A confidential document surrounding the death of a 79-year-old Bulawayo man who died of Coronavirus has revealed that the patient’s samples could not be taken to Harare on time because of lockdown regulations which bar intercity travels.

Meanwhile, residents of Qalisa Retirement Village where the person stayed are living in fear authorities have not been forthcoming to visit the area to assist them with proper quarantining methods, testing them or fumigating the place.

The man is the second case to die in Zimbabwe.

Read the confidential report below:

Client admitted at Mxxxx xxx Hospital on the 02 of April 2020. Moved to isolation cubicle in Intensive Care Unit the following morning. Given oxygen, and other medication, not put on a ventilator, test for COVID-19 (among other tests)  done. Passed on 04″ April and disinfection protocols instituted.

Symptoms and signs (at least 2 days)

– cough

– breathing difficulty

– sore throat

– temperature 36°C (at time of RRT visit)

History of presenting complaints
Having been to Gxxxx lodge 14-16 March, he on March the 23″ developed sore throat, fever and cough. He underwent treatment using antibiotics by his General Practitioner (GP). The worsening shortness of breath led to attendance at Mxxxxxxx accident and emergency unit on the 02″ of April. He was admitted to first floor overnight then transferred to isolation cubicle of the intensive care unit on the morning of the third floor on the 03″ of April. A physician was asked to see the patient; suspected Covid-19 and he called the local rapid response team and
instituted isolation in intensive care unit (ICU) cubicle bed. The Rapid Response Team (RRT) from came and did a throat swab on the same day. The patient passed on the 04″ April. The disinfection team was called and came in to spray, and barrier methods of the body and waste management done.

Body disposal- Cremation.

Having failed to meet the courier services on Friday 03 April and having the lockdown (no travel” between cifies_allowed) the sample that had been collected moved to Harare By courier overnight on Monday 06 April and was processed at thé National “Microbiology Reference Laboratory at the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare on the 07” and results found to be positive.

Travel History

The deceased lived in a secluded community in Bulawayo. He had been to Gxxxx Lodge in Hwange from the 14″ to the 16″ of March 2020, a place that is visited bytourists. He had received a visitor from the UK a few days past.

Action plan
As of the 2100hrs, on 07″ April 2020 the rapid response team (together with the disinfection team) had gone back to the hospital to:

– find the next of kin
– dig deeper into the travel history (modes of travel, passenger manifest, etc)
– identify and list all contacts, including the attending GP
– collect swabs from contacts — (at least 13 collected by then, more to be
collected on 08″ April 2020)
– find and isolate contacts (the hospital have a self isolation facility for staff)
– monitor all contacts for 14 to 21 days ice. till 18″ to 25″ April 2020

NB: This report is intended for official use only.

It will be shared with the local response taskforce, as chaired by the Honorable Provincial Minister of State as well as the Provincial Development Coordinator, and Town Clerk.

It will also be shared with the neighbouring provinces, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit for onward transmission to the Permanent Secretary.

For insight, introspection and peer review it will be shared with academic/ professional bodies so as to get input of continuous quality improvement on Epidemic Preparedness Response.

This report will be regularly updated and shared to relevant authorities as more information is received. As per requirement a Situational Report (Sit Rep) will be generated.

POLICE have arrested 2 885 people countrywide for disregarding lockdown regulations and warned people against travelling during the Easter holidays because the lockdown is still on.

The Easter period starts tomorrow until April 13 but the country is on a 21-day national lockdown which ends on April 19.

President Mnangagwa last week declared a 21-day lockdown as part of robust measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, a deadly global pandemic which has so far killed more than 85 000 and infected more than 1,4 million worldwide.

The lockdown is meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.

A total of 11 people have tested positive to Covid-19, with the latest case being that of a 79-year-old Bulawayo man who succumbed to the disease on Saturday bringing to two, the number of people who have died of Covid-19 in the country.

In a statement yesterday, National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged Zimbabweans to observe the Easter holiday in their homes to contain the deadly pandemic.

He also expressed concern over an increase in the volume of traffic, with some vehicles being parked in central business districts the whole day for no valid reasons, saying such vehicles risked being impounded with owners being arrested and prosecuted.

“So far 2 885 people have been arrested countrywide for liquor, traffic, opening of businesses, unnecessary movements and other miscellaneous offences. We have since intensified patrols, surveillance and roadblocks with a view of nabbing those who openly defy Covid-19 lockdown measures,” he said.

“The nation is going to commemorate Easter from 10-13 April 2020 and at the same time observe the Covid-19 safety and health guidelines which were pronounced by the President, His Excellency, Cde ED Mnangagwa on 27 March 2020.”-State media

THE number of Covid-19 fatalities in Zimbabwe has risen to three after the ninth patient, a 50-year-old Harare man on Wednesday succumbed to the global pandemic at Wilkins Hospital’s ICU.

To date, Zimbabwe has 11 confirmed cases.

The deceased had travelled to the UK and returned home on March 21.

In a statement, the Secretary of Health and Child Care Dr Agnes Mahomva said the deceased had been admitted to Wilkins Hospital after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 with an underlying comorbidity.

“The Ministry however, would like to report that the ninth patient deceased today under admission in the intensive care unit at Wilkins Hospital.

He was a 50 year old male resident of Harare who had travelled to the United Kingdom and returned home in the 21th of March 2020,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said the deceased started exhibiting mild symptoms and alerted the local Covid-19 rapid response team on April 1, which went to assess him at home.

His condition however, deteriorated and the local medical team immediately went to stabilise him.

“On 7 April 2020, he was admitted for critical care and management in ICU at Wilkins Hospital under the care if a specialist physician.

Today, the 8th of April 2020, his condition continued to deteriorate despite management in ICU until he deceased this evening,” said Dr Mahomva.

She said the deceased’s family has since been informed and they are currently working with the family to ensure safe burial of his remains in line with regulations under the Public Health Act.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care through the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory today tested 18 samples and they all tested negative.

Dr Mahomva said the Ministry of Health and Child Care is continuing to be on high alert to the global pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 85 000 lives with more than 1, 4 million people infected globally.

She urged citizens to practice good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of Covid-19.- State media

Farai Dziva|Prayer Network of Zimbabwe, a coalition of Christians from different denominations, has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to reject the Coronavirus vaccine.

See full statement below:

It is disheartening that COVID-19 has caused havoc throughout the world in the manner it has, seemingly unabated and showing no signs of retreat.

Our prayers are with those infected and affected by this pandemic. We hold in great honour doctors, nurses and all those who are on the front line in this battle of our time.

However, we note with serious concern, recent reportage on the testing of new corona vaccines on Africans as suggested by two French doctors.

This has been rightly condemned by many people the world over. Most importantly, the World Health Organization condemned it and assured Africa and the world that it will not happen and that the world will be protected from such malice.

As PNZ, we are gravely worried about the silence of African leaders over this serious issue. Our expectations were that they would stand up against all attempts at using their people as guinea pigs by unscrupulous Western companies whose evil intentions are clearly known about Africa.

It is time the world heeds to the voice of God. He reveals to redeem. A cure to this catastrophic pandemic would have been sought early but noone took heed to this prophetic signal.

We pray and petition our Zimbabwean Government to rise and lead in standing against COVID-19 vaccine experimentations being done in Africa.

Why are they not done in those countries worst hit by the pandemic. We implore the Zimbabwean and South African leaders to use their strong positions of influence in AU and SADC to lead the charge to send a strong message to the west that Africa is not a lab for testing half done vaccines.

Yes, we continue to pray for a vaccine to be found, tested and produced to save the world. We stand with world citizens as we go through this pandemic and call on everyone to respect the advice of medical experts and governments in dealing with the virus. Stay at home, wash hands regularly and observe social distancing as advised.

PNZ also calls on African governments to invest in their own health care systems and stop running abroad every time they need medical attention. Rather, we urge African governments to prioritise medical research and disaster management in their development thrusts. We condemn corruption in African States which has contributed to poor heath care services and reduced our ability to adequetly respond to outbreaks of this magnitude.

In conclusion, we urge the World Health Organization to continue ensuring that Africa and the rest of the vulnerable world is protected against unethical vaccine and product development.

RESPONSE ON THE ALLEGED BEATING UP OF PEOPLE IN CHITUNGWIZA, KAROI, KARIBA, KUWADZANA AND OTHER PLACES DURING LOCKDOWN

The issues that have been raised with reference to the allegations against the Zimbabwe National Army members who are assisting the Zimbabwe Republic Police in enforcing the lockdown are not true.

On the contrary and as a matter of fact, the broad spectrum of our citizens are complying with the lockdown without any adverse reports coming from either other security forces, government and community leaders involved in the national effort to curb the pandemic.

Our advice is that anyone who claims to be a victim must promptly report to the nearest Zimbabwe Republic Police or the Zimbabwe National Army camps.

It is futile to raise such serious allegations in the social media and/or media houses without reporting them to the relevant authorities.

Director Army Public Relations
Lt Colonel Alphios Makotore

Farai Dziva|Police flatly rejected a donation of gloves from MDC MP for Marondera Central Caston Matewu.

Matewu donated the protective gloves to the police in Marondera as part of efforts to enhance their safety and protection in the fight against Coronavirus.

“I tried to donate protective gloves to police in Marondera but I was tossed from one office to another.

It was clear politics was at play so I ended up giving the gloves to municipal workers. In times like these unity is key,” said Matewu.

REVERED playwright and actor Aaron Chiundura-Moyo reckons people should not believe everything which comes on social media regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The affable Shona writer, who is holed up at his Glen View residence, said the 21-day lockdown has made him a social media fan.

Chiundura-Moyo has however said he views and reads most stories which comes from social media with a critical mind.

“I have been following social media a lot but some of the stories you hear are not true at all,” he said.

Moyo said while social media was the in-thing, he said it could be misleading especially where there is a crisis.

“At the moment, there is this global pandemic – Covid-19 – which has claimed many lives.

“In Zimbabwe, it has claimed one person but stories being circulated on social media paint a bad picture of a nation in real crisis.

“As such, we urge people not to believe everything they hear and read on social media.

“If we closely assess our situation, I can safely say we are safe in Zimbabwe and we only need to take precautions,” he said.

The veteran arts practitioner has however appealed to Government to conduct door to do exercises giving out food handouts to citizens.- H-Metro

ILLEGAL money changers are slowly coming back to the city centre in Bulawayo while a majority are now operating from residential areas as the 21-day national lockdown entered Day 9 yesterday.

The money changers, in blatant defiance of the lockdown directive for people to stay at home, have started pushing street forex rates up again.

Government last week allowed businesses to trade in forex and pegged the US dollar at 1:25.

At the time, street rates were as high as 1:43 for electronic transfers and due to absence of money changers on the street, they went as low as 32 but had risen to around 39 yesterday.

The lockdown which started last week on Monday, is meant to mitigate against the spread of Covid-19 which has infected more than 1,3 million people globally and killed over 78 000.-State media

TB Joshua has addressed his botched prophesy in which he claimed the Coronavirus pandemic would end on 27 March 2020. The religious leader said the Holy Spirit gave him the message that the pandemic would end on 27 March.

During an interview on his own TV, Emmanual TV the preacher addressed his controversial prophecy and said;

I am not a politician, I just have to give you the message as the Spirit gave it to me

Meanwhile, Joshua has also claimed COVID-19 is a failure in advanced technology adding fuel to the COVID-19 5G conspiracy theories that have overtaken the world.-Online

Watch the live video loading below…..

Watch live video loading below…………..

Watch the live video loading below……..

US based Chimurenga music legend Thomas Mapfumo has hit back at Energy Mutodi after the Deputy Information Minister attacked the outspoken singer for his political views on Sunday.

Writing on his twitter page, Mutodi stated:

“Good music does not translate to good politics. I like Dr. Thomas Mafirenyika Mapfumo’s music. He is excellent but he gets lost when it comes to politics. After witnessing the war and signing in support of the struggle, Mukanya is losing it all because of age.”

Mukanya who had no time to waste with the Zanu PF minister was quick to respond,

“Mutodi anga akura zvakanaka kwazvo. I know aimbove tsotsi paaimborohwa nevanhu mu town aba mari dzema stands. Tinongonzwawo kuti aane degree re PhD. Kare PhD yaiera iyi.

“Munhu aiti akavhura muromo wainzwa kukosha kwefundo. Iye zvino vamwe vacho vane ma PhD ava kana kuverenga chaiko havagone. Zvinofungwa zvacho kana kutaurwa hazvina maturo.

“Ngaasiyane neni.

“No one can silence my activism. In any case, as Zanu PF, they actually must focus more on how to deal with the coronavirus that’s threatening millions of our people.

“People will need food, medicines, ventilators and support. Is our Government ready? We also hear they took Jack Ma’s donations from China for the coronavirus relief and heaped them in Mount Pleasant to build an elitist clinic for the Zanu PF bigwigs. Manje Corona haina shefu.

“Ngavazadzane ku Mount Pleasant ikoko tinovaona vobudamo manje manje.

“I also challenge Mutodi to focus on the catch and release project that has seen all corrupt big fish being set free na Mnangagwa. No one gets arrested in Zimbabwe. The 100 days of Mnangagwa in office passed by. Did we see anyone arrested? No. Was anyone forced to return stolen wealth?

“No. It’s a crisis in Zimbabwe. Mutodi should leave me and my age alone. No one stated that he is always right when he blabbers about silly Zanu PF propaganda. There is better business to take care of than try to silence my political activism that is part of my soul.”

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conspicuously opted to remain silent on the second Zimbabwe Coronavirus death.

Zimbabwe’s 11th confirmed Covid-19 case and second death is that of Bulawayo man (79), who died on Saturday after being initially admitted to hospital for pneumonia.

In a statement last night, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the patient first saw his own doctor on March 23 with a sore throat and fever. When he did not improve on the oral antibiotics prescribed, he was hospitalised in Bulawayo last Thursday showing the symptoms of a cough, difficulty in breathing, sore throat and fever.

He had not travelled outside Zimbabwe, but had visited a tourist resort in Hwange from March 14 to 16.

He was admitted for clinical management of bacterial pneumonia. But his condition deteriorated on Thursday and he was moved into the intensive care unit and management in isolation under a specialist physician. The Bulawayo Covid-19 response team took samples and sent these to the national laboratory in Harare.

While awaiting the results, his medical team continued to treat him both for pneumonia and Covid-19, but his condition continued to deteriorate until he died, said the Ministry.

When Zimbabwe encountered its first death, that of journalist Zororo Makamba, Mnangagwa mourned in shock and immediately announced a raft of measures to contain the virus.

He ordered the closure of all borders to human traffic and banned non-essential travel except for the movement of cargo.

The Government also promulgated Statutory Instrument (SI) 77 of 2020 that provides for up to 12 months imprisonment for people who gather in crowds of more than 50 people, likely to promote the spread of Covid-19.

Makamba had been admitted to the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus as the country’s second patient.

“His passing on so suddenly has been unexpected as we had held high hopes also for his steady recovery following the good news about our first confirmed victim of the virus who has registered commendable recovery. Sadly, for Zororo, this was not to be as he had an underlying heart condition for which he had been receiving medical attention,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Zimbabwe has lost a promising young man from a crop of highly skilled and gifted youthful journalists striving to produce excellent local content and professionalism to broadcasting in this country.”

He extended his condolence message to the Makamba family.

“On behalf of Government, Zanu-PF, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to extend to the Makamba family, his relatives and friends, my heartfelt condolences on this their saddest loss which is our loss together,” he said.

Militant MDC Alliance youths have threatened to end the country’s 21-day national lockdown by taking to the streets to resist the planned takeover of their headquarters by Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora.

Mwonzora on Monday claimed he had taken over the MDC headquarters following the Supreme Court ruling last week declaring Thokozanu Khupe as the acting president of the opposition party.

MDC Alliance national youth secretary-general, Stephen Siziba, yesterday told NewsDay that any attempt by Mwonzora to take over the party offices would be resisted.

“There is an attempt by a hostile one to capture Harvest House (MRT), first to manufacture concerns in the court of public opinion by Douglas Mwonzora and to test the feelings of the people’s movement,” Siziba said.

“The attempt to take over Harvest House (MRT house) will be resisted. We want to make it very clear in no uncertain terms that Harvest House is our headquarters and we are going to defend it with our blood.”

Siziba added: “As the general secretary of the youth assembly I am mandated to communicate that position to Zanu PF that any attempt to take over will be the end of the lockdown.

“I am also communicating the party’s position to the democratic forces that we are prepared to surrender ourselves before we can surrender our party headquarters.”

But Zanu PF distanced itself from the MDC leadership fights.

Meanwhile, former MDC-T vice-president Obert Gutu has revealed that the Khupe-led outfit derailed Chamisa’s presidential bid in July 2018 and vowed to block him again in the 2023 presidential polls.

“2018 for us was a brave statement. We said let us stop this young dictator from getting to State House, indeed we stopped,” Gutu said.

“2023 we will stop him because we know what he is. A dictator is dangerous, we want to stop that.”

Chamisa garnered two million votes, narrowly lost to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, but has refused to endorse the Zanu PF leader accusing him of rigging the polls. Khupe, came a distant third with a measly 45 000 votes.

Chamisa’s backers yesterday accused Gutu of working to sustain the Zanu PF rule of out his selfish desires, not the good of the people.

— NewsDay

By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende says out of the Party’s 111 MPs, 109 of them have confirmed that they are still Members of the Party.

Hwende added that all the 109 MPs are paid up members and only Morgen Komichi and Douglas Mwonzora have crossed the floor to join MDC-T in violation of electoral laws.

Hwende has signed an affidavit form in which he swore his allegiance to the MDC Alliance. He said:

I, Chalton Hwende do hereby make an oath and state that

1. I am a member of parliament for Kuwadzona East Constituency. I was elected as such /appointed as such pursuant to the 30 July 2018 election MDC Alliance party ticket.

2. I confirm that I am a member of the MDC Alliance political party

3. I confirm that the President of our party is Adv Nelson Chamisa and the Secretary-General is Chalton Hwende with other leaders that were elected at our congress in Gweru in May 2019

4. I confirm that I am bound by the Party constitution, the code of ethics and the pledge that is contained in our party constitution.

5. 1 confirm that undertake to uphold our party constitution and to respect and show loyalty to the said constitution and the leadership of the party. I undertake to defend the party in all circumstances.

Komichi and Mwonzora dumped the MDC alliance after the Supreme Court ruled that Thokozani is the legitimate leader of the opposition MDC-T party. The duo failed in their bid to become MDC Alliance vice president and secretary-general, respectively at the party congress held in Gweru in 2019.

Own Correspondent|Eight people have died in Gwanda South District in Matabeleland South since February this year from what villagers describe as a strange disease which Ministry of Health insists to be a malaria outbreak

About 60 cases have been recorded so far.

The outbreak has caused panic in the area with the villagers linking the fatalities to the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

Speaking in a media interview, Matabeleland South Provincial Medical Director (PMD) Dr Rudo Chikodzere allayed fears insisting that the death were not caused by the deadly pandemic.

“Yes I can confirm having received 58 cases of malaria related symptoms.

Out of the 58 cases there are 8 deaths.

“The deaths were recorded between February and April 2020. As the ministry of health we were 100 percent satisfied after conducting the tests that it was indeed malaria,” said Dr Chikodzere.

The PMD attributed the cause to the moderate rains received last year.

“We expect cases to peak in June due to the rainy weather that provided a conducive breeding environment for mosquitoes. Because of the rains received, there is tall grass, which is blooming, there are puddles of water that is stagnant. The grass needs to be cut and water bodies tested and if there is mosquito larva, it has to be killed,” Dr Chikodzo said.

She noted the province has implemented several activities as intervening measures.

“We are dealing with breeding sites as soon we can, putting treatment where there can be potential infection of the disease. We are carrying out bio- larva sighting where we identify breeding places and use chemicals to destroy the lava,” the PMD cited.

Dr Chikodzo highlighted that under case management, communities were urged to come for testing as quickly as possible.

“The malaria test kits were distributed across provinces and those with signs must be tested and put on treatment. The challenge is some come later when the disease has progressed to severe malaria,” she said.

“The truth is that there is no Covid-19 case in this province. All the suspected cases we tested came out negative and for now I can say the province is safe from Coronavirus,” she said.

A community leader in the area who spoke to ZimEye.com however challenged the Ministry to prove that indeed the deaths were were not Coronavirus linked by doing Coronavirus tests and not malaria tests.

He questioned why the Ministry and funeral parlours are insisting on quick burials, no mourners and other such Coronavirus related measures if it’s one hundred percent that the deceased died of malaria.

“What we want is for the Ministry to come to the ground with Coronavirus Test kits and test for Coronavirus and provide with conclusive results that the affected people are not infected by the virus,” he said.

“We are also more worried because officials from the Ministry have come down in motorbikes to educate us more about Coronavirus and how we must handle sick people and the dead according to Coronavirus guidelines not according to Malaria guidelines. As a community we strongly believe that government is not genuine with us,” he added.

The World Health Organisation has emphasised the critical importance of sustaining efforts to prevent, detect and treat malaria during the Coronavirus era.

“As COVID-19 continues its rapid spread, WHO would like to send a clear message to malaria-affected countries in Africa,” said Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. “Do not scale back your planned malaria prevention, diagnostic and treatment activities. If someone living in a place with malaria develops a fever, he or she should seek diagnosis and care as soon as possible.”

MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende says out of the Party’s 111 MPs, 109 of them have confirmed that they are still Members of the Party.

According to Hwende, all the MPs signed the affidavit written as below signed by him.

I, Chalton Hwende do hereby make an oath and state that

1. I am a member of parliament for Kuwadzona East Constituency. I was elected as such /appointed as such pursuant to the 30 July 2018 election MDC Alliance party ticket.

2. I confirm that I am a member of the MDC Alliance political party

3. I confirm that the President of our party is Adv Nelson Chamisa and the Secretary-General is Chalton Hwende with other leaders that were elected at our congress in Gweru in May 2019

4. I confirm that I am bound by the Party constitution, the code of ethics and the pledge that is contained in our party constitution

5. 1 confirm that undertake to uphold our party constitution and to respect and show loyalty to the said constitution and the leadership of the party. I undertake to defend the party in all circumstances.

Mwonzora and Komichi have ultimately dismissed themselves from the party and crossed over to the Thokozani Khupe MDC-T which may result in their recall from parliament according to the MDC constitution.

The duo failed in their bid to become MDC Alliance vice president and secretary-general, respectively at the party congress held in Gweru in 2019.

By A Correspondent- Marondera MP Caston Matewu has taken to Twitter to narrate how he failed to donate protective gloves to Marondera ZRP as he says he was constantly tossed from one office to another until he gave up.

Matewu Tweeted:

I tried to donate protective gloves to Police in Marondera but was tossed from one Office to another. It was clear politics was at play so I ended up giving them to Municipal workers. In times like these Unity is key

Matewu’s tweet comes at a time where ZRP officers are sometimes seen carrying out their duties without gloves which can be used to help curb spreading COVID-19.

A BATTLE to control MDC headquarters Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, formely Harvest House, has erupted between factions of the party headed by dethroned president Nelson Chamisa and reinstated secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora, the Daily News can report.

This followed last week’s Supreme Court ruling which removed Chamisa as party president for unconstitutionally assuming the leadership of the party following the death of founding leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February 2018.

The court ruled that Thokozani Khupe is the interim president of the MDC, Mwonzora secretary-general and Morgen Komichi, the national chairperson.

Since the judgment there have been accusations and counter-accusations between the two factions as they battle to seize control of the party and its assets, with Harvest House being the main centre of the combat.

Mwonzora on Monday claimed he had taken control of the day-to-day running of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House, named in honour of the founding president who succumbed to cancer of the colon.

He was reported to have locked down the building.

In an interview yesterday, Mwonzora denied ever locking up the headquarters.

“We said Harvest House is under lockdown and that the security was ordered to lock the offices so that no business takes place there. It is not like I came with a new set of keys, but that I instructed the security to make sure nobody conducts business there,” Mwonzora said.

“I am aware that (Chamisa faction secretary-general Chalton) Hwende went to the office to work, but he knows he is acting in contempt and being irresponsible. We suspect that he wants to tamper with documents, especially financial records. We want to warn against that.

“We have a lot of options, but it is not our intention to be prejudicial, but they must never underestimate our resolve. We know they were disappointed with the court ruling and we allowed them time to cool off.”

Mwonzora said he would re-open the offices after the 21-day national lockdown imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month as part of efforts to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

On the other hand, the MDC youths aligned to Chamisa warned Mwonzora against “testing our patience” by claiming ownership of the party headquarters.

“Initially, we thought they were going to deal with issues regarding their party, the MDC-T, which we have no problem with. We are, however, saddened by the fact that Mwonzora attempted to lock down our headquarters and he must be warned against testing our patience,” youth assembly chairperson Obey Sithole told the Daily News.

“If he does, we will simply unlock it because we mean no harm, but should that persist, we will solve the matter in the shortest possible time.”

He did not say how they would solve the matter.

Chamisa’s allies argue that the MDC Alliance is a political entity separate from the MDC-T, hence would not be bound by the Supreme Court ruling.

Since the court ruling, the MDC factions have been trading war of words with the Mwonzora camp warning parliamentarians and councillors backing Chamisa that it would not hesitate to cut loose all those who would disobey its interim leadership.

The court mandated Khupe to organise an extra-ordinary congress to elect a substantive leadership of the party.

-Daily News

Own Correspondent| A Zimbabwean man, Onismos Murambiwa has won one million dollar jackpot in Canada after taking his bet on the 6/49 draw.

Born and bred in Zimbabwe, this 47-year-old father of three could not believe his luck after winning a one million dollar jackpot on the 19th of February 2020.

Murambiwa, who is based in Brampton, Canada won the money after taking a bet on the 6/49 lotto draw. He realised his win after checking his “winning ticket” by using the Ticket Checker at a local retailer.

Upon discovering his win, Mr Onismo Murambiwa admitted that he had a hard time believing that he’d truly won. As such he repeatedly scanned his ticket to confirm if he had indeed won.

He even went as far as taking a photograph of the Ticket Checker in case his “claims” were dismissed! That’s how visibly shocked the man was.

“I don’t know what to say – this feels like a dream” were the words uttered by this instant millionaire. And we can’t say we’re surprised. Winning that amount of money is enough to leave anyone speechless.

When asked about his plans with his new found wealth, Mr Onismo Murambiwa said that he planned to spoil himself by purchasing a car. Being a sensible family man, he also mentioned that he plans to put up the rest of his money into savings.

By A Correspondent- At least four people have died in Beitbridge in the last 5 days and several others are admitted at a local hospital due to Malaria.

The outbreak was confirmed by Matabeleland South provincial medical director Rudo Chikodzore who said;

The district team is working to address the drivers of malaria in the affected area and will work out an action plan which seeks that.

The deaths have been blamed on late reporting to the hospital. A source at the Beitbridge Hospital close to the developments told the publication that:Most will be dehydrated and it is those that delay who have complicated cases

A father who brought his son to the hospital also narrated how he had to act promptly as his son who had contracted the disease’s condition deteriorated after they delayed taking him to the hospital. Meanwhile, a suspected case of pneumonia outbreak has been reported in Matebeleland South even though the authorities are yet to confirm it.-Newsday

Bulawayo residents have implored the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to drill more boreholes in the city to reduce the movement of people during the 21-day lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

This comes at a time when the local authority has revised its water shedding programme from 96 hours to 108-hour weekly, as water levels at the city`s supply dams continue to dwindle.  Bulawayo dam levels are currently at 32 percent following poor rainfalls during the 2019/2020 rainy season.

BCC has already warned those living in high lying areas to brace for the worst as they might end up receiving water through water bowsers if the shedding exceeds 48 hours.

Speaking to CITE, Alpheus Tshuma, a resident from Luveve said the 108-hour water shedding defeats the purpose of the 21-day lockdown.

“The 108-hour water shedding programme will worsen the situation as it is now we are under a 21-day lockdown and we will be forced to leave our homes to search for water,” said Tshuma.

“There is a need to drill more boreholes in schools, churches so that residents don’t walk long distance looking for water”.  

Tshuma also said its high time BCC brought in the central government to deal with water woes in the City.

“It is now an issue that is beyond residents and the local authority now has to bring in the national government because they are the ones who introduced Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) that is responsible for overseeing the bulk water supply, but ZINWA is also failing looking at this critical time when we are facing the drought season,” he said.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) Communication Officer, Kelebone Khabo said it is high time the local authority seriously lobbied the government for alternative interventions.

“While we cannot escape the fact that Bulawayo dams have reached a critical level, we need to see what BCC is doing in terms of coming up with a plan so that people continue to have water. Water shedding will only help to preserve the little that we have but what the city now need is to have more human interventions in terms of availing water to the residents, so we start to talk about boreholes,” said Khabo.

“Its high time they seriously lobby the government in terms of availing of funds and source other funds from world African bank to try and make sure that people have water. We cannot be waiting for the rainy season, for the past two years we have suffered a drought in Bulawayo which has really affected our water sources so for us to say we are going to wait for the next rainy season to have water is far-fetched and we are not certain if that is going to happen.”

In addition, Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA) chairperson, Winos Dube said the increased water shedding will make it difficult for residents especially during the lockdown period.

“We have been talking strongly about the issue of water shedding, I even spoke to the Mayor to say why don’t they suspend this water shedding during the lockdown period and he argued that if they do so, by December we wont be having water,” said Dube.

“This issue of increased water shedding period is worrying us especially as we are currently under lockdown, this now means people will be moving around and meeting in boreholes looking for water, Bulawayo is just going through a difficult time,” he said.

-CITE

By Own Correspondent| Beatific Ngumbwanda a journalist with TellZim weekly newspaper was on 8 April 2020 arrested by the police in Chiredzi who accused him of violating the lockdown regulations as stipulated in terms of Statutory Instrument (SI) 82 of 2020.

Ngumbwanda was detained for almost two hours before the police subsequently decided to release him.

MISA Zimbabwe understands that he was arrested while conducting his lawful professional duties despite his explanations to the police that he was a journalist.

He even produced his accreditation card but the police were nonetheless adamant that he was committing an offence.

MISA Zimbabwe position
MISA Zimbabwe condemns the continued harassment and arrests of journalists conducting their lawful professional duties following the 21-day COVID-19 lockdown. The journalists were either arrested for using the 2019-accreditation cards or for allegedly violating the lockdown regulations.

This is despite the fact that the media is among the sectors categorized as an essential service allowed to operate during the lockdown. In addition, the Zimbabwe Media Commission is on record saying that journalists should be allowed to operate using their 2019-accreditation cards until the Commission issues the new 2020 cards.

The media plays a critical communication and information dissemination role that facilitates the exercise and enjoyment of citizens’ right to access to information particularly at this critical moment when the country has put in place measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

MISA Zimbabwe urges the police to co-operate with the media by recognizing the important role of journalists as providers of an essential service and in line with the directive by the Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Ministry of Information to the effect that 2019 accreditation cards are still valid until the new ones for 2020 are duly issued by the Commission.

Farai Dziva|Prayer Network of Zimbabwe, a coalition of Christians from different denominations, has challenged Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to reject the Coronavirus vaccine.

See full statement below:

It is disheartening that COVID-19 has caused havoc throughout the world in the manner it has, seemingly unabated and showing no signs of retreat.

Our prayers are with those infected and affected by this pandemic. We hold in great honour doctors, nurses and all those who are on the front line in this battle of our time.

However, we note with serious concern, recent reportage on the testing of new corona vaccines on Africans as suggested by two French doctors.

This has been rightly condemned by many people the world over. Most importantly, the World Health Organization condemned it and assured Africa and the world that it will not happen and that the world will be protected from such malice.

As PNZ, we are gravely worried about the silence of African leaders over this serious issue. Our expectations were that they would stand up against all attempts at using their people as guinea pigs by unscrupulous Western companies whose evil intentions are clearly known about Africa.

It is time the world heeds to the voice of God. He reveals to redeem. A cure to this catastrophic pandemic would have been sought early but noone took heed to this prophetic signal.

We pray and petition our Zimbabwean Government to rise and lead in standing against COVID-19 vaccine experimentations being done in Africa.

Why are they not done in those countries worst hit by the pandemic. We implore the Zimbabwean and South African leaders to use their strong positions of influence in AU and SADC to lead the charge to send a strong message to the west that Africa is not a lab for testing half done vaccines.

Yes, we continue to pray for a vaccine to be found, tested and produced to save the world. We stand with world citizens as we go through this pandemic and call on everyone to respect the advice of medical experts and governments in dealing with the virus. Stay at home, wash hands regularly and observe social distancing as advised.

PNZ also calls on African governments to invest in their own health care systems and stop running abroad every time they need medical attention. Rather, we urge African governments to prioritise medical research and disaster management in their development thrusts. We condemn corruption in African States which has contributed to poor heath care services and reduced our ability to adequetly respond to outbreaks of this magnitude.

In conclusion, we urge the World Health Organization to continue ensuring that Africa and the rest of the vulnerable world is protected against unethical vaccine and product development.

By Jane Mlambo| A consortium of Community based organisations has challenged government to provide citizens with information on coronavirus to help protect themselves while curtailing the spread of the deadly virus.

In a statement released yesterday, Association of Community Based Organisations (ACBOs) applauded government for the measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 but expressed concern that communities outside urban centres did not have enough information on the disease.

“The Alliance of Community Based Organisations (ACBOs) positively notes the measures put forward by the government, aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, including but not limited to inessential travel bans and closure of entry ports, screening, 21-day self-quarantine for returning residents, physical distancing and ultimately the 21-day lockdown together with additional attendant measures,” noted ACBOs.

The grouping however accused government of not doing enough to relay information on the disease to remote communities.

“A wide information gap on Covid-19 awareness and safety measures for citizens to protect themselves still exists,” the grouping added.

They further alleged that some unidentified people were moving around in Mashonaland Central registering details of community members for anticipated distribution of government aid.

ACBOs challenged government to ensure that every community is provided with adequate information that tells them everything they need to know to prevent themselves as well as playing a role in curbing the spread of the disease.

They also want government to publicly declare and fully account for all Covid-19 related in-kind and material support received from domestic and international sources while ensuring transparency regarding any engagement process with the private sector players on the resuscitation and/or renovation of health facilities to work as centres for Covid-19 cases.

The organisations also called on the government to take advantage of COVID-19 intervention programmes to address the marginalisation of rural communities and vulnerable groups who continue to be left out in critical national processes.

“Avoid using the advent of Covid-19 to perpetuate the marginalization of vulnerable groups in our local communities and instead take it as an opportune moment to reflect and address not only the symptoms but the root cause of our dysfunctional health and broader social-services delivery system.

“Ensure the provision of adequate potable water supplies in all communities countrywide in order for the Covid-19 hygienic measures to be pragmatic,” further noted ACBOs.

Farai Dziva|Police flatly rejected a donation of gloves from MDC MP for Marondera Central Caston Matewu.

Matewu donated the protective gloves to the police in Marondera as part of efforts to enhance their safety and protection in the fight against Coronavirus.

“I tried to donate protective gloves to police in Marondera but I was tossed from one office to another.

It was clear politics was at play so I ended up giving the gloves to municipal workers. In times like these unity is key,” said Matewu.

By A Correspondent- In what is another change to the original set of lockdown rules, a government gazette published on Tuesday sets out the new requirements.

It states that a child can be moved between the parents, provided there are “arrangements in place”.

These include having a court order, or that a “parental responsibilities and rights agreement” or a “parenting plan” exists. That plan must be registered with the family advocate.

The gazette, signed by social development minister Lindiwe Zulu, states that the parent transporting the child must have the relevant documentation with them at all times.

It also states that nobody in the home that the child is being moved to can have Covid-19 or have come into contact with someone suspected of having the respiratory illness.-Timeslive

FASTJET ZIMBABWE IS CURRENTLY PLANNING TO RESTART FLIGHT OPERATIONS ON TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2020

* ALL FASTJET GROUP EMPLOYEES HAVE ACCEPTED A VOLUNTARY SALARY REDUCTION EFFECTIVE FROM 1 APRIL 2020 OF UP TO 30%

* SALARY REDUCTION DEPENDING ON THEIR CURRENT SALARY SCALES, WITH LOWEST EARNERS AFFECTED LEAS* EXPECTS REDUCED GLOBAL OIL PRICES TO HELP TO CUSHION FINANCIAL IMPACT OF FORECAST LOWER PASSENGER DEMAND WHEN OPERATIONS RESTART

* TIMELINES DISPOSAL OF CO’S HOLDING IN FASTJET ZIMBABWE ARE NO LONGER PRACTICALLY ACHIEVABLE

* FASTJET ZIMBABWE HAS FULLY PAID OFF ALL OF ITS EMBRAER EMB145 AIRCRAFT

* INVESTOR CONSORTIUM CONFIRMED THAT IT REMAINS COMMITTED TO DIVESTMENT PROPOSAL

* INVESTOR CONSORTIUM INDICATED THAT IT WOULD POTENTIALLY FORESEE MODIFIED TERMS OF SALE NEEDING TO BE DISCUSSED, NEGOTIATED

* FASTJET ZIMBABWE’S UNFLOWN FORWARD TICKET SALES OBLIGATION WAS US$ 616,476 AS OF 31 MARCH, MUCH LOWER THAN TRADITIONALLY EXPERIENCED* FEDAIR HAS ENTERED A RESTRUCTURING PROCESS

* RESTRUCTURING PROCESS OF FEDAIR WILL RESULT IN 55% OF ITS FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES BEING RETRENCHED

* IN 55% OF ITS FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES WILL BE RETRENCHED IN FEDAIR

* SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF 14 AIRCRAFT FLEET HAS BEEN TERMINATED BY FEDAIR

* FEDAIR SEEN DRAMATIC DOWNTURN IN FORWARD TICKET SALES & RESERVATIONS & MAJORITY OF PASSENGERS THAT WERE BOOKED HAVE DEFERRED THEIR TRAVEL

* FEDAIR HAS RETAINED LIMITED CREW TO OPERATE THESE SIX AIRCRAFT, WHICH WILL BE CORE FLEET RETAINED FOR REMAINDER OF 2020

* FEDAIR IN TALKS WITH AIRCRAFT FINANCIERS RELATING TO OWNED AIRCRAFT TO SUSPEND & DEFER CAPITAL REPAYMENTS ON AIRCRAFT LOANS UNTIL DEC 2020

* FEDAIR WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL CASHFLOW OF APPROXIMATELY US$ 1.0M BY 31 DECEMBER 2020

* BOARD IS REASSESSING GOING CONCERN ABILITY OF ENTIRE GROUP IN ITS CURRENT FORM, WITH BOTH FEDAIR AND FASTJET ZIMBABWE BUSINESSES RETAINED* GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO MEET ITS OPERATIONAL NEEDS UNTIL END OF JUNE 2020

* IF UNABLE TO COMPLETE DISPOSAL/RAISE FURTHER NEW CAPITAL BY 30 JUNE DIRECTORS BELIEVE GROUP TO BE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TRADING AS GOING CONCERN

* FEDAIR WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL CASHFLOW OF APPROXIMATELY US$ 1.0M BY 31 DECEMBER 2020

By A Correspondent- Scientists around the world have been tirelessly working to find a cure for Covid-19. A group of South Africa-based scientists and researchers have contributed to the cause and have made a vital discovery, and the group includes Zimbabwean scientist Dr. Stanford Kwenda.

Dr. Kwenda attended Lord Malvern in Harare, before graduating with a BSc. Hons Biological Sciences from the Midlands State University (MSU) in Gweru. He previously worked as a Molecular Biologist at the Tobacco Research Board in Harare, before moving to South Africa.

Today, media in South Africa reports that Dr. Kwenda is among a team from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) who have successfully sequenced South Africa’s first SARS-COV-2 genome.

The full list of medical scientists involved in South Africa’s first SARS-COV-2 genome is: Dr Arshad Ismail, Dr Zamantungwa Khumalo, Dr Phillip Senzo Mtshali, Florah Mnyameni, Dr Mushal Allam, Dr Stanford Kwenda and Dr Jinal Bhiman.

What does this mean?
A genome is the genetic material of an organism. The team of researchers were able to sequence the first SARS-COV-2 genome in South Africa, which will provide a genetic “fingerprint” that can help scientists understand and contain the spread of Covid-19.

“Much like you look more similar to your siblings and cousins than you do to a person chosen at random, this fingerprint of viruses can be used to organise the samples into clusters and thus understand the spread of the disease,” said Peter van Heusden, SANBI researcher.

Scientists from the NICD were able to obtain enough virus DNA from a sample to complete a virus genome.

Until now it was challenging to get a complete virus genome from samples gathered from a patient’s nose and throat, “but the NICD managed to do it,” said Van Heusden.

How does this discovery contribute to finding the cure?

The work is a contribution to the global efforts to track and trace the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As of the beginning of April, more than 3000 SARS-Cov-2 genomes were globally sequenced and uploaded to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) website.

“Ideally, you want to be able to analyse virus DNA samples to better understand the spread of disease or predict when an outbreak will occur,” says Van Heusden. “With a sufficient number of sequenced genomes, it is possible to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree of the mutation history of a family of viruses.”

After the SANBI researchers were able to decode the first SARS-COV-2 genome in South Africa they then compared the virus genome to others around the world.

“Firstly they give us a ‘fingerprint’ that is useful to understand the spread of the virus,” Van Heusden notes. “In this case the version of the virus found in South Africa looks like the ones found in Europe and the USA, suggesting that the virus is travelling alongside people travelling between SA and those places.

” According to SANBI researcher Dr Ruben Cloete, there are changes in the virus genomes, however they are mostly neutral and make very little difference in how the virus acts.

“It’s important to note that this is true for most changes in a virus: they don’t create ‘super mutants’ but are just like the difference between your eye colour and that of someone else,” Van Heusden notes. “People sometimes panic when they hear that a virus is mutating, but that’s just natural – and most mutations just don’t matter much.”

Scientists playing a vital role

SANBI-UWC is working alongside teams such as Africa CDC to develop sustainable training across the public health institutes in Africa, helping equip public health workers across the continent in tracking and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.-SouthAfricanMedia

The current bank exchange rates for the ZWL$ today are as follows:

• USD to ZWL$: 25.0000
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.7326

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates: 

• OMIR $66.15
• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com  $45.50
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $44.60
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $43.00
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $33.2

More: marketwatch.co.zw

Dear @edmnangagwa. I hereby advise you to relieve Obadiah Moyo of the post of Minister of Health. He is clearly out of depth for this position. The Ministry of Health deserves a leader that is capable of steering the ship away from the iceberg.

— Thabisa Sibanda (@SibandaSibbs) April 8, 2020

By A Correspondent- Socialite Jackie Ngarande has issued a statement after rogue figures hiding behind shadowy social media accounts alleged that she was bedding the country’s Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube.

The allegations said Ncube was buying cars and houses with taxpayers’ money so that he can have bedroom gymnastics with the vivacious Harare girl.

Ncube is reported to have demanded an explanation from Jackie following the leak.  There was more buzz on the issue on April 1 when a Zimbabwe based publication claimed that Mthuli Ncube and Jackie Ngarande had been caught red-handed by the Minister’s wife after she made a surprise visit using a chartered private plane. The article that appeared on April Fools Day has since been deleted.

But Jackie is now saying enough is enough and she has issued the statement below to set the record straight.

See below:

6 April 2020

Ref: Jacqueline Tinovimbika Ngarande Press Statement For Immediate release.

This press statement is with reference to news stories that widely circulated on social media and online publications concerning an alleged relationship/affair between myself and a certain minister of the Government of Zimbabwe.

These allegations are malicious, unfounded and an attempt to damage my image and reputation and also to tarnish the image and reputation of all those mentioned in the stories including my long time friend Miss P Nare. I do not have have a relationship with the said minister either personally or professionally, and like any other citizen of Zimbabwe, I have only read about him in the newspapers due to the nature of his work.

I would like to urge the purveyors of these falsehoods to desist from such hideous acts as they negatively impact on families. They strain relationships and in the process destroy careers. I have since sought legal advice from my lawyers concerning this unfortunate incident with a view to stop the circulation of such hurtful lies and to bring the perpetrators of fake news to book.

Yours Sincerely

Jacqueline Tinovimbika Ngarande

2018 Presidential elections candidate Bryn Taurai Mteki says he is taking no chances with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and has since gone into self-isolation.

The Nora hit maker who has since joined the ruling Zanu PF disclosed this in a video he posted on his WhatsApp status last week.

However, he did not reveal his recent travel history in the video, but Standard Style established that Mteki, who contested the presidential election as an independent candidate, had entered the country from either Europe or the United States via Johannesburg on March 20.

“I am not just feeling a little bit well you know [sic]”, he said.

“It could be coronavirus, you know, corona scare. Just stay away, stay at home.

“I am just feeling a little bit under the weather, you know.”

Standard Style could not reach out to the musician to ascertain whether he had sought medical assistance or had gone for Covid-19 testing since he had travelled from high-risk areas.

However, a source close to the musician said Mteki was in self-isolation and taking no chances.

“He has no symptoms and looks perfectly well, but he decided not to mix with people, including his family, and has gone into self-isolation,” the source said.

In January, Mteki told this publication that he would spend the better part of this year in Europe and the US where he would hold exhibitions and attend arts festivals.

Popularly known as Sekuru Tau, Mteki surprised all and sundry when he threw his hat into the political ring for the July 31, 2018 presidential election as an independent candidate.

-The Standard

By A Correspondent- A 37-year-old Victoria Falls man who went on a housebreaking spree at night in Mkhosana suburb stealing cellphones has been arrested.

Member Mudenda residing at 1149 in Aerodrome used a metal bar with a hook on one end to force open closed doors or fish cellphones out through windows. He was arrested after investigations by the police following a housebreaking spree between 24 March and last Sunday.

Mudenda pleaded guilty to four counts of unlawful entry and another four of theft when he appeared before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa.

The magistrate sentenced him to four years in jail for the unlawful entry counts and a further two years for the theft counts. Three years were suspended on condition that Mudenda does not commit similar offences within five years. He will serve an effective three years in jail.

Prosecuting, Mr Onias Nyathi said Mudenda used the same modus operandi to break into houses while the occupants were asleep at night.

“On the 24th day of March the complainant Ms Christine Mpofu of Mkhosana retired to bed at night leaving her property intact. During the same night the accused person proceeded to the complainant’s place of residence and inserted a hook through the bedroom window and fished out a cellphone,” said Mr Nyathi.

He said Mudenda went away without being noticed. Ms Mpofu discovered that her phone was missing in the morning and reported the matter to the police.

The following night, the court was told, Mudenda broke into Ms Eunice Dube’s place of residence in the same suburb where he used a metal bar to force open a locked door to gain entry into the sitting room. He took a cellphone and went away unnoticed.

On March 26 Mudenda broke into Mr Hillary Tshuma’s place of residence using the same modus operandi and stole a cellphone which was in the sitting room while the complainant was sleeping and went away.

Mudenda was at it again on Sunday night when he inserted the hooked metal through Mr Blessed Chamoka’s window and fished out a cellphone before disappearing into the night. He was arrested after police investigations following reports made by the complainants.

The total value of stolen property was RTGS$13 000 and all was recovered.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- MultiChoice Zimbabwe has announced the creation of a pop-up channel on DStv dedicated for the Easter commemoration.

The new channel is aimed at Christians from all denominations and will run from Thursday, April 9, through to Easter Monday, April 13.

The channel is to be known as the African Easter Channel and is being hosted in collaboration with TBN Africa.

African Easter will be available on DStv channel 344.

The development was confirmed to a local publication by Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe.

She said:All Christians will be pleased with this special channel, which will provide a means of hearing more about the meaning and messages of Easter despite confinement during the lockdown.

The channel’s schedule will include significant input from the Methodist, Anglican and Catholic churches. Popular gospel artists such as Zimbabwean Michael Mahendere, Dr Tumi and Rebecca Malope will also feature prominently in the channel.

We are delighted that DStv can give viewers a meaningful experience of Easter at this most important time for Christians, and we are sure that people disappointed at not being able to commemorate in church the various points of worship during the Easter weekend will be pleased at this outreach opportunity, knowing they do so in fellowship with so many other Christians in their own homes.

The content for the channel is being recorded by various churches in safe conditions and will include music, sermons and services.

Good Friday marks the holiest day of the Christian calendar, while the celebration of Christ’s resurrection is on Easter Sunday.

This year Christians across Zimbabwe failed to observe Palm Sunday because of the government’s stay-at-home orders to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).-Online

By A Correspondent- Tatenda Govere, 31, was shocked to see Harare streets clean as he walked from Harare Central Prison to find transport to Glen Norah last Thursday when he was released after serving four years for stealing from his brother.

One of the released inmates who benefited from the Presidential Amnesty, Govere said while prisons are still safe from coronavirus, should the disease find its way there, no- one would survive.

“Harare is totally new following the lockdown and I was shocked to find clean streets and few security guards as I walked from the prison into town,” said Govere.

“I learnt about coronavirus while in prison since we were allowed to view television programmes as well as current news.

“I want to believe that COVID-19 is still to find its way at Harare Central prison and if it happen to find a gap no one will survive due to conditions that do not allow us to distance self from the other inmate.

“Although I leave the cells free from coronavirus, I regret time I lost while serving jail sentence after I stole my brother’s money by engaging my friends to access his property.

“I stole from the hand that was feeding me and he is the same person who visited me while in prison and is the one who gave me money for transport after he learnt of my release.

“He accepted my forgiveness as well as his wife and this left me facing real facts of life and I repented.

“Prison life is bad and it’s like being buried alive that it is my prayer not to return to prison over committing crime but helping inmates,” said Govere. Govere was convicted of theft in 2015 and sentenced to eight years. He thanked His Excellency President Mnangagwa for the pardon.-StateMedia

Zimbabwe’s largest fresh produce market, Mbare Musika, officially reopened yesterday, but with social distancing and  washing of hands not being observed.

Such measures were, however, in force at the smaller Highfield Market, a few kilometres away, with soap and water available, while officials enforced social distancing.

President Mnangagwa reclassified all produce markets as essential services and directed that farmers should be allowed to deliver their vegetables to the markets.

Police and council officials were maintaining order at Mbare Musika, but without setting and enforcement of health measures.

Health authorities, following advice of the World Health Organisation, continually urge high levels of personal hygiene, with hands being frequently washed.

Murehwa farmer, Passmore Manyere, voiced his concerns about the lack of health measures at Mbare Musika, saying people should not forget the need to stay safe and follow the recommended ways of doing business.

“We are thankful to the President for allowing us to bring our produce to the market,” he said.

“When the lockdown started some of us had a lot of ready produce and it all perished. My worry now is also on the state of this market.

“Yes, we need to make money, but there are health measures that we should strictly follow to curb the spread of Covid-19. We expected to see the city council officials here with sanitisers or water to wash our hands and also limiting the number of people entering the market at any one time so that social distancing can be observed.”

Manyere blasted Harare City Council for not cleaning the market, despite a joint operation last week by police and the council to disinfect the area.

Mr Edward Kahana of Macheke said there was need to take preventive measures since the market was well known for overcrowding.

He reported a slow start to business, despite large crowds, and thought a lot of his personal customers were observing the lockdown.

“We sell perishable products and the lockdown had affected us,” said Mr Kahana.

“Business is slow today. Our customers are locked in their homes. We hope the situation will improve as days go by.”

Mr Kahana repeated calls for Harare City to provide sanitisers and water for people to wash their hands.

To show what is possible in Harare, the nearby Highfield Market presented a quite different scene.

Officers manning the market were instructing farmers and the public to wash their hands with water and soap, which was provided by the city council.

They were controlling the number of people allowed in the market encouraging everyone to maintain social distancing.

Farmers at the Highfield market also commended the Government for allowing them to open the markets, but recognised that many normal customers were observing the lockdown.

“I am into horticulture and I have a lot of tomatoes at my farm in Mutoko,” said Mrs Mapfumo.

“When the lockdown was announced, I had a lot of tomatoes and cucumbers which were ready for the market and they all perished.

“The decision by our President to reopen our markets came at the right time and we are thankful. Some of our produce is still in the fields and ready again for market. On a normal day, we could have gone back to Mutoko by now, but we still have a lot of produce to sell.”

Beitbridge town has since reopened its four fresh produce markets, with town clerk Mr Loud Ramakgapola saying they had set opening times between 8am and 3pm.

“We have opened the Bulk Market, Mashakada, Mashavire and Dulivhadzimu,” he said.

“These are easy to monitor because they are in built up areas and their operation time has been set to match that of other essential shops, which open at 8am and close at 3pm.”

A team of municipal police and the environmental health officials is on the ground enforcing standard operational procedures as set out in the national Covid-19 response plan.

In Masvingo, the main fresh produce market, Chitima Market, was also open and set its trading hours at between 5am and 7am, bringing relief to residents seeking fresh produce.

Masvingo in conjunction with the provincial Covid-19 taskforce resolved to designate Chitima as a wholesale market operating for two hours daily to avert congestion.

Sakubva vegetable market in Mutare opened for business at 6am, as farmers from across the province brought in their produce.

It will be operating for three hours until 9am daily.

Municipal and ZRP officers were posted at strategic positions to maintain order around the open space that was identified within the market for farmers to sell from.

Farmers complied with social distancing with most of them selling their wares from their cars or trucks.

Three retail market areas in the city centre were given the nod to operate by the Mutare district Covid-19 taskforce.

All retail markets in town are expected to operate from 9am to 3pm when all the shops close for the day.

-State Media

Zimbabwe Association Doctors for Human Rights has raised questions over the coronavirus case number 11 saying they are very worried at the possible exposure of both the public and health personnel who treated the Bulawayo resident who later succumbed to the disease.

I a statement yesterday, ZADHR questioned why it took so long to have the first results after samples were taken and why the patient was treated at a health institution not designated to handle infectious diseases, a situation that could have exposed medical personnel to COVID-19.

Below is the full statement:

By A Correspondent- Government is inspecting underutilised farms in Manicaland Province and those exceeding maximum sizes as it prepares to downsize them.

This follows recommendations by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement to reduce the sizes of at least 15 farms in the province in order to boost capacity utilisation.

In 2016, four farms in Chipinge were identified for the exercise. Thirteen were identified in Makoni, two in Nyanga and six in Mutare.

No farms were identified in Buhera, Mutasa and Chinamimani districts.

The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Ellen Gwaradzimba, on Monday said that Government is seized with downsizing the farms.

“We are carrying out an exercise to downsize the farms in line with the Government’s directive. We must adhere to the maximum farm size per each region.

“The land size or hectarage is based on the capacity of the farmers

Dr Gwaradzimba said the land re-allocations will prioritise those with capacity to productively utilise land.

She said war veterans, traditional leaders, women and youths would also be catered for.

“There are special groups that are also going to be allocated the land. These include the war veterans because there is a policy that states that they should be given land,” she said.

The maximum farm size in Region One, which largely covers Chimanimani, Nyanga, Mutare, Mutasa and Chipinge, was pegged at 250ha. However, this excludes timber plantations.

In Region Two, which includes parts of Mutare, Makoni and Mutasa districts, the maximum farm size is 500ha.

The farm size ceiling in Region Three, which encompasses parts of Makoni, Mutasa and Mutare districts, is 750ha.

In Regions Four and Five, which largely encompasses parts of Nyanga North, Chipangayi, Chisumbanje, Makoni South and Chipinge, the maximum farm size is 1 500ha and 2 000ha, respectively.-StateMedia