The man pictured inside a car with the self proclaimed MDC-T Chairman, who MDC members accuse of being a CIO agent, 2 days after Morgen Komichi broke away from the MDC Alliance party last week, Felix Chiroro spoke to ZimEye on Tuesday morning.
He runs a horticulture business and has refuted allegations that he is a state agent.
On another note, Mr Chiroro also stood his ground to defend Komichi’s actions saying they are both legal and constitutional.
He said Chamisa cannot reject Justice Patel’s ruling on the basis that it refers to Khupe’s faction and Chamisa leads a new MDC, because according to him, it is not at all new.
He told ZimEye in part: “if Chamisa’s party is a different one altogether from the one left by Tsvangirai, then why are they using the headquarters?
“How did they transfer the building ownership or occupancy from the “old” party to the new?”
By A Correspondent| ZimEye on Monday investigated reports which alleged that truck drivers are being injected with an unknown substance since the weekend.
The reports submitted on the afternoon of the 6th April 2020, had two videos of men complaining mainly in the Shona language that they do not want to be injected.
A source told ZimEye their sibling were witnesses of a said similar incident which they said happened on Monday afternoon. They alleged that the incidents are happening at Kazungula border.
One of the videos begins with the following narration: this is how it is here at the University of Zambia. This crowd you are seeing here all of them are truck drivers, we were at Kazungula border. We were kept there for some days. Some of us entered on the 30th of March, others entered earlier than us.
“After leaving Kazungula, we were told to come down here to Lusaka because some of the drivers their papers are still with the customs officials and the police so they were told to come down here to Lusaka to get their papers but upon coming here we were told to leave our trucks, park our trucks and come here to the University of Zambia.
“We came here to the University of Zambia yesterday last night. We were told to sleep and this morning there is nothing that has happened we are just waiting for the officials to come and address us…
“I think there is one official here who is addressing; I want to see exactly what is going on here but we are being guarded like we are criminals you can see there is a lot of police.
“To our surprise it is only one border which is being targeted because our friends who are using Chirundu they are moving freely. It is only those using Kazungula and Vic Falls coming from South Africa who are the ones brought here to Lusaka. Actually the main reason for bringing us here we don’t know.
“We are yet to find out what’s the reason for bringing us here.”
In another video which is not clear where it was shot there are men dressed as doctors or nurses seen surrounding a group of drivers and a woman screaming, “aaaah, deport to our country it is better to deport us. ”
Soon after that another woman then screams in the Shona language saying “these are the chemicals that are killing people. These chemicals will cause reactions in people’s bodies.”
Efforts to get a comment from the Zambian police were fruitless. ZimEye was in the process of making several telephone calls to different government offices, when we were told by at least 3 drivers that, “it is not true that they are injections. We got swabbed on the nose as part of testing for coronavirus, ” one of the drivers told ZimEye.
The other two drivers repeated the same response.
At the close of day there were no other direct comments from drivers, among those stranded in the neighbouring country.
By Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC Spokesperson Daniel Molokele has refuted claims that the party headquarters had been taken over by want-away former Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora.
Posting on Twitter, Molokele said Youth Assembly Chairperson Obey Sithole had gone to Morgan Tsvangirai House and taken a few pictures to expose the state media lies.
“Our People’s Party Youth Assembly Chairperson has just taken a few pictures at the MRT House. Please ignore the fake news claiming that our party headquarters has been taken over. These are desperate lies from the Zanu funded media,” said Molokele.
The state-run Herald today published a story claiming that Mwonzora had taken over MRT house claiming that he was the legitimate Secretary General of the movement following a Supreme Court ruling that restore Dr Thokozani Khupe as the Acting President pending an Extra-ordinary congress.
By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwe doctors have asked government to provide them and other frontline medical practitioners with personal protective equipment (PPE) and to adequately equip public hospitals to protect them from the deadly coronavirus as they execute their duties and help slow the spread of the epidemic.
In an application filed on Sunday 5 April 2020, the doctors represented by Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) protested that they are at risk of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) because government had not put in place measures to ensure that health practitioners across the country, who include nurses, nurse aides and pharmacists among others are adequately protected against the deadly epidemic.
Zimbabwe has recorded 10 positive cases of coronavirus with one person, a prominent broadcaster, having died after contracting the disease.
Government, ZADHR argued, had not put in place adequate measures to ensure the screening and testing of personnel driving public transport provided by the state-run Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) and other public service buses transporting authorised persons to and from work and to screen and test public servants and security services who continue to work during the 21-day national lockdown.
This, ZADHR said, creates potential exposure and creates a reasonable apprehension among doctors, who use the only available form of public transport that they will contract COVID-19 on their way to and from work as a result of the absence of screening and testing of personnel authorised to drive the public transport vehicles.
Government, ZADHR charged, has not put in place measures to ensure a robust screening and testing of people for coronavirus symptoms across the country, which puts its members at risk of contracting the disease as they also reside with members of the public.
The doctors’ representative body complained against the lack of adequate measures to ensure the screening, testing and quarantining of persons entering Zimbabwe from the various ports of entry or the tracing of some Zimbabweans who reportedly arrived from South Africa into Zimbabwe on the eve of the South African lockdown, thus seriously exposing Zimbabweans to the risk of contracting coronavirus.
ZADHR, which is represented by Andrew Makoni of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, said more than 1 500 doctors were working in Zimbabwean hospitals across the country without adequate PPE including some specialists, nurses, nurse aides, technicians, pharmacists and other health practitioners.
ZADHR has listed Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube and Transport and Economic Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza as respondents.
The doctors representative body, which said its members and other medical practitioners bore the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic and are vulnerable to contracting it, bemoaned the dire shortage of appropriate and equipment such as ventilators, oxygen tanks, Hazmat suits, N95 masks and properly manned quarantine and isolation facilities in the country, which ideally must be available in every district hospital.
ZADHR disclosed that those facilities were only available in Harare and Bulawayo leaving citizens outside these two centres at the risk of failing to timeously access healthcare.
ZADHR said the 1 500 doctors operating in Zimbabwe will require an average of at least three N95 masks per day, which translates to 4 500 masks per day for them.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his nemesis Nelson Chamisa have sent messages wishing the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson a speedy recovery.
Johnson is currently admitted to the hospital where he is being treated for the deadly Coronavirus.
Said Mnangagwa, “On behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, I wish Prime Minister Boris Johnson a speedy recovery and return to good health. We stand in solidarity with him and the British people during these challenging times.”
In response to Mnangagwa’s message ZANU PF said they hope when Johnson has recovered he will appreciate Zimbabwe’s policy of re-engagement.
Wishing PM @BorisJohnson a full & speedy recovery.Our thoughts & prayers are with all those whose families & loved ones are affected by COVID19.We must remain vigilant & play our part. Social distance, wash your hands & report suspected cases.COVID19 must fall!
“Thank you Cde President. You continue to lead the Party & Government with maturity and dignity. We hope the British PM Boris Johnson pulls through from the clutches of this pandemic. We hope in the fullness of time, the United Kingdom will appreciate the essence of re-engagement.”
United Kingdom has sour relations with the ZANU PF government which began in the early years of the millennium.
On behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, I wish Prime Minister @BorisJohnson a speedy recovery and return to good health. We stand in solidarity with him and the British people during these challenging times
The MDC Leader Chamisa urged Zimbabwe and to practice social distancing to fight the deadly virus.
“Wishing PM Boris Johnson a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose families and loved ones are affected by COVID19.”
Chamisa posted on Twitter. “We must remain vigilant and play our part. Social distance, wash your hands & report suspected cases. COVID19 must fall!”
Johnson’s condition is currently worsening and British media said he will be put on a ventilator to assist him to breathe.
By A Correspondent- A severe shortage of mealie meal has given birth to a thriving black market for subsidised roller meal, with the product being delivered to supermarkets in drips and drabs while it is abundantly available on the parallel market.
Some Bulawayo residents who spoke to the state media accused unscrupulous shop owners, local councillors and police officers who control mealie meal queues of diverting the product to the black market where it is sold strictly for cash.
Meanwhile, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paul Mavima said the government is working on importing maize to make mealie meal readily available for the consuming public.
Said Mavima:
Although this is not something that is directly being handled by my Ministry, I am aware that Government is seized with the matter and has tasked an inter-ministerial team headed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to bring grain into the country. I know they are doing a lot to improve the situation. The private sector is also doing something. With the two we are hopeful that the mealie-meal situation will improve.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) spokesperson, Garikai Chaunza distanced his organisation from the ongoing chaos in the distribution of mealie meal.
Chaunza said GMAZ has offered the government 40 000 metric tonnes of maize to purchase to avert the prevailing mealie-meal shortages but the government has not yet taken the offer.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A Zanu PF legislator in Chiredzi reportedly commandeered 13,4 tonnes of the subsidised roller meal from OK Triangle and distributed it to party supporters.
Farai Musikavanhu, who represents Chiredzi West, was also involved in the nocturnal distribution of mealie meal last week while he allegedly instructed Chiredzi Town Council to remove electric beds received from MDC Alliance losing MP aspirant John Manganye from the council hospital in June last year.
Masvingo Zanu PF spokesperson Ronald Ndava said the party was not involved in the distribution of maize meal in Chiredzi, saying the programme had been initiated by local MPs.
He told a local publication:
This, not a party programme. However, it’s an initiative that was done by our local leadership, MPs in particular. As Zanu PF, we have never sat down to plan how mealie-meal was going to be distributed in Chiredzi.
So if there are issues with the programme, those are your contact persons for improvement or review.
After grabbing the mealie meal delivery, Musikavanhu sent a message to all ZANU PF councillors in his constituency lamenting the fact that nine tonnes of the commodity was sold to members of the public before he had laid his hands on them.-Newsday
The state run Herald has published a story claiming that beleaguered MDC-T secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora had taken charge of the opposition party’s affairs and locked up the party’s headquarters, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House but party youths said it’s fake as that has not happened.
The Herald quoted Mwonzora saying, “I am the secretary-general and I am in charge of the day-to-day running of the party. I have closed the party offices up until the end of the 21-day lockdown. We have to follow the law,” said Mr Mwonzora.
But Secretary General of the MDC, Charlton Hwende refuted the claims saying he was still in charge of the party headquarters.
“Mr Mwonzora is not responsible for the administration of the MDC-Alliance. He is in charge of the MDC-T that is led by Khupe. I am at the MRT House now and still in charge directing our Covid-19 strategy and intervention,” fumed Mr Hwende.
MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Siziba warned that they will not sit and allow Mwonzora to claim what does not belong to him adding that they will end the lockdown and flood the streets once the ‘rebels’ get access to Harvest House.
“I wake up to the rumor that @DMwonzora claims to have locked Harvets house. It is fake! Any hostile attempt to take over MRT house will be the end to #zimlockdown,” said Siziba.
By Jane Mlambo| President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his nemesis Nelson Chamisa have joined hands to wish speedy recovery to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who was yesterday evening taken into the Intensive Care Unit after his COVID-19 symptoms persisted.
Mnangagwa and Chamisa took to Twitter to wish Boris aspeedy recovery.
BBC|CHINA reported no coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, the first time since it started publishing daily figures in January.
The National Health Commission said it had 32 confirmed cases, down from 39 on Monday.
It comes as the government is under scrutiny as to whether it is under reporting its figures.
The government says more than 3,331 people have died and 81,740 have been confirmed as infected.
All of the confirmed cases on Tuesday had arrived from overseas.
China is concerned a second wave of infections could be brought in by foreign arrivals.
It has already shut its border to foreigners including those with visas or residence permits.
International flights have been reduced with both Chinese and foreign airlines only allowed to operate one international flight a week. Flights must not be more than 75% full.
On Wednesday, Wuhan is set to allow people to leave the city for the first time since the lockdown began in January.
Officials say anyone who has a “green” code on a widely used smartphone health app will be allowed to leave the city.
Some people in “epidemic-free” residential compounds have already been allowed to leave their homes for two hours.
But Wuhan officials revoked the “epidemic-free” status in 45 compounds because of the emergence of asymptomatic cases and for other unspecified reasons.
Asymptomatic refers to someone who is carrying the virus but experiencing no symptoms.
China began reporting asymptomatic cases at the beginning of April.
More than 1,033 asymptomatic patients are under medical observation.
Hitting back at claims China was too slow to raise the alarm, the country’s state media have published what they describe as a detailed timeline of its response and information sharing.
A ZANU PF MP in Chiredzi reportedly commandeered 13,4 tonnes of the subsidised roller meal from OK Triangle and distributed it to party supporters.
Farai Musikavanhu, who represents Chiredzi West, was also involved in the nocturnal distribution of mealie meal last week while he allegedly instructed Chiredzi Town Council to remove electric beds received from MDC Alliance losing MP aspirant John Manganye from the council hospital in June last year.
Masvingo Zanu PF spokesperson Ronald Ndava said the party was not involved in the distribution of maize meal in Chiredzi, saying the programme had been initiated by local MPs.
This, not a party programme. However, it’s an initiative that was done by our local leadership, MPs in particular. As Zanu PF, we have never sat down to plan how mealie-meal was going to be distributed in Chiredzi.
So if there are issues with the programme, those are your contact persons for improvement or review.
After grabbing the mealie meal delivery, Musikavanhu sent a message to all ZANU PF councillors in his constituency lamenting the fact that nine tonnes of the commodity was sold to members of the public before he had laid his hands on them.
As Khupe's Sec General says it was perfectly constitutional (2016 amendment), Alex Magaisa who has in writing loudly claimed he was same level with Tsvangirai while working as his advisor, says Chamisa @nelsonchamisa 's appointment by Tsvangirai was illegal | WHO IS LYING?
Zimbabwe has recorded another COVID-19 positive case to bring the official total number of confirmed cases to 10.
In its coronavirus (COVID-19) update on 6 April, 2020, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said a 24-year-old-female resident of Harare who arrived from the United Kingdom two weeks ago has tested positive for the coronavirus and is clinically stable and recovering at home.
The statement by the Health Ministry reads:
The Ministry would like to report that today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 13 samples. One of these tested positive for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe now has 10 confirmed cases, including one death.
The tenth patient is a 24-year-old-female resident of Harare who arrived from the United Kingdom two weeks ago.
The local Rapid Response Team visited her home after receiving an alert call to assess the family, and samples were taken for COVID-19 testing.
She is clinically stable and under self-isolation at home.
The Ministry would also like to report that all the 9 cases alive to date are being managed and recovering under self-isolation at home.
The local health care workers continue to monitor and provide essential clinical management and support for all the nine patients.
Additionally, Geospatial systems are being utilised to map all the known contacts of these cases for active contact tracing.
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;
frequently clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing.
maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
For assistance, please call the COVID-19 tollfree hotline number: 2019.
NewsDay|A ZANU PF official based in Mashonaland Central province was on Saturday taken to Bindura Magistrates Cours for allegedly calling on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign.
Goodman Musariri, who appeared before magistrate Moreblessing Makati, was granted $300 bail and remanded to April 22.
He stands accused of undermining the authority of the President.
The State led by Samson Chamunorwa alleged that on an unknown date, Musariri posted WhatsApp messages on a Zanu PF Mashonaland Central province group where he denounced Mnangagwa while endorsing Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to take over.
“We agree that the likes of vaMnangagwa, who only has less than 18 years to live on this universe, must maximise his retirement time. After all, he has nothing to offer Zimbabwe except to loot it the more for 18 years,” one of the messages read.
“I recommend that General Chiwenga takes over and be at liberty to formulate a GNU [government of national unity] that will adopt meritocracy, pragmatism and honesty.
“Mnangagwa must resign or retire early and be given a golden handshake as constructive dismissal. He needs the maximum of 18 years that he is left with under this universe!!”
Another message read: “President vanoda kuti vasvike 2030 (he wants to get to 2030)? Thomas Mapfumo goes on to say ‘achida kunyanya kunge achiiteiko aisa nyika munzara yakadai kubva 2017 (what more can he offer he has impoverished the nation)??”
Own Correspondent|Information Deputy Minister, Energy Mutodi has attacked legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo for interfering in Zimbabwean politics which he is out of touch with in his stay in the United States of America.
Mapfumo rubbished last week’s Supreme Court judgment, which ruled that Nelson Chamisa was not legitimate leader of MDC.
“There’s no govt at all (in Zimbabwe), there is no rule of law. They say the courts are shut but then they suddenly open them for an MDC case. What type of ruling is that? Let us not play with people’s lives,” Mukanya, as he is popularly known by his fans, said.
Mutodi responded:
“Good music does not translate to good politics. I like Dr Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo’s music. He is excellent but he gets lost when it comes to politics,” Mutodi posted on Twitter.
“After witnessing the war and singing in support of the struggle, Mukanya is losing it all because of age.”
In a statement last night, President Mnangagwa said it was important for the banking sector to adapt their operations to the emergency situation spawned by the national lockdown designed to stop the spread of Covid-19.
The President’s directive comes at a time when people were struggling to access Diaspora remittances from relatives abroad.
“In view of the ongoing Covid-19-related national lockdown, and following concerns from users of money transfer services, I have now directed the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (Dr John Mangudya) to immediately address constraints around this essential financial service,” he said.
Central Bank governor John Mangudya has immediately complied.
Below is the statement from the RBZ:
PRESS STATEMENT ON PROVISION OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE SERVICES BY MONEY TRANSFER AGENCIES DURING THE NATIONAL COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIOD
Further to His Excellency the President’s Directive of 6 April 2020 on the need to provide critical services to the public during the National Lockdown period, and in light of the feedback from the recipients of diaspora remittances, the Bank wishes to advise the public that the following additional services will be provid. by Money Transfer Agencies (MIAs) during the Lockdown Period as follows: –
• MTAs with branches operating in retail outlets shall, with effect from Wednesday the 8th of April 2020, operate daily within the timelines prescribed for opening of retail outlets or shops; and
• MTAs owned by banks and those with own banking halls and branches outside banks and retail outlets or shops, shall open for business three times a week, that is, on Tuesday to Thursday, between 0900 and 1 500hrs. To allow for operational adjustment, this directive takes effect from Wednesday the 8th of April 2020.
The decision in respect of the extension of the above services is to allow for the receipt of foreign currency remittances which cannot be transacted on any digital or electronic platforms.
In order to prevent and mitigate the spread of Covid- 19, MTAs shall be required to spread remittance payout access points and to strictly observe the social distancing guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the World Health Organisation from time to time.
POLICE in Gwanda District have dispersed macimbi (mopane worm) harvesters who had flocked to the area despite the prevailing 21-day lockdown.
Scores of people from different areas had flocked to the district and set up camps at various locations over the past two weeks in search of mopane worms which are now in season.
Their presence was in violation of the lockdown order that came into effect last week on Monday requiring people to stay home.
In an interview yesterday, Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele said they had managed to disperse most of the crowds that had gathered in the district.
He said they would continue to monitor the areas to ensure compliance.
“We received reports that people were now gathered in search of mopane worms at a time when the President has announced a 21-day lockdown. These people were even there during the time when large gatherings had been banned. We went there last week as a team comprising the police, local government, Ministry of Health and Gwanda RDC,” he said.
“We engaged these people and told them to disperse and they complied. When we left most of them had gone and there were only a few left who were looking for transport to take them back to their homes. So far, we haven’t received another report but we will continue to monitor to ensure that we don’t have people gathering to harvest mopane worms for any other reason as that is against the law.”
Chief Insp Ndebele said they had also engaged plot holders to ensure that they do not entertain people intending to harvest macimbi as most of them had set up camps at their properties.
He said the majority of the people that had camped were from areas in Masvingo province. He said they had set their camps in different locations from Colleen Bawn Tollgate, West Nicholson right up to Makhado.
Gwanda District Development Coordinator, Ms Kiliboni Ndou said they went to the camps as the District Civil Protection Unit response team following reports from community members.
She said community members were concerned that the mopane worm harvesters could cause the spread of Covid-19 as they were in transit and were constantly in contact with a number of people.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial commissar, Cde Japhet Dube is one of the community members who raised concern as some of the mopane worm harvesters had set a camp on his farm.
“We are concerned as people from Gwanda as people coming from other districts and provinces have invaded our area and they have set up camps in search of mopane worms. Some of them have invaded my farm. With the prevailing Covid-19 we fear that having these people gathered and flocking the district will endanger us so could relevant authorities do something quickly,” he said.
During this time of the year scores of people from various districts flock to Gwanda and surrounding districts in search of mopane worms for sale.
President Mnangagwa recently announced a 21-day lockdown which is in its second week. During the period people have been ordered to remain in their homes and shops that do not sell essentials have been ordered to close.
The former advisor to late MDC president Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has suggested that his ex-boss in 2016 ignored advice on the illegality of the appointment of Mr Nelson Chamisa and Engineer Elias Mudzuri as his deputies.
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Commenting on the Supreme Court judgment made against current MDC leader Nelson Chamisa in an article “Critical Analysis of the Supreme Court Judgment” at the weekend, Alex Magaisa said Tsvangirai did not heed the advice given after appointing Chamisa and Eng Mudzuri.
Magaisa’s comment comes despite the fact that Tsvangirai did this using a clear constitutional amendment.
The MDC Constitution was changed 4 times between 2008 and 2016. In 2009, two amendments were approved to the effect that removed term limits on Tsvangirai who was supposed to step down by the year 2011.
In 2014, another amendment was effected which dethroned the party’s Secretary General of powers of succession (replacing the President).
In 2016, the MDC -T party changed the constitution again this time to give Tsvangirai powers to appoint deputies. Thokozani Khupe’s party would 2 years later remove this clause saying it created a one centre of power, resulting in a leadership dispute blamed for the split with Nelson Chamisa’s party. Khupe’s secretary-general, Nixon Nyikadzino has said the Khupe-led MDC-T has since amended the party constitution to do away with the one centre of power he says was abused by the late Tsvangirai.
“Also, we are simply giving back powers of constitutional amendments to the congress. We are simply ensuring that we do not have a one centre of power in the constitution of the MDC-T,” said Nyikadzino.
Magaisa whose analysis has been relied upon by the Emmerson Mnangagwa state media, commented criticising his own boss. He is not new to attacking his senior and in 2014, he loudly claimed he was same level with the man he worked for, Tsvangirai, and was paid a huge lumpsum including perks. (See his article reprinted below).
This time Magaisa now claims Tsvangirai’s appointment of two deputies, Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri was illegal, saying it was a clash of politics and law.
As Khupe's Sec General says it was perfectly constitutional (2016 amendment), Alex Magaisa who has in writing loudly claimed he was same level with Tsvangirai while working as his advisor, says Chamisa @nelsonchamisa 's appointment by Tsvangirai was illegal | WHO IS LYING?
Back then, he did not publicly criticise the move which Khupe’s party confirms was via a constitutional amendment now needing to be repealed
“Technically, it is difficult to fault the finding concerning the 2016 appointments. Questions were raised at the time of the appointments (including in this column) but the advice was not heeded. If supposing that a challenge had been successfully brought to court at the time, there is every chance that a court might have reversed the appointments,” writes Magaisa.
He continues saying:
“Those of us who raised caution in 2016 derive no pleasure at the turn of events. Another lesson is the problem of not challenging leaders when they are wrong.”
He says the outcome of the case brought to the fore the clash between law and politics.
“Any lawyer who has worked in politics or with politicians understands the difficulty of persuading politicians when laws stand in the way of political objectives. Politicians know they must follow the law, but they also know that their stock-in-trade is to make political decisions to drive political objectives.
“Advisers know that politicians must follow the law but they are also sensitive to the realities of political life. Sometimes decisions just have to be made.
“. . . As it has turned out, Tsvangirai’s decision was legally incorrect, as the courts have established, but if he were around today, he would probably still be sure that he took the right political decision. If you ask his many supporters, they also still believe it was the correct political move particularly given the direction that his would-be successors have taken since his death,” adds Magaisa.
“. . . Likewise, Chamisa’s ascendancy to the leadership may have been legally deficient as the courts have stated, but his multitude of supporters remain convinced that it was the right political move,” said Magaisa.
While Magaisa has focused on this, other scholars said there is no problem and no need for confusion. The South Africa based Legal expert Dr Tapiwa Shumba said a political party has its legs at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Below was his full text:
By Dr Tapiwa Shumba | There is no reason for any confusion. It is the MDC trading politically as MDC Alliance. It’s been like that ever since. We were MDC trading as MDC-T and noone ever asked why everything about us was still MDC. Noone has ever seen an MDC-T constitution. We always celebrated MDC Anniversary and used MDC in our communications. It has always been MDC but MDC T started as far back as 2008 (before elections).
It’s a choice we make to connect to our history and traditions as we continue to renew, transform and grow on the other hand. It is the transacting name, which is the most relevant in Zimbabwe political context, that changes depending on the electoral market and dynamics. That’s why there is nothing trading as MDC currently. There is no MDC Councillor or MP. Many people don’t understand that MDC is now almost like our nickname or better still mutupo/totem in the Zim political context. Riri pachitupa now is MDC Alliance – it used to be MDC-T. Where our identity is requested for official reasons i.e ZEC and Parliament, Council we use the official name for the electoral cycle – now MDC Alliance. Hakuna chinhu chinonzi MDC kwese ikoko.
I say this because I see people asking. 1) Where is the MDC Alliance Consitution saka? (In fact you are not required to have any constitution in Zim). 2. Why did you celebrate 20 years Anniversary? 3. Why did you have 5th Congress? 4. Why are you stil using Harvest House HQ.
Until you understand that in Zimbabwe a Party only exists at ZEC, Parliament and Government you will continue to get confused about the MDC and MDC Alliance, the former being a street name at the latter being an official name. We will always officially transform to adapt to the political and electoral realities of the day but the soul will remain MDC, yet officially speaking, the MDC (our MDC) ceased to exist as an official electoral entity in 2008. The official MDC-T was abandoned when Thokozani Khupe abused it.
The transformation that takes place with the MDC in every electoral cycle is the fundamental reason why it is first class nonsense for anyone to say the Party must revert to a pre-electoral state. Pre-electoral state of the MDC are footsteps, hakuna chinhu, kunosara mutupo iwoyu unonzi MDC chete. That’s why there is this confusion, yet in truth, there is nothing new in the transformation of political parties. Consider this question – how old is ZANU-PF – and what is ZANU in all this – does ZANU-PF say it started in 1987 – but why do they claim and celebrate the 70s heroes and victories of ZANU when ZANU-PF started in 1987? Lastly, don’t be stupid.
There have been reports of police officers soliciting bribes at check points while controlling movement during the Covid-19 lockdown.
In a tweet, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said police officers were reportedly soliciting for bribes during the Covid-19 operations, calling them “Risk Allowances”.
“(We are) getting a lot of calls during this #Lockdown Zim, so we are establishing a helpline to deal with non-clinical queries,” he said.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said anyone soliciting for a bribe should inform the police to ensure the arrest of corrupt police officers.
“Bribery is a serious offence and we do not condone corruption in our rank and file,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the police command will monitor the officers on the ground to curb such practices.
“All those found on the wrong side of the law, will be arrested,” he said.
There have been other problems between the public and police.
At the weekend, there was chaos at Lusaka Market in Highfield after police reportedly locked the farmers outside, with some farmers accusing the police of taking their money.
Asst Comm Nyathi appealed to the farmers who lost their money to report the matter to the Officer Commanding Harare South district or to the police provincial head for Harare.
“We urge all aggrieved farmers to come forward and make a police report,” he said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima
AN estimated 100 homeless people in Harare have been moved to centres on the outskirts of the city as part of measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic by ensuring this highly vulnerable group has shelter.
The people are being accommodated in Mt Hampden, Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre and Jamaica Inn.
Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana confirmed the development on his twitter handle.
“As part of social protection of the vulnerable, Government through the Department of Social Services, moved hundreds of homeless males to Mt Hampden, dozens of boys living and working on the streets to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre and females are accommodated at Jamaica Inn during the lockdown,” Mr Mangwana said.
The relocation of the homeless people is part of measures that have been adopted by Government to mitigate the plight of vulnerable groups.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima also confirmed the development, adding that the homeless were at high risk of contracting Covid-19 since they lack sanitary resources required to fight the devastating disease.
“In Harare, we have established three centres where we are housing these homeless people so that they have somewhere they can call a home,” he said.
“We have identified a training institute for the Ministry of Youth in Mount Hampden where we have moved in those who are in families. At Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre we have taken in boys who are below 18.
“At Jamaica Inn along Mutare Road, we have taken in women above 18 and we are also going to put in girls. So, we have about 42 going to the boy’s facility, 45 coming in as families and six women at Jamaica Inn.”
Prof Mavima had told the Department of Social Welfare to look for more such facilities across the country to house the homeless.
The ministry was using its current budget, but would need more funding from Government since Covid-19 is a national health emergency.
Blankets, clothing and mattresses for the shelter homes are available and more are expected from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). Prohibited and smuggled goods, including blankets, are seized by Zimra and can be disposed of by auction or any approved way.
Said Prof Mavima: “We are taking the homeless people from the streets in the fight against Covid-19. We are doing something. We are using funds from our current budget and I know we will get something from Treasury soon since this is a national disaster. Homeless people in Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and across the country should be placed in shelters where they can be monitored.”
Government has set aside over $600 million to cover one million vulnerable households under a cash transfer programme for the next three months.
The funds will be distributed through the structures of the Department of Social Welfare.
Treasury has also provided $500 million to fight Covid-19 and is ready to attend to more requests.
A further $50 million was provided to Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) to prepare for Covid-19 and to cater for the health requirements of civil servants who are the majority of the Society’’s members.
To enhance preparedness to fight coronavirus and guided by the United Nations Covid-19 Medical Supplies, Treasury has suspended duty and tax on various goods and services related to testing, protection, sterilisation, and other medical consumables.
Government has also unfrozen over 4 000 health sector posts and created an additional 200 medical posts with a view of scaling up the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Covid-19 National Disaster Fund has also been established to enable well-wishers donate towards the fight against the disease.
Own Correspondent|Villagers from Gwanda South have raised an urgent SOS claiming that a strange malaria outbreak is wreaking havoc in the area leaving them believing that the malaria could be the deadly Coronavirus.
The villagers who spoke to ZimEye.com claim that just in the last week at least five people have succumbed to the strange disease which the local health centres insist to be malaria.
The villagers further claim that what raises their fears on Coronavirus are the symptoms that they see on all the people who have fallen ill to the alleged malaria.
“All the people who have been attacked by this disease have a very strong fever and are shivering and yet sweating at the same time,” said a villager in an anonymous tip off sent to ZimEye.com.
“The people also get a diarrhoea of a kind, lose appetite and complain of a sore throat which we have seen the media claim to be symptoms of the Coronavirus,” added the tip off.
The villagers also disclosed that the local health centres do not have a Coronavirus testing centre.
A senior opposition MDC official in Gwanda South confirmed the outbreak indicating that they been able to gather figures of affected persons from the District Medical Office.
“The office insists that the outbreak is a complicated malaria and have provided figures of the affected people so far,” said the MDC official who insisted on not being mentioned at this stage in fear of the new Coronavirus regulations.
“We are reliably informed that a total of 58 cases have been reported in the last two weeks and the figures we were provided with are as follows: GPH- 2 Manama- 6 Nhwali- 11 Sengezane- 5 West Nicholson- 4 Selonga – 5 Kafusi – 5 Gungwe – 5 Ntalale – 3 Collen Bawn – 1 Buvuma – 11. Total – 58,” the official revealed.
Officials in the Gwanda District Medical office would not immediately deny nor confirm the matter indicating that their bosses who were not available are the only ones authorised to speak to the press on the matter.
Malaria is however one of the leading public health challenges in Gwanda district. The district accounts for the second highest number of recorded malaria cases in Matabeleland South province according to Ministry of Health and Child Care statistics.
This story is still being developed as frantic efforts are being made to get an official comment from the Ministry of Health and Child Care in Harare.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema has dismissed online reports stating that schools will reopen on April 28.
A report on an online publication quoted Minister Mathema saying schools would reopen early following their premature closure over the Covid 19 pandemic.
“There is nothing like that. I work on instructions from the President and so far he has not directed that schools reopen early.
“We are in the midst of fighting the pandemic so why should we rush to reopen the schools early,” Minister Mathema said.
Schools and institutions of higher learning were closed on March 19 as a precautionary measure to forestall the spread of Covid-19 following a directive from the President.
At the time of the closure, President Mnangagwa observed that it was of paramount importance to protect the lives learners.
The ministry has entered into a partnership with the Higherlife Foundation to offer free online educational material to learners during the ongoing lockdown.
Learners are accessing through the Ruzivo platform, www.rdl.co.zw.
Higherlife Foundation is a philanthropic organisation founded by Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa.
The country is on a 21-day lockdown that will end on April 19.
State Media|The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) has proposed the postponement of the June and November 2020 examinations owing to the failure by teachers to travel to their nearest centres to administer the registration process because of the 21-day lockdown.
Zimta, an association representing over 40 000 teachers in Zimbabwe, wants an informed analysis of the impact of Covid-19 to be done before pupils sit for examinations.
The teachers’ body is calling on Government to provide Covid-19 testing kits in all schools ahead of the Second Term to curtail the spread of the deadly virus.
“Zimta is calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to consider postponing the sitting of June and November examinations until a well-informed analysis of the impact of Covid-19 has been done.
“As educators, we stand ready to work with the Government of Zimbabwe in combating and eradicating the Covid-19 pandemic amongst educators, learners and parents.
“Educators look forward to the Government’s support in achieving this vital goal,” said Zimta in a statement yesterday.
Zimsec recently said exams were going ahead unless a directive came from Government.
Zimta said during the lockdown, it had documented complaints against Zimsec’s administration, whose directive to teachers appeared to work against the lockdown regulation.
The association added that some school heads were demanding that teachers travel to school offices to attend disciplinary hearings.
Teachers, said Zimta, were under distress from the effects of Covid-19, just like many citizens.
Some schools have since adopted distance learning to fight the spread of coronavirus.
However, there are fears that some teachers might lose their jobs and Zimta wants Government to ensure employment was guaranteed.
“It is critical for Government to provide and protect qualified teachers who will remain key ingredients to the provision of quality public education in Zimbabwe,” reads the statement.
President Mnangagwa shows Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga (centre) and Kembo Mohadi a consignment of sanitisers donated by the Latter Day Saints Church. The donation included face masks and other protective equipment most of which was directed to the police.
President Mnangagwa received two consignments of protective equipment and an offer to drill two hospital boreholes with police now joining health staff and also being allocated donated masks and gloves.
The latest donations were received by the President at State House in Harare with Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi present.
President Mnangagwa said some of the face masks that are part of the donation have already been allocated to the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure officers’ safety while at work.
“There are sanitisers for hand washing and spraying buses and streets in town, medical gowns, masks and gloves some of which we have already given to the police,” said President Mnangagwa.
Almost all Harare traffic officers on the roads were yesterday seen wearing white gloves and face masks after the President intervened. There was a public outcry over police’s lack of protective gear in the first week of the lockdown, with many worried about the safety of both the officer and the public they dealt with.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi hailed President Mnangagwa for the gesture, saying the President availed substantial quantities of protective equipment to the police.
“The majority of police officers in Harare now have the equipment and the distribution is cascading to other provinces to ensure all of them get at least gloves, masks and sanitisers,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and police Commissioner General Godfrey Matanga were also sourcing more equipment for the officers.
“As we speak, there are several efforts being made by Comm Gen Matanga and Minister Kazembe to ensure that officers have the requisite protective equipment.”
Social media reports last week showed police officers in lorries and pick-up trucks, at times numbering over 50, with no protective clothing. In some videos people were questioning whether or not the police were immune to Covid-19.
State Media|The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has been directed to ensure that money transfer service systems are working efficiently and are accessible to the public, especially for processing of financial international remittances.
In a statement last night, President Mnangagwa said it was important for the banking sector to adapt their operations to the emergency situation spawned by the national lockdown designed to stop the spread of Covid-19.
The President’s directive comes at a time when people were struggling to access Diaspora remittances from relatives abroad.
“In view of the ongoing Covid-19-related national lockdown, and following concerns from users of money transfer services, I have now directed the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (Dr John Mangudya) to immediately address constraints around this essential financial service,” he said.
“The environment arising from the national lockdown has increased our people’s dependence on remittances, which also have the added advantage of reaching directly the most marginalised members of our nation.
“Because of the necessary national lockdown, livelihoods in the informal sector have been disrupted, thus forcing many households to depend on the support from their loved ones abroad. It is thus critical for our financial service institutions to adapt their operations to the new emergency situation.”
International remittances are important in improving Zimbabwe’s foreign currency position.
Zimbabwe received US$635 million in Diaspora remittances last year, up 2,6 percent from US$619 million that came through in 2018.
President Mnangagwa paid tribute to citizens abroad who continue to demonstrate abundant compassion by assisting their families back home through various interventions, including financial remittances.
He also saluted Zimbabweans for exercising self-discipline during the national lockdown, adding that the road to completing the 21-day national lockdown was long, but necessary.
Paul Nyathi|Douglas Mwonzora on Sunday told state media that he has officially taken charge of the opposition party’s affairs and locked up the party’s headquarters, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House.
This followed a Supreme Court ruling that declared Thokozani Khupe the legitimate leader of the opposition and that the party should go back to its 2014 structures before calling for a congress in 90 days.
Mwonzora, who reverted to being MDC-T secretary-general, said he would reopen the offices after the 21-day lockdown.
“I am the secretary-general and I am in charge of the day-to-day running of the party. I have closed the party offices up until the end of the 21-day lockdown. We have to follow the law,” said Mwonzora.
Responding to alleged threats from Mr Nelson Chamisa’s close allies who are not happy with the Supreme Court ruling, Mr Mwonzora said he has only learnt about them through social media.
“We just read about it on social media. It is just political posturing.”
However, MDC-Alliance secretary-general Charlton Hwende insisted that he was in charge of the day-to-day running of Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House.
“Mr Mwonzora is not responsible for the administration of the MDC-Alliance. He is in charge of the MDC-T that is led by Khupe. I am at the MRT House now and still in charge directing our Covid-19 strategy and intervention,” said Hwende.
THE National Sports Stadium has better chances of being cleared to host international games ahead of Barbourfields Stadium, as the Bulawayo City Council-owned facility still needs enormous work to meet required minimum standards.
In their report, Caf inspectors Derek Blackense and former Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish, who were in the country last month, indicated that both facilities fall short of expectations and special attention should be given to the pitch, floodlight, stands and dressing rooms.
Caf made it clear that bucket seats are mandatory for both facilities if they are to convince the continental body to clear the stadiums for the 2021 Afcon qualifiers and 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Barbourfields Stadium, according to Caf, needs considerable renovation works ranging from the outer part of the stadium to the dressing rooms.
The dressing rooms were condemned as “too small” and Caf wants them expanded to accommodate seats and lockers for at least 25 players.
A massage table, tactical board and five hot and cold showers must also be installed to be approved.
Media facilities at both venues failed to meet the mark.
The Barbourfields Stadium structure presents a challenge in expanding dressing rooms, meaning architects have to come up with complex ways of modifying the dressing rooms.
Zifa has also approached the Government through the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to help expedite renovations at Barbourfields Stadium and National Sports Stadium to meet the required standards.- State media
POLICE have arrested more than 2 100 people for violating lockdown regulations while three officers have appeared in court for allegedly assaulting residents in Victoria Falls with chains and batons, accusing them of flouting shutdown requirements.
The country is under a 21-day lockdown which started last week on Monday to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation has said the global pandemic has infected more than 1,2 million people worldwide with more than 70 000 of them succumbing to the deadly virus.
Zimbabwe has tested 320 for the virus and nine tested positive while one patient has died.
Under the country’s lockdown measures, all citizens are expected to stay at home, except for essential movements to seek health services, buy food, medicines, other essentials and critical services.
The military has been roped in to complement the police to ensure that the public strictly abides to lockdown regulations that include maintaining social distances and self-isolating.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the defiance has seen 2 191 people being arrested for lockdown violations since President Mnangagwa issued the stay-at-home order.
“The number includes some people who were violating the Liquor Act, operating businesses that are not exempted, illegally transporting members of the public without being cleared, loitering without valid reasons and various crimes under the Miscellaneous Act,” said Asst Comm Nyathi., “What is apparent is that the public is taking for granted the messages that are being sent to prevent the spread of Covid-19. There are those who think that because the virus has not seriously impacted on the country they will not be affected.
They are not observing social distancing and self-isolation as prescribed to prevent the spread of the virus.
We encourage them to heed the Government’s measures to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said police have scaled up awareness campaigns to sensitise the public to adhere to Government’s measures.
“While we are enforcing the law by arresting those violating regulations, we are also involved in social responsibility programmes where we educate the public about the need to observe the coronavirus prevention measures.
We have also partnered with local authorities that are involved in fumigation of public places.
While local authorities provide fumigation materials we provide vehicles used to implement the actual process,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Meanwhile, three policemen who allegedly assaulted residents with chains and batons in Victoria Falls accusing them of defying the Government order to stay indoors have been charged with assault.
Emmanuel Anesu Buzhiwa (30) of Mkhosana and Givemore Masokose (26) residing at ZRP Victoria Falls Camp were not asked to each plead to five counts of assault before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa yesterday.
Jimson Zano (29) of Aerodrome appeared separately before the same court for two counts of assault following incidents where the three constables, allegedly beat up residents in Mkhosana and Chinotimba suburbs last Friday for being outdoors.- State media
POLICE have arrested more than 2 100 people for violating lockdown regulations while three officers have appeared in court for allegedly assaulting residents in Victoria Falls with chains and batons, accusing them of flouting shutdown requirements.
The country is under a 21-day lockdown which started last week on Monday to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The World Health Organisation has said the global pandemic has infected more than 1,2 million people worldwide with more than 70 000 of them succumbing to the deadly virus.
Zimbabwe has tested 320 for the virus and nine tested positive while one patient has died.
Under the country’s lockdown measures, all citizens are expected to stay at home, except for essential movements to seek health services, buy food, medicines, other essentials and critical services.
The military has been roped in to complement the police to ensure that the public strictly abides to lockdown regulations that include maintaining social distances and self-isolating.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the defiance has seen 2 191 people being arrested for lockdown violations since President Mnangagwa issued the stay-at-home order.
“The number includes some people who were violating the Liquor Act, operating businesses that are not exempted, illegally transporting members of the public without being cleared, loitering without valid reasons and various crimes under the Miscellaneous Act,” said Asst Comm Nyathi., “What is apparent is that the public is taking for granted the messages that are being sent to prevent the spread of Covid-19. There are those who think that because the virus has not seriously impacted on the country they will not be affected.
They are not observing social distancing and self-isolation as prescribed to prevent the spread of the virus.
We encourage them to heed the Government’s measures to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Asst Comm Nyathi said police have scaled up awareness campaigns to sensitise the public to adhere to Government’s measures.
“While we are enforcing the law by arresting those violating regulations, we are also involved in social responsibility programmes where we educate the public about the need to observe the coronavirus prevention measures.
We have also partnered with local authorities that are involved in fumigation of public places.
While local authorities provide fumigation materials we provide vehicles used to implement the actual process,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.
Meanwhile, three policemen who allegedly assaulted residents with chains and batons in Victoria Falls accusing them of defying the Government order to stay indoors have been charged with assault.
Emmanuel Anesu Buzhiwa (30) of Mkhosana and Givemore Masokose (26) residing at ZRP Victoria Falls Camp were not asked to each plead to five counts of assault before Victoria Falls resident magistrate Ms Lindiwe Maphosa yesterday.
Jimson Zano (29) of Aerodrome appeared separately before the same court for two counts of assault following incidents where the three constables, allegedly beat up residents in Mkhosana and Chinotimba suburbs last Friday for being outdoors.- State media
UNITED States of America-based former Highlanders and national team captain Thulani “Biya” Ncube says he is safe, but extremely frightened by the Covid-19 pandemic that has so far infected more than 340 000 Americans. The US has recorded about 10 000 deaths due to the pandemic.
In Indiana, where the Highlanders’ legend is based, 4 500 people have been infected, with the death toll standing at 127 as of yesterday and this is what’s giving Ncube, the MC United junior football coach, sleepless nights.
“Look this is no mean play; this virus is exterminating humankind and it’s really scary. I am safe for now, staying at home as ordered by authorities,” said Ncube.
Ncube, who was part of the trailblazing Highlanders’ squad that had many talented players such as Dazzy Kapenya, Bekithemba Ndlovu, Gift Lunga Jr, Sizabantu Khoza, Blessing Gumiso, the late Amon Chimbalanga, Zenzo Moyo, Thabani Masawi, Masauso Phiri, Alexander Phiri and Melusi “Mabaleka” Sibanda, among others, said he spends his time at home researching and exercising to remain fit.
“Since this pandemic requires people to stay at home, I am likewise doing the same. At home I watch television and also do some workouts in my gym to stay fit.
This has been my template ever since the pandemic became a global concern,” he said.
Ncube also runs an academy in Bulawayo, Biya and Friends, that caters for talented youngsters both boys and girls.
The academy plays in the Zifa Bulawayo Province League.- State media
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s mother died after contracting COVID-19, the club announced Monday. She was 82.
“The Manchester City family are devastated to report the death today of Pep’s mother Dolors Sala Carrió in Manresa, Barcelona, after contracting coronavirus,” Manchester City wrote in a public statement.
The 49-year-old Guardiola donated more than $100,000 to aid the fight against coronavirus in Spain last month and appeared on a team video urging fans to stay at home.
Spain has been badly affected by the pandemic with more than 13,000 deaths reported. Manchester City’s rival, Manchester United, sent condolences on Twitter, writing:
“Everyone at Manchester United is saddened to hear this terrible news.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Pep and his family. #ACityUnited.”- USA Today
Please note that the statetement below was released on Sunday
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
UPDATE: 05 APRIL 2020 Today is day 7 of the 21-day TOTAL LOCKDOWN period in Zimbabwe.
During this Lockdown period, and in line with guidance from WHO, the Ministry is prioritizing, finding, testing, isolation, and treatment of every case in the country as well as tracing every contact as key strategies to identify all suspected cases and minimize community spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry would like to report that today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 9 samples.
All of them tested negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has 9 confirmed cases, including one death.
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; frequently clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing.
maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
The Ministry would like to advise the nation that masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you decide to use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
Please note that the statetement below was released on Sunday
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
UPDATE: 05 APRIL 2020 Today is day 7 of the 21-day TOTAL LOCKDOWN period in Zimbabwe.
During this Lockdown period, and in line with guidance from WHO, the Ministry is prioritizing, finding, testing, isolation, and treatment of every case in the country as well as tracing every contact as key strategies to identify all suspected cases and minimize community spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry would like to report that today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 9 samples.
All of them tested negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has 9 confirmed cases, including one death.
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; frequently clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing.
maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
The Ministry would like to advise the nation that masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you decide to use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
Farai Dziva|Residents of the ancient city of Masvingo are finding it difficult to purchase prescribed medicine because police are forcing pharmacies to close at 1 pm.
Police officers in Masvingo say they are following orders from their superiors.
“We are simply following instructions from our bosses,” said one police officer.
Zimbabwe is currently under a 21- day lockdown meant to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
“Masvingo residents are finding it difficult to buy medicine after 1 pm because police have instructed pharmacies in the city to operate for only four hours; from 9am to 1pm every day,” a COTRAD official said on Sunday.
On Friday, overzealous cops attacked residents in Rujeko Suburb, accusing them of breaching lockdown restrictions.
Farai Dziva|Residents of the ancient city of Masvingo are finding it difficult to purchase prescribed medicine because police are forcing pharmacies to close at 1 pm.
Police officers in Masvingo say they are following orders from their superiors.
“We are simply following instructions from our bosses,” said one police officer.
Zimbabwe is currently under a 21- day lockdown meant to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
“Masvingo residents are finding it difficult to buy medicine after 1 pm because police have instructed pharmacies in the city to operate for only four hours; from 9am to 1pm every day,” a COTRAD official said on Sunday.
On Friday, overzealous cops attacked residents in Rujeko Suburb, accusing them of breaching lockdown restrictions.
Farai Dziva|Controversial Masvingo based clergyman, Isaac Makomichi is distributing what he calls the anointed love portion herb.
Makomichi claims the love portion herb has the power to bring back lost lovers.
He also claims women are mainly using it as it will stop their husbands from cheating.Girls who use the love portion herb will also “win instant marriages”- according to Makomichi.
“I am distributing the love portion herb to disgruntled women and girls for free.
“One has to go to a mango tree, kneel under it and pray.
As one prays one mentions the name of the person she loves. After that one picks up a handful of soil under one’s shadow.
One then mixes the soil with water and sugar.One can then takes a bath.
After taking a bath one drinks the anointed oil.After that if you are a girl, everyone who sees you will be attracted to you.
Women who want the love portion herb can contact me on: 0777469342,” said Makomichi.
A woman who spoke to ZimEye.com on Sunday said:
“Cheating men are in trouble because of the love portion herb. I am already using the love portion herb and it is just magnificent.”
Meanwhile sex workers in the ancient city of Masvingo have dismissed Makomichi’s love portion herb.
“We will demonstrate against Makomichi’s love portion herb because he wants to destroy our business,” declared one young lady.
Farai Dziva|Controversial Masvingo based clergyman, Isaac Makomichi is distributing what he calls the anointed love portion herb.
Makomichi claims the love portion herb has the power to bring back lost lovers.
He also claims women are mainly using it as it will stop their husbands from cheating.Girls who use the love portion herb will also “win instant marriages”- according to Makomichi.
“I am distributing the love portion herb to disgruntled women and girls for free.
“One has to go to a mango tree, kneel under it and pray.
As one prays one mentions the name of the person she loves. After that one picks up a handful of soil under one’s shadow.
One then mixes the soil with water and sugar.One can then takes a bath.
After taking a bath one drinks the anointed oil.After that if you are a girl, everyone who sees you will be attracted to you.
Women who want the love portion herb can contact me on: 0777469342,” said Makomichi.
A woman who spoke to ZimEye.com on Sunday said:
“Cheating men are in trouble because of the love portion herb. I am already using the love portion herb and it is just magnificent.”
Meanwhile sex workers in the ancient city of Masvingo have dismissed Makomichi’s love portion herb.
“We will demonstrate against Makomichi’s love portion herb because he wants to destroy our business,” declared one young lady.
A ZANU PF official and council chairman for Chikomba District, Israel Dhikinya is reportedly under fire from the party’s leadership in the district for allegedly working with councillors from the opposition MDC.
A letter dated March 24, 2020, has been sent to Joel Biggie Matiza, the party provincial chairperson, copied to the President’s Office and the district development co-ordinator notifying him of the resolution to bar Dhikinya from serving as the council chairman.
Dhikinya is accused of assigning an unnamed MDC Alliance councillor to distribute food to Zanu PF supporters during the official handover of government houses to Cyclone Idai victims in Masasa recently.
It reads in part: We have resolved in the meeting of the Chikomba Zanu PF leadership that Cde Dhikinya, who is the chairman of the Chikomba Rural District Council, stops to operate as the chairman of the council representing Zanu PF as he is causing damage to the name of the party (sic) .
Dhikinya is also accused of denouncing the party and refusing to give council residential stands to Zanu PF youths for free.
The development was confirmed by ZANU PF provincial member in Chikomba District, Moses Matarutse.-NewsDay
By Dr Masimba Mavaza| Governments through out the world battle to tackle the biggest health emergency in a generation, as another pandemic grips the world with fear. It is the pandemic of fake news on Corona virus. Would there be a way to prevent it from spreading?
The spread of false information during the coronavirus outbreak has been rapid with well-meaning friends and family sharing messages on messaging platforms including WhatsApp warning of everything from the Chinese waging a virus to control the world through G5 to beating the virus by drinking hot drinks or the old Malaria treatment.
The fake news on Corona is not only annoying spam; it is a very dangerous way of spreading panic fear. The sad thing is the news which is fake spreads so fast. There was a lie making rounds which says that “If you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, then you don’t have the virus’
The claim: This long message began circulating early on in the crisis and the claims have been shared more than 30,000 times on Facebook in over a dozen countries, including ZIMBABWE India, Nigeria and the USA.
The message contained several pieces of false information including fake advice on how to detect whether you have the virus, telling people to “breathe in deeply and hold your breath for 10 seconds.”
It goes onto say: “If this can be done without coughing, without difficulty this shows that there is no fibrosis in the lungs, indicating the absence of infection. It is recommended to do this control every morning to help detect infection.”
The message was usually forwarded from a friend citing a seemingly reliable source “Fibrosis is not a feature of coronavirus and you cannot tell… if you’ve got COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) you won’t be able to hold your breath for 10 seconds anyway.
“And some people who have coronavirus the only symptom they’ve got is a fever and not a cough.
Another fake news was thatb “The virus spreads through petrol pumps”
The claim: This hoax social media message appeared on whatsapp The message claimed the virus was “spreading quickly via petrol pumps”. It went on to say people should “wear gloves when filling up or use paper towel and bin straight away.”
The truth: “A petrol pump is a hard surface,” Dr Jarvis says.
“The handle of petrol pump is a hard surface. The best evidence we have, and we don’t know, is that on average we think the virus can survive on a hard surface for up to three days, on metal or glass, possibly on plastic. Perhaps one day on cardboard.
“What that means if you touch a petrol pump that a lot of other people have touched before, in exactly the same way that if you’ve touched a ATM or if you touch a lift button or if you touch supermarket trolley. Yes, it can spread. But because it is a hard surface, you’re not going to get it through the fumes.”
Public Health England reiterated that on Monday with a statement that read: “Petrol pumps are no worse than other surfaces, although we do recommend people use gloves and wash their hands after using them.”
Beat the virus with hot water
The claim: Another part of the message that encouraged us all to hold our breath for 10 seconds also claimed the virus “hates heat and dies if it is exposed of temperatures greater than 27C.” It told us to “abundantly” consume hot drinks “such as infusions, broths or simply hot water” during the day.
“These hot liquids kill the virus and are easy to ingest,” the viral message stated.
The truth: “Technically, the virus is destroyed by 60C but the virus, don’t forget, lives in an awful lot of places where hot drinks don’t get to, like the back of your nose,” Dr Jarvis explains. “You also run the risk of scolding yourself.”
A Tory MP has called on knowingly sharing false information to be an offence.
The Governments must start to make efforts to crack down on dangerously misleading information relating to the coronavirus pandemic.
Police must work extra hard to combat false and misleading narratives about coronavirus”.
The danger of misinformation is that it undermines expert medical advice”. Authorities must Work with social media companies, and press them for further action to stem the spread of falsehoods and rumours which could Be fatal. The Tory MP in England Damian Collins even called for it to be an offence to knowingly share fake news.
The Tory MP has partnered with Infotagion, a free-to-access website, which allows people to post screenshots of coronavirus-related information they have received online.
A lot of fake news has indeed caused panic and it does slow the fight against the virus.
Be responsible and do not send in fake news on Corona virus.
Most African countries including Zimbabwe, are totally dependent on western pharmaceuticals, methods and systems to manage illness through allopathic medicine and philanthropists like Bill Gates.
Yet there are various intelligence reports that clearly outline that pharmaceuticals are being used as biological and chemical weapons to control dark skinned populations.
When Cuba was put under sanctions, they focused on creating homeopathic medicines and traditional medical practices, to heal sickness and not to manage illness with allopathic medicine for pharmaceutical sales.
Today they have achieved autarky in their healthcare. This is an area that LEAD (Labour Economists & Afrikan Democrats) would like to promote self-sufficiency to break the healthcare problems that we see in the country now, due to a combination of bad imported foods, environmental contamination, social health issues and dependency on western medicine and medical practices.
We believe that like Cuba, our scientists should focus on holistic medicine as our ancestors did, by having a healthcare system based on social health, diet, a healthy environment, spiritual well being and the use of organic natural remedies over chemicals.
This will assist us in preventing illness, making us less dependent on importing western medicines that do not heal but cause complications and manage illness in a Hegelian Dialectic to drive the $2.8tril per annum American medical industry, whose products and treatments are the third biggest killer of Americans.
We therefore pledge to push for the nation to carry out studies and learning tours of countries like Cuba and China, to see how they have gone back to incorporate their traditional treatment regimes into their healthcare system, to break dependency on western medicines and to have healthier people.
There is also a critical need for Africa to conduct serious studies on the benefits and impacts of vaccines on our people because many African countries have mandatory vaccination laws, yet many highly developed countries and the countries that produce these vaccines do not force their populations to vaccinate.
This comes on the back of increasing studies that show that there is a positive correlation between vaccines, autism, infertility and mental degenerative diseases.
As such, LEAD is very much against the use of Covid19 vaccinations in Afrika. We will not be silent as our people are being turned into Guinea pigs. Afrikans are not children of a lesser God.
We advise all African governments to unite and take a stand to send one message to the world, that “Africa is not a Testing Lab”. Africans, must take a stand and say NO to any form of testing wanting to be implemented on our beloved continent towards our beloved people. We are not a laboratory.
A ZANU PF official and council chairman for Chikomba District, Israel Dhikinya is reportedly under fire from the party’s leadership in the district for allegedly working with councillors from the opposition MDC.
A letter dated March 24, 2020, has been sent to Joel Biggie Matiza, the party provincial chairperson, copied to the President’s Office and the district development co-ordinator notifying him of the resolution to bar Dhikinya from serving as the council chairman.
Dhikinya is accused of assigning an unnamed MDC Alliance councillor to distribute food to Zanu PF supporters during the official handover of government houses to Cyclone Idai victims in Masasa recently.
It reads in part: We have resolved in the meeting of the Chikomba Zanu PF leadership that Cde Dhikinya, who is the chairman of the Chikomba Rural District Council, stops to operate as the chairman of the council representing Zanu PF as he is causing damage to the name of the party (sic) .
Dhikinya is also accused of denouncing the party and refusing to give council residential stands to Zanu PF youths for free.
The development was confirmed by ZANU PF provincial member in Chikomba District, Moses Matarutse.-NewsDay
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned as “racist” the comments by two French doctors who suggested a vaccine for the coronavirus could be tested in Africa.
“Africa can’t and won’t be a testing ground for any vaccine,” said Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The doctors’ remarks during a TV debate sparked outrage, and they were accused of treating Africans like “human guinea pigs”.
One of them later issued an apology.
When asked about the doctors’ suggestion during the WHO’s coronavirus briefing, Dr Tedros became visibly angry, calling it a hangover from the “colonial mentality”.
“It was a disgrace, appalling, to hear during the 21st Century, to hear from scientists, that kind of remark. We condemn this in the strongest terms possible, and we assure you that this will not happen,” he said.
What did the doctors say?
During a debate on French TV channel LCI, Camille Locht, head of research at Inserm health research group, was talking about a vaccine trial in Europe and Australia.
Jean-Paul Mira, head of intensive care at Cochin hospital in Paris, then said : “If I can be provocative, shouldn’t we be doing this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatments, no resuscitation?
“A bit like it is done elsewhere for some studies on Aids. In prostitutes, we try things because we know that they are highly exposed and that they do not protect themselves.”
Mr Locht nodded in agreement at this suggestion, and said: “You are right. We are in the process of thinking about a study in parallel in Africa.”
Dr Mira had earlier questioned whether the study would work as planned on healthcare workers in Australia and Europe because they had access to personal protective equipment (PPE) while working.
BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms “worsened”, Downing Street has said.
Mr Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise “where necessary”, a spokesman added.
The prime minister, 55, was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in London with “persistent symptoms” on Sunday.
The spokesman said he was moved on the advice of his medical team and is receiving “excellent care”.
A statement read: “Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.
“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital.”
It continued: “The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.” – BBC
By Jane Mlambo| South Africa has recorded 31 new coronavirus cases to put the total number of infected persons as 1686, according to health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
“As at today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1686. This is an increase of 31 from the previously reported cases,” said Mkhize.
By Jane Mlambo| The number of Covid-19 positive cases has increased from nine to ten, according to latest report from the ministry of health and child care.
According to the health ministry, 13 samples were tested today at the National Microbiology Laboratory with one of these testing positive for Covid19.
The development brought to 10 the number of confirmed coronavirus positive cases.
The tenth Covid19 patient returned home from UK two weeks ago.
The Mbare Fresh Produce Market in Harare is expected to reopen tomorrow.
This follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s remarks that farmers supplying produce to urban centres and other localities must continue to operate.
Mnangagwa has also directed the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to make provisions for money transfer agents including Mukuru, Wprld Remit and Western Union among others to open services do that people can receive money from the diaspora.
By A Correspondent- Here is an update on the Coronavirus pandemic that has brought the world to its knees according to Worldometer.
Confirmed cases worldwide: 1,323,641 with +50,779 new cases worldwide and the US having the highest number of +15,576 new cases and China recording only 39 new cases.
Confirmed deaths have reached 73,608 with Italy leading the world with 16,523 deaths and Spain recording 13,169 deaths followed by the US which has recorded 10,372 deaths while China claims it has 3,331 so far including 2 new deaths. As for today, +4,183 were recorded.
Recoveries were reported to be 277,280 worldwide with 972,753 cases still open worldwide.
BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been moved to intensive care in hospital after his coronavirus symptoms “worsened”, Downing Street has said.
Mr Johnson has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise “where necessary”, a spokesman added.
The prime minister, 55, was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital in London with “persistent symptoms” on Sunday.
The spokesman said he was moved on the advice of his medical team and is receiving “excellent care”.
A statement read: “Since Sunday evening, the prime minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.
“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital.”
It continued: “The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.” – BBC
UK’s Prime minister Boris Johnson has been moved to the intensive care unit after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.
According to reports, Downing Street has confirmed the development.
A spokesman said:
“Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus.
“Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the Prime Minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.
“The PM has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary.
”The PM is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication.”
It’s understood Mr Johnson was moved to the intensive care unit at St Thomas’s hospital in London around 7pm on Monday, and that he remains conscious.-Independent
By A Correspondent- The RBZ has relaxed lockdown restrictions for Money Transfer Agencies to enable remittances to be received and be distributed to people who might need to use them during the lockdown.
Here is a full text of the directive that will see MTA operating within banks opening from Tuesday to Thursday.
PRESS STATEMENT ON PROVISION OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE SERVICES BY MONEY TRANSFER AGENCIES DURING THE NATIONAL COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIOD
Further to His Excellency the President’s Directive of 6 April 2020 on the need to provide critical services to the public during the National Lockdown period, and in light of the feedback from the recipients of diaspora remittances, the Bank wishes to advise the public that the following additional services will be provid. by Money Transfer Agencies (MIAs) during the Lockdown Period as follows: –
• MTAs with branches operating in retail outlets shall, with effect from Wednesday the 8th of April 2020, operate daily within the timelines prescribed for opening of retail outlets or shops; and
• MTAs owned by banks and those with own banking halls and branches outside banks and retail outlets or shops, shall open for business three times a week, that is, on Tuesday to Thursday, between 0900 and 1 500hrs. To allow for operational adjustment, this directive takes effect from Wednesday the 8th of April 2020.
The decision in respect of the extension of the above services is to allow for the receipt of foreign currency remittances which cannot be transacted on any digital or electronic platforms.
In order to prevent and mitigate the spread of Covid- 19, MTAs shall be required to spread remittance payout access points and to strictly observe the social distancing guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the World Health Organisation from time to time.
Daily News|IN A stunning development, it has emerged that some of the coronavirus testing kits that have been donated or brought into the country are defective, the Daily News on Sunday can report exclusively.
The bombshell revelation — which comes as the global pandemic is escalating — raises serious questions about the accuracy of the total number of people in the country who are said to have so far tested positive for the lethal virus.
The coronavirus pandemic has so far killed about 60 000 people, in addition to infecting more than 1,1 million others around the world.
To date, Zimbabwe has only reported nine positive cases of the killer virus — as well as one fatality, that of prominent broadcaster Zororo Makamba.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Daily News on Sunday yesterday, Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo confirmed that there were defective rapid testing kits in the country, forcing authorities to wait for the delivery of more reliable equipment.
“We received some kits which we are not using because we found that they were defective. “We are, therefore, waiting to receive definitive testing kits because some of the rapid results testing kits we have give defective results.
“This way, one person can test negative when one is positive, and a positive person can test negative when that is not the case. So, those tests are not reliable,” Moyo said.
“The only reliable testing that is taking place in the country is being carried by the government and not private hospitals.
“As government, we are using the golden standard which is definitive, although this takes five hours for results to show.
“We hope to get more testing kits so that we come up with results early,” Moyo further told the Daily News on Sunday.
This comes as the government has taken a lot of flak for allegedly understating the number of people who have been infected by coronavirus.
It also comes as many health experts have argued that by now, the country should have seen a significant jump in positive cases — as the 14-day incubation period, being the time the virus takes before becoming fully blown, has long elapsed.
Zimbabwe is currently under a 21-day lockdown that was imposed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a part of tough government measures aimed at combating the spread of the disease in the country.
Moyo also told the Daily News On Sunday yesterday that the government was hoping to decentralise the testing for coronavirus before authorities embarked on an aggressive door-to-door campaign that would be informed by the rate at which cases would be soaring.
“Our intention is to have door-to-door screening as soon as possible, but we currently don’t have the kits to enable us to roll out such an exercise.
“Once we secure those kits, we will be able to expand our testing capacity.
“Our plan is to decentralise the testing process. We want to ensure that we have testing capacity at each and every government hospital, in every province,” Moyo said.
“We are in the process of decentralising the whole process. Currently, we have the kits for PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and the PCR is the definitive testing (it is used to detect early infections).
“However, while it was being done just in Harare, the ministry of Health has already entered an agreement with Nust (the National University of Science and Technology) so that their equipment can be used at Mpilo, where there is a level three laboratory.
“After that, we will then increase the number of testing sites in Harare and then eventually go countrywide. This will be done in the shortest time possible,” Moyo told the Daily News on Sunday further.
“In exposed areas like Beitbridge, we are going to start with rapid testing. “For rural areas like Gokwe, if a patient shows signs of the disease we have the rapid response team that is in every province and those teams will attend to any case.
“If the person is showing clinical signs of the disease, they will be taken to a hospital and then comprehensive tests will be carried out,” Moyo added.
As of the end of last week, Zimbabwe had tested less than 400 people cumulatively, reporting nine positive cases and one death.
In contrast, regional power and Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, South Africa, had by yesterday recorded 1 505 cases of coronavirus — with nine people succumbing to the killer disease, and 95 others said to be recovering well from infections.
South Africa, which has also been applauded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the manner in which it is tackling Covid-19, is to conduct a comprehensive door-to-door testing exercise after deploying 10 000 field officers across its provinces.
Although the country’s hitherto striking doctors and other health workers have since returned to work, they are still concerned by the government’s failure to quickly decentralise the testing, screening and isolation processes for coronavirus.
Presently, only Harare has the laboratory that is conducting definitive testing for the lethal disease. The treasurer of the Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZDHR), Norman Matara, told the Daily News on Sunday that the country was still not adequately prepared to contain coronavirus if its cases surged.
“As far as we are concerned, nothing has changed much in the health sector. We still have many challenges. “Protective clothing has been delivered, but I am not sure if it will be enough if the situation demands heightened action.
“As a country, we are not prepared at all. There are no isolation centres and provinces are still sending samples to Harare,” Matara said.
“What is more, we are still to have functional intensive care units,” he added. The issue of how ill-prepared Zimbabwe has been to effectively deal with Covid-19, was brought to the fore last month following the death of Makamba — after he apparently contracted the lethal virus in the United States of America (USA).
According to Wikipedia: a dud is a thing that fails to work properly or is otherwise unsatisfactory or worthless.
Welshman Ncube Full Thread:
Maybe before we go to bed tonight we could reflect a little on how Komichi & Mwonzora could utilise the dud the Supreme Court sold them. In terms of the MDCT constitution an Extraordinary Congress elects a President to complete the uncompleted term of the deceased President.
The problem though is that President Tsvangirai’s term expired on 1 November last year. So what will be the term of office of the President the Supreme Court has ordered them to elect within the next 3 months now that President Tsvangirai’s term long expired already?
Komichi and Mwonzora’s own terms of office expired on 1 November 2019. So what will happen to their expired terms of office? The MDCT Constitution has no provision for the election of any other office bearer other than the President at an Extraordinary Congress.
When will they call the regular Congress for the election of the members of the National Executive Committee and National Council whose terms of office have already expired?
Before we even get there, the MDCT Constitution requires that the Notice of an Extraordinary Congress be given by the National Council. Komichi and Mwonzora don’t have on their side even a fraction, let alone a quorum of the National Council as it was composed on 14 February 2014
So how will they cause that National Council to give the requisite Notice convening the Extraordinary Congress given that the order of the Supreme Court cannot be a licence to disregard the MDCT Constitution on how to give notice of the Extraordinary Congress?
Even worse for them, where will they get the quorum from for the Supreme Court ordered Extraordinary Congress given that they don’t have on their side the National Council, the Provincial Executive committees, the district executive committees, etc, etc.
The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently meet with political party leaders before addressing the nation.
The meeting will be an opportunity for him to clarify issues that have been causing divisions among South Africans, according to the party.
The ATM would like the president to clarify allegations that during his meeting with American billionaire Bill Gates he discussed Covid-19 vaccines being piloted in Africa. The allegations may stem from news reports that Gates is funding a vaccine in Africa, which was subsequently corrected by at least one news outlet on Sunday.
“If not, are you able to take the nation into your confidence and disclose what you discussed with Bill Gates during his visit on our shores in Feb 2020?” said the ATM.
Gates visited South Africa in February for a tennis match with Trevor Noah, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Africans have been up in arms following Noah and Gates’ interview in which they discussed Covid-19 relief efforts by the Bill Gates Foundation, and the fallout that then followed from the incorrect news report.
While Gates discussed helping African countries with testing kits, among other initiatives, people seem to have confused the interview with that of French doctors who discussed testing drugs in Africa.
But the comedian clarified that nothing of the sort was discussed.
He said: “Where in this entire interview do you hear either of us saying a vaccine will be tested in Africa? Are you confusing us with those French doctors or are you just trying to get retweets?”
He said he received death threats following the interview, which has been partly blamed on an incorrect News24 article about the issue.
The ATM nevertheless called on Ramaphosa to explain why Noah and Gates are supposedly “spearheading” the conversations around “such a complicated medical issue”.
“All we are asking is for the record to be set straight on these matters to unite the country in fighting Covid-19.”
LEAD President Linda Masarira has pointed out that African leaders need to go back to the drawing board and map out strategies that work for Africa and that the systems used by European countries cannot work for Africa.
1)In as much as we had to combat the spread of #covid19 virus, the copy and paste #lockdown approach which most African countries adopted from Europe will destroy Afrika. People are starving with no hope of getting aid. The aftermath is now more scary than the virus itself.
2) We made a mistake by adopting European methods to combat #coronavirus. I am truly concerned about the aftermath. We had to acknowledge our existing problems. The poverty, hunger and recession during the aftermath is what is going to kill Africans not the virus itself. @KDVAMBE
3) African leaders need to restrategize and pay attention to our economic climate. We are not paying attention to our global financial positioning, we don’t have the economic standing that Europe has. We can’t afford to take care of our own people. #COVID2019 #CoronavirusPandemic
4) I know that in Zimbabwe we dont even have a database of vulnerable people, where do we go from here? Ot is imperative for @OMpslsw to update us on how many vulnerable families they have fed so far & to enable the private sector and other political parties to crowdfund…
5) and assist in feeding citizens who are hopeless and helpless because of the #lockdown. If we don’t wake up now and if our governments dont wake up we are doomed. There are simply no resources. If #coronavirus ends tomorrow, we no longer have money to keep children in…
6) school and to feed ourselves. Where are we going to get funds to run public institutions eg hospitals, schools & tertiary institutions when our economy is at comatose stage? Our civilisation will collapse, very few of us will be privileged enough just to have an income.
7) Many people who were still fortunately formally employed will be without jobs, there will be high levels of poverty, crime & prostitution in the aftermath. The state will collapse and people will become ungovernable, AFRICAN LEADERS NEED TO ACT NOW.
8) We can’t wait to address our economy after the aftermath. For us to counter the aftermath we need to start acting now. We have to put systems in place that will help us survive after the aftermath. We need to emulate the example set by India, which is also largely an…
9) informal economy like Zimbabwe. They have found ways to implement social distancing and hygiene at market places; thus preventing #COVID19 & continuing with informal economic activities. There is no need to antagonize vendors and to destroy foodstuffs that are already in…
10) in short supply. We urge our security sector to have a human heart and empathy during this trying time. Not everything should be dealt with heavy handedly. These vendors are also supplying essential foodstuffs & should be allowed to trade, with #COVID19 precautions in place
11) My greatest fear is we are destroying the very livelihoods of the people they are purporting to protect. Citizens are losing income, they are losing jobs and some are losing sanity. We a huge bomb drop on us immediately after this pandemic, which will also give the west an…
12) excuse to control us because we have no capital whatsoever. We cant even stimulate our fiscas. This is our biggest problem. We need to act now and save Zimbabwe and our continent Mama Afrika. #TogetherWeCan rise after #COVID19 and make Zimbabwe an economic powerhouse.
As the coronavirus epidemic burns through the US and Europe, the doubters who initially rejected calls for a global lockdown, arguing that “the cure mustn’t be worse than the disease,” are slowly losing their voice.
In early March, Donald Trump dismissed calls for a US lockdown, saying the country doesn’t shut down for seasonal flu (which kills 37,000 Americans every year), so why do it for a virus that had caused just 22 deaths at that stage?.
The thinking was: let the disease run its course and, sure, a few people will get sick, but it’s better than closing businesses. And it’s true that at this point, Covid-19 has affected only 1,26-million people – fewer than 0.1% of the world’s population. Equally, the 70,000 deaths so far are
In SA, we’ve seen the cases growing, though far slower than expected. On Sunday, health minister Zweli Mkhize announced that SA had 1,655 confirmed cases, along with 11 deaths. The numbers are perplexing: over the past week, SA has added only 375 new confirmed cases – an average increase of 3.7% a day. That’s far below the 27% daily increase from March 21 to March 24. But it seems unlikely this good fortune can continue.
Last week Mkhize described it as “the calm before a heavy and devastating storm.” The country is bracing for it. That’s one reason why President Cyril Ramaphosa mustn’t be swayed by those arguing that shutting restaurants and closing businesses is worse than letting the disease rip through the country unchecked.
Every day that the lockdown continues, small businesses are going bust – something SA can ill afford. But we have no choice. The point is, even if you ignore the actual lives that could be lost, the lockdown isn’t making the economic damage worse – it’s mitigating that fallout.
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 a relationship with the said minister either personally or professionally, and like any other citizen of Zimbabwe, l 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 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.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that his country is going to weigh on the options on whether to continue with the national lockdown, relax the regulations or end it, as it has socio-economic implications.
Mnangagwa made these sentiments after touring a number of suburbs in the capital Harare on yesterday. Some of the areas he visited include Mabvuku, Tafara, Kuwadzana, Mufakose, Budiriro, Glen-View and Chitungwiza.
The president said: “I wouldn’t want to prejudge our decision. We are going to review the situation. If we think that it is containable, we may go back because it has its own socio-economic impact.
“So, we have to weigh the possibilities of relaxing or continuing at the end of 21 days. But, what I can say is, currently, I am very happy with the response of our people. Zimbabwe is on Day 7 of the lockdown which was imposed to stop the spread and transmission of the novel Coronavirus,” he said.
Apparently, according to official reports, nine (9) people have so far tested positive for the virus and one of the cases has since died.
The country registered are mixed reactions over the lockdown. Zimbabwe’s economy is highly informal with an unemployment rate of above 90 percent, and most citizens survive on buying and selling.
Some citizens and businesses are already feeling the knock of the lock down and are appealing for the relaxation of regulations while others are saying safety first, saying there are no two ways about it.
President Mnangagwa today received donations of materials used to fight the Covid-19 pandemic from three organisations that have joined the fray to battle the spread of the virus.
The President received the donations at State House in the presence of Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi. First to present its donation was Timber Care which operates in Manicaland. The firm donated a consignment of 10 000 face masks and promised to deliver another donation of ventilators.
The late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s participation in the 1979 Lancaster House talks was frowned upon by the military element in his-PF-Zapu, Zipra, which felt the negotiations were a “self-created” onslaught for the former liberation movement, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu has claimed.
Mpofu opined last week that the major achievement of the Lancaster House Conference ‘in preserving the interests of Britain and America was the outwitting of Nkomo’ at the talks.
He writes, “During the preparations for the Lancaster negotiations, it is said that Nkomo ignored the guidance from ZPRA’s command structure to take part in the Lancaster Conference.
“It was our view in the military that ZPRA had outdone Smith’s forces and it was only logical for war to be continued with no retreat as this was the only justified means to seize power.
“It is also believed that Nkomo’s decision to take part in the Lancaster Conference was largely driven by the advice he was receiving from some Whites who were perceived to be misleading him to political oblivion.
“Therefore, Zapu’s participation in the Lancaster Conference seemed more politically correct in the eyes of those in the political strata, but the military front had wide resentments about participation in the Lancaster.”
“Moreover, the exclusion of Russia as an interested stakeholder in the transitional roadmap set at the Lancaster Conference was indicative of Britain and America’s monopolistic determination to shape Zimbabwe’s independence politics.
“Key African countries which had assisted both Zanla and ZPRA in the execution of the armed struggle were excluded in the Lancaster arrangement.
“This exposed Nkomo to more isolation considering his feared links to Russia.
“Automatically, this placed Zanu at an advantageous position, though Josiah Tongogara was on record for recommending a united approach to engaging the colonial powers whose strategy to divide the PF seemed well-calculated.
“Nkomo decided to participate in the Lancaster Conference against the advice which he had received from Zapu’s lifelong Russian allies.
“Nkomo’s decision also served as a swipe to Zipra commanders’ instruction to him not to participate in the Lancaster talks.
“The friction between the military and Nkomo’s political decision precipitated more internal contradictions between the combatant forces and those at the height of political decision-making.
“In a way, the military remained radically defiant to negotiation while Nkomo became a victim of the political limelight which was constructed for him since the Geneva Conference days.
“This explains why in the fast-tracked flow of events towards the 1980 election Nkomo was isolated.
“Some in the military ranks especially the Late Lookout Masuku felt betrayed when Nkomo decided to take part in the Lancaster Conference which was perceived as a self-created onslaught for Zapu.”
Below is Obert Mpofu’s article in full:
The Lancaster Conference and the Build-up to Nkomo’s temporary setback
In 1979, Nkomo’s Zapu and Mugabe’s Zanu delegations under the PF banner took part in the final push for diplomatic transition at the Lancaster Conference held in London.
This roadmap towards the election which brought Zimbabwe’s majority rule followed a ceasefire proposal by Ian Smith’s government between 10 September and 21 December 1979. Britain, the USA, and the Frontline States took part in this conference.
The conference’s proceedings were chaired by Lord Carrington who at the time was a trusted British foreign policy strategist.
While Nkomo was the centre of attraction in the Geneva negotiation, Mugabe seemed to have attracted inconceivable popularity during the Lancaster Conference.
His fame at the Lancaster Conference was a culmination of the divisive tactics deployed by the imperialist forces since the Geneva negotiations.
However, the proposal for equal and universal suffrage was at the centre of the conference’s deliberations.
Britain’s preference for Mugabe was mainly caused by Nkomo’s proximity to Russia which had aided ZPRA’s military triumph.
Consequently, on the part of the British and the US, it was strategic should Mugabe take charge of the post-independent state.
This would be good in ensuring the obliteration of Russia’s political influence in Southern-Africa.
Zapu’s post-Lancaster triumph entailed victory of Soviet hegemony in independence Zimbabwe and the region at large.
The peripheral placing of Nkomo during the Lancaster negotiation became the major starting point of his political demise.
Nkomo’s diplomatic purging was working in the interest of the Cold-War situation at the time in favour of British interests.
The diplomatic decapitation of Nkomo was engineered by the British in a bid to have absolute control of the post-independence transitional process without Russia’s antagonising interferences.
The British had direct economic interests to secure in post-independence Zimbabwe. Therefore, a sustainable political environment needed to be created to preserve the West’s economic interests in independent Zimbabwe.
Resultantly, the Patrioc Front ( a united force between Zanla and Zira) had to be tactically split.
During the preparations for the Lancaster negotiations, it is said that Nkomo ignored the guidance from ZPRA’s command structure to take part in the Lancaster Conference.
It was our view in the military that ZPRA had outdone Smith’s forces and it was only logical for war to be continued with no retreat as this was the only justified means to seize power.
It is also believed that Nkomo’s decision to take part in the Lancaster Conference was largely driven by the advice he was receiving from some Whites who were perceived to be misleading him to political oblivion.
Therefore, Zapu’s participation in the Lancaster Conference seemed more politically correct in the eyes of those in the political strata, but the military front had wide resentments about participation in the Lancaster.
Moreover, the exclusion of Russia as an interested stakeholder in the transitional roadmap set at the Lancaster Conference was indicative of Britain and America’s monopolistic determination to shape Zimbabwe’s independence politics.
Key African countries which had assisted both Zanla and ZPRA in the execution of the armed struggle were excluded in the Lancaster arrangement.
This exposed Nkomo to more isolation considering his feared links to Russia.
Automatically, this placed Zanu at an advantageous position, though Josiah Tongogara was on record for recommending a united approach to engaging the colonial powers whose strategy to divide the PF seemed well-calculated.
Nkomo decided to participate in the Lancaster Conference against the advice which he had received from Zapu’s lifelong Russian allies.
Nkomo’s decision also served as a swipe to Zipra commanders’ instruction to him not to participate in the Lancaster talks.
The friction between the military and Nkomo’s political decision precipitated more internal contradictions between the combatant forces and those at the height of political decision-making.
In a way, the military remained radically defiant to negotiation while Nkomo became a victim of the political limelight which was constructed for him since the Geneva Conference days.
This explains why in the fast-tracked flow of events towards the 1980 election Nkomo was isolated.
Some in the military ranks especially the Late Lookout Masuku felt betrayed when Nkomo decided to take part in the Lancaster Conference which was perceived as a self-created onslaught for Zapu.
It is also alleged that Tongogara’s insistence on the need to maintain the PF compelled Nkomo’s dependence on collective negotiation.
As such, his close allies in ZPRA viewed Nkomo as more dependent on the advice of outsiders than his close military staff and Russian counterparts.
As warned by the Russians and his top military men, it turned out that Nkomo’s Lancaster participation lacked strategic calculation.
All forces at play during this conference were working to his disadvantage.
After excesses of infiltration and divisions, Zanu reconvened after the Lancaster and broke away from the PF arrangement ahead of the 1980 election. The Lancaster Conference only managed to produce a Constitution which determined the path for universal suffrage and the subsequent independence of Zimbabwe.
One of the results of the Lancaster Conference on the political front was the outwitting of Nkomo by the British and her allies.
The second goal of this conference was to reproduce the West’s hegemony through the divide and rule strategy which left the Patriotic Front fragmented and fragile.
In the 1980 election, Zanu, however, proved popular and had a majority of 57 seats of the 80 Common roll seats.
Zapu only had 20 seats mainly in the Midlands and Matabeleland provinces.
However, Zapu was invited into a coalition Government.
At that particular point, it was clear that Zapu had lost absolute national traction as its political presence was only felt more in Matabeleland and Midlands.
The regional redefinition of the nationalist movements outside their erstwhile Patriotic Front arrangement of 1976 facilitated the possibilities for future conflict.
In no time the post-independence elation was terminated through Gukurahundi.
As a result, this marked neo-colonial triumph. The Mugabe-led Zanu had acquired diplomatic legitimacy, and moreover, it had also proved to be a popular political party.
The Kingdom of eSwatini, known to the United Nations as Swaziland is a country of 1.3 million people. The nation has been on partial lockdown, but that changes today.
The king, who is believed to be in isolation, declared a national state of emergency and ordered a partial lockdown last week. Towards the end of the weekend, however, emaSwati were informed that a full lockdown would take place from April 6.
The partial lockdown proved to be quite the ordeal for some as police officers and soldiers went about enforcing it. A curfew has been observed in the past few days and several businesses have taken a blow of up to 90% of business. Certain officers of the law have been implicated in bribery scandals for coercing business owners to pay up or lock up during this time.
The kingdom is as big as Kruger National Park, it is said that everyone knows everyone and most strangers are related and don’t even know it. That only means the virus can spread faster. The steps taken by His Majesty’s government will be critical in maintaining the low number of cases in Africa.
SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews has assured Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo that he will keep his job as head coach of the Pretoria-based ABSA Premership side.
The former Dynamos defender’s future at Matsatsantsa seemed to be hanging in the balance at some point, with rumors of the club contemplating replacing him rife but Matthews has demystified them.
“First of all, he is already in a contract. He would not be working without a contract and we are not going to wait a month before the season starts and decide who our coach is – Kaitano knows that his job is safe,” said Matthews according to Soccer Laduma.
“I have travelled a long road of 20 years with Kaitano, and in that time he has ended his playing career, but he never lost a job. In that time, he had a car accident, lost family members and was out of commission for many months – but he never lost a job.”
“Gavin Hunt went to Wits, Gordon Igesund didn’t want him as an assistant and neither did Cavin Johnson, but he never lost a job. Eric Tinkler left and he (Tembo) has now won a trophy, so why – after 20 years of loyalty and investment, personal trauma and changes in his career to get to where he is now – would we let him go? His job is safe,” he added.
Stade de Reims doctor Bernard Gonzalez (standing) looks on during a match.
Warriors star player Marshall Munetsi’s French side team doctor has committed suicide after contacting the Coronavirus.
Stade de Reims’ doctor Bernard Gonzalez allegedly took his own life on Sunday, April 5, after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, according to French news outlet Le Parisien.
Gonzalez, who was in confinement at home with his infected wife reportedly left behind a suicide note, linking his death to the contraction of COVID-19.
Arnaud Robinet, the city Mayor, recognised Gonzalez as a charming man who was committed to his job.
“He was the club doctor. A great professional, recognised and appreciated by all. I have a touched thought for his parents, for his wife, his family. He is a collateral victim of Covid-19 because it had been detected positive and was inside for a fortnight. I know he left a note to explain his gesture, but I ignore its content. He was a committed man,” Robinet explained to Le Parisien.
The 60-year-old worked at Stade de Reims for more than 22 years.
“This pandemic affects the Stade de Reims in its heart. He was a personality of Reims and a great professional of the sport. He was with the club for more than 20 years and carried out his job with the utmost professionalism, in a passionate and even selfless manner,” said Reims President Jean-Pierre Caillot.
Clearly, Gonzalez death sent shockwaves throughout France, with the President confessing his commitment, even when the club was going through tough times.
“Gonzalez, in the harshest periods of the club, worked on a voluntary basis. He is a precise doctor in his missions and an artist by his passions. Of course, there was friction between us, friendly friction, like any club between the sportsman and the medical staff. He is my personal doctor, and today all my thoughts, those of the club, of which he will remain a strong figure, go to his wife and parents,” Caillot added.
Following the shocking news, clubs across France condoled with Stade de Reims, sending their tributes and messages through social media.
A SLOWDOWN in the number of deaths and infections has offered a faint glimmer of hope that some European nations may finally be turning a corner.
Officials in Spain announced just over 6,000 new cases yesterday, down from more than 7,000 during the previous 24-hour period.
Confirmed fatalities also dropped to 674, taking the national tally to 12,418. It is the first time that deaths have fallen below 800 in the past week.
Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has insisted that the nation was ‘starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel’.
But in a TV address he also announced that the lockdown measures will carry on for another two weeks until April 26
Spain, France, Italy and Germany record slowdowns in deaths and cases, warn of difficult months ahead
A SLOWDOWN in the number of deaths and infections has offered a faint glimmer of hope that some European nations may finally be turning a corner.
Officials in Spain announced just over 6,000 new cases yesterday, down from more than 7,000 during the previous 24-hour period.
Confirmed fatalities also dropped to 674, taking the national tally to 12,418. It is the first time that deaths have fallen below 800 in the past week.
Prime minister Pedro Sanchez has insisted that the nation was ‘starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel’.
But in a TV address he also announced that the lockdown measures will carry on for another two weeks until April 26.
Meanwhile, Italy registered 525 deaths — down from 681 on Saturday and 766 a day earlier. A total of 15,887 people have now died. The number of confirmed cases was 128,948, up from 124,632. There was also a drop in the number of patients in intensive care for the first time. Rome’s main hospital for treating victims said more patients are now being discharged than admitted.
Health minister Roberto Speranza announced government proposals to try to prevent a second wave of infections when the lockdown is eventually relaxed.
The measures involve increased testing and contact tracing. However, Mr Speranza said it was too early to say when Italy would be able to lift its nationwide lockdown.
It began on March 9 and is officially due to end on April 13 but is widely expected to be extended.
Mr Speranza told La Repubblica newspaper: ‘There are difficult months ahead. Our task is to create the conditions to live with the virus, at least until a vaccine is developed.’
Deaths fell from 588 to 441 in France, where nearly 7,000 people are in intensive care, overwhelming hospitals and medical staff.
A total of 7,560 people have now died, and Europe’s biggest food market — in Rungis, south of Paris — is being transformed into a makeshift morgue.
Meanwhile, Germany confirmed new cases rose by just over 6,082, a slight decrease from the 6,174 infections reported a day earlier.
However, the government cautioned that it was ‘far too early’ to identify a trend in the country, where more than 1,150 have now died.
Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the national lockdown could stretch beyond Easter — with curbs on movement until at least April 19 — but said the figures gave cause for ‘very cautious hope’.
She said: ‘The rise in confirmed new cases is going a bit slower than a few days ago. But it is definitively way too early to identify a trend and therefore it is also too early to ease some of the strict rules we have set for ourselves.
The UK Prime Minister was rushed to hospital Sunday evening, 10 days after testing positive of the novel Corona Virus. The country and Commonwealth nations said that Boris Johnson was rushed to hospital as a precaution on medical advice. The Prime Minister was set to emerge out of his seven day isolation on Friday, but decided against it as he still registered a high temperature.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is next in line to step into the position of Prime Minister if Boris Johnson is unable to continue his duties. Boris Johnson is the highest profile person to test positive for the virus.
The Queen’s Address
A 93-year-old Queen addressed the global pandemic offering hope to all who have been affected which has claimed more than 68,000 lives. This was only her fourth address in a crisis period during her 68 year reign.”We will succeed, and that success will belong to every one of us,” she said in her speech recorded at the Windsor Castle. Queen Elizabeth praised the public’s cooperative efforts and response to the pandemic.
Queen Elizabeth also thanked the healthcare workers in the front lines for their courage and dedication to saving those infected with the virus. The Queen drew advise from her and her sister’s experience during the World War II. They were forced to leave London as bombs descended on it. She acclaimed this similar to the current situation where loved ones have been forced apart.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was initially highly criticized for this response to the outbreak. However, on March 23 after scientists and researchers warned of how dire the decision would prove, he ordered a 3-week lock down. People have been instructed only to leave their homes to exercise and shop for essentials. Exercise may ruled out as the warm weather returns which may draw people to public spaces.
By A Correspondent| ZimEye on Monday investigates reports of truck drivers being injected with an unknown substance on Monday.
The reports submitted on the afternoon of the 6th April 2020 had two videos of men complaining mainly in the Shona that they do not want to be injected.
While it could not be immediately ascertained when the incidents happened, a source told ZimEye their sibling were witnesses of a similar incident which happened on Monday afternoon. They alleged that the incidents are happening at Kazungula border.
One of the videos begins with the following narration: this is how it is here at the University of Zambia. This crowd you are seeing here all of them are truck drivers, we were at Kazungula border. We were kept there for some days. Some of us entered on the 30th of March, others entered earlier than us.
“After leaving Kazungula, we were told to come down here to Lusaka because some of the drivers their papers are still with the customs officials and the police so they were told to come down here to Lusaka to get their papers but upon coming here we were told to leave our trucks, park our trucks and come here to the University of Zambia.
“We came here to the University of Zambia yesterday last night. We were told to sleep and this morning there is nothing that has happened we are just waiting for the officials to come and address us…
“I think there is one official here who is addressing; I want to see exactly what is going on here but we are being guarded like we are criminals you can see there is a lot of police.
“To our surprise it is only one border which is being targeted because our friends who are using Chirundu they are moving freely. It is only those using Kazungula and Vic Falls coming from South Africa who are the ones brought here to Lusaka. Actually the main reason for bringing us here we don’t know.
“We are yet to find out what’s the reason for bringing us here.”
In another video which is not clear where it was shot there are men dressed as doctors or nurses seen surrounding a group of drivers and a woman screaming, “aaaah, deport to our country it is better to deport us. ”
Soon after that another woman then screams in the Shona language saying “these are the chemicals that are killing people. These chemicals will cause reactions in people’s bodies.”
Efforts to get a comment from the Zambian police at the time of writing were fruitless. ZimEye was in the process of making several telephone calls to to different government offices.
Pre-season preparations could remain on hold after the end of the current 21-day national President Emmerson Mnangagwa claimed that they will decide whether or not to extend the 21-day national lockdown.
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign was supposed to start at the end of March but all sporting activities and other public gatherings in the country were suspended until further notice following the outbreak of coronavirus.
Clubs continued with their pre-season preparations, but after the imposition of the lockdown, all activities were put on hold.
And latest claims by the president have further put doubt if the preparations will resume after the end of the lockdown.
Speaking after touring the city, assessing the current situation on the ground, Mnangagwa said: “I wouldn’t want to prejudge our decision.
“We are going to review the situation. If we think that it is containable, we may go back because it has its socio-economic impact.”
Should the crisis end in near future, the League is likely to give clubs some time to wrap up their preparations before the season starts, thereby causing another delay.-Soccer 24
The local football family is praying for the safety of Zimbabwean players in the United Kingdom following the escalation of the novel Coronavirus.
According to figures released by the government today, the Coronavirus death toll in the UK is now a staggering 4934, after 621 recent deaths on account of the global pandemic.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock pleaded with UK citizens to follow the lockdown rules and practice social distancing as it is the only way to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“Following the rules is mission critical… the more people follow the rules, the faster we will be through it,” he told the SkyNews website.
The United Kingdom is home to Warriors stars Marvelous Nakamba (Aston Villa), Tendayi Darikwa (Nottingham Forest) Admiral Muskwe (Swindon Town City), Macauley Bonne (Charlton Athletic) and Cliff Moyo (Kidderminster Harriers).-Soccer 24
The City of Reims in France was sent into mourning on Sunday due to the shocking news that Stade de Reims team doctor Bernard Gonzalez has committed suicide.
Gonzalez, who was 60 years of age at the time of his death, took his life after testing positive to the novel coronavirus and left a note for his wife, who is reportedly also positive.
“Devastated, Reims cries for Bernard Gonzalez,” read a statement released by the club in the wake of the doctor’s death.
Club president Jean-Pierre Caillot said he was shocked by Gonzalez’s death.
“This pandemic has struck Reims in the heart. A great personality and great professional of the sport has left us,” said Caillot according to AFP.
Stade de Reims is home to Warriors midfielder Marshall Munetsi, who also weighed in with a message after the news of Gonzalez’s passing on came through.
“Rest in peace Dr Gonzalez,” he wrote on Twitter.-Soccer 24
By Own Correspondent|THE High Courts will this week be seized with determining three urgent chamber applications in which several residents in Chitungwiza, Mutare and Masvingo are seeking orders to compel municipalities, councils and central government to provide water during the subsistence of the national lockdown period and afterwards to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Zimbabwe.
High Court Judge Justice Owen Tagu will on Monday 6 April 2020 preside over the determination of an urgent chamber application filed by Chitungwiza Residents Trust (Chitrest), represented by Tonderai Bhatasara and Tinashe Chinopfukutwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), protesting against the pro-longed lack of running tap water supplies in Chitungwiza.
In Masvingo, High Court Judge Justice Neville Wamambo will on Monday 6 April 2020 hear a petition filed by Masvingo residents Nevermine Mutamba and Musekiwa Sungano Zvarebwanashe and Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance represented by Martin Mureri of ZLHR seeking an order to force City of Masvingo, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo, Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo and Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube to ensure that residents access water.
On Tuesday 7 April 2020, High Court Judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera in Mutare will hear arguments from Passmore Nyakureba of ZLHR, who is representing Mutare resident Ephraim Matanda and United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust, who on Saturday 4 April 2020 filed an urgent chamber application against City of Mutare, Moyo, Ncube and Moyo seeking an order to compel them to supply adequate, constant, clean and potable water to residents of the eastern border city who have lived for years without running tap water.
In their applications, the residents and residents associations argued that local municipalities, councils and central government had failed to discharge their constitutional obligations of ensuring the provision of running water to residents and this was a breach of several of the residents’ fundamental rights such as the right to water as provided in section 77 of the Constitution, the right to human dignity guaranteed in section 51 of the Constitution and the right to health care enshrined in section 76 of the Constitution.
The residents also said their right to freedom from torture guaranteed in section 53 of the Constitution was also being violated and this was arising from the conduct of some law enforcement agents who were ill-treating them while dispersing several people gathered at various water points including public and private boreholes to fetch water for domestic use.
Lack of access to water, the residents argued, was leading to the violation of the right to life provided under section 48 of the Constitution directly or indirectly through contracting deadly diseases that are waterborne. The risk, the residents argued, was further magnified by the outbreak of coronavirus which requires greater hygiene that includes washing hands with soap and water, which is only possible if there is potable water for domestic use.
The situation, the residents argued has now been compounded by the imposition of the 21-day national lockdown to help combat the coronavirus outbreak.
The residents argued that in order for them to fully comply with government regulations and the spirit of the national lockdown as urged by Moyo, the Health and Child Care Minister and in collaboration with some international organisations such as World Health Organisation, it is imperative that all people must exercise personal hygiene and therefore some measures must urgently be put in place for them to access water in their homes or at some points in a manner which will not increase the spread of coronavirus.
Local municipalities, councils and central government, the residents said, have neglected or refused to put such measures or to comply with their constitutional obligations.
The local authorities and central government, the residents said must during the duration of the national lockdown period ensure provision of safe, adequate, potable and uninterrupted water supply to them and make water available from bulk water suppliers including indicating the location of the water bowsers and distribute it in their towns and cities to avoid the grouping of big crowds at the water points in a way that ensures lessening the spread of coronavirus.
The residents said the local authorities should provide crowd control officers to ensure that people accessing water at various points do so in a manner complying with the social distancing guidelines as specified in various and lockdown directives issued by government.
Ncube, the residents said, must provide financial resources to implement measures to ensure provision and access to water by residents.
The municipalities and councils, the residents said should periodically notify residents associations and residents on safety and general hygiene that is water related in light of the coronavirus through all medium of communication and such should also be accessible to people living with disabilities and the visually impaired and the deaf.
Farai Dziva|Willian has confirmed that he is likely to leave Chelsea at the end of the season after negotiations over a new deal ended without agreement.
The 31-year old Brazilian, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Shakhtar Donetsk seven years ago, wanted to extend his contract with three years, but the club could only offer him two years due to their transfer policies on players over the age of 30.
Speaking to Fox Sports show Expediente Futebol, Willian said: “Everyone knows my contract is up in a few months and it looks like it’ll be difficult to secure an extension.
“I think it’s unlikely that I’ll renew because Chelsea offered me a two-year deal, I asked for three and it ended there.
“There were no more talks or negotiations. Chelsea said that three years would be impossible, so at the moment it seems unlikely that I’ll extend, but nothing is impossible.”
When asked about his next move if he leaves Chelsea, the winger proclaimed his desire to remain in Europe.
“At the moment I’m not thinking about going back to Brazil and my aim is to stay in Europe,” he added.
“I think there’s still scope for me to do that in the current market and continue playing at the top level for a few more years. My target is to remain in Europe.”
Arsenal, Tottenham and Juventus have all been reported to be monitoring the midfielder.
ANALYSIS: Rhodesians are celebrating after the Supreme Court Of Zimbabwe ordered them to hold a Congress in 90 days to elect a new leader. They had sued the Federation Of Rhodesia And Nyasaland over the unconstitutional appointment of Prime Minister Garfield Todd’s successor.
The Supreme Court Verdict was passed by a panel of judges led by Zimbabwean Justice Bharat Patel.
The judicial decision falls a few years after the death of Prime Minister Garfield Todd.
The Appellants had taken Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to court saying the appointment of Todd’s successor in 1958 was unconstitutional.
The Rhodesians who still have structures in Zimbabwe and across the world, have since been ordered to hold a Congress and elect a new leader in 3 months time.
A woman identifying herself as Dr. Thokozani Khupe immediately claimed victory saying she is the legitimate Acting President of the Federation Of Rhodesia And Nyasaland, having been elected at Congress in 1958.
The above is a short explanation of events after a verdict was passed by the Supreme Court last week by Justice Patel.
The Supreme Court Judges ruled saying:
It is accordingly ordered as follows:
The appeal be and is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs.
The judgment of the court a quo be and is hereby confirmed, save for the deletion of paragraphs 4 and 5 of the operative order.
The third respondent, in her capacity as the Acting President of the first appellant, be and is hereby ordered to convene an Extra-Ordinary Congress, within a period of three months from the date of this order, in order to elect a new President.
In the event that the third respondent fails or is unable to comply with paragraph 3 above, the third appellant, in his capacity as the National Chairperson of the first appellant, be and is hereby ordered to convene the aforesaid Extra- Ordinary Congress, within a period of four months from the date of this order.
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Also commenting recently, Legal expert Dr Tapiwa Shumba unmasked the confusion on the future of the MDC party after senator Douglas Mwonzora told ZimEye that MDC Alliance is not a political party. Mwonzora threatened saying his nemesis Nelson Chamisa is no more.
Mwonzora himself is on video stating the contrary.
Writing on Saturday, Dr Shumba threw into the open revelations that a political party has its legs at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and nowhere else. Below was his full text:
By Dr Tapiwa Shumba | There is no reason for any confusion. It is the MDC trading politically as MDC Alliance. Its been like that ever since. We were MDC trading as MDC-T and noone ever asked why everything about us was still MDC. Noone has ever seen an MDC-T constitution. We always celebrated MDC Anniversary and used MDC in our communications. It has always been MDC but MDC T started as far back as 2008 (before elections).
It’s a choice we make to connect to our history and traditions as we continue to renew, transform and grow on the other hand. It is the transacting name, which is the most relevant in Zimbabwe political context, that changes depending on the electoral market and dynamics. That’s why there is nothing trading as MDC currently. There is no MDC Councillor or MP. Many people don’t understand that MDC is now almost like our nickname or better still mutupo/totem in the Zim political context. Riri pachitupa now is MDC Alliance – it used to be MDC-T. Where our identity is requested for official reasons i.e ZEC and Parliament, Council we use the official name for the electoral cycle – now MDC Alliance. Hakuna chinhu chinonzi MDC kwese ikoko.
I say this because I see people asking. 1) Where is the MDC Alliance Consitution saka? (In fact you are not required to have any constitution in Zim). 2. Why did you celebrate 20 years Anniversary? 3. Why did you have 5th Congress? 4. Why are you stil using Harvest House HQ.
Until you understand that in Zimbabwe a Party only exists at ZEC, Parliament and Government you will continue to get confused about the MDC and MDC Alliance, the former being a street name at the latter being an official name. We will always officially transform to adapt to the political and electoral realities of the day but the soul will remain MDC, yet officially speaking, the MDC (our MDC) ceased to exist as an official electoral entity in 2008. The official MDC-T was abandoned when Thokozani Khupe abused it.
The transformation that takes place with the MDC in every electoral cycle is the fundamental reason why it is first class nonsense for anyone to say the Party must revert to a pre-electoral state. Pre-electoral state of the MDC are footsteps, hakuna chinhu, kunosara mutupo iwoyu unonzi MDC chete. That’s why there is this confusion, yet in truth, there is nothing new in the transformation of political parties. Consider this question – how old is ZANU-PF – and what is ZANU in all this – does ZANU-PF say it started in 1987 – but why do they claim and celebrate the 70s heroes and victories of ZANU when ZANU-PF started in 1987? Lastly, don’t be stupid.
By Cheriel Dzobo from Chipinge| Platform for Youth and Community Development (PYCD) is among the local community based organisations that are monitoring and reporting on the compliance of Zimbabweans to the order given by the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa for people to stay at home for a period of 21 days starting from the 30th of March to the 21st of April 2020.
This order has received a mixed response from the public, which this article can confirm.
My observations as a PYCD deployee included making physical visits as well as discussions with members of the general public. I remain privileged in this observation because I am a resident of Vheneka village in ward 27 of Chipinge South constituency.
My story confirms that the majority of people in Chipinge have heeded to the order and the directive, although this is being done with a lot of misgivings and protests from other key stakeholders who cannot survive the lockdown due to their nature of work. This is evidenced by observable behaviours from those who continue to carry out their economic activities by dodging the arms of the law.
My observation covered most parts of Chipinge district, starting from Chitepo and Chisuma villages to Tanganda via Checheche and Rimbi growth points, most shops were closed with little movement on the high way road.This was also the case in usually busy areas like Birchenough Bridge,Chako and Dzonzai business centres.
This has not been the case in hideout areas like Muumbe, Zamchiya, Mabee, Nyagadza and Chikore areas.In these later areas, life is going on as if things are normal.
PYCD has used mostly our social media platforms to dissuade the public from defying the order because we are witnesses of the deadly impact as reported in countries like Italy, UK, China and USA.
I have been involved personally with Vheneka villagers, by joining the police to send people home who would be coming to the local township just to mix and mingle with no particular and convincing reason.
My colleague in ward 26 Qxelani Mahanya has also helped to disperse people at Chisumbanje business centre who were arguing to dismiss the concept of staying at home.
In Checheche growth point most shops remain closed including at the main market place. Incidences of running battles with police were witnessed in the last day of the first week with vendors creating a new market place that was not known to the police but well communicated with their clients who needed the services.
This creativity of opening up makeshift market stalls will be discussed again in my next report. In one of the incidences witnessed with my colleague Effort Manono of Vemuganga Community Radio, the police waylaid the vendors, confiscated their wares made up mainly of vegetables and fed them to roaming livestock.
The presence of both uniformed and plain clothed police has increased to deal with the likely resistance that is now brewing. The police are constantly roaming around, monitoring and ensuring that there are no illegal gatherings. As of now there are up to 20 people who were rounded up by police with some ordered to pay each a fine of ZWL$500 or be taken to court.
PYCD is working closely with other stakeholders that include the police and health workers from the Ministry of Health to conscientize people on Covid-19 and how to stay safe.
Out of 349 people tested so far throughout the country, 340 came out negative while the remaining 9 tested positive. One from the 9 has since passed on.
Everyone is encouraged to continue on the path of good hygiene, washing hands with soap and running water. Where possible, people are advised to avoid unnecessary movements.
Farai Dziva|More than 1900 people have been arrested for reportedly breaching the lockdown restrictions.
This comes as police officers stand accused of terrorising civilians.
Police officers have also been criticized for exposing themselves to Coronavirus.
The “offenders” are being fined between $200 and $500.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, quoted by The Herald said:
“About 1 918 people across the country were arrested for various offences in defiance of the 21-day lockdown.
Only yesterday 22 were arrested for liquor-related offences, 14 were nabbed for ferrying passengers without exemptions while 47 were arrested for operating businesses without exemptions. About 106 were arrested for unnecessary movement, 39 for gathering in public places and 179 for other offences.”
By A Correspondent- President Mnangagwa today received donations of materials to be used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic from three organisations that have joined the fray to battle the spread of the virus.
He received the donations at State House in the presence of his deputies Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi.
First to present its donation was Timber Care which operates in Manicaland. The firm donated a consignment of 10 000 face masks and promised to deliver another donation of ventilators.-StateMedia
By A Correspondent- A Chitungwiza man was bashed by his wife and her lover after catching them red-handed.
Juliet Madeira ran off to South Africa with her lover Wilson Mapfumo after being arrested for cheating and beating her husband Sam Madeira.
“I am married to Juliet Madeira (nee Machanyangwa) in terms of the Marriages Act Chapter 5:11 and the marriage still subsists.”
He said his wife beat him up after he got tipped off by someone and caught her in bed with Mapfumo at oz:o5am. “I reported the case at St Mary’s police station in Chitungwiza RRB Number 228244o,” said Madeira.
“Juliet and Wilson were arrested but were released after paying a fine and have been staying together as husband and wife since, although she is still married to me,” complained Madeira.
Madeira said, “When Juliet left to go stay with her lover she took all our matrimonial property to her lover’s house.” Madeira went on to complain that when he filed for adultery damages at the courts, his wife and her lover fled to South Africa.
“Juliet and I have a 12-year-old son that she abandoned when she left me,” said Madeira. Madeira also went on to say that Juliet left before the boy even started pre-school and now he is in grade six.
“My wife and I were leaders together at the ZAOGA FIF Church and what surprises me the most is that Wilson and Juliet are now serving together as leaders in my church.”
When Juliet Madeira was contacted for comment all she could do was insult her ex-husband. “You and Sam both, you are stupid. I think you don’t have anything to do better lockdown and mind ur bzns.
“Abaiwa ngabude mad*** evanhu. Kuswero tambisa mabundles uchamafunga hako),” the messaged this reporter.-StateMedia
Farai Dziva|More than 1900 people have been arrested for reportedly breaching the lockdown restrictions.
This comes as police officers stand accused of terrorising civilians.
Police officers have also been criticized for exposing themselves to Coronavirus.
The “offenders” are being fined between $200 and $500.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, quoted by The Herald said:
“About 1 918 people across the country were arrested for various offences in defiance of the 21-day lockdown.
Only yesterday 22 were arrested for liquor-related offences, 14 were nabbed for ferrying passengers without exemptions while 47 were arrested for operating businesses without exemptions. About 106 were arrested for unnecessary movement, 39 for gathering in public places and 179 for other offences.”
No, ZANU PF does not need the support from the courts, we don't even need to be supported by the courts we have won elections since 1980, and that we have won because we are a party that thrives on the masses, we're a party that is grounded in the masses – @TafadzwaMugwadipic.twitter.com/wRAjPDUP0G
Please note that the statetement below was released on Sunday
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
UPDATE: 05 APRIL 2020 Today is day 7 of the 21-day TOTAL LOCKDOWN period in Zimbabwe.
During this Lockdown period, and in line with guidance from WHO, the Ministry is prioritizing, finding, testing, isolation, and treatment of every case in the country as well as tracing every contact as key strategies to identify all suspected cases and minimize community spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry would like to report that today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 9 samples.
All of them tested negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has 9 confirmed cases, including one death.
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; frequently clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing.
maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
The Ministry would like to advise the nation that masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you decide to use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
Please note that the statetement below was released on Sunday
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
UPDATE: 05 APRIL 2020 Today is day 7 of the 21-day TOTAL LOCKDOWN period in Zimbabwe.
During this Lockdown period, and in line with guidance from WHO, the Ministry is prioritizing, finding, testing, isolation, and treatment of every case in the country as well as tracing every contact as key strategies to identify all suspected cases and minimize community spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry would like to report that today, the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory tested 9 samples.
All of them tested negative for COVID-19.
Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has 9 confirmed cases, including one death.
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; frequently clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. cover your nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing.
maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.
avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
The Ministry would like to advise the nation that masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you decide to use a mask, cover your mouth and nose, and make sure that there are no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If masks are not used correctly, they can be a source of infection.
Zanu Pf Director of information Tuboy Mugwadi has trashed reports that his party is involved in MDC infightings
He said the MDC is slowly fading into oblivion and his party already had an upper hand and was set to win the 2023 elections.
Said Mugwadi
“… the MDC headquarters is going to become a market. there wont be any opposition to talk about…. we knew that this party had no mandate from the people because it was western sponsored..our courts are second to none in the region… MDC are cry babies who are in politics yet they do not have a thick skin…”
Farai Dziva|Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu has written a letter to Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe asking him to consider paying members of the police force a risk allowance as they are badly exposed to Coronavirus.
See Matewu’s statement:
I have since written to the Hon Minister Kazembe Kazembe asking him to consider giving our esteemed Police a risk allowance like that being given to members of the health sector for the enormous work they are carrying out to keep our town safe and to maintain daily order.
Their work means we can all stay at home and they remain at greater risk when interacting with residents at a daily basis.
They are also working without protective clothing putting themselves at much more calamity. We need to all appreciate their work in this time of need like we do our nurses and doctors hence the need to appropriately renumerate them in these difficult times
It has come to provincial leadership’s attention that the rebels are running mad and offering anyone who can assist in the production of even fake 2014 MDCT structures US$100.
We are aware of the current hardships, but want to encourage our genuine MDC Alliance members never to salivate at a poisoned carrot.
Co-operating in supplying fake 2014 structures is just like kissing a rabid dog.
Our impeccable sources have informed us rebel agents were in Kwekwe today and tried to woodwink MDC Alliance members to provide fake 2014 structures without success.
Let our CCC be appraised that as a party we have the 2014 structures and do not need to request for such structures if need arises.
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 Coordinating 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.
2020! Year of People’s Action! People’s President! Nelson Chamisa!
Farai Dziva|Residents of the ancient city of Masvingo are finding it difficult to purchase prescribed medicine because police are forcing pharmacies to close at 1 pm.
Police officers in Masvingo say they are following orders from their superiors.
“We are simply following instructions from our bosses,” said one police officer.
Zimbabwe is currently under a 21- day lockdown meant to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
“Masvingo residents are finding it difficult to buy medicine after 1 pm because police have instructed pharmacies in the city to operate for only four hours; from 9am to 1pm every day,” a COTRAD official said on Sunday.
On Friday, overzealous cops attacked residents in Rujeko Suburb, accusing them of breaching lockdown restrictions.
By A Correspondent- South “Africa’s Minister of Police General Bheki Cele told South African media that he might want to indefinitely ban the sale of alcohol in the neighboring country.
Cele is reported to have said the crime statistics of South Africa have significantly dropped since the lockdown and subsequent banning of alcohol that began on Friday, March 27.
Said Cele, “It is a known thing that alcohol is part of the crime generators… most people who are murdered or sexually abused, it usually starts on Thursday until the end of the weekend those people will be found at alcohol outlets.”
Cele added that minimising the use of alcohol was a step in the right direction for the country. . “My first prize would be that we shut down alcohol, but I know we cannot do that. Nothing tells me that taking alcohol will make life easier,” he said.
Cele also clashed with Western Cape premier Alan Winde who wanted his province to continue selling cigarettes during the lockdown.
Western Cape is home to Cigarette mafias in South Africa.
Cele argued that people can live without cigarettes, insisting that studies showing otherwise should be disregarded.
“The thing that has been proved to be essential is dry wood. It is part of the food production line. If you do not have wood, you do not have food; but if you do not have cigarettes, what will happen?”
MDC former Secretary General Douglas Mwonzora and his ally Morgen Komichi will soon be expelled from the MDC, Professor Welshman Ncube has revealed.
In a meeting with the MDC North America Province over the weekend Professor Ncube said expulsion letters will be served to Komichi and Mwonzwora by the Secretary-General as soon as they are prepared.
However, Ncube said no decision has been made yet to recall them from parliament even though they were seconded by MDC Alliance.
He added that the MDC Alliance would strengthen our security and intelligence in order to deal with party malcontents in a timely manner.
Read the full minutes of the meeting below:
For the benefit of some of our members who missed the meeting, here are some of the highlights from the meeting:
1. The VP gave a political and legal background of what the Supreme Court judgement means to MDC Alliance. The politics of it is that ZANU PF does not want dialogue with MDC Alliance but with Khupe, hence this calculated plot to remove President Advocate Nelson Chamisa from MDC Alliance. Again the VP assured us that the judgement affects an entity called MDC-T and not MDC-Alliance. He told us not to panic, to stay focused and vigilant. He reminded us to avoid traps from rejects Komichi, Mwonzwora and Khupe. The renegades are vigorously hunting for support from within all our structures in the party. Let’s be vigilant.
2. On a question on whether the renegades will be officially expelled. He said expulsion letters will be served to Komichi and Mwonzwora by the Secretary-General asap. No decision has been made yet to recall them from parliament even though they were seconded by MDC Alliance. The VP promised the party would strengthen our security and intelligence in order to deal with party malcontents in a timely manner.
3. On another question where a member asked why the part looked unprepared for the decision, the VP said The MDC Alliance Executive were aware of what was coming. Our leadership was not caught unaware. They discussed this at length during their last meeting on March 10th, 2020.
4. The VP told members that ZANU PF cannot dictate the leadership of our party. He said starting afresh with a new party is not necessary since our party was rebranded and strong, the question of leadership was settled during the 2019 inaugural MDC ALLIANCE congress.
5. The party is preparing for the 2023 election through the branch supremacy program. The election preparation will be polling station-based and that the party will not be short of election and polling agents come 2023. The party is vigorously pushing for electoral reforms to be implemented before the next election.
6. The VP fully and clearly explained why the party appealed the initial High Court judgement.
7. The President has appointed him and VP Biti to act as point persons and lead responses to this judgement. Organizing and Communication departments will be handling frequently asked questions.
8. VP appealed to external Assembly provinces to help fundraise for the party
9. The VP expressed serious concern about the government honestness and readiness to deal with COVID-19 in Zimbabwe. He said people are on their own basically since the health system collapsed a long time ago. The situation is dire since most people cannot even survive a 2-day lockdown and most people are not practising social distancing since they have to queue for food especially meal-meal. He said even the police are seen packed and packing people in their lorries. The general attitude is that people are not taking this pandemic seriously at all.
On behalf of the province, chairman Chief Svosve reassured the VP that MDC Alliance NAP stand with the people of Zimbabwe and with our President, Advocate Nelson Chamisa. He sends revolutionary greetings to the President.
By A Correspondent- MDC Alliance secretary-general Chalton Hwende has dismissed MDC-T acting president Thokozani Khupe’s claims that she is part of the Alliance.
Hwende asserted that Khupe refused to meet the then MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai when he invited her for meetings in 2017 because she was angry with the trade unionist because of his decision to form the MDC Alliance. Said Hwende:
“When Pres Tsvangirai was sick he tried to have meetings with Khupe as someone that he had worked with for a long time.
“But She hated MT’s decision to form the MDC Alliance so much that she refused to come and see him only to appear at the Funeral claiming to be the Chief Mourner.
The Sunday Mail of 6 August 2017 reported that Khupe and other top officials did not attend the launch of the MDC Alliance the previous day following an earlier confrontation with Tsvangirai over the alliance.
According to the report, Khupe accused Tsvangirai of dictatorial tendencies after he reportedly signed the pact without the blessings of his comrades.
Meanwhile, Khupe has since declared that she is part of the MDC Alliance and will seek to find out how funds allocated to the party under the Political Parties Finance Act were used.
The MDC Alliance consisted of the MDC-T then led by Tsvangirai and later Chamisa, Transform Zimbabwe, Professor Welshman Ncube’s MDC, Zimbabwe People First, the Multi-Racial Christian Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Party, and Zanu Ndonga.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Teachers Association has urged the government to consider postponing the June and November Examination until the threat from the deadly Coronavirus has passed.
ZIMTA issued a statement after the Zimbabwe Examination Council said the exams are going despite the Coronavirus threat.
Said ZIMTA, “If Zimbabwe is in Lock- Down, then the rules that apply to all Zimbabweans should surely also apply to ZIMSEC. Clearly Teachers are not ready to risk lives because ZIMSEC chooses not to abide by the rules. But why have one institution putting teachers’ lives under risk?”
Read their full statement below:
1. The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA), applauds the President of Zimbabwe, the Government of Zimbabwe and all Zimbabweans, for heeding to the Lockdown call and all current efforts from various stakeholders that are aimed at stopping the spread of COVID -19 amongst ordinary Zimbabweans.
2. We are confident that the current efforts of stopping further infections of COVID 19 will not go to waste. However, there is an observation that there seems to be some Government departments which seem to be flouting , the Lockdown regulations with impunity, and this has become a cause for concern for members of the Teaching fraternity.
3. During this time of LockDown, the Association has documented all sorts of complaints against, the ZIMSEC administration, whose directives to Teachers seem to work against the rules of the current lockdown which Zimbabwe is in. Some teachers are currently in a dilemma over following the rules of Zimbabwe’s lockdown or ZIMSEC directives, which for example require that teachers travel to their nearest centers to administer registering processes for June exams as soon as they can. In some cases Heads of Schools are also calling teachers to travel to School offices to attend to frivolous charges and disciplinary hearings? ( all this happening during the Lock-Down period ?)
4. Furthermore, Educators just like the rest of Zimbabweans are under distress from the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. Learners have had to adjust to long-distance learning. Just as it is uncertain of what the effects of COVID 19 will be on Zimbabweans, so it is also for Educators who are being hurried to register students for June exams by ZIMSEC, by all means necessary.
5. In reference to the above therefore, ZIMTA is calling on the government of Zimbabwe to consider postponing the sitting of June and November examinations until a well informed analysis of the impact of COVID 19 has been done.
6. In the advent of long distance learning, which some schools have adopted, we call upon government to ensure that Teachers’ Jobs continue to be protected during and after the COVID 19 pandemic. It is critical for government to provide and protect Qualified Teachers who will remain key ingredients to the provision of quality public education in Zimbabwe.
7. Critical to attaining quality Public Education, is the Learners’ welfare. In light of this observation, the Association is calling on the responsible authorities to ensure, that as schools re-open, COVID -19 Testing kits are provided and mandatory in ALL schools, for use by government trained teachers who shall work alongside health-care givers to curtail the spread and re-infections of the virus at source.
8. As Educators, we stand ready to work with the government of Zimbabwe in combating and eradicating the COVID 19 Pandemic, amongst Educators, Learners and Parents. Educators look forward to the government’s support in achieving this vital goal.
By A Correspondent- The opposition MDC Alliance youth wing plans to stage rolling protests at the end of the national lockdown period to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa to step down.
Mnangagwa’s departure would pave the way for the formation of a National Transitional Authority that will implement necessary reforms ahead of fresh, credible polls, the opposition youths said.
Speaking during an interview with NewsDay on Sunday, MDC Alliance national youth spokesperson Stephen “Sarkozy” Chuma warned Mnangagwa that he faces the prospect of a long winter. Said Chuma:
As the MDC youth assembly, we said it before and we would like to reiterate that Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is not going to last beyond June of this year.
Not even an extension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown will save him from massive public outbursts.
Before lockdown, we said we are taking the battle to Mnangagwa’s doorstep and we really mean what we say.
Certainly, we are going to give the old man a very long winter that will give birth to a leader from (the) people and not the courts.
The MDC Alliance has attempted to hold demonstrations in the past which were either blocked by the courts or crushed by the police.
The government has been using the loathsome Public Order and Security Act (POSA) to block the opposition from holding demonstrations.-Newsday
THE generality of people living on the streets of Bulawayo are totally ignorant of the need to protect themselves against Covid-19, making them vulnerable to the pandemic.
Personal hygiene and social distancing are key elements in terms of combating the spread of the deadly global pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 60 000 people with more than 1 million infected globally.
Zimbabwe has nine confirmed cases and one of them fatal.
A Chronicle news yesterday took to the streets of Bulawayo and observed that street kids and homeless people in general are vulnerable to contracting Covid-19 as they are living in squalid and unhealthy conditions.
The new crew visited Bulawayo’s Centenary Park where some of the homeless people live in a filthy environment. They are susceptible to other diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
They live in makeshift structures situated near a stream overflowing with effluent.
Ms Eunice Saungweme is one of the homeless people who were ordered to vacate the city’s central business district as part of Government measures to combat the spread of Covid-19.
Eunice Saungweme and Grace Moyo
She is now staying in a makeshift structure at Centenary Park.
Despite the risk of contracting diseases, Ms Saungweme seemed unfazed as a tin simmering with isitshwala stood next to her. A few metres away from her makeshift structure is the stream of effluent.
There is a strong stench emanating from an underground conduit that carries off drainage water and human waste.
“We used to stay at a veranda in front of Jet clothing shop at corner Jason Moyo Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue until police came and ordered us to vacate on Monday because of coronavirus. I am now staying here in the park and we use sewer water, which flows through a stream to cook and bath,” she said.
Bernard Kariyesu
“What is coronavirus? I am hearing of it for the first time. All I want is food and nothing else and so this thing of preventing diseases is not applicable to me when my stomach is empty,” he said.
His wife, Ms Grace Moyo chips in: “We were ordered to vacate our spot in the central business district because of coronavirus and we decided to come here.
By A Correspondent- A man who was arrested for allegedly failing to self-isolate in Gauteng and instead traveled to Limpopo two weeks ago has recovered from COVID-19 and is seeking legal advice.
Bongani Ngobeni from Nkambako village in N’wamitwa, outside Tzaneen, yesterday denied that he was informed of his status before traveling home, saying “malicious allegations” were made against him.
Ngobeni was forced into quarantine by the Limpopo department of health two weeks ago after it emerged that he had tested positive and traveled to the province.
Ngobeni was tested again last week and the results came back negative on Friday.
Ngobeni yesterday told Sowetan that he was worried that the country now knew him as “a selfish person who is above the law” and said that was not the case.
“I just want to set the record straight that I was never informed of COVID-19 positive results and besides, I wouldn’t have gotten a chance to travel because I was going to be quarantined. I’m still weighing my options, including seeking legal advice to clear my name,” he said.
“I was never arrested because it was my relative who called the department of health and police to meet us at a nearby garage as the clinic was not equipped to deal with the virus test. The police came, but I was not charged for anything,” Ngobeni said.
MEC for health Phophi Ramathuba said Ngobeni’s results came out positive and tracer teams in Gauteng struggled to locate him until he was found in Limpopo.
Ngobeni said since he was informed about his status, he told his family members to stay far away from him and even went to a private clinic.
“I wanted to be sure when I went to the clinic because I did not show any symptoms. I still feel the same way I was before the quarantine,” he said.
Ngobeni told Sowetan that it was only when he had traveled to Limpopo that he received a call from his employer, telling him that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
“We did our COVID-19 test on March 18 at our workplace and on the 26th, I traveled home in a bakkie, alone. The following day, I got a call from my employer that my results came out positive,” he said.
Ngobeni said his family was very supportive.
“My family has been very supportive. My neighbors as well. Also, I didn’t travel in a taxi when I came back home, I was driving,” he said, dismissing allegations that he may have put the lives of other passengers at risk.
Department of Health spokesperson Neil Shikwambana confirmed that Ngobeni has been discharged.
NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Ndzingi said Ngobeni was not brought to court and the NPA did not have a COVID-19 case in Ritavi.
Shikwambana said the department intends to make Ngobeni an ambassador for COVID-19 in the province, particularly on the importance and the benefits of isolation after testing positive. Ngobeni said he would not comment as he had not been approached by the department on this.
ANALYSIS: After suing the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland over the unconstitutional appointment of Prime minister Garfield Todd’s successor, Rhodesians are celebrating.
The development comes following a Supreme Court Of Zimbabwe ruling which ordered them to hold a Congress in 90 days to elect a new leader.
The Supreme Court Verdict was passed by a panel of judges led by Zimbabwean Justice Bharat Patel.
The judicial decision falls a few years after the death of Prime Minister Garfield Todd.
The Appellants had taken Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to court saying the appointment of Todd’s successor in 1958 was unconstitutional.
The Rhodesians who still have structures in Zimbabwe and across the world, have since been ordered to hold a Congress and elect a new leader in 3 months time.
A woman identifying herself as Dr. Thokozani Khupe immediately claimed victory saying she is the legitimate Acting President of the Federation Of Rhodesia And Nyasaland, having been elected at Congress in 1958.
The above is a simple explanation of events after a verdict was passed by the Supreme Court last week by Justice Patel.
The Supreme Court Judges ruled saying:
It is accordingly ordered as follows:
The appeal be and is hereby dismissed with no order as to costs.
The judgment of the court a quo be and is hereby confirmed, save for the deletion of paragraphs 4 and 5 of the operative order.
The third respondent, in her capacity as the Acting President of the first appellant, be and is hereby ordered to convene an Extra-Ordinary Congress, within a period of three months from the date of this order, in order to elect a new President.
In the event that the third respondent fails or is unable to comply with paragraph 3 above, the third appellant, in his capacity as the National Chairperson of the first appellant, be and is hereby ordered to convene the aforesaid Extra- Ordinary Congress, within a period of four months from the date of this order.
VIDEO LOADING BELOW…
Also commenting recently, Legal expert Dr Tapiwa Shumba unmasked the confusion on the future of the MDC party after senator Douglas Mwonzora told ZimEye that MDC Alliance is not a political party. Mwonzora threatened saying his nemesis Nelson Chamisa is no more.
Mwonzora himself is on video stating the contrary.
Writing on Saturday, Dr Shumba threw into the open revelations that a political party has its legs at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and nowhere else. Below was his full text:
By Dr Tapiwa Shumba | There is no reason for any confusion. It is the MDC trading politically as MDC Alliance. Its been like that ever since. We were MDC trading as MDC-T and noone ever asked why everything about us was still MDC. Noone has ever seen an MDC-T constitution. We always celebrated MDC Anniversary and used MDC in our communications. It has always been MDC but MDC T started as far back as 2008 (before elections).
It’s a choice we make to connect to our history and traditions as we continue to renew, transform and grow on the other hand. It is the transacting name, which is the most relevant in Zimbabwe political context, that changes depending on the electoral market and dynamics. That’s why there is nothing trading as MDC currently. There is no MDC Councillor or MP. Many people don’t understand that MDC is now almost like our nickname or better still mutupo/totem in the Zim political context. Riri pachitupa now is MDC Alliance – it used to be MDC-T. Where our identity is requested for official reasons i.e ZEC and Parliament, Council we use the official name for the electoral cycle – now MDC Alliance. Hakuna chinhu chinonzi MDC kwese ikoko.
I say this because I see people asking. 1) Where is the MDC Alliance Consitution saka? (In fact you are not required to have any constitution in Zim). 2. Why did you celebrate 20 years Anniversary? 3. Why did you have 5th Congress? 4. Why are you still using Harvest House HQ.
Until you understand that in Zimbabwe a Party only exists at ZEC, Parliament and Government you will continue to get confused about the MDC and MDC Alliance, the former being a street name at the latter being an official name. We will always officially transform to adapt to the political and electoral realities of the day but the soul will remain MDC, yet officially speaking, the MDC (our MDC) ceased to exist as an official electoral entity in 2008. The official MDC-T was abandoned when Thokozani Khupe abused it.
The transformation that takes place with the MDC in every electoral cycle is the fundamental reason why it is first class nonsense for anyone to say the Party must revert to a pre-electoral state. Pre-electoral state of the MDC are footsteps, hakuna chinhu, kunosara mutupo iwoyu unonzi MDC chete. That’s why there is this confusion, yet in truth, there is nothing new in the transformation of political parties. Consider this question – how old is ZANU-PF – and what is ZANU in all this – does ZANU-PF say it started in 1987 – but why do they claim and celebrate the 70s heroes and victories of ZANU when ZANU-PF started in 1987? Lastly, don’t be stupid.
