By A Correspondent- Controversial Norton MP Temba Mliswa (Independent) has claimed that white Zimbabwean farmers benefitted from the Command Farming programme more than their indigenous counterparts.

Without providing evidence to back his claims, Mliswa accused white farmers of double-dipping, saying they “are funded by their own too through certain institutions” and also benefit from government programmes. 

Mliswa wrote in a Twitter thread:

On Command Agriculture, the whites have benefited much more than the indigenous people and yet they are funded by their own too through certain institutions which give them access to many meaning they double-dip. It’s been good for them indeed!

Zim is currently a huge party for most of them as they’re making more money now than during any other time. They’re doing as they please and racism is beginning to rear its ugly head again. They’re the ones who are reigniting these issues.

Minority groups should be reminded that this racism aspect will never be allowed to prevail. Other youngsters coming through are more radical. We’re a peace-loving nation but when the minority starts accumulating excessive wealth&the majority are poor, it’s never a safe position

Local communities must benefit from empowerment drives implemented through corporate social responsibility initiatives. Amenities, schools, clinics, infrastructure etc have been neglected&yet money’s being made, not that I encourage it, but inevitably it’ll backfire at some stage.

Mliswa has, however, been criticised for his sentiments with one Shaun Snyder counter-accusing the former ZANU PF provincial chairman of racism. Said Snyder:

Disappointing tweet thread. Keep playing the blame game and your “indigenous people” will stay poor. You of all people no the cause of the majorities impoverishment. Also, the white minority is hardly as racist as a certain Norton MP.

Ady Preston challenged Mliswa to back his claims with facts and desist from making mere assumptions. Wrote Preston:What’s the basis of your argument Hon. We need facts, not assumptions. Let’s look at the figures of what the so-called white farmers are delivering to GMB as compared to some farmers who are duping the govt by side marketing of maize and some selling the inputs on the black market.

The Targeted Command Agriculture is an agricultural scheme aimed at ensuring food self-sufficiency that was introduced at the start of the 2016 – 2017 farming season following the drought of the previous season.

Tinashe Sambiri|Former Movement for Democratic Change Change MP for Zaka Central Constituency, Harrison Mudzuri has accused the Zanu PF regime of neglecting teachers.

Mudzuri is the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe national coordinator.

According to Mudzuri, teachers should also be ” vaccinated against poverty.”

“The fact that teachers are not happy with their meagre salaries means that opening or not opening of schools is one and the same thing-no meaningful teaching and learning will take place.

Forcing teachers to be vaccinated against Covid 19 is not a sign of care by the govt of Zimbabwe.

The same teachers still need living salaries that vaccinate them against poverty. Improved living conditions means good food which boosts immunity against all kinds of diseases.

If teachers in Zimbabwe do not fight for salaries they deserve they are encouraging poverty through their silence,” argued Mudzuri.

By A Correspondent- A man allegedly shot and killed his preg_nant 28-year-old ex-wife and her boyfriend.

They were both in front of the woman’s two children at a soccer tournament in Harris County in Texas, USA.

The man then took his own life, cops said.

The Daily Mail reported that the gunman approached the couple at about 10am in the parking lot of the Matias Almeyda Training Centre facility on Sunday, 25 July.

When cops arrived on the scene, they discovered that the 35-year-old man was dead while the woman was critically wounded. She was immediately rushed to hospital.

The children were not harmed.

Later on, she and her unborn child were pronounced dead and following that, the police found the man at a house dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

-dailysun

By A Correspondent- Two hot-blooded Malawian soldiers were sent to a peace-making mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Instead of finishing their mission, they were sent packing after they were reportedly caught having se_x in a tent.

Nyasatimes reported the two peace-makers were bust after some soldiers heard strange noises inside their tent.

“When one soldier entered the tent, they found the two b0nking and reported the matter to the authorities who have immediately asked the two to pack their bags ready for the next flight home,” a source told the publication.

According to the publication, the two soldiers from the capital of Zomba are reportedly married.

“They were not sent to the peace-making mission as husband and wife, but as soldiers to help in the keeping of peace. Having se_x when you are at war is gross misconduct. Soldiers ought to be disciplined at all times,” the source said.

-DailySun

By A Correspondent- The body of a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer who went missing following a boat accident on Lake Kariba last Friday has been retrieved.

The remains of the soldier, Tafadzwa Mashingaidze, were retrieved on Wednesday and two of the people who were in the boat when it capsized remain unaccounted for. Mashingaidze’s body was found floating on the lake.

An eyewitness who is part of the rescue mission, Chenjerai Zambezi, told H-Metro that Mashingaidze’s body was found around 7 am.

He said:

His body was found around 7 am floating from where others were rescued. The lake is now calmer than yesterday. I hope we are going to find the other two bodies left.

Mashingaidze’s aunt Elizabeth Chengeta told H-Metro that the body has been identified and they will be on their way to Chinhoyi. She said:

If all goes well, we will be in Chinhoyi today. However, there is going to be a church service at home. He is going to be buried in Mudzimu, Hurungwe.

A fisherman who refused to be identified told the publication that small boats were being used as a form of transport by fishermen, buyers and traders to and from the fishing camps.

However, he bemoaned the overloading of people and baggage in these unlicensed boats as a recipe for disaster.

Five people are believed to have drowned when a boat they were sailing in capsized on Lake Kariba on Friday morning.

The incident occurred around 4 am when the vessel hit turbulent waters, stirred by strong winds, near Ndomo fishing camp.

By A Correspondent- A Zimbabwean woman who died in South Africa on Sunday has donated her body to the University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine to be used in advancing the study of medicine.

The woman, Rosalie Majecha Chigariro (64), died after she went into a diabetic coma.

Family members who spoke on condition of anonymity to Masvingo Mirror confirmed the arrangement that Chigariro made with the university.

The donation is one of the few made by Zimbabweans in the cause of the advancement of science.

In one of the audios in Masvingo Mirror’s possession, Chigariro is heard instructing that after body viewing, her body be sent to the University.

She adds that after the studies, the body can then be cremated.

The publication says it has also seen a letter dated 26 July 2021 from the University’s Department of Biomedical sciences requesting Nyaradzo Funeral Services to surrender the body to the school.

Professor Rangarirai Masanganise who is the Dean of UZ College of Health Sciences said that the University receives bodies from time to time for use in the studies.

A letter to the Prime Minister (Boris Johnson), MPs, Councillors, Religious leaders, and any other community leaders who may have communities at heart.
I write this with concern about the current deportations of the Zimbabwean immigrants:

This is something that is really concerning to our communities. Something close to home. The new wave of deportation of Zimbabwean people who are alleged to have committed crimes in the country, regardless of the period they have been living in the UK, and how long ago they committed those crimes has become a thorn in our communities. The average stay for the recently deported individuals is around 20 years. They have invested most of their productive life years in UK. While none of us can condone crime, the one thing that is emotionally wrecking, is the process of the removals of these alleged criminals. This is having a collective trauma on the Zimbabwean communities. The communities are completely unsettled by this development. I am an ex-Chairman of the Zimbabwe Leeds Community, and our community have had such a difficult time recently, resulting in endless community engagement meetings about this subject for the last 3 weeks.

While the Home Office could be right to remove “undesirable elements”, who are causing problems in our society collectively (considering a greater percentage of the crimes committed have been against fellow Zimbabwean community members), this, I believe should also be done humanely, as every society has such people and the law should be applied consistently and fairly. The way these people are being removed has injected so much fear in the Zimbabwean community including children. Children who were born here, of Zimbabwean parentage are asking their parents every day, whether they are going to be removed from the country, even though they have not committed any crimes. This is because of the negative publicity that has come with these deportations, which are being done without consultations with the communities affected.

The Zimbabwean families watch Zimbabwean media, and the government of Zimbabwe has found a perfect opportunity to claim, that, UK was taking people from Zimbabwe on false asylum basis to justify human rights abuse, in order to impose sanctions on their country. The Zimbabwe Government claim that UK used economic sanctions as leverage to force the government to reverse their land reform program, which was meant to promote equality and redressing the historical economic imbalance brought by imperialism. Now the UK are deporting these people because their narrative is no longer sustainable, and desperately want to engage in bilateral relations with Zimbabwe to advance their interests.

While the Zimbabwean diaspora community in the UK welcomes the improvement of the bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the UK, there are however, concerns in the process. From how things appear, the failed asylum seekers, and people who commit crimes are now the conditional “settlement payments” for the engagement of the two parties. I am a faithful taxpayer in the UK and would question the value of chartering a private plane for only 14 people alleged to be criminals, who were delivered in Zimbabwe on the morning of the 22nd of July 2021. How can 14 criminals have such an expensive privilege to enjoy an exclusive private flight to Zimbabwe, and arriving to an awaiting state media of Zimbabwe to glorify their arrival in the country? This clearly indicates a political podium raised to celebrate the two parties’ engagement at the expense of human life.

The people who have been deported are paraded on social media on each day in Zimbabwe, ridiculed and humiliated. Despite having served their sentences in UK for their crimes, they have suddenly found themselves having to serve new punishment terms again in Zimbabwe, in the form of rejection and being scorned each day. They can’t even be accepted by their families because of the negative publicity they have been exposed to. They also can’t be accommodated by anyone due to the stigma attached to them. Zimbabwe does not have social security in the form of financial handouts and social housing, and the only way to get accommodation is by being kept by relatives or from private landlords. No one is willing to take these deportees.

The way this process is being implemented works to defeat all the efforts we are investing in equality, diversity and inclusion strategies to make the migrant families and their descendants integrate into the UK system. It’s cementing the feeling of “second-class citizens” in the country. It’s been really heart- breaking to witness the Zimbabwean community parents living in the UK, discussing strategies to engage their children on how to make them understand, that they are not “truly British”. This is a complete endorsement of an inferiority badge on British children, who are “unfortunate” to be born of migrant black families. Most of the families are also now questioning the notion of property investment in the UK, because of the uncertainties around their stay. They rather feel that, they should invest in Zimbabwe, which is their country of origin, in case they make mistakes, just as other ordinary citizens could do, but in their case, they would face deportations. This is causing externalisation of money out of the country, which is not economically viable. It also means that children of migrant families remain in perpetual poverty, as they would never be able to inherit property in UK from their migrant parents and families.

What does this mean for the UK system and the Zimbabwean community jointly?

The genuine asylum seekers with pending cases have now stopped going to the reporting centres for signing in fear of being captured and sent back to Zimbabwe, in the same way the other ones have been deported. They abandon asylum accommodation and go underground. They then commit crimes in order to maximise income, and also to survive while trying to prepare for their lives in Zimbabwe, in anticipation of the day they get caught. Some are preferring lengthy prison sentences instead of deportations. So, we have a vicious cycle here, the solution is causing more illegal settlers and criminals within our communities. I think this a political problem than just mere immigration problem, that requires close engagement with the communities in order to reach a collective objective solution.

What should be done going forward?

There should be a systematic repatriation of the “undesirable” deportees alleged to have committed crimes in the UK, and this should be carried out in close consultation with the Zimbabwe communities and other expert stakeholders. Deporting them in a way that is going to increase their vulnerability in Zimbabwe is neither helpful to their country, themselves, and their communities both here in UK and Zimbabwe, including their close families, and their children. In all my engagements with both local authorities and the police in the past, I have stressed out that, when you take in immigrants, you have taken human beings and not products like potatoes. Our people will also make mistakes, just as yours do. There is a small section from our populations which may prove unproductive and this cannot be used to define our entire communities. It should also be borne in mind that refugees are people who already come with a whole baggage of trauma as a result of their past experiences from their countries of origin. The host country should also be prepared to put resources in place for the rehabilitation of these refugees. A greater proportion of our populations are highly productive, and their tax contributions should also be used to rehabilitate their family members who may not be so functional, just as our contributions are also used to rehabilitate your own. We want to create a seamless society, which is not defined by such terms as “us and you”, or “us and them”. The moment our communities are working to indoctrinate their children to understand and accept that, there is “us and them”, then you know we are not building a sustainable future. We fall and rise together. We are here to work with you to build a sustainable future. We understand our people and the problems they may present better, and together we can find lasting solutions.

Please help us work with our communities to restore their confidence with the system. I would be most grateful if you could take on board this advice and explore practicable ways in which we can work with you going forward, and in the meantime stop the deportations, in review of this inhumane way they are being carried out.

Yours Sincerely

Chris Goshomi
PhD Candidate
Politics and International Relations Leeds School of Social Sciences Leeds Beckett University

Former First Lady Mrs Janet Banana, the widow of the late former President Canaan Banana, has died. She was 83.

Internet access and affordability has been a topical issue in Zimbabwe, moreso in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has increased the need and use of digital tools and platforms, to access information and communicate.

It is against this background that MISA Zimbabwe in partnership with the International Centre for Not for Profit Law, convened a multi-stakeholder engagement meeting on internet access and affordability.

The discussion raised awareness of the experiences of Zimbabwean stakeholders on issues pertaining to internet access and affordability.

The virtual meeting was live-streamed on the MISA Zimbabwe Facebook platform and can be accessed through this link.

Internet access is a challenge in Zimbabwe
The Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Ability Gandawa, who gave the keynote address, said there is general consensus that internet access is a challenge in Zimbabwe due to affordability issues and limited infrastructure.

It was noted that this is also due to the lack of competition in the telecommunications industry as the requirements are prohibitive for startup companies, of which such competition would promote competitiveness and better pricing.

Pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in framework
Honourable Gandawa said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the internet governance framework in Zimbabwe such as the digital divide.

He said this limited access to information by rural communities, democratic participation by citizens, and, access to employment opportunities.

Honourable Gandawa said Parliament had engaged mobile network operators and internet service providers who highlighted that the cost drivers include operational costs that include fuel and costs for maintaining infrastructure such as base stations.

However, steps had been taken to ensure telecommunication players are allocated enough foreign currency to facilitate the provision of quality service.

Access is critical for fact-checking and information verification
Nkosikhona Dibiti, a journalist and content creator, highlighted how internet access and affordability is impacting on their professional duties. Dibiti said that internet access is critical for content creators for purposes of research, and, communicating with sources faster and easily.

It is also critical for fact-checking and information verification. It was also highlighted that the internet, particularly through social media platforms, allows content creators to engage directly with the consumers.

However, due to poor mobile network services and high costs of data, the work of content creators has been negatively affected, more so as providers of information to the public.

Marginalised communities doubly affected due to other factors
Sandra Gama, who represents the interests of women and girls in rural and marginalised communities, highlighted several factors: economic, technical and social, that are affecting internet access and use.

It was noted that several stakeholders undermine the importance of internet access for people in rural communities which include:

By A Correspondent- A beer brawl ended in tragedy after a 32-year-old man from Bikita was stabbed to death by his drinking partner over a US$1 change.

Maxwell Vengai of Dambo Village under Chief Budzi died after he was stabbed with a knife by his friend Wilson Mudurirwa (32) who had sent him to buy Chibuku Super at Chikuku business centre in Bikita.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident saying;

“I can confirm that a 32 year old Bikita man was fatally stabbed by a friend after a dispute over US$1.”

According to the police report, the duo arrived at Chikuku Business Centre around 2 pm and Mudurirwa gave Vengai US$1 so that he can purchase one Chibuku Super.

The two allegedly consumed the Chibuku beer together and spent the whole afternoon drinking and roaming around.

It is further alleged that the duo departed for Mushafamba Business Centre and at around 5 pm, Mudurirwa demanded his change from Vengai who then told him that the Chibuku Super actually cost US$1.

A heated exchange of words between the two erupted and Mudurirwa in the heat of the argument drew a knife from his pocket and stabbed Vengai once in the stomach.

Vengai fell down and upon noticing that he had committed a crime, Mudurirwa fled from the scene.

Mandienga (35) and Admire Dambo (24) who were passing by noticed Vengai lying on the ground and rushed to help him seek medical attention.

Vengai was rushed to Chikuku clinic where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Mudurirwa is still at large and a police manhunt has since been launched.

Inspector Dhewa urged members of the public to avoid the use of violence especially when they are under the influence of alcohol.We urge members of the public to by all means avoid use of violence when there is a dispute especially when intoxicated,” said Dhewa.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos’ mother — Angela — has died of Covid-19 related complications.

Mrs Haritatos died yesterday, only 18 days after the death of her husband Peter, who also succumbed to the same virus. Posting on his Facebook page, Deputy Minister Haritatos said: “I always knew that life comes to an end, but for me to lose you both in just 18 days is something I never once thought would happen.

“You were the most amazing mother a son could have ever asked for. You were so kind, caring and so loving to everyone who came into contact with you. You looked after dad so well on Earth. Thank you so much Mama. May your Soul Rest in Eternal Peace right next to dad,” wrote Deputy Minister Haritatos.

In a condolence message on social media, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr John Basera said he was saddened by the loss of Mrs Haritatos.

“It is with deepest sorrow that I inform you of the death of our beloved Mbuya Haritatos, mom to our incredible Honourable V. Haritatos, today, 18 days after the passing on of Sekuru Haritatos.

“Colleagues, I’m honestly devastated. May the good God comfort you Hon. VPH,” said Dr Basera.

-State Media

By A Correspondent- A 14 year old girl died last week while giving birth at a shrine in Bocha, Mutare.

Relatives of the late Memory Machaya are yet to come to terms with the way they were treated at Johanne Marange church where Memory was receiving prayers.

Family spokesperson Alice Mabika told H-Metro that Memory’s mother Shy Mabika was denied access to the burial of her daughter where bouncers forced her to remain silent as she mourned her daughter.

“Our hearts are bleeding. We are suffering like this because of a church doctrine.” said Mabika.

“We were denied access to witness the burial of our daughter as bouncers silenced us and warned us over spreading news of the death of our relative.

“Ndiko kunamata kwacho here kwekutarisa mwana achifa izvo zvipatara zvakazara kwese kwese kudai.

“Her life could have been saved had she been rushed to a hospital but they were indoctrinated to the extent of watching our daughter dying while speaking in tongues and beating their trumpets.

“Mwana anonzi akatanga kugwinha achizvirovera musoro pasi panguva yema labour pains.

“Akabva asununguka mwana mukomana iye achibva ashaya akabuda ropa mukanwa nemumhino.

“We are threatened over talking about the death and barred from the burial and this did not go well with us,” said Mabika.

Memory, the last born in a family of six children, was having her first birth.

She was buried at the shrine where she was receiving prayers.

Johanne Marange shrine leaders refused to entertain H-Metro.

By A Correspondent- More than 100 pregnant women have been quarantined in Matabeleland North after they tested positive for Covid-19. Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director Dr Munekai Padingani confirmed that 110 expecting mothers had been quarantined at three hospitals in the province.

Seventy of these are at Binga District Hospital, 37 are at Tsholotsho District Hospital while three are at Lukosi Hospital in Hwange. Dr Padingani said most of the women were in stable condition and what is also positive is that the virus has no effect on the unborn babies.

“Yes we have cases among pregnant women and they are quarantined. They are in a stable condition and many have mild symptoms,” said Dr Padingani.

He said the affected women were negative when they checked into the hospitals and may have contracted the virus while going to buy foodstuffs from business centres near the hospitals. Dr Padingani said as a result, health authorities are now restricting movement as a way of preventing the spread of the virus. He said expecting mothers are tested when they check in to waiting shelters at respective health institutions.

“Those mothers go out to buy food and they meet different people hence they have contracted the virus. When they come in we test them but now we have to keep them inside and restrict movement. The virus doesn’t affect the unborn babies and its only in the event that the mother delivers while positive that measures have to be taken to protect the baby,” said Dr Padingani.

Respective Covid-19 taskforce teams at the affected institutions are now appealing to well-wishers for assistance with food for the women since they can no longer move around to buy for themselves.

Dr Padingani said no pregnant woman has been vaccinated in the province as the country is yet to adopt World Health Organisation (WHO) advice to also vaccinate expecting mothers. WHO recently released guidelines certifying the vaccines safe for use by everyone above the age of 17, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women were not being vaccinated as there were fears the drug could have adverse effects on the unborn and breastfeeding babies.

Meanwhile, Dr Padingani said the province had noted an improvement in the uptake of vaccines by the general public after a slow start in the past fortnight. He could not however give updated statistics as he was out of office. As of Tuesday, more than 100 000 people had received their first dose in the province, with close to 60 000 fully vaccinated.

The province was recently given 65 000 doses. Victoria Falls city has already reached herd immunity after more than 60 percent of the population was vaccinated when Government rolled out mass vaccination in the city in March. Health authorities have been concerned about the slow uptake especially in Hwange which is the province’s hotspot.

Hwange district has 556 active cases and 416 of these are in Hwange urban while 140 are in Victoria Falls.

A total of 45 525 had received the first dose in the district on Tuesday while 28 774 had gotten the second dose. Victoria Falls had 22 226 people who had received the first dose on Tuesday while 17 391 had received the second dose-statemedia

The European Union (EU) has urged government to urgently lift the ban on by-elections and ensure that seats left vacant after MDC Alliance Members of Parliament and councillors were recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T are filled in accordance with the country’s constitutional dictates. More than 40 parliamentary seats and 80 council seats are still vacant after the recalls last year.

The MDC-T quickly filled more than 15 proportional representation seats in Senate and the National Assembly. Section 158(2) of the Constitution provides that a by-election should be held within 90 days of the occurrence of a vacancy, whether in Parliament or in a local authorities.

Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) suspended by-elections last year citing the need to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures.

The EU then held a meeting with government ministers on June 10, 2021 and recommended that government should allow the public to exercise their right to choose their representatives in Parliament.

European Commission vice-president Josep Borrell, who is also EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said the organisation was following up on the implementation of its recommendations on human rights violations, post-2018 elections.

He was responding to questions by a member of the European Parliament to the European External Action Service in Brussels asking them to explain the action that will be taken by the EU to support civil and political rights in Zimbabwe.

“The EU held a formal political dialogue with Zimbabwe at ministerial level on June 10, 2021, in Harare. On this occasion, the EU raised the issue of the recall of the MDC Alliance MPs from Parliament.

“The EU also calls upon the Zimbabwean government to organise at the earliest occasion the holding of by-elections for all vacant seats in Parliament to uphold the crucial representational role of Parliament by ensuring that all people are at all times represented in Parliament by an elected member of their choice,” Borrell said.

He said the EU was supporting Zec and other private voluntary electoral bodies so that Parliament could effectively perform its constitutional mandate.

“Through the United Nations Development Programme, the EU supports the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as well as the civic society organisations active in the electoral process. One of the components of the project foresees an effective engagement between Zec and election stakeholders, including political parties. The EU has also contributed to programmes to strengthen the capacity of Parliament to deliver on its constitutional mandate.”

Local opposition leaders and rights activists have argued that the continued ban on by-elections was unjustified since countries that were severely hit by COVID-19 held theirs.

Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said he was not aware of the meeting conducted by the EU and the alleged ministers, but insisted that elections could not be held when COVID-19 was taking its toll.

“The Ministry of Health advised us not to hold elections amid the pandemic,” Ziyambi said.

“People are dying each day due to the pandemic. Citizens will not exercise their constitutional rights when they are dead. Elections cannot be held in one day, but they are conducted through a process. As a government we cannot risk losing more of our people merely to uphold constitutional rights.”

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Parents and teachers yesterday expressed dismay over government’s announcement that parents should provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for students in preparation for the reopening of schools.

This was said on Tuesday during post-Cabinet media briefing by Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa.

“As the nation prepares for the reopening of schools, parents and guardians are expected to complement government efforts to provide PPE and other essential requirements for learners,” she said.

But teachers and parents said government was the key stakeholder in the education sector and should ensure that all learners were provided with PPE.

Some parents said they were reeling in poverty due to the economic situation in the country.

“Fees have been increased and it is the responsibility of government to ensure that schools are fully equipped with PPE and sanitisers before students return to class,” a parent, who preferred not to be named, said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said parents were struggling to pay school fees and would not afford the extra burden of PPE.

“To expect parents, who are struggling to raise exorbitant fees, to bear the burden of providing COVID-19 abatement to their children is not only ludicrous hallucination, but madness of the worst kind,” he said.

“It is government’s responsibility to ensure the health and safety of pupils, teachers, and ancillary staff in schools. Government must, therefore, never renounce its responsibility.”

Zhou said the greatest challenge was that government was coming up with weak decisions.

“There is need for broad engagement and consensus. We reiterate our view that schools cannot open anytime soon,” Zhou said.

“We envisage that schools may open with effect from mid-September 2021 when high temperatures are expected to cause a decline in COVID-19 cases. Schools can then open for the last term of the year.

“Even then, it would be government’s responsibility to test 136 000 teachers, nearly six million pupils and ancillary staff before they gather in schools, let alone provide them with COVID-19 abatement equipment.”

Zimbabwean Teachers Association acting secretary-general Goodwell Taderera said: “Indeed, parents have to play a role, not only in the provision of PPE, but in the provision of everything that has to do with their children.

“As parents, we already complement by providing school fees, uniforms, monetary benefits like pocket money, and exercise books, but government has a key role to make sure that all the children in the country receive PPE.”
Taderera said child-headed families may not afford PPE.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said: “Government is mandated through section 75 of the Constitution to provide education to citizens. If parents are now being forced to fund the provision of PPE, among other basics, it means those that cannot afford are basically disenfranchised from their right to education.”

-newsday

By A Correspondent- The race for the Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairmanship has intensified, with aspiring candidates holding secret campaigns ahead of the elections to be held in a few weeks’ time.

Transport deputy minister Mike Madiro, the current Manicaland provincial chairman, is reportedly vying to retain the post, but will face stiff competition from Makoni district co-ordination committee (DCC) chairperson Albert Nyakuedzwa, who seems to be popular with party structures.

Others candidates who are reportedly vying for the post are Chipinge South MP Enoch Porusingazi and Information Communication Technology minister Jenfan Muswere.

However, most people in the province, who spoke to NewsDay, touted Madiro and Nyakuedzwa as the main contenders.

Nyakuedzwa is the longest-serving DCC chairperson in Manicaland province after serving all the terms since the inception of the structures that were disbanded by the late former President Robert Mugabe in 2012 before President Emmerson Mnangagwa reintroduced them last year.

He pulled a shocker after he defeated Zanu-PF Makoni South MP Misheck Mataranyika for the DCC chairperson election by a wide margin despite the latter being strong financially.

Mataranyika, who is a reputable lawyer, is brother to Nyaradzo Group boss, Phillip Mataranyika.

In the DCC elections, Nyakuedzwa also defeated former Zanu-PF provincial vice-chairperson Joseph Mujati.

“Madiro might be on his way out because he now has few sympathisers. He is accused of failing to unite the province. There is no way he is going to win in Mutare because of the divisions,” said a Zanu-PF senior official who preferred anonymity.

“I think Nyakuedzwa is more popular. He has managed to unite the Makoni district in a short period after winning in the DCC elections and remember, this is one of the biggest districts in Manicaland province.

Recently, Zanu-PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa said there were divisions in Chipinge, Nyanga and Mutare.

Chinamasa told a developmental meeting in Rusape recently that other districts should emulate Makoni district, a statement taken by Nyakuedzwa’s backers as endorsement of the DCC chairman.

Zanu-PF Manicaland political commissar Gift Kagweda was not immediately available for comment.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent= A South African court on Tuesday sentenced members of a gang of armed robbers, including two Zimbabweans, to 22-year jail sentences each.

The notorious robbers had been implicated in several crimes, including throwing spikes at moving vehicles on the N1 Highway.

John Fine (36) and Clifford Mutonhori (34), both Zimbabweans, and South Africans Figos Madisha (34) and Benge Frans Baloyi (48) were each convicted of aggravated robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

The Zimbabweans were also convicted under the Immigration Act after having illegally crossed into South Africa.

The police are yet to account for one robber, Dennis Hove, who fled from justice last week while the law enforcement agents were transporting them to court for sentencing.

The captured robbers are yet to be charged for the escape.

On Tuesday, Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo welcomed the sentences.

“Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, and her team have greatly welcomed the hefty sentences that were handed down by the Mokopane Regional Court today, Tuesday, July 27, 2021,” he said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Three women were robbed on Tuesday after getting a lift from three men in Karoi who produced a gun and knife, taking nearly USD$3 000 before being dumped in the middle of a bush, 200 kilometres from Harare.

One of the robbers, Garande Langton (27), has been arrested by police, who said he and his two accomplices turned from being good Samaritans to wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Police said on their Twitter page, the three women were given a lift by the three men on Tuesday.

“Police in Karoi have arrested Garande Langton (27) for a case of armed robbery which occurred in Rydings Farm, Karoi, on 27/07/21. The suspect together with his two accomplices who are still at large, offered a lift to three women in their Toyota Mark X vehicle on the pretext that they were going to Chirundu, at Gazebo bar. Upon reaching 209km peg along Harare-Chirundu Rd the driver stopped the vehicle and the other suspects produced an unidentified firearm and a knife while demanding cash from the complainants.

“The trio robbed the complainants of cash amounting to US$2 990, ZWL$800, cellphones and other valuables before dumping them in a bushy area in Magunje. #notorobbery,” said the police on their Twitter page.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Mutare Civil Court yesterday blocked Royal Family International Ministries bishop Action Komani from gagging church members from going public with the clergyman’s adulterous relationships.

Komani, who had been implicated in numerous adulterous relationships with married women from his church, had approached the court seeking to interdict his congregants from going public with his sexcapades.

But Mutare magistrate Notebulgah Muchineripi dealt a blow to Komani, ruling that Maxwell Kusasira and his wife Patience had a right to publicise any information about the clergyman.

Komani is alleged to have had an adulterous relationship with Patience with whom he sired a child.

However, Kasarira and his wife Patience had agreed to publicise the adulterous affair before Komani filed an interdict to bar them from approaching any media house with the information.

Komani had also applied for a peace order against the couple, saying they were harassing him through text messages.

He had also alleged that the couple was defaming him.

In her ruling, Muchineripi said the pair had freedom of “expression”.

“Defamation is whereby one makes a false statement oral or written about another that harms their reputation. In Zimbabwe every citizen has a right to freedom of speech and expression, however, the right is not absolute it is subject to limitation,” Muchineripi ruled.

“The second respondent (Maxwell Kusasira) cannot be stopped from publishing the truth.

“The evidence on record shows that there were issues between the parties which need to be attended to, the second respondent submitted that the only way to solve this is by publication of the truth. Therefore, this court cannot stop him from publishing the truth.”

She added: “In the affidavit, the applicant (Komani) says the respondents have caused untold suffering in his life, he alleges that the respondents claim that the applicant had an adulterous affair with the first respondent and sired a child with her.

“He further says that the respondents are in the habit of sending him messages insulting and threatening him, their actions are tarnishing his image as a man of God.”

On Tuesday, Komani’s pastors, Abel Chamboko, Tinashe Nzou and Bella Mutandiri, also appeared before Mutare magistrate Xavier Chipato seeking a peace order against Brenda Dheka and Loveness Chaita claiming that they were tarnishing the image of the church.

The peace order was dismissed and it also opened a can of worms, with Dheka telling the court that Komani promised to spoil her despite her being married and was making efforts to lure her back.

“My young sister also told me that the pastor had also tried to propose to her,”Dheka said.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The cash-strapped Douglas Mwonzora-led opposition MDC-T party has been forced to shut down its offices at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House after the Harare City Council cut water supplies over unpaid bills amounting to over $1,9 million.

The party has also failed to pay its workers since December, and they are now threatening to beat up top executives, including treasurer-general Tapiwa Mashakada, once they set foot at the offices.

Insiders told NewsDay that the opposition party yesterday held its standing committee meeting at a church premise in Hatfield which was hired due to the water crisis issue as well as fear of being beaten up by angry party vigilantes.

Sources further said that the party was battling financial woes, which resulted in failure to pay workers and pay for other services.

This follows accusations against Mwonzora that he connived with the party’s finance director, Toddy Mapingire, to loot about $6 million from party coffers, which he allegedly used to buy foreign currency on the parallel market.

The matter is still under police investigation.

Sources told NewsDay that the party failed to clear salary arrears for employees who had gone for months without being paid, despite having received $29 million from government as part of the grants under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

“The water bill has been accumulating since the party offices were taken over by the MDC-T,” a senior party insider said.

“They can’t convene where there is no water, so they are hiring venues to conduct their meetings. Today (yesterday), they had their meeting in Hatfield at Baptist Church. They are not financially stable to settle the $1,9 million unpaid water bill.”

The source said disgruntled workers were plotting protests against party leaders, but they were being hindered by COVID-19 restrictions.

“There is gross misuse of party funds by the top leaders within the MDC-T,” one of the youths guarding the premises said.

“When the party got money from Treasury, it only paid its workers once, but failed to clear the arrears. Workers have gone for more than six months without getting paid. The party is having challenges in paying other bills for its day-to-day running.”

According to the source, the party received money in December and paid part of the salary arrears.

It received another grant from government under the Political Parties (Finance) Act and Mashakada said he had set aside $3 million for salaries.

The money, however, vanished and Mwonzora kept promising the youths that Mashakada would pay them.

About 25 youths are guarding the premises, fearing that the rival MDC Alliance faction led by Nelson Chamisa would reclaim the building.

The youths are surviving from food handouts from unnamed senior party executives.

Last month, one of the youths wrote to Mwonzora threatening to hand back the building to Chamisa.

Mwonzora, in one of the security meetings, raised the issue that the party headquarters was now a security threat, a move that motivated the change of venue for executive meetings.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba confirmed the party had closed its offices, but said the decision was made in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations set by government.

However, in accordance with the current level 4 COVID-19 measures, government permitted a 10% workforce at workplaces.

Damba said he was unaware of the water bill and also insisted that all party workers were paid in full.

“We do not use council water. We have our own borehole at the party offices,” he said.

“We have completely closed the office in compliance with government directive to decongest workplaces. That is why the treasurer-general (Mashakada) is not coming to work. No one is visiting the party offices to contain the spread of the virus.”

However, insiders said there was no borehole at the party headquarters, but a reservoir that is filled up by council water.

Contacted for comment over the party bill, Harare City Council spokesperson Michael Chideme said: “Let me check for you.”

At the time of going to print last night, Chideme had not given an update.

The COVID-19 regulations allow not more than 50 people to congregate indoors.

The building’s second and fourth floors have auditoriums that can accommodate over 100 people each and the standing committee is made up of less than 30 people.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Police in Bulawayo have since the beginning of the month of July arrested 31 000 people for violating Covid-19 regulations and impounded 382 vehicles.

In an interview, Bulawayo Police provincial spokesperson, Inspector Abedinico Ncube said most arrests were mainly for violating the curfew, failure to wear masks properly, running shebeens and operating public service vehicles which are not affiliated with Zupco,

He said police will continue to enforce regulations and those found on the wrong side of the law will be held accountable.

“As from 1 July we have arrested 31 041 people for violating Covid-19 regulations and 382 vehicles have been impounded. Most of the arrests were as a result of violating the curfew, failure to wear masks properly or not wearing masks completely and operating shebeens. The vehicles were impounded mainly because they were being used for pirating whilst not affiliated to Zupco.

“We continue to urge people to comply with regulations as they are meant to safeguard lives. Those who are not complying are not only placing their lives at risk but the lives of other people as well. As police we will continue to enforce regulations and those who are caught on the wrong side of the law will be penalised,” he said.

Inspector Ncube discouraged people from consuming alcohol in their cars, outside bottle stores.

He commended the public for providing police with information about illegal activities happening in their communities.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The Government will not allow the invasion of farms and grazing lands and land seekers need to follow procedure.

Speaking after a tour of Gandawasvika Clinic which is being constructed by Makonde Rural District Council in Ward 13 using devolution funds, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, said the period of land invasions was over.

The clinic will service at least 10 000 families in Makonde’s ward 4 and 13.

“Land invasions are now behind us and we want people to follow the right procedure of acquiring pieces of land.

“There is a process that one has to follow and the lands committee will verify the applications accordingly. “My office has received complaints of land invasions in the Mhangura area. It is a crime to invade any land,” she said.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka warned that police in Mhangura and Lion’s Den would arrest land barons.

“The allocation of land is now based on the financial capacity of one to fund his or her farming activities as the Government now prioritises production and productivity. This is in line with Vision 2030 of the President,” she said.

Hundreds of people invaded a farm allocated to the late former Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mr Charles Utete, Mr Leo Mugabe’s Nangadza Farm in Mhangura and Zvimba legislator Philip Chiyangwa’s citrus farm and have since been evicted by police.

Makonde legislator and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Kindness Paradza, recently deplored farm invasions, saying they were affecting production while Mhangura legislator, Precious Chinhamo-Masango revealed that there was a growing number of invasions across her constituency.

“President Mnangagwa is against corruption and any land invasions should be dealt with by the police. We should support our President by bringing to book anyone involved in invasions, even those aligned to the ruling party,” said Masango.

Makonde Rural District Council vice-chairperson, Councillor Martha Paul said there was a growing concern of land invasions in her ward while Makonde district development coordinator, Mr Benjamin Zivanai noted that most invasions were occurring on leased land and grazing areas.-statemedia

By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s son and namesake this Wednesday visited the Mbare-based Chillspot Records run by prominent music DJ Fantan, and Zimbabweans got furious over the developments labelled Fantan a “repeat offender” after he defended Zanu-PF MP Tino Machakaire last week.

Fantan, real name Arnold Kamudyariwa, was last week hounded by social media fans after he stood on the side of Youth deputy Minister Tino Machakaire when the Wedza South MP was roundly criticized over suspicions he had purchased a US$700,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom from the UK.

However, Fantan seems to have ‘stuck sticks into his ears’ as he today received President Mnangagwa’s son Emmerson at his flourishing studios.

“Emmerson Mnangangwa Jr visited the Mangoma depot, the ghetto buddies,” said a delighted Fantan on social media.

“Such a humbling experience… we never thought would ever be visited by the First Son… Thank you so much… tadzidza zvakawanda (you’ve taught us a lot),” he said.

Immediately after, the comments section was blinking with insults and threats to unfollow the Chillspot Records label as social media police ganged up against the talented music producer.

Some tagged in Hopewell Chin’ono into the comments. A journalist by profession, Chin’ono has also turned into a fierce social media critic of anyone who hangs around Zanu-PF leaders, and led the assault against Fantan last week.

Chin’ono has also lashed out at Passion Java, Madam Boss, Mai TiTi, Jah Prayzah and many other artistes who hang around Government’s top brass.

Fantan last week attracted the anger of anti-ZanuPF activists including Chin’ono who labelled Fantan an “out of touch music producer”. This was after Fantan had said:

“Dear Honourable Machakaire, be strong mukuru, bcoz kune vanhu vanoda kusvibisa mazita evamwe pa social media just for clout. Garai muchiziva kuti ane bhora ndiye anomakwa, strongest soldiers get the hardest fight.

“Ndimi mbinga one isina noise kana show off asi murikurira muma streets zvekudaro. So zvinorwadza vavengi. Now vakufambisa mbiri yekuti makatenga hammer kkk havasikuziva kuti munobatsira hama,” Fantan poured out.

The criticism came crushing on Fantan’s social media platform like tones of bricks as his followers called him out for supporting ‘corrupt politicians’.

Machakaire has previously funded Youths particularly in Zimdancehall. DJ Fantan, real name Arnold Kamudyariwa, runs Chillspot records which is one of the numerous beneficiaries of Machakaire’s benevolence.

By A Correspondent- The family of slain Tapiwa Makore says they continue to be traumatised by the fact that the courts were taking long to conclude the murder case after one of the accused persons was recently granted $10 000 bail.

Tapiwa was murdered in September last year for ritual purposes in his rural home, in Nyamutumbu village in Murewa.

His uncle and name-sake, Tapiwa Makore (Snr, 58), his herdboy Tafadzwa Shamba (41), and a neighbour Maud Hunidzarira (42) were arrested in connection with the murder.

The boy was buried after six months before investigations, which included a number of DNA tests, were concluded.

The deceased’s father Munyaradzi Makore yesterday told NewsDay that one of the suspects was granted bail and is already back in the village, a move that has stirred emotions and refreshed memories.

“The woman, who was arrested alongside Shamba and my brother in connection with my son’s murder, is out on bail. She is here. She was granted $10 000 bail at the High Court. It is hard for the family, our emotions have been stirred again, and memories refreshed. How are we going to live together given the current situation? We are still pained. We should be apart,” he said.

The late Tapiwa was buried without some of his body parts, among them the head.

Efforts to locate the missing head have been in vain despite the family engaging both prophets and traditional healers.

Shamba confessed to having murdered the boy at the instruction of Tapiwa (Snr) claiming that they wanted to use some of the body parts to boost their horticultural project.

Hunidzarira, known for brewing traditional opaque beer in the area and a neighbour of the Makores, was arrested in Budiriro after she was spotted washing a blood-stained carpet.

The deceased’s father said the family was appalled by the delays by the courts as they seek justice.

“The police notified us that the matter will go to court, but we are still waiting. Surely, how can a matter of such magnitude take this long to conclude? We will engage the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights to assist us in our pursuit of justice,” he said.

Tapiwa’s murder angered Zimbabweans who in unison condemned the killing of children for ritual purposes.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- The cash-strapped Douglas Mwonzora-led opposition MDC-T party has been forced to shut down its offices at the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House after the Harare City Council cut water supplies over unpaid bills amounting to over $1,9 million.

The party has also failed to pay its workers since December, and they are now threatening to beat up top executives, including treasurer-general Tapiwa Mashakada, once they set foot at the offices.

Insiders told NewsDay that the opposition party yesterday held its standing committee meeting at a church premise in Hatfield which was hired due to the water crisis issue as well as fear of being beaten up by angry party vigilantes.

Sources further said that the party was battling financial woes, which resulted in failure to pay workers and pay for other services.

This follows accusations against Mwonzora that he connived with the party’s finance director, Toddy Mapingire, to loot about $6 million from party coffers, which he allegedly used to buy foreign currency on the parallel market.

The matter is still under police investigation.

Sources told NewsDay that the party failed to clear salary arrears for employees who had gone for months without being paid, despite having received $29 million from government as part of the grants under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

“The water bill has been accumulating since the party offices were taken over by the MDC-T,” a senior party insider said.

“They can’t convene where there is no water, so they are hiring venues to conduct their meetings. Today (yesterday), they had their meeting in Hatfield at Baptist Church. They are not financially stable to settle the $1,9 million unpaid water bill.”

The source said disgruntled workers were plotting protests against party leaders, but they were being hindered by COVID-19 restrictions.

“There is gross misuse of party funds by the top leaders within the MDC-T,” one of the youths guarding the premises said.

“When the party got money from Treasury, it only paid its workers once, but failed to clear the arrears. Workers have gone for more than six months without getting paid. The party is having challenges in paying other bills for its day-to-day running.”

According to the source, the party received money in December and paid part of the salary arrears.

It received another grant from government under the Political Parties (Finance) Act and Mashakada said he had set aside $3 million for salaries.

The money, however, vanished and Mwonzora kept promising the youths that Mashakada would pay them.

About 25 youths are guarding the premises, fearing that the rival MDC Alliance faction led by Nelson Chamisa would reclaim the building.

The youths are surviving from food handouts from unnamed senior party executives.

Last month, one of the youths wrote to Mwonzora threatening to hand back the building to Chamisa.

Mwonzora, in one of the security meetings, raised the issue that the party headquarters was now a security threat, a move that motivated the change of venue for executive meetings.

Mwonzora’s spokesperson Lloyd Damba confirmed the party had closed its offices, but said the decision was made in compliance with the COVID-19 regulations set by government.

However, in accordance with the current level 4 COVID-19 measures, government permitted a 10% workforce at workplaces.

Damba said he was unaware of the water bill and also insisted that all party workers were paid in full.

“We do not use council water. We have our own borehole at the party offices,” he said.

“We have completely closed the office in compliance with government directive to decongest workplaces. That is why the treasurer-general (Mashakada) is not coming to work. No one is visiting the party offices to contain the spread of the virus.”

However, insiders said there was no borehole at the party headquarters, but a reservoir that is filled up by council water.

Contacted for comment over the party bill, Harare City Council spokesperson Michael Chideme said: “Let me check for you.”

At the time of going to print last night, Chideme had not given an update.

The COVID-19 regulations allow not more than 50 people to congregate indoors.

The building’s second and fourth floors have auditoriums that can accommodate over 100 people each and the standing committee is made up of less than 30 people.-newsday

By A Correspondent- Primary and Secondary Education minister Cain Mathema yesterday told Parliament that schools will reopen as directed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, adding that he would soon issue a ministerial statement in the House on the country’s preparedness for resumption of lessons.

This was after MPs grilled him over measures that his ministry was taking to ensure the safety of schoolchildren and teachers before opening of schools.

Last term, children at different schools throughout the country contracted COVID-19.

“We have had this pandemic since last year and within the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, we have done all we could, and we are doing all we can to make sure we protect the children,” Mathema said.

“The ministry will do whatever is required to make sure that children are protected and everybody is protected, and if, indeed, this House wants me to give details as to which route to be followed by which school, if that is what I’m expected to present here, then give us time and I will come back and give those details to the House. I am ready to give a ministerial statement,” he said.

Mathema added: “Once we are given the directive by His Excellency, we will open schools.”

He said the education sector had learnt a lot from the COVID-19 challenges experienced last term.

“We will also learn from other countries, but we want to assure the nation that we will do everything in our powers to ensure the children’s safety,” the Primary and Secondary Education minister said.

“When the time comes, we will go out of our way to make sure that schools are open and children will be protected. We will manage this as we have done in the past.”

On exemption letters for children learning at private institutions, Mathema said they would be issued.

“If there is any need, we will issue those exemption letters depending on what is on the ground.”

However, teachers unions have demanded that Finance minister Mthuli Ncube writes off second term fees as incomes of a majority of people, including teachers, have been hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and loss of livelihoods due to prolonged lockdown periods.

Ncube will today announce the mid-term fiscal policy review and different teachers’ unions suggested that government should take the responsibility for paying second term fees for all learners.

Teachers also proposed that government should come up with a proper grading transition plan to cater for the time that learners lost due to suspension of learning due to COVID-19.

Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said with four months left to the end of the year, it meant that technically, the second term was a write-off.

“What that should tell us is that if schools are to be reopened anytime in August under the guise of a second term, consideration must be given as to how long the term is going to be,” Nyawo said.

“We can’t have a second term of only two months. That would be naive, preposterous and devoid of logic.”

He said it would be absurd for parents to be asked to pay school fees when there was no learning for a long period.

It would also be cruel, Nyawo said, to subject learners to November examinations without inadequate preparation.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said: “Government should assume the responsibility of funding basic education as provided for by the Constitution.

“It’s not the responsibility of parents to be paying fees and government should realise that parents have been hard hit by these lockdowns and have lost incomes.”

Masaraure said Ncube had been celebrating budget surpluses and, therefore, should channel the funds towards writing off second term fees.

“There were attempts to do online learning, but this has been very erratic due to poor planning,” he said.

Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said: “The idea of waiving fees for teachers’ children is not new, it has been forwarded to us for consideration as a non-monetary incentive. Consultations are still on-going.”

A recent World Bank report on poverty issues estimated that about 7,9 million Zimbabweans were living in extreme poverty due to the effects of COVID-19.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Beverly Sibanda’s United Kingdom-based husband, Melusi Chambuka Mufudzi decided to break his silence a month after his wife exposed his cheating shenanigans on social media.

In an effort to clear his name, Melusi wrote:

“Having 50-5K Facebook friends does not mean you are dating them and having a selfy with another person does not necessarily mean you are having a sexual relationship with that other person. Idle minds can create horror movies and fabricate ma V11s and the lazy audience never asks questions but run viral false gossip…after all no one cares about the truth as long the storyline gets them a million viewers plus ma love nema likes….Never stop doing whats Good even if Judas put you out for 40coins …. for Judas will always bring false stories yet adya mari”

Before the whole drama started, Bev made a cryptic post on social media in which she implied that her husband may have been cheating on her.

She wrote:

“Munhu anokuwana uchizvihurira okuroora, otanga kukuhurira zvakasimba obva otokanganwa kuti une chipo chawakagarira #kwinofsplits”

This loosely translates to

(Someone marries you fully knowing that you are promiscuous, then goes on to be more promiscuous, in the process forgetting that you have a big talent for promiscuity that you are not utilizing)

However, when she was questioned about the post, Bev played it down and insisted that all was well in her marriage.

A couple of days later, she, however, went all out and exposed her husband alleging that he is cheating on her.

In an explosive post, she wrote:

Hero basa iro iwe ndiwe wekuhuraikoko ini ndini wekuchengeta chiweti changu kuno. ( So this is how it works: you are the one allowed to be cheating and promiscuous that side, while I am supposed to remain faithful this side).

 She accompanied the post with a series of photos that show Mufudzi looking cosy with a woman only identified as Pearl.

Bev also shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between Mufudzi and the woman. The screenshots appear to have been taken from Mufudzi’s phone and in most of the conversations, the woman seems to be asking for money from Bev’s husband.

A couple of weeks after threatening to end her year-old marriage, Bev and her husband reconciled and patched things up.

We Will Not Be Pushed By Zanu PF To Disclose Our Strategies- President Chamisa

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa says the MDC Alliance will not be pushed by the Zanu PF regime to disclose key political strategies.

President Chamisa has also pointed out that he is aware of the fact that the cornered former revolutionary party is desperate to neutralize the MDC Alliance strategies.

According to President Chamisa, the popular movement will not be pushed by the regime to “put cards on the table.”

“THERE WILL BE NO CONFUSION…

We don’t put all our eggs in one basket. We don’t clumsily lay all our cards on the table.

We don’t flip the book open for them to counter us. We have a SOLID Plan. There will be real change in Zimbabwe.

Everything NEW! In this game you don’t let the opposite know what the game plan is.We keep them stewing and guessing!#jointhenew,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

By A Correspondent- Chitungwiza woman lost all her property and cash to a self proclaimed prophet during a healing session in Zengeza on Sunday.

Lolleen Nengomasha, 42, regretted inviting a stranger only identified as Madzibaba Tatenda believed to be a faith healer to her house following prophecies she received concerning her headache.

Nengomasha told H-Metro that Madzibaba Tatenda drugged her along with her minor child that they slept until the following afternoon giving the latter time to get away with her belongings.

Nengomasha reported the case under CR245/7/21 at St Mary’s Police Station and Madzibaba is reported to be on the run.

Some of the property Madzibaba Tatenda got away with included blankets, clothes, electrical gadgets, grocery, cellphones and cash amounting to US$300.

“I had a terrible headache on the day in question,” said Nengomasha.

“I am yet to know how this madzibaba got my contact number and sent prophetic messages in line with my headache.

“He asked for directions and I regret inviting him to my house for prayers.

“He is the one who suggested to come at 6pm and brought dota raaiti nderepamazambara.

“It was mixed with something blue in color and I was ordered to drink an unidentified liquid together with my child.

“I felt dizzy and slept soon after the prayers and drinking the liquid. I only regained consciousness the following day around 3pm.

“That was the time we discovered that the house was empty zvekutakura nenyama yaive mu fridge.

“As we speak I am yet to gain energy and I’m experiencing disturbances in my stomach due to the liquid.

“Some neighbors informed me that he has been doing this for some time and claims to be based in Unit N while others say he lives in Chisipite.

“Dota rakasara ritoripo netunhu tweblue mukati maro,” said Nengomasha.

Madzibaba’s recorded audios with some of his victims are circulating on social media along with some of his photographs.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it is going to challenge the policy of ‘’no jab no work” that is being implemented by the government.

In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the government and its parastatal are blocking unvaccinated workers from coming to work.

The same workers have also been told that they risk losing the COVID-19 insurance allowance.

However, in an interview with OpenParlyZW, ZCTU president Peter Mutasa said the move is unlawful.

Mutasa said his organisation is going to challenge it in court because there is no law that provides for that.

“The government has not come up with a law. Each employer is doing what they want, the government departments are doing what they want, and this is clearly unlawful.

“Even in instances of public emergencies or health emergency, Section 87 of the constitution is clear. The government must promulgate a written law. It is written that can spell out clearly what is expected from workers and what is expected from employers.

There has to be a written law first

“It is only through a written law that can clearly express what are the rights of workers even during the pandemic because workers cannot have all their rights taken away. It is the same written law that can provide the obligation of each part.

“Employment relationship is a personal contract so both the employer and the employee have got rights and obligations. So, an employer cannot be allowed to arbitrarily determine that if a worker is not fully vaccinated, they are not going to get a full salary. If a worker is not vaccinated, they are not going to use a company vehicle. If the worker is not vaccinated, they are not going to get allowances, that is not right.

“That is unfair discrimination, so as labour we are already going to court. We are going to challenge the constitutionality of those pronouncements and those practices, and we believe we are on the right side of the constitution. This is arbitrarily being done, this is unlawful, and this is unconstitutional,” he said.

ZCTU to challenge “no jab no work” policy.-openparly

By A Correspondent- Police in Chinamhora, Mashonaland East province, have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly robbed two women who were conducting prayers at Muchinjikwa Mountain in Domboshava before raping one of them.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii yesterday confirmed the incident, and urged the public to abide by COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

“Police are appealing to members of the public for information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrator,” Chazovachii said.

“We also want to urge members of the public to respect curfew and COVID-19 regulations. Members of the public are discouraged from neither conducting church gatherings during lockdown period or carrying out all night prayers at secluded places like mountains as they risk themselves to robbers.”

According to police, on July 23, at around 6pm, the pair (names withheld) all of Zimre Park in Ruwa, was conducting all-night prayers at the mountain, in Domboshava when the suspect emerged from the bush armed with a knife and a stone.

He allegedly ordered the duo to comply with his orders.

It is reported that he forcemarched them to a secluded place and ordered them to lie on their backs.

It is reported that the suspect tied the women’s hands using their cellphone cables.

He searched them and took three cellphones, a black satchel, US$16 and $20.

The suspect then asked one of the women to choose between being killed or raped and she opted for the later.

She was raped while her friend was watching before the suspect disappeared into darkness.

The victims then reported the matter at Chinamhora Police Station.

The woman was referred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for medical examination.

Domboshava Hills have become a hunting ground for armed robbers and rapists as worshippers, mainly women, frequent it for prayers.-Newsday

 HON. DR. KHUPE:  Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise on a matter of national public importance.  Mr. Speaker Sir, two weeks ago, Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu passed on.  He was a renowned journalist, a freedom fighter and a senior citizen.  Sadly Mr. Speaker Sir, I did not see where he was recognised for the role that he played for the nation and for the communities, particularly of Matabeleland.  I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER:  We totally agree with you on the assessment of the sterling work done by the late Cde. Saul Gwakuba.  Quite often, Honourable, why are you standing up while I am speaking? – [HON. NDUNA:  I am sorry Mr. Speaker Sir.] – He is from Matabeleland South and the leadership from Matabeleland South normally should have spoken by writing to the Executive requesting for the status as a formality but there is no doubt about the contribution of the late Cde. Saul Gwakuba – there is no doubt.  He was one of the pioneers of the liberation struggle.

         He was one of the early recruitees who went outside this country to fight for our liberation.  It is a matter that I think you should raise with the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage tomorrow so that we get an explanation on whether a letter was written or not.  If it was written, why was he not recognised?  Thank you

By A Correspondent- The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has been advised to issue summons against the Home Affairs minister over failure to respond to a petition requesting that the Chikunda language be recognised as an official language.

Responding to Zanu Pf’s Beitbridge East Constituency Member of the House of Assembly Albert Nguluvhe, speaker of parliament, Jacob Mudenda queried why the portfolio committee on Home Affairs had not issued summons against the responsible minister.

We publish below parliamentary deliberations regards the issue:

 Hon Nguluvhe: I rise on a matter of national security interest.  Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to, through you, ask the Minister of Home Affairs to give a response to the report which was tabled in this House by the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs.  Despite being written to twice, they have not yet come to respond on the petition of the Chikunda language to be allowed as an official language.  I thank you.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: Why have you not summoned the Minister?

         HON. NGULUVHE: Mr. Speaker Sir, through your office, two letters were written to the Minister, but they have not responded yet.

         THE HON. SPEAKER: I am saying why did you not issue summons against the Minister? That is the power that you have as a Committee. Issue them with summons.

         HON. NGULUVHE: I have taken note of your advice Mr. Speaker Sir.

By A Crrespondent- Zimbabwe has approved the use of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

The vaccine becomes the fifth to be approved for use in the country after the Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac, the Russian Sputnik V and the Indian Covaxin.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe announced the development that followed an assessment of the vaccine’s efficacy and other traits.

Said MCAZ:

Based on the review of the submitted quality, safety and efficacy data and upon performing a benefit-risk assessment thereof, emergency use authorisation has been granted for Ad26.Sars-Cov-S manufactured by Johnson and Johnson. This authorisation was issued on the basis of section 75 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03).

By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance has revealed that President Nelson Chamisa is a man with a plan.

Said the MDC Alliance in a tweet:

“A man or woman who is building a house does not move around showing the plan. Only a mad man will take his plan to a beerhall to show off. Strategy is no longer a strategy if its public knowledge. #ManWithAPlan

By A Correspondent- Beverly Sibanda’s United Kingdom-based husband, Melusi Chambuka Mufudzi decided to break his silence a month after his wife exposed his cheating shenanigans on social media.

In an effort to clear his name, Melusi wrote:

“Having 50-5K Facebook friends does not mean you are dating them and having a selfy with another person does not necessarily mean you are having a sexual relationship with that other person. Idle minds can create horror movies and fabricate ma V11s and the lazy audience never asks questions but run viral false gossip…after all no one cares about the truth as long the storyline gets them a million viewers plus ma love nema likes….Never stop doing whats Good even if Judas put you out for 40coins …. for Judas will always bring false stories yet adya mari”

Before the whole drama started, Bev made a cryptic post on social media in which she implied that her husband may have been cheating on her.

She wrote:

“Munhu anokuwana uchizvihurira okuroora, otanga kukuhurira zvakasimba obva otokanganwa kuti une chipo chawakagarira #kwinofsplits”

This loosely translates to

(Someone marries you fully knowing that you are promiscuous, then goes on to be more promiscuous, in the process forgetting that you have a big talent for promiscuity that you are not utilizing)

However, when she was questioned about the post, Bev played it down and insisted that all was well in her marriage.

A couple of days later, she, however, went all out and exposed her husband alleging that he is cheating on her.

In an explosive post, she wrote:

Hero basa iro iwe ndiwe wekuhuraikoko ini ndini wekuchengeta chiweti changu kuno. ( So this is how it works: you are the one allowed to be cheating and promiscuous that side, while I am supposed to remain faithful this side).

 She accompanied the post with a series of photos that show Mufudzi looking cosy with a woman only identified as Pearl.

Bev also shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between Mufudzi and the woman. The screenshots appear to have been taken from Mufudzi’s phone and in most of the conversations, the woman seems to be asking for money from Bev’s husband.

A couple of weeks after threatening to end her year-old marriage, Bev and her husband reconciled and patched things up.

Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa says the MDC Alliance will not be pushed by the Zanu PF regime to disclose key political strategies.

President Chamisa has also pointed out that he is aware of the fact that the cornered former revolutionary party is desperate to neutralize the MDC Alliance strategies.

According to President Chamisa, the popular movement will not be pushed by the regime to “put cards on the table.”

“THERE WILL BE NO CONFUSION…

We don’t put all our eggs in one basket. We don’t clumsily lay all our cards on the table.

We don’t flip the book open for them to counter us. We have a SOLID Plan. There will be real change in Zimbabwe.

Everything NEW! In this game you don’t let the opposite know what the game plan is.We keep them stewing and guessing!#jointhenew,” President Chamisa wrote on his official Facebook page.

By A Correspondent- Beverly Sibanda’s United Kingdom-based husband, Melusi Chambuka Mufudzi decided to break his silence a month after his wife exposed his cheating shenanigans on social media.

In an effort to clear his name, Melusi wrote:

“Having 50-5K Facebook friends does not mean you are dating them and having a selfy with another person does not necessarily mean you are having a sexual relationship with that other person. Idle minds can create horror movies and fabricate ma V11s and the lazy audience never asks questions but run viral false gossip…after all no one cares about the truth as long the storyline gets them a million viewers plus ma love nema likes….Never stop doing whats Good even if Judas put you out for 40coins …. for Judas will always bring false stories yet adya mari”

Before the whole drama started, Bev made a cryptic post on social media in which she implied that her husband may have been cheating on her.

She wrote:

“Munhu anokuwana uchizvihurira okuroora, otanga kukuhurira zvakasimba obva otokanganwa kuti une chipo chawakagarira #kwinofsplits”

This loosely translates to

(Someone marries you fully knowing that you are promiscuous, then goes on to be more promiscuous, in the process forgetting that you have a big talent for promiscuity that you are not utilizing)

However, when she was questioned about the post, Bev played it down and insisted that all was well in her marriage.

A couple of days later, she, however, went all out and exposed her husband alleging that he is cheating on her.

In an explosive post, she wrote:

Hero basa iro iwe ndiwe wekuhuraikoko ini ndini wekuchengeta chiweti changu kuno. ( So this is how it works: you are the one allowed to be cheating and promiscuous that side, while I am supposed to remain faithful this side).

 She accompanied the post with a series of photos that show Mufudzi looking cosy with a woman only identified as Pearl.

Bev also shared screenshots of WhatsApp conversations between Mufudzi and the woman. The screenshots appear to have been taken from Mufudzi’s phone and in most of the conversations, the woman seems to be asking for money from Bev’s husband.

A couple of weeks after threatening to end her year-old marriage, Bev and her husband reconciled and patched things up.

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe has approved the use of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

The vaccine becomes the fifth to be approved for use in the country after the Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac, the Russian Sputnik V and the Indian Covaxin.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe announced the development that followed an assessment of the vaccine’s efficacy and other traits.

Said MCAZ:

Based on the review of the submitted quality, safety and efficacy data and upon performing a benefit-risk assessment thereof, emergency use authorisation has been granted for Ad26.Sars-Cov-S manufactured by Johnson and Johnson.

This authorisation was issued on the basis of section 75 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03).

By Ambassador Melanie Robinson| The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted all our lives with education systems all over the world severely impacted, but for women and girls so much more is at stake. At the height of school closures, 1.6 billion children and young people were out of education around the world with girls disproportionately affected. The pandemic compounds and exacerbates the many obstacles they already face to getting a quality education like poverty, gender-based violence, FGM, child marriage, and a lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services.   

Prior to the pandemic, girls were already facing an education crisis. In sub-Saharan Africa, 33.3 million girls of primary and lower secondary school age were out of school. The number rises to 52.2 million when considering girls of upper secondary school age. In South Asia, most of the 20.6 million children at lower secondary level who were out of school were adolescent girls. In the Middle East and North Africa region, one in every five children were out of school with adolescent girls one and half times more likely to be out of school at the lower secondary level. Across Europe and America, 0.4 million girls were out of school.  

There is now a real risk of a lost generation of girls, as many as 16 million disadvantaged children may not return to school at all with secondary age girls most at risk of staying home or marrying early because their families have fallen into poverty. This is a global crisis. We must act as a global community to tackle it.  

That is why the UK, Kenya, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) are co-hosting the Global Education Summit at the end of this month in London, bringing world leaders together to invest in education and improve access for girls. The aim is to set GPE on a path to raising $5 billion over the next five years to transform education in the world’s most vulnerable countries. This will give 175 million more children the chance to learn. That is not only the lives of tens of millions of individuals improved. That is also millions of communities transformed for the better.  

Investing in girls’ education is a game-changer for everyone. It boosts incomes and develops economies. With just one additional school year, a woman’s earnings can increase by a fifth. $28 trillion could be added to global GDP if women had the same role in the labour market as men. Investing in girls’ education also creates healthier and safer societies. A child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to live beyond the age of 5 years, twice as likely to attend school themselves – and 50% more likely to be immunised.  If every girl went to secondary school, infant mortality could be cut in half, saving three million lives every year.  

If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is how interconnected we all are. Girls’ education is no different. By giving all girls the chance to access 12 years of quality education, we will have a fighting chance to lift people out of poverty, grow economies, save lives, and build back better from Covid-19.  

The funding we raise from the Global Education Summit will go to GPE, the largest partnership and fund dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries. This will mean practical support for education in 90 countries and territories around the world. The UK has committed £430 million of new UK aid for GPE which will go towards helping the 1.1 billion children across these countries over the next five years. Since its creation in 2002, GPE has already contributed to getting 160 million more children into school and to the doubling of girls’ enrolment in the countries they work in. 

But we are not done yet. The pandemic risks undoing much of the great progress we have made so far. Now is the time for the global community to step up, fund education and improve access for girls. If we want to change the world for the better, girls’ education is a good place to start.

By A Correspondent- Former Makumbe Mission primary school headmaster, Silas Chitate has been acquitted of raping an orphaned Grade 7 pupil at the school.

Chitate was in September 2018 jailed for an effective 15 years after three years were conditionally suspended.

Aggrieved by the trial court’s decision, Chitate through his legal counsel approached the High Court appealing against both conviction and sentence.

Two judges of the High Court, Justices Pisirayi Kwenda and Benjamin Chikowero—sitting as an appeals court – absolved Chitate of any wrongdoing, finding that he did not commit the offence.

In its ruling, the court accepted  Chitate’s submissions that he was a victim of emotional justice, as the trial court failed to apply its mind to the facts and the law to arrive at an appropriate decision.

Regional magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini presided over the rape case.

However, her verdict did not escape the indignation of the judges who found the entire proceedings to be a travesty of justice and quashed both conviction and sentence.

During trial, the prosecution alleged that in June 2018, the complainant returned to Makumbe Primary School from Marondera with three pupils where they had gone for sports.

Chitate escorted the pupils to their homes but found the gate to the complainant’s house locked.

He persuaded the complainant to sleep at his house and she agreed.

It was alleged Chitate raped the girl around midnight before going to his bedroom. After a fully contested trial, Magistrate Vhitorini ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt to secure a conviction.

The magistrate handed down a long custodial sentence which was later quashed by the higher court, The Herald reports.

By A Correspondent- Another Masvingo Police Officer has allegedly committed suicide by consuming pesticide following a domestic dispute in which he allegedly suspected infidelity.

Sgnt Elias Kutsira who worked in the Police Armoury Section and stayed by Zimuto Camp died at Masvingo Provincial Hospital Tuesday afternoon.

His death comes barely a week after another Masvingo police officer, Kennedy Mange, committed suicide by hanging himself in Victoria Ranch.

The Mirror was told that Kutsira committed suicide after a domestic dispute in which he allegedly suspected infidelity.

Masvingo Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the issue.

However, sources told the publication that the deceased took poison on Monday and died On Tuesday.

Kutsira allegedly left his home on Monday and threatened not to return only to come back on Tuesday after taking the alleged pesticide and was rushed to hospital where he died.

-TheMirror

By A Correspondent- Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa told parents and guardians of learners to prepare for the reopening of schools.

Schools were set to reopen on the 28th of June for the second term but authorities deferred reopening and face-to-face learning twice due to the third wave of the coronavirus that is wreaking havoc.

This was the second time this year for the government to postpone the reopening of schools as it did the same in January after COVID-19 cases increased.

It is likely that reopening will be postponed further considering that Cabinet extended further the level 4 lockdown measures and also given that new coronavirus cases and deaths are still high.

Speaking during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, the minister urged parents and guardians to complement the government in curbing the spread of the coronavirus. She said:

As the nation prepares for the reopening of schools, parents and guardians are expected to complement Government efforts to provide Personal Protective Equipment, sanitisers and other essential requirements for learners.

Stakeholders, including teachers’ unions, are urging the government to delay reopening until coronavirus cases have subsided and until schools have put adequate preventive measures in place.

They cite the outbreak of coronavirus in some schools and the deaths of some educators as the reason why there should be no rush in reopening schools.

Some schools were this year forced to close prematurely after hundreds of learners and teachers had contracted the virus.

-newsday

By A Correspondent| International medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) yesterday handed over a consignment of TB medication to Zimbabwe’s National Pharmaceutical Company (NATPHARM).

This is part of MSF’s contribution to ending TB in Zimbabwe.

“We are happy that Zimbabwe continues to make huge strides in containing and raising awareness on TB, and we congratulate the country for its removal from the list of countries with a high TB burden,” says MSF Country Representative, Dr. Reinaldo Ortuno.   

The TB drugs donated today include first-line treatment for Drug sensitive TB and treatment for Drug-resistant TB (DR), all with an estimate value of USD 165, 000.

For 11 years until 2017, MSF provided quality HIV/TB/DR-TB treatment, care and support to Zimbabwe and in 2018, MSF, in collaboration with the MoHCC, supported the successful pilot of the short regimen treatment with injectable for DR-TB in Mutare.

“Despite that we handed over these successful projects on HIV/TB/ DR-TB, we have continued to provide support and resources to MoHCC and this donation is part of that.”

“We continue to work with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to provide health care, especially to vulnerable communities. MSF believes that health is a human right and that every person should have access to health services and medicines when they are in need,” says Dr Ortuno.

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says it is going to challenge the policy of ‘’no jab no work’’ that is being implemented by the government.

In a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19, the government and its parastatal are blocking unvaccinated workers from coming to work.

The same workers have also been told that they risk losing the COVID-19 insurance allowance.

However, in an interview with OpenParlyZW on Twitter Spaces, ZCTU president Peter Mutasa said the move is unlawful.

Mutasa said his organisation is going to challenge it in court because there is no law that provides for that.

‘’The government has not come up with a law. Each employer is doing what they want, the government departments are doing what they want, and this is clearly unlawful.

‘’Even in instances of public emergencies or health emergency, Section 87 of the constitution is clear. The government must promulgate a written law. It is written that can spell out clearly what is expected from workers and what is expected from employers.

‘’It is only through a written law that can clearly express what are the rights of workers even during the pandemic because workers cannot have all their rights taken away. It is the same written law that can provide the obligation of each part.

‘’Employment relationship is a personal contract so both the employer and the employee have got rights and obligations. So, an employer cannot be allowed to arbitrarily determine that if a worker is not fully vaccinated, they are not going to get a full salary. If a worker is not vaccinated, they are not going to use a company vehicle. If the worker is not vaccinated, they are not going to get allowances, that is not right.

‘’That is unfair discrimination, so as labour we are already going to court. We are going to challenge the constitutionality of those pronouncements and those practices, and we believe we are on the right side of the constitution. This is arbitrarily being done, this is unlawful, and this is unconstitutional,’’ he said.

ZCTU to challenge ‘’no jab no work’’ policy.

-Open Parly

Government yesterday said at least $119 million has been spent on daily allowances and lunch for health professionals administering COVID-19 vaccination across the country, while only $99 million was used for their personal protective equipment (PPE), raising fears of corruption.

This was revealed during a presentation on the use of COVID-19 funds by the Health ministry before the Ruth Labode-led Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Health and Child Care yesterday.

According to the statement, from a total of $560 435 388,48, daily subsistence allowances and lunch gobbled a huge chunk of about $119 266 955, followed by advocacy and communication, which chewed $104 869 103,75 and data collection and tools, which was allocated $100 562 563. PPE came at fourth with $99 210 000, followed by planning and training, which gobbled $75 165 216,38. Fuel was allocated a measly $1 736 175.

The $560435 388,48 was for the vaccine rollout programme, from February this year until it ends. While responding to a question on disparities in vaccination between urban and rural centres, Health Care ministry secretary Jasper Chimedza said they were on track in the vaccination campaign despite limited resources.

“Despite the limited resources, we are doing the best vaccination programme in Africa. We are working through the provincial medical directors (PMDs) and provincial taskforce teams to be able to mobilise as well as reach hard-to-reach areas,” Chimedza said.

“Existing health centres cater for communities that are geographically dispersed, hence some can be reached through outreach. Secondly, in the context of COVID-19, it is advisable to reach out to people rather than gathering people together justifying the need to vaccinate people in their communities!”

Labode queried lack of fuel in deserving areas despite a huge amount having been allocated for the purpose.

“So much money was put on fuel, but it has not reached the intended areas,” she said.

There have been reports of teams using their own resources to ensure they go to places for vaccination.

“Disbursements were made using an existing government payments system that is in use for all other funds that we are receiving. Detailed budgets were available to assist the managers in the necessary decision-making. Furthermore, where necessary, the finance department had to write emails to the PMDs, informing them of the disbursement,” Chimedza said.

He said follow-ups and verifications were scheduled to be done by head office finance and audit teams though they had been halted due to COVID-19 and will be finalised when the lock-down restrictions are removed. Routine internal audit is being done for all funds disbursed to the various institutions.

Zimbabwe embarked on a vaccination program in February and by yesterday morning, 1 491 493 had received their first doses, while 687 216 have had their second doses. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, government has been under pressure to account for its COVID-19 spending, with fears that a lot of money could be lost to corruption.

Last year, former Health minister Obadiah Moyo was fired over his involvement in a US$60 million COVID-19 tender awarded to Drax International, a company fronted by Delish Nguwaya, a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family. There has also been opaqueness on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, with government not willing to disclose how much it is spending.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- An Immigration officer was left counting losses after she lost two cars to her ben 10 lover.

Margret Mashongwa (41) of Unit O Seke in Chitungwiza allegedly lost a Toyota Toyoace and a Toyota Belta to Brian Mandofa (32) after she left them in his custody when she returned to her work station at Chirundu Border Post.

Infuriated by her boyfriend’s actions, Mashongwa reported the matter to the police.

The Herald reports that Mandofa appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court charged with theft of trust property.

He, however, was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi, who remanded him in custody today for bail application.

Allegations are that sometime in January this year, Mashongwa gave Mandofa a Toyota Toyoace ( ADP1757) for safekeeping.

Mashongwa gave her boyfriend permission to use the Toyota Toyoace temporarily.

During the same month, Mandofa was given a Toyota Belta (AEM5578), so that he could have the motor vehicle repaired as it was having some mechanical problems.

Mashongwa allegedly asked her boyfriend to bring back the two motor vehicles but he started giving excuses.

The court heard that at times Mandofa would not pick up calls or he would answer and shout at her.

Left with no option, Mashongwa took the matter to the police who arrested Mandofa at his workplace in Warren Park D, Harare

 By A Correspondent- A South African truck driver was yesterday fined $80  000 for smuggling goods worth $2,3 million through the Beitbridge Border Post last week.

Kenneth Phila Vilakazi (38) was convicted on his own plea of guilty to contravening a section of the Customs and Excise Act (smuggling) when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Steven Ndlovu.

The goods were forfeited to the State as part of the sentence. If Vilakazi defaults paying the fine, he will be jailed for 14 months.

The prosecutor, Ms Karen Gundani, said last week on Wednesday, Vilakazi, who is employed by a South African company Net Logistics, crossed into Zimbabwe via Beitbridge Border Post driving an Iveco truck towing two trailers. He only declared goods he was transporting as per his employer’s consignment.

The court heard that he then proceeded to Bulawayo en route to Harare. The following day at around 6PM, the truck was intercepted by police along the Bulawayo-Harare Road near Zuva garage while Vilakazi was trying to offload the goods into another truck heading to Kwekwe.

Vilakazi was asked to produce declaration forms for goods in his possession and he failed to do so.

The matter was referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Zimra was engaged. It was discovered that Vilakazi’s truck was transporting both declared and undeclared goods.

The seized goods were 496 cases of Maq washing powder, 335 cases of bar soaps, 40 cases of foam bath, 422 cases of Dragon energy drink,145 cases of corned beef, 30 boxes of sweets, 96 boxes of creamer, 95 cases of Nivea body lotion, 261 cases of Koo beans,156 cases of Mayo yoghurt and two by 20 litres of paint. The total value of the goods was $2,3million.

-statemedia

By A Correspondent- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said pregnant women in communities where the COVID-19 pandemic is widespread could get vaccinated against the deadly virus.

The health mother body said it was necessary for expecting mothers to be vaccinated if the benefits of getting the jab outweighed the risks of contracting the virus.

This followed growing public concerns about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines on pregnant women and lactating mothers.

WHO Africa regional vaccines officer Phiona Atuhebwe in a statement yesterday said: “Pregnant women should get the vaccine when the benefits outweigh the risks. They face a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. We do not yet have enough data on the safety of the vaccine on pregnant women.

“However data from the United States where around 90 000 pregnant women have been vaccinated mainly with mRNA vaccines like Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna have not raised any safety concerns.”

She added: “Pregnant women should get the vaccine to protect themselves if the virus is widespread in their communities or if they have other conditions that put them at more risk of severe illness. These conditions include diabetes, hypertension, obesity and others.”

Atuhebwe urged health workers to provide the necessary information on the vaccines to women, adding that countries have different guidelines based on their situations.

-Newsday

By A Correspondent- Finance minister Mthuli Ncube will tomorrow deliver his mid-term fiscal policy review statement amid growing budgetary demands at a time when the country’s tax base is shrinking, and the economy severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since government announced the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, the economy has been partially opened up and some restrictions eased, while others have been tightened to curb the further spread of the pandemic.

The measures have restricted business to operate for as little as six hours daily, while the country’s borders have been closed, which has affected importation of raw materials.

Industry has also been affected by low disposable incomes for employees, which translates to low aggregate demand by consumers amid rising operating costs.

To curb the spread of the pandemic, industry needs to procure personal protective equipment for its employees, sanitisers and temperature check equipment, a situation which has adversely affected balance sheets of companies.

Economists yesterday told NewsDay that recurrent expenditure such as increases in civil servants’ wages would demand a bigger vote for employment costs, which would be Ncube’s biggest headache.

Economic analyst Batanai Matsika said Ncube should speak to the issue of provision of social safety nets for the vulnerable, and stimulus packages for industry to save it from collapse.

He said Ncube should explain the US$1 billion special drawing rights (SDR), and how they would impact the economy.

“In the wake of COVID-19, we need to know how government is going to deal with the issue of social safety nets. As you know, the lockdown periods have come back again and again, and we need to know what is going to happen in terms of social safety nets, especially for the informal players and small-to-medium enterprises,” Matsika said.

“Secondly, there has been a lot of news around the US$1 billion SDR allocation, and so a breakdown and insights into how that money will be allocated would be imperative. Ncube needs to explain the impact of COVID-19 on government revenues, and also on monetary policy developments.”

Economist John Robertson said the fiscal policy review should be an opportunity for Ncube to announce measures to collect taxes from those that are not paying in order to ensure that taxes for those that are paying are lowered.

“We have very few people being taxed. Out of a population of 15 million, we have about 500 000 being taxed and they are taxed too high. We should open up the economy and have more people to tax and we tax them less,” he said.

Robertson said pay-as-you-earn for the last quarter was high and it affected workers’ incomes as they were overtaxed.

“Ncube must have a re-look at the income tax brackets,” he said, adding that licence fees for informal traders should also be reduced in order to encourage them to formalise.

Robertson said it was cheaper in neighbouring countries like Zambia to set up new businesses than in Zimbabwe.

“There will be pressure to increase wages for the civil service if inflation remains a problem in the second half of the year. Already, Zimbabwe’s civil service head count is too high,” he said.

-newsday

By A Correspondent- A Rushinga family kept its children’s umbilical cords for seven years. Collen Murefu a polygamist reportedly found two umbilical cords in the wardrobe.

This came out of Chief Makuni’s Community Court where Murefu was clearing his name after being fined for the taboo according to traditions.

Murefu got divorced with his wife Ester Kahwiti who he accused of the shameful act while appealing against the fine saying the offence was committed by his wife and he was the one who discovered it.

Murefu argued that the separation from his wife was unjustified saying his wife reacted emotionally after she suffered embarrassment from guilt about her act.

“She just gave me an abrupt alimony after I found the two umbilical cords of both second and third born children in wardrobe,” said Murefu.

The case first appeared at Headman Magaranewe’s court who ordered the couple to pay one beast for the taboo he committed together with his wife apart from their separation.

The wife had pleaded not guilty and the owner of the home Murefu according to tradition was forced to pay.

Kahwiti told the Chief’s Court that Murefu had given her the umbilical cords to keep since he was the head of his own family.

“I did not divorce him because of the umbilical cords but he has become too abusive and absolutely oppressive against me to the extent of always interrogating me about the time of returning home from our butchery,” said Kahwiti.

Kahwiti added: “The first umbilical cord of the first born child was consecrated in our rural area and those two were kept because we were in town and we wanted to do the same in rural areas again but my husband did not take action in time to execute the process as part of his family’s tradition.”

Chief Makuni said the umbilical cords were under the maternal authority and they were shocked to hear that Kahwiti did not have the power to exercise her authority to conceal the sacred parts of her own blood following traditional confirmation.

“The tradition defines that a child can be doomed or either become impotent if his or her umbilical cord is mysteriously involved in such act.

“This is a serious violation of a baby’s traditional fundamental in the society.

“The case became a stalemate as both of them accused each other so it’s anybody’s case,” said Chief Makuni.

He ordered them to resort to either fortune tellers or traditional healers to establish the truth and anyone between them found guilty would pay a number of beasts to both Headman Magaranewe and him as a fine for committing such an act.

-HMetro

By A Correspondent- Police detectives have arrested five suspected armed robbers who stormed a house in Bikita and stole a gun, ammunition and two cell phones before fleeing.

The five, Wonder Mahuni (42), Wirimai Gatsi (37), Christopher Danda (40), Evidence Damu (34) and Peter Jodo (35) were reportedly armed with a pistol, hammer and machetes when they committed the offence.

They also stole cash amounting to US$70 and R700 before they left the complainant’s house.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest and warned robbery syndicates that operations to account for all suspects are in full swing.

“On 19 July 2021 detectives arrested Wonder Mahuni (42), Wirimai Gatsi (37), Christopher Danda (40) Evidence Damu (34) and Peter Jodo (35) for a robbery case which occurred in Duma location, Nyika, Bikita, on 10 June 2021,” he said.
“The suspects who were armed with an unknown pistol, hammer and machetes stormed the complainant’s house, attacked the complainant and his wife before stealing a safe box containing a malfunctioning revolver, unknown number of ammunition and two cellphones.
“Also stolen was cash amounting to US$70 and ZAR700. The ZRP warns robbery syndicates that operations to account for all suspects are in full swing.”
This comes as police in Plumtree are investigating an armed robbery case which occurred on 20 July 21 along Dombodema Road in Plumtree, where five men armed with an unidentified pistol and spikes attacked two victims before stealing R385 000 cash, a Honda Fit, cellphones and wristwatch.
“The complainants were travelling in a Honda Fit motor vehicle towards Maitengwe border post along Madlambuzi Road when they were intercepted by the suspects who were driving a beige Toyota Granvia motor vehicle,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
“The Honda Fit was recovered at Hebron, Plumtree.”
-State media

By A Correspondent- Police In Chitungwiza have arrested Johane Masowe leaders for holding a church service in violation of the enhanced COVID-19 level 4 lockdown regulations.

Police confirmed the arrest which occurred on Friday last week. Said the police:
On 23/07/21 Police in Chitungwiza arrested Clyton Makavi (35) and Tendai Zhakata (30) for leading a Johanne Masowe church service at an open space in Zengeza 5 Extension, Chitungwiza with approximately 23 members comprising men and women.
The ZRP warns the public against breaching Covid-19 regulations by holding church services.
Public gatherings including church services remain banned as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Some members of the apostolic sect have, however, continued to conduct services in violation of Covid-19 regulations.

Over a week ago, Police in Hurungwe arrested two Johane Masowe eChishanu apostolic sect leaders for convening a gathering in violation of the COVID-19 regulations.
This is happening when the country is grappling with the third wave of the coronavirus.
New infections and deaths have been on the rise for over a month with authorities blaming complacency and the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus that was first detected in India.

-State media