Correspondent|As the Coronavirus continues to spread around the globe like wildfire, African countries have become the latest to register some cases of the virus. Senegal announced it’s the second case.

According to African News, Senegal recorded its second case of COVID-19 the ministry of health confirmed in a statement late Tuesday. Authorities said the patient was a French national who arrived in Dakar on 29 Feb from Paris.

This case is similar to the first which was recorded on Monday also of a French national resident in Senegal but having flown in from France.

Senegal With Its Second Coronavirus

The second case was confirmed by the Ministry of Health of Senegal after they carried tests on the patient and measures are being undertaken by the Senegalese government to combat the virus

Nigeria is only other sub-Saharan African country with a case involving an Italian national who flew into Lagos before proceeding to an adjoining state. He is however in quarantine at a facility run by the Lagos State government.

Currently, there are 6 nations in the continent that have reported having registered cases of coronavirus which include Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Zimbabwe. The big question will be on how the African nations will be combating the virus from wildly spreading.

Zimbabwe to Deport Foreigners Without Medical Clearance

Zimbabwe’s Health Minister says the country will deport foreigners who enter the country without medical clearance from their respective countries.

Minister Obediah Moyo was quoted by the state-owned Herald newspaper as saying all visitors without medical clearance from government hospitals in their respective countries will be deported.

So far only West Africa in the sub-Saharan Africa region has recorded two cases in Nigeria and Senegal. Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco have all recorded cases but they fall under the Middle East and North Africa region under WHO classification.

The Warriors’ chances of hosting the Desert Foxes in Zimbabwe were boosted yesterday when the Confederation of African Football confirmed they will send an official to inspect both the National Sports Stadium and Barbourfields next week.

CAF have also slammed ZIFA with a US$4 000 penalty, for late notification of the match venue for the big match.

The inspector is set to arrive in Harare next Friday for a three-day tour of duty, in what represents a major step forward, in the battle to try and stage the 2021 AFCON qualifier on Zimbabwean soil at the end of this month.

The inspector will review work that has been done at the National Sports Stadium and Barbourfields and then provide recommendations to CAF officials as to whether enough has been done for either stadium to host the blockbuster match.

It’s a positive development for the spirited efforts, which are being done by the Government, which has injected millions of dollars into the refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium and Barbourfields, to try and keep the big match on Zimbabwean soil.

The renovations will continue, in the coming months, so that the country’s main stadiums will be able to host the forthcoming AFCON and World Cup qualifiers without having to worry about red flags being raised by the CAF inspectors.

The Government has reacted swiftly to the crisis while other stakeholders, including the Herentals Group of Colleges and former Premier Soccer League fixtures secretary, Beadle Musa Gwasira, have also come on board towards the same cause.

Last night, a high-powered Government delegation, led by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Deputy Minister, Tino Machakaire, flew to Bulawayo as part of the efforts to ensure Barbourfields, just like the National Sports Stadium, would be in a condition which can persuade the inspector to give the stadiums the greenlight to host the match.

‘‘Well, there is a huge development, CAF have just advised us that an inspector is coming to Zimbabwe and will be in this country between the 11th and 14th of this month and he will inspect the National Sports Stadium and Barbourfields,’’ an official told The Herald.

‘‘This is massive because it means that, for the first time, there is a possibility that the original decision, to put a blanket ban on all the stadiums in this country from hosting international football matches, can be reversed, that is if we get our things in order.

‘‘The inspector will, after supervising the two stadiums, compile a report which will be sent to CAF and a decision will then be made based on whatever recommendations that he would have made and we are confident that with the intense work that is being undertaken, we will pass the test.

‘‘The challenge we had, in terms of the last inspection, was that Zimbabwe was given conditions which have to do with what CAF need when a country is hosting any of their big tournaments like the AFCON and CHAN finals.

‘‘Those conditions are tough to meet and it could have come to that because there was a feeling that recommendations, which were being made, were not being done and that has a tendency of hardening attitudes.

‘‘The conditions CAF require, for the hosting of the AFCON and CHAN finals, are different from those of hosting the AFCON and CHAN qualifiers and that is why you can see that while Cameroon were hosting international games at their stadiums, without any problem, they could not host the tournaments in those stadiums.

‘‘That is why the 2019 AFCON finals were then moved to Egypt and the stadiums in Cameroon are being renovated, for hosting AFCON finals and not the AFCON qualifiers, and that country will now host the Nations Cup finals next year.’’

Barbourfields remains the stadium with the best chance of hosting the match against the Desert Foxes, in the event that the inspector gives the country the greenlight to host the match, given the Bulawayo facility required the least touch-ups as per the last report.

However, there have also been concerns that, should the big game be played in that stadium, there could be some security concerns given that it can only host about 25 000 to 30 000 fans.

There has been communication between CAF and ZIFA, with the continent’s football governing body asking the local association to provide them with a stadium in this country which has been homologated to host an AFCON qualifier.

With ZIFA now aware that another inspection is coming, they can advise CAF that both the National Sports Stadium and Barbourfields are open for a further review next week, leaving the decision in the hands of the inspector.

The diplomatic offensive has been in full throttle and is set to go a step further at the weekend in South Africa with a number of meetings lined up to try and resolve the impasse.

ZIFA communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela, was not at liberty to discuss the case but CAF sources confirmed that an inspector was on the way to Harare and Bulawayo.

“We would like to thank the Government for the great commitment that they have shown in ensuring that our stadiums are refurbished and brought to the required CAF levels,’’ Gwesela said.

“Over the past few days we have seen noticeable progress on the work being done at B/F and NSS and this is clear testimony that our Government values sport as a key driver in economic development.

“We are still waiting to hear from CAF on the outcome of our appeal and the public will be advised accordingly.’’ 

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says he is keen to end Zimbabwe’s worsening political and economic crises through dialogue but has been kept waiting by opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, a visiting cleric said yesterday.

This comes as dialogue between Mnangagwa and Chamisa has stalled over the insistence by the Zanu-PF leader that the youthful MDC president should join him at the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) – a platform where he regularly meets with leaders of fringe parties who contested in the 2018 polls.

Addressing the media, following his meeting with Mnangagwa in the capital yesterday — Lutheran World Federation (LWF) secretary-general Martin Junge — said the president had told him he was keen to end the crises in the country.

“Through the leadership of Lutheran (Church) in Zimbabwe, I was able to pay a courtesy call on the President … I was glad to share what I have been able to see about the situation in the country and to engage in dialogue with him about it.

“It was a good discussion which we had and I felt an acknowledgement of the country’s situation that has been caused by different issues and how to possibly address those.

“He (Mnangagwa) referred to the efforts of the government of creating a platform for dialogue and expressed that he was keen to engage in dialogue to solve the country’s problems,” Junge said.

“I know from other parts of the world that when we have to remind ourselves of the need for dialogue and peace, it is because there is tension, frustration and fragmentation.

“So I was grateful to see the church in Zimbabwe also calling for dialogue because we know all over the world that the harder the issue is, the more you need to talk,” he said further.

Mnangagwa and Chamisa are under pressure to hold talks which are seen as the only way of extricating the country from its gigantic economic crisis.

Apart from the pain of the economic crisis — Zimbabwe is also reeling from a severe drought that has left more than half of the country’s population needing urgent food assistance, including in urban areas.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki — who helped to broker the stability-inducing 2008 government of national unity between former opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and ex-president Robert Mugabe, who are both late — was in the country in December last year, to try and nudge Mnangagwa and Chamisa to hold direct talks.

Meanwhile, Junge said the LWF was willing to help the government to feed millions of people who are facing hunger across the country.

“Our visit here has helped us to understand the drought situation … identify how we could work closer together with the church and contribute.

“We cannot solve the problems because they are quite big and the primary responsibility for the people of Zimbabwe is with the structures and government.

“We are, however, willing to assist and we have identified ways and will be discussing how to increase our humanitarian assistance to the country,” Junge said.
The government is battling massive shortages of grain, which has hit hard the supplies of the staple maize meal across the country.

Relief agencies have said an estimated eight million Zimbabweans — including those living in urban areas — are in need of urgent food assistance.

Daily News

South Africa yesterday confirmed its maiden case, and Africa’s fourth, of coronavirus (Covid-19) and Zimbabwe expects that the former will — as it has already announced — be able to contain any spread of the new virus while precautions at the border will be intensified.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo yesterday said following the confirmation of South Africa’s first case, Zimbabwe would also intensify efforts but hoped South African authorities would be able to track down all those who had been in contact with the infected person.

The South African patient is a 38-year-old man who had travelled to Italy with his wife. Sub-Saharan Africa’s other confirmed case, an Italian living in Nigeria, was also infected in Italy.

The other two African cases were confirmed in Algeria and Egypt. The South African couple, which has two children, was with a group of 10 people in Italy.

South Africa’s Health Ministry yesterday said the patient consulted a private general practitioner on March 3 with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough.

A nurse took swabs and delivered the samples to the laboratory.

The patient had been staying at home in self-quarantine since Tuesday and already South Africa’s Emergency Operating Centre has identified the man’s potential contacts by interviewing the patient and doctor, who is now also living in isolation.

The confirmed first coronavirus case in South Africa has raised awareness in Zimbabwe of the need to follow precautions laid down by medical authorities and, as the minister announced, ensure people take border checks seriously.

Commenting on the confirmed case in South Africa, Dr Moyo said Zimbabwe needed to be better prepared than ever before.

He said previous false alarms had been good drills in preparation for coronavirus and had helped check and improve the efficiency of systems put in place.

“Yes, it is frightening that it is now around the corner, but we also hope that South Africa will be thorough and be able to pick up all contacts the case had been in touch with,” said Dr Moyo.

He said as part of efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe and the global fight against Covid-19, Government would continue adhering to and upholding World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations, guidelines and advisories on travel requirements.

“As such, all travellers and visitors into the country, including those from countries with confirmed Covid-19 cases, will be screened at ports of entry into Zimbabwe.

“However, travellers with signs and symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc) will be referred immediately to designated isolation centres for further clinical examination and assistance,” said Dr Moyo in a statement last night.

Government added that no additional requirements on travellers, visitors and airlines outside those already provided for under WHO regulations, guidelines and advisories were needed.

Asked on Zimbabwe’s preparation for coronavirus, World Health Organisation country representative Dr Alex Gasasira said Harare was making progress towards preparing to respond to the disease.

He said the country has one isolation centre, which is Wilkins Hospital in Harare and needs to establish more isolation centres throughout the country.

“Zimbabwe is preparing. In some areas progress has been made but as the Minister has said, there are some areas that still need to be strengthened,” said Dr Gasasira.

Farai Dziva|MDC official Antony Taruvinga has called for Douglas Mwonzora’s dismissal from the opposition party.

Taruvinga believes Mwonzora has become a liability to the party.

“I do not know why Mwonzora is still a member of the party up to this hour but whatever the reason, the cost, by far, outweighs the reason. Total long term liability,” argued Taruvinga.

His sentiments were echoed by Munashe Mhondoro: Douglas Mwonzora, has been a big liability to our party for a long time now, since congress, he must go, for sure he will go, if he crossed the red line. Period.

Redgis Jonas R
Huvengwa commented:
Mwonzora is a problem ngaadzingwe nokuchimbidza party iendere mberi ichifamba zvakanaka.

However Charles Ndlovu argued:
Are you saying Mwonzora is now the enemy ? Are you saying Jonathan Moyo has now become a saint ? Are you saying Mwonzora is now a sworn enemy of the party ahead of Zanu PF and Ed ? I fail to understand this .

Farai Dziva|In spite of conceding failure Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared that he will stay in power until 2023 and beyond…

Below is MDC’s response to Mnangagwa’s remarks:
A report in today’s Newsday in which Mnangagwa admits to failure then sensationally demands another term is not only shocking but disrespectful of the suffering Zimbabwean people.

Once the admission is made that Zanu PF has failed, that closes the matter.

A government’s presence in office is for no other reason besides delivery.

In this case delivery is not there, the economy has collapsed, there is no food, fuel and electricity yet Mnangagwa and Mthuli Ncube have consistently claimed that the country is back on track, while publicly accepting to his Politburo that he has dismally failed to deliver.

Knowing the consequences of failure, Mnangagwa now wants to focus on power retention, service is what keeps people in office.

The MDC is on record, that an illegitimate government will never deliver, it only has a narrow interest of self-aggrandisement and power retention.

If you have failed, by your own admission, why should we reward failure in 2023?

MDC Communications

MDC-Alliance legislators yesterday defended former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s ownership of multiple farms and quashed calls by Norton legislator Temba Mliswa to repossess them.

The incident occurred in the National Assembly during the weekly question-and-answer session.

Mliswa claimed it was on record that the former First Lady had multiple farms and asked Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, as leader of Government business in Parliament, when Government would start repossessing some of them.

President Mnangagwa is on record as saying the former First Family owned more than 10 farms.

“Government embarked on a land audit to see who was utilising land and who was not and for what reason and the multiple farm owners,” said Mliswa.

“It is on record that the former First Lady owns more than four farms and the Government has done absolutely nothing when the policy is one-man one-farm, one-woman one-farm.

The question is; what have they done with the land audit and why have they not repossessed land from the former First Lady.”

MDC-Alliance legislators interjected, with St Mary’s legislator Mr Job Sikhala shouting: “Mugabe akafa kare siyanai naye (referring to Mrs Mugabe) and “why do you want to abuse the widow.”

MDC-Alliance legislators briefly brought business to a halt, while Mliswa accused them of supporting Mrs Mugabe because she funded their campaigns in 2018 harmonised elections.

“Makapihwa mari naGrace muchi campaigner (you were funded by Grace during the elections campaign),” Mr Mliswa said.

Mrs Mugabe was the face of the G40 faction that was expelled from Zanu PF during Operation Restore Legacy in 2017.

The group has found a home in MDC-Alliance, with former Zanu PF Politburo members — Professor Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao — openly throwing their weight behind the opposition party’s president Mr Nelson Chamisa and admitting that they fundraised for MDC Alliance campaign.-State media

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) takes note of President Trump’s statement to the United States (US) Congress on the continuation of the National Emergency with respect to Zimbabwe Foreign Policy issued on March 4, 2020.

The statement is an indictment on the Harare regime’s attempts to reengage the international community and a clarion call for reforms, an end to corruption and respect for human rights abuses.

The statement notes that Zimbabwe had “ample opportunity to implement reforms that could set the country on a constructive path, stabilize the Southern Africa Region and open the door to greater cooperation with the United States’

The statement further notes that ‘the Zimbabwean government has arguably accelerated its persecution of critics and economic mismanagement in the past year, during which security forces have conducted extrajudicial killings, rapes and alleged abductions’.

The statement by the US President comes a few weeks after the EU Council resolutions and the International Monetary Fund statement that all called for reforms, an end to corruption and state sponsored human rights abuses.

The MDC has consistently argued that Zimbabwe’s reengagement with the international community is a function of our domestic policy.

The actions of the regime on the domestic arena have huge ramifications on its relations with the rest of the world.

The Mnangagwa regime has consistently engaged in actions that are not in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, regional statutes and international law.

Yet the regime has shamelessly lied to the whole world that it is implementing comprehensive reforms and committed to the reform agenda.

These actions include the killing of the 6 unarmed civilians on August 1 2018, the 17 extrajudicial killings, cases of rape, abductions in January 2019, continued persecution of human rights defenders and opposition members, banning of peaceful protests and grand corruption.

The MDC has also argued that engaging lobbyists such as Ballard, Mercury LLC and Avenue Strategies for huge millions of taxpayers’ dollars as the Harare regime has done will not yield any positive results. It will further impoverish the struggling Zimbabwean citizenry.

The MDC reiterates that only action on the reform agenda is more likely to help our beloved country in its reengagement efforts with the international community.

Gladys Kudzaishe Hlatywayo
MDC Secretary for International Relations

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights have given Health Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo a one-week ultimatum to ensure that the public is timeously, correctly and adequately informed on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The lawyers’ group wants the minister to make sure that the citizenry is correctly informed on the number of infections recorded in the country and efforts the Ministry has taken to prevent and or contain the virus.

Writing on behalf of ZLHR, Godfrey Mapanga said that the organisation was concerned by Moyo’s “appearance of indifference to the real threat of this deadly virus” when the Ministry was legally bound to publish reliable information to the public of steps it has taken to deal with the deadly virus. He added:

If we do not at least hear from you regarding the steps that you wish to take to fulfil your obligation and the timeline for such steps, needless to mention that…we will consider all the options that are available to us to obtain the necessary remedies to ensure that you comply with your obligations and make information on the Corona virus is available to all members of the public.

Some members of the public accuse the government of concealing information regarding the virus.

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is moving across the country mobilising for a national shutdown to pressure President Emmerson Mnangagwa to address the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

ZCTU president Peter Mutasa disclosed this at the fifth labour forum meeting held in Gweru on Monday.

Mutasa, accompanied by his secretary-general Japhet Moyo and members of the ZCTU’s general council, has been on a whirlwind tour of the country’s provinces, meeting their membership to mobilise for the national shutdown.

They have visited Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, Bulawayo and Chinhoyi and hope to reach out to the remaining five provinces in the charm offensive.

In his address to restive workers at Mkoba Hall in Gweru, Mutasa said he was prepared to die or be severely persecuted by State security agents who will try to put down the protests.

He highlighted that workers in the country had been reduced to paupers by Mnangagwa’s government to an extent that they no longer had esteem and dignity in society.

“People who started with the issue of shutdowns had understood that when you fail to get food in the house, there is someone who has caused that. If you fail to get an adequate salary, there is someone taking part of it, if you fail to have enough money for rentals and school fees, there is someone who will have taken it,” he said.

“We must ask ourselves to say what are we going to do when we sleep without eating and our kids go to school without shoes? Should we continue to be passive just hoping things will wake up normal just like that?

“Now the government wants to have 2,5% stolen from salaries of workers on top of 2% mobile transactions tax, 14% VAT [value-added tax], 35% payee, on top of rates at councils and tollgate fees. The likes of (the late MDC leader) Morgan Tsvangirai rejected such scenarios and shut down the country.”

MDC national secretary for labour, Gideon Shoko said the ZCTU was right to organise a national shutdown.

“The ZCTU is very right to follow that route. As the MDC, we certainly sympathise with the stance that the ZCTU wants to take … We, as a party, believe the populace in general understands why the ZCTU has resorted to wanting to protest,” he said.

ZCTU’s organised anti-fuel price hike protests in January last year, however, degenerated into violence and death after government responded by deploying the military in a crackdown that resulted in the death of 17 people, injuring hundreds while thousands were arrested.

Since then, government has used brute force to thwart protests.

— NewsDay

A POLICE officer allegedly stole an impounded R3 million top-of the range car kept at Beitbridge Police station after lying to a colleague that he had been authorised by his superior to remove the vehicle from the yard.

The car, a silver Range Rover, which was smuggled into the country from South Africa, was found abandoned near Chicago Village Business Centre on the outskirts of Beitbridge.

Sergeant Trust Mawire (35) allegedly hired a road recovery vehicle to tow the smuggled car out of the police station impound yard after lying to a police officer assigned to guard the car that he had been authorised by the station’s officer- in-charge to release the car.

He allegedly took the stolen car to an unknown destination and it was never recovered.

Mawire is now facing charges of theft of motor vehicle. This emerged when Mawire approached the High Court seeking bail pending trial.

In papers before the court, Mawire through his lawyer Mr Kholwani Ngwenya of TJ Mabhikwa and Partners, filed an application for bail pending trial at the Bulawayo High Court citing the State as a respondent.

In his bail statement, Mawire is denying the charges, arguing that there was no evidence linking him to the alleged offence.
Mr Ngwenya said there were no compelling reasons justifying his client’s continued detention at Beitbridge Remand Prison.

“It is averred that the applicant may run away if released on bail because of the gravity of the offence and the value of the car involved. However, while these may appear like sound reasons for opposition of bail, they are of no consequence in respect of the applicant who believes in his innocence to the charges proffered against him,” he said.

Mr Ngwenya said his client was not likely to abscond if released on bail.

“The applicant has not shown any propensity to flee and an assertion that he may flee should be weighed against previous actions by him to do so. The accused person has no knowledge of the alleged offence as he took no part in the removal of the vehicle from the ZRP impound yard,” he said.

Mawire argued that he was only linked to the offence by virtue of his involvement in the vehicle’s discovery in the bush.
He further argued that there was nothing, which was placed before the court to support the reasons to oppose bail.

.Mawire, who is now based in Chegutu, argued that he was a proper candidate for bail. He offered to pay $800 bail as well as reporting once every week at Chegutu Police Station until the matter is finalised.

The State, which was represented by Mr Trust Muduma, opposed the application, arguing that if released on bail, Mawire was likely to abscond and interfere with State witnesses.

According to court papers, it was stated that on September 14 last year, Mawire and his workmates found the South African registered car abandoned in a bushy area near Chicago Village Business Centre. It was suspected to have been smuggled from South Africa through an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River.

The cops towed the car to the police station. Two weeks later, Mawire allegedly hired a road recovery vehicle to tow the stolen out of the police impound yard. He allegedly took the car to an unknown destination after allegedly convincing the police officer guarding the impound yard that he had been authorised by the officer-in-charge to released it.

As the coronavirus spreads globally, Zimbabwe says it is ready for the infection, despite a struggling health care sector and collapsing economy.

Describing the coronavirus as a “catastrophe which waits us,” Zimbabwe’s Health Minister Obediah Moyo told journalists Monday that the country had learned from previous cholera epidemics and are prepared to tackle the virus, also known as COVID-19.

“Before people come into Zimbabwe, we now have the intelligence to be able to tell from the manifest that an individual would be coming from an infested country. So our surveillance is strong,” he said. “We have even made it better by getting the latest in technology of thermal detectors in each and every country you go. It is that determinant which is the first one to trigger off the rest of the alarms. So we are 100 percent certain that we are covered.”

But Dr. Norman Matara, from Zimbabwe’s Association of Doctors for Human Rights, fears the country’s decrepit healthcare system is not ready for the challenge.

Dr. Norman Matara of Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights says Zimbabwe is one of the countries least prepared to deal with the new COVID-19 infection, March 02, 2020, in Harare.

“Right now we only have Wilkins Hospital, which is the only health quarantine facility in the country. It does not have adequate resources,” he said. “Also we do not have proper ICU beds at Wilkins. With serious infections, what we have noticed in China is that you have to have to undergo assisted breathing with ventilators. Also even protective gear for the health worker themselves, they are actually being placed under a health hazard if they are to face a patient with suspected COVID 19 infection. If that thing comes here it is going to be a disaster.”

To prepare for coronavirus, Zimbabwe has sought assistance from U.N. agencies such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

Dr. Wilfred Nkhoma is the acting representative of the WHO in Zimbabwe. He says African countries, including Zimbabwe, must do better to diagnose the virus and prevent it from spreading.

“What the WHO expects which is being implemented in the African region is for the countries to take responsibility for controlling it: Make information known and available to the common public, to eliminate contact, to reduce transmission and to manage cases that have already arrived… We are hoping that the few countries that have reported cases will manage those cases and will be able to contain transmission, but every country needs to be ready and no country should think that they are ready enough at this point,” said Nkhoma.

The WHO is urging African states to carry out public information campaigns on virus prevention — such as encouraging hand washing, sanitation, and reporting symptoms.

The FA Cup is now in the quarter final stage as team fight for the most prestigious trophy in England.

Manchester United are yet to play their fifth round game, it will hold tomorrow as they lock horns with Wayne Rooney’s Derby County to know who will face Tottenham or Norwich who are also yet to finish their match as of this writing.

Jose Mourinho’s men are currently playing out a 1-1 draw against their Premier League opposition and they are currently in the extra-time.

Here is the full draw of the quarter finals:

Sheffield United v Arsenal

Newcastle United v Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur or Norwich v Derby County or Manchester United

Chelsea v Leicester City

The Quarter-finals fixtures will be played on the weekend of 20-22 March in other to determine the final four.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Nelson Chamisa has slammed the Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC) for misleading the region on the obtaining situation in the country.

This follows a trip to Zimbabwe by the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Tax who had a briefing with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.

After meeting Mnangagwa, Tax told the media the region was generally stable with challenges in some areas.

We publish the full statement by the MDC below:

SADC secretariat failing the region

The MDC notes with concern a statement issued following a meeting between Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa and SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

We are not only concerned by how the statement affects SADC intervention on Zimbabwe but its overall assessment of the situation in the region. Our party always had reservations when Mnangagwa took over the reins of the Troika and the briefing he got from the Secretariat vindicates his mediocrity.

To reduce the crisis in SADC to youth unemployment is not only dishonest but contemptuous, cynical and disrespectful of citizens of SADC whose taxes fund the Secretariat. Public expectation is for the Secretariat to be professional in their advice of the leadership of the region.

There are issues of contested elections in the region, not only in respect of Zimbabwe but as evidenced recently in the DRC, Namibia, Botswana and Malawi. Sadly due to the legitimacy question, the crisis in Zimbabwe is worsening. The economy is in intensive care, with the second highest inflation in the world after Venezuela, collapsing foreign exchange, increasing budget deficit and ballooning domestic and sovereign debt. Wages have been eroded by both inflation and the exchange rate of the Zimbabwean dollar against other currencies. Pensions and Health insurance have been rendered useless while industrial capacity utilisation continues to collapse as companies are closing en masse.

There are shortages of electricity, drugs, roller meal, fuel and electricity. Over 8 million citizens are food insecure not only for 2020, an urgent assessment for 2021 is overdue.

The economic situation is just bleak with no solution is in sight. This situation has resulted in massive unemployment not only of young people but across the board and has resulted in millions crossing the border to South Africa and Botswana, among other countries. The spill-over effect is already impacting South Africa, its currency and probably contributes to the junk status. While we are internationalists who advocate for a customs union in Africa, we are cognisant of the fact that migration has to be managed.

Social service delivery has been abandoned, doctors were on strike for over 6 months. The Midlands State University has lecturers on strike, with other institutions of higher learning having had to defer lectures in some faculties and general tuition from primary Schools has gone beyond the reach of many. More importantly Zimbabweans are agitated, for they are suffering and being taxed to fund lifestyles of the political elite.

An implosion is looming. SADC must encourage dialogue and afford Zimbabwean a soft landing and also give Zimbabweans a break from the unpalatable suffering they have endured for decades.

MDC Communications

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) says it will maintain a tight monetary stance targeting reserve money growth not exceeding 15 percent by the end of the year.

The measure is meant to enhance exchange rate stability as well as tame inflationary pressures, which are often linked to growth in money supply.

In the 2020 Monetary Policy Statement presented last month, RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya reiterated that the growth in money supply or more specifically reserve money last year, was as a result of subsidies on fuel, electricity, grain and Government expenditure.

“The bank remains committed to the implementation of the monetary targeting framework under its tight monetary stance and is targeting reserve money growth of 10-15 percent by the end of 2020,” said Dr Mangudya yesterday.

Reserve money refers to the currency in circulation plus commercial banks’ deposits with the central bank and other deposits to the same. As a result of the tight monetary policy stance and stability in the exchange rate, he said the month-on-month inflation for January 2020 declined to 2,23 percent from 16,56 percent in December 2019.

“And the forecast is that it will remain in the single digit levels for the rest of the year,” he said.

The apex bank recently indicated that the level of liquidity or money supply in the economy as measured by total banks’ deposit stood at ZW$34,5 billion as at December 31, 2019.

The figure is composed of ZW$22 billion (64 percent) in local currency and ZW$12,5 billion (US$785 million) or 36 percent in foreign currency.

Dr Mangudya noted that this liquidity was under key focus as the bank was mandated to manage it to ensure it does not cause inflation and/or bring volatility to the exchange rate.

Meanwhile, the RBZ boss has dismissed reports by some sections of the media insinuating that Zimbabwe is secretly printing money with a view to subsidise gold miners. Dr Mangudya said the concerned media reports, which were also circulating on social media were malicious and misleading.

“The article is circulated to tarnish the image of the bank and ultimately that of the country and its leadership, through misinforming the public.

“The bank notes with concern that the article seeks to fabricate an International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board’s report on the Article IV Consultation for Zimbabwe, which development is quite unfortunate and disrespectful of the IMF as an institution and the Republic of Zimbabwe as a member of the IMF,” he said.

Dr Mangudya said it was also mischievous to allude to “secret money printing”, saying there was no secrecy in the payment of gold incentive scheme by the State through the financial institution.

He said in order to ensure the continued flow of gold through the formal channels and thus mitigating the leakages and side-marketing of gold, Government, through the bank provides incentives to the gold sector to increase foreign exchange through the interbank foreign exchange system.

“The gold incentive scheme, which is funded through the budget, has not been discontinued as alleged in the Article.

“The decline of the value of the local currency was largely due to various factors including low business and customer confidence, low production levels within the economy and the impact of macroeconomic shocks such as drought and Cyclone Idai,” said Dr Mangudya.

THE Government has expressed dismay over the move by the United States on Wednesday to extend sanctions against Zimbabwe by one year and accusations that the country poses a threat to their foreign policy.

In a statement on Thursday, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana also dismissed claims by the US that the army was committing extrajudicial killings and rape.

“The Government has noted with dismay the White House Message to the United States Congress, in which a decision was made to extend the sanctions against the Republic of Zimbabwe, for one more year,” said Mr Mangwana.

“Once again, the Government of the United States has chosen to strangely characterise Zimbabwe as a country that ‘poses an extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.’

“We find this a baffling position. All the Zimbabwean Government asks for, is to be allowed space to be a full member of the community of nations transacting without restrictions as other nations do.”

Mr Mangwana said Zimbabwe does not seek to interfere with the foreign policy or interests of any nation.

“Our commitment is to the development of our country and the delivery of socio-economic outcomes to our people. The Government of Zimbabwe strongly objects to the unfounded assertion that its security forces engaged in acts of extrajudicial killings and rape against its own citizens in the last year. Any acts of criminality by anyone are subjected to the criminal justice processes of the country,” he said.

“We have embarked on a pathway of reform because it is in the best interests of our Nation to do so, and it is also necessary to align our policies and programmes with our constitution. We therefore call upon those nations who wish our country and people well to partner us and be patient with us as we continue to undertake these reforms towards meeting the aspirations of our people.”

Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is set to withdraw a clause in the law which requires an applicant of a radio or television licence to disclose political affiliation.

BAZ chairperson, Mr Charles Sibanda made the concession today when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services chaired by Binga North Member of Parliament Mr Prince Dubeko Sibanda.

By A Correspondent| Independent legislator for Norton Temba Mliswa has questioned why the nation has a bloated government when deputy ministers fail to attend parliament and execute their mandate by contributing to parliamentary proceedings in the absence of their seniors.

Mliswa argued that incompetent deputy ministers should be sacked considering that the majority of them were “clueless”.

He said:

“…I rise on a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. Mr. Speaker, you know that this institution is very important in understanding the role of Government.

As such, Section 107 is very clear on who should be here and the list that you have just called out has a number of Cabinet Ministers and not Deputy Ministers.

So my question is on what the role of Deputy Ministers is when Cabinet Ministers are not there. I thought that by being deputy, which is a clear meaning you are there to cover up for the Minister who is not there and you should be taking up questions.

We do not see Deputy Ministers here. I do not know where they are. They are paid by this Government and must understand what the Minister is doing so that when they come here they are able to inform.

There are many issues happening in this country which seek their attention but they are never here. Why do we have such a bloated Cabinet and Government?

They must just pack their bags and do absolutely nothing and when they speak they do not have information or what it takes to convince this House of anything that they are doing.”

Following his controversial victory against his closest contender MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 7 September 2018, appointed a new 20 member cabinet.

The ministers were sworn into office on 11 September 2018 along with 13 deputy ministers and nine provincial  ministers.

However, the ministers and their deputies have been accused of bunking parliament and failing to present to the nation ministerial statements.

The development has seen Speaker of parliament Jacob Mudenda give the ministers an ultimatum to present to the august house 12 outstanding ministerial statements, some of which have been pending since last year.

The price of bread has gone up from $20 for a standard loaf to $25 in most shops as of Thursday morning.

The prices were reviewed up last week from $18 to $20 or $21, making the latest price increase the second within seven days.

National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe president, Dennis Wallah, attributed the increase to an increased production cost.

Wallah said that flour is not subsidised hence market forces were at play.

The increase can also be attributed to a recent increase in fuel prices since bread prices, like those of other commodities, usually go up in response to fuel prices.

STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE ON THE RENEWAL, BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, OF ITS SANCTIONS REGIME AGAINST ZIMBABWE

HARARE – 5 MARCH 2020

We have noted, with disappointment but without surprise, the renewal of US sanctions against Zimbabwe for a further 12-month period.

Of particular regret, and where we must register our deep concern is that the narrative accompanying the renewal order makes no reference to, nor does it acknowledge or recognise any of the notable progress made in implementation of the political, economic and legislative reform programme outlined by His Excellency the President when he assumed office in November 2017, and further reinforced following the harmonised elections of July 2018.

We disagree strongly with the assertion that our Government has not demonstrated the political will to effect major reform.

Evidence of that reform abounds, inter alia, in the form of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, the repeal of POSA, the imminent repeal of AIPPA, the imminent licensing of Community Radio Stations and independent television stations, the raft of electoral law reforms already endorsed by Cabinet and now awaiting formal submission to the Parliamentary consultative process, the commitment to complete the alignment of all laws to the 2013 Constitution by the end of June 2020, the formal establishment of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), ongoing Ease of Doing Business reforms, the ongoing implementation of many of the Motlanthe Commission recommendations and, indeed, many others : all of it, ignored, most regrettably in the decision by the US Government to maintain its sanctions regime in place.

Notwithstanding this unfortunate stance, we will continue to seek meaningful re-engagement with the United States authorities on a mutual respect basis and we will, of course, continue to pursue the reform agenda we have set ourselves at a pace which is responsible, manageable and sustainable.

Honourable Lt General (Rtd) Dr Sibusiso Moyo, M.P. MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE

By A Correspondent| The Norton MP Temba Mliswa has announced saying there are Chinese nationals who have been quarantined in Norton but are moving freely.

Shooting straight against the government reports which say there are no quarantined individuals in the country at present, Mliswa said there is a factory in Norton that has 4000 Chinese workers, and some Zimbabweans. Of these he said there are some who have been quarantined for the COVID-19 plague. He however complained saying they are being allowed to move freely. WATCH BELOW

There are Chinese nationals who have been quarantined in Norton, but they are moving freely, says @TembaMliswa pic.twitter.com/3id7Ued737

— ZimEye (@ZimEye) March 5, 2020

Farai Dziva|Emmerson Mnangagwa will on Friday March 6 hold a clean up campaign in Gutu town.

Colleges and schools in the late Vice President Simon Muzenda’s hometown have been instructed to suspend learning activities to give way to the clean up exercise.

ZESA and ZINWA have also been instructed to make sure there are no flaws in the provision of their services.

“Gutu residents are calling upon service providers to continue providing services as usual.

Gutu residents have experienced uninterrupted electricity and water supply for continuous days ahead of the impending visit by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for a clean up campaign on Friday 6th February 2020.

Residents are saying service delivery should not be for visitors. Service providers should provide quality services as per their mandate,” said a member of a Gutu based residents’ association.

Farai Dziva|In spite of conceding failure Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared that he will stay in power until 2023 and beyond…

Below is MDC’s response to Mnangagwa’s remarks:
A report in today’s Newsday in which Mnangagwa admits to failure then sensationally demands another term is not only shocking but disrespectful of the suffering Zimbabwean people.

Once the admission is made that Zanu PF has failed, that closes the matter.

A government’s presence in office is for no other reason besides delivery.

In this case delivery is not there, the economy has collapsed, there is no food, fuel and electricity yet Mnangagwa and Mthuli Ncube have consistently claimed that the country is back on track, while publicly accepting to his Politburo that he has dismally failed to deliver.

Knowing the consequences of failure, Mnangagwa now wants to focus on power retention, service is what keeps people in office.

The MDC is on record, that an illegitimate government will never deliver, it only has a narrow interest of self-aggrandisement and power retention.

If you have failed, by your own admission, why should we reward failure in 2023?

MDC Communications

Zanu PF legislators in Mashonaland Central province have called for a meeting with war veterans to resolve their squabbles ahead of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s visit to Mvurwi for a clean-up campaign on Friday.

War veterans on Sunday accused the province’s 18 MPs of sabotaging President Emmerson Mnangagwa by using government food handouts for their personal campaigns.

Provincial party spokesperson Alfred Mufunga confirmed the meeting.

“It is true that our Vice-President is coming for a clean-up campaign on Friday and since war veterans and our MPs have issues they decided to resolve them a day before for the smooth running of business in the province,” Mufunga said.

Some legislators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said all was not well in the Zanu PF camp and the looming district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections were likely to widen the rift.

“All is not well in our camp. There is a lot of power struggle and the President is aware, that is why he is not coming here, but the situation is going to worsen with the looming DCC elections because G40 is still wielding power in the province,” a Zanu PF legislator said.

-Newsday

Government is concerned by the extension of the illegal sanctions on the country by the United States of America by another year saying the characterisation of Zimbabwe as a threat to that country’s foreign policy was baffling.

This was said by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana in a statement this morning following the extension of the sanctions by the US Congress.

“Once again, the Government of the United States has chosen to strangely characterize Zimbabwe as a country that “poses an extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States”. We find this a baffling position. All the Zimbabwean Government asks for is to be allowed space to be a full member of the community of nations transacting without restrictions as other nations do,”

“The Government of Zimbabwe strongly objects to the unfounded assertion that its security forces engaged in acts of extrajudicial killings and rape against its citizens in the last year,” Mangwana said.

However the White House in a statement on the extension of sanctions on Harare argues that since President Emmerson Mnangagwa ‘s elevation to power in November of 2017 and the subsequent election victory of 2018, persecution of critics has accelerated under his watch.

“Unfortunately, President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has yet to signal credible political will to implement such reforms. Indeed, the Zimbabwean government has arguably accelerated its persecution of critics and economic mismanagement in the past year, during which security forces have conducted extrajudicial killings, rapes, and alleged abductions of numerous dissidents.” Read the White House statement.

Government critics remain adamant that Mnangagwa’s rule has not been a smooth road for democracy.

“Under Mnangagwa’s fake new dispensation, freedom has been cynically presented as freedom!,” former Information minister, Jonathan Moyo tweeted recently.

In January last year, following a nation-wide protest over a 150 percent fuel increase organized by labor unions,  Mnangagwa’s administration went on a persecution spree of opposition party members and various other political activists.

Dozens of main opposition party, MDC officials were charged for various crimes including treason and inciting public violence among others.

Some are still pending prosecution up to this date.

On the flipside, Mnangagwa’s administration has been making efforts to spruce up its tainted human rights image abroad, yet internally it has treated the people’s rights to demonstrate with heavy handedness, critics say.

The latest sanctions extension is a hard blow on Mnangagwa’s reengagement efforts despite a strong regional support against restrictive measures on Zimbabwe.

Former Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, who is also MDC Legislator for Njube-Lobengula, Gift Banda has appeared in court facing charges of forgery.
Banda, aged 50 is jointly charged with Mbonisi David Nkomazana aged 33 and Bard Real Estates firm.

It is alleged that Banda and his accomplice forged a signature purporting that Nkululeko Ndlovu had agreed to sell his residential stand in Selbourne Brooke, Bulawayo.

The court heard that Ndlovu bought his stand in February 2015 after signing an agreement of Sale with Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products Pvt Ltd, represented by the late Sipho Mhlanga who was the land developer and owner of the stand.

The State alleges that sometime in 2017, Banda approached Ndlovu and offered to buy the stand promising him a bigger stand in Paddonhurst.
Banda allegedly failed to abide by the terms of the agreement and subsequently offered to buy the residential stand in question in cash. He again allegedly failed to honour the promise.

It is further alleged that Banda and his co-accused also forged an agreement of sale for the stand from Bulawayo Glass and Allied Products which was drafted by Nkomazana using the Bard Real Estates logo.

Ndlovu, who was visibly emotionally charged as he gave his testimony, told the court that the documents which Banda and the real estate company claim to be evidence of the agreement of sale are fraudulent.

The complainant said he only had a verbal agreement with Banda before changing his mind.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- Government is set to employ 2 300 teachers in June to bring the total number of teachers who would have been employed this year to 5 000.

In January, Government recruited 2 700 teachers who were deployed to several schools across the country.  

Most of those who were recruited were deployed to most critical areas that include Early Childhood Development, Grades One and Two and specialist subjects — sciences, vocational subjects and indigenous languages.

Before this year’s recruitment, 13 000 posts were said to be vacant. The recruitment of the 5 000 teachers this year is part of Government’s efforts to ensure that pupils have access to quality education, a development that helps in improving pass rates.

According to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the teacher-pupil ratio for primary schools is 1:40 and at secondary schools it is 1:35 from Form One to Form Four and 1:25 for Advanced Level classes.  However, schools are forced to enroll learners beyond their carrying capacity due to a shortage of schools and teaching staff. Some secondary school classes have over 50 learners.

In an interview on the sidelines of the handover of a state-of-the-art laboratory to Selukwe Chrome Secondary School, as well as a multipurpose sports court and a bus to Impali Primary School worth over US$300 000 in Shurugwi yesterday, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela said in June, Government would recruit 2 300 more teachers.  She said it is Government’s goal to support the implementation of the new curriculum.

“In January we engaged 2700 teachers to fill vacancies in the sector. The teacher pupil ratio must improve to support the new curriculum. Of those engaged, 2 100 teachers took up the jobs and 600 did not for various reasons. We are now completing the mop up programme to make sure the 2 700 figure is reached. At the same time, I am glad to announce that we have also been given authority to recruit a further 2 300 teacher in June. We were allowed to engage 5 000 teachers and if we engage 2 300 plus the 2700 we engaged in January we will reach our target,” she said.  

Meanwhile, Mrs Thabela commended Unki Mines for supporting Government in implementing the new curriculum through investment in infrastructure development.  

She said support in sports facilities, assists schools to mould athletes who have an academic background.  

In a speech read on his behalf by the senior human resources manager at Unki Mines Mr Anthony Chadyiwa, the company’s general manager Mr Walter Nemasase said they were honoured to have partnered the education ministry in assisting Selukwe Chrome Secondary School and Impali Primary School. -Statemedia

By Jane Mlambo| The opposition MDC has responded to admission by President Emmerson Mnangagwa while addressing his party politburo meeting that he had failed to steer the ship out of murky waters.

In a statement this morning, the MDC said Mnangagwa’s admission to failure while demanding another chance in 2023 was shocking and disrespectful to the suffering Zimbabweans.

“A report in today’s Newsday in which Mnangagwa admits to failure then sensationally demands another term is not only shocking but disrespectful of the suffering Zimbabwean people.

“Once the admission is made that Zanu PF has failed, that closes the matter. A government’s presence in office is for no other reason besides delivery.

“In this case delivery is not there, the economy has collapsed, there is no food, fuel and electricity yet Mnangagwa and Mthuli Ncube have consistently claimed that the country is back on track, while publicly accepting to his Politburo that he has dismally failed to deliver.
Knowing the consequences of failure, Mnangagwa now wants to focus on power retention, service is what keeps people in office,” said MDC in a statement.

By A Correspondent- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has denied reports of printing money despite the supply rate growing 250% last year to $35 billion, with a further 31,42% year to date increase expected by month end.

A report by The Financial Times alleged that secret money printing by the central bank was taking place.

It quoted the International Monetary Fund (IMF) saying they had recently discovered that the RBZ had revved up the printing press to revive the Zimbabwe dollar to provide State subsidies to gold producers.

RBZ governor John Mangudya claimed that the article was malicious, misleading and calculated to tarnish the image of the central bank.

“The bank notes, with concern, that the article seeks to fabricate an International Monetary Fund Executive Board’s Report on the Article IV Consultation for Zimbabwe which development is quite unfortunate and disrespectful of the IMF as an institution and the Republic of Zimbabwe as a member of the IMF,” Mangudya said in the statement.

“As stated in its Monetary Policy Statement of February 17, 2020, the bank reiterates that the growth in money supply, or more specifically reserve money in 2019, was as a result of subsidies on fuel, electricity and grain and government expenditure.

“The contribution of the gold sector incentive scheme was very minimal to the growth of reserve money. It is also mischievous to allude to ‘secret money printing’ as there is no secrecy in the payment of the gold incentive scheme by the State, through the bank.”

While the RBZ denies printing money, figures from the central bank seem to indicate otherwise.

In the RBZ’s December 2019 monthly economic report, annual broad money stood at $34,98 billion up from $31,82bn in the 2018 comparative.

“The growth in money supply reflected increased lending to both the public and private sectors, in support of economic activity,” part of the report read.

The reason behind the growth seemed to point to government needing to fund its expenditure, which was $63,6bn in the 2020 national budget, but has since deviated way off course due to increased subsidies and growing social needs.

The growing social needs are due to rising economic misfortunes from a failing local currency.

“The annual growth in net credit to government marginally declined to 62,71% during the month under review, from 62,86% in November 2019. On a monthly basis, net credit to government rose 2,69% from $15,81 billion in November 2019 to $16,24 billion in December 2019,” part of the report read.

Added to this, the 2020 monetary policy last month stated subsidies on fuel, electricity, grain and other essentials, particularly in the first half of 2019, increased reserve money, which rose to $8,8bn last year.

This increase was from a 2018 comparative of $3,3bn.

Further, the same document stated the need to support domestic cash transactions which also saw currency issued by the bank rising from $0,5bn in December 2018 to $1bn in December 2019.

By A Correspondent- Government has reviewed the minimum wage for domestic workers from $168 to $500 per month, a figure that some domestic workers say is below their expectations.

The Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Lovemore Matuke announced the increase last week in the Senate.

The Deputy Minister said Government pegged the domestic wage for domestic workers at $168 last year but the amount was only gazetted last month due to some delays.

He said the minimum wage has since been increased to $500.

“The new minimum wage is $500 but the issue is still under discussion with a view to further review it upwards. It is not the mandate of the Ministry to dictate the salaries but the procedure is that they go through a salary negotiation with stakeholders such as the workers’ unions and other organisations that are involved in discussing issues to do with salaries. I think in the next few weeks, we will be receiving new scales,” he said.  

In an interview yesterday, Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers’ Union deputy secretary-general Mr Toindepi Dhure said his union was not aware that Government had come up with a new minimum wage.  

Job seekers who gather at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Robert Mugabe Way in Bulawayo who are usually engaged as domestic workers said yesterday that the proposed $500 per month was not enough to meet rentals, transport costs and buying basic commodities.

Ms Nolwazi Ndebele (44), a Pumula suburb resident, said Government should further increase the minimum wage.

 “RTGS $500 is not enough because the prices of mealie-meal and other basic commodities have gone up. My landlord is now charging in foreign currency after council increased rates and other service charges recently. We need to fend for our families just like other workers so we need a living wage,” she said.

Ms Joyline Munsali (21) of Parklands suburb said it was difficult for her to support her parents and child back home in Binga with such a little amount. She said she was being paid $300 via Ecocash and the new minimum wage will not make much difference.

“When there is a funeral at home, I cannot attend because what I am earning is not enough for bus fare one way,” she said.-Statemedia

The MDC notes with concern a statement issued following a meeting between Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa and SADC executive secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax.

We are not only concerned by how the statement affects SADC intervention on Zimbabwe but its overall assessment of the situation in the region. Our party always had reservations when Mnangagwa took over the reins of the Troika and the briefing he got from the Secretariat vindicates his mediocrity.

To reduce the crisis in SADC to youth unemployment is not only dishonest but contemptuous, cynical and disrespectful of citizens of SADC whose taxes fund the Secretariat. Public expectation is for the Secretariat to be professional in their advice of the leadership of the region.

There are issues of contested elections in the region, not only in respect of Zimbabwe but as evidenced recently in the DRC, Namibia, Botswana and Malawi. Sadly due to the legitimacy question, the crisis in Zimbabwe is worsening. The economy is in intensive care, with the second highest inflation in the world after Venezuela, collapsing foreign exchange, increasing budget deficit and ballooning domestic and sovereign debt. Wages have been eroded by both inflation and the exchange rate of the Zimbabwean dollar against other currencies. Pensions and Health insurance have been rendered useless while industrial capacity utilisation continues to collapse as companies are closing en masse.

There are shortages of electricity, drugs, roller meal, fuel and electricity. Over 8 million citizens are food insecure not only for 2020, an urgent assessment for 2021 is overdue.

The economic situation is just bleak with no solution is in sight. This situation has resulted in massive unemployment not only of young people but across the board and has resulted in millions crossing the border to South Africa and Botswana, among other countries. The spill-over effect is already impacting South Africa, its currency and probably contributes to the junk status. While we are internationalists who advocate for a customs union in Africa, we are cognisant of the fact that migration has to be managed.

Social service delivery has been abandoned, doctors were on strike for over 6 months. The Midlands State University has lecturers on strike, with other institutions of higher learning having had to defer lectures in some faculties and general tuition from primary Schools has gone beyond the reach of many. More importantly Zimbabweans are agitated, for they are suffering and being taxed to fund lifestyles of the political elite.

An implosion is looming. SADC must encourage dialogue and afford Zimbabwean a soft landing and also give Zimbabweans a break from the unpalatable suffering they have endured for decades.

We feel the SADC secretariat is not doing the region any prudent service if it is failing to realize the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe is a serious threat to regional peace and security.

MDC Communications

By A Correspondent- A shebeen queen who was arrested for selling beer without a licence, allegedly undressed in protest against her arrest before assaulting a police officer.  

Sphiwe Ndlovu (32) from Collen Bawn will appear in court on April 7 facing charges of selling liquor without a licence, criminal insult, public indecency and assaulting or resisting a peace officer. The court will proceed by way of summons.

According to the State papers Ndlovu was arrested on January 15 at around 11PM for operating a  shebeen.

“At around 11PM Constables Malvin Vhovha and John Hamutoni who are both stationed at Collen Bawn Police Station were on patrol when they heard noise coming from Ndlovu’s house. They found a lot of people drinking beer and they discovered that Ndlovu was selling beer at her house without a licence.

“The cops arrested the DJ for criminal nuisance as he was playing loud music disturbing neighbours. They escorted the DJ to the police station and along the way met Ndlovu who confronted the cops and insulted them, accusing them of invading her home.  

“Due to the commotion the DJ managed to escape. The two cops left Ndlovu since they didn’t have a female cop with them and advised her to come to the police station on the following day as she was being rowdy,” read the papers.

The State papers show that Ndlovu did not turn up at the police station but went to Constable Vhovha’s house on the following day where she insulted him resulting in her arrest.

While she was about to be detained in the police cells, Ndlovu lifted her skirt up to waist level leaving her underpants exposed in protest against her arrest.

By A Correspondent- The Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) has warned the public against dealing with de-registered lawyers who are continuing to practice and defrauding unsuspecting victims.

“It becomes an offence for a de-registered person to offer any legal services or to hold out themselves as registered legal practitioners,” the LSZ said in a statement yesterday.

“It has come to the attention of the Law Society that, the following de- registered persons: Tichaona Mawere, Obedience Machuvaire, Allen Moyo and Washington Muchandibaya are offering legal services to the public regardless of them having been de-registered.”

The society said there were some people who had fallen victims to these de-registered lawyers, adding that the LSZ was working with the police to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and prosecuted.

“Once a lawyer has been de-registered, they cease to have any rights and privileges accruing to a registered legal practitioner. The Law Society does not have any powers to regulate a de-registered person,” the statement read.

“The Law Society will also not be liable for any prejudice arising from the engagement of a de-registered lawyer or any lawyers whose firm would have been placed under curatorship. Any clients of the law firms placed under curatorship should contact the respective curators in connection with their matters.”

The LSZ said 47 lawyers had been de-registered since 1997. Among the de-registered lawyers are Goodwills Masimirembwa, Daniel Danikwa, Obedience Machuvaire and Belvin Bopoto, while a number of firms that include Marondedze and Mukuku Legal Practitioners, AR Chizikani Legal Practitioners, MS Chinyenze and Partners and Tawona and Jaravani Attorneys had been placed under curatorship.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Harare magistrate yesterday dismissed an application for removal from remand by 16 Registrar-General’s Office employees accused of stealing passports fees.

The 16 had submitted that they were on remand from April last year and the State was prejudicing them by keeping them on remand without providing them with a trial date, but magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa dismissed the application, saying investigations in the matter were progressing well.

The State, represented by Lancelot Mutsokoti, argued that investigations into the matter had been completed and they were waiting for one State witness’s statement to be recorded before providing them with a trial date.

The complainant is the Registrar-General’s Office represented by Peter Bwanya.

Allegations are that between January and December 2018, the accused took advantage of trust bestowed in them which allowed Musindo to issue out receipt books, which are security items for the purpose of collecting revenue from the passport office section.

The 16 failed to account for the receipt books upon demand.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Bulawayo police officer who allegedly stabbed his two sons following an undisclosed misunderstanding with his estranged wife, has been ordered to undergo a mental examination.

Daniel Arutura (42) who was stationed at Southern Region Transtech and was on separation with his wife, Ms Fungai Miringani (35), allegedly went to his wife’s residence in Pumula suburb armed with a kitchen knife and a rope.

On arrival, he allegedly ordered his wife and two children Divine (10) and Damian (6) to go inside the house.

He then allegedly stabbed the sons on the chest and waist several times. Ms Miringani managed to escape and sought refuge at a neighbour’s house.

Arutura yesterday appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Gladmore Mushove facing two counts of attempted murder and was remanded in custody to March 17 pending a mental evaluation. He has pleaded guilty, saying he was possessed when he tried to kill his children.  

Mr Kenneth Shava is appearing for the State. -Statemedia

By Nomusa Garikai- Work on the upgrading of the National Stadium in Harare and Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, prestige projects, has started in earnest. The Chronicle is full of coloured pictures of the work been done at the latter stadium. 

Am I surprised that the regime has moved swiftly to upgrade the stadia and yet has done nothing about the rot and decay of the country’s long neglected clinics and hospitals including Parirenyatwa and Mpilo Hospitals, a stone-throw away from National and Barbourfield Stadium respective?  No I am not! 

Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess because the country has again and again made decisions that simply defy logic. In Zimbabwe it is the tail that wags the dog! Bizarre!

In Zimbabwe unemployment has soared to the dizzying heights of 90%, basic services like education and health care have all but completely collapsed and 34% of the population now living in abject poverty. I will bet my bottom dollar that at least 90% of the people of Zimbabwe would have never voted for upgrade  the country stadia given all the other pressing issues. 

As we can see, the country’s ruling elite did vote for the upgrading of the stadia. The total collapse of the country’s health care services, for example, does not bother them one bit. They go to SA, India, China, Singapore, etc. for all their medical needs and have done so decades! 

The economic and social situation in Zimbabwe has reached new alarming heights and yet the ruling elite continue to be oblivious of it all. 

Bulawayo has just increased its health care charges by 700% and so even more people in the city will be forced choose death over life. Aware of the increase in number of deaths, no doubt, the City has also increased its burial charges. The deceased’s relatives are being punished for dead relative, for the economic meltdown, for the foolishness of putting stadium over hospitals, etc., etc. 

Of course, the ordinary Zimbabwean has never had any meaningful say in the governance of the country, they have been denied their freedoms and rights including the right to free, fair and credible elections. 

It is the ruling elite who have the veto over all matters in Zimbabwe, they are the ones to blame for the country’s corruption and mismanagement behind the economic meltdown. And yet it is the ordinary Zimbabweans who are being punished by the ruling elite for the latter’s misrule – that is what makes the whole story so tragic and bizarre! 

The only way to end the madness in Zimbabwe is for the ordinary people to demand the implementation of the democratic reforms design to end Zanu PF’s dictatorial powers and to restore the people’s freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country. 

As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote rigging thugs, there will be no meaningful economic recovery and such foolishness as upgrading stadia at the expense of hospitals will continue. The need to implement the democratic reforms and end this political madness has never been more urgent than it is now with human lives at stake! 

By A Correspondent- Police have arrested 4 560 people since the launch of an anti-machete blitz in mining communities in January, in an effort to end violent crimes perpetrated by machete gangs and bring sanity to the mining areas.

In a statement yesterday, police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the latest arrests were in Kwekwe, Zvishavane and Gokwe.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested 4 560 people to date since the inception of the of the operation, which is focused on curbing illegal mining activities at mining sites all over the country,” he said.

“The latest arrests were made in Kwekwe, Zvishavane and Gokwe on March 3, 2020, where 457 people who were engaging in prospecting for gold without a licence, trespassing and illegal vending were nabbed.”

Nyathi said the operation would continue until all mining activities are conducted in accordance with the law.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Ousted Zanu-PF youth deputy president, Lewis Matutu has swallowed a humble pie and is currently attending Zanu-PF’s Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology after being suspended from the party for failing to respect Politburo decisions, it has emerged.

Matutu and the former national political commissa Godfrey Tsenengamu were suspended from the party after addressing the press and named and shamed individuals they said were corrupt.

Addressing the media at the 337th Politburo Session at the party’s headquarters in the capital, Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu revealed that Matutu is currently attending the school of Ideology as per instructions by the Politburo as this is a mandatory course for him to be reinstated in the party.

“A decision was taken in our last meeting directing Tsenengamu and the other suspended party members to do certain things before their readmission after a year and the others have followed the terms of the decision and they have not been saying anything in defiance against the decision by the politburo, as we speak right now, Matutu is attending the Chitepo Ideology sessions as directed by the Politburo.”

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is moving across the country mobilising for a national shutdown to pressure President Emmerson Mnangagwa to address the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

ZCTU president Peter Mutasa disclosed this at the fifth labour forum meeting held in Gweru on Monday.

Mutasa, accompanied by his secretary-general Japhet Moyo and members of the ZCTU’s general council, has been on a whirlwind tour of the country’s provinces, meeting their membership to mobilise for the national shutdown.

They have visited Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, Bulawayo and Chinhoyi and hope to reach out to the remaining five provinces in the charm offensive.

In his address to restive workers at Mkoba Hall in Gweru, Mutasa said he was prepared to die or be severely persecuted by State security agents who will try to put down the protests.

He highlighted that workers in the country had been reduced to paupers by Mnangagwa’s government to an extent that they no longer had esteem and dignity in society.

“People who started with the issue of shutdowns had understood that when you fail to get food in the house, there is someone who has caused that. If you fail to get an adequate salary, there is someone taking part of it, if you fail to have enough money for rentals and school fees, there is someone who will have taken it,” he said.

“We must ask ourselves to say what are we going to do when we sleep without eating and our kids go to school without shoes? Should we continue to be passive just hoping things will wake up normal just like that?

“Now the government wants to have 2,5% stolen from salaries of workers on top of 2% mobile transactions tax, 14%  VAT [value-added tax], 35% payee, on top of rates at councils and tollgate fees. The likes of (the late MDC leader) Morgan Tsvangirai rejected such scenarios and shut down the country.”

MDC national secretary for labour, Gideon Shoko said the ZCTU was right to organise a national shutdown.

“The ZCTU is very right to follow that route. As the MDC, we certainly sympathise with the stance that the ZCTU wants to take … We, as a party, believe the populace in general understands why the ZCTU has resorted to wanting to protest,” he said.

ZCTU’s organised anti-fuel price hike protests in January last year, however, degenerated into violence and death after government responded by deploying the military in a crackdown that resulted in the death of 17 people, injuring hundreds while thousands were arrested.

Since then, government has used brute force to thwart protests.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Ousted Zanu-PF youth deputy president, Lewis Matutu is currently attending Zanu-PF’s Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology after being suspended from the party for failing to respect Politburo decisions.

Matutu and former youth national commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu last month addressed the media naming and shaming individuals they said were corrupt.

Addressing the media at the 337th Politburo Session at the party’s headquarters in the capital, Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu revealed that Matutu is currently attending the school of Ideology as per instructions by the Politburo as this is a mandatory course for him to be reinstated in the party.

“A decision was taken in our last meeting directing Tsenengamu and the other suspended party members to do certain things before their readmission after a year and the others have followed the terms of the decision and they have not been saying anything in defiance against the decision by the politburo, as we speak right now, Matutu is attending the Chitepo Ideology sessions as directed by the Politburo.”-Statemedia

By A Correspondent- The former First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe and her son Russel Goreraza have asked the High Court to dismiss a US$2 million defamation lawsuit filed against them by a Lebanese businessman, Jamal Ahmed whose houses she grabbed over a diamond ring dispute.

Ahmed, claims that a statement that Grace and Goreraza caused to be published between October 2016 and December 2017 in connection with the diamond ring saga, claiming that he had breached the terms and conditions of the deal depicted him as a criminal, tarnished his image both locally and internationally.

Grace and Goreraza, in their plea filed on February 25, 2020, urged the court to dismiss the claims saying that it is correct that the Ahmed breached the contract and pursuant to the breach, offered to compensate Grace although he has not yet done so.

Grace added that Jamal had lost rights to make the claim because of the time that has lapsed if the publication took place in 2017.

She also said that the statements in question, if they were made in court proceedings, were made lawfully and in their context hence they were not defamatory or unlawful.-Newsday

By A Correspondent- A Ntabazinduna man was hauled to court for stock theft after sneaking into his neighbors’ kraal and slaughtering a sheep.

The accused person (known as Vusumuzi) from Bhekeni village under Chief Khayisa jurisdiction appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate and pleaded guilty to stock theft charges.

In his defense, the accused person told the court that he had succumbed to pressure from his family who complained to him that they were tired of eating vegetables.

The pressure led him to commit the crime since he is the sole breadwinner in the family.

The state told the court that the accused person sneaked into one Mr Siboniso Sibanda’s kraal during daylight, slaughtered the sheep and put it on a wheelbarrow before heading home. He was arrested after Sibanda’s herdboy reported the matter to the police.

He was sentenced to perform  350 hours of community service at Nhlambabaloyi primary school.

Community members from Bhekeni village are said to be complaining that the magistrate was lenient towards the accused person and they now fear they will lose more livestock to stock theft. -statemedia

Legislators yesterday fought over former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s ownership of multiple farms following a question from Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa who wanted to know when government would repossess the 11 farms she allegedly owns.

The incident occurred in the National Assembly during the weekly question-and-answer session.

Mliswa said it was on record that the former First Lady had multiple farms and asked Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, as leader of Government business in Parliament, when Government would start repossessing some of them.

President Mnangagwa is on record as saying the former First Family owned more than 10 farms.

“Government embarked on a land audit to see who was utilising land and who was not and for what reason and the multiple farm owners,” said Mr Mliswa.

“It is on record that the former First Lady owns more than four farms and the Government has done absolutely nothing when the policy is one-man one-farm, one-woman one-farm. The question is; what have they done with the land audit and why have they not repossessed land from the former First Lady.”

MDC-Alliance legislators interjected, with St Mary’s legislator Mr Job Sikhala shouting: “Mugabe akafa kare siyanai naye (referring to Mrs Mugabe) and “why do you want to abuse the widow.”

MDC-Alliance legislators briefly brought business to a halt, while Mr Mliswa accused them of supporting Mrs Mugabe because she funded their campaigns in 2018 harmonised elections.

“Makapihwa mari naGrace muchi campaigner (you were funded by Grace during the elections campaign),” Mr Mliswa said.

Mrs Mugabe was the face of the G40 faction that was expelled from Zanu PF during army coup (Operation Restore Legacy) in 2017.

The group has found a home in MDC-Alliance, with former Zanu PF Politburo members — Professor Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwao — openly throwing their weight behind the opposition party’s president Mr Nelson Chamisa and admitting that they fundraised for MDC Alliance campaign.

Other former G4O members, including Shadreck Mashayamombe and Kudakwashe Bhasikiti have been coopted into the structures of the opposition party.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda eventually restored order in the House.

Minister Ziyambi said the Government remained committed and would not change its stance on the one-man, one-farm policy.

“Government indeed embarked on a land audit and our President is very clear on the policy of one-man one-farm and one woman one farm,” Minister Ziyambi said.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers’ Union (Zidamwu) has written to government seeking to be allowed to bargain for salaries in line with the forex retention threshold.

In a letter to Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, Zidamwu general secretary Justice Chinhema said employers in the mining industry were retaining 55% forex after selling their minerals through Fidelity Printers and Refiners, but in return, paying workers 100% in local currency without indexing them to the interbank rates.

“Workers have been trying to engage individual employers as well as the Chamber of Mines through the National Employment Council to consider paying them salaries or wages in line with what they retain after selling what they mine without success citing that the law prohibits such bargaining because monetary authorities have directed them not to consider such arrangements,” the letter read in part.

“Workers are aware of the Finance Act and all its meaning, intention and objectives. It is from this background that workers seek to be exempted and be allowed to demand salaries or wages in line with what the employers are retaining.”

In the letter, Chinhema said besides it being unfair to the workers for employers to benefit alone, workers believe most of the money that the employers were retaining in United States dollars and cash in local currency was being channelled to the black market, where they get high premiums for Real Time Gross Settlement they then use to pay workers. -Newsday

Kaizer Chiefs have issued a worrying update on Willard Katsande who was injured over the weekend.

The 34-year old could miss the majority of the remaining games after he tore the ligament in the inner part of his knee during the 1-0 victory over Orlando Pirates on Saturday. He was stretchered off in the 75th minute.

Katsande’s expected date of return is still unknown and an appointment with a specialist has been set.

Physiotherapist Dave Milner confirmed the news on the club’s official website.

“Katsande is currently in a brace. He had a scan and will see the specialist this week to determine the extent of the injury.”

Meanwhile, the development comes as a blow to title-chasing Kaizer Chiefs if the midfielder is sidelined for a long time.

Former Zanu-PF youth deputy secretary, Lewis Matutu is currently attending Zanu-PF’s Hebert Chitepo School of Ideology after being suspended from the party for failing to respect Politburo decisions after they, he and Tsenengamu addressed members of the media naming and shaming individuals they said were corrupt.

Addressing members of the media at the 337th Politburo Session at the party’s headquarters in the capital, Zanu-PF’s Secretary for Administration, Obert Mpofu revealed that Matutu is currently attending the school of Ideology as per instructions by the Politburo as this is a mandatory course for him to be reinstated in the party.

“A decision was taken in our last meeting directing Tsenengamu and the other suspended party members to do certain things before their readmission after a year and the others have followed the terms of the decision and they have not been saying anything in defiance against the decision by the politburo, as we speak right now, Matutu is attending the Chitepo Ideology sessions as directed by the Politburo.”

-State Media

THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is auctioning Municipality of Gwanda service vehicles which include ambulances, fire tenders and official cars over a $17 million water supplies debt.

Gwanda mayor, Jastone Mazhale recently confirmed the attachment of the vehicles and said the council and Zinwa were engaged in talks that appear to have failed as the Deputy Sheriff has advertised the auctioning of the vehicles.

“Yes I can confirm that our vehicles were attached by Zinwa over a $17 million debt and we are currently running the town without ambulances, fire tenders and normal vehicles as Zinwa attached them. They only left refuse collection vehicles,” Mazhale confirmed.

Zinwa Gwanda catchment manager, Farai Manzira also confirmed the attachment.

The impasse has angered ratepayers who said this has left them in a precarious situation.

Gwanda Residents Association secretary-general Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo expressed concern over the unending feud between Gwanda Town Council and Zinwa which has escalated to alarming levels.

“We are concerned as Gwanda residents over this issue as it is seriously affecting us. We go for a month without running water as Zinwa would have disabled its service, and as residents we have always lobbied for Zinwa to allow the Gwanda Town Council to run the water source, and avoid such unnecessary feuds,”Fuzwayo said.

“Right now as we speak we do not have any ambulances and no fire fighting vehicles. What would happen if a fire erupts?”

By A Correspondent- South African Police Services spokesperson for Limpopo province Motlafela Mojapelo has identified seven Zimbabweans who died in the Musina, South Africa accident.

The horrific accident which occurred on the South African side of Beitbridge involved a Toyota Fortuner and a truck.

Mojapelo identified the victims as follows:

1. Gilbert Mahonolwa (50),
2. the driver, Sunday Winston (28),
3. Morris Tanyanago (62),
4. Sharon Nyathi (25),
5. Kudzai Chirengende (24), and
6. babies Shelther Muzwidziwa (3), and
7. one-year-old Tanyanago Ngaakudzwe.

A local publication reported that the deceased who were from Chiredzi in the Lowveld were aboard the Toyota Fortuner which on Sunday night rammed into the side of a truck on the N1 between Musina and Beitbridge.

The publication adds that the relatives of the deceased were yet to be located to ascertain repatriation of remains and funeral arrangements.

By A Correspondent- Exiled former Zimbabwe Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Jonathan Moyo has dismissed reports that he has joined the opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa.

Posting on microblogging site, Twitter this Thursday, Moyo said that he would announce it himself if he joins any party.

He said:

I’m flattered that Mnangagwa’s clansmen & varakashi claim I’m an advisor to @nelsonchamisa & a member of @mdczimbabwe. Neither is true. I was violently removed from #ZanuPF by the military in November 2017 into the opposition. If I join any party, I’ll proudly announce it myself!

Moyo previously claimed that he, together with other exiled former ZANU PF members including Patrick Zhuwao the nephew of former president Mugabe, supported and sponsored the MDC 2018 elections campaign.

The professor has also since the demise of president Mugabe in 2017 been publicly pushing and supporting the MDC agendas prompting some to think that he was planning to join the party.

Own Correspondent|US President Donald Trump has extended sanctions against Zimbabwe by a year, saying that the new government’s policies continue to pose an “unusual and extraordinary” threat to the American foreign policy.

The renewal on Monday comes despite calls by African leaders, including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, for the sanctions to be lifted to give the country a chance to recover from its economic crisis.

“The actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States,” Trump said in a notice announcing the extension.

“I am continuing for [one] year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13288.”

Trump administration officials had said the sanctions will remain until the government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa changes Zimbabwe’s laws restricting media freedom and allowing protests.

According to US officials, there are 141 entities and individuals in Zimbabwe currently under US sanctions, including Mnangagwa and former president Robert Mugabe.

Mnangagwa has called for the sanctions to be lifted against the ZANU-PF ruling party, top military figures and some government-owned firms, which were imposed during Mugabe’s rule over what the US said were human rights violations and undermining of the democratic process.

Zimbabwe is going through its worst economic crisis in a decade. Low on cash reserves, the southern African nation is battling severe fuel shortages.

The government announced in January a 150 percent increase in fuel prices which led to widespread discontent and violent demonstrations.

Source: Al Jazeera

Mpilo Central Hospital has received dialysis equipment donated by an International organisation that was being held by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) which was demanding 3 000 pounds duty.

On Tuesday, Zimra released the equipment that includes portable ultra sound machine, peritoneal dialysis catheters, renal biopsy, needles, sutures, suturing tray and sterile packs after Government issued a duty-free certificate.

The equipment which was donated by the United Kingdom’s International Society of Nephrology (ISN) will be used to interpret kidney biopsies as well as perform peritoneal dialysis for kidney patients.

ISN educational ambassador Dr Nitin Kolhe together with two senior nurses, Sisters Carol Rhodes and Claire Mcguire have since started training doctors and nurses at the hospital on how to use the equipment. The training ends tomorrow.

In an interview yesterday, Mpilo CEO Mr Leonard Mabhandi confirmed that Zimra released the equipment on Tuesday.

“A duty-free certificate was finally issued for the equipment to be released on Tuesday. A team from Mpilo went to the airport to collect the equipment and the training of doctors has started,” he said.

The hospital’s head of the renal unit Dr Shepperd Kajowa said the release of the equipment comes as a relief to kidney patients and doctors who now have the required equipment.

He said after the training that will equip doctors and nurses with the requisite skills, the health institution will be able to offer, for the first-time, peritoneal dialysis for kidney patients in Matabeleland region and beyond.

Dr Kajowa said after the training, doctors will be able to conduct kidney biopsies, a development that is essential for diagnosis of kidney diseases.

“Now that we have the peritoneal dialysis, patients need not come to hospital to be put on the dialysis machine but can be put on dialysis at home. Under this alternative dialysis system, fluid is put into the patient’s stomach and is drained after about four hours. The patient can do this at home,” he said.

Dr Kajowa said the peritoneal dialysis is a positive development in the face of constant power cuts that the health institution is sometimes subjected to as it does not require the use of the dialysis machine.

“ Biopsy which involves taking a very tiny piece of the kidney and examining it under a microscope so that we are able to get the exact diagnosis, will greatly improve our services,” said Dr Kajowa.

Own Correspondent|NORTON MP Temba Mliswa and MDC MP for Zengeza West Job Sikhala were Wednesday involved in short exchanges after the latter had interjected in defence of former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s multiple farms.

The bust-up started when Mliswa, through a question to leader of the house, Ziyambi Ziyambi demanded the seizure of 11 out of 12 farms which were in the hands of late former President Robert Mugabe’s wife.

Mliswa wanted government to enforce its one-man-one-farm policy on the once powerful former First Lady.

“Government embarked on a land audit to see who was utilising land and who was not and for what reason and the multiple farm owners,” said Mr Mliswa.

“It is on record that the former First Lady owns more than four farms and the Government has done absolutely nothing when the policy is one-man one-farm, one-woman one-farm. The question is; what have they done with the land audit and why have they not repossessed land from the former First Lady.”

But this did not go down well with Sikhala who interjected in defence of Grace.

“Mugabe akafa kare siyanai naye (referring to Mrs Mugabe) and “why do you want to abuse the widow.”

“Leave Grace Mugabe alone. Leave the wife of the former President alone. Mugabe died and why do you want to torment his wife? I do not want to see anyone harassing or abusing a widow,” said the MDC deputy national chair.

Not to be outdone, Mliswa shot back, accusing Sikhala of being a “sell-out” in his defence of the controversial former First Lady.

“You were given money as MDC party by Grace Mugabe. Sikhala sold-out but MDC party gave him a vice-chairperson position. We will say it as it is,” Mliswa said.

“Makapihwa mari naGrace muchi campaigner (you were funded by Grace during the elections campaign),” Mliswa went on.

He was referring to claims the MDC received funding from late President Mugabe and some politicians from Zanu PF’s G40 faction during its 2018 election campaign.

Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda eventually restored order in the House.

Minister Ziyambi said the Government remained committed and would not change its stance on the one-man, one-farm policy.

“Government indeed embarked on a land audit and our President is very clear on the policy of one-man one-farm and one woman one farm,” Minister Ziyambi said.

Since Mugabe was ousted as state leader in a November 2017 military coup, MDC, a target of Mugabe’s brutal rule since formation, has been seen as softening its stance towards the late ruler.

With just under a week after The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) announced a fuel price decrease effected on Monday, the regulator has announced an immediate increase in the price of fuels.

Diesel which had gone down to ZWL17.28 has now gone up by ZWL$1.38 to ZWL$18.66 per litre. However, this price is still lower than the ZWL$19.55 per litre which was obtaining before last week’s review.

Blended Petrol has gone up to ZWL$18.70 per litre. This is ZWL$0.30 (30 cents) up from the previous ZWL$18.40 per litre.

The new prices of fuel translate to US$1.03 ( per litre of diesel and US$1.04 using the government’s official interbank forex rate.

Below is the full statement from ZERA

PRESS STATEMENT

Fuel price review

In accordance with the provisions of SI 270 of 2019, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has reviewed the fuel prices to ZWL $ 18.66 for diesel and ZWL $ 18.70 for blend with effect from 5 March 2020.

The SI 270/19 requires that fuel prices be determined using the previous month’s international market prices and announcement done with effect from 5th of every month.

This review is in line with the Petroleum Act and SI 270 of 2019.

By Own Correspondent| Zimbabwean authorities on Wednesday 4 March 2020 accused a human rights lawyer and some trade unionists of plotting to foment civil disobedience in the country after they were allegedly caught in possession of a book entitled “Pedagogy of the Oppressed”.

Human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Secretary-General Robson Chere, Jessica Drury, Munyaradzi Ndawana and Precious Ndlovu appeared at Rotten Row Magistrates Court before Magistrate Usheunesu Matova for commencement of their trial on charges of participating in a gathering with intent to promote public breaches of peace or bigotry as defined in section 37(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Prosecutors claimed that Coltart aged 28, Chere aged 35 years old, Drury aged 33 years old, Ndawana aged 32 years old and Ndlovu aged 32 years old, plotted a rebellion by gathering unlawfully at Zambezi Roots Lodge in Harare’s Greystone Park suburb on 27 April 2019, where they held a training workshop to strategise on ways of “spearheading a host of civil disobedience in Zimbabwe.”

The state charged that some Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers who arrested Coltart, Chere, Drury, Ndawana and Ndlovu recovered some material which were being used during the alleged training and which included a book written “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” written by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, five paper sheets with various messages, some crayons, assorted pens, a cup, point markers and sticky notes among other materials.

However, their trial could not commence after their lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, protested against the state’s failure to furnish her clients with some relevant state papers and some exhibits relevant to their case.

Mtetwa also told Magistrate Matova that some of her clients were tortured by some state security agents who apprehended and detained them while the network at her law firm, Mtetwa and Nyambirai Legal Practitioners, where Coltart works was tempered with after police officers confiscated a laptop belonging to the budding human rights lawyer.

Magistrate Matova ordered the state to carry out a probe into complaints filed by Mtetwa and postponed the matter to 6 April 2020 for commencement of trial.

THE Grain Marketing Board (GMB) has suspended the Belmont depot manager in Bulawayo together with his four subordinates for allegedly diverting subsidised mealie-meal and other Silo Foods Industries products to the black market.

Sources said the depot manager, Mr Stanley Chimakira, was allegedly working with his sidekicks in the sales department, Mr Buhle Dube and Mr Vincent Gwariro, in channelling the Government-subsided roller meal to the black market.

Mr Chimakira was also allegedly working with two others employees, Mr Tashin Kamangira and Ms Samkeliso Nyathi, who are both counter sales clerks.

The underhand dealings within the parastatal were recently unearthed following an internal audit, which was preceded by an investigation into operations at Silo Foods Industries in the city by a roller meal taskforce chaired by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi, who confirmed the suspensions of the five GMB employees.

The taskforce reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc).

The recently constituted roller meal task force’s mandate is to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of the product throughout the entire supply chain.

Sources told The Chronicle that Mr Chimakira and Mr Dube were the ring leaders of the syndicate, which also includes some unscrupulous illegal traders who sell the roller-meal in United States dollars.

“The depot manager and people in the sales department operated as a syndicate to feed the black market with the subsidised mealie-meal. In some cases, you would see a 30-ton truck transporting mealie-meal to these pseudo shops and starving registered traders and other big supermarkets,” said the source.

The Chronicle established that soon after the maize taskforce unearthed the underhand dealings, an internal audit revealed that about 90 percent of the business transactions were not above board.

“The manager and his four subordinates at GMB Belmont depot have since been suspended indefinitely without pay and benefits pending hearings. The main reason behind their suspensions is that they were fuelling the black market by providing subsidised mealie-meal to unregistered traders in return for kickbacks,” said the source, who also revealed that a new team from Harare has been deployed to the Belmont depot.

“There is a guy from Harare who is now running the depot and he is being assisted by another one who came from the Gweru depot.”

Deputy Minister Modi said the suspensions follow investigations by his task force, which has since managed to identify syndicates causing artificial mealie-meal shortages.

“My taskforce team recently unearthed serious irregularities at the GMB depot in Belmont and the manager and his team were involved in diverting subsidised roller meal to the black market. As I speak, they have been suspended pending hearings,” he said.

“In fact, from the Government position, we are quite disturbed by what we have discovered and some of the culprits responsible for creating supply and distribution anomalies have been identified.”

Deputy Minister Modi said there are cases of Silo roller-meal in Bulawayo being sold on the black-market right in front of the Silo Shop.

“It is partly through these illegal vendors that we are conducting investigations and tracing it back to the source of the crime,” he said.

Investigations by the maize taskforce following their surprise visit to the Silo Foods Industries’ factory at the Belmont industrial area indicated that GMB employees were allegedly diverting the subsidised roller meal meant for retailers to the black market.

The taskforce also allegedly discovered an invoice book that was being used by the perpetrators of the scam.

Deputy Minister Modi said the task force is making follow-ups with major suppliers and retailers of mealie-meal. This follows critical shortages of the commodity on the market after Government re-introduced a subsidy programme to ensure that roller meal in particular, is available at an affordable price to consumers.

Zimbabwe’s annual maize consumption stands at 1,8 million tonnes.

Contacted for comment yesterday, GMB general manager Mr Rockie Mutenha feigned ignorance over the suspensions.

“I am not aware of the suspensions that you are talking about. As far as I know, those people who are purported to have been suspended are actually at work as we speak and you can even go there and check for yourself,” he said.

Last month, our sister paper, The Sunday News reported that Zacc discovered that some employees were allegedly channelling as much as 10 000 bags of 20kg roller meal to the black market. Consumers have been battling to access roller meal, which is presently being subsidised by Government.

The paper also reported that there was a cartel of retailers and vendors who were hoarding mealie-meal in Victoria Falls and selling it in hard currency to Zambian cross-border vendors on the black market.

Zambian media reports indicate that mealie-meal brands from Zimbabwe have flooded the Livingstone market.

The Zimbabwean products are sold at relatively lower prices when compared to the Zambian products due to the subsidy programme.

Deputy Minster Modi said they have extended their investigations to the country’s borders where subsidised mealie meal is smuggled out of the country.

“Our routine involves checking what the suppliers get and from who, names of retailers that received the product and the customers that bought the mealie-meal,” he said.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube recently revealed through the Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) that smuggling of mealie-meal had become rampant. Besides mealie-meal, a variety of other products such as sugar, rice and juices are smuggled out of the country using both legal and illegal exit points.

According to investigations, some Government officials are said to be heavily involved in the scam.

Last month, Parliament heard that GMB senior executives were allegedly allocating subsidised maize to millers who are allegedly diverting it to the black market and countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The High Court has expressed concern over the manner in which the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Forensic Science Laboratory handled the death of CMED board chair Leslie John Denn.

He was found dead at his Borrowdale, Harare, home four years ago.

Denn, who was board chairman of CMED (Pvt) Ltd and managing director of Nemchen (Pvt) Ltd, was found dead with a bullet wound at his house in Borrowdale in May 2016.

The three departments were slammed for a shoddy job in their corresponding capacities, compromising justice in the murder case.

The High Court felt this could have led to a serious miscarriage of justice.

A judgment delivered by Justice Erica Ndewere in the case in which Denn’s live-in girlfriend, Ashton Pillay, was acquitted of murder, has no kind words for the police’s failure to follow rules of standard police investigation procedure and protocol when attending scenes of crime in cases of suspected murder or suicide.

“Before I conclude, the court wishes to express its discomfort with the manner in which the investigations of this unnatural violent death was handled by the investigative departments of the State,” said Justice Ndewere.

She said the court made an effort during the trial to have the gunshot residue samples examined, but the forensic department spurned that request.

The samples would have confirmed whether Denn committed suicide or was murdered.

Justice Ndewere queried why a shooting case could remain inconclusive when there was a State department with samples uplifted in 2016.

The samples have not been examined by the responsible department, even when the court ordered their assessment.

Justice Ndewere said it was improper for the police to finalise investigations before the samples were tested to determine if it was a murder case or suicide.

The High Court also found the NPA wanting in indicting Ms Pillay for murder before ascertaining if the case was indeed a murder or a suicide.

Justice Ndewere also castigated the forensic science department for “operating like a mortuary, with its officers attending crime scenes to collect samples which they put in a storage fridge since 2004 from the evidence tendered in court”.

“In this regard, the court feels that there is need for an urgent competence assessments of the forensic science laboratory department before there is further miscarriage of justice in criminal matters in the country,” said Justice Ndewere.

“In the present case if the deceased did not commit suicide, the department’s failure to test the samples they collected on time has led to a serious miscarriage of justice in relation to his death,” said Justice Ndewere.

Police, she added, were guilty of several omissions. The judge said it was sad that officers entrusted with the duty of investigating unnatural deaths of citizens take their duties so casually and neglect to observe all the rules of police investigations.