Using just a thermometre to detect COVID-19, Emmerson Mnangagwa Thursday afternoon drove to meet another close circuit crowd for the launching of an Information Centre in Harare.

His function comes over 7 days after a CDC paper revealed that Coronavirus travels 4 metres across human beings. Zimbabwe’s social distancing rule is just a metre apart, but even that Mnangagwa is violating today, rubbing against several men and women at an intimate 20 centimetre proximity. While Chinese scientists say one COVID patient effectively infects 3,500 others, a leading London researcher says one person can infect a whopping 59,000 people after just 10 layers. This effectively means one person can infect 3,4 Billion people judging that each of those 59,000 will infect their own 59,000 victims. | WILL MNANGAGWA SURVIVE?

VIDEO:

SPREADING COVID: Mnangagwa Holds Another Meeting With Crowd, No social distancing at all, a week after @CDCGlobal scientists revealed that Coronavirus travels 4 metres across human beings. @ZHDAofficial @ZadhrDoctors –
video: @ZBCNewsonline pic.twitter.com/utPqK5GVC1

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 16, 2020

Farai Dziva| A Harare based apostolic sect leader, Madzibaba Enoch is said to have prayed for a bedridden COVID-19 patient on the phone and the man is rapidly recovering from the deadly disease.

Madzibaba Enoch is based in Budiriro, Harare.

Speaking to ZimEye.com on Wednesday, a senior member of the apostolic sect said:

“Madzibaba Enoch from Budiriro 4, Nyenyedzi Nomwe, helped a man recover from COVID -19.

Sect members told Madzibaba Enoch that their relative, based in China, who suffering from the deadly disease and the prophet prayed for him.

The man, who was at the point of death, is recovering from the illness.”

Hundreds of people, including international visitors are reportedly flocking to Madzibaba Enoch’ s place of worship to seek spiritual guidance.

“The man(Madzibaba Enoch is a great prophet. His prophetic grace is amazing,” said a congregant.

Madzibaba Enoch is also said to have prophesied about the coming of the deadly Coronavirus scourge in a 2018 video footage.

Health authorities in the Zimbabwean town of Chinhoyi, North-West of Harare have admitted a man at Mzari Clinic isolation facility after he presented Covid-19 related symptoms upon screening.

Samples have been taken for testing and results have not yet been finalised.

Mashonaland West provincial medical director Dr Wenceslaus Nyamayaro confirmed the development saying it was only a precautionary measure.

“I can confirm that a man has been detained at Mzari Clinic isolation centre after he was screened and presented symptoms related to Covid-19 only as a precautionary measure as some conditions such as malaria present with almost similar symptoms.

“The case is undergoing further management while only test results will be conclusive on what we are dealing with,” said Dr Nyamayaro.

The country has to date recorded 23 cases with no cases reported in Mashonaland West province.

-State Media

Fellow citizens,

I come to you under very difficult circumstances in our country and indeed in the whole world.
Let us begin by observing a minute of silence for all the COVID-19 victims in Zimbabwe and across the nations of the world.

*Thank you.*

We are in difficult times and a deep crisis. This is a crisis like no other, and there is substantial uncertainty about its impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.

In the days ahead, a lot depends on the epidemiology of the virus, the effectiveness of containment measures, and the development of therapeutics and vaccines, all of which are hard to predict.

Our country faces multiple crises—a health crisis, a financial crisis, and a poverty crisis, which all interact in complex ways, presenting unprecedented challenges to households, companies, traders and financial markets.

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing more than just a medical problem. The pathogen has wrought staggering death tolls and wrecked livelihoods across the world.

Economies across the globe are under severe strain. Supply chains have been radically disrupted, tourism and air travel is paralysed and currency markets are at an all-time low. We are witnessing unprecedented supply and demand side shocks. Global economy engines are stalling. The economy we knew is on a down spiral. The game has completely changed.

The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe estimates revenue loss of $400 million. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority recorded 80% booking cancellations. The CZI records that 46% of local firms had their supply chains disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. Diaspora remittances are likely to decline from the US$635.4 million mark in 2019.

Manufacturers and small-to-medium enterprises face the prospect of not reopening after lifting of lockdowns unless they too, receive massive bailouts.

Consequently, the Zimbabwean citizens are now faced with two impossible choices: death by hunger (as slow shutdowns take shape) or death by disease as this insurgent pathogen indiscriminately sweeps across continents.

There is considerable uncertainty about what the economic landscape will look like when we emerge from this lockdown.

Under the assumption that the pandemic and required containment peaks in the second quarter for most countries in the world and recedes in the second half of this year, the April World Economic Outlook projects global growth in 2020 to fall to -3 percent.

This is a downgrade of 6.3 percentage points from January 2020; a major revision over a very short period. This makes the Great Lockdown the worst recession since the Great Depression and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis.

Assuming the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020 and that policy actions taken around the world are effective in preventing widespread firm bankruptcies, extended job losses, and system-wide financial strains, global growth in 2021 is projected to rebound to 5.8 percent.

This recovery in 2021 is only partial as the level of economic activity is projected to remain below the level we had projected for 2021, before the virus hit. The cumulative loss to global GDP over 2020 and 2021 from the pandemic crisis could be around 9 trillion dollars, greater than the economies of Japan and Germany, combined.

What is hitting us is enormous! It’s the mother of all wars!

The Government of Zimbabwe must pursue a path that saves lives and protects livelihoods, preventing our economy from collapsing and serving our people during this trying moment.
On top of borrowing from global experience and the best scientific evidence, the Government should craft a uniquely Zimbabwean response that is customized and tailored to the circumstances, competencies and capabilities of our great nation.

The citizens must be clear and in the know on what will happen after the 21-day lockdown period including the end result and what they are expected to do or not do.

The following are immediate;

Three broad areas for greater clarity:

*A)* Combating the pandemic
*B)* Measures to cushion families and citizens from the effects of the lockdown.
*C)* Planning Ahead for the reopening of the Economy with particular emphasis on preventing
business closures, company bankruptcy and loss of jobs and re-empowering the informal sectors.

*A) COMBATTING THE PANDEMIC*

*1.* Cushioning of exposed citizens and communicate a clear strategy behind the lockdown and elaborate measures to contain the virus

*2.* Involving all citizens, labour, academics, church, political players & private sector in planning and implementation – a United Team Zimbabwe approach.

*3.* Increasing testing – roll out nationwide testing.

Everyday testing, situation reporting and accurate figures – better reporting is key in assuring the nation.

The key government task is to detect, test, track, isolate, contain and treat.

There is need for transparent testing so that the nation has accurate official figures and no parallel structures for big wigs.

Urgent need to pronounce mass testing mechanism and centres accessible to many from their neighbourhoods like polyclinics and have national geometric to understand which neighbourhoods have been greatly affected and are likely to suffer from the domino effect.

*4.* Government must develop information tool kit for the citizens with a view to create awareness on the progress made towards containing the virus. This information tool kit must be extensively disseminated through various media channels/platforms;

The information tool kit must provide specific details such as number of people tested per day, accurate statistical figures on the outcomes of the tests with hope that this information can provide evidence to show how the country is coping with the disease and possible indication of how the lockdown will last as opposed to be reactive. This is important how especially when the WHO is calling on countries not to rush to open the economy.

? Measures to cushion families and citizens from the effects of the lockdown.

*5.* Cushioning citizens from economic distress and speed up roll out of humanitarian support is vital. We must put in place social protection nets.

*6.* We need a clear statement on who must benefit and who cannot so that all that requires to benefit and get food and monetary assistance without politicizing humanitarian support and food.

*7.* Those who are tested and confirmed positive must get a form of financial support for a month while they fight and the deceased family a government relief fund for their beneficiaries.

Indeed, it is now time that the surplus that Government has made from the 2% levy be used to cushion all workers during these hard times.

*8.* We suggest a new and robust method in the provision of water, food, particularly mealie meal in the townships and countryside.

On our part we have already instructed local authorities to do everything in their power to avail water. We call upon central government to provide the necessary resources forex to realize this important basic necessity.

*10.* We suggest government subsidize and reduce the price of fuel and electricity. We must reduce internet tariff/ price of data during this period of fighting the pandemic.

*11.* Government must create a new model for the informal sector especially fruit and vegetable markets to decongest and decentralize. Perhaps this is a perfect chance for new models of distributing our produce to the communities to be evolved.

*12.* In our context where we have over 5.7 million people in the informal sector, it is important to be elaborate in support mechanisms.

*13.* Providing radio & television lessons dedicated channel for education. Online methods are also vital.

*14.* We urge the full observance of Human Rights, fundamental freedoms, security and dignity of all citizens during the enforcement of measures to fight the pandemic.

*15.* Allow me to salute all workers, including doctors and nurses, our security services, on the frontline for the excellent call of duty under very difficult circumstances. In this context, providing Personal Protective equipment for nurses, doctors, janitors, administrative support staff, police, security services and other state employees at the frontline is so fundamental.

*16.* Risk allowance and tax exemption for all health professionals, security servicemen and government workers on duty at the frontline.

Government must provide specialized support to the elderly including providing sanitizers and masks for all. We urge transparency and accountability in the handling of Covid-19 issues by government.

These are examples of countries who have already done that:

*1. Guinea has effected*

– No payment of rents by workers and citizens in general up to December 2020.
– Government has pledged to cover electricity and water for 3months.
– Free public transport for 3 months.

*2. Ghana*
– Government is covering all water bills for 3 months.
– Some workers were exempted from paying tax for 3 months.

*3. Rwanda*
– Door to door food deliveries for disadvantages groups.
– Provision of free water and electricity.
– Provision of free hospital access.

*4. Botswana*
– Government has put aside US$168 million to assist business to pay workers’ salaries to avoid layoffs.

*5. Uganda*
– No payment of rent until further notice; and
– Distribution of food to vulnerable groups.

As such, if other African governments are able to come up with plans that are sustainable and able to cover all workers; why are we not able as Zimbabwe to do the same?

*C)* Planning Ahead for the reopening of the Economy

A clear strategy on how the economy will be rescued and be made to come back to life, how people will return to work, how children will go back to school. A back to normal life roadmap
– a reconstruction and recovery program.

Creation of an enabling environment aimed at reducing the pain coming with Coronavirus and general economic decay which was at its peak even before Coronavirus. The following should be policy measures:

*(a)* Full dollarisation and removal of forex retention to aid growth in exporting companies.

*(b)* Removal of 2% tax to reduce tax burden to companies and give room for cash flow recovery.

*(c)* Removal of excessive tax heads, for example in the tourism sector there are 22 tax heads while mining has 15 tax heads some of which are unnecessary…this will give room for revenue recovery.

*(d)* Tax incentives such as corporate tax waiver for companies supporting local production and import substitution.

*(e)* Fiscal stimulus package which is in excess of US$5 billion which will form the rescue package since most companies will close.

This is the genesis of the 4th industrial revolution, lifestyles and work styles will change and we must embrace it.

We face a national crisis of monumental proportions. A national challenge requires a national response. Considering the diverse skills and multiple capacities we have in our organization, we are ready to assist.

We don’t want politicization of the pandemic. We will put politics aside and assist the government to craft those measures. The diverse skills and expertise in our organization can be of tremendous assistance to the nation at this critical time.

This is so particularly if regard be had to the experience in government, having former Ministers, our assistance will come in handy. This is no time for politics. Life is precious. We must preserve it.

*TOGETHER* we must defeat *COVID 19.* The future is bright.
Remember to wash your hands, keep good hygiene, maintain social distance and spread the message.
Remember to pray for our country and indeed the entire world.

*God bless you,*
*God bless Zimbabwe,*
*God bless AFRICA.*

Thank you

By A Correspondent| The businessman who for years is on a “top wanted” British Police warrant of arrest list, Tawanda Buyanga, has been slapped with a warrant of arrest by the High Court Of Zimbabwe.

Buyanga who after fleeing UK altered his name to Frank Buyanga Sadiqi, has been served, barely 3 weeks after he violently kidnapped the child he has with his ex girlfriend, Chantelle, last month. The incident was captured on CCTV at Spar, Waterfalls, Harare.

His violent operation which left the child’s grandmother with bloody bruises, was the third abduction in a roll cited on his case.

The incident was exclusively revealed by ZimEye.com, see CCTV footage below, and he was seen coming out of his white Ford Ranger and pulling the child out of the mother’s car at Spar Waterfalls, Harare.

CCTV of Buyanga abducting child from own mother at Spar Waterfalls. pic.twitter.com/PtOIho0AnY

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 26, 2020

Passing judgement on Thursday, Justice Manzunzu said the verdict which stipulates he must return the 5 year old son to his mother, is itself a warrant of arrest if not heeded.

Below is the judgement.

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By Own Correspondent| A 1.2 Infantry Battalion soldier in Hwange reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a gun after discovering that he had lost 10 rounds of ammunition.

The soldier in question Nicodemus Ndlovu allegedly sneaked out of a police base where he and others were camped for a Covid-19 operation around Hwange rural and shot himself through the mouth last week Wednesday.

Colleagues found his lifeless body after searching for him for hours when he had disappeared from the base after finishing duty at 6am.

A report made to the police stated that Ndlovu was deployed on Wednesday evening and upon completing his shift, he discovered he had lost 10 rounds of ammunition for his gun magazine.

“Nicodimus Ndlovu, a ZNA member based at 1.2 Infantry Battalion in Hwange went for a Covid-19 operation with other army members and police on April at 6pm.

“He finished duty in the morning and discovered that he had lost 10 rounds of ammunition from his AK47 rifle magazine,” read part of the police report.

Ndlovu is further said to have informed his colleagues about the lost ammunition.

He later sneaked out of the base when his colleagues took him to task over how he lost the rounds.

Ndlovu’s body was later found in the bush with a gun wound in his mouth.

Police took his body to Hwange Colliery mortuary before transferring it Sunday to United Bulawayo Hospitals for post-mortem, after which he was driven to his rural home for burial.

Some cases of illegal hunting where poachers use rifles have been linked to some serving and retired members of the security forces, among them rangers, who abuse their service guns to commit crimes.

Some of the cases have appeared in court with serving members among those accused in the cases.

By A Correspondent- Police officers who attended to a 52-year-old who works at Mater Dei hospital and had been ordered to self-isolate after she attended to the 79-year-old man who died and tested positive for COVID-19 posthumously have been sent home.

8 Police officers were indirectly and directly in contact with the nurse aide who came in to report her tenant hours after she had been ordered to self-isolate. One of the officers who sat on the bench with her went to work complaining of flu and was sent home.

This was revealed in a memo at the police station seen by the publication which reads in part:…

In Hillside policing area, there is a confirmed positive case of COVID 19. The patient is known as ….national reg number ….. aged 52… residing at …….and contactable on …..

The Bulawayo city council went to her place of residence to test her on 13/04/2019 after they received a phone call from HQ COVID 19 Harare that some of the employees at Matei Dei Hospital who had contact with the decessed were tested. The results came out on 14/4/2020 indicating that she was COVID 19 positive. The patient revealed that she attended to the patient who died several times while doing her duties.

The patient revealed that she visited ZRP Hillside police wth the intention to solve an issue with her tenant on 8/4/2020 and in the office there were several officers before she proceeded to the charge office where there were also a number of officers.

On April 14, the officer who had sat with the nurse aide on the bench went to the ZRP Bulawayo Camp Hospital complaining of a flu. He was given sick duty for three days and is supposed to report for duty on April 17, 2020.

Among the police members the patient got in contact with, so far, it is Constable ****** who is not feeling well. There are chances that same could have had body contact with the patient although it was not revealed. There is need to self-isolate the concerned members.

Meanwhile yet another nurse violated self-isolation measures and was seen at a shopping mall in Bulawayo after testing positive for the virus.

By A Correspondent- Three members of the Sungano Apostolic church died in a tunnel at Murahwa’s hill in Chikanga in an attempt to secretly conduct a sermon recently.

The deceased Timothy Mandeya aged 23, Rodric Mafongoya (28) and Maimbo Nigel (17) allegedly succumbed to smoke from a fire that had been lit in the tunnel for their night prayers on Wednesday.

Manicaland Police Spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said one of the seven survivors who escaped suffocation from the tunnel, Walter Kwaime reported the incident to the police upon the realization that 3 of their members had died leading to their arrest for contravening the COVID-19 lockdown offence act of 2020.

Inspector Kakohwa added that the deceased was taken for postmortem at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, further urging members of the public to heed the lockdown call by government.-Online

An estimated 30 tonnes of personal protective equipment, Covid-19 test kits, gloves, ventilators and other equipment needed to treat Covid-19 patients will be collected from China this week by a chartered flight despatched by Air Zimbabwe tomorrow.

It is understood the consignment was bought by Government to ensure treatment centres and laboratories were equipped.

China went into full production of Covid-19-related equipment and supplies and factories are now supplying many countries, including the United States.

Airzim spokesperson Ms Firstme Vitori confirmed yesterday that the airline was concluding clearance logistics for the charter plane to leave.

“Air Zimbabwe is finalising a cargo charter flight to China scheduled to depart early Friday morning,” she said.

“Once all clearances are granted the charter flight shall position in Beijing to collect cargo towards Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.”

Government has upped its Covid-19 preparedness following the upgrade of Wilkins and Beatrice Infectious diseases hospitals in Harare to cater for coronavirus patients, with work now in progress on more provincial centres and on a large section of Parirenyatwa Hospital.

Five laboratories have been upgraded countrywide for comprehensive testing.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Three machete and gun-totting robbers raided a tuckshop in Vumba Heights and stole goods worth US$3 000.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the robbery yesterday.

He said Margaret Mutepfura’s wooden tuckshop at Mureremba Farm in Vumba was raided as she was asleep at around 2315 hours.

She was in the company of her cousin Good Bere, who had visited her on the day from Gosho village under Chief Zimunya.

Kakohwa said the pair was asleep when three unknown assailants forced their entry into the wooden cabin. The robbers were armed with machetes, while one of them had a revolver.

“The one who had the revolver pointed it at Mutepfura demanding cash. The robbers assaulted the two using a claw hammer and fists,” Kakohwa said, adding Mutepfura and Bere sustained multiple cuts.

The robbers walked away with mobile phones, a 250 Watts solar battery, a solar inverter and an amplifier all valued at US$3 000.

No arrests have been made and investigations are underway.

By A Correspondent- The MDC has told the government that they did not do due diligence in making consultations before enforcing a lockdown.

Their accusations come amid reports that vulnerable communities are starving due to the lockdown. ‘

The MDC’s secretary for health, Henry Madzorera said in a statement:

People have been locked in without basic commodities and we are beginning to see chaotic scenes at shops almost degenerating into riots.

But they are being forced by the government to choose between death from COVID-19 or death from hunger. Most people would rather take their chance with Covid 19.

The government is advised to engage the healthcare professionals in all decision making and policy formulation. The government is advised to engage the healthcare professionals in all decision making and policy formulation.

The MDC also expressed their disappointment on reports that people are getting into the country without being screened at some border posts.-Newsday

https://twitter.com/ZimEye/status/1250720852485836807?s=20

By A Correspondent- Consumers intending to buy mealie meal who had gathered at Pick n Pay supermarket in Sakubva Mutare only dispersed after the military was deployed, a ZimEye source has revealed.

The crowd of over 50 people had been queing for mealie meal for over 3 hours.

 

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Sakubva Msika right now pic.twitter.com/YfNdCfnMBx

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 16, 2020

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By A Correspondent- Multi-disciplinary artist Brian Tadiwanashe Nyanga, affectionately known as “Que”, is holed up in Germany after failing to get a flight back home after completing a two-month creative exchange programme owing to travel restrictions spawned by COVID-19.

A member of Jibilika Dance Trust, “Que” left the country in February for “Ngoma NeHosho Culture Clash”, a project that saw him participate in creative workshops in Germany.

The project focused on originality, identity, consumer behaviour, sustainability, and cultural differences between the two countries. He was supposed to return to Harare last week, but has been failing to get a flight back home though he said everything was fine.

“I’m not sure when I will be coming back home because I failed to secure a flight, but on the upside, I get to continue working on my project here,” he said. “My hosts, the City of Flensburg have been gracious enough to further support our project, running until June.”

Que said his experience in Germany had been enlightening. “I got into space where I had to discover who I really am and the abilities in me, my weaknesses and how to react to different situations,” he said. “This is the beginning of a new era in my life. I now have clarity of where I want to take fashion and sound, and how to make them interact.

“I’m going to push and shape my craft in a way that will benefit my culture from what I learnt from the residency, build a thriving enterprise with my skills and talents.” Germany-based Jibilika director Plot Mhako said they had so far managed to achieve their goals despite being disrupted by COVID-19.

“Que, a fashion designer, dancer and musician connected with a visiting DJ and visual artist Maya Tampler from Flensburg, Germany, during the Mafuwe International Dance Festival held in Harare last year,” he said.

“Their interaction later gave birth to Ngoma NeHosho Culture Clash. The project almost collapsed towards the end due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mhako said the greater part of the project progressed well, with different activities and events taking place in the host city of Flensburg.

The last two major activities, a live collaborative musical concert and a fashion show fell within the lockdown period. “After the government of Germany announced new measures to combat COVID-19, the artists filmed their project and later streamed the originally planned performance fashion show online,” said Mhako.

“They incorporated a message in the performance and fashion show to raise awareness on coronavirus. “The show exported the beautiful creative side of Zimbabwe through fashion, traditional music mixed with urban sounds and dance. This was well received and captured in various media outlets in Germany.”

Que worked with several artists who include Trampler, Butterkup, Jessica Gonsen, Leander Seekings, Wais Labi, Lukas Haak, Yessin, Jomkwan Supoken, Frida Klee, Cindy Jaenicke, and Dany Heck.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- A critically ill Chitungwiza man is living on the street as a result of an ongoing row with his younger sibling over their deceased parents’ house in Unit J, Chitungwiza.

The man, Intergrate Soroti (38), who is a critical diabetes patient, was chased out of his rented apartment and is living outside his late parent’s home with his wife and four minor children.

Intergrate’s brother Hondo is said to have declared war on his sibling and has refused to give him shelter since Monday. Intergrate told a local publication that when he returned home, his brother refused to let them into the house and told him that he and his wife weren’t his relatives.

Hondo also said the house was his and there was nothing Intergrate could do about it.

“He told me that my wife and I aren’t his relatives, hapana zvamunondibatsira nazvo, the Government, the police can’t do anything to me because the house is mine because I am the lawful owner of this house,” he said.

Initially, Integrate and his wife Loice Josias, 32, were living at his parent’s house, and when his mother passed away in November last year, his brother Hondo secretly looked for a place for them to stay.

“He looked for an apartment for me without my knowledge. When I was admitted to hospital, he then moved my belongings to that house without my knowledge, and when my wife returned from the hospital visit, he took her to the new house and told her that he would be paying the rentals, just to get rid of me.

“This past weekend the landlady told me to move out because the rentals weren’t being paid for the last three months, she took our things out.

I tried calling him in vain,” said Intergrate.

His wife Loice said their former neighbors at the rented apartment then organized transport for them to be moved to their family home.

“Zvinhu zvaburitswa panze, vavakidzani vedu vakazobatanidza mari so that we could get transport to bring us back home.

When we got home, we knocked at the gate until they had no choice but to leave us outside because my husband’s brother was ignoring our knocks.

“He hasn’t opened the gate ever since and we are just sleeping outside with his bedridden brother,” she said.

Hondo has been seen several times leaving his house through the back by jumping the precast wall and hasn’t been using the main gate ever since his brother and his family moved there.

Hondo’s phone was unreachable when H-Metro visited their residence, but the team was reliably informed that he had been seen jumping the wall getting in prior to our arrival.

As soon as the news team left, Hondo threw a letter into one of the neighbors’ yards in which he said he was grieving his mother’s death and is bitter over how his brother treated their mother when she was alive.

In his letter, he also said, the war, just as his name, will last till forever as he is selling the house soon after the lockdown and it will end when he dies.

INTERGRATE Soroti’s neighbors have expressed sadness over his brother’s actions saying they fear that he may lose his life on the streets as he is critically ill.

“We are very saddened by the developments that have happened between these two brothers. Integrate is critically ill, literally on his death bed. “He is in fact supposed to be hospitalized.

I could have taken him in, but his state is scary. If he dies in my house then what,” said one of the neighbors who preferred anonymity.

The other neighbors have organized medication for Soroti as his condition is dire. “I had to sacrifice one of my diabetes injections yesterday because his condition was now critical and he couldn’t speak.

For today’s medication, we have put money together, and some of his childhood friends in the diaspora have sent money for us to get him more medicine,” said another.

The other neighbors have put together food for Soroti and his four children who are homeless after being locked out by his sibling Hondo.

The neighbors confirmed that they have seen Hondo leaving the house through the back, jumping the precast wall, avoiding his brother and his family, who are living right outside his gate.

Surrounding churches have donated food to the family, which has set a fire next to the gate where they cook their meals.

By A Correspondent- Universities have been urged to create online learning material to use during the lockdown.

The remarks were made by the  Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira who said;

The position of the ministry is guided by the decision taken by the Head of State and Government. We have told our universities to start developing material online for students. We are going to make a follow up to assess progress.

Schools have been closed since 24 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- Pentecostal Apostolic Church of God in-unit L, Chitungwiza has been turned into a food vendor’s market.

Taking the worship house as a safe haven, one of the vendors told the state media that police do not visit the premises since it is known for church services and they keep the gate locked at all times.

“We are selling our food here and some vendors also leave their stuff for safety since the police are visible everywhere during this lockdown,” said the vendor refusing to identify self.

“We arranged with church elders to use the premises during this lockdown period only. “I am not sure if they will charge a fee for helping us during this period,” she added.

Resident church leader Pastor Masungo’s mobile phone went unanswered until the time of going to print. Tomatoes and vegetables were displayed inside the closed gate.

In Unit, A people were spotted downing ‘wise waters’ by the bottle store while others were playing card game.-Statemedia

Restrictions imposed to control the spread of Covid-19 should be lifted only if health systems have capabilities to test, isolate, treat and trace every contact, World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has said.

As of yesterday, Zimbabwe had 23 confirmed cases and three deaths after five of the 23 samples tested in Bulawayo were positive.

Dr Ghebreyesus said countries should lift the restrictions if the transmission of the virus is controlled and ensure that outbreak risks are minimal in specialised settings such as nursing homes and health institutions.

There should also be preventive measures especially in places where people converge such as workplaces and schools.

He said countries must ensure that imported risks are managed while communities are educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the new norm.

This comes as Zimbabwe was working with experts to get critical information that would be used to determine whether or not to continue with the lockdown which exempts those offering essential services.

Said Dr Ghebreyesus: “Some countries and communities have now endured several weeks of social and economic restrictions. Some countries are considering when they can lift these restrictions. Others are considering when to introduce them.

“On both cases, these decisions must be based on protecting human health and be guided by what we know about the virus and how it behaves. We are all learning all the time and adjusting our strategy based on the latest available evidence.”

WHO wants all countries to be implementing a comprehensive set of measures to slow down transmission and save lives.

In terms of lifting the restrictions in Zimbabwe, Secretary for Health and Child Care Dr Agnes Mahomva said the Government had started working with experts compiling data on the impact of Covid-19.

She said the data, compiled through modelling approaches, would be used to study and understand the burden of the disease.

The information would be used to recommend the way forward regarding the lockdown from a scientific and practical point of view.

“The lockdown in Zimbabwe was really to help us strategise how we can better prepare against Covid-19, but in addition to that, it was also looking at issues of managing transmission — both imported and local transmissions and we are happy about what we have done so far.

“Next steps, we are now working with experts to get information that speaks to Zimbabwe, not what is happening elsewhere. This data will tell us whether to continue shutting down the whole country or to focus on certain areas.

“It will also tell us if there are any additional measures that we should put in place but our ultimate goal is to reduce transmissions,” said Dr Mahomva.

Zimbabwe is in the third and final week of the 21-day lockdown where the movement of people has been restricted, except those offering essential services.

The lockdown officially ends on Sunday.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Despite the Government’s efforts to curb the adverse effects of COVID-19, with a lock-down in place, some kombi’s and pirate taxis have sneaked back onto the road.

ZiMetro News has learned that in Chitungwiza yesterday established that kombi’s and pirate taxis, popularly known as mushika-shika, were plying local routes charging amounts ranging from zwl$ 10.

Announcing the 21-day lockdown last month, President Mnangagwa said Zupco buses, as well as Public Service Commission buses, would be ferrying people who offer essential services, but some mushika-shika, kombi’s, and taxis are back.

Some kombi’s and pirate taxis ply St Mary’s-Makoni Shopping Centre via Zengeza route, while others ply St Mary’s-Makoni via Seke Unit L suburb route.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said it was criminal that kombis were resurfacing on the road without being given a go-ahead, adding that police would descend heavily on offenders.

“We have heard of these pirate taxis and kombis plying various routes illegally. “The police deployed in the suburbs should ensure that there are no unruly elements, where kombis and pirate taxis defy the law.

Those people should be arrested,” said Ass Comm Nyathi. He said police had noted that motorists were using bush roads into the city to avoid police clearance points, in accordance with lockdown requirements.

“Motorists should adhere to regulations. Those who are using dubious means to get into town will be dealt with,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A family in Nyanga is mourning the death of their 8-year-old twin boys who went to Mount INyangani to recover stray cattle with their father and lost their way home, The Herald reports.

Tanatswa and Tendai and their nephew were reportedly found unconscious by a village search party that was searching for them after they had separated with their father after a heavy downpour separated them.

Manicaland police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident and said:

Shingirai Matsiwira (35) of Village 7-Dazi under chief Saunyama, left home on April 10 with his twin sons Tanatswa and Tendai and his nephew Anesu (7).

While they were still on the mountain, heavy rains fell and they lost their way and spent the night there. In the morning, Shingirai’s wife, Tafadzwa Chitekwa informed other villagers that her husband and sons had not returned home and a search party was despatched

When the villagers found them, Shingirai, his sons and nephew were unconscious and they were ferried to Nyanga District Hospital. Tanatswa was pronounced dead on admission while his twin brother died later on that same day.

ZimParks Spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident and blamed the tragedy on bad weather. Many unresolved disappearance cases have taken place at Mount Inyangani.-StateMedia

Multi-disciplinary artiste Brian Tadiwanashe Nyanga, affectionately known as “Que”, is holed up in Germany after failing to get a flight back home after completing a two-month creative exchange programme owing to travel restrictions spawned by Covid-19.

A member of Jibilika Dance Trust, “Que” left the country in February for “Ngoma NeHosho Culture Clash”, a project that saw him participate in creative workshops in Germany.

The project focused on originality, identity, consumer behaviour, sustainability, and cultural differences between the two countries.

He was supposed to return to Harare last week, but has been failing to get a flight back home though he said everything was fine.

“I’m not sure when I will be coming back home because I failed to secure a flight, but on the upside, I get to continue working on my project here,” he said.

“My hosts, the City of Flensburg have been gracious enough to further support our project, running until June.”
Que said his experience in Germany had been enlightening.

“I got into a space where I had to discover who I really am and the abilities in me, my weaknesses and how to react to different situations,” he said.

“This is the beginning of a new era in my life. I now have clarity of where I want to take fashion and sound, and how to make them interact.

“I’m going to push and shape my craft in a way that will benefit my culture from what I learnt from the residency, build a thriving enterprise with my skills and talents.”

Germany-based Jibilika director Plot Mhako said they had so far managed to achieve their goals despite being disrupted by Covid-19.

“Que, a fashion designer, dancer and musician connected with a visiting DJ and visual artist Maya Tampler from Flensburg, Germany, during the Mafuwe International Dance Festival held in Harare last year,” he said.
“Their interaction later gave birth to Ngoma NeHosho Culture Clash.

The project almost collapsed towards the end due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mhako said the greater part of the project progressed well, with different activities and events taking place in the host City of Flensburg.-State media

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC, says it will lodge a formal complaint against the police for assaulting a party councillor in Marondera.

Ward 8 councillor, Dzuke was bashed by police details on Monday.

During the scuffle, a police officer accused the opposition party of causing “people’s suffering.”

“We condemn the beating of Councillor Dzvuke of Ward 8, Marondera, by the police.

He was beaten while going to replenish a sanitizer at the borehole in Nyameni.

In the course of the assault, a police officer accused the Movement for Democratic Change for inflicting suffering on the people,” said the party in a statement.

The opposition party says it will lodge a complaint against police brutality.

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC, says it will lodge a formal complaint against the police for assaulting a party councillor in Marondera.

Ward 8 councillor, Dzuke was bashed by police details on Monday.

During the scuffle, a police officer accused the opposition party of causing “people’s suffering.”

“We condemn the beating of Councillor Dzvuke of Ward 8, Marondera, by the police.

He was beaten while going to replenish a sanitizer at the borehole in Nyameni.

In the course of the assault, a police officer accused the Movement for Democratic Change for inflicting suffering on the people,” said the party in a statement.

The opposition party says it will lodge a complaint against police brutality.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly says the harassment of civilians in urban areas by the country’s security forces is a calculated ploy meant to punish urbanites for supporting the opposition party.

ZRP cops and soldiers are tormenting civilians across the country during the 21- day lockdown.

“The violence and harassment of citizens by the uniformed forces during this lockdown period is worrisome.

In fact, it has confirmed our fears that that Emmerson Mnangagwa is going to use this period to escalate human rights abuses as a way of thwarting impending mass demonstrations.

The whole thing is calculated to punish urban dwellers for snubbing Zanu PF,” said MDC Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma in an interview with ZimEye.com on Tuesday.

Farai Dziva |The Ministry of Health and Childcare has announced that one person has fully recovered from COVID-19.

“The Ministry would like to advise the nation that one of the cases was confirmed as recovered after testing negative for Covid-19 on two samples collected at least 24 hours apart.

The case has been removed from isolation, and the healthcare workers are still monitoring other cases which includes a 34-year-old nurse at a local Bulawayo Hospital who has no travel history,” said the Health Ministry in a statement.

Chivi Central Member of Parliament Ephraim Gwanongodza has said truck drivers who stop at truck inns and other business centres to rest are making Zimbabwe vulnerable to the pandemic that has killed 120 000 people worldwide.

Ephraim Gwanongodza said
There might be no business during the day at business centres like Chibi Turn-Off and other areas along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, but truck drivers from South Africa still park there in their numbers.

In the surrounding villages, for example at Chibi Turn-Off, there are women who like to entertain the truck drivers, and there is a lot of contact that happens that makes social distancing impossible.

We discussed the issue with the local councillor and it is our request that trucks should be banned from parking at these places because it’s putting our province and the nation at serious risk.

Truck drivers are among critical services providers exempted to work during the lockdown as they are transporting cargo in between countries during the course of the lockdown.- State media

Farai Dziva|Police officers and soldiers assaulted residents of the city of Masvingo on Tuesday morning and stopped them from getting into town to buy mealie meal.

In a statement Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights condemned the harassment of citizens by soldiers and police officers.

The High Court has also ordered security forces to respect human rights. This comes after Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights had filed a complaint against the police and the army following the brutal attack on one Lucia Masvondo.

“The High Court has just granted an interim order that
@PoliceZimbabwe , army and other enforcement officers must respect human rights, dignity and fundamental freedoms, in the case of Lucia Masvondo.

The case challenges torture, inhuman and degrading conduct, disrespect of dignity and violation of Const by
@PoliceZimbabwe and army who invaded Masvondo’s home, assaulted her and set dogs on her.

It also challenges none compliance with social distancing by ZRP and others.” Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said in a statement.

Daily News|WITH less than a week before the lapse of the 21-day national lockdown, the government finds itself in a catch 22 situation on whether to extend the curfew or call it off.

While the national lockdown was absolutely necessary in order to arrest the spread of the deadly Coronavirus (Covid-19), it has, however, brought with it serious socio-economic consequences such as the loss of income for millions of people who survive from hand to mouth in Zimbabwe’s largely informal economy.

Already there have been serious concerns that an extension would collapse the survival strategies and networks of support for poor households as they will not be able to secure sufficient food and medicines.

Another thought is that perhaps it’s time for government to loosen the national lockdown and adopt some alternative, but effective methods of containing the spread of the deadly virus.

Zimbabwe has not really done well in testing its citizens compared to the number of people that have crossed into our country. So far the government has tested just under 600 people out of a population of about 15 million.

The purpose of the lockdown as advised by medical professionals is to flatten the curve of infection and this can be done by having more tests.

Thus it is difficult to say if the country has reached a point where it must return to normal business. If anything, the confirmed cases have been steadily rising though at a slow pace.

At this point in time it is important for the government to put support structures to the lockdown; the testing and social nets. The government must conduct mass testing to get a scientific position on the state of infections.

The dilemma is for the government to call off the lockdown and then tomorrow announce that the worst is not over and that we have to go back into lockdown.

The key, however, is to strike a balance between public health concerns and the livelihoods of ordinary people who survive from hand to mouth.

Unlike her neighbours, Zimbabwe doesn’t have huge financial resources to subsidise the informal and formal sectors.

However, its clear Covid-19 is still with the country for the foreseeable future so any intervention must be necessary and proportionate to avoid fuelling hunger-induced deaths.

The lockdown should have been supported by testing and isolation for it to be more effective; it also must be supported by distribution of food aid and other items for the poor.

Another way forward is that the government must mobilise testing kits and food supplies and extend the lockdown until it is clear of the extent of infections.

Decentralisation of testing citizens has taken too long while personal protective equipment, especially for the frontline personnel like the nurses, doctors and security people, is scarce and this exposes those who are providing these essential services.

A 25-year-old Chivi man, who recently returned from South Africa, allegedly teamed up with his brother and father to fatally assault his grandmother before trying to evade arrest by claiming to be suffering from coronavirus.

However, the suspect, Bright Tizirai of Makuvire village in Madyangove communal lands, was arrested after results proved he was negative.

He had allegedly argued that his arrest would not only endanger the health of law enforcement officers, but other suspects at Chivi Police Station.

When results came out negative, Bright was locked up together with his accomplices, his father Duduzile Tizirai (49) and sibling Daniel (21), for allegedly murdering his septuagenarian grandmother Nyengeterai Tizirai, whom they accused of possessing goblins that purportedly killed Duduzile’s wife last month.

The trio allegedly killed the hapless granny after beating her up with a horse harness and a log at a dip tank in the village on April 5.

After the beating, the suspects allegedly force marched the victim back to the village where they dumped her in a vegetable garden.

Later in the evening of the same day, the suspects allegedly ordered the woman’s niece, Catherine Takaedza, to collect her from the garden where she lay unconscious and take her home.

Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said after putting her aunt to bed, Takaedza later checked on her and discovered that she was not breathing and went to alert Duduzile. Police arrested Daniel the next morning following a report while Duduzile and Bright fled.

The two later handed handed themselves to the police. Bright warned that holding him was risky because of his Covid-19 positive status.

Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeous Shamu collected samples from Bright and tested him for Covid-19 at the request of the police.

“We collected samples from the murder suspect (Bright) in Chivi who recently returned from South Africa and claimed to have had Covid-19. The results came out negative,” said Dr Shamu.

Bright, his sibling and father were remanded in custody and advised to apply for bail at the High Court. Masvingo is still to record its first positive case of Covid-19 with all tests conducted to date coming out negative.

The MDC Alliance is a social democratic party, and solidarity is one of our core-values.

Following the Statement by our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa on lockdown, on the 24th March 2020 the MDC Parliamentary Caucus came up with various response mechanisms at Organisational level and at individual level.

The MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus sends its condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones due to the Covid -19 virus. We also wish a speedy recovery to all those who tested positive to the virus. We also pray for the divine protection of everyone against this deadly virus.

Our Caucus resolved in March soon after the announcement by the MDC Alliance President Advocate Nelson Chamisa of the lockdown campaign .

We resolved for every member of parliament to contribute rtgs 200 every month towards the Covid -19 pandemic. This money was raised to mitigate towards the rapid response mechanism.

The contributions from our Members of Parliament is seriously affected by the illegal withholding of MDC Alliance Member’s allowances of more than six months, which have caused many of our MPs to be in serious debts and financially crippled.

Members of Parliament have also at individual level contributed immensely towards the crisis management and mitigation, in various constituencies and communities. We would to express our gratitude towards the kind spirit of giving by our members.

Now realising that the crisis is continuing and a sustainable and comprehensive response is required, the MDC Alliance Caucus has resolutely endorsed to increase the monthly contributions so that financial contribution will play a critical role in various mechanisms towards alleviating the burden of this pandemic to the people of Zimbabwe.

This is motivated by the MDC Alliance President spirited fight and realization that the National Epidemic Response by gvt is inadequate and overwhelmed.

Resource mobilization social welfare of the most vulnerable groups of our population such as vendors, people with disabilities, those with health conditions, the elderly and child-headed families is paramount in this lockdown.

The Caucus will continue to respond and act to mitigate the crisis. More and new strategies will continue to be developed and implemented.

The Caucus will also review upwards the RTGS 200 agreed, in an attempt to increase the level of response to the lockdown.

We urge all Zimbabweans to obey rules stipulated in the lockdown as it is good for everybody. To the security forces responsible for enforcing the lockdown compliance must do so with dignity and honor. Our security services must exercise restraint in dealing with the population and must respect human rights and avoid heavy-handedness in enforcing compliance.

May God bless our nation Zimbabwe.
Together We Will Defeat Covid-19.

For and on behalf of the MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus

Hon P C Mutseyami.

Senator Lillian Timveos
Chief Whips

The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A), while noting the role played by China in the refurbishment of Wilkins Hospital, a critical COVID-19 isolation centre in Harare, hereby calls upon the Chinese Government to take all measures as is required under international law to protect Africans in China who are facing discrimination, unwarranted evictions and all manner of ill treatment and abuse.

There are disturbing reports of people of African descent being subjected to forced epidemic investigation and Nucleic Acid Test, forced quarantine including in cases where they have not travelled outside China, came in contact with infected persons or show symptoms of COVID-19.

Africans are being evicted from their places of accommodation, banned from entering restaurants and other public facilities, threatened with deportations, arrests and revocation of visas despite not being infected with the pandemic, especially in the Guangdong Province of China.

Indeed, this targeting of Africans amounts to racism as it is not supported by any scientific logic and contradicts the fact that it was in Wuhan province of China where the pandemic originated. Such targeting also violates international law.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights without distinction of any kind including race, colour or national origin.

In addition, the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination commits member states to the elimination of racial discrimination.

The Convention defines racial discrimination as any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.

The MDC-A therefore calls on the Chinese Government to protect Africans under its jurisdiction.

The fight against COVID-19 requires unity of all countries and races. It is therefore imperative for the world to rally everyone’s resolve in defeating this pandemic.

Gladys K. Hlatywayo
Secretary for International Relations
MDC Alliance

Watch the live video loading below as Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa issues a post cabinet press statement…..

Turbulence continues to rock the Thokozani Khupe-led MDC-T after a top member of the party declared that he was in charge and was seized with organising the party’s extra-ordinary congress as recently ordered by the Supreme Court.

This effectively locked out Douglas Mwonzora, who had declared himself party secretary-general.

Two week ago, the Supreme Court made Khupe the acting MDC-T president, saying all appointments made by the late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai, including the elevation of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice-presidents of the party, were unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court ordered Khupe to hold an extra-ordinary congress within three months to settle the leadership dispute in the opposition party.

Besides the judges noting the judgment could be academic, as Khupe and Chamisa now lead different parties that contested the 2018 elections, Mwonzora immediately claimed he was the secretary-general of the party and would soon call for congress as ordered by the court.

But yesterday, Nickson Nyikadzino, who was elected MDC-T secretary-general at Khupe’s 2018 extra-ordinary congress, insisted Mwonzora, who is an MDC Alliance senator, now belongs to the MDC Alliance.

Nyikadzino said he was the bona fide secretary-general of the MDC-T elected at congress, not Mwonzora, and would be in charge of the congress preparations.

Another MDC-T official, Tarisai Chikuvanganga, from Chakari constituency, also wrote a second letter to Khupe warning her against embracing Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi, who is also an MDC-Alliance senator.

Chikuvanganga argued that the two should apply for readmission into the party and wait at least five years to occupy any leadership position.

Nyikadzino said the extra-ordinary congress ordered by the Supreme Court only related to the dispute in the presidium after Tsvangirai’s death and he remained firmly in charge as secretary-general of the party elected at the 2018 congress.

“In continuing to execute my responsibilities as the secretary-general of the party, I shall advise stakeholders on the path the party will be following,” he said.

“I am cognisant of the fact that we contested the 2018 harmonised elections as the MDC-T and at bare minimum, managed to secure a seat for a Member of Parliament in the Lower House as well as a senatorial seat. I shall be communicating the party position with regards to these deployments within the next few days.”

Nyikadzino added: “As such, please note that there is only one secretary-general of the MDC-T as elected at the said congress on the 23rd of April 2018, which was legally convened and attended by bona fide members of our party, the MDC-T. Be guided accordingly.”

Khupe was not picking up her calls yesterday to clarify on the crisis that has befallen her party, while Mwonzora was unreachable.

Komichi, who has positioned himself as the MDC-T chairperson, was said to be in a meeting for the better part of yesterday.

Komichi and Mwonzora announced after the Supreme Court ruling that they were already implementing the ruling, a move that has angered MDC-T officials who feel the two wanted a hostile takeover of the party.

Chikuvanganga, in the latest submission to Khupe, said the MDC Alliance and the MDC-T were separate entities, hence the party, as directed by the Supreme Court, can hold its congress without members of the other party, Mwonzora and Komichi included.

Komichi is a senator under the MDC Alliance in the Midlands province, while Mwonzora is a senator in the same party for Manicaland province.

MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende said Komichi and Mwonzora had automatically expelled themselves from the party, a situation that leaves the two unattached, if the MDC-T has its way.

“I have seen that some people who want to benefit from both the MDC Alliance and the MDC-T are now denying the fact that the MDC Alliance is a political party separate from the MDC-T,” Chikuvanganga’s letter to Khupe read.

“It is my considered view that the issue of whether the MDC Alliance is a political party separate from the MDC-T or not was already decided by a competent court of jurisdiction having come before the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in Case No CCZ 42/18, a matter between Nelson Chamisa versus Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa & 24 others, including yourself.”

In the letter, Chikuvanganga made reference to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba, who was also a respondent, where she acknowledged the MDC Alliance as a political party separate from the MDC-T.

“If you also look at paragraph 94(c) of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s opposing affidavit, in that case, he clearly acknowledged the MDC Alliance as a political party separate to the MDC-T,” the letter read.

Chikuvanganga said even Mnangagwa, through the letters inviting Chamisa and Khupe to State House for dialogue, recognised the two different parties, hence there was “abundant evidence” to show that the ConCourt, Zec and Mnangagwa recognised the MDC Alliance as a political party separate from the MDC-T.

“Let us not be used by people who abandoned our party and campaigned against you and they now want us to divert our attention by indirectly fighting Zec, the ConCourt and President Mnangagwa by saying that the MDC Alliance is not a political party when it is a political party,” Chikuvanganga further said.

“The best for us is to move to our extra-ordinary congress as MDC-T and make it clear that those that had moved to the MDC Alliance were automatically expelled from the MDC-T and if they want to come back they should re-apply and wait for five years in order to qualify for any post.”

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent- A habitual thief was yesterday sentenced to an effective 60 days in jail after failing to raise a $500 fine for loitering, in violation of lockdown regulations, while more than 5 700 people have been arrested countrywide over various violations.

There was commotion when the thief, Billiard Chigodora (41), of House Number 4330 Nketa 7 suburb in Bulawayo, strolled to court wearing a pair of stolen khaki trousers and a red gold T-shirt, belonging to a Chronicle reporter.

The clothes were stolen last week from a washing line at a residential flat in the city’s central business district.

A report was immediately made and a docket was opened for theft.

Chigodora, who has several criminal records, mostly theft and pickpocketing, was nabbed by police who were on patrol for unnecessary movement during the national lockdown in violation of Section 4 (1) (a) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020.

The SI was recently published by the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo in terms of the Public Health Act and in consultation with President Mnangagwa.

The SI was promulgated to give legal effect to the restriction of movement of people for 21 days, March 30 to April 19.

Chigodora, who is not employed, was convicted by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Shepherd Munjanja.

In passing the sentence, Mr Munjanja said violating lockdown regulations is a serious offence as it exposes the generality of the population to the deadly Covid-19.

“The accused person’s conduct of ignoring the law decreed to fight the deadly Covid-19 virus is a serious offence. This is actually not a banana republic, it is a country that has laws and every citizen has to comply for the purposes of fighting the spread of the deadly global pandemic,” he said.

The magistrate said people who violate lockdown regulations deserve punishment.

“People like you certainly deserve punishment, which will be exemplary to like-minded people who deliberately violate the law,” said Mr Munjanja.

Prosecuting, Ms Martha Tafa said on Monday at around 12.45AM, Chigodora was spotted by police walking along Plumtree Road near Lobels Bakeries in Bulawayo’s Belmont area. He was stopped and on being asked why he was walking around at night in violation of the lockdown regulations, Chigodora failed to give a valid reason leading to his arrest.

“On being quizzed, the accused person failed to give a satisfactory response. He also failed to produce any exemption document allowing him to move around during the lockdown period,” said Ms Tafa.

Meanwhile, police commended members of the public for cooperating with the security services during enforcement of Government Covid-19 lockdown measures.

In a statement yesterday, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said they arrested 5 788 people since the commencement of the lockdown for flouting lockdown measures, which include liquor and traffic-related offences, opening of businesses, unnecessary movement, gatherings and miscellaneous offences.

He urged people to continue cooperating to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

“However, the security services have noted with concern the volume of traffic as motorists try to drive into major cities’ central business districts such as Harare and Bulawayo without any valid reasons. Several queues of motor vehicles were noted this morning with some motorists pleading with deployed officers to be allowed to proceed to town,” he said.

“We implore such motorists to consider their safety first and the security of others. Please stay at home and avoid brushes with the law. Members of the public and the business community should note that some exemptions are being reviewed by relevant Ministries and institutions and those with such exemptions are urged to be in constant liaison with those responsible for the issuance of such exemptions to be up to date with the new developments.”

Police also urged members of the public to desist from gender-based violence during the lockdown. During the shutdown, people are supposed to be confined to their homes and may only leave to buy basic necessities at a supermarket or food retail store, or

fuel or gas at a fuel or gas retail outlet, within a radius not exceeding five kilometres or the nearest establishments if those within the radius are closed. However, only one person per household would be permitted to leave the house for the above purposes.

Individuals are also permitted to leave their homes to buy at pharmacies within a five-kilometre radius or the nearest establishment if the first one is closed or does not have required medicines in stock.

People working in organisations providing essential services are also permitted to leave their homes to go to work, including those working for foreign missions or agencies.statemedia

By A Correspondent- Top officials in the MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has slammed the door in the face of opposition Senators Douglas Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi, saying the two belong to MDC Alliance and must apply to rejoin the MDC-T and wait for five years before hoping to hold leadership positions.

MDC-T Secretary-General Nickson Nyikadzino, who was elected into the position at the party’s 2018 congress in Bulawayo, said he is the bona fide party secretary-general and does not recognize Mwonzora who apparently was reinstated into the same position by the Supreme Court ruling of 31st March.

The Supreme Court ordered Khupe to hold an extra-ordinary congress within three months to settle the leadership dispute in the opposition party.

The top court further said all appointments made by the late MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai, including the elevation of Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri as vice-presidents of the party, were unconstitutional.

Following the court ruling, Mwonzora immediately claimed he was the secretary-general of the party and would soon call for congress as ordered by the court.

However, Nyikadzino was recently singing a different tune that the extra-ordinary congress ordered by the Supreme Court only related to the dispute in the presidium after Tsvangirai’s death and he remained firmly in charge as secretary-general of the party elected at the 2018 congress.

“In continuing to execute my responsibilities as the secretary-general of the party, I shall advise stakeholders on the path the party will be following,” he said.

“I am cognisant of the fact that we contested the 2018 harmonised elections as the MDC-T and at bare minimum, managed to secure a seat for a Member of Parliament in the Lower House as well as a senatorial seat. I shall be communicating the party position with regards to these deployments within the next few days.”

Nyikadzino added:

“As such, please note that there is only one secretary-general of the MDC-T as elected at the said congress on the 23rd of April 2018, which was legally convened and attended by bona fide members of our party, the MDC-T. Be guided accordingly.”

Another MDC-T official, Tarisai Chikuvanganga, from Chakari constituency, also wrote a second letter to Khupe warning her against embracing Mwonzora and Morgen Komichi, who is also an MDC-Alliance senator.

Chikuvanganga argued that the two should apply for readmission into the party and wait at least five years to occupy any leadership position.

Chikuvanganga, in the latest submission to Khupe, said the MDC Alliance and the MDC-T were separate entities, hence the party, as directed by the Supreme Court, can hold its congress without members of the other party, Mwonzora and Komichi included.

Komichi is a senator under the MDC Alliance in the Midlands province, while Mwonzora is a senator in the same party for Manicaland province.

MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende said Komichi and Mwonzora had automatically expelled themselves from the party, a situation that leaves the two unattached, if the MDC-T has its way.

“I have seen that some people who want to benefit from both the MDC Alliance and the MDC-T are now denying the fact that the MDC Alliance is a political party separate from the MDC-T,” Chikuvanganga’s letter to Khupe read.

“It is my considered view that the issue of whether the MDC Alliance is a political party separate from the MDC-T or not was already decided by a competent court of jurisdiction having come before the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in Case No CCZ 42/18, a matter between Nelson Chamisa versus Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa & 24 others, including yourself.”

In the letter, Chikuvanganga made reference to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba, who was also a respondent, where she acknowledged the MDC Alliance as a political party separate from the MDC-T.

“If you also look at paragraph 94(c) of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s opposing affidavit, in that case, he clearly acknowledged the MDC Alliance as a political party separate to the MDC-T,” the letter read.

Chikuvanganga said even Mnangagwa, through the letters inviting Chamisa and Khupe to State House for dialogue, recognised the two different parties, hence there was “abundant evidence” to show that the ConCourt, Zec and Mnangagwa recognised the MDC Alliance as a political party separate from the MDC-T.

“Let us not be used by people who abandoned our party and campaigned against you and they now want us to divert our attention by indirectly fighting Zec, the ConCourt and President Mnangagwa by saying that the MDC Alliance is not a political party when it is a political party,” Chikuvanganga further said.

“The best for us is to move to our extra-ordinary congress as MDC-T and make it clear that those that had moved to the MDC Alliance were automatically expelled from the MDC-T and if they want to come back they should re-apply and wait for five years in order to qualify for any post.”-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has urged Zimbabweans to unite and approach the COVID 19 fight as a focused TeamZimbabwe.

Chamisa emphasised the need for mass testing adding that it was important for politicians to stop using food aid relief for their political grandisement.

He said:

“….this is the opportunity to adopt a new way of doing things… Government must intervene and reduce the price of fuel and at the same time subsidise electricity… internet charges should also fall,” said Chamisa.

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Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has issued a statement on COVID 19 suggesting the possible national interventions that government can take to protect its citizens.

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Three organisations representing people who are visually impaired and Deaf have sued government and the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) demanding to be provided with information on coronavirus in a format which is accessible to them.

Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League Of The Blind argued that the rights of persons with disabilities have been infringed and continue to be infringed by government and ZBC during a public health emergency crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic as there is a lack of
access to information in a format that is accessible to persons with disabilities, notably Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and the blind and partially sighted persons.

ZBC, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Health and Child Care Minister Hon. Obadiah Moyo and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Hon. Paul Mavima have been cited as respondents to the application by Centre for Disability and Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League of the Blind.

As applicants, the Centre for Disability and Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League of the Blind, represented by Denford Halimani and Doug Coltart of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, argued that given the state of public health emergency and the national lockdown, there is need for ZBC to have sign language as part of its programming to enable the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
people to be fully informed about the coronavirus pandemic and continuous changes effected on compliance with the national lockdown by the citizens and any subsequent measures taken by
government.

The Centre for Disability And Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League of the Blind argued that there is a need for all other official communications by government ministries involved in the fight against coronavirus to be produced in formats which are accessible to persons with disabilities, including blind and partially sighted persons, through the use of Braille pamphlets, and audio versions,
large print versions, and digital readable-text versions of official communications.

Failure to provide information on coronavirus in a format accessible to persons with disabilities, the applicants said, is not only a violation of the rights of those persons to equality, of access to information and other constitutional rights, but it also poses a grave danger to them, their members, and their beneficiaries who may be unknowingly exposed to the deadly disease as well as to the general public who may also be infected with the disease by persons with disabilities if they are not given equal access to information about the disease and empowered to take necessary measures to prevent its spread.

Centre for Disability and Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League of the Blind want the High Court to order ZBC to immediately provide sign language and/or captions in all its content on Zimbabwe Television (ZTV) pertaining to the coronavirus epidemic during and after the National Lockdown for the benefit of the deaf and hard of hearing people in Zimbabwe.

Hon. Mutsvangwa and Hon. Moyo, the applicants said, should immediately cause the production of pamphlets with information about coronavirus in Braille and to distribute the same information to visually impaired persons throughout Zimbabwe and ensure that all written information related to coronavirus provided by government is also made available in formats accessible to visually impaired and partially
sighted persons, such as audio versions, large text, and/or readable digital text, and distributed to the intended beneficiaries.

Hon. Moyo, the applicants said, should also ensure that the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare’s coronavirus hotlines and centres are staffed with persons who are equipped to deal with the unique needs of persons with disabilities while Hon. Mavima must facilitate that Hon. Mutsvangwa and Hon. Moyo
ensure that Braille materials and any other coronavirus-related materials intended for persons with disabilities are delivered to the intended recipients.

Hon. Mutsvangwa, the Centre for Disability and Development, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust and Zimbabwe National League of the Blind said, must immediately issue a statement urging private entities, including mass media and hospitals, to ensure that any services they provide to the public relating to coronavirus
including information, testing and treatment are accessible to persons with disabilities.

The application will be heard and determined on Monday 20 April 2020 by High Court Judge Justice Joseph Mafusire.

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC, says it will lodge a formal complaint against the police for assaulting a party councillor in Marondera.

Ward 8 councillor, Dzuke was bashed by police details on Monday.

During the scuffle, a police officer accused the opposition party of causing “people’s suffering.”

“We condemn the beating of Councillor Dzvuke of Ward 8, Marondera, by the police.

He was beaten while going to replenish a sanitizer at the borehole in Nyameni.

In the course of the assault, a police officer accused the Movement for Democratic Change for inflicting suffering on the people,” said the party in a statement.

The opposition party says it will lodge a complaint against police brutality.

Farai Dziva|The MDC Youth Assembly says the harassment of civilians in urban areas by the country’s security forces is a calculated ploy meant to punish urbanites for supporting the opposition party.

ZRP cops and soldiers are tormenting civilians across the country during the 21- day lockdown.

“The violence and harassment of citizens by the uniformed forces during this lockdown period is worrisome.

In fact, it has confirmed our fears that that Emmerson Mnangagwa is going to use this period to escalate human rights abuses as a way of thwarting impending mass demonstrations.

The whole thing is calculated to punish urban dwellers for snubbing Zanu PF,” said MDC Youth Assembly spokesperson Stephen Sarkozy Chuma in an interview with ZimEye.com on Tuesday.

Farai Dziva |The Ministry of Health and Childcare has announced that one person has fully recovered from COVID-19.

“The Ministry would like to advise the nation that one of the cases was confirmed as recovered after testing negative for Covid-19 on two samples collected at least 24 hours apart.

The case has been removed from isolation, and the healthcare workers are still monitoring other cases which includes a 34-year-old nurse at a local Bulawayo Hospital who has no travel history,” said the Health Ministry in a statement.

Chivi Central Member of Parliament Ephraim Gwanongodza has said truck drivers who stop at truck inns and other business centres to rest are making Zimbabwe vulnerable to the pandemic that has killed 120 000 people worldwide.

Ephraim Gwanongodza said
There might be no business during the day at business centres like Chibi Turn-Off and other areas along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, but truck drivers from South Africa still park there in their numbers.

In the surrounding villages, for example at Chibi Turn-Off, there are women who like to entertain the truck drivers, and there is a lot of contact that happens that makes social distancing impossible.

We discussed the issue with the local councillor and it is our request that trucks should be banned from parking at these places because it’s putting our province and the nation at serious risk.

Truck drivers are among critical services providers exempted to work during the lockdown as they are transporting cargo in between countries during the course of the lockdown.- State media

With many people in the country now aware of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, and some measures of how to control its spread, this has presented a business opportunity to some unscrupulous individuals and businesses here, who are manufacturing and selling fake hand sanitizers.

Some have abnormally hiked the prices of the hand sanitizers (original or fake) in a development that has not only worsened the plight of Bulawayo residents but also exposed them to the deadly disease that has claimed thousands of lives across the globe.

Sanitizers are one of the key hygiene instruments, seen by health experts as helpful in curbing the spread of the disease.

A survey in Bulawayo revealed that since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people supplying sanitisers.

The proliferation of home-made hand sanitisers, some of which are even dangerous to health, is driven sorely by a desire for a “quick buck”.

The unbranded sanitisers have noticeably flooded most high-density suburbs in the city.

Pharmacies in the city are selling a 125ml bottle of hand sanitiser for US$3 (or the equivalent in local currency,) itself a sharp increase from the original price of less than US$1.

However, on the street markets, the same product is going for between US$1 and US$2. While the product seems a bit cheaper as compared to pharmacies, the issue is that in most cases these are fake home made products offering no real health value.

A vendor plying his trade from Entumbane Complex following the announcement of the 21 day lockdown, said he recorded high business in the first days.

“Now business has slightly gone down due to the lockdown, but in the first days especially when Zimbabwe’s first case was detected, I recorded brisk business with many shops coming to buy from me because I had a reasonable price than big suppliers,” Tichaona Jaravaza said.

“I manufacture these things at my home, it’s not even difficult all you need are the required disinfectant ingredients especially alcohol,” he said.

Asked if his products were safe for human use, he said: “Mine are very safe, but I know of some crooks who have been manufacturing some fake stuff, just to milk desperate people at this time of the pandemic, which is bad as it soils our business reputation.”

It has also been reported that some of the fake sanitisers were causing skin diseases, particularly involving skin peel offs on hands. This has been as a result of use of chemicals with a high concentration of ethanol glutaral¬dehyde or cidex, a potentially harmful liquid containing dangerous substances, which can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and throat if inhaled or swallowed.

Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi recently warned people selling fake sanitisers.

However, the threats seem to have failed to deter the unscrupulous dealers, who have continued with their trade.

Pharmacist, Comfort Mhlanga said it was advisable that consumers buy from licenced dealers as the home made products were not checked or certified to be safe for use.

“Due to economic challenges in the country, many have resorted to buying cheap stuff from the informal traders or black market, but now we are dealing with chemicals, when you talk of hand sanitisers, so people should not endanger their health by using unsanctioned products. People are desperate to earn a living so they can mix the sanitiser with anything that comes to their mind and they sell to people, which is extremely dangerous. Already we have had reports of people who have been affected by these fake products,” Mhlanga noted.

-State Media