By A Correspondent- Former First Lady Grace Mugabe is now off the hook after a Mazowe miner who was suing her over a land dispute withdrew his application to have her evicted from a disputed farm.

Langton Chapungu in October last year filed a court application seeking Grace’s eviction together with two other individuals identified in court papers only as Tongai and Jemwa.

In a sudden turn of events, Chapungu has withdrawn his court application, giving Grace the leeway to stay at the farm.

“Take note that the undersigned plaintiff hereby withdraws his application for eviction against the defendants (Grace, Tongai and Jemwa) herein,” part of the notice of withdrawal dated March 11, 2020 filed at the High Court and also served on Grace’s lawyers, Hussein and Ranchhod Legal Practitioners, read.

In his founding affidavit, Chapungu had accused the two of illegally mining on his farm, while Grace was said to have been conducting farming activities on the same piece of land.

“The first and second respondents (Tongai and Jemwa) are doing illegal mining activities in my plot and the third respondent (Grace) is also doing her farming activities in that same plot of mine, to an extent that she had even erected some structures at my place,” Chapungu said.

“The defendants have gone further threatening me with unspecified action if I continue disturbing them from their illegal activities in my plot. In spite of the demand to vacate, the defendants have refused and offered flimsy and fabricated reasons to justify their continued illegal stay at my place, leaving me with no option except to approach this honourable court for relief,” the affidavit added.-Online

By A Correspondent- Two schoolchildren were yesterday morning ran over by a car at a pick-up point in Harare. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident.

“I can confirm that two schoolchildren who reside in Rydale Ridge were hit and killed on the spot yesterday morning while waiting for transport to school.

“The sad thing about this accident is that the accused Given Tapiwa Makeredza (19) is a new driver who got his driving licence on 31 January, 2020. He had one passenger in his car.

“The deceased Mufudzi Nyadzayo (12), a Grade Seven pupil at Kuwadzana 8 Primary School and Samuel Magorimbo (11), a Grade Six pupil at Kuwadzana 6 Primary School were waiting for transport to school off the road. Their next of kin have been informed,” he said.

“The driver lost control of the car resulting in him hitting the children who suffered head and fractured legs and died on the spot. They were taken to Harare hospital where they were certified dead.”

Ass Comm Nyathi urged motorists to be responsible on the road, as they were bound to come across pedestrians and schoolchildren.

“This is a very sad scenario and we strongly urge motorists especially new drivers to be driving under the guidance of seasoned drivers, as they still have a lot to learn. They do not have road exposure, no experience and full composure.

“They should not drive alone in crowded areas, residential areas and schools, as they are bound to encounter schoolchildren who also still need assistance,” he added.

The driver is being charged with culpable homicide.-StateMedia

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

• USD to ZWL$: 25.5344
• ZWL$ to RAND: 0.6916

Data according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Black Market Rates:

• USD to ZWL$ zimrates.com $45
• USD to ZWL$  zwl365.com $44.50
• USD to ZWL$ bluemari.info $44.50
• USD to BOND: zimrates.com $32.80

More: marketwatch.co.zw

By A Correspondent- Twenty former workers of Water Vlei Farm along Seke Road in Chitungwiza and their families were evicted yesterday after foiled attempts two weeks ago when they attacked the Messenger of Court.

Yesterday, the Messenger of Court accompanied by anti-riot police managed to enforce the eviction order.

When The Herald crew visited the farm, the Messenger of Court was moving the farm workers’ property off the farm.

One of the affected, Richard Matarutse said they had nowhere to go since they had been living on the farm for more than two decades.

“We were served with a notice last month, but we have nowhere to go,” he said.

Another worker, who requested anonymity, said they were not given enough time to look for an alternative place.

“This is not fair. We do not have anywhere to go and we have children who are going to school nearby. We do not even know what to do now and where to go from here,” she said.

Ms Tambudzai Kachepa said the eviction was aboveboard.

“We have been battling to evict these families from the farm over the past five years and they have been ignoring letters written by the executor of my father’s estate. They were all aware of what was coming.

“This farm was bought in 1984 long before the land reform programme and it has title deeds, but the families were claiming that it was State land and they were going nowhere.-Statemedia

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia and Health minister have all been exposed for making promises to the Makamba family they battled to keep their son alive.

Zororo Makamba succumbed to coronavirus yesterday becoming the first victim in Zimbabwe.

The family has accused Mnangagwa and his wife of making promises to intervene in their desperate situation to take full control of their son who had been admitted at Wilkins Hospital which they said had no medication, ventilators and even sockets to connect a ventilator they sourced from their own friends.

In an interview with Daily News, Makamba family spokesperson Tawanda Makamba said they reached out to the trio in their desperate bid to save their son but it all came to no avail as he unfortunately succumbed to the disease.

We reached out to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa who promised us that Zororo could be transferred to Beatrice and that there was a room for him. Nothing came out of this.

“We then appealed to Health minister Obadiah Moyo that since you are not prepared at Wilkins Hospital can we take him to Health Point and he refused.

“Minister Moyo said we could not take him there and that needed to be treated at Wilkins. We were puzzled and wondered how he could say that Zororo should be treated at Wilkins when they don’t even have plugs in his room to connect the ventilator.

“He promised us all sorts of things that this morning (yesterday) they would definitely be a ventilator and equipment but nothing materialised. If you go inside there you will see that they are not prepared to handle cases this side,” said Tawanda Makamba.

By A Correspondent- The Makamba family has fumed over the government’s lack of adequate preparation for coronavirus which it says contributed immensely to the death of the 30-year-old journalist Zororo Makamba.

Family spokesperson Tawanda Makamba, elder brother to Zororo, spoke to Daily News reporter Sindiso Mhlope and below is the verbatim extract.

Zororo was in New York for 20 days and when he came back he had a slight flue, a cold. He then went to his general practitioner and they checked him for coronavirus symptoms and they said he didn’t have them at the time. 

He was just told that he had a cough and a flue because in New York it’s cold and here it’s hot, so they then treated him for flue and he came back home.

On Friday last week, he started developing a fever and his doctor recommended that he had to be admitted. This is because Zororo had a tumour removed from just under his left lung last year in November and he was under an 18-month recovery time-frame. 

His immune system was already compromised, so the doctor was very keen that he gets into the hospital and receives proper medication to help him get over the flu and fever.

He was further advised to go to Wilkins Hospital to test for the coronavirus. He arrived at Wilkins Hospital by 10 am and samples were collected from him and we were told that the results would be in after 6 hours.

After 6 hours there were no results and his general practitioner called to find out why the results had not been availed yet. The hospital’s officials then told the GPA that they had not run the tests yet they were waiting for samples from provincial hospitals to run them all at once.

The doctor got frustrated and started questioning why they had not run the tests given that Zororo’s condition was deteriorating. After some time they then decided to run the test and in the meantime, we took him home and he needed oxygen. 

His GPA phoned around and an ambulance came home to deliver the oxygen and then we got the positive results for coronavirus at about 1:30 or 2:00 am the following day.

They told us that now that they had confirmed that he had the virus he had to be taken to the Wilkins Hospital for treatment. 

We then inquired if we could him bring immediately and we were told that the hospital was not ready to receive coronavirus patients. 

So in the morning we waited and waited and they were still not ready to admit him. He ended up being admitted around 10 am and 11 am.

His doctor made it clear earlier on that he had to be on a ventilator because he could not breathe. However, when we got at Wilkins Hospital there was no ventilator, no medication and even the oxygen would run out and they had to get it from the City of Harare. 

After that, we ran around to find a ventilator for him and we managed to get a portable ventilator from a family friend who had a relative who used the ventilator before he died. 

In terms of medicine you need to breathe, they didn’t have it there, we had to go and buy it in South Africa. We ended up finding some today (yesterday)just as he was passing away at a local pharmacy, yet the hospital was telling us it was not locally available.

We then brought the ventilator on Sunday by 2 pm and when we got here because the portable ventilator had an American plug, they told us to get an adapter because they only had round sockets at the hospital. I then rushed to buy an adapter and came back and they never used it and when I asked why they were not using the ventilator they said they had no sockets in his room. So they didn’t have medication, ventilators and we brought them a ventilator and they didn’t have sockets in his room. I told them that I had an extension cord and pleaded with them to use the cord, but they refused.

They forced us to come here but failed to deliver on their promise. When Zororo had his operation, he had it at Health Point Clinic. I contacted the people at Health Point and asked if they were willing to take Zororo in and they said yes and that they had already set up a facility to accommodate him. 
We then appealed to Health minister Obadiah Moyo that since you are not prepared at Wilkins Hospital can we take him to Health Point and he refused. 

Minister Moyo said we could not take him there and that needed to be treated at Wilkins. We were puzzled and wondered how he could say that Zororo should be treated at Wilkins when they don’t even have plugs in his room to connect the ventilator. 

He promised us all sorts of things that this morning (yesterday) they would definitely be a ventilator and equipment but nothing materialised. If you go inside there you will see that they are not prepared to handle cases this side.

The minister at some point also suggested that we could take him to a trauma centre in Borrowdale. When it was now time for us to go to Borrowdale trauma they refused us to go there. Instead, they got the owner of Borrowdale Trauma Centre to call me and he told me that he could come and set up an ICU at Wilkins for Zororo complete with a ventilator and monitors, but he said that we had to pay US$120 000 for the equipment. 

He added that once Zororo finishes using the equipment and recovers we had to donate the equipment to Wilkins Hospital. So basically the hospital wanted us to buy the equipment for them. We don’t have US$120 000 and it is not our responsibility to buy equipment for the government.

On top of that, remember this is a critical patient, nurses would only visit him after two hours because they were afraid of handling his situation. We had to phone from home, calling the nurse station to tell them that Zororo was in distress and that his oxygen was finished because they were not going to check on him. 

It even got to a point where they were telling us that we are bothering them but Zororo was struggling in there. My mother and his fiancé have been parked out here for the past two days and they wouldn’t allow us to come in. 

The minister lied to us on many occasions. He lied to us that they were going to bring equipment and doctors but nothing ever materialised. We reached out to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa who promised us that Zororo could be transferred to Beatrice and that there was a room for him. Nothing came out of this.

We even appealed to them saying that if they have failed then they should allow us to take him home and treat him ourselves because really what he needed was oxygen. At the end, before he died, he kept telling us that he was alone and scared and the staff was refusing to help him to a point where he got up and tried to walk out and they were trying to restrain him. So this is how my younger brother ended up dying. I want people to know that the government is lying. 

Remember at some point I spoke to the president and he was saying that the report he received about Wilkins from the Health Minister is that there is equipment and medicine. However, right now they don’t even have water at Wilkins. So if you come here to be treated for corona there is absolutely no treatment you will get, you will die. 

I am not a healthcare giver but I have respect for nurses and doctors. The doctor we were in contact with here at Wilkins would turn off his phone yet he was the critical contact person, the nurses also refused to help us. 

So people need to know that the government is ill-prepared, it is not ready to deal with this virus.
 Right now we have been outside since 12pm and they have not given us his body, neither have they told us the way forward. Zororo passed away between 11 am and 12 pm today (yesterday) and the hospital called us to come and look at his body. When we got there, we were, however, told that they had already put his body in a body bag and taken it to the mortuary. 

Until now at 5 pm we have been waiting for further communication and they have not even given us any of his belongings. This is such a heart-breaking experience for us and it goes to show the lack of seriousness our government has in dealing with the coronavirus.

By A Correspondent- MDC president Nelson Chamisa has blasted his nemesis, President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his lackadaisical approach at handling the coronavirus, saying he should consider locking down the country’s borders to avoid the spread of the deadly virus.

Chamisa also challenged Mnangagwa to go into self-isolation after his trip to Namibia last Friday to attend the inauguration of Namibian President Hage Geingob.

Botswana leader Mokgweetsi Masisi, has, after his Namibian trip, started a 14-day self-isolation which will include testing for COVID-19.

Masisi will work from home over the period that he will also be quarantined from his family.

Namibia has three confirmed cases and Botswana has no case, while Zimbabwe has two confirmed cases, one of which has resulted in the death of journalist Zororo Makamba.

In an interview yesterday, Chamisa’s spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda said the country should close all entry points before people die like flies, as the government is ill-equipped to fight COVID-19. He said Mnangagwa’s trip to Namibia was not necessary and the money used to fund it could have been used to improve the country’s ailing health facilities designated to handle COVID-19 cases.

“Over night, we had three cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Zimbabwe. Remember, that our ports of entry are still dangerously supervised,” Sibanda said.

“The other day, a bus at Beitbridge Border Post was allowed to cross the country at will, while a suspected case was quarantined. I am terrified at the lack of urgency by government.”

He expressed fear that the coronavirus would spread like veld fire at queues for fuel and Zupco buses.

By A Correspondent- The trial of Mary Mubaiwa, the estranged wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, on the charge of assaulting the family maid failed to open yesterday after the State applied for postponement.

Deputy chief magistrate Mr Crispen Mberewere deferred the matter after the State’s application for a postponement. Mubaiwa was represented by Ms Beatrice Mtetwa while Ms Netsai Mushayabasa appeared for the State.

Three State witnesses who were in attendance were warned to return to court on May 12. Mubaiwa is charged with assaulting the family maid, Delight Munyoro, at Hellenic School in Borrowdale following an altercation over the custody of children.

In another case, former Heath and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa, who is facing a charge of criminal abuse of office, appeared in court yesterday, but his trial was deferred to April 30 at the request of his new lawyer, Mr Innocent Chingarande, who needed for more time to go through the record and familiarise with the case.

According to the State outline, Parirenyatwa is alleged to have ordered NatPharm board chairman, Dr George Washaya, to terminate Flora Nancy Sifeku’s contract as managing director, saying he required her services at his then ministry.

He further directed Dr Washaya to appoint Newman Madzikwa as acting managing director of NatPharm with effect from June 1, 2018.

The board complied with the directive resulting in Sifeku and Madzikwa, both being given six-month contracts with effect from June to November 30, 2018. This resulted in NatPharm paying two salaries concurrently to Sifeku and Madzikwa for the managing director’s position, prejudicing NatPharm of $30 000.-StateMedia

By A Correspondent- Zororo Makamba the son of a Zimbabwean business tycoon, James Makamba, succumbed to the novel coronavirus on Monday at Wilkins Hospital after he interacted with a lot of people including those from the office of the president, the state media has revealed.

The 30-year-old journalist became Zimbabwe’s first public figure who succumbed to coronavirus. Of major concern, however, is that he mixed and mingled with lots of people shortly before and allegedly after he tested positive for the virus.

1. Makamba could have interacted with other passengers who were on the plane he was in on his way back from New York, USA.
2. He could have interacted with officials at the airport where lots of people come through.
3. Makamba is also reported to have visited BancABC Mount Pleasant campus where he had a meeting with four people; the office of the president and cabinet; Pabloz, a popular upmarket club in Sam Levy’s Village on Thursday night.
4. He is also said to have interacted with a University student who inevitably interacted with 25 classmates and other people.

All the people he interacted with other people around them which complicates everything. Harare City Health Department is reportedly tracking the student who interacted with Makamba and also the student’s classmates.-Statemedia

With Zimbabwe battling to keep out coronavirus and a possible total lockdown should the country fail to contain the outbreak, Zimbabweans have panicked and began hoarding food items from shops in anticipation of shortages.

Pictures below were taken from OK Mart in Harare.

OLD political foes President Emmerson Mnangagwa and opposition MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa have finally found cause to unite and join hands in the fight against the ravaging coronavirus.

In neighbouring South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Julius Malema have closed ranks as the pandemic wreaks havoc in that country and most parts of the world.

While addressing the media at the party’s headquarters, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai Monday, Chamisa said he and Mnangagwa should unite and build what he termed; “Team Zimbabwe”.

“We can’t afford to be divided as a nation. We need to be united and move together and confront this enemy. Once we deal with this virus that we are supposed to be dealing with, we will always retreat back to our politics and continue as normal. At the moment, there is no politics,” said Chamisa.

“We are able to have Team Zimbabwe effort, beyond the political parties, beyond sloganeering, beyond the finger pointing, it doesn’t help to say Mnangagwa is inadequate, if he is not inadequate, it doesn’t save our lives.”
He said the government, local authorities and politicians should not be complacent in dealing with the coronavirus.

“I want to and I must continue to say I must resist the temptation to go into politics, I can’t be pointing fingers I can’t be blaming anyone. I must point fingers at ourselves we need to do more.”

“Just look outside the window, look at how people are going about their normal business and then compare with what is happening in Italy and what is happening in Spain and other countries it shows that we are not doing enough as a people, as a country.

“We need to educate and press the button of emergency and to drive the country into a mode of extraordinary that is what we need it is for all of us.”

Chamisa said in neighbouring South Africa, political party rivalry had been set aside in order to deal with the coronavirus.

“We don’t need politicians to tell us to save lives. We must do whatever we can and this is our effort to say let’s lead. So we need to have a radical shift. Our police force, our army must be turned into an active mode so that they begin to do what they know best and we know that we have a very competent military.”

In his address Monday, Chamisa urged Mnangagwa to lockdown Zimbabwe to curb the spread of the deadly virus. Later in the same evening, Mnangagwa addressed a press conference at State House where he announced sweeping measures and bans to stop the spread of coronavirus, which recorded its first death Monday afternoon.

The measures include an immediate ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice.

With immediate effect, all the country’s borders have been closed for all non-essential travel for both in-bound and out-bound traffic.

Own Correspondent|Following revelations that Zororo Makamba met with several ZANU PF and government officials during the incubation period of his Coronavirus Infection, chances are now very high that some of the people he mingled with may have contracted the virus and subsequently ferried it to the ZANU PF rally held in Nyanga last week.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa surprisingly held the political rally barely 24 hours after the government banned all public gatherings as preventive measures against the coronavirus.

The President himself was the one who announced that all public gatherings of 100 or more people had been suspended for the next 60 days. In the same announcement, the President declared the coronavirus a national disaster.

Perhaps mindful of the widespread criticism his decision to hold the rally was drawing, Mnanagwa sought to defend it, saying:

“Today is 18 March, tomorrow is Thursday the 19th, Friday is the 20th, so my decree will come into effect on Friday. Right now, you have the right to gather as you have done, you have broken no rules.”

Mnangagwa’s arrogance ignored the fact that the Coronavirus scourge would not wait for his so claimed date and as a result may have exposed the thousands who attended the rally.

The web of people who came in contact with broadcaster and socialite Zororo Makamba, who succumbed to coronavirus yesterday, is difficult to trace after it emerged that he mingled with dozens of people following his return from the United States.

Makamba met many people in his business and social life, even when he was allegedly ill, that are yet to be tracked down by the Government.

In Government circles, Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba confirmed that Makamba visited the Office of the President and Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. There, Makamba interacted with three officials who have since been tested and put on a 21-day self-quarantine. The offices were fumigated on Sunday.

Without doubt some of these people definitely met up with people who eventually attended the ZANU PF rally or they themselves attended the rally.

The web of people who came in contact with broadcaster and socialite Zororo Makamba, who succumbed to coronavirus yesterday, is difficult to trace after it emerged that he mingled with dozens of people following his return from the United States.

Makamba met many people in his business and social life, even when he was allegedly ill, that are yet to be tracked down by the Government.

In Government circles, Deputy Chief Secretary (Presidential Communications) Mr George Charamba confirmed that Makamba visited the Office of the President and Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. There, Makamba interacted with three officials who have since been tested and put on a 21-day self-quarantine.

The offices were fumigated on Sunday.

BancABC chief executive Dr Lance Mambondiani confirmed that four of the bank’s employees had a 15-minute meeting with Makamba at the bank’s Mount Pleasant Campus on Tuesday March 17, 2020 at 11:30am.

“The bank was subsequently advised that the patient had tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday morning and immediately activated recommended protocols in consultation with the city health department.”

It is understood that Makamba interacted with a friend who is a university student, who went on to interact with fellow students over the weekend.

The class had about 25 students, who have since informed their employers about the contact, and recommended a self-quarantine.

The City of Harare’s health department is now reportedly tracking them down.

The Herald is reliably informed that Makamba had extensive contact with patrons at Pabloz, a popular upmarket club in Sam Levy’s Village on Thursday night.

Pabloz had since announced that it was temporarily closing shop in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement, Pabloz said: “Dear customers, due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, Pabloz Club and VIP have taken the considered decision to cease operations until further notice.

“In light of the devastation that Covid-19 virus is wreaking globally and now in our region, we find it in the interests of public health for both our clientele and staff to close doors until such time that it is safe to operate. This is effective immediately.”

Own Correspondent|Government has promulgated Statutory Instrument (SI) 77 of 2020 to govern conduct of members of the public in a bid to contain and prevent the spread of corona virus by banning public gatherings.

The Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) Regulations, 2020 criminalises events that can lead to members of the public spreading coronavirus.

Police will arrest individuals who violate the laid down procedures.

“Any person partaking at a gathering or convener thereof — (a) partakes in or convenes a gathering knowing that such gathering is prohibited in terms of subsection (1); or (b) refuses to disperse from a gathering after being ordered to disperse in terms of subsection (2)(a); shall be guilty of an offence and liable to fine not exceeding level 12 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both such fine and such imprisonment,” reads the SI.

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday mourned journalist Zororo Makamba who became the first Zimbabwean to succumb to Covid-19 and announced a raft of measures to contain the virus.

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

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

Makamba (30) who had an underlying heart condition died at Wilkins Hospital in Harare yesterday morning.

He had been admitted to the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus as the country’s second patient after the first case was recorded on Friday in Victoria Falls.

In a statement, President Mnangagwa said he learnt with great shock and sadness of Makamba’s death as Government hoped he would recover.

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

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

He extended his condolence message to the Makamba family.

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

TOURISM players in Victoria Falls yesterday implored Government to close borders especially for travellers from high-risk countries to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

This comes as some countries have imposed travel restrictions while airlines have also suspended flights.

Yesterday panic gripped Victoria Falls when a group of 42 tourists from 11 countries arrived in the resort town aboard a Rovos train, a luxury train service that chauffeurs tourists around Africa.

The travellers were accompanied by about 20 handlers and tour guides comprising locals, South Africans and others from Botswana.

The tourists comprised nine British nationals, nine South Africans, eight Australians, four from Germany, three from Switzerland, two each from USA, Malta and Netherlands and one each from Sweden, New Zealand and Ireland.

The train was coming from Tanzania on a long tour that started a few months ago around the globe and booked at Victoria Falls Hotel.

There were concerns as the tourists were only checked for temperature without much more sophisticated screening.

This news crew observed the arrival of the train at Victoria Falls train station where some casual workers simply received luggage from the train without waiting for it to be sanitised.

None had gloves or face masks. Only staff at Victoria Falls Hotel had masks, gloves and a temperature screening device but the security guard who was screening the whole group had a single set of gloves and mask.

This exposed the officer to the risk of infection in the event that one of the travellers could be infected.

Even curio vendors went about their business as usual soliciting for clients without keeping the recommended social distance.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, some industry players called for immediate action.

“It’s better to lose business than to put everyone at risk. If we can temporarily close borders then we know we can defeat the virus and reopen than to expose ourselves,” said an operator.

The operators had intended not to allow the train to stop in Victoria Falls and order it to proceed but failed as there was no Government official to communicate with the train authorities.

“We are not sure if proper testing and screening was done on them. These are people from high-risk countries and if we remain open at our borders we are at risk and it’s a sign of lack of preparedness at a time when all countries are closing borders,” said a hotel executive.

“For now, it is better to prevent the spread from other countries. It’s better we suffer revenue drops temporarily than compromise the health of the whole society, which is already vulnerable.”

Another hotelier said Government should close Victoria Falls and Kazungula borders.

Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva acknowledged that the country is at risk and said recommendations have been made to Government.

“We as the health sector can only make recommendations and we have done that as much as we will continue doing. I am sure something is being worked on,” she said.

Own Correspondent|MDC President Nelson Chamisa has mourned the death of young broadcaster Zororo Makamba due to Coronavirus saying that the country lost a gem.

“Gone too soon my dear brother. What a bright spark and brilliant broadcaster! My condolences to the Makambas and the Zimbabwe family at large. We lost a gem!Rest in Power bro,” said Chamisa.

The broadcaster launched his media career at ZiFM Stereo, where he hosted current affairs programmes. He moved to television where one of his best-known shows was “Tonight with Zororo”, which aired on MNet’s Zambezi Magic.

He won several accolades including a National Arts and Merit Award and Best Male Achiever at the Zimbabwe Youth Achievers Awards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

video loading below:

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

State Media|Zimbabwe has recorded its first death from Covid-19, Zororo Makamba (30) who died yesterday afternoon at Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital in Harare.

He was the second confirmed case with coronavirus after a Victoria Falls man (38) had tested positive last week. Makamba had been admitted to hospital after his condition deteriorated.

He had underlying medical conditions, making him more vulnerable to complications arising from Covid-19.

Makamba travelled to New York, in the United States on February 29 and returned to Harare on March 9, via Johannesburg, South Africa. He started exhibiting mild flu symptoms on March 12, which got worse on March 19. He consulted with his doctor, who advised him to self-isolate at home.

The doctor alerted the local Covid-19 rapid response team which immediately went to assess him and recommended that he continues with self-isolation while specimens were sent to the reference laboratory for testing

They were positive, but he was only moved to Wilkins when he later developed severe respiratory distress.

Confirming his death at a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said Government was still following up on all those who could have made contact with Makamba since his return.

“We appeal to all those who could have made contact with the deceased to present themselves for screening at Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital. Staff at Wilkins will be ready for screening starting from 9am,” said Dr Moyo.

Asked how many people who could have had contact with Makamba had been screened, Dr Moyo said figures were still being collated.

Dr Moyo said Makamba had other underlying conditions, which made him more vulnerable to Covid-19.

The broadcaster launched his media career at ZiFM Stereo, where he hosted current affairs programmes. He moved to television where one of his best-known shows was “Tonight with Zororo”, which aired on MNet’s Zambezi Magic.

He won several accolades including a National Arts and Merit Award and Best Male Achiever at the Zimbabwe Youth Achievers Awards.

Commenting on the first confirmed case from Victoria Falls, Dr Moyo said his condition was stable.

On the third suspected case, which was initially rumoured to be positive over the weekend, Dr Moyo said initial tests were inconclusive, meaning the sample could have been contaminated and could have provided an inaccurate result. Dr Moyo said the patient will now have to be subjected to a second round of sample taking.

President Mnangagwa and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa have given their condolences.

The President in his message to the family said: “I learnt with great shock and sadness of the death this morning of a very resourceful and talented young man, Zororo Makamba, following his admission to a local hospital at the weekend after testing positive to the corona virus.

“His passing on so suddenly has been unexpected as we had held high hopes also for his steady recovery following good news about our first confirmed victim of the virus who has registered commendable recovery, he said.

President Mnangagwa, however, said Zororo had an underlying heart condition for which he had been receiving medical attention.

He said the country has lost a promising young man who germinated from a crop of highly skilled and gifted journalist, who were striving to produce excellent local content and professionalism in the broadcasting fraternity.

The broadcasting sector is thus, all the poorer without the calibre of journalists like Zororo who had won the hearts and minds of many viewers and audiences with his captivating, well researched and balanced documents both aired on our local radio and television stations as we as on social media.

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

Minister Mutsvangwa said she received the news of the passing on of Mr Makamba with great shock, extreme sadness and deep sense of shock.

The minister said she constantly and continuously worked with Mr Makamba on his much watched and greatly appreciated ‘State of the Nation’ program on Zimbabwe Television.

“He was a young intelligent and dynamic man that infused talent and passion for his work with intense patriotic pride. He always exuded that confidence in the face of daunting challenges.

“He communicated with promise and hope in the economic prospects of his beloved Zimbabwe. I extend my sincere condolences to the Makamba family as well as to relatives and friends of Zororo Makamba,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said as the nation mourns Mr Makamba, it should take the threat of Covid-19 serious, by following due medical precautions announced by Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.

State Media|PRESIDENT Mnangagwa last night announced sweeping measures and bans to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) which recorded its first death yesterday afternoon.

The measures include an immediate ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice.

With immediate effect, all the country’s borders have been closed for all non-essential travel for both in-bound and out-bound traffic.

Further, hospital visits have been reduced to one visit by one person per day, while public gatherings have been cut from 100 to 50.

Informal markets will remain open, but citizens are encouraged to limit their visits while health and security personnel will be deployed to enhance screening services.

With regards to mass transport, new measures will be announced shortly for the safety of commuters.

“To keep pace with the fast-changing national and global situation, Government has decided on the following additional measures, which take immediate effect.

“While our borders remain open to essential traffic, both in the interest of the economy and that of the corresponding economies of our region, we have decided to ban inessential travel and traffic, both in-bound and out-bound. Except for the movement of cargo, Government will close all our boarders to human traffic. This will not, however, affect returning residents.

“Screening on essential traffic will continue to be enforced strictly in line with the best practices and guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organisation.

“All our returning residents will be subjected to strict screening procedures including rigorous enforcement of the 21-day self-quarantine, which must not be breached for whatever reason,” said President Mnangagwa.

Until further notice, he said Government was discouraging unnecessary travel within the country including unnecessary movements beyond homes.

Said the President: “With immediate effect, Government has put a blanket ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice. I am aware that this curtailment of social activities will be hard on all of us. However, such tough measures have become necessary and unavoidable for our collective safety as a nation.

“With immediate effect, visits to hospitals and clinics will be reduced to one visit per day, even involving only one person per patient. With immediate effect, public gatherings may not exceed 50 persons. Such gatherings include religious fellowships, worship, weddings, conferences, workshops, meetings and funerals.”

President Mnangagwa said Government was encouraging automated electronic services to minimise human contact and interface particularly in dispensing essential services such as banking payment of bill utilities.

Where possible, the President said, employers were encouraged to reduce human concentrations at work places.

He said non-essential staff or essential staff whose services could be rendered from home should be encouraged by employers.

With regards to informal markets, President Mnangagwa said: “While Government will not, at this stage, close down informal markets, citizens are encouraged to limit their visits to such markets and in any case to reduce the numbers involved as well as frequencies to these markets. Health personnel, security personnel and other volunteer workers will be deployed in these markets to enhance screening services.”

He added that all transport operators are encouraged to comply with public health measures, which Government would be announcing shortly, all for the safety of commuters. These include screening on points of embarkation and occasional contamination operations targeting public vehicles and depots.

President Mnangagwa said companies in the business of manufacturing sanitary material such as sanitizers and masks among others should not take advantage of the current crisis to fleece the public.

He said where such actions would be observed, Government would not hesitate to take drastic measures.

“I am also aware of the concerns, which continue to be raised by our health personnel who are in the front line of this pandemic,” he said.

“These great men and women are the heroes and heroines of our nation. They continue to deliver services at great personal risk, they continue to save lives. They deserve our support, they deserve our unstinting praise and accolades. They must be rewarded. Above all, we should make their already risky medical chores both safer and less onerous.”

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa last night announced sweeping measures and bans to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) which recorded its first death yesterday afternoon.

The measures include an immediate ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice.

With immediate effect, all the country’s borders have been closed for all non-essential travel for both in-bound and out-bound traffic.

Further, hospital visits have been reduced to one visit by one person per day, while public gatherings have been cut from 100 to 50.

Informal markets will remain open, but citizens are encouraged to limit their visits while health and security personnel will be deployed to enhance screening services.
With regards to mass transport, new measures will be announced shortly for the safety of commuters.

“To keep pace with the fast-changing national and global situation, Government has decided on the following additional measures, which take immediate effect.

“While our borders remain open to essential traffic, both in the interest of the economy and that of the corresponding economies of our region, we have decided to ban inessential travel and traffic, both in-bound and out-bound. Except for the movement of cargo, Government will close all our boarders to human traffic. This will not, however, affect returning residents.

“Screening on essential traffic will continue to be enforced strictly in line with the best practices and guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organisation.

“All our returning residents will be subjected to strict screening procedures including rigorous enforcement of the 21-day self-quarantine, which must not be breached for whatever reason,” said President Mnangagwa.

Until further notice, he said Government was discouraging unnecessary travel within the country including unnecessary movements beyond homes.

Said the President: “With immediate effect, Government has put a blanket ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice. I am aware that this curtailment of social activities will be hard on all of us. However, such tough measures have become necessary and unavoidable for our collective safety as a nation.

“With immediate effect, visits to hospitals and clinics will be reduced to one visit per day, even involving only one person per patient.

With immediate effect, public gatherings may not exceed 50 persons. Such gatherings include religious fellowships, worship, weddings, conferences, workshops, meetings and funerals.”

President Mnangagwa said Government was encouraging automated electronic services to minimise human contact and interface particularly in dispensing essential services such as banking payment of bill utilities.

Where possible, the President said, employers were encouraged to reduce human concentrations at work places.

He said non-essential staff or essential staff whose services could be rendered from home should be encouraged by employers.

With regards to informal markets, President Mnangagwa said:

“While Government will not, at this stage, close down informal markets, citizens are encouraged to limit their visits to such markets and in any case to reduce the numbers involved as well as frequencies to these markets. Health personnel, security personnel and other volunteer workers will be deployed in these markets to enhance screening services.”

He added that all transport operators are encouraged to comply with public health measures, which Government would be announcing shortly, all for the safety of commuters.

These include screening on points of embarkation and occasional contamination operations targeting public vehicles and depots.-State media

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa last night announced sweeping measures and bans to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) which recorded its first death yesterday afternoon.

The measures include an immediate ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice.

With immediate effect, all the country’s borders have been closed for all non-essential travel for both in-bound and out-bound traffic.

Further, hospital visits have been reduced to one visit by one person per day, while public gatherings have been cut from 100 to 50.

Informal markets will remain open, but citizens are encouraged to limit their visits while health and security personnel will be deployed to enhance screening services.
With regards to mass transport, new measures will be announced shortly for the safety of commuters.

“To keep pace with the fast-changing national and global situation, Government has decided on the following additional measures, which take immediate effect.

“While our borders remain open to essential traffic, both in the interest of the economy and that of the corresponding economies of our region, we have decided to ban inessential travel and traffic, both in-bound and out-bound. Except for the movement of cargo, Government will close all our boarders to human traffic. This will not, however, affect returning residents.

“Screening on essential traffic will continue to be enforced strictly in line with the best practices and guidelines prescribed by the World Health Organisation.

“All our returning residents will be subjected to strict screening procedures including rigorous enforcement of the 21-day self-quarantine, which must not be breached for whatever reason,” said President Mnangagwa.

Until further notice, he said Government was discouraging unnecessary travel within the country including unnecessary movements beyond homes.

Said the President: “With immediate effect, Government has put a blanket ban on gatherings around night clubs, bars, beerhalls, movie houses, swimming pools, gymnasiums and sporting activities until further notice. I am aware that this curtailment of social activities will be hard on all of us. However, such tough measures have become necessary and unavoidable for our collective safety as a nation.

“With immediate effect, visits to hospitals and clinics will be reduced to one visit per day, even involving only one person per patient.

With immediate effect, public gatherings may not exceed 50 persons. Such gatherings include religious fellowships, worship, weddings, conferences, workshops, meetings and funerals.”

President Mnangagwa said Government was encouraging automated electronic services to minimise human contact and interface particularly in dispensing essential services such as banking payment of bill utilities.

Where possible, the President said, employers were encouraged to reduce human concentrations at work places.

He said non-essential staff or essential staff whose services could be rendered from home should be encouraged by employers.

With regards to informal markets, President Mnangagwa said:

“While Government will not, at this stage, close down informal markets, citizens are encouraged to limit their visits to such markets and in any case to reduce the numbers involved as well as frequencies to these markets. Health personnel, security personnel and other volunteer workers will be deployed in these markets to enhance screening services.”

He added that all transport operators are encouraged to comply with public health measures, which Government would be announcing shortly, all for the safety of commuters.

These include screening on points of embarkation and occasional contamination operations targeting public vehicles and depots.-State media

Two schoolchildren were yesterday morning ran over by a car at a pick-up point in Harare.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the accident.

“I can confirm that two schoolchildren who reside in Rydale Ridge were hit and killed on the spot yesterday morning while waiting for transport to school.

“The sad thing about this accident is that the accused Given Tapiwa Makeredza (19) is a new driver who got his driving licence on 31 January, 2020. He had one passenger in his car.

“The deceased Mufudzi Nyadzayo (12), a Grade Seven pupil at Kuwadzana 8 Primary School and Samuel Magorimbo (11), a Grade Six pupil at Kuwadzana 6 Primary School were waiting for transport to school off the road. Their next of kin have been informed,” he said.

“The driver lost control of the car resulting in him hitting the children who suffered head and fractured legs and died on the spot. They were taken to Harare hospital where they were certified dead.”

Ass Comm Nyathi urged motorists to be responsible on the road, as they were bound to come across pedestrians and schoolchildren.

“This is a very sad scenario and we strongly urge motorists especially new drivers to be driving under the guidance of seasoned drivers, as they still have a lot to learn.

They do not have road exposure, no experience and full composure.
“They should not drive alone in crowded areas, residential areas and schools, as they are bound to encounter schoolchildren who also still need assistance,” he added.

The driver is being charged with culpable homicide.-State media

A Form Six pupil at Gokomere High School gave birth to a bouncing baby girl in her hostel yesterday.

She allegedly went into labour at around 2am and gave birth a few minutes later in the hostel with the assistance of female wardens at the Roman Catholic-run boarding school.

After giving birth, the pupil and her baby were taken to the nearby Gokomere Clinic where nursing staff examined and certified that they were both fine.

Roman Cathoilc’s Masvingo Diocese vicar-general Father Walter Nyatsanza, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, it’s true, one of our female students gave birth to a baby girl at the school and the mother and her child were taken to a clinic at the institution where both were certified safe.

“At this point we must protect the student who made a mistake. There is nothing that can be done to reverse this unfortunate incident. She needs help to cope.”

Fr Nyatsanza said it was up to the girl’s parents to decide whether she continues with her education or not.

“It is unfortunate that she fell pregnant and authorities at the school were not able to discover it because of the high student population, which makes it hard to closely monitor students.

“Unlike before, nowadays there are some parents who are also against such close monitoring of their children in those areas (reproductive health). It is a catch 22 situation,” he said.

“She is still our student. We cannot discriminate against her on the basis that she is now a mother.

“She can continue with her education, but that all depends with what her parents want.
“We have informed them and they are on their way,” added Fr Nyatsanza.

Other authorities at the school said they were taken by surprise by the incident.- State media

Farai Dziva|The country’s main opposition party, MDC defeated Zanu PF in a by-election held at the weekend.

Read below an article published by a state run newspaper:

The opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa won the Chegutu Ward 2 by-election that was held on Saturday.

The MDC candidate Mr Machekera attained 240 while the ZANU PF candidate Mr Prosper Mtongerwa garnered 184.

The variance almost mirrors the gap that differentiated the MDC and ZANU PF candidates in 2018. In the 2018 harmonised election, Zanu PF attained 228 votes against MDC-Alliance’s 416 votes.

Mtongerwa’s chief election agent Elijah Jabangwe said that the ruling party accepted the outcome but was not happy with the voter turnout as the total number of votes cast was less than the total number of those registered to vote.

Jabangwe recommended voter education for the electorate to know the importance of voting.

Meanwhile, ZANU PF Central Committee member Webster Shamu said that there was great potential in the ward.

He added:
What is more important is to have viable, authentic and effective party structures; this should guarantee a win for us. If we work hard as a party I am sure we will have a landslide victory come 2023.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been accused of instructing banks to block his estranged wife Marry Chiwenga ‘s accounts.

The matter came to light in a letter sent to CBZ and VP Chiwenga’s lawyers, Marry’s lawyers threatened to sue the CBZ and FBC Bank for blocking her from accessing her account.

Mubaiwa’s lawyers wrote:
…The only conclusion that she has come to is that the decision not to process her transactions is synchronised and has been taken by the bank.

We advise that your conduct is unlawful and should cease forthwith as there has been no form of due legal process to bar our client from transacting on the account.

We are instructed that Mr Moyo duly complied with the unlawful instruction, in complete disregard of all banking ethics and procedures.

Our client was surprised when FBC Bank denied her the right to withdraw money from her account and she was advised that the ‘bosses’ would get in touch with her, which they had not done at the time of the writing of the letter.

Chiwenga and Mubaiwa are locked in a nasty divorce whose details have headlined for the past 3 months.- The Insider

Farai Dziva|The government has confirmed the death of Zororo Makamba, the second person to be diagnosed with Coronavirus in Zimbabwe.

“The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obediah Moyo has confirmed the death of Zororo Makamba, who was the second person to test positive for Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.

Zororo Makamba was son of businessperson, James Makamba,” ZBC tweeted.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care
@MoHCCZim
has confirmed the passing on at Wilkins Hospital of one of the two confirmed cases Covid-19 in the country.”

“It’s a very sad day for us,” Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry Dr Agnes Mahomva said.

Chief Svosve and Mai Nico perform a nightwatch across Zimbabwe.

VIDEO LOADING BELOW…

1. Eat a healthy & nutritious diet, which helps your immune system to function properly.
2. Limit your alcohol consumption & avoid sugary drinks.
3. Don’t smoke. Smoking can increase your risk of developing severe disease if you become infected with
4. Exercise.
   World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 30 minutes of physical activity for adults, and 1h/day for children.
5. Look after your #mentalhealth. It’s normal to feel stressed, confused and scared during a crisis. Talking to people you know and trust can help. #HealthyAtHome #COVID19 #coronaviruszim

• Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom

Where there is leadership vacuum, we step in to provide vision and direction.

No time is spared for detractors and failures.

We have dispatched a team that shall work with all Councils to cage the pandemic, give medication to patients, educate our people and update nation at all times.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Own Correspondent|President Emmerson Mnangagwa has just addressed the nation on the Coronavirus following the death of Zororo Makamba today.

He has introduced a number of measures. Borders have been closed, no one is allowed to leave the country except for those returning to Zimbabwe.

Gatherings have been reduced to 50. Bars have been banned. People encouraged to reduce movements. Markets will open but with strict monitoring. There will be strict monitoring of public transport.

“The sad passing on of our own as well as spilling death worldwide calls us to review our measures,” he said.

Watch Mnangagwa’s Full address in the video downloading below:

As the coronavirus continues to take a toll on virtually every sector, the Zimbabwean justice system is the latest to issue preventative guidelines, with the most drastic being the cancellation of court weddings.

Instead, Chief Justice Luke Malaba said those who had booked for their weddings would need to rebook after two months.

In addition, Malaba said trials and non urgent hearings must be postponed for a period of no less than two months except for urgent matters such as bail and initial remand hearings.

The superior courts will also not conduct any hearings in chambers.

“In instances where hearings are held, these should be confined to parties involved in the case and their legal practitioners,” Malaba said.

“Those not involved in the case are discouraged from attending or coming to court.”

The Chief Justice further added that those coming to courts should be sanitised when going in and out of courts, maintain a distance of at least two metres from each other and that every surface that is used should be disinfected.

So far, the government has announced two cases of coronavirus and one fatality, that of broadcaster Zororo Makamba.

A number of measures have been announced to curb the spread of the disease, but so far, many have not heeded to those directives.

Among the measures announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa where that weddings should not go ahead.

For more statistics on the number of global coronavirus cases, you may visit this link

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) has proposed that hospitals scale down to emergency mode and the cessation of all routine outpatient departments operations, as they decried the lack of preparedness at public hospitals in dealing with the novel coronavirus.

In a statement, ZHDA president, Tawanda Zvakada said doctors were vulnerable to the disease, also known as COVID-19, as they dealt with high risk professionals.

“The lack of clear direction and training has resulted in overcrowding at entry points to health facilities and left frontline medical personnel attending to patients without the bare minimum of personal protective equipment (PPE),” he said.

“As such strict measures must be put in place to protect us and the nation at large.”

The doctors warned that if their concerns were not addressed, they would not be able to “continue conducting our duties, exposing ourselves and risk spreading the virus to our loved ones at home”.

Already, nurses have issued a similar threat, raising the spectre that if Zimbabwe were to suffer a widespread breakout of the disease, the country would be devastated.

The measures are:

• Hospitals must scale down to emergency mode with immediate effect
• Adequate PPE to be availed to all healthcare workers at highest risk
• Mandatory screening ar all points if entry to include purpose of visit to limit traffic as well as provide adequate distancing of patients and visitors to the health institution
• Separate entry and exit points for health workers
• Clean water and sanitisers to be readily accessible throughout the hospitals
• Patients requiring emergency services to be accompanied by at most one other person
• Suspension of visiting inpatients to avoid crowding in wards and corridors
• Specialised trained task force to attend to suspected corona (sic) cases
• HCW compensation to be discussed in a transparent manner to allay the current fears of health worker

So far, Zimbabwe has officially reported two cases of the coronavirus.

Another patient is suspected to have been infected with the novel coronavirus, but the government says the person’s test results were inconclusive.

For more statistics on the number of global coronavirus cases, you may visit this link

ZIMBABWE faces the grim prospect of failing to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) after it emerged yesterday that the country’s health professionals were yet to receive the requisite training and protective clothing to handle the pandemic which has so far globally recorded 13 671 deaths and 318 228 confirmed cases.

To date, the country has officially recorded two cases with the third undergoing further tests, according to the Health and Child Care ministry.

Local nurses’ union, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) yesterday gave government a 24-hour ultimatum to train its members and provide protective clothing, failing which they would down tools for their own safety.

Zina president Enock Dongo told NewsDay that since COVID-19 was a new disease, there was urgent need for government to provide specialised training and equipment to avoid exposure of its members to infection.

“Our concerns are genuine, the COVID-19 is a new disease and the current nurses have never learned about it. Our government is very slow in responding; the nurses have no information on the virus except reading the guidelines on social media and newspapers. We are giving the government 24 hours to address our concerns or else we will withdraw our services because we cannot put our members at risk.

This is a deadly disease that needs protective
measures more than anything else,” Dongo said.

“When people fall sick, they come to the hospital and they expect us to help them, but as of now, we do not know how to handle the affected person. The pandemic has claimed thousands of lives and we are exposed on a daily basis since we do not have any protective clothing to handle the COVID-19 patients.”

He added: “If nurses attend to a COVID-19 patient without protective clothing, they can be affected by the virus and after getting the virus they board a Zupco bus where they will infect other passengers and the disease spreads. So we are saying give us protective clothing before it’s too late,”Dongo said.

Zimbabwe’s development partners among them, the People’s Republic of China and United Kingdom last week gave US$26,388 million, while President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government contributed ZWL$20 million towards upgrading of key infrastructure including hospitals, clinics and isolation centres.

The funds are supposed to go towards logistics, procurement, planning, monitoring, risk communication, community engagement, surveillance, rapid response, case investigation including at points of entry, national laboratory system, infection prevention, control and case management, among others.

Dongo said despite putting aside a war chest, nothing on the ground shows the nation is prepared to take on the virus.

Health secretary Agnes Mahomva confirmed that health professionals were yet to be trained or provided with protective clothing.

“Yes, we are aware of the problems they are facing, but as a government, we are working on that since COVID-19 is a priority at the moment,” Mahomva said.

In Italy, latest figures show that healthcare workers make up 9% of the country’s COVID-19 cases.

Italy, the current global epicentre of the pandemic, yesterday had recorded 53 500 cases and over 4 800 deaths.

Health experts in Zimbabwe have been urging government to impose strict travel restrictions, especially from high-risk countries to minimise the spread given the country’s decayed public health system.

Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said he was worried that Zimbabwe continues to receive visitors from high-risk areas.

“COVID-19 is spreading rapidly throughout the world. We are worried by the seemingly lackadaisical nature at which the government is dealing with the virus and yet other countries with well-functioning health systems have announced total lockdown to combat the spread of the disease. We are concerned that Zimbabwe continues to welcome visitors from high-risk countries as if things are normal. Why should Zimbabwe wait until there is a complete crisis to take drastic travel measures?” Rusike asked.

Zimbabwe Association for Human Rights Doctors secretary Norman Matara said: “We need to implement travel restrictions just like what other serious governments are doing. We have a weak health system which will not be able to respond to a full-blown outbreak of this virus. Our best and cheaper option is preventing an outbreak in the country.”

In a related matter, Bulawayo City Council’s acting health services director Charles Malaba has advised residents to immediately bury bodies of people who would have succumbed to coronavirus to avoid cross-contamination.

“When it comes to disposal of bodies, we deal with the body just like any other infectious diseases where the burial should be done immediately and all the other rituals that are done like body viewing and taking the body home will not happen,” Malaba said.

“We take the corpse to the cemetery and there is supervised burial from our environmental health practitioners and at the cemetery we do not have designated places for that. We will bury the bodies at cemeteries where we bury all other people. What we do is we disinfect the grave using chloride and then we make sure the burial is supervised all out.”

In Masvingo, most rural district councils (RDCs) have suspended mobile open markets where traders travel around the province selling their wares to thousands of villagers. The open markets, popularly known as Bacossi, which are held once every month throughout the province attract thousands of villagers.

Zaka Rural District Council was among the first to issue a ban on open markets following Mnangagwa’s decree last week banning all gatherings with more than 100 people after declaring the scourge a national disaster.

Zaka RDC chief executive officer David Majaura issued a circular banning all mobile open markets in the district. Bikita, Mwenezi and Chivi RDCs later followed suit.

However, both Chiredzi rural and urban seem to be lagging behind as the open markets were held this weekend.

Acting Chiredzi RDC chief executive Mikia Majatame said they had a technical service meeting with councillors where they agreed to disseminate the message on preventative measures.

In Chiredzi urban, all-night church gatherings were still being held, while Chigarapasi which is probably the biggest council bar in the province, was still being frequented by hundreds of patrons.

In Harare, it was business as usual in the city centre, Magaba, Mupedzanhamo and Mbare Musika where most informal traders ply their trade. A trader at Mbare Musika, who preferred anonymity, said some customers wore masks and traders avoided unnecessary contact with customers and each other.

Hatcliffe and Domboshava’s Showground markets were on Saturday packed with traders and customers who were oblivious of the imminent threat.

State Media|PARLIAMENT has called for an urgent investigation into the purchase of a consignment of US$900 000 hospital equipment after doctors at Mpilo Central and United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) complained that up to 80 percent of it was obsolete, with missing parts. 

The equipment was allegedly purchased from Narula Exports of New Delhi, which is not known as a manufacturer of medical equipment.

Doctors said it was miraculous that patients were not dying in large numbers as they could not treat them without proper machinery.

The parliamentary portfolio committee on health while touring Bulawayo hospital on Friday said more investigations should be launched into the deal which saw ministry of health officials procuring ‘obsolete’ refurbished 2006 models for various medical purposes.

Most of the machinery is said to be so old it cannot be used and some of it has gone out of production such that spares cannot be secured.

The scandal was initially exposed by the Senior Hospital Doctors’ Association (SHDA) representatives, Shingai Nyaguse (president), Raphael Makota (vice-president), Aaron Musara (secretary-general), Bothwell Anesu Mbuwayesango and Nomaqhawe Moyo who are all specialist doctors at a parliamentary portfolio committee on health meeting in Parliament in January. 

However, doctors said nothing had been done to this day. 

Doctors at two of the country’s biggest public health referral institutions in the country, on Thursday told the Dr Ruth Labode-led committee that the condemned consignment included theatre equipment, incubators, ventilators and beds that can only sustain weights of “light” people, below 65kgs.

Most adults in the country weigh more than 75kg.

At Mpilo Central Hospital it was estimated that about 80 percent of the equipment was non-functional.

Giving oral evidence to the parliamentary committee at Mpilo Central Hospital, one of the surgeons who was assigned to receive the equipment from Harare, Mr Allan Ngulube, said the equipment was obsolete.

He said even companies that manufacturethe equipment were no longer manufacturing the spares for the machines as they areoutdated.

“I was not part of the procurement team but was just asked to go and receive it. So as young surgeons we have been here for some years and have not been operating because there are no anaesthetic machines basically there is a lot of missing equipment,” he said.

“Imagine our disappointment when we opened the equipment here and it was set up to try and use it lo and behold, they were a lot of missing parts. So, we couldn’t use it. It was not the latest in terms of the brands. As a hospital that had nothing, we said half a loaf is better than nothing at all. But even the half loaf is not usable at all. So, the equipment isstored in a storeroom somewhere because it has missing parts.”

Mr Ngulube said there was confusion as the Indian technicians came to set up the equipment and they failed to assemble it as well. 

At the United Bulawayo Hospitals, UBH CEO Ms Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said 62 percent of the hospital’s equipment was dysfunctional. 

Part of the non-functioning equipment includes adult ventilators, an electric theatre table which cannot be adjusted, hydraulic theatre tables which have no foot pedals to adjust the tables, electroencephalography machines which could not be assembled as they had missing parts, three incubators which need spare parts, seven continuous positive airway pressure machines which came with missing parts, colonoscopy/gastroscopy machines which have poor image quality, and came with no manual and with control buttons written in Japanese.

The Committee said a proper investigation must be done on what happened that led to the procurement of “archaic” medical equipment.

“Someone must be held accountable for the loss. You cannot have the president donating funds for purchase of vital medical equipment, and then somebody goes to buy used and archaic equipment. You also cannot afford to have a situation where it is just talked about without action. 

“Someone must own up to it, there needs to be clarity on what happened. Someone cannot fly to India on taxpayers’ money to bring this,” said Dr Labode. 

One of the specialist doctors who spoke at the meeting said doctors were not consulted when the “irrelevant” equipment was bought. 

“We were never involved in the procurement process and were not even consulted. We know what is vital in hospitals as we work there every day. We know what we can do without and we know what a hospital needs to prioritise. 

“But here we have someone going to buy equipment as if they are furnishing a museum, collecting antiques for all archaic materials. 

“These things, even the 38 percent that is working, when they break down it will be difficult to fix them because manufacturers are making modern machines and these lines of production stopped in 2006, where would you get the spares 15 years after a product line was discontinued,” said one of the specialist doctors at UBH during the meeting.

The senior doctors also told Parliament that intensive care units at the country’s referral hospitals were in dire straits.

Deputy Minister of health and Child care, Dr John Mangwiro recently confirmed the procurement of obsolete equipment in parliament but however, defended the purchase saying the Indian technicians are to return to Zimbabwe with the ‘correct’ equipment during the course of this year and will operate the machines.

Mpilo Central Hospital and UBH serve the southern region which covers Bulawayo, Midlands, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South.-

ZIMBABWE is set to tighten measures aimed at combating the spread of the deadly coronavirus with an expected cities lockdown and a further ban on travels between towns and rural areas among locals.

This comes after the country recorded its first death in just two cases of the world pandemic.

Zimbabwe recorded its first coronavirus (Covid19) death after a patient who was admitted at Wilkins Hospital in Harare died on Monday morning.

Health and Child Care Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva confirmed the development on Monday afternoon.

The victim is Zororo Makamba (30) who had travelled to New York in the United States of America on February 29 and returned home on March 9 via Johannesburg.

Perhaps drawing lessons from countries which have seen the worst of the virus, President Mnangagwa insisted the country will not take any chances amid fears of a full-blown outbreak which could be tougher to control.

“We appeal to all Zimbabweans to restrict their movements,” Mnangagwa said weekend.

“We can only move for essential and critical reasons. Otherwise we recommend that our communities, both urban and rural, remain where they are and not travel.

“The spread of this pandemic is so quick and fast, so we are appealing to our people to avoid travelling. Let us keep at home and only move either to buy food or medicines.”

Government further placed a ban on all forms of public gatherings involving persons in excess of 100.

Weddings, church gatherings were also banned, coupled with the postponement of the annual Independence Day celebrations and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

Zimbabwean schools are also set to shut down this Tuesday as some of the preemptive measures against the disease.

Since its outbreak in China December 2019, nearly 340 000 cases of the virus have been recorded worldwide with Europe emerging as the new epicentre of the disease.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi claims that members of the opposition MDC supporters on Saturday assaulted him during a Chegutu ward 2 by-election.

According to Ziyambi, he went to a polling station to meet a Zanu PF polling agent, but rowdy MDC supporters confronted him and attempted to block his way before they hurled obscenities at the Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson.

“Pano hapana minister. Uri kuendakupi iwe? Ibvaapo (There is no minister here? Where are you going? Leave this place now),” the MDC supporters shouted at Ziyambi, charging towards him.
Ziyambi had to be whisked away to safety by his aides.

“I went to that certain polling station to meet our polling agent. When I arrived, I greeted the opposition supporters and kindly asked them to excuse us so that I could speak to our polling agent,” Ziyambi told the Daily News in an interview yesterday.

Ziyambi warned the opposition against political violence, adding that after the attack the MDC supporters went on social media to discredit him by claiming he had visit the polling station intending to speak to the presiding officer.

“They were blocking me from talking to our polling agent. After that they have gone on social media and started to spread a false narration that I was trying to speak to the presiding officer, which is totally hogwash.

“Their behaviour is not good; they have become a law unto themselves. I went to the polling station to see our polling agent in my role as Zanu PF chairman. Am I not allowed to see my polling agent? They are abusing social media, spreading false information. Democracy is not about attacking people, this violent behaviour must stop. I have since instructed those who were posting on social media to retract, failure to do that I will take legal action.”

Information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangawana condemned the attack on Ziyambi.

“We hadn’t witnessed electoral violence in Zimbabwe in a while until yesterday in Chegutu when Hon Ziyambi, who is also Zanu PF Mash West chair, came face to face with aggression and aggravation from rowdy members of the opposition just for speaking to his party election agent. Why?,” Mangwana wrote on his Twitter account yesterday.

Contacted for comment, MDC secretary for elections Jacob Mafume said the supporters were questioning why Ziyambi came near the polling station without Zimbabwe Electoral Commission accreditation.

“He was not assaulted at all. There was a vigorous discussion on why he was in the polling station without accreditation. The rule states that Ziyambi should have been 300m away from the polling station without accreditation. So, he (Ziyambi) was leading the assault on the election process,” Mafume said.

Ironically, the MDC has been accusing Zanu PF of using State machinery to intimidate and beat people in previous elections.

This comes as the opposition is pushing for electoral reforms and they have written to the United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment Mission, which was recently in the country, to push the government to implement electoral reforms.

There has been accusations and counteraccusations of political violence between Zanu PF and the MDC since the formation of the opposition in 1999 and the leadership of trade unionist, the late Morgan Tsvangirai.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa has expressed sadness at the passing of Zororo Makamba. Zororo was a popular broadcaster and son to businessman and politician James Makamba. He was 30.

“I have received the news of the passing on of Zororo Makamba with great shock, extreme sadness and deep sense of shock. He is a victim of the worldwide pandemic that is Covid-19”

“I extend my sincere condolences to the Makamba family as well as to relatives and friends of Zororo Makamba. Zororo will be solely missed”, she said.

Zororo succumbed to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) an infectious disease that causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.

Below is the full statement
I have received the news of the passing on of Zororo Makamba with great shock, extreme sadness and deep sense of shock.  He is a victim of the world wide pandemic that is Covid-19.

As the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services I constantly and continuously worked with Zororo on his much watched and greatly appreciated State of the Nation program on Zimbabwe Television..

He was a young intelligent and dynamic man that infused talent and passion for his work with intense patriotic pride. He always exuded that confidence in the face of daunting challenges.  He  communicated with promise and hope in the economic prospects of his beloved Zimbabwe.

I extend my sincere condolences to the Makamba family as well as to relatives and friends of Zororo Makamba.

Zororo will be solely missed! MHSRIIP

As we mourn him the whole nation should take the threat of COVID 1 very serious. Let’s all follow due medical precautions as announced by Ministry of Health and by the World Health Organization.

Monica Mutsvangwa 
Minister of Information,  Publicity and Broadcasting Services.

Banc ABC Managing Director Lance Mambondiyani has said that the late Zororo Makamba who succumbed to Coronavirus visited BancABC’s Mount Pleasant Campus on Tuesday 17 March 2020 and had a meeting with four (4) staff members.

The staff members have since been quarantine and all their contacts being followed up.

We present BancABC’s statement in full below.

BancABC Update on COVID-19 (23 March 2020)

BancABC Zimbabwe would like to advise all our stakeholders that Patient No 2 (as confirmed by the Ministry of Health) visited our Mount Pleasant Campus on Tuesday 17 March 2020 at 11:30 am and had a meeting with four (4) of our staff members for a duration of approximately 15 minutes. The Bank was subsequently advised that the patient had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday morning and immediately activated recommended protocols in consultation with the City Health Department.

Out of the abundance of caution, all employees who interacted with the patient and their contact persons were immediately identified for further management. Whilst none of the affected employees have shown any symptoms, preventative measures which include a 14 Day Self-Quarantine, as per health officials guidelines, have been activated.

Further, as part of the Atlas Mara Group-Wide COVID-19 prevention measures across all countries, the Bank has already commenced a .nitization exercise of our Head Office and all our branches on an ongoing basis. Additionally, in adherence to recommended social distancing practices, a virtual workplace and remote working facilities have been initiated for the majority of our staff.

Corona Virus is a global pandemic which can potentially affect anyone anywhere. We take the health of our staff & customers very seriously. The Bank remains committed to creating a safe environment for all our stakeholders and has put together necessary interventions and resilient protocols to enable business continuity through this crisis. None of these preventive measures affects our ability to deliver service to our customers on an ongoing basis.

We would like to encourage all our stakeholders to take this epidemic seriously, to follow the guidelines of Health Officials by practising good hygiene, engaging in social distancing to limit the risk of infections and to protect each other as responsible private and corporate citizens. We thank you for your custom and solidarity.

Dr Lance Shingai Mambondiani
CEO – ABC Holdings Zimbabwe Limited 8 Managing Director – BancABC Zimbabwe
Fresh Thinking. Smart Banking

Below is the BancABC Full statement;

BancABC Zimbabwe would like to advise all our stakeholders that Patient No 2 (as confirmed by the Ministry of Health) visited our Mount Pleasant Campus on Tuesday 17 March 2020 at 11:30 am and had a meeting with four (4) of our staff members for a duration of approximately 15 minutes. The Bank was subsequently advised that the patient had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday morning and immediately activated recommended protocols in consultation with the City Health Department.

Out of the abundance of caution, all employees who interacted with the patient and their contact persons were immediately identified for further management. Whilst none of the affected employees have shown any symptoms, preventative measures which include a 14 Day Self-Quarantine, as per health officials guidelines, have been activated.

Further, as part of the Atlas Mara Group-Wide COVID-19 prevention measures across all countries, the Bank has already commenced a .nitization exercise of our Head Office and all our branches on an ongoing basis. Additionally, in adherence to recommended social distancing practices, a virtual workplace and remote working facilities have been initiated for the majority of our staff.

Corona Virus is a global pandemic which can potentially affect anyone anywhere. We take the health of our staff & customers very seriously. The Bank remains committed to creating a safe environment for all our stakeholders and has put together necessary interventions and resilient protocols to enable business continuity through this crisis. None of these preventive measures affects our ability to deliver service to our customers on an ongoing basis.

We would like to encourage all our stakeholders to take this epidemic seriously, to follow the guidelines of Health Officials by practising good hygiene, engaging in social distancing to limit the risk of infections and to protect each other as responsible private and corporate citizens. We thank you for your custom and solidarity.

Dr Lance Shingai Mambondiani
CEO – ABC Holdings Zimbabwe Limited 8 Managing Director – BancABC Zimbabwe
Fresh Thinking. Smart Banking

By Jane Mlambo| Popular musician Mukudzeyi Mukombe, better known as Jah Prayzah has joined the nation in mourning promising broadcaster Zororo Makamba who succumbed to Coronavirus today.

Posting on Twitter, Jah Prayzah had this to say;

“R.I.P Zororo Makamba. You will be missed my brother. My sincere condolence to his family and the entire nation which has been robbed. To the rest of us, let’s try as much as we can to isolate and sanitize. Corona is real, play your part the rest we leave to God,” said Jah Prayzah.

Makamba became the second Zimbabwean to test positive to coronavirus after arriving back in the country from New York.

Farai Dziva|The government has confirmed the death of Zororo Makamba, the second person to be diagnosed with Coronavirus in Zimbabwe.

“The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obediah Moyo has confirmed the death of Zororo Makamba, who was the second person to test positive for Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.

Zororo Makamba was son of businessperson, James Makamba,” ZBC tweeted.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Care
@MoHCCZim
has confirmed the passing on at Wilkins Hospital of one of the two confirmed cases Covid-19 in the country.”

“It’s a very sad day for us,” Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry Dr Agnes Mahomva said.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has been accused of instructing banks to block his estranged wife Marry Chiwenga ‘s accounts.

The matter came to light in a letter sent to CBZ and VP Chiwenga’s lawyers, Marry’s lawyers threatened to sue the CBZ and FBC Bank for blocking her from accessing her account.

Mubaiwa’s lawyers wrote:
…The only conclusion that she has come to is that the decision not to process her transactions is synchronised and has been taken by the bank.

We advise that your conduct is unlawful and should cease forthwith as there has been no form of due legal process to bar our client from transacting on the account.

We are instructed that Mr Moyo duly complied with the unlawful instruction, in complete disregard of all banking ethics and procedures.

Our client was surprised when FBC Bank denied her the right to withdraw money from her account and she was advised that the ‘bosses’ would get in touch with her, which they had not done at the time of the writing of the letter.

Chiwenga and Mubaiwa are locked in a nasty divorce whose details have headlined for the past 3 months.- The Insider

By A Correspondent- Prominent businessman, James Makamba’s son, Zororo has died.

Zororo reportedly died this morning while taking a walk outside Wilkins hospital. He was Zimbabwe’s second confirmed coronavirus case according to social media reports which the Health minister Obediah Moyo dismissed as false.

This was revealed by his father’s friend Mutumwa Mawere in an exclusively interview with ZimEye.

Watch the live video loading below……

Police in Bulawayo arrested more than 700 suspected illegal forex dealers and vendors in a four-day blitz to restore sanity in the central business district of the city. 

About 80 percent of the suspects have paid admission of guilt fines of up $500.

The ongoing clampdown started last Tuesday. 

Police brought into the CBD a heavy deployment of officers on horseback, the canine section, plain clothes and uniformed officers to flush out defiant illegal forex dealers who had come back to the streets even after the first blitz on Tuesday. 

Illegal forex dealers, popularly known as osiphatheleni, had been problematic in the city and countrywide, plying their trade in broad daylight without making attempts to conceal the activity, despite its unlawfulness. 

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube in an interview yesterday said more sustained deployments were on the cards as police aimed to ensure that citizens complied with the law. 

“By Friday we netted over 700 vendors and osiphatheleni in the CBD. The operation is an ongoing deployment to ensure sanity in town. More than 200 police officers flooded Tredgold area Chicken Inn, Herbert Chitepo and 4th Avenue and many other areas targeting osiphatheleni, vendors and illegal fuel dealers,” said Inspector Ncube. 

“The officers included the Equine (horseback) Section, Canine (dog) Section, plain clothes and uniformed officers. All those arrested were taken to Bulawayo Central where more than 500 paid fines of up to ZW$500. More sustained deployments are on the cards and the best thing to do is for people to comply with the law,” said Inspector Ncube. 

There was mayhem at the area surrounding Tredgold during the week when police officers swooped on osiphatheleni and unlicensed vendors, in apparently random but sustained and intense raids.

“As promised, we are working to restore sanity in the city. This is an operation by a team under the command of Chief Superintendent Marshal Dube, of Bulawayo Central District. The team arrested more than 150 osiphatheleni and many others who were blocking the pavement,” he said. “We are going to sustain our raids. We believe Bulawayo people are reasonable and we hope that the message will be heard. We want to protect property and life. We must all make Bulawayo a better place. Such levels of lawlessness cannot be tolerated,” said Inspector Ncube. 

During a tour of Tredgold Buildings last week, Chief Justice Luke Malaba warned osiphatheleni and other people involved in illegal activities around the building which houses the Bulawayo Magistrates Courts, saying there was an urgent need for them to be permanently flushed out of the area.

At that time, police sealed off the parking area around the building but the operation was short-lived and illegal forex dealers made a triumphant return.

-State media

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care,  Dr Obadiah Moyo has confessed ignorance with regards to social media reports naming Zimbabwe’s second coronavirus patient.

The minister was responding to questions by a local publication who wanted him to validate or refute the claims which are awash on social media alleging that son to businessman James Makamba, Zororo is the second person confirmed to be coronavirus positive.

Technomag alleges that some parents phoned the publication asking why Makamba the son of a businessman and former ZANU PF MP, James Makamba was a patient at the Trauma Centre amidst reports that he had tested positive for the virus.

In response to Technomag questions, the Minister said all coronavirus patients were quarantined at Wilkins.

He said:

“All Our Covid 19 virus suspects and patients are only admitted at Wilkins hospital, this is the only place of screening and treatment and if you say this is what has happened, I’m quite surprised, it would be a lie if you publish that there is a patient with coronavirus at Trauma

I’m not aware of that, neither have I ever come across that name Zororo Makamba, all our corona virus patients are admitted at Wilkins, its a lie that anyone who has been recorded and confirmed to have corona is admitted anywhere, we only have 1 suspect from Victoria falls and one from Harare who was in New York and that’s the official position.”

By A Correspondent- The Health Ministry on Sunday confirmed 34 new additional cases of coronavirus in South Africa bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to 274.

Of the 274 cases, 208 (76%) have a history of travel from an area where Covid-19 is circulating. The majority of those without international travel history have had recent contact with persons who have travelled internationally.

The Eastern Cape has recorded its second case. The majority of the new cases were reported in the Western Cape, 14, totalling 88 cases to date.

Of the new cases, the total provincial breakdown is as follows:

Eastern Cape

* A 22-year-old male who travelled to Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom

Free State Province

* A 49-year-old female with no international travel history

* A 26-year-old male with pending travel history

* A 58-year-old male who travelled to Pakistan and Dubai

Gauteng

* A 49-year-old male with no international travel history

* A 28-year-old female with no international travel history

* A 24-year-old male with no international travel history

* A 33-year-old female who travelled to the United Kingdom

* A 22-year-old male who travelled to Mauritius

* A 40-year-old male with pending travel history

KwaZulu-Natal

* A 39-year-old male who travelled to the United Kingdom, Austria and Dubai

* A 47-year-old male who travelled to France

* A 45-year-old male who travelled to Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

* A 40-year old male who travelled to France and Austria

* A 44-year-old male with no international travel history

* A 55-year-old male with pending travel history

* A 68-year-old male who travelled to Austria

* A 49-year-old female with no international travel history

* A 32-year-old female who travelled to Italy

Mpumalanga

* A 25-year-old male who travelled to France, Germany and the Netherlands

Western Cape

* A 44-year-old female who travelled to the United Kingdom, Austria and Dubai

* A 33-year-old female with no international travel history

* A 24-year-old female with no international travel history

* A 53-year-old female who travelled to the United Kingdom

* A 57-year-old male who travelled to the United Kingdom

* A 30-year-old male who travelled to Italy and Switzerland

* A 28-year-old female who travelled to Italy and Switzerland

* A 62-year-old male who travelled to Switzerland

* A 30-year-old male with no international travel history

* A 71-year-old male who travelled to Portugal

* A 47-year-old female with no international travel history

* A 57-year-old male with no international travel history

* A 54-year-old male who travelled to Italy

* A 49-year-old female who travelled to Italy

The total number is cases in each province is as follows:

Eastern Cape: 2

Free State: 9

Gauteng: 132

KwaZulu-Natal: 36

Limpopo: 1

Mpumalanga: 6

Western Cape: 88

The Health Ministry also provided a breakdown of the age and gender of the 274 patients.– Nehanda Radio

By A Correspondent- Former Higher, Tertiary, Science and Technology deputy minister Godfrey Gandawa has expressed fears that the woman who had been cleared #COVID19 negative in Zimbabwe but later tested positive after she arrived in the UK may have infected many others who met her.

Gandawa through his Facebook post also said a German citizen tested positive in Namibia having just travelled from Zimbabwe and both may have infected those they were in contact with in Zimbabwe.

“Our limited testing capabilities mean we’ve been unable to roll out an aggressive testing campaign as in South Korea where 15,000 can be tested daily. The virus might already be here, only undetected. We must take drastic action even at the risk of arousing public panic,” Gandawa said.

“Waiting on govt would be irresponsible. The people must lead and take urgent steps to limit transmission. A friend’s 75-year-old father had four teeth removed over the weekend, he hasn’t visited for fear of infecting him. We need a similar consciousness.”

“Given our creaking health system, we need to go above and beyond in taking precautionary measures, primarily through aggressive social distancing and good hygiene. Schools that can close immediately should do so, those who can work from home must do the same. #DontDelay.”

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers on Saturday allegedly threw teargas canisters in Mbare to disperse a rowdy crowd who had gathered outside Zim dance hall chanter, Killer T’s birthday party venue.

With the ban on public gatherings in place, the chanter’s star-studded birthday celebrations were private and those who attended had been served with invitations. 

Controversial businessman, Genious ‘Ginimbi Kadungure, Freeman and Stunner were some of the stars who attended.

However, some of the musician’s fans were disbelief that they had been snubbed from the function and reportedly gathered outside the venue, forcing organisers to call the police.

According to reports, guests who attended the party had to scurry for cover after the tear gas canisters were thrown. Sources who spoke to the publication on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident.

‘Ghetto youths could not accept being denied entry and they had to gatehr around. This resultd in the police coming in to disperese them and fired teargas canisters which resulted in chaos,’ said one of the sources.

Killer T’s manager, Kudzai Biston, told the publication that all went well despite the disturbances which arose after the gathering.

‘The birthday ceremony went on well only that there were some people who came and gathered around trying to cause problems. The police came in and helped us disperse people,’ said Biston.

One of the event coordinators popularly known as Mahwindo described the incident as an of Sabotage by people who hate the musician. She alleged that some of the mischief-makers were urging the police to stop the celebrations.-DailyNews

By A Correspondent- Zimbabweans have called upon Government to enforce strict social distancing procedures and reduce the maximum number of people allowed to congregate to a figure much smaller than the 100 announced last week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The President last week declared Covid-19 a State of National Disaster and postponed major social events including the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), the 40th Independence Day celebrations, religious and public gatherings of more than 100 people for the next 60 days.

While Mozambique which recorded its first COVID-19 case yesterday enforces a maximum number of 50 people, Zimbabweans who spoke to Zimbabwe Voice called for an even smaller number, saying it’s better to implement much tighter measures now – including a lockdown – than try to do so when the damage is already done.

“The thing about the 100-people crowd limit is that it does not say anything about the size of the space accommodating them. 100 people in a 50 square metre room is different from 100 people in a 500 square metre facility, so how does social distancing work in these different circumstances?” said a citizen asked by a local online publication over the weekend.

Others called for the public transport system to completely shut down, saying that the rules of social distancing do not apply once one is aboard a bus or commuter omnibus to work.

It is common to see snaking queues at ZUPCO bus termini, while the buses themselves have people packed in the aisles.

“Why do we have the ZUPCO buses and kombis still on the road, in any case?” Martin, another Harare resident, asked.

“This government tends to want to always react instead of being proactive. People are dying sad deaths in Italy and elsewhere, and we as sub-Saharan Africans have had ample time to prepare and learn from others. I just pray the worst does not befall us.”

Mrs. Alice Sibanda, a vendor in Silobela, said Government may not have manpower and financial resources to monitor strict adherence to

“It’s not about what the government thinks. It’s about you as an individual summing up what is being said by government and then protecting yourself and loved ones and society. I cringe at the sight of people lining up on their way to churches against advice. Do we have enough police resources to monitor every church?

“Sometimes we as adults should monitor ourselves. Humans can sometimes be their own worst enemy,” she said, speaking on Sunday as people streamed past her market stalls on their way to church.

Mrs. Sibanda also urged government to reconsider the decision to let schools run till Tuesday, adding that the coronavirus does not know deadlines and is already a clear and present danger.

Robbie Madziva, a cellphone dealer in Harare, was torn between going to work and staying home with no food for his family.

“I am unsure what to do. One thought says I need to go and work, another says if I get the virus and die, who will work for my family? If I stay home, what do I feed them either? We have tough choices to make, but I guess it’s safer to stay home and scrounge for help from relatives and neighbors.

“While we are on this, I want to understand why this magical figure of 100 persons? The figure 100 appeared a very big exponential one for me, especially given we work from public spaces in crowded streets. Is there any scientific ormedical reason for 100. Germany is saying two people maximum.”

Brian Mangwende, writing on social media, said: “Surely there has to be basis for the figure with the goal in mind. 100 is too big a number with regards to spreading of Coronavirus. It’s better to implement tight measures (lockdown) now than when the damage is already done. We know our medical facilities and personnel can’t cope.”

Meanwhile, police say they will be conducting patrols and spot checks to enforce the Covid-19-induced ban on large gatherings as Government deliberates on measures to encourage social distancing.

To stop the spread of coronavirus, officials are encouraging the public to practice social distancing — staying home, avoiding crowds, keeping two metres apart during gatherings and refraining from touching one another.

The country still has two recorded cases of corona virus cases and social distancing, experts say, is the best way to avoid new cases.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said complying with the regulations is meant to protect every citizen from contracting coronavirus.

Yesterday, some members of the country were lobbying for Government to totally ban all public gatherings regardless of size to minimise the risk of the virus spreading in the country.

This was observed after some religious organisations and bars defied Government’s directive that the gathering of 100 and more people be suspended.

Members of the public said as long as there were no punitive measures for those defying the directive, some citizens will continue to act recklessly.

“From what you are saying, that there are some churches who had 100 or more members for services today. We will conduct investigations and where appropriate the necessary measures will be put up. But what is important is for church leaders and other institutions to comply not for their own interest but the benefit of their members,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said cops are also on high alert to arrest border jumpers as they can also expose the country to unrecorded cases.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said Government is set to evaluate compliance to implemented measures before taking further action.

“This is a decision that needs to be done collectively. It cannot be announced by a single department.

We await, for further discussions that are led by the President. There will be appraisals of what has happened so far. But I thought when the President discouraged the gathering of more than 100 people it was going to be adhered to, because not doing so is very bad,” said the Minister.

Health and Child Care Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Agnes Mahomva said her ministry as the technical department in addressing Covid-19, will take up public suggestions.

She said some of the suggestions would be forwarded to Cabinet for possible adoption. “That is what they are thinking and we like those suggestions as they come as wider as they might be. We look at them, we consider them, we give guidance and that technical guidance is taken up.

“Cabinet looks at it and comes up with final Government decision on what Zimbabwe will do. Again, it speaks to us working collaboratively as a team not the Ministry of Health alone.

“We are the technical arm of Government when it comes to health and its consolidated looking at other aspects. Those suggestions are very welcome they actually help us craft whatever guidance that is required that is looked at,” she said.

Dr Mahomva said other Government departments have to play their part to ensure that the public complies with directives meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“Once something is declared there is division of labour in terms of enforcing the rule of the law in Zimbabwe. So, there are other players who will look at that. We give technical guidance in term of what is needed to be done when it comes to public health disaster like this, as the President declared,” said Dr Mahomva.

“We will continue encouraging other ministries that we are working with to also ramp up what they need to do. Working to ensure that we are working in collaboration, supporting each other because it’s a national issue. As long as it’s a national issue, it means the task goes beyond the Ministry of Health and Child Care.”

Two coronavirus cases have been recorded in the country so far with the first patient testing positive in Victoria Falls on Friday and the other in Harare on Saturday.

In the Ministry of Health and Child Care daily update yesterday, Dr Mahomva said the two confirmed Covid-19 patients are recovering in a stable condition.

“As was previously reported, the first case is showing signs of recovery and is being managed under self-isolation at home. The second case continues to be managed under isolation at Wilkins Hospital and is stable,” said Dr Mahomva.

“Seven contacts of the second case have so far been identified and followed up, and the remaining 11 are still being followed-up. Samples have been collected from the seven contacts identified so far and 4 results received so far have tested negative for Covid-19. The Ministry will continue with intensified surveillance to detect any potential cases early and limit further spread of Covid-19.”

Globally, the deaths from coronavirus stand at over 14,700 while total infections top 336,000. Nearly 100,000 have recovered from the infections.-StateMedia, Online

By A Correspondent- Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi went into self-quarantine on Sunday, a day after he attended the inauguration of President Hage Geingob of neighbouring Namibia.

In a statement, the Botswana government said the director of health services had placed Masisi “on self-isolation for a period of 14 days starting March 21 following his trip to the Republic of Namibia”.

“During the time of self-isolation, His Excellency will be tested for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) prior to being cleared,” the statement said.

It said Masisi would be “working from his official residence but quarantined away from his family.”

“The Director of Health Services has extended the same impositions to the rest of the entourage that travelled with His Excellency the President to Namibia.”

Masisi was one of three southern African heads of state who graced the inauguration of Geingob on Saturday. Others were Angola’s President João Lourenço and President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.

Namibia has registered three cases of coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease.

Botswana is one of the few African countries that has not yet reported a single coronavirus case.-Online

The self-isolation by Masisi comes in the wake of an outcry by the Botswana Nurses Union on Sunday that the president’s decision to travel to Namibia was ill-informed and endangered the lives of Batswana.

The union called on Masisi to self-isolate for the mandatory 14 year in case he got infected during the Namibia visit.

By A Correspondent- Zapu was responding to an opinion piece published in the state-controlled media written by Zanu-PF secretary for administration and former Umguza legislator Obert Mpofu.

In the article titled: Dr Joshua Nkomo happy with ED, Mpofu claimed Mnangagwa had honoured the late Zapu leader by allowing the holding of Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo, a first since independence.

The opposition Zapu has said the late vice-president Joshua Nkomo could be turning in his grave because of the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whom it accused of persecuting the veteran nationalist in the 1980s, leading to him fleeing the country to seek refuge overseas.

The celebrations have since been postponed because of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mpofu claimed the celebrations would have honoured Nkomo’s legacy.

Zapu southern region communications director Patrick Ndlovu, however, argued the late vice-president could not be happy with his tormentors who are refusing to acknowledge their “evil deeds” which led to Nkomo fleeing the country.

Nkomo was accused of trying to overthrow the government after an arms cache was allegedly found at one of the properties owned by his party. The veteran nationalist, who also survived an assassination attempt at his Pelandaba house in 1983, was forced to flee the country fearing for his life as government unleashed vicious violence, killing thousands of civilians after the “discovery” of the arms cache.

“As a party, we are surprised that someone who defected from Zapu to join Zanu can now speak on behalf of the party,” Ndlovu said. 

“They do not have any legitimacy to speak on behalf of Zapu, let alone Nkomo whom they persecuted in life.

“It is an insult to Nkomo; he died a bitter man; they never apologised and continue to refuse to do so over the Gukurahundi killings….” Nkomo, who was born on June 7, 1917 died on July 1, 1999 at the age of 82.

The late former president Robert Mugabe claimed huge amounts of arms had been uncovered on farms owned by Zapu for use to ostensibly overthrow his government to justify the deployment of the Fifth Brigade.

After the “discovery” of the weapons, Mugabe fired Nkomo, Josiah Chinamano and Joseph Msika (all late), Transport minister and Natural Resources minister respectively, from the government on charges of plotting to overthrow his government, culminating in the Gukurahundi massacres which led to the killing of thousands of civilians.

However, despite all the persecution and suffering at the hands of the government, Nkomo returned home from exile in Britain and subsequently signed the Unity Accord with Mugabe in 1987.-Online

SADC has urged member states to cooperate and move in unity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected over 271,000 people worldwide

The virus has spread to at least 164 countries and territories. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.

The call was made this Monday, in a statement on commemorations of Southern Africa Liberation Day which is celebrated annually on the 23rd of March by the SADC bloc.

SADC Executive Secretary, Her Excellency Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax emphasised that as member states celebrate this day paying tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives a for the liberation of the SADC region it is of great importance to adhere to measures which have been enacted by the respective governments as a way to curb the spread of the global pandemic.