By A Correspondent- Beijing has resumed its railway freight service between Wuhan and Europe by delivering medical aid to Germany as authorities work to lift strict quarantine measures after the number of new cases Covid-19 dropped.

A train loaded with medical supplies and construction materials has left a station in Wuhan, the capital city of China’s central Hubei Province, and is set to arrive in the city of Duisburg in Germany in two weeks, Chinese outlet the Global Times reported on Saturday.

The delivery will be the first China-EU cargo freight operation from Wuhan since the city was placed under strict quarantine in January after the Covid-19 outbreak.

China was the leader in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for months, until the epicenter of the pandemic shifted to the US, where more than 100,000 people have tested positive for the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University. Italy has become the second-hardest-hit country in recent days with nearly 86,500 cases, surpassing China’s 81,300. -GlobalTimes

By A Correspondent- Furious military commanders who attended a meeting of the Cabinet taskforce on Covid-19 on Friday reportedly demanded the sacking of Health Minister Obadiah Moyo as chairman of the taskforce, branding him as “useless”.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa relented to the military commanders’ pressure and promptly removed Moyo and replaced him with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who returned from a trip to China on Friday night.

Said a source:

Military commanders who were present were scathing. They said he was useless and had lied about the country’s readiness for coronavirus, particularly conditions at Wilkins Hospital.

The security chiefs to turns to blame Makamba’s death on negligence. They ripped into the health minister who sat stone-faced. They demanded that the president should take charge of the coronavirus taskforce.

Zororo Makamba succumbed to coronavirus on March 23 at Wilkins Hospital after he failed to get meaningful treatment while admitted at the centre.

By A Correspondent- Civil Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) welcomes the government’s decree for 21 days lock-down which will enhance the prevention of infection and control of the novel COVID-19.

We see it is a wise and timeous declaration considering the fact that our people were in harm’s way as they were relaxed and business was usual in the CBDs and apparently no social distancing, negating all the good efforts by the Ministry of Health and Child Care to effectively prevent the infection and control of the corona virus.

For effective 21 Days lock down, we call upon the government to deploy the army for enforcement. People being people will need the army for them to comply as the usual complaints are that should they stay at home they will face starvation as most of them are in the informal sector.

In that regard, we appeal to the government to seek AID for the cushioning of the people.

Rents for April and May may also need to be suspended and the landlords get compensated. Decentralisation of COVID 19 clinics is also needed as soon as possible.

May we as a nation see this decree as a Daniel fast, that from day one of the lock-down, we sanctify ourselves, pray and fast against all that was impeding our nation from progressing.

This is an opportunity for the people of Zimbabwe to not only prevent and fight against COVID-19 but to boost their immunity against the viruses of polarisation, partisan politics, political intolerance, unpatriotism, corruption, sabotage, toxic politics, selfishness, pride and arrogance and the psycho dynamics of self hate and such like.

The 21 Days are to be regarded as a chance for us as the nation of Zimbabwe to collectively seek God and to be in harmony with the goodwill of the spirits of just men made perfect – our Ancestors, so that we emerge stronger, united in purpose, peaceful and ready to prosper.

At the end of these days the people of Zimbabwe aught to have a restored consciousness and mentality that knits them together as one people committed to provide solutions to all the socio-economic and political challenges facing the nation.

It is evident that our economy is not doing well and there are challenges also in the health sector. But this is not time for blame game but to humble ourselves and acknowledge that to all perfection there is a limit but God’s commands are boundless and have none.

If we can kneel down to leave our pride, then in these 21 days our prayers will ascend as sweet insense to the Lord and his eyes will be turned on Zimbabwe.

It’s not a coincidence that the churches are closed too. It is not time to tempt God but for sincere Christians to pray in their closets.

The lock down is to be regarded as NATIONAL 21 DAYS OF PRAYER. The Illusion of Freedom is No Longer Profitable.

If you are not secure in Christ now, redeem the time because the days are evil. Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. God is the ultimate blesser of the nations.

We end by emphasising on the good personal hygiene that was recommended by the Ministry of Health and Child Care;
• Wash hands with soap and water frequently or use an alcohol based hand-rub
• Cover your your nose and mouth with tissue paper or fixed elbow when coughing and sneezing
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Avoid contact contact with people who are sick, coughing or sneezing
• Avoid unnecessary travel especially to all countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19

Together we can

CSCJF INFO DEPARTMENT

By A Correspondent- Civil Society Organisations have challenged the government to disseminate correct information about the COVID-19 pandemic that reflects the situation on the ground.

In a letter to Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo dated March 24, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) executive director Roselyn Hanzi urged the government to provide coronavirus testing kits to all the country’s 10 provincial hospitals.

She wrote:

Can you provide further information on issues relating to the following, testing centres, indicators for testing, reaction time, inconclusive results as we have elaborated below?

There is a need to establish satellite testing centres throughout the country. Currently, testing is restricted to Harare and Bulawayo and this poses challenges for those who may need to be tested, but live outside or far away from these cities.

Ideally, testing facilities should be available across all 60 district hospitals. At the very least, due to resource constraints, testing kits should be available at all the 10 provincial hospitals.

Zimbabwe, like the rest of the world, is battling to contain the spread of COVID-19, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa declaring a 21-day total lockdown starting on Monday.

Meanwhile, health officials have revised the number of confirmed coronavirus cases from 5 to 7.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Two stranded deportees from Botswana who stabbed a motorist who had offered them a lift in Plumtree before they slit his throat and used tyres and diesel to burn his body beyond recognition, have been sentenced to a combined 70 years in jail.

Mehluli Bhunu (26) of Maronga Village Dete in Matabeleland North and Trust Ngwenya (20) of Lusulu in Binga who killed Memory Deredza, were convicted of murder with actual intent by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Evangelista Kabasa.

Bhunu was sentenced to an effective 40 years in jail while Ngwenya was jailed 30 years. The duo after killing the deceased, burnt his body beyond recognition and then drove off in his car, a Mazda Bongo kombi which was laden with groceries.

They also stole the deceased’s cellphone.

Bhunu and Ngwenya met Deredza at Maitengwe Border Post soon after their deportation from Botswana and he offered them a lift to Plumtree. Deredza was on his way to Masvingo to return his brother-in-law’s car, which he had borrowed when the accused fatally stabbed him and burnt his body after dousing it with diesel.

In passing the sentence, Justice Kabasa said the murder was committed in aggravating circumstances, which warranted capital punishment.

“You killed an innocent man who had done nothing wrong but had actually offered you a lift and this is a great betrayal on your part. You stabbed the deceased using a knife, which is a lethal weapon. What is even more despicable is that despite the deceased having tried to flee for his dear life, you could not hold back, but instead pursued him,” she said.

“You robbed the deceased’s family of a father, husband, brother and brother-in-law through your wickedness.” Justice Kabasa said the courts have a duty to protect the sanctity of human life through passing harsh sentences.

“The courts have always emphasised the sanctity of life and no one should lose life at the hands of another. Although the accused persons did not show any remorse, but tampering justice with mercy has always been a principle of the courts. “Accused persons deserve lengthy prison terms since they are danger to society,” she said.

“In passing the sentence, we cannot ignore the disparity in the accused persons ages at the time of committing the offence. For these reasons, first accused (Bhunu) is sentenced to 40 years while the second one (Ngwenya) will serve 30 years in prison.”

VP Chiwenga who left the country 2 weeks ago for a medical check-up in China is back in the country. Should he be quarantined for coronavirus?

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 28, 2020

By A Correspondent- Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has returned from China where he had gone for a routine medical checkup two weeks ago.

Chiwenga’s return was confirmed by George Charamba, the Press Secretary in the Office of the President. Said Charamba:

I haven’t seen him as yet, but I can confirm he’s back. You’d have heard that on Friday, the president appointed him chairman of the Covid-19 taskforce and that tells you he will hit the ground running.

According to a local publication, Chiwenga’s private jet hired from Dubai landed in Harare at 22.15 PM on Friday, according to flight-tracking websites.

The luxuriously-fitted Airbus A318-112 (CJ) Elite made a stop-over for refuelling in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after taking off from the Chinese capital, Beijing.

By A Correspondent- Latest statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Care reveal that two of Zimbabwe’s confirmed COVID-19 patients are only 24 years old.

In its coronavirus update on March 27, 2020, the Ministry of Health announced that two more people had tested positive, raising the number of confirmed cases to seven.

One of two cases is that of a 40-year old female who was diagnosed yesterday (Friday) and is based in Harare and has not travelled out of the country.

She came into contact with a 52-year-old male who had travelled to Dubai and was confirmed positive for the virus on Thursday. Her condition is said to be stable.

The other case is of a 24-year-old female who is also based in Harare. She has not travelled out of the country and came into contact with the 52-year-old male who travelled to Dubai and tested positive. Her condition is also reported to be stable.

The statement by the Health Ministry further revealed:

Of the cases confirmed to date, three are due to contact with an infected individual locally. Our teams are currently seized with enhanced surveillance through contact tracing, by following up all known contacts of these cases.

Therefore, the Ministry would like to remind everyone of the need to maintain social distancing, by avoiding close contact (I meter or 3 feet) with anyone who is unwell, coughing or sneezing.

See picture below for the full details:

MEDICAL personnel at the privately run Avenues Clinic in Harare downed tools yesterday in protest over lack of personal protective equipment in the wake of the deadly coronavirus.

There are suspicions, however, that more cases are going unreported and some of the suspected cases are finding their way to private hospitals, where they will be handled by unprotected medical staff, increasing the risk of the spread of the deadly virus, an allegation government denies.

When NewsDay Weekender visited the clinic yesterday, there was strict screening at the entrance while the nurses congregated near the management offices as negotiations with worker representatives went on.

Tecla Barangwe of the Medical Workers Union said there were suspicions that suspected COVID-19 patients were being taken in and some were exhibiting signs and symptoms of the deadly disease and without the necessary equipment, workers could not continue risking their lives.

“We have taken note that suspected coronavirus patients could have been taken in secretly, but management is failing to provide adequate equipment to the workers,” she said.

“They have decided to put tools down until such a time management provides adequate personal protective equipment.”

Senior doctors and nurses in public hospitals across the country on Wednesday downed tools demanding protective clothing.

Several doctors internationally have died after contracting the virus while attending to patients.

Italy alone, the epicentre of the virus in Europe, has lost 37 doctors since the outbreak of the virus, which is now claiming over 600 lives daily in the European country.

Added Barangwe: “They say the equipment is in short supply, but there are patients in the wards with symptoms of COVID-19 and we gather some of the patients had travelled out or had contact with an infected person, but our members say they have realised that some could have been infected, so we are saying no protective, clothing no work.” 

Interviewed workers said every case in these days of coronavirus was potentially dangerous and now difficult to handle without adequate protective clothing.

“Every case that we have these days is a potential case and it is difficult to attend to the cases without adequate protective clothing,” one of the striking workers said.

Asked whether they have had suspicious cases of late, another worker said: “We have had quite a number of cases that we suspected here and that is the reason why we have taken this step. It is dangerous for us to continue working like this.”

Meanwhile, Epworth Local Board chairman Batanai Masunda, who on Thursday reported a suspected case of coronavirus after a man with a history of travelling from Durban, South Africa, had exhibited flu-like symptoms, yesterday said the man had now been admitted at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital in Harare and is awaiting results.

The said man had spent the whole day at a local clinic in Epworth, with medical personnel refusing to attend to him saying they did not have protective equipment. Newsday

Celebrations about the return of the United States dollar as legal tender in Zimbabwe may be premature.

Inside sources say Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, John Mangudya, jumped the gun by announcing the return.

He also said that the managed float exchange rate had been abandoned and the Zimbabwe dollar was now fixed at 25:1 against the US dollar.

“There is no going back to the United States dollar,” a source said. “The revised position will be announced on Monday with the legal instruments.”

Critics say that policy flip-flops like this one do not augur well with potential investors.

Mangudya’s measures announced yesterday were a reversal of those announced by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on 11 March, which according to the British government were recommended by the International Monetary Fund whose nod opens doors for international investment.

Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti, who has been arguing against de-dollarisation, said that he has repeatedly told the government that this will not work.

“The regime has radically done a volte face& sneakily re-dollarised. We told them it wouldn’t work & won’t work. They owe Zimbabwe an apology and they should now bring a Bill to Parliament formally repealing those sections of the Finance Act that incorporated SI33 & 142of 2019,” he tweeted.

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

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

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

He added that the move by the government was an act of desperation by a regime that was on its knees.

“So the regime’s opaque attempt to re-dollarize marks the desperate act of a desperate regime that is literally on its knees,” he said.

“With the closure of Beitbridge, dwindling diaspora remittances, the collapse of the #SMP, fuel & energy crises, #COVID19, grain shortages, the regime is in crises.

“Re-dollarization will not mask or obviate the need for genuine structural reforms in Zimbabwe, nor the imperator to resolve the crises of legitimacy. It will not hide the genuine need for a lasting political settlement. Nor will it hide the regime’s gross incompetence and abuse of power.

“#COVID19 has exposed the regime for what it is, a bungling incompetent corrupt gang of thugs masquerading as a government.”

It is not clear what will happen to Mangudya if it turns out that he announced yesterday’s measures without the agreement of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Mangudya is less than a year into his second and final term which was renewed on 1 May last year.

Mthuli Ncube appointed a nine-member Monetary Policy Committee in September last year in a move that was widely seen as trying to rein in Mangudya.

According to the Herald the MPC’s functions entailed determining the monetary policy of Zimbabwe; including the setting of limits on open market operations by the bank and ensure price stability as defined by the Government’s inflation target in the national budget.

It would also determine interest rates in line with the Government’s economic policies and targets for growth and employment creation as well as other monetary policy functions, as the finance minister may prescribe by way of regulations.

The paper said that according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act, the committee submits its findings to the board of the central bank but this is for information purposes only.

Mangudya chairs the MPC and his two deputies are also members.

THE number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Zimbabwe has risen to seven, with one of them having succumbed to the disease.

In a statement yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Agnes Mahomva said out of 188 tests conducted as of Friday, seven were positive, 181 negative.

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

“Among the 65 samples tested today, was the repeat test for the sample from the individual whom we reported previously as having received an inconclusive result. Today he tested negative for Covid-19.

Therefore, to date, Zimbabwe has seven confirmed cases of Covid-19, including one death,” she said.

Former journalist, Zororo Makamba died of Covid-19 in Harare on Monday.

Dr Mahomva said the third case they reported on Wednesday was the following day admitted for treatment under isolation at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital.

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

Dr Mahomva urged Zimbabweans to remain vigilant in the prevention of Covid-19 and practise good personal hygiene including washing hands with soap and water frequently or use of an alcohol-based hand rub.

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

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

“If you suspect Covid-19 disease or wish to obtain more information on this disease, you are advised to call the Ministry of Health and Child Care on toll free hotline numbers for assistance: 2019,” she said.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases is now more than 410 000 globally with more than 18 000 deaths recorded. South Africa has the highest number of infections in Africa with more than 900 cases recorded by yesterday afternoon and two people having succumbed to the disease.

• Starting Monday March 30, 2020 — total lockdown for 21 days.
• Exceptions: Critical movement of goods, key utilities ie power, water
• Security deployment to complement civilian efforts.
• Funerals exempted, but numbers should be less than 50.
• Refuelling motorists ordered not to leave vehicles.
• Food stalls allowed to operate, none food stalls closed.
• Public transport stopped except for ZUPCO and PSC buses.
• Toll-free hotline number is 2019.
• Testing and diagnostics, centralised at Provincial level.
• Social media alarmist to be punished.
• Business encouraged to support employees.

Own Correspondent|The inter-ministerial taskforce established this week to deal with the coronavirus outbreak will now be chaired by the Vice Presidency, with Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri as deputy chairperson.

The taskforce was previously chaired by Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo deputised by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo.

The two remain members of the taskforce.

The changes were announced by the Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana.

Other members of the taskforce include Ministers Monica Mutsvangwa (Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services); 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).

Mr Mangwana said the President had also directed the unfreezing of all vacant posts in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, allowing this critical ministry to now recruit more staff swiftly.

THE United States yesterday pledged US$470 000 to combat COVID-19 in Zimbabwe and to complement World Health Organisation (WHO) efforts to prepare large-scale testing for coronavirus in the country.

United States Agency for International Development (USAid) mission director Stephanie Funk in a statement yesterday said the funds would be pivotal in the implementation of an emergency plan for points of entry, as well as in activating case finding and evidence-based surveillance for influenza-like illnesses.

They urged government to put in place co-ordinated efforts, together with the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO to identify priority areas for investment.

“The US has pledged US$470 000 to fight the spread of COVID-19,” the statement from Funk read.

“This assistance will build on the ongoing investments by the US in Zimbabwe’s health sector.”

Funk said since 1980, the US government has provided over US$1 billion in health assistance to strengthen health systems, so that Zimbabweans can live longer, healthier lives.

She said between the USAid and the US Department of State, American taxpayers generously made available more than US$90 billion for health globally since 2009, and called upon other donors to contribute towards the fight against the coronavirus which has taken the lives of around 21 000 people worldwide, including that of broadcaster Zororo Makamba last Tuesday.

“For more than 30 years, the American people, through USAid have contributed over US$3,2 billion in assistance to Zimbabwe. Current projects include initiatives to increase food security, support economic resilience, improve health outcomes, and promote democratic governance,” she said.

As Zimbabwe receives donations from well-wishers like the US, non-governmental organisation, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development, has urged government to practise transparency and accountability.

Zimcodd said precautionary measures against “tenderpreneuship” must be taken in order to safeguard against individuals that might want to take advantage of funds meant to fight the pandemic.

-Newsday

Self exiled former cabinet minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana have engaged in a war of words early morning today over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s lockdown announcement last evening.

Mangwana tweeted a quotation from Mnangagwa’s speech where he spoke of the need for a legal instrument to punish those who “cause unnecessary alarm and despondency through social and other media” to which the former Tsholotsho legislator responded saying it was not going to work.

Mangwana: “Legal instruments are being put in place to deal with and punish those who cause unnecessary alarm and despondency through social and other media, during this emergency. We need to act responsibly” President ED Mnangagwa.

Moyo: And you call this gestapo tactic in the digital age, a new dispensation? It won’t work. You will not work. Simple!

Mangwana: These legal instruments are being used everywhere from SA to the USA. We haven’t heard you say a word. Does it become Gestapo when it comes to Zimbabwe? Just tweet responsibly Jona.

ZImbabwe government has announced two more cases of coronavirus to bring the total to seven from five.

Two of the seven confirmed cases had contact with a 52 year old Male who travelled from Dubai while one had contact with the late Zororo Makamba.

Last night President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a total lockdown of the country for 21 days in a bid to contain the outbreak of the virus amid increasing number of suspected cases.

Early this week coronavirus claimed the life of Zororo Makamba who became the first and only person to die from coronavirus in the country with his family accusing government of negligence.

By Jane Mlambo| The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) says it will revoke operating license to any retailer which effect a price hike on basic commodities including sugar,cooking oil,salt, bottled water, sanitary pads, washing soap and powder among other basic necessities.

In a statement yesterday CZR President Denford Mutashu said as retailers they were in full support of the government move to lockdown the country to contain the deadly virus.

As part of safety measures, CZR said shops that will open during the lockdown period should have their employees temperature checked everyday to ensure the safety of customers.

Below is the full statement from CZR…

By Jonathan Moyo| Self exiled former Higher education minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has slammed President Emmerson Mnangagwa for imposing a lockdown decision without consulting stakeholders saying he failed to correctly copy from his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa.

Posting on Twitter soon after the lockdown announcement, Moyo said Ramaphosa had given South Africa three week days, Mnangagwa had given Zimbabwe a weekend insinuating that nothing much happens during weekends as some companies will be closed.

“While @CyrilRamaphosa gave SA three-weekdays notice after consultations, @edmnangagwa has given Zim the weekend, without consultations & without outlining the objectives of his copy & paste measures which are not about flattening the #coronavirus curve,” said Moyo.

However some Twitter users hit back at Moyo accusing the former Tsholotsho legislator of turning around after pushing government to lockdown only to start opposing a move he vehemently stood for.

“Congratulations prof. Mission accomplished you suckered The president into taking a rushed ill informed decision now you will have your revolt as planned,” said one Twitter user.

The state owned Herald has published a story on MDC leader Nelson Chamisa ‘praising’ President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the decision he made to lockdown the country in the face of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Below is the full Herald story..

MDC-ALLIANCE leader Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday praised the decision by President Mnangagwa to lockdown the country for 21 days from Monday as a measure to contain Covid-19.

President Mnangagwa, in an address to the nation last night, said only essential service providers such as pharmacies and food retailers will be open, together with municipalities to collect refuse and provide water.

In a statement of appreciation of Government’s initiatives, Mr Chamisa said the lockdown was a wise move.

“The decision to lockdown Zimbabwe is necessary, wise and supported,” he posted on his Twitter handle.

“We are in circumstances of a catastrophe. There is only one Zimbabwe. We are one people.

“Politics aside, we must unite to save lives. Measures to test, detect the virus and cushion the vulnerable essential! #ZimLOC.”

The party’s top officials, including secretary-general Mr Charlton Hwende, urged the nation to comply with the President’s announcement.

“We must all comply with the decision to stay at home from Monday for 21 days,” he tweeted.

“We are facing a very serious pandemic that needs all Zimbabweans to unite and join hands in order to curtail the spread of this virus.

“Team Zimbabwe will win together this war against Covid-19.”

Mr Chamisa’s views come after he had earlier given an impression that his party did not support the measures announced by President Mnangagwa to contain Covid-19.

The MDC-Alliance leader’s appreciative comments come barely a month after other top members of his party realised the folly of defying national programmes and joined in the national clean-up campaigns held every first Friday of each month.

The party’s senior officials including, Mr Hwende, took part in the clean-up at Overspill Shopping Centre in Epworth last month, after months of opposing the campaign.

MDC-T president Dr Thokozani Khupe also welcomed the total lockdown, adding that the rising deaths across the world demonstrate that nations were fighting an “invisible enemy”.

She said the enemy requires a huge army in order to be defeated.

“Therefore, every Zimbabwean is a soldier from now going forward and we need strong ammunition.

“Our biggest ammunition right now is heeding to the call by the President of the Republic which is to stay at home for 21 days starting on Monday,” she said.

Dr Khupe emphasised the need for social distancing, practicing good hygiene and washing hands with soap all the time.

Norton member of parliament Temba Mliswa has written to a Chinese owned Sunny Yi Feng which manufactures tiles to stop operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sunny Yi Feng operates in Norton where Mliswa is a legislator.

“In an attempt to protect the residents of Norton, I’ve issued Sunny Yi Feng Tiles a letter to cease operations. We have to do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The congestion at the site & influx of Chinese without proper screening was just too potentially harmful,” said Mliswa on Twitter.

Below is the full letter…

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday announced a 21 day lockdown as part of government measures to contain the deadly coronavirus that has so far claimed one life in the country.

Addressing the nation last night, Mnangagwa said during the lockdown period only health and industry workers will be allowed to move while all public transport will be suspended.

“While our numbers are both low and for now all imported, this need not induce complacency in us. COVID-19 is now upon us and if experience elsewhere is anything to go by can spread in leaps and bounds in so short a time.

“We are worried that even as our numbers remain low, there is a possibility of wider community spread and transmissions,” said Mnangagwa.

He further noted that the coming of winter in two months time will pose a serious threat as it creates conditions for more infections hence the move to take a decisive stand now.

Farai Dziva|Movement for Democratic Change president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described the decision by government to “lockdown” Zimbabwe as necessary and wise.

Chamisa also urged Zimbabweans to shelve political differences as the deadly Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc.

“The decision to lockdown Zimbabwe is necessary, wise and supported.

We are in circumstances of a catastrophe.There is only one Zimbabwe.We are one people.

Politics aside, we must unite to save lives. Measures to test, detect the virus and cushion the vulnerable essential!#ZimLOC,” tweeted Chamisa.

According to the Ministry of Health and Childcare, five people have tested positive for Coronavirus in the country but unconfirmed reports claim government is unwilling to disclose the actual number of infected people.

A man arrested after a crash on the A419 and admitted dangerous driving had his drugs charges dropped after police found he was carrying sadza.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court, Tinashe Ndongwe (26), of Park Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to being behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta on February 3.

The hatchback was involved in a crash with a Kia Ceed near the Castle Eaton turn-off on the A419. Nobody was hurt.

Traffic police initially believed they had found a large amount of amphetamine in the car.

However, earlier this month prosecutor Tessa Hingston said the parcels had been tested and found to contain sadza, a maize flour porridge popular in Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa.

A charge of possession with intent to supply class B drugs was dropped.

Judge Peter Crabtree bailed Ndongwe to appear before the crown court on Wednesday, April 22 to be sentenced. — The Zimbabwe News.

Farai Dziva|Movement for Democratic Change president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has described the decision by government to “lockdown” Zimbabwe as necessary and wise.

Chamisa also urged Zimbabweans to shelve political differences as the deadly Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc.

“The decision to lockdown Zimbabwe is necessary, wise and supported.

We are in circumstances of a catastrophe.There is only one Zimbabwe.We are one people.

Politics aside, we must unite to save lives. Measures to test, detect the virus and cushion the vulnerable essential!#ZimLOC,” tweeted Chamisa.

According to the Ministry of Health and Childcare, five people have tested positive for Coronavirus in the country but unconfirmed reports claim government is unwilling to disclose the actual number of infected people.

A married man from Luveve has reportedly turned to abusing his wife in the presence of their children after she slapped him with a sex ban.

Austine Soko who has been denied sex by his wife couldn’t take away his frustrations anywhere else except to send the energy back to his wife Skhunjuliwe Soko.

“He insults me using vulgar language in front of our children, he physically, sexually, emotionally and economically abuses me as he doesn’t want me to be employed,” said Skhunjuliwe.

She said the abuse she was receiving from her husband was affecting their two children who are aged 17 and 13 years old.

“The constant fights are emotionally affecting the children. At times he (Austine) verbally abuses them for no apparent reason,” said Skhunjuliwe.

It seemed the marriage between the two was getting strained as Skhunjuliwe was tired of not being free to work and receiving different forms of abuse from her husband. On the other hand, Austine was also tired of the continuous strain of the sex ban.

He bared his heavy heart before Western Commonage magistrate Urgent Vundla as he asked for advice on what he could do when his wife refused to grant him his conjugal rights.

“What should I do? Whenever I touch her in our bed she always pushes away my hand and tells me straight to my face that she doesn’t want to have sex with me,” said Soko.

Skhunjuliwe pleaded with Vundla to grant her a protection order as she feared that her husband might end up hurting her.

She was granted an interim protection order and Austine was cautioned to refrain from emotionally, verbally, physically, sexually and economically abusing his wife.

“Anywhere you go, sex is the foundation of any marriage. I would advise you to work on that part of your marriage,” said the magistrate.-B-Metro

CORONAVIRUS: Beitbridge Council gathers crowd of vendors saying if wants to reallocate new stalls | SMART OR STUPID? pic.twitter.com/MTrPm9gPWl

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 27, 2020

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

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

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

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

See video below:

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

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

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

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

(See pictures)

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

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

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 26, 2020

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

26 March 2020

The Investigating Officer
Highlands Police Station
Harare

Dear Sirs,

RE:STATE –vs- CHANTELLE MUTESWA RRB 4311849

The above matter refers.

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

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

Yours faithfully

Frank Buyanga

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

zimbabwevoice

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

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

General Notice 673 of 2020.

CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE

Clemency Order 1 of 2020

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

27-3-2020.

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

SCHEDULE Title

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

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

Remission of sentence for all juveniles

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

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

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

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

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

Remission of sentence for prisoners aged 70 years and above

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

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

(i) prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment;

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

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

Commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment

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

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

11. The following persons are excluded from the amnesty:

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

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

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

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

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

(a) murder, treason;

(b) rape or any sexual offence;

(c) carjacking, robbery;

(d) stock theft;

(e) public violence;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Summary of provisions of the lockdown are as follows:

Water and zesa exempted in the lockdwn.

All radios as well

Army deployed during this period

Markets and non food outlets will b closed

Funerals exempted numbers shld not increase 50

Only food markets will b allowed to open

Hospital visit 1 person

Public trans stands suspended

Only Zupco will b exempted and public service

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

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

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

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

More to follow….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Central bank chief John Mangudya announced the measures on Thursday.

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

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

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

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

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

‘Dog’s breakfast’

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

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

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

Al Jazeera

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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