President Mnangagwa has likened Sakunda Holdings owner Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei to the biblical Peter afta the businessman yesterday donated medical equipment worth US$2.6 million to Government to assist in fighting Covid-19.

Sakunda also donated Arundel Hospital, which it recently spruced up, to Government.

The firm said the hospital will be open to everyone AT NO COST.

Receiving the donations at State House this Thursday, President Mnangagwa showered praises on Sakunda saying the firm was vital to the development of the country.

Likening Tagwirei to the biblical Peter for his efforts, President Mnangangwa said the businessman had headlined the Covid 19 donations.

“I want you all to know, that we accept with similar gratitude whatever you have brought but of course, even Jesus had twelve desciples but we all know he had more favor towards Peter,” President Mnangagwa said.

“I don’t know the reason but maybe Peter quickly understood Jesus more than the others. I am Saying so because I have a list of Sakunda who have done quite a lot in the volumes of the things that we need. I feel comfortable because there can’t be anymore crying when it comes to equiping front line workers in the ministry of health professionals in terms of Personal Protective Equipment.”

The number of people contracting the disease is increasing and the donations are a timely boost.

Sakunda said it was going to pay the 55 medical workers to be stationed at Arundel Hospital for the next six months.

“Sakunda Holdings and its associates came up with a private initiative to compliment government efforts to curb this pandemic specifically in the provision of health facilities, equipment, training and vaccines. The equipment being donated today include PPEs, 15 emergency ventilators, 40 portable ventilators, 35 thousand rapid testing kits, among others worth USD2.6 million,” said Sakunda Holdings Chief Executive Officer Kudakwashe Tagwirei in a statement.

Sakunda Holdings further donated Arundel Hospital for use by the government of Zimbabwe as a COVID-19 centre.

“The facility will be accessible to every Zimbabwean at no cost. To ensure operationalisation of the hospital, 55 medical professionals have been employedand their salaries for six months have been provided.

Renovations, equipment installed and running cost at the hospital have cost Sakunda about USD 2.8 million. Five emergency ventilators, 10 protable ventilators, 3 portable ultra sound scan, 2200 rapid testing kits, 1350 protective suits among other equipment have been installed at the hospital,” said Tagwirei.

Besides what has been donated to government, Sakunda has another consignment which is in transit from China which include, PPEs, 41 ICU ventilators, 41 ventilator monitors, 10 oxygen concentrators and 20 beds.

“Sakunda’s partners are also donating 300 thousand litres of fuel, thus 50 thousand litres monthly for the next six months, 1800 tonnes of maize to the government to assist in the national COVID-19 response. Sakunda Holdings is also facilitating a ZWL30 million grant, at ZWL5 million monthly for six months which will be available to universities of Government choice for research and development in the area of COVID-19,” he said.

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By Own Correspondent| As part of his ongoing nationwide food assistance initiative, millionaire traditional healer Sekuru Banda yesterday extended a helping hand to sports personalities George Shaya and Alphonse Mosquito Zvenyika.

Last week, Sekuru Banda made another round of food handouts to over a hundred Seke villagers under Headman Rubatika.

Sekuru Banda’s intervention is aimed at alleviating the pain and suffering being faced by the elderly due to coronavirus and the national lockdown imposed by government to try and curb the spread of the global pandemic.

George Shaya is considered the all time best footballer to come out of Zimbabwe with five soccer star of the year accolades while Alphonse Mosquito Zvenyika equally dominated the boxing arena in the 90s.

Speaking after receiving the food handouts, Shaya urged Sekuru Banda to extend his helping hand to as many people as possible.

Zvenyika said Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown had made it difficult for him to work and earn money with Sekuru Banda’s donation coming at the most opportune time when food stocks in his household were drying.

“I want to thank Sekuru Banda for what he has done to me, we did not have food to eat and his donation came at the right time,” said Zvenyika.

In an interview with a local online TV, Sekuru Banda said his intention is reach out to as many elderly people as possible.

“We are targeting the elderly because unlike the young ones, they are not able to cope with the pressure of queueing to buy mealie meal,” he said.

Sekuru Banda’s intervention is aimed at alleviating the pain and suffering being faced by the elderly due to coronavirus and the national lockdown imposed by government to try and curb the spread of the global pandemic.

Own Correspondent|Zimbabwean returnees who are being quarantined as a precaution to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) are reported to have finished four boxes of cond0ms in less than 24 hours, last week.

The demand for cond0ms by the returning Zimbabwean citizens was revealed by the Secretary for Social Welfare Simon Masanga who said that the people may have disregarded social distancing requirements.

Masanga stressed that the quarantine facility was not a military camp, and as such the authorities could not force the quarantined people to stick to a strict schedule and regimen.

Below is a report on the issue which was carried out by Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN)

20 & 21 April 2020 – Days 22 and 23

1.         Introduction
On 27 March 2020, President Mnangagwa declared a 21-day national lockdown which ended on 19 April 2020. The lockdown was extended for another 14 days to 3 May 2020. The extension of the lockdown was followed by the gazetting of Statutory Instrument (SI) 2020-094 Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) (Amendment) Order, 2020 on 21 April 2020. The SI in large part replicated the original lockdown Instrument. Of note is that the new instrument designated journalists, newspaper vendors, internet service providers and broadcast services as essential services.On days 22 and 23 of the lockdown, official statistics by the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicated that COVID-19 confirmed cases had increased to twenty-eight (28), whilst the number of deaths relating to COVID-19 remained at three (3). The Ministry of Health and Child Care decentralised COVID-19 testing to provincial and district level, leading to an increase in daily tests of suspected cases. Thus as of 21 April, cumulative tests of suspected COVID-19 cases had increased to four thousand one hundred and forty-nine (4 149), of which four thousand one hundred and twenty-one (4 121) were negative.
2.         Methodology

This report encompasses reports covering the 10 provinces of the country through reports received from the following Forum Members:

• Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP)
• Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
• Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
• Counselling Services Unit (CSU)
• Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights, (ZADHR)
• Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights)

3.         General Atmosphere
Part of the consignment of personal protective equipment and ventilators imported by Sakunda Holdings and Chinese business-people operating in Zimbabwe for use in the COVID-19 response arrived at Robert Mugabe International Airport on 20 April 2020. Sakunda Holdings recently partnered with the government to contribute to COVID-19 response initiatives in the country. It was reported that the consignment will be handed over to the Ministry of Health and Child Care for distribution.The Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting, Mr Nick Mangwana, reported through a Twitter post that an estimated 65 Zimbabweans who returned from the United Kingdom aboard an Ethiopian Airlines refused to be quarantined at Belvedere Teacher’s College, demanding that they be booked into a hotel. It was reported that the returnees complained about water, sanitation and social distancing as they were required to share bathrooms. Zimbabwe is receiving several returnees from various countries, including COVID-19 hotspot, and management of such returnees does not seem to be flowing smoothly.In Mutare, the Mutare City Council shut down Sakubva farmers market due to the increase in human traffic and the continuous defiance of social distance. The Council has since decentralized farmers markets to Dangamvura, Chikanga and Hobhouse.

In Harare, long queues of vehicles coming into the Harare CBD were witnessed at Mabvuku turnoff police roadblock. It was reported that some of the motorists who did not have required documentation turned off the road and used auxiliary roads to avoid the roadblock. Of concern was the large number of people who are defying the lockdown by going into town without required documentation.

In Glenorah, Harare City Council officers instructed vendors to remove vending stalls and temporary shelter. It was reported that Council officials were destroying the shelters in the absence of the owners, and owners were also not allowed to take remaining building materials from the destroyed vending stalls and temporary shelter. This is part of a “clean-up” crusade the City of Harare has been engaged in, which started in Mbare and in Machisipa from Independence Day on 18 April. On 21 April, however, Harare Mayor Obert Gomba issued a statement indicated that he had engaged with the Town Clerk to stop the demolitions until a comprehensive policy has been devised to approach the issue.

In Kuwadzana, it was reported that people were going about their normal business defying the lockdown and social distance. Scores of people besieged the streets whilst children were playing and running around in the streets. In Glen View, anti-riot police were reported to have confiscated 20 crates of alcohol at Mude business centre in Glenview 7. It is alleged that the beer hole was selling alcohol through the back door.

In Chinhoyi, vendors were selling their products on their usual sites. However, most of them were not exercising social distance or sanitizing their hands. It was also reported that police have started night patrols due to the increase in illicit bars.

In Chipinge, scores of people were seen moving around in Chipinge CBD. There were roadblocks on all the roads leading to Chipinge town manned by ZRP officers and soldiers. There were also long queues at N Richards supermarket and OK supermarket of people who were waiting for their turn to buy mealie meal.

4. Arrests
In Chitungwiza on 18 April 2020, police officers arrested Lovemore Zvekusekwa for allegedly circulating false information during the COVID-19 national lockdown. Zvekusukwa appeared in court on 20 April 2020 on charges of contravening section 31(a)(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]. It is alleged that Zvekusekwa developed and forwarded a fake press statement which indicated that the President was extending the lockdown by 13 days from 20 April to 3 May. Zvekusekwa was denied bail when he appeared in court, and is due to appear in court on 13 May. This is the first arrest relating to the circulation of “false news” relating to COVID-19. The arrest comes after the President indicated that he had instructed members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to track down and arrest individuals circulating fake news relating to COVID-19.

In Nkayi, it was reported that police officers arrested seven (7) people for defying the lockdown and for public drinking. It was reported that the arrested persons were buying alcohol through the backdoor at Vimbana bottle store when police officers arrested them. They were taken to Nkayi police station where they were fined ZWL200 before being released.

5. Assaults
In Highfields, Harare, it was reported that three (3) ZANU-PF youths were assaulted by police officers with baton sticks near OK supermarket Machipisa. It was indicated that the trio tried to stop police officers from destroying their vending structures indicating their affiliation to ZANU-PF.  The police would, however, have none of it and assaulted the trio notwithstanding the existence of the recent high court order barring police from assaulting people.

It was reported that police officers assaulted six (6) people at Mkoba 6 shopping centre with baton sticks. It is alleged that community members were queued at Choppies supermarket for groceries when police officers descended on the people and started assaulting them indicating that they were not observing social distance.

6.         Summary of Violations
The table below summarises human rights violations documented by the Forum Secretariat and Forum Members from 30 March 2020 to 21 April 2020.

7. Litigation Monitoring
Harare High Court judge Justice Joseph Mafusire ordered the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to ensure that there is a sign language interpreter on all news broadcasts. He also ordered the Ministry of Health and Childcare to ensure that its daily update on the COVID-19 situation is also sent as a voice recording to enable the blind to also access information. He ordered this in a matter which had been brought to court by the Centre for Disability and Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League of The Blind against ZBC; the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services; the Minister of Health and Child Care and the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

In a separate application brought to the High Court by the Media Insitute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe chapter, Justice Musakwa ordered the Ministry of Health and Child Care to publish and disseminate information on the testing and treatment centres at national, provincial and district hospitals allocated for dealing with COVID-19 cases.

The High Court also ordered police to recognize 2019 press cards and not to interfere with the work of journalists on the basis that their press cards were issued in 2019.   The order was granted by Justice Jacob Manzunzu who also ordered the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the Zimbabwe Media Commission’s statement about the validity of the 2019 press cards is communicated to all police stations in Zimbabwe within 3 days of the order. The matter had also been filed by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe.

In addition reports of assaults and excessive use of force by the police, continue to be received in different parts of the country.   These action are a potentially a wilful contempt of the court which has barred the police and the army from assaulting citizens in implementing the lockdown.

8. Conclusion
As Zimbabwe is now in extended lockdown, it is imperative that a human-rights based approach be taken, in order to reap the dividends of the lockdown. This includes stepping up measures to ensure provision of basic needs for people, improving case management systems, and adequately equipping personnel and facilities handling COVID-19 related cases. Although the government has been ordered to provide personal protective clothing to health workers and frontline responders, there has been no positive feedback from health workers countrywide that government has started supplying the equipment.  The Forum urges the government to comply with court orders that have been issued by the courts so far to ensure that rights are protected in the response measures. Meanwhile, the Forum continues to implore upon everyone in Zimbabwe to cooperate with authorities and observe guidelines and best-practices as provided by the World Health Organisation.

State Media|At least 29 Zimbabweans living in Britain have died of Covid-19, mostly nurses and other medical staff, according to the Zimbabwean Embassy in London.

The pandemic has so far killed at least18 738 in Britain, while in Zimbabwe four have died.

Britain is one of the countries hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Embassy said while it had no official figures it “has been able to gather information from the Diaspora community and religious leaders, cluster leaders, affected individuals and the media, on Zimbabweans who have passed on due to Covid-19”.

Sources in the UK said most of the deceased were nurses and other frontline health workers. Zimbabweans with nursing and medical qualifications have found it relatively easy to legally work in Britain.

Explaining the lack of official figures, the Embassy said: “To date, the Embassy has not received updated information from the host Government on the deaths of Zimbabweans due to Covid-19, understandably because the British government has explained that it is currently seized with implementing measures to contain the pandemic. They have promised to provide detailed information as soon as it is possible.”

The Embassy has hailed cordial relations between Zimbabwe and Britain, which have seen the donation of medical supplies to Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe-United Kingdom relations continue to improve. The two countries have witnessed increased diplomatic exchanges which have opened avenues of enhanced communication and collaboration in health, education, tourism, trade and investment.

“The British Government recently announced a US$43,6 million aid package towards Covid-19 medical supplies to assist in fighting the pandemic in Zimbabwe. This generous gesture, among others, is indicative of the growing bilateral and diplomatic relations between the two countries,” reads the statement.

Ambassador Christian Katsande, according to the statement, has established platforms to interact with Zimbabweans in the UK, such relations have also assisted in the compilation of Covid-19 statistics.

“He set up clusters that include (health cluster, education cluster, agriculture cluster, infrastructure and financial services cluster) to assist in coordinating activities and communication between the Embassy and the Diaspora community. The Embassy has also cultivated mutually beneficial relationships with various Zimbabwean community and religious leaders across the United Kingdom,” the Embassy said.

During the UK lockdown, the Embassy said it will continue serving its nationals, rendering assistance whenever it is required.

“The Embassy, as per its mandate to offer consular services to all Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland, facilitates applications for passports, birth certificates and the Temporary Travel Document for those without or have lost their Zimbabwean travel documents or identity documents.

“The Embassy also provides documents required for the repatriation of deceased nationals, particularly those who passed on without adequate Zimbabwean documents.

“Despite the lockdown, the Embassy continues to provide a more efficient and user-friendly service to the public.”

With so many Zimbabweans in the nursing field in Britain, they are now particularly vulnerable. Care workers, according to sources, work with vulnerable population of the society. This puts 60 000 Zimbabweans in England at risk of being infected.

“It shows the incredible bravery of every member of the National Health Services who goes into work knowing that these dangers are there. The coronavirus continues its grim march, but every life lost makes me Zimbabwean, determined than ever to push for victory,” said one Zimbawbean nurse.

Another Zimbabwean nurse said she lost a brother, had two uncles who were critically ill, had lost a cousin and a friend.

“It has psychological impact on the whole family. It’s a really difficult time. Even within my community I know a lot of families who have lost loved ones due to coronavirus.

“You get to a point where you don’t want to pick up the phone. You are just constantly worried and you are frightened who is next, or who has been taken to hospital.”

HEALTH workers reporting for duty have started receiving the Covid-19 risk allowance from Government amounting to $1 500.

The allowance is based on the risk factor as determined by the authorities.

The health workers have been grouped into three risk categories: high, moderate and low risk for the Covid-19 allowances.

In the high-risk category are health workers in contact with the positive cases and these include doctors, nurses, radiographers, laboratory staff, environmental health workers, oral health staff, nurse aides, ambulance drivers, mortuary attendants and general hands.

In the moderate risk category are those in contact with patients or suspected cases and these include the pharmacy, rehabilitation, laundry and health promotion staff.

All other health workers fall into the low risk category as they have been deemed to have indirect contact with patients or suspected cases.

The health workers on the higher risk level will receive 100 percent of the risk allowance which is $1 500, while 60 percent and 40 percent of that amount – $900 and $600 – is paid to those on the moderate risk and low risk levels.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) president Dr Tawanda Zvakada said the doctors who are at high risk received a risk allowance amounting to $1 500 which will be paid every month.

“We received the risk allowance but it is not much at all. The $1 500 is not enough, taking note of the increase in prices of basic commodities at the shops,” said Dr Zvakada.

He dismissed social media claims that health workers received US$100 as a risk allowance.

Apex Council Health chairperson, Mr Enock Dongo said health workers started to receive the risk allowance on top of their monthly salaries this month.

He said health workers who are in contact with the Covid-19 patients get a higher amount.

“The health workers have started receiving the monthly risk allowance as of this month’s pay date. All the nurses, doctors and general hands were put at the high-risk level. Supporting staff at the hospital who are those who do not come into contact with the patients but are there at the hospital are the ones on moderate level. Those who are in the administration were graded into the low risk,” said Mr Dongo.

He said they will continue to appeal to Government to review the risk allowance upward.

“We appeal to the Government and the corporate world to come on board and make sure they motivate the frontline workers.

“We are like in a war. Everyone should come up and pull resources together for the health workers in this pandemic. Going to work not knowing what will happen to our families since we are breadwinners, psychologically affects the health workers. There is a need to ensure that they are cushioned in this era,” said Mr Dongo.

He said if health workers are not motivated in the fight against Covid-19, then more positive cases in the country are inevitable.

“The moment the health workers are not motivated definitely they are not going to put their maximum efforts and knowledge to come and contain the spread of Covid-19, thus this risk allowance should be reviewed upwards. We are also not happy about the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at hospitals.

It’s like we are sending soldiers to war without guns,” said Mr Dongo.

State Media|ABOUT 100 female returnees and deportees from Botswana who were staying at the United College of Education (UCE) in Bulawayo were last night left stranded after they were dumped at a hiking spot by officials from the Department of Social Welfare.

An official from the Department of Social Welfare (name supplied) allegedly ordered them to vacate the institution following the expiry of the mandatory 21-day Covid-19 quarantine period.

The group was part of the 456 who were recently brought from an isolation centre at Plumtree High School, to provide them with better living conditions and ease crowding.

They were released from the quarantine centre yesterday evening after testing negative for Covid-19.

Initially, authorities had promised them that they would be ferried to their destinations in Zupco buses but yesterday the authorities made a U-turn and decided to give them bus fare pegged at Zupco rates.

They were, however, given the bus fare around 5PM and subsequently directed to immediately vacate the premises.

Chronicle last night caught up with the stranded returnees at the hiking spot along the Bulawayo-Harare Road near Bulawayo Prisons where they were waiting for transport to travel to their respective homes.

Due to lockdown, most vehicles stop moving around 4PM.

Some of the women had babies strapped on their backs, exposing the infants to the cold weather.

The returnees who spoke to Chronicle last night said they were literally kicked out of the UCE premises by the official.

One of the returnees, Ms Yvonne Ndlovu from Gokwe, a mother of a week-old baby, said she literally went down on her knees begging to be accommodated for at least a night for the sake of the baby, but the official was not moved by her plight.

“I voluntarily returned from Botswana where I was employed because I wanted to give birth at home, but ended up delivering at Plumtree High School where we were initially quarantined before we were moved to Bulawayo.

“The treatment at Plumtree was exceptionally good despite the unhygienic conditions and the officials were quite friendly unlike at UCE where the officials were hostile,” she said.

Ms Jerita Gunde from Sanyati who was deported from Botswana had no kind words for the official.

“The kind of treatment that we got today (yesterday) was inhuman. We were told that we had overstayed our welcome before the official ordered us to surrender the blankets that we were given in Plumtree and locked the rooms, which we were using during our stay at the quarantine centre,” she said.

“They gave us bus fare and immediately ordered us to vacate the premises. We tried to plead with them since some of us had babies, but the official refused to listen.”

Another returnee, who declined to be named, said she defaulted in taking her antiretroviral drugs after a nurse told her that they could not assist since she had no medical records.

“I was just picked by Botswana police in the streets while doing piece jobs and they deported me. I was never given a chance to collect my belongings including my medical records. I am on ART and since my deportation I have not been taking medication,” she said.

“When I returned home, I was taken to the quarantine centre. I had hoped that health officials would assist me, but they insisted on seeing my medical records.”

Ms Rumbidzai Maguta, a mother of two-months old twins said: “As you can see, I have two month old twins, I don’t have diapers and I am going to Mutare, but I don’t have anything with me and I do not even know how I will raise my babies when I get home because my husband is suffering from cancer.”

Ms Tariro Mwanakwaye who was deported from Gaborone said she was arrested while walking home after work.

She accused Social Welfare officials at UCE of deliberately starving them.

A local pastor, Reverend Pedzisayi Sithole rescued the stranded returnees and offered them overnight accommodation at his house in Famona suburb.

“I came across these people after my wife’s relative who was part of the group of returnees, contacted us upon her release from the quarantine centre. I then discovered that there were actually many others, and it was so touching to see some of them with babies, which is why I offered to accommodate them all at my place of residence,” he said.

“I am aware of Covid-19, but the spirit of humanity comes first under such circumstances and that is what compelled me to render assistance to these innocent souls.”

Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Lovemore Matuke said they resorted to offering the returnees bus fare after some of them declined to be taken to their homes in Zupco buses.

“We had some rowdy characters who were pushing to be given bus fare yet we had initially agreed to hire buses for them. The other challenge is that these returnees are from different parts of the country hence in terms of logistics it was going to be a challenge to transport them,” he said.

“Some of these returnees claimed that we didn’t want to release them yet we were arranging transport for them. We ended up agreeing that we should give them bus fare while those who opted to use our transport could remain behind and be accommodated at the quarantine centre.”

President Mnangagwa yesterday accepted a wide range of donations and support from Zimbabwean companies and the Chinese Embassy at a ceremony at State House, with research into the Zimbabwe Covid-19 pandemic now guaranteed.

Sakunda Holdings pledged $30 million over six months to fund university research and development.

The firm also handed over the fully equipped Arundel Hospital, renovated at a cost of $2,8 million, and will pay the 55 staff for six months. The rest of the company’s gift was 300 000 litres of fuel, and US$3,6 million of protective equipment, some still in transit from China, including face and surgical masks, face shields, googles, disposable gowns, as well as emergency ventilators, portable ventilators and ultra sound scans.

Accepting the donations, President Mnangagwa said: “On behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, I sincerely and deeply thank you for coming forward in response not really to my appeal, but it’s your own individual or collective conscience that has persuaded you to take the actions that you have taken.

“I did appeal, but if your conscience did not want to come forward to make a contribution towards fighting the pandemic, mitigation against the pandemic, I would do nothing about it, so my gratitude goes towards your personal or collective conscience towards your country.”

Sakunda Holdings chief executive officer Mr Kuda Tagwirei said of his company’s support: “We pray that this gesture will assist in the fight and assure you of our continued support to the Government and the people of Zimbabwe at large in this dark hour,” he said.

The Chinese embassy donated 166 000 masks, 7 600 protective suits, 20 000 test kits, 12 000 pairs of gloves and five ventilators.

A further 8 000 protective suits, 15 095 respirators, 150 000 surgical masks, 7 000 pairs of gloves and shoe covers were expected soon.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Guo Shaochun commended relations between the two countries.

“It’s truly gratifying to see that under the enormous stress of Covid-19 disease, China and Zimbabwe friendship is standing stronger ever,” he said.

“China will not forget how Zimbabwe was among the first to give us confidence and support in the hard days of our own struggle against the virus.”

Ambassador Guo said an 11-member team of Chinese experts was expected in the country soon to assist in the fight against the pandemic.

“A few days ago, Zimbabwe and China celebrated the 40th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties,” he said. “Although we were not able to enjoy the day in fanfare, our joint efforts to fight the disease was also a remarkable way to commemorate the milestone.”

Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines president Ms Elizabeth Nerwande said mining companies had managed to raise US$1 million to go towards purchase of PPEs and equipment that included ventilators and hospital beds, while their members had adopted hospitals in the districts and hospitals they operate in.

A HARARE man appeared in court on Wednesday charged with the murder of his wife during the current lockdown called by the Government to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The case comes against the backdrop of concerns over a sharp increase in gender-based violence (GBV) over the lockdown period.

Prince Chada (25) of Amsterdam Park, Harare South, allegedly fatally assaulted his wife, Tafadzwa Bhinzi, on April 19 and appeared before magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga charged with murder.

He was remanded in custody to May 7 with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court due to the gravity of his offence.

Prosecuting, Mr Panganai Chiutsi alleged that on April 19, Chada was at home with his wife when an altercation ensued between them.

Chada allegedly became violent and started punching and kicking his wife.

He is said to have armed himself with an electrical cable, which he used to further assault her, the court heard.

She cried for help, but no one came to her rescue. Chada, it is alleged, kept on whipping her as she lay on the floor pleading for mercy until she died.

In a separate incident, five brothers allegedly teamed up and assaulted their neighbour, seriously injuring him after accusing him of having an extra-marital affair with one of their sisters-in-law.

Lee, Nelson, Valentine, Ashton and Arthur Hufa from Chinamhora, Mushayapekuvaka village, recently appeared in court before magistrate Mr Richard Ramaboa charged with attempted murder.

They are being jointly charged with their colleague, Silas William.

The six were remanded in custody after the State led by Mr George Manokore opposed bail on the basis that the complainant, Tineyi Hamba, was battling for his life at a local hospital.-State media

Farai Dziva|Opposition party MDC has challenged government to respect citizens’ rights to obtain basic needs.

Read full statement below :

MDC ALLIANCE STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION OF HONOURABLE REGAI TSUNGA AND 12 OTHERS

As the People’s party, MDC Alliance strongly condemns the wrongful and unlawful arrest and detention of Honourable Regai Tsunga and 12 others for ostensibly contravening Section 11(1)of the Public Health Act SI 83/2020 unnecessary movement during lockdown.

To start with, there is no such penalty section as cited and the disruption and harassment of the Honourable Member of Parliament for Mutasa South and Councillor Farai Bhiza of Ward 11 as well as 11 other people was as unwarranted as it was unlawful.

Regrettably, due to the heavy handed nature and belligerent behavior of the Police they paid admission of guilt fines under protest in order to avoid the risk of contracting the Coronavirus in the police cells as the police refused to accept that no offence had been committed.

Apart from the failure to appreciate that the offence and penalty under Section 11(a)and (b) of Statutory Instrument arise from either hindering or obstructing the police or failing to refuse to comply with a request or direction given by the police no attempt was made to engage the people who were driven by hunger and the State’s failure to make arrangements for the delivery of the basic staple food of maize meal to the ward.

It is necessary for the police to understand the import of the legislation and regulations they seek to enforce instead of being trigger happy and arrest innocent people who will not have committed any offence.

Hundreds of people have been harassed under similar circumstances and as the People’s party, the MDC Alliance is demanding for a FULL STOP to this madness.

Indeed as the MDC Alliance, we have pointed out before that while the lockdown is necessary to curb the spread of the pandemic what the state has dismally failed to do is to provide the safety nets for the people of Zimbabwe the majority of whom were already living from hand to mouth.

The situation was compounded and exacerbated by the ambush on Sunday afternoon when a caring government would have made a timeous announcement of the extension of the lockdown.

As the MDC Alliance, we reiterate that the right to food and water is enshrined in Section 77 of our national Constitution and it is imperative that the government ensures that this right is realized.

Further other crucial human rights like the right to Life, Human Dignity and Not to be Tortured or subjected to Inhuman Degrading Treatment or Punishment can not suspended under any circumstances.

We therefore demand that the State should deliver on the promises it made at the commencement of the lockdown and to implement the High Court orders made by the High Court last week in terms of which the police and other law enforcement agencies are required to observe people’s Rights in enforcing the COVID-19 Regulations.

Further, as the MDC Alliance we are also concerned that Lovemore Zvokusekwa who was arrested on Saturday and appeared in Court on Monday on charges of may be deprived of his right to a fair trial.

We say so because the complainant appears to have already taken the role of both the Prosecutor and Adjudicator by making a pronouncement that an example should be made of the Accused by imposing the maximum penalty of 20 years.

We believe in the doctrine of Separation of Powers and undue pressure should not be exerted on the courts to convict and the doctrine of the presumption of innocence is the cornerstone of our judicial system.

Innocent Gonese
Secretary for Justice and Legal Affairs
MDC Alliance

Mobile: 00263 71 221 3253

Farai Dziva|ZRP cops in the ancient city of Masvingo are allegedly demanding cash bribes to allow residents to get into the city centre during the lockdown.

The ZRP cops are reportedly targeting pedestrians and cyclists. It is said they are demanding cash ranging from RTGS $10 to $ 20.

“I wanted to go to town to buy mealie meal and as I approached Benjamin Burombo Building, I was confronted by two cops who demanded cash so that they would allow me to proceed to the city centre.

I told them that I didn’t not have the money and they forced me to return home,” said a resident of Rujeko Suburb.

“On Tuesday, I was nearly beaten up by cops at the Chevron Hotel footpath because I refused to pay the sum of RTGS $ 10 they were demanding,” said another resident.

Asked to comment on the matter, Masvingo Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said she would report the matter to her superiors.

The residents of the ancient city have also complained about rampant police brutality.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE: 22 APRIL 2020

The Ministry would like to report that all the 65 outstanding results from yesterday were negative for COVID-19.

Today, a total of 831 tests were done.

Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has twenty-eight confirmed cases, including two recoveries and four deaths.

Distribution of tests done today
Mash West – 111
Mat. North – 13
Manicaland – 62
Masvingo – 110
Mash. East – 34
Mash. Central – 65
Mat. South – 74
Midlands – 37
Harare – 101
Bulawayo – 224
TOTALS – 831
All the PCR tests done in Harare were negative for COVID-19 and at the time of print, 101 PCR results from Bulawayo were still pending.

Number of confirmed cases to date
Matabeleland North – 1
Bulawayo – 10
Harare – 12
Mashonaland East – 4
Mashonaland West – 1
Total – 28
Case #26 reported yesterday is a 49-year-old male resident of Harare who recently returned from the United Kingdom.

He is symptomatic, with mild-moderate disease and is receiving medical management under mandatory isolation.

Case #27 reported yesterday was an 82-year-old female resident of Mhondoro who had no history of recent travel or any known contact with a COVID-19 case.

She was reportedly well until the 16th of April 2020 when she developed a flu-like illness with chest symptoms.

She received medical treatment with an antibiotic and analgesia, and the symptoms reportedly improved.

However, her condition deteriorated on the 19th of April 2020 and she was ferried to Harare and admitted in a hospital in Harare on the 20 of April 2020.

On admission, the managing clinicians suspected COVID-19 and immediately isolated her and called in the local Rapid Response Team for assessment and sample collection.

Sadly, she deceased in the evening of the 21 of April 2020, giving us a total of four COVID-19 related deaths reported to date.

Case #28 also reported yesterday is a 25-year-old male resident of Harare who recently returned from the United Kingdom.

He is asymptomatic, with mild disease and is recovering under mandatory isolation.

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.

For assistance, please call the COVID-19 tollfree hotline number: 2019

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson Tanaka Mnangagwa, was allegedly tricked into parting with US$1 500 by a wedding garments supplier whom he had contracted to supply suits ahead of his wedding last year.

The “conman” was identified as Samson Mavhunga (31) of Hillside, Harare.

Mavhunga charged Mnangagwa US$3 500 and promised to deliver five men’s suits from Italy two weeks before the wedding if he paid US$1 500 deposit.

Mnangagwa paid the deposit but nothing materialised, whereupon he asked for a refund from Mavhunga.

When Mavhunga failed to pay back the US$1 500, Mnangagwa made a police report leading to the former’s arrest.

On Wednesday, Mavhunga appeared before Harare magistrate Judith Taruvinga charged with fraud.

He was remanded out of custody to May 7 on $1 000 bail and ordered to report once a week to the police and to surrender his passport.-Statemedia

Farai Dziva|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has said Zimbabwe is “fighting two pandemics- hunger and COVID -19.”

Chamisa believes hunger is “as lethal a threat COVID-19.”

“Zimbabwe is fighting two pandemics, the COVID19 pandemic and the poverty/hunger pandemic.

Hunger is as lethal a threat as COVID19.

Effective leadership is certainly key and necessary to address the threat we face.

We must empower citizens with enough information to fight the virus,” Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

Farai Dziva|MDC official and respected economist, Dr Tapiwa Mashakada says the forced quarantine of returnees is a violation of human rights.

Below is his argument :
In terms of International Humanitarian Law, governments have a duty to protect refugees,internally displaced persons, returnees and stateless persons.

The forced quarantine of Returnees violates their human rights.

They must be given an option to choose a place for detention…

Gvt should look for homes to settle the returnees rather than lock then up in dormitories.

Similarly refugees must be treated in terms of International law.

In particular during this period of lockdown the principle of non-refoulement must be respected.

Refugees need food, water and sanitation during this lockdown period. The same applies to internally displaced people especially those who have migrated to rural areas.

There has to be a holistic social protection strategy.

By Own Correspondent| Government has in the past two weeks, disbursed nearly $8 million to over 47 000 households towards urban food deficit mitigation as part of efforts to cushion needy families during the Covid-19 lockdown, the state media has reported.

Addressing the media at a Post Cabinet Presser Tuesday, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube said government was using “an algorithm” to determine beneficiaries of the COVID-19 cushioning fund.

He however did not explain details on the modalities of the logarithm and whether it would ensure inclusivity of citizens’ diversity.

The state media however reported that at least $3,8 million was released to at least 21 431 households in Harare and Bulawayo, while more than $4 million was extended to 26 140 households in small towns such as Bindura, Kariba, Kwekwe, Gwanda, Plumtree, Shurugwi, Mvuma and Beitbridge.

Citizens who spoke to ZimEye, however said they were not sure of who had benefited from the funds adding that it was highly likely that Zanu Pf stalwarts were the beneficiaries of the money.

Said Daisy Mutonge from Mbare:

“I dont think that the money was distributed anywhere but it is sitting somewhere in someone’s pocket. This is the norm in Zanu Pf.”

Added an Epworth woman, Beatrice Chimbenga:

“Only Zanu Pf supporters’ names were written by their leaders and all those suspected to belong to opposition were told that they were not getting anything.”

However, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said cash payments had replaced grain allocations in urban areas.

Registration of beneficiaries was reportedly ongoing and was scheduled for completion before the end of this month and Government had scaled up cash disbursements.

Reported the state media:

“Prof Mavima revealed that a total of 63 000 households in 23 poorest districts of the country had also been supported.

The programme was aimed at strengthening household economies, building resilience to deficits and reducing negative coping mechanism.

A total of $25,2 million had been disbursed since January 2020 and the payments were being done using EcoCash.

The benefiting districts included Buhera, Binga, Bulilima, Chivi, Mwenezi, Mudzi, Gokwe North, Zvimba, Mazowe, Rushinga, Goromonzi, Mutare, Gweru, Chipinge, Makoni, Bindura, Zvishavane, Kariba, Mangwe, Umguza, Mzilikazi, St Mary’s (Chitungwiza) and Epworth (Harare).

By A Correspondent| Twimbos have taken to social media making a comparison between what the COVID-19 aid availed by government can buy in Zimbabwe visa via what it can buy in neighbouring South Africa.

Below is the comparison:

A tale of 2 different governments…

Here is what R350 can do for you.

10kg mealie meal R70
2l cooking oil R35
5kg rice R60
Pocket of Potatoes R35
Crate of eggs R30
2kg sugar R27
2,5 kg Flour R35
2 kg frozen chicken R50
Total R342

In Zimbabwe- Here is what $180 AID using sophisticated Algorithm can buy:

10kg mealie meal $250
2l cooking oil $130
5kg rice $241
Pocket of Potatoes $200
Crate of eggs $146
2kg sugar $99
2,5 kg Flour $89
2 kg frozen chicken $250
Total $1405
Deficit $1225

By Jane Mlambo| Sakunda Holdings is investing ZWL30 million grant to tertiary institutions for research and development in the area of COVID-19 which has killed thousands of people across the globe.
The grant will cover the next six months at various universities chosen by Government.

This gesture comes at a time when the world is hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic with scientists looking for appropriate vaccines to end this ravaging pademic.

The investment in research and development by Sakunda Holdings dovetails with what its Chief Executive Officer Kudakwashe Tagwirei told the inaugural World Economic Forum’s Africa Regional Action Group virtual meeting that there is need for governments to invest heavily in research and development.

Kudakwashe Tagwirei is a member of the World Economic Forum and is a committee member of the Africa Regional Action Group which is a grouping of over 50 Chief executive officers in the continent.

The virtual meeting was attended by Botswan President Mokgweetsi Masisi, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Executive Secretary Vera Songwe, Sakunda Holdings Chief Executive Officer and Founder Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei, AngloGold Ashanti Chairman Sipho Pityana, Absa Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mminele, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director John Nkengasong, Equatorial Guinea Minister of Finance, Economy and Planning Cesar Augusto Mba Abogo among other successful people in the continent.

On donating the ZWL30 million at statehouse Tagwirei said this is critical in offering scientific research in finding lasting solutions to COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sakunda Holdings is also facilitating a ZWL30 million grant at ZWL5 million monthly for six months which will be available to universities of Government’s choice for research and development in the area of COVID-19,” said Sakunda Holdings Chief Executive Officer Kudakwashe Tagwirei after donating USD 2.6 million COVID-19 equipment to government.

“Sakunda Holdings and its associates came up with a private initiative to compliment government efforts to curb this pandemic specifically in the provision of health facilities, equipment, training and vaccines. The equipment being donated today include PPEs, 15 emergency ventilators, 40 portable ventilators, 35 thousand rapid testing kits, among others worth USD2.6 million,” Tagwirei in a statement.

Sakunda Holdings further donated Arundel Hospital for use by the government of Zimbabwe as a COVID-19 centre.

“The facility will be accessible to every Zimbabwean at no cost.

To ensure operationalisation of the hospital, 55 medical professionals have been employedand their salaries for six months have been provided. Renovations, equipment installed and running cost at the hospital have cost Sakunda about USD 2.8 million. Five emergency ventilators, 10 protable ventilators, 3 portable ultra sound scan, 2200 rapid testing kits, 1350 protective suits among other equipment have been installed at the hospital,” said Tagwirei.

Besides what has been donated to government, Sakunda has another consignment which is in transit from China which include, PPEs, 41 ICU ventilators, 41 ventilator monitors, 10 oxygen con Receiving the donations, President Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke highly of Sakunda.

“I want you all to know, that we accept with similar gratitude whatever you have brought but of course, even Jesus had twelve desciples but we all know he had more favor towards Peter,” President Mnangagwa said.

“I don’t know the reason but maybe Peter quickly understood Jesus more than the others. I am Saying so because I have a list of Sakunda who have done quite a lot in the volumes of the things that we need. I feel comfortable because there can’t be anymore crying when it comes to equiping front line workers in the ministry of health professionals in terms of Personal Protective Equipment,”

ZIMBABWEANS who will soon be repatriated from South Africa are going to be screened at Beitbridge Border Post before being transported to quarantine centres in their provinces.

So far there are no exact figure of people who will return home from South Africa but there are chances that the figure could run into thousands.

Initially, Government had planned to keep them in Beitbridge but changes were made this week following consultations by the Covid-19 taskforce teams.

The NSSA Hotel which is being used as a quarantine and isolation centre for Beitbridge can only accommodate 400 people while two boarding schools Zezani and Tongwe which had been proposed to take other returnees can only accommodate 250 and 280 each.

Beitbridge District Medical Officer, Dr Lenos Samhere revealed the changes to the local district development committee.

“The returnees coming from South Africa will now be screened and documented in Beitbridge then they will be escorted to their provinces as they come.

“Official communication to this effect will follow,” he said.

However, it is not clear how many Zimbabweans will return home from South Africa, though information from the Consulate in Johannesburg indicate that 3 055 have registered for various forms of assistance.

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mr David Hamadziripi said they were

yet to know the exact numbers of those who will be brought home.

“We are yet to get all the figures and exact dates for transportation and you will note that we have just commenced the processes of seeking clearance from the government of South Africa.

“Under the current lockdown measures here we cannot just proceed with the repatriation without that clearance,” said Mr Hamadziripi.

It is understood that most of the returnees reportedly crossed the border illegally into the neighbouring country and have requested to be sent back home in the wake of the outbreak of Covid-19.

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lovemore Matuke last week said arrangements with their South African counterparts were being made to allow even those without the requisite papers to return home.

By A Correspondent| South Africa’s Covid-19 deaths have risen to 75 while the total confirmed positive cases have also soared to 3953, health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has said.

Said Dr Mkhize:

NEARLY 5 000 Covid-19 tests have been conducted in Zimbabwe 28 came positive, the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.

In a statement, the Ministry said four Covid-19 deaths and two recoveries have been recorded.

As of yesterday, results for 101 PCR tests were pending in Bulawayo.

Countrywide, a total of 4 990 tests have been done for the deadly virus that has claimed 183 424 people worldwide after infecting 2 628 527.

According to the statement, an 82-year-old woman from Mhondoro in Mashonaland West province died at a private hospital on Tuesday, becoming the fourth COVID- 19 related death.

“Case #27 reported yesterday was an 82-year-old female resident of Mhondoro who had no history or recent travel or any known contact with a Covid-19 case. She was reportedly well until the 16th of April 2020 when she developed a flu-like illness with chest symptoms. She received medical treatment with an antibiotic and analgesia and the symptoms reportedly improved. However, her condition deteriorated on the 19th of April 2020 and she was ferried to Harare and admitted in a hospital in Harare on the 20th of April 2020,” read the statement.

“On admission, the managing clinicians suspected Covid-19 and immediately isolated her and called in the local Rapid Response team for assessment and sample collection. Sadly, she deceased in the evening of the 21st of April 2020, giving us a total of four Covid- 19 related deaths reported to date.”

The statement says there is a 49-year-old man from Harare who tested positive and is now in isolation.

“Case #26 reported yesterday is a 49-year-old male resident of Harare who recently returned from the United Kingdom. He is symptomatic, with mild-moderate disease and is receiving medical management under mandatory isolation,” reads the statement.

The Ministry said they were also monitoring another asymptomatic patient.

“Case #28 also reported yesterday is a 25-year-old male resident of Harare who recently returned from the United Kingdom. He is asymptomatic with mild disease and is recovering under mandatory isolation,” read the statement.

For help on Covid-19 there is a toll-free number 2019.

Presidential Spokesperson George has urged the government to deploy the  Airforce of Zimbabwe, to fumigate malaria hit areas.

Zimbabwe currently has witnessed 131 deaths due to deadly malaria.

Some section of Zimbabweans were insinuating that the deaths may be linked to the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Read his full statement below:

This matter came up for discussion on Monday and while it was regrettable that Zimbabwe continues to lose life to Malaria, the statistics of infections and deaths are in fact consistent with trends in recent years.

What this says is that reports must be very careful not to confuse Coronavirus with malaria, merely because symptoms are largely similar.

Secondly, while the worldwide hype on Coronavirus is warranted, this should not detract from the traditional killers of our people, namely malaria, Aids and cancers, which must continue to receive greater attention.  

Thirdly, the same machinery for fighting Covid-19 should be utilized in dealing with the malaria menace. This includes mobilizing assets, including those of Airforce of Zimbabwe, to embark on traditional spraying missions in malarious regions, all of which are well-known. While at it, report on infections in Bulawayo have created a false impression on prevalence.

The fact is that a nurse aid who was attending to a Covid-19 case infected her family. This tragic turn of events should have been highlighted to avoid giving an impression of widespread, random community spread and transmissions.

Of course the fact that the vector and family circumstances are known means this numerically high situation is in fact easier to confine and manage.

Above all, while it proves that children are just as susceptible, it doesn’t suggest the affected children picked the problem from field of daily play, something which would increase anxiety for this very vulnerable age group.

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza residents who had erected illegal structures in the dormitory town spent the better part of Tuesday morning demolishing their structures following a directive by council officials to remove their structures.

On Monday, the local authority used loudspeakers to inform residents that those who had erected illegal structures should either demolish them on their own or the city fathers would come and do it for them.

At Jambanja, C Junction, Makoni and in Zengeza, the owners of the illegal structures carefully demolished their structures Tuesday ahead of the City Council’s pending demolition exercise.

Several owners who spoke to ZimEye said it was much better to remove the illegal structures on their own instead of having the local authority raze them down for them.

“I would rather take it down on my own. That way, i can take one or two sheets of the roofing and several bricks which i can use for other things,” said one Joseph at C Junction.

Added another woman at Jambanja:

“I am taking down these poles so that i can construct my fowl run. Zvepano zvadhakwa meaning it is now very difficult to continue working from here and there is no hope for us.”

Efforts to get a comment from Chitungwiza Municipality officials were futile by the time of writing.

See the pictures below…

By Own Correspondent|Business tycoon Frank Buyanga owned African Medallion Group (AMG) yesterday donated basic food essentials to over one hundred Zimbabwean families currently living in South Africa.

AMG was responding to desperate request by the Zimbabwean community for immediate relief as they are failing to put food on the table owing to Covid-19 and national lockdown imposed by South African government to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

“We have come here today to answer the call made by our African brothers and sisters from Zimbabwe currently plying their trade across various sectors of industry in South Africa, tremendously affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic,” said Itai Maunganidze, CEO of the AMG, whose mission has been to provide food relief to communities hard-hit by the
coronavirus and subsequent lockdown.

“The commitment to serve our communities including those from our neighbouring countries has never been more important as we collectively, as a continent, try navigate the unprecedented challenges posed by this global pandemic. COVID-19 is affecting most people quite harshly, with some out of employment and sources of income. So our work here today is
to instill hope and care amongst the Zimbabwean people as government encourages us all to stay home.

“The expressions of appreciation on the faces of the beneficiaries shows that this was a much needed relief,” added Maunganidze.

AMG initially said it planned to spend R10 million on short term relief programmes including food handouts and medical equipment donations, but Maunganidze said they were increasing this to R25 million.

“The initiative is for short term relief for people. A large section of the population is desperate, and they want food now, they are not working and not earning income. We are talking about people like domestic workers, gardeners, restaurant workers and others that can’t get work now to get paid weekly or monthly,” Maunganidze said.

By A Correspondent- It is reported that the deceased, Tambudzai, was the second wife in a polygamous marriage in Mutoko and died two weeks ago.

However, the woman’s body was exhumed 17 days after burial and villagers were allowed to view it at a farm in Mashonaland East yesterday.

Tambudzai is said to have suffered a miscarriage and a few weeks later, she died after she had started bleeding from the nose and mouth. After her death, she was buried in Mutoko where she was living with her husband.

Tambudzai’s sister Juliet was the one who reportedly ‘saw’ her dead sister telling her that she wasn’t happy with where she had been buried and wanted to be buried next to her mother at Tamar Farm.

Juliet was reportedly ‘tormented’ by her sister until she made arrangements for the body to be exhumed and be reburied where the deceased wanted.

When H-Metro got there yesterday, the whole village were in awe and had gone to the second funeral in their hundreds to see if what they had heard was true.

“Taita body viewing, the body is still ‘fresh’ kuita seachangofa hapana kana hwema urikumbonzwika considering that she died seventeen days ago. “Nothing went wrong just as how she told her sister, the exhumation went well, the body was brought here without any hustles,” said one of the villagers.

At the funeral, Nyau dancers were leading the procession to the graveyard and the relatives said that was one of the deceased’s demands to her sister, that she wanted them to dance at her second funeral.

Tambudzai’s best friend was also there singing as she was instructed by her late friend when she visited her after her ‘first’ funeral.

As this news crew approached the funeral ceremony after the body viewing, the elderly man presiding over the procession chased away the news crew threatening them over their intention to publish the bizarre incident.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba has warned against confusing the rising Malaria cases in Zimbabwe for the ravaging Covid-19. 

A number of deaths have been recorded from Malaria in Zimbabwe with fears that it could actually be Covid-19.

The country records a peak in Malaria cases between February and May every year. 

“This matter came up for discussion on Monday and while it was regrettable that Zimbabwe continues to lose life to Malaria, the statistics of infections and deaths are in fact consistent with trends in recent years.

“What this says is that reports must be very careful not to confuse Coronavirus with malaria, merely because symptoms are largely similar,” said Charamba. 

“Secondly, while the worldwide hype on Coronavirus is warranted, this should not detract from the traditional killers of our people, namely malaria, Aids and cancers, which must continue to receive greater attention. 

“Thirdly, the same machinery for fightingCovid-19 should be utilized in dealing with the malaria menace. This includes mobilizing assets, including those of Airforce of Zimbabwe, to embark on traditional spraying missions in malarious regions, all of which are well-known.”

Charamba said the case of a Covid-19 patient who infected members of her family have created a false impression on prevalence. 

“The fact is that a nurse aid who was attending to a Covid-19 case infected her family. This tragic turn of events should have been highlighted to avoid giving an impression of widespread, random community spread and transmissions. 

“Of course the fact that the vector and family circumstances are known means this numerically high situation is in fact easier to confine and manage,” said Charamba. 

“Above all, while it proves that children are just as susceptible, it doesn’t suggest the affected children picked the problem from field of daily play, something which would increase anxiety for this very vulnerable age group.”

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa’s son, Emmerson Tanaka Mnangagwa, reportedly lost US$1 500 to a bogus wedding garments supplier whom he had contracted to supply suits ahead of his wedding last year.

Samson Mavhunga (31) of Hillside, Harare, promised to deliver five men’s suits from Italy two weeks before the wedding.

He charged US$3 500 and Mnangagwa paid US$1 500 deposit, but nothing was delivered.

Mavhunga yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga charged with fraud and was remanded out of custody to May 7 on $1 000 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, Mavhunga was ordered to report once a week to the police and to surrender his passport.

Prosecutor Mr Tatenda Mukatera alleged that sometime in May last year, Mnangagwa met Mavhunga who indicated that he specialised in making and supplying wedding suits.

Mnangagwa expressed interest since he was preparing for his wedding, which was scheduled for August 25 of the same year.

Mnangagwa then gave Mavhunga an order to supply five bridegroom’s suits which he was supposed to order from Italy.
He was charged US$3 500 and paid a deposit of US$1 500. The balance was to be paid upon delivery of the suits on an agreed date.

It later came to light that Mavhunga had lied to Mnangagwa that he had capacity to supply the said suits.

Mnangagwa asked for a refund after nothing materialised and made a police report when he failed to get his money back.-State media

Farai Dziva|ZRP cops in the ancient city of Masvingo are allegedly demanding cash bribes to allow residents to get into the city centre during the lockdown.

The ZRP cops are reportedly targeting pedestrians and cyclists. It is said they are demanding cash ranging from RTGS $10 to $ 20.

“I wanted to go to town to buy mealie meal and as I approached Benjamin Burombo Building, I was confronted by two cops who demanded cash so that they would allow me to proceed to the city centre.

I told them that I didn’t not have the money and they forced me to return home,” said a resident of Rujeko Suburb.

“On Tuesday, I was nearly beaten up by cops at the Chevron Hotel footpath because I refused to pay the sum of RTGS $ 10 they were demanding,” said another resident.

Asked to comment on the matter, Masvingo Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said she would report the matter to her superiors.

The residents of the ancient city have also complained about rampant police brutality.

Farai Dziva|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has said Zimbabwe is “fighting two pandemics- hunger and COVID -19.”

Chamisa believes hunger is “as lethal a threat as hunger.”

“Zimbabwe is fighting two pandemics, the COVID19 pandemic and the poverty/hunger pandemic.

Hunger is as lethal a threat as COVID19.

Effective leadership is certainly key and necessary to address the threat we face.

We must empower citizens with enough information to fight the virus,” Chamisa wrote on Twitter.

By A Correspondent- Nelson Chamisa, a leader in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has said that it is necessary for authorities to find a way to simultaneously address both hunger and the coronavirus pandemic.

He was commenting on a tweet by Heal Zimbabwe which suggested that a food aid distribution meeting that was held at Jerera growth point in Zaka by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (@OMpslsw) could have exposed people to coronavirus as it did not observe social distancing, neither were there sanitizers during for attendees.

Responding, Chamisa said:

Zimbabwe is fighting two pandemics, the COVID19 pandemic and the poverty/hunger pandemic. Hunger is as lethal a threat as COVID19. Effective leadership is certainly key & necessary to address the threat we face. We must empower citizens with enough information to fight the virus!

“Hunger-stricken” Zimbabweans continue to gather in numbers at shopping centres where they will be in search of food, particularly mealie-meal, in violation of the lockdown regulations which confine them to their homes.

Meanwhile, coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country.

By A Correspondent- Jah Prayzah and wife Rufaro are over the moon after welcoming their first son together.

An excited Jah Prayzah shared the news on his social media pages last night through a comic video of him and his son conversing about going out to look for trotters.

Thousands of Jah Prayzah have since congratulated him for the latest addition. Previously, he had three daughters with Rufaro and a son, Mukudzeyi Junior from his previous relationship.

By A Correspondent- Government and business have reached a deal to revert the prices of basic commodities to what shops were charging on March 25 and placed a moratorium on the cost of the goods, as recent price hikes were based on speculative behaviour and unjustified.

The Government engaged key stakeholders that include Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Association, National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, among others, after noting the unjustified price increases, especially during the lockdown that started on March 30.

On Sunday, President Mnangagwa extended the lockdown to May 3.

Prior to the lockdown, price increases in the country had largely been linked to fluctuations on the parallel market forex exchange rates but the situation worsened when President Mnangagwa announced the national lockdown three weeks ago.

The decision by Government to intervene in the pricing madness is not the first time African authorities have had to step in to stabilise prices following the outbreak of Covid-19.

Rwanda was the first country to act when its trade ministry fixed prices for 17 food items including rice, sugar and cooking oil.

Last month South Africa started to control the price of a number of goods that include mealie-meal, cooking oil, wheat flour, rice, sugar; toilet paper, baby formula and disposable nappies among others.

Local retailers yesterday said the latest development on prices must not be mistaken for price controls as it is a product of an agreement reached with.

Government after consultations. They said they will meet the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe today for a crucial meeting to finalise certain modalities but conceded that some local businesses had been profiteering.

On March 25, five days after the first Covid case was reported in the country, Chronicle published an article titled: Evil businesses capitalise on Covid-19, noting that the prices of basic commodities had started to increase due to speculative behaviour due to the threat posed by the virus.

At the time, a 2-litre bottle of cooking oil was selling for between $114 and $120 but is now $180; a 2kg packet of sugar was $65 but now costs up to $95 especially in Western suburbs; a 2kg packet of rice was $85 but now costs $100.

A 2kg packet of flour was $65 but now costs up to $105.

The deal between Government and business brings relief to consumers.

In a statement yesterday, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who chairs the inter-ministerial taskforce on Covid-19 said businesses should with immediate effect revert to prices they were charging as at March 25.

He said Government arrived at the decision after the Ministry of Industry and Commerce engaged the value chain sectors who also admitted that there was no sensible reason for prices to be drastically increasing.

“In order to address this challenge of escalating prices, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce held a multi-sectoral meeting with various key stakeholders which included Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe, Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Association, National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, Oil Expressors, Association of Zimbabwe, National Foods and Zimbabwe Sugar Sales among others,” he said.

“There was a general agreement amongst the multi-sectoral partners that the price increase, particularly during the lockdown, was speculative and unjustified. The multi-sectoral stakeholders committed to a price moratorium to operate based on the prices which were applicable on the 25th of March. The moratorium will also apply to all value chain players. This was supported by a Cabinet Decision of the 21st of April 2020 and will take effect immediately.”

VP Mohadi said people’s earnings have seriously been eroded due to arbitrary price increase caused by speculative behaviour.

“Zimbabwe has been experiencing escalating food prices which is increasingly making it difficult for the consumer to afford basic commodities. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce in partnership with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has been continuously monitoring the food basket cost. When His Excellency, the President E. D Mnangagwa announced the lockdown, prices skyrocketed generating increasing difficulties for the general public to access food items such bread, sugar. cooking oil, mealie-meal and flour. In a survey done by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the value of the consumer basket as at 7 February 2020 was $4 656 but by 11 April 2020 the same amounted to $6 660,84,” said VP Mohadi.

Some shops in Western suburbs have increased prices fully knowing that lockdown regulations pin down shoppers at their local shops due to restrictions in movement. People are allowed to shop within 5km of their homes and only one person in a family must go to the shops.

But even the shops in the city centre have increased their prices as citizens now have limited options.

Prior to the lockdown in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, Zimbabweans would cross the border to Musina to buy basic commodities as prices locally are two to three times higher.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers Association (CZRA) president Mr Denford Mutashu said they had reached an agreement with Government on pricing but the public should not confuse the latest development with price controls.

Mr Mutashu said the exorbitant prices that the public have been subjected to since the lockdown are predominantly speculative and lacked basis.

“This is not price control. This is an arrangement out of goodwill in the spirit of working together between Government and the private sector. Government would have simple come up with a price control mechanism. It’s within its power and authority to do so, but in this particular case, the good thing is that this is a product of dialogue and consistent engagement that has been going on behind the scenes,” he said.

“We are happy with that engagement because for a very long Government has been quite instructive and prescriptive. But in this case, we have actually had robust engagements which were quite inclusive as it were. Because we understand that this is actually going to help the majority of Zimbabweans that are currently staying at home because of the lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic.”

He said they are aware of some challenges that the business sector was facing and they have possible solutions.

“So, the implementation modalities will come through a Statutory Instrument and tomorrow we have actually one of the crucial meetings that would also involve the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,” he said.

By A Correspondent- Former Minister of State in Vice President Joice Mujuru’s family, Sylvester Nguni has said that his family is genuinely puzzled following the death of his mother due to the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Sylvester Nguni’ 82-year-old mother became the fourth person to succumb to the coronavirus in Zimbabwe.

However, the family has expressed shock at home the deceased woman could have contracted the disease. Nguni, who is member of the ruling Zanu PF party and Member of Parliament for Mhondoro Mubaira said that his mother resided in Mhondoro and has no history of travel. The former Minister also said that until her illness and subsequent death, his family had not visited his mother since the lockdown started.

Nguni went on to say that his mother’s residence in Mhondoro is actually isolated from the rest of the community and that she resided there with just 4 helpers, 2 maids and 2 herdmen.

In an interview with the state media, Nguni said:

“We are all still puzzled as to where she could have got the virus from. Our homestead is more like a self-isolated facility, which is detached from the rest of the community. She stayed there with two maids and two herd boys.

“None of us were in contact with her since the beginning of the first phase of the lockdown up until now,”

The health authorities have since initiated contact tracing procedures to identify the people who came in contact with the former minister’s mother. Commenting on the matter, Minister of Health and Child Care, Obadiah Moyo said:

“There would be continuous follow up on all the medical staff who have been working with the patient and everyone else who has been in contact with the deceased.”

By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has introduced new strict rules for the repatriation and burial of people who will have died in foreign lands.

The new measures are part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

iHarare has learned that According to the new rules, relatives who will be accompanying the body will only be able to attend the funeral after being quarantined for 21 days. All bodies will be treated as being contagious except for those where the cause of death is road traffic accident, murder or other body injuries.

Below is the letter which was written to all funeral parlours in South Africa by the Zimbabwe Consulate.21 April 2020

To All Funeral Parlours

RE: NEW REPATRIATION GUIDELINES

Please be advised that the Ministry of Health and Child Care of the Republic of Zimbabwe has directed as follows. with immediate effect:

As a way of protecting the country against exposure to the deadly Coronavirus:

All bodies being repatriated U Zimbabwe for burial will be treated as contagious except in cases where the cause of death is road accident, murder or other body injuries

Consequently, all such mortal remains will require clearance by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe using the usual clearance channels.

Relatives accompanying the remains will be subjected to 21 days mandatory quarantine at the designated points before proceeding the funeral. (The same applies in cases where the body is transiting through Zimbabwe).

Only the driver of the hearse is allowed to proceed to the final place of burial in Zimbabwe and is required to return back to South Africa immediately after burial.

All funeral parlours are therefore required to comply with the directives.

M. Chaurura
Consul General

CC Ambassador Zim-Pretoria

By A Correspondent- Bulawayo has recorded over 2 000 out of nearly 10 000 arrests countrywide for lockdown violations, the highest record out of 10 provinces.

President Mnangagwa declared a three-week lockdown that commenced on March 30 but extended it by a further two weeks on Sunday, hours before its expiry due to a spike in infections – 25 cases on that day – with the numbers rising amid fears that they could gallop uncontrollably.

In Bulawayo, there has been rampant defiance of the lockdown order and failure to maintain social distancing especially when people are queuing to buy basic commodities.

Most of the people arrested in Bulawayo were nabbed for unnecessary movements.

Since the lockdown came into effect three weeks ago, Chronicle news crews have witnessed groups of men drinking beer at public places and sheebens in some suburbs. Some residents are not observing the requirement that they must travel to buy at shops within a five-kilometre radius of their homes. Even for those buying at local shops, the requirement that only one family member should do so is not observed.

Some businesses not designated as providers of essential services have been operating. Also, there has been an influx of vehicles into the city’s Central Business District.

Police yesterday said they would remain vigilant on the ground to ensure that the public observes the two-week lockdown extension to May 3.

In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said nearly 10 000 people had been arrested for offences that include violating restrictions guidelines, traffic and other offences during the lockdown period.

“A total of 9 889 people have been arrested for various offences since the commencement of the national lockdown. The offences include violating lockdown guidelines, traffic and other offences. Arrests are as listed: – Bulawayo province 2214, Manicaland province 1975, Midlands province 1289, Harare 1229, Mashonaland West Province 909, Matabeleland South province 820, Matabeleland North 469, Mashonaland Central province 330, Mashonaland East province 330, Masvingo province 252 and Support Unit 64,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said as Government has extended the national lockdown by two weeks, police and other security forces will remain on high alert to ensure compliance.

“In this regard, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other security services will maintain current deployments to enforce safety and security measures in place and any further guidance to be provided by Government for the benefit of Zimbabweans. We are therefore appealing to members of the public to adhere to security, health and safety guidelines provided by Government and to co-operate with security services as they enforce the measures,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said most citizens are supposed to stay at home in line with lockdown regulations.

The police spokesperson said entities and institutions exempted for essential services are encouraged to seek guidance from relevant authorities for assistance.

He said only those with exemptions and those on the essential services list will be allowed to pass through security check points.

“Police remind the public to observe the social distance guidelines and to ensure they comply with the laws and regulations to enable the security services to effectively maintain law and order,” he said.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said most of the people who were nabbed were arrested for unnecessary movements.

“Most people were arrested for loitering, travelling with insufficient reasons mostly those getting to the city centre, illegally operating business premises for unexempted sectors and pirating motorists picking up passengers,” said Insp Ncube.-Statemedia

Goodness and Mercy ministries founder Prophet Tapiwa Freddy has gone live speaking on the demolition of his church by council yesterday.

Freddy says he has been working with council adding that they did not tell him about the plans to demolish his church structure.

Writing on his live Facebook, Freddy said

“Ndirikurwadziwa . Ndigagone kuzvishingisa vakomana Ndirikurwadziwa veduwe ndirikurwadziwa.Harare City Council ndimi makatipa nzvimbo kana manga musisade maingotiudza tobva pane kutipwanyira CHURCH YAMWARI. IT IS WELL,” said Freddy.

Watch the live below…

Government has put in place tight measures with regards to repatriation of bodies into the country for burial as part of measures to protect the country from the deadly coronavirus.

According to a letter from government to funeral parlours, all bodies being repatriated into the country will be treated as contagious and requiring clearance from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

As a way of protecting the country against exposure to the deadly coronavirus, all bodies being repatriated to Zimbabwe for burial will be treated as contagiuos except in cases where the cause of the death is road accident, murder or other body injuries

Consequently all such mortal remains will require clearance by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Zimbabwe using the usual clearance channels.

Relatives accompanying the remains will be subjected to a mandatory 21 days quarantine at the designated points before proceeding to the funeral.

“Only the driver of the hearse is allowed to proceed to the final place of burial in Zimbabwe and is required to return back to South Africa immediately after burial,” reads part of the letter.

According to a

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has banned its officers from purchasing mealie while clad in police uniform.

Police officers have often been accused of abusing their authority by buying mealie meal in huge quantities, depriving other citizens of an opportunity to purchase the staple.

The officers would allegedly divert the mealie meal to the black market where it is sold for more than double the gazetted price.

Below is a memorandum from the Bulawayo Provincial Police Headquarters advising all stations in the province of the new regulations:

PROHIBITION OF PURCHASE OF MEALIE-MEAL BY POLICE OFFICERS IN UNIFORM STOP

THIS OFFICE OBSERVED WITH GREAT CONCERN THE LEVEL OF SERIOUS CONTEMPT AND DISREGARD OF POLICE STANDARD OF DISCIPLINE IN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN BULAWAYO. MEMBERS ARE SEEN MOVING AROUND CARRYING BAGS OF MEALIE-MEAL IN UNIFORM. IT IS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT ADDRESSEES CMM WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT CEASE TO PURCHASE MEALIE-MEAL IN POLICE UNIFORM. OFFICERS AND MEMBERS IN CHARGE STATIONS ARE THUS DIRECTED TO COMPILE LISTS OF MEMBERS UNDER THEIR COMMAND AND FORWARD THEM TO THIS HEADQUARTERS AS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WITH MILLERS TO DELIVER THE COMMODITY AT POLICE CAMPS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. ADDRESSEES ARE DIRECTED TO TREAT THIS SIGNAL WITHOUT DISDAINCY. ANYONE WHO SHALL BE SEEN LOADED WITH MEALEMEAL IN THEIR PERSON WHILST IN POLICE UNIFORM WILL BE ARRESTED AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN.

By Own Correspondent| Police officers in Bulawayo have been ordered to stop queuing for mealie-meal while on duty saying this was against their employment code.

This is contained in a letter to officers from Bulawayo Propol.

“This office observed with great concern the level of serious disregard of police standard of discipline in Central Business District and various locations in Bulawayo where members are seen moving around carrying bags of mealie meal in uniform STOP.

“With immediate effect cease to purchase mealie meal in police uniforms,” reads the directive in part.

Members In Charge have since been directed to compile names of police officers at their stations and forward them to the headquarters as arrangements have been made with millers to deliver the commodity at police camps for convenience.

“Addressees are directed to treat this signal without disdaincy stop anyone who shall be seen loaded with mealie meal in their person  while in police uniform will be arrested and disciplinary action taken STOP,” added the document.

The media has been urged to review the use of language when reporting on Covid-19 to ensure eradication of stigma.

This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana during an online discussion with journalists on the coverage of the disease, that was supported by the United Nations Development Programme.

He said most of the discrimination was being caused by ignorance and fear.

“We need to be very mindful of the language we use,” said Mr Mangwana.

“When we do our messaging as media, I believe we need to continue amplifying the positive message, informative messages ensuring that all the seven normal discrimination categories are attended to, including the age groups, disability, sexuality.”

Mr Mangwana said branding those thought to have been affected by Covid-19 as “suspects” was not proper

“You are being called a suspect just like someone found carrying transformer oil or found carrying a machete with blood,” he said.

“Why is a person who could be a victim of coronavirus called a suspected case. I think it’s a language we need to look at. Stigma is caused by harmful stereotypes.”

Mr Mangwana said journalists could now carry their duties during the Covid-19 lockdown without fear of harassment following the gazetting of a statutory instrument designating the profession as an essential service.

He apologised to some journalists who reported harassment by the security services before the enactment of the statutory instrument.

“We believe information plays a critical role in this fight against the invisible enemy called coronavirus,” said Mr Mangwana.

“Therefore, those that package, disseminate information to the public are critical in as much as their industry is, and those people are journalists.

“And the way that information is packaged is actually very important, but in line with the packaging of information comes the issue of marginalisation and in some instances discrimination and in other instances stigmatisation.”

Mr Mangwana said there were some sections of society like the disabled and a pressure group for journalists who had filed court applications on the packaging of information around Covid-19.

“If somebody takes us to court by saying the Ministry of Information should package information for the disabled, it’s a very tricky position for us because we don’t want to defend that, we believe if there are any shortcomings in what we are doing right now, that should be addressed,” he said.

“We believe we do not hold the patent to good ideas, so if anybody has good ideas they should engage rather than take us to court because what the court will pronounce is simply that, ‘please go and package information for the disabled’”.

Mr Mangwana said that would not be helpful since there would be no input from the disabled on how they want the packaging of information to be done.

He said the opening of the Covid-19 call centre was meant to attend to specific and individual needs from particular citizens because not everyone had access to the tools of communication.

Mr Mangwana said a national disaster like Covid-19 meant the law and the Constitution should be deployed to save lives.

Deputy Director of Disease Control and Epidemiology in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Isaac Phiri participated.

-State Media

It has come to my attention that vendors markets were being demolished in Epworth starting on the 22nd of April 2020 . This came as a surprise to Epworth Local Board Councillors and our community.

As the Chairperson of the Board , I was never informed of the decision . We are not aware of the Agenda and its origins , The Board secretary is in a position to explain the motive behind the demolitions as no Communication has reached my office yet.

As Epworth People’s Chairman, I want to make the record straight that all your councillors are not aware of these demolitions, where it is coming from, what is the motive behind, who sanctioned it and why this time of dual crises ie of covid 19 and extreme poverty that is harassing the ordinary Zimbabwean.

It is our duty to consult and communicate with the community in such times and had it been our decision, we would have engage the residents and communication cascaded as usual.

More than 85% of our residents are in the informal sector and such action that has impact on the livelihoods is communicated timeously. Your leadership shall not go against its people , and it is not Our culture to inflict more pain to the already suffering residents .

We shall communicate as soon as I get where this is emanating from.

Stay Safe Epworth
#StayAtHome
#Covid-19MustFall

Epworth Local Board Chairman
Cllr Batanai Masunda.

The latest Coronavirus death in Zimbabwe is the mother of former Minister and Member of Parliament for Mhondoro Mubaira, Sylvester Nguni.

He confirmed that his mother had no history of travel, stayed in a self-contained homestead with just two maids and two herders.

So far as her family are aware, none of her relatives from towns with confirmed cases of Covid-19 have made contact with her since the start of the lockdown.

She died in West End Hospital, where she had been taken when it was assumed she had a resurgence of an earlier non-Covid-19 infection. The positive Covid-19 diagnosis was the result of the routine test under the new system of testing all patients with flu-like symptoms.

The hospital has since stopped all admissions until further notice and patients already in admission are using the upper floors while the casualty department has since been fumigated.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Mr Nguni said he received a call from one of the maids at the beginning of the month saying his mother had a bout of flu.

He said then, they arranged medication for her and she seemed to have recovered.

However, he said, on Monday she began having difficulties in breathing resulting in them going to pick her up and bringing her to Harare for treatment.

“We are all still puzzled as to where she could have got the virus from. Our homestead is more like a self-isolated facility, which is detached from the rest of the community. She stayed there with two maids and two herd boys.

“None of us were in contact with her since the beginning of the first phase of the lockdown up until now,” said Mr Nguni.

VOA|Zimbabwe’s government has reduced the mandatory quarantine period for possible coronavirus cases by one-half. The government says it lacks the resources to take care of patients in isolation for the two-week period recommended by the World Health Organization.

Health Minister Obadiah Moyo says Zimbabwe does not have the resources to continue following the two-week quarantine period for people entering the country.

Speaking at a news conference streamed on social media, Moyo said the Cabinet has decided to reduce the quarantine period to seven days.

“And if they are found to be positive they will be sent to an isolation center. And if they are found to be negative they will be released. It decongests the facilities,” said Moyo.

That might be good news for returning Zimbabwean citizens, who have been complaining on social media about squalid quarantine centers which reportedly do not have running water.

Health experts see this move as dangerous. Dr. Alex Gasasira, the head of the World Health Organization in Zimbabwe, is urging those released to self-quarantine to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Zimbabwe has 29 confirmed cases. Four people have died.

“Several of the confirmed cases in Zimbabwe have been amongst people returning to Zimbabwe from countries which had a widespread of COVID-19. So, it is really in the public health recommended good to have a close monitoring of anybody who is returning to Zimbabwe at this time from such countries. So, this monitoring or quarantine could be voluntary or mandatory,” he said.

Zimbabwe had initially put the quarantine period at 21 days, even longer than the WHO’s recommendation.

Gasasira explains the importance of keeping possible coronavirus patients isolated while doctors watch them for signs of the infection.

“The 14-day is the average time – incubation period — between the time maybe infected and the time he or she develops symptoms. So, if you spend more than 14 days without developing any symptoms. the likelihood is that you are not likely to be infected,” he said.

The cash-strapped government says it has so far spent about 125,000 U.S. dollars on food and basic needs of 950 returning residents in COVID-19 quarantine centers. The cost of accommodation is not included in that figure, officials said Wednesday.