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Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa presents the 12th post cabinet press statement at Munhumutapa offices in Harare.

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LAWYERS representing political activist Josphat Mzaca Ngulube have challenged and finally won the incarceration of the aspiring Bulawayo legislator who was last year jailed seven years for public violence.

Ngulube was convicted on charges of burning three cars and property at a house belonging to Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial women’s league chairperson Eva Bitu during the violent January protests.

He was convicted alongside Fortune Masuku, Melusi Moyo and Otilia Sibanda who have all also been granted freedom on bail pending appeal.

Ngulube contested the 2018 parliamentary elections as an independent candidate in Bulawayo South constituency before joining the MDC last year.

“Mzaca” and four others were in January this year taken from Khami Prison where they were languishing since their sentencing in November last year and were transferred to Harare under unclear circumstances.

The State’s case, as presented by Jetro Mada, was that on January 14 at about 7am, Ngulube, acting in connivance with 100 others, unlawfully blocked the free movement of traffic at the intersection of Sizinda Road and Nketa Drive.

Mada said the crew accused Bitu of solely benefiting from taxpayers’ money and pushed her Ford Ranger out of the yard and set it alight.

“Accused persons went back into the yard where they had left a Nissan NP300 and a Toyota Vitz. They set alight the Nissan whose flames destroyed part of the Vitz. The Ford Ranger and Nissan NP300 were burnt beyond repair,” Mada said.

Mada said the cars had a total value of US$95 000.

High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese, Monday, granted ‘Mzaca’ ZWL$2000 bail pending appeal against both conviction and his seven-year sentence.

As part of the bail conditions, Justice Makonese ordered that Ngulube reports every fortnight at Tshabalala police station and he continues to stay at his place of residence in Tshabalala.

Dear Editor

Kindly follow up on this communique regarding our repatriation back to Zimbabwe. We are currently stuck here.

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.

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.

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has so far arrested 9 889 people for various offences since the commencement of the national lockdown on 30 March.

Bulawayo province has the highest number of offenders with 2 214, followed by Manicaland, with 1 975, then Midlands (1 289), Harare (1 229), Mashonaland West (909), Matabeleland South (820), Matabeleland North (469), Mashonaland Central (338), Mashonaland East (330) and Masvingo (252).

In a statement, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi implored members of the public to stay at home, saying only those with exemptions and on the essential service list would be allowed to pass through security checkpoints.

Said Nyathi:

Members of the public are urged to stay home while entities and institutions that were exempted for essential services are encouraged to seek guidance from relevant authorities for assistance.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday announced that the 21-day national lockdown had been extended by a further 14 days, to May 3.

President Mnangagwa said the country has not yet met the requirements established by WHO to lift the restrictions, with other regional economic powers, South Africa and Botswana, particularly, also under lockdown.-Newsday

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 Gene Xpert 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.

-Newsday

By Jane Mlambo| An opposition MDC parliamentarian Regai Tsunga has been arrested and fine rtgs500 for distributing food to people in Mutasa South constituency.

Yesterday, Tsunga posted on Twitter that he was intervening as subsidized mealie meal was not available

“Subsidised staple roller meal is now a scarce commodity. We have intervened to ensure the product reaches urban residents of Mutasa South Constituency without regard to divisive party politics,” said Tsunga.

Tsunga is not the only one involved in food distribution, Killer Zivhu (ZANU PF), Temba Mliswa (Independent) and even Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was yesterday pictured distributing buckets with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s face.

More to follow…

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Zimbabweans who returned from the UK yesterday have revealed that there are no proper ablution facilities at Belvedere Teachers College to host those on quarantine adding that the returnees never demanded posh hotels as claimed by Nick Mangwana but just basic, habitable living conditions that do not expose them to contracting the virus.

According to one of the Zimbabweans, they are sharing a single toilet among 20 people using the bucket system and there is still no water at the facility.

“There are two toiltes which are supposed to be shared among 20 people living in this hostel, but as you can see, one of the toilets is said to be out of order, leaving us with one…..we are sharing the showers….but still there is no water. We do not have disinfectants to use…and the scary part is that we may contract the virus here becuase some of us have been quarantined in the host countries where we are coming from and were certified that we are COVID-19 free…”

Watch the video 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

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has so far arrested 9 889 people for various offences since the commencement of the national lockdown on 30 March.

Bulawayo province has the highest number of offenders with 2 214, followed by Manicaland, with 1 975, then Midlands (1 289), Harare (1 229), Mashonaland West (909), Matabeleland South (820), Matabeleland North (469), Mashonaland Central (338), Mashonaland East (330) and Masvingo (252).

In a statement, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi implored members of the public to stay at home, saying only those with exemptions and on the essential service list would be allowed to pass through security checkpoints.

Said Nyathi:

Members of the public are urged to stay home while entities and institutions that were exempted for essential services are encouraged to seek guidance from relevant authorities for assistance.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday announced that the 21-day national lockdown had been extended by a further 14 days, to May 3.

President Mnangagwa said the country has not yet met the requirements established by WHO to lift the restrictions, with other regional economic powers, South Africa and Botswana, particularly, also under lockdown.-Newsday

Above is a picture showing consumers from Entumbane shopping centre in Bulawayo, a town which was recently listed by government as one of the country’s COVID- 19 hotspot due to the high number of confirmed coronavirus cases.

By Own Correspondent| A Chitungwiza man was on Monday 20 April 2020 detained in remand prison after he was denied bail by a Harare Magistrate when he appeared in court for allegedly peddling falsehoods about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s extension of the duration of the national lockdown period to May.

36 year-old Lovemore Zvokusekwa of Chitungwiza appeared at Harare Magistrates Court on Monday 20 April 2020 after he was arrested onSaturday 18 April 2020 by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers, who charged him with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state as defined in section 31(a)(i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

In court, prosecutors alleged that Zvokusekwa, who is re represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, peddled falsehoods when he reportedly circulated a false and unsigned press statement purportedly written and issued by President Mnangagwa titled “EXTENSION OF LOCKDOWN PERIOD BY 13 DAYS ONLY” advising people that he had extended the national lockdown period by 13 days from 20 April 2020 to 3 May 2020.

Zvokusekwa, prosecutors charged, disseminated the false press statement on different WhatsApp platforms using his Huawei mobile phone handset and yet President Mnangagwa had not written or signed the purported press statement.

Prosecutors said some witnesses who received the false press statement will testify against Zvokusekwa during his trial.

Zvokusekwa, who was remanded in prison custody, will return to court on 13 May 2020.

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC Alliance legislator Regai Tsunga has been arrested for distributing maize to people in his rural constituency.

MDC Alliance youth leader Gift Ostallos revealed this in a tweet and said:

“MDC Alliance MP Regai Tsunga arrested for distributing maize to ordinary people in his rural constituency.”

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for latest updates.

By A Correspondent- Villagers in several parts of Zimbabwe have lamented the restrictions imposed by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, saying that they have been forced to postpone some traditional ceremonies.

Lameck Ziremwa,79, who lives in Mwenezi, told a loal publication that he cannot perform the rites to meet dead family members for fear of contracting the deadly disease. He said;

We have not been able to consult our ancestors because fighting the disease has become a priority. Everything is just on hold now.

Ophias Chiyendakure, a villager hailing from Mazetese in Mwenezi, a district in Masvingo Province has also shelved plans to conduct the ceremony.

In Seke village, Mashonaland East Province, a few kilometres south-east of the capital Harare, Norman Chiwira, 38, said he had to cancel a traditional wedding due to the pandemic.

He said:

We were meant to gather at the traditional wedding earlier this month. But all our plans have gone haywire. I am not sure if we will still have a chance to have the wedding because nobody knows when this pandemic will end.

In Zimbabwe, the ceremony to bring back the spirits of dead family members as well as marriage ceremonies are associated with customary dance, music, the beating of drums and drinking of home-brewed beer.

Zimbabwe’s rural dwellers are known for their penchant for a myriad of cultural traditions, beliefs, and ceremonies.-Online

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

Amnesty International has urged Zimbabwe to enact measures to ease hunger during the lockdown which was extended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Sunday, a day before the initial 21-day period expired.

Robert Shivambu, spokesperson of Amnesty International in southern Africa, said, “So we are really calling on the government of Zimbabwe to provide some social protection measures to uphold the right to food. The measures to address food insecurity could include subsidies for those living in poverty and directly providing food to those who are not able to provide for themselves,” he said.

Even before the coronavirus, the United Nations’ World Food Program said at least eight million people needed food aid in Zimbabwe. Out of these, about five million are in rural areas while 2.2 million live in urban areas.

At the same time, Zimbabwe’s Association of Doctors for Human Rights said it welcomes the lockdown extension announced by Mangagwa on Sunday.

Association chief Fortunate Nyamande said any partial lifting of restrictions must be done “cautiously.”

“There is need for the Ministry of Health to come up with clear enabling guidelines which ensure that these facilities will not be abused, becoming vectors of transmission for COVID 19,” said Nyamande.

But, Nyamande said the group is concerned about the lack of measures to help the hungry and poor. There have been concerns that Zimbabweans are disobeying social distance rules during the lockdown while scrambling for food items in short supply such as corn meal.

Zimbabwe extended a nationwide coronavirus lockdown by two weeks to try to halt the spread of infections. The country has 25 confirmed infections so far and three deaths from the virus. Public health experts welcomed the extended restrictions but businesses and traders said they need relief to survive the economic damage.

Announcing the extension, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was not yet in a position to end the lockdown aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 as transmission rates were rising in the country and the world over.

“Guided by these realities, and to allow ourselves greater leeway to prepare for worse times which are likely ahead, government has decided to extend with immediate effect the national lockdown by a further 14 days… up to 3rd May, 2020. It has been a very hard decision my government has had to take reluctantly. But it has been a necessary and unavoidable decision in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Government is acutely aware of the need to keep the economy running, albeit at subdued levels,” he said.

He said nothing about demands from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, which has called for a reduction in the value added tax and a lowering of interest rates to rescue struggling businesses.

People clear destroyed stalls in the area of a popular market in a campaign to clean up the city, in Harare, Zimbabwe, April 18, 2020.

The informal sector of Zimbabwe’s economy is also demanding help. Sam Wadzai leads the Vendors Initiative of activist group Social and Economic Transformation Zimbabwe. He said vendors are not happy with the lockdown extension as they have yet to receive grants promised last month.

“Surely this means continuation of hunger and suffering deprivation of the informal economy. So we call upon the government to ensure that they quickly disburse these funds so that people will not end up starving,” said Wadzai.

Own Correspondent|Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has called on the government to treat with dignity Zimbabweans arriving in the country and on mandatory quarantine for Coronavirus.

Chamisa said government should not treat the returning residents as criminals. He said this after Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana said Government could not afford “posh facilities” for returnees.

“We received 65 Zimbabweans from the UK. Available place of quarantine is Belvedere Teacher’s College. They are refusing this accommodation demanding hotels. Government can’t afford. Why come from a Covid-19 hotspot during a lockdown and demand posh facilities at stretched public cost,” said Mr Mangwana on his Twitter handle.

“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 to be with respect and dignity. We must avoid conduct that leads to stigmatisation & vitriol against fellow citizens,” said Chamisa.

“While returning citizens must be placed in mandatory quarantine, conditions of living must be decent and habitable.

“Quarantine is not punishment. We urge government to ensure adequate testing facilities and that there is fair and equal treatment of every person regardless of their status,” Chamisa said.

The sixty-five Zimbabweans returning from the United Kingdom yesterday refused compulsory quarantine at Belvedere Technical Teacher’s College citing “poor conditions”, and preferred to be checked into a hotel instead but they were kept there overnight while there is possible transfer to the University of Zimbabwe today.

According to Government officials dealing with the returnees, they knew that Zimbabwe wanted compulsory quarantine for everyone coming from Covid-19 hotspots, but they were expecting “something better”.

Some offered to meet own accommodation expenses at preferred places.

In an interview last night, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Secretary Mr Simon Masanga said alternative accommodation could only be arranged today.

This was the first time the Government had challenges with returnees on accommodation.

Over 1 000 other people have been quarantined so far.

In Matabeleland North, deportees are isolated at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls which was identified as a quarantine centre for for all returnees from Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.

The returnees are sleeping in classrooms on concrete floors and using toilets as bathing facilities.

In Matabeleland South, they are using Plumtree High School hostels in Plumtree town, while in Beitbridge suitable centres are still being sort for.

Sixty-five Zimbabweans returning from the United Kingdom yesterday refused compulsory quarantine at Belvedere Technical Teacher’s College citing “poor conditions”, and preferred to be checked into a hotel instead but they were kept there overnight while there is possible transfer to the University of Zimbabwe today.

According to Government officials dealing with the returnees, they knew that Zimbabwe wanted compulsory quarantine for everyone coming from Covid-19 hotspots, but they were expecting “something better”.

Some offered to meet own accommodation expenses at preferred places.

In an interview last night, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Secretary Mr Simon Masanga said alternative accommodation could only be arranged today.

This was the first time the Government had challenges with returnees on accommodation.

Over 1 000 other people have been quarantined so far.

The Government says it will continue looking for more facilities across the country to use for compulsory quarantine.

The stance taken by the 65 people received mixed feelings from most locals, with a majority supporting continued compulsory quarantine of all returning residents if Zimbabwe was to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 through imported cases.

The United Kingdom has extended visas to

May 31, 2020, for all foreigners who could not leave the country due to travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus.

Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana yesterday said Government could not afford “posh facilities” for returnees.

“We received 65 Zimbabweans from the UK. Available place of quarantine is Belvedere Teacher’s College. They are refusing this accommodation demanding hotels. Government can’t afford. Why come from a Covid-19 hotspot during a lockdown and demand posh facilities at stretched public cost,” said Mr Mangwana on his Twitter handle.

Already, two returnees, one from France and another from the UK in compulsory quarantine facilities, have since tested positive.

Latest statistics show that UK and France are in the top 10 of the world’s most affected countries.

A Chitungwiza man who allegedly authored and circulated a fake statement bearing President Mnangagwa’s signature announcing the extension of the lockdown period was arrested on Saturday.

The fake statement was circulated on social media platforms nearly two weeks ago when the country was still in the initial 21-day lockdown period.

Lovemore Zvokusekwa (36) of House Number 7094 Unit J, Chitungwiza, appeared in court yesterday before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga charged with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State.

He was remanded in custody to May 13 with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.

According to the court papers, Zvokusekwa is employed by High Range Resources (Pvt) Ltd.

Prosecuting, Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that sometime this month Zvokusekwa published a false Press statement purporting to have been issued and signed by the President.

It is the State’s case that the document was headlined, “Extension of lockdown period by 13 days only”.

The document was circulated on different WhatsApp platforms by Zvokusekwa using his Hauwei cellphone with an Econet line.

According to the State, President Mnangagwa did not originate or sign the said fake statement.

Spreading fake news on social media and mainstream media about coronavirus (Covid-19) has been categorised as a Level 14 offence, the highest in the country and people convicted of the crime face up to 20 years in jail.

Recently, President Mnangagwa warned peddlers of falsehoods regarding coronavirus (Covid-19) issues saying they faced a 20-year jail term if convicted.

He said this at his Precabe Farm in Sherwood, Kwekwe, last week after returning from a tour of Mkoba and Senga suburbs in Gweru to assess residents’ levels of compliance to regulations of the previous 21-day lockdown.

The President dismissed as nonsensical, social media reports then claiming that he had extended the initial lockdown when no such decision had been made.

He then ordered an investigation into the origins of such messages circulating on social media.

“I have never made such a statement and that social media statement is absolute nonsense. We now have a law which punishes those who produce fake news and I have ordered an investigation into those behind the fake statement and if found, we want that person to be an example by getting up to 20 years in prison. It’s bad to peddle falsehoods, especially about a President,” President Mnangagwa said then.

Zimbabwe’s 25^th coronavirus patient is a 29-year-old woman from Harare who returned from France on 15 April and was placed on mandatory quarantine and was only diagnosed positive on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health said it tested 225 people yesterday and all were negative.

It has so far tested 2 851 and only 25 are positive. Three of them have sic died and two have recovered.

The ministry also said one of the patients reported under Manicaland was a returning resident from the United Kingdom with a Mutare address but is currently under mandatory isolation in Harare and has therefore not been to Mutare since the return.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday extended the national lockdown to help curb the spread of coronavirus by two weeks to 3 May.

A Chitungwiza man who allegedly authored and circulated a fake statement bearing President Mnangagwa’s signature announcing the extension of the lockdown period was arrested on Saturday.

The fake statement was circulated on social media platforms nearly two weeks ago when the country was still in the initial 21-day lockdown period.

Lovemore Zvokusekwa (36) of House Number 7094 Unit J, Chitungwiza, appeared in court yesterday before Harare magistrate Mrs Judith Taruvinga charged with publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State.

He was remanded in custody to May 13 with instructions to apply for bail at the High Court.

According to the court papers, Zvokusekwa is employed by High Range Resources (Pvt) Ltd.

Prosecuting, Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe alleged that sometime this month Zvokusekwa published a false Press statement purporting to have been issued and signed by the President.

It is the State’s case that the document was headlined, “Extension of lockdown period by 13 days only”.

The document was circulated on different WhatsApp platforms by Zvokusekwa using his Hauwei cellphone with an Econet line.

According to the State, President Mnangagwa did not originate or sign the said fake statement.

Spreading fake news on social media and mainstream media about coronavirus (Covid-19) has been categorised as a Level 14 offence, the highest in the country and people convicted of the crime face up to 20 years in jail.

Recently, President Mnangagwa warned peddlers of falsehoods regarding coronavirus (Covid-19) issues saying they faced a 20-year jail term if convicted.-State media

Farai Dziva|The media community has been plunged into mourning following the death of two seasoned journalists, Gift Phiri and Muzambiringa Ray Matikinye over the weekend.

It was a catastrophic weekend for the country’s media fraternity following the painful departure of two scribes.Gift Phiri worked as reporter for The Zimbabwean, Daily News and several media organizations while Matikinye worked for ZIANA and was the editor of Masvingo Provincial Star in 2001.

In a Facebook journalist Loughty Dube said:

First it is Gift Gift Phiri and on the same day another journalism great Ray Matikinye breathes his last, shattered to learn of your passing, your laughter Muzambiringa was infectious, you helped a lot of young men climb the journalism ladder, ‘Njaninjani’ you had a lot of advice for me when was leading the Zimbabwe Independent Bureau. Go well big man, go well.”

Luke Tamborinyoka wrote:
Gift Phiri believed in telling truth to power.

Gift had a gift in writing. He waa a gifted wordsmith who loved his profession.

He was passionate about media freedom and democracy. Rest in peace, brother.”

By A Correspondent- Permanent Secretary in the Information ministry Nick Mangwana has revealed that 65 Zimbabweans who landed in the country from the UK are demanding to be quarantined in hotels.

The passengers arrived in Zimbabwe using the Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner flight ET-873 from Addis Ababa are, according to Mangwana demanding to be isolated at posh hotels instead of the available Belvedere Teachers College.

He said: ” We received 65 Zimbabweans from the UK. Available place of quarantine is Belvedere Teachers College.

“They are refusing this accommodation demanding hotels.

“Govt can’t afford.

“Why come from a covid19 hotspot during a lockdown & demand posh facilities at stretched public cost?”

Farai Dziva|Two prominent human rights activists have challenged the government to stop, with immediate effect, harassment of civilians and partisan distribution of Coronavirus Relief Aid.

In a joint statement, the two human rights defenders, Blessing Matasva and
Tatenda Maposa, expressed concern at the persecution of citizens by security forces.

The two also condemned the politicisation of aid.

Read full statement below:

The government of Zimbabwe joining the rest of the world in fighting covid-19, introduced prevention measures to curb the spread of this pandemic.

While the lockdown is a very good measure, as human rights activists we feel the government is not prepared enough for this initiative, given the current status of our economy which is 90% informal.

The majority of citizens in Zimbabwe, particulary in Masvingo Province survive on informal trading (hand to mouth).

This shutdown has exempted essential service provision- such as grocery shops, a welcome move, given our economic status.

Since the start of the lockdown on the 30th of March, we have witnessed numerous human rights abuses.

Police brutality has been the song on ordinary citizens.

We urge the government to respect human rights and they should have a robust disaster preparedness plan for such incidents.

It is also disheartening to note that some Members of Parliament and District Administrators in the province are politicizing Covid-19 rapid response food distribution programmes.

Mealie meal is being distributed on political basis.

As human rights defenders we castigate such mischievous behaviour from some politicians who are seeking to gain political mileage during such a time.

Food items must be fairly distributed regardless of one’s political affiliation, age, race, creed, disability or gender.

Now that the lockdown has been extended, we implore the government to respect citizens’ rights at all levels.

We strongly feel citizens should not be denied access to medication, food – among other basic needs.

Farai Dziva|Controversial Masvingo based clergyman, Isaac Makomichi has predicted “sudden economic revival in Zimbabwe under Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership.”

Makomichi, known for distributing what he calls “the anointed love portion herb”, believes Mnangagwa has the capacity to revive the waning economy.Makomichi is also known as the Lion of Witches by his followers.

Said Makomichi : There is need to follow President Mnangagwa’s manifesto.

In his manifesto he addresses key issues such as human rights, constitutional principles, among other factors.

He (Mnangagwa) is a principled leader.

People should stop blaming ED for the economic crisis.”

He added:”Let us give him(Mnangagwa) a chance.What I know is opposition parties cannot remove the President from office before the 2023 elections.

In addition, the issue of sanctions is really disrupting economic recovery efforts.

However, there will be a dramatic turnaround of the economy.I believe the President will abide by his 2018 election manifesto”

Farai Dziva|MDC president Nelson Chamisa has condemned the discrimination against Africans in the Republic of China.

In a tweet Chamisa argued:
The treatment of Africans in China must be respectful of human rights.

Africans must be accorded the same respect the Chinese get in Africa.

A full investigation must be launched into the reported cases of abuse and the AU must engage China in defense of African citizens’ dignity.

By A Correspondent- A herdsman in Binga’s Lusulu area has gone into hiding after he allegedly detained a girl in the bush and raped her.

The 16-year-old girl who cannot be named for ethical reasons was also herding cattle in Chibila village grazing area, under Chief Sinamagonde when Khenzani Mavundla (18) approached her and demanded to have sex with her.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said the girl refused to have sex with Mavundla and he allegedly forced her to sit on the ground.

He allegedly told the complainant that she would not go home until he had sex with her.

“We confirm receiving a case of rape where a minor girl was raped while herding cattle alone. We would want to urge parents not to allow minor girls to go to fetch water, firewood or herd livestock alone while members of the public are also warned against taking advantage of the lockdown to commit crime,” said Chief Insp Makonese.

She said Mavundla grabbed the complainant by the hand and neck and
forced her to her feet before dragging her to a nearby field where he raped her, on 15 April at 4pm.

A villager who was passing by heard some noise and found Mavundla raping the complainant.

Mavundla fled from the scene and his whereabouts are not known.

The villager escorted the girl to her home where she narrated what had happened to her parents.

A report of rape was made to the police who have launched manhunt for Mavundla.-statemedia

Lesotho’s Minister of police Lehlohonolo Moramotse will sleep in police custody tonight for violating COVID-19 regulations.

By A Correspondent- Senator Morgen Komichi has said opposition leader Nelson Chamisa is one of the invited guests at the soon to be held MDC-T congress.

In an interview loading below, Komichi said he embraced the Supreme Court ruling because he had noticed that the party had diverted from constitutionalism.

Watch the live video loading below ……

By Own Correspondent| The US$3 million Sakunda Holdings’ equipment and supplies meant to fight COVID-19 has arrived in Harare as preparations for the opening up of Arundel Hospital gathers momentum.

The arrival of the equipment is a timely boost as rennovations at the hospital, which will be open to every Zimbabwean, have also been completed.

Part of the $US 3 million equipment will be donated to public hospitals fighting the pandemic.

The supplies, which include ventilators and rapid testing kits, came aboard Air Zimbabwe’s chartered plane this morning at the Harare international airport.

Sources close to the private initiative by Sakunda said all was set for the opening of Arundel Hospital popularly known as Rock Foundation Medical Centre.

“Sakunda Charterded an Air Zimbabwe plane to ferry a acrgo of PPEs, Automatic spraying machines, ultrasound scan, ventilators and rapid testing kits from China worth about usd 3 million including the cost of the chartered plane,” said the source at the airport.

The cargo also included some materials meant for donation by Sakunda to public health centres.

Sakunda Holdings also freely gave space in the aircraft to Friends of China who were also bringing in their supplies to fight the virus.

“The cargo is 30 tonnes and a small part will be used at Arundel while most of the equipment will be donated to public hospitals. It must be noted that Sakunda also gave Friends of China free space to bring in their equipment,” the source explained.

Sakunda Holdings came up with a multi million dollar initiative to resuscitate and equip Arundel Clinic (Rock Foundation Medical Centre) as a way of complementing Government efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virus has so far claimed three people in Zimbabwe while 25 have tested positive to the pandemic.

President Mnangagwa has already put the country under lockdown for a further 14 days after the initial 21 days lapsed yesterday as a way of limiting the spread of the disease.

Zimbabwe has implemented raft of measures to curb and control the outbreak of the disease albeit under tough economic circumstances.

WATCH LIVE VIDEO LOADING BELOW…….

By A Correspondent- Permanent Secretary in the Information ministry Nick Mangwana has revealed that 65 Zimbabweans who landed in the country from the UK are demanding to be quarantined in hotels.

The passengers arrived in Zimbabwe using the Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner flight ET-873 from Addis Ababa are, according to Mangwana demanding to be isolated at posh hotels instead of the available Belvedere Teachers College.

He said:

Own Correspondent|Two earth tremors or earthquakes with magnitude 4.0 were recorded in the Zambezi Valley around Kariba Dam on the 1^st and 2^nd April 2020 at 19.29 hours and at 17.31 hours respectively.

The epicentre of the April 1st earthquake was approximately 3 km south-west of the Spurwing Island Lodge or 27 km south of the Kariba Dam and the epicentre of the April 2nd earthquake was approximately 65 km east of the Kariba Dam wall.

Besides the vivid scientific explaination of the two earthquakes, local Tonga people on both sides of the dam strongly believe that the tremors were movements of the revered Nyami Nyami spirit at the lake.

The Nyami Nyami, otherwise known as the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake spirit, is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people. Nyami Nyami is believed to protect the Tonga people and give them sustenance in difficult times. The River God is usually portrayed as male.

These tremors are a common occurrence in the area around the Kariba Dam.

Scientifically, the tremors are referred to as load induced tremors or specifically reservoir induced tremors in the case of the Kariba Dam and are a result of the earth crust’s response to the water load or weight of water given the size of the dam.

These tremors have been occurring since 1963 when the Kariba Dam started filling. Over 1000 tremors of magnitude 4.0 as the most recent tremors occurred since filling of the dam in 1963.

African mythology of the local Tonga tribe of the Zambezi Valley states that Nyami Nyami the River God who lives in Lake Kariba is believed to be a serpent-like creature. He is said to be about three metres wide, but nobody dares to guess at his length.

Legends has it that the water stains red when he swims past. Chief Sampakaruma saw him on two occasions many years ago, but the river god has been in hiding since the white men arrived in the country.

According to African mythology he lived under a large rock close to the present day Kariba dam wall. No tribesman would venture near it those few who did were sucked down with their canoes in the whirlpools and never seen again. They called the rock Kariwa, the “trap” and hence the name of the lake, Kariba.

The rising water of lake Kariba covered the rock Kariwa and it now lies 30 metres below the surface annoying Nyami Nyami. The Tonga people also believe that Nyami Nyami is married and that the building of Kariba Dam wall would separate him from his wife, this would anger him greatly and the river god threatened the peace of the valley.

Traditionalists believe that the latest tremors were not an earthquake but it was the Nyami Nyami moving at the base of the dam.

The Kariba Dam’s water level ended last year at its lowest in 23 years, but in the last three weeks data from three major river flow stations along the Zambezi River, show a tremendous water flow towards the giant lake.

Kariba Dam is Zimbabwe’s largest power station, with capacity to produce 1 050MW, but is currently generating electricity at curtailed level due to critically low water levels following the drought experienced in the catchment area of the dam’s main feeder river.

When the water levels dwindled last year, the traditionalists believed that the Nyami Nyami was angry.

It is the traditional role of tribal elders and spirit mediums to intercede on behalf the inhabitants of the river valley when Nyami Nyami is angered.

What’s surprising is that the tremors of this magnitude have never affect the structural integrity of the dam. However, as a precaution, the Kariba Dam is inspected after each event and the instruments records analysed for any anomalous behaviour irrespective of the magnitude. The dam was inspected on the 2nd and 3rd April 2020 and the dam instrumentation data was analysed. Analysis of instrumentation data showed that the dam was not affected which was also corroborated by the visual inspections of the dam and its appurtenant structures which showed no structural damage to the dam and its related structures.

By A Correspondent | Legal expert, Obert Gutu has ditched his former boss, Thokozani Khupe, who is currently on cloud nine, celebrating the Justice Bharat Patel Supreme Court verdict that passes a presumption that she is now the Acting MDC T President.

Gutu makes his position clear in full in the below detailed response, printed in his own words from back to end. He says:

“For purely personal and private reasons, I will not be offering my candidature for the office of President although I am absolutely
convinced that I have got what it takes to contest for the party’s Presidency if I wanted to.

“I shall also not continue to occupy the position
of National Spokesperson /Secretary for Information & Publicity, again, for
purely private and personal reasons.”

Commenting on the development is another expert, Jacob Mafume who joins ZimEye on Monday. Advocate Mafume is also the MDC Alliance Secretary for Elections.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW….

By Obert Gutu|Since the Supreme Court judgment was handed down on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, I have been inundated with numerous inquiries from MDC cadres, friends, relatives, colleagues and, of course, members of the Fourth Estate, wanting to know whether I am going to be actively involved in politics and proceed to participate in the forthcoming MDC extraordinary congress to elect a substantive President to replace the late iconic founding President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

The main purpose of this press release is to clear the air regarding my position in active politics,
more particularly, my continued association with the MDC.
On Saturday, January 18, 2020, I resigned from the MDC-T led by Hon.Dr.Thokozani Khupe for purely  private and personal reasons. As a direct consequence of the Supreme Court judgment aforementioned, the MDC-T Congress that was held at Stanley Square, Bulawayo, in April 2018, was declared null and void. Mutatis mutandis, the MDC Congress that was held in Gweru in May 2019 was also declared null and void. In the interim, the MDC is currently led by Hon.Dr.Thokozani Khupe as Acting President pending the holding of an extraordinary congress within the time limit ordered by the
Supreme Court.
As a firm believer in the rule of law and constitutionalism, I would like to fully associate myself with and also recognize and hereby unequivocally and unreservedly accept and uphold the decision of the Supreme Court. For
the avoidance of doubt, I do hereby accept that an extraordinary congress of the MDC shall be held solely for the purpose of electing a substantive
President. For purely personal and private reasons, I will not be offering my candidature for the office of President although I am absolutely
convinced that I have got what it takes to contest for the party’s Presidency if I wanted to. I shall also not continue to occupy the position
of National Spokesperson /Secretary for Information & Publicity, again, for
purely private and personal reasons.
Going forward, I am not going to be involved in any political party politics. I will remain an independent activist and analyst in addition to,
of course, practising law and pursuing other private business interests.

Let me take this opportunity to warmly wish my comrades in the struggle a peaceful and successful extraordinary congress.
Aluta Continua !!   Victoria Acerta!!
Obert Chaurura Gutu

The community of Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, has acknowledged that it is not able to accommodate returnees who are supposed to come from South Africa any time now.

The returnees are trapped in South Africa where most of them were economic refugees, and feel the heat of the lockdown that was put on that country to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Beitbridge Coordinator for District Development Sikhangezile Mafu, who briefed the National Theme Committee on Ports of Entry to ensure the readiness of the border town to receive returning residents, said:

“At local level we have nothing. We have no resources to talk about. There is no water at the facility and it is being connected.

” The area will not be able to hold the anticipated numbers and we are speaking to lodges and other hotels to be able to host some of the returnees,” a statement reads

The national thematic ports of entry committee is tracking the readiness of border posts to manage and retain returnees.

South Africa has the highest number of reported cases of coronavirus in Africa making repatriation of people living in that country a risky step that involves extracare at the entry points.