United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean nurse, Felicity Siyachitema, yesterday succumbed to Covid-19 at Southend Hospital in London.
She was 51. Family spokesperson, Mr Frederick Siyachitema, confirmed to The Herald last night. 
“Yes, a dark cloud has befallen our family,” he said. “Fellie passed away in a London hospital where she was admitted.

“We are in pain as a family. She was a strong woman, who was always supportive of her family. She was a helpful person, a hard worker, a mother and a dedicated nurse.”
Mr Siyachitema said her sister went to the United Kingdom in 2002. “What is more painful is that we cannot attend the burial of our sister due to the restrictions cause by the pandemic,” said Mr Siyachitema.
“Our prayer is that after the pandemic, we will then be able to go to the UK and see her place of final rest.
“It is a very difficult situation for the whole family.”
Posting on her Facebook page yesterday evening, Zandile Ndlovu, who is a close relative to the family, poured out her heart bemoaning the ravaging effects of the pandemic and the family’s loss.
“It is hard enough when you read about the devastation that the coronavirus has been doing globally,” she said.
“But when reality hits home, it hits us hardest. Today, we have been robbed as a family of our beautiful sister Felicity Siyachitema. 
“The shock and pain is too much. Words fail me. To your son, my little sister Lydia and big brother Freddy Sludge Siyachitema and mamomncane Smomo Jubane Siyachitema and family sithi duduzekani.
“Felly my sister, you fought the good fight. Your selfless deeds of trying to save lives during this pandemic will always be remembered. Rest in power my sister.”
Felicity left behind two sons

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC, has urged corporate organizations to inject funds into public health institutions’ coffers to avert looting of aid by Zanu PF officials.

In a statement, MDC National Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said:

Corporate organizations and individuals who wish to donate towards the fight against Covid-19 in Zimbabwe should fund public health institutions instead of fake and money making Foundations like the not-so-angelic Angel of Hope Foundation that is owned by the glory seeking wife of Emmerson Mnangagwa, Auxilia.

Otherwise the money will be looted by Zanu PF mandarins.”

Farai Dziva|The Movement for Democratic Change has roundly condemned the arrest of the party’s MP for Mutasa South Constituency, Regai Tsunga.

Tsunga was arrested for distributing mealie meal in the constituency.

“MDC Alliance MP @regaitsunga arrested for distributing maize to ordinary people in his rural constituency. #SaveThePoor #ZanuPfMustGo,” tweeted MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General, Gift Ostallos Siziba.

“I hear Hon Regai Tsunga has been arrested for distributing mealie meal to his Constituence, I cannot fathom the intellect of this evil regime,” Marondera MP Caston Matewu posted on Facebook.

In line with the new COVID-19 testing strategy, the Ministry continues to implement screening and diagnostic testing across all provinces.

Today, a total of 457 tests were done as detailed in table 1 below, giving a total of 3 308 screening and diagnostic tests done to date.

… to date, Zimbabwe has twenty-five confirmed cases, including two recoveries and three deaths.

All the PCR tests done in Harare and Bulawayo today were negative for COVID-19.

Today, the Ministry received the second consignment of COVID-19 laboratory diagnostic test kits and personal protective equipment from the Jack Ma Foundation through the African Union.

The Ministry is very grateful to the Jack Ma Foundation for the support in strengthening the national response and will ensure equitable distribution of these commodities across all provinces.

The Ministry continues to be on HIGH alert to the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind the nation that, the most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to practise good personal hygiene and exercise social distancing.

When you use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.

Avoid touching the mask while using it if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
For assistance, please call the COVID-19 tollfree hotline number: 2019.

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A 20-YEAR-OLD man and a 21-year-old woman from Bulawayo allegedly committed suicide in separate incidents.

The man allegedly killed himself yesterday in New Magwegwe suburb while the woman is suspected to have taken her life on Saturday.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the man, whose name was not given, was found hanging at his home by his brother-in-law who had had tea with him hours earlier.

“I can confirm that we recorded a case of a man from Magwegwe suburb who committed suicide by hanging himself.

“The man whose name was not given and is aged 20 was allegedly drinking tea and chatting with his brother-in-law when he indicated that he was not feeling well.

“He went to a room in the house and at around 9AM his brother-in-law found him hanging from a roof truss with a nylon rope,” said Insp Ncube.

He said police took the body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for post-mortem and a case of sudden death was opened.

Scores of residents were gathered outside the house, disregarding social distancing, until police dispersed them.

Efforts to get a comment from the family were fruitless as they said they were still grieving.

Magwegwe residents’ association chairperson Mr Phillip Karanda said he knew the man as a vegetable vendor who used a pushcart to sell his produce around the suburb.

“Moments before the death, a colleague of his passed by my home after being with the deceased in the morning.

“A few minutes later he informed me that he had received a call that his friend had committed suicide.

“As the local leadership we would like to tell the youths to be open to their elders in future and tell them if they have problems so we can come to their assistance,” said Mr Karanda.

A resident who declined to be named said the deceased was known as Nkosi and was reportedly having domestic issues with the people he stayed with.

“I heard that Nkosi had issues with the people he stayed with who are said to have been abusing him.

It’s said he had earlier sent a message to one of the people he stayed with, telling him that he wanted to commit suicide,” said the resident.

Insp Ncube said police are worried about the number of suicides involving young people after a woman allegedly hanged herself on Saturday at a house she rented.

“On April 18, a 21-year-old woman from Nkulumane area who was staying alone was found hanging at the house she rented,” he said.

Insp Ncube said the deceased in both suicide cases did not leave suicide notes.

He urged the community, especially youths to seek counselling instead of taking their own lives.-State media

HUMAN rights doctors have disclosed that they have treated 31 victims of torture by State security agents deployed to enforce the lockdown measures.

Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Alphios Makotore and his Zimbabwe Republic Police counterpart Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi have, in the past weeks, been denying that citizens were brutalised. They claimed that they had not received reports on the abuses.

But a report by the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) at the weekend claimed 31 victims of police brutality had been attended to by the human rights doctors.

“ZADHR has witnessed several cases of individuals being subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment for violating lockdown measures,” part of the report read.

“During the lockdown period, ZADHR has attended to 31 cases of people allegedly assaulted by security officers enforcing the lockdown in various parts of the country.

“Most of these people presented with moderate soft tissue injuries after being beaten with baton sticks. ZADHR reiterates that those violating the regulations must still be treated with dignity and subjected to the due process of law.”

Videos and pictorial evidence of police and soldiers brutalising citizens has been circulating on social media in recent weeks.

Last week, High Court judges Justice Joseph Muswakwa and Justice Owen Tagu ordered the police and army to stop beating up civilians, adding that the implementation of the COVID-19 regulations should be done with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons.

This was after a Karoi resident Lucia Masondo took government to court after she was bashed by police and soldiers enforcing the lockdown order.

The other respondents were Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe and the National Prosecuting Authority.

Meanwhile, the human rights doctors welcomed the expansion of testing services in the past few days, which has seen an increased number of tests conducted, despite the figures still remaining low.

They commended the setting up of a diagnostic facility at National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe has so far tested less than 4 000 people out of a population of about 16 million.

“Additionally, a rapid test kit for screening has been availed. Although less sensitive and requiring further confirmatory PCR [polymerase chain reaction] tests, the introduction of this rapid kit allows more people to be screened daily, rapid turnaround of results and focused confirmatory PCR tests,” ZADHR said.

The health rights doctors also welcomed the move to utilise the over 130 GeneXpert machines across the country, saying this would increase access to screening and testing facilities, and reduce the turnaround time for tests.

They challenged the health authorities to increase the number of daily tests and conduct more intensive community screening and testing.

Priority should also be given to enhancing screening of health professionals as per the High Court order.

The doctors called on government to be transparent in its response to COVID-19 and information to be easily digestible to the general public.

Nelson Chamisa|WISE WORDS from The legend, Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo. Going forward, 2020-2030 is the Golden Decade for rapid and radical transformation in OUR beautiful Zimbabwe. We are the Golden generation! We need true independence. We must fix things.Lets do it!

By Marianne Betts|The Victoria Falls appears to be thoroughly enjoying its alone time, reaching its highest flows in a decade in a powerful display of breath-taking beauty and intensity, which ironically no one is there to witness.

The Victoria Falls rainforest is closed, as like the rest of the world, Zimbabwe is in lockdown to protect against the coronavirus pandemic. However, when the time is right it will reopen and the Victoria Falls will still be magnificent.

Zambezi River Authority public relations and communications manager Elizabeth Karonga said the high water levels were due to a significant increase in both rainfall and run-off in the catchment area upstream of Victoria Falls during the current rainfall season.

Authority data shows four times more water is now flowing over the world’s largest waterfall than at this time last year – on April 20, 3,922 cubic metres per second was recorded compared to 1,007 cubic metres per second on April 20, 2019.

“The Zambezi River normally experiences two peaks or floods, which are more evident in the upper catchment area, upstream from Victoria Falls, and depending on their magnitude, their effects are translated downstream,” Karonga said.

The first wave of floodwaters was recorded at Victoria Falls on March 31, 2020 with a peak flow of 4,289 cubic metres per second, and the second reached the Victoria Falls on April 14, and water levels were, again, rising, Karonga said.

The flow at the Victoria Falls from the second flood is expected to peak by end of April at more than 4,300 cubic metres per second, she added.

The flows at the Victoria Falls have not been this high since 2010, when they were slightly higher;they were also higher in 2009 and 1978, but the highest flows ever recorded were in 1958 when the peak flow reached an incredible 9,436 cubic metres per second, she said. In coming weeks the rise in flows at the Victoria Falls will continue until the rainfall upstream subsides, leading to a reduction in the Zambezi River flows, and subsequently reduced flows at the Victoria Falls. The Falls are expected to peak at the end of May this year.

Ross Kennedy, chief executive of Zimbabwean hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism, said nature continued to show off her power and influence over our lives!

“At a time when the world is in trouble the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls display immense beauty, rugged power and a glorious snub to the current negatives,” Kennedy said.

“It has been quite some time since anyone witnessed the majesty and intensity of this level of water flowing over the Victoria Falls, with the last period of such floods being ten years ago.

“What a sad and disappointing irony it is, that at this time that one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World is at its absolute finest, the world is in lockdown and very few if any will get to witness or experience this iconic destination in all its splendour,” he added.

“But, of course, nature being what it is, Victoria Falls will flood again and will be there to impress, enthrall and excite many millions of tourists in the decades ahead.”

Marianne Betts is Zimbabwean hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism’s public relations officer.

Nelson Chamisa| During this difficult time, we must treat each other with kindness and empathy.While the government must safeguard citizens,we urge the treatment of returning citizens with respect & dignity.We must avoid conduct that leads to stigmatisation & vitriol against fellow citizens.

While returning citizens must be placed in mandatory quarantine, conditions of living must be decent &habitable.Quarantine is not punishment.We urge gvt to ensure adequate testing facilities & that there is fair & equal treatment of every person regardless of their status.

Be blessed! Stay safe, Stay praying and remember good hygiene.

Masvingo – Masvingo fruit and vegetable vendors are counting their losses as tens of tonnes of their orders are rotting away following the abrupt closure of Chitima, the biggest informal market in Masvingo on Wednesday last week.

This was confirmed by Tamisai Katini, Chitima Fruit and Vegetable Vendors Association chairperson in an interview with The Mirror.

Katini said that there are 35 tonnes of bananas, 21 tonnes of avocadoes and an unspecified quantity of tomatoes that have either been thrown away or are rotting because of the closure of the market.

“These products were already ordered when the Masvingo District Covid-19 Taskforce ordered the closure of the market. Seven trucks of bananas and four trucks of avocados were already on the road when we got the order to shut down.

“Farmers threw away their tomatoes while bananas and avocados are starting to rot and Chitima and Tanaiwa market at the rank where they are stashed away. It is a huge loss to the vendors,” said Katini.

Efforts to get a comment from the chairman of Masvingo District Covid – 19 Taskforce, Ray Hove were fruitless.

Katini said the vendors have since sent a petition to Hove requesting the Committee to revisit the question of reopening Chitima under new conditions of operation.

She said that the conditions at Tanaiwa where most of the fruits are stashed away are bad and trading time is limited to a few hours and this was causing congestion and creating serious inefficiencies.

She expressed concern that markets in other cities like Harare and Bulawayo are open.

• MasvingoMirror

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Farai Dziva|The Movement For Democratic Change says the announcement of the lockdown extension at the eleventh hour has disastrous implications.

Read the party’s full statement below:

As the People’s party, the MDC Alliance strongly applauds the Zimbabwean people for their discipline and determination to fight adversity with a spirit of never say die.

Indeed, it seems as if adversity brings out the best from Zimbabweans who over the past decade have been able to put down record inflation, droughts, and pandemics such as cholera.

Zimbabweans have survived the mutation of the economy from an industrializing one to a largely informal economy, which fostered creativity and refashioning of livelihoods on a continuous basis.

It is also appropriate to appreciate national leadership across the political divide for speaking in resonance in efforts to ward off the marauding Coronavirus.

We however implore leadership to inject pro activity into their decision making processes.

The people have been sitting on edge for too long with the eleventh hour pronouncement of the lockdown extension by 14 days coming to many ordinary people as a surprise.

Many had packed their bags ready to trek back to work while others had began preparing to restart their enterprises. The ambushing of the populace causes loss of confidence and suggests that the State is not sure footed on this particular issue.

Is this a scientifically driven decision or it is more and more of groping in the dark for some answer, many will ask?

Notwithstanding, we take this opportunity to pay our tribute to the frontline, anti COVID-19 fighters, the health workers, ancillary support staff who are all giving their all in the fight against the pandemic.

They are working in the face of danger and under extremely trying circumstances. These need to be thanked beyond applause, they have to get the requisite PPEs, a risk allowance and more other support both material and moral.

The lockdown has however dealt an irreparable damage on the people’s livelihoods. It is important at this moment to find a balance between fighting to save lives and livelihoods so that the further lives are not lost to hunger arising from lost livelihoods.

In the immediate term, families have exhausted whatever they had to eat and their revenue streams, particularly those in the informal economy and SMEs have completely dried up and starvation is staring at them uncompromisingly.

It is time for a robust safety social net cushion for all working peoples who have lost income to lockdown.

Indeed it is time for the State to deploy the reserves from the surplus generated out of the 2% levy to the noble cause of alleviating hunger and starvation in the country, while also supporting prize reductions of basics services and goods such as electricity, internet tariffs, water liquid and gaseous fuel.

To avoid defeating social distancing and interpersonal disease communication, the civil protection and disaster management mechanisms should strengthen and cooperate with community based structures for monitoring adherence to rules, reporting cases, tracking contacts and indeed delivering basic needs such as mealie meal, water, and other such daily needs. It is possible to deliver these basics at doorsteps of the people .

This formula needs collectivity, creativity and oneness of purpose among the publics of Zimbabwe, be it the church, civil society, traditional leaders, elected officials and political actors.

There is absolute need to ensure that these relief interventions are not tolerated .

The State should brook no nonsense around partisanship in the distribution of safety nets.

Local authorities have got the infrastructure and means to deliver such door to door services, cooperating with the relevant service providers.

They already read water meters, deliver bills and collect refuse in a fashion suggested here.

And we call upon these service provide to work more on cost recovery than the profit motive in this period of major national difficulties.

The State can come in too with mechanisms to support service providers so that the viability of business is not affected.

Health services have become unaffordable and the chronically ill , diabetes patients, the hypertensive and many others are faced with death if the State does not intervene now.

Accordingly, the State should ensure that medicines for chronic conditions are heavily subsidized or provided for free through the normal distribution channels like hospitals clinics and pharmacies.

On education, the State should start a consultative process on how lost schooling days can be gained to avoid loss of a whole education year.

From a livelihoods drone-view, the State should be thinking about the morning after lockdown with concrete actionable, nation centric plans for the revival of sustainable livelihoods.

Informal traders or vendors need to go back to their stalls, emergency taxis, must go back on the road, backyard poultry farmers need to restock up, cross boarder exporters and importers , have to get their commerce going again.

There is need for thinking of some community banking mechanism that will availl small loans to the informal economy actors to enable them to restart their enterprises.

Importantly, the State must engage in a renewed effort, working together with local authorities, the church, civil society and other cooperating partners to go on a massive awareness company.

The people may misconstrue the relaxation off lockdown to be synonymous with partial
taming of Corona virus, it is not a fact. The virus is lurching among us to prey on anybody who throws caution to the wind.

Accordingly we call on the people to exercise even more caution, practice social and physical distancing more strictly so that your immediate environment remains locked-down until such time as the virus has been sustainably tamed.

Lives and livelihoods are in a better place if we continue to wash hands frequently with soap under running water, use a sanitizer and wear a face masks whenever it is necessary and keep away from big gatherings. That is the minimum expected of a patriot under these trying times, to do the bit that can save lives of family friends and fellow citizens

The epoch after lockdown , is a product of involuntary revolution occasioned by the pandemic, but life has to continue now and after lockdown .

Sesel Zvidzai
Secretary for Projects Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship
MDC Alliance

Mobile: 00263773495686

Farai Dziva|MDC MP for Kuwadzana East, Charlton Hwende will on Friday distribute mealie meal to the elderly people in the constituency.

“Those who stay in Kuwadzana East who are over 65 and are struggling to get mealie meal your MP will be distributing free mealie meal on Friday contact my PA Enos 07 33012625 .

I have also specifically asked the Zanu PF and the MDC-A leadership to help identify beneficiaries,” said Hwende in a statement.

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC, has urged corporate organizations to inject funds into public health institutions’ coffers to avert looting of aid by Zanu PF officials.

In a statement, MDC National Youth Assembly spokesperson, Stephen Sarkozy Chuma said:

Corporate organizations and individuals who wish to donate towards the fight against Covid-19 in Zimbabwe should fund public health institutions instead of fake and money making Foundations like the not-so-angelic Angel of Hope Foundation that is owned by the glory seeking wife of Emmerson Mnangagwa, Auxilia.

Otherwise the money will be looted by Zanu PF mandarins.”

MDC Youth Assembly Bulawayo Provincial Secretary for Research anđ Policy Josphat Mzaca Ngulube and his 3 co- accused (Melusi Moyo, Thabisani Ngwenya and Otilia Sibanda ) have all been granted bail pending appeal.

Two of them were granted bail and released two weeks back while Mzaca and Otilia Sibanda were granted today.

The four are falsely accused of inciting violence which resulted in the burning of vehicles owned by ZANU PF Women’s Provincial Chair Eva Bitu in January 2019.

MDC Alliance Social Welfare Department

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Via inbox
Belvedere Teachers College
Harare, Zimbabwe

April 20, 2020

Dear Zimbabwe

Re: Government is Lying: We didn’t demand hotel housing; we demanded basic amenities

As a matter of fact, and for the avoidance of doubt, I’m one of the returning residents who came via an Ethiopian airline yesterday (Monday).

I don’t want to belabor you with a long read. I will therefore go straight to the point.

Yesterday, the permanent secretary in the ministry of information Nick Mangwana tweeted that we — overseas returnees — were demanding hotels. No, this is an outright lie! We did not demand hotel accommodation.

In fact, I was shocked when I read the tweet which many Zimbabweans believed, including those who purport to be frontline human rights defenders. And the Fourth Estate too was hoodwinked.

Here is the other side of the coin. Just like any other Zimbabwean citizen with rights including access to shelter, water and health amongst other basic amenities, we demanded to be housed at a decent facility.

Decent in as far as basic health as defined by health bodies in the wake of the coronavirus is concerned. By basic facilities we meant at least a room with a bed and blankets; toilets with running water and clean bathrooms.

Belvedere, a facility which government authorities provided doesn’t have all those. And government spin doctors led by Mangwana want all Zimbabweans and the rest of the world to laud government for a job well done when in fact what they are doing is exposing returning residents to COVID-19, a pandemic government is claiming to be working to halt.

That hundreds of desperate college students live in shanty facilities such as Belvedere with no complaints doesn’t make it a habitable place.

That other citizens returning via Plumtree and Beitbridge ports of entry have agreed to be housed in dirty, stinky and cholera-infested facilities doesn’t make it right either and doesn’t indicate at all that the government of Zimbabweans cares about its citizens.

If this treatment of citizens by Zimbabwean authorities has anything to show, it is that authorities who have presided over poor infrastructure including hospitals does not care at all about protecting its citizens from COVID-19.

While we understand that this is an abnormal situation, a period of crisis, no right thinking Zimbabwean should commend government for treating its returning citizens like animals.

When we arrived at Belvedere we thought authorities had already assessed the place and certified it as habitable. Although we did not expect anything flashy given the fact that this is a temporary quarantine facility in an emergency situation, we didn’t expect that we will be thrown in a place which doesn’t have basic amenities such as running water.

To make matters worse, government authorities who came to address us regarding our concerns were arrogant.

A case in point is when a senior official in the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare threatened to unleash police on us, to force us to occupy an inhabitable accommodation.

“If you don’t comply we will ask police to enforce our commands,” the permanent secretary in the Social Welfare ministry who should otherwise know better about the government’s obligations about taking care of the vulnerable, us included, told us.

He added: “You can’t choose where to stay, we chose for you.”

This was after we had requested to be either quarantined at our homes or housed at a decent facility. Alternatively we requested the government authorities to open one of the hotels so that we pay living costs on our own while government provides food.

We also made it clear to the government authorities that we’re willing to be quarantined like other returning citizens but only if bare minimum conditions are met.

To those who have made insulting returning residents, their full-time jobs during this ongoing crisis; please know that while we understand the importance of being isolated from the rest of the community now, the conditions that returning residents are subjected to will in fact propagate the spread of COVID-19. While most of us are from Coronavirus hotspots, we don’t necessarily have the disease, but because of our poor living conditions in quarantine we’re now at more risk of contracting the deadly disease more than other citizens yet government should protect everyone equally.

And while some of you are wailing, thinking returning home is the stupidest thing to do, remember that some of the returnees are students whose accommodation has been withdrawn by their universities in countries such as the U.K and the U.S.

And also remember that some of the returning residents are people who had just visited for shorter periods and therefore cannot live in those countries indefinitely. After all it’s better to die in Zimbabwe where your family can bury you albeit within 24 hours than to die elsewhere where your family will not be able to access your mortal remains.

And by the way, returning residents also have homes where they can actually self-quarantine and cater for basic services our government is failing to meet.

While most of us are willing to be quarantined, we also do not understand why authorities are imposing a 21 day isolation, instead of the WHO approved 14 days.

Why should a cash-strapped government seek to host returning citizens for 7 extra days at it’s expense when it can use those resources to cater for more vulnerable communities who are already bearing the brunt of the extended lockdown, with barely no food?

And while you naysayers are supporting government on outright violation of human rights in the name of fighting COVID-19, remember that the government that you’re enabling to abuse it’s returning citizens now will not stop at that.

Post COVID 19 this government will continue to violate citizen rights because you enabled it to do so during a crisis.

Last but not least, Mangwana, we appreciate your ardent job in timely informing the nation about COVID-19, especially using real time platforms such as twitter. But I just have one request: Please stop spinning public interest information.

It doesn’t help your government and citizens who should make informed decisions during this unprecedented time.

And to gullible Zimbabweans, please always take what government authorities say with a pinch of salt. 99.9 percent of what they say is false or half-true.

The worst you can get from government authorities is a single story narrative. Find the other narrative before you opine on issues of public interest.

Quick updates:

1. There is still no running water at Belvedere.
2. Contrary to reports, police did not guard Belvedere so that returnees don’t riot or at worst escape. As a matter of fact, three police officers came, engaged with returnees then left after an amicable discussion.
3. Nomatter what authorities say, we won’t stay where we risk catching more viral diseases in addition to coronavirus. We will fight for our rights until we’re relocated to a facility that meets basic conditions: running water, one-person room, functional ablution facilities, bedding and food.

For the purposes of signing off, let’s just say my name is Case #0

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Via inbox
Belvedere Teachers College
Harare, Zimbabwe

April 20, 2020

Dear Zimbabwe

Re: Government is Lying: We didn’t demand hotel housing; we demanded basic amenities

As a matter of fact, and for the avoidance of doubt, I’m one of the returning residents who came via an Ethiopian airline yesterday (Monday).

I don’t want to belabor you with a long read. I will therefore go straight to the point.

Yesterday, the permanent secretary in the ministry of information Nick Mangwana tweeted that we — overseas returnees — were demanding hotels. No, this is an outright lie! We did not demand hotel accommodation.

In fact, I was shocked when I read the tweet which many Zimbabweans believed, including those who purport to be frontline human rights defenders. And the Fourth Estate too was hoodwinked.

Here is the other side of the coin. Just like any other Zimbabwean citizen with rights including access to shelter, water and health amongst other basic amenities, we demanded to be housed at a decent facility.

Decent in as far as basic health as defined by health bodies in the wake of the coronavirus is concerned. By basic facilities we meant at least a room with a bed and blankets; toilets with running water and clean bathrooms.

Belvedere, a facility which government authorities provided doesn’t have all those. And government spin doctors led by Mangwana want all Zimbabweans and the rest of the world to laud government for a job well done when in fact what they are doing is exposing returning residents to COVID-19, a pandemic government is claiming to be working to halt.

That hundreds of desperate college students live in shanty facilities such as Belvedere with no complaints doesn’t make it a habitable place.

That other citizens returning via Plumtree and Beitbridge ports of entry have agreed to be housed in dirty, stinky and cholera-infested facilities doesn’t make it right either and doesn’t indicate at all that the government of Zimbabweans cares about its citizens.

If this treatment of citizens by Zimbabwean authorities has anything to show, it is that authorities who have presided over poor infrastructure including hospitals does not care at all about protecting its citizens from COVID-19.

While we understand that this is an abnormal situation, a period of crisis, no right thinking Zimbabwean should commend government for treating its returning citizens like animals.

When we arrived at Belvedere we thought authorities had already assessed the place and certified it as habitable. Although we did not expect anything flashy given the fact that this is a temporary quarantine facility in an emergency situation, we didn’t expect that we will be thrown in a place which doesn’t have basic amenities such as running water.

To make matters worse, government authorities who came to address us regarding our concerns were arrogant.

A case in point is when a senior official in the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare threatened to unleash police on us, to force us to occupy an inhabitable accommodation.

“If you don’t comply we will ask police to enforce our commands,” the permanent secretary in the Social Welfare ministry who should otherwise know better about the government’s obligations about taking care of the vulnerable, us included, told us.

He added: “You can’t choose where to stay, we chose for you.”

This was after we had requested to be either quarantined at our homes or housed at a decent facility. Alternatively we requested the government authorities to open one of the hotels so that we pay living costs on our own while government provides food.

We also made it clear to the government authorities that we’re willing to be quarantined like other returning citizens but only if bare minimum conditions are met.

To those who have made insulting returning residents, their full-time jobs during this ongoing crisis; please know that while we understand the importance of being isolated from the rest of the community now, the conditions that returning residents are subjected to will in fact propagate the spread of COVID-19. While most of us are from Coronavirus hotspots, we don’t necessarily have the disease, but because of our poor living conditions in quarantine we’re now at more risk of contracting the deadly disease more than other citizens yet government should protect everyone equally.

And while some of you are wailing, thinking returning home is the stupidest thing to do, remember that some of the returnees are students whose accommodation has been withdrawn by their universities in countries such as the U.K and the U.S.

And also remember that some of the returning residents are people who had just visited for shorter periods and therefore cannot live in those countries indefinitely. After all it’s better to die in Zimbabwe where your family can bury you albeit within 24 hours than to die elsewhere where your family will not be able to access your mortal remains.

And by the way, returning residents also have homes where they can actually self-quarantine and cater for basic services our government is failing to meet.

While most of us are willing to be quarantined, we also do not understand why authorities are imposing a 21 day isolation, instead of the WHO approved 14 days.

Why should a cash-strapped government seek to host returning citizens for 7 extra days at it’s expense when it can use those resources to cater for more vulnerable communities who are already bearing the brunt of the extended lockdown, with barely no food?

And while you naysayers are supporting government on outright violation of human rights in the name of fighting COVID-19, remember that the government that you’re enabling to abuse it’s returning citizens now will not stop at that.

Post COVID 19 this government will continue to violate citizen rights because you enabled it to do so during a crisis.

Last but not least, Mangwana, we appreciate your ardent job in timely informing the nation about COVID-19, especially using real time platforms such as twitter. But I just have one request: Please stop spinning public interest information.

It doesn’t help your government and citizens who should make informed decisions during this unprecedented time.

And to gullible Zimbabweans, please always take what government authorities say with a pinch of salt. 99.9 percent of what they say is false or half-true.

The worst you can get from government authorities is a single story narrative. Find the other narrative before you opine on issues of public interest.

Quick updates:

1. There is still no running water at Belvedere.
2. Contrary to reports, police did not guard Belvedere so that returnees don’t riot or at worst escape. As a matter of fact, three police officers came, engaged with returnees then left after an amicable discussion.
3. Nomatter what authorities say, we won’t stay where we risk catching more viral diseases in addition to coronavirus. We will fight for our rights until we’re relocated to a facility that meets basic conditions: running water, one-person room, functional ablution facilities, bedding and food.

For the purposes of signing off, let’s just say my name is Case #0

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Via inbox
Belvedere Teachers College
Harare, Zimbabwe

April 20, 2020

Dear Zimbabwe

Re: Government is Lying: We didn’t demand hotel housing; we demanded basic amenities

As a matter of fact, and for the avoidance of doubt, I’m one of the returning residents who came via an Ethiopian airline yesterday (Monday).

I don’t want to belabor you with a long read. I will therefore go straight to the point.

Yesterday, the permanent secretary in the ministry of information Nick Mangwana tweeted that we — overseas returnees — were demanding hotels. No, this is an outright lie! We did not demand hotel accommodation.

In fact, I was shocked when I read the tweet which many Zimbabweans believed, including those who purport to be frontline human rights defenders. And the Fourth Estate too was hoodwinked.

Here is the other side of the coin. Just like any other Zimbabwean citizen with rights including access to shelter, water and health amongst other basic amenities, we demanded to be housed at a decent facility.

Decent in as far as basic health as defined by health bodies in the wake of the coronavirus is concerned. By basic facilities we meant at least a room with a bed and blankets; toilets with running water and clean bathrooms.

Belvedere, a facility which government authorities provided doesn’t have all those. And government spin doctors led by Mangwana want all Zimbabweans and the rest of the world to laud government for a job well done when in fact what they are doing is exposing returning residents to COVID-19, a pandemic government is claiming to be working to halt.

That hundreds of desperate college students live in shanty facilities such as Belvedere with no complaints doesn’t make it a habitable place.

That other citizens returning via Plumtree and Beitbridge ports of entry have agreed to be housed in dirty, stinky and cholera-infested facilities doesn’t make it right either and doesn’t indicate at all that the government of Zimbabweans cares about its citizens.

If this treatment of citizens by Zimbabwean authorities has anything to show, it is that authorities who have presided over poor infrastructure including hospitals does not care at all about protecting its citizens from COVID-19.

While we understand that this is an abnormal situation, a period of crisis, no right thinking Zimbabwean should commend government for treating its returning citizens like animals.

When we arrived at Belvedere we thought authorities had already assessed the place and certified it as habitable. Although we did not expect anything flashy given the fact that this is a temporary quarantine facility in an emergency situation, we didn’t expect that we will be thrown in a place which doesn’t have basic amenities such as running water.

To make matters worse, government authorities who came to address us regarding our concerns were arrogant.

A case in point is when a senior official in the ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare threatened to unleash police on us, to force us to occupy an inhabitable accommodation.

“If you don’t comply we will ask police to enforce our commands,” the permanent secretary in the Social Welfare ministry who should otherwise know better about the government’s obligations about taking care of the vulnerable, us included, told us.

He added: “You can’t choose where to stay, we chose for you.”

This was after we had requested to be either quarantined at our homes or housed at a decent facility. Alternatively we requested the government authorities to open one of the hotels so that we pay living costs on our own while government provides food.

We also made it clear to the government authorities that we’re willing to be quarantined like other returning citizens but only if bare minimum conditions are met.

To those who have made insulting returning residents, their full-time jobs during this ongoing crisis; please know that while we understand the importance of being isolated from the rest of the community now, the conditions that returning residents are subjected to will in fact propagate the spread of COVID-19. While most of us are from Coronavirus hotspots, we don’t necessarily have the disease, but because of our poor living conditions in quarantine we’re now at more risk of contracting the deadly disease more than other citizens yet government should protect everyone equally.

And while some of you are wailing, thinking returning home is the stupidest thing to do, remember that some of the returnees are students whose accommodation has been withdrawn by their universities in countries such as the U.K and the U.S.

And also remember that some of the returning residents are people who had just visited for shorter periods and therefore cannot live in those countries indefinitely. After all it’s better to die in Zimbabwe where your family can bury you albeit within 24 hours than to die elsewhere where your family will not be able to access your mortal remains.

And by the way, returning residents also have homes where they can actually self-quarantine and cater for basic services our government is failing to meet.

While most of us are willing to be quarantined, we also do not understand why authorities are imposing a 21 day isolation, instead of the WHO approved 14 days.

Why should a cash-strapped government seek to host returning citizens for 7 extra days at it’s expense when it can use those resources to cater for more vulnerable communities who are already bearing the brunt of the extended lockdown, with barely no food?

And while you naysayers are supporting government on outright violation of human rights in the name of fighting COVID-19, remember that the government that you’re enabling to abuse it’s returning citizens now will not stop at that.

Post COVID 19 this government will continue to violate citizen rights because you enabled it to do so during a crisis.

Last but not least, Mangwana, we appreciate your ardent job in timely informing the nation about COVID-19, especially using real time platforms such as twitter. But I just have one request: Please stop spinning public interest information.

It doesn’t help your government and citizens who should make informed decisions during this unprecedented time.

And to gullible Zimbabweans, please always take what government authorities say with a pinch of salt. 99.9 percent of what they say is false or half-true.

The worst you can get from government authorities is a single story narrative. Find the other narrative before you opine on issues of public interest.

Quick updates:

1. There is still no running water at Belvedere.
2. Contrary to reports, police did not guard Belvedere so that returnees don’t riot or at worst escape. As a matter of fact, three police officers came, engaged with returnees then left after an amicable discussion.
3. Nomatter what authorities say, we won’t stay where we risk catching more viral diseases in addition to coronavirus. We will fight for our rights until we’re relocated to a facility that meets basic conditions: running water, one-person room, functional ablution facilities, bedding and food.

For the purposes of signing off, let’s just say my name is Case #0

After Twitter recently blocked and banned their old account, the Zimbabwe government’s ministry of information has now resorted to opening up a new account, starting over all afresh again.

The new twitter account handle is @MinOfInfoZW and has started building up followers with 1 359 by the time of publishing the article.

The social media account which they had been previously running had reached a total of 94.800 followers, but as the official government mouth piece, many people are still interested in knowing government’s formal position on matters, hence there is huge expectation the account will gain traction again.

The micro blogging site allegedly closed the account for contravening or violation of Twitter rules.

The Zimbabwe Community in South Africa (Zim-Com SA) has embarked on a programme to mobilise resources for the upkeep of their fellow countrymen affected by the ongoing lockdown in the neighbouring country.

The non-membership based organisation represents the interests of Zimbabweans based in South Africa.

In a statement, Zim-Com SA spokesperson, Mr Bongani Mkwananzi said some of their compatriots employed in low income paying jobs and those in the informal sector were finding it hard to maintain their general upkeep under the prevailing conditions.

“The generality of the Zimbabwean migrant group earns income from domestic work, the services industry like restaurants and garages, the construction industry as well as vending among other low paying and hand to mouth form of work,” he said.

“The Zimbabwe Community in South Africa hereby extends a begging handon behalf of many such families who cannot manage to earn an income during this very necessary lock-down period.

“We appeal that help is extended to our community in the form of food parcels or vouchers to aid those that are now in distress and have no recourse or alternative.

“Situation being normal our Community would not find itself in such begging mode, yet this unprecedented situation calls on empathy to our community’s plight,” he said.

Mkwananzi said they had since sent out a request for those genuinely seeking food aid to submit their names and the list keeps growing. He said some of their members especially the undocumented, had not been registered by their employers to benefit under the worker insurance fund.

The official said domestic workers were among those subjected to the no work no pay policy.

“Those seeking to assist may request names from our database and deal with distribution themselves or purchase food vouchers and we can send out according to the list we have compiled.

“We will request food purchase receipts where a voucher has been assigned to mitigate abuse. Zimbabweans with a genuine need for food aid may continue to submit their names as we try to ask for aid,” said Mr Mkwananzi.

ZTN

By Women Coalition Of Zimbabwe on Monday 20th April | Today marks the 22nd Day of the COVID-19 Lockdown in Zimbabwe. It has been widely reported that generally citizens are struggling coming to terms with the extension of the lockdown. Our networks indicate that in most areas today, communities were conducting business as if the lockdown had been lifted, particularly in areas such as Gwanda, Bikita Nyahunda and Makura areas, Marondera Rural ward 12 and 13, and also Chirumanzi area.

We acknowledge the easing of lockdown measures to facilitate some economic activities and that the policy position is an attempt to balance out the lockdown and socio-economic interest on the other. However without the requisite support form, a clear and strong administrative and operational guideline, we will continue to have anomalies that completely undermine the entire purpose of the lockdown.

We make reference to the 3hr traffic jam caused by a notably large number of citizens seeking to enter the capital yesterday which ultimately sent a message that there is a queue to enter the capital city, but eventually normal business can be conducted.

We commend the efforts to support the supervised deliveries of subsidised mealie meal and continue for an expansion and strengthening of the mealie meal delivery program whose effectiveness significantly contributes to the ability of citizens to effectively cooperate with the authorities in staying safe.

Whilst we note the inclusion of journalists and those in broadcasting services as essential services, we call for equity in the sector to facilitate for equitable access and support for journalists in the private sector. We further call for the respect of the rights of journalists and we remain expectant that this move will eradicate the police brutality against journalists which we have witnessed in the past weeks.

We call upon the Government to ensure that mandatory quarantine centres are adequately supported by access to safe portable bulk water and sanitation services, in particular those that will not exacerbate their possible increased risk to exposure to COVID19.

We reiterate that the monitoring systems of returning residents (13 OOO) which the Government indicated it has capacity to track.

The lockdown, especially, the response of the government to the COVID19 threat, requires full accounting and full accountability for the many areas and issues. We acknowledge the efforts being made by Members of Parliament during the lockdown in response to the contexts in their various communities.
• We also call for the exemplary behaviour of all leaders to ensure that this time that does not promote partisanship but rather strengthens the exercise of the mandate of the Parliament of Zimbabwe through our Parliamentarians.
• We further call upon the Parliamentarians to remain vigilant to their respective oversight responsibilities during this time as all actions taken by the state during this period must be fully accounted for.
• We call for Parliament to exercise its full powers to escalate the call of the establishment of the Constitutional section 210 Independent Complaints Mechanism

Critical Emerging Issues 1. Observing the lockdown measures.
We are concerned with the reports from our networks indicating lockdown fatigue and non-observance of social distancing, particularly in Southlea Park, where it has been reported that crowds of people were defying social distancing until the enforcement authorities had to make use of teargas to disperse crowds;
We are deeply concerned with the level of traffic from high density areas, approaching Harare Central Business District;
• We continue to urge citizens to continue observing social distancing and public health guidelines in efforts to contain the further spread of the disease.

This SITREP is developed by and through the collective network of organisational and individual members of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe who are engaged at community levels to national levels in the COVID19 Zimbabwe response

2. Testing, Tracing and Treatment
   Noting that as of 19 APRIL 2020, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, had conducted cumulative tests summing up to 2
   851;
   Whilst we recognise a reasonable increase in tests conducted in the past few days, as compared to the early days of lockdown;
   We commend the deployment of 167 PCR testing machines at every level from village to national level;
   We continue to call the attention of Government to the readiness and sufficiency of other testing centres and isolation facilities around the country.
   • We reiterate that delayed testing, results in delayed access to treatment therefore threatening containment success rate;
   • We therefore recommend adequate capacitation of testing centres throughout Zimbabwe and upscaling of testing in real time, on site in Matebeleland North, Matebeleland South, Bulawayo, Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West.
3. Training of Healthcare personnel
   Whilst we acknowledge the integration of training to frontline healthcare workers
   • We call upon expedited training for training in Non-Provincial metropolitan provinces to ensure as a strong preparedness in the health personal across the country.
4. Response to other health threats
   Remaining concerned that Zimbabwe is facing a malaria outbreak which has claimed the lives of 131 citizens;
   Aware that in a humanitarian crisis such as the one presented by COVID-19, there is always the potential threat to neglect other health issues and services, while directing all efforts and primary resources towards the crisis;
   • We reiterate our call on Government to provide the necessary support measures to ensure that we do not lose more lives to this disease. Again, this borders on investing in our public health sector.

Outstanding Issues

1. Rise in Gender Based Violence cases.
   Reiterating the concerns pertaining to the rise of GBV during the lockdown;
   Noting with trepidation the lives of women having been put at risk during this time who unfortunately continue to rely on non-State actors whose operational functionality remains constrained.
   • We therefore urge the expedition of the leadership of Government in protecting women and girls against violence from both private and public sources.
2. Designation of community workers as essential services.
   We continue to decry the failure to specifically designate social services officer and community workers as essential services.
   • We therefore recommend active integration of community workers and social service workers into the COVID-19 response mechanisms.
3. Personal hygiene and caution
   Lastly, we draw the attention of the Nation and recovering patients of COVID-19, to the World Health Organisation guidelines noting that recovery from COVID-19, does not indicate a patient’s immunity against re-infection or reactivation of the virus.
   • We therefore urge everyone to continue, observing public health guidelines in efforts to contain the further spread of COVID-19.

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.

An Air Zimbabwe charter flight from China with 30 tonnes of Covid-19 supplies worth US$3 million landed at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday.

Sakunda Holdings, in partnership with the local Chinese business community, mobilised the resources.

Chief operating officer for Sakunda, Mr Mberikwazvo Charles Chitambo said: “The total cost of the consignment of Covid-19 supplies is US$3 million, including the cost of the charter plane.”

According to the arrangement, Sakunda chartered the Air Zimbabwe plane to ferry the cargo of personal protective equipment (PPEs), automatic spraying machines, ultrasound scans, ventilators and rapid testing kits.

Sakunda secured 23 tonnes, while the Chinese business community mobilised seven tonnes.

Part of the materials will be used to equip Arundel Clinic, whose requirements are fairly small, with the rest set to be donated to public hospitals.

A Chinese representative, Mr David Zhou Jin, said the consignment was part of the Chinese businesspeople’s commitment to help Government in the fight against the pandemic.

“We have sourced ventilators, equipment for ICUs, PPEs for frontline health workers such as doctors and nurses,” he said.

“The Chinese people are committed to helping Zimbabwe in the fight against Covid-19.”

Air Zimbabwe spokesperson Ms Firstme Vitori said the cargo charter flight UM456, landed safely at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport with the medical equipment.

Ms Vitori said Air Zimbabwe had capacity to ferry export cargo, which is an opportunity for local businesses and farmers.

Kenyan musician, Pastor Antony Musembi, has torched a storm after using elements of the late Dr Oliver Mtukudzi’s composition “Todii” for his Covid-19 awareness song without seeking permission from copyright holders of the track.

A video of the song, which was released last Saturday, was published by ZimEye.com on Monday, with many people praising the musician’s rendition and taking it as a development that shows Tuku’s great influence internationally.

But tables turned yesterday afternoon when Tuku Music, the custodians of most of Tuku’s composition rights, announced that Pastor Musembi had not sought permission to use the late legend’s material for his song, which features Esther Musembi.

Most Tuku music followers and social media commentators expressed disappointment over the Kenyan musician’s actions, saying the illegal move was in contrast to his noble cause of spreading awareness about the deadly Covid-19, which has ravaged the world.

Tuku’s “Todii” was composed to raise awareness on HIV and Aids and the Kenyans replaced the lyrics with a message about Covid-19.

“We encourage artistes to follow the correct protocols when they need to use copyright-protected material to avoid unnecessary issues that can arise from violations of these protocols,” noted Tuku Music in a statement.

“Pastor Athony Musembi, however, did not seek rights and permission to use the song for the ‘COVID -19’ awareness cover version for the song ‘Todii’.”

However, Tuku Music noted the musician had expressed willingness to rectify the mistake so that everything is knitted legally.

“He has shown willingness to rectify the mistake and will work with our publishers and legal team to make sure the necessary paperwork is in order. We believe his version of the song will complement efforts to flatten the curve in the fight against Covid-19 in Kenya and in Africa.”

Although Tuku Music officials refused to reveal finer details of their communication with Musembi, a source close to the development said they had given the Kenyan musician seven days to redirect his effort through the right channel.

Efforts to get a comment from Musembi were fruitless as he had not responded to questions sent to him by this publication by time of going to print.

In an interview over the issue, Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) chairperson Albert Nyathi condemned the Kenyan musician’s action.

“What this guy did is very wrong. Intellectual property is important to the creator and it should not be used without permission,” said Nyathi.

“We understand he was doing it for a good cause of fighting coronavirus, but the way he did it should be condemned. A thief cannot say I have stolen a cow because my children were starving. A situation should never be an excuse for theft.

“However, I believe Tuku Music guys were not hard on Musembi because of the situation, not the act. I understand they are working towards a mutual settlement.

“As Zimura we condemn such acts. Many musicians are doing it and we want them to know that theft of intellectual property is a serious crime.”

Pastor Musembi is a popular worship singer in Kenya who has several outstanding songs to his name.

Cabinet has directed all local authorities to take advantage of the national lockdown to clean-up and renovate workspaces occupied by informal traders to improve their state ahead of the resumption of business.

Once players in SMEs and informal sector get protective clothing and equipment, they will be categorised as “essential”.

This is contained in a circular dated April 8, 2020, written by Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Mr Zvinechimwe Churu.

The circular was directed to all town clerks, town secretaries and chief executives.

“At the ninth Cabinet meeting, it was resolved that local authorities should take advantage of the national lockdown to clean up and renovate small and medium enterprise and informal traders’ workspaces so that these areas will be more conducive to operate from when business reopens,” said Mr Churu.

“Please, make every effort to comply with this resolution. To this end, workers in this area would be classified as ‘essential’ in terms of Circular Minute 2 of 2020 and they should be provided with necessary protective clothing and equipment while they undertake their duties.”

Harare City Council’s deputy chairperson responsible for the informal sector/SMEs committee, Councillor Denford Ngadziore, said they had specific areas targeted for demolition as part of the clean-up.

“The popular Mupedzanhamo Market in Mbare will not be demolished as is being said in various social media spaces,” he said.

“The place earmarked for construction of the state-of-the-art Chishawasha Market Mall is where demolitions are taking place.

“The intention is to pave way for the construction of the market mall.”

The new mall is expected to accommodate over 3 000 traders.

Clr Ngadziore said hygienic way key in fighting Covid-19, adding that council was creating a hospitable environment through the demolitions of illegal structures.

He said notices to occupants were issued, but the occupants resisted.

To find an amicable solution, Clr Ngadziore’s committee will meet informal traders’ representatives through the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET), together with other associations.

Sanyati Rural District Council CEO, Mr Achim Shadaya, said they were busy trying to rehabilitate Sanyati Growth Point.

Chegutu Municipality town clerk, Mr Alex Mandigo, said poor revenue inflows were partially affecting them.

“We have not fully complied with the directive due to financial constraints,” he said.

“We are collecting a fifth of our normal revenue collection due to the lockdown.”

A 20-YEAR-OLD man and a 21-year-old woman from Bulawayo allegedly committed suicide in separate incidents.

The man allegedly killed himself yesterday in New Magwegwe suburb while the woman is suspected to have taken her life on Saturday.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the man, whose name was not given, was found hanging at his home by his brother-in-law who had had tea with him hours earlier.

“I can confirm that we recorded a case of a man from Magwegwe suburb who committed suicide by hanging himself.

“The man whose name was not given and is aged 20 was allegedly drinking tea and chatting with his brother-in-law when he indicated that he was not feeling well.

“He went to a room in the house and at around 9AM his brother-in-law found him hanging from a roof truss with a nylon rope,” said Insp Ncube.

He said police took the body to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for post-mortem and a case of sudden death was opened.

Scores of residents were gathered outside the house, disregarding social distancing, until police dispersed them.

Efforts to get a comment from the family were fruitless as they said they were still grieving.

Magwegwe residents’ association chairperson Mr Phillip Karanda said he knew the man as a vegetable vendor who used a pushcart to sell his produce around the suburb.

“Moments before the death, a colleague of his passed by my home after being with the deceased in the morning.

“A few minutes later he informed me that he had received a call that his friend had committed suicide.

“As the local leadership we would like to tell the youths to be open to their elders in future and tell them if they have problems so we can come to their assistance,” said Mr Karanda.

A resident who declined to be named said the deceased was known as Nkosi and was reportedly having domestic issues with the people he stayed with.

“I heard that Nkosi had issues with the people he stayed with who are said to have been abusing him.

It’s said he had earlier sent a message to one of the people he stayed with, telling him that he wanted to commit suicide,” said the resident.

Insp Ncube said police are worried about the number of suicides involving young people after a woman allegedly hanged herself on Saturday at a house she rented.

“On April 18, a 21-year-old woman from Nkulumane area who was staying alone was found hanging at the house she rented,” he said.

Insp Ncube said the deceased in both suicide cases did not leave suicide notes.

He urged the community, especially youths to seek counselling instead of taking their own lives.-State media