Farai Dziva|A Non Governmental Organisation(NGO) that focuses on the plight of socially disadvantaged women has produced a documentary on gender, HIV and disability.

The documentary, produced by ICODZIM reflects the sad plight of women living with HIV/AIDS and disabilities.

The documentary also reveals how a Masvingo woman who is living with HIV has been ostracized from the society.

She is also experiencing mental disorders as a result of her situation.

See video below:

By A Correspondent| The controversial businessman Frank Buyanga has written to the police admitting that he violently kidnapped his 5 year old son from the mother, Chantelle Muteswa in a gangster violence style attack yesterday.

The incident was first revealed by ZimEye.com, see CCTV footage below.

Buyanga was seen coming out of his white Ford Ranger and pulling the child out of the mother’s car at Spar Waterfalls, Harare.

In the process of both the mother and the grandmother were are assaulted by Buyanga’s men.

(See pictures)

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In the latest development he has written to the police a day after a missing person alert was raised against him. FULL TEXT:

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 26, 2020

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=150498919609969&id=150154425045764

26 March 2020

The Investigating Officer
Highlands Police Station
Harare

Dear Sirs,

RE:STATE –vs- CHANTELLE MUTESWA RRB 4311849

The above matter refers.

I filed a police report for contempt of court with you on the 11th of March 2020 after the mother of my son Ms Chantelle Muteswa failed to comply with the court order which states that my access was extended to allow me to give accommodation to the minor child and ran away with the child.

I hereby write this letter to notify you that I have recovered my son at Parktown Shops in Harare.

Yours faithfully

Frank Buyanga

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

https://www.facebook.com/ZimEye/videos/616972415518307/

Harare City Council intends to close the Mbare Fresh Produce Market, where the city gets most of its vegetable supplies, and the Mupedzanhamo informal market tomorrow, if the Government agrees.

Council has already told vendors at undesignated sites that municipal police will be enforcing the order.

Harare corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme said council was still waiting for Government’s response on the closure of the markets.

Mbare Musika fresh produce market
In a statement, council told vendors trading at undesignated sites to immediately vacate such places as part of efforts to minimise human contact in the fight against the coronavirus.

“Municipal police has been directed to move in and enforce the measure with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” said the council.

“We advise that for those operating in designated areas such as markets and home industries, council is consulting with Central Government for the closure of the same starting March 28, 2020.-State media

ZIMBABWE’s largest referral centre for COVID-19 cases, Wilkins Hospital in Harare, was shut down yesterday to “allow for further renovations”, but medical staff at the health institution said the closure was triggered by doctors who downed tools to press for the provision of protective clothing.

“We have made a resolution that we will not go to work without protective clothing, putting our lives at risk,” a medical staffer who spoke to NewsDay on condition of anonymity said.

But city health services director Prosper Chonzi said the facility had temporarily shut down to allow for further renovations to ensure it met international standards.

“The Chinese are still working on the renovations and so we have moved to Nazareth (Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital). Wilkins is still being renovated and will remain shut until the process is complete,” he said.

Chonzi added that screening of patients for the coronavirus was still being done at Wilkins Hospital, but nurses at the medical centre refuted the claim, saying all staff had deserted the centre.

This came amid reports that all protective clothing used at the hospital was supplied by Harare City Council, while the Chinese embassy was bankrolling the renovations as government was yet to deposit the promised $100 000 into the local authority’s account to upgrade the hospital.

The health centre came under the spotlight early this week after the family of journalist Zororo Makamba, who succumbed to coronavirus, on Monday described it as a death trap.

Chonzi said the third confirmed case, a 57-year-old man who, according to the Health ministry had travelled to Dubai and came back on March 15, had been transferred to Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.

But in its post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, government said the third confirmed case was that of a person who was in contact with the late journalist Zororo Makamba.

It did not mention the 57-year-old who had travelled to Dubai.

Senior doctors and nurses at most public health institutions yesterday vowed that they would not report for duty without appropriate clothing and equipment.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (Zhda) president Tawanda Zvakada said the move was meant to force government to provide them with protective wear to attend to suspected coronavirus cases without endangering themselves.

Many doctors internationally have died of coronavirus while in the line of duty, including 4 800 health workers who were infected by COVID-19 in Italy.

Zvakada alleged that some private hospitals were being fully equipped at the expense of public institutions and called for all hospitals to be treated equally for them to fight the pandemic.

“We are just basically saying we are not on strike, but it is a call for action to tell the government that we need to be protected first before we can attend to suspected COVID-19 cases, the pandemic which has caused havoc worldwide,” he said.

“When the protective clothing has been availed to us all, that is when we are able to say we are now ready. There is a difference between heroism and suicide and we need to be protected. Going in there without any protection will be like committing suicide. So temporarily, we have withdrawn our services.”

Health permanent secretary Agnes Mahomva said it was the ministry’s priority at the moment to provide protective gear at all institutions.

In Bulawayo, Mpilo Central Hospital was yesterday operating with student nurses and doctors with no protective clothing.

Mpilo spokesperson Osiers Ndlovu confirmed the situation yesterday, saying they feared risking student nurses and doctors lives since there was no protective clothing for them.

“Currently, I do not have the figures, but most of the doctors and nurses as from Wednesday have not reported for duty. Their issues were not addressed, so they decided to withdraw their labour. As we are speaking, student nurses are the ones who are manning the institution and a few other qualified nurses who did not join in the withdrawal of labour,” Ndlovu said.

Mpilo chief executive officer Leonard Mabhandi said the hospital was yet to receive medical kits from the ministry, but was expecting to get them soon.

Government this week received a consignment of protective wear and testing kits from Chinese businessman, Jack Ma.-

zimbabwevoice

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has granted clemency to all prisoners given life sentences, female prisoners and juvenile prisoners under 18 years.

Clemency is the act of reducing a penalty for a particular criminal offense without clearing the person’s criminal history.

General Notice 673 of 2020.

CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE

Clemency Order 1 of 2020

IT is hereby notified that His Excellency the President has, in terms of section 112(1)(a) and (d) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, made the order set out in the Schedule.

27-3-2020.

V. MABIZA, Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

SCHEDULE Title

1. This order may be cited as the Clemency Order No. 1 of 2020. Remission of sentence for all convicted female prisoners

2. Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all female prisoners, save for those convicted of specified offences. The inmate should have served at least half of her sentence.

Remission of sentence for all juveniles

3. Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all juvenile prisoners under the age of eighteen (18), save for those convicted of specified offences. The prisoners should have served at least one-third of his or her sentence.

Remission of sentence for prisoners serving an effective sentence of 36 months and below

4. Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all those prisoners serving an effective period of thirty-six (36) months and below and who would have served half of their sentence by the date of gazetting of this Clemency Order, provided they are not excluded from benefitting in terms of paragraphs 11 and 12. Remission of sentence on medical grounds

5. Full remission of the remaining period of imprisonment is hereby granted to all prisoners who have been bedridden for a prolonged period without recovery upon certification by a Correctional Medical Officer or a Government Medical Officer. The Department of Correctional Service should liaise with social welfare so that a commitment for providing medication is attained. Remission of sentence for prisoners at the Open Prison

6. Full remission of sentence is hereby granted to all prisoners serving a term of imprisonment at the Open Prison regardless of offences committed.

Remission of sentence for prisoners aged 70 years and above

7. Full remission of sentence is hereby granted to all prisoners aged seventy (70) years and above, and who have served half of their sentence by the date of gazetting of this Clemency Order, save for those convicted of specified offences.

8. Full remission of sentence is hereby granted to all prisoners who have served life imprisonment for at least twenty-five (25) years. This include —

(i) prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment;

(ii) prisoners whose sentences were commuted from death to life imprisonment; and

(iii) prisoners whose sentences were altered to life imprisonment on appeal or review. The 25-year period shall include any period spent under the sentence of death.

Commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment

9. A commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment is hereby granted to all prisoners who have been on the death row for at least ten years and above. Quarter remission of sentence for prisoners serving effective sentence above 36 months

10. Prisoners serving an effective period of imprisonment of more than thirty-six months who have served a third of their remaining sentence are hereby granted an additional one-quarter remission of the remaining effective period of imprisonment. Prisoners excluded from the proposed amnesty

11. The following persons are excluded from the amnesty:

(a) any prisoner who was previously released on amnesty;

(b) any prisoner serving a sentence imposed by a Court Martial;

(c) any prisoner who has a record of escaping from lawful custody;

(d) any prisoner convicted of committing any specified offence. Definitions

12. For the purposes of this amnesty — “specified offence” means —

(a) murder, treason;

(b) rape or any sexual offence;

(c) carjacking, robbery;

(d) stock theft;

(e) public violence;

(f) any conspiracy, incitement or attempt to commit any of the offences referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e);

(g) being an accessory after the fact to any of the offences referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e)

GIVEN under my hand and seal at Harare this twenty-fourth of March, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty.

Investors seem to have welcomed the return of the United States dollar to the Zimbabwe market with the Old Mutual Implied Rate, which measures investor sentiment on the local currency, appreciating by nearly 10 percent from 56.5:1 yesterday to 51.2:1today.

The OMIR had shot up to 80.1:1 on 24 March.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe announced yesterday that it was bringing back the United States dollar to deal with the coronavirus and pegged the exchange rate at 25:1.

The interbank rate which had been allowed to float had dropped from 18:1 on 11 March to 26:1 before the announcement.

Zimbabwe reintroduced its local currency in June last year but critics like former Finance Minister Tendai Biti have been calling for re-dollarisation saying the local currency would not work.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube argue that the economy will not grow if they continue using the US dollar.

There has, however, been a run on the local currency which is now trading at 45:1 on the black market down from just over 10:1 when the local currency was reintroduced.

Reacting to the bringing back of the US dollar Biti tweeted: “The regime has radically done a volte face& sneakily re-dollarised.

“We told them it wouldn’t work & won’t work. They owe Zimbabwe an apology and they should now bring a Bill to Parliament formally repealing those sections of the Finance Act that incorporated SI33 & 142of 2019.

“Public policy must be consistent ,predictable &for the public good .It surely can’t be the business of Government to disrupt people s lives .

“If the business of a gvt becomes that of disrupting its citizens then that gvt should have no business in the citizen s business #Shame .

“The confusion around monetary policy &the mismanagement of FX in Zim reflects structural incompetence &indifference Undoing this dog s breakfast will be a nightmare .

“We make the point once more that this is the worst government in the history of governments #RiggingDoesNotPay .”

One of those who supported Biti tweeted: “@MthuliNcube  and Mangudya hiding behind corona virus to bring back the US dollar. shame shame shame. useless lot. CLOWNS.”

Another added: “They just had to self quarantine the Zim dollar, it won’t survive the virus.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared a total lockdown of the country starting on Monday.

Summary of provisions of the lockdown are as follows:

Water and zesa exempted in the lockdwn.

All radios as well

Army deployed during this period

Markets and non food outlets will b closed

Funerals exempted numbers shld not increase 50

Only food markets will b allowed to open

Hospital visit 1 person

Public trans stands suspended

Only Zupco will b exempted and public service

Those causing unnessary alarm and despondency on social media and other platforms will be dealt with without fear or favour.we all have to act responsibly “E.D

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a 21 day lockdown to contain the deadly coronavirus currently sweeping across the world.

Addressing the nation this evening, Mnangagwa said the lockdown will start from Monday with all shops closed, public transport suspended save for water and ZESA workforce who have been allowed to work to ensure uninterrupted provision of the basic services.

Mnangagwa said the army will be used to ensure compliance with directive.

More to follow….

AS THE country struggles to deal with the deadly coronavirus at home, the government has now also been forced to rescue 107 Zimbabweans who are being detained by Tanzanian authorities in Dar es Salaam over the pandemic, the Daily News reports.

This comes as medical doctors and nurses have gone on strike over the lack of adequate protective clothing and equipment to fight the lethal virus — further elevating the anxiety levels of long-suffering Zimbabweans.

It also comes as the government has effected a number of stringent measures to try and mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the country, including banning large gatherings of more than 50 people and shutting all the country’s borders for nonessential travel.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Foreign Affairs deputy minister David Musabayana confirmed that 107 Zimbabweans were indeed being detained in Dar es Salaam — adding that the government had now made arrangements for them to return home tomorrow.

“Negotiations were done between the two countries which resulted in Tanzania releasing all the 107 Zimbabweans yesterday (Wednesday).

“The Zimbabwean embassy in Tanzania played a crucial role to rescue the situation. All the affected people are expected back in the country on Saturday by Air Zimbabwe, as agreed during the negotiations.

“The government had to intervene to help its citizens held up in foreign countries,” Musabayana said.

The travelling Zimbabweans were detained immediately after they disembarked from an Air Zimbabwe plane at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, in Dar es-Salaam this week.

The stranded group is mostly made up of traders who use the eastern African country to receive imported used vehicles, and to buy clothes and other cheap products for re-sale back home.

After being detained, the Zimbabweans — who included both men and women — were told that they had to pay for their own accommodation at hotels designated by the Tanzanian authorities for people who go into mandatory 14-day isolation periods, in line with the country’s recently established regulations.

“Due to an on-going outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (Covid-19) that can be spread from person-to-person globally, and given the fact that cases of Covid-19 have been reported and confirmed in the United Republic of Tanzania, the government … has instituted additional travel measures to limit the spread of the virus to the general public as of 23rd March 2020.

“All travellers, whether foreigners or returning residents arriving from Covid-19 most affected countries, will be subjected to mandatory isolation for 14 days at their own cost, at designated facilities identified by the government.

“Passengers should fill in Health Surveillance Form in the plane, or any other transport means and submit them to Port Health Authorities upon arrival,” the Tanzanian government’s new corona measures say.

“All travellers will be subjected to an intensive screening and where necessary, Covid-19 rapid testing.

“All travellers will then be informed of the designated isolation facilities, costs and arrangements in place and access to those facilities.

“After 14 days quarantine, passengers who have not developed symptoms of Covid-19 may leave the facilities and will be required to register personal information for future possible tracking purpose,” the country’s regulations add.

In a video that has been circulating on social media, the 107 crestfallen Zimbabweans could be seen trying to reason with Tanzanian authorities, begging to be released, but to no avail — prompting the religious in the group to turn to prayer.

To stay in one of the designated hotels for a period of two weeks, the Zimbabweans needed at least US$1 000 each for bed and breakfast only.

In the meantime, President John Magufuli’s government has since moved to ban all tourist flights and also closed all hotels in the country, as part of precautionary measures to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

Tanzania has so far reported 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19, while Zimbabwe has three known cases, with one fatality.

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe was hit by the doctors’ and nurses’ industrial action — who are protesting the lack of protective clothing and adequate equipment at the country’s hospitals and clinics, needed to treat coronavirus patients.

This inopportune downing of tools came as the under-pressure government also confirmed that it would use several private hospitals in urban areas, to complement facilities such as the creaking Wilkins Hospital in Harare, to treat coronavirus patients.

In a letter to the chief executive officers of the country’s major public hospitals, the president of the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA), Tawanda Zvakada, said that healthcare workers would not risk their lives in the current environment — further bemoaning the fact that the government had not responded to their concerns.

“Pursuant to the meeting we had on Monday 23 March, 2020, in which we communicated to you our genuine grievances and expressed our fears concerning this deadly pandemic which has not spared healthcare workers as well, we expected an urgent response in writing from your office which has not come until now.

“We have expressed to you the issue of PPE (personal protective equipment) which is still not yet available.

“Whilst you continue to move around putting things in place, we would like to make it clear in no uncertain terms that our members will not be able to continue carrying out their duties with immediate effect,” Zvakada said.

“Any inconveniences caused regarding this position we have taken is sincerely regretted, but it was necessitated by a communication breakdown between the top management and the frontline doctors.

“Given the urgency of the matter and the need for social distancing, a hardcopy version of the same will be hand-delivered when the conditions are permissive,” Zvakada added.

Nurses immediately announced as well that they would also down their tools.

 The issue of how poorly-prepared Zimbabwe is to effectively deal with Covid-19 were brought to the fore on Monday, following the death of broadcaster Zororo Makamba — after apparently contracting the lethal virus in the United States of America (USA).

The talented television personality — who was the youngest son of telecommunications tycoon and legendary former broadcaster James Makamba — died at Wilkins Hospital after being diagnosed with the lethal virus.

He was one of only three local people so far who have been confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, which first broke in China at the end of last year, but has since killed more than 22 000 people and infected hundreds of thousands more worldwide. Daily News

Harare, Zimbabwe – Less than a year after Zimbabwe outlawed the use of foreign currencies in local transactions, the country’s central bank has granted permission to citizens to pay for goods and services in United States dollars as part of measures to mitigate against the coronavirus.

Zimbabwe has three confirmed cases of COVID-19 and at least one person in the country has died from the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University. The troubled southern African country has shut its borders in an effort to stem the spread of the virus that claimed the life of promising broadcaster Zororo Makamba.

Central bank chief John Mangudya announced the measures on Thursday.

“The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the Bank), would like to advise the public that it is making it easier for the transacting public to conduct business during this difficult period by making available an option to use free funds to pay for goods and services chargeable in local currency,” Mangudya said in a statement. “This intervention takes into account the country’s limited access to foreign finance, which is adversely affecting the country’s balance-of-payments position.”

Last June, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube outlawed the use of foreign currencies in the country, in an effort to stop speculative attacks on a surrogate currency meant to pave the way for fledgeling new sovereign Zimbabwean dollar which was introduced into circulation late last year.

Zimbabwe adopted the use of US dollars in 2009 after hyperinflation decimated the value of the old Zimbabwean dollar but the move proved problematic in 2016 when dollar-hoarding triggered a severe shortage of greenbacks.

Although Mangudya gave the impression that lifting the ban on US dollar transactions is temporary, analysts say it is tantamount to a partial redollarisation of Zimbabwe’s crisis-ridden economy.

“Forget about all the things they said about corona in that statement,” Victor Bhoroma, a Harare-based, independent economist told Al Jazeera. “The key message was that the US dollar is back. There is no way government is going to turn around and say corona is over, you can’t transact in US dollars anymore.”

‘Dog’s breakfast’

Former Finance Minister and opposition figure Tendai Biti accused the government of sowing confusion with the new policy.

“Undoing this dog’s breakfast will be a nightmare,” Biti tweeted. “The regime has radically done a volte-face and sneakily redollarised. We told them it wouldn’t work and won’t work. They owe Zimbabwe an apology.”

Zimbabwe is poorly equipped to deal with a significant COVID-19 outbreak. The country is in the throes of a painful economic crisis exacerbated by drought and power shortages. Annualised inflation in February surpassed 500 percent. Medicines are scarce and depleted state coffers mean that the government is unable to buy sufficient supplies for state-run medical facilities – most of which have closed as doctors have gone on strike for better pay.

Al Jazeera

As Zimbabwe – along with the rest of the world – battles the COVID-19 Corona virus global pandemic, Strive Masiyiwa run EcoSure has announced plans to immediately support the country’s national health delivery system by equipping frontline medical staff with protective personal equipment (PPE), providing them with life and health insurance and offering them safe transport to and from work daily, for the coming 12 months.

“In the situation we find ourselves in as a nation, we want to ensure all frontline medical staff are fully protected and we are putting in place measures that give them confidence as they carry out their noble duty of primary patient care and as they save lives,” said Mr Eddie Chibi, the CEO of Cassava Smartech, the parent company of the EcoSure insurance business.

Giving details of the offer yesterday – which comes at a time there are two confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, and one confirmed death – EcoSure General Manager Mr Godwin Mashiri said his organization would immediately begin the process of providing support for all medical practitioners – doctors and nurses – who go to work and attend to their duties at this critical time.

“We are offering free Personal Protective Equipment for all doctors and nurses who attend to their duties at this very critical time. We are also offering free Vaya transport to both nurses and doctors, so they can commute to and from work in safe and sanitized vehicles,” Mr Mashiri said.

Vaya recently announced that it had taken the lead in promoting safe transportation during the COVID-19 epidemic by training its drivers in strict health and safety protocols, and equipping them with sanitizers and face masks, among other interventions.

“We will also be immediately offering life and health insurance in the form of a cash benefit of Z$500 per day, for each day of hospitalization, and a lump sum benefit of $50 000 in the event of permanent disability and eventual death caused by any accident,” said Mr Mashiri. He added that the package would include a cash benefit of up to $30 000 in the event of death arising from any other cause apart from accidents.

“On top of that, we will also be offering 100 percent education scholarships for the children of any medical practitioner who takes up this offer to work in public hospitals or clinics at this time, should they pass on during this period.

Mr Mashiri said the education scholarship would be administered by Higherlife Foundation through its Capernaun Scholarship.

Higherlife Foundation – which is funded by the Econet group of companies and by Delta Philanthropies, the social impact vehicle of the Econet founder Mr Strive Masiyiwa and his family – has already been supporting hundreds of doctors who signed up to a Fellowship scholarship launched late last year.

Zimbabwe now has five confirmed cases of people who tested positive for Covid-19, Health and Child Care permanent secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said in statement.

Dr Mahomva said out of 165 tests conducted as of yesterday, five are positive, 159 negative and one inconclusive.

“The ministry would like to report that today (yesterday) the National Microbiological Reference Laboratory tested 65 samples. Two of these tested positive for Covid-19.

“Among the 65 samples tested today, was the repeat test for the sample from the individual whom we reported previously as having received an inconclusive result. Today he tested negative for covid-19. Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has five confirmed cases of covid-19, including one death,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said the Ministry would also like to advise the nation that the third case they reported on Wednesday was the following day admitted for treatment under isolation at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.

“He remains in a stable condition and is assisting our teams in intensified surveillance through contact tracing. The ministry continues to be on high alert to the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said her ministry would like to remind everyone to remain vigilant in the prevention of Covid-19 and practise good personal hygiene including washing hands with soap and water frequently or use of an alcohol-based hand rub.

She also advised covering one’s nose and mouth with tissue paper or flexed elbow when coughing and sneezing and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, coughing or sneezing.

Dr Mahomva said all non-essential travel was still strongly discouraged.

According to WHO, as of March 25, more than 410 000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and more than 18 000 deaths have been reported globally.

The European region has reported the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths of more than 220 000 and 11 000 respectively.

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals would not ordinarily reveal information on any patient.

We have however noted that one of our patients, Robert Gomana who demised on 25 March 2020 has become of public interest in view of the COVID19 pandemic.

We wish to dispel information which insinuates that Robert Gomana came in as COVID-19 suspect and was admitted in B7 ICU despite him showing symptoms similar to those of COVID-19.

To set the record straight, below are the facts of the matter:

1. Robert Gomana presented at our Accident and Emergency Department on 23 March 2020 with a stabbed wound/ abdominal trauma.
2. He had a temperature of 36.8 which was normal.
3. He did not present with any symptoms of COVID-19.
4. On examination, the doctors discovered that he had a distended abdomen which was very painful upon touching due to the blunt abdominal trauma.
5. He was immediately prepared for emergency surgery.
6. He was then admitted in B7 ICU following the surgery where he eventually demised on 25 March 2020.
7. Inquiries done by the hospital to establish if Robert Gomana had contact with Zororo prior to his admission in the hospital have not provided any evidence of contact.
8. According to his next of kin, his brother who stayed with him in Dzivarasekwa, Robert Gomana did not know anyone by the name Zororo Makamba and he was not a fitness trainer.

We, however remain unsure whether there is another Robert Gomana who shares the same name with the one we admitted as a patient in our hospital.

We, therefore, wish to inform members of the public that Robert Gomana who was managed in B7 ICU was not a COVID-19 suspect.

By A Correspondent- The government of Zimbabwe has gazetted new registration fees for accreditation of journalists by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) effective from January 1, 2020.

The new rates are contained in Statutory 79 of 2020 titled Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (Registration, Accreditation and Levy) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 8).

Local journalists will now pay $120 for a new applicant, $80 renewal and $50 for card replacement.

Local journalists working for foreign media houses will pay their accreditation fee of US$200.

Foreign journalists working for a foreign media service the accreditation fee is US$300.

The fee for a temporary accreditation for a foreign journalist is US$150 while the fee for an extension of the accreditation period is US$50.

Foreign journalists will have to part with a US$2 000 fee for Productions or Projects.

Journalists from the Southern Africa Development Countries bloc will pay US$30 while the rest of Africa pay US$50 and others US$100.-StateMedia

Pick n Pay is committed to taking all necessary action to fight the spread of Coronavirus.

We are cleaning our stores even more rigorously, including sanitizing all till points throughout the day, and sanitising our trolleys frequently.

We are requiring our staff to uphold stringent personal hygiene, including frequent and proper hand-washing.

We are also making hand sanitisers readily available for customers in our stores.

Our policies are guided by authoritative scientific experts including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the South African Ministry of Health.

Some customers have asked us why our staff are not wearing face masks and gloves. The WHO clearly advises that a healthy person should only wear a face mask if they are taking care of someone suspected of having coronavirus, or if they are coughing themselves.

This is not applicable to our stores, where we apply a strict policy that any staff who have a cough or fever must stay at home or, if they are working, report immediately to their manager to be removed from duty.

The WHO is also clear that the wearing of rubber gloves while working or serving customers does not prevent infection from the Coronavirus. You can still pick up the virus on the surface of the glove and then infect yourself if you touch your eyes, mouth, or nose.

Based on guidelines from the WHO, regularly washing your hands properly and using an appropriate hand sanitiser offers more protection against Coronavirus than wearing rubber gloves.

This is why our staff are not wearing face masks or gloves.

We can assure you that will continue to be guided by WHO, NICD and the South African Ministry of Health on the best precautionary measures to use to fight the spread of this virus.

Farai Dziva|The Ministry of Health and Childcare on Thursday announced that two more people tested positive for coronavirus.

The number of positive cases now stands at 5.

See figures below:
Tests conducted so far: 165

COVID-19 Positive: 5
COVID-19 Negative: 159
Inconclusive Result: 1
COVID-19 Deaths:1

By A Correspondent- There was commotion at a Mutare city lodge when two thigh vendors pounced on each other in a heated argument over a suspected abortion case.

The incident is said to have happened at No. 143 Third Street, popularly known as Green Gate Lodge in Mutare.

The two thigh vendors, Rachel Paradzai and Lindiwe Ncube traded accusations of aborting and dumping a foetus outside the lodge.

A search by the police in the duo’s rooms, yielded blood-stained clothes under 22-year-old Paradzai’s mattress as well as a blood-stained bedding sheet in Ncube’s room.

However, Paradzai vehemently denied the case and the blood stained clothes. She claimed that  Ncube and her friends had set her up.“I do not know anything about those clothes, I was never pregnant,” said Paradzai as she cried hysterically.

“Lindiwe told me yesterday that she had miscarried. I am sure she is the one who planted those clothes under my mattress,” she told the police.

Ncube in turn denied Paradzai’s theory.

“I was not carrying any pregnancy,” said Ncube.

Another thigh vendor came forward in Paradzai’s defense telling the police that the blood-stained clothes which were discovered in Paradzai’s room where in fact hers, for use at “work”.

“Those are my skirts. I used to wear them to ‘work’. Lindiwe borrowed them last week, she said she had nothing clean to put on. However, she never returned them and I am surprised that they are now coming from Rachel’s room.

She echoed Paradzai’s sentiment that it was a set up of some sort.

“This is a set-up and everyone knows it,” she said before being dragged back to her room by a man who seemed to be the ladies’ pimp, judging by the authoritative tone he used when speaking to them.

He ordered the woman to mind her own business, and introduced himself to the police as Jani.

Jani threatened the Manica Post news crew  on site with unspecified action.

“We do not want you here or else I will deal with you. How is an alleged abortion your business? Are you the police? Just go away,” shouted Jani.

The two thigh vendors were whisked away by the police for further questioning.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringa Kakohwa confirmed the case adding that it is sad to note that abortion cases continue to be recorded across the province despite efforts to discourage the practice.-ManicaPost

The above refers.
In my capacity as the Member of Parliament with the mandate of legislation, oversight and representation, and in accordance with Statutory Instrument 77/2020, I hereby demand that you hereby cease all operations at the Sunny Yi Feng Industrial Park with immediate effect.

The demand hereby made is in light of the risk posed by the threat of contamination by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) which has seen unsupervised and precarious quarantine systems practiced at your premises. Furthermore the overcrowding on the premises serves as a perfect conduit for the rapid spread of the disease and must therefore be addressed. Norton does not have the facilities or capacity to handle an outbreak of the Coronavirus if it is to occur, and this demand is thereby made to protect the innocent residents who may be exposed to the virus from persons on your premises suspected to be infected.

As a Member of Parliament it is incumbent on me to safeguard people’s lives and health and I therefore trust that you will take this demand with the seriousness it deserves and comply urgently.

Yours sincerely,

VIEW PICTURE BELOW…

By A Correspondent- Temptation Mushove Gurure had to take off days after she was called a b**ch and spat at by Dr Vivenki Solanki over a surgical facemasks consignment that had not been delivered in time.

Trauma Centre Borrowdale owner Dr Solanki, in a fit of rage, reportedly spat on an employee before scolding her using unprintable words that left the Harare woman traumatised in the wake of the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) Thursday.

Some workers who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation said Gurure was left traumatised as her handbag was also thrown away as Dr Solanki shouted in anger.

Dr Solanki yesterday confirmed saying unprintable words and throwing the worker’s purse away saying he had been angered that there were few surgical masks at the institution. He said he talked with saliva bubbles in the mouth that could have spilt to the woman.

Dr Solanki said Gurure had been caught stealing and selling the masks for US$5 in the streets, a claim he could not sustain by a police report before hanging. 

“She was caught stealing. She was selling the masks for US$5 when they are meant for patients.”

“She was trying to kill people; there is corona out there,” he said before hanging up. Efforts to get him after that were futile as his phone went unanswered the whole day. His wife said Dr Solanki would revert but he never answered calls thereafter.

Gurure said if she had any case against the organisation she had served so loyally, there were disciplinary proceedings as well as the police for the law to take recourse.

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

• USD to ZWL$: 26.1186
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.6653

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com $44.5
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $43.6
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $41
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $32.40

More: marketwatch.co.zw

By Own Correspondent| Raunchy dancer Beverly Sibanda, better known as Bev has claimed that she is HIV negative saying if she was positive, talented warriors footballer Khama Billiat would not be playing football.

Bev made the remarks while responding to comments on her Facebook page.

The popular dance made headlines early this year when he wedded a United Kingdom based man who has since returned to his base while Bev is still in the country.

She has previously dated musician Andy Muridzo in a relationship that ended with a nasty break-up with Bev accusing the Derira hitmaker of impregnating her.

Police officers and metro cops began patrolling the streets of Johannesburg and had already made arrests after some people chose to ignore the lockdown rules.

Among the rules called for people to be confined in their homes, for pubs to be closed and for no person in public to be found in possession of alcohol.

SowetanLIVE’s sister publication TimesLIVE reporter Alex Patrick was out on the streets and joined law enforcers in their patrol of Alexandra township, Hillbrow and the Johannesburg CBD.

“Although the streets were quiet, there were still pockets of people walking home and a few vehicles were stopped and searched. Drivers were sent on their way. Loudspeakers warned pedestrians to stay inside,” said Patrick.

“The convoy to Hillbrow was comprised of metro police and private security and police. As the convoy entered each street whistles could be heard from the balconies above warning people of the coming forces,” she said.

Several arrests were made in Hillbrow.

Among those arrested were a club owner who continued to operate after midnight despite calls from police minister Bheki Cele for taverns, clubs, pubs and other liquor outlets to remain closed.

Patrons, many of whom were women, were arrested at the establishment. Besides breaking the lockdown rules to stay at home, they found themselves in trouble for being in possession of alcohol which Cele banned from being sold or consumed in public places during this time.

These arrests were captured by the SABC.

On the streets, police also came across a motorist whose boot contained cooler boxes filled with booze.

The motorist looked on as the metro police emptied his alcohol onto the road.

In Alexandra, some people also wandered along the streets.

Patrick said it seemed many of them were there to simply satisfy their curiosity of what would happen once the clock struck 12.

“The smell of alcohol in the air was palpable,” she said.

Those found outside were ordered to head home.

Earlier in the week, police minister Bheki Cele had announced a ban of alcohol sales during lockdown, vowing that the might of the law would come onto those who did not obey.

“Movement of alcohol will be restricted. There shall be no movement of liquor from point A to B,” said Cele. “If we find liquor in your car boot, that is illegal. If you break these laws, you are [getting] six months in jail or fined,” he said.

Members of the SA National Defence Force were also out on the streets ensuring that law and order was maintained.

By A Correspondent- A  man from New Lobengula is tired of his married ex-girlfriend who is in the habit of constantly going to his workplace and home to harass him and demand compensation money for the time she “wasted” in their relationship.

Busani Mathe, who is a father of three, was in a relationship with her married neighbour Zibusiso Nyathi who is a mother of five. Mathe said he ended the relationship soon after he found out that Nyathi was married.

“I separated with her when I discovered that she is married. She hadn’t disclosed to me that she was someone else’s wife. I only knew about her children just as she knew about mine,” said Mathe.

After their break-up, Mathe revealed that his ex-girlfriend started insulting and demanding money from him.

“She would go to my house and threaten my girlfriend that I live with. She would also demand money from me saying it’s for her time I wasted when I was dating her. She even goes to my boss demanding that he gives her my monthly salary,” said Mathe.

Mathe pleaded with the court to protect him as he said Nyathi was disturbing his peace and threatening his relationship with his girlfriend.

In her defence, Nyathi said Mathe knew about her marital status from the time they started dating.

“When we started dating, he knew that I had a husband I was staying with and I also knew that he had a partner,” said Nyathi.

She didn’t dispute going to his home and workplace.

“My husband’s family wants to have a customary meeting with Mathe to see a way forward after he disrespected them by having a relationship with me. So I went to his house to inform him about that but he would hear none of it. That is why I ended up going to his workplace hoping he was going to see how serious I was,” she said.

The matter was heard before Western Commonage magistrate Urgent Vundla. He granted Mathe an interim protection order and ordered Nyathi not to verbally abuse Mathe, not to issue threats of violence and not to go to his workplace and home.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- A man from Gokwe who could not control his sex appetite had sex with his best friend’s wife, whom he paid $10 to buy relish.

The man, Onismo Vongai, has since been dragged to Chief Nembudziya’s traditional court to answer to adultery charges after he had an illicit affair with Precious Muleya who is married to Peter Dube.

The matter came to light when Dube stumbled on love messages from Vongai in his wife’s phone.

After stumbling upon the messages, Dube interrogated his wife who then confessed about her relationship with Vongai, and she also revealed that each time they had sex, Vongai would give her $10 to buy relish.

Vongai initially denied the issue when he appeared before Chief Nembudziya’s traditional court but Dube produced messages that were sent to his wife.

Chief Nembudziya confirmed the incident saying he ordered Vongai to pay five cows to Dube for disrespecting his marriage.

“What Vongai did is gross disrespect. He was supposed respect his neighbour’s wife but he decided otherwise.

“He took advantage of the fact that Dube is a poor man who can’t afford much and he decided to exploit his wife,” said Chief Nembudziya.

He said he ordered Vongai to pay a fine because what he did was unacceptable and a disgrace.

“He must pay those five cows to Dube because what he did is not allowed in our village. There are many single ladies that he could have proposed to but he chose to have an affair with a married woman,” he said.-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- Nyaradzo Group Companies Chief Executive Officer Mr Philip Mataranyika has said that the organisation is ready for the novel coronavirus.

The group was formed in March 2001 as Nyaradzo Funeral Services specifically to supply quality coffins and caskets for Nyaradzo Life Assurance policyholders and also to the market as a whole.

The group also has a fully-fledged events management department which manages corporate events, weddings, parties, memorial services, tombstone unveiling, and high profile funerals.

It also provides funeral cover for Zimbabweans in the diaspora. It also provides repatriation and funeral services in Zimbabwe.

Some would find it ironic that the undertaker is saying that they are ready when there is an outbreak of a pandemic.

Zimbabwe has five confirmed coronavirus cases and one of them has since died and was buried.

By A Correspondent- A local Trust, Zimbabwe National Covid-19 Action Trust (ZINCAT), has donated a US$30 000 ventilator to Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital.

The gesture follows the death of Zororo Makamba, a Zimbabwean 30-year-old journalist who succumbed to coronavirus on Monday amid reports that Wilkins Hospital failed to provide him with a ventilator.

Handing over the ventilator, Zincat chairperson Dr Nozipo Maraire described the association as a conduit through which donors could assist the Government. She thanked all who have contributed and are still contributing.

She said:

We care about Zimbabwe and we are delighted to be able to make a contribution to the fight against the global pandemic of Covid-19.

The death of Zororo Makamba exposed the country’s ill-preparedness to fight the coronavirus pandemic and it also triggered action as refurbishments of Wilkins Hospital were quickened on the aftermath of the death.

Zimbabwe also announced more stringent measures to stop the spread and transmission of the virus.

By A Correspondent- There is a panic and fear among staff at Kwekwe General Hospital and their immediate families after a nurse at the Midlands Province medical facility recently visited her COVID-19-positive husband in Portugal last month, returned home and assumed her duties at the health centre.

According to a local publication, the nurse traveled out with her son (both names withheld) and when they came back, she had contact with fellow workmates at the medical facility which handles patients from as far as Gokwe, Zhombe, Silobela and surrounding areas.

The publication says the nurse then went into self-quarantine at her home in Mbizo high-density suburb.

About 14 staff workers at the hospital got into close contact with the nurse, even though she has not tested positive for COVID-19, the daily paper reports, citing sources at the hospital.

“The problem is that now nurses are at their homes after downing tools, so there will not be any close monitoring of those who had contact with her.

“There is also no official communication about tests carried out on her to see if she could have contracted the disease when she visited Portugal,” the source said.

Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union secretary-general Douglas Chikobvu yesterday said he would comment after getting full details about the issue.

“Kindly wait so that I personally get in touch with the nurse and discuss a few things and get back to you,” he said.

In nearby Gweru, 138 people who travelled to COVID-19 high-risk countries are under monitoring for the deadly pandemic.

Zimbabwe has so far recorded five confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one death caused by the disease, but citizens are of the view that government was understating the infection figures.

Only Health ministry officials are now allowed to comment about COVID-19 cases or reveal information about the disease to the media.-Newsday

By A Correspondent | Below is the exact narration by businessman James Makamba on how his son, Zororo died, as told family friend Mutumwa Mawere on Monday.

AUDIO: He always wanted to see his friends and wind up a few things…So last Wed he was feeling fluish, then he drove to Wilkins for testing & you know they just admit you. Then it just got worse and worse and worse & about 20min ago he got out to try and walk about, & collapsed pic.twitter.com/oEXiTK1Y0w

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 27, 2020

The journalist was one of the victims admitted at Harare’s Wilkins Hospital and diagnosed with COVID-19.

ZimEye had a one to one interview soon after the sad news. ZimEye also verified from an audio recording that this is truly James Makamba’s account –

He always wanted to see his friends and wind up a few things…So last Wed he was feeling fluish, then he drove to Wilkins for testing, and you know they just admit you.Then it just got worse and worse and worse & about 20min ago he got out to try and walk about, and collapsed

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 23, 2020

“He always wanted to see his friends and wind up a few things…

“So last Wednesday he was feeling fluish, then he drove to Wilkins for testing, and you know they just admit you.

“Then it just got worse and worse and worse, and about 20min ago he got out to try and walk about, and collapsed, and they failed to resuscitate him. He died in the last 30 minutes.”

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ZimEye/reviews/

video loading below:

Mr Zororo Makamba, the son of Mr James Makamba has passed on. MHSRIEP. I have just learned of this tragic loss of life due to the virus. A giant with so much potential has fallen. Corona is real. Let us pause and reflect. Life is too precious. – Mutumwa Mawere

By A Correspondent- Dynamos Football Club’s fans have initiated a crowdfunding initiative to help the club’s and Zimbabwe Warriors defender Patson Jaure.

Jaure was recently involved in a car accident that left him nursing minor head injuries. We present the fans’ statement in full below.

STATEMENT ON CROWDFUND INITIATIVE BY DYNAMOS SUPPORTERS

“The Dynamos Football Club Supporters family, led by National Executive Committee for the supporters’ chapters around Zimbabwe and beyond borders, would like to announce the establishment of a special fund to raise financial and material resources for our injured captain Partson Jaure.

The crowdfunding initiative came about following our captain’s involvement in a nasty car accident on Sunday morning.

Jaure is currently receiving emergency specialist medical care at Parirenyatwa Hospital’s VIP Wing.

His head injuries require delicate and complex procedures by specialists and the whole process will not come cheap and hence the need for the crowdfunding project.

The management of the special fund shall be overseen by our Supporters National Executive Committee together with the Jaure family to allow for transparency and accountability.

Our Committee shall also constantly liaise with the club’s executive committee so that us the fans, the Jaure family and the club leadership work together without mistrust or suspicion.

Lastly we would like to advise that this initiative is meant to complement or support our club’s valuable effort in meeting the medical bills of our beloved captain.

In this regard we would like to salute Dynamos’ Management for standing with our captain and his entire family during this very difficult time.

All contributions shall be channelled into the following platforms;

1. To Donate via Whatsapp Click https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+263785043887 and text=+Donate and hit send (Under Crowdfunding)
2. To Donate via Website click https://crowdfunding.clicknpay.africa/#/public/crowdFunding

You can pay via channels like Ecocash, One Money etc using above Links.

For more information contact the following;

Benjamin Munzira (National Chairman) 0779823701

Clever Jaure (Brother) 0774012818

Anyone of the Dynamos FC Executive Members.”

By A Correspondent- Masvingo High Court judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze ‘s son Munyaradzi is currently under fire after he was implicated in the murder of phone dealer Sipho Ncube. 

Munyaradzi Junior Mawadze, who is a first year Law student at the University of Zimbabwe was jointly charged with his two accomplices, Elvin Dongo Saungweme, 22, and Dellon David Balani, 22.

Further revelations show that Mawadze was found with blood soiled clothes hidden at his Harare apartment.

According to the police, the accused trio all implicated each other in the murder and when they were arrested they led them to Ruwa, where they had dumped Sipho’s body.

The trio were all found in possession of blood soiled clothes and had shared three cellphones belonging to Ncube.

They all conspired to pose as cellphone buyers before taking the deceased to a secluded area where they robbed him and killed him.

He deceased was  also known to Mawadze.

Allegations are that, they stabbed him with a knife before slitting his throat and killing him instantly just a few meters from Chiremba Road.

After the murder they went on to share the loot.

Upon initial investigations, the accused denied having knowledge of Ncube’s whereabouts.

Mawadze allegedly sent a text using Ncube’s phone claiming that he had been kidnapped.

Mawadze is also alleged to have cleaned the blood-stained vehicle before fleeing to his father’s place in Masvingo.

Another investigation led to the recovery of the vehicle used to commit the crime.

A search at Mawadze’s Harare apartment in  the presence of his roommate Dylan Nira, led to the recovery of a pair of black jean trousers, white vest and a pair of white sneakers all soiled with blood.

Mawadze was arrested on 24 March and brought to CID Harare where he implicated his accomplices.

The second accused person was also found with  blood soiled clothes and Ncube’s cellphone.

Saungweme also implicated Mawadze and Balani as his accomplices.

Saungweme and Mawadze freely led the police to the crime scene near Timire New Stands in Ruwa where they had dumped Ncube’s body.

They made indications which were video recorded by the detectives at the scene where the body was found in an advanced state decomposition.

Balani was arrested separately later on Wednesday.

The three are being represented by their lawyer Paidamoyo Saurombe.

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo man got the shock of his life when his wife of 11-years dumped him and moved in next door with his close friend.

To add insult to injury, the woman even took the couple’s two children with her. The children are aged four and eleven years.

Mehluli Ndlovu is heartbroken after his friend Samson Zwana had an illicit affair with his wife, Nkosiyapha Ngwenya, which resulted in the two deciding to move in together. The peculiar affair took place in Romney Park, Bulawayo.

Ndlovu revealed that before his wife dumped him, he had forgiven the two lovebirds after he discovered that they were having an adulterous affair behind his back. Unfortunately for him, the affair did not stop despite the pair’s apparent remorse.

Speaking to the state media, Ndlovu said:

“We had been married for 11 years and we have two children. What worries me the most is that my children are no longer going to school. It is painful to see my family next door every day,

“I am stressed. I have been living under difficult conditions. They always tease me wherever they see me,”

Ironically, Ndlovu’s wife, Nkosiyapha Ngwenya, is a trainee pastor at a local college.

Ngwenya on the other hand, had no kind words for her estranged husband, saying that she had dumped him because he was abusive and a deadbeat husband who could not adequately provide for his family.

Said Ngwenya:

“We are no longer together. I have known the man I live with now for a very long time.

“We were evicted for not paying rent and the man had to take us in; we had no option,

“He is a mental patient and was dismissed from work. He was given a lot of money by his former employer and squandered it all alone. Now my children are not going to school and he is busy trying to soil my name.”- statemedia

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwean Afro-Pop songbird Ammara Brown has placed herself under self-quarantine for 14 days as a precautionary measure after arriving back in the country on Wednesday from South Africa.

Ammara was a guest judge at the Old Mutual Amazing Voices show held in Johannesburg with the objective of unearthing singing talent across gospel, pop and rhythm and blues genres.

Speaking to NewsDay on Thursday, Ammara’s manager, Chido Musasiwa, said that the musician was in self-quarantine as a precautionary measure as South Africa has recorded an increased number of COVID-19 cases. Musasiwa said:

We have placed Ammara in self-quarantine for 14 days where we will be assessing her health and temperature, but this is just a precautionary measure because she was in South Africa which is recording high cases of coronavirus.

It’s not that we are suspecting that she might have come into contact with infected people, but it’s just a precautionary measure because where she was, she was safe and there were a few people living with her, but it’s just that at airports there are a lot of people. And after the 14 days we will see what happens.

South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases after cases surpassed the 700 mark this week

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health on 26 March 2020 announced that two more people had tested positive for coronavirus.

This brings the total number of positive cases to 5. The Ministry said that it would give more detail on the two patients who tested positive at a latter stage.

• Tests conducted so far: 165
• COVID-19 Positive: 5
• COVID-19 Negative: 159
• Inconclusive Result: 1
• COVID-19 Deaths: 1

Read the full report below.

THERE was panic in Bulawayo’s Makokoba suburb yesterday after funeral parlours allegedly refused to collect the body of a man suspected to have died of Covid-19 at his home.

False claims that the deceased was Covid-19 positive swept through Makokoba suburb and an agitated crowd that kept growing watched from a distance as the drama unfolded.

The bedridden man, identified as Danisa Tshili, allegedly arrived from South Africa on Wednesday where he had been mugged. He was coughing persistently and died the same night.

Residents said undertakers from a local funeral parlour allegedly refused to touch the body saying Tshili could have died from Covid-19.

South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus infections in Africa with more than 900 cases recorded.

“News spread through the suburb that funeral parlour workers wearing face masks and other protective clothing had refused to touch the boy. There was widespread panic and someone called the BCC (Bulawayo City Council) toll free number and the Rapid Response team said the man had not died from Corona,” said a neighbour who declined to be named.

Some neighbours alleged at least three funeral parlours had been called and refused to touch the body.

Some residents went about their business. They were not maintaining the one metre apart social distancing as recommended to prevent Covid-19 spreading.

Bulawayo has not recorded any Covid-19 cases, although three cases have been recorded in Victoria Falls and Harare, with one of the patients succumbing to the disease.

BCC Health Services Director Dr Edwin Sibanda said the council’s rapid response team had arrived quickly to verify claims made by members of the public.

“We received that information and deployed our rapid response team who visited the home to assess the situation. He was in South Africa but had been ill for seven months and was receiving treatment. He was however attacked while in South Africa before being brought home. Unfortunately, he died at his home yesterday. But his death had nothing to do with Covid-19,” said Dr Sibanda.

“This is like what those in the information technology industry call a virus. You will be having your programme, and the virus comes as a separate item disturbing the news that we are circulating. Members of the public tend to believe whatever they would have heard first. Right now, if someone receives fake news that there are five cases in Bulawayo even if we tell that person that those cases do not exist, it becomes difficult to convince that person differently,” he said.

Dr Sibanda said in case a Covid-19 patient dies at home, the deceased’s relatives should call the rapid response team which consists of health environment officers who will provide direction on the burial of the body.

Following the announcement by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) that individuals with free funds (foreign currency) can now use the same to buy goods and pay for services locally, several prominent Zimbabwe have expressed their thoughts about the development on Twitter.

Here are some of the comments in response to Central Bank Governor John Mangudya’s surprise announcement:

Nelson Chamisa: This is ridiculous!

Kudzai Mutisi (a prominent government supporter on social media): Foolish policies here… Stupid to the core… Where exactly did these people learn this nonsense? Fixing an exchange rate in 2020? Who will follow that?? Dumbness at it’s best!

Mduduzi Mathuthu: Coronavirus? Which other country in the whole world has abandoned its currency because of a virus by the way? Abalanhloni? @BitiTendai told them it won’t work.

Joseph Cotterill (non-Zimbabwean international journalist): Zimbabwe effectively brings back the use of the US dollar in transactions. It’s linked to measures against the pandemic. Dollarisation pressures had been building in the economy recently.

Energy Mutodi (ZANU-PF MP): Government through the RBZ has said US dollars can be used as legal tender until further notice. This measure is to mitigate the effects of Covid-19. Exchange rate fixed at 1:25 USD/ZWD. Bank rate @25% & Bank Statutory Reserve ratio reduced by 0.5%. Winter Wheat funded up to 2,5bln.

Jonathan Moyo: The #coronavirus has forced the return of the multicurrency system and @ReserveBankZIM has suspended the “managed” floating exchange rate and replaced it with a fixed exchange rate at ZW$25 to the US$. The fixed exchange rate is meant to benefit the private sector called Sakunda!

Hopewell Chin’ono: Dzokororo ine simba from the best Finance Minister. We told them that they would re-dollarise, they called us haters for sticking to real economic principles & common sense. Rest In Peace Zimbabwean Dollar! Let us see if your parents will bury you or keep the corpse in the house!

ZimLive: The bond experiment is over. Tomorrow TM, OK and the rest joined by Econet will be displaying US dollar prices. Why not just go the full monty and dollarise?

Tich Ray: This may mark the death of the local fake currencies currently in use. I mean, the possibility is huge that after #COVID19 no one from the RBZ will say anything about this temporary dollarization. Trading may just continue at the artificial 1:25 but with every1 opting to receive forex.

Kholwani Nyathi: Living in Zimbabwe is an extreme sport. So everyone is now free to charge in US dollars, including landlords and vendors. Using #coronavirus as an excuse to re-dollarise

CORONAVIRUS: This is the Passport office in Harare today at 11.33am. | COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/elobiPKThG

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 26, 2020

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

CORONAVIRUS: This is the Passport office in Harare today at 11.33am. | COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/elobiPKThG

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 26, 2020

Sakunda Holdings will inject US$2,7 million towards the refurbishment of two hospitals as part of private sector initiatives to support Government efforts in fighting Covid-19.

The two medical facilities — Rock Foundation Medical Centre and St Annes’ — both in Harare, will be equipped with modern equipment to render them useful after lying idle for years.

This comes at a time when Zimbabwe recorded its first Covid-19 death on Monday following the death of Zororo Makamba.

The first consignment of the equipment, part of which was sourced from China, is arriving in the country today.

It is understood that the last batch of the equipment will arrive on April 6, after which modalities for opening the facilities would be worked out.

Political critics have smelt a rat in the fastrek gesture by Sakunda which is owned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s right hand man Kuda Tagwirei. The critics claim that the moves to get the facility ready and fully equipped with top range equipment is suggestion that probably one or more of top ranking government officials have contacted the virus and will need the facility urgently.

President Mnangagwa exposed himself to the virus when senior staff close to him in his office had close contacts with the late Zororo Makamba who was the country’s first Coronavirus victim.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube is also reported to have had a closed door meeting with him during the virus incubation period.

Sakunda Holdings however claims that it wants the two hospitals to be used for Covid-19 response by all Zimbabweans, and Government has since given the hospitals the green light to do preparatory work, while awaiting licensing from the relevant authorities.

Among the equipment Sakunda Holdings is bringing into the country are 100 ventilators, 10 000 rapid test kits, 10 000 disposal protective gowns, 20 000 medical masks, 10 000 disposable shoe covers, 100 infra-red thermometers, 5 000 respirator N95 masks and 2 000 hand sanitisers, among other paraphernalia required to fight Covid-19.

In a letter to St Anne’s Hospital manager dated March 24, 2020, Health and Child Care Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said: “Thank you for inviting us following our request to utilise the facility for management of Covid-19 cases. The team was satisfied with what they saw during the tour and would like to finalise our request.

“Please note that we have since identified Sakunda Holdings to be our partners to work with us and yourselves to do all the remaining renovations and refurbishments necessary for the hospital to function in the shortest possible period of time.

“Sakunda Holdings has confirmed that they have the resources and funding to do the work and hence refurbishments will not be at your costs.”

Correspondence by Sakunda Holdings on March 25, 2020, showed that they had already applied for the relevant licensing and pleaded with Dr Mahomva to assist in expediting the process.

“The Government of Zimbabwe has implemented a raft of measures to curb and control outbreak of the disease albeit under tough economic circumstances,” wrote Mr Everton Mlalazi of Sakunda to Dr Mahomva.

“It is against this background that Sakunda Holdings and its associates have come up with a private initiative to complement Government efforts to curb this pandemic specifically in provision of health facilities, equipment, training and vaccines.

“Sakunda has identified Rock Foundation Medical Centre as a facility in the fight against Covid-19. The hospital management will send applications to relevant bodies, but our request from you is to assist in engaging these bodies to expedite the process in view of the urgency required to deal with the pandemic.”

Every Zimbabwean has a role to play in protecting their families and communities against coronavirus, President Mnangagwa has said.

Writing on his Twitter handle, @edmnangagwa, the President reiterated calls for people to observe the highest standards of hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We all have a role to play in protecting our families and communities against coronavirus. Keep your distance, wash your hands, keep your distance, stay home,” President Mnangagwa tweeted.

People, the President said, should wash hands regularly, avoid physical contact including hugging, stay at home unless it is important to travel and maintain social distance of at least two metres.

President Mnangagwa last week declared the pandemic a state of national disaster.

In an earlier tweet, he thanked Chinese billionaire Mr Jack Ma for the donations made to fight the deadly virus.

Mr Jack donated 20 000 laboratory diagnostic test kits, 100 000 medical face masks and 10 000 protective suits.

“Thank you @Jack Ma for your generous donation of coronavirus testing kits and preventive materials, a true act of friendship that will be crucial to helping us fight the virus. With unity, discipline and cooperation, we can prevail.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has called on the Group of 20 most developed countries to set aside a US$100 billion fund for immediate health response, social safety nets and feeding of out-of-school children in African countries affected by coronavirus.

The money would be on top of the US$50 billion already pledged by the G-20.

In a statement, UNECA said: “As a proportion of GDP, this is consistent with measures taken in other regions. To ensure immediate fiscal space and liquidity, this package should include a waiver of all interest payments, estimated at US$44 billion for 2020.”

State Media|The Coronavirus scourge has all but killed the Zimbabwean dollar with government officially declaring the US Dollar as an official currency, allegedly during the Coronavirus era.

The official exchange rate has been fixed at $25 to US$1 for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to stabilise prices while holders of free funds now have an option to pay for goods and services in foreign currency.

Regulations banning compulsory forex payments, however, remain in force.

To provide further relief to the public, the RBZ agreed with banks to suspend increases in charges for all electronic payments during the emergency and was now engaging mobile network providers to reduce their charges to promote electronic banking.

At the same time, policy changes and additions have been approved to help the business sectors weather the global economic turbulence that the pandemic has brought, similar to those in other countries.

RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya said in a statement yesterday that the measures were part of Government interventions, in line with President Mnangagwa’s call on Monday for measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on Zimbabwe.

Dr Mangudya said the bank had made available an option to use free funds to pay for goods and services chargeable in local currency, taking into account limited forex resources negatively affecting balance of payments.

“The dispensation to use free funds will not only make payment for goods and services easier, but will also promote social distancing as banks will be able to provide digital financial services to their customers that include producers of gold, tobacco and cotton and recipients of diaspora remittances.

“Digital financial transactions will go a long way in enhancing confidence in the economy and assisting banks to play a critical role as systemic stabilisers of the economy during these unprecedented times,” he said.

The measures appear to be part of RBZ efforts to tap the large pool of free funds held outside the banking system to bring this money into the formal system.

Dr Mangudya said Government had suspended the managed floating exchange rate system, which was introduced this month, for greater certainty in the pricing of goods and services.

“In its place, the bank has, with immediate effect, adopted a fixed exchange rate system at the current interbank level of $25 to the US dollar. This measure will be reviewed when markets stabilise from the effects of Covid-19,” Dr Mangudya said.

Going into the business support, and in line with similar swift responses to Covid-19 by global economies, the bank adopted measures to boost the domestic economy by more than doubling the $1 billion productive sector facility, reducing statutory reserves that banks must hold with the central bank and cutting the bank’s policy rate to promote lending to productive sectors of the economy by banks.

These measures around the world are designed to ensure that the global pandemic does not trigger a global depression

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Covid-19 pandemic will cause a global recession this year, which could be worse than the one triggered by the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, but world economic output should recover in 2021. Like the rest of the world, Zimbabwe needed some cushioning.

The bank also increased the Medium Term Bank Accommodation Facility for supporting the productive sectors by an additional $1 billion to $2,5 billion, with the funding aimed at financing the 2020 winter wheat farming.

RBZ also reduced the statutory reserve ratio from 5 to 4,5 percent to free up some funds to the banks to enhance their lending activities. To lower the cost of bank loans, the bank cut its bank policy rate from 30 to 25 percent.

Further, Dr Mangudya said the bank was responding to the needs of Zimbabwe’s economy through the issuance of Open Market Operations Corporate Bills to enhance the monetary targeting framework necessary to support the exchange rate and to stabilise prices in the economy.

“Whilst the legal instrument to bring the above measures into effect is being finalised, the bank urges the transacting public and producers of gold, tobacco and cotton to fully embrace electronic payment platforms as we fight the spread of COVID-19,” Dr Mangudya said.

A pregnant Masvingo woman who was on Tuesday placed in self-isolation on suspicion of having Covid-19, has tested negative and is on her way to recovery at home in Mucheke.

The development comes as two specimens were collected on Wednesday for testing after they arrived in Masvingo from outside the country recently. Results are expected today.

Meanwhile, one of the two suspected cases of Covid-19 in Mutare has tested negative, while results for the second patient are expected tomorrow.

Provincial medical director Dr Amadeous Shamu said results of the pregnant Masvingo woman who caused a stir at Masvingo General Hospital after showing signs of mild flu and repeated coughing, were negative of Covid-19.

Specimens from two other people who were recently outside the country were sent to Harare for tests while they were put on self-quarantine.

In terms of the Manicaland cases, the acting Manicaland provincial medical director Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga said: “We have received results for the person who has been self-isolating at home.
“We expect to receive results for the malaria patient who is at Mutare Provincial hospital tomorrow.”

The patient had been placed in isolation since admission although he had recovered well from malaria.-State media