlady who came out on National TV telling the nation that her two party vehicles were burnt by G40 youths and i have never been a Zanupf member and never been G40. She said this when she was sober minded and telling the truth just after the incident had happened and thats why Marshall Mpofu former Dj and Minehle Zanupf youths suspected to be G40 were among suspects.
We were just picked up without arresting officer no investigations and there was no investigating officer on our case. After days from 14 January the issue was hijacked but sinior party members who used it for getting rid of Josphat Mzaca Ngulube a threat in the 2023 parliamentary elections. I was called and surrendered myself to Tshabalala police station and was made a suspect on the 17th of January 2019. The case was used to eliminate political threats at Bulawayo south constituency,thats why Eva Bitu and all state witnesses denied their initial police statements in court and labeled police officers who recorded them as liers.
There is nothing that could have stopped Eva Bitu from lying and framing for Sizinda people, when she was staying with a state vehicle when she was just a Zanupf Boss not a government servant and she didn’t deny that in court. Oh what corruption is that? When government departments are struggling to function a party member with no drivers license had just parked cars to be used as pull vehicles.
Now i beg to differ with Chief Justice Malaba who came out gunblazing last year saying judiciary is not captured when someone can be convicted with no compelling reasons and given tongue waging sentence for public violence he did not commit,
Why was Bulawayo Magistrates courts were refusing with my record of proceedings for my bail application, it took them to be ordered by judicial service commission in Harare for them to release my record in just a week after my family and my lawyers tried to no avail wth local authorities at Bulawayo Tredgold magistrate court. Is it politics or corruption? What inefficiency and incompetence is that? Going to Harare was a blessing in disguise for me because i learnt a lot of things, this is where i penned a letter to the Secretary Judicial service commission Madam F. MASHURE who ordered release of my record of proceedings and it was released very fast l do not know where to say corrupt or incompetent servants. I edge all those with problems with courts to visit judicial services commission they are doing a great job and there is no one who is above the law. Again when my bail took 5weeks to be heard when it was filed on 13th of March 2020,procedural it was supposed to be heard in 48hours because my notice of appeal was filed within stipulated time of 10 days after i was sentenced last year November 21 2019,but it was heard after 840 hours.
We cant be marginalized on justice again as a region courts in Bulawayo should function the same way as Harare Mr Chief Justice Luke Malaba, if the judges are overloaded in Bulawayo at more they are a lot of judges in waiting recruit and serve Nation. Bail applications in Bulawayo are very stressing to be got especially by those who are in prison, because now there is now a way of applying even when you are in prison and its called self actor, in Harare the prisoners are respected of their rights to justice and the process is very fast, Judges should give deserving people bail its a right not a privilege.When i applied for review of my case last year after discharge at the close of state case i was not responded my high court Bulawayo until i was convicted and sentenced by the Magistrate Tinashe Tashaya i had queries and was violating my rights as someone who was on trial Chief Malaba you should probe the inefficiencies at Bulawayo courts,we are all Zimbabweans and we deserve same treatment whether in Bulawayo or Harare.
It is my observation that Zanupf is strategically deploying some judicial workers in Matebeleland to persecute any uprising leader in the region. I challenge the leadership of President Mnangagwa to be very careful with unity and Gukurahundi issue that they are trying to address once and for all. Leaders from Matebeleland have been abused arrested, jailed and killed badly in the past from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Lookout Masuku, Dabengwa, Siwela, Mzila, Cain Nkala, Gunda, Ntuta, Chief Ndiweni, Zenzele Ndebele, Moyo,Gazi Mbuso Fuzwayo to mention a few, Josphat Mzaca Ngulube is now a victim of the same thing. How do expect to deal with Matebeleland issues if you still fight them like Mugabe time? People are not happy with what you are doing!
The issue of Gukurahundi should be addressed by the current leadership at Zanupf because Mugabe is gone and if you fail to address it it will haunt the next generation to come, Mr President and your comrades you are not genuine with this Gukurahundi issue but very soon most of you God will rest you and you would have left a time bomb to your children and grandchildren. The only wrong history about Zimbabwe is the one tgat that you teach our kids at schools but the Gukurahundi history we were taught by our parents lives and its still painful. We are the leaders who should listen and be engaged properly and seek a way of addressing Gukurahundi issue amicably.Above all you need to apologize to Matebeleland people and compansate people not this barbaric and unrespectful way tthat is rushed by abazukulu bethu oJenny engawabiza amadlozi akwethu? Angabupheka utshwala?We don’t want short cuts to Gukurahundi issue.
When i went to defense of my case its when the court was degenerated in a Zanupf head office and my case was more of a Zanupf hearing and the professional exchanged his books to party loyalty, The Bulawayo based minister paid for my incarceration and paid all the for civil servants to sit on my papers. My sentence was cooked to make me to be released after elections of 2023,
My case was cooked and was political persecuted for being an activist and staying in Sizinda.the police and even the state intelligence knew it that i was never there and never committed the crime i was given.Thanks to high court for giving me a bail and am ready for actual appeal.
For the deep injury caused by Eva Bitu and other Zanupf supporters to heal i have forgiven them, Bitu you are my mother in Sizinda be truthful and love all your kids in Sizinda the same way.I accepted the apology you made to families after you went sober about the case.May God bless Bulawayo South and we stay in peace and learn to tolerate each other on political grounds!
Senegalese authorities have confirmed reports that they are expecting anti-Covid-19 traditional medicine from Madagascar where the locally prepared potion is being promoted as a remedy to the Coronavirus.
Government spokesperson Abdou Latif Coulibaly told public broadcaster RTS that Senegal was ready to test the “miracle” drug, officially known as Covid-Organics.
The Covid-Organics is a herbal concoction prepared by researchers from the Madagascan Institute for Applied Research (IMRA), which has cured 60 patients, according to officials in the Island country.
“Covid-Organics will be used in prophylaxis, that is to say in preventive, but clinical observations have shown a tendency to its curative effectiveness,” said Dr. Charles Andrianjara, director general of IMRA.
Madagascan president Andry Rajoelina drank the liquid in front of cameras during a public presentation in the country’s capital Antananarivo a few days ago.
Senegal president Macky Sall and his DR Congo counterpart Felix Tshisekedi have shown support for the project.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO), which did not attend the launch of the drug, noted that there is currently “no evidence” that the potion can “prevent or cure the disease”.
Marvelous Nakamba and his Aston Villa team-mates have accepted a 25% pay cut for four months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Premier League club’s CEO Christian Purslow confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday evening.
The first-team coaches and senior management will also get wage deferrals.
“First-team players, first-team coaches and senior management have all agreed to defer 25 per cent of their salaries for four months to assist the club during this period of uncertainty,” Purslow said.
He added that a further review would take place at the end of the initial four-month period.
Nakamba is believed to be taking home at least US$68,000 per week in wages.
Meanwhile, Villa becomes the latest EPL club to announce a pay cut for players and coaching staff after Southampton, West Ham United, Watford and Sheffield United.- Soccer 24
South African football legend Jomo Sono says he is against the idea of not finishing the season and give the title to Kaizer Chiefs by virtue of being top of the log.
The Absa Premiership season was suspended in mid-March due to the coronavirus and its return has been delayed due to the escalating situation in the country.
Speaking on SAFM, as cited by Goal, Sono believes Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane would rightfully complain should the PSL decide to crown Amakhosi the 2019/20 champions.
Sundowns are lying in second place on the log with 44 points, just four behind Chiefs plus a game in hand.
“We don’t want people to turn around say, ‘Khoza had to give the league to Kaizer [Motaung] because they are friends’,” he said.
“And where does it leave Pitso? Pitso won’t keep quiet, day and night, and he’d be right because he wants to finish the league.
“He believes he can win the league and he’s got a chance of winning the league.”- Soccer 24
Farai Dziva|MDC MP for Mutasa South, Regai Tsunga has related how he was harassed and humiliated by police details last week.
Tsunga was arrested for “unnecessary movement” as he distributed mealie meal to the needy in the constituency.
Tsunga, quoted by NewsDay, said : “My councillor in ward 11 Farai Bhiza was taking names of residents who wanted to be assisted with subsidised roller meal that government had not still delivered after the 21-day lockdown phase.
I arrived at the scene at the conclusion of this exercise and within minutes, police officers arrived. I got out of my truck to greet the police officers who had positioned themselves around a section of the parking lot at Mac’s Business Centre in ward 11.
I was promptly ordered to jump onto the nearby police truck to Mutare Central Police Station because I was under arrest along with councillor Bhiza and other residents.”
He added: I was charged with unnecessary movement. My lawyer Innocent Gonese argued for me, but the police were adamant. Under protest, I paid $500 for my release. In my view, it was unreasonable to arrest me for doing work in my constituency. An area MP cannot be said to be moving unnecessarily in area that he represents in Parliament.
I had not strayed out of the constituency; I was implementing a local food security and nutrition programme to ameliorate the suffering of our people arising from COVID-19 and the attendant lockdown As we speak, government has still not made door-to-door mealie-meal sales as promised and people face starvation.”
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus.
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.
Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.
This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.
Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?
Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.
Can COVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?
The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms.
This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.
WHO is assessing ongoing research on the period of transmission of COVID-19 and will continue to share updated findings.
Credit:WHO
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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It is a day set aside highlighting global efforts to control malaria and celebrating the gains that have been made so far.
Malaria remains a big problem in other parts of the world and in Zimbabwe it’s a public health problem. It is common in areas that are hot and moist. The theme for 2020 is “Zero malaria starts with me”.
What is malaria? It is a disease caused by infection with a parasite female anopheles mosquito. The mosquito is the vector that transmits the infection. Found mainly where there are open water bodies.
In Zimbabwe malaria peaks from November to April. The most effective control and prevention strategy is through prevention of mosquito bites.
Symptoms include fever, chills, rigors, headache, nausea,anorexia, joint pains, malaise and sweating.
There is also a history of staying in an area known to be endemic of malaria or traveling to that area. However one might not present with all the symptoms. In this era of COVID-19 pandemic excluding it is also important in those diagnosed with malaria.
Treatment – Malaria is a treatable disease. There are oral medications and intravenous medicines that can be used to cure the disease.
The disease progress quickly therefore early treatment saves life than late treatment.
There is no vaccine for malaria. Malaria can affect anyone of any age and despite previous infection you can still get malaria.
Prevention – Sleeping under a treated mosquito net and using mosquito repellents.
Wearing long sleeved shirts at night to avoid mosquito bites. Spraying open water bodies and covering them.
Taking malaria prophylaxis when traveling to a malaria endemic area.
Malaria is still a disease that kills thousands to millions of people every year.
Therefore let’s prevent malaria in our communities.
Compiled by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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