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.

A Bulawayo woman who fatally axed her husband following a misunderstanding during the Easter period said she committed the gruesome act because she had been humiliated by the deceased.

Ordetta Mpofu (44) of Emganwini suburb told the court that her husband humiliated her in front of their children when he told her in the face that she had no shares in their matrimonial home.

Mpofu axed her husband, Thembani Mpofu (52), an employee of the Bulawayo City Council three times on the head on April 10 while he was asleep, killing him instantly.

Mpofu had reportedly refused to resolve a dispute between his wife and daughter over which television channel to watch.

When Mpofu appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Shepherd Munjanja facing a murder charge, she said:

I acted out of anger when I struck my husband with an axe because he humiliated me in front of our children when he told me that I did not have shares in our home.

Mpofu was remanded in custody to May 11 pending examination by two doctors to ascertain her mental health status in terms of the Mental Health Act.-statemedia

A former prisoner who suffered a broken arm in an attack at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison has filed a police report that two officers assaulted him after he barged into a cell of a convicted popular businessman who was entertaining a woman while a second report states that it was fellow prisoners who hit him.

Tatenda Govere, who was recently freed under the Presidential Amnesty after serving four years in jail for housebreaking and theft, reported his case at Highlands Police Station under CR 52/10/18 accusing two prison officers of assault while a later report CR 62/10/18 accuses other prisoners.

Both reports have been sent to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) who will decide on the way forward, said national police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.

“I can confirm that an assault report was made to the police against some prison officers but the case became complicated when another report was made, implicating fellow inmates as assailants,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

Govere complained to High Court judge Justice Herbert Chitapi in March this year during the judge’s routine prison visit.

Govere, who was in 2015 jailed eight years for housebreaking, claims he entered the businessman’s cell intending to borrow a newspaper, only to find him enjoying the company of a woman.

He allegedly left the cell and continued with his daily chore of serving sadza to fellow prisoners.

Two prison officers, whom he believes were linked to the businessman grilled him, he said, demanding to know why he got into the cell without notice.

“Being a trusted prisoner at yellow stage (prisoners deemed to have reformed), on September 26, 2018, I was serving food at A Hall where the businessman was staying.

“Since I was in good books with the businessman, I left a bucket of Sadza on the floor and went into his cell to ask for the day’s newspaper.

“In the cell, I was surprised to see the businessman in the company of a woman and they were eating a cake. I quickly retreated and walked away without saying a word,” said Govere.

“A few hours later, the two prison officers (names supplied) called me and grilled me over the incident.

They quizzed on why I entered the cell without notice. I told them I wanted a newspaper but they turned violent and ordered me to lie on the ground.

“They took turns to assault me all over the body with a black baton until my left arm broke.

I also sustained injuries on my left leg after one of the officers tripped me to the ground as I tried to escape,” he said.-State media

By A Correspondent- A Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) based in Concession, Mashonaland Central province was allegedly robbed at gunpoint by  Harare robbers.

The matter came to light at Bindura magistrates courts when Elisha Manhanga (53) of 34 Tait avenue Hilside, Harare pleaded not guilty to armed robbery charge before Bindura magistrate Tinashe Ndokera yesterday.

Ndokera remanded him in custody to April 22.

The state alleged Manhanga together with his accomplices who are still at large on October 19 last year pounced on a Concession resident who is not mentioned in state papers  armed with  a pistol, two axes and iron bars.

The robbers fired two warning shots while outside before breaking  into the house and assaulted the complaint all over the body before harassing his wife and children.

They stole money, empty jelly cans, a laptop, a digital camera, mobile phones and stormed outside where they deflated tryres of the complanaint’s three cars before fleeing.

Manhanga was arrested on April 9 following a tip off.

Samson Chamunorwa represented the state.

The National Airline has licensed engineers on contract from Asia Aero Technic of Malaysia, but the maintenance tasks could not be completed successfully to the required conformance standards at Harare in the absence of technical rigs and test equipment.

The National Airline today at 1138hrs positioned its B777-200ER Reg# Z-RGM to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia, for special mandatory periodic maintenance which could not be carried out in Harare owing to the unavailability of special maintenance equipment.

The maintenance tasks are key in ensuring that the aircraft remains serviceable in line with the ongoing process of dry leasing the aircraft.

Discussions and negotiations are at an advanced stage with potential short-listed lessees and a final position will be officially communicated once an agreement has been signed hopefully in the next coming few months as we continue to monitor the effects and milestones in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activation of a lease agreement will bring in the much needed foreign currency revenue for Air Zimbabwe to augment its current aircraft fleet with an option of outright purchases or lease in of smaller aircraft.

This initiative is part of the National Airline’s Strategic Turnaround Plan (STP) whose main focus is the development of robust regional/international and tourist hubs for seamless trade and tourism connectivity.

 By A Correspondent- Originators of falsehoods claiming that the Government had extended the national lockdown by any time-frame face a 20-year jail term if caught, President Mnangagwa warned.

He added that he had since ordered an investigation into the origins of such messages circulating on social media.

He hinted that Cabinet would meet on the 20th of this month to review whether or not to extend the 21-day national lockdown which expires early next week.

The President dismissed as nonsensical, reports that were doing the rounds on social media purporting that he had extended the lockdown, saying he alone cannot extend without first consulting with his two Vice Presidents and Cabinet.

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 liable will be jailed for 20 years, officials have confirmed.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told Sunday News yesterday that the measure to categorise spreading of fake news about the pandemic as a Level 14 offence was part of Government’s efforts to ensure that the country effectively contains the spread of COVID-19.

“This is part of a Statutory Instrument (SI) under the Public Health Act, which now criminalises the peddling of falsehoods relating to this pandemic. The reason we had to come up with that SI was after we noted the proliferation of fake news, which were hindering the fight against the spread of the pandemic.

We are using the Public Health Act which according to Section 68, empowers the Minister of Health and Child Care to make such regulations in times of emergencies, to help contain such viruses,” said Minister Ziyambi.-statemedia

 Unicef and Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education are reportedly at an advanced stage in introducing TV and Radio lessons to Zimbabwean students.

The efficacy of TV and Radio lessons has never been in doubt where it is done properly. However, with the collapse of CDU in Zimbabwe, inaccessibility of several areas to both TV and radio receptivity, lack of adequate engagement of teachers, and absence of both functional radios and TVs in several homesteads, it is doubtful that this can be successfully implemented in Zimbabwe at this historical juncture.

While the idea is certainly good it is unfortunate there has not been adequate consultations with both educators and students and this would seriously affect practical implementation.

We are aware that the Ministry wants to justify the use of donor funds (UNICEF funds), but let it be warned that hap hazardous meddling and muddling have never produced good results. Any reforms in the education system must realise the centrality of those nearer the classroom if ever there is to be some modicum degree of success.

There is virtually no baseline survey on students with access to radios, let alone televisions. In a country where the majority of students have no access to radios, let alone TVs it remains to be seen how UNICEF and the Ministry would navigate this quandary.

Worse still, it is students from poor families that have no access to both radio and TV that would be affected most. We are aware of neo-liberal policies camouflaged as e-learning and its long intended goal of cutting personnel in the education sector.

We hope the government would not try to use current COVID 19 and lockdown to experiment with such a diagnosis that treats the disease by killing the patient. No technology can replace a teacher in the education system. Any good intervention in schools must certainly involve teachers, who still remain scattered throughout the length and breadth of Zimbabwe.

ZimEye tonight reaches to the Zimbabwean military for answers on why soldiers are assaulting civilians and health workers during the lockdown period. This comes after clear video footage emerged showing attacks against residents in Harare, and the latest ones being in Masvingo where health workers were brutally assaulted together people traveling to purchase mealie meal,classified in the category of essential goods.

In January, ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa announced during a speech saying he will deploy the army to assault Kuwadzana residents upon discovering that they are the ones who stopped the rain.

One of the victims is Emmanuel Mushaiwa who was left with fractured arm and taken to Nyangombe clinic. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was immediately transferred to Chinhoyi Hospital. (See pictures- WARNING THE IMAGES MAY BE DISTRESSING TO THOSE OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION.)

Below was the brief interaction (VIDEO LOADING BELOW.)

Daily News|IN A refreshingly candid admission, Vice President Kembo Mohadi says the government should do more to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily News On Sunday — after a meeting with doctors in Harare on Friday — the usually introverted Mohadi said bluntly that he was not happy with what the country had done to prepare for the lethal disease.

He also conceded that the number of people who have so far been tested for the virus in the country, at less than 500, did not reflect well on Zimbabwe’s  efforts to combat the global pandemic.

This comes as Zimbabwe has registered its third death from coronavirus, from the 13 people who have so far tested positive for the deadly disease — a development that has made the country’s Covid-19 mortality rate among the highest in the world, at 27 percent.

It also comes as health experts have also raised the red flag over Zimbabwe’s preparations for Covid-19, citing a glaring lack of testing kits, intensive care units, ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE), among other critical things.

“Tests should be done expeditiously and they (doctors) said we should also move out of Harare and go to other areas. Even before the lockdown, we did not know who had been where and who they had visited and met. We need to do more testing using facilities that are there. I am equally not happy myself that we have only tested over 400

people. We need to have tested more,” Mohadi said.

“The same with Bulawayo, we have an international airport there. So, there is a possibility that we might be having people that might have been somewhere who might have sneaked into the country without us knowing. We need to do the necessary sampling,” the VP added.

Mohadi also disclosed that the government would soon dispatch teams to hunt for possible cases at busy ports of entry such as Victoria Falls and Beitbridge.

“The other area we will soon look at is Victoria Falls, as well as areas like Buffalo Range … Doctors believe that if many people test positive, Wilkins will be overwhelmed. It’s a small place. They said we must refurbish Parirenyatwa and I agree with them. But there must be an area that must deal specifically with coronavirus since the hospital also admits people who are not Covid-19 patients.

“As I am talking to you now, members of the ad hoc committees are in the provinces establishing structures. We want to decentralise operations even up to the district level,” Mohadi said.

“We have some areas we think might be having people that have the virus, especially in places like Beitbridge and Matabeleland South in general, where most people go to seek employment in South Africa.

“Usually they will be working in Johannesburg, where there is a high possibility of infections. We are also looking at areas like Masvingo and Chipinge from where many people go to South Africa. A number of these people are deported and … I don’t think they were screened enough. So, we need to have tests in those areas now,” Mohadi said further.

Just before South Africa’s national lockdown a fortnight ago, more than 13 000 Zimbabweans returned home through Beitbridge Border Post.

Although these people were screened before they were released, the government says it is following up on them after the 14-day incubation period to check for coronavirus symptoms.

But fresh doubts were raised on the country’s testing thoroughness following the death of a 79-year-old Bulawayo man last week, who succumbed to the lethal virus but whose results were only released four days after his death.

He had been treated and held in a general ICU, where health experts say he may have exposed other patients and health care workers there to the deadly disease.

“The patient was treated at a local hospital. Is this an infectious diseases hospital or a Covid-19 designated facility? The inability to diagnose on time is a clear sign that health professionals attending the deceased were exposed as they lack essential protective equipment. The patient was first seen on March 23 and was not advised to self-quarantine … What is the state of preparedness in centres outside Harare,” the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said after the man died.

And as concerns grow over the country’s rising coronavirus death toll, Mohadi told the Daily News On Sunday that these deaths revealed weaknesses in the country’s healthcare system.

“We are worried about the death rate as government. Even if it was one percent, we would still be worried. It’s a new thing (coronavirus),and we are still learning from other countries … doctors raised concerns about their safety and that of their families.

“They don’t have enough personal protective equipment. Psychologically, it affects everybody if you attend to someone who is Covid-19 positive. If he or she dies, and you don’t know if you contracted the disease … so, doctors need to be equipped,” Mohadi said.

“It’s like taking soldiers into battle without ammunition. What do you expect? You should expect a defeat. So, we need to equip them,” he further told the Daily News On Sunday.

Mohadi also said committees that were set up to mobilise resources to fight coronavirus were still seeking essential equipment and funding.

“Every day we are getting something from our friends around the world and within Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans have responded well against this virus,” he said.

The VP also revealed that Zimbabwe was yet to train more health practitioners on how to handle the deadly virus.

“Doctors and nurses need to be trained and that training has got to be done now. We must make it a point that they are trained.

“On the issue of incentives for doctors, the government is looking into that. Doctors have had those grievances for a long time, but now, coupled with the dangers that come with the virus, the situation has to be looked at differently, because we need our patients to be attended to,” Mohadi added.

This comes as the government has taken a lot of flak from a large cross section of Zimbabweans for the manner in which it has been preparing for Covid-19.

Presently, Zimbabwe does not have adequate quarantine centres, with most parts of the country remaining uncovered — as the cash strapped government struggles to mobilise resources.

In cities like Gweru, the government has set up a makeshift centre — which has copped a lot of criticism — to quarantine possible positive cases of the virus.

The country is currently in the middle of a 21-day lockdown that was imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Coronavirus has killed about 105 000 people around the world as of yesterday, with infection rates fast hurtling towards the two million mark globally.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the coronavirus comes from a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

Its symptoms include pneumonia, high fever, flu, shortness of breath and diarrhoea — and the precautions that have to be taken include covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and continuously washing hands.

MDC Alliance vice president Tendai Biti said the International Monetary Fund snubbed Zimbabwe from the debt relief provided to 20 African countries because of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’ failure to reform and stealing of elections.

On Tuesday, the IMF board approved immediate debt relief for 25 countries, 20 of them African nations but Zimbabwe was excluded.

“20 African countries obtain debt relief and Zimbabwe is conspicuously absent. The reason is political illegitimacy, fascism and disrespect of the rule of law. Reason is corruption and rent seeking behavior,cartels and Sakunda. Reason is failure to reform and stealing elections,” said Biti.

Countries that will receive debt service relief include Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, D.R., The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Togo, and Yemen.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Executive Board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF’s member countries under the IMF’s revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts,” she said.

The High Court of Zimbabwe on Tuesday ordered the government to provide all medical practitioners in all public health institutions with adequate protective personal equipment (PPE).

The ruling followed an application by the Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZDHR) who sought the High Court to compel the government to provide adequate PPEs for health personnel to protect them from COVID-19.

Posting on Twitter, Dr Norman Matara of ZDHR said that the High Court granted a consent order, ordering Health Minister Obadiah Moyo to immediately ensure the following:

1. Provide ALL health professionals working in all public health institutions with adequate PPE

2. Screen and test health workers for COVID-19

3. Conduct mass screening for COVID-19, including door to door tests to detect asymptomatic individuals

4. Screen and test all public transport drivers, security officers enforcing the lockdown and provide them with PPE

5. Roll out nationwide training programs for all health workers on COVID-19 management protocols

6. Establish appropriately equipped quarantine and isolation facilities in all provinces, district hospitals and designated airports and port of entry.

7. All health facilities are equipped with enough supportive medication for frontline practitioners and patients.

The High Court of Zimbabwe on Tuesday barred the police from beating up people and subjecting them to inhumane treatment when enforcing lockdown measures.

The order comes after there has been an upsurge in reports of military and police brutality against civilians accused of ignoring the stay-at-home order across the country.

Lucia Masvondo of Karoi was allegedly assaulted by security forces and bitten by dogs as she cooked on an open fire outside her house in the evening.

Masvondo, represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), applied to The High Court seeking an order overturning the lockdown order.

ZLHR filed an urgent chamber application with the High Court last Thursday, also challenging the lack of social distancing by police officers.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum says it has documented over 51 assault cases involving security agents, with most of the cases recorded in urban areas.

Advocate Tendai Biti, an official in the opposition MDC has filed an urgent application at the High Court to compel the government to enact regulations that support Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, (the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020).

The SI 2020-083 Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020 was gazetted for the implementation of the 21-day national lockdown which is premised at curbing the spread of coronavirus.

The SI banned or suspended some events and activities. “Essential services” which are not forbidden by the SI include any hospital service; transport service referred to in sections 4(2) and 7(2); generation, supply or distribution of electricity; supply and distribution of water; sewerage or sanitary service; and production, supply, delivery or distribution of food (in particular supermarkets and food retail stores).

There is great concern over the economic and humanitarian effects of the lockdown on the nation. The country already had a serious shortage of many commodities including mealie-meal and the lockdown has reportedly slid many into poverty.

Closure of companies means less to no income to many citizens hence inability to meet daily expenses.

Biti’s lawsuit comes at a time when scores of citizens going about their businesses are being arrested and brutalised for violating lockdown regulations

A few weeks ago the President announced that a law was being put into effect that would allow for the sentencing of those spreading false information regarding the Coronavirus.

The President has spoken again, following speculation that he would announce an extension to the current lockdown. Mnangagwa claims there is no such declaration being made as the Cabinet will review whether an extension is necessary towards the end of the current lockdown.

Mnangagwa also announced that the Government will try and trace whoever originated this misinformation and give them an exemplary sentence to defer others from spreading false information;

I have seen on social media people saying that I’m going to make a statement extending [the lockdown]. That is absolutely nonsense, I never made such a statement.

We now have a law, which punishes those who produce fake news and I believe we have asked the CIO to make a trace as to who made the claims that “the President has made an extension” when I have not. If we catch that person, it must be exemplary and they must go in [prison] at level 14 – which is 20 years imprisonment.

I think we need to demonstrate that we don’t want false news to be circulated especially when you are spreading false news about the President. That is not proper!

Regarding the lockdown, the President went on to say the Cabinet will sit down and review whether or not to extend it on the 20th or 21st day of the lockdown which suggests we will be getting an official address either on Sunday 19 April or on the following day which marks 21 days.

Times Live|Some Chinese nationals in Zimbabwe have been denied access to health care since the Covid-19 outbreak though their cases were not related to the pandemic, says Beijing’s representative in Harare.

Guo Shaochun, China’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, made the claim after complaints by African countries that their nationals were subjected to forced quarantines and testing for the coronavirus in the Asian country.

Shaonchun called the cases in China “sensationalised” and “isolated incidents of what is misunderstanding caused by insufficient communication”.

He said some Chinese citizens were being unfairly treated in Zimbabwe.

“Since March, Zimbabwe has seen a series of cases in which Chinese nationals, with medical conditions unrelated to Covid-19, were refused treatment by local hospitals. Some Chinese individuals were verbally and physically abused in the street,” he said in a statement.

These cases were not in the public domain because “the Chinese embassy, Chinese nationals and journalists in Zimbabwe chose to inform the Zimbabwean authorities” rather than going to the media.

Zimbabwe has 17 cases of Covid-19 and three deaths from 600 tests in a population of about 15 million. Minister of local government, public works and national housing July Moyo, a member of the Covid-19 task force, told journalists that more needed to be done.

“The numbers (of positive Covid-19 cases) are few but we must not be satisfied about that because our testing is also very little. When the number of testing (samples) goes up, we think we will have more cases,” he said.

So far the majority of positive cases are in Harare metropolitan province which accounts for two deaths, Bulawayo with one death and Victoria Falls where the only positive case is recuperating at home.

Very few positive cases have been identified in the rest of the country. Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights said this “reflects the minimal focus on the regions outside Harare”.

Meanwhile, workers at Sino Hydro Corporation — a Chinese-owned power utility company — say they will sue their employer for failure to provide protective clothing and safe shelter for its 400 employees working at the US$1.4-bn Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion project.

Presidential Spokesperson George Charamba has urged Zimbabweans to stay at home and follow the lockdown rules so that they avoid being arrested because it is cheaper to arrest people that incur costs of testing them for the deadly Coronavirus.

Commenting on a ZimEye.com article which bemoaned the arrest of citizens, Charamba (using his moniker Jamwanda) said, “PEOPLE GET EASILY TAKEN IN BY THIS FOOLISH NARRATIVE!! Of course, it’s far better, cheaper to arrest than to incur costs of testing suspected cases arising out of sheer recklessness and lack of lockdown enforcement.

“The kits have to be imported, and that means using foreign exchange!!! All to cope with individuals who willfully break lockdown rules?? Let’s get real!!!”

Charamba urged Zimbabweans to adhere to the laws to avoid a brush with the law.

“Stay at home; obey the lockdown rules and let’s see if any policeman/woman enters your yard to beat you up!!”

In March the government announced the Public Health (COVID-19 Prevention, Containment, and Treatment) Regulations 2020. One of the sections deals with “false reporting during the national lockdown. It says:

14. For the avoidance of doubt any person who publishes or communicates false news about any public officer, official, or enforcement officer involved with enforcing or implementing the national lockdown in his or her capacity as such, or about any private individual that has the effect of prejudicing the State’s enforcement of the national lockdown, shall be liable for prosecution under section 31 of the Criminal law Code (“Publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the state”) and liable to the penalty there provided, that is to say, a fine up to or exceeding twenty years or both.

FORMER Zapu treasurer of the United Kingdom chapter Naison Mgatsho Msebele has succumbed to Covid-19, bringing to five the number of locals who have died of the disease in that country.

The 77-year old, a former employee of Bata Company and the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) passed away after a short illness at a London hospital last Wednesday.

Last Tuesday, the virus claimed the lives of Dr Paul Matewele (57) a senior lecturer in microbiology immunology at London Metropolitan University and Ms Thandi Matho Thobela while on March 31, socialite and accountant Gardner Madzongo and health worker Sikhanyisiwe Kaziboni died of Covid-19.Msebele family’s spokesperson Mr Felix Silundika said they are at a loss for words with the passing of a “dedicated family man and educationist.”

“It is with deep sorrow and pain that we inform the public about the death of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, brother, uncle and friend Mr Naison Mgatsho Msebele who passed away after a short illness in a London hospital on April 8.

“From an early age, Naison loved learning and had a thirst for knowledge and acquitted himself with an excellent record at school. In the UK he worked and held a number of positions including political and economic analyst, a refugee advocate with Amnesty International, a local government manager, and in later years he trained as a teacher then psychotherapist,” said Mr Silundika.

Msebele was among the advisors during the Lancaster House talks which led to Independence.

“Mr Msebele was a fearless cadre and once served as an advisor to the Zapu delegation to the Lancaster House talks, a delegation that included his cousin and mentor, the late national liberation hero TG Silundika.

“He was the most loved and cherished father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a friend whose values went beyond his immediate family and borders. He was passionate about supporting his family and community through whatever challenges they faced,” said Mr Silundika.

Msebele is survived by seven children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

The High Court has issued an order compelling the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the army and other law enforcement officers to respect human rights, dignity, and fundamental freedoms.

The judge made the order during a case where one Lucia Masvondo and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights challenged brutality on Masvondo.

In a tweet on Tuesday ZLHR said, “High Court has just granted an interim order that the police army and other enforcement officers must respect human rights, dignity, and fundamental freedoms, in Masvondo and ZLHR case.

Farai Dziva|Overzealous police details and soldiers seized Coronavirus awareness posters in the ancient city of Masvingo On Tuesday.

Despite possessing letters of approval that enable essential service workers to carry out their duties, members of Prayer Network of Zimbabwe, running a Coronavirus awareness programme were blocked by police officers and soldiers -from doing their duties.

Police also seized their posters.

See statement below :
I am the Coordinator of Prayer Network Zimbabwe and we have launched a Covid-19 awareness programme.

We are distributing Covid -19 awareness posters in Masvingo town.

I was shocked by the behaviour of officers at Rujeko footbridge.

I produced letters that clearly state that I’m printing Covid- 19 Awareness posters through my graphic and designing company.

However police officers and soldiers beat up my colleagues who were distributing the posters.

My workmates were assaulted with baton sticks for no apparent reason.

Clayson Chimbidzikai

Farai Dziva|Overzealous police details and soldiers seized Coronavirus awareness posters in the ancient city of Masvingo On Tuesday.

ZDF Soldiers and @PoliceZimbabwe are on a rampage in Masvingo right now (places like Rujeko Footbridge) assaulting essential workers, with letters of govt approval. Why are you allowing this abuse to continue (vid relates to an earlier incident) @Jamwanda2 @nickmangwana pic.twitter.com/P1pnO7TmEM

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 14, 2020

Despite possessing letters of approval that enable essential service workers to carry out their duties, members of Prayer Network of Zimbabwe, running a Coronavirus awareness programme were blocked by police officers and soldiers -from doing their duties.

Police also seized their posters.

See statement below :
I am the Coordinator of Prayer Network Zimbabwe and we have launched a Covid-19 awareness programme.

We are distributing Covid -19 awareness posters in Masvingo town.

I was shocked by the behaviour of officers at Rujeko footbridge.

I produced letters that clearly state that I’m printing Covid- 19 Awareness posters through my graphic and designing company.

However police officers and soldiers beat up my colleagues who were distributing the posters.

My workmates were assaulted with baton sticks for no apparent reason.

Clayson Chimbidzikai

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.

The government of Zimbabwe is planning to repatriate its distressed citizens stuck in South Africa following travel bans and lockdowns put in place globally in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter dated April 13, 2020, the Embassy of Zimbabwe in South Africa said it had learnt that there were Zimbabwean citizens and permanent residents facing challenges that would make their continued stay in South Africa uncomfortable and was now liaising with the head office in Harare on the possibility of repatriating those who were willing back to Zimbabwe.

“While consultations with the head office in Harare are underway, the embassy will continue with efforts to come up with a comprehensive evaluation of the situation on the ground as it develops,” Counsellor Martin Makururu wrote.

“Citizens and permanent residents who choose to exercise the option of returning to Zimbabwe during the lockdown period are expected to go into compulsory quarantine for a period of 21 days (three weeks.)”

Makururu pointed out that South Africa allowed the “voluntary, orderly” repatriation of foreign nationals to their countries of origin during the lockdown period.

He said Zimbabwe’s borders remained open to allow for the return of its citizens and permanent residents.

Makururu added that those who wished to return home had to provide their full names and surnames, passport or national identity card numbers, age, gender, current physical address, local [phone number, home address and phone number of next of kin in Zimbabwe a well as the home address in Zimbabwe to the Zimbabwe consulate.

South Africa has recorded more than 2 000 cases of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country responding by implementing a lockdown.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has recorded 17 cases and three deaths.

Zimbabwe has implemented a lockdown that is due to end on Sunday.

-Newsday

The High Court has granted an interim order barring police, army and other enforcement officers to respect human rights, dignity and fundamental freedoms when enforcing lockdown measures.

More to follow…

By A Correspondent|Members of the Zimbabwe National Army in partnership with the police are reportedly beating up civilians ahead of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Masvingo this afternoon.

Mnangagwa is currently on a national tour to assess how citizens are fairing during the 21 Day Lockdown in a process set to inform whether to extend or not the lockdown.

However, the soldiers and police details manning the road from Rujeko township into town were indiscriminately assaulting civilians this morning.

Said a supermarket worker who did not want to be named but could not go to work but said was beaten up this morning:

“The letters from our employers were not working and i was beaten before being told to go back home.”

This is a developing story as ZimEye is engaging the responsible authorities for a comment on this.

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that he is currently touring the country’s provinces to appreciate the situation on the ground with regards to the coronavirus pandemic and the effects of the national lockdown on the nation.

He said that the findings from the tour will be used to determine whether the national lockdown should be extended or its regulations are adjusted. He said:

We shall review the situation on the 20th of April on whether we adjust the lockdown conditions or we extend.

The president’s remarks come when there is a fake statement circulating on social media suggesting that he has extended the lockdown.

Zimbabwe is currently on a 21-day lockdown that is premised at stopping the spread or transmission of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The country also has 17 confirmed cases including three (3) deaths, a number which some say could rise if the government embarks on more rigorous testing, tracking of case contacts and quarantine campaign.-statemedia

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 Spokeperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said one of the seven survivors who escaped suffocation from the tunnel, Walter Kwaime reported the incident to the police upon 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 were taken for postmotem at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, further urging members of the public to heed the lockdown call by government.  

-State Media

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that he is currently touring the country’s provinces to appreciate the situation on the ground with regards to the coronavirus pandemic and the effects of the national lockdown on the nation.

He said that the findings from the tour will be used to determine whether the national lockdown should be extended or its regulations are adjusted. He said:

We shall review the situation on the 20th of April on whether we adjust the lockdown conditions or we extend.

The president’s remarks come when there is a fake statement circulating on social media suggesting that he has extended the lockdown.

Zimbabwe is currently on a 21-day lockdown that is premised at stopping the spread or transmission of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The country also has 17 confirmed cases including three (3) deaths, a number which some say could rise if the government embarks on more rigorous testing, tracking of case contacts and quarantine campaign.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- It is alleged that three 3 man from Kwekwe have been arrested for armed robbery during this lock down period.

Obvious Magodhi (24), Tawanda Rodney Chiku (29) And Keen Cain Makainganwa (34) were arrested for armed robbery targeting dealers of vehicle catalyst and money changers.

The police is said to have recovered a pietro Berreta Pistol with 48 rounds smuggled from South Africa.

The robbers have confirmed that that they armed robbery cases in Kadoma, Chegutu and Gweru.-Online

THERE is panic among nurses at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after a man died of suspected COVID-19 at the health institution on Saturday morning.

The man, who reportedly exhibited symptoms synonymous with the dreaded virus, was admitted in Forrester Ward, where he reportedly died on Saturday.

The matter was, however, reportedly being swept under the carpet by some senior health officials, although the Bulawayo City Council was summoned to fumigate the ward and the hospital’ s morgue on the same day

The man, who reportedly travelled to Dubai, last month had his specimen taken and results were reportedly not yet released.

UBH chief executive Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said she was out of town and was not aware of the issue.

” … I’ m out of town. You can contact the acting CEO, Dr (Narcisius) Dzvanga,” Ndlovu said.

However, Dzvanga initially dispelled the issue, saying the fumigation was done at the mortuary after housing a COVID-19 body, that of case 11, a 79-year-old man who died at the Catholic-run Mater Dei Hospital last week, the third recorded death in the country.

“Not to my knowledge and I am the acting CEO and clinical director. We haven’ t had a case of the dreaded COVID-19. Possibly at the mortuary as we housed the deceased, a positive case from Mater Dei,” he said.

However, moments later, he confirmed that they admitted a suspected COVID-19case.

“Just confirmed you are correct, but the Forrester Ward was disinfected as a precautionary measure. Otherwise, the case tested negative,” he said.

“My most profound apologies, I wasn’ t informed of this activity at all. I thank you for bringing that to my attention.”

A source said there was a suspected death of coronavirus at the health institution.

“The patient died yesterday (Saturday) in Forrester Ward, so they are waiting for the results. If they come out positive, we are all in trouble. They are saying results are not yet out and the patient had visited Dubai last month,” the source said.

She said the nursing staff was afraid to attend to him for fear of being exposed to the virus without proper protective clothing.

“Sisters at Forrester Ward were afraid of him. He was shouting and shouting, but they were too scared to go there. He died on Saturday early morning in Forrester Ward. The mortuary and the Ward were fumigated by the city council,” she said.

Bulawayo recorded its first COVID-19 death after a 79-year-old man got into a contact with a visitor from the United Kingdom and died on April 4 at Mater Dei Hospital, becoming the third recorded death in the country.

Forty seven of his contacts have so far been traced.

Byo 24

By A Correspondent- Another video showing soldiers and the police beating up citizens has surfaced on the social media.

Watch the video below…..

Government has however remained silent on the abuses which has also not spared journalists.

Last week, a female journalist Mary Taruvinga was forced to toyi- toyi for an estimated 30 minutes before she was let go in the central business district by soldiers and police. This was despite that she had produced her media accreditation card and explained that she was on duty.

The MISA is also on record condemning the arrest and beating of journalists.

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba is however on record justifying why the country has recorded more arrests than tests for coronavirus.

Said Charamba on his twitter account Jamwanda:

NewsDay|The MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe has been accused of offering bribes to members of the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance members in the Midlands and several other parts of the country to manufacture fake 2014 structures ahead of an expected extra-ordinary congress as recently ordered by the Supreme Court.

Khupe was given reigns to be interim president of the MDC by the Supreme Court in a judgment delivered by Justice Bharat Patel.

Her backers, led by former chairperson Morgen Komichi as well as Douglas Mwonzora, have maintained that the ruling meant she had taken over leadership of the Chamisa-led MDC Alliance.

But MDC Alliance vice-president Tendai Biti has denied such interpretation, saying the

MDC-T was a different party altogether with nothing to do with the Chamisa-led formation.

The Supreme Court judgment also ordered Khupe to convene “an extra-ordinary congress in three months to elect a substantive leadership of the MDC”.

In a bid to solidify support for Khupe at the intended extra-ordinary congress, sources told our sister paper The Standard that some MDC-T officials had been dangling US$100 bribes to MDC Alliance activists in the Midlands to produce fake 2014 structures list with real names of MDC people, but who may not have been position holders during that period.

Takavafira Zhou, the MDC Alliance’s Midlands provincial spokesperson, confirmed the development.

“It has come to the provincial leadership’s attention that the rebels are running mad and offering US$100 to anyone who can assist in the production of even fake 2014 MDC-T structures. We are aware of the current hardships, but want to encourage our genuine MDC Alliance members never to salivate at a poisoned carrot,” he said.

“Co-operating in supplying fake 2014 structures is just like kissing a rabid dog.”

Zhou said the party leadership learnt that the Khupe team was in Kwekwe on Sunday pursuing that mission.

“Some of our officials have informed us that rebel agents were in Kwekwe (on Sunday) and tried to hoodwink MDC Alliance members to provide fake 2014 structures without success. Let our CCC (constituency co-ordinating committee) be appraised that as a party, we have the 2014 structures,” Zhou said.

“We want to remind our lower structures that only the provincial organising department or other provincial members assigned by the organising department can request for the structures from our constituency co-ordinating committees (formerly districts). To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It is, however, prudent to report any attempt (and at whatever level) by rebels to extend feelers to MDC Alliance supporters.

“Vigilance demands that we must always be resilient every time and be ready to define, defend and nurture the democratic agenda under the leadership of the people’s president, Nelson Chamisa.”

Zhou also said that the MDC Midlands province had thrown its weight behind Chamisa.

“The three provincial wings in Midlands (men, women and youth) and 28 constituencies are solely behind the people’s president, Nelson Chamisa.

“Lest some people may forget, leadership in any political party is determined politically and not through the courts. President Nelson Chamisa is the undisputed leader of MDC Alliance and there are no two ways about this historical reality,” he said.

“Two political parties, MDC Alliance and MDC-T, went to elections as independent entities, making the court decisions not only warped, but also void.

“We wish Khupe her best in her machination, which is futile, as we will remain resolute resilient behind president Chamisa. The courts cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; neither can they weaken the strong to strengthen the weak.”

Mwonzora yesterday denied sending teams to bribe people to get doctored 2014 structures.

“That is totally false. The list of 2014 structures is there already in our records. After lockdown, we will be verifying the actual existence of these people,” he said.

“No team was ever sent out as alleged. We are on lockdown, remember.”

Own Correspondent|Police have revealed that more than 5 200 people have so far been arrested for defying lockdown regulations which are meant to avert the spread of Covid-19.

The figure of arrested persons is ten times more than that of people who have been tested for the virus in the country since its outbreak in China in December last year.

Health professionals have sounded alarm over the country’s limited capacity to test people for the coronavirus, warning that a lack of critical equipment and infrastructure shortages may result in many cases going undetected.

Zimbabwe reported its first case on March 20 and so far, it has tested only 600 people for COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The country – which has so far been having only one COVID-19 test centre, in the capital, Harare – has confirmed 17 cases, including three deaths.

At least 1,8 million people have been infected with the coronavirus globally while more than 115 000 have been killed.

In an interview, National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a total of 515 people were arrested on Saturday alone while he said his office was still compiling arrests made on Sunday and yesterday as they were public holidays and some officers were not on duty.

He said some people continued to disregard the lockdown orders as parties and public drinking continued, while some people continued to move about unnecessarily.

“We have arrested a total of 5 226 people so far from the commencement of the 21-day lockdown period for defiance of the gazetted orders. Most of the offences have been linked to road traffic offences, operating businesses without authorisation during this period, unnecessary movement, liquor related, illegal gatherings such as parties among others,” he said.

“On Saturday alone, we arrested 515 people and more arrests were made on Sunday and today (yesterday). However, I will be able to give more statistics on Sunday and Monday arrests tomorrow (today),” said Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa warned the lack of testing kits could spell disaster.

“A disaster is loading in Zimbabwe. Lives are at risk. We must invest in testing and tracking. A lockdown without testing, tracking and isolation is useless,” Chamisa said in a Twitter post.

“Rwanda has tested 1,500 people in two days and South Africa has tested 68,000 so far. Zimbabwe has ‘tested’ 600 people only over the past month.”

Government is still continuing making promises that it is prioritising providing frontline health workers with protective equipment against Coronavirus but nothing or very little is seen on the ground.

Vice President Kembo Mohadi made yet another of the ongoing promises on Monday when he toured Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to assess work being carried out to prepare the hospital to handle Covid-19 patients.

VP Mohadi, who also chairs the inter-ministerial ad hoc committee on Covid-19, said before the tour: “Now when it comes to our frontline soldiers, those that are on the frontline in the fight against this pandemic, we need to kit them because there is no point going to war with soldiers without ammunition, so we need to kit you when you are attending these patients.

“Your personal protective equipment has to be available. We have to look at it that everything is done in accordance with what you want done. Last Friday, I had a meeting with the Senior Hospital Doctors’ Association. They gave me their reservations, they gave me what they want done and we promised that we are going to do whatever they want to see done.”

VP Mohadi said Government would do all it could to protect the workers and ensure they did not feel neglected.

He said the fight against the pandemic should involve all Zimbabweans.

“This is our war together as Zimbabweans, we have no one to look at,” said VP Mohadi.

“As you know, we are under sanctions and we don’t have everything that is required. What we have is our own resilience as Zimbabweans; what we have is our own way of looking at this thing and observing what is supposed to be done so that we minimise as much as we can the spread of this pandemic and I am sure together as a team, Zimbabwe as a team, we are going to prevail.”

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals chief executive Mr Ernest Manyau said the hospital would be divided into two zones — the red zone meant for Covid-19 patients and the green zone for other patients.

Some of the works being carried out include barricading the sections to prevent cross infections, plumbing and electrical works and repairs of water reticulation.

Mr Manyau said the District Development Fund had already sunk nine boreholes that were being connected to a 2,5 million litre tank at the hospital.

From the 425 beds reserved for Covid-19 patients, 27 would be for the Intensive Care Unit, while 60 have been reserved for paediatrics.

VP Mohadi said he was satisfied with efforts being made in preparation to fight the pandemic.

“They did indicate that there are some areas they would need assistance from Government,” he said.

“The minister is here, Public Works is here, so they will be giving us their requirements so that we work on getting them.”

Earlier in the day, the Vice President toured Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital where he recommended that the institution needed to be worked on to make it suitable to handle Covid-19 patients.

The hospital caters for TB and other infectious diseases and the Vice President said the plan was to have a wing set aside for Covid-19 patients.

“It is bigger, even bigger than Wilkins Hospital, but it needs a lot of attention,” said VP Mohadi.

“They are only using the ground floor now, but they will also want to use the first and second floors, which are quite intact; beds are there and everything is there.”

VP Mohadi said there was need to repair non-functional elevators, drill two more boreholes and improve water and sewer reticulation systems.

He said Government would mobilise resources to upgrade the hospital.

“I have got the Ministry of Health and Child Care here, Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who is the implementing arm of the Covid-19 taskforce,” said VP Mohadi.

“So we are going to see to it that something is done.

“Local Government and Public Works is going to come here to see what they can do. We are also going to bring a brigade from the army and also prisons, to try to spruce up the image as fast as we can.”

Government targets to test at least 40 000 people by the end of April and has adopted a strategy to do 1 000 or more rapid Covid-19 tests daily.

Further, the criteria for those who qualify for testing has been widened to include all patients with fever in health facilities.

Government employees reporting for duty and all persons working during the lockdown interfacing with the community are going to be tested.

Those who fall under this bracket include law enforcement agents, employees of service providers such as retail business, petrol attendants and food outlets.

All health care workers in the frontline in local health facilities, infectious diseases hospitals, provincial and district hospitals and private institutions are also going to be tested.

This was revealed by Vice President Kembo Mohadi in a detailed briefing to the media at State House last night in his capacity as the chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Covid-19.

To cater for increased number of tests, five laboratories have been capacitated and one of them began tests in Bulawayo on Sunday with others expected to be operational this week.

Three private laboratories have also indicated that they have the capacity to conduct tests and are working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to finalise logistical modalities.

VP Mohadi said all cases of pneumonia admitted in hospitals (public and private), all people above 60 years of age admitted in hospitals with chronic diseases such as asthma, hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases now qualified for Covid-19 testing.

“The taskforce received submissions from its sub-committees and based on these and other reports the following decisions have been made; ‘the adoption of a strategy to increase testing to a 1 000 samples per day,’” said VP Mohadi.

“This strategy will see the teams in the Ministry of Health and Child care conducting tests from today, 13 April, 2020 in the country’s 10 provinces. The criteria for those to be tested has been increased to include all travellers coming into the country from affected countries in designated quarantine facilities will be tested using rapid diagnostic kits on arrival and PCR on discharge.

“People with influenza like illness in hospital and communities and all contacts of confirmed cases regardless of showing symptoms of the disease. All community deaths happening in areas where there is local transmission (and) all the communities around a cluster of cases.”

VP Mohadi also revealed that out of the 4 000 medical posts unfrozen by Government in response to the Covd-19 threat, 1 400 had already been filled.

He said a cocktail of measures had been put in place to meet the resources needed including commitment to provide personal protective equipment by local institutions of higher learning.

“As such it has been agreed that disposable PPEs should be secured locally from universities and other local producers whose products meet the specifications provided by our health experts and national quality standards as set by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe.

“The translation of all information education and communication materials into the 16 official languages has been completed.”

VP Mohadi said several locations had been identified as places of safety to shelter the homeless and children living and working on the streets as a way of ensuring effective lockdown.

Disgraced former MDC Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora, who claims to have reverted back to his position following a controversial Supreme Court ruling, says he is going ahead with preparations for an MDC-T special elective congress to choose a replacement for founding late former President Morgan Tsvangirai.

The Supreme Court ruled last week that Tsvangirai’s former Deputy Thokozani Khupe was the legitimate acting leader of the opposition following the death of Tsvangirai in February 2018. The court further ruled that the party should go back to its 2014 structures before calling for a congress in 90 days.

In an interview with State Media, Mwonzora, said the congress was expected soon.

“We are supposed to hold the congress within three months of the Supreme Court judgment,” he said.

“We expect to announce the dates and venue of the congress by end of April. If the lockdown is extended, we will advise the delegates by a public notice issued to delegates exactly 30 days before the actual date of the congress.”

He said they were compiling a database for delegates expected to attend the elective indaba.

“So far our staff is compiling the information of all the delegates so that accreditation will be easy,” said Mr Mwonzora.

“After compiling the data, there is going to be a process of verifying delegates lists which is also the voter’s roll.”

All members of the standing committees, the national executives, provincial executive and districts executive representatives and all the chairpersons of the ward executive committees are part of the delegates.

“We are receiving messages which show that our people are looking forward to this congress.

“The congress is an opportunity to settle the MDC leadership wrangle, which Chamisa grabbed through unconstitutional means.”

Mr Mwonzora said there was need to adhere to the laws of the land.

“The party members view it as an opportunity to settle the MDC leadership once and for all,” he said.

Mr Chamisa was welcome and free to put his candidature at the congress, said Mr Mwonzora.

He warned party members against engaging in violence.

“I emphasise that the purpose of this congress is not a witch-hunt or to get rid of any person,” said Mr Mwonzora.

“We appeal to all our members to exercise restraint and not engage in acts of violence.

“We all urge them to desist from hate language against each other.”

State Media|PEDDLERS or originators of falsehoods claiming that the Government had extended the national lockdown by any time-frame face a 20-year jail term if caught, President Mnangagwa warned yesterday, adding that he had since ordered an investigation into the origins of such messages circulating on social media.

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

He hinted that Cabinet would meet on the 20th of this month to review whether or not to extend the 21-day national lockdown which expires early next week.

The President dismissed as nonsensical, reports that were doing the rounds on social media purporting that he had extended the lockdown, saying he alone cannot extend without first consulting with his two Vice Presidents and Cabinet.

“I am supposed to make an official statement if we are going to extend the lockdown. 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,” he said.

The President said he and his two deputies would be touring provinces to get an appreciation of the situation on the ground and only then will they sit down and review the lockdown.

He said he would tour at least five provinces to get first-hand information on what is happening on the ground and the effects of the lockdown before the review meeting.

“We shall review the situation on the 20th of April on whether we adjust the lockdown conditions or we extend. It’s a question of a collective discussion after we tour the provinces and get first-hand information on the obtaining situation. I will do my level best to sample at least five provinces on my own, but I have my two Vice Presidents, they will also tour some of the provinces so that we share views as we move forward.”

President Mnangagwa said it was however, better to sacrifice the economy in a bid to save lives by preventing the spread of Covid-19, as he stressed on the need to stay home.

He said the economy can still be rebuilt, but there were no ways anyone could resuscitate life once it was lost.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are suffering socially and economically and the effects are being felt worldwide.

“We, however, have to do our best to preserve life, which is the most precious. If a life is lost that is the end of it, but we can always reconstruct our economy,” he said.

State Media|South Africa based funeral parlours are engaging authorities to ensure that there is smooth process of repatriating bodies, meant for burial in Zimbawe, through Beitbridge Border Post.

Currently, the parlours are concerned with the manner in which the process is being handled with ever-changing rules and regulations on both sides of the border. Under normal circumstances at least 60 bodies are brought into the country through Beitbridge Border Post weekly for burial.

As a result of the state of affairs, six bodies were returned to Johannesburg last Wednesday after the parlours reportedly failed to meet some regulations which are being rolled out under the lockdown guidelines in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Initially one relative and the hearse drivers were allowed passage into the country, but now that has been changed. Under new changes, only the South Africa parlours’ driver is expected to leave the human remains with a Zimbabwean parlour at Beitbridge Border Post for onward transportation.

However, this has been met with logistical challenges with parlours from the two countries yet to agree on sharing transportation fees.

On average it costs R15 000 to repatriate the remains of a Zimbabwean from South Africa.

The chairman of the Inner-City Funeral Directors Association- South Africa (IFDA-SA), Mr Nkosi Kwanike Nare said that the state of affairs has resulted in bodies piling up in Johannesburg mortuaries.

He said one of their members was recently fined R18 000 for overloading their morgue with bodies.

“

MINISTER of State Security Owen Ncube has warned Members of Parliament and councillors against issuing travelling exemptions to people during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.

Speaking during a tour of the Gweru Provincial Hospital Isolation Centre on Saturday, Minister Ncube said only police and District Development Coordinators had the prerogative to issue such travelling exemptions.

He said security forces enforcing the lockdown will not recognise exemptions issued by MPs and councillors.

“I would want to warn our Members of Parliament and Councillors not to issue exemption letters for people to travel during the lockdown,” said Minister Ncube.

“This is tantamount to flouting the regulations thereof. I’m sorry to inform you that police will not be recognising these letters at all.

“Police and District Development Coordinators are the only ones that can issue out exemptions.

People have to be serious about this disease. This disease is real.

If you look and observe what is happening in other countries, they have more than 500, while some have more than 1 000 people dying every day.

“If we do not take it seriously, we might plunge into the same predicament. Let us all comply with the lockdown directive.”

Minister Ncube said Midlands was one of the provinces making significant strides in the preparations for the fight against Covid-19.-State media

Farai Dziva|MDC vice president, Tendai Biti has accused the Emmerson Mnangagwa led government of wasting money on “the useless Command Wheat Programme” instead of funding the fight against Coronavirus.

Biti told an online publication the regime was not concerned about the real matters affecting citizens.

“The regime which has wasted $2.7 billion on Command Wheat can’t build decent infrastructure for our people.

It is failing to provide PPE (personal protective equipment) to respondents and has so far failed to buy a single test kit.

The regime must wake up from its slumber, provide stimulus safety nets, test, track, isolate and treat people for coronavirus,” said Biti.

Farai Dziva|A freelance journalist, Terence Sipuma was bashed by overzealous police details in Harare on Saturday.

According to MISA Zimbabwe, Sipuma was assaulted by members of the police force and soldiers in Harare as he was conducting his duties.

Sipuma was stopped by the security officers at the Kuwadzana roundabout while on his way to Chegutu to report on the country’s 21-day COVID-19 lockdown.

“They asked where I was going and the moment I showed them my journalism I.D. (accreditation) card, I was asked to lie down (on the ground) and was beaten being accused of exposing them.

They took my phone and as they were searching through the phone, they promised me that they were going to do more if I had videos or pictures of that operation,” Sipuma related his ordeal to MISA Zimbabwe.

MISA Zimbabwe has called on the police and the Zimbabwe Media Commission to urgently investigate cases involving continued harassment of journalists.

Farai Dziva|A Masvingo woman has sensationally claimed she got married in three hours after administering “Prophet” Isaac Makomichi’ s “anointed love portion” herb.

Elizabeth Chirashanye (52) of Rujeko Suburb in Masvingo claimed after using the love portion herb, she miraculously got married to her lover, Everisto Maramba (53) who had dumped her for 15 years.

“My brother, I am a relieved woman. I had literally lost hope of ever getting married but I thought of trying out the anointed love portion herb.

A few minutes after administering the herb, I was surprised to see my phone ringing and when I answered it, my lover who had dumped me for 15 years said he was coming to see me.

I thought I was dreaming.Within an hour he came to my place and advised me that he wanted to pay lobola to my relatives.

To my surprise he paid lobola in less than three hours. I am now happily married,” claimed Chirashanye.

Asked for a comment, Makomichi said :
I have managed to distribute 5000 love portions for free to women across the country since February.

I am also in the process of producing 10 000 anointed love portions.

Everything happens by the grace of God.God is restoring marriages through the anointed love portions. Those who need assistance can contact me on :
0777469342.Remember we distribute the anointed love portions for free,” said Makomichi.

Several women in the city of Masvingo who spoke to ZimEye.com described the ” anointed love portion” herb as very effective.

 By A Correspondent- The Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced that confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have risen to 17 after three Bulawayo residents were tested recently after exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

In its coronavirus (COVID-19) update: 13 April 2020, the Ministry of Health said 35 samples were tested today bringing the cumulative tests conducted to 604, of which 587 returned negative while 17 tested positive. Deaths from the disease are at three.

Below is the statement in part: Today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 35 samples, and all were negative for COVID-19. Additionally, the National TB Reference Laboratory in Bulawayo tested 6 samples and three were positive for COVID-19.

Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe now has seventeen confirmed cases, including three deaths…

Case #15 is a 34-year-old female resident of Bulawayo. She has no recent history of travel or known contact with a confirmed case. She was referred for assessment by the local Rapid Response Team (RRT) after she was found to have a fever on routine screening. As part of our intensified surveillance, samples were collected for testing. She is stable, with mild disease and is self-isolating at home.

Case #16 is a 52-year-old female resident of Bulawayo, who was a direct contact of the late, case #11. She consulted with the local RRT presenting with a 3-day history of headache. The RRT visited her at home for assessment and collected samples for testing. She is stable, with mild disease and is self-isolating at home.

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.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care has announced that confirmed COVID-19 positive cases have risen to 17 after three Bulawayo residents were tested recently after exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

In its coronavirus (COVID-19) update: 13 April 2020, the Ministry of Health said 35 samples were tested today bringing the cumulative tests conducted to 604, of which 587 returned negative while 17 tested positive. Deaths from the disease are at three.

Below is the statement in part:

Today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 35 samples, and all were negative for COVID-19. Additionally, the National TB Reference Laboratory in Bulawayo tested 6 samples and three were positive for COVID-19.

Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe now has seventeen confirmed cases, including three deaths…

Case #15 is a 34-year-old female resident of Bulawayo. She has no recent history of travel or known contact with a confirmed case. She was referred for assessment by the local Rapid Response Team (RRT) after she was found to have a fever on routine screening. As part of our intensified surveillance, samples were collected for testing. She is stable, with mild disease and is self-isolating at home.

Case #16 is a 52-year-old female resident of Bulawayo, who was a direct contact of the late, case #11. She consulted with the local RRT presenting with a 3-day history of headache. The RRT visited her at home for assessment and collected samples for testing. She is stable, with mild disease and is self-isolating at home.

Case #17 is a 29-year-old female resident of Bulawayo who stays in the same gated community where the late, case #11 stayed. She, however, denied any direct contact with the late. She consulted with the local RRT presenting with a history of cough and difficulty in breathing. Again, the RRT visited her at home for assessment and collected samples for testing. Currently, she is self-isolating at home, with moderate disease.

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.

CITE|Gwanda Residents Association has implored residents in the mineral-rich town to religiously adhere to prevention measures set by the government against the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19).

Zimbabwe is in its third week of a 21-day national lockdown which started on March 30.

The lockdown, which is also ongoing in other countries across the world, was a measure effected by the government to limit movement of people so as to curb the spread of the pandemic.

To date Zimbabwe has recorded 14 COVID19 cases and 3 deaths due to the virus.

Secretary-General of the Gwanda Residents Association, Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo, encouraged residents to practice social distancing and adhere to the lockdown regulations.

This comes at a time when there has been a rise in malaria cases in the district sending residents into panic, with some linking the outbreak to COVID-19.

Fuzwayo urged residents to play an active role in the fight against the pandemic.

“The world is currently locked in a very dire situation under the scourge of the coronavirus. Gwanda cannot by any reason be exempted from this. We are equally affected and have the same risk as the entire world. In this regard, we join our national and local apparatus to call on everyone to begin to take Coronavirus seriously and join the global fight to end its spread,” said Fuzwayo.

“May you diligently adhere to all the ongoing processes to fight against this disease. The national lockdown programme is not a punishment process neither is it a holiday season. It is time for all of us to focus and stand with the whole world in agreement to save the human race.”

Maduma said while the need to go outdoors for groceries or hospital visits may arise, the recommendation is that one person from the household be tasked and they exercise extreme caution.

He warned the residents to desist from circulating false information about the virus, stating that such conduct may result in one being thrown into prison.

“Government has set up specific and qualified structures to do all information dissemination and it is paramount that we all give the structures a chance to guide us correctly and accordingly,” he said.

“Statutes that specifically make the illegal circulation of such incorrect information have been gazetted by the state and it will be unpleasant to all of us if one of our own is found wanting in the regard.”