Branton Matondo

MUTARE-National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has raised concern over the sorry state of reporting systems on work related accidents and deaths, a feat that has seen national fatality rates rise.
With global work related accidents statistics sitting at 19 percent, the case of Zimbabwe has reached a worse extent as records indicate a 30 percent rise.
Addressing journalists at a recently held Engineers workshop on occupational hazards and safety at Leopards Rock Hotel Acting NSSA Chief Executive Officer Charles Shava said the major cause for such unfortunate statistics is poor reporting systems
“We are not where we want to be when it comes to work place accidents and carnages. There are very high fatalities because majority of them are not reported because our reporting system is not that good,” said Shava.
According to NSSA, the dominance of the informal sector in Zimbabwe’s national economic structure has led to the rise of unreported fatalities.
Shava added that there are even more fatalities that vanish without being reported in the sector.
“To make matters worse, the informal situation of our economy lacks reporting systems. In fact, the actual number of deaths and work place injuries is far much higher than the statistics we are recording,” he added.
For the past three years, lost time injury rates have decreased from 2.8 to 1.8 percent.
Shava however said there is need to improve though resources are scarce.
“Causes for the decrease are because NSSA is working very hard. Lost time injury rates is a measure we use to assess how we are performing in terms of controlling time that has been lost as a result of injuries. But as you can see, we were at 2.8 and that has been reduced to 1.8 percent, it’s not a position we want as NSSA though it’s an improvement. NSSA is doing very well under harsh circumstances, both on resources and Covid-19. We have been working under very difficult conditions under Covid-19 but our aim is to continue pushing it down so that we meet the standard,” he added.
Bulawayo-based engineer Jacob Muguni at the side lines of the event told this publication that there is need to raise awareness across Zimbabwe to cut the national rate from 30 percent.
“One other issue that has been highlighted is combining Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE), the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) and NSSA in fighting the rise of these accidents,” said Muguni.
He added that there is need to train all engineers and responsible personnel to improve personal awareness.
Zvimba Rural District Council Engineer Tapiwa Nhemwa also said there is a lot that needs to be done especially in local government sector to evade work related accidents.
“From a local authority point of view, work related accidents are caused by lack of training or lack of due diligence and necessary working environment. There is lot that needs to be done in the local authorities in terms of providing safety through PPE. There is also need to provide Safety and Health Education departments with training to personnel within local authority systems,” he said.

…As they rescue their recently rehabilitated daughter from a known ‘drug dealer’

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-A family here recently blamed the local police over failure to heed to the national call to arrest identified drug dealers after their daughter openly implicated a popular figure (name withheld) for selling her mutoriro (Crystal meth).
Ridson Mupezeni, a businessman in Chiredzi is accusing local Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers for failing to properly handle the case where his daughter Eneles Mupezeni (26) was reportedly caught red handed at the alleged drug dear’s residence taking drugs.
In an interview Eneless Mupezeni who recently came back from rehabilitation at Ngomahuru after she had been affected by drugs, told this publication that they buy Mutoriro from the female drug lord at the cost of US$ 3 and they are even offered a room to sniff from.
“We are offered a room at her homestead to sniff from after we buy the drug from her. Less than 10 grams of Mutoriro costs US$ 3,” alleged Eneless.
His father said he is saddened by the fact that it cost him a lot to rehabilitate her daughter at Ngomahuru and is pained by the fact that someone, well known for dealing in drugs is left walking free after being caught red handed selling drugs to his daughter.
“On the 19th of March, my daughter Eneless who recently came back from Ngomahuru rehabilitation centre was seen in company of a lady (name withheld), a woman best known for selling drugs going to the drug peddler’s home. A neighbour alerted my wife who quickly responded by storming the peddler’s residence, though she was locked outside before she climbed the fence to rescue our daughter.
“(She) alerted my daughter to come out. With two other boys, my daughter came out speeding from the room they were taking drugs. The matter was then reported to the Police, where a senior detective (name withheld) openly told them that the peddler was untouchable therefore they were wasting their time pursuing the issue.
“I got to the police station to find out more, that is when I was referred to the Officer-In-Charge, Madam Ndava who also consulted her boss, Madam Muleya who ordered the peddler to be brought to the police station.
“The matter was later taken by I.C Crime Raki, who argued that the peddler can’t be arrested for selling my daughter drugs because there is no substantial evidence found, though I insisted that the court handled the matter. I was told that I should find somewhere to report my case if I insisted that a docket be opened for the case,” said Mupezeni.
In a telephone interview, the peddler admitted that she was once involved in drug dealing way back and that she did not sell drugs to Eneless, who in fact came to her house asking for US$ 20 change.
“No, I never sold any drugs to Eneless, in fact she came to my home asking for US$ 20 change which I didn’t have. I used to sell drugs long back but I am no longer doing that,” she said.
President Emerson Mnangagwa once said the police should arrest anyone found high on drugs to question him/her when they sober up on who sold them those drugs in order for the police to arrest them.
Most drug dealers in Chiredzi are reportedly dealing with some individual law enforcement agents who will later protect them for a fee, helping them evade police raids and arrests.

TellZim Reporter

Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa has been rewarded for his hard work by being named the Strategic Leader of the Year 2022 Diamond Winner at the recently held MegaFest Business Awards held on March 30, 2023.
The award was in recognition of work from January to December 2022.
Eng. Mukaratirwa said the award meant a lot to him and Masvingo City Council at large.
“The award means a lot to me as an individual, the Management team and staff at Masvingo City Council and council at large. All the strategies applied in order to achieve this award are as a result of the trust and support of colleagues.
“The award gives us energy to achieve more in terms of service delivery to the citizens of Masvingo City,” said Eng. Mukaratirwa.
Barely a year ago, Eng. Mukaratirwa also scooped another individual accolade at the Chief Executive Officers’ Network awards held in Harare alongside Mayor Collen Maboke, Ashleigh Jinjika the Public Relations Officer and then Finance Director Thandiwe Dube.
Eng. Mukaratirwa has worked tirelessly towards turning the fortunes of the local authority around since assuming the post no later than four years ago on Acting Town Clerk basis with Masvingo City having shone in service delivery issues like health provision through construction of clinics, road maintenance as well as liquid and solid waste management.
Cambria Farm landfill is among one of the projects he has overseen their progress while at the helm of the ancient city of Zimbabwe.
Masvingo has also seen an improvement in terms of water provision though of late, persistent power cuts have seen reduced flow of water to residential areas and even the Central Business District (CBD).

Branton Matondo

MUTARE-Life has been a bitter voyage for one Isaac Dube (35) who was diagnosed with an odd skin cancer that has affected his life socially as well as economically.
Dube who has albinism and resides in Chirasika village in Bocha said life is not getting any better as the belligerent cancer has thrown him in a pit of unimaginable stigmatization.
“This condition started in 2010 but I got treatment and felt better but the situation got worse in 2015 and up to date, I have failed to recover because I am unable to buy the sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and a sunhat for myself as I am unemployed,” said Dube.
Adding to the unfortunate turn of events, Dube said it has not been easy getting a job for the past 12 years citing that in most cases his efforts are pushed under the carpet.
“In 2009 I went to seek employment in Chiadzwa at the diamond mining companies and they all rejected me because of my albinism condition.
“The doctors said that I have skin cancer in 2016. My left eye has become slightly obscured although I am still having sight. The doctors have said that they want to remove the growth lodged inside my left eye before it spreads to the right eye,” he added.
The 35 year old Dube has been surviving on hand outs to finance his medication, with his situation however still heading far south.
Dube’s call is an appeal to the family of Zimbabwe to offer a helping hand so that he gets treatment.
Wellwishers who might have any form of assistance for Isaac Dube can contact him on +263776 168 810.

Emmanuel Chitsika

The continued rise in consumption of hard drugs has seen a sharp rise in commission of heinous crimes in Zimbabwe, a worrisome situation considering how the youthful generation is involved.
Speaking during a three day Inter-ministerial Taskforce on Drug and Substance Abuse training workshop for Matabeleland and Bulawayo provinces at Chevron Hotel in Masvingo from April 1-3, Detective Seargent Netty Kundizeza from CID Drugs and Narcotic section said the development is worrisome and hence the need for stakeholders to play roles in eradication of drug consumption.
“If one looks at the way criminals fight back police officers exchanging fire with them during shoot outs while knowing very well that police are trained to use guns, one would wonder where the courage comes from. They (criminals) do not care because they will be under the influence of drugs notably Crystal Meth
“If you ask armed robbers upon arrests, they will confess being high on those hard drugs. We also have heard of these ritual killings or read about such stories in newspapers and one wonders if a normal human being can perform such an act in sober sense or if that is happening in Zimbabwe. These drugs have are drivers of commission of crime in the country,” said Kundizeza.
She went on call upon all stakeholders to play a part in curbing drug abuse and or even help the consumers as the effects can reach out to non-consumers.
“It is better to avoid shunning these people (who use drugs) because it has become a societal problem where the input of everyone is required. Everyone should get involved because the effects of drug abuse are far reaching even to those who do not abuse them.
“Drugs are affecting us as a nation. Imagine one employing someone who is into drugs, he/she ceases to be productive in any way. Young people are dying at a tender age, let us help them instead of playing the blame game and make sure the welfare of youth is well catered for. Fighting drug abuse is everyone’s responsibility from parents, police and other stakeholders,” she added.
Also presenting at the workshop, another police officer identified as Acting Superintendent Chibaro highlighted how statistics show the huge involvement of youth in drug supply chains.
“From January to date, we have managed to make a total arrest of 1 349 accused persons. From that total, 439 drug suppliers were taken to court while 910 paid fines. 1078 were male while the remaining 271 were women.
“385 of the suspects were above 35 years while those below 35 were 964 forming the majority of drug suppliers arrested. 413 were suppliers while 936 were end users. 13 bases were destroyed during the same period,” said Chibaro.
The blitz also netted 22 kg of Crystal Meth, 3 kg of Cocaine, 442 kg of dagga, 761 plants of dagga, 886 Sultan cough syrup and 1 053 (100 ml) of Broncleer.
The total value of the drugs recovered was ZW$ 53 024 000.
The taskforce is made up of various ministries with Public Service Labour and Social Welfare chairing the committee and financing, Ministry of Health and Child Care focusing on harm reduction, rehabilitation and treatment of drug users while Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage focus on supply reduction, Ministry of Youth Sports Arts and Recreation focuses on drug demand reduction strategies and World Health Organization (WHO) chipping in with intervention and strategies to curb drug and substance abuse.
Recently President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched a fund meant to assist in the fight against drug and substance abuse while at the same calling for stiffer measures on drug and substance abuse criminals.

Perpetua Murungweni

Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has appealed to the Office of the President and Cabinet to immediately relinquish Ambassador At Large for Europe and the Americas, Uebert Angel of his appointment and revoke all diplomatic privileges pending further investigations over gold smuggling accusations.
In a statement issued on April 5, ZIMCODD indicated that there was need to renounce Angel from his diplomatic privileges because of the ignorance or willful misrepresentation of the same person as being the ‘second in command’ to the governance system, which they say is a breach of national constitution.
“To this end, as ZIMCODD, we are appealing to the Office of the President and Cabinet to immediately relinquish Mr Angel (Uebert) from his appointment and revoke all diplomatic privileges pending further investigations.
“It is very apparent that the individual has misrepresented Zimbabwe as a haven of sanctioned criminality, a contrast to ambassadorial roles. The arrogance and boastfulness of one Uebert Angel in the documentary stating how he can easily smuggle national resources is not only a cause for concern, but a mockery of our national security,” said ZIMCODD statement.
ZIMCODD further calls upon the Office of the President and Cabinet to set up a Special Commission of Inquiry to ascertain guilty and hold all implicated officials accountable.
“The Special Commission of Inquiry must suspend licenses of the implicated pending investigations, be headed by a reputable former Head of State or diplomat and a High Court judge, be independent and empowered to fulfil its mandate, broadcast all its investigations, be given the power to subpoena, consist of at least three reputable Members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties.
“There is also need to collaborate with the same investigations which are being carried out in South Africa for the same cause, so as to triangulate facts and findings, have a running time frame of three months, have the legal authority to access any relevant document, have the authority to freeze properties of the implicated persons and give sound and actionable recommendations,” added the statement.
ZIMCODD also called for the establishment of the special Commission of inquiry will enable Zimbabwe to uncover the gold smuggling and its networks.
“The successful establishment of this Special Commission of Inquiry will enable Zimbabwe to unearth the nitty-gritties of gold smuggling, its networks and implications. The findings will also shape court proceedings in a bid to prosecute and recover all lost revenue,” read the statement.
ZIMCODD also bemoaned how gold smuggling impacts ruthlessly to the socio-economic aspects as many Zimbabweans are living in poverty.
“The most ruthless impact of gold smuggling is that it worsens socio-economic challenges that Zimbabweans are facing by stealing an opportunity to robustly generate revenue to address the same. These social and economic ills being encountered by the citizens include but are not limited to poverty,” added the statement.
Qatar based news network Aljazeera has so far published two of the four part series of gold smuggling in ‘Gold Mafia’ episode 1 and 2 while the other two are yet to be published.
The four-episode documentary series exposes alleged gold smuggling syndicates, Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), money laundering, corruption, state capture, power dynamics and the abuse of diplomatic immunity and privileges.
The broadcast episodes show that Zimbabwe is losing an average of US$ 500 kgs of gold per week to gold smuggling syndicates who claim to have connections to the highest echelons of power. Key public institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and Fidelity Printers and Refiners who are custodians of gold production and exportation are all implicated.