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

Farai Dziva|A prison officer identified as Ronald Chiwakaya threatened to shoot MDC activists who were detained at Harare Remand Prison.

Below is a statement written by Stephen Chuma, the MDC Youth Assembly spokesperson who was also arrested for allegedly inciting violence in Chitungwiza:

The rot and squalid conditions at Harare Remand Prison where we were unjustifiably incarcerated for the past 25 days is reflective of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s failed regime.

From every facet, the institution which is located along Enterprise Road has become a symbol of military dictatorship where dissent political voices are subjected to torture and nervous conditions which defiles and defies local and international statutes on rights of detainees.

At the centre of persecution of political detainees is one boastful Ronald Chiwakaya who is the Officer In Charge at the torture institution.

Chiwakaya, an ex-military man with the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is an embodiment of frontal human rights attacks under Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship.

His presence at the remand institution which ideally is for safe keeping of accused remanded in custody is a clear confirmation of state capture by the military.

In one instance, the Officer in Charge called me and 12 other co-accused MDC activists to his office whereupon he pulled his 9 millimetre short gun and pointed at us.

Chiwakaya who is a law unto himself uttered all sorts of polemic attacks on our party and its leadership which he branded as “agents of West”.

Chiwakaya who is a self proclaimed participant of Gukurahundi killings threatened us with death and disappearance citing suspicious murders of fallen MDC leader, Learnmore Jongwe and activist Hilton Tamangani at the hands of state.

As if the threats were not enough, we were made to watch ZANU PF propaganda documentaries for three hours on Friday 20 March and on Tuesday 25 March.

The nervous conditions at Harare Remand Prison where raw sewer flows in cell corridors makes the institution a death trap.

Critical water shortages at the institution compound the situation and as a result there is already fears of typhoid as evidenced by inmates faecal matter laced with blood which could be easily seen in toilets that go for days without water.

With Coronavirus on our doorsteps, there are fears that inmates will be wiped out due to over congestion in cells if the pandemic find its way in prisons.

In spite of all the challenges, threats and persecution, we remain unmoved and unshaken!

Our resolve and conviction for change is still the same.

It’s game on!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa has said Mupedzanhamo and Mbare Musika markets will only be closed when the need arises.

Mnangagwa was responding to questions about Coronavirus from journalists.

“The process is likely to follow, but for now, we have decided to have health personnel around the area to monitor and make sure that people coming in or out of those places are screened.

If the need arises that we close Mbare (green market) and other markets, we will do so. But this is the first phase of our action to restrict free movement,” said Mnangagwa.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s driver has been spared jail after he was ordered to perform 315 hours of unpaid work for stealing a cellphone handed to the President as a gift when he recently hosted a field day at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.

Chamunorwa Tapa (45) was initially sentenced to 14 months in jail after he admitted to stealing the President’s $2 400 gift when he appeared before magistrate Ms Joy Chikodzore charged with theft.

Ms Chikodzore set aside five months of the jail term on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

The remaining nine months were set aside on condition that Tapa performs 315 hours of unpaid work at Mabvuku Police Station starting today.

Prosecutor Mr Benjamin Chikerema had recommended that Tapa be jailed for 12 months with half of the term being set aside on condition of good behaviour.

He said Tapa’s actions were out of greed and proved that his moral blameworthiness was also high considering that he was working in the country’s highest office.

Tapa begged for leniency from the court, saying he was married with two wives and had children at university for whom he was paying fees.

In sentencing Tapa, Ms Chikodzore said his moral blameworthiness was high, which called for a heavy punishment.

It was the State’s case that on March 12 this year, President Mnangagwa hosted a field day at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.

At the field day, President Mnangagwa was presented with gifts by various companies, including the cellphone worth $2 400.

It was then discovered the following day that the cellphone was missing during reconciliation of the gifts at Zimbabwe House, leading to an investigation.
Tapi was arrested at State House on March 23 at around 6pm.

He led detectives to Mabvuku where the cellphone was recovered from one Jonathan Magaya.-State media

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s driver has been spared jail after he was ordered to perform 315 hours of unpaid work for stealing a cellphone handed to the President as a gift when he recently hosted a field day at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.

Chamunorwa Tapa (45) was initially sentenced to 14 months in jail after he admitted to stealing the President’s $2 400 gift when he appeared before magistrate Ms Joy Chikodzore charged with theft.

Ms Chikodzore set aside five months of the jail term on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

The remaining nine months were set aside on condition that Tapa performs 315 hours of unpaid work at Mabvuku Police Station starting today.

Prosecutor Mr Benjamin Chikerema had recommended that Tapa be jailed for 12 months with half of the term being set aside on condition of good behaviour.

He said Tapa’s actions were out of greed and proved that his moral blameworthiness was also high considering that he was working in the country’s highest office.

Tapa begged for leniency from the court, saying he was married with two wives and had children at university for whom he was paying fees.

In sentencing Tapa, Ms Chikodzore said his moral blameworthiness was high, which called for a heavy punishment.

It was the State’s case that on March 12 this year, President Mnangagwa hosted a field day at his Precabe Farm in Kwekwe.

At the field day, President Mnangagwa was presented with gifts by various companies, including the cellphone worth $2 400.

It was then discovered the following day that the cellphone was missing during reconciliation of the gifts at Zimbabwe House, leading to an investigation.
Tapi was arrested at State House on March 23 at around 6pm.

He led detectives to Mabvuku where the cellphone was recovered from one Jonathan Magaya.-State media

State Media|Wilkins Hospital says it did all it could to save the life of Zororo Makamba, given the resources at its disposal. The hospital said before admission into the isolation facility, it took oxygen tanks to his house twice, against standard procedure, which was administered per mask. Oxygen is normally delivered through a nasal cannula at low concentration levels, but a mask delivers high concentration levels.

While in admission, the hospital said its staff worked flat out together with Makamba’s two private doctors to try and manage his condition. In fact, the first nurse who attended to Makamba upon arrival at the hospital is said to be unwell and presently in isolation.

The local authority is awaiting her test results. This comes amid revelations that all referral and private hospitals in the city had refused to take in Makamba for intensive care, which could have seen him put on a ventilator.

Sadly, Makamba became the first victim to die of coronavirus in the country and the second to test positive of the same.

In Covid-19 response, ventilators are used to manage the breathing function of patients. The current set up in the healthcare delivery system is that ventilators are found at referral institutions where serious cases are referred to from a primary healthcare facility.

Wilkins together with Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospitals are under Harare City Council and act as primary healthcare facilities. Ordinarily, any complications requiring special services such as ventilators are referred to central hospitals for further management.

“All central hospitals refused to take him, even private hospitals refused, arguing that it was an infectious case hence should be attended to at the isolation centre.

“This was despite the fact that Wilkins is administered by Harare City Council and have not received any financial resources from central government to upgrade the facility to an ideal isolation centre. As part of our upgrading, we have reserved seven ICU beds with provision for ventilators and we are still resource mobilising to get equipment for those beds.

“Out of the US$6,7 million, which we requested for Covid -19 response, we were only given $100 000, which is yet to reflect in our account. We were given an unfunded mandate. By declaring the outbreak a national emergency, we expected financial assistance to upgrade the facility to an ideal isolation centre. Now its appearing as if Covid-19 is a Harare City Council responsibility.

“All central hospitals are now referring all cases here, including some which do not even meet the screening criteria, thereby overburdening our staff, which are already demotivated by the negative comments coming from clients. All facilities should be doing assessments before referring cases here.

“Already, staff has started coming up with excuses not to come to work,” said Harare City Council director for health services Dr Prosper Chonzi. Asked why Makamba was put in an ordinary ward with no adequate facilities to take care of his condition, Dr Chonzi said at the time he was admitted, the wing which was previously reserved for coronavirus cases was undergoing renovations, facilitated by the Chinese Government and the hospital had to improvise. Refurbishments are expected to be completed by weekend.

“Not all Covid-19 patients require ventilators, a majority will recover without them. It is unfortunate, we started with one of the worse cases which required a ventilator.

“However, in our preparedness plan, we had budgeted for seven ventilators for the ICU beds and as said before, we are yet to get funding to fully equip these rooms,” said Dr Chonzi.

Dr Chonzi said Covid-19 national response required “all hands on deck” instead of shifting all the burden to the local authority administered facility.

“There is need to invest more in this isolation facility. We need to make sure that serious cases go somewhere else. Our frontline workers are demotivated, they need risk allowances and they think someone in management has taken their money when in actual fact nothing has come down to us.”

A quick tour of the facility showed that indeed the wing, which many authorities assessed for preparedness previously, was under renovations. This makes management of any serious cases difficult under current circumstances. Floors, walls, handwashing basins, waste are all being spruced up. There are also rooms with sockets for ventilators, but are not yet ready for use.

Although no exact figures could be provided immediately, authorities at the hospital said nearly 200 people were screened between Tuesday and Wednesday. Responding to the funding gap, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo yesterday said Government was in the process of mobilising more resources for response. He said the response plan has since been revised upwards to US$100 million.

Dr Moyo said no funding has so far been disbursed but Government has also committed local resources towards Covid-19, which would be disbursed as soon as possible.

In terms of the country’s capacity to manage worst cases, Dr Moyo said Government has sourced ventilators, which will soon be handed over to Wilkins as it completes its refurbishments over the coming weekend. He said more centres will also be established countrywide. He said Government will also continue to train more health workers to build their capacity to deal with Covid-19.

-State Media

By Jane Mlambo| Opposition MDC vice President Tendai Biti has scoffed at the move by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to re-introduce the option for citizens to buy commodities using United States dollars saying the Zanu PF administration owe citizens an apology for not heeding calls to dollarize earlier than now.

Posting on Twitter soon after the RBZ monetary policy announcement, Biti said government should now bring a bill to parliament to formally repeal sections of the Finance Act to do with mono currency.

“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 theFinance Act that incorporated SI33 & 142of 2019 1/3,” said Biti.

COVID-19 update. (26/3/20)

Anxiety and fear are reigning supreme in the hearts and minds of all Zimbabweans due to the COVID-19 outbreak that is now deeply rooted in our country.

We believe that there is still hope for our nation to flatten this epidemic, and reach negligible peak levels if we take drastic measures, which we wish to re-iterate today.

But first of all our sincere condolences to the Makamba family, and indeed to all Zimbabweans, on the untimely loss of our second confirmed COVID-19 case, Zororo.

Our hearts go out to the family in solidarity, and we take very seriously all the observations they made about our unpreparedness for this disaster, and the hardships and mental torment they had to endure.

This is a wake-up call for Zimbabwe and we must respond promptly and appropriately to this challenge. I must point out that this brings our case fatality rate to 50%! This is not acceptable. Let’s watch this number as we go along. We must achieve case fatality rates of a fraction of 1%. Then we know our health delivery system is working as it should.

The big lesson we learn from this first fatality is that preparedness is not something we can only wish, but we’ve got to work hard at it and deploy resources big time towards preparedness.

Mere reassurance from those in authority will not work. Waiting for donations is not a viable option. We must take the lead in prioritizing healthcare in our expenditures.

At the end of 60 days or so we should look back with satisfaction and say “that money was well worth spending”. To that end, we ask the government to suspend all non-life saving program expenditures and channel resources to health care for the next 2-3 months.

We have another disaster looming. Healthcare workers cannot continue to work in this toxic environment without the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

We have noted how health care workers died in countries and economies much tougher than ours. We also note with much trepidation that 4 800 health care workers have been infected by COVID-19 in Italy and that this represents 9% of total cases.

We should not sacrifice any doctor or nurse on the altar of self-imposed poverty in a country that is so well endowed with resources.

It is imperative that government provides forthwith the necessary PPE for health workers so that they can come to work with the confidence that they will return home safely.

At this point in time, we wish to emphasise that we are firmly behind the health workers for demanding proper working conditions in the face of a highly infectious virus. Provision of water at all our hospitals is also non-negotiable.

We urge the government to go the extra mile and give a risk allowance as requested by some health workers. This has been done in the past and it went a long way towards incentivizing the health workers to continue to serve the nation in very dangerous environs.

Any non-availability of health workers from the hospitals and any ensuing disastrous consequences will squarely be on the government’s shoulders.

We further urge the government to institute a total lockdown of our cities and to close all borders except for the most essential travel. Communication with the public is key at all times.

The message on constant hand washing, use of hand sanitisers, social distancing, banning of public gatherings, self-isolation, and working from home whenever possible must be reinforced daily. Telephonic consultations are encouraged at this time to minimize human to human contact.

We wish to appreciate the international community for your valued assistance at this difficult time, our local authorities for the hard work and taking the challenge on head-on under very difficult circumstances, all our health workers in general, and all Zimbabweans for your great fortitude.

We will subdue the virus if we climb with care and confidence, looking after each other’s needs, watching each other’s backs, and prioritizing health care.

H. Madzorera
Secretary for Health & Child Welfare
Movement for Democratic Change

By A Correspondent- Prominent Zimbabwean traditional healer Sekuru Banda has expressed hope on the deadly Coronavirus saying people should not panic.

Speaking to a local publication in Harare today the traditional healer said people should take heed from health educators and follow the government’s decree banning of public gathering.

“It is very unfortunate that we have been hit  by the pandemic but my message is people should not panic instead we should all comply to the government’s orders and follow  health tips from the ministry of health,” said the traditional healer.

The soft spoken traditional healer said the pandemic does not require fake prophecies but just to follow hygiene.

“This pandemic does not require fake prophecies but instead people should follow hygiene ways of living and l am glad that borders have closed and all ports of entry have been closed people should just be patient it is a passing phase no need to panic,” he added.

So far over nearly 21 000 people have died of the disease  globally while 460 000 are infected.-Online

MASVINGO High Court judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze’s son, Munyaradzi Junior Mawadze, was on Thursday hauled before the Harare Magistrate’s Courts facing allegations of murdering an events planner and cellphone dealer, one Sipho Ncube.

Mawadze, 22, is jointly charged with Elvin Dongo Saungweme, 22, and Dellon David Balani, 22 all from Harare.

The trio appeared in court Thursday afternoon.

Ncube went missing two weeks ago and his body was discovered on Wednesday.

The State alleges Mawadze and Saungweme admitted to the allegations before they made indications to the police on how they committed the crime.

According to the State, the trio hatched a plan to rob Ncube of his mobile phones and cash. The alleged incident happened 12 March this year.

The three allegedly approached the now deceased and lured him into their car claiming they wanted to buy three cell phones.

Ncube agreed and told them each phone cost US$1 800.

“The now deceased agreed to accompany the trio to Waterfalls and the accused diverted the route and drove along Chiremba Road passing Epworth going towards Ruwa,” the court papers read.

Whilst along Chiremba Road, they reached a secluded place where they robbed Ncube of his cellphones and an unknown amount of cash.

They also allegedly stabbed him with a knife before slitting open his throat, killing him instantly.

The three are said to have driven away and dumped Ncube’s body in Ruwa.

The accused went on to share their loot.

Ncube’s relatives became suspicious when he failed to return home and filed a police report on the same date. The court heard that in order to cover up for their offence, Mawadze sent a text message using Ncube’s cellphone alleging that he had been kidnapped.

It is state’s case that Mawadze also cleaned the bloodstained vehicle before he fled to stay with his father in Masvingo.

Another police report was made at Harare Central police station before police launched investigations which led to the recovery of the vehicle used during the commission of the crime.

Further searches were conducted at Mawadze’s place in Harare in the presence of his roommate Dylan Nira leading to the recovery of a pair of black jean trousers, white vest and a pair of white sneakers all soiled with blood.

On March 24 2020, Mawadze was arrested in Masvingo and was brought to CID Homicide, in Harare where he was interviewed.

The State said he went on to implicate his accomplices.

One the following day, further follow ups were done by CID Homicide Harare leading to the arrest of the second accused at his place of residence.

Searches were carried out in his room leading to the recovery of blood soiled clothes and one of Ncube’s cell phones. Saungweme also implicated Mawadze and Balani as his accomplices.

Saungweme and Mawadze 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 of decomposition. ZRP Ruwa attended the scene and ferried the body to Parirenyatwa hospital for postmortem.

Balani was arrested later on Wednesday. He was found in possession of Ncube’s other cell phone.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe(RB) has declared that the United States Dollar can now be used to pay for goods and services in local transactions allegedly as measures to deal with the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic lockdown period.

The RBZ has adopted a fictitious fixed exchange rate of ZWL$25 to USD1.

Below is the full statement from Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya.

 ‌

State Media|Wilkins Hospital says it did all it could to save the life of Zororo Makamba, given the resources at its disposal. The hospital said before admission into the isolation facility, it took oxygen tanks to his house twice, against standard procedure, which was administered per mask. Oxygen is normally delivered through a nasal cannula at low concentration levels, but a mask delivers high concentration levels.

While in admission, the hospital said its staff worked flat out together with Makamba’s two private doctors to try and manage his condition. In fact, the first nurse who attended to Makamba upon arrival at the hospital is said to be unwell and presently in isolation.

The local authority is awaiting her test results. This comes amid revelations that all referral and private hospitals in the city had refused to take in Makamba for intensive care, which could have seen him put on a ventilator.

Sadly, Makamba became the first victim to die of coronavirus in the country and the second to test positive of the same.

In Covid-19 response, ventilators are used to manage the breathing function of patients. The current set up in the healthcare delivery system is that ventilators are found at referral institutions where serious cases are referred to from a primary healthcare facility.

Wilkins together with Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospitals are under Harare City Council and act as primary healthcare facilities. Ordinarily, any complications requiring special services such as ventilators are referred to central hospitals for further management.

“All central hospitals refused to take him, even private hospitals refused, arguing that it was an infectious case hence should be attended to at the isolation centre.

“This was despite the fact that Wilkins is administered by Harare City Council and have not received any financial resources from central government to upgrade the facility to an ideal isolation centre. As part of our upgrading, we have reserved seven ICU beds with provision for ventilators and we are still resource mobilising to get equipment for those beds.

“Out of the US$6,7 million, which we requested for Covid -19 response, we were only given $100 000, which is yet to reflect in our account. We were given an unfunded mandate. By declaring the outbreak a national emergency, we expected financial assistance to upgrade the facility to an ideal isolation centre. Now its appearing as if Covid-19 is a Harare City Council responsibility.

“All central hospitals are now referring all cases here, including some which do not even meet the screening criteria, thereby overburdening our staff, which are already demotivated by the negative comments coming from clients. All facilities should be doing assessments before referring cases here.

“Already, staff has started coming up with excuses not to come to work,” said Harare City Council director for health services Dr Prosper Chonzi. Asked why Makamba was put in an ordinary ward with no adequate facilities to take care of his condition, Dr Chonzi said at the time he was admitted, the wing which was previously reserved for coronavirus cases was undergoing renovations, facilitated by the Chinese Government and the hospital had to improvise. Refurbishments are expected to be completed by weekend.

“Not all Covid-19 patients require ventilators, a majority will recover without them. It is unfortunate, we started with one of the worse cases which required a ventilator.

“However, in our preparedness plan, we had budgeted for seven ventilators for the ICU beds and as said before, we are yet to get funding to fully equip these rooms,” said Dr Chonzi.

Dr Chonzi said Covid-19 national response required “all hands on deck” instead of shifting all the burden to the local authority administered facility.

“There is need to invest more in this isolation facility. We need to make sure that serious cases go somewhere else. Our frontline workers are demotivated, they need risk allowances and they think someone in management has taken their money when in actual fact nothing has come down to us.”

A quick tour of the facility showed that indeed the wing, which many authorities assessed for preparedness previously, was under renovations. This makes management of any serious cases difficult under current circumstances. Floors, walls, handwashing basins, waste are all being spruced up. There are also rooms with sockets for ventilators, but are not yet ready for use.

Although no exact figures could be provided immediately, authorities at the hospital said nearly 200 people were screened between Tuesday and Wednesday. Responding to the funding gap, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo yesterday said Government was in the process of mobilising more resources for response. He said the response plan has since been revised upwards to US$100 million.

Dr Moyo said no funding has so far been disbursed but Government has also committed local resources towards Covid-19, which would be disbursed as soon as possible.

In terms of the country’s capacity to manage worst cases, Dr Moyo said Government has sourced ventilators, which will soon be handed over to Wilkins as it completes its refurbishments over the coming weekend. He said more centres will also be established countrywide. He said Government will also continue to train more health workers to build their capacity to deal with Covid-19.

Zanu PF Masvingo provincial political commissar Jevas Masosote was recently in the eye of a storm after he allegedly pointed a firearm at a man he accused of impreg_nating his teenage daughter who is still in high school.

Masosota reportedly stormed into Liberty Dzingai’s homestead in Tshovani Location and maliciously damaged his property at gunpoint.

The incident is said to have happened in full view of Zanu PF provincial secretary for information Ronald Ndava, former Chiredzi Town Council Zanu PF chairperson Francis Moyo and former Chiredzi General Hospital medical superintendent Tungamirai Rukatya.

The three are said to have had a torrid time to restrain a raging Masosota as he assaulted Dzingai and broke some household property which included a television set, a bicycle and dinner plates.

Sources said it was Moyo who eventually managed to calm Masosota down after Ndava had failed.

When contacted for comment, Dzingai said Masosota came to his homestead at around 21:00hrs and began to assault him at first without saying a word.

“It’s true. He came to my house at around 9pm driving a party vehicle and began to assault me using a chair before saying anything. He went on to destroy my some dinner plates, squeezed my two-year-old child against the wall before I retaliated.

“He was accusing me of impreg_nating his daughter, claiming that they had since aborted the preg_nancy in Harare. He went to his car and brought a pistol which he threatened to gun me down with. He destroyed my plasma television, bicycle and other valuable property in my house as he stormed in,” said Dzingai.

When Masosote was contacted for comment, he said he was not aware of such an occasion.

“I never did such thing, it’s new to me,” Masosota said.

A source who witnessed the fracas said Masosota came in drunk and destroyed Dzingai’s property at gun point as he was accused Dzingai of impregnating his high school daughter.

— TellZim

By Own Correspondent| Sakunda Holdings begins taking delivery of its USD $3 million equipment and protective clothing to be used in fighting COVID 19 this Friday as it intensifies efforts to support Government in fighting the epidemic.

All equipment is expected to be in the country by April 5 and the two medical facilities identified by Sakunda Holdings-Rock Foundation Medical Centre and St Annes Hospital-are expected to become operational soon after.

This comes amid reports that Sakunda, working with a team of doctors led by Dr David Chimuka, has already identified more places in and outside Harare which can be used to fight the corona virus.

The utilisation of new sites will be determined by government.

Sakunda officials say some of the equipment start arriving this Friday from China after payments were already done to ensure that Rock Foundation Medical Centre and St Annes Hospital are operational as a matter of urgency.

The equipment expected in the country include 100 ventilators, 10 thousand rapid testing kits, five thousand protective suits, 10 thousand disposable protective gowns, 100 000 gloves, 100 000 disposable shoe covers, 50 000 goggles and 50 000 respiratory N95 masks.

Also to come is 1 million surgical masks, 1 million disposable caps, 40 000 litres of HTH disinfectant, 40 thousand litres of hand sanitiser, 100 infrared thermometers and 5 000 face shields among others.

Officials said there is a possibility that some of the equipment will be donated to Wilkins hospital.

The hospitals will be open to everyone contrary to reports that they were meant for the elite.

AS THE country reels from the effects of the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, including misinformation on social media — Health minister Obadiah Moyo, pictured, is mulling passing a raft of regulations that will see peddlers of falsehoods being caged.

This comes as government gazetted sweeping regulations to empower designated medical officials to compulsorily enforce the testing and screening of people suspected to be suffering from the novel disease. The country currently has three confirmed cases of coronavirus, which has so far killed over 18 000 people across the globe, including journalist Zororo Makamba, who died at Wilkins Hospital on Monday.

Apart from the Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations, Moyo said government will also pass regulations to bring sanity to the dissemination of information on coronavirus.

“We are gravely alarmed at the spread of fake news regarding Covid-19 and are deeply concerned that some persons are arrogating themselves authority to speak on behalf of the government on issues regarding this novel virus.

“We note with concern that some political leaders are seeking to use the cases that have been confirmed positive in Zimbabwe for cheap political mileage at the expense of public good.

“In light of this deluge of misinformation in this day of the social media, we would like to inform the public to rely on credible sources of information regarding health matters. While we welcome input from everyone in the fight against Covid-19, this should be done orderly and not styled in a manner meant to cause alarm and despondency.

“The ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that the country’s existing laws would be used to punish errant members of society who thrive on triggering despondency and disquiet, regardless of the social standing of such persons.

“The President declared Covid-19 a national disaster and we will not hesitate to use appropriate laws at our disposal to protect society from malcontents who seek to score cheap political goals using this novel disease.

“We are also in the process of putting in place regulations around information dissemination,” Moyo said in a statement to the Daily News.

Speaking at the Zanu PF politburo meeting in Harare yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa asked people to disseminate the correct information on coronavirus, adding that all returning residents will be subjected to a strict testing process.

As Mnangagwa’s government steps up efforts to fight the novel pandemic that has killed thousands it gazetted Statutory Instrument 77 (SI 77), which gives the government powers to arrest people who are found breaking the law and also enforcing mandatory testing for suspected coronavirus cases.

“The declaration of Covid-19 as a formidable epidemic disease has effect till the 20th of May, 2020, unless the minister earlier, by general notice in the Gazette, extends these regulations by a further month, and may, upon expiry of that extension, in like manner further extend them for a month at a time,” read part of the gazetted regulations.

Further, the regulations gives the minister power to “direct the making of inquiries into the cause of death of any person, apart from any inquiry by a magistrate under any other enactment; (f) order, when deemed necessary, post-mortem examinations or exhumations; (g) prohibit in special circumstances the burial of any dead body in any local authority except on a certificate by a medical officer appointed to grant such certificates or after compliance with any other specified conditions; (h) regulate the mode of disposal, the times and places of burial of dead bodies and the manner of conducting removals and burials thereof in any local authority; (i) regulate and restrict and, if deemed necessary, prohibit the removal of merchandise or any article or thing into, out of or within any in any local authority or specified or defined area”.

According to the new regulations gazetted on Monday, government will have the right to visit any homes in search of persons who could be infected.

“Any person who — (a) disobeys an order … having been ordered to be detained, isolated or quarantined in any place, removes himself or herself from such detention, isolation or quarantine without the knowledge or consent of an enforcement officer, or contrary to any conditions specified for any temporary release from such detention, isolation or quarantine; shall be guilty of an offence and liable to fine not exceeding level 12 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year to both such fine and such imprisonment.

“Any person who escapes from any place of detention, isolation or quarantine may be arrested without warrant,” read the regulations in part.

According to Veritas, an organisation that gives information on the work of courts and Parliament, anyone found to be in violation of any of the regulations risked paying a fine of $36 000, which is the stipulated figure under Level 12.

Daily News

By Own Correspondent| Influential and celebrated traditional healer Sekuru Banda has urged Zimbabweans not to panic in the face of the deadly coronavirus that has already claimed one life from the five confirmed cases in the country.

Zimbabweans have panicked since the country recorded its first COVID-19 death with people flocking local supermarkets hoarding foodstuffs and other essentials amid fears of a possible lockdown.

But in an interview with ZimEye today, Sekuru Banda impressed upon citizens to remain calm, listen and follow advice from the government, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other medical experts on ways to stay safe from the global pandemic.

“I urge people not to panic, panicking will only worsen the situation, this disease will soon pass even in China where it started, it’s now under control, all that is needed is to take preventive measures and follow government and WHO guidelines on staying safe,” said Sekuru Banda.

He also urged citizens to look for knowledge on the disease from official sources and shun spreading fake news which he said was causing confusion as people end up making decisions based on wrong information.

“Fake news spreads very quickly and I would advice people to get information from trusted sources, many a times people end up acting on wrong information causing more confusion.

“Government should also make sure all the relevant information is easily available to citizens,” added Sekuru Banda.

On a global scale, the disease has claimed over 18 000 lives from the 410 000 confirmed cases.

Zimbabwe has recorded five positive cases and one death but the government has already put in place measures to contain further spread of the virus including banning of gatherings of over 50 people, closing of borders to foreigners while urging people to stay at home.

The disease has slowed economic progress globally with major currencies including the British Pound, the Euro, South African Rand and Chinese Yuan losing value but optimism remains that the disease will be contained in the shortest possible time.

Two people in Mutare have been tested for Covid-19 after exhibiting symptoms consistent with the disease.

Acting Manicaland provincial medical director Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga said the samples had been sent to Harare and they were waiting for results.

He said one of the two suspected cases was admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital where he had presented with Malaria symptoms.

“We have taken samples from two people and we are waiting for the results. One is self-isolating at home while we wait for the results and we have been following up on them. The one at Mutare Provincial Hospital tested positive for Malaria but the doctor who attended to him noticed that he was also exhibiting some symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and a test was ordered,” said Dr Mukuzunga.

He said the patient was still at the hospital but recovering well.

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 26, 2020

Chantelle Muteswa’s lawyer told ZimEye …. :

The incident happened at Spar Supermarket in Waterfalls.

Frank Buyanga came with 3 armed men with two cars. She said she does not know the type of guns.

They beat up a woman (relative) who was with the son while pointing guns at both Chantelle Muteswa and the woman.

Buyanga then took the child and swiftly drove off.

Chantelle then left the place and went to Waterfalls Police station where she has just finished making a report.

There are now various efforts to ensure Buyanga does not leave Zimbabwe with the child.

Anyone with information on Buyanga’s whereabouts should call Waterfalls Police or CID Harare.

By A Correspondent- Zanu Pf leader and president Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed a probe team led by Zanu-PF secretary for security, Lovemore Matuke, to probe senior party officials believed to be funding party youths to issue ‘reckless’ statements that denigrate leaders of the ruling party.

Last month, the Politburo was forced to suspend deputy youth secretary Tongai Matutu and expel youth political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu after the two made sensational claims that business tycoons with strong links to senior government and ruling party officials, had captured the State.

The two youth leaders claimed that State capture was the reason behind high level corruption in government corridors and the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Those implicated in the State capture by Matutu and Tsenengamu were; Kuda Tagwirei, the majority shareholder of Sakunda Holdings, Tafadzwa Musarara, the president of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) and Billy Rautenbach, the owner of Green Fuels.

Tagwirei has strong links to Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga. He also sits in Mnangagwa’s presidential advisory committee.

However, the allegations did not go well with Mnangagwa and other Politburo members who summarily suspended the youth leaders.

Tsenengamu was later expelled from the party after he defied a party directive to attend the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology while continuing to raise corruption allegations within government circles.

At its Politburo meeting Wednesday, it was resolved that Matuke, who is also the deputy labour minister, should lead the investigations with the main task of finding out who among senior party officials were backing the party youths to make allegations that disrespected the party’s leadership.

The allegations made by the youth league have been viewed as part of the factional fights within Zanu-PF as some senior officials are reported to be unhappy with Mnangagwa’s style of leadership after backing him in a military coup that saw then President Robert Mugabe removed from office November 2017.-Online

By A Correspondent- Chegutu Rural District Council has with immediate fired its chief executive Mr Dan Zvobgo over allegations of abuse of office and gross mismanagement.

Mr Zvobgo, whose benefits have been terminated, was dismissed while on forced leave after allegedly failing to appear before an investigation committee.

Chegutu RDC chairman Mr Tatenda Gwinji confirmed the sacking of Mr Zvobgo this morning, but could not immediately give finer details.
However, according to documents in possession of this publication Mr Zvobgo was accused of a litany of issues including giving a Non-Governmental Organisation, Direct Aid, a lease for Jinkstown Primary School without following proper council procedures.

Mr Zvobgo also allegedly went into a barter trade land deal with Croco Motors without council mandate.

He is also accused of prejudicing council by drafting and issuing a developmental permit for Sunny Fi Yeng Norton Tile Company without council mandate and in the process the council was underpaid as only $17000 was paid instead of 0,5 percent of their project value which is at around US$30 million.-Statemedia

COVID-19 update. (26/3/20)

Anxiety and fear are reigning supreme in the hearts and minds of all Zimbabweans due to the COVID-19 outbreak that is now deeply rooted in our country.

We believe that there is still hope for our nation to flatten this epidemic, and reach negligible peak levels if we take drastic measures, which we wish to re-iterate today.

But first of all our sincere condolences to the Makamba family, and indeed to all Zimbabweans, on the untimely loss of our second confirmed COVID-19 case, Zororo.

Our hearts go out to the family in solidarity, and we take very seriously all the observations they made about our unpreparedness for this disaster, and the hardships and mental torment they had to endure.

This is a wake-up call for Zimbabwe and we must respond promptly and appropriately to this challenge. I must point out that this brings our case fatality rate to 50%! This is not acceptable. Let’s watch this number as we go along. We must achieve case fatality rates of a fraction of 1%. Then we know our health delivery system is working as it should.

The big lesson we learn from this first fatality is that preparedness is not something we can only wish, but we’ve got to work hard at it and deploy resources big time towards preparedness.

Mere reassurance from those in authority will not work. Waiting for donations is not a viable option. We must take the lead in prioritizing healthcare in our expenditures.

At the end of 60 days or so we should look back with satisfaction and say “that money was well worth spending”. To that end, we ask the government to suspend all non-life saving program expenditures and channel resources to health care for the next 2-3 months.

We have another disaster looming. Healthcare workers cannot continue to work in this toxic environment without the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

We have noted how health care workers died in countries and economies much tougher than ours. We also note with much trepidation that 4 800 health care workers have been infected by COVID-19 in Italy and that this represents 9% of total cases.

We should not sacrifice any doctor or nurse on the altar of self-imposed poverty in a country that is so well endowed with resources.

It is imperative that government provides forthwith the necessary PPE for health workers so that they can come to work with the confidence that they will return home safely.

At this point in time, we wish to emphasise that we are firmly behind the health workers for demanding proper working conditions in the face of a highly infectious virus. Provision of water at all our hospitals is also non-negotiable.

We urge the government to go the extra mile and give a risk allowance as requested by some health workers. This has been done in the past and it went a long way towards incentivizing the health workers to continue to serve the nation in very dangerous environs.

Any non-availability of health workers from the hospitals and any ensuing disastrous consequences will squarely be on the government’s shoulders.

We further urge the government to institute a total lockdown of our cities and to close all borders except for the most essential travel. Communication with the public is key at all times.

The message on constant hand washing, use of hand sanitisers, social distancing, banning of public gatherings, self-isolation, and working from home whenever possible must be reinforced daily. Telephonic consultations are encouraged at this time to minimize human to human contact.

We wish to appreciate the international community for your valued assistance at this difficult time, our local authorities for the hard work and taking the challenge on head-on under very difficult circumstances, all our health workers in general, and all Zimbabweans for your great fortitude.

We will subdue the virus if we climb with care and confidence, looking after each other’s needs, watching each other’s backs, and prioritizing health care.

H. Madzorera
Secretary for Health & Child Welfare
Movement for Democratic Change

Farai Dziva|A Zimbabwean man, Rashid Salimu is not happy with the way hospitals refused to treat his son.

Salimu tweeted:
My son had a history of wheezing, got into an attack this morning 0230 hours.

We called in an ambulance and took him to his traditional hospital Netlife in Mutare and they refused to attend to him; they said they were closed thus not taking in any new patients.

Meanwhile, the ambulance crew was nebulising him. We had to move to the next hospital Murambi and they too were not taking in any patients.

Left with no choice we went to Mutare General Hospital where he literally received no attention at all. They advised us to come back later.

He was somewhat better after being nebulised by the ambulance crew so we took him back home.

Unfortunately, around 0530 hours he got into another attack and we were helpless knowing what we had gone through earlier. We called Seventh Avenue Medical Centre who said we could come.

Upon arrival wet paid the required amount; they called in the doctor but he refused to come once he knew our son was wheezing.

They ended up refunding us. A friend then gave us Dr Mhlanga’s contact of Uptown Clinic and we explained our situation and he asked us to bring him in.
Only then did he get to be attended to.

Surely is this the way we are handling thus…

It is so heartbreaking to go through what we did this morning as a family, as a parent, as a father. Being so vulnerable and so helpless.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Ace Ambulance crew for the professional service and for the medical team at Uptown Clinic for reaching out in our time of need.

Giant meat producer Colcom has officially confirmed the death of a male worker at their premises yesterday but refuted claims it was related to coronavirus.

Watch the video below…

Farai Dziva|A prison officer identified as Ronald Chiwakaya threatened to shoot MDC activists who were detained at Harare Remand Prison.

Below is a statement written by Stephen Chuma, the MDC Youth Assembly spokesperson who was also arrested for allegedly inciting violence in Chitungwiza:

The rot and squalid conditions at Harare Remand Prison where we were unjustifiably incarcerated for the past 25 days is reflective of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s failed regime.

From every facet, the institution which is located along Enterprise Road has become a symbol of military dictatorship where dissent political voices are subjected to torture and nervous conditions which defiles and defies local and international statutes on rights of detainees.

At the centre of persecution of political detainees is one boastful Ronald Chiwakaya who is the Officer In Charge at the torture institution.

Chiwakaya, an ex-military man with the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is an embodiment of frontal human rights attacks under Mnangagwa’s military dictatorship.

His presence at the remand institution which ideally is for safe keeping of accused remanded in custody is a clear confirmation of state capture by the military.

In one instance, the Officer in Charge called me and 12 other co-accused MDC activists to his office whereupon he pulled his 9 millimetre short gun and pointed at us.

Chiwakaya who is a law unto himself uttered all sorts of polemic attacks on our party and its leadership which he branded as “agents of West”.

Chiwakaya who is a self proclaimed participant of Gukurahundi killings threatened us with death and disappearance citing suspicious murders of fallen MDC leader, Learnmore Jongwe and activist Hilton Tamangani at the hands of state.

As if the threats were not enough, we were made to watch ZANU PF propaganda documentaries for three hours on Friday 20 March and on Tuesday 25 March.

The nervous conditions at Harare Remand Prison where raw sewer flows in cell corridors makes the institution a death trap.

Critical water shortages at the institution compound the situation and as a result there is already fears of typhoid as evidenced by inmates faecal matter laced with blood which could be easily seen in toilets that go for days without water.

With Coronavirus on our doorsteps, there are fears that inmates will be wiped out due to over congestion in cells if the pandemic find its way in prisons.

In spite of all the challenges, threats and persecution, we remain unmoved and unshaken!

Our resolve and conviction for change is still the same.

It’s game on!

Stephen Sarkozy Chuma
MDC Youth Assembly National Spokesperson

Wilkins Hospital says it did all it could to save the life of Zororo Makamba, given the resources at its disposal.

The hospital said before admission into the isolation facility, it took oxygen tanks to his house twice, against standard procedure, which was administered per mask.

Oxygen is normally delivered through a nasal cannula at low concentration levels, but a mask delivers high concentration levels.

While in admission, the hospital said its staff worked flat out together with Makamba’s two private doctors to try and manage his condition. In fact, the first nurse who attended to Makamba upon arrival at the hospital is said to be unwell and presently in isolation.

The local authority is awaiting her test results. This comes amid revelations that all referral and private hospitals in the city had refused to take in Makamba for intensive care, which could have seen him put on a ventilator.

Sadly, Makamba became the first victim to die of coronavirus in the country and the second to test positive of the same. In Covid-19 response, ventilators are used to manage the breathing function of patients. The current set up in the healthcare delivery system is that ventilators are found at referral institutions where serious cases are referred to from a primary healthcare facility.

Wilkins together with Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospitals are under Harare City Council and act as primary healthcare facilities. Ordinarily, any complications requiring special services such as ventilators are referred to central hospitals for further management.

“All central hospitals refused to take him, even private hospitals refused, arguing that it was an infectious case hence should be attended to at the isolation centre.

“This was despite the fact that Wilkins is administered by Harare City Council and have not received any financial resources from central government to upgrade the facility to an ideal isolation centre. As part of our upgrading, we have reserved seven ICU beds with provision for ventilators and we are still resource mobilising to get equipment for those beds.

“Out of the US$6,7 million, which we requested for Covid -19 response, we were only given $100 000, which is yet to reflect in our account. We were given an unfunded mandate. By declaring the outbreak a national emergency, we expected financial assistance to upgrade the facility to an ideal isolation centre. Now its appearing as if Covid-19 is a Harare City Council responsibility.

“All central hospitals are now referring all cases here, including some which do not even meet the screening criteria, thereby overburdening our staff, which are already demotivated by the negative comments coming from clients. All facilities should be doing assessments before referring cases here.

“Already, staff has started coming up with excuses not to come to work,” said Harare City Council director for health services Dr Prosper Chonzi.

Asked why Makamba was put in an ordinary ward with no adequate facilities to take care of his condition, Dr Chonzi said at the time he was admitted, the wing which was previously reserved for coronavirus cases was undergoing renovations, facilitated by the Chinese Government and the hospital had to improvise. Refurbishments are expected to be completed by weekend.

“Not all Covid-19 patients require ventilators, a majority will recover without them. It is unfortunate, we started with one of the worse cases which required a ventilator.

“However, in our preparedness plan, we had budgeted for seven ventilators for the ICU beds and as said before, we are yet to get funding to fully equip these rooms,” said Dr Chonzi.

Dr Chonzi said Covid-19 national response required “all hands on deck” instead of shifting all the burden to the local authority administered facility. “There is need to invest more in this isolation facility. We need to make sure that serious cases go somewhere else. Our frontline workers are demotivated, they need risk allowances and they think someone in management has taken their money when in actual fact nothing has come down to us.”

A quick tour of the facility showed that indeed the wing, which many authorities assessed for preparedness previously, was under renovations. This makes management of any serious cases difficult under current circumstances. Floors, walls, handwashing basins, waste are all being spruced up.

There are also rooms with sockets for ventilators, but are not yet ready for use.

The Herald also witnessed a dozen people waiting to be screened.  Although no exact figures could be provided immediately, authorities at the hospital said nearly 200 people were screened between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Responding to the funding gap, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo yesterday said Government was in the process of mobilising more resources for response.

He said the response plan has since been revised upwards to US$100 million.

-State Media

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 $44.8
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $43.8
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $41
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $32.70

More: marketwatch.co.zw

By A Correspondent- Former husband to the former first lady Grace Mugabe Stanley Goreraza has blasted Emmerson Mnangagwa over the appointment of his Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri on the coronavirus taskforce.

Muchinguri, who was quoted in the media globally mocking the western countries over the pandemic which she said was punishment to the West for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe is sitting on the recently established Coronavirus Taskforce.

Said Muchinguri, in a statement while addressing Zanu Pf supporters:

“This coronavirus that has come are sanctions against the countries that have imposed sanctions on us.

God is now punishing them now and they are staying indoors now while their economy is screaming like what they did to ours by imposing sanctions on us.

(US President Donald) Trump should know that he is not God. They (US) must face the consequences of coronavirus so that they also feel the pain.”

Goreraza however blasted the appointment of Muchinguri on the 11 member taskforce and said ::

“Muchinguri ‘s appointment of Oppah Muchinguri to the coronavirus task force brings out his drunken approach to his duties and the humourless jokes he is well known for. He thinks he is a funny man but nothing about the coronavirus is funny and Oppah Muchinguri is a big walking-talking joke. The day Mnangagwa leaves or is forced out of office, is the day most people who do not drink alcohol will partake, get drunk and remember that day of great joy forever.”

The ministers involved in the taskforce are Dr Obadiah Moyo who is the chairman (Health and Child Care), July Moyo who is the deputy chair (Local Government and Public Works), Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Defence and War Veterans Affairs), Kazembe Kazembe (Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage), Dr Sibusiso Moyo (Foreign Affairs and International Trade), Joel Biggie Matiza (Transport and Infrastructural Development), Mangaliso Ndlovu (Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry), Professor Mthuli Ncube (Finance and Economic Development), Professor Amon Murwira (Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science Technology Development and Monica Mutsvangwa (Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services).

By A Correspondent- Two people in Mutare have been tested for Covid-19 after exhibiting symptoms consistent with the disease.

Acting Manicaland provincial medical director Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga said the samples had been sent to Harare and they were waiting for results.

He said one of the two suspected cases was admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital where he had presented with Malaria symptoms.

“We have taken samples from two people and we are waiting for the results. One is self-isolating at home while we wait for the results and we have been following up on them.

“The one at Mutare Provincial Hospital tested positive for Malaria but the doctor who attended to him noticed that he was also exhibiting some symptoms consistent with Covid-19 and a test was ordered,” said Dr Mukuzunga.

He said the patient was still at the hospital but recovering well.-ManicaPost

By Jane Mlambo| Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba is set to meet the Makamba family to listen to their grievances and address issues that need clarification as he commits to deal with the controversies surrounding the death of their son Zororo on Monday morning.

The Makamba family came out guns blazing against Wilkins hospital, minister of health and child care as well as the first family whom they accused of sleeping on duty resulting in the death of their son.

Gomba has taken to social media on countless times trying to clarify issues following wide condemnation of the city run medical facility.

Today the municipality announced that Gomba will meet with the Makamba family as part of investigations into circumstances surrounding the death of Zororo.

“His Worship Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba has undertaken to meet the Makamba family to hear them out and address any pertinent issues arising from the events,” City of Harare said in a statement.

“Council takes this opportunity to advise stakeholders that despite Wilkins Hospital being a council facility, during times of crisis and strife like this one – our institution comes under the direct management of government.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested negative for the Covid-19 virus, his office said on Thursday. 

Ramaphosa was tested as a precautionary measure on Tuesday, following the advice of his physician. He received his results last night, presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko said. 

“As head of state and chair of the National Command Council (NCC), the president has a rigorous public engagement schedule and has, during the course of the past few weeks, held numerous meetings with a wide cross-section of people from all walks of life,” she said.

Last week, it came to light that African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Kenneth Meshoe had attended a church gathering in Bloemfontein earlier this month, after which five of the participants had tested positive for the Covid-19.

Ramaphosa had been in contact with Meshoe, when he met with leaders of opposition political parties following the declaration of a national state of disaster. Meshoe, who has been asymptomatic since his participation in that gathering, announced on social media on March 22 that he had been tested.

The presidency, at the time, welcomed Meshoe’s adherence to testing and said Ramaphosa was in good health, that there was no cause for concern about his healt,h and that there was no need for the president to be tested. 

On Thursday, Diko said the presidency deemed it necessary to make Ramaphosa’s test results public to reassure the nation that he is in good health and continuing with his duties.  

In line with international guidelines, as well as those of the national department of health, testing is recommended if you experience symptoms; if you live in or recently travelled to an area with cases of Covid-19; or if you have been in close contact with someone known to have the coronavirus. 

At midnight on Thursday, SA will start a 21-day national lockdown to try to curb the spread of the virus. 

There have been no new infection figures released as yet, but on Wednesday SA’s infection count, excluding recoveries, was at 709, with all nine provinces affected. 

-Businesslive

By A Correspondent- Some tenants in Zimbabwe have proposed that the government issue an order directing property owners to suspend rentals for some time.

Tenants argue that the majority of people shall be without income for a sustained period of time owing to measures which the country implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

One anonymous tenant said:

Hello Admin, due to the prevailing situation we are out of work and as you know about 90% of our population is unemployed. I was suggesting that the government may take an extra measure to say during this certain period no one is going to demand rentals from tenants. Really soon a lot of people will be kicked out and die because of hunger. Thank you.

The government recently announced a raft of measures including the closure of borders, bracket ban on public gatherings including churches, bars, gyms and others to reduce the spread and transmission of the novel coronavirus.

The measures have unintended consequences including unemployment as companies suspend services or de-congest to uphold the government’s directive.

This worsens an already existing economic and humanitarian crisis in the country characterised by inflation, shortage of mealie-meal and other ills.

Following the downing of tools by ZIMRA employees at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport yesterday, the revenue collection authority has put in place a number of measures to safeguard their employees including operating on skeleton stuff and reducing client visits to their offices.

Below is the full statement from ZIMRA….

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is aware that due to the nature of the daily work and the positioning of our offices, stations and ports of entry, our staff are at high risk in terms of exposure to COVID-19, Coronavirus. It is ZIMRA’s top priority to safeguard our employees and our clients during this difficult time while we secure the necessary revenue for Government.

In line with the State of the Nation address by His Excellence, E.D Mnangagwa, on the Corona Virus and measures the government has taken, ZIMRA encourages clients to reduce physical visits to our offices.

In the interest of safeguarding employees, directed by the guidelines from the World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health and Childcare, approaches and protocols implemented in other countries, ZIMRA has implemented measures to mitigate the likely impact and risks of this viral
threat to operations and human life.

Current measures include but are not limited to:
· All ZIMRA stations and offices maintaining critical skeleton staff
· Staff have been provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitizers
· Staff work from home where practical
· Staff interact with clients/agents via electronic means
· In the case of suspected cases and or exposure amongst staff, the staff members in question are immediately quarantined and the Health Officials are alerted
· As a mitigating measure against the spread of COVID-19 virus, clients are encouraged to access, utilise the available ZIMRA e-service facilities on www.efiling.zimra.co.zw or www.zimra.co.zw and reduce the risks associated with travelling or handling physical documents
· Stamping officers wear appropriate protective clothing during the processing of documents
ZIMRA encourages everyone to put their health and safety first at all times while remembering that responsible behavior at an individual level will help safeguard our loved ones, the community and the wider Zimbabwean society.
· No TIP applications are being accepted over the counter.
· No manual TIP’s are being issued.
· All face-to-face meetings with clients are suspended, and the use of electronic means of communication is encouraged.
· For ZIMRA bank details, please visit the ZIMRA website www.zimra.co.zw.

Clients can access the following services online:
· Use of the eTIP platform is mandatory.
· Online Submission of Tax Returns (currently Income Tax, PAYE, Value Added Tax, and Capital Gains Tax).
· Processing of the eTIP’s to be done through the system and client to receive notification through SMS or email informing him/her of the processed TIP and reference number.
· All verifications of processed eTIP’s are verified online.
· Viewing of Taxpayers’ Accounts Status and Balances.
· Online updating of information (submission of REV2 Form).
· Online application for Tax Clearances (ITF263).
· Online verification and validation of existing Tax Clearances (ITF263).
· Online registration in order to obtain a ZIMRA Business Partner Number (BP).

By A Correspondent- Two men have been charged with attempted murder in South Africa for reportedly going out after testing positive for coronavirus.

Police minister Bheki Cele who announced the charges at a press conference on Wednesday March 25, accused the men of exposing others to the virus.

He said;

“IF YOU BREAK THESE LAWS OF REGULATIONS YOU ARE SIX MONTHS IN, OR FINED, OR BOTH.

“TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED ALREADY… WHO DELIBERATELY MOVED AROUND AFTER THEY WERE TOLD.

“SO IT’S NOT A FAIRYTALE TO SAY THE LAW WILL ACT AND ACT VERY HARSH ON YOU. THE FIRST CASE WAS A 52-YEAR OLD SALON OWNER DIAGNOSED WITH CORONAVIRUS ON MARCH 18 AND INSTRUCTED TO QUARANTINE FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS.

“THE SECOND CHARGE WAS FILED AGAINST A MALE TOURIST WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 WHILE ON HOLIDAY AT KRUGER NATIONAL PARK.”

Police spokesperson, Vish Naidoo said the first suspect was arrested on Tuesday March 24 after local officials raised an alarm of a coronavirus case being seen around the western city of Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province.

The foreign tourist who also tested positive for the virus, reportedly ignored instruction of remaining in his hotel. He interacted “with an unknown number of people” at nearby town of Saint Lucia before being arrested.

Though President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a 21-day lockdown beginning on Thursday March 26, South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections on the continent, with 709 cases confirmed so far.

By A Correspondent- A post-election fight erupted between Zanu PF and MDC polling agents at a polling station in the Chegutu ward 2 by-election, but independent election lobby group, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) has accused the two of fanning violence.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and former Zanu PF political commissar, Webster Shamu have been implicated in the violence that rocked the Chegutu ward 2 by-election at the weekend.

According to the Zesn preliminary report released on Sunday, violence broke out after the arrival of Ziyambi in the company of Shamu.

“The political environment in the ward was reported to be peaceful from morning until around 6pm when Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi is said to have passed by Madhatter Pre-school polling station in the company of former Zanu PF political commissar Webster Shamu,” part of the report read.

“Zesn observers reported having witnessed the Justice minister reaching out to a Zanu PF agent who was tracking polling proceedings outside the polling station. An altercation broke out with MDC Alliance agents and party supporters with the latter accusing the Zanu PF provincial leadership of trying to ‘rig the election’,” the statement read.

The election lobby group said political parties and their supporters should demonstrate restraint during campaigns and on the election day and desist from any actions that may enhance political tensions during electoral campaigns and polling.

“Tensions between the two political parties’ supporters were reported to have been high during the day with supporters from both parties congregating within 300 metres of the polling station, at different intervals,” Zesn noted.

“This is in violation of provisions outlined under the Fourth Schedule of the Electoral Act which forbids campaigning on election day and also holding party activities within 300 metres of polling stations.”

Zesn said despite the post voting altercations, the preparations for the by-election went according to expected standards which it said was a good practice by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

The MDC retained the seat in the Saturday by-election, with its candidate Charles Chinamira pulling 240 votes against Zanu PF candidate’s Prosper Mutongerwa who got 184 votes. The seat fell vacant following the death of MDC Alliance councillor, Memory Banda in December last year.-Nehanda

By A Correspondent- Opposition leader Linda Masarira has challenged the MDC led by Nelson Chamisa and his deputy Tendai Biti to stop playing politics with human life and instead use their claimed Western donor friends to source medical equipment for Zimbabweans.

This follows claims by Biti that Zanu-PF bigwigs were working with a private medical expert to set up their own medical facility where health practitioners will be reportedly paid allowances in US dollars while the rest of the ordinary people will make do with under resourced public hospitals.

Biti made the claims on social media Wednesday afternoon.

Responding to the claims, LEAD President Linda Masarira urged the opposition to stop politics and focus on the task of ensuring lives were saved from the ravaging coronavirus.

“Tendai Biti and the MDC cabal should stop this nonsense asap. The whole world is faced with the coronavirus pandemic and no opposition party across the globe is politicking with COVID-19 instead world over politicians are working together to find solutions that work to rid their countries of this deadly disease,” she told a local publication.

“WE EXPECT ALL MDC OFFICIALS TO BE MATURE AND STOP SPREADING MALICIOUS AND UNFOUNDED PROPAGANDA FOR POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.

“I am sure most Zimbabweans will be happy to see the MDC using their western donors, friends and partners to assist with buying ventilators, masks, gloves, sanitizers and other essential medical supplies during this trying time instead of being masters of propaganda to settle cheap political scores.”

Masarira said on her side, her party was mobilising resources from its membership as well as partners to join in the fight against the coronavirus. Among the materials they are sourcing is food, she added.

“As LEAD we are busy in talks with potential donors for food hampers to distribute to the poor and vulnerable when the times get tough. Food security is a major issue we are worried about as a party and we are appealing with all political parties to work together with the government to help with accurate information dissemination on how to fight COVID-19.

“We are also advising people to stay at home and protect their communities. Let us all be responsible citizens and stop spreading propaganda.

“Zimbabwe needs all of us united in our diversity inspiring hope and working towards curbing coronavirus,” said Masarira.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Child Care Obadiah Moyo has dismissed as fakes reports that Zanu-PF was contracting its benefactors to set up its own medical facility for the ruling party elites.

Speaking on ZTN online TV on Wednesday evening, Moyo said all facilities resourced from Government funds will be open to the public.

It has since emerged that Sakunda Holdings has identified St. Annes Hospital in Avondale as well as the now defunct Rock Foundation Medical Centre in Mt. Pleasant and intends to set up emergency medical facility to complement Government efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

It is envisaged that if all proceedings are done on time, one of the facilities will be operational by Wednesday next week if the program goes according to plan.

Sakunda Holdings officials have already toured the health facilities and have so far moved their personnel at Rock Foundation Medical Centre after working with local medical experts and specialist to identify what is required while negotiations are currently underway with management at St Annes Hospital amid indications that the company is ready to foot all the refurbishment bills.-Online

By A Correspondent- The City of Harare says it is instituting investigations into the allegations raised by the family of the late Zororo Makamba over the shambolic state of preparedness of the Council-owned Wilkins Hospital to take care of coronavirus patients.

This follows the death last Monday of television personality Zororo Makamba after a recent trip to the New York, in which he died at Wilkins Hospital amid reports the facility failed to provide the necessary services as he had underlying health conditions.

In a statement Thursday, the city said Mayor Herbert Gomba is set to meet the Makamba family over the matter. The City of Harare also said it is carrying out its own investigations into the circumstances.

“Harare City Council is instituting investigations in what happened at Wilkins Hospital when the late Mr Zororo Makamba was admitted. The investigation follows comments by the Makamba family over allegations of impropriety in the manner the patient was handled.

“In the meantime His Worship Harare Mayor Cllr Herbert Gomba has undertaken to meet the Makamba family to hear them out and address any pertinent issues arising from the events.

“Council takes this opportunity to advise stakeholders that despite Wilkins Hospital being a council facility, during times of crisis and strife like this one – our institution comes under the direct management of Government,” said the Council.

“The city’s health facilities including Wilkins and Beatrice Infectious Diseases Hospital are designed to cater for primary health care with complicated cases being referred to referral hospitals.

“Ordinarily our clinics and hospitals therefore do not have some of the equipment needed for complicated issues.

“The current crisis requires all stakeholders to pull resources together to fight the scourge. Currently the city is funding all activities around the pandemic which include contact tracing, case management, risk communication. Council has had to virement funds from other votes to support the COVID-19 fight.”

Council hopes that the refurbishment to the facility which is funded by the Chinese business community will help with better service delivery in future.

“The hospital is currently undergoing renovations to the tune of US$100 000. The work is funded by Chinese business people under the supervision of the Chinese Embassy who are dealing directly with the contractors,” it said.-Online

PRESIDENT TESTS NEGATIVE FOR #CORONAVIRUS

President Cyril Ramaphosa has tested negative for the novel #coronavirus (#COVID19).

— The Presidency ?? (@PresidencyZA) March 26, 2020

By A Correspondent- The United States Embassy in Harare also advised that there is a flight leaving Zimbabwe tomorrow and advised US citizens who may be interested in leaving Zimbabwe to make arrangements as soon as possible. 

Writing on social media, the US Embassy said:

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe is aware of only one airline with one departing flight on Friday, March 27 at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are strongly urged to make travel arrangements.

While flights are still available. FLIGHTS MUST BE RESERVED BY 1PM TODAY – so please send an email to [email protected]; or message WhatsApp at + 263 782 716 136 with your full name, DOB, and the number of tickets required so we can ask the airline to hold seats.

You will also need to go to the Ethiopian Airline Office today at 159 Second Street Extension (Golden Stairs) in Harare to pay for the tickets. Tickets that are not paid for today will not be ticketed in time for a Friday flight.

By A Correspondent- A High Court judge’s son and his two accomplices allegedly robbed a Harare cellphone dealer popularly known as Sypho of all his 4 handsets before fatally stabbing him and dumping his corpse in a Ruwa bush.

Munyaradzi Junior Mawadze (21), who is the son of Masvingo resident judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze, was arrested together with Elvin Dongo Saungweme (22) and Dylon Balani (22) for murder on Wednesday.

The trio is said to have posed as cellphone buyers and took Sypho from his trading area  near Chicken Slice food court, along Angwa Street, before driving to Waterfalls where they robbed him of his four cellphones.

The allegedly stabbed him several times then proceeded to dump the body after the fact.

The incident is said to have occurred on the 12th of March 2020.

Sypho had already been reported missing by members of his family. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide squad took over the case last week and the investigation trail led to the discovery of the gruesome murder.

The investigating team got information that Sypho was last seen in the company of Mawadze, a first-year law student at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).

Mawadze was arrested in Masvingo after the police launched a manhunt for him.

Mawadze confessed to the murder after the police brought him in to to assist with further investigations

He also implicated his two accomplices and led the police to Ruwa where they had dumped the corpse. 

The body was recovered in a state of decomposition and was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for post-mortem.

The three were yesterday still in custody and are expected to appear in court today.-StateMedia

Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine has become one of the first musicians to release a song that educates and conscientize society on the global pandemic that has ravaged the world causing thousands of deaths.

In the video below, Bobi Wine reinforces the message that has been repeated over and over again by WHO and other health experts that is washing of hands, self quarantine while encouraging people that though everyone is a potential victim, everyone is also a potential solution.

Watch and enjoy….

‪MDC President Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer, advocate Thabani has threatened to take a radical step against the establishment of an elite only Coronavirus Hospital by ZANU PF top shots.

In an emotional social media statement, Mpofu said he will strip open the proposed hospital and make it open for the poor to get treatment.

Below is his statement:

“I will March to this private looters clinic and open its doors to the masses.‬

‪We have had enough of this nonsense and the time to put it to an end is now. Corona is more dangerous than a bullet.‬

‪Join me as we liberate our people, I will lead.” ‬

‪Advocate Thabani Mpofu‬
25 March, 2020

Fellow Zimbabweans,
 
These are extraordinary times in and for Zimbabwe.
 
In such times, we cannot continue to do the ordinary nor can we afford to bury our heads in the sand like an ostrich.
 
We cannot conduct public affairs in terms of the old normal when we are faced with a new
normal.The new normal is abnormal.
 
The situation occasioned by the coronavirus is extraordinary, and it has resulted in a new and
dangerous normal.
 
Against this backdrop, Our nation sadly notes the tragic death of Zororo Makamba. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Makamba family.
 
Our great nation is facing a catastrophic coronavirus pandemic that is threatening the lives of the people. Although the deadly virus has not reached a spike in the number of the reported infections, we cannot afford to complacent in our efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic.  
 
We take note that some measures have been put in place to combat the coronavirus. Zimbabwe’s development partners and civil society have complemented government measures in a commendable way.
 
While these interventions have gone quite some considerable way to address the pandemic, much more still needs to be done by all of us working together with a common purpose to raise public awareness of the coronavirus; protect the health of the people and safeguard their
livelihoods.
 
It has been brought to my attention that the extent of our health infrastructure is grossly
inadequate to cope with the looming pandemic. Our Intensive Care Units are limited in number and poorly equipped. We lack Personal Protective Equipment for our health workers. Our hospitals are poorly staffed, and medicines are in short supply at our health institutions. Generally, Zimbabwe’s preparedness is awfully inadequate.
 
In the circumstances, it is clear that the country needs a systematic lock down to enable the adoption of drastic measures to deal with the coronavirus. In this regard, I recommend
that we must:
 
• Immediately unite all Zimbabweans to fight the virus as Team Zimbabwe.
 
• Close all borders and have detection and testing mechanisms at all our borders.
 
• People arriving from high risk countries must go into a mandatory 21-day quarantine. Mandatory testing must then be undertaken.
 
• Avail urgent support for nurses and doctors who are already working long hours with little support. Tools for trade for our frontline healthcare workers and other care givers. 
 
• Limit number of passengers in buses, ban all standing and order all public transport vehicles to have hand sanitisers.

• Equip and designate hospitals in all the provinces to handle coronavirus patients
 
• Discourage all gatherings other than funerals. 
 
• Call upon Mobile Network Operators and Internet service providers to assist by availing  cheaper data and sms charges for effective information dissemination. Online platforms should be utilized optimally to enhance effectiveness of social distancing
 
• We call on government to consider tax rebates and waive duties to enable Philanthropists to bring in protective clothing, hand sanitizers, ventilators and other critical equipment and supplies.

• Government must provide masks, gloves and sanitizers at subsidized prices and provide these for free where possible.

• Issue special incentives to enable corporates and well-wishers to provide water and other necessities to the poor and vulnerable.
 
• All employees that can work from home and in isolation must be allowed to do so
especially those in non-essential services.
 
• Open more well-equipped testing and quarantine zones.
 
• Have central government allocating foreign currency to local authorities for purposes of
water treatment and provision in all the residential areas.

In addition to all the above, we must reorganize government and state organs to ensure that they are organized effectively to respond to the crisis. We must with immediate effect implement the following:
 
• Refocus arms of government and departments into a business unusual mode and into an emergency mode. Our men and women in uniform must be in an active mode to do what they know best in their civilian obligations.
 
• Reorganize capacity to detect, test, track, isolate, quarantine and treat the disease.
 
• Engage the Private sector and business to do more in fighting the pandemic, including setting up an emergency response fund.  
 
• Have an Independent fund and Budget reallocations to pool resources and redeploy
them to fight the pandemic.

 •Mobilise Food handouts to vulnerable members of our society who are facing food shortages who will be affected by a lock down.

•Small businesses and Vendors need a special support mechanism to prevent collapse

•Constant information and communication through media briefings daily.
 
Given the parlous state of the economy, and in particular the scarcity of resources, I appeal
to churches, civil society and the international community to assist this collective endeavour with all the necessary support to deal with this pandemic.
 
In the same spirit, I call upon our faith leaders and indeed the whole nation to unite in prayer
as we fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
 
Remember to always wash your hands!
 
God bless you.
God bless Zimbabwe.
God bless Africa and the whole World.
 
Thank you.
 
Nelson Chamisa
MDC PRESIDENT

GroundUp Media|Former members of the Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries in Cape Town have accused the church of scamming them out of money they invested in housing and other projects

Founded in 2012 by Walter Magaya, Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries is one of the controversial prosperity gospel churches in southern Africa that have lured a multitude of followers. The ministry has branches in Zimbabwe, Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Zambia and Australia.

The disgruntled members had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a subsidiary of the church’s investment arm, giving them rights to a residential stand in Zimbabwe, but the company has neither delivered the stand nor reimbursed their money as promised.

The agreements were signed with Planet Africa, or with its subsidiary Yadah Connect. Planet Africa is described in the MOU as “the investment arm of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries”.

The MOU says “Planet Africa in 2016 launched housing projects around Zimbabwe to give effect to PHD Ministries’ Redemption Program, whose objective is to see every partner of PHD Ministries owning a house of their own”.

The MOU, of which GroundUp has copies, recorded an offer by “partners” to purchase a residential stand “in any area in Zimbabwe where the seller has acquired and is developing and subdividing the land into individual residential stands, upon completion of such subdivision”. The seller (Yadah) accepted the offer “subject to availability” in the location chosen by the partner.

The price of each stand was to be determined later, depending on location and size.

Meanwhile the “partners” undertook to pay a deposit of $1,000 as a “commitment fee”.

The church promised to allocate the residential stands after the land had been subdivided by the municipality. Meanwhile “partners” were to make further payments over two years, according to what they could afford. In the MOU they acknowledged that the land was not yet subdivided but that they would nevertheless start making payments.

The MOU also states that Yadah had to “service the land within a reasonable time from the date of signature of this MOU” and in any event not later than two years. If the partner did not keep up the payments during the two years, 80% of his or her investment was to be refunded. If, on the other hand, Yadah failed to subdivide the land within the time frame, the company was to pay the investor “the full amount paid” plus 20%.

More than three years later, the members say, the church has failed to deliver a residential stand or to refund their money. GroundUp has not managed to reach the church for comment, in spite of repeated attempts.

Kanonhuwa Daniel is owed $4,000 (about R70,000 at current exchange rates). He invested in the housing project after he sold his cows in Zimbabwe. On 8 November 2019, he was stabbed and hospitalised for about two months. He then requested a refund to buy his family food and pay rent. He claims the Cape Town officials said they could only pay him R23,000. Since then he has been battling to get any money at all.

Another former member, who did not want to be named, said she had invested $5,000 (approximately R86,000 at current exchange rates) in 2016.

Section 6 of the housing project MOA she signed in 2016 states: “In fulfilment of the terms of this mutual understanding the seller shall service the land within a reasonable time from the date of signature of this MOA, which in any event shall not extend beyond a period of two years from the date of signature.” Clause 9 states, “The duration of this MOA shall be 24 months of the date of signature of an agreement of sale for a specific, fully described residential stand.”

She said in December 2018 she went to Zimbabwe for a meeting with Magaya at the Yadah Hotel in Harare, planning to get her money back. She said the meeting was attended by a huge crowd of other investors.

At the meeting some people pulled out of the investment deal but were paid in Zimbabwean bond notes, not in the US dollars they had invested. Zimbabwean bond notes are banknotes in circulation in Zimbabwe released by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. They have replaced the Zimbabwean dollar since the collapse of the economy in the past decade. 1 US dollar is equivalent to 361 bond notes.

Those who had paid $1,000 were reimbursed in 1,000 bond notes, said the former member.

“I desperately wanted my money but didn’t claim it back because I wanted my $5,000, not bond notes.”

Since then she has been trying to get her money back, without success.

Another former member, who refused to be named, paid Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries $4,400 (R76,000) in instalments between 2016 and 2017. GroundUp has seen the receipts. He has not been given a residential stand and he too is battling to get any of his money back.

The member said the church had breached clause 10 of the housing project agreement which reads:

“The MOA shall be terminated if the seller fails to subdivide its land within the stipulated time frames of twenty four months from the date of signature of the MOA. The purchaser shall be entitled to cancel the agreement and reclaim a refund of the full amount paid by the purchaser plus 20%”.

Members say the church is not following dispute procedures outlined in Planet Africa company agreements. Clause 6 states: “All disputes in connection with the terms of this agreement shall be resolved amicably, through the most senior officer at Yadah Connect from time to time. In the event that the dispute remains unsolved for 30 working days, the aggrieved party may refer the dispute to arbitration.”

“Instead, we are getting intimidated, threatened and mocked by the Cape Town office where we paid our money,” said Ephraim Shonhiwa, spokesperson for the group of disgruntled investors.

GroundUp met Shonhiwa in February at the offices of People Against Suffering and Oppression (Passop) where they were seeking help. He said people had been lured into investing in PHD’s housing and other projects through the church’s television station, Yadah TV. He and others had thought the projects were above board, he said, especially since the Cape Town office of the church had issued “receipts”. GroundUp has seen the receipts, which do not specify what the money was paid for.

He said Magaya could do what he liked with tithes and offerings from members of his congregation. “But we want the money we paid for business refunded.”

In an email to GroundUp on 3 March, Reverend Lionel Louw, Western Cape chairperson of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) encouraged the affected church members to lay charges with SAPS and to report the church to the South African Human Rights Commission.

“We in the SACC view with great concern the unfolding of the Prosperity Gospel events. We have to look afresh at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as He identified with the poor and marginalised. These contemporary events contradict what we experience in Jesus Christ. We urge those who have fallen victim to financial scams to allow the law to take its course in respect of the perpetrators of these schemes. We encourage them to seek redress through the justice system.”

On 24 February GroundUp contacted Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries via email and attached receipts of the money paid by the complainants. The email was ignored. On the same day, a WhatsApp message was sent to the church’s spokesperson Admire Mango. He read the allegations but did not respond.

On 25 February GroundUp called three times on the office number listed on the church website [0717523715] which is said to belong to the Western Cape leader, Albertina but it was ignored. GroundUp then called Joy who works in the office when Albertina didn’t pick up. Joy listened to all the allegations till the end but instead of replying she dropped the call. When GroundUp attempted to call her for the third time in the late afternoon, she dropped the call again.

On 9 March when GroundUp saw that Mango was online, we asked for a response to our questions but he ignored the request. GroundUp called several times on his mobile number, but he didn’t pick up.

SAKUNDA Holdings and its associates have come up with a multi-million dollar initiative to resuscitate and equip Rock Foundation Medical Centre and St Annes Hospital as a way of complementing Government efforts in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virus has so far claimed one person in Zimbabwe and President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been calling on the private sector to assist the government.

The two health facilities which have been identified by Sakunda Holdings have been idle for a long time and will be used for COVID -19 response only.

The company, which is currently undergoing several relevant processes, wants the medical facilities to be open to everyone contrary.

It is envisaged that if all proceedings are done on time, one of the facilities will be operational by Wednesday next week if the program goes according to plan.

Sakunda Holdings officials have already toured the health facilities and have so far moved their personnel at Rock Foundation Medical Centre after working with local medical experts and specialist to identify what is required while negotiations are currently underway with management at St Annes Hospital amid indications that the company is ready to foot all the refurbishment bills.

In Correspondence between Sakunda Holdings and government, the firm indicated its desire to complement government efforts when they wrote to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care seeking licenses.

ALSO ON ZIMVOICE:
China undertakes to revamp Wilkins Hospital
“The government of Zimbabwe has implemented a raft of measures to curb and control the outbreak of the disease albeit under tough economic circumstances.

“It is against this background that Sakunda Holdings (PVT) Ltd and its associates have come up with a private initiative to complement government efforts to curb this pandemic specifically in the provision of health facilities, equipment, training and vaccines. Sakunda has identified Rock Foundation Medical Centre as a facility in the fight against COVID-19,” said the letter signed by Everton Mlalazi in charge of Special Projects at Sakunda holdings.

The firm is requesting the government to facilitate the engagement with relevant bodies to expedite the process in view of the urgency required to deal with the pandemic.

“Licenses will be sought from the following bodies: MCAZ, Pharmacists Council, Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, Medical and Dental Council of Zimbabwe and Health Professions Authority,” said Mlalazi.

Ministry of Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva wrote to St Annes Hospital Manager expressing satisfaction following a tour which officials from the ministry and executives from Sakunda holdings had at their health facility.

“The team was satisfied with what they saw during the tour and would like you to finalise our request. Please note that we have since identified Sakunda holdings (copied) to be our partner to work with us and yourselves to do all the remaining renovations and refurbishments necessary for the hospital to function in the shortest period of time.

ALSO ON ZIMVOICE:
Africa’s Presidents defy own travel bans as COVID-19 cases reach 1,000
“Sakunda Holdings has confirmed that they have the resources and funding to do the work and hence refurbishments will not be at your costs. May you also note as discussed during the tour of your hospital our request to use this facility is for up to six months only for the COVID-19 response,” said Dr Mahovha.

Sakunda Holdings wants to use its resources and support government in the provision of health facilities, equipment, training of medical personnel and vaccines.

Zimbabwe has three confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Zimbabwe Voice

State Media |THE shortage of various goods, services and cash has seen most people failing to maintain social distances as they spend long hours in queues where they risk contracting or spreading Covid-19.

Government banned the gathering of over 50 people but demand for certain goods and services outstrips supply hence members of the public are forced not to observe social distancing.

Social distancing and self-isolation are some of the measures that the public can implement to prevent the spread of coronavirus that has infected three people in Zimbabwe, killing one of the patients.

Over the past few days, there has been queueing and scrambling for $70 subsidised mealie-meal that is available in a few shops. The situation has been worsened by the blundering Bulawayo City Council (BCC) that has failed to supply residents with water since last Friday due to maintenance works.

Constant washing of hands is seen as a measure that the public can use to also minimise the spread of the lethal virus. Use of sanitiser, avoiding crowds as well as avoiding hugging or shaking hands are also recommended in fighting Covid-19.

However, scores of Bulawayo residents could not avoid crowds yesterday as they were fetching water at boreholes, vandalised hydrants and public institutions which had water.

There were also queues at financial institutions that include CABS, CBZ and Steward Bank in the CBD, something that started well before the outbreak of Covid-19.

At bus ranks, there were long queues and buses including those belonging to Zupco that were overloaded. Some people were packed in open trucks that are cheaper. No-one was being sanitised. Even for kombis, it was business as usual.

A Chronicle news crew observed that at Econet shops there are posters on walls educating members of the public about measures they should take to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but clients do not observe social distancing. Crowds, mainly people having challenges with the company’s Ecocash platform after their monies are deducted but the transaction is not successful, constitute the largest number of people visiting the shops.

Econet Zimbabwe media and corporate affairs executive Mr Fungai Mandiveni could not be reached for comment yesterday over Ecocash glitches that force people into desperation, hence exposing themselves to the virus.

A Chronicle news crew also noticed large gatherings of more than 100 people at cemeteries and market places, in defiance of the social distancing measures.

At Athlone cemetery at around 11AM, several buses and cars offloaded people burying loved ones.

At the market place along 5th Avenue it was business as usual as vendors sold their products without observing any social distance.

Even clients were not paying attention to the need to maintain the distances to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Residents who spoke to news crew said with the prevailing shortages of goods and cash they have no option but to queue.

Mr Jameson Phiri, who was in a mealie-meal queue, in the central business district said to stop the crowding of people in shops, the market should be flooded with the needed goods. “Most of us who are queuing here have been in different shops just following details of where mealie-meal has been delivered. Some of us have queued in more than three shops but we are still to get the mealie meal. If one of us gets coronavirus we will all contract it. We can’t be thinking of social distancing when we don’t have food in our homes. Do we die of hunger while protecting ourselves from coronavirus through social distancing and self-isolation?” asked Mr Phiri.

Another resident, Mrs Catherine Gava said they cannot afford mealie meal which is sold in black market in cash and queried why Government was not dealing with those who are causing the shortages.

Mrs Melita Mtikani said people have to queue for cash at banks because goods are cheaper when buying using it.

“We don’t need to be queuing for cash, they should find ways of ensuring that cash is available in the city without any hassles. If all those small things are attended to, we won’t see people in queues. But as it stands, we have no option but spend our time in queues despite the knowledge that coronavirus is spread through social contacts,” said Mrs Mtikani.

A resident who was fetching water at a water hydrant in Lobengula Extension suburb, Mrs Thandeka Thonsi, said following Saturday’s water cuts, they have been spending a lot of time queuing for water exposing themselves to both waterborne diseases and the coronavirus.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube urged residents to follow laid down isolation and self-distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“I sincerely understand the plight faced by most citizens. But it is important that we also contribute in ensuring that the virus does not spread by abiding to recommendations made by Government. We should also not lose sight that we are still in a drought situation. Government is doing its part to ensure that there is mealie-meal in the country. We should also shop responsibly by stopping to hoard products,” said Cde Ncube.

BCC senior public relations officer Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said council was resource constrained to place sanitisers in boreholes to prevent the virus from spreading among those fetching water.

She said council was, however, also sensitising the public to on the need of maintaining social distances but residents should also play their part in ensuring its success.

“We are encouraging residents to pay for services using online platforms. Notices have been placed in various revenue halls across the city and in case one physically visits our offices we encourage them to maintain social distance. We are also waiting for Covid-19 resources from the central Government where resources are being mobilised from. We are also utilising our limited resources to buy sanitisers which we are gradually distributing to various departments that mainly deal with members of the public,” she said.

The news crew observed that at the Revenue Hall in the CBD, the council’s staff were educating the public about social distancing.

State Media|WORK to upgrade Wilkins Infectious Disease Hospital is almost complete after Chinese companies operating in Zimbabwe invested more than US$500 000 for the programme meant to boost efforts to control the spread of Covid-19.

China Africa, Economic and Culture Exchange Research Centre chairman Mr Zivanai Steve Zhao made the revelations in a telephone interview.

He said an additional US$150 000 had also been put together for the procurement of medical equipment, which includes an oxygen machine, breathing machine, test kits and protective suits, masks and other protective clothes for health workers.

“We are expecting some of the equipment to arrive in the country this week. We want Wilkins Infectious Disease Hospital to match international standards in combating the pandemic. The teams on the construction site are now working 24 hours to speed up the upgrading the of hospital,” said Mr Zhao.

In addition, he said the Chinese Embassy was also mobilising resources to combat the spread of coronavirus in Zimbabwe.

More Chinese doctors are also set to come to Zimbabwe to assist in containing the pandemic.

“As of now we have nine doctors from Wuhan in China. Those who are in the country are training local doctors to fight the pandemic. If the need arises more doctors from China will be coming to Zimbabwe to contain the spread of the pandemic, which is a global phenomenon.”

He urged Zimbabweans to follow the directives pronounced by President Mnangagwa by avoiding unnecessary gatherings to curtail the spread of the disease.

“That is how China managed to contain the spread of coronavirus. Now China is free from the pandemic. If Zimbabweans follow instructions, they will manage to contain the spread of the pandemic,” he said.

Jin An Corporation managing director Mr David Zhou Jin said his firm had three teams working on the water system, construction, electric lines and renewing the lights.

“Our guys are working 24 hours a day to upgrade Wilkins Hospital to install proper facilities for Covid-19 and renew it and we will also donate medicines and protective clothes for doctors and other staff members. We are more than ready to fight the pandemic,” said Mr Jin.

In a related development, Ethiopia has started distributing China’s donations of medical supplies to other African states. To fight the coronavirus pandemic, tens of thousands of test kits and protective suits will be delivered across Africa in the coming weeks.

The African Union already received 2 000 test kits from the Chinese government and is expecting another 10 000 of them along with other crucial medical supplies needed to fight the spread of Covid-19 across the continent.

The distribution of the medical equipment donated is centralised by the African Union’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Ethiopia.

Jack Ma, Chinese tech billionaire and co-founder of the Alibaba online shopping platform, has since promised to donate 20 000 test kits, 100 000 masks and 1 000 protective suits to each of the 54 African states via his foundations.

“We cannot assume this continent of 1, 3 billion people will blissfully escape the crisis. The world cannot afford the unthinkable consequences of a COVID-19 pandemic in Africa,” he said in a statement.

Ma pledged a total of 1, 1 million coronavirus test kits, 6 million masks and 60 000 medical protective suits and face shields for the African continent. On Sunday, March 22, Ethiopia received 1,5 million test kits, 5,4 million face masks and tens of thousands of medical supplies.

Ethiopian Airlines will help distribute the equipment to each of its destinations.

Ma’s donations of medical supplies to fight coronavirus extended to the United States and a number of countries in Europe (Italy, France for example), Asia (Pakistan, Laos among others), Latin America (Brazil, Cuba and 22 more).

Although there are still fewer coronavirus infections in Africa than in other parts of the world, WHO figures show that the continent now has more than 1 300 cases of Covid-19 in 43 countries and 40 deaths across the continent. Italy has registered 5 476 deaths.

Egypt is the worst-hit with more than 294 cases and six deaths, followed by South Africa with 274 cases and Algeria’s 201 confirmed cases.

World Health Organisation (WHO) director- general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that official figures might not likely reflect the full picture.

“The rapid evolution of Covid-19 in Africa is deeply worrisome and a clear signal for action,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa.

Moeti said Africa could still change the course of this pandemic adding that governments must draw on all of their resources and capabilities and strengthen their response.

More worrying is that 12 African countries have recorded local transmissions. WHO urged governments to prevent local transmissions from evolving into a worst-case scenario of widespread sustained community transmission.

Such a scenario will present a major challenge to countries with weak health systems, as they do not have sufficient resources to cope with a large influx of patients needing isolation and intensive care.

“Across the region, nearly 26 million people are living with HIV. Over 58 million children have stunted growth due to malnutrition, so it is possible that younger people will be more at risk in Africa than in other parts of the world,” WHO’s Moeti added.

Zimbabwe and South Africa will at midnight jointly close Beitbridge Border Post to non-residents with only Zimbabwean residents allowed to travel north and South African residents to move south.

Cargo operations will not be interrupted.

Zimra has since announced streamlined processes at Beitbridge for clearing cargo shipments that rely on high level compliance and minimum human contact.

The Zimbabwean travel ban was announced by President Mnangagwa on Monday as part of a cocktail of measures to manage and contain Covid-19 while South Africa is going into a 21-day lockdown tonight, which includes travel restrictions.

To avoid confusion, the two countries have agreed to coordinate immigration policies on each side of the border.

The assistant regional immigration officer in charge of Beitbridge in Zimbabwe, Mr Nqobile Ncube, said they had agreed in principle with the South Africans to synchronise operations for the next 21 days.

“What it means is that by Thursday midnight we are closing the border to non-essential human traffic and we have agreed to synchronise the compliance period with our South African counterparts,” he said.

“Only Zimbabweans travelling from South Africa and those foreigners who have valid permits to reside in the country will be allowed passage north at this border. The same applies to those leaving the country. It will be the South Africans and those who are residents of the neighbouring country who will depart.

“As per the Presidential declaration, we will allow the movers of freight to access the border to ensure that all the essential commodities are moved into either country.”

As of yesterday, people were seen on both sides in last minute trips, some of whom said they wanted to join their spouses in either country since schools have been closed.

Under normal circumstances, 14 000 people, 120 buses, 500 commercial trucks and 3 000 vehicles use Beitbridge Border Post daily. This includes people in transit to countries north of the Zambezi.

The parastatal said clearance procedures had been simplified and travellers were required to tender correct declarations for processing including the payment of any duties, taxes and charges due.

Modalities for Manifest Control, CTIPs, Release Desk and ECTS are reportedly being worked out and will be announced in due course.

Zimra said that at Beitbridge there would no longer be physical access to reception, doc ccheck and queries, including the queries window on the exit side and manifest control window on the entry side in line with the precautions stipulated by Government.

“Be advised that all doc check and queries issues, including formal correspondence, should be dealt with in the system or by way of email or telephone with the appropriate responses in the same way.

“All physical examinations have been suspended and any system initiated PEs will be waived by default until further notice.

“In addition, all permits and schedules required for mark off should now be submitted to and retained by Zimra in clearly marked and secure folders and all calculated duties, taxes, other charges and fines levied remain payable,” said Zimra.

However, Zimra says the foregoing dispensations do not preclude the need for future audits or review of all or any declarations selected for such future enforcement, including the physical examination of any available goods subject matter of such declarations.

“It is therefore peremptory that all declarations be correct in all respects and that any supporting documents attached be correct, valid and relevant to the declaration,” said Zimra.

At the same time Zimra has suspended clearing goods and vehicles under the immigration rebate scheme with those wishing to benefit allowed to approach Zimra in 21 days with certification proving they are clear of the coronavirus.

Forbes Border Post was yesterday open to commercial truckers with goods in transit, and returning residents only.

On the Zimbabwean side, truckers said they were taking up to five hours to complete processes.

The truckers were being screened as they entered Zimbabwe.

“We are being served here at Forbes although it is taking a long time for us to complete all processes. I travelled from Zambia and I am going to Beira, but I have not encountered any problems at all borders I crossed,” said Mr Lameck Mapundi, a truck driver.

Meanwhile, Sadc has urged all in the region to respect measures put in place by the member countries and has called for unity of purpose in the region in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

This was said by Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax in a statement to mark the Southern Africa Liberation Day, set for March 23 the 2018 summit.

“This year’s commemoration of the Southern Africa Liberation Day is coming at a time when the world at large, and all of us, are grappling with COVID-19, which has been declared a global pandemic and public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.

“I appeal to everyone to adhere to all measures being put in place by our Governments to avoid or minimise the spread of the virus.

“We shall not fail, let us cooperate and move in unity, everyone must play their part, a paradigm shift in the way we conduct ourselves and our businesses is a must,” Dr Tax said in the statement.

Sadc has since suspended face-to-face regional meetings following the Covid-19 outbreak.

Dr Tax also paid tribute to the men and women that sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the region.

State Media|The Government and swathes of the private sector are slashing back on staff on active duty with all Government departments from tomorrow to be manned by a third of their normal workforce at a time with on-duty and off-duty staff being rotated fortnightly.

In his remarks at the 338th Ordinary Session of the Zanu PF Politburo in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa urged all companies to de-congest their workplaces whenever possible by releasing non-essential staff, or even essential staff whose services can efficiently be rendered from home. He said workers should be encouraged to take turns to come to work or serve from home.

So far as the Government was concerned, President Mnangagwa said with effect from tomorrow all Governments departments and ministries would be required to have just one third of their staff at work.

“As from Friday this week, all Government departments and ministries will only need one third of their staff at work for two weeks. The other two thirds will be at home and after two weeks the next third comes and the two thirds will remain at home. Even here at party headquarters I will ask the secretary general to make sure that only one third of the work force will be at work and the rest will go home for a period of two weeks,” said the President.

Cutting the number of duty staff gives more safety to those at home and ensures that those at work can be spread safe distances apart.

The President appealed to the citizens to exercise social responsibility.

“Those involved in the manufacturing and trading of essential commodities such as masks, sanitisers, among other items are dissuaded from charging exorbitant prices.” Government, the President said, had released additional resources towards the procurement of safety clothing.

“We are grateful to the many health services personnel who are at the frontline of addressing this pandemic. Their concerns and those of our nation have been noted and will be addressed.

I urge us to adjust our lives and the activities of our party accordingly in the face of lethal health threat. As Government will continue to ensure that there is a continuous supply of grain and other essential commodities,’’ he added.

The private sector has already started rotating staff on and off duty and seeing who can work from home although few have yet to match the Government’s moves.

Financial institutions continue to close temporarily some of their branches and reduce working hours while converting the few who still want personal banking to the electronic platforms already dominating their business.

Steward Bank said it had closed two branches in Victoria Falls and Gunhill in Harare.

CBZ group chief executive officer Dr Blessing Mudavanhu yesterday said branches at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, Beitbridge, Kariba and Chirundu were closing temporarily. Cash withdrawals will be only through ATMs when cash is available and branches are offering limited services such as MTA remittances, cash deposits and FCA transactions. Working hours are cut from eight to six hours.

Nedbank has also temporarily closed branches at Avondale, Borrowdale, Msasa, Victoria Falls and Kwekwe.

First Capital Bank has temporarily closed its Belmont branch in Bulawayo, and in First Street, Harare Street and Borrowdale in Harare.

CABS, FBC and Standard Chartered want customers to use digital platforms to reduce physical contact in queues.

Lawyers are now mostly working from home with only urgent services still in law offices. Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) executive secretary Mr Edward Mapara confirmed the closure of several law firms.

“Yes, many law firms have closed while others will be partially open to attend to emergency issues. Most of them will be operating online and through telephones,” he said.